Something about the sudden shift away from the usual hustle and bustle pushed me to pay more attention to Grounds and contemplate my appreciation for the University community and my place in it.
Though I may always have an affinity for my Pennsylvania home — it is where I grew up and where my family is — I know that I do have my own University family and home to return to in Virginia.
When people ask me what it was like living in Japan, I always respond with gratitude. Not just because of the beautiful culture I was able to experience on the island of Okinawa, but the true connections I made there — especially with myself.
Reflecting on Trader Joe’s has led me to a key takeaway that I try to always remind myself of — to savor the mundane moments as much as you can.
Self-discovery can still take place without a dramatic realization and in an experimental, trial-and-error way.
My style doesn’t have to be accepted or understood by others. I find joy in how I choose to dress and connect with those who share the same love for clothes and creative expression as I do.
In retrospect, I can simply take my experience for what it was — a great opportunity, sure, but perhaps not the right one for me at the time.
When I entered the braiding shop for the first time, it was with all this in mind. I was tired of attempting to change an intrinsic part of myself to cultivate a certain image that was more palatable to others.
While work is constant, opportunities are not. I have to make the time to pursue my passions, no matter how busy life gets.
Moving forward through the last half of my internship and beyond, being launched into work midstream, I know that I can understand more — little by little — by asking.
By embracing careful intentionality with my social media use, I’ve come to believe that some moments are best shared only in the memories of those who have lived them.
Next time your partner finds himself in a difficult situation, see if there might be anything personal you can offer to open the door to more honest, trusting conversations.
While nights have been hard, the patient population I have had the opportunity to work with has made it well worth it.
At the University, hustle culture manifests itself in a variety of ways — most notably in the “work hard, play hard” ethos.
I love using my journal to capture moments that would otherwise be somewhat lost to the confounding principle of memory.
While I am almost certain my captain was by no means intending to instill in me a valuable life lesson with his intolerable teaching method, he still did.
After spring break, I know the end of the semester will feel like it’s rapidly approaching. I want to savor every moment I have left at the University, while still trying to balance my school and work life.
When doing things alone, you get to operate on your own time and really process what’s going on around you and within you.
I am so glad I get to be a part of this first-generation community and celebrate it every day and I am especially grateful to the community for aiding me to finally have the confidence to truly step into myself.
I believe social media should be an outlet where individuals can freely express themselves, and for me I feel like I've arrived at a comfortable position to do so.
