New York Summer
June 18, 2012
I’ve heard a lot about the epicness of New York summer. This past weekend was a nice prelude to a great summer. The weather has been a perfect 70 degree. A corporate job so far has given me nice free weekends. Free time that I can now filled with plenty of brunches with friends and take up hobbies that I…
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Stop and Look at the Churches
June 15, 2012
I love old cities. Before moving to New York, London was my favorite city. So much history. And the architecture! They sure don’t make buildings like the way they used to anymore. New York is a baby city in comparison, but there are still some gorgeous buildings around. On my way to the post office today, I noticed that there…
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First Taste of Corporate Grind
June 14, 2012
Today at lunch, despite the rain, I walked out of my office to grab a bite of something to eat. I told myself I wouldn’t bring my lunch back to eat in front of my computer. I needed a break from those Excel spreadsheet. I sat in this small all-in-one lunch place eating my bland udon noodle soup (one should…
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Big Girl Job
June 12, 2012
Today, I put on a suit and a pair of power heels and started what I hope to be my first career job. It’s a strange feeling to embark upon a career. Sounds so serious. Last night, I actually was somewhat nervous about it. For the first time in my life, there is not an end in sight. It’s not…
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SIPA Farewell
May 28, 2012
Tonight is my last night sleeping in my apartment at 417 W. 118th Street. Tomorrow, I will no longer be able to see the 6th floor of the SIPA building from my living room. As I pack up my belongings (again) and clean out my desk, I felt all sorts of bitter sweetness. It’s been a really good year, and…
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Not Just Another Graduation
May 18, 2012
This week, Columbia University celebrated its 258th academic year, and I somehow managed to receive a degree from this institution. Congrats, my fellow Class of 2012! I’ve been through many graduations, but this one is somehow particularly emotional. Besides the fact this is likely my last graduation, I also realized that I am truly living the American Dream. My parents…
Read MoreThe African Ingenuity
March 31, 2012
I am not an African, but in the two years of my Peace Corps service in Cameroon, I had fallen in love with the African people. Like most naive twentysomethings who set out to go “change the world”, I was humbled by my time in Cameroon. The country changed me in more ways than one. I barely made a…
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Story of a Honduran Girl
March 29, 2012
During my time in Honduras, I made many new friends; one that made a great deal of impression on me was Marisol. She is my age and acted as our tour guide through the city of El Progreso during our very first day in the country. We talked about the same things that all 25-year-old girl talks about. Her English…
Read MoreLove. Love. Love.
February 14, 2012
Last night, I found myself at Lenox Lounge, a jazz club in Harlem. It was a picture perfect New York experience. A down-to-earth space with incredible jazz musicians, a few audiences from the neighborhood that embody Harlem. The five piece jazz band played many classic tunes, sprinkled with a few ballads by Duke Ellington and the like to set the…
Read More90/10 Life Rule
February 11, 2012
4am. I was walking back from the 116th St. 1 train exit. I walked through the Columbia quad alone. Snow was falling. For the first time in a long time, I felt very happy. It was the same sensation I used to get daily when I went on runs in the hills of my Cameroonian village. I smiled, looked up…
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