Candle Ceremonies, Pinterest Boards, and the Art of Manifesting

March 4th, 2025

One of my closest friends was recently flipping through pages of her journal from a few years ago. She had written down manifestation statements back in 2021, setting up goals for herself to actualize in the next few years. “I’m so happy I was able to buy a house in the Dominican Republic by age 24” was one of them. “I’m so happy that, by age 25, I found someone who is right for me, loves me, supports me, and makes me a better person” was another. She cringed while reading them, but she also started tearing up because those two statements came true. 

I’m the kind of person that will try anything as long as it can’t hurt me. With manifesting, I always figured nothing necessarily bad could come out of it, so why not try it? When I first moved to Boston, I went to Salem and bought ‘magic’ candles from a witch store. They were color-coded to what aspect of life one wanted to manifest good things for: green for finances, white for peace, yellow for intelligence, and so on. I went home and lit the red candle, symbolic of love and attraction, and I let the wax melt onto a piece of paper where I had written about my crush on my now boyfriend. Did I feel silly, trying not to set off the fire alarms as I performed a ritual in my bedroom? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably. And THAT’s on girlhood.

My boyfriend’s and my new shoes: manifesting at its finest

I’ve been using the word ‘manifest’ a lot over the past few weeks, and the people around me have been using it as well. In our 20s, we’re all manifesting new jobs, better relationships, and internal peace. “Please manifest for me!” and “I’m manifesting it” and “Manifest good shit” have a surprising amount of hits in my text message results. I’ve never considered myself a believer of pseudosciences like astrology or chakra alignment, but I do think there’s something to be said about the mental energy that goes into getting what you want, along with the inherent determination that comes with it.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, to manifest is to “imagine achieving something you want, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen.” The word ‘manifest’ was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website in 2024, making it one of the most-viewed words of the year. In the United States, the idea of manifesting has grown less taboo with time, with many people turning to it daily.

Today’s concept of manifesting can be traced back to the New Thought Movement of the late 19th century, which is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs can have an influence on our health, prosperity, and success. The New Thought Movement emerged in the United States and Britain, drawing influence from the literary transcendentalists, the celebrity mesmerists, and, most prominently, Hindu philosophy. In Hinduism, manifestation is connected to the belief in Karma, meaning that our thoughts, intentions, and actions directly influence our reality.

In 2006, Rhonda Byrne published a best-selling self-help book, “The Secret,” exploring the topics of manifesting and the Law of Attraction, which centers on focusing your thoughts and energy on positive desires to attract positive life experiences. “The Secret” went on to sell over 35 million copies worldwide. The rise of celebrities like Jim Carrey, Oprah Winfrey, and Will Smith speaking about their practice of and belief in manifestation aided the book’s sales and reputation despite its lack of scientific foundation. 

Manifesting was brought back into the mainstream media during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with people turning to the concept as almost a coping mechanism for the tough times ahead. During 2020, Google searches for the word ‘manifest’ rose by over 600%, and trends on social media skyrocketed with practices like positive affirmation statements and the 777 method. Pinterest saw a 565% increase in searches related to creating vision boards based on the cultivation of desired self-images. The conviction of social media participants seemed to be split in half, some manifesting comedically and others religiously. 

A few examples of the affirmation memes that circulated the internet during COVID.

From candle ceremonies to Pinterest boards, the art of manifesting today has become a staple in Gen Z’s self-care and wellness culture. New research from American Express reveals that nearly seven in 10 Gen Zs (69%) engage in manifestation practices, with over half saying it’s to help them achieve their goals.

While there is certainly no evidence to support the idea that manifesting gives you exactly what you want without any work involved, there are legitimate mental health benefits to practicing it. If we look at manifesting as not just a trend, but not a whole identity, either, we see that it can be something of a self-care practice, promoting positive self-talk, long- and short-term goals, and confidence in those who participate. Many of us are ‘manifesting’ without even knowing it.

Implementing manifestation tactics like positive self-talk, personal affirmations, and goal visualizations into our daily lives has been shown to improve self-esteem, stress management, and well-being, as well as reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. In studies by the National Institute of Health, self-talk specifically has beneficial effects on attention and emotion regulation and is widely used for performance enhancement in sports, academic engagement, and regulating anxiety or depression. Additionally, according to BetterHelp, “The latest research shows that the brain does not recognize the difference between real or imagined scenarios and that “rehearsing” future scenarios with visualization can build new neural pathways, calm anxiety, and increase confidence as you work toward your goals.”

Affirmation: I will catch the train on time. I will not miss the train and wait outside in 20-degree weather. The T is on my side.

Olympians across the globe have discussed the mental training that goes into achieving their dreams, from visualizing their race over and over again like Grant Holloway to posting manifestation statements on Instagram like Noah Lyles. It’s clear that the activities involved in manifesting are more than just wishing and wanting; they’re active steps taken to achieve one’s dreams. 

The truth is, when we show up our best, we do our best, both mentally and physically. If we are constantly telling ourselves that we don’t deserve something, that we aren’t good enough, or that we don’t believe in ourselves, it’s more likely we won’t even put the time or energy necessary into our goals. With that, how are we ever supposed to get what we want, or get closer to getting what we want? No one is saying you can just sit on your couch, light a bunch of candles, and wait for a million-dollar check to fall into your lap. Likewise, there’s nothing wrong with being mentally diligent and committed to your goals, either. 

I like to think of it as a self-fulfilling prophecy. A self-fulfilling prophecy, in a gist, is when what you predict to happen becomes what actually happens because it is what you expected to happen (I know, it’s a bit wonky). Basically, your actions end up aligning with your expectations. For example, let’s say I was going to a party, but I was afraid that no one was going to talk to me, and I wouldn’t make any friends. The self-fulfilling prophecy here would be that I went to the party, was too afraid to talk to anyone for fear of rejection, and consequently did not make any friends. I fulfilled the prophecy I set out for myself because I didn’t visualize a different outcome. It’s similar to people who say, “I’m going to fail the test anyway, so why even study?”

However, if I had told myself–whether it be by writing it down in a journal, visualizing the scenario in my head, or using positive self-talk to affirm my wants–that I was going to make friends at the party despite the chances of no one talking to me, I may have been more inclined to talk to people myself. I most likely would start up conversations with strangers and make friends via my own determination and confidence to get what I want. This is how I see manifestation: taking the time and energy to be specific about your desires and how you’ll fulfill them. “I will study, and my hard work will pay off.”

Of course, things don’t always go the way we want, and we can’t expect life to be all smooth sailing. We could easily talk to people at the party only to find out they’re kind of annoying and not really our speed. We could easily study all night and still fail the exam. We could easily be on time for the subway only for it to stand by at the stop before ours for 20 minutes. However, the point is that by focusing on the possible positive outcomes, we open ourselves up to opportunities that we may otherwise not have. If nothing bad can come out of it, why not give it a try?

Boston Students! Get 10% off at Cambridge Naturals with this coupon and a Student ID.

Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.

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Tasting With Thomas: Kyuramen

March 2nd, 2025

Hey there! Welcome to the first edition of Tasting With Thomas. As an avid connoisseur of dining atmospheres, interesting flavors, and a good sweet treat, I’m excited to explore and share the affordable eats that New York City has to offer. For this first edition, my friend Eres and I made our way over to Kyuramen’s Columbia location to enjoy some creative Japanese cuisine.

As we ducked into the warmly lit eatery off Broadway Ave, Eres and I were instantly attended to despite the apparent business of the Friday evening. From the minimalist, Japanese style decorations to the private booth seating arrangements, the atmosphere of the restaurant was the perfect prelude to the notable dining experience that was to come.

Kyuramen’s inviting entrance.

We started our meal off with two Thai iced teas. While I personally was trying the drink for the first time, Eres had already proclaimed her status as a “division one milk tea critic”. After a good shake, we stabbed our straws through the plastic lid and took a sip of the refreshing milk tea. Even with Eres’ tenured taste for Thai tea, she described the drink as “Not too sweet but not too sophisticated. It’s that classic Thai tea flavor that can never disappoint.”

Our two refreshing Thai Iced Teas.

After working up our appetites with our drinks, we were ready for the generous variety of platters and entrees that Kyuramen had to offer. After some consideration, we decided to taste the Honey Comb and Yakitori Platters first. Between the chili garlic edamame, lobster & chashu salad ball, tamago egg, shrimp tempura, eel unagi, scallops, and seaweed salad, we had an incredibly diverse array of flavors to indulge in. Shockingly, those were only the bites in the Honey Comb Platter! Eres and I especially loved trying the more savory flavors like shrimp tempura and eel unagi while routinely cleansing our palette with the fresh seaweed salad. 

The Honey Comb and Yakitori Platters. Lots of variety!

The Yin-Yang Bowl and the Seafood/Eel Kamameshi dishes were our main entrees for the night. The innovative design of the Yin-Yang bowl aesthetically incorporated two different broths and toppings, making it the perfect choice for customers sharing their meal. As a pescatarian, I appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the same dish with Eres without sacrificing my dietary restrictions. Both Kamameshi dishes were beautifully presented with skewers of shrimp, prawns, and eel stuck into an unsuspectingly deep dish of sushi rice, egg, and spring onions. The bottomless base of rice was the perfect compliment to the salty seafood skewers we got to pick and choose from.

The full dinner spread, including two platters, two kamameshi rice dishes, yin-yang ramen, and the matcha tiramisu.

We concluded the dining experience with the cutest presentation of tiramisu that I’ve ever seen. What’s more, Kyuramen had put their own Japanese twist on the conventionally italian dessert by flavoring it with matcha instead of espresso. We were delighted to taste the distinct herbal tones of the matcha paired with the light mascarpone cream. “ I loved that it wasn’t too rich or heavy, but more airy and sweet”, remarked Eres as we set down our spoons with satisfied smiles.

The light and airy matcha tiramisu dessert.

As we stepped out of our booth and back onto Broadway Ave, we couldn’t wipe those smiles off our faces. Reflecting on the delicious flavors, the aesthetic presentation, and the welcoming hospitality had us in an afterglow of appreciation throughout our walk home. We didn’t just have a good meal, we had a good experience.



Written By Thomas Stewart, 03/01/2025

Author Bio: Thomas Stewart is an undergraduate student at Columbia University pursuing studies in creative writing and human rights in an effort to utilize media as a tool to vitalize our communities. When Thomas isn’t off overthinking in his journal, you can find him on campus volunteering for the local Housing Equity Project, organizing for the Black Student Organization, or playing a jam session at Columbia University Records club. Ultimately, his love for all things creative prevails throughout his life.


Connect with Thomas via Linkedin here!

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Just Around the Corner: Cantiere Hambirreria

February 18th, 2025

After a week of studying for my College Board CLEP exam and passing, I needed to treat myself to a heavy meal once I received my scores. Upon figuring out a dinner place, I discovered an ambient Italian restaurant just around the corner from New York University. My friend, Amanda, and I indulged in a three course meal at their only establishment in the country. Thursday night wasn’t terribly busy, though the gentle chatter around us and up-beat music infused our environment with an energetic night.

The rustic interior of Cantiere.

”From the moment I walked in, I was amazed by the ambiance that was created here. the lights and decor were so fun and stylish, and really added to my entire dining experience,” Amanda noted.

The focaccia bread, topped with mozzarella and cured meats.

We started the night with the most Instagrammable appetizer I’ve ever had: the betoniera dell’ operaio, a bread bowl of rustic apulian dough flooded with tomato sauce and a side of traditional meatball. The mariana sauce was seasoned well with basil and shaved parmesan, pairing well with crunchy, high quality bread that was satisfying to rip and imported from Italy. The moist, juicy meatballs were also dusted with parmesan. Our second appetizer was the crudo focaccia, consisting of chewy, sweet bread, topped with cured meat, fresh arugula, mozzarella, a salty-sweet balsamic glaze, and deep-red cherry tomatoes. Both dishes set the bar high for our expectations regarding the rest of our night. Cantiere—meaning construction site or worksite in Italian—did not disappoint. 

Our first appetizer of the night, big enough for two or three people.

The campano burger, oozing with mozzarella, prime beef, and pistachio pesto, was Amanda’s choice for her entree. My pugliese burger also had exceptional prime beef, but with smoked burrata, sweet Italian capocollo, pan-fried tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil. Our main courses had glossy smooth brioche buns with branded fire stamps, showcasing the establishment’s signature “C” in a lavish typeface. Served with a side of salted, crispy french fries on a wooden platter, the Italian-American style burgers were bigger than our mouths could fit.

The grand displays of our burgers, fries, and appetizers.

Amanda described our tiramisu dessert as “homemade goodness” which was not too heavy on the espresso flavor and had “delicious handmade cream, crispy ladyfingers, and such a fun presentation” considering it was served in a real silver moka pot. Our personal favorites of the evening were the beautiful displays of focaccia and the burgers, washed down with fancy glass bottles of Coca-Cola. 

The establishment’s proud, classic tiramisu served in a moka pot.

“I loved my entire experience with Cantiere. The rustic and chic interior—amazing food made for an amazing night out for dinner!” she reviewed.

Cantiere was truly a perfect spot for the end of a long week for two students in need of a hearty, mouthwatering, succulent meal. The overall environment, characterized by warm lighting and entertaining music, made it a great dinner place for friends or family. The Italian burger joint has teamed up with the Campus Clipper to give students 20% off when they show their valid student ID. 

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Dodging Office Saboteurs: How to Stay Strong in a Challenging Work Environment

February 17th, 2025
Common Statistics of Workplace Bullying in America.

We like to think of bullying as something only kids go through when they’re learning about social hierarchies and how to approach people’s differences. Most of us are taught at a young age about the cycle of bullying and how to break the chain, however, as many as 45% of Americans say they have been bullied during adulthood. Often, adult bullies are more calculated than those we can recall from our childhood, as they tend to teeter the line between being domineering and unambiguously committing a form of harassment. This leaves workers questioning themselves, feeling uncomfortable, and struggling with their mental health.

According to the WBI U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey conducted in January 2021, “30% of Americans have experienced workplace bullying; another 19 percent have witnessed it; 49 percent are affected by it; and 66 percent are aware of its occurrence.”

It can be hard to tell just what constitutes workplace bullying, but a lot of the characteristics are the same as what we learned in grade school. The Workplace Bullying Institute defines bullying as “repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more persons (the targets) by one or more perpetrators that takes one or more of the following forms: verbal abuse, offensive conduct/behaviors (including nonverbal) which are threatening, humiliating, or intimidating; or work interference – sabotage – which prevents work from getting done.”

In a 2017 study, the Institute discovered that nearly 75% of workplace bullies are men, with 60 percent of that portion targeting women. Moreover, two-thirds of women workplace bullies (referred to as “mean girls”) target other working women.

When work issues get the best of me, I like to turn to my hobbies to bring me joy. Here’s a coconut lemon pie I made from scratch, which was sooooo delicious! Baking has become a very therapeutic pastime of mine.

 Aside from the more commonly known experiences like written or spoken personal insults, name-calling, or public shaming, workplace bullying also includes:

  • Intimidating or undermining employees by demeaning their work standards
  • Setting them up for failure and constantly reminding them of old mistakes
  • Threatening employees’ personal self-esteem and work status
  • Withholding Information that involves them
  • Making unreasonable demands, creating undue pressure and stress, and overworking employees
  • Giving constant and unfair criticism
  • Blaming without factual justification
  • Giving hostile glares and other intimidating gestures
  • Purposely excluding or isolating a coworker
  • Deliberately insulting others and taking part in behind-the-back putdowns
  • Monitoring another excessively
  • Ignoring personal boundaries

 A meta-analysis based on 140,000 participants showed an overwhelming amount of evidence that toxic work environments have an incredibly negative impact on mental health. This can even generate chronic stress and burnout, and it can lead to the worsening of any pre-existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Chronic stress has been linked to issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system. After all, we spend about ⅓ of our lives working, so it’s no wonder how a negative work environment could impact us so tremendously. 

Another thing I do when the going gets tough is remind myself of how far I’ve come and where I’m headed. This is from December 2023 when I found out I was going to Emerson! Reminding myself of the small wins I’ve accomplished (like Emerson and being a part of Campus Clipper!) is a great way to stay positive and push through difficulties.

The most common tell-tale signs of toxic work environments that are often supplemented by frequent bullying include a lack of organization, high turnover rates, poor communication, gossip, a general absence of trust, micromanagement, and inappropriate work-life expectations. Often, we are unaware of just how toxic a work environment can be until we’re knee-deep in it, searching for a way out. Of course, many people are not in the privileged position to simply quit a job without having another one lined up immediately. What, then, do we do after we’ve found ourselves stuck? Surrounded by workplace bullies?

  1. Focus on the Positives, if Any 
    • Focusing our attention on the positive things about our work can help protect our mental health by shifting our mindset away from stress and frustration and toward moments of gratitude and personal growth. Finding small wins here and there can boost resilience, making it easier to maintain motivation and emotional balance, at least while you try to find a new job. 
  2. Keep Good Company
    • Having supportive colleagues can provide a sense of belonging, validation, and encouragement amid workplace stress. By building positive connections, we can also help counteract negativity, making it easier to navigate challenges and maintain our sanity.
  3. Leave Work at Work
    • Setting a boundary with yourself to leave work at work allows us to protect our personal time from stress and negativity that doesn’t belong there. Disconnecting helps us recharge, focus on self-care, and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
  4. Connect with HR
    • If your workplace has an HR, contacting them is incredibly important for your mental health and self-care because it ensures that acts of harassment and bullying are being documented and addressed, helping us create a safer and more respectful environment. Speaking up also reinforces the idea that we deserve to be treated with respect, and we won’t expect anything less. Most importantly, workplace laws protect employees from harassment and unfair treatment, and HR has a responsibility to uphold these standards to ensure a fair and lawful work environment. 
  5. Quit! 
    • Quitting a toxic job sometimes is the only way to protect our mental health. As we know, staying in a harmful environment can lead to overwhelming stress, anxiety, and burnout. It can cause us to lose self-esteem and feel like things won’t ever get better, and the consequences can be long-lasting, both mentally and physically. Prioritizing our well-being by leaving allows us to reclaim our peace, build confidence, and seek a healthier, more supportive workplace. Being upset every day you go to work is no way to be spending ⅓ of your life. Your future self will thank you.
Boston Students! Head to Cambridge Naturals and kickstart your health and wellness journey with 10% OFF using this coupon and your student ID!

Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.

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Just Around the Corner: Colomba Cafe and Bakery

February 15th, 2025

In between my classes, I wandered into Colomba for a quick and filling brunch—which is exactly what I got. This small business, situated not far from the New York University string of buildings in Greenwich Village, serves a variety of pastries and sandwiches to customers, alongside their unique menu of beverages. Ranging from drip coffee made from La Colombe’s beans, to lesser known flavors, like their limited edition, bright-purple taro latte. All students can find their cup of tea here, especially when the baristas are more than happy to help and have a high-spirited chat over the counter. Colomba Cafe and Bakery is just right when one needs to unwind, curl up in a chair, with a hot chocolate and a book, or if they’re running late for class and are seeking a quick bite.

A look into Colomba’s simple, welcoming environment.

Inside the quaint establishment were a few tables and chairs, some more eclectic in color and material than others. Their cliente ranged from hungry, on-campus college students to business professional regulars. Many of them have built a rapport with the baristas, engaging in continued small-talk about their studies, friends, and complicated little lives. It was a wonderful communal space to sit in, even if it’s just to watch others socialize and smile. One of the baristas, Garrett, helped me for the majority of my late breakfast. He seemed to know many of those standing in line, hopeful for their daily pick-me-up in the form of espresso and milk. 

I started with two drinks: an iced taro latte and a hot chocolate, both with oat milk. The taro drink was a deep, royal purple, which was initially unsweetened, but fixed with the simple syrup provided at the self-serve counter. It was unlike any latte I’ve had previously. It was unlike ube, but definitely resembles an authentic, earthy, taro taste. Meanwhile, the hot chocolate was warm enough to drink—not scalding hot to the point where I burn my tongue and all food is ruined for the day, which often happens at other cafes in the city. This cocoa was not overly rich, sweet, or heavy. It was just enough for a sugary start to my day, with a layer of foamy and frothy goodness sitting atop. 

Garrett recommended the “parm sandwich” and breakfast croissant with ham and cheese for my meal, to which I indulged in. It was toasted for me and served on coffee-brown cardstock trays, lined with vibrant, yellow paper. The sandwich consisted mostly of a thick bed of arugula between two pieces of thick, chewy, white bread. Thick slices of mozzarella, prosciutto, and tomato fit perfectly into my breakfast, with a generous helping of olive oil slathered onto the classic baguette. The flakey, buttery croissant paired nicely with the salty, gooey yolk of my overeasy egg. The ham was a necessary and filling addition of protein. I was just able to order two desserts before taking off for my international relations class. 

My spread of delicious goods for the morning.

A little golden brown teddy bear stared at me through the display case, with chocolate decals in the form of a smiley face and buttons. I had to have one—so, I did! The madeleine-like treat has crispy edges and a moist, sponge cake texture. It was slightly sweet, unlike the black and white cookie I ordered. This dessert was much larger, which made it worth the price. The white frosting had a lemon flavor. The dried dark chocolate was velvety and sickly sweet. I enjoyed the cookie itself: dense, yet still airy and soft texture. Out of all the different delectables I sampled, I favored the teddy bear and hot chocolate the most.

The little golden brown bear that caught my eye.

Colomba Cafe and Bakery is a notable stop for university students within the area if they need a coffee to-go, or a wide selection of baked goods for a chat with a friend. Papa Pascel—the owner’s name. according to Garrett—had partnered with the Campus Clipper to give students 20% off their purchase with the coupon below and their valid student ID.


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The Benefits of Doing Things Alone

February 12th, 2025

Joanne and I sit next to one another at the theater for Life & Times of Michael K. As she stands up so I can take my seat, I compliment her tan faux fur hat and ski pants as a form of introduction. She is my height and frail, and her eyes have a smile to them that makes me inexplicably emotional. 

There’s silence for a few minutes as we settle in. I take pictures of the art deco ceiling and she reads the playbill. I play with my nails, and she smooths back her white hair into a thin ponytail, her hands shaking from an aggressive tremor. Then, when she takes a sip of her coffee, I gather up just enough courage to tell her this is my first time inside the Paramount Theatre, and I’ve made it a point to myself to do more things this year, even if it means doing them alone. I feel uncomfortable rambling to a stranger, but her smile has an earnest compassion to it, like that of a pre-k teacher listening to a child tell them about their weekend. Originally, she says, she was supposed to meet up with two girlfriends, one of whom is from Barbados and paid for her ticket. 27 degrees and overcast kept them at bay, but she loves doing things, too, anything to get out of the house, and she finds the theater especially “cathartic.” 

The Paramount Theatre before showtime!

Joanne tells me she’s been in Boston since ‘66 or ‘68, and she hardly ever goes back home to Minnesota because she finds it boring. There are valleys, however, along the Mississippi that she still dreams about, and great rolling hills and cliffsides. She sways her shaking fingers from side to side as she demonstrates the movement of the tall grass blowing in the wind. In her dreams, she goes everywhere, even the Notre Dame de Paris. She asks me if I liked growing up in Miami because it seems a lot less boring than Minnesota, but I tell her I don’t really like going back home either, and Miami reminds me of the girls in high school who had boating licenses and access to ketamine. I refrain from telling her my dreams often involve screaming because I want her to like me, the same way a granddaughter craves the approval of her matriarch.

When she finds out I’m a publishing grad student, she asks me what I think of the word ‘charming’ and whether it’s out of use. This is because she had a conversation about it with her siblings wherein she described one of her brothers as charming ‘even though he has brain damage’, and they found it weird to call someone with brain damage charming, so she’s been thinking about it ever since. I tell her I use the word charming relatively often, and I think it’s fine to describe her brother that way. She says I can call her Jo since that’s what her siblings call her, anyway.

Jo was a substitute teacher for a while and worked a bit in psychiatry, but she developed a neurological condition and has been retired for some time. After telling me this, she is quick to change the subject and mentions when she first came to Boston, she would go to all the libraries and bookstores and just sit there for hours and hours reading. She gestures with her hands in circular motions when she says ‘hours and hours’, and her eyes light up as she seems to regain a sentimental memory that has been out of thought for some time. Her brother also loves books, so they have a bond there. I tell her my brother and I were the first in our family to get degrees and they both happened to be in English, and she says it’s nice to have someone older than you who understands those things.

The best acting is at Central Square, and she prefers the interior design of the Paramount Theatre to the Opera House. She doesn’t know anyone in the mafia, but she knows a lot of Sicilians, and she doesn’t like their attitude. She says the only way to get used to the cold is to be in it often, and that rule applies to a lot of things in life. I’m not entirely sure what she means by this, but it sounds important.

The announcer comes on, and we quiet down. I am immersed in the play, but from time to time, my mind wanders to what Jo is thinking. There is something about her that reminds me of myself, though I can’t quite place it. In a way, I see her as an older version of myself, and I want to know her whole life story but feel too embarrassed to ask. I wonder if she’d think me a loser to ask her to coffee, as I’m sure when she was my age she didn’t want an old lady as a friend. I also wonder if she is going home to an empty apartment and might enjoy the company. 

Shakespeare in the Park from the first time I came to Boston by myself in 2019!

After the standing ovation, we slowly gather our things and put on our extra layers. I contemplate asking her what her plans are for the rest of the day, but as I shove my hands through the elastic of my jacket sleeves, she says, “It was nice to share a little bit of life with you.” I shake her hand and say “Maybe I’ll see you again at the next play,” and she agrees. As I’m heading down the stairs, she mispronounces my name in an attempt to remember it, but I don’t correct her, I just smile and say yes. I put on my earmuffs, open the theater door to the outside world, and cross the street to the cafe. I find myself waiting for her to walk out after me. I tell myself if she comes out within the next 5 minutes, I’ll run over to her and exchange emails. I wait for 10 minutes, but I don’t see her, so I leave. The whole encounter leaves me feeling refreshed and lost at the same time, like someone who takes their honeymoon alone. 

When I get off the trolley, I pass the local elementary school and baseball field. A flock of Canadian geese is resting in the milk-white snow, their long black necks coiled up into their feathers. They are sitting so still that they look like little pebbles. I think to myself that they must be stopping in from Quebec or New Brunswick, making their way down to Florida. 

I wonder if Jo enjoys the migrating geese in Minnesota, if they ever pop up in her dreams about the nature of her home state. I imagine a young Jo about 12 years old, sprinting through the Aspen Parkland prairies in the spring, her siblings at home waiting for her. The Canadian geese fly above her against the clear blue skies in a V formation. I make her hair blonde like mine, and I wonder if one day I will be in my 80s, trudging out through the snow to the Paramount Theater, alone. If I am, it will be an honor. 

Boston Students! Get 20% off at Nirvana in Cambridge with this coupon and your student ID.

Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.

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Just Around the Corner: Kalye

February 4th, 2025

Aidann Gia, Pace University

I moved to the United States at eighteen months old from an urbanized, mountainous city named Baguio, located on the largest island in the Philippines. I’ve resided just north of Annapolis, Maryland since, attending mostly predominantly white institutions. I am currently a senior at Pace University, surrounded by peers with skin tones that do not resemble mine and cultural experiences that do not align with my own. To be surrounded by individuals that understand the same language, feel music that resonates with my collectivist values, and eat foods that resemble common suppers at grandma’s. Finding Filipino cuisine isn’t terribly difficult, as Little Manila in Queens flourishes and the Jollibee franchise grows throughout the city. These spots, however, lack the essence of fine dining and occurence of basking in all the senses a meal can offer. The elements I deemed necessary for an optimal dinner as a homesick first-gen college student were all found in Kalye, an Asian owned establishment within walking distance of my college campus. 

The dimly lit interior of Kalye, with projections of old Filipino films and small gilded table lamps.

Kimi, my close friend, ventured with me to try out their selection after our last class. She identifies as Chinese American, with some rudimentary knowledge and cultural appreciation for Filipino foods, but was ecstatic when I invited her to dinner.

“The space was very cozy and homey. The lighting was not harsh, which I loved. They were playing Filipino movies on a projector in the back which added a unique touch to the vibe of the restaurant,” Kimi noted. 

Although just a small touch, the restaurant presenting old films with movie stars of bronze complexion and jet black hair elicited an indescribable euphoria within my body. Modern gilded lamps illuminated the dining space, cascaded an ambient glow throughout the room. The walls exhibited drawings of caricatures and quotes written in Tagalog, strewn across the entire establishment. We settled in quickly and found the menu to immediately entice us. 

To start, we placed an order for two drinks. An ube-horchata mocktail was served with a smoking cinnamon stick, placed delicately between ice cubes. The drink was heavy on the ube and left a thin film covering my tongue in the sweetness of the ube yam. The Darna cocktail encapsulated a mix of tequila, mezcal, guava, agave, aperol, lime, thai chili, club soda, and glitter stars. Both had a gorgeous, vibrant-colored presentation. 

Our Darna cocktail and ube-horchata mocktail.

We selected two appetizers: a traditional platter of pork lumpia and bowl of laaing. Lumpia is essentially crispy spring rolls stuffed with minced garlic and a sweet pork filling. The six pieces and complementary sweet chili sauce served were the staples of the evening. This bowl of laaing was comprised of dried taro leaves and coconut milk to create a dip for the side of pita chips. 

”The laaing with chips was so addictive. I couldn’t stop eating it. The salty chips with savory dip and spicy chili is a great combo,” Kimi raved. “The lemon adds to its very unique flavor. The coconut taste was delicious.”

The laaing with chips (left) and pork lumpia (right).

For our main courses, Kimi ordered the mushroom sisig, a vegetarian take on the Filipino classic pork sisig. An assortment of diced mushrooms and a mix of chickpeas was placed on our table, alongside a large scoop of plain rice, as the intensity of onions and peppers did not subside quickly. 

Kimi took notes, “The mushrooms were well-cooked and not overly chewy. It’s a very savory fish.”

To my surprise, family-sized lechon was on the dinner menu. Of all Filipino dishes in existence, this was my favorite. It is served at every thanksgiving my family hosts, with elated cousins, aunts, uncles, and godparents devouring handfuls of rice and pork, with banana leaves replacing typical ceramic dinnerware. A wave of an unfamiliar emotion came over me as it was brought out on a woven plate. The incredibly fatty, tender, juicy chunks of pork melted in my mouth, perfected by the sweetness of mang tomas, a thick, brown sauce made especially for lechon. 

The beautiful displays of mushroom sisig and pork lechon.

Our last dishes were a portion of ube ice cream and a mango float. The smooth bright-purple ice cream was topped with little slivers of white jelly and a sea-salt taste. I preferred this dessert, while Kimi favored the mango float. Frozen mango slices, sandwiched between two layers of mango ice cream, sat on a base of graham crackers in this final dish. To the side was a dash of cherry compote, a pleasant surprise for my evening companion. 

A seemingly petite portion of Kalye’s mango float.

“Around 7:30 they started having live music which elevated my dining experience and made the space more fun. The waitress was very informed when asked questions on the menu and the service was quick,” she reviewed. “Overall my experience was very positive and I’d love to go back for one of their Sunday drag brunches.”

I had two major takeaways from the night: a.) this small hidden gem of a restaurant can be one of the safe havens that I can look to when I am in need of familiar language, food, and faces b.) the restaurant was filled with people of all ethnic backgrounds and was enjoyable for anyone who was willing to try new foods, music, and atmosphere. Thankfully, Kalye (Rivington St.) has partnered with Campus Clipper to give students 20% off when they show their valid student ID and the coupon below.

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How to Stay Somewhat Sane

February 4th, 2025
Another week of trying my best to not end up like Georgina Sparks

It’s 6:30 p.m. on a Sunday, and I’ve just had dinner—sausage and roasted asparagus. I head upstairs to fold the laundry and hang my dresses as reality TV plays in the background. When I finally crawl into bed, I shed a tear, and then a few more, and then a lot more. With blurry vision, I find myself clicking “pay” on a transaction for vintage Coach ballet flats I don’t need, and then I pour myself a tall glass of Prosecco. With a damp sleep mask over my eyes, I fall asleep to the sounds of 40-year-old narcissists screaming over Andy Cohen. I toss and turn throughout the night, and when I wake up, I’m puffy, nauseated, and a bit disoriented. 

This past weekend, I had brunch downtown with my two friends. We waited outside in 30° weather for gourmet omelets and signature lattes (they were luckily worth it). In between conversations about crispy tofu and men with anger issues, my friend Grace asked us if we’d been to Pressed, which is a popular cafe with a main location in Boston. My friend Amber and I thought Grace said, “Have you guys ever been depressed?”

 Slightly caught off guard by the apparent switch of topics, Amber responded with comedic elegance, “Yes, but it’s seasonal, and I have a happy lamp for that.” I followed, “I mean, hasn’t everyone from time to time?” The miscommunication was sidesplitting once we realized Grace was talking about hot paninis and not mental health issues, but it did get me wondering how many people might be feeling some variation of downcast lately, whether it be because of the season, politics, issues in their personal or work life, or just their biology. 

The signature latte in question

January was, in essence, the taking down of cheerful holiday lights, the drives back to work that grow drearier by the day, and the slow realization that the insolent Jack Frost is here to stay. Many Americans start falling into the rut of being low-energy, negative, and struggling mentally. With an election year on top of it, the levels of stress and anxiety around the country have only served as the cherry on top.

Some of us turn to escapism tactics like online shopping and celebrity drama. All in good fun, too much of anything is a bad thing. One Sunday night of wine and tears is excusable, but frequenting such activities is—say it all together now—self-destructive and detrimental to our well-being. I may not have all the answers or even relatively decent ones, but I’ve decided a list of ways to stay somewhat sane this winter is as good a start as any. Like Voltaire said, “Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.”

Immersing myself in art is always a great way to get out of my head and appreciate my surroundings
  1. Practice Daily Gratitude: 
    • Focusing on things we’re grateful for can help shift our perspectives and make us feel less overwhelmed, especially during challenging moments. Whether you write out a list or just say it to yourself as it comes, practicing gratitude can encourage you to remember what you have, no matter how small, and foster a sense of stability within you.
  2. Accept Your Emotions: 
    • Acknowledging our emotions instead of hiding or trying to change them can help us prevent emotional build-up. We shouldn’t judge ourselves for feeling upset but instead, accept our negative emotions for what they are and use them to navigate our life with more clarity. 
  3. Get Off Your Phone:
    • Taking a break from our phones can help reduce stress and anxiety by limiting our exposure to negative news and social media. It also allows us to be present and make deeper connections with what is right in front of us daily.
  4. Set Small, Achievable Goals:
    •  Setting small goals can lead to more celebrations that boost our confidence and make progress more satisfying. By breaking up our long-term goals into more manageable steps, we can make our dreams feel more attainable. 
  5. Laugh With Friends:
    • Getting together with friends provides us with a sense of belonging that can help offset the stressors in our lives. Additionally, our friends serve as a great support system that can lift our dopamine levels!
  6. Avoid Negative Language: 
    • Positive self-talk opens our minds up to the possibility of things going our way. If we are constantly looking for the bad in us and our surroundings, we’re more likely to find it in everything. This can cloud our perception and send us into a spiral. Oppositely, if we train our brains to look for the good first, we can actually lessen our anxieties.
  7. Get Yourself a Little Treat: 
    • Of course, rewarding ourselves with even something small provides a psychological boost and solidifies a method of self-care during tough times. It serves as a reminder that we deserve kindness and moments of joy, especially when we need it most.
  8. Ask For Help
    • If you’re feeling like your emotions are weighing heavier than you can handle, it’s important to reach out to a professional who can offer support. Talking to a therapist or counselor can help you navigate through any kind of tough time. We don’t have to go through it alone, and there’s no shame in asking for help when we need it.
Have yourself a warm Sunday brunch at Cafe Landwer! Boston Students can get $10 off their first mobile order when they use the code LANDWERSTUDENT

Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. She is currently a teacher, specializing in middle school history. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.

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Just Around the Corner: Ambo

February 4th, 2025

Aidann Gia, Pace University

Indian cuisine is one of my favorite foods, particularly when the school season has been droning on and academic work has grown tedious. I typically take the New Jersey transit or the PATH train to Hoboken for affordable, quality dishes. This is not always a feasible option for me when I crave garlic naan, considering I’m a student in the financial district of Manhattan. Ambo, a fast-food Indian eatery, stands by the New York University campus, which is much more convenient to travel to compared to crossing state lines. Marilisa, one of my close friends from school, and I ate a simple, but delectable lunch at their establishment. 

The simple storefront display, showcasing their quirky chalkboard menu to customers.

The vegan samoas had a chewy, doughy exterior with peas and an easy-to-eat textured center. The garlic naan, packaged in foil to keep hot, was adorned with minced garlic toasted into the bread and layered butter. The dark, golden brown bottoms added a crunchy texture to style soft tops.

I ordered a bowl of marinated chicken, mashed potatoes, basmati rice, seasoned chickpeas, and assorted chopped vegetables. The soft, surprisingly sweet potatoes seemed to melt in my mouth. A heaping portion of slightly spicy turmeric rice paired nicely with the bed of chickpeas, along with the bitterness of the diced tomatoes. The chicken stood out as the strongest contender in the match to be the most powerful flavor. It was soft, well-cooked, and deeply marinated in a savory sauce, with biryani dressing drizzled on top. Marilisa, on the other hand, selected a falafel bowl with eggplant dip and plain rice.

Our noticeably different lunch bowls, alongside our foil-wrapped samosas and garlic naan.

”I think the chickpeas were nice with the sweet mango chutney. The potatoes with—I think turmeric—elevated it nicely. The cucumber raita was definitely classic and refreshing,” she noted.

To cleanse our pallets, we enjoyed the creamy and sweet house-made alphonso mango lassi. If I had to suggest one item that anyone would enjoy, it would be this sugary bottle of energy. I personally am not a mango fan, yet this rich, luscious beverage would be the main reason I return to Ambo. 

The multitude of candies and treats available for purchase on exhibition.

Marilisa voiced her final thoughts, “Prices are really good for the amount of food they give you and great quality. A nice spot for 1-4 people to sit and eat. Cutely decorated and has great variety!”

One of our main takeaways of the restaurant was that it served delectable, authentic, simple Indian food in an area geographically in proximity to our school. The prices were student-friendly with the offered discount and the location wasn’t packed with people, allowing us to get our food in a timely manner. We enjoyed the smooth mango lassi the most, but also found great enjoyment in the bowls themselves. I would return for their chicken shawarma, though I would try out the tacos instead.

The quaint establishment is home to shelves of foreign candy, a kitchen of well-balanced meals, and seats full of happy, stuffed customers. Ambo is offering students a discount when they present the coupon below and their valid student ID.

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Just Around the Corner: ZaZu Mediterranean Street Food

February 4th, 2025

Aidann Gia, Pace University

With the ball starting to rapidly run off this semester, it’s difficult to find time in between class, work, and social hour to cook a meal that hits all of the major food groups. I visited Zazu with my friend Paolo after my last class of the day. We ordered an assortment of classic Mediterranean dishes and left with bloated stomachs, paper take-out bags, and plenty of time to spare. 

The classically clean and minimalist interior.

The two of us browsed the wide variety of ingredients we could add to our bowls and pita, then proceeded to sit at Zazu’s sleek light wood tables, complemented by their white brick walls. Around us were friends casually chatting and catching up, adding to the laid-back ambiance of the fast-food restaurant. The food took little to no time to make, and our orders were set out for us to pick up. First, we ate the appetizers.

”The falafel had a crunchy exterior, soft interior, and great flavor,” Paolo noted. “The loaded fries were crispy, with a perfect balance of meat, sauce, and garnish,” 

I enjoyed the moist, stuffed falafel. It was covered in toasted sesame seeds with pickled onions inside and perfectly toasted bottoms. I preferred it with tzatziki sauce. The crunchy pita chips were well-seasoned and tasted best as an additional textured food to the other sides. They were light and airy, compared to the dense and packed falafel. As for the loaded fries, the colorful mix of pickles, tomatoes, onions tied the flavors together and enhanced the beef shawarma topping. The beef gave the bowl a filling portion of meat, improving the taste of Zazu’s slightly salty and crispy french fries. My shawarma bowl was brimming in vegetables, rice, and marinated chicken. It stuffed me more than the appetizers had, making the affordable lunch worth its price. 

The loaded fries, shawarma bowl, drinks, and small sides laid out just before we devoured them!

”I thought the chicken shawarma pita had very filling and hearty portions. It was stuffed with chicken, pickles, lettuce, and sauce,” Paolo reviewed after his main course. 

For students seeking a quick bite, but laying off Chipotle prices and food, Zazu is a great, lesser known spot to visit. Portions match their prices, and take-out boxes may be necessary afterwards. I devoured their pita chips and loaded fries the most. None of the menu items we ate were unpleasant nor remotely close to it. I love the tangy, lingering flavors from the dressings and sauces from Mediterranean food, which is evident in the food served here, as well. 

My colorful dinner consisting of onions, mixed greens, tomatoes, hummus, rice, and chicken shawarma.

Paolo finalized his thoughts, “It is a great place if you’re looking for something quick and fresh to eat. They also have a big seating area for you to relax and eat peacefully.”

Zazu is offering students 20% off when they show their valid student ID and Campus Clipper coupon below.

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