Miriam P. Blog

The world I like to image is one of appreciation and respect. The world as it is now isn't all that bad, and I think it's important, especially for our younger population, to find value in the peace the world can provide. When I was a child, I felt especially connected to the world around me. Now, I feel I'm still connected, but through a different lens. Currently, I measure connectivity by my understanding of the world through social media and news. But this lacks the essence of worldliness. As I thought about this assignment I pondered what exactly had changed between then and now. I came to the conclusion that nature had been weaned out of my daily experience. Sure, the walk to campus is studded with landscaping, and the hikes around L.A. make for a nice excursion. But observing and and participating are two very different things. When I'm walking I miss out on all that an area has to offer. I miss the little buds of soon-to-be flowers, I miss the ants working ferven...

  COSTCO, MY LOVE You know it, you love it, it's Costco. From hot dogs to pesto, vodka to croissants, Costco has it all. Now, I'm a self-proclaimed Costco lover. Never has that beautiful place let me down. In fact, during my darkest hours as a lactose-intolerant woman trying to navigate this ever so delicious world, Costco has been for been there for me. Its generous supply of bulk medications and disturbingly large box of Kirkland-brand Lactaid have accompanied me through many milkshakes and cheeseburgers. I could go on at length about why I love Costco so much, and yes, maybe a good portion of that tangent would be entirely about their hot dogs. But alas, that is not this article. From very young age I knew I loved Costco. After my 3 rd grade soccer games every Saturday, my feet would go from the grassy field of the Community Center to the beautiful linoleum floors of Costco. The nostalgia runs deep- just like my membership savings. Today, I'd like to outline my most...

Takeaways                For my second book, I chose Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness by Rick Hanson, PhD. Although I had many options, a review shared by Professor Hansen helped me decide, highlighting the book’s range of insights across various topics—perfect for my limited attention span lately. Building mental resilience feels essential as I navigate the turbulence of my twenties, and I’m motivated by the promise of practical tools to make the most of my experiences. With an open mind, I was eager to deepen my personal growth and mental strength. I thought the flow of the book was excellent, so I’m not going to put too much of this review into analyzing the reading experience. Just take my word for it. Instead, I’d like to share a couple ideas from Hanson that resonated with me. That way, if you don’t get the chance to read it, you still benefit from reading this review. 💖 Mindfulness: Th...