R.E.P.O.R.T.

Hello from San Juan,

It's been a while. After not writing a single piece across the entire month of July, I've been itching to post a few articles. And what better way to begin than by catching you up with a report?

Reading

Quite frankly, I find myself in a shallow reading slump. After finishing several epic fantasy series, such as Sarah J. Mass's Throne of Glass, I can't find anything that produces the same amount of endorphins. I've taken the opportunity, however, to complete some of the books on my TBR (To Be Read list) that lean into the boring side.

These would be Niccolo Machiavelli's iconic piece on how to attain power and maintain it: The Prince. Just so you get a gist of the author's morals, the word Machiavellian finds root in this Italian diplomat.

And The Essentials of Comparative Politics with Cases, which was the assigned reading of last year's AP Comparative Government Course (one I ached to take, but couldn't find room in my schedule to).

Please, feel free to judge my irksome selection. I'm simply getting in the mood for the upcoming academic year.

Eating

If you know me at all, you know I'm in a long-standing, serious relationship, with coffee. We have a joint bank account.

While I tend not to discriminate in my caffeine intake, I might've found my new favorite way to make coffee at home, and am consuming it at alarming rates, seeing as I won't be able to make it once I leave for college in two weeks.

I've elevated my regular iced latte, for a sea salt and maple iced oat latte:

• First, make your coffee, I use two shots of espresso pulled from my father's Breville (which I have conquered and colonized).

• Then, in your cup of choice, add your coffee, around a teaspoon of maple syrup, depending on your sweetness preference, and a pinch of sea salt.

• Proceed to froth it with a hand-held frother, and once sufficiently frothed, add ice.

• Top with oat milk (my favorite one is Oatly) and thank me later.

Playing

I am well aware August has just shown face, barely six days into the imposing month. But to me, it's essentially already fall (probably my favorite season). August, is also a month filled with falling back into an academic rhythm, accompanied by a chorus of focus and discipline. The song that currently encompasses these beats for me, is La Petit Fille de la Mer. (Click the link to listen, purely for the vibes).

Obsessing over

Yadda Yadda, my obsession is the exact same as the one in my last report: the great and imposing thing that is university. Everything I do surrounds the fact! Dorm purchases, going-away parties, and the current discovery of Mount Everest in my living room. I have managed to recreate the Himalayas in a near-impressive categorization of mountains upon mountains of clothing I wish to take to college with me.

Yes, I am aware I have to downsize my closet, no need to rub salt in the wound.

Recommending

The series I'm currently watching is HBO's House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones. While I am enthralled by the plot and quality of each episode, there is little beyond it but entertainment. So another show I'm recommending, and another I look forward to every week, is John Oliver's Last Week Tonight (also on HBO).

While I always try to read the news, it can be quite depressing to do so in today's day and age. On Last Week Tonight, however, they cover some of the most important international news with brilliant, well-researched journalism and a wide array of dick jokes. I find myself laughing out loud during each episode, and feeling slightly less ignorant while doing so.

Treating myself to

All my favorite foods. I feel like a bear preparing for hibernation. Tostones con ajo from the neighborhood Chinese spot, the best mofongo, too many mallorcas, and some frijoles, because why not?

That's all for today, but don't worry, I won't go radio silence on you again so soon.

Love,

a reporter