Waheeb Thabit

  After advances in artillery technology during the Civil War, brick and mortar forts were replaced by earthwork batteries. The first of those in San Francisco was built in 1873 at Presidio Battery West and armed with twelve 15-inch Rodman cannons. Since then the batteries have been decommissioned. The winds are very high here all year round but on a clear day you can see the sun set to the west of the batteries and clearly see the Golden Gate Bridge to the east. Baker’s Beach and Marshall’s Beach can be seen below the batteries on the western side of the bridge.

  Located in the South of Market district (SoMa) in San Francisco, CA, Delah Coffee opened its doors in July 2022. The yemeni coffee craze spread throughout the US but had never quite reached the San Francisco Bay Area until Delah opened up. Omar Jahamee and his uncle Majed Jahamee and soon after followed up with a second location in Oakland and a third location near Chinatown. “Delah” in english is “coffee pot” and the logo is fashioned to look like the traditional coffee pots used by Arabs since the mid-17th century. While at Delah, I ordered their latte and their bee bites. The latte was very similar to the latte I tried at Qahwah House but the presentation was lacking. The bee bites were cream cheese stuffed balls baked into large round pastry and cut into pizza slices. This was then topped with black cumin and sesame seeds with a drizzle of hot honey. One thing this place lacked was the yemeni cushions which are common in many yemeni coffee shops. The parking at this location ...

  Cowell Beach is located just off the Santa Cruz Wharf in Santa Cruz, CA. In the picture above you have a direct view of Seal Rock in the distance. This rock was named Seal Rock due to the colony of Pacific seals that frequent location. Many use the rock to to sun themselves. Cowell Beach is a great place to play some beach volleyball, surf, or enjoy a nice bonfire during the warmer summer months. The sunsets are beautiful as you can watch the sun dip below the surface of the water.

  After trying coffee in the United States, Ibrahim Alhasbani was not impressed. Since he came from eight generations of coffee farmers in Yemen, he decided to open up his own coffee shop in Dearborn, MI. Qahwah House was meant to be third space to bring people together through coffee. And it became just that. The Williamsburg location opened in November 2020 in the widely white and Jewish neighborhood of Williamsburg for that exact reason, and is constantly packed with people of all faiths and backgrounds. While at Qahwah House, I tried their latte and sabaya. The latte was a perfect mix of milk and coffee and the latte art was beautiful. Even with the high price of $6, they do give you a good amount of coffee. Sabaya is a multi-layered pastry topped with sesame seeds and black cumin and served with a drizzle of honey. The sabaya at Qahwah house was made fresh and honey served hot. Definitely tasted as good if not better than the ones I have eaten at home. Overall Review Latte - 1...

  Nestled in the heart of California’s Central Valley, the San Luis Reservoir stands as a testament to the state's ambitious water management efforts and offers a tranquil retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Located in Merced County, this impressive reservoir serves a dual purpose: it’s both a critical component of the State Water Project and a popular recreational destination. Whether you're an avid angler, a boating enthusiast, or simply seeking a serene spot to unwind, the San Luis Reservoir has something to offer. Constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the San Luis Reservoir is one of the largest artificial lakes in California. Spanning approximately 12,000 acres and with a storage capacity of over 2 million acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in the State Water Project, which is responsible for transporting water from Northern California to the drier regions in the south. The reservoir helps regulate water flow, ensuring a steady supply for agricultur...

  Located in Midtown East just outside of Grand Central Terminal, Little Collins is a high end café serving coffee and food throughout the day. The interior is sleek and modern and provides a cozy atmosphere for you to enjoy a nice cup of coffee, especially during the harsh winter weather. Although a little overpriced, the interior and the quality of the food is well worth it. While at Little Collins, I enjoyed a small latte that was surprisingly very strong despite the amount of milk they used. Was it worth $5? Yes. But I definitely would not frequent this place often. The chocolate croissant was fresher than what I had tried at other locations and was toasted to perfection. Overall Review Small Latte - 9.5/10 Chocolate Chip Croissant - 8/10 Total: 9/10

  San Jose State University (SJSU) is home to the striking Victory Salute statues, a prominent feature of the campus since their unveiling in 2005 by Portuguese artist Rigo 23. These statues were erected to commemorate the courageous stance taken by former SJSU students Tommie Smith and John Carlos during the 1968 Summer Olympics. Both had taken gold and bronze at the Olympics respectively. The statues, located near Tower Hall, were placed there at the center of campus and next to Clark Hall to honor the support then President Robert D. Clark showed towards this act of protest. Ever since it’s erection, this monument has been a gathering point for protests for many different causes throughout the years. Excluded from the monument is Peter Norman, the third person on the podium in 1968. He stated that, “Anybody can get up there and stand up for something they believe in. I guess that just about says it all”. He asked to be excluded so that visitors could participate and stand in his...