Techies Go to Nepal

An email at work was forwarded around announcing a fundraiser and earthquake relief trip to Nepal in mid-July. My immediate thought: “Follow the money.” The former journalist in me instinctively started researching how Effect.org would use fundraised dollars on the Nepal Earthquake relief trip. On April 25, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake completely devastated Nepal, and the Nepalis desperately deserved every $1 of aide received to … Continue reading Techies Go to Nepal

Of course, the inevitable delay.. but I’m still grateful!

1. friendly neighbors: Man, being able to just knock on your neighbors’ door, enjoy a glass of wine (or two), and chat with them for hours is such a wonderful thing in life. Kevin’s neighbors are super awesome and friendly and hilarious. Plus, you never know when you may need to borrow some sugar 😉   2. My wonderful boyfriend, Kevin: Somehow he supports, puts … Continue reading Of course, the inevitable delay.. but I’m still grateful!

Shrimp Destruction!!!

We hear about all these food campaigns encouraging us to eat locally and be mindful about where our food comes from. It supports local farmers, it’s fresher, it’s less susceptible to harmful contamination, etc. But we tend to forget (or the media doesn’t focus on) the environmental impact. I’m doing a bit of research about shrimp aquaculture, or shrimp farming, and the environmental damage is … Continue reading Shrimp Destruction!!!

Focus ONLY on this…

Have you ever heard those individuals bragging about how they can juggle 10 things at once? Checking their email, messaging their friends, listening to music, holding a conversation, AND doing their homework… Well, turns out they can’t. At least not simultaneously. Turns out that this multi-tasking is just lightning-quick “task-switching,” according to Stanford professors. And all this multi-tasking is lowering our productivity for all these … Continue reading Focus ONLY on this…

HARRY POTTER WORLD??

FINALLY millions of Harry Potter fans can penetrate Platform 9 3/4 and enter Diagon Alley and the magical world of Hogwarts. Universal Orlando is building The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as part of an attraction to their theme park “Islands of Adventure.” This place sounds incredible. The precision with which they’ve ensured that The Three Broomsticks, Ollivander’s, Zonko’s Jokeshop, and other Potter landmarks all … Continue reading HARRY POTTER WORLD??

Playing into Western stereotypes of femininity…

The controversy over 800m race winner Caster Semenya is not a matter of he versus she. It’s a battle of standards of feminine beauty,  a lop-sided one in which Western standards continue to win single-handed. The same stereotypical physical definitions of thinness, little or no strength, and a large chest are the rigid standards of what a woman “should look like.” Facial beauty of a … Continue reading Playing into Western stereotypes of femininity…