Maybe it was my parents’ compulsive need to pack educational experiences into every ounce of my childhood. Or maybe it was a desperate attempt to salvage their sanity by getting my brother and I out of the house as much as possible. But as far back as when I was 10 years old, I was flying across the ocean with a bright green “Unaccompanied Minor” button on my hoodie —spending summers at my aunt’s house in Los Angeles, studying pre-calculus at nerd camp or visiting dilapidated castles in England.

I remember the college application process like it was yesterday. From applying early decision in November to finishing the rest of my applications late December (like any good procrastinator, I hit the “submit” button five minutes before heading out to ring in the new year); to the breathless refreshing of my email in the school computer labs in March. I’ll never forget the disappointment of being deferred, then rejected from my first-choice college and months later, the rush of relief that came with accepting a spot at my now alma-mater, New York University.

Dear Readers,

How do you feel about Mochi’s new look? For our winter body-themed issue, we’ve given ourselves a makeover as well. This season, with the cold weather making us sluggish and a little lazier than usual, we’ve turned our minds to all things body- and health-related. We talked to a range of celebrities to weigh in on body image—singer-songwriter Marie Digby, “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant Karla Garcia and “Fame” actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.

For this summer’s issue, we’ve gone with an eco-friendly theme. From makeup to food, there’s no denying that being environmentally conscious has seeped into every aspect of our lives.