On a snowy Saturday morning on the first weekend of April, I took part in “The Big Event.” The Big Event is a student-run day of service that has grown into the largest event of its kind in the nation (from their website). It’s also… Read More »The BIG Event
In the chaotic scramble to purchase and prepare everything I thought I needed for my move to Blacksburg, I somehow overlooked a microwave. I assumed the apartment came with one and that it would be right above the stove. It wasn’t. I didn’t realize I… Read More »Life Without a Microwave
I didn’t drink, but I was out until after 2am. It’s enough to make me feel like I did. It’s now been two years without alcohol. I don’t know if it’s age, or my routine of going to bed early, but staying awake past one… Read More »Two Years Without Alcohol
Tomorrow is the career fair for the college of Architecture and Urban Studies (CAUS). I’ve only ever been to one career fair in my life and I don’t even remember what year of university it was. I feel like it had to have been freshman… Read More »My Second Career Fair
This book gives an eye-opening account of the role architecture and the built environment have played in Syria as well as showing what some people have to go through to survive. At the time of the book, the author Marwa Al-Sabouni is a young architect… Read More »Book Synopsis: The Battle for Home – The Vision of a Young Architect in Syria
Three weeks ago, I counted my book list to see how many books I had read up to that point. I was at 47 and in the midst of reading David Copperfield. I thought it would be a nice goal to reach 52 books for the… Read More »52 books, 52 weeks
My first semester of graduate school is officially finished. It finished on Saturday when we pinned up our semester’s work. At first, it seemed like a useless exercise because throughout the semester we regularly pinned up and discussed them. We’re also able to see what… Read More »First Semester of Graduate School
One of the best things about living in Blacksburg is its place within nature. The town, a hilly paradise of slopes, has an abundance of trees and a wealth of hiking trails nearby. During my shoulder surgery recovery last April, my parents gifted me a… Read More »Hiking around Blacksburg
This year, after eights years of celebrating Thanksgiving outside of the U.S, I’ve finally celebrated one within it. I continued the tradition of being away from my family. When I came back to the U.S. I was looking forward to finally spending a Thanksgiving with… Read More »Back in the USA for Thanksgiving
What is the difference between a building and architecture? According to my sister, “Ummmm I don’t know, building seems just more straightforward, but architecture is more artful?” My other sister thinks that, “a building is of physical structure whereas architecture is more of an abstract… Read More »What is the difference between a building and architecture?