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Joshua Tree and Me: My Hometown Vacation ⟩
August 14, 2025, by Trinity

Community

Hello! My name is Trinity, and I think one of the coolest things about me is that I am from Joshua Tree, California! It is basically a part of my personality at this point. Coming from a small place like Joshua Tree to a big city like Los Angeles has been an interesting experience, but both places are beautiful in their own way. For context, Joshua Tree is about 2 and a half hours from USC. It is a popular weekend trip destination for many USC students for camping, rock climbing, and vacationing. I definitely recommend going if you are at USC or in the area! Most people in Los Angeles go to Joshua Tree to get away from the hustle and bustle. That’s true for me too, but it’s pretty neat that one person’s vacation can be the same place I call home!

When I tell people where I am from, they almost always ask, “What did you even do out there?” This is totally valid honestly because if you have ever driven through Joshua Tree, you probably got the feeling that you were on another planet. We don’t have much, just a few restaurants and grocery stores. But we do have the second largest national park in California, and that makes it pretty special.

Some of my favorite activities to do in the national park are hiking, camping, and scrambling. You can find a lot of cool places that you don’t have to pay too much to explore, such as Black Rock or Indian Cove. My favorite hike in the national park is called 49 Palms Oasis Trail. If you want to check out this hike, make sure it is open! It closes after big storms and in the summer. Other hikes that are easy are Barker Dam, Black Rock Canyon, and the Mojave Desert preserve nature trail.

There are cool sights that you can drive to as well, such as Skull Rock. Even just driving through the national park is a great way to spend the day.

If you do end up coming to Joshua Tree, the night sky is worth staying overnight for. The one thing I miss more than anything else is seeing stars! And while you are there, try to catch a sunset or sunrise. They are unmatched!

As for food in the Joshua Tree area, there are some iconic ma and pa shops that are a must visit. Joshua Tree Saloon, right next to the Joshua Tree souvenir shop, is one such spot. I also like Frontier Cafe and Pappy and Harriet’s. I really recommend buying from the local businesses if you can!

Some other classic must dos in Joshua Tree are the Farmers Market, the swap meet, the sound baths, or the many children’s playgrounds all around the area. Air BnBs are a huge part of the town as well. Joshua Tree is really for those who want to relax, get in tune with nature, and leave the world behind for a while.

If you do come visit, please treat Joshua Tree with kindness and respect the locals who love it enough to take care of it for the long run. The ecosystem is fragile but so very special. There is really nowhere like this wonderful place, and I hope you can see the beauty in it if you go!

I used to wish that I could be anywhere else, but now that I don’t live there anymore, I just can’t wait to go back home to Joshua Tree.

 

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In My LA Era: I had the Time of My Life ⟩
July 3, 2025, by Trinity

Living in LA

Hey all! Today I will be talking about life in Los Angeles! Coming to USC and the LA area from a small town was pretty daunting. There are less people in my hometown than there are students enrolled at USC! Although I am still close to home, just about two and a half hours away, the difference between Joshua Tree and Los Angeles is vast! They are both in California, but that is where the similarities end. While Joshua Tree is still my first home, Los Angeles has become my home away from home!

LA is AMAZING! The rich history and cultural diversity in addition to the sheer number of activities here make LA a one of a kind place. I have been here more than four years, and I have barely scratched the surface of activities to do here. Still, I wanted to provide some highlights of my favorite things I have done here. I am not a travel blogger or a trip advisor, so I encourage you to do your own research.

To preface, I am a BS-OTD student, so I got my undergraduate degree at USC. I am now getting my graduate degree here too. That is how I have gotten to do so many great things here! During my Freshman year, I got to go on an art tour led by a street artist. LA has some of the most beautiful street art ever including this piece: (Unfortunately, I do not know who painted this. I also took this photo, and photography is NOT one of my occupations. Sorry!!)

On that same adventure, which I did with other awesome OT students, I also went to Urth Caffe for the first time. The food was delicious!

One of the great things about being at USC is that we are right by the LA Metro (at the main campus! The health science campus is different). I ride the Metro, specifically the E-Line right to Santa Monica to hang out on the pier and enjoy the beach vibes. There are also so many other beaches nearby! Of course, in the spirit of honesty, everything in the LA area takes at least 20-30 minutes to get to by car and a bit longer on the train or bus. USC does offer a shuttle right to Marina Del Rey, though, which could be a good option to get to some of the other beaches. Check this link for more information!

USC also has a regular shuttle to LA Union Station from the main campus and the health science campus, and from there, you can get anywhere. I know I was planning on only talking about things in LA, not things to do away from here, but I have to talk about Disneyland. I am a huge Disney fan, and from Union Station, I can get to Disneyland via the train! I regularly go, and while it is not in LA (it is in Anaheim, and people will get upset if you claim Orange County is LA), it is one of my favorite places!

OKAY… Now back to LA. I swear there is more. Griffith Observatory is a must, even if it is really touristy. There are some great hiking options from there. I did not even know there were hikes in LA until I came here. There are also great hikes near the Hollywood sign for everyone with all skill levels. (Remember what I said about my photography skills or lack thereof.)

LA has great shopping and dining, including at Century City (near Universal Studios) and at the Grove. Since I am very food motivated, I recommend Voodoo Doughnuts at Citywalk (they have a location in Melrose now, too!).

I can’t forget Dodgers stadium! There is a shuttle from Union Station that takes you right to the stadium. The games are electric!

One of my favorite things to do here is explore different museums! There are fun ones near the Walk of Fame, but my favorite ones are actually close to USC. Just a quick train ride away is The Broad. Hosting really cool modern art, The Broad is iconic on social media.

I also like the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum, and the California African American Museum. You can walk to all of these from USC’s main campus in less than 15 minutes, and all of them have free admission to the main exhibits for USC students! There is a path through the Rose Garden, another LA beauty super close to USC. (Bones the TV show was filmed here, irrelevant but fun). A few years ago, the California Science Center had the coolest exhibition ever: Lego Art! (I am a Lego nerd!)

Beyond just LA, USC offers a wide variety of fun activities, which I talked about in my last blog. This includes sporting events, plays, dance recitals, showcases, residential hall activities, and of course the iconic LA Times Festival of Books. Something fun happens almost everyday all mainly within the bounds of campus!

Los Angeles is a wonderful place to explore! I am excited to see even more in my last year here! If you have any suggestions for me, I would love to hear them. There is always joy in the journey!

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Life at USC! ⟩
June 12, 2025, by Trinity

Community Living in LA

Hey! I wanted to talk about some of the fun things I have gotten up to at USC! There are events hosted by staff and students almost everyday. Since I have been here for over four years, I have gotten to do many wonderful things.

Athletics
Beyond academics, USC is known for its athletics programs. Sporting events are an essential part of being a student here. I highly recommend going to at least one game of every sport. All sports are free to watch for students, excluding football, and even football is much more affordable for students. At USC, I have found how much I love watching sports. I go to every game that I can. The chants and cheers are a huge part of the culture here, and the Trojan Family Spirit is never stronger than at a sporting event.

Football definitely has the most spirited fans, but my favorite to watch is Women’s basketball. Right now, the Women of Troy are making history, and they are so much fun to watch! Soccer and Lacrosse are great too, and we are getting a new stadium soon! Perhaps most iconic is the USC band! They come to every game of every sport, and they always bring the fun. If you are ever near USC, you should definitely try to catch a game. Check out the USC Athletics website for all the details.

Performing Arts
USC also has fantastic performing arts programs. So many students here are incredibly talented, and it is so much fun to get to watch their accomplishments. Knowing I am seeing people who will be famous one day is surreal.

I love to watch plays put on by the School of Dramatic Arts. Every semester, students and staff put on between six and seven productions, and USC students can watch them for a discounted rate. They do musicals too! My favorite productions were Much Ado About Nothing and Rent, but I have not seen a bad one yet. Check out the USC School of Dramatic Arts website for all the details.

There are also productions completely put on by students. Often, they include work written, produced, and directed by students with student actors performing. They are often not as well known as some of the other productions, but they showcase the talents of students at USC beautifully. Plus, most of the time they are free to attend.

The dance program is phenomenal here. They have a showcase every semester, and I truly can’t believe how incredible the students are. It almost does not seem real because they are so good! Check out the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance website for all the details.

One program that deserves more recognition is the Opera. USC holds one opera a semester, free for students and with only student performers on the stage and in the band. For me, going to the opera is a transcendent experience. There is no experience like it! Check out the USC Thornton School of Music website for all the details.

Campus and Student Life
The coolest part of attending all these events is that I also go to class and work with the people involved. I’ve shared classes and made friends with athletes, actors, and musicians. USC is a school full of talent, but everyone comes together in the classroom. Every student matters, and every student is learning along the way.

Beyond these amazing student efforts, there are also events hosted by various student and staff organizations. I have had the incredible opportunity to work as a Resident Assistant for the last two years, so I am privy to some of these fantastic events hosted by Student Life, the residential association at USC.

In my community at Cardinal Gardens apartments, I hosted a make your own stuffed animal event, a board game night, a Valentine’s party, a bouquet making event, and more. These are just a small sample of the amazing events,  and there are many more all around USC. Most of them include food, and all of them include fun! Events are free for students (unless otherwise noted), and they are a great place to make friends. Check out EngageSC for all the details.

USC has a lot to offer in all areas of life for all types of people! I am grateful to have had such a wonderful time here!

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A Great Adventure with Great Friends ⟩
May 23, 2025, by Trinity

Beginnings and Endings Community

Hi! My name is Trinity, and I am a current BS-OTD student. Essentially, I am getting my undergraduate degree and doctorate of occupational therapy in six years here at USC. (Take a look Here on the website for more information on this program!)

I am just starting my first summer in the OTD program, and I am beyond excited. Some of my favorite occupations include watching sports, reading and baking. I am a huge Lego fan too! Originally I am from Joshua Tree, California. I absolutely love USC and occupational therapy!

Four years ago, I chose to come to USC to study occupational therapy, and just last week, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree! It was the fastest four years of my life, but it was filled with so many incredible memories and experiences. When I committed to this program, knowing I would be here for six years, I did not realize how quickly each day would pass and how much I would learn about myself along the way. Now I am over halfway through the program, and I am trying to cherish every moment.

One aspect of this program that is definitely worth cherishing is the group. During the doctorate program, there are about 40 people in each group who I take the majority of my classes with. I met all of these amazing individuals last fall when I started taking graduate courses full-time. I have realized that people who decide to pursue occupational therapy have a lot in common, and that makes us get along famously. When you have similar goals and outlooks, it becomes easy to make friends and build connections. Occupational therapy is great, and the people who want to be occupational therapists are pretty fantastic too!

Beyond my group in the OTD program, I have had a cohort of 10 BS-OTD students who have been with me since freshman year (all the way back in 2021) and who are still in the OTD program with me now. I am beyond grateful that I have such amazing people on this journey with me. Every one of them has become a wonderful friend, and they are a big reason why I have loved my time here.

Sneak a peek at us in 2021. It feels just like yesterday and also so long ago!

I remember meeting them all during the first online information session, not knowing how close we would become. Then, we were all unsure about what the future would hold. Now, we have graduated!

The first time we rode the shuttle from USC’s main campus to the Health Science Campus when we took anatomy was something I will always remember. We got there very early because we were so nervous. When we wore scrubs for the first time in that class, it felt like we were Real Adults.

Every year, we make time for a holiday party and gift exchange. Coordinating 10 schedules isn’t easy — especially close to breaks — but we always make it happen. Those evenings filled with food, laughter and conversation are among my favorite memories. Whether it’s having class in the iconic OT house, grabbing dinner or coffee after class, or showing up to support each other at events, my cohort has made this journey unforgettable.

Last week, my cohort and I graduated together. This commemorating event has allowed me to reflect on my experience in college, and I am realizing how important the people I have met at USC were to my experience. I am so grateful we could take graduation pictures together, so I can forever remember the cohort who got me through school.

Thank you to Alvin, Berenice, Cristina, Daniel, Joseph, Kyra, Lauren, Lexee and Manny!

USC is great, occupational therapy is wonderful, but it is the people I have met who have made this experience the absolute best it could be!

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