I had just finished a four-hourlong lab course for the day and my legs were exhausted. There was no way I was dragging my feet uphill to get back to my dorm – so I took the elevator next to the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

Growing up, I was quite the anomaly to the white people of Kansas City’s suburbs.
Was he Chinese? Was he Mexican? I’d play along with their guessing game, answering why I had a Spanish name or why my eyes became really tiny when I smiled.

“Diego, you’re not an only child? You literally never talk about having siblings!”
And so it begins.
To make things clear, I do have a sibling – a sister who’s three years older than me.

This post was updated March 2 at 8:35 p.m.
Five months into living in California, I’m proud to say that I can finally find San Jose on a map.

In the midst of another massive spike in COVID-19 cases, UCLA somehow expects students to return to in-person instruction in one week.
After UCLA’s first in-person quarter in more than a year, the university sent an email Dec.

With the shift to in-person instruction comes the return of hungry college students.
Considering the seemingly endless lines at dining halls and takeout places, it’s evident UCLA was not prepared.

“Gracias!” I said, accepting my taco from an employee of the food truck parked on the corner of Broxton and Le Conte avenues.
Was that weird to say?

For many, taking advanced courses in high school provides a chance to pursue higher-level material upon entering college.
To rob students of this opportunity is quite a disservice.

This post was updated Aug. 8 at 6:43 p.m.
UCLA offers a wide variety of language majors, but American Sign Language isn’t one of them.
Out of respect for the Deaf community, it’s time that changes.

Lead Faculty-in-Residence Neil Garg has lived on the Hill for nine years with his family, longer than the typical UCLA student could ever imagine – and this year has been unlike any other.