I have many, many things to update, however, now is not the time.
Tomorrow is the 2nd Annual TEDxYouth@SanDiego event; the event that changed my life. If you have even a few minutes tomorrow, tune in to the live stream link (posted below) for a day of absolute inspiration and empowerment.
I’m so unbelievably proud of their team this year and how far the event has come. Good luck everyone!
Link: http://www.tedxyouthsandiego.com/live/
This post does not directly correlate with TED, but it’s something TEDsters would probably enjoy and it’s sparked an idea in my head:
Tonight, I walked back from Union Square to my Aunt’s place here in NYC after a long and incredibly day in the city with Anne. The walk back took about 35-40 minutes. So, as I headed back, I decided to try something.
I asked 5 different groups of strangers on the street one of my favorite questions: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?”
I want to share with you what I got in responses. And just so you know, it was so much fun 
1. The first group was at the corner of Delancey and Bowery I believe. There were these three guys that seemed about my age, two of them were Asian and the other was Caucasian. I asked, “Can I ask you guys a random question?” and they approved. The first guy said South Korea, but then changed it to North Korea. The second guy said China and smiled. The third guy scratched his chin and then said he would want to be in Iceland. I thanked them and off I went.
2. About a block later, I see a lanky white guy sitting on a stoop smoking a cigarette. I asked him the question and he said “Right here! This is my girlfriend’s place, man!” We shared a laugh, I thanked him, and I was on my way.
3. I get to the next corner and there’s these three African American women in beautiful dresses and heels and so I go up and ask them if I can ask a random question. The middle one responds with “Excuse us, but eh we are French.” and then they turned and crossed the street. I smiled and chuckled to myself at how amazing it was going and continued onward.
4. I loved this one. So I get across the next street and I see these two white guys standing and talking. One was relatively shorter than the other, and the taller one was muscular and was covered in tattoos. I went up the them and asked the tattooed guy, “Hi, could I ask you guys a random question?” After a second of silence, he says “No” and walks off with his buddy. I said out loud, “Alrighty then!” and walked off laughing to myself.
5. On one of the last busy streets I saw a guy standing with two women. I approached them and gave them the spiel. They guy and one of the girls said the Bahamas, the other said Thailand. The last girl asked why I was doing this and I explained. I found out that they’re all from Miami, and then I thanked them and left. I smiled the entire way back.
I always find answers to this question so interesting.
Even when the answer is “No.”
I have some exciting news!
I have just decided at about 1:30 AM that I want to go to New York City this weekend!
I truly believe in having fun and living life. ACTUALLY living. Which is why I decided to do this! Whether or not this is considered “living” life, I’m not sure. All I know is that my week was pretty predictable and it needed a change.
I am going to see some TEDGlobal folks which is the coolest part! Anne is getting us tickets to a comedy show and a parade on Saturday which I’m super excited for! I’m honestly just pumped overall
With that, goodnight/good morning depending on where you are, or if anyone reads this.
-B
Today at work I noticed one of the Admission Director’s had a computer mousepad that was a perfect circle… And it was red
I had her put her fingers on it to look like a speaker and I now present to you the photo.
ExciTED and happy!
P.S. I love the shadow that the fingers cast on the rug.
I feel like showing my appreciation right now. Here we go!
1. Thank you Tom! You were so incredibly welcoming at the conference and you made me feel welcome with everyone I met! You’ve opened my eyes to some new possibilities and opportunities and listened to everything I had to say.
2. Thank you Liza, Anne, and Jackie! You three were my main girls at the conference Thank you for being so friendly and offering me a group to call “home” at the conference. I am so excited for this new chapter of work with each other!
3. Thank you Anna! You were such a joy to meet at the conference and I am seriously so excited for you and your journey Much love!
4. Thank Mr. Sparks! Thank you for supporting my dream of attending TEDGlobal and for going to great lengths to try and help me with funding. You were essential in this process and I can’t thank you enough.
5. Thank you to ALL my friends and family!!!! Thank you all so much for donating, for spreading the word, for listening to me blab and blab about this all the time, for dealing with my countless Facebook posts; everything! Most importantly though, thank you for believing in me.
6. Thank you Nanny! Not only have you ALWAYS supported me in everything that I do, but your donation to this specifically was unbelievably generous and I can’t thank you enough Love you so much!
7. Thank you to the TEDxYouth@SanDiego team! It was from this experience that I truly began my TED journey and it was because of the people I worked with and the smiling faces the day of that made me want to attend Global in the first place
8. Thank you to everyone who played consistent crucial roles to keep me going! This would be Jack Abbott, TEDxSanDiego, Ms. Bennett, Mr. Black, Mrs. Williams, all the families who donated, Selaina, Michael, Julia, Taylor, Doug, G&G, Steve and Dana; there’s so many!!! I can’t thank you all enough! And I apologize if I am leaving anyone out of this! Thank you ALL!
9. Thank you to the wonderful Sonia Rhodes! My goodness, I could write an essay about all the things to thank you for. Thank you so much for all your help and guidance and advice and donation and just overall comfort and support! You and your family rock!
10. Thank you Mom and Dad! Did you think I would forget ya? 
Seriously though, thank you so much for believing in this dream and for giving me unconditional support throughout this crazy endeavor. Thank you so much for your extremely generous donation and help that got me to TEDGlobal. I literally could not have done it without you Love you both so much!
Lastly, thank you for reading this if you did! Goodnight!
-B
Today/tonight was the 4th of July here in America. Watching the fireworks was such an odd as beautiful experience because I couldn’t help thinking about how I was in Europe less than 5 days ago at a conference that has absolutely changed my life.
Here are some photos of tonight!
I got this at TEDGlobal and now it’s on my computer
