Spring 2014 I participated in an assistive technology hackathon at MIT where I was part of a team that tried to design a solution to helping blind passengers of the subways navigate the underground stations. We came up with a nifty solution taking advantage of the new beacon technology in smartphones and using intelligent audio cues. Antonio (the blind client) and I shared the concept and current technology with the MBTA in late 2014.

Spring 2013 I studied abroad at Cambridge University in England through the MIT-CME program. Study abroad shapes how one perceives and interacts with people from other cultures. I have written some blogs that share my experiences and reflect my personality:

• May 26, 2013: Jumping in Midway: Spring Semester Abroad (for MIT)
• May 6, 2013: Time to Laugh and Reflect (for MIT)
• Apr 20, 2013: A British Take on the Boston Bombings (for MIT)
• Apr 14, 2013: The Coca-Cola Students (for MIT)
• Mar 29, 2013: Hardening Off and Blooming Abroad (for MIT)
• Mar 1, 2013: Long Walks in a Little Town (for friends)
• Feb 8, 2013: Ways to Save Money in Cambridge on Study Abroad (for friends)
• Jan 25, 2013: The Transition To Cambridge University on Study Abroad (for friends)

During my MIT undergrad I lived in iHouse, a living-learning community committed to international development. I served on the executive team, contributing in many facets:

• Treasurer for three years of $1000 annual social budget, increasing transparency
• Leading the writing of an implementation plan
• Interviewing new staff and new students
• Coordinated storage
• Charged a speaker series event
• Initiated archivial process
• Webmastering the whole iHouse website from a bare-bones minimum (php)
• Brainstorming a Mexican targeted advertising project
• Creating the following promotional video (song by friend Tuang, lyrics by me):

Sept 2012 - Dec 2013 I emailed out opportunities for volunteers, ran food drives, and promoted recycling. I even had initiated a creative water and time saving solution to nonworking washers and dryers using magnetic printable labels. The secret was to make it simple, big, and funny. I received emails praising the idea, even describing it as "adorable." You can check out all of the 30+ unique labels here.

Spring 2014 The MIT Residential Life had proposed a large security overhaul that compromised the open culture and convenience of New House. I initiated and led a team of three New House students in an official security committee, conducting a full survey with an unprecended response of over 160 of the 270 students in New House. We composed a data-filled 13 page report outlining student opinions and recommendations. We then met with the Dean, administrators, and security contractors of MIT Res/Life, resulting in a rare but great compromise that preserved the openness of New House while greatly enhancing security. Everyone went home happy.

Traditionally a runner, I played ultimate for my third year at MIT. Ultimate was a switch from MIT's Varsity Track and Field which did not leave enough time for being a TA. I ran a good 5k in 16:54 (5:27/mile) in the 2012 Spring MIT Habitat for Humanity Beaver Dash. Lately I've been practicing joggling.

Since fifth grade, I have played the trumpet. I made the Delaware All-State Concert Band 6 out of 6 years before coming to MIT. Now I play in an MIT jazz combo or play by ear to the radio. The following is a solo from Fall 2013. Ad lib.

Since third grade, unicycling has been a outdoor pleasure and since sixth grade juggling has been a favorite hobby. Juggling was great for growing up without a TV, and I continue it in my free time. My niche is smooth three ball stylistic flow.

I also randomly bowled a 224. Had to be 2 sigma over...

Fond of animals, I have also been a pet sitter for amimals including cats, a dog, ducks, and birds. This was running in Boston with MIT Professor Wesley Harris' dog Whistler.

Fond of art in many forms
from pitched motifs to pretty songs
I love slants rhymes - alliteration
that puzzle minds and take patience.
Usually I write for pen and paper,
but sometimes I share for friends and whomever
ventures to see my undertaking.
Here's a Twas the Night Before Presentations.

My favorite way to get around campus has to be scootering. You might find me doing a wheelie for 50+ yards or randomly riding backwards. The fender/brake design was not good for water, so with the help of the MIT Pappalardo Staff, I riveted a cool fender extension on. Now I can ride and smile even in the rain.

A previous hobby was gardening. I had a garden with fennel, daylilies, black-eyed susan, marigolds, alyssum, parsley, basil, peppers, bush beans, goards, and tomatoes. Gardening has been limited since coming to MIT, but I managed to plant some crocus.