Take a second to look at this image. Do each of them represent something your mind?

Last night, I had dinner with a friend and we were discussing thoughts, language, and ways of thinking. Both of us immigrated to the U.S. from Asia when we were 8-9 years old, and I asked her whether or not she could pinpoint when she started “thinking” in English versus her native language. This is a concept that’s always fascinated me – how I used to think in “Chinese” and when exactly it switched to being in English.

While I’ve pondered this use of English-vs.-Chinese in my mode of thinking, I never quite considered that we don’t JUST think in words. We also think in colors, images, and experiences! Sometimes, I think I get so wrapped up in my thoughts — the stream of consciousness type of thinking, that I forget I don’t just use words to make sense of concepts to myself. It seems like it’d make the most sense, that I use words to make sense of things, because we use language and words as a tool for communication and for articulating ourselves to the world. But words can be so limiting – colors, intertwined with experiences and memories, alongside specific images are just as amazing ways of thinking and processing our thoughts.

From my own conscious thoughts, I know that I do think mainly in words: it’s like I hear my own “voice” in my head (not in the crazy way) when I’m articulating thoughts to myself inside my brain. But what I wonder is whether or not everyone else mainly thinks in words, or if there are others out there who actually think with images, memories, colors, and perhaps other forms of thinking that I’m just leaving out. Can we think with feelings? Or is that an oxymoron?

What I’m also curious to explore is how these forms of thinking can be applied to business solutions. Can we integrate these modes of thinking into the systems thinking and design thinking frameworks? (Or are certain modes already integrated?)

I’ll be attending a Design Thinking Workshop that the Center for Responsible Business, where I work, is offering in two weeks. So, more on that after I learn more about design thinking…

Photo credits: Ang Kor Wat by my sister, Keane concert by me, words photo

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So it has always been a dream of mine to live and work in NYC after I graduate. Honestly, I think it’s the fact that it’s a large city, and with large cities comes the romanticized view of what life is supposed to be like in a huge city. Anyhow, I hadn’t been back to NYC since fifth grade, which was the first time I visited the east coast. My sister and I went to New York during early January, which is supposedly one of the worst/coldest times to visit, apparently. It was freeeezing cold and I literally felt like I was in a refrigerator whenever I was outside. I wouldn’t say that my visit will deter me from searching for a job there post-graduation, but I think it isn’t a “priority” to find a job and live in NYC after I graduate. Perhaps it’s the freezing weather that is a bit scary for me (seeing as I am a West-Coaster, after all). But, after much reflection, it’s also the fact that NYC may not be the optimal place to find a job in the social entrepreneurship / social enterprise field. SF one of the major hubs for social ventures nowadays, and while I am sure NYC houses some great social enterprises as well, there are just more options in SF. But honestly, who really knows until I start looking for jobs (which will not be until next year anyways) whether or not NYC may or may not be a potential place after all?!

To speak of my future travel plans, I will actually be traveling with two of my best friends to Europe this summer! I am beyond ecstatic, as I have never had a chance to travel with friends (it has always been with family and family-friends, which has also been amazing to have the opportunity to have traveled with them). We will be going to London, Amsterdam, Athens, and Greek islands Ios, Mykonos, and Santorini. I will then be leaving the trip early, and my friends will be journeying onto Rome, which I am terribly jealous that I will be missing but am nevertheless happy beyond belief to have the chance to travel to Europe this summer!

If you have been to any of those places and would like to make suggestions as to what is fun, interesting, and amazing to do, please let me know!

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