Kuma Sushi Bowl

This was the very first thing that came into my mind when thinking about what I would recommend to others. If you like sushi and poke bowls, or even if you don’t, head west to Kuma Sushi Bowl in Vernon Hills. It’s a cute, face-paced, japanese-style restaurant, located right across from Chick-fil-a, and is quickly becoming a staple in my family’s diet. If you need more convincing, just know that each time I get a bowl from here for lunch, I always want one for dinner. That’s how good it is. I usually come here twice a week, so if you decide to go, it’s likely that I’ll see you there! Check out the menu here.

Fleetwood Mac

I just want to preface this by saying, no. I didn’t hop on the Fleetwood Mac bandwagon right after @doggface420’s tiktok blew up. But even if you did, I don’t judge. Fleetwood Mac is quickly moving up the ranks on my list of favorite bands, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it at the top of my Spotify Wrapped list next year. It’s the kind of music that’s good for any occasion – doing homework, driving around with friends, or playing as background music at dinner with the grandparents. It’s very versatile, and Rumours, their most successful album, is currently sitting at #50 on billboard’s top 200 – sandwiched between 21 Savage’s Savage Mode II and Drake’s Scorpion. A 44 year old album? Between two albums written within the last two years? Unheard of.

Making Friendship Bracelets

I have to include a hobby of mine that originated when I was about seven years old, and hasn’t yet gone away: making friendship bracelets. There’s something about it that’s so calming – very similar to knitting. Each week, I try to find time to either listen to music or put on mindless reality TV and continue working on my bracelets. Sometimes I make them for myself, and sometimes I’ll make them for others, but I gotta admit – I start to get emotionally attached to the bracelets that take me a long time to finish. Also, while I’m here, I probably should include a note to my teachers: while it might look like I’m looking at my phone in my lap in class, chances are, I’m making a bracelet.  Anywho, I know making friendship bracelets is always popular in the summer, but I’m encouraging you to keep making them during the rest of the year! People on the receiving end absolutely love them as a gift, and it’s a good thing to do if you’re in need of some stress-relief.

Dead to Me on Netflix

This is a show I’ve suggested to all of my friends, and each one has loved it. To sum it up without spoiling anything, it’s about a mother of two whose husband gets killed in a hit and run car accident. The show mainly revolves around solving the mystery, but has lots of interesting turns along the way. The first episode aired in early 2019, and since then they’ve made a second season, and Netflix recently announced a third on the way. If you enjoy comedies, dramas, and a little bit of mystery, this is perfect for you.

Poptropica

Don’t laugh at me. I know you all know what Poptropica is, but it’s likely you’ve forgotten about it. I’m here to replant the seed in your brain that Poptropica is one of the greatest games ever created. I have so many memories of playing this in class in middle school while I was supposed to be doing my work, and while it’s changed a little, it’s still as entertaining as it was when I was twelve. It kinda requires the same type of thinking that you need to beat an Escape Room, and with a dozen different games, there’s bound to be one for everyone.