Lynne Guey

The Internet is Ruining Our Brain

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:26:07 -0400

A graphic designer came across one of my posts from a while back that referred to the article “Does the Internet Make you Dumber”. He asked me to provide feedback on a graphic that his team was creating on the topic. This is a subject of particular interest to me (in the past 2 minutes, I’ve already navigated between various tabs twice) so I of course agreed.

The graphic illustrates how internet use has transformed certain brain functions. Take a look. Do you agree that we’re growing dumber by the minute? Can we avoid the relentless advance of technology? Is it a downward spiral from here?

Lately I’ve neglected my candid soul-bearing writing style for a more professional...

Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Lately I’ve neglected my candid soul-bearing writing style for a more professional kind. Socialynne, more or less, has become my new home for self-proclaimed deep ponders. Overall, it’s fun. At its worst, I ramble officiously about startups and New York like I have a clue. At its best, it’s forced me to learn about a field outside my comfort zone. It also helped get me a job in the startup space. But I miss rendering philosophical.

Tonight, I enjoyed a solitary stroll through Bryant Park. It’s one of the first nights I could do so without boasting a modelesque Eskimo jacket. Tourists puttered about, lovers laid in the grass, ice cream cones were licked clean before melting. I viewed this as an entity separate from it all. My singular existence didn’t sadden me; rather I marveled at its beauty. It made me realize how I’m part of a cast, a cast of an incredible production called life.We all are.

Of course these existentialist thoughts cause me to reflect on how much I’ve progressed over the past year. I graduated from college over a year ago! When I left Florida stomping grounds, I was uncertain what the heck I was doing; in many ways, I still am. But call it maturity or simply trial by fire, the waves are now easier to wade through. I’ve learned to deal with the ebbs and flows of life. There are more monster waves to come, but I’m as prepared as one can be. And we all know chance favors the prepared mind.

My day job calls for logical and systematic thinking. But I’m still a huge believer that things happen for reasons beyond our mental reasoning. I’m in New York for something greater than self. I have no reason to believe that but on a night like this, you have to believe that something magical is at play.

What's your story?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:50:26 -0400

What's your story?:

An interesting exercise worth trying.

2 + 2 =

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:31:51 -0400

Everyone is jumping on the storytelling bandwagon. I say that not in condescension, but in gladness. Before KONY 2012 went viral and was touted as a new media sensation, storytelling was already recognized as a crucial vehicle for awareness. Done well, it made all the difference between Hollywood classics versus duds, election winners versus losers, lasting brands versus unknown obscures.

It’s important, however, to distinguish between personal stories, everyday stories, and universal stories. The audience for each is different, and any storyteller will know that element is key.

With personal stories, certain events and thoughts are singularly significant to yourself and not very relevant to others. Bigger life milestones typically lend more mainstream value. While our stories do indeed lie in the details, our biographies only come to life for others once they are structured around these bigger events.

Everyday stories- “today I did this”- are usually only interesting to people pertinent to the occasions being described. For instance, your trip to the grocery store and run-in with an old friend may only find ears among your spouse or close friends, if even. Unless, of course, there is some broader lesson; the trick in not boring people with the tedium of the everyday is drawing out a greater significance and making it clear to others.

Universal stories are what we’re all drawn to. These are what come to mind when we think of storytelling. For years, stories have been told in easily digestible themes: Good overcoming Evil, Heroes versus Villains, Love conquering all. Trite as they are, there is a universal level of truth that makes these messages extremely powerful. They tug at our heartstrings, allow us to cross the barriers of time, and experience the similarities between ourselves (real and imagined). It’s why we love stories. They affirm who we are.

For organizations and individuals seeking to scale - meaning they want to appeal to a large audience- it’s important to strike a fundamental chord. This doesn’t merely mean communicating. This means inciting something within the audience, a core belief or value, that gives meaning to our life.

Wall-E and Toy Story director Andrew Stanton gave a phenomenal TED talk on Clues to a Good Story. He says that all good stories should give a promise that what will come is worth the audience’s time, all the while, leading them to believe they are crafting the conclusion themselves. ”Don’t give them 4; give them 2+ 2.”

Whether on an individual, day-to-day, or universal level, we spend a significant chunk of time constructing stories to make sense of our world. The difference simply lies in which of these three levels we immerse ourselves in.

I’m intrigued at the universal level. My current curiosity is how to celebrate start-ups and self-starters as a norm. I want to create a sticky but healthy narrative around seriously good ideas that push society to new heights. Through stories, we can establish a new paradigm about the upcoming generation, a generation which is bound to usher in a new era, one where meaningful projects are not anomalies and everyone is able to unlock their full potential. And while we’re at it, save the world from doomsday. Yes, Hollywood is calling- bring on the cliche “save the world” theme - but isn’t that what we live for?

A writing ingredient which, like a dash of salt, I can’t write without is: “Start as close to the end as possible.” (Thanks Kurt Vonnegut.) Disney tales end in happiness. Good triumphs over evil and the characters live happily ever after. I hope my 2 + 2 yields wonder. This story, our story, whatever it becomes, shall end in genuine wonder: wonder at the possibilities, wonder at what we could create if we just lived our lives with intention, wonder at what happens when talent is put to use. That’s the story I aim to create. The best stories infuse wonder.

Dear Instagram- With Love, Alice

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:25:00 -0400

Dear Instagram- With Love, Alice:

I first heard about Alice Lee last month through Twitter. Amid a flurry of 140-character statements, the headline about a Wharton student skipping class and deserving a job at Instagram caught my eye. Instagram? Skipping class? My mouse honed in. I arrived at Dear Instagram - With Love, Alice, a website with pretty cursive typeface floating daintily among clouds on a clear blue sky. Like a love letter, its greeting words expressed unabashed admiration:

“In a nutshell: I am a huge, huge fan of Instagram. And I want to be a part of your team.”

Love in the digital age? Some have called Dear Instagram an over-the-top ode to the popular iPhone photo sharing portal, Instagram, which has been downloaded more than 15 million times. But beyond the cute and welcoming background reminiscent of a day on the Bay (sailboats and sunglasses adorn the four pages), Dear Instagram is a thoughtful collection of ideas from a 20-year old who just really wants to work for Instagram. Within two days of its launch on February 16, it received more than 40,000 hits - not too shabby for a site built from scratch in 2.5 days. Media outlets from The Atlantic to Business Insider were quick to highlight how many classes Wharton junior Alice Lee skipped to produce the viral sensation- four- effectively using this ‘act of rebellion’ as clicking bait. But for Lee, skipping class is no big deal. Never afraid to breakaway, she took the entire fall semester off to work at the start-upFoursquare, build her photo business, and go to Africa.

I briefly met Lee this weekend while she was in New York for a client meeting. She has maintained a flow of design and photography projects, even since before Dear Instagram was born. Lee began her own photo business two years ago, despite having never taken a professional photo class.

“I learn better when I experiment. I started messing around with photography when my Dad returned from China with a Nikon D100, one of the first DSLRs that Nikon came out with. I learned by following people, reaching out to other photographers, creating a photoblog, and posting my photos to Facebook, ” says Lee. “All the gigs I’ve gotten have been through friends, or friends of friends.”

Naturally, she references these experiences in her Instagram application. But more than a digital resume, Dear Instagram outlines concrete things Lee would actually do if given the opportunity to work at Instagram, which includes revamping the developer site and connecting with more photographers. On the final page of the site, which reads like a storybook, Lee concludes with the question “So why me?”, then quickly summarizes her own answer in a concise batch of sentences and graphics. Perhaps the more logical question to ask, however, is why NOT?

The outstanding nature of a website like Dear Instagram begs the question: Is this the new standard for resumes? Do we all need to create a viral website to receive a second glance from respected companies these days? If so, save my spot in the unemployment line now!

Thankfully, Lee offers resoundingly simple advice that doesn’t require coding. In fact, her number one tip for job applicants is to just be genuine.

“Don’t do things for the sake of doing them, ” she says. “Don’t feel compelled to make a resume-y website just because “everyone else is doing it” - because that’s not a real reason to!”

Lee suggests showing, not just telling, how your strengths will add value. Think about what a company is lacking and provide a solution. If you are a writer, write potential copy for the website. If you are a designer, send a potential design, which is what she did. Lee thought the current Instagram developer site could use some improvement so she redesigned it and sent them a mock-up.

Proactivity is a strategy she often uses to much success. While helping a potential client with something unrelated to design, she decided to create website icons free of charge for the team to use. This established a regular collaboration and she is currently working on a major design project with the organization.

Lee’s interest in Instagram stands uniquely at the intersection of her photography and technology passions. With ten employees based out of San Francisco, Instagram is at the center of the start-up revolution - all the more reason why Lee loves the company. However, she cautions that start-up culture is not for everyone.

“I think that it’s a certain type of person who wants to go into the start-up world and it’s really important to be honest with yourself in deciding if you’re that kind of person,” says Lee. “You have to work hard at your traditional corporate job, but in the start-up world, the onus is really on you and you are truly irreplaceable to the organization that you are a part of.”

Start-up or corporate, Lee’s career advice applies across the spectrum. Professionally, be smart and offer valid ideas, but what is equally important is being likable. This is significantly easier when you love what you do. Lee wakes up with a smile knowing she has “a whole day ahead that I can spend building cool things.”

Lee and Instagram have talked but so far, no work arrangement is set. Rest assured, with or without the InstaGig, this is not the last you will hear of her.

The Purpose Revolution

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:48:51 -0400

The Purpose Revolution:

Think finding your passion is overrated? Meet Amber Rae and Nathaniel Koloc. They are determined to change your mind.

If you ask for their help, don’t expect a list of interest-based questions. They aren’t trying to figure out what you like to do. Their approach is more intrusive – perhaps a little uncomfortable – but radically honest. With a simple “Why?”, they bypass job titles and cut to to the heart of your motivation, believing that your values say more about you than a formal name plate.

Amber Rae, digitally known as Hey Amber Rae, reiterates this belief on her widely-circulated blog, stating:

No one cares what you do. They care why you do it.

If Amber Rae asks Why, Nathaniel Koloc asks How you accomplish the Why. Using tactics from Simon Sinek’s popular “Start With Why” book, along with their own personal strategies, the working duo is building a structured approach to realizing and channeling potential in the new school they’ve dreamed up, The Bold Academy.

Born out of the realization that too many college students are carrying diplomas that speak nothing to their true potential, The Bold Academy seeks to fill the gap that college may not be fulfilling for some. Purpose-focused and confidence-building, the Academy teaches students the skills needed to make ideas happen or to gain momentum toward ambitious goals.

“I can’t stand it when someone is full of energy and ready to lend that energy to making the world a better place but can’t because they can’t find the right outlet,” says Koloc. “The barriers could be societal or personal, but either way something needs to be done about it.”

Timing couldn’t be better. A recent New York Times op-ed dubbed this generation the “Go-Nowhere Generation”. Boasting a 16 percent unemployment rate among 16 to 24 year-olds, our stagnant youth could certainly use a kick starter.

The Bold Academy, however, is not a vocational training program. Nor is it summer enrichment.

“The Bold Academy is the culmination of all the work I’ve done since graduation in both figuring out my own path and in helping others to claim the lives they are meant to live with The Passion Experiment,” says Amber Rae.

To better understand the Bold Academy, it helps to know the background of its founders. Rae and Koloc are living examples of the can-do philosophy they preach. Though they are only in their 20s, their extensive experience and passion place them at a unique position to lead a generation of self-starters. Through her Passion Experiment, Amber Rae has coached hundreds of potential entrepreneurs, convincing them to quit their jobs and start companies. She also publishes stories of those who take the route less traveled on Revolution.is.

She describes herself not in characteristics but in the world she envisions, one “where human potential is not governed by what we’re told we can and cannot do”. Nathaniel Koloc, the other half of this dynamic duo, co-founded ReWork, a start-up dedicated to connecting young talent to meaningful work. Through working in the world of social impact and sustainability consulting, he has developed strategy for identifying talent and placing individuals in work that inspires them. As a 2011 Unreasonable Institute Fellow, he learned how to turn this idea into a business and is building it now in its inaugural year.

With the Bold Academy, Rae and Koloc join forces, along with a team of three others, to place a new emphasis on purpose. The Bold curriculum integrates this purpose with effectiveness, through six sections: self-awareness, integrity, confidence, risk-taking, resourcefulness, and strategy. The Academy does notemphasize one specific domain of skill or career path; instead, it takes a holistic approach. The month-long program begins July 1 and consists of workshops, skill-building sessions, and extra-curricular adventures in Boulder, Colorado.

Since releasing applications last week, the Bold Academy has already received a significant amount of interest, despite no other advertising than social media. This is exciting for Rae and Koloc, but the scope of their undertaking can also be overwhelming.

“I’m just so freaking excited to have this take place, it can be hard to just take a deep breath and do the next thing required to make it happen,” says Koloc.

In its inaugural year, The Bold Academy’s success will be measured by the feedback from its 24 participants (12 boys, 12 girls). “We want them to feel an intense burst of clarity…as well as a surge of confidence propelling them into action as they leave,” say Rae and Koloc.

Ultimately, there are bigger plans. Depending on how the summer goes, Rae and Koloc plan to refine the curriculum so it can be replicated across the country. Another future goal is to make scholarships available so more can afford the experience. Current all-inclusive tuition is $7,500.

“We envision thousands of students each summer going through the Bold Academy on campuses and in cities from coast to coast,” say Rae and Koloc.

For now, the team is focused on building the Academy’s foundation and selecting a talented group of students for this July. Until then, the team admits there is a lot of work. But what they lack in age, they make up for in conviction.

“One of the only things in this world that I’m sure of is that we all possess massive amounts of potential that, once unleashed, can make any dream, any vision, a reality,” says Amber.

Applications for the Academy are open until March 22nd. For more information, visit The Bold Academy: Everything You Need to Know.

End of the Old World

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:43:22 -0400

End of the Old World:

On Thursday, I launched a new series for NextGen Journal, a platform featuring voices of the next generation. My column is called End of the Old World. While melodramatic in name, it is hopeful in outlook. We celebrate those with ideas and solutions. Despite the messed-up economy, the young broke and beautiful can create their own opportunities. Each week features a pioneer between the ages of 18-28 who is scrapping the old for something new. Here is the first post.

Any suggestions for future features, please contact me.

Bold Academy Applications Are Open

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:26:33 -0500

Bold Academy Applications Are Open:

College students, listen up. GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

heyamberrae:

The landscape of higher education is about to change.

Too many college students are carrying diplomas that speak nothing to their true potential.

Too many recent grads feel confused about what to do with their lives and how to contribute to something meaningful.

That’s why we’re building…

Support the little ones.

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:57:00 -0500

I never knew how tough it could be to say goodbye to a business. My boss closed a restaurant in Harlem on Wednesday. Hoards of people came to pay their respects with a glass (or two or three) of wine, toasting to the restaurant’s 4.5 year run. It was a sad occasion, though by the number of people who came out (standing room only) you wouldn’t have guessed the economy was so bad. If only everyday were closing day…

All irony aside, the outpouring of support was incredible. After we officially announced the close through Twitter, tweet after tweet expressed dismay. Retweets, blog posts, and articles were written. My heart was warmed after reading about how many lives were affected by this cozy wine bar on the corner of 21st and Frederick Douglass. For many, this was their Cheers. One saddened customer wrote,

“Today is a sad day all around. It’s raining and my favorite neighborhood bar is closing. I go to Nectar because it’s my Cheers. Yes, sometimes you just want to go where everybody knows your name…There are so many things I love about Nectar, but most importantly I’ll miss seeing my friends and making new friends over a glass of Seven Sisters.”

To fully disclose my affiliation, I work for Jai Jai Greenfield, the former Wall Street trader-turned wine entrepreneur, owner of Harlem Vintage and now-closed Nectar Wine Bar NYC, as her digital assistant of sorts. It was amazing to see her strength during this difficult time, and my respect for her as both a businesswoman and individual has only grown. She is a strong supporter of the Harlem community and always dedicates time and money to philanthropic causes. Now that Nectar is closed, all efforts will be channeled to Harlem Vintage but you can be sure that Jai Jai will still make her presence known in the community.

We drafted this letter explaining the close to customers:

After the tears are wiped, let’s put our money where our mouths are. In her farewell toast, Jai Jai emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses.

“Most small businesses are resource-constrained. It’s not just money constraints; it’s that plus time and people constraints.”

Small businesses are the heart and soul of the American economy. These places need your support. If they don’t have it, they cannot survive, let alone flourish.

So, remember to support the little ones folks. We are lucky to have options and the ability to dine anywhere we want but in order to build a sense of community, we must support the businesses right in our own neighborhood.

Friend Crushes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:06:00 -0500

“Nothing of me is original. I am a combined effort of everybody I’ve ever known.”
-Chuck Palahniuk

Though this tramps rudely on my artfully formed identity, it does remove some of the pressure. I am a skilled shopaholic only because my middle school friends would berate people who left the mall empty-handed. (Thus, my impressive amount of debt now can only be attributed to them.) I am quick with “that’s what she said” jokes (if those can be even considered jokes anymore) only because my college roommates and I flung them around all senior year. I am a terrible bowler because…well, who cares about bowling anyway. No one I know likes it, so I don’t need to.

We can use this reasoning to deflect individual responsibility for character deficits, or things we’re ignorant about. On the same token, we can’t take credit for our seemingly original insights. If I am a mere mishmash of the people in my life, my character is really just a representation of my taste. To that end, I try to surround myself with people I strive to be like.

Author Courtney Martin used the term ‘friend crushes’ in her latest piece about being your own mentor in a freelance economy. Since freelancers don’t have an easy structure to guide their work flow or career path, they must learn how to hold themself accountable to personalized goals and deadlines. This involves seeking ‘friend crushes’:

Sometimes you have to go after a collaborator or a work gig. I’m not big on “networking”—at least the version of it talked about in women’s magazines and at some alienating conferences. But I do believe in “friend crushes.” If someone does particularly awesome work, or has a way of looking at the world I find really unique, I will go out of my way to get to know them. It’s never with a set goal in mind, but more with the faith that putting a bunch of amazing people in my orbit will guarantee cool opportunities arising down the line.

It’s an interesting balance of individual initiative and creative collaboration, something which will become an increasingly important skill to cultivate as our world becomes less streamlined.

One of my biggest friend crushes is Joanna Galaris, a cultural chameleon who’s lived in 8 countries. By some stroke of luck I selected her as my mentee in a college organization. The tables have since turned and she’s now more like my mentor. Though she is just a junior in college, I think she has a much more solid grasp on the purpose of college than most people. Here’s something she wrote recently on her blog:

In college, we are constantly bombarded with people telling us that we must follow certain academic tracks and what the complementary internships and volunteer experiences to those tracks are and that our GPA is somehow related to our self-worth. I think this is nonsense. I would like you to un-learn that information. Yes, what you study in college, particularly if you are a STEM student, will probably determine the job you get paid for at first. But there are unlimited possibilities to expand your knowledge and your skill set so that you can be competent in many fields. I am a passionate Anthropology student but I have no intention of being an Anthropologist for the rest of my life. I do hope that I will get the opportunity to do public health research in Eastern and Western Africa and find incredibly creative ways to work within local health cultures to implement public health campaigns in under-developed areas. I do want to be a medical anthropologist. But I also want to be a carpenter, a musician and a writer. I want to speak French, Swahili and Arabic fluently and improve my command of the English language. I want to better my public speaking skills and learn more about where my food comes from. And I am 100% confident that I will be successful in all of these things.

Of course, this raises the age-old question of whether it is better to be a jack of all trades or an expert in one subject. There is value to both focus and well-roundedness. Regardless, she touches on a fundamental component of college that is too often failing to be ignited - curiosity.

Many have criticized American universities for becoming overly social, a wasteland of drinking escapades and drunken epiphanies. That is true, but social is not always bad. For some, the classroom is too formalized and contained for curiosity to flow. Learning thrives instead among candid discussion with peers. This does occur in the classroom, but personally I am more comfortable discussing serious topics among a trusted group of friends who won’t judge my oversight or lack of knowledge in a topic. This is why I think the concept of ‘friend crushes’ cannot be underestimated. Joanna, again:

Most of us in college right now are frustrated with the quality of education that we are receiving because we are failing to personalize our college experience. If you hate being in college and you can’t wait to graduate then it’s probably your own fault. If you are studying something that does not interest you and aren’t stimulated by the classes you are taking, then change your major. If you’re failing in your area of study and your classes make you feel dumb or incompetent then you’re probably in the wrong field. You are neither dumb nor incompetent. Dedicate the majority of your time here to something that you think you’ll be excellent at. It will make you happy and make it easier to tackle the harder stuff.

For those who don’t know what they’re good at or what makes them happy, fear not. That’s what life is for. College is just one of those unique social environments for you to experiment and ignite that curiosity alongside others who are also trying to figure it out. It will come easier when you’re exposed to those ‘friend crushes’ who you admire, perhaps cooler than you, but eager to share a bit of their insight with you, and vice-versa.

My social life is one of my top priorities because I surround myself with people that are talented and have skills that I don’t have. When I spend time with my friends, I am learning from them. I am taking in who they are and absorbing all of the things that I love about them and taking notes. Having lunch with a friend can be just as inspiring as sitting through a great class taught by a brilliant professor.

My life mantra is ‘everyone has a story’. Everyone can teach you something. So don’t be afraid to seek out those friend crushes and spend time discussing and honing the skills that will make you successful together.

How can you not have a crush on her when she takes you around the Greek islands?

Aegina, Greece, August 2011

College, Part II

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:13:00 -0500

I was at a networking event the other day, mostly for the tasty hors d’oeurves and the opportunity to imbibe free drinks, but figured I’d entertain some awkward conversation so my freeloading wouldn’t be so conspicuous. When someone approached me, I’d hurriedly finish my chewing (lest the silence be deafening) and begin talking mouth full with a load of quiche crumbs tumbling out. I’d chirpily extend my hand, “Hi my name is Lynne! Nice to meet you. What’s yours?!”

Nothing like an overly enthusiastic greeting that labels the “new girl on the block!” title square in the face.

So be it. I’m a Florida girl at heart and if my sunny disposition makes people squint, get some Ray Bans. Being from Florida in a cold city actually works to my advantage because it immediately creates an easy topic for conversation: weather. Inevitably, weather talk leads to the ultimate ‘elephant in the room’ question “What do you do?” which subsequently triggers an incessant chatter up in my prefrontal cortex on how to explain who I am, what I studied, and what on earth I think I’m doing here in the city. I panic, realizing I have no lucid way to introduce myself. So I usually start with, “Well, I drink a lot of wine…” (true story)

I’m not in any position to bestow wisdom on how to create your perfect elevator pitch and I’m not writing this post to pretend like I’m close to ‘figuring it out’. I probably won’t ever know how to describe myself in a witty one or two-liner and the day I can, my life will be officially pathetic. We are more complex (and interesting) than titles allow us to be.

That said, all this weather talk reminds me of another time not so long ago when I partook in a lot of chatty mingling, albeit in a less classy environment. Memories of a frenzied freshman year of college when I rushed to sign up for every organization offering community, value, and free food flood my guilty psyche. “You’ll find your best friends here!” “Make an impact!” Back then social situations were more beer pong and club meetings offering free pizza, less wine and cheese with keynote speakers from [insert reputable global organization].

I’m about 9 months out of the old stomping yard (college) and while it’s fair to say I’m no longer a college student, I still feel endowed with a somewhat privileged collegiate mindset. Perhaps even more than I did during my four lecture-sitting years.

I don’t roll out of bed and spring to class anymore, and I don’t bump into people I try to avoid every five minutes. Instead, I dress up, hopstop to work among suited up strangers, and carry a brown tote that looks slightly like an old man’s briefcase (it was the only one at the thrift store that could fit my dang laptop!). During my subway ride, I whip out my cranny nook and read up on design. Trust agents. The digital sphere. Or “how to get rid of that gut!”, which just conveniently happened to be on the latest cover of Shape.

After graduation, the learning doesn’t stop. My current line of work forces me to think digital, social media, and e-commerce while tasting new products and writing about them (which involves wine…what a bummer). It keeps me busy, but the knowledge appetite is still not satisfied. Curiosity widens like the mouth of a hungry child with a bottomless stomach. Now that I don’t have professors to direct my questions to (ironically whom, I barely ever spoke to when I was actually in college), I am more curious than ever.

As a newcomer to the city, I am still trying to determine the activities and people that are worth my limited time and energy. Of course, in order to play the game, you have to put up with some ‘small talk’. Slowly but surely, in this so very refined adult life, you whittle down the prospects to your truest, deepest interests, one glass - escargot - smooth talking schmooze-at a time.

Tomorrow I begin a wine tasting class called ‘Raise Your Wine IQ’. (Shameless plug- my boss is teaching and you can register here!) I’m also enrolled in a month-long online course called “How to launch your startup idea for less than $5000” which sounds gimmicky, but I’m getting information far more valuable than what I sat through in college without spending a penny. The class is being offered through the education startup Skillshare (a cool startup that is trying to revolutionize education). I’m very interested to see how I can apply what I learn to a possible venture. Throw in my dance class and bible study, compounded with the professional life, and I have my own class schedule! I’ve never been more excited to learn in my life!

The Florida sunshine is probably blinding you but before you put on your blockers, keep this in mind:

Your 20’s are your ‘selfish’ years. It’s a decade to immerse yourself in every single thing possible. Be selfish with your time, and all the aspects of you. Tinker with shit, travel, explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground.

Kyoko Escamilla (a.k.a Brain-Food)

Even without a bell tower or quad, the collegiate mindset stays for however long you allow it. I am experimenting and exploring more now than the past four years. Do I regret not doing more of this when I was actually in college? Yes and no, because it’s never too late.

CREDO

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:25:39 -0500

1. I believe the next generation is charged with the challenge of gracefully coalescing with a rapidly evolving world,

2. I believe the current status quo in institutional education does not equip us with relevant tools to meet this challenge, nor does it produce the best version of our selves,

3. I believe in devoting our technological resources toward tackling this disconnect, by empowering individuals to explore a wide array of interests, then providing opportunities to hone the skills most meaningful to each of us,

4. I believe in the need for a creation-based platform that displays our works as a learning package for others to follow,

5. I believe individuals should create their own curriculum: learning by consistently producing content that contributes to public discourse and education, and doing by connecting with the right people on collaborative projects,

6. I believe in using said platform to simultaneously craft our individual and shared biographies,

7. I believe that when we creatively express, discover, and collaborate among various disciplines, we can reach an unprecedented level of synergy in the world,

8.I believe that by creating this platform our generation will be more than able to meet the challenges presented,

9. And I believe the world will be a better place when we each find our bliss, beautifully giving to the world what it deserves of us.

Thinking.

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:58:13 -0500

Thinking.

A Manifesto

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:31:55 -0500

To those who read the following in its entirety, thank you. This is not intended to be a monologue but a conversation. In an attempt to practice the collaboration I write about, I welcome all comments- positive or negative - because they are the only way to combat my individual bias. Regardless, thanks for entertaining.

—————-

I sit at my computer periodically to compose my thoughts. I do this because most of the time my thoughts are an unintelligible mishmash and therefore cannot legitimately be considered thought. It takes a good amount of ‘me’ time to carefully sift through and transcribe my neurotic ideas to decide whether they are even worthy of the word, or simply bull. Call it naval-gazing, but it is a necessity.

I’m not here to complain about my poor brain’s strain from our overstimulated environment, and be labeled a philosophizing, good-for-nothing hippie. Unless my nostalgic soul actually decides to defy modern civilization and frolic in the fields (which would be great but I’d severely miss my iPhone), I’m stuck with the present life of chatter and noise.

Or am I? My musing today brings an idea that involves reengineering our environment to filter out the haze, one where we can breathe long uninterrupted gulps of fresh insight without being engulfed by dirty thought pollution.

I use this analogy to draw attention to the other environment that is being decimated as we graze the digital sphere: our mind. I opened my clean word processor to write this post but not before checking Facebook, mindlessly flitting between profiles that say a lot of nothing, including my own. It’s the soda of our information diet. Sweetening and yummy- despite zero calories and no sugar!- yet ultimately a nutritionally empty concoction.

I think we deserve better. And by that, I mean a better time-waster.

I often think about how to live a perfect life imperfectly. It’s unrealistic to be a 24/7 carrot-eating, Economist-reading, productive machine when cat videos and Ben & Jerry’s lie waiting. It’s more fun to have our cake and eat it too. But couldn’t our indulgence involve something more exciting than glancing through photos of people whose lives are obviously so much cooler than ours. Facebook makes me feel lame and ugly when all these people I never talk to are always out and about taking beautiful pictures!

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“You are a mashup of what you let into your life.” We are what we eat and our creations are unique manifestations of our consumption, even during idle procrastinating time. So, wouldn’t it be nice to snack on something healthier?

Think of it as eating yogurt instead of ice cream, skim milk instead of whole, dark chocolate instead of white, wine instead of beer - just as tasty (if not more) and better for you!

Wasting time isn’t really wasting time if you’re learning and filling your mind with the right stuff. I see so much potential in our generation of Facebook gluttons. Between amazing music remixes to crafty DIY projects or ingenious apps built by tech-savvy coders, amid the trolling, we are talented! Heck even those Shit “insert ethnic group with overused stereotypes” Say videos require a commendable level of creativity and wit; I bet even Albert Einstein would laugh. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not confusing YouTube videos and tumblr reblogs with the resurgence of a creative class. We have potential to be renaissance folks- academics/professionals by day, artists by night, Tebows on the weekend- but it is strictly potential until we actively do. To do, we need a platform to encourage creation and original thought, rather than passive sharing and reposting. Ultimately, Facebook is just a sharing platform that reinforces old connections; nothing original comes out of it.

So imagine a platform that facilitates new connections, that bombards us not with images from last week’s drunken glory but with ideas, creations, substance; then fosters connections that enable us to collaborate on projects of mutual interest. Better yet, what if that type of platform stuck like candy? Talk about a good vice.

If we continue consuming this syrupy social facebook, our potential remains simply potential. We will be known as generation stuck. There are so many people graduating from college unsure of what to do and fearful of going after what they really love, what they really care about. If you like dancing, well go the heck ahead and continue dancing. Knock the world’s socks off. Financial concerns are understandable but with today’s technological tools, there exists a wealth of information online to enhance your trade, and with a bit of savvy marketing, you have all the resources at your disposal to make something of your interest at minimal cost. Content production, distribution, and monetization tools are becoming democratized through the web, enabling anyone to reach and build an audience directly through push-button creation and distribution.

To take this further, imagine a world where bloggers, producers, dynamic artists create their own curriculum, one that consists of a compilation of their interests, connections, and actual projects.

For instance, my curriculum would look something like this:

I know I want to learn about everything related to storytelling, education, and digital media.

As such, to enhance my knowledge, I would actively produce and follow relevant content. I would publish my stories, digital media pieces, and write thoughtful commentary on education issues. These would be posted on my page as a knowledge portfolio/blog of sorts, demonstration of my expertise. I would also repost what I consider to be relevant material to the subject. This would be helpful to others also interested in learning about the topic. If they deem my portfolio useful, they could follow my “content package”.

I, too, have the choice of following people whose work I admire, gaining insight into where they get inspiration from, the books they read, and a direct understanding of what goes into their work. I can easily reach out to them for input on best practices and tips. Better yet, with a little bit of proof that my work is up to par (as displayed on my page) collaboration is possible!

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I envision a world where we each create content for others to follow- not just status updates and photos- but real meaningful content. I believe we each have talents. We create. We are artists. We are teachers. On this theoretical platform, users create content packages. You gain followers, not based on friendships or acquaintanceship, but by the substance of your work and the things you choose to publish. You follow people for their “expertise”, their lesson plans, the packages they create.

Of course, this is all still a bit of a utopian shell in my mind. There are many holes and flaws in the proposition. How is this different from Tumblr? And how do you actually get people to actively produce, connect, follow, and collaborate? Doing this requires a shift from thinking “I’m going online to mindlessly browse through people’s photos” to “I’m going online to create something, to learn, to write a meaningful post about the Middle East filled with thoughtful analysis that others can glean insight from.” The former is a lot easier. The latter takes motivation, a lot more than some may have.

Such a platform is not for the faint of mind. But I never said this would be easy. This is where my thoughts go. I can’t do it alone. Only we together can build something great.

Is it Serendipity, or Life?

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:24:00 -0500

Have you ever thought about how certain people entered your life? Not why, but simply how. What event planted the seeds for that life-changing friendship? Partnership? Love?

The answer is often as mundane as, ‘I had no choice. We were forced to work together on a group project.’ Or as awkward as ‘We both really liked cats and were the only ones who had nothing better to do than spend lots of time perusing the shelter on a Friday night.’ (true testimony)

Not all of our lives are blessed to be as beautifully serendipitous as those good-looking stars who reached for a pair of gloves, brushed hands, locked eyes, and fell in love in that movie called- ah yes, Serendipity.

But when you think about it, many of our lives do follow a similar story line, albeit in a slower, slighter lamer way.

Take my week for example. It’s been rather ordinary. I went to work, exercised, ate, talked on the phone, slept. Nothing worthy of writing to Hollywood about.

But returning to my original question: over the course of the week, who were some of the people I talked to and how did I meet them? Well, there’s the guy who I beat in a silly college debate competition and to this day, still can’t get over it. Then, there’s this girl who I was in a college organization with. Also, a man I sat next to at a random tech talk last month. Such amazingly blah stories!

But wait. The real juice lies in the details and progression:

Person #1- we started our rocky relationship as debate opponents; he called me Shark, I called him Aardvark. Fast forward through 4 years of this awkward name-calling and we’re now joining forces as partners in crime on a collaborative digital project. The details are still being hashed out, but what’s crazy is that our original competitive relationship has turned into something collaborative. Even crazier, we no longer resort to ugly animal nicknames but actual names (never mind that they still aren’t our real ones; we work with aliases.) To think, we might end up co-founding something together…

Person #2- former college acquaintance, now NYC roommate and good friend. We were both part of a large organization in college, which means we were merely friends by association. We found each other in New York at similar points in our lives and as fate would have it, ended up living together. We’re good for each other. She’s a great cook, an artist, and an insightful conversationalist- she teaches me so much about the joy of fresh flavor. I already sense a heightened appreciation for beauty because of her. We both encourage creativity and do what it takes to find inspiration for weekly projects. We also kick each other’s butts with Jillian Michaels so we keep each other in shape quite literally. I would have never guessed a year ago that we would be roommates, sharing deep conversations, and embarking on this New York journey together. I can only now marvel at how it was all in place to begin with…

Person #3- entrepreneur building an exciting iPhone app. He handed me an independent consulting agreement today, which effectively gives me access to the startup life I originally set out to learn. We met because I happened to sit next to him at a random Foursquare talk which I didn’t quite feel like going to, but for reasons I will never know (fate!) mustered motivation I didn’t know I had. While waiting for the talk to start, we made idle chat. After meeting, I casually followed up with him, sending him an email and a link to my blog, not really thinking much of it. Two days later, he writes that he likes my writing style and offers me an opportunity to develop launch strategy for the product. All based on a blog. Life certainly does work in funny ways…

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The most interesting tales are tales of progression, the ones that start with a view of the life before, then lead up to the uncanny circumstances that made it all happen, and finally culminate in a surprising conclusion with a life significantly changed from the beginning. The central message: “look how it all began…”

These are the stories worth writing about. What’s more, we all have them.

Hollywood may glamorize the lives of others, but when you think about the little events in your own life, doesn’t it play out like a movie in and of itself? Maybe I’m just easily enthralled, but I don’t think I’m the only one who marvels at the slow and calm forces of chance. Serendipity doesn’t happen overnight and it certainly isn’t as monumental as what we see in the movies. However, I find great awe and power in its normalcy. When I look at my life now, I know that the people in it are playing a role far greater than I can imagine. But wonder - when exposed to everyday - can easily turn stale, routine. It is only by viewing each commonplace interaction as something with a larger purpose that your thinking shifts and you begin to witness opportunity. Then life’s true possibility is unveiled.

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I think the future calls for each of us to craft our own story. It’s already happening. People all over the world publish volumes about themselves every second- on blogs, Twitter, forums, Facebook. I’m sure even private people marvel in the inner recesses of their souls at the way things happen in their lives.

We each have a story to tell. Call me a narcissist, but I don’t think we’re far from a future where we are all movies stars. We’ve already been handed the lead roles. The question is, how do we craft an individual narrative that is real and compelling to ourselves?

Moving In, 2012.

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:41:00 -0500

Not for me. On New Years Day, I officially moved to New York. So far, it’s been a dream too good to be true; part of me is just waiting to wake up. Fortunately the Chrysler building proceeds to stare back from the window every morning. For now, I’m still in a sweet sweet dream.

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I came to the city last month for a job interview, though in reality I didn’t care much for the job . As fate would have it, they didn’t care much for me either. I was then able to continue with my real reason for coming up: to learn more about the NY tech startup scene.

The great thing about the tech industry is that it lives online. Everything is open, connected, and completely accessible. Startup offices don’t have front desks or secretaries. There is no barrier to entry. If you really want, you can waltz right in to startup headquarters with no appointment, no affiliation, not even a suit or tie. So that’s what I did.

I visited the offices of a few startups, including Grooveshark, Skillshare, and 33Across. I attended a Foursquare talk. I talked with fellow free-lancers at co-working spaces like the New Work Community. I’ve been able to meet talented and forward-thinking people like filmmaker Jason Silva who are willing and kind enough to dish out helpful advice to a tech newbie like me. Not coming from a tech background, I initially wasn’t sure what niche I could fill. My training has been in producing content, but all I have are a few bylines and reporting standups to my name, none of which are entirely relevant to a digital cutting-edge world. Anyway, the question remains: “How do I stand out?” The answer is still being drafted.

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For the time being, I’ve found some part-time gigs to pay the bills and quench my entrepreneurial thirst. I’m working as a personal and editorial assistant for the owner of a vintage wine shop in Harlem. While it’s slightly comical that I, of all people, am charged with organizing someone else’s life (if you looked at my room right now, you’d laugh), I actually think I’m suited for the job. I flex my social media muscle, build online strategy, help write a wine column, and drink wine! All while learning about the serious business of owning a local business. It’s completely different from academia, but I’m intrigued. It has since spurred my interest in learning about strategy behind some of the most successful small businesses. Walk the streets of New York and there are so many examples of ingenious business brands. Since I am charged with the task of ramping up social advertising/PR efforts for the store, I am using the city as my textbook.

In the meantime, the flexible nature of my work allows me to continue dabbling in other fields I want to experiment in, mainly:

- Videos/Film-making/Storytelling

- Networked Knowledge

- Emerging Technology

- Education

Eventually, all of these will converge. Here’s to moving in, 2012.

My 2012 Theme Word: Forward

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:52:56 -0500

Last year around this time, I dubbed 2011 the year of flight. I meant that in all positive respects. Literally, I wanted to take off and explore more of the world. Metaphorically, I wanted to escape my comfort zone. The overall goal was to not be bound to anything too familiar that limited my potential.

Well, I flew for sure. If 3 months romping around Europe teaching English to Italian kiddies and going broke doesn’t fulfill the free-spirited vow I made to myself, then maybe next time I’ll go to Tibet and become a monk.

What I learned while living out of a suitcase is that no matter how hard I try, I’m not a minimalist traveler. My oversized luggage will forever label me that girl with too much ‘baggage’. I’m pretty sure my suitcase caused me more trouble than even my lack of Italian with all the times I had to check that damn thing in ‘baggage deposit’.

More importantly, I spent a lot of time in 2011…lost. While navigating the streets of Europe, I constantly faced the question: zig or zag? With no smart phone to turn to, I was left with no other option but to zig and zag. 3 hours later, with the original destination still nowhere in sight, I settled for hidden gems in unknown territory. When you’re hungry, everything is delicious. You learn to enjoy the scenery regardless.

Back in the States, I did the same. I zigzagged between life paths. Zigging toward Teach for America one month, then deviating toward 30 Rock in pursuit of their page program, zagging toward a startup venture back in Gainesville, and finally jetting off to New York for what remains to be seen. I mulled over each prospect deeply, so deeply that I emerged out of the maze of my mind less sure about the original intent. And with a glorious headache.

2011 was the year of flight because I took off and jumped from city to city with no set direction. And honestly, that’s what I wanted. I neglected to build a mental map because I wanted the freedom to go without one. Also, I didn’t know where I wanted to go. But now I think I know.

For my 2012 theme word, I debated between words like intent, care, and focus. My thinking was that I once was a flighty bird, now it’s time to build a nest. Think of my intent. Handle everything with care.

But what am I? A nesting bird? There’s a time and place for everything. I don’t believe that 2012 calls for settling or more thinking. I think that I think enough already to know what my intent is behind every action. The biggest challenge now is to actually take the plunge. Move forward.

2011 was a year of zigs and zags, arrivals and departures, flights. Since May, I haven’t stayed in one place for more than a month before venturing elsewhere to shake things up. I emerge out of the maze happy to have survived, but like a shaken up child just off a roller coaster, I realize now back on solid ground that I haven’t actually moved forward.

I’ll try to be realistic here. If I can make just one tiny decision that moves me closer to being my best self, whatever that may entail, wherever that may be, that’s a success in my flighty mind. 2012 is the year forward.

Thanks for Thanks: Chapter 3

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:38:21 -0500

Thanks for the obvious: family, friends, food.

Thanks for the subtle: hard times, resilience, faith.

Thanks for a mobile body and a functioning mind.

Thanks for the five senses, awakening the moment.

Thanks for the carefree existence I’ve been afforded, a luxury not often allowed in this frazzled world.

Thanks for home and all its comforts.

Thanks for art and its ability to communicate beauty.

Thanks for teachers.

Thanks for chocolate.

Thanks for sunshine.

Thanks for being nice.

Thanks for not being too nice.

Thanks for those who aren’t afraid.

Thanks for keeping things interesting.

Thanks for smiling. :)

Thanks for new life.

Thanks to God.

Most of all, thanks for thanks.

Thanks, for birthday cake: Chapter 2

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:48:13 -0400

When my sister Wendy turned 6, she received two unexpected pieces of news. The first was that she would no longer have her own birthday cake. This was heartbreaking, because it meant she’d have to share. As if it weren’t enough that there were already a million other people born on September 29, stealing her spotlight on her special day, she couldn’t avoid this cake-stealer. That’s because it would be living next door, wailing at all hours of the night and needing its ass wiped every few hours. That delightful creature would be her little sister- me, born exactly six years after her first candle was lit.

The second thing Wendy learned was that her super sweet 6withouttheteen birthday bash at Rapids Water Park would be cancelled, or at least postponed until our Mother could recuperate from my birth. This was almost definitely the more devastating of the headlines, for 6 is one of those years when birthday parties are obligatory markers of social standing within the kindergarten hierarchy. Not having a birthday party was like coloring outside the lines - sacrilegious and ugly. Yup, her life was effectively ruined.

So at the ripe age of 6, my sister didn’t exactly welcome my arrival with a bed of roses. Though over the course of the next ten years, we did share many a bed, igniting some violent blanket tug-of-wars. I once punched her in the middle of the night (I was dreaming okay!) and she slapped me in return. This is the truest reflection of our relationship- mutual abuse, no holds barred.

I write as if we’re two dueling dragons, but we breathe friendly puffs of air, not deadly balls of fire. She can beat me at any game involving mental acuity (aka brains), but I compensate with a…zest for food? We’re friends. Most of all, she keeps it real, never indulging me with things that appease. And yet when she criticizes, she does so with such sophistication and good humor that you forget she’s actually pointing out your wrongs.

Last week, she and I celebrated our birthdays together, which was nothing special of course because we’ve been having joint parties since my diaper-wearing days. Pretty clear who got the better end of the deal there…partying with 5 year olds is always the best!

We are now 22 and 28.. This year’s party got rockin’ at Wendy’s apartment in Cambridge with me, our Mom, Wendy, her husband John, and their 3-week old baby boy. As we sat on the anniversaries of our existence with a simple home-cooked dinner, the thought of our passing age barely crossed my mind. Baby Christopher sang the birthday tune with his wails, necessitating several pauses for diaper-changing. This was a different celebration indeed.

For 22 years, I’ve relished in all the glory of my birthday by devouring cake and ripping open gifts. But there’s something about new existence that feeds the appetite of your own. Gluttonous craving for your cake subsides (and I’m not just saying that because we opted for pie this year).

The birth of my beautiful baby nephew has given me a small taste of what it must have felt like for Wendy when I came into the picture 22 years ago. I not only took her cake, I took her birthday party, I took her clothes, I took the very essence of her identity and blended it into my own. And since the age of six, she’s graciously shared, asking for nothing more than an occasional massage in return. :)

Wendy is my sister by birth, soul sister by choice. She’s sparked my envious interest in the many activities she excelled in, yet continuously encouraged me to be my own person and follow my bliss. I am grateful for her wisdom. Most of all I am grateful for who she is: living proof of selfless living. 22 years ago, I joined her at the table for cake. I devoured my share with all its extra toppings- frothy whipped cream with a cherry on top and dribbling chocolate sauce on the side. She graciously provided my selfish indulgence and now my appetite for life is well-fed.

It’s time for me to make room at the table for baby Christopher, yet another September baby who will be digging into life’s cake. My slice of cake will heretofore be smaller but that’s okay. With more people at the table, we will still manage to have our cake, eat it, and yes, perhaps even enjoy the deliciousness of life more too.

Thanks, Across Cultures: Chapter 1

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:54:05 -0400

I remember the day I met Jacek Holzwieser. He thought I was someone else, I thought he was just another ignorant European boy.

It’s funny how our first impressions often veer so far from the truth. In the case of Jacek’s and my meeting on that sunny Singapore afternoon, we instinctively gravitated toward our respective cultural stereotypes. As I greeted this blonde-haired blue-eyed dazzler, he interrupted my proper introduction, overconfidently stating, “We’ve met already. At the beach, remember?” Well, as we later came to discover, that beach meeting never took place…not with me, at least. That was another Asian girl. To his defense, she was tan and Taiwanese. So it wasn’t too far of a stretch…

Flash forward 2 years. Captain (my adoring nickname for Jacek) is married to a beautiful Mexican-American woman named Stephanie. They live in Austria and he works for a renowned bank. I was lucky enough to attend Jacek and Stephanie’s wedding in the cozy Polish town of Zakopane. Nestled in the mountains and adorned with wooden log cabins, the picturesque tourist haven is recommended as a place of healing for people with lung discomfort or anxiety. I could see why; the air of calm instantly pervaded my lungs with a fresh sense of being!

As I inhaled the cool air - remarkably cool at 40 degree temperatures for September - I reveled in the awe-inspiring nature of this event. Two years before, I barely knew the groom, merely thinking he was a sleaze who had a lot to learn about culture outside his Austrian bubble.

I realize now that I was the one who learned.

The wedding was a truly international affair. People of Polish, Austrian, Mexican, American, and Asian descent attended. The ceremony and reception were translated into four languages: German, Polish, Spanish, and English. The only thing that beat the diversity was the food. Traditional Polish weddings proceed in a very simple fashion: food, toasts, dancing, food, dancing, food, dancing, food…drinks are present at all times. Get me to more Polish weddings!

The fanfare was one thing. But alas, there is more significance to this story. Let’s return to the groom’s pre-marital days. What began as an annoyance toward this impish character for misconstruing my identity, of course, only grew into an affection of sorts. An affection that could only be reserved for the big brother I never had. We traveled together, ate together, sat under the stars together, talked about life together. We became best friends. I arrived in Singapore so young and naive, expecting to diligently attend to my studies. I left having barely touched my books, yet smarter. I was still young and naive, but a lot more open to the world and willing to defy arbitrary rules. Never would I dare to freeload off the subway in America, but in disciplinary “we cane people for chewing gum on the streets” Singapore, that’s exactly what I did. Captain and I would run through the handicap entrance gates on one ticket. We would go on nightlong food escapades, sampling copious amounts of Singapore goodies for free, and getting full off them. Any previous inhibitions I held about my weight were digested as I swallowed mooncake #I-don’t-want-to-know. I let go, for I realized that life just wasn’t as tasty if you were constantly worrying about your sample intake at the FREE buffet of life. And though I returned a bit heavier, I would never trade those extra pounds for what I ultimately learned from Captain: how to be alive.

Since I’m now on this mission to cultivate more gratitude, I thought I would thank Jacek and Stephanie for their most recent hospitality in Austria. On second thought, I owe them a lot more than a housewarming gift. Their relationship, which crosses geographic, cultural, and language boundaries, is a perfect example of living bravely in today’s modern world. She left her close-knit family in California behind for love. He wrestles with the possibility of eventually moving to America, despite the great job he enjoys now. They face challenges, sometimes with even the most fundamental of communication. But they love on. In a world where people get divorced as quickly as they can find fault with each other’s words, Jacek and Stephanie’s persistence toward achieving the highest form of love and trust in the institution of marriage is inspiring. Thank you.

Two years ago, Jacek taught me how to love life. Now, through their own example, he and Stephanie will teach others how to love one another, against the odds.

Thank you.