The Hagia Sophia (Illustration by Aileen Torres-Bennett) I took my first big trip by myself just before my 25th birthday. It was a trip to Turkey. I was living in New York City at the time, and I had friends who were well traveled. They inspired me to get out and explore the world. I… Continue reading Postcard: Istanbul
When I was deciding on the title for my post "Ramen: A Story of Independence," I was debating whether to use the word "freedom" or the word "independence." Ultimately, I chose "independence" because it has deeper connotations than "freedom." We all want to be free. But freedom is amorphous. Some of us aren't ready for… Continue reading Freedom vs. Independence
Americans celebrated their Independence Day earlier this month, and that annual event came with a new realization for me this year about my first significant steps toward independence. I was a latchkey kid. I had a key that I fastened to my clothes with a safety pin so I wouldn't lose it during the day.… Continue reading Ramen: A Story of Independence
Fiji was able to remain a COVID-contained country--until this April, when the outbreak really hit. COVID cases continue to rise daily, and the effect has been hard on Fiji's heavily tourism-based economy. Read my AP story and see my photo essay here. Shout out to The Washington Post, which ran my story in its Business… Continue reading My AP Story: Virus outbreak in Fiji batters economy, tests health system
Staying motivated is a lifelong problem. It applies to everyone. If you lose your motivation, you stop caring. If you stop caring, you lose your sense of purpose. Without a sense of purpose, you lose your center and start drifting. This could lead to a feeling of emptiness that can be associated with depression. I… Continue reading How to Stay Motivated
