April 13th, 2026
Siren Song
I took a creative writing class in High school, and in that class we would often read and analyze poems. Well, one that has stuck with me to this day is a poem by Margaret Atwood, titled Siren Song * :
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can't remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don't enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don't enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
This poem wittingly implies that the siren song that lures sailors to their deaths isn’t one of beauty or desire, but one that awakens the sailor’s curiosity and need to “save the say”. The siren calls out to them, complaining about her situation, making the sailor feel like a savior while simultaneously promising to reveal secrets, a combination that isn't necessarily sensual, but rather it plays on the sailor's ego and need to be chosen. She lures her victim by portraying herself as a victim when, in fact, she was in control and planned it the entire time. I think it's a really interesting take!
* Sirens in Greek mythology weren't sea creatures like mermaids, but rather bird-human hybrids.
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Apr. 11th, 2026
I often think about idioms that are used so commonly and assumed to mean one thing when, quite literally, they mean the exact opposite of what the speaker meant to say.
Here are a few examples:
"Curiosity killed the cat" is an idiom that supposedly warns against letting your curiosity get the better of you. The misunderstanding of this phrase can be blamed on its often incomplete nature. The entire phrase goes like this: "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back." See how the phrase suddenly has an entirely different meaning? That chasing answers to your queries may be difficult or dangerous, but the satisfaction of having your questions answered might just be worth it in the end.
Another popular idiom is: "Blood is thicker than water." This phrase has been simplified and shortened over time, leading people to misinterpret its meaning. This phrase implies that bonds between people who share blood, between family, are the strongest. Stronger than nonfamilial bonds. However, the original phrase is actually: "the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb," which teaches the complete opposite of what most people believe. The blood of the covenant, the ties made between friends who you aren't related to, are stronger than bonds made simply by familial relationships and birth. Ties between friends are stronger because they are the ones we choose to make.
Another popular saying was written by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: "Well-behaved women seldom make history." This quote has been used as inspiration for women not to be afraid to rebel or be bold. But when Ulrich said this quote, she hadn't meant it to be used as an inspirational girlboss slogan; she said it literally, that women who chose to conform to societal norms were rarely, if ever, recognized. Later, she did come to embrace the quote's inspirational nature. Still, she originally said this to highlight how quieter women who embrace a normal life aren't appreciated. The women who chose to lead normal lives never had their history recorded because it wasn't considered special or important enough. Ulrich wanted to express that women go unnoticed unless they do something outside of societal expectations, highlighting that many women who lived meaningful lives had their stories ultimately forgotten because history didn't choose to preserve them. Ulrich's critique is saying that women shouldn't have to break the rules to matter.
She often referenced the lives of early colonial women who kept diaries about their everyday lives: raising children, doing housework, delivering babies, treating illnesses, and keeping communities running.
I think the entirety of these phrases and their true meanings are very interesting and can teach important lessons. I'm sure there are many more idioms and quotes out there that have been misinterpreted or taken out of context, which just goes to show how important it is to really know what you are talking about before you say anything. It also shows how our reliance on the knowledge of those around us and those who came before us has such a big effect on our language and how we view the world. I guess all I can suggest is that maybe we could all benefit from second-guessing things a little more in our lives.
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Apr. 7th, 2026
When I study, I like to pretend I'm a character from a different life or world—studying for a magical class, conducting super important scientific research, inventing something, or preparing for a top-secret mission—all to motivate myself to study. To really set the mood, I use YouTube to find ambient videos. You won't believe how many there are to choose from, virtually from any setting you can imagine. It's fascinating—how do people even come up with them? The most popular ones I've come across are inspired by the Harry Potter universe. My favorites have been Louisiana bayou ambiance, vintage music playing on a rainy day, or studying in a lookout tower. I highly recommend giving them a try!
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Feb. 23rd, 2026
How Did Sperm Whales Get Their Name?
Before people started drilling for oil for things like lamps and motor vehicles, the main source of oil was whale oil, specifically sperm whale oil.
So sperm whales have a giant organ at the top of their heads, right above their eyes, called the spermaceti organ, which can hold around 2,000 liters. Whale hunters discovered this milky, oily substance in the top front of the whales, which they mistakenly thought was semen.
On the contrary, this oily substance is a mixture of mammal fat, which is actually used for echolocation and buoyancy control. By controlling blood flow to the top front of their head, they can determine whether the oil is solid or liquid. When they need to come up for air, increased blood flow to the spermaceti organ allows the oils to become liquid and therefore less dense, making it much easier to float to the surface. When they wish to swim deeper, they can manually reduce blood flow to the organ, allowing the oil to become denser and sink to the depths.
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