February 2012
10 posts
Desiree
With one semester of classes over and two more to go, I’ve been thinking a lot about my experiences so far in Tel Aviv, which has also led me to think about the experiences I brought with me upon my arrival.
I arrived in Israel with a sort of naive optimism that has been a product of the life I’ve been fortunate enough to live so far. It’s my past positive experiences that have allowed...
Rachel
Confidence: Wear It Like Make Up
Over the years, I have struggled to maintain a healthy self confidence and body image. Society places demands on us that one could deem impossible. These strictures force us to be self-conscious and completely obsessive over our weight, our make up, our diets, our clothing—everything. Because of this obsessive compulsive behavior, we get so stressed and...
Kevin
Throughout the past year and leading into this new one, I have often thought about the moments that have come and gone. However, this reflection has normally been about each individual moment, rather than the whole collection that has led to the chaos, fear and excitement that took place over 2011. At least until now …
As I graduated from Berkeley last May, I thought to myself: What do...
Meredith
I’m the middle child in my family. I have two sisters. Being the middle child, I have watched my older sister and my younger sister go through a lot. I admire my older sister and what she has overcome. She struggled for years with a social anxiety disorder without knowing it. In college she really struggled at first and had to go through therapy and medication. My older sister was able to get...
Vinit
I’ve recently been asking a lot of my colleagues in Teach For America to describe their experience thus far in one word. The results were somewhat expected—challenging, stressful, and rewarding came up often. I realized a few days ago that I hadn’t really applied this same standard of analysis to myself; if I could describe my Teach For America experience in one word, what would it be?
I...
Desiree
I saw a quote circulating on Facebook this week that I really, really loved. It was by Ira Glass, producer of This American Life, and it read:
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners. I wish someone had told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple of years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s...
Natasha
Today I was asked for directions by three people within 10 minutes of each other. And you know what? I knew exactly where they needed to go. That is a major accomplishment in my book on two accounts. The more obvious: I know my way around New York City after 6 months. The less obvious (but more important): I look like I know my way around New York City after 6 months (aka I walk the walk and...
Willi
Life is silently laughing
I could argue that my youth couldn’t have been any more perfect. Treeforts, pool parties, sports, friends, a loving family and a Great Dane named Cleo molded me into the tall, goofy self that I wake up with everyday. Why did I get so lucky?
Today is February 8, 2012 and I ride my bike through the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina for a living. I ride bikes and get...
Amy
In Defense of Leftovers
extra, residual, surplus, unconsumed, eaten, untouched, unused, unwanted
I’m the kind of person who likes to hang on to things. Oh no—not like a hoarder; I always throw away those old newspapers and keep my supply of spare grocery bags to a minimum. But I have a lot of stuff. Stuff that I swear “means something” when my mom accuses me of being a pack rat. Books,...
Morgan
Where did you car come from? Did you build it yourself? Did you pump the oil from the ground?
How about your clothes, where did they come from? How did they get to you? Unless you made them by yourself, you have no business arguing that there should be less government involvement in your life.
With all the attention the Tea Party is getting, and the backlash by those opposed to it, I have...
