All in on MIT as a 1st-gen PhD
How an unexpected, last-minute campus tour changed my life's trajectory
Everyone has heard the expression, “It’s never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.” This is a wise piece of advice—unless we’re talking about your dream grad school! Hello, my name is Annabel Gomez. I’m a first-generation Mexican American and the first in my family to pursue higher education. Growing up, […]
More Than Just Books: My Favorite Bookstores in Boston
A tour around unique Boston Bookstores and why each one is worth a visit.
People who love visiting bookstores know that it isn’t just about the books but also the environment. Personally, bookstores remind me that there are so many different worlds out there and so much to learn. I love picking up a book and feeling how floppy it is (if you know you know) and imagining myself […]
Why Boston is the Best and Worst City for Running
My thoughts on a city where it seems like everyone runs
Let me paint a picture for you: it’s 7:30 am on a Saturday in September of 2024, and I’m in a sedan driving down Memorial Ave on my way to move into my new dorm. My boyfriend is driving while I look out the window at the city I will call home for the next […]
Loud Steps and Strong-Smelling Cuisine: The Terror of Being Different
An account of my experiences of navigating roommate conflicts and finding my voice
#TheBeginning It was a typical morning when I woke up at my usual time, ready to get some studying done before heading to the lab. Around 5 A.M., a noise from the kitchen drew my attention. Something was different. The sound of a pan sizzling, the smell of fried eggs in melted butter, and the […]
My best and worst 5 books of 2024
47 books later and I’m ready to share some thoughts
DISCLAIMER: this blog post has what might be considered some HOT takes and some books you’ve probably never heard of. Welcome to my inner book thoughts of 2024. I loved reading as a kid but my attention span wasn’t always that great. For example, I’ve still never made it all the way through the Harry […]
