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Eat In
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Avoid Drama
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you? Stay true to yourself. Avoid drama at all costs; focus on your own life; always work hard; stay humble so you can be teachable; keep learning–no knowledge is a waste—help others when you can; be gentle with yourself and others; don’t listen to naysayers;…
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Shelter
What’s one thing that would instantly improve your city? One effective way to quickly improve Los Angeles and Albuquerque is by providing more shelters and support services for people experiencing homelessness. Beyond offering a safe place to stay, city leaders should also create part-time job opportunities that help people earn income, stay productive, and regain…
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Rwanda
What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken? The longest trip I have ever taken was to Kigali, Rwanda, when I was a master’s student at the University of California, Berkeley. In January 2024, I traveled to Rwanda as the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Representative to represent scholars at a global meeting with Scholar Representatives…
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SquarePants
Who is your favorite cartoon character? My favorite cartoon character is SpongeBob SquarePants. I genuinely can’t understand how he can be so cheerful, diligent, and full of silliness all at once. His best friend, Patrick—a starfish—somehow makes SpongeBob seem like the brightest mind in Bikini Bottom. When they are together, you can count on nothing…
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What’s Up Dude?
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Cringe
Have you ever regretted reading a book — which one and why? I thought carefully about whether I’ve ever truly disliked a book, and honestly, I couldn’t think of one. The prompt above asks about books, but I chose to write about a movie I nearly regretted watching instead. Sometimes, you finish a movie and…
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Triangles
What’s the most annoying trope in books or movies? The most annoying trope for me is the unnecessary love triangle. I understand that romance can add tension to a story, but sometimes it feels like the entire plot becomes about choosing between two people. Even worse, the characters often spend more time going back and…
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Possibility
What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised? One thing I do differently from how I was raised is how I see life. I don’t dwell too long on negativity or let difficult moments define my view of people or situations. Even when something goes wrong, I try to find the lesson,…
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Look what I found!
What’s the best thing you’ve ever found randomly on the street? This blog responds to the prompt above and is also a condensed version of a longer blog I wrote a few months ago. The best thing I have ever found randomly on the streets of LA—or rather, during an ordinary morning commute—was an unexpected…
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The Gift of Time
What’s the kindest thing someone has ever done for you? I think about the people who have been genuine with me—the ones whose honesty, laughter, and authentic presence made me feel comfortable enough to be myself as well. I am also thankful for those who challenged me to improve, because sometimes believing in someone means…
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Fiction
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Serendipity
What’s the weirdest coincidence you’ve ever experienced? What a word serendipity is! This post is in response to the prompt above. I’ve often wondered whether some coincidences are truly coincidences. Reflecting on my life, I’ve been fortunate to encounter opportunities, people, institutions, and moments that I could never have intentionally planned or orchestrated. One opportunity…
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Jurassic
If you could go back and witness any historical event, which one would you pick? If I could go back and witness any historical event, I would choose to see dinosaurs in their natural environment. I’d want to quietly observe these incredible creatures as they move through forests, hunt for food, and interact with each…
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Uncertainty
How do you deal with uncertainty? I manage uncertainty by reminding myself that I don’t want to live my life in fear of what might or might not happen. I choose courage—to try new things, like pursuing a doctorate, embracing the unknown, like starting a business, and being fully myself—unapologetically, even in the face of…
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Home Chef
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Kindness & Kingmakers
What’s a moment when a stranger completely restored your faith in people? Great men maketh great men Many people have impacted my life in meaningful ways. Still, when I think about moments when strangers became more than strangers and completely restored my faith in people, three individuals immediately come to mind. The first is a…
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Pets
Share a photo of your pet and tell us one thing that makes them uniquely them. Fun fact: Frankie, the goldfish, and Angel, the angelfish, appear to enjoy watching TV when it’s on. Their favorite show seems to be SpongeBob SquarePants. I have caught them several times hovering near the front of the tank, completely focused…
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Presence
What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore? I used to go above and beyond for people and water myself down to make everyone feel seen or appreciated. However, this often led to disrespect and, at times, entitlement because people thought I couldn’t stand up for myself. Now, that’s not sustainable, is it?…
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Live and let live
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Wanderlust – Africa
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Gratitude
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Respect is Reciprocal
What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do? One of the most overlooked basic skills is respect. Many people mistake kindness for weakness and think that someone patient, generous, or forgiving can be taken for granted. True respect involves valuing others regardless of what they can do for…
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Rain or Reason
Do you think everything happens for a reason? Some moments come like gentle rain; others hit like lightning. We celebrate victories, mourn losses, and often ask ourselves the same quiet question: Did this happen for a reason? I want to think about this through a simple example: rain. When rain falls, it may seem like…
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My Concrete Jungle
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Traveling with Sunsets
What’s your biggest dream? My biggest dream is simple enough to fit inside a sentence, yet vast enough to outlive me: to travel the world and watch the sun set in every climate and nation. I don’t want to collect countries like stamps, but to gather evenings. To learn how the same sun speaks different…
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Around the World in Eighty Days & Passport of Mallam Ilia
What’s a movie or book that inspired you to travel? Around the World in Eighty Days made me believe the world was one giant invitation waiting to be accepted. Phileas Fogg hilariously raced across continents with his French valet as if delayed trains and missed connections were merely suggestions. Long before that, though, I had…
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Nature & Nurture
Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are? My answer: yes. I’ve always been curious, which is why I keep stumbling into adventures. My life has also gone through a lot of remodeling. Growing up in Nigeria taught me resilience. Moving across continents helped me develop adaptability. Graduate school…
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Big Cats
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The Go-Giver by Burg and Mann
Which book have you read more than any other? One book I often revisit is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. Its main message is simple but powerful: meaningful relationships are formed when we focus on what we can give rather than what we can get. Whether in friendships, family, or romantic…
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Cactuses and Roadrunners
Are you a lifelong learner? Strange New Mexicans: Cactuses and Roadrunners Before I left for New Mexico, I feared I would be among the only a few people there. I imagined stretches of arid desert land, barren and dying of thirst. However, there were more people than I could count, along with wildlife encounters and…
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Green Spaces
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If I could live anywhere, I’d choose a city where gardens are woven into daily life—where green spaces invite slow walks, quiet reflection, and a stronger connection with nature. But in the end, my heart hopes to return to Africa, where I’d love…
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Bloom Again (America)
What’s a lesson you’ve learned recently that shifted your perspective? I thoughtonce something stopped blooming,its story was over. Then a wildflowersmiled from dry, stubborn ground,and now my certainty softened. Tell meof the orchid on my windowsill—bare stems, silent months,nothing to admireexcept the patience, water,of care unrelenting. One morning,I saw a green promise. And today, it…
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Anchored
What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts? This poetic piece below is a response to the blog prompt above. Good night. I do not wrestle every shadow. Some thoughts arrive like uninvited birds, landing briefly before taking flight. I have learned that not every visitor deserves a home. When fear whispers, I answer…
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Part of my Bargain
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The Spider: The Things We Almost Miss
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Four Languages: The Good, the Better, the Bad, and the Ugly
Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life? When people ask me how many languages I speak, I usually say four: English, Igbo, Nigerian Pidgin, and French. Before any French speakers get offended, let me clarify: I speak English reasonably well, Igbo proudly, Nigerian Pidgin enthusiastically, and French courageously. By “courageously,”…
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A Soul’s Garden
What’s a common misconception people have about happiness? They said happiness was somewhere out there—waiting in the distance,hidden behind achievements,recognition,and the things we hoped to one day possess. But I discovered a different truth: Happiness was a seedalready planted within me. A garden of the soul,watered by gratitude,nourished by love,and growing through purpose and faith.…
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Listening: The Skill I Wish I Could Instantly Master
If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why? If I could instantly learn any skill, it wouldn’t be speaking another language, writing a bestseller, or mastering an instrument. While those skills are valuable, I believe the skill I would choose is the ability to listen truly—to listen deeply, compassionately, and…
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What I’m Passionate About
What are you passionate about? “Your real education starts now, with friends you’ve made and friends you get to meet, with stunning successes and miserable defeats, and with a humble acceptance that your greatness comes from the mess around you, not despite it.” Conan O’Brien. People often ask what motivates my work. Central to my…
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Unmoved
If humans had taglines, what would yours be? It doesn’t matter what others think as long as you are doing the right thing and are at peace with yourself. Talking about peace: I was nominated for the Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize, administered by the University of New Mexico Foundation. I’m very grateful to the…
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When Stillness Calls
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Treasured Belongings
What personal belongings do you hold most dear? This is a response to the blog prompt Some of the personal belongings I cherish most are those that carry memories rather than monetary value. Photographs, old messages, handwritten notes, and gifts from loved ones mean the most to me because they remind me of different moments…
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Between Cold and Comfort
How do you feel about cold weather? This is a response to the prompt above. I’ve visited several American states, including Nevada, Georgia, New York, and Illinois, mostly during winter or spring, and it was always cold then. In this blog, I’ll focus on these three states known for their cold weather: Vermont, Oregon, and…
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Beyond Mentorship
Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life. One person who had a lasting positive impact on my life was a professor who believed in my potential long before I fully recognized it myself. Beyond the classroom, they took the time to mentor me, guide my academic growth, and open…
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Belonging
What do you do to be involved in the community? This is a response to the blog prompt above. Being involved in my community means showing up where I can be helpful—through teaching, mentorship, research, and service. As a scholar and researcher, I create spaces for learning and conversation, whether in the classroom, through workshops,…
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Faith in Christ
What gives you direction in life? By the waters that still my soul, my heart will trust in You! Hillsong What guides me in life is my faith in Jesus Christ. In a world filled with uncertainty, distractions, and shifting expectations, my faith keeps me grounded and reminds me that my life has purpose. When…
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Yurt Luck: Me and the Coyotes!
Have you ever been camping? Have I ever been camping? If sleeping in a circular tent in the middle of golden hills, surrounded by suspiciously confident insects and the kind of silence that makes you hear your own thoughts too loudly, counts—then yes. My camping debut at Blue Oak Ranch Reserve was less “survival expert”…
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Across the Ocean, Toward Myself
Describe a risk you took that you do not regret. This is a response to the topic above. One risk I took that I do not regret was crossing the ocean to pursue my studies in the United States. Leaving home meant stepping away from everything familiar—language, family presence, cultural comfort, and the everyday certainty…
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From Zimbabwe, with Love and Stories
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you. One morning, on the bus to school, I was fully prepared for my usual routine: sitting quietly in a corner, checking off items on UCLA’s student newspaper Sudoku column, staring out the window occasionally, and mentally debating whether I was awake enough…
