![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
The stress of holiday shopping
Perhaps the only thing more difficult than selecting a gift is wrapping and decorating it. Two full gift wrap rolls are necessary for the countless errors I make decorating gifts.
While Bing Crosby may dream of a White Christmas, I dream of a Christmas that isn’t rapidly approaching during which my holiday shopping is complete, my gifts for friends and family are either packed or already delivered, and my wallet isn’t completely empty.
Gift shopping has always been a challenge for me. Frankly put, I have no idea what to buy anybody. Even shopping for my best friends presents several obstacles: self-imposed and somewhat miserly spending restrictions, not knowing where to begin, and not knowing how to differentiate between minimalist and excessive gifts. Every single year, I wind up in a panic at the last moment, clutching several lists, ordering items online, and regretfully selecting the ridiculously overpriced Overnight Shipping option.
There is also the slight struggle my Secret Santa provides. I find it difficult enough to select presents for my family — even with the assistance of my Secret Santa’s completed wishlist, I still have absolutely no idea how I am going to choose gifts for somebody I do not spend the majority of my life around.
Today is Dec. 3. Christmas is in 22 days, and holiday parties are rapidly approaching. So far, I have made two lists: my wishlist and my more important “give list,” comprised of each of my friends’ names, a brief summary of what I might like to purchase for them, and an estimated budget.
Holidays, by definition, are not supposed to be stressful. We are meant to give thanks, delight in the joy of living with our families and friends, and devour mass quantities of food. While certain tasks must be completed, such as gift shopping and celebratory cooking, the holiday season should be filled with red-and-green clad joy.
There exists a near-tangible happiness I feel when I actually present a family member or close friend with a gift I spent an extensive amount of time thinking about. Nothing really compares to the feeling of watching people I love express happiness while knowing I am the reason behind their delight. The delight I experience can best be reciprocated with a large grin and hug — and maybe a small gift too.
Maya Jeyendran (11) is the Lifestyle Editor of Harker Aquila. She been a part of Harker's journalism program since her freshman year, and has previously...