tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85620604330745368712024-03-19T00:54:39.170-07:00'14 ILC at Brown-1Don Gosneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110247579694408858noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-40450498024138439972014-07-18T15:23:00.001-07:002014-07-18T15:25:00.417-07:00The Program, The Experience, The Effect...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now you all know that I had an outstanding experience on the east coast coast these past three weeks but there hasn't actually been that much light shed on the program that made this all possible. The Ivy League Connection is a scholarship program offered to students in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) so that they have the opportunity to see schools outside of California and experience what it's like to go to an Ivy League. Tons of outstanding students applied and thankfully I was chosen as one of the lucky 42 students who were able to go abroad these summer. There's no perfect way to express my gratitude towards the program, benefactors, and everyone else who made this possible, so I'll just have to try in this blog.</div>
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In order to give you all the best overview of my experience with the ILC program I need to start at the <u>very</u> beginning. Freshman year. I have to say that there isn't really much that I remember about Freshman year except for all the adjustments that I had to make AND the presentation about the ILC. I can still remember seeing Don, in his Hawaiian shirt and sandals of course, explaining to all of us about what this exclusive program actually was and what it had to offer. Thinking back on it now I can regrettably say that, at the time, I didn't really think much of the program. It was only until I started talking to some of my upperclassmen that I really started to take the program seriously. The way they spoke about it and the stories they told about there times at all these different schools just made me so excited that soon I would be able to have some of these stories as well. </div>
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Up next was Sophomore year. I was so excited that I wouldn't have to wait any longer to be a part of this program. I applied, got an interview, but wasn't selected. I was devastated. I had planned on applying to different courses but after being denied I lost most of my will to do so. I had so many questions about why I wasn't selected and what I kept coming around to was that I just wasn't good enough. The year passed slowly as I saw some of my friends getting accepted to the program and telling me the stories about all the meetings, dinners, and events that they enjoyed so much. It hit me hard but it was the kind of reality check that I needed. I realized that the students I was going up against were the best of the best and that if I wanted to take part in this experience I would really need to improve myself. So I did.</div>
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By the time Junior year rolled around I felt completely prepared. Not just prepared for ILC but for life in general. School, sports, work, it all became so much easier. I hadn't even been accepted yet and this is the type of effect this program had on me. I got my essays done early, sent in all my forms as soon as possible, and spoke to as many ex-ILCers as possible, and when the time finally came, I was accepted. As soon as he had called my name I knew that my life was about to change, but I could have never foreseen how much it actually did.</div>
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After being accepted I thought that the hardest part was over; I couldn't have been more wrong. All the tutorials, meetings, presentations, and dinners started to occupy much of my thoughts. It seemed like every other day we were getting an email from Don telling us to do this or write that. It may have seemed hectic but Don always kept things organized, making it as easy as he possibly could on all of us. It was definitely stressful at times but it was always amazing. I never would have imagined speaking directly to our school board, meeting admissions officers, alums, or spending 3 weeks at an Ivy League School, but the ILC made it all possible. </div>
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This is supposed to be a reflective blog but this blog would never end if I did a full recap of everything this program has done for me. Instead I'll just give you the best advice that Don ever gave me. Apply. It's only one word but if you do it can change your life. All my experiences with the Ivy League Connection have been unbelievable. The opportunities that this program gives you aren't available anywhere else. I've made tons of connections and met countless friends that I will never forget. This program IS life-changing and I will do everything in my power to let people know what it has done for me, and what it can do for you. As this is the last blog post I don't really know what a good sign off is but I just wanted to thank you all for staying with me through this amazing journey. Although... maybe we'll meet again so... jusqu'a a la prochaine fois....</div>
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Jack Giddingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886669104281678511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-35451268450174921282014-07-17T19:55:00.000-07:002014-07-22T22:50:57.459-07:00In Retrospect<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I am here in the Bay Area adjusting to debate as well as an internship that I am going to do while catching up on various elements that my community is doing to make many proud- from The ECHS Jazz Ensemble making its debut in Europe to an upcoming 24-hour drive for cancer as well as many global events which are going on, I am starting to understand to large gap that I took and overcame not only literally but on a larger level. Our world is so interconnected that what I have done may not seem to make as a lasting mark as it would have many decades ago but to continue to make that route and to improve and to work hard to make the bridge between this gap even sturdier and more beneficial is what I strive to accomplish and I then can hope that it would leave others to set better precedents than I and many others have done. What is this gap that I talk about? It can actually be interpreted in a plethora of ways and seen in a plethora of perspectives, which ultimately make this experience so special and so crucial to many in which this opportunity casts an impact on. Even if people don't seem to care about the ILC, or if people feel that because they didn't obtain a scholarship to go back East, or believe that the ILC is infested with 'elitists'; I am certain that what people pose an impact towards affect the world as a whole in a variety of ways which can be interpreted differently by different people. I acknowledge that what the marks of what people leave should be cherished in terms of how unique and special they are as what one person leaves has its own inherent qualities which can't be mimicked or reproduced by anyone else. This scholarship has taught me to see these elements as fragile and to cherish and embellish them to the best of my ability. Although this will be one of many accomplishments and life-changing activities that are experienced by human beings around the world and hopefully within my own life, I see this as substantial enough to see me change as a person in the long-run. </div>
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I have yet to see the full package which will unwind out of this month-long opportunity as I am still in the short-term stage. I was surprised to find that I adjusted pretty quickly to PST, although I almost missed the World Cup final match because of extra sleep that I took. It is however very, very hard to finally be at the place which I seem to call as the 'stomping grounds' as I essentially didn't take a tour or visit Brown and the rest of New England with the colleges that come with it. It seems like home away from home, even if I don't seem to fully encapsulate what this is doing for me at that particular moment. Perhaps it is because to deliberate think about a particular impact at a random point in time doesn't seem to formulate right at that second but it will come in terms of going about something or at a random point without effort. Sometimes I regret not being able to jot down these "a-ha!" moments in the latter circumstance. But when I occasionally do jot down substantial themes and epiphanies which strike me, I wonder if I the full essence is being captured by what I write. </div>
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Fortunately, I have experienced some of the symptoms which are caused by changing as a person. I remember the orientation when Don that my parents won't really recognize the old Kevin at SFO when I return to what Ms. Kronenburg murmured before I left (I hope New Zealand changed hers, might go there next year in the summer post-graduation). I can successfully say that going on a musical tour to doing a camp in the outdoors has its own set of ways to change my life but it has been refreshing and explicitly fascinating to witness the changes that have come forth for this experience. To be free and to be fully independent (except for alcohol and drugs as well as a late curfew) had shown insight to what will occur after I obtain or clench something that I have yearned for so long. The tenets of the ILC at times do not seem apparent when I am in the moment back East but at times of reflection and of thinking matters through which is compulsory to doing this successfully, they are. To experience New England and to think that my life has problems when I feel that I can't tie the loose ends in terms of going to this X place in Providence or doing a certain activity or learning a particular topic may be substantial and even center-stage due to my perseverance, but to see others back in West County as to places in the far corners of the planet not have running water to working in jobs in order to make a living shows how I had to take a step back so that I will have less regrets than if I didn't realize this- and I am glad that I did before heading back to the opposite coast. I realized and reflected on how fortunate I was to study economics among students from all over the globe- an international and innovative community that I was dreaming to collaborate and to be a part of. I realized that I was able to develop and to put my social skills and abilities on the line where I have progressed to a person who seems to find no boundaries as well as simultaneously meeting other people and developing deep and ever-lasting friendships with random people that I meet. I didn't fully realize this while I was there but at last, I finally realize the whole scope of why I was there (even though I regret not being able to absorb and to delineate the whole and real deal) and what this ultimately means in terms of giving back.</div>
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It entails that I use this for the benefit of others where I can finally speak and to apply these experiences into the world that I am going into. It should never be seen in regressing where I return home or where I talk about this as some ivory-tower, distant experience that I boast about. It is about interrelating this to how I view matters and how I take leadership as well as to transfer this for the utilitarian criterion for society. When talking about this, I see what seems like an infinite amount of flashbacks to my perseverance to being accepted, the countless amount of e-mails which I often found humorous, yet necessary, the dinners and all the people that I couldn't have imagined possible to meet to have rendezvoused with, to the times where I tried to coordinate the sending in of forms and of applications, to where I answered and told people about what I was doing this summer and what I home to take out of this, but oddly and definitely to the pre-essay. If that isn't more specific, the specific answer I gave to that prompt is understanding what is expected of me and how this will change who I am and lead to positive change for others by giving back. Reading this again finally made all the pieces to seem to reconnect into one picture that seems that it can't be mass produced using division of labour- rather it be that of the work of a craftsman. </div>
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After the final drafts which have been developed off of the drafts which I have sent for previous ILC programs to which I can boldly say that I have not been accepted to, this draft seems primitive and close-minded to what I see I can do after returning. It is mind-boggling and daunting to see but it is for sure based on what I have experienced. If it wasn't for this scholarship with the numerous sponsors and the support that it has from the community, as well as Don, Mr. Ramsey, and Ms. Kronenburg's assistance and collaboration in making sure that the ILC is upheld in a sturdy manner, this all wouldn't have happened. I do acknowledge that there are many incredible opportunities out there and the people who didn't do the ILC shouldn't regret not doing it as many other amazing things are being done by them, but this was just so special. So special that it is really hard to explain why it was so special or if it is because by pouring out all these intricacies which come from the numerous reasons which take time and paused interlude to develop and to formulate (sounds too mechanical of a word for some reason...) . </div>
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Seeing what I thought of what my experience would be when attending the alumni dinner and the Board meeting, the tutorial that I attended, to even when I was half-asleep at the Biltmore in Providence and when I was touring schools in four different states showed that expectations can really throw you off. I encountered a Brown Class of '14 graduate who was serving as an RA for the Brown Sports Camp that having expectations can alter what you can savor and enjoy out of doing something and that worrying versus being concerned can actually alter how well you can do the matter to which you are worrying about. Sounds very familiar to what my chemistry and physics teacher said. To hear almost 100% agreement on the same views on life 3,000 miles away put me at awe but also was believable at the same time. This prompted me to take a course of action, a course of change from my stubborn, old, and conservative self that I was accustomed to being. I fully learned to embrace and to venture into a new person and to find that risk as important to my self exploration and development as to the relations of the world around me and the feedback of the world back to me. Whether it be accidentally lapsing into a Rhody accent while shouting to someone across the street about finding a particular place to finding that certain nooks, crannies, and instances in time seem like second-nature and I place that seems so familiar to me shows that change that I have encountered. I am truly at a loss of words and I find it hard to state even more until I become so stunned and shocked that I stop writing this blog before going through a complex state of hallucinations and emotions.</div>
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Thank you for this opportunity, Ivy League Connection, and I promise I will fulfill the part about giving back and applying this into the world. From now on, the results may come in different sizes and shapes but I know they will come and the great majority will be for the better. Please check back on this blog site as it will never, ever be dead but ever transforming and alive forever with edits and updates to fully give you all a better sense of what this has done for us to what we have experienced in the time to come.</div>
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Kevin Liu Mahoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585576138159659820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-56598863866958087732014-07-17T03:40:00.005-07:002014-07-17T22:47:10.733-07:00Who Is This In the Mirror?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ivy League Connection. That sounds cool. That's what my primitive freshman mind thought the first time I heard about the program. Going to a prestigious ivy league school for the summer sounded really appealing, but what were the chances of me getting in? Throughout my high school career I was working hard for a goal, but I didn't know what that goal was. Although I did not have a concrete goal, I am glad that I worked as hard as I did prior to the ILC. When I think back now, I'm sure that if I slacked off at all during my first two years of high school, I would not have gotten into this marvelous program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was the fall semester of my sophomore year in 2012. This was it. It was my chance to apply and try to make it in to the ILC as a sophomore. However, something unfortunate happened. During the period in which the annual ILC presentation was held, my teacher told the juniors of that year to go, but kept the sophomores behind. It was truly a shame because the sophomores who everyone thought were the most likely candidates for the ILC were in that class. It just so happened that that same year, only juniors from our school got into the ILC. I'm not saying that any of us in that class would have made it in for sure, but that's just a little anecdote and explanation for why many of my classmates and I did not apply that year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Soon came the first half of junior year, 2013. Everyone at the presentation this year was just as qualified as I was in that theater for the ILC and that meant everyone in that room was competition for getting accepted. Out of that bright crowd, there was no way that I was going to be the one to be chosen to represent the WCCUSD, there was nothing special about me. Regardless, I still applied to the ILC on the slim chance I would get in. I first applied to the Vanderbilt program, extremely self-conscious about my essay and thought that I had a good chance. Unfortunately, I did not get in. Was it my rushed pre-essay? Was my essay not detailed enough? Questions like these constantly pressured me into not applying to another program. Or so I thought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The story of my next application is one that I'm reluctant to share and not something <i>anybody</i> should ever do, but I'll share the anecdote to show that anything can be done if you really try and put your mind to the task. It was the night of January 28th, shortly after my birthday. I was bed-ridden with a sudden sickness, and the deadline for the DNA-based biotechnology course essay at Brown was due at 9 PM. I looked at the clock in my bed. It was 8 PM. I had two choices: take a chance with this application and also apply to the physics program at the University of Pennsylvania later if I didn't get in, or skip this one and only apply to the physics program. I took the former choice. I had nothing to lose anyways and I was always good at biology, so why not just apply. I sat at my computer and zoned everything out. I was typing an essay that would determine whether or not I would get the chance of the lifetime and I wanted to make sure it was the best possible. I wrote the best that I could in my ill health and constantly checked the essay over and over again before submitting it. It was 8:52 PM, eight minutes before the deadline. What was done was done, and I left it the rest up to fate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">About a week and a half later, the email came in. The interview list had seven students listed on it and only three or less of us would get into the program. I remember the days leading up to the interview. We supposedly had one of the least amount of times to prepare out of all the programs: less than a week. Almost every day Jing and I would have mock interviews and discussions with previous ILCers Damian Wong, Johnny Ko, and Jay Fan. To this day I am truly grateful to them and anyone else who I didn't mention who helped us prepare and respect all of them greatly. They bombarded us with interview questions, instructions, and etiquette guides. Thanks to that, Jing and I were well prepared for the interview among all of our competition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">February 11th, interview day. El Cerrito High School. "Ready to go to work no later than 5:00 PM." I rushed up the stairs of building C as the clock ticked. I barely made it on time to the room. I was greeted by Don and the other interviewees and was immediately called to take a commemorative photo. The rest of the night was truly a blur when I look back at it now. I only remember talking about each of our different schools, nervously making my way through the interview, Don jokingly suggesting art lessons for all of us, and being on the list of accepted applicants. Jing was also accepted, which made my happy that I wouldn't be going without anyone I didn't know, and another student named Arnold was accepted. I didn't know how to feel at that moment. I don't exactly remember feeling jubilant or joyous at the moment, but instead a numb state of shock. "I actually made it," was all that was running through my mind for the rest of the night. I shamelessly took a selfie that night and sent it to all of my friends and everyone who got the selfie that night tell me that I looked the happiest they've ever seen me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After the interview, I felt like anything was possible. I remembered how I thought that I wasn't going to make it into the ILC and how unconfident I was after not getting into the Vanderbilt interview. ILC activites didn't even begin and I had already learned a valuable lesson from the ILC: when there's nothing to lose, there's truly nothing to lose. Even in a pool of outstanding applicants, hard work can make you stand next to them or even stand out from them. Also, past mistakes are meant to be learned from and should not bring you down. Despite the disappointment from the Vanderbilt application, I changed up my essay style and as a result got into the Brown program. The next few months were filled with a multitude of emails and meeting important people relating to our trip. We made a blog site, met with the cohort over dinner, had a fancy dinner, met with a school board, and for me personally, had the chance to bond with my French teacher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first found out that my French teacher, Alana Scott, was chaperoning for my cohort, I didn't know how to feel. I was excited that a teacher that I knew and trusted from Hercules would be watching over us, but at the same time felt awkward. That always-follow-the-rules teacher that sent me to the ILC presentation that cloudy day in the fall ended up chaperoning for the Brown-I cohort. Now that the trip is over, I feel a stronger bond to Ms. Scott that some of her other students would never be able to have. Our cohort shared life and personal stories with her, shared meals with her, and saw her as a close friend. I'm glad we got Ms. Scott as a chaperone and couldn't imagine a smoother trip without having her looking out for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The days were quickly passing by and departure day was swiftly approaching. Prom passed by, badminton tournaments were played, seniors graduated, and finals were taken. I tried to spend as much time as possible with everyone during my last weeks in the West before leaving for a month, but unfortunately much of that time was taken up by preparation and packing for the East coast. During the nights leading up to June 17th, I couldn't sleep. I was worried. Would I be able to survive after being shaken up by the plane ride? Would I be homesick immediately or later? Would I be able to get enough sleep later? I slept restlessly for three nights in a row until the last morning before I would say goodbye to my parents and the West coast. It was chilly that morning in front of ECHS, parents gathered and students not quite ready to say goodbye. We didn't know what was ahead of us or what kind of people we would meet. Time quickly passed and our shuttle finally took us away from our families to SFO. The plane ride is certainly something I don't want to remember as being motion-sick isn't exactly the most pleasant thing in the world, so I'll skip that part of this narrative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Arriving in Rhode Island was quite a shock in itself. Everything was green unlike California where every shrub and grass was dry and yellow, the air was humid, the buildings were made of older material such as brick, and the city was no where close to as crowded as places like San Francisco or Berkeley. Staying in the Biltmore Hotel was a pleasant experience as well. The cohort would have blogging parties every night and bond together during our site visits. Constantly waking up early and being fatigued every day of the first week sure did take it's toll, though. My stomach had an extremely poor appetite, it was hard to keep my eyes open, I would have terrible sleeps, and worst of all, I was homesick. I would miss being at home in my bed, being able to get a proper amount of sleep, and being able to rest well at home. I cried about being so far from my comfort zone and wanted to see the people I knew again. Thankfully, before I knew it, our site visits were over and I was presented with a dorm life where I had a lot of time to rest and do what I wanted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dorm life was just as Jay and Johnny had described at the ILC presentation: with lots of free time to do whatever we wanted. Whether it was studying for the class, talking with new friends, going to scheduled programs, or doing laundry, the freedom was great. I felt like I truly got the chance to experience what it was like living on a colelge campus. I had to manage my time myself and had to make decisions for things like when do eat meals, when it was OK to have recreational time, and when to do homework. The people I met there were amazing as well. From my RA Charlie to my friend Alex, everyone was extremely willing to talk and be nice to each other. They were the kind of people that one would like to keep contact with constantly and want to meet up with if ever in their area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Class was excellent, too. Everything anyone would ever need for their labs was there and more. Our instructors Jody and Heidi were extremely down to earth and were a pleasure to talk to. Their instructions were clear and kind and the lectures were detailed. Although the first half of the course was review for me, it really helped refine my lab skills which I will surely carry into my future professions and studies. The second half introduced new things to me such as vectors and genetic diseases. I had the honor of seeing my own physical DNA, working with amazing lab partners, and researching the disease NCL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Eventually the end of the four weeks came, and I was so reluctant to leave Brown. Brown is an amazing place. The campus is beautiful, the city life is nice and quiet, and despite the lack of food places to go to, the dining choices were excellent. I definitely want to see the campus again sometime in my life, whether I decide to go to Brown for college or not. Even as I sit here now, I can remember walking through the campus to the northern half, getting food at the V Dub and sitting down at the sticky tables with Arnold and Jing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Coming back now and looking at the mirror, I see no physical differences besides my tan and apparently getting taller according to my badminton team. However, I feel like I've truly grown as a person. With all of the advice given to me from admissions officers all over New England, I feel prepared to write my personal statement. I initially did not have a topic to fit to their advice, but after listening to different seminars and workshops throughout my three weeks, I found a new part of me that I never realized before. I can now easily look at situations from outside perspectives and deal with them that way and I can now talk with others easier in public. I do have to admit, however, that my public speaking skills could still use some improvement as I'm still extremely self-conscious. Nonetheless, I feel like I can now survive better on my own and in public.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As for the future and what is to come in my senior year, I'm definitely applying to Brown. The summer program has left a great impression on me and I would be thrilled if I were to be accepted and given a choice to return. For now, I'm going to continue to try my hardest at school and attempt to spread the word of ILC and how West coast schools aren't the only ones out there to the upcoming freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in California. I don't see any real changes to myself, but I can certainly feel them. If I were to put myself back into school at this very moment amongst my regular peers, I would feel slightly awkward and out of place, in need of readjustment. Despite that, I'm sure that my new self from the East coast will bring a lot to the table in terms of giving back to the ILC, treating others well, and work ethic.</span></div>
Brandon Chowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07486052993080558273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-77795562318901122742014-07-16T23:52:00.000-07:002014-07-17T09:16:46.342-07:00A Life-Changing Journey<div style="text-align: justify;">
Looking into my email inbox, there are many ILC-related emails. The first one was from last October when Don emailed us about the ILC website where we could find out more about this program. That seemed so long ago; now I am already back from the trip and writing this reflecting blog. During these ten months, besides dealing with school work and endless testings, I have changed. Not only I learned from the four-week trip to the East Coast, but also from the whole process lasted from the orientation until now.</div>
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I had always be a part of this program since I was a freshman, when my biology teacher introduced this program to me. Looking at the pictures and accomplishments shown in the ILC website and blogs, I understood that this would be an opportunity I would never want to miss. In my sophomore year, I applied, but I was eliminated at the essay application stage. I did not feel discouraged, and still applied in my junior year. When Don came to Hercules High School and did the orientation to all the qualified students in the school, I felt that the whole process seemed intimidating: two essays to write and an interview to go through. Don also talked about the responsibilities as an ILC member: the endless emails, the dinners, and many other things to be aware of, which made me realize that being a part of the program would need my whole-hearted efforts. I still decided to apply for it because I know the experiences that I would have would outweigh my hard work, and my prediction was true.</div>
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I planned on applying for three programs: DNA-based Biotechnology course at Brown University, Intro to Business course at Columbia University, and Physics course at University of Pennsylvania. All the applicants had to write a pre-essay, which was applied to all programs, and a course-specific essay. I first spent a whole afternoon drafting my pre-essay because I needed to present my eagerness as an applicant and also the contribution I would give after returning from the program with my own distinctive voice. After that, I still asked for friends and teachers' help to see if there were any grammatical errors or illogical concepts. I revised my essays again and again, but there was always something that seemed to be missing in the essay. The same process was repeated for the course-specific essay except I changed my direction to how biotechnology would impact my life later on. Because the deadline was nine in the evening, I had no choice but made my last revision and turned both essays in without any confidence.<br />
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A few days later, I was totally excited by the email sent to inform the selected people for the interview. I still remember I was in calculus class when I knew that I was selected. I screamed. I really did. My happiness was fully shown on my face; I smiled for the whole period, even rest of the day because I knew that I was one step closer.<br />
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"I had another worry now," I thought, after the excitement was faded. The interview. The nerve-wrecking interview. As a non-native English and shy speaker, to speak and answer questions in front of three panelists who I did not even know made me feel nervous just to think about it. Because this is science course, applicants were required to understand some basic knowledge regarding genetic information and genetic-related biotechnology. Fortunately, former ILC members were willing to help us practice the interview by asking us some previous-asked questions and telling us what to be aware at an interview. On the Friday before the interview, I spent almost two-and-a half hours just to prepare for a fifteen-minute long interview. I was asked many different questions, including the DNA-specific ones. At first, I was even nervous in front of the former members, who I already knew, but after numerous practices, I felt more and more confident, and realized that there was nothing to fear but to speak out my own opinions on certain topics and to persuade them why I would be the best candidate. On the day of the interview, the confident feeling was totally gone again. Although people kept telling me that there was nothing to scare about and that people in the interview room were there to help us, not to harm us, but I was still shaking when I was waiting to my turn, which was number five, and walking into the interview room.<br />
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I shook their hands, and presented my smile, but at the same time, my heart was pounding so fast. The panelists started asking questions, but I kept staring at the question cards in front of me due to my nervousness. I tried to do eye contacts with every panelist, and I tried to sound natural. The fifteen minutes felt so long but so short. When I finished answering all nine questions, I could not believe that the interview was already over, and now it was time to wait for the result. Don told me that I did a good job. At that time, I did not know if it were just a consolation or if I really did a good job. The three interviewers walked into the waiting room while holding three name cards in their hand. My heart started pounding again. After they announced my name, I felt that there was a firework celebration in my heart and that I just could not stop smiling. I was too excited! All my hard work from the essays to the interview paid off.<br />
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There were five months in between the official acceptance to the trip itself. During the time, we went to an account-making session so we could start on our application for Brown, we went to a tutorial session so we knew what was expected on blog posts and our responsibilities on the following months, we went to our first cohort meeting so we could get to know each other, we went the school board meeting so we could be presented to the school board, we went to a dinner so we could talk to Brown alumni and interact with the whole Brown group, and lastly, we went to the orientation so we could know more about the upcoming trip. All these events were held just to ensure our success during the trip. Although they seemed to be a lot of work, they created a direction for me to follow during the trip. I did not felt like a lost child in a forest anymore because I had a map to follow. The experience I gained in these events also enforced the idea of being a representative of the community again in my head. I would never forget it.<br />
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In between the time, like usually, endless emails were sent regarding places we wanted to visit, questions we wanted to ask, and the loaner items. With year-end tests, projects, and standardized tests, I was exhausted already before the trip had started. Stepping on the shuttle toward SFO further made me feel worried about whether I could handle all the things that would happen in the following four weeks without any problems.<br />
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During the first week, the compact schedule reduced my sleeping time from average of seven hours of sleep to five hours, but that did not reduce my enthusiasm to explore and visit schools. Every school we visited, including Yale, Brandeis, Dartmouth, Harvard, MIT, and finally Brown, had its own characteristics that attracted me. I looked into every details I could possibly see in each school, and listen carefully to what people said about the schools. I could always hear people's passion and love toward their schools, and I could always feel the friendliness from them. From conversations with them, I gradually learn how to speak out my own questions and interact with strangers. I could speak freely with them during the last few meals, and this was a great improvement for me.<br />
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The meals we ate with these important people also made me experience something new. I ate seafood before, but I had not eaten so much high-class seafood in one week. When I looked into the menu, lobster, crab, oyster, and others just popped into my eyes. The meat was so tender and sweet that I could still remember the sweetness and freshness until now.<br />
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The Summer @ Brown program also created memories that I would never want to forget. The course itself was interesting because of the friendly and diligent instructors. The after-class activities were helpful because I was able to talk to Brown students and ask them questions regarding college life. I also experienced historical and natural beauties of the New England area by exploring it around by myself or with my friends. The dorm life allowed me to meet new people, build long-lasting connections, and have more freedom.<br />
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Now, I am back in the Bay Area for already three days, but these memories still present in my head as if they are still happening. Sometimes, I even had some sudden feelings of unfamiliarity in my house. It might sound weird, but it was true. This made me realize how greatly this trip had impacted me. When I looked back at this journey now, it might seem long and difficult because there were so much adapting and self-ruling, but I never regretted doing it. Actually, I am glad that I did it because every single second was a memory to cherish.<br />
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I admit that this is a life-changing journey. In the past ten months, I really did check my email every day. Now, it seemed to be a habit for me already. The endless blogs did improve my writing skills although they were very annoying when I was writing them. It feels more natural to talk with strangers and speak out my opinions now although I started out as a shy and quiet person. My connections had expanded from the small Bay Area to the globe. My eyes are opened to more opportunities in the East Coast, and I have become a more independent and responsible individual. I am really happy to see myself improve and grow up; I think this journey had definitely prepare me for the next stage of life - college, and even later on.<br />
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Now, it is already the college application season for me. Thanks to the program, there is already a map that leads my way to college success. Thank you for everyone who supports and allows me to have this such fantastic journey that I will never forget. I will definitely share this wonderful experience with my peers, so they can also open their eyes to more opportunities. The journey is still continuing, and it will never end.</div>
Jing-Yi Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07442827991509917754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-77608704889401948312014-07-16T23:51:00.000-07:002015-02-22T12:45:19.487-08:00Answering Opportunity's Call<div style="text-align: justify;">
The opportunity of a lifetime. Being given the chance to fly across the country to explore everything that seems to be faintly an untouchable reality in my school- the Ivy League Schools. Prestige. Renown. Brilliance. Superiority. The schools are far out of Richmond High' School's sight, but here, were selected students who were given the chance to have the opportunity no one would imagine they would have. My 4.2 GPA allowed me to be fortunate in being one among them.</div>
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My story with the Ivy League Connection began my freshmen with an intimidating presentation from someone we all know now, Don. Utter intimidation and a slight sense of fear lingered all throughout the room. I wasn't too interested after that, but my curiosity was what made me attend the next presentation the next year. Still, I wasn't convinced about the ILC, yet I always found it to be wandering amongst all my thoughts. I'd begun to look at the courses offered by each of the schools. Columbia, Cornell, UPennn, Brown, and Vanderbilt. I had no geographic background as to where the schools were, other than that they were on the opposite coast of me, let alone did I know the true meaning of their prestige behind their names. Their names meant nothing more than names alone. The picture painted before me was a mess. It wasn't black and white as hearing a familiar UC Berkeley, Yale, or Harvard was (hence my inexpertise). Ultimately, though, I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to apply to Vanderbilt, which among the several classes it offered, had Med School 101 and Health, Medicine, and Society that I was completely interested in. My work and effort led me past the application stage and into the interview round, but was adversely not accepted as one of the 4 chosen ones of the 9 interviewees. Some devastation took a toll on me, but I had another chance at Techniques in DNA-Based Biotechnology offered by Brown (I was and am interested in health/medically related studies). When it came down to it, about a month and a half later, I applied newly. The process was the same as applying to Vanderbilt, only this time had a happier ending. I was accepted. I had no idea what would be in store for me, but all I knew is that I was being given a rare opportunity that I could not neglect.</div>
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The first milestone events leading up to acceptance of the ILC were over with and a new side of the ILC was introduced to all the new ILCers. There was a tutorial where my cohort got together for the first time and worked on creating our blogsite and our meet and greet dinner with the entire cohort. For the first time, the entire cohort came together once more as we enjoyed what is only now such a wonderful memory. Especially looking back at it from now, it was so great. I can still remember being there. I remember all of us sitting down, introducing ourselves to each other, getting to know each other better, and enjoying great food. Things were looking promising and I was just waiting 'til the day that we'd all head off. The only milestone left that stood in between then and the time we'd set off was the final orientation with our parents. Though it was nothing new to us ILCers, we went over what needed to be said and done, had our parent(s) meet our chaperone, Ms. Scott, and get a roughly planned itinerary for the upcoming summer trip of a lifetime.</div>
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Okay, so with all of the milestone events done, let me lead up to what this program is all about. The day for the Brown-I cohort came so soon and before we knew it, we were at El Cerrito High School at 3 AM ready to take off. It was such an exciting and surreal moment, but it was what we were all waiting for. We left everyone and made it to SFO, where we departed to Chicago and then Providence with our head in the clouds and our minds on the endless possibilities of Summer@Brown.</div>
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I can remember feeling the intense humidity the <i>second</i> I stepped foot outside PVD and making our way to Biltmore Providence. From the first dinner, to the first night there, everything was amazing. We made sure we made the best of it, particularly in enjoying the luxury of the hotel, as we'd only be there for less than a week. Blogging was always a trouble, especially from coming back to the hotel after an <i>entire</i> day of exploring colleges and still having to write a 3-hour-to-write blog. (It was only difficult and took <i>that</i> long because it was new, so I'd recommend new ILCers to practice, practice, practice, and ASAP.) The late night blogging get-togethers were fun on their own, though, so I really can't complain about anything regarding the hotel days.</div>
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If I can continue this story chronologically, that'd be great, but I'll sum up my entire experience in a few more paragraphs or so.</div>
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Everything about the ILC was great. There were only the exceptions of blogging (which is both good and bad), many events to go to, the difficult application process itself (a pre-essay, course-specific essay, then the interview), and tightly packed schedules from beginning to end. The moment I became involved with the ILC was when I actually began checking my emails so constantly, so in an indirect way, you could say, it helped me become more responsible in a sense. As all you may figure though, every struggle was worth the experience we had.</div>
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As I've mentioned, I would have never imagined that I'd have this opportunity, let alone that I'd apply, and fly out to do everything we did, but I did. There were so many aspects that helped me get the hang of what true college life is, and as a result, had a college experience.</div>
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In my school's environment, being pushed isn't as much of a priority as making students actually attend class and pass is. However, the extra effort I put into earning my grades wasn't much compared to the effort I found myself putting towards my course. I'd taken a class at a community college last summer, but this class still drove me a bit crazier, yet I didn't fail. I definitely have to say that that was one of the most valuable skills I was able to get from the course. To never give up. Never quit just because something is difficult and seems impossible, because most likely it won't be. I may have not gotten as much as other students did, as they already knew more than I did prior to beginning the course, but the skill of perseverance is something that cannot be taught by anyone else. It wasn't the easiest path going to all, but one, office hours and staying half and hour to over two hours to catch up on what I didn't understand, but now I see why it was the better one. I don't know how I couldn't see it in the past blogs I wrote, but as I write this one, I'm finally realizing what was in front of me all along. If this is supposed to be anything like that glorious epiphany I mentioned in one of my blogs, then this is probably it. As I write this, I can understand that this may possibly seem like any other "never give up" story, but it's that work, frustration, and effort that made this experience that much better.</div>
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Not only is reflecting something to do on your own, but it's worthwhile to take time and share your experiences with other. That just happened to be the case for one of my sisters and I reflected on our struggles. By looking at it, it was a challenge that I didn't expect taking, but was a giant leap in doing, specially because I had taken Bio a year ago, while, again, many students had just recently taken AP Bio or have taken it at the least. Through the struggles of the class I was able to make the best of it in being able to come out triumphant and doing my best to not only get through what I needed to get through with, but actually learning and developing on a skill in doing so. As my sister said, it was something unfamiliar to dive into, but in the end, the clouds cleared up and the path looks a lot clearer (at least for now, and I say that personally).</div>
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In terms of college exploration, I was also given the opportunity to explore colleges, as one, if not the most important, aspect of this trip. As I've mentioned, I had no idea how to differentiate each of the schools we could apply to, until we made it to Providence and explored colleges/universities one day at a time. At first thought then, I'd only affiliated arrogantly intelligent people and a cold, cloudy, dark, unattractive climate with them, which was terribly closed-minded on my part. I'm only trying to speak my personal truth, here, so I do apologize for (very false) assumptions. However, I am more than glad and thankful for the opportunity of exploring because first of all, visiting each of the schools we did proved my assumptions wrong, and I was able to meet great people along the way and make lifelong memories. As you may recall, I sort of had this rave over Dartmouth (and still do!). My 8th grade teacher actually graduated from there, but I had absolutely NO idea as to what it was, let alone that it was an Ivy League, or any other details regarding it for that matter. Now I am actually looking forward to the opportunities that it offers. It was really unexpected, but it was just a school I have become to have interest and ambition for. Alongside Dartmouth is also Brandeis. As the school that I blogged about, I thought I knew everything, but was quite wrong. Though I knew they liked to create a cohesiveness between liberal arts and academics, I didn't know how serious they took their majoring ambitions (they really encourage triple-majoring if you're guessing). In any case, I come to think of how great of a school it is, and how the history and foundations of it really shape it and its community today. Great schools that are in definite consideration.</div>
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Raving over how great the schools are is kind of fun, but I do have to think about being away for 4 years. I can decide to be close to home, but that wouldn't serve the purpose of this trip too well. This trip has actually given me a first-hand experience on being away from home and taking on a new challenge. Not only being several hundreds of miles away from home, but literally being on the opposite side of the coast. It's given me the chance to step out of my comfort zone, quickly adapt, take on new experiences, challenge myself, make amazing memories, meet fantastic people, and ultimately, grow as an individual. I don't really know how to phrase it, but I probably won't be able to understand the importance of this experience to its full extent until I do get to my college years and find myself benefiting from it. That said, I will benefit from this in terms of college exploration and finding a school for me. Emotionally, this has helped me in its own way too. I might have not felt homesick throughout my time there, probably because there is just so much going on, but after just one time video chatting back home with all of my family, I can see more clearly how home is where the heart is. My heart was still back home, and I could tell from the couple of completely unexpected tears during the call. In any case, though, the experience was just an opportunity priceless to have (though I and all other fellow ILCers owe all our dearest thanks and appreciation to the benefactors who <i>did</i> make this opportunity financially possible for us).</div>
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It's been a very bumpy and brutal road for me ever since the application and interview days. The tutorials, sessions, loaner items, endless emails, responsibilities, expectations, effort, occasional restlessness, perseverance, and filling out all the documents was worth everything we've all been able to do from this experience. I find myself very enthusiastic in sharing my experience to the other students of my grade and incoming sophomores. In fact, I strongly see myself applying for this program again (particularly to get into one of Vanderbilt's courses) and further narrowing which colleges I'll be applying to. It's been an incredibly amazing 3 and half weeks and I couldn't be any more grateful and satisfied that I've had the great privilege and honor of having this opportunity and unique experience. Like the Ivy League Connection's motto says (which I used to see as intimidating, but now see as a good thing), "When opportunity knocks, some people answer the door while others just complain about the noise" Thankfully, I happened to answer its call and make the best of it.</div>
Arnold Dimashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09091584308082545472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-82221330571750763982014-07-13T21:05:00.002-07:002014-07-13T21:15:39.277-07:00Confessions of a Chaperone VI<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->Marble-clad State House. Free-form pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Platinum-plated walls. Lobster avocado
tempura. House of Lanvin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RISD art
farewell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adieus amongst returns.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday, I was able to hold a check-in with four out of
the five cohort students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly
learned that their finals’ week at Brown was going to be extremely busy: later
that night we would be meeting for dinner at Al Forno, Wednesday night they had
a scholar’s workshop meeting that they were invited to by Kisa Takesue
(Director of Leadership and Brown alumna), on Friday they had both final exams
and presentations in their courses, and on top of all that, they had two or
three cluster or dorm parties to attend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was relieved that they all appeared rather
calm and confident in completing all of these commitments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following the check-ins, Jing invited me to
tour the Rhode Island State House to learn about Senate proceedings and check
out the interior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had nothing to do
until the Germany-Brasil World Cup game (and we all know how quickly that was
over), so I decided to tag along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
first few days after our arrival to Rhode Island, our cohort passed the State
House nearly every day to catch our site visit trains from the Amtrak
Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we were actually going to
see the interior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a picture on
the bottom step of what felt like a million steps leading up to the
entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jing and I finally located the
tour after walking around the entire building on one of Providence’s most humid
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, the complete marble
interior of the State House had a cooling effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned that Rhode Island’s current
President of the Senate is the first woman to ever hold that position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also learned that Rhode Island’s Senate is
overwhelmingly liberal when considering party lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering that Rhode Island was founded on
ideas of religious freedom that were perceived as very liberal in that era, the
democratic majority of the Rhode Island senate makes sense to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE4erjfP8L7vSXnd5bdMPHHl8-uFFg3k1mp7DtpWuQJ2PK22BVmAMx03mG26UAZHlxLtjxJbocXjhaBYF-OrPSAQ02xVIWpPOahRNcuatHlsK4XC1Y9v6ZXmPnwrYMNVPKhv_JzEeA_WU/s1600/P7080029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE4erjfP8L7vSXnd5bdMPHHl8-uFFg3k1mp7DtpWuQJ2PK22BVmAMx03mG26UAZHlxLtjxJbocXjhaBYF-OrPSAQ02xVIWpPOahRNcuatHlsK4XC1Y9v6ZXmPnwrYMNVPKhv_JzEeA_WU/s1600/P7080029.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot me in this pic?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqSdEMMFmVaFIoCqTFwa1lnjd4Bl-4gFN2F5QoLpPAOoUtdB13r7LMt1M0cYK_6NYB5hW-LURJMGfuQ3Oj1ia0VXbgu6zwILr7EO0S-mlqnk_jgXc5h4QNoTzktaHEN6TR3ibKMD0ikDF/s1600/P7080030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqSdEMMFmVaFIoCqTFwa1lnjd4Bl-4gFN2F5QoLpPAOoUtdB13r7LMt1M0cYK_6NYB5hW-LURJMGfuQ3Oj1ia0VXbgu6zwILr7EO0S-mlqnk_jgXc5h4QNoTzktaHEN6TR3ibKMD0ikDF/s1600/P7080030.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_bdNukCVEiDfehBTrMyb2TpNEFPUXYh-mg5J7ojrYjWrPqZH4wP-BRajmAgHPc3ykyEXd4dQDtF_lFKsdOh3_bVNWAwei44CaEeov3GRD1IzBkiBn-BaJiTufkMU76AtvzhrwTHNOySZ/s1600/P7080033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_bdNukCVEiDfehBTrMyb2TpNEFPUXYh-mg5J7ojrYjWrPqZH4wP-BRajmAgHPc3ykyEXd4dQDtF_lFKsdOh3_bVNWAwei44CaEeov3GRD1IzBkiBn-BaJiTufkMU76AtvzhrwTHNOySZ/s1600/P7080033.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Irbg6JJkqDWrRgLGArzBuGxHPdWRfyRwK3SC3VJzqNZsB2_F8OcmP1Jff8VMSCMdSFPYfDCj1cpewF9u35XaeG0ySsg4DBVa3D-WzRB0jK0yEi_3Y_R_Ge9MW7fqAjWbLde3CZ89sIRr/s1600/P7080035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Irbg6JJkqDWrRgLGArzBuGxHPdWRfyRwK3SC3VJzqNZsB2_F8OcmP1Jff8VMSCMdSFPYfDCj1cpewF9u35XaeG0ySsg4DBVa3D-WzRB0jK0yEi_3Y_R_Ge9MW7fqAjWbLde3CZ89sIRr/s1600/P7080035.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlRKvn1p9DLzEp6uAJZ59Mw3KZcIPQtCL8d4InKpyDMQNLeNdRJNi5d6RakXSgcf5M3HxNfhwCjBGcZIjbaXb2MaopU2mG1GtyGeNXl4IAT9KFeQxErRYl38LEBNT6vH5ZIa_Oc447hOM/s1600/P7080041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlRKvn1p9DLzEp6uAJZ59Mw3KZcIPQtCL8d4InKpyDMQNLeNdRJNi5d6RakXSgcf5M3HxNfhwCjBGcZIjbaXb2MaopU2mG1GtyGeNXl4IAT9KFeQxErRYl38LEBNT6vH5ZIa_Oc447hOM/s1600/P7080041.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a rare portrait of a standing Washington, worth thousands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hmMRnaLmjl96LndSr31Ty65Y-gh1-zwiMQme76gmaScVNzYh6KlyJldJVzX8ZtWMrtPOSv8zt4JeOfWxQm-yZ4G7-QiUXslRTel649c9yFs4OCoSwQLIEHe52EkALvGpoZglsvkV5De_/s1600/P7080043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hmMRnaLmjl96LndSr31Ty65Y-gh1-zwiMQme76gmaScVNzYh6KlyJldJVzX8ZtWMrtPOSv8zt4JeOfWxQm-yZ4G7-QiUXslRTel649c9yFs4OCoSwQLIEHe52EkALvGpoZglsvkV5De_/s1600/P7080043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later that evening was the long-awaited Al Forno dinner,
also our last official dinner as a cohort before returning to San
Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Al Forno was Jack’s
recommendation, and what an excellent recommendation it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The restaurant is known for its hand-made
ravioli and pasta noodles, meatballs, hand-churned ice-cream, wood-grilled meat
and vegetables, and use of fresh seasonal products. For appetizers, we started
off with free-form calamari and margherita pizzas – thin, delicate, savory, and
absolutely delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of a
free-form pizza is that no perfect circle with slices is presented, but a
strangely-shaped whole pie is delivered, giving the guests the freedom to carve
it out as they will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed this
detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my entrée, I chose the
‘Cheater’s Lasagna,’ and the meatballs and sauce were fresh and met my
expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The side of roasted
vegetables I ordered may have been most impressive to me, as the flavor and
variety of produce on the plate was surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My palate enjoyed the pickled cabbage, whole beet, crunchy broccoli
florette, and fresh black beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Healthy, but extraordinarily flavorful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The milk-chocolate filled crepe anglaise was a perfect ending to the
meal. As for conversation, I remember best our multi-lingual cohort immersion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arnold’s suggestion was that we have a
continuous conversation, each of us in our different language comfort zones, to
see if we could communicate without having studied the language being
spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a foreign language teacher,
of course I loved this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin spoke
Japanese, Jack and I spoke French, Brandon spoke some Mandarin and some
Cantonese, Jing spoke some Mandarin and some Taiwanese, and Arnold spoke
Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun to hear about their
favorite television shows in their language, and even hear the translations for
‘fork’ and ‘spoon’ in each language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good suggestion, Arnold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder
what the booth adjacent to us thought when they heard all of these foreign
tongues? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUPlVyyrasRMPoGr__SkDKT16HmSNplRx6qelMq1LKDIVEn6MPLD-99od255l2MpmeLZpJ2JfDRGC2ChHIczUdJMWxC79Jk0BpapuItWbzCsKWEc76e0Ww50kBiDUyp_mBkiIOyMiUYM8/s1600/P7080044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUPlVyyrasRMPoGr__SkDKT16HmSNplRx6qelMq1LKDIVEn6MPLD-99od255l2MpmeLZpJ2JfDRGC2ChHIczUdJMWxC79Jk0BpapuItWbzCsKWEc76e0Ww50kBiDUyp_mBkiIOyMiUYM8/s1600/P7080044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian soda - grapefruit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7umRD9O_R1BfhGAk92D_2TEE_3GAIQLuuEPUz2K7iJtHdcrMNBPoFxdvmiWTPPFgXNMYqrX6T4BMUiph2eG7SmHqy7y8iQEd61gDEA4t6VO2xnyiYn8LVfYbrdTOcFKZmhyphenhyphenpJyLbr0V7w/s1600/P7080045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7umRD9O_R1BfhGAk92D_2TEE_3GAIQLuuEPUz2K7iJtHdcrMNBPoFxdvmiWTPPFgXNMYqrX6T4BMUiph2eG7SmHqy7y8iQEd61gDEA4t6VO2xnyiYn8LVfYbrdTOcFKZmhyphenhyphenpJyLbr0V7w/s1600/P7080045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oddly-shaped free-form pizza.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSozOIki0sKZmxbrNHgv-IvBhyphenhyphen0VsMDqnHhEGkru5CS528Gb0b9LDkLhLKEVn8u3beDqWZm6YA6oMdwnqvF0vgrALZxF8_rCILUVo8SMkv9wSHphEsbuGq5_bs85gEwm4PUwWBcZ53itnj/s1600/P7080047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSozOIki0sKZmxbrNHgv-IvBhyphenhyphen0VsMDqnHhEGkru5CS528Gb0b9LDkLhLKEVn8u3beDqWZm6YA6oMdwnqvF0vgrALZxF8_rCILUVo8SMkv9wSHphEsbuGq5_bs85gEwm4PUwWBcZ53itnj/s1600/P7080047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQK4He1SyLW9WBWvpoC8e7m3TSWyWjO6vEdeVbv9jg9_JEKlZt35yoDlGAbb0JC6Fek0HYjKRtb9gYlfOVBPyHOr-GWKgmwIWo8LYICMw8QXkMdLSYuGjZ5baPOK0Vktp2NBnPRO0e_Pu/s1600/P7080048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQK4He1SyLW9WBWvpoC8e7m3TSWyWjO6vEdeVbv9jg9_JEKlZt35yoDlGAbb0JC6Fek0HYjKRtb9gYlfOVBPyHOr-GWKgmwIWo8LYICMw8QXkMdLSYuGjZ5baPOK0Vktp2NBnPRO0e_Pu/s1600/P7080048.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday, I decided to return to Newport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that the students were busy with
cluster parties and working on their final projects and presentations, and thus
they wouldn’t miss me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I longed to see
Newport one last time before returning to the West Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I arrived at the Visitor’s Gateway
Center, I took the 67 bus to Bellevue Avenue, and checked out the grounds and
exterior of the Elms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some pictures:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN15UzID1gVxuQaojK2zgsa463Xh3vm4FZMRmHgwIxmChRgQmjYp4WvrEbP9uNJJWpnzlRQJ0T0OkzC6TmuhDtkwrWhKVShiAqOWjfigsYktUlLMy63hx96UOi6Obk05FKVeVdF85Zbr0a/s1600/P7100053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN15UzID1gVxuQaojK2zgsa463Xh3vm4FZMRmHgwIxmChRgQmjYp4WvrEbP9uNJJWpnzlRQJ0T0OkzC6TmuhDtkwrWhKVShiAqOWjfigsYktUlLMy63hx96UOi6Obk05FKVeVdF85Zbr0a/s1600/P7100053.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdAphoHxfV-WJPuBg9VOklvoCoL-l9Qr_hS3yMe6M6TKl9VhcnLxaypl03TgVqPCefz3JnCXZitB19gxrV9kKE1UfLuK6wu2HWgM635qHXqALt3NK5Swq7CKoVP-YBIBibT1pTytrgWkW/s1600/P7100054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdAphoHxfV-WJPuBg9VOklvoCoL-l9Qr_hS3yMe6M6TKl9VhcnLxaypl03TgVqPCefz3JnCXZitB19gxrV9kKE1UfLuK6wu2HWgM635qHXqALt3NK5Swq7CKoVP-YBIBibT1pTytrgWkW/s1600/P7100054.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9ii6BkVGZG0xCwjSFabaobY_u-f7G3Z-nO1pFgck8eE2XujrrOfnTyfwAjh_cg5v1egXhj1drByjz2YH_G9aJn9Rp__d58UxUS3EeRvetYW-uQ7lrFlGcLE4_eGPAzwv1BlXeO6atpzo/s1600/P7100057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9ii6BkVGZG0xCwjSFabaobY_u-f7G3Z-nO1pFgck8eE2XujrrOfnTyfwAjh_cg5v1egXhj1drByjz2YH_G9aJn9Rp__d58UxUS3EeRvetYW-uQ7lrFlGcLE4_eGPAzwv1BlXeO6atpzo/s1600/P7100057.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, I walked on to see The Breakers, as I regretted not
making it far enough in my previous trek to see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interior of this house was just
mind-blowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that the
Vanderbilt family, whose riches came to be from the famed railroad monopoly,
lived in this extravagant castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Gilded Age, in the lens of home interior, was the combining of French and
Italian chateaux-style luxury with advancements in technology, and The Breakers
is the epitome of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, the
textiles and furniture of this castle felt very old, yet the castle enjoyed
modern technological luxuries such as built-in electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I remember most about the castle are the
high platinum-plated walls, enormous baccarat-crystal chandeliers, and the
luxurious prints that were unique to each room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of these prints I would consider using or wearing (sparingly) even
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the ‘no pictures’ rule
of The Breakers, I only have images from the balcony view of the Atlantic
Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fret not – this view is as
stunning as the inside of the chateau:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8hcO8aPk2WOjJmurs8GSXwIKLcl7KwsczcERrmiQhgF1gUpEF9KNITVrQNFteP2CdM_3n3ikyr5cjt6wtbe1kJJrYNBKAMG0UVzwKQhJfJLvlXj1AICB8Xv3SiywAQM2MU4bdIVNZtwA/s1600/P7100070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8hcO8aPk2WOjJmurs8GSXwIKLcl7KwsczcERrmiQhgF1gUpEF9KNITVrQNFteP2CdM_3n3ikyr5cjt6wtbe1kJJrYNBKAMG0UVzwKQhJfJLvlXj1AICB8Xv3SiywAQM2MU4bdIVNZtwA/s1600/P7100070.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxtdOFi_I13yXeu6hzxQ4buy1eJIiMI4HNWgc0X0qAwHdkp0q5VZtqMxNXxcF8kPvloouzv4KclkpSrkDVvHELaf9dhDtxUhUK4c6G56vmQW8BGm52H7Vz0WeKrAhJZl0PQn6bK46a3n7/s1600/P7100068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxtdOFi_I13yXeu6hzxQ4buy1eJIiMI4HNWgc0X0qAwHdkp0q5VZtqMxNXxcF8kPvloouzv4KclkpSrkDVvHELaf9dhDtxUhUK4c6G56vmQW8BGm52H7Vz0WeKrAhJZl0PQn6bK46a3n7/s1600/P7100068.JPG" height="320" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb_nKNyS1FI-nQS7xD6b9vhOitssnRfJB3c13V8k0b55fdu3rhfX1K43O033aJDu0aPwRl7RsWThZLwVOVF84N3I6NeOIf00l9IxS0dIfGD11mwS3nV9wzTqhFtBXPGiEP7b3lt5gjAsp/s1600/P7100065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb_nKNyS1FI-nQS7xD6b9vhOitssnRfJB3c13V8k0b55fdu3rhfX1K43O033aJDu0aPwRl7RsWThZLwVOVF84N3I6NeOIf00l9IxS0dIfGD11mwS3nV9wzTqhFtBXPGiEP7b3lt5gjAsp/s1600/P7100065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75RrFk3Fzy4ocJlzQXFd5XgzU4-A2okPeoKK08mzlRACrfGgCjYoVLWml2wO1GlOWQ2m_Xfzic6-7Ul0honpEYDx5bDeWm4juajrMcxsgkiMxHpDoc0RDRONkKtTJIGSZSA2SqkhUJMv1/s1600/P7100062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75RrFk3Fzy4ocJlzQXFd5XgzU4-A2okPeoKK08mzlRACrfGgCjYoVLWml2wO1GlOWQ2m_Xfzic6-7Ul0honpEYDx5bDeWm4juajrMcxsgkiMxHpDoc0RDRONkKtTJIGSZSA2SqkhUJMv1/s1600/P7100062.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before leaving Newport, I wanted to spend some more time by
the water, so I decided to enjoy a lunch-dinner at The Grill at 41 North, a
seductive, high-end outdoor lounge tucked behind a hotel, port-side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose a place next to the glass balcony,
the late afternoon sun flooding in on my little cabana. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While waiting for my beverage, I had a
gorgeous view of the port, white shiny yachts, sailboats, and houseboats
looking silver in the reflection from the sun on the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had saved up my food stipends for the day,
so I indulged myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First came a half
Maine lobster with pink peppercorns and green tendrils of a vegetable found on
sushi rolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, was a lobster avocado
tempura salad (can you tell I like lobster?) with a little frissé, and the freshest
avocado imaginable, covered in a thin layer of tempura.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For dessert, I went with a citrus mousse, as
tangy and light as its name. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrnkkX3cg9HLx-nb3mPRVgTsZnHh7NZiYg-C6q67OKVkHBsaDS8hNRA7jtq80Cp7B0OqHyHRWW-h2YFI80fzISrsTDKvVg7d8UADvLvX5gv0VKv0vUk_AvaJwtwzUHTUXBJBGtK6vvwRN/s1600/P7100073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrnkkX3cg9HLx-nb3mPRVgTsZnHh7NZiYg-C6q67OKVkHBsaDS8hNRA7jtq80Cp7B0OqHyHRWW-h2YFI80fzISrsTDKvVg7d8UADvLvX5gv0VKv0vUk_AvaJwtwzUHTUXBJBGtK6vvwRN/s1600/P7100073.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lobster tempura avocado salad, decorated to look like an artistic tree. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
And then came Friday – the very last day I would have in
Providence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used this day to tie loose
ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid downstairs for my laundry
bill, a hotel luxury I decided to take advantage of, as no laundry cleaner was
within walking distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I wish you
could have seen what care was taken by the Hotel Providence staff in laundering
my clothing – each article tagged and pinned to a clothes’ hanger, a plastic
dry-cleaning cover separating each piece from the next.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to say good-bye to my new friend,
Desiree, who works at Rosalina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
finally, I spent some time catching up at the Rhode Island School of Design
(RISD) Art Museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only spent an
hour there last time, and I wanted to be sure I saw everything that there was
to see, including the Egyptian and Asian prints’ exhibition. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will really miss RISD – it is so tastefully
a mix of old and new art, and I appreciate how the exhibits and themes
acknowledge artistry of every kind (fashion, film shorts, posters, pottery,
furniture, tableaux…). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAq29iPU_rez6hhXBRrUVNEJ8cCiGhKQOiWa-czQKrauapXg4uq4DCyK7UOHFv3nYSl5-kwQAJZwV_TofcaQBTadjy8884U9bBpvV4NaECRpJscPhWFhUc-5ZoAB3s75zm2kW3Bk8FaPz/s1600/P7110082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAq29iPU_rez6hhXBRrUVNEJ8cCiGhKQOiWa-czQKrauapXg4uq4DCyK7UOHFv3nYSl5-kwQAJZwV_TofcaQBTadjy8884U9bBpvV4NaECRpJscPhWFhUc-5ZoAB3s75zm2kW3Bk8FaPz/s1600/P7110082.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdgk0GXPnydZfyJ0ha5AK-i6dzVnFXSbaJ8WriVrfM_wEEBb2dsDOLU0vLFD1bP8NuKfy5q0DWtvWdgElt8KtpE46N_2vgd11nprAK4EObdB9miaTBFelspgWAb6GtqcuYVL3cDOkIsAv/s1600/P7110084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdgk0GXPnydZfyJ0ha5AK-i6dzVnFXSbaJ8WriVrfM_wEEBb2dsDOLU0vLFD1bP8NuKfy5q0DWtvWdgElt8KtpE46N_2vgd11nprAK4EObdB9miaTBFelspgWAb6GtqcuYVL3cDOkIsAv/s1600/P7110084.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real mummy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfclj3TY8cvAhKT7hnJMIFyDsSxpDbpCNT7vR6u2XXTZKLLj-aCWnNM1en0KGRzt5qh7mwdFJ0rQ9-rBMTTqF94LVtFT7uLC2uD3YPMN7zVL-vl9X2QBjy3H2YNbcTHT50467p4NpeZ_c/s1600/P7110086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfclj3TY8cvAhKT7hnJMIFyDsSxpDbpCNT7vR6u2XXTZKLLj-aCWnNM1en0KGRzt5qh7mwdFJ0rQ9-rBMTTqF94LVtFT7uLC2uD3YPMN7zVL-vl9X2QBjy3H2YNbcTHT50467p4NpeZ_c/s1600/P7110086.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPRsS-W8zY_JMXzTv-EnbKiKobXeWS2JBNdeMiYmbWFeksZ3SBHb6fFU1Al1Dpd_0SzUsX_O8ZGGQHCaPVxz6fisCF0CGXl7gAxQqLlKQmch7CLArfeHitE03CN1boetWpFo8da9CuI23/s1600/P7110096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPRsS-W8zY_JMXzTv-EnbKiKobXeWS2JBNdeMiYmbWFeksZ3SBHb6fFU1Al1Dpd_0SzUsX_O8ZGGQHCaPVxz6fisCF0CGXl7gAxQqLlKQmch7CLArfeHitE03CN1boetWpFo8da9CuI23/s1600/P7110096.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Van Gogh piece I missed from last time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTNoj7SHJqbvZgmwhyEZYDZZdmLUd17_20D0SgJLnN9DUWcqbiRSKoyzCW158smcBm9SFfzvm2GMKTLolZS8OESbQuV7bogD2Qj8cSBCKAMB4IEJs0ubwa1TZFx1qymew0AEPDAW3lnN6/s1600/P7110090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTNoj7SHJqbvZgmwhyEZYDZZdmLUd17_20D0SgJLnN9DUWcqbiRSKoyzCW158smcBm9SFfzvm2GMKTLolZS8OESbQuV7bogD2Qj8cSBCKAMB4IEJs0ubwa1TZFx1qymew0AEPDAW3lnN6/s1600/P7110090.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bergdorf Design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEwiOUdyTGr7LESZc3a5MKBYaiXije3hhfSc8dodf_7v0MZARnHgrcZZOmvH-K9fdTwYMyeMWuvtALD5Jy_PSjgjrxlg6mIhgHPd7rhQNahBFzY3qIi3gblH89SDDl16sG9wf9lPT2mgg/s1600/P7110092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEwiOUdyTGr7LESZc3a5MKBYaiXije3hhfSc8dodf_7v0MZARnHgrcZZOmvH-K9fdTwYMyeMWuvtALD5Jy_PSjgjrxlg6mIhgHPd7rhQNahBFzY3qIi3gblH89SDDl16sG9wf9lPT2mgg/s1600/P7110092.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emanuel Ungaro design from the 60s.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcggBVn8vAPW3RxuLvTbbxal41Ae4z4oCOhySR_6YGBMMnElPn-Qs0POeSfAoosodcCBBDu9T2CyaRVMqgSMQxi1fyoYnoPBrVDb_kHd8hnsmnvIGkvC7uBfKEnBUZa_mvAwsVxDetawh/s1600/P7110095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcggBVn8vAPW3RxuLvTbbxal41Ae4z4oCOhySR_6YGBMMnElPn-Qs0POeSfAoosodcCBBDu9T2CyaRVMqgSMQxi1fyoYnoPBrVDb_kHd8hnsmnvIGkvC7uBfKEnBUZa_mvAwsVxDetawh/s1600/P7110095.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House of Lanvin - worn in the 20s.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday evening, I packed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I carefully took out all the garments I had hung in my closet, folding
them and pressing them down into the four corners of my suitcase. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I collated all of the brochures from my
tourist site visits and placed them in the front zipper of my roller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I closed the caps on all my toiletries and
zipped them closed in Ziplock gallon bags. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pleased with how many products I had
used up, because I knew this would leave extra space and room for weight in my
luggage. (Turns out, I was wrong.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Into
my packing, I heard the live jazz starting outside at Aspire restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished packing, and decided to try to
make it to the end of the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked
the bartender, Ashley, and she assured me the jazz would be playing for another
hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want the answer to questions about
what I did my last night in Providence to be, “I packed my suitcase.” There was
a jazz singer with the ensemble this time, and she had a strong, rich voice
that really enhanced the jovial evening mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I decided to order the same plate that I ordered my first night at Hotel
Providence – the delicious hummus plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How funny it is that our lives complete circles – this was my first
dinner while staying at Hotel Providence, and now my last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t get enough of the tastes in this appetizer
– the sweet jam of roasted red peppers, combined with the creamy hummus and
buttery pita is just superb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I slept soundly when I returned to the hotel and before I knew
it, I was awake and heading up to Wayland Arch via taxi to meet the cohort with
luggage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And before I knew it, we were on a connecting
flight to San Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a voyage it has been!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to put into words how free and
independent and happy this trip has made me feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My gratitude for this immense opportunity of chaperoning these brilliant cohort members, visiting Ivy League campuses for the first time in my life, and getting to live in a vibrant city has hopefully come through in my conversations with you all and in the pride displayed throughout my continuous blog posts and pictures. </span>I guess I will end with this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Thank you, Providence. Thank you, cherished Brown-I cohort (my dear Arnold, my circumspect Brandon, my sage Jack, my good-natured Jing, and my free-spirited Kevin). And
thank you, Ivy League Connection, for the memories.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sincerely, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alana (the chaperone)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-21515580430894296292014-07-13T10:06:00.001-07:002014-07-13T10:06:26.127-07:00The Mourning Period<div style="text-align: justify;">
The past few blogs that I've written have pretty much all been reflections of my time here at Brown and how sad I am that I have to leave. Unfortunately, this blog isn't going to be any different. Today's class may have been the most interesting so far, due to all the different topics that were presented through the group projects. I learned about obscure and relative topics such as Peak Oil and Obamacare. Our presentation went well, even though we were well over the recommended 15-minute length. I know that this trip was about growing as a person and experience the academics of an Ivy League School but today all that came second to my closest cluster mates.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Immediately after class I had to say goodbye to one of the best people I had met at this program, Jonathan. It's not that Jonathan is better than anyone in particular at Brown, it's just that he's such a good guy. Despite all the terrible puns that he makes I'm still going to miss him a lot, and yes, tears were involved. Unfortunately, a ton of other great people left while I was in class. One of these kids was Ryan. What is there to say about Ryan? If you could see him just doing normal things in real life then that's all the explanation and remembrance you would ever need. By far one of the funniest people I met on this trip and actually someone who I had a lot in common with. It's really hard to do these recaps because everyone I met at Brown was such an amazing person. Jonathan, Ryan, Shabba, Ryan C, Matt, Danny, Avi, and to anyone else that I seem to be forgetting for some unknown reason, you guys changed my life. There's one person who I left off this list for a reason and that is Utku. Some of you who have read my blogs already know that he was my roommate over these 3-weeks at Brown, but what most of you don't know is that he is the nicest person and best roommate at Brown. I'm not joking either, our cluster all took a vote on it and he won both categories. There's so much I could say but in your interests I'm going to stop here.<br />
<br />
After goodbyes, the rest of us left decided that we should go all out by dressing up and going out to a nice dinner on Thayer. Caleb, Hector, Dylan, Sakura, Marie, and I really didn't know where to go so we just walked up the street until we saw something that sparked our interests. We ended up deciding on Andrea's, which seemed fitting since that was the place that my cohort and I had lunch on our very first day at Brown. The food didn't matter at all anymore as we just enjoyed our last meal together as much as we possibly could. After a lot of laughs we finally left, only to head right across the street to the CVS to pick up some stuff for our last night. These items consisted of an abnormal amount of Reese's Cups, a huge back of Peanut M&M's, and a massive amount of energy drinks. Needless to say, we were ready for whatever came at us.<br />
<br />
The rest of the night was filled with food, laughter, games, and interesting stories about our time at Brown. The Squad, as we like to call ourselves, had some of the most fun I've ever had that night. The Summer@Brown program has really been eye opening in almost every way imaginable. It's been one of, if not the best, times of my life and I'll be taking everything I've learned back home to try and use it for good and not evil. I don't know but this is one of my last blog posts so the usual sign-off just doesn't sound right. I just have to say... goodbye?</div>
Jack Giddingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886669104281678511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-13912161966439965412014-07-13T02:09:00.000-07:002014-07-13T02:09:01.010-07:00Snapping Back to Reality<div style="text-align: justify;">
Five months and two days ago, I was chosen for this one month trip to Brown on a scholarship. Five months later from that point, I was packing up to leave Brown. What seems like ages ago now seems like such a small amount of time when put into the perspective of words. For me, the opposite can be said about this past month at Brown. The entire experience seems like it was only a week or two but was actually a full month. I remember driving down to SFO and arriving in Warwick, Rhode Island as if it were just yesterday.<br />
<br />
I sit here now in my living room after remembering that my parents shut off my internet at 1:30 AM every night in attempt to get me and my brother to sleep. I've now been forced to finish this blog on my phone and that I will do. The flight back to the bay was quite the miserable experience for me once again (as some of you may recall from the first blogs) because I get motion sick extremely easily. Thus, there's really not much to talk about in those hours of travel besides the fact that we happened to have the same flight as Amulia to Chicago and saw a few fellow Summer@Brown students on the flights as well.<br />
<br />
Rewinding to before we started to time travel back in time, I woke up to an empty room for the first time at Brown as I remembered that those days of waking up and disturbing my roommate with my alarm were gone. I quickly packed everything and left for breakfast with everyone, or at least I thought I was. After about 15 minutes of waiting for everyone, I was informed of the fact that our cards no longer unlocked the residence halls and this quickly escalated into a huge problem for me. I left all of my luggage in my room thinking I could come back and get it. I ran back and luckily someone was there to open the door for me and was able to go back to my room to grab my stuff. I had to say an early farewell to the floor and room in which I had lived in for 3 weeks and tried to keep the image of the residence hall in my memory. Charlie unfortunately did not answer his door for my check out, so I just slapped my name tag (from the first day of Summer@Brown) on his door, hoping he got the message. After that, I was left outside with my stuff waiting for everyone to finish breakfast at the V Dub while I had to skip out on the final meal. Thankfully, Arnold delivered a chocolate croissant to me from Starbucks so I didn't have an empty stomach. After a few more half hours of waiting, I spotted Ms. Scott waiting for the shuttle a few minutes prior to meeting time. I called everyone over and we took taxis instead of the shuttle for the same price to the airport for an early arrival. From there, we checked in, went through security, got Dunkin' Donuts (my first time and I can see now why everyone strongly recommended going), and waited for our flights. Again, there isn't much to mention about the flights so I'll be skipping to our arrival.<br />
<br />
Our arrival consisted of slowly finding our parents one by one at the baggage claim of SFO and me trying to hold back my tears of joy at the sight of my mother and grandmother. Our last moments as a cohort were surely bittersweet as we finally made it through the long journey but were to be physically separated by our schools once again. I hugged everyone goodbye in hopes of reuniting with them and left with my family to a dinner at a nearby restaurant celebrating both my return and my grandmother's birthday. I'm sure my grandma was glad to see me back in one piece, grown up and all, a nice birthday present if I do say so myself.<br />
<br />
Dinner was quite brief as I talked about my time at Brown, although I still have much to say. All the while I was also texting Alex (not the roommate Alex) who is back home in Florida. The conversation helped me realize that I was slowly losing consciousness to jet lag and that time zones still exist. From the time I'm writing this blog, I would be waking up in about 2 hours to get ready for class normally st Brown. Now, I'm sitting at home with nothing to do besides badminton practice two times a week until I leave for Vancouver on the 26th to visit family. All of us may have left Brown to truly start out summer vacation, but part of me can't help but think that all the connections and friendships we made will still live on after the summer ends.<br />
<br />
With all my stuff still not unpacked and coming home to a new bathroom sink and desk in my brother's room, I think I'm ready to go to bed and slowly and relucatantly adjust myself from my beautiful time at Brown.</div>
Brandon Chowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07486052993080558273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-79005307251974698392014-07-12T23:26:00.001-07:002014-07-12T23:26:52.582-07:00Back to Normal<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today was officially the last day of our 26-day trip. Since we had to clear out dorm room by nine o'clock in the morning, Amulia woke me up at six thirty just to get everything prepared. As soon as I woke up, I knew that today was the day we had to say goodbye to Summer @ Brown, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and the East Coast. Spending almost four weeks in the same area, I had already fell in love with its rich history, natural beauties, and the people. Thinking that I would be leaving, I felt that there was something covering my heart, maybe it was the sadness .</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I did the daily routine after I woke up: brushing my teeth, drinking a bottle of water, and using the toilet, but everything seemed so different today because this would be the last time I did these normal daily activities at Brown University. I said bye to the bathroom, and went back to my room to finish my final packing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu35fjIcDCRfZG39HOU1twBKhej-yGz9jKshFyUibLBDA1p4P2YQsbQznWsIh5vwlPgCVh1UJd-fxACMUnyyeg4zntSX8_morttfWkfVFNDMDYLzT07dJHaRGe9y4xGhoIIHHnyRl3Fds/s1600/DSCN1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu35fjIcDCRfZG39HOU1twBKhej-yGz9jKshFyUibLBDA1p4P2YQsbQznWsIh5vwlPgCVh1UJd-fxACMUnyyeg4zntSX8_morttfWkfVFNDMDYLzT07dJHaRGe9y4xGhoIIHHnyRl3Fds/s1600/DSCN1562.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Cleared Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I took out the bed cover from the bed, and a sudden thought popped in my mind. On the first day I got into the dorm, I put the cover on and checked every corner while feeling unfamiliar with the new room. Now, it was time for the bed cover to travel back to the Bay Area with me. I unplugged the alarm clock, the fan, my laptop, the surge protector, and everything I used during the three weeks. They all went into my luggage, and my room was clear again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I went to have my last breakfast at Summer @ Brown with Amulia, Kevin, and Arnold. I could not eat a lot today for some unknown reasons, but I packed some food for my later meal on plane. The oatmeal tasted different today maybe because of the bitterness in my heart. After breakfast, I went back to Biomedical Center to take pictures of the building where I had spent three weeks at. I hope someday I will be back again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Three suitcases, one backpack and a fan weren't easy for me to carry. Although there was an elevator in the dorm, it took me a long time just to move them all from the dorm room to the elevator, and from the elevator to the front of Keeney Quad. I really did not know why I had so many things to carry. On the way to the airport, I met Nick, who was also a Summer @ Brown student who was sponsored by a college search program to attend the summer session. He was from Chicago and he took a course in computer programming, which he said he would not do it again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The luggage nightmare continued after we arrived at the airport. Fortunately, Ms.Scott was able to help me carry one of the luggage, so I was able to move without using a paid cart. I was so glad that both of my luggage was underweight because I was worrying about my luggage to be overweight since I bought so many cans of clam chowder. At the airport, I got my first two donuts from Dunkin Donuts since I came to the East Coast, but they were not as good as I thought. I also bought a pink shirt with the words " Rhode Island Ocean State" for my mother as a souvenir. I hoped she would like it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw4cfhdIRZmk5MYWY1x9UN1qu8saH4gI8gYFn0vM01hiW8IhCEAsapBJ0Lq4I-p51yTOEg02JaZ1h8hZHvLZP6UKOHxYJQNZ47gXCUZd1KMFAMAILzryHqY7MnraqTp-0HKdPIeWEj4l_/s1600/DSCN1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw4cfhdIRZmk5MYWY1x9UN1qu8saH4gI8gYFn0vM01hiW8IhCEAsapBJ0Lq4I-p51yTOEg02JaZ1h8hZHvLZP6UKOHxYJQNZ47gXCUZd1KMFAMAILzryHqY7MnraqTp-0HKdPIeWEj4l_/s1600/DSCN1570.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amulia and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I boarded on the plane with the destination of Midway airport in Chicago. I sat beside Amulia, so we could spend the last two hours together. We talked about so many different topics, from Disney, Hollywood, to Emma Watson, who graduated from Brown University. We agreed that we would definitely keep in touch, and that if she visits California, we have to meet, and if I go to Chicago, we will definitely meet. The lady sitting beside Amulia was a mother of a rising-sophomore at University of Michigan. She asked me if I was a college student, I answered her that I just finished the summer program at Brown University. After she heard about Brown, her first reaction was saying that everyone attended Brown loved the school, and I agreed on that comment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The weather at Chicago was cloudy, which represented my emotion at the moment exactly. I injured myself with the suitcase handle, and sadly, it was time to say goodbye to Amulia. I gave her big hug and waved. I will miss her so much. I looked out the airplane window, listened to some sad musics, and thought about all the good memories I had made in the past four weeks. My emotion deepened. I went on the plane, and met a fight attendant who was also a Brown graduate, class of 2008. With the extremely tired body, I could not help but napped. After I woke up, I had a can of orange juice, and at that moment, all I wanted was to arrive at San Francisco because the flight was too long. I looked outside the window, all I could saw was endless white cloud and farmland, and I looked t my watch and realized there were three more hours to go. I wonder how I got thoroughly the flight from Taipei to San Francisco; I should have patted myself at the back when I arrived for my endurance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQKb1vS-hVexdVVJ0uLxWe0C814oEiQx0igJRz_xjct-ufBF4hdkOEYbAdYfBGevxlqiFwHan3ErZc51SDQpyavUVi2c3K4LmhUM5pmPgORD3-1gQp84ZAyCEuLzfE_Hs3DJgiYUzxMDd/s1600/DSCN1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQKb1vS-hVexdVVJ0uLxWe0C814oEiQx0igJRz_xjct-ufBF4hdkOEYbAdYfBGevxlqiFwHan3ErZc51SDQpyavUVi2c3K4LmhUM5pmPgORD3-1gQp84ZAyCEuLzfE_Hs3DJgiYUzxMDd/s1600/DSCN1614.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at San Francisco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Welcome to San Francisco" was announced, and I knew that I was back home again, and it was really the time to say goodbye to the cohort. We said bye each other at the baggage claim. I was both excited about the fact that I saw my mom, but also upset about the fact that we were getting back to the normal life and the cohort would not be together anymore. As soon as I stepped out the airport, the journey had officially ended. This journey meant so much for me, and it would be the most precious memory for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jing-Yi Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07442827991509917754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-87992574818207360782014-07-12T19:26:00.004-07:002014-07-12T19:38:50.404-07:00Physically Not On the East Coast<div class="MsoNormal">
I really know that I should probably write this blog after
we land at SFO but since my ancient grandmother doesn’t have any wi-fi, a
computer, or any other high-tech item, I will have to write this in advance in
case I won’t come home tonight after going to her house. I really hope that the
wi-fi gods, goddesses, or any non-binary gender deity could be in my favor.
Other than that concern, it was surreal to pass through this experience and to
really reflect on this experience without the distractions of the 3<sup>rd</sup>
place World Cup match or the AP Language and Composition reading I put off for
later in the summer. During a section of the flight where Alana, the passenger
next to me, and I were relatively quiet and entrenched in the mellow activities
that we did to pass the time, I saw a really heartfelt note with a gift from an
anonymous cohort member. I continually asked many others in the cohort in a
casual sense on how we are leaving the East Coast behind with its immensely fun
and beneficial activities which not only change our lives, but other peoples’
lives as well. My main question was on whether leaving as well as experiencing
what we did has sunk into any of the cohort members. Many of them said yes and
I was quite surprised as even at our layover in Chicago, I haven’t seen the
life-changing component or the whole impact on what this has done just yet.
Perhaps if my grandmother had wi-fi, it would be possible to see if this has
all been digested in its first stages. However, I promise and assure you that
my last blog on the ILC ’14 at Brown program in retrospect will include all
those emotional qualities to the impact on what this has had with me. Besides,
the trip hasn’t even ended as I am still going really high in altitude and
really fast (according to the humorous cabin attendant) and I still have a lengthy
questionnaire, quarters description, and a review to do by this week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Amelia, Jing’s roommate as you may have known from previous
blogs, woke me up at 6:30 at my request so that I would have enough time to
write up a description based on the many different pictures I did of the dorm
rooms, bathrooms, and other miscellaneous content which is helpful to ILC’ers
in the future as well as to do some last bits of walking around the campus
before boarding the shuttle at 10. I actually thought it was 10:30 but apparently
when I was taking a second trip to the dorm room to get my luggage, Alana found
an earlier excursion to take to the airport. At that moment, I suddenly
realized that I was not to step foot in New England after going to California
(except inside the premises of PVD). It was a moment I didn’t really lament or
react esthetically over since I was just simply stunned. I had a quick similar
reaction of feeling sad but hopeful for all the people that I said farewell to,
but only for a short while. I was surprised to see that my more optimistic side
reigned over the pessimistic side when making the gray areas constant (woah I
sound like a scientist, I promise I did that on accident…). That note brought
me to be overwhelmed on the plane where I had a mix of very strong, yet genuine
emotions which aren’t compromised by face at the least. While the passenger
next to me was sleeping and Alana was looking out the window after the note, I
began to feel a wet feeling streaming from the eyes on downwards to my
cheekbones. It was a lot of discharge but I believe that may have been the
first sign of this entire opportunity and service trip to “sink in.” I feel
relatively fine and calm now and these oscillating emotions are making me feel
that things may seem bleak and dull in the short-term to exciting and
compelling in the long-term may be a bit hard to fathom and comprehend at
first. This leads to what maybe people describe as a tragic flaw of mine where
worry circumvents my productivity and my success, no matter how relative it can
be. But this worry is due to uncertainty in destiny or how life will role on.
Although I have been intensely exposed to many real-life exposures as well as
having learned many different skills at the same time; a time capsule seemed to
take a huge role in this experience. Maybe there was some time dilation that
took a role and perhaps the world’s theoretical physicists were not skilled or
competent enough to detect it. Don’t you dare bring up the p-word.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Ok, I promise not to deviate from blogging about what
happened today. After waking up, I thought I was able to swim in the pool in
the Athletic Complex area but to my disappointment, morning lap swim doesn’t
exist on weekends! After being slightly bummed out, I walked back to an almost
empty Thayer Street, something in which a very kind solicitor on the street
described as “being like NYC at night.” It was bizarre to see very few shops
open but even though it may be that I was not present on any of the two
Saturdays during the program as I was in Boston and Newport, it was still too
eerie. The feeling didn’t sink in to fully accept the ending of the program
even though I have, but it definitely showed a sign. I didn’t see to believe it
as I thought maybe another factor was causing this besides the vacation of many
students in my particular three-week session. I later walked to the areas of
campus that I really haven’t ventured to after being discouraged about the dead
life on the street, besides chatting with the solicitor who told me to not be
like him as a reason. I actually felt that he changed on my outlook on how to
apply what I actually intend as I was being an arrogant and contradictory moron
when walking to get some Blue State Coffee and by saying that I don’t have any
money. Walking back with an iced coffee and seeing him doing the same
repetitive gestures as well the same question led me to get some seriously
inflated currency out of my pocket. If I didn’t realize this and have the
initial heart of being sensible and sympathetic, I would have not learned so
much as I would have today. We chatted about Providence, his previous jail
sentence after moving from Savannah, and also his family also moving out to
Providence where three of his siblings went to three different colleges within
the city: Providence College, University of Rhode Island, and Brown. He spoke
about how the businesses are working with him so that he wouldn’t seem like an
outcast to the community as well as the numerous encounters he has had with
Bears over the many years to which he was on Thayer. He told me that I will
most likely matriculate into someone who would probably have a comfortable and
accomplished life and he didn’t seem to envy that at all. He does wish to go to
college like his sibling whom he contacts with regularly with actually and felt
proud of what I was doing. I instantly felt the same feeling for him mutually
for similar reasons of understanding the context of which he went through, the
same of what he did for me. I sounded confident and I said I look forwarded to
seeing him again despite not knowing when I will go to Providence in the near
future. Maybe it is a destined sign which I may laugh off as supernatural occurrences
seem like mumbo-jumbo in most cases but maybe my corny side is right.<br />
<br />
At the
airport, I made an effort to get the souvenirs for others that I wished to give
a little something to as well as to talk to two fellow Chicagoans that I met at
Summer @ Brown and were happening to go on the same flight. You may already
know about Amelia in considerably great detail but one of the students whom I
did my final macroeconomics project with, Katherine, in less detail. I finally
had a great boisterous conversation with his father who came to pick up
Katherine where he had a reserved, yet enjoyable conversation about prospective
professions and majors to go into. Katherine seemed a bit ignominious ( I mean
embarrassed) about the rendezvous and I don’t know whether trying to sit next
to her on the plane (I couldn’t because my carry-on luggage was too hard to fit
in the overhead compartments as well as blocking others, forcing me to move
back.) She is a bit of an odd-ball in some ways. Even so, our conversations
really were the reason of why I laughed so much before and after every econ
class. At the airport so this concludes what I can post as I will have no wi-fi later!<br />
<br />
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Kevin Liu Mahoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585576138159659820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-11846568401595493112014-07-12T00:59:00.002-07:002014-07-12T13:06:20.425-07:00Without the People, The Change Becomes Apparent<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is commonly said that a community or a society
would be nothing without its people. People constitute a vitality which oozes
out into the surrounding environment. But not all the spirit can be lost as
even in abandoned areas (like the wind-howled streets commonly portrayed on
movies to real places like parts of Fukushima Prefecture) as relics can still
be seen in the form of buildings, landscape design, roads, bridges, signs,
technological bells and whistles of various sorts, and more. It almost
felt like starting over again since the majority of the people on my floor and
even this particular three-week session had most of the participants leave
campus with all their packed belongings and hopefully memories. Being behind
and checking room by room on the floor on who is and isn't still there was
close to bringing me into visible remorse but it didn't for some reason. It
could be that of the slight amount of anticipation and happiness I have for
returning to my native habitat to that of acceptance and future hope in which
what I have had will help me give back to those in my community as well as
using this experience for a variety of possibilities that just seem so vast to
fathom, especially at this time.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I honestly have to admit that I went to bed pretty
late last night and that it was quite an uphill battle to finish my
presentations and homework as well as some planning for the rest of the summer
as well as trying to socialize for the last time on my floor. It was
heartbreaking to know that attending class will lead me to probably never see
many of the friends I have again. Earlier in the program, many people took
immense liberty to do whatever they want to each other, even if it got to a
more intimate level since many students figured that they would never see this
again. Although I am totally in favour with individual liberties and choices, I
do not see many students, especially with that frame of mind, who tend to truly
reflect and ponder about their actions as it is seen as actions which don't
matter. I really hate to make this comparison, but that of a "What happens
at Vegas, stays at Vegas," type of attitude.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I will be sure to give a recap and a reflection on my
final full day on this scholarship. Waking up earlier lead me to take a walk to
the VDub to have some breakfast (which I honestly only had very few times due
to my afternoon class schedule). I unfortunately couldn't really finish all the
work before I went to bed at stupendously late time but that night was well
worth going to bed very late for. Our RA and many of the other students just
chilled, talked, and watched movies and played PC games like Siv for all night
long until sunrise. There were still some enthusiasts who played until the end
of early morning! I personally didn't last that long and I regretted not
finishing as it may have impacted how much I could squeeze in terms of doung
and experiencing before heading to PVD. I frantically worried about the
homework after being stuck on certain problems, leading me to turn to my
presentation cooperator, Katherine. She was kind enough to help me with some of
the problems despite my flustered nature of making sure I can do and meet the
expectations of what I want to do while still packing her paraphernalia (making
fun of my Singaporean friend, Adarsh for saying it. Actually, we had a pretty
interesting discussion on the definition and the application of 'paraphernalia'
in different countries) simultaneously. I then on proceeded to take one final
group photo with the floor as well as many other photos with friends later on
in the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
In macroeconomics, we turned in our very final problem
set and received the answer set with no usual, beloved explanation from our TA
who is supposedly captivating to many students in the class because of his
charisma and his appearance. (just a hypothesis on valiant observation) The
presentations surprisingly lasted until 3:20 to 3:30 where I admitted to adding
15 extra minutes when I should have spoken for five minutes. Hey, talking about
the Laffer Curve and income and corporation tax policy formulation,
differences, its emergence, problems, solutions, as well as an interactive
activity on a website (which didn't go as smoothly as I hoped) required that
time. It was awesome to hear my conservative friend do a monologue on Obamacare
to groups presenting presentations from peak oil output to sub-prime mortgages.
There was humour, deliberation, perseverance, intellect, interest, anxiety,
lethargy, relief, inquiry, and explanatory analysis. Peoples' traits showed
that all students have showed a very positive contribution which is mainly
intrinsic to who they are whether that be apparent to non-apparent to a bit of
an extra umph that students acquire through understanding and collaborating
with others. I know I have to make the economics course at school closer to how
awesome and educational the course I took was here, even if it was
mostly-lecture based. Talking and greeting others farewell proved a closing and
yet a new beginning. Since I can see the interwoven nature between the two
where it isn't exactly as abrupt or as separated as many people think it that
transition moment(s), I was surprised on how I moved on and smiled toward that
contemplation. Talking and debating with others, getting contact info, and
doing some more strolling and exploring was incredible and to be a great way to
end my last day in New England.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Onwards to the VDub again and to hugging the last
people on my floor and then to Downtown Providence. I saw a great see-thru
painting through a blank side versus a very different painting on the more bold
and colourful side from an enthusiastic man in front of the Providence
Performing Arts Center. Unfortunately, he asked me for some money and I didn't
really have much but just having that experience makes me guilty in a way I
can't thank or show more of my genuine appreciation as that fast-paced moment.
It wasn't out of pity, but just timing and rushing. Going around the rest of
Providence with the cohort besides Jack and Jing's roommate was an absolutely
fine way to end such a great trip or stay here - by fully soaking in the sights
and the ambiance of Providence as well as Thayer to getting great tea at a
local tea shop with reasonable prices for high-quality products to a nice juicy
burger and refreshing milkshake from Johnny Rockets to a nice stroll on campus
was nice. Plus meeting and saying goodbye to people on the Mean Green (huge
group!) Well, I still gotta pack so stay tuned for edits and updates to
previous blogs and stronger future blogs when I have a chance to reflect and
understand!<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kevin Liu Mahoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585576138159659820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-2955592473403284472014-07-11T22:40:00.000-07:002014-07-11T22:42:27.182-07:00Confused Feelings & the Most Difficult Blog to Write<div style="text-align: justify;">
If I had the same mindset as when I first came here to Rhode Island, I'd be glad that I could finally go home, leave as a new person, and cure my homesickness. However, that is not the case now. I've met so many people and gotten to know them that I'm reluctant to see them go since I may never see them again. As I walked through the campus to the V Dub for one of the last times, I realized how routine the walk had become over these three weeks. Walking down the street to the Main Green, passing the streets and walking adjacent to Thayer Street, eventually making it to the V Dub. How much will I miss this place and will it just fade in my memory? Those two questions were the two that rang through my head all day as I went about my daily routine.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We had a final presentation and test today in class, which I did good on, but not the best in my opinion. In between the two, Jody gave us a small presentation, telling us that life is never a straight line. There are curves, loops, and many stories between where we start and where we end up. We had a final conversation with Jody and Heidi after the final, joking around about things like bugs and the dorms. I had a blast talking with them for the last time, but unfortunately we eventually had to part. I took a long glance at the lecture hall, the waiting room outside of the lecture hall, and finally the biomed building when we were outside. I was in disbelief that such a fun course with such great supervisors and classmates was already over, and whether or not I would see Jody and Heidi as well as the lab again is now in the hands of the decision of admissions officers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WYN0Ju32xO_eHwV-wej8wjiCY8Ko1j-Wloze0SVwWitWgvYZtazWDiRkyIKBDY8gAcFplftR7iIKidk7uO2_bfFbJ56wXVHoHhpFCaY4FTYFiiPmadVBBZaOWGR2LO35Ij7ZVVDiw4wU/s1600/BC_11_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WYN0Ju32xO_eHwV-wej8wjiCY8Ko1j-Wloze0SVwWitWgvYZtazWDiRkyIKBDY8gAcFplftR7iIKidk7uO2_bfFbJ56wXVHoHhpFCaY4FTYFiiPmadVBBZaOWGR2LO35Ij7ZVVDiw4wU/s1600/BC_11_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for everything Heidi and Jody!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We had our final lunch at the dining commons and I can honestly say that today's lunch was the best. Lunch was just simply chicken tenders, but they tasted amazing. They had the quality of an actual restaurant for once and not just cafeteria food. I assume they made today's lunch taste good as a farewell gift to the three week students leaving today. As I sulked and cried all over my food, there were many farewells and hugs right before my eyes. The scenes reminded me that when I would get back to the dorms, there would be parents and suitcases of departing floormates and precious clustermates. I made a final stop by the Brown bookstore for the last souvenirs and continued back to the dorms, saying farewell to my clustermates Greg and Will on the way.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODwwEQAmPA3bSG2yrWYFR_odRDRqSEfwkoBLum0GQYYUj8Yj778L9jCHOF9QhSIJ7he5w2gWN4G4JC_QIICpvgjEwXoTuPEftHtsfw_eoND2i_R73sOAVekVKnBjdJnfrK60RoH5AX8ax/s1600/BC_11_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODwwEQAmPA3bSG2yrWYFR_odRDRqSEfwkoBLum0GQYYUj8Yj778L9jCHOF9QhSIJ7he5w2gWN4G4JC_QIICpvgjEwXoTuPEftHtsfw_eoND2i_R73sOAVekVKnBjdJnfrK60RoH5AX8ax/s1600/BC_11_2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of our door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I got back to the dorms, there were parents scattered all over the place and many people saying goodbye. I spotted Alex (the one that wasn't my roommate) from across the hall and said hi to him. I stopped by his room for a bit since he was leaving in about an hour to hang out with him and his friend Jeffrey before they would leave for home in Florida. Eventually I left, never to see them again for the rest of the day. I walked back into my dorm realizing how alone I was. Alex (the roommate this time) came back into the room from his class when I would see him for the last time. I never really hung out with Alex or did anything with him, but the small conversations, spending time in the same room together, and him dealing with the bugs in the room makes me feel like we've known each other for a long time. I can honestly say that he was the source of comfort letting me know that I'm not alone in this program and I'm really glad that I got to room with him instead of ending up with a single. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see him off for his departure, so I came back to an empty half of a room at night.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwBZUHiYS_mP49HfFSNSAYp62jfOl_eXI_VBuZwOUYeXMJhQg0Kp-YLhRPkTl6jmX4h2w1wtd-YZMITohs5jW1qKn0pi8rOK3VYize5h47n8uGeazQkiUfWJ2FAXtA-g_tB9PeRS5MlQg/s1600/BC_11_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwBZUHiYS_mP49HfFSNSAYp62jfOl_eXI_VBuZwOUYeXMJhQg0Kp-YLhRPkTl6jmX4h2w1wtd-YZMITohs5jW1qKn0pi8rOK3VYize5h47n8uGeazQkiUfWJ2FAXtA-g_tB9PeRS5MlQg/s1600/BC_11_3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already missing Brown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was feeling lonely during the entire afternoon, so I decided to treat myself to a session with the piano. The session helped a lot and allowed me to look forward to going home again. I went back to the dorm to see Alex off, but he didn't appear at the time he told me he was leaving yesterday, so I just left him a farewell note. I then went to dinner with Kevin, Arnold, Jing, and Amulia for the last time at the V Dub. I didn't really feel sad about eating dinner for the last time there, but that's likely attributed to me playing the piano earlier. We then went to downtown Providence for some exploring. There wasn't much to see, but we still had fun. We came back to campus at around 10 where we planned to meet early tomorrow morning for our final meal at Brown and went back to the dorms.</div>
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I'm sitting here now and the building is quite empty. What was once about a floor full of 30-40 kids has now turned into a floor inhabited by about 10. My stuff is half packed with everything besides what I'll need for tonight and tomorrow morning while the other half of this room is empty. This post was honestly one of the hardest blogs for me to write during my four weeks here. As I write about how everybody is gone and think about leaving this place, I can't help but to sulk again. I shed tears because of homesickness at the beginning, and now I'm shedding tears over missing friends and the reluctance to leave Brown.<br />
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Brandon Chowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07486052993080558273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-56276961409200408182014-07-11T22:39:00.004-07:002014-07-11T22:39:33.888-07:00Coming to the End of this Chapter<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you may know, today has been our final day here on the East Coast as part of the Summer@Brown program. The ILC has given us such a great opportunity and has allowed us to have a once in a lifetime experience. My day yesterday was just a bad one, but today was a new day. It marked the end of my chapter here, and marked the beginning for another one. It marked the beginning for many other things.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5159/j2g89jvl87h9odtfg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5159/j2g89jvl87h9odtfg.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly the last breakfast<br />at the V-dub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After all of the researching we have done in these past days aside from lab work, we began the morning with our final breakfast to prepare us for our final presentations. Immediately, we made it to class to begin with presentations. Everyone went one by one, informing us on a disease and the ways it has been attempted, or being planned on being treated. My turn went up and I felt slightly nervous. I knew everything I needed to, but something about standing in front a group has always seemed to get to me. In the end, I made it work and felt decently satisfied with my presentation. After everyone gave their's, Jody gave hers. I knew it was going to get slightly personal (which I think is great) and very full of life advice. She explained us how happiness on a graph, with the line looping up and down and all around. She explained to do what we love, not just professionally, but in general. Also, she said to find our passions. Not just one, but <i>passions</i>.Maybe sometimes our occupation does not embody everything we love to do, so that was the essence of that advice. It all made sense and was very smart to think of that way, which makes Jody, for me, more admirable than I already see her. The next part of class was the test, though. It definitely had some questions derived from the Pre-Quiz. I was feeling confident and knew the answers to many more answers than in the Pre-Quiz, but did stumble upon some questions that you needed background information to know how to answer. This is because they were related to the parts of the lab I wasn't able to do and parts of the lectures I had to miss. In any case, it was a bittersweet feeling finishing the test, yet realizing I had to say my goodbyes to Jody and Heidi. I walked out the class, the last one (what a shocker), and turned it in. Jody and Heidi were having a conversation with Jing and Brandon, who waited for me, but shortly after, it was picture time, and goodbye time. We gave each other a hug and walked out of the room and into our own separate ways.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our admirable teacher, Jody and I</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shot from the Art Club</td></tr>
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Our last lunch was up next as we headed to the V-dub. It was slightly awkward seeing so many people saying goodbye and getting slightly emotional too, but we all understood it too. It was the final day, after all. Jing and Brandon decided to go explore Thayer once more while Amulia and I decided we'd go check out the Art Club and then I'd see the RISD Museum, which I didn't get to finish exploring last time. After the Art Club with Amulia, I set off for the RISD Museum. I was able to explore the upper floors and see the Asian and Egyptian exhibits I didn't get to last time. I was at peace knowing I could take as along as I wanted, unlike the other time where we had to stick as a group. I took every second I could and enjoyed it thoroughly. I was there for about 2-3 hours and saw some very beautiful and interesting works of art. Eventually I had been there long enough that the museum had to close. I enjoyed my last moments and made it back to the dorm.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An enormous Buddha made from hollowed wood ( it was much<br />more very zen-like in the room than this picture)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking around downtown for the last time this summer</td></tr>
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After dinner later on, Amulia, Brandon, Jing, Kevin, and I headed downtown to look for souvenir shops, which was a fail. Instead we just walked around. By the time we got back, it was getting late, but there it was our last <i>night</i> at Brown, so we had to get some pictures. Amulia and I headed off as everyone else stayed in. Thankfully, I was able to get some great shots. Unfortunately, though, I had to make it back to the dorm to continue packing. It's been a struggle, but I need to continue before I miss out on too much sleep. At this point, it's already very late, but I have to make it through until tomorrow. Only one more night and this will all come to an end. The end of this chapter came so soon, but I'll be looking forward to reflecting once I have some to relax. The next set of pages and chapters in my life are only yet to be written, but this experience has definitely constituted an important part of it. It's been great.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping off for the picture, cause YOLO.</td></tr>
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Arnold Dimashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09091584308082545472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-91457808075928368932014-07-11T21:53:00.002-07:002014-07-11T21:53:25.355-07:00The Really Really LastI woke up at six thirty in the morning to end my summer program with a prepared presentation and final exam. I was the first to present according to Jody's random selection. I did my gene therapy presentation on cystic fibrosis, an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes unusually thick and sticky mucus in lungs, digestive systems, and other organs and tissues. I felt I was prepared when I walked on the stage, but as soon I stood on the spot, my mind went blank. I could not help but read according to the notes I took. Fortunately, the presentation went well, and from this project I did myself and other classmates' presentations I really did learn information on new kinds of genetic disease, and that gene therapy includes many different types according to different types of target cells. Everyone did a good job on explaining on his/her own disease. Jody then gave us advises on life. She said not to fully follow "do what you are passion about" because we have to face the reality that our hobbies might not be practical in the society. We can definitely do what we like, but do them as hobbies. The following was the long-waited final exam. In the exam, there were some similar questions from the pre-test, which I felt confident about. But, the test got harder and harder; the questions were comprehensible and the content seemed familiar, but I just could not recall any memories on the subject. I sat there thinking while playing my hair, and there were several light bulbs lightened as the thinking process progressed. I was glad that I finished the test.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heidi, I, and Jody</td></tr>
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While waiting for Arnold, I did the final goodbye to Jody and Heidi. We took pictures, talked about bugs that disgusted all of us, and finally a big hug to each other. I really did not like the feeling of leaving people who I really like. In the three weeks, both Jody and Heidi instructed us and helped us to understand the complicated biotechnology. At the same time, their humor made the class lively, and their friendliness made me feel that there was no gap between them and me. I have to say that I really enjoyed the three weeks spending time with them; I will always remember the three weeks.<br />
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The upset feeling continued to lunch time. I saw people hugging and saying goodbye to each other; someone even cried. I thought, this is already ending, but it feels that everything just begins because people are starting to get familiar with each other and the campus. Tomorrow, I will be leaving this campus and saying goodbye to friends who I met here. I hope I will not cry. Walking back from the dining hall to my dorm, I saw luggage, bags, and cars all over the place. Students were carrying their luggage and loading them onto cars. The feeling of leaving was getting realer and realer, but I did not want this to be true.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Side Before Packing</td></tr>
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I still had to face the reality. I started packing. I did not know where to start, so I just put everything on my bed, and that was a lot. With the addition of souvenirs, college brochures, and food, the luggage got bigger and heavier. I am scared that they will be over-weighted. I wrapped things with glass with clothes, and put liquid things in plastic bags just in case they leak.<br />
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Although this was the last school day at Brown, I did not waste it. I went to a session about major choosing. I was the only student there since most of the people had already moved out, so I was able to talk to a rising-senior at Brown University, Krystal, alone. She asked me what academic directions am I interested in. I told her biomedical engineering or business. She told me that I did not have to choose one but to combine two of them because although there are no apparent connections between them two, the combination of the two will allow me to find better jobs in the future because not only I know engineering, but I will also know about the business and financial side of the engineering field. After that, I talked about general things about Brown University. Like other students from Brown, she loves the school and she loves what she does here. The open cirriculum did really give her many learning opportunities to discover passion, and she did, and that was biology. We talked for almost an hour, and the topics ranged from the summer program to application process. I had a great time with her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gym</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Last Dinner at Summer @ Brown</td></tr>
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The tennis session was cancelled, so I decided to go to Grad Center's gym to work out. I ran straight from forty minutes. The first twenty minutes, I was running on threadmill at the speed of 5 miles per hour. For the last twenty minutes, I was on crossramp, and that was truly tiring. After exercising, my sweat was dripping. I could feel the wetness from my head to my feet, and I could hear my own panting. My face was also red, and I drank the whole bottle of water. My running did not end here; I ran with my flip flops to the dining hall because it was almost seven thirty. After my last dinner at Brown University, we headed to downtown Providence to explore. We walked around the city passed Providence Biltmore, where we started our four-week journey<br />
. The moment when I saw the hotel, I had a really strange feeling. I thought about the feeling when I first got here, the one with confusion and home-sickness, but now I have the reluctance to go back. How can people change so much in four weeks? I will definitely miss this place after I get back to the Bay Area, including the humidity and the East Coast feeling.<br />
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Back to my dorm, I knew it was again the time to blog and pack. Before all of these, I took the last shower at Summer @ Brown, and said goodbye to Marie and other friends. We hugged and took pictures, but all these could not make up the disappointment of leaving this place. Tomorrow will be the day we back our homes. Will I able to hold my feelings?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marie and I</td></tr>
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Jing-Yi Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07442827991509917754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-55773871674501585232014-07-11T08:25:00.000-07:002014-07-11T08:25:08.399-07:00Winding Down...It really is starting to get to me on how I will not be seeing other people at all after tomorrow and class schedules further prohibit any contact that can be made. After hanging out with our floor to socializing and getting close to people I have just met through conversations are aspects that I will fully cherish to the best of my abilities. Someone gave me a hug yesterday as she was leaving early and it was just extremely shocking to see her walk out the door as such a dear friend that I played frisbee with to just socializing with in a casual way will likely never be seen again. Such projects and exams as well as intense sightseeing and touring of Providence and the campus right before I leave are just so hard to deal with simultaneously.<br />
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By walking to see RISD, The Providence Art Club, a jazz concert and tour at the John Brown House to a mock AP test and a college fair really makes me wonder if I am squeezing as much as I can from this amazing opportunity. I have even gotten so busy that I was unable to finish this blog, where the immense homework problem set to the project I have to finish as well as socializing on my floor all-night long so that s fun and exciting night right before we all head back to our different walks of life just seems way too overwhelming to handle at the same time. I do not know what I am doing right or wrong or even if the gray area in between exists. I wonder if I am fully enjoying and extrapolating the experiences and the moments that I go through and whether I will regret or feel gratified on what I have done. It is hard for me to come to a concrete and sustainable conclusion to live by, rather it be many random pieces of different things that I have learned that I can group into categories and maybe lump it all into a very large category, but how can that be done? Instead I can see the strategic, mechanical, and aesthetic beauties of all these different combinations to be formed based on what has basically impacted me and even others on this close to month-long excursion. Relishing in that manner in the short-run keeps me rather occupied for my self-fulfillment but for the long-term or for the fulfillment and influence it has on people and society is still a mystery. I wonder if I should cherish that uncertainty and to take all these risks or depend on what I am comfortable with to try to be a more general, broader, and less minute scope of what I take away from this incredible opportunity.<br />
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You may ask me about the specifics of my day as I and many others in this cohort often talk about this. You may wonder, <i>How did Kevin feel about the mock AP exam? Where did he go and what did he eat? Did he spend a lot of time meeting new people and who are they? </i>Questions like that can be answered in giving a recap and distinctive observations but because human beings tend to be quite subjective (this is even coming from a STEM enthusiast), these lenses cloud and distort actually accuracy in an objective criterion. If I told you that the mock AP exam was quite hard and I got a low score on the multiple choice to getting almost all of the short answers to correct, I went to various sites around College Hill and parts of Downtown from Providence's Art Club to The John Brown House, I spent time meeting others, even maybe close to getting on a more than necessary level of intimacy with a person I engaged in fervent conversation with from New Jersey to meeting a pleasant student from Guatemala where we talked about universities and politics to people we find inspiring as well as people we hung out with to other people who have hooked up; suddenly, the minute details get a bit tiring and boring to read and rather the impact, skills, and live-long aspects that are taken away show more relevancy and exciting for a person to reflect on and to put on places like this blog. I am not discrediting what I and others have done, but this is how I feel portrays what the world can appreciate and understand the most from what I have understood and appreciated not only at Brown, in Providence, or even New England but that from the moment I stepped on that plane. I also think that this journey doesn't end as it bleeds into the rest of life with a permanent stain that I find hard to remove.Kevin Liu Mahoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585576138159659820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-79519339912411133722014-07-11T01:38:00.001-07:002014-07-11T01:38:44.079-07:00The Hardest Part is Finally Over... Or is it?<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I stated in yesterdays blogs my days have seemed to be filled to the brim with studying. Today was no exception to that rule, although it was the last day I would need to. After an uneventful morning of studying, napping, and Netflix it came time to go to class. I was really having mixed feelings at that point but I felt strong going in and didn't really think to worry about it. A quick lunch at the V-dub with my cluster mates, the short walk to Smith-Buannano Hall, and we were soon being passed the papers for the test.</div>
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Usually the AP Macroeconomics Test takes around 140 minutes or more but thankfully Desi decided to cut the test down a little bit for us. The multiple choice was only 13 questions for 15 minutes while the short answers remained at the standard 3 with 20 minutes for each. I wasn't expecting a terribly hard or easy test and what we got was right in the middle. The multiple choice seemed to give me the most trouble when compared to the short answers but I still think that I did well on both parts of the test. It was only until the very last problem of the short answers that I actually had a bit of trouble and had to break through the mental blockade protecting my own knowledge from myself.</div>
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After the test we were excused a bit earlier than normal, around 3 PM. Most of my other friends had gotten out even earlier due to a plethora of other reasons so I took a brisk walk back to the dorms to maximize my "fun'" time. In the end I decided to work on my group project for awhile and take a nap. They were both fun but the nap made me realize how much sleep I've actually lost on this trip. I've decided that I'm going to try as much as possible to sleep in tomorrow and then try and compare how I feel to any other day on this trip. I really hope that it works because I've fallen asleep multiple times alone just trying to write this blog post and I want that to stop.</div>
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Today was also the last full day that everyone is going to be here. Many people in our cluster are leaving right after class tomorrow, which only leaves Caleb, Hector, and myself. We decided to get a bit to eat after the college fair at a Korean restaurant on Thayer called <i>Soban</i>. It was delicious and I can honestly say that I'm going to miss all the great kinds of food that I've eaten over this trip. You all know that this trip was just for the food right? Brown was just kind of a side in the main course I've been so happily eating... If you couldn't tell that was sarcasm and I can't even begin to fathom leaving now. Three weeks ago if someone had said that I'd get attached and wouldn't want to come home I would have called BS but now I would completely agree with them. This is my home away from home and my cluster mates are my family now. I don't know how I'll be able to say goodbye tomorrow... Gotta get ready for the final day! Jusqu'a a la prochaine fois!</div>
Jack Giddingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886669104281678511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-67357147174184155362014-07-10T21:34:00.000-07:002014-07-10T21:34:22.269-07:00Facing My Internal Battle, Defeat Upon Defeat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Following up on my 3 week journey here at Summer@Brown, I'd have to say that it's been tough. I've taken a look at some of my past blogs and though I felt I had poured my heart out as I wrote them, I realized that somehow I was not able to pick it up (even though I, myself, know exactly how I felt). It's only a matter of practicing and further improving my writing skills, but my point is that I'll be doing my best to be unfiltered with <i>my</i> personal experience at Summer@Brown, and taking on a class away from home in general.</div>
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These past days have been full of utter disappointment. I may have had a breakthrough yesterday, but just as quickly as I was able to pick up my mood, the pressure I "put" on myself ends up bringing me down too. It was until speaking with Jody today after a busy lab (for me), that I realized this. At the same time, though, I've realized that it's not quite necessarily that I pressure myself, if not, I have compared myself to my lab accomplishments with others in the class (I would have probably inserted some kind of explanation about how it's not good to compare myself, but today's blog's purpose to be raw and unfiltered- no countersayings or anything, just purely my personal experience). It's such a pressure and personal disappointment to see others so easily excelling in class, knowing terms, processes, and asking questions, while I just sit there trying to understand what one of my classmate's questions even <i>means.</i> Let alone, the lectures are stressful on their own. A lecture wasn't the case for today, though, it was the lab. Essentially, today was<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what a typical day in the lab looks like</span></td></tr>
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focused on looking at malignant gene expression, I believe, and running an additional electrophoresis reading. It was fairly simple and there was free time for many (who weren't table captains). On my end of the situation, I was still working on combining all the liquids for the electrophoresis reading (this was the one that everybody was already<i> way</i> past on). Still, I had to <i>begin</i> working on Protocol 3 from the notebook. While the team captains were working on further lab work, and the rest of my classmates were enjoying their time together on their last day in the lab, I was there worried about trying to finish everything I hadn't already done. We had to go up for one last class discussion (we technically did have a lecture today too) about the results from the malignant gene expression, and as you may imagine, I wasn't finished with all the work. I was near the end but not quite finished. Also, by that time, it wasn't even an option to work with the rest of the class for the electrophoresis reading. They were already finished and I didn't even have my DNA ready for even beginning the electrophoresis work. Again, it was too late, so I only did what I could.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The bench I use in the lab. Everything set out and good to go.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just trying to keep up with everyone else, to be honest. Had the gene expression work done relatively quickly</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quick picture of Heidi and Jing (with Joe in<br />the background) before the<br />class moved upstairs for the discussion</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our last picture in the lab<br />(left to right: Jody, Jo, Jing, Me, Brandon)<br />Gotta keep smiling</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the bottom is my blood that I've worked with and<br />on the top (which you can't really see) is<br />the ethanol need to precipitate (make visible) the DNA</td></tr>
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The lecture upstairs was all about the gene expression, so I had no idea of what was going on, particularly because the class discussion was particular to that part of the lab. Because I still hadn't finished working with my blood sample to precipitate the DNA, I headed back downstairs. I had my worries and skepticism whether or not the DNA would precipitate, or if I went wrong somewhere in the process and messed up. The moment of truth came. I added the ethanol required to the blood sample and inverted it several time to mix it all up. To my PLEASANT and GRATIFYING surprise, IT WORKED!!!!! A smile swept across my face, and I was so happy to know that it worked out accordingly and that I did't mess up- I did something RIGHT. I took my moment very well by awing at it and taking so many pictures, that Heidi couldn't believe I was being serious by taking so many. I didn't let it get in the way, so I snapped away with many pics and let the moment soak in.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It WORKED!!!!!!!!!! This is my DNA!!! It PRECIPITATED!!!!!!!!!!</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, it was time to head back up and of course, I had no idea what was going on. Even with some help from my classmate sitting beside me, I had trouble understanding. In the end, class was over and I stayed to ask for yet more help from Jody. It had to do with an enzyme problem about time, so there was both a prominent mathematical part to it, as well as a conceptual part to it. Apparently, I did great conceptually, knowing what it was that I wanted to solve, however, the math with all the microliters, micrograms, units, and time was the challenging part. Throughout the entire session, Jody sensed my frustration. To my comfort, she pointed out how college life can get, and how I was getting an idea of it. She also said some really re-assuring things as well. She said how I have that conceptual understanding. "It's a gift," she said. It meant something to know that somewhere amongst all you the things you thought you were doing wrong, there was that gift. It's pretty difficult to explain exactly how things go down when you go through an emotionally frustrating situation, so in short terms, I felt slightly re-assured in myself and felt better about having done what I had done and doing what I did to try to understand the course's topics and such.</div>
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It was lunch and I was still frustrated. Things were just very down, despite the few words Jody had to say. Looking back at it, I noticed I ate less than usual, probably because my lunch consisted of mostly thinking and some reflecting. It wasn't they best day I've had here. I made my way back to the dorm and wanted to work more on everything I had to do, but a few minutes into everything I napped, and for more than the amount I planned to. I woke up, not refreshed this time, as I was still very tired, but I had to get things done. I researched some, but then Amulia and I headed out to get dinner. Right after we went out to the college fair. I saw so many tables set for many East Coast Schools that I had never heard of, but in the many schools there, I did recognize a few like Dartmouth, Yale, Stanford, and Rice. I looked at only a few before it was already 8. Both Amulia and I made it back to the Keeney, where I was left off to do work once again.</div>
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I had the last cluster meeting a while ago, where my RA basically let us know the procedure of returning our key to the dorm. It was very brief for me, as I had to return to my work and such. Today I also talked to one of my sisters and just had some time to communicate with her and what was going on, a much less filtered conversation than this blog could ever provide, but in all, it was just some words of wisdom. I'll get through this. I'll look back at it and wonder how I made such a big deal out of it, and I can totally see myself blushing as future Arnold is reading this, but in all honesty, it's how I feel in the present, and going through your own struggles isn't something to be ashamed of. Before I get to seem all unsuspectingly optimistic, I'd just like to tone things down a bit. Today's blog is not one showcasing how great and amazing and wonderful and perfect and glorious everything is. It's just one of those days. Everyone has them, I'm just deciding to show you guys what mine has been for me today. Before I sound like I'm giving up, though, I just have to say that I wont' and I am <i>not.</i> I still got work to do for tomorrow, and that's what I'm going to do.</div>
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As I am writing this, I am further procrastinating on my final presentation and essay for my class. I'm still likely to finish on time, but I just can't think right now. These three weeks have been so different from the rest of my life. Never again do I think I'll have the opportunity to relive the things I am doing now. The labs we have been doing, will I ever do them again? The people I'm meeting, will I ever see or talk to them again? The sights I'm seeing, will I ever see them again? Only fate can answer these questions.</div>
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Tomorrow is technically the last day here at Brown and today is supposed to be the last night we sleep in our dorms. That isn't the case for us ILCers, however. We have to sadly watch our entire floors and buildings empty out while we wait for the sun to rise on Saturday morning. I'm excited to go home and see everyone again for sure, but there's just a heavy feeling in my heart that makes me want to stay here. My mind is in a constant tug of war between the campus and the comfort of my own home. I've met so many people here and memorized the map of the campus and downcity Providence, only to have a chance of not having any use for these memories again. Despite not meeting anyone here who I can fully relate to and share my interests of badminton, gaming, music, etc with, I'm still glad I met everyone who I did. Everyone was so kind to me and I met people from all over the personality spectrum. I look around at my messy dorm room and think about all the things I have done so far. Thank goodness I record one second from every day of my life, so I can see the thirty seconds that I have accumulated here in Rhode Island (which I will most certainly upload if I get the chance).</div>
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There were so many things left unfulfilled and so many things I wasn't able to do. I wanted to visit the music room again, I wanted to hang out with my cluster more, I wanted to find out about the badminton club here (which no one seems to know about), I wanted to visit Chris again down at McCormick and Schmick's, I wanted to look through more of the mall, I wanted to watch a movie, I wanted to eat at an authentic sushi restaurant, I wanted to try the bubble tea here, I wanted to dine at more local restaurants, and I wanted to create more unforgettable friendships. Today was our last day in the lab, and I'll miss going down those stairs in the biomed building and walking into the cool room with all of our pipettes and solutions ready for us. I should probably be saving most of this gush for tomorrow, so I'll do just that for now. I should get back to working on my presentation, but my mind still bothers me. I miss home and all of the people and places I love, but I'm going to miss this beautiful place just as much.</div>
Brandon Chowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07486052993080558273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-58131646709923008292014-07-10T18:58:00.000-07:002014-07-11T20:33:27.328-07:00A Journey Toward the End<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaPNeYbGqzUx0i8q0Jwxt1UtzE7-n4EXXPsncXYct_bPvcZKNS6f4mK6FDZxgYaI6wkVVDlhR3mxzmmrl0DdL9C-fWQiZr0e60NJq72M5AtGMLtuV_pI5BcC2eRCqH434t3j89grq4ptQ/s1600/UVP01066July102014.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaPNeYbGqzUx0i8q0Jwxt1UtzE7-n4EXXPsncXYct_bPvcZKNS6f4mK6FDZxgYaI6wkVVDlhR3mxzmmrl0DdL9C-fWQiZr0e60NJq72M5AtGMLtuV_pI5BcC2eRCqH434t3j89grq4ptQ/s1600/UVP01066July102014.tif" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Class Gel</td></tr>
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I couldn't believe that today was already our last lab day. We finished up our DNA lab, and did DNA microarray analysis, which was a brand new concept for me. There were six different genes, and we put their oligos respective sites on a microarray slide. We then drop one drop of hybridization solution onto each oligo. As soon I dropped the solution, the oligo changed color. They turned into red, pink, blue, purple, blue, or clear (no change), and these changes signified the different spots where genes were expressed. Some were expressed in only normal lung tissue, some were only expressed in only malignant lung tissue, some were expressed in both, and some were expressed in neither. Jody asked us which color represented the kinds of cells that we have to pay attention at if we are looking for the cause of lung cancer. At first, all students agreed on the genes that were present in malignant tissues, but that was wrong. The right answer was the genes that showed difference between normal and malignant cells because it was the difference that caused diseases. The whole class's reaction was "OHH~~"; it was a epiphany. She continued on the gel electrophoresis photo of our own genes. In both genes, PV-92 and PMCT118, I had heterozygous genes, and that was amazing seeing my own genes. She also introduced a test called 23andme, which allowed people to test their own genes and find out their inherited diseases, traits, ancestry, and many more genetic-related tests. I wanted to do one because I wanted to see where my ancestors came from.<br />
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My afternoon was full of shopping. After going to the Brown bookstore with Brandon, we continued our shopping at Whole Food. I understood that the best souvenirs for my family would be staple foods, so I kept all my money just for the big shopping on food. I searched online and asked people who live here, including Jody, what were the foods that were specific to New England. I walked back and forth the store, looked at products on the shelves, talked to the people in the store, and called my mom for many times, I finally decided. I bought eight cans of clam chowder, two bottles of syrup, one bottle of coffee syrup, three packages of cake powder, and a box of oyster cracker. Those were heavy. I carried them all the way to my dorm after walking on the endless Benefit Street and the tiring College Hill. My arms were shaking after carrying all of them, but for my family, I was willing to do that. I hope they all taste good.<br />
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Attending a session called "Financing for Ivy League Colleges" and the Annual College Fair was my evening activities. The instructor talked about the financial forms that would be needed, such as FAFSA, and waivers we could get on standardized testing and college applications. The session ended quickly; it lasted only for 20 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of the College Fair</td></tr>
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I was lost again. In order to find Meehan Auditorium, where the fair was held, I looked on the map on my iPod, but I still walked the opposite direction. After turning a big circle, I found my myself back at the same place. I kept walking and walking and did not give up, I finally saw many students who were walking toward the same direction. I thought, " I could just follow them. I think they are also going to the college fair." There were 97 schools presented in the college fair, and many students participated. I walked around, visited several stands, asked several questions, and grabbed many brochures. I learned that University of Chicago also had core curriculum, just like Columbia University, and Washington University at St. Louis also had a straight medical school, just like Brown University, but the acceptance rate was very low. They only accepted ten students. That was tough. At the end of my tour, my bag was full of brochure, but I did not know if the college fair made me more confused about which college I wanted to go or broaden my view on school options. I really did not know.<br />
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Now I am typing the blog, but this is not the final task I have for today. I still have a paper to write, a presentation to prepare, and a final to study. I only have three sentences on my paper. What should I do? I should really start working now.<br />
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Jing-Yi Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07442827991509917754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-10477501165087082212014-07-09T23:43:00.000-07:002014-07-09T23:43:34.502-07:00This Blog is My Breather from Today and This Week as Endings Bring Hectic CircumstancesWell maybe the World Cup game of Netherlands versus Argentina as well. I was rather neutral as I know that both teams usually get very far in the tournament but end up getting eliminated toward the semifinals or finals. Same goes with Germany too. This game like may other games in the World Cup came down to penalty kicks and I guess Holland wasn't in the right frame of mind or that Argentina studied the Dutch penalty kick demeanours in close detail. Both were probably the case. It was still worth giving up some very precious time to study or to do some exploring around campus or the city as well, even though it was in a lounge on the top floor of Jameson. You know how heat rises! The crowd and the intensity was well worth it, even if others repeatedly complained about a nil score on both teams. I have to make up for the walking and the exercising I have lost though! As well as all the places I have yet to see!<br />
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Waking up, I went over to the John May Library for a change in environment for relief from my cramped, slightly smelly room with no AC to work on the project as well as to explore and sample through several of the documents in the library. I did a significant amount of work on research and readings, although I wish I could have spent more time on problems and actually constructing more of the presentation. I have a goal (and I am working on) finishing my last ever problem set before the final mock AP exam tomorrow as to be prepared adequately after a very quick course of only three weeks (I have only taken one other three-week course for credit which was more specialized). Like Jing, I also dropped by the Museum of Anthropology to check out many of the intriguing artifacts and documents that are held there after a bold suggestion by Sparkle, a national park ranger at the Roger Williams Memorial Park. I later took a tour of the campus from an official source where it was pretty much information that I have known except for many historical and traditional aspects that I do not know yet from such a rich and sophisticated identity that Brown holds.<br />
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Going to class and figuring that it is the last lecture made me nervous and a bit agonized simultaneously as I know it will be hard for me to get such a high level of instruction where a lecture feels so engaging and intimate, something which is hard to see at school, community college, or even at Berkeley from what I have experienced. Whizzing through chapters 14 and 15 as well as do some final problems signaled the beginning of the last two days which pinpoint the way to which we demonstrate our learning and to focus on the learning aspect without the grades was at fast saddening as I won;t be getting college credit but also helped me focus more on learning and less on grades to which the pedagogical process can be compromised.<br />
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After the game and the Ratty with its soccer debates, I rushed over to Kisa's event for all the PArtner Scholars. I was quite impressed to see the amount of students who attended. Although I really wished that there was more open discussion from the students about the topics regarding class, first-gen and minority identities, and other topics would occur, I felt like the students definitely had some conscious awareness which reflected how society has trained us to detect differences as well as understanding and going through reasons for attending college to experiences at Brown. I met two kids from the Chicago area and to also hear such inspiring stories from the three Brown students on flying back, going with a gut feeling, explaining and guiding your family through the college process, and flying back made me contemplate and even work harder. Although I have gotten advice which helpful and similar to what I have heard before, going over to the college admissions seminar after the event gave some different answers on AO's actually assigning points to filling quotas. Nevertheless, I will just be genuine, do the best I can, and see where I will end up. I promise to show the most accurate and honest window of who I am so that I can portray and sell myself, but I wonder how this can be included in such a short space. Selectivity is such a killer for me.<br />
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I then went back to observe the Main Green, to talk with floormates as they were enthusiastic about a birthday party and meeting others and going a bit farther with them for a short period of time, and the studied. After this blog, more studying and sleeping will occur and I really don't have anything else in mind. This is a priority...<br />
Kevin Liu Mahoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585576138159659820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-80399722670019928392014-07-09T23:07:00.000-07:002014-07-09T23:07:35.877-07:00Reluctant Joy? Mixed Emotions About The End Of This Experience<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today wrapped up our final chapter in Macroeconomics class. I'm sure there's so much more to learn but due to the hastened nature of this class I'll just have to be content with what we've learned so far. Monetary & Fiscal Policies, Supply & Demand, Real & Nominal GDP. These are only a few of the things that continue to rush through my brain as I try to prepare for AP Macro test we'll be given tomorrow. I don't really know what to think except that it all seems to be ending so quickly. The beginning of the summer@brown program seemed very spread out and evenly spaced but all of a sudden everything has been crammed into the space of a two day period. Basically I have to finish some homework, take an AP test, do a group project, and say goodbye to all the amazing friends that I've met over these three weeks... I'm sorry but I don't really know if that's even possible.</div>
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I'm sad to be leaving but at the same time I've been having some terrible homesickness that will be cured only once I get home. It may sound cheesy but the saying is totally true, "In the end you start to think about the beginning." Usually I don't have a very good memory but I can remember almost everything about my first few days at Brown, including minor details about every person I've met. I remember the icebreaker (a game to introduce everyone) that helped us to remember each other's names and all the adjectives that accompanied them. I remember meeting my roommate for the first time, having long talks in the lounges, going to Thayer St. for the first time, and even the questions about whether or not I surfed after telling the people I met I was from California. I could go on and on with this list and bore you to death I'm sure, so instead I'll just give you a quick recap of my day, explain the process for the next few days, and then wish you all a good night.</div>
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Studying. A primary activity now that takes up almost my entire day after class ends. Class ended at 3:35 PM today and once I got back to the dorm around 4 I studied until 7. Only then was I able to allow myself an hour break for dinner and relaxing before heading right back into it. Looking back on my notes and the slides that we go over in class I'm actually astounded at how much we've been able to cover in three weeks. A chapter a day and sometimes even more than that, all with classwork and class discussions integrated into the lesson. Study until I feel like writing my blog and then hopefully sleep after that. I've gotten through pretty much all of it and I still have time to go over it in the morning if I get up early enough, which I undoubtedly will. There's only one thing I have left to do before I go and that's take a picture of the entire city, at sunset, from Prospect Park. It was recommended to me by a photographer at the flea market and I have had yet to visit. I really hope I can go tomorrow but if push comes to shove I'll just go on Friday. With all that being said I think I should get my beauty sleep. Jusqu'a a la prochaine fois!</div>
Jack Giddingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886669104281678511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-78473015550814467812014-07-09T21:19:00.003-07:002014-07-09T21:20:29.518-07:00Failure, Discovery, and Disappointment <div style="text-align: justify;">
We were finally looking at the plasmids we transferred into cells today. In order to find out what kinds of plasmid were the unknowns, we had to run gel electrophoresis. Because we had to run three controls, two unknowns uncut, and two unknowns cut, the process was complicated. We had to add in many different materials and went through many steps. Toward the end, I almost lost my spot in the process. I thought that my result would be as good as the one before, but it was not. The image of the gel looked really unusual, but I still did not figure out what I did wrong during the process. I will ask Jody tomorrow.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology</td></tr>
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After class, as usual, I went to lunch. Today was the third day of my Providence discovery trip. I went to the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology of Brown University, Providence Art Club, and lastly Athenaeum. Haffenreffer Museum was located at the Quiet Green, which was easy to locate. I walked in, and I saw a showcase with many antiques from different cultures/countries, including Nigeria, China, Mexico, and many more. I saw through every item closely, and each of them had its own characteristics that I was attracted by. They all fully showed the spirit of each culture; the expression, uses of colors, and gestures all represented the distinctions of each culture. Walked further in, I saw two bears that represented Brown University. More and more historical items of Brown University showed up, including the flags, the photos, videos, the president's regalia and even the university mace. On the other side, the museum exhibited the handicrafts and objects related to lives of people in the Grassland, which referred to the highlands of northwestern Cameroons. Finishing touring the museum, I felt like I walked back into both the past of Brown University and the Grassland.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Part of the Exhibition</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Providence Art Club</td></tr>
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Walked out the museum, I soon felt the heat and humidity. With the unfamiliarity with the roads, I walked extra distance and finally arrived at the Art Club. I walked upstairs and saw many paintings hanging on the wall. I kept walking through hallways, up and down stairs, and turned several times. In the confusing maze-like space, I could always see art besides me. As I walked, I looked right and left, and saw numerous inspiring pieces of arts created by materials ranging from acrylic, crayon, oil, wood, steel, and to woolen, with the topics of nature, people, animals, flowers, and animals. I could not get enough of them. I met a gentleman who worked there (I forgot to ask his name), and he volunteered to be a private tour guide for me. He said that this gallery was built in 1802, and could be said as the first art club in America. It was originally a house of twelve people. He showed me the original location of the kitchen, the living room, and the studying room. These rooms were not big. He also pointed the original chairs, tiles, walls, and even stairs that were preserved until now. It was really amazing.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of the Library</td></tr>
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Continuing my tour, I could really said that I had no sense of direction. I passed Athenaeum, but I did not know I even walked down the street and asked people if they know where it was. No one could tell me. I did not give up; I walked back and forth, and magically found it. The inside was beautiful. Many book bookshelves stood in front of me, and the history even made the place more meaningful. Even though the facilities seemed somehow old, the feeling of touching historical preservation made me feel wonderful. I went upstairs, and I could hear the squeek sound while I walked up. I also went downstairs. I enjoyed every part of the library tour, except the feeling of hot. Unfortunately, I sprang my ankle when I walked down the stairs because of my carelessness. It still hurts.</div>
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I was planning on going back to dorm, but when I found out it was only three thirty, I decided to explore more. I went to Steinert Center for the piano practice room. There were many private piano practice rooms, and I went into room number ten. I pressed the first key, and the tune was off. Despite that, I kept playing and enjoyed the melody of my own playing until I forgot what was the next note. With the lack of practice for a long time, it was hard to think of some pieces I could play. I tried to look online, but it did not work out. I was disappointed by myself, I gave up, and I went back to dorm with my injured left foot.</div>
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I rest for almost two hours, and I went to have the first dinner with white rice in the dining hall. I attended Partner Scholar Program meeting afterward. I met Kisa, and she still remembered us! In the meeting, we talked about social classes in colleges, and things to be aware as first-generation college students, which did not apply to me. Although the target of the meeting was not me, I still met new people and had realization that social classes would be apparent in college lives, and that I would have to adapt to it.</div>
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After I got back to dorm, our cluster had the last get-together meeting. We wrote each other things we wanted to say to each other. The feeling of separating was getting real. Marie asked us to answer three questions: what did us expect before we came, what did we learn, and what we would miss. I wanted to learn new things, experience college life, and meet new people, which I all accomplished. I will definitely miss the freedom and people I met here. I still have two days, and I will cherish the time, definitely. </div>
Jing-Yi Chunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07442827991509917754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-65609688106257213272014-07-09T20:45:00.002-07:002014-07-09T21:03:52.056-07:00Who Are You? Who Do You Pretend to Be?<div style="text-align: justify;">
My life is generally a roller coaster of feelings and mixed emotions about every topic I come across, but ever since coming here all of that has gone away. I was able to focus on what was in front of me for once in my life, able to find my academic self. I left behind everything coming over to the East coast: my family, my friends, the West coast culture, and those that I love. Without them in my life, all that I was left with the main topics of the trip: reaching out and academics. I was finding what I want to do with myself and learning all about colleges and cultures and still am at this very moment. However, a certain seminar today made me realize how much I don't have right now.</div>
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The seminar was privately for students who came to Brown on scholarships, such as the Ivy League Connection. Kisa, who we ate dinner with last Thursday at the Capital Grille, invited all of us to come by letter for the workshop. The workshop was run by rising juniors at Brown by the names of Jessica, Stanley, and Manuel. The majority of the time was spent talking about social and economic class during the latter half, but what really spoke to me and enlightened me was the first half. It was a warm up with two simple questions, but those two questions were enough to dig deep into my mind. Those two questions were: "Who are you? Who do you pretend to be?" Of course the expected answer is "My name is Brandon Chow, I'm a rising senior from the Bay Area, California, and I'm here on the Ivy League Connection scholarship for the DNA-based biotechnology program. I don't pretend to be anyone, because I am who I am here and I'm here to represent the West Contra Costa Unified School District." Unfortunately, that was not my answer. The questions were to be answered to someone we did not know while they listened for a minute, not allowed to say a single word. The activity seems simple, but is really meant to allow someone to speak out from their heart.</div>
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My answer was simple at first: "My name is Brandon, I'm pretty normal since I don't exactly have any extraordinary qualities." From there, my mind started to think. I'm here on a trip that only select people go on thanks to their achievements, yet I'm calling myself normal. "I pretend to be that student everybody likes, the one that 'fits in.' But in reality, it's really pressuring and stressful. Being someone you aren't takes a toll, and some parts of my trip really felt that way." I'm sure some people reading this blog would get on my case for putting things like this on my blog, but the message I'm trying to convey is that nobody is perfect. We live in a world where there are always expectations looming over us, but what if we don't meet those expectations or just plain get tired of it? We get scolded, we get lectured, and we get shaped back into our expectations. It may sound like I'm complaining, but really it's just some food for thought. I'm fine with every expectation that I am to meet, and I get enough stress-relief to deal with it. But perhaps one day that scholar everyone thought was perfect will snap. </div>
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I haven't thought in this way for a long time, and I realize that's because there is no reason to here. I'm separated from my friends and family, and thus all drama that comes with it. But without that, I've simply turned into a working machine that is eager to meet people, reach out, and learn new things. However, a machine is still a machine. There is a lack of emotion and without that something is just missing. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'm sure it has to do with the home that I am returning to this Saturday. As my brain continues to chew on this question, I must ask: Who are you? Who do you pretend to be?<br />
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P.S. My DNA sample for our lab today and tomorrow went missing, so that'll be interesting to work around.</div>
Brandon Chowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07486052993080558273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-69749778617771719552014-07-09T19:56:00.001-07:002014-07-09T19:56:22.676-07:00Picking Myself Up and Brushing Off The Dust: New Day, New Attitude<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think that of all the days I've been here, this has been one of the most difficult morning to get up. I woke up after about half an hour of snoozing until I positioned myself into some stretching positions to help awaken myself. Though I felt no different, I proceeded to take a shower and then breakfast with the group. I tried the oatmeal today, which tasted <i>a lot</i> different from the time when they had no brown sugar and raisins. The morning was going pretty well, other than that fact that I suppose an afternoon would help me get more sleep and all, but in either case, it was go time once again.</div>
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Now this title might be misleading in this upcoming paragraph, but just hang on. You'll see how things can get better. I'm not not all that into thinking that you can change your attitude in a heartbeat, but today has showed me that it (somewhat) can. But first, let me go through the lab with you.</div>
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It was the same old usual walk up the stairs, into the building, down to the lab floor, and into the lab itself. Jody and Heidi prepped everything as we all put on our appropriate attire- our lab coats, lab glasses, and gloves. I sat down waiting for the next set of protocols to follow (not to be confused with an actual protocol from our notebook; that's something else), knowing that I was already at a heavy timely disadvantage. As soon as she finished overviewing today's procedures, I immediately got to work on what I knew I could do, without thinking about anything else that would stress me out. Jody talked to Kathy, who was very kind to come over and take re-draw my blood for my lab work (Thanks Cathy! I was finally able to start off on a clean slate and I appreciate it very much and thank you for it). We got it all done very briefly and I continued to work on those plasmids from last week, using a matrix (table) to decide which combinations</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second draw of blood. Thank God! Now I can now get to work with<br />it, and this time, hopefully, obtain an actual result!</td></tr>
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of liquids (enzymes, DNA, buffer, H2O) I'd combine. Little did I know that I was following the wrong matrix and abruptly blurted out a couple things out of anger and frustration. I was terribly upset that first thing in the lab on a new day, I was already set on a course to failure and disappointment. I tried to take some breaths here and there, and subsequently found that I wasn't done with my lab work just yet (I never quit on it in the first place, for that matter). I was still able to set myself on a right track with all the combining of the liquids and such; it only took some definite concentration and self-assurance that I could still do this. I managed. It wasn't smooth sailing from then on, though, the following lab just did not carry as much of a burden on me as it did with all prior frustration from mistakes. Anyway, I worked through it and was able to get some multi-tasking in as I began to start up on Protocol 2 (from the notebook) again, which was Monday's work. Looking back, it actually went pretty well, with the exception of being afraid i was going to somehow screw it up once more. Before I knew it, everyone began to leave and I once again knew that it was going to be the same thing today- stay for a minimum of an additional hour just trying to stay afloat in class. In the end, I was able to get towards the last part of the plasmid (liquid combining work) and subsequent electrophoresis work, which everyone else either already finished or was finishing in class). I'll be honest to admit that I minded being last for like the millionth consecutive time, but still I stayed and ended today's lab with preparing to finish two-days-ago work tomorrow as well as some additional time talking to Jody about the Pre-Quiz. Everything seemed to be working out well and I was relieved that I was done for the day (with lab work...).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting some work done</td></tr>
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Lunch was like it has been this second half of the course or so. I ate some fish, veggies, macaroni and cheese, and a plum, a decent tasting meal. I made it to the dorm where I fall back on the bed and experienced how <i>good</i> it felt to just lie on your back after another day in the lab. Sleeping 8 hours with all the checking-in regulations and picture uploading and inserting is an issue, so a sleepy me knocked out for 20 minutes... which turned into half an hour, which turned to just over an hour of napping. While I was napping, I received a quick motivational text from my sis (I know you're reading this, thank you!), but after waking up and feeling, quite surprisingly, refreshed, my attitude changed. I rolled up to heavy curtain, and let positive vibes flow in. I immediately got to work on my research, which was surprisingly not very difficult to understand. I developed thoughts together and from there, the day has been going smoothly. I'm currently writing this blog to not have to worry about it later tonight, but instead, use it almost as way of expression and alleviating whatever I may have to/want to say about the day and experiences I've encountered thus far. There's definitely that input, but I'm definitely feeling productive right now, and I can happily say that's an accomplishment for me. Up next is more research, dinner, and the workshop which I believe will held by Kisa Takesue. I'm looking forward to it, but I'll have you caught up with how that goes in the next paragraphs after I get through the activities themselves.</div>
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So I'm finally back from dinner and the activity. The activity actually took a while. There were about 40 students, much less than I expected, but it went pretty well. We broke off into groups and did a cool icebreakers where each of the 4 groups had to sing along to a part and then come together to combine each of the group's part and make it one song. We then went over an activity where we expressed our concerns here so far regarding being minorities. There were definitely connections as many of us could relate to things here and there. In all, it was interesting, and I was able to speak with Manuel as well as Jessica and Stanley (all rising juniors) regarding applications and their experience. There were some things here and there that I got from them, but then again you can never get enough help and advice before going diving into applications ans the entire college process in general.</div>
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While speaking to Manuel, Jessica, and Stanley, Paul, a Summer@Brown student as well, was there too. I had seen him before in one of the time management sessions, but never really talked to him. Since we were both heading to the Keeney, we talked about colleges, including the cohort's visits at the beginning of this trip, and just took the time to have a chill conversation before getting back to work on our finals and such.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the session with the Partner Scholarship Program</td></tr>
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I'm currently in my dorm ending tonight's blog on a better note that some of the previous days. I'm all set for blogging today, so up next on the to do list- STUDYING & WRITING A CONCISE SUMMARY!</div>
Arnold Dimashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09091584308082545472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562060433074536871.post-11685235225041763842014-07-08T23:50:00.001-07:002014-07-08T23:50:02.047-07:00Can't Believe It's Almost Over...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today seemed like a normal day at Brown, but what really is a normal day? Usually they consist of food, class, the gym, and hanging with friends. The day satisfies all of those categories yet in some way it seems more special then that. Maybe I'm just getting more sentimental as my time here grows smaller but I can't help but think that today was abnormal. Despite this feeling I really can't think about anything that makes today that special, besides the fact that Germany absolutely dominated Brazil today in the World Cup.</div>
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I don't really know what to say about my day except for the fact that class has been getting more interesting with every new day. We went over Fiscal Policy today, which was hard but felt very satisfying after understanding the concept. After the lecture we were given a short amount of time to work on our projects and homework but we were all to excited about the Brazil Vs. Germany game to get as much done as we would've liked. After class my cluster and I immediately headed to the nearest restaurant with a projector so that we could watch the game and have a late lunch. By the time we got a table Germany had already scored and, as I'm sure you all already know, it only got worse from there. I have no preference with either team but I was really looking forward to seeing a good match. It's just disappointing to see a professional team get massacred that badly, so we decided to leave soon after Germany scored their fifth goal.</div>
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I didn't have much time between leaving the game and heading out for the last dinner with the cohort so I changed quickly and headed out to meet Ms. Scott at 5:45 PM. I had put Al Forno, an Italian restaurant, on my list of places to go while we were in Providence so this was like the last "hoorah" of the Brown-I cohort in Rhode Island. We decided to go all out and order all the food we could possibly imagine eating including Calamari and Margherita Pizzas, Riggatoni w/ Veal Bolognese (mine), Homemade Meatballs, Spaghetti & Clams (Brandon's), Whole Grilled Seabass (Kevin's), Swiss Chard Ravioli (Arnold), Scallops w/ grilled vegetables (Jing), and Lasagna (Alana's), but that was all before dessert. This consisted of Crepes w/ Chocolate Sauce & Creme Fraiche, Chocolate Cake w/ Whipped Cream, Homemade Strawberry Mascarpone Ice Cream, and a Strawberry Rhubarb Tart. All of it was to die for and I even had some leftovers to share with my cluster when I got back.</div>
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I didn't really know what to do for the last two hours before curfew when I got back so I just decided to take a nap. I wanted to catch up on my sleep deficit but I soon realized that I should have just finished my blog first along with the homework that's due on Thursday. I think I'll just do it in the morning as I also have to study for the AP Macroeconomics test that we're scheduled to take during class that day. It's a tight schedule but I think that if I keep getting more and more sleep I'll be able to finish it all. With that being said I should probably head off to bed. Jusqu'a a la prochaine fois!</div>
Jack Giddingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09886669104281678511noreply@blogger.com0