sustainable systems & storytelling
“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. It is up to you to give [life] a meaning.” --Jean-Paul Sartre What if we could wrestle down life’s big questions using the scientific method? What if we could systematically improve human thoughts, actions, and environments... Continue Reading →
Rest is important. Yet we live in a world where the masses worship at the alter of busyness. We try to appear productive, so others will perceive us to be important. In a society where worth is tied closely to output, rest is often placed on the back burner, sometimes forgotten entirely. I'll be the... Continue Reading →
Over the last several months, my emotional state has been cycling through periods of relief, anticipation, dread, and hope. In the last nine months, doctors have presented me with the good, the bad, and the uncertain. However, it's only in the last week or so that I've been able to apply the wisdom I have... Continue Reading →
"Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity." ― Jean de La Bruyère One of the biggest frustrations plaguing the modern world is the feeling that we have too many tasks on our to-do lists and not enough time to accomplish everything. Adults and children alike... Continue Reading →
Imagine a five-foot-nothing Italian with a heavy accent, oversized nose, and enough stories to ensure you always circumnavigate away from his porch if you're in a rush. His goodbyes involve kisses on the checks and finger-wagging reminders that he expects to be invited to the (eventual) wedding. This is my dear, elderly neighbor, Nico. Four... Continue Reading →
Hello readers, writers, and digital friends! How’s August treating you so far? Is it full of adventure or are you celebrating the last bit of summer downtime? At time of posting, I'm in the hospital anxiously awaiting the collection of cerebrospinal fluid to test for coccidial meningitis and answers as to why my body is not... Continue Reading →
Five years ago, I admittedly had no idea what vegetarians ate or how they met their nutritional needs. When I met my boyfriend, he had been a vegetarian for over 13 years, so I immediately began my inquisition. What do you eat? Where do you get your protein? Do you feel satisfied after plant-based meals?... Continue Reading →
We all have that one friend, coworker, or family member that gossips incessantly about the dumbest things. Did you hear what you Aunt Carol said? Did you see what Kim Kardashian wore? Did you watch the latest episode of The Bachelor? It's like a disease where they cannot stop talking. Despite, the "no, I haven't,"... Continue Reading →
I just received a call from my infectious disease doctor. "Your numbers haven't budged. You have a lumbar puncture scheduled this week, right?" My latest lab results just came in and despite four months of heavy-duty medication, excessive amounts of sleep, and supplemental eastern medicine treatment, the infection plaguing my body is not responding to... Continue Reading →
During my first semester of college, I had a wonderful English professor who introduced me to some of my favorite thinkers and helped me change the way I see, analyze, and interpret the world around me. My final paper in that course was titled "Perception, Reality, and the True Source of the Shadows", taking together... Continue Reading →
