Ava Moralejo 340

 When scrolling through the second book options, I really wanted to choose a novel that resonated with me. As I scrolled through the “Best Books and Essential Reads from Yes! Magazine”, specifically the novels from the subheader “The Science of Creating a Compassionate World”, Ruth Whippman’s title immediately jumped out to me. Worry, anxiety, and nervousness are some things I find can overwhelmingly fill my days as it does for many college students. The notion of happiness has always intrigued me as it is something nearly impossible to measure– and Whippman somehow finds a way to verbalize this perplexing concept. I was excited to explore this “new normal” of stress Whippman describes as embedded in American culture and our attempt to constantly pursue happiness that leads to our anxiety.  Many have critiqued Whipmann’s story as she is a Britian-born writer and is expressing her commentary on the American culture. In my opinion, as an outsider, I find she gained a perspective...

  For my second book assignment, I decided to choose America the Anxious: Why Our Search for Happiness Is Driving Us Crazy by Ruth Whippman. This critique is about the dark side of the pursuit of happiness. The author, Whippman, is a British-born (now) full-time writer and previously was a producer and director at the BBC in London making documentaries and current affair shows for BBC television. After relocating to Silicon Valley with her techie husband, Whippman was inspired to write this novel on the motives behind the pursuit of happiness--specifically in America. From what I have read, Whippman combines her British banter and hilarious narrative to mesh together her personal observations on the tedious anti-American perspective and anxious happiness seekers.  I selected this novel for my second reading assignment because I could relate to her perspective on society and was hoping it would inspire me. Personally, I admittedly find myself in constant pursuit of happiness. N...

 February 28, 2023 MEMORANDUM TO: Professor Clark Hansen, CEO, AMDP FROM: Ava Moralejo, R&D Associate DATE: February 28, 2023 SUBJECT: Investment Recommendation Memo Dear Professor Hansen, The purpose of this memo is to present to you my findings on the potential investment in Aesop. This investigation will analyze Aesop as a profitable business and whether it aligns with AMDP in terms of being socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. First, I will define the terms Triple Bottom Line, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Enterprise, and Carbon Footprint. I will then follow with a description of Aesop and its business practices related to the environment, society, and governance. Next, I will next discuss my opinions and examine the company’s efforts in these statements. I will then conclude with my final recommendation on whether Aesop is an equitable investment.  AMDP Investment Standards Below I will outline our standards for potential investment...

       We often take for granted the availability of clean water for drinking, bathing, cooking, and other household needs. Yet, in many developing countries, the local water supply is at risk due to environmental and infrastructure challenges. As I sit in my living room thinking about what to write for this random post, I can't help but stare out the window watching the pouring rain, reminding me of my experiences with BLUE Missions. BLUE Missions is a local non-profit charity dedicated to providing underdeveloped communities with clean water and sanitary environments. The organization is based in Miami, Florida, and works with communities in the Dominican Republic to provide potable water and sanitary environments.       For two consecutive summers in high school, I worked with BLUE Missions. I learned about BLUE Missions because they visited my high school and presented their mission, resonating deeply with my classmates and me. My high school ...

 Book 1 Post 2 For my first blogging book assignment, I selected the autobiography Educated by Tara Westover. Educated is a personal account of Westover's upbringing in a Mormon fundamentalist family. Her family is situated in the mountains of Idaho, completely isolated from civilization. Throughout the novel, Westover recounts her unsettling experiences of being isolated from mainstream society and the cruel consequences of not receiving a formal education. Tara finds herself thirsting for knowledge, and exploring the possibilities of self-teaching. She eventually disciplines herself sufficiently in grammar and mathematics to the extent that she is admitted to Brigham Young University. Tara flourished in her education, continuing her studies with a Master's and Doctorate from Cambridge University and holding a fellowship at Harvard University. Tara remained fortunate in her life outside of Idaho but evidently struggled to keep her place in both worlds, having to choose betwe...

The History of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar There are so many simple everyday delicacies that are overlooked. A condiment for salads, a pairing with cheese, a sauce for sandwiches, and a garnish for meat. Balsamic vinegar is an everyday occurrence for many, but most do not know where this delicious oil originates from. What differentiates balsamic vinegar from other vinegars? This article will delve deep into the birth of this “black gold”, its expansion through Europe into the West, and how it became popularized. This is a particularly memorable subject for me to expand on and I am quite knowledgeable on the topic after visiting vinegar’s birth-city this past summer in Italy. Balsamic Vinegar is Born In the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, balsamic vinegar was created in the small city of Modena, Italy. Modena is not only a gastropub for some of greatest food scenes but also a city bustling of art, automobiles and music. This region of Italy contains the ideal climatic conditi...

   What if someone were to pose questions like what color is the C major chord on a guitar? What does the word ‘fancy’ taste like? Do triangles smell fruity? These may seem like absurd and illogical questions, but to some, they have clear answers. Senses exist as separate entities for most individuals, making it nearly impossible to describe the ‘taste of a particular shape.’ To a select portion of the population, however, senses are conjoined. This neurological phenomenon is dubbed ‘Synesthesia.’ In scientific terms, synesthesia is a neurological disorder in which two or more senses are activated simultaneously. The purpose of this article is to outline the science behind this neurological condition and discuss potential theories debating synesthesia as science or simply disillusion.     The term ‘synesthesia’ originates from the Greek words ‘syn’ meaning together, ‘esthetia’ meaning sensations, and together describing “sensations that come together” (Carpent...