Posts

Random Blog 2

  As a college student who has spent the last semester desperately searching for internships, the 2024 job market has me at my wits-end. Finding an internship is like finding a needle in a haystack. With hiring freezes, and multiple unnecessary interview rounds, everyday of applications has felt like a challenge. In this competitive landscape, every application feels like a shot in the dark, met with the daunting silence of unanswered emails or the dreaded rejection letters. The uncertainty of whether the skills learned in the classroom will be enough to land that coveted position adds an extra layer of anxiety. Despite the hurdles, the perseverance to keep pushing forward and the resilience to learn from each setback become invaluable assets in the journey towards securing that elusive internship. However, amidst the challenges, there's a glimmer of hope. Networking, refining one's skills, and seeking guidance from mentors can open unexpected doors and provide opportunities th...

Random Blog 1 (Meet Toby)

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Toby is my 3 yr old, Shih Tzu. He is a very expensive dog with very expensive taste. He prefers to be hand fed bacon bits and boiled eggs than kibble out of a bowl. He will cry if you don't pet him as soon as you wake up in the morning. He will cry when you don't feed him off your plate. He will bark at the birds in the balcony, at the doorbell as soon as it rings. Honestly, he will bark at anything and anyone he doesn't recognise. Toby is confident yet shy. He is brave, yet timid, He's fiercely loyal yet would trade his family in for a strip of bacon. In many ways, Toby is like all of us, scared to take on the world around him, but powering through nonetheless, one step at a time. His confidence, like ours, is built upon the backs of the people who love him. His challenges may be limited fighting the big dogs at the park for sticks that they steal from him, but they are a reminder for us to not let what may seem like insurmountable obstacles stop us from achieving our ...

The World We Imagine Part 3

                                   Goldilocks.org Welcome to Goldilocks.org, where the simple joy of owning a teddy bear transforms into a powerful act of philanthropy. We are a unique nonprofit dedicated to crafting beautifully designed, limited edition teddy bears, each created in partnership with different charitable organisations. Our mission is to provide a tangible symbol of support for various causes, making philanthropy accessible and delightful. Each of our teddy bears is a limited run, exclusive creation, designed in collaboration with a nonprofit to symbolise and support their specific cause. From protecting endangered species and preserving natural habitats to funding research for diseases and providing relief in humanitarian crises, every bear tells a story. The proceeds from every sale directly benefit the partnered organisation, helping to fund critical projects and in...

Random Blog (Extra Credit)

During Spring Break I had the opportunity to experience music in a way that I never had before. I've trained as a musician for quite a few years going up, but this was truly extra ordinary. I've heard of 'Qawwali' singing before but this was the first time I got to experience it live. At an event organised by my parents, as a sort of Thanksgiving to celebrate my dad's fiftieth birthday, I got to experience, what I believe, to be the pinnacle of folk music.  Qawwali is a form of Islamic, often devotional folk music originating from South Asia. Now in the West, we often assume 'Islamic' and 'Arabic' cultures to be nearly the same. But South Asia, especially India has a vibrant Culture of Islam as well, going back almost a thousand years. From the Sultans of Delhi to the Mughal Empire, a large part of Indian culture is influenced by the Arab world. Qawwali music is just one side of this cultural integration. It is a slight departure from Sufi music, res...

Book 2 Post 2

Part 2 of Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You delves into overcoming procrastination by addressing the "blockers" that often inhibit productivity and well-being. Ali Abdaal identifies three primary blockers: uncertainty, fear, and inertia, and provides strategies to counteract each. In Chapter 4, Dr. Abdaal addresses the "fog of uncertainty",which often causes procrastination because it clouds our ability to see what needs to be done. Abdaal advises using strategies like detailed planning and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts to dispel this fog and reduce the overwhelm that prevents action. Dr. Abdaal also recognizes Fear is as a significant barrier to action. It often stems from the anxiety of potential failure or negative outcomes. Abdaal suggests confronting these fears by assessing the realistic outcomes of actions and mentally preparing for them, thus fostering resilience and the courage to face challenges head-on. Inertia...

Book 2 Post 1

  Dr. Ali Abdaal begins by sharing a personal story from his first Christmas working as a junior doctor, a time filled with overwhelming responsibilities and acute stress. This experience serves as a critical turning point, pushing him to reevaluate traditional notions of productivity and success. Ali contrasts his earlier focus on hard work with his new approach, which prioritizes well-being and enjoyment in work. Ali introduces the concept of 'play' as a fundamental element of productivity. He recounts the story of Nobel laureate Richard Feynman, who rediscovered his passion for physics by approaching it playfully. Ali argues that incorporating play into our daily activities can significantly enhance creativity and satisfaction. He suggests practical steps to reintroduce the joy of play into our lives, including adopting a mindset that seeks fun and adventure in mundane tasks In Chapter 2 Ali explores the concept of 'power' in the context of personal empowerment and c...

The World We Imagine Part 1

" Today we are redefining the geography of community and accepting shared accountability for common human values. We have the chance to extend the notion that all men are created equal to every human being on the planet. This will require global structures and products we are only beginning to imagine.... Each of us in his or her own way can contribute something by thinking -- and acting -- like a true global citizen. We have only one world for all of us on earth, and the future really is ours to create, in a world we dare to imagine together." As a student of International Relations, I don't like to make predictions. As I've been taught time and time again in my classes and by my professors, predictions about the future will almost always turn out false, so the best use of one's time is to rely on the data the past provides and try not to make the mistakes we as humans have made in the past. Yet, I often find myself dreaming about how the world I live in now came...