Computer Shortcuts That Make Life Just a Little Easier

 

As life continues to go down an electronic path, I think it is important to share some shortcuts that have helped me do my work and scroll the internet faster. I use my computer more than I am proud to admit. I use it to play video games, but also to do most of my classwork. I live pretty far from campus, therefore I try to do as many online classes as I can if I can’t find a schedule that makes the hour drive worth it. Here are a couple of keyboard shortcuts that I use almost every day that I think anyone who is using a computer should know:

Select All

I think everyone has had the experience where you are trying to type something into the search bar of your search engine or are typing and you find yourself needing to erase the whole text. Instead of using your mouse to click and drag to make the blue box appear around the text, simply use CTRL (this would be Command for Mac users) and ‘A’. This highlights all the text you are currently working with. Now you can click backspace and you delete your text faster.

Oh no! I closed my Google Chrome Tabs!

Everyone has felt the gut-wrenching feeling of closing their Chrome tabs when finding articles for their research paper or scrolling through hours of social media. That’s okay though! Not a lot of people know this, but if you accidentally close your tabs, there is a way to get them back. Simply open up Google Chrome again and do CTRL+SHIFT+T. This reopens every tab you had open before closing your Chrome.

New Tab

This one is fairly simple. If you ever want to open a new tab to search for something else without closing your tab, you can simply click on the plus sign next to the old tab. But, that's old-school. If you are too lazy to reach for your mouse, like me, then do CTRL+T to open a new tab and get to searching right away. 

 Check what you have copied

This is something that is only for Windows users (sorry Mac enthusiasts). If you ever copied something on accident before pasting what you originally had copied, there is a way to bring up everything you have copied before. Click the Windows Key+V on your keyboard and a little window will open up showing you what you have clicked “Copy” on since the last time you turned your computer on.

Copy and Paste

I think everyone should know this one by now. But, if you don’t, here it is. If you ever have to copy a quote from an article to use it in your paper, simply highlight the quote with your mouse and hold the CTRL key on your keyboard, Mac users hold the Command key, and click the letter ‘C’ on your keyboard. This will automatically copy anything that is highlighted. Now, go to your document and click where you want to have the quote, and click CTRL+V. This will paste everything that you copied into your document.

Easy Last Minute Halloween Costumes

    Halloween is just around the corner and it is not too late to come up with an easy, fun, and creative costume for any event you’re heading to. These costumes are so easy, you most likely have all the items you need already! Feel free to add other personalized touches to each costume to make it unique and individualized to you!

1. Party Animal

What you’ll need:

• Any type of animal print clothing (cheetah shirt, zebra pants)

• Party Hat

• Face Paint or eyeliner to draw animal features on face

• Optional: Confetti, Party noisemakers

This costume is a play on words and something fun and unique to wear to any event. It is great for a group costume! 

2. Men in Black

What you’ll need:

• White button-down shirt

• Black suit jacket

• A black tie

• A fake gun

• Black Sunglasses

• Any pair of black bottoms (pants, skirt, shorts)

This costume is great for a couple or duo. recreating Kay and Jay’s look from “Men in Black” is a fun way to put a spin on well-known characters. 

3. Lumberjack

What you’ll need:

• Flannel shirt

• Jeans

• White undershirt

• Optional: suspenders and axe

This costume is super simple, especially for those with a closet full of flannels. Wear a pair of boots with it and you are all set for this costume. 

4. Tourist

What you’ll need:

• Hawaiian Shirt

• Khaki Shorts

• Sandals

• Sunglasses

• Camera

This costume is great for a group and can be easily spotted! Add a fanny pack for bonus points and you’re all set! 

These Halloween costumes are very simple and perfect for any last minute plans during the holiday season. All are great for duos and groups! 

Night at Horror Nights

Me and a group of friends decided that there is no better way to start off October than doing something spooky in honor of Halloween. So what did we do? We decided to make a trip to Universal Studios on a Wednesday night for Horror Nights! 

The park opened their doors at 7 p.m. Because we left on Wednesday, some of us had classes that ended a little late. We ended up arriving to Universal at 8 p.m. As soon as we passed through security and scanned our tickets, the jump scares began. We walked through the scare zone where my friends were frightened, screaming, and all jittery. That only means that the night has begun.

We first completed two mazes, A Quiet Place and The Nightmares of Latin America. Personally, I did not seem too fond of these mazes. They were not scary at all, especially A Quiet Place. We then proceeded to hit the Terror Tram, Ghostbusters and Universal Monsters. Those three were not that bad. 

We first completed two mazes, A Quiet Place and The Nightmares of Latin America. Personally, I did not seem too fond of these mazes. They were not scary at all, especially A Quiet Place. We then proceeded to hit the Terror Tram, Ghostbusters and Universal Monsters. Those three were not that bad. 

After going on a round of mazes, our group decided to have some fun on rides. We rode on both Harry Potter rides, Jurassic Park and Revenge of the Mummy. A couple of my friends had never been to Universal Studios, so we made it our goal to try and complete everything at the park. Because we went on a Wednesday, this was very possible due to the longest line at the park being a 35 minute wait. Majority of us agreed that Revenge of the Mummy was the best ride. 

After a short food break, we finished the night off by doing the rest of the mazes. Some of our favorites were Insidious, Death Valley and Texas Chainsaw.

A night that started at around 6:30 p.m., the time we left to the park ended with us leaving at 2 a.m. We were able to accomplish our goal of doing everything that Horror Nights had to offer. It was a really fun time that brought a close group even closer. I would definitely recommend for everyone to try and go this season. 

Early Screening of Piece by Piece and Q&A with Pharrell Williams and Morgan Neville

    A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend an early special screening of Piece by Piece, directed by Morgan Neville and produced by Pharrell Williams. The film is an animated biographical documentary that uses the famous children's toy, Legos, to tell the story of Pharrell Williams' life and career. It has already received two nominations for Critics' Choice Awards.

The special screening was followed by a Q&A session featuring Pharrell Williams, the film's executive producer and musical genius, along with the director, Morgan Neville. Their insights helped the audience gain a deeper appreciation for the filmmaking process.

    Pharrell greeted the crowd with a warm welcome and immediately commented on how amazing the AMC slushy he was drinking was. When asked about the creation of the main song for the film, Pharrell shared his thoughts, shedding light on his artistic process.

“I knew that, like, I mean if we're gonna do a movie about like my life, then um, I knew that I wanted it like a song to do certain things. The first ‘Piece by Piece’, cause ‘Piece by Piece’ that your’e hearing in the film now is 2.0. The first version was, at the time, I was convinced that it was like, you know, that it was sticky. I was convinced that it was um, the cords were checking a box, but it wasn't like, it didn't feel urgent. I knew that it was going to be a little rough for the team because once they start putting things to picture and people kind of get like demoitis about things. Which is a very natural thing, they're like okay I've seen it this way, and this is cool, this is what works, and then they start building around that so when you come back and say okay we're just gonna remove this piece right here..it kind of shakes the process a bit. But everyone trusted and was very supportive, even Morgan, and it allowed me to really make something that I felt was an earworm. Like you hear it twice and I got you, it's gonna be in your head for a minute.”, stated Pharrell Williams. 

    Seeing and hearing from Pharrell was truly an unforgettable experience. His music has been a significant part of my life, both growing up and now, and it has fueled my love for music.massive part of my life and love for music.

Top 3 Mazes at Knott's Scary Farm

 

As Halloween season approaches, Knott's Scary Farm once again transforms Southern California’s iconic theme park into a terrifying wonderland of thrills and chills. This year, the Wax Museum maze took center stage, leaving visitors both terrified and amazed by its eerie, lifelike figures and twisted storyline. The maze was a fan favorite, as it played on fears of the uncanny, with wax figures that seemed to come to life, sending chills down the spines of even the bravest guests.

But for many, it was the Widow’s maze that truly stole the show. Widely considered the best maze at Knott's Scary Farm, Widows wove a sinister story of haunted brides and ghostly apparitions. Its combination of gothic aesthetics and sudden, heart-stopping scares created an atmosphere so intense that many visitors exited the maze breathless. The dark, claustrophobic hallways and intricate set design were a perfect backdrop to the frightening figures that lurked around every corner. Each jump scare felt meticulously planned, making it an unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers.

Another standout from last year was Cinema Slasher, a maze that quickly became a fan favorite for its creative take on classic horror films. In this maze, visitors stepped into a world where iconic movie slashers came to life, chasing them through dark alleys and twisted film sets. The maze’s immersive design made guests feel as if they were trapped in a horror movie, with blood-curdling scenes from their worst nightmares unfolding before their eyes. It was a close contender for the best maze, offering a mix of nostalgia and fright that horror fans loved.

Wax Works

In summary, Knott's Scary Farm delivered with a lineup of mazes that catered to every type of fear. Whether you were wandering the disturbing halls of the Wax Museum or sprinting through Widows in hopes of escaping the creepy spiders, each maze brought its own unique terror. For fans of horror and haunted attractions, Knott's Scary Farm remains one of the top Halloween destinations, where scares, screams, and heart-racing fun come together every fall.

Pumpkin Patch Season

As the fall season kicks in, pumpkin patches pop up all over Southern California, offering fun for families and couples while giving local businesses a chance to thrive. Pumpkin patches have become iconic fall attractions, drawing crowds for their festive activities, delicious treats, and scenic photo opportunities. These events are perfect for a family day out, a cozy couple's adventure, or just a fun-filled afternoon. Plus, they offer a great platform for local businesses to promote their products and services.

Here's a look at some SoCal pumpkin patches I've visited or heard of:

Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch (Yucaipa, CA)

This is the largest pumpkin patch I've been to, and it's packed with activities, including mazes, sunflower fields, photo ops, and local vendors. Over the years, it has grown in popularity, and while that means more crowds, it still holds its charm. In addition to the classic fall activities, there are rides, a petting zoo, hayrides, and even a pumpkin cannon. It's a bit of a drive, but the size and variety make it worth the trip.

Frosty's Forest Christmas Trees and Pumpkin Patch (Chino Hills, CA)

Though smaller in size, this pumpkin patch has a lot to offer. There are corn mazes, a sunflower field, photo spots, a petting zoo, camel rides, and plenty of games for all ages. Food trucks and spots to eat make it easy to spend the whole afternoon here. It's a cozier, less crowded experience, but it doesn't lack in activities, making it perfect for families with younger children or couples looking for a more intimate fall outing.

Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch (Irvine, CA)

This one is a family favorite for its train rides and traditional fall activities. Kids can enjoy face painting, hayrides, and a haunted house. The photo opportunities are endless, with plenty of pumpkins and rustic fall décor spread across the park. There’s also a fun hay maze for kids and a chance to ride the famous Irvine Park Railroad around the pumpkin patch.

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch (Irvine, CA)

Tanaka Farms is well-known for its U-Pick pumpkins and scenic farm landscape. Besides picking out pumpkins, visitors can hop on a tractor-pulled wagon ride, explore the barnyard educational exhibit, and take photos among the sunflowers. Tanaka Farms also promotes sustainable farming practices, making it a great choice for eco-conscious visitors. Be sure to check out the farm’s fresh produce stands for delicious fall treats!

Overall, there are a variety of places offering unique pumpkin patch experiences, each with its own charm and activities. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy them, most of these spots close by the end of the month, making October the perfect time to visit. Whether you're in it for family fun, a cozy date, or just some fall photo ops, these pumpkin patches are a seasonal experience you won’t want to miss!

Attending My First Solo Concert

Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by concerts. I went to my first one at 13 to see PartyNextDoor, and from that moment on, I made it a priority to see my favorite artists live. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to watch performances by PartyNextDoor, The Drums, Jhené Aiko, Peso Pluma, Bad Bunny, Frank Ocean, Brent Faiyaz, and many others. I’m incredibly grateful for these experiences, as they’ve become a cherished hobby. 

What makes concerts even more special is sharing the music I love with the people I care about. Singing along with loved ones at a concert creates lifelong memories that linger long after the music fades. However, when the chance to see my all-time favorite artist, Brent Faiyaz, came up, none of my friends were available to join me. This shook me to my core, filling me with frantic anxiety at the thought of going alone, as I had always attended concerts with others. Yet, I realized this was a unique opportunity I couldn’t pass up, especially since Faiyaz rarely tours. So, I built up the courage, bought my ticket, and decided to go solo. 

When the day arrived, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. To shift my mindset, I told myself this would be a moment of growth, a chance to prove that I could be independent and be my own best friend. My boyfriend dropped me off, having tried to buy a ticket to join me, but they were all sold out. He supported and encouraged me, assuring me I would have a great time.

As it was my first visit to the Youtube Theater, anxiety filled my mind with thoughts of getting lost, not finding my seat, and fearing judgment from those around me for being alone. Thankfully, the staff were incredibly kind and helped me navigate the venue. Once I found my seat, my anxiety began to disappear, and I could finally focus on when Faiyaz would take the stage.

Then, the lights dimmed, the bass thumped, and the crowd erupted in cheers as he opened with one of my favorite songs, “Loose Change.” At that moment, I knew this experience would stay with me for the rest of my life. Hearing my favorite song performed live felt like listening to it for the first time, with chills running down my spine. Before I knew it, the concert had ended, and I couldn’t wait to share my experience.

It turned out to be a transformative experience; I stepped out of my comfort zone, connected with my favorite music, and discovered a newfound sense of independence.