Dear Reader,
Nice to meet you; my name’s Alexa Saavedra, and I’m the girl with 17 diaries.
Who?
The Diary of the Wimpy Kid? Anne Frank?
No, just a stronghearted and outspoken 20-year-old woman trying to survive a pandemic with the rest of the world.
It Helps to Write:
People are always surprised to find out that I still write in a diary at my age. Others admire that fact, and some like to tease me. Although, those who try to make fun of me don’t seem to understand that nothing is embarrassing about writing. It’s so freeing to write whatever you feel on a piece of paper and one day burn it, crumple it, or treasure it forever. There is so much justice in writing your own opinion and having the freedom of will to be able to voice it. It is so fascinating to read and compare how minor your problems once were to today.
Writing has helped me in many ways, and it can help you too. Buy a basic journal or notebook from Daiso, the 99 ranch Market, or Homegoods, and begin. Write about anything; there isn’t a right way to write; you just write!
My writing process:
First, I begin noting the date (Tuesday, 4/27/2021), I play a song, and I begin to write. Listening to music unboxes my imagination.
♫ Right now, as I write, I’m listening to Imagination by Foster The People from my playlist called “Peace.”♬
I’ve always enjoyed hearing stories. My dad used to tell me bedtime stories all the time when I was younger. I got, rather found, my first dairy on my 10th birthday, March 10, 2011, in the front steps of my porch. Today, I own 17 diaries, and I’m still completing the 17th diary my mom gifted me a day after my birthday this year.
My writing and grammar have improved since my first entry, and if you’re curious, yes, I still love pizza! Nowadays, I write more than just daily entries about what’s going on in my life or songs like when I was younger. I write my dreams, stories, book/album reviews, my favorite memories, places I’ve visited, poems, quotes, jokes, what or who I am thankful for, and the lessons I’ve learned.
Writing has opened up countless opportunities for me, like getting accepted into Gretchen Whitney High School, winning 1st place in a poetry contest, and the CSULB Honors Program. That same poem is what helped me get accepted into the Honor Code, where I’ve been able to write lovely articles about subjects I’m passionate about.
Writing has helped me stay content and clear my mind. Earlier this month, on April 4, 2021, my father passed away due to COVID-19. While he was in the hospital, I sent him pictures of the sky, and my family and I wrote him letters. A few days before he passed away, he asked me to write him another letter, but unfortunately, he did not make it to read it on time. Therefore, I’d like to share it with you all.
A Letter To My Loved One
Haha, my grammar still needs a bit of work!
I’d like to share one of my dreams:
When I’m older, I’m going to own a house with a big bay window, looking out into a beautiful flower garden with plenty of precious pebbles and dazzling crystals. Then on a wall near my bay window, I’ll have a tall, dark green, wooden bookshelf filled and organized with all the diaries I’ve written throughout my life. It will be accompanied by all my favorite books that I’ve annotated, sitting alongside a stack of CDs from my favorite albums, covered by my favorite stickers, and set with a lovely framed picture of my family. The walls of my room will be pastel yellow, and beside the bookcase, there will be a huge framed painting of the light blue shores of Laguna Beach. I'll look around, and asleep on top of my colorful, kneaded, hippie carpet will be my dog, Penny. Then on the other side, there'll be an open door that lets in the most delicious scent of fresh-baked pizza.
When I’m older, I will live in a world filled with peace and love, where I will meet people from different parts of the world and help them smile and heal.
Please, learn from my father’s mistake and get both of your COVID-19 vaccines so you can be the change and keep our world healthy. I’m so excited to get mine with my mom on May 7th!
What I’m thankful for today:
(A lesson I learned from my Yoga teacher Ms.Ordorica in my first semester at CSULB was to write down three things or more of what you’re thankful for each day).
I’m thankful for my best friend, Holly Cho, for encouraging me to join the CSULB Honors Program. I’m thankful for the CSULB Honors program introducing me to the Honor Code. I’m thankful for the Honor Code, giving me the opportunity to publish my work. I’m thankful for both Eryn and Aleksandra for their patience, editing my super long articles, and making them the best possible. I’m thankful for my brother who let me use his computer since mine stopped working last week. I’m thankful for my sister for making me breakfast this morning and teaching me to be brave. I’m thankful for my mom for teaching me to never give up. I’m thankful for the person who gave me my first diary. I’m thankful for the hospital that kept my dad alive for three more weeks. I'm thankful for my therapists (Ms.B and Dr. Rosa), my counselors (Jacky and Stacy), and my teachers for continuing to guide me to succeed in school. I’m thankful for my supportive friends and family during this difficult time. I’m thankful for everyone who’s stepped into my life and for all the lessons they’ve taught me. I’m so grateful for still being alive and for the opportunity God’s given me to live every day like it’s my last. Finally, I am especially grateful for my gift to write.
A Quote of the day:
Mrs. Locken, my 11th grade English teacher, would write one every week, and so I want to continue that tradition in my writing:
When your head is empty, read, and when you're overthinking, write, but keep in mind all those moments filled with joy, so you can continue to smile.
Alexa Saavedra
Finally, I end my entry with the time I finished writing, my age, and my star-shaped A signature:
12:44 am, Now Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Do you write?
If you own more diaries or journals than me, let me know through my Instagram @1ovealexa or comment down below!
DM the Honor Code if you have a super cool talent/ story like mine, or apply to join the Honor Code next semester!
My advice for you, dear reader: Join our University’s Honors Program to excel your talents, just as they’ve helped me.
And a reminder: Life is about lessons, so pay attention and learn.
-> To see her winning poem and a photograph titled "Hope" taken by Alexa, click here. <-
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