Angelina's Blog

  Bridge the World Foundation Our Mission The Bridge the World Foundation is an organization dedicated to helping children explore and appreciate the cultures of the world. In a world where cultural misunderstandings can lead to division or invisibility, we aim to create a space where children can learn about global traditions, languages, foods, and stories in ways that feel exciting, welcoming, and deeply humanizing. We believe that when kids understand different cultures early in life, they grow into adults who are compassionate, curious, and built for global citizenship. Our Passion Growing up within both Trinidadian and African American cultures showed me how powerful cultural identity can be in shaping a sense of belonging. But many children, especially those from immigrant families, are encouraged to hide parts of who they are to “fit in.” At the same time, many American-born children grow up with little exposure to cultures beyond their own. I feel passionately about this wo...

  When I think about Jacqueline Novogratz’s idea of “redefining the geography of community,” the first thing that comes to mind is how small the world feels when you actually decide to care. Not in a surface-level, social-media way, but in that real, human way where you recognize that your choices, no matter the size, touch people far beyond your immediate circle. If everyone is part of this larger community, then my first step in making the world better has to start with how I show up for people. I’ve always believed that connection is one of my strengths, so maybe my contribution is to lean deeper into it: listening better, asking more questions, and treating every interaction like it matters. I imagine graduating and actually putting this into practice, maybe through marketing, maybe through global work, perhaps something I can’t even picture yet. But I see myself in spaces where people from different cultures, backgrounds, and languages come together, and I see my role as a bri...

  A Day in the Life Most of my days start the same way: rushing out the door, normally somewhat late. Today was no different. I kicked things off with WRIT 340, where I spent some time yapping and laughing. It’s the kind of routine that feels so normal now, but I know one day I’ll look back at it and miss how easy it was to start my day surrounded by familiar faces. After WRIT, I moved straight into my active part of the day,  golf, and then yoga. It sounds like a lot back-to-back, but honestly, it's super fun. I placed those classes in my schedule to allow myself to experience classes that are different from my typical ones . These little pockets of calm in between all the academic noise have become such a necessary part of my week. By the time I’m done, I feel like I’ve done something good for myself before the day really picks up speed. Once the workouts wrapped, I grabbed lunch with my friend and took a much-needed break before heading to BUAD 497 at 2 PM. Afternoon classe...

  My Botanical Friend: The Jade Plant The plant that I interact with most regularly is my jade plant, which sits on my desk in my room. Its botanical name is Crassula ovata, from the family Crassulaceae. The Latin word Crassula means “thick,” referring to the plant’s fleshy leaves, and ovata means “egg-shaped,” describing the rounded form of each glossy leaf. Commonly known as the jade plant or money plant, it’s native to South Africa and Mozambique, but it has adapted well to life indoors all around the world. Though it isn’t indigenous to Los Angeles, where I live, it seems perfectly at home basking in the California sunlight that streams through my window each afternoon. Visually, my jade plant is striking yet simple. Its small, oval leaves are a rich, deep green with a waxy sheen that catches the light like polished stone. When I water it, the leaves feel calm and firm, almost rubbery, but not in a synthetic way. It doesn’t have a strong smell, but when the soil is freshly wate...

  When I was younger, The Real Housewives of Atlanta was on once a week in my house because my mom had a love for reality TV. I’d sit on the couch next to her, pretending not to care, but secretly waiting for the next big argument or dramatic reunion moment. There was just something about it that pulled me in. At the time, I didn’t realize I was developing a love for reality TV. I just thought it was something my mom liked. But now, I see it was kind of our bonding time, laughing together, making predictions about who was going to fall out next week, or quoting iconic lines like “Who gon’ check me, boo?” As I got older, my interest only grew. I started watching various reality shows, including Love Is Blind, Big Brother, and Selling Sunset, among others. There’s something about seeing real people (well, semi-real) navigate relationships, careers, and drama that’s so entertaining. It’s like watching human behavior unfold in the most exaggerated way possible. Additionally, there’s a ...

 Reading Elizabeth Kolbert’s account of Christopher Columbus completely shifted the way I’ve always thought about him. Growing up, I heard the traditional story that Columbus was a brave explorer who proved the world was round and “discovered” America. But Kolbert’s article reveals that almost none of that narrative is true. Not only did most educated people of his time already know the Earth was round, but Columbus’s calculations were wildly inaccurate. He believed the world was smaller than it really was and that Asia could be reached quickly by sailing west. What’s most striking, though, is how his overconfidence, his belief that he was divinely chosen, became both his driving force and his downfall. His “faith” in himself allowed him to cross the ocean, but also blinded him to the destruction he caused. One of the most powerful parts of the article was Kolbert’s description of the Taíno people , the first Indigenous group Columbus encountered when he landed in the Caribbean. T...

 Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about balance, especially how hard it can be to find when life feels nonstop. Between classes, internships, social plans, and just trying to take care of myself, it’s easy to feel like I’m juggling too much. I’ve realized that balance isn’t about having everything perfectly scheduled or under control; it’s about being present in each moment and giving myself grace when things don’t go as planned. Some days, that means tackling my to-do list; other days, it means slowing down, unplugging, and letting myself rest without guilt. I’ve also been learning how important it is to set boundaries and protect my energy. Saying “no” to something doesn’t mean I’m lazy or unmotivated; it means I’m being intentional about what deserves my time. I used to think balance was about doing more efficiently, but I’m starting to see it’s really about doing less of what drains me and more of what fulfills me. Sometimes that’s journaling, going for a walk, or just spend...

 During Latinx|e Heritage Month, I decided to celebrate by listening to the official Spotify playlist. What I expected to be background music quickly became something much more meaningful. The playlist was full of rhythm, energy, and emotion; each song felt like it was telling its own story. Even without attending the closing celebration, I still felt connected to the spirit of the month through the music itself. The playlist became my way of participating, of learning, and of appreciating culture through sound. One thing that stood out to me was how deeply I connected to the songs even though I don’t fully speak or understand Spanish. I caught certain phrases and emotions, but most of the time it was the tone of the voice, the beat of the drums, or the melody that communicated meaning. It reminded me that music is a universal language. I didn’t need to translate every lyric to feel what the artist was expressing: Joy, heartbreak, pride, or strength. That realization made listenin...

  Reflection on “Cherishing Each Other: A Conversation with Tara Brach and Father Gregory Boyle” In “Cherishing Each Other,” Tara Brach and Father Gregory Boyle engage in a profoundly moving discussion about compassion, belonging, and the shared dignity of all people. What struck me most was how naturally they blended spiritual reflection with lived experience. Brach’s mindfulness perspective and Boyle’s real-world stories from Homeboy Industries created a dialogue that felt both grounding and transformative. Their words encouraged me to look beyond surface differences and think about what it truly means to “cherish” others in everyday life. One of the most meaningful takeaways for me was the reminder that compassion is not dependent on familiarity; it’s something we can offer to anyone. Both speakers emphasize that recognizing someone’s humanity is the first step to genuine connection. Father Boyle’s examples of working with individuals who have faced significant hardship showe...

  Anima Mundi Development Partners TO: Clark Hansen, CEO, AMDP FROM: Angelina Tuggle, R&D Analyst DATE: October 15, 2025 SUBJECT: Investment Recommendation — Captura As part of AMDP’s commitment to identifying enterprises that balance profitability with environmental and social responsibility, I propose that we consider investing in Captura. Captura is a California-based climate-technology company developing ocean-based carbon-removal systems. I find that Captura’s mission of “restoring ocean health and helping the planet reach net zero” truly embodies the triple bottom line by promoting innovation that benefits people, the planet, and long-term economic growth. In this memo, I will define AMDP’s four guiding concepts —Triple Bottom Line, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Enterprise, and Carbon Footprint —and then evaluate Captura’s operations, business performance, and sustainability claims. I will then present critical assessments from two respected industry sour...

  I chose American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures by America Ferrera because I’ve always been drawn to stories that explore cultural identity and belonging. I was interested in how people from different backgrounds navigate life in between cultures and what that experience teaches them about themselves. The book stood out to me because it brings together a diverse mix of voices, each offering a unique perspective on what it means to grow up American while holding onto your family’s cultural roots. So far, the first few chapters have been really engaging. America Ferrera’s introduction sets the tone by explaining why she wanted to gather these essays and how growing up between cultures shaped her. The first essays are heartfelt and honest, showing the challenges and pride that come with navigating two worlds at once. I like that each writer has a unique voice, so you get many different angles on what it means to be “American.” It’s already making me think about how i...

  Behind the Drama: The Hidden Business of Reality TV How Reality TV Turns Drama Into a Multi-Billion-Dollar Business Strategy  Whether you’re watching Love Island on Peacock, keeping up with The Bachelor on Monday nights, or scrolling TikTok edits of The Real Housewives’ latest fight, reality TV is everywhere. It’s become more than a guilty pleasure, it’s a cultural engine that creates influencers, fuels streaming wars, and shapes what we talk about online. The chaos on screen may feel spontaneous, but there’s someone behind the scenes creating a business model driving every argument, product placement, and dramatic twist. As someone who grew up watching reality tv in all different forms I have been exposed to the different ins and outs of reality tv, looking at the behind the scenes drama and twitter fight. Being a business student interested in marketing strategy and pop culture, I’ve realized that reality TV has actually been creating the groundwork for powerful brands. In...

I chose American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures because I was drawn to the idea of exploring diverse perspectives on identity and belonging. I am passionate about cultures and how understanding someone's culture can lead to a better understanding of that person as a whole. The concept of hearing from many voices about what it means to grow up in between cultures feels very relevant to me, especially as someone who is interested in understanding cultural exchange and identity. I was drawn to this book because I believe it will show me new ways to think about my own background and also allow me to appreciate the complexity of other people’s stories further. As I have begun reading the book, it has been very engaging. I found America Ferrera’s introduction important and impactful, as it sets the tone by explaining why she wanted to gather these essays and how growing up between cultures shaped her. While reading the first few essays, I could truly feel how heartfelt and...

Inside DIRECTV: My Experience as a Marketing Intern This summer, I worked as a Marketing intern at DIRECTV. In this role, I worked directly with the product management team. My primary role was to assist the team with market research, analyzing trends, and identifying content that captures viewers’ attention and draws them to DIRECTV. Most people don’t think about this part of television because they only see the shows or the sports on screen. Behind the scenes, though, there’s a whole team working to figure out what keeps you interested. And don’t confuse us with the people making the ads you see on YouTube. My main job wasn’t creating commercials. It was more focused on learning how data and strategy come together to make content stand out. In this memo, I’ll explain what the job was like, the projects I worked on, and what I learned from the experience. Exploring What Viewers Want A large part of my job was exploring. I spent time researching what viewers watch and how they react to...