From the entrance of the small gate facing Duarte Rd., the mountains right in front of me transport me into a truly calm state of mind before the bustling and chaotic school day. It’s framed between the awning over the benches, the locker rooms and North gym, and J-Building, set right between the pole-like structure in the middle of the structure.

Seeing such a beautiful sight nearly everyday makes me appreciate how serene and calm daily sights can be when you slow down and focus on the moment before all of the stress and anxiety that comes with the school day.

Observing this sight everyday, I find that it’s so interesting to see how the light and shadows change on the mountains daily. On foggy days, you can hardly even make out the shape of them. However, on a good, clear and sunny day, the mountains are purely breathtaking with the sun cascading down the ridges and the tips of the mountains breaching the sky. 

The scene of the mountains really impacts my outlook on that day. When clouds cover their peaks, I find that I may not be too jubilant that day. With the sun shining brightly upon the ridges and valleys of the mountain range, I see that I’m usually in a better disposition that day. For example, on a Monday, at the beginning of the first week of November, I saw the mountains clear with only a little bit of cloud coverage and seeing it, it put me in a good mood for that week. I believe it goes to show that what you encounter in the early hours of waking really influences how you will interact with others around you that day; the simple sights that occur everyday may very well influence our whole being. 

While some may find comfort in the setting sun on a beach, the quiet chatter of an early city morning, or just a simple cup of coffee, I love looking at something bigger than myself to put in perspective of living a simple human life with others–fleeting in comparison to the “lifespan” of a mountain range. I suppose it gives me peace that the sight will be prolonged for generations upon generations of more people, though I may never know them. 

The sight of the great San Gabriel Mountains, a big landmark of California, is one shared by all, regardless of race, religion, politics, or social status. The mountains have brought these people together for  centuries with the view alone, and it brings me tranquility that can only hope to be described.

Viewing the mountains everyday makes me appreciate the calmness and serenity of the beautiful early mornings just before school.