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
Special Edition 2026
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
Begin-ning at Pepperdine
Paul Begin, interim senior associate dean for Seaver College stands alongside his son, first-year Ethan Begin at their Pepperdine faculty home. The Begin family continues a Pepperdine legacy from childhood to adulthood during their time on Malibu campus. Photo by Soliel Lara AponteNestled up in the hills of Pepperdine lay the homes of many faculty and staff members. One family … [Read more...] about Begin-ning at Pepperdine
The World Through A Soundtrack
A man listens to music on Venice beach. Listening to music is a gateway to introspection and reflection on life and those around us. Photo by Melissa Houston. Beyond mere background noise, music often acts as a lens through which people view both their own lives and the lives of those around them.For many, that connection begins at a young age. Throughout my childhood, Alfa … [Read more...] about The World Through A Soundtrack
Behind the Performance
Editor’s Note: Melissa Houston was a member of Dance In Flight (DIF) this past year.Isabelle Ignacio's dances for the camera. She said her dancing reflects the individuality behind every performance. Photo by Melissa Houston.The lights come up, the curtain rises and the show begins.From the outside, performing all looks the same. People go on stage, move, sing, dance and … [Read more...] about Behind the Performance