Traffic rushes both ways on the 101 freeway in Los Angeles. Despite the rage invoked by hours of LA traffic, drivers can find small pockets of "sonder" in the stillness. Photo by Melissa HoustonI am a proud Los Angeles native. I was raised in this city. It was where I learned to walk, talk, drive and root for my favorite sports teams. But for all of its bright spots, LA has … [Read more...] about Growing Up in Los Angeles: The Hidden Beauty Found in Rageful Traffic
sonder
Modern Dating: The Hard and Soft Launch
Seniors Julia Ryan and her fiancé, Adam Kroeze, stand in front of a banner celebrating their engagement. The couple met at Pepperdine and got engaged on Valentine's Day of their senior year. Photo courtesy of Julia Ryan.In the age of curated feeds and crafted captions, deciding just how to debut a relationship online is the new norm.For Pepperdine students Julia Ryan, Lola … [Read more...] about Modern Dating: The Hard and Soft Launch
The Connections Shared Around the Table
A pair shares a meal in a park in Venice Beach, Calif. Food can bring people closer together in an intimate setting. Photo by Melissa HoustonAli De La Torre, a third-year student at UCSB, said even as a self-sufficient adult, she can still recall the fond memories she shared with her grandmother in the kitchen. As she prepares her own meals, De La Torre always thinks about the … [Read more...] about The Connections Shared Around the Table
Different Traits of Personality: What Makes Each Person Unique
A group of students engage in conversation while one holds a disco ball on Upper Mullin on April 16. The disco ball reflects how every person has different facets of personality. Photo by Soliel Lara AponteEven as time moves on and people grow older, they remain the same at their core. Personality is one of the few things in life that cannot be fully changed. Personality is a … [Read more...] about Different Traits of Personality: What Makes Each Person Unique
Through the Looking Glass: How People-Watching Brings a New Perspective
People sit on a lawn in early March in San Francisco. People-watching is a common way to connect with those you may never meet. Photos by Melissa HoustonIt is easy to people-watch in Los Angeles — an urban center of life that is home to almost 4 million people. In such a populated city, millions of stories are waiting to be told by each person just trying to live their … [Read more...] about Through the Looking Glass: How People-Watching Brings a New Perspective