Later today, I am going to be a panelist on "Why Princeton?" for the third consecutive year. Why Princeton? is an informative panel organized by the University's Admissions Office for current D.C. area high school juniors who are interested applying to become Tigers (presumably for the Class of 2017). I always love the opportunity to represent my alma matter and appreciate programs in which I'm able to interact and help younger students. Coincidentally, this panel later today will be the second of three Princeton programs that I'll be participating in (or attending) this week. Yesterday, I went to an awesome cookout sponsored by the Association of Black Princeton Alumni and on Thursday, I am helping to execute a Princeton Club of Washington program featuring FBI Director and fellow alum Robert Mueller '66. My life is shaded in black and orange.
In fact, my life is so Princeton that it's ridiculous. Here's how:
1. I'm a Princeton Project '55 Fellow (a program that enables recent Princeton grads to work in non-profit).
2. I am the Programs Chair of the Princeton Club of Washington and organize about 3-4 events for the club per month.
3. Along with my friend AM, I'm one of the regional VPs or representatives for my Class (of 2011)
4. I am affiliated with the Association of Black Princeton Alumni (but not an official paying member yet)
It's just interesting how a lot of this stuff happens. When I moved back home to Silver Spring, I thought that I would have more time to hang out with the friends that I grew up with and maybe make new friends in the area. Moving forward, I would like to make more non-Princeton friends as well as chill more with the folks who've I known before I went to school up north; that's why Friday night was great.
On Friday night, I went to the Nationals game with my good friend MF - we played baseball together threw elementary and middle school - and we just had a blast like old times. The two of us met up with some more buddies and watched the a long ballgame between the Nats and Baltimore Orioles - the two teams that we grew up with. It was a good night indeed.
I guess I'm writing this to say that I am not feeling nostalgic or anything, but need to "move beyond the bubble" here in D.C. People talk about "getting outside of the bubble" while in Princeton, but it also exists in the real world as well, especially if you live in Washington D.C. or New York City. Both of those regions have a strong alumni presence and it's easy to stay within that social space or circle.
2012 has already been an amazing year (and way more enjoyable than 2011) and this is in large part due to the Princeton Club of Washington and Project 55. I'm going to continue to have a strong presence in both of these organizations, but I'm also going to do my best to expand my circle.
D.C. is a large town and I have lots of people to meet; I'm looking forward to it!
In fact, my life is so Princeton that it's ridiculous. Here's how:
1. I'm a Princeton Project '55 Fellow (a program that enables recent Princeton grads to work in non-profit).
2. I am the Programs Chair of the Princeton Club of Washington and organize about 3-4 events for the club per month.
3. Along with my friend AM, I'm one of the regional VPs or representatives for my Class (of 2011)
4. I am affiliated with the Association of Black Princeton Alumni (but not an official paying member yet)
It's just interesting how a lot of this stuff happens. When I moved back home to Silver Spring, I thought that I would have more time to hang out with the friends that I grew up with and maybe make new friends in the area. Moving forward, I would like to make more non-Princeton friends as well as chill more with the folks who've I known before I went to school up north; that's why Friday night was great.
On Friday night, I went to the Nationals game with my good friend MF - we played baseball together threw elementary and middle school - and we just had a blast like old times. The two of us met up with some more buddies and watched the a long ballgame between the Nats and Baltimore Orioles - the two teams that we grew up with. It was a good night indeed.
I guess I'm writing this to say that I am not feeling nostalgic or anything, but need to "move beyond the bubble" here in D.C. People talk about "getting outside of the bubble" while in Princeton, but it also exists in the real world as well, especially if you live in Washington D.C. or New York City. Both of those regions have a strong alumni presence and it's easy to stay within that social space or circle.
2012 has already been an amazing year (and way more enjoyable than 2011) and this is in large part due to the Princeton Club of Washington and Project 55. I'm going to continue to have a strong presence in both of these organizations, but I'm also going to do my best to expand my circle.
D.C. is a large town and I have lots of people to meet; I'm looking forward to it!
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