KAT with a Blog

I read the book, "American Like Me", by American Ferrera. This book is a collection of essays from many public figures and inspirational people. I chose this book because it intrigued me the most from the list of books (it was the first one I saw). While ordering "American Like Me" on Amazon, I looked into the featured authors and got excited seeing names like Liza Koshy, Randall Park, Laurie Hernandez, and Auli'i Cravalho. I know of these people from my childhood but never fully had the chance to learn about their stories or life experiences. The opportunity to hear from different voices and perspectives was another aspect of this book that excited me. I thought the short stories would be more digestable, and as I was reading I found myself getting more and more excited to read about new experiences.  From the beginning of the book up until the end, I found myself engaged. Yes, there were stories that were a bit more interesting to me personally than others, bu...

Not Lying, Just a Girl The Art of Riffing, A.K.A. Improv in the Wild      Imagine this, you're a gullible 11-year-old. I'm sitting across from you, telling stories of my life in California. Your eyes go wide as I explain how life works in the commune. We wake up every morning at sunrise, create our own sustainable clothes out of carrot threads, and eat said carrots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I go into detail on how creative you can get with a carrot when you eat it 3 times a day, 365 days a year.       You're probably wondering how I haven't turned into a carrot, and I'm wondering how many years it will take for you to realize this is all made up. You may look back and think, what a liar! While it is all made up, I prefer to call it "practicing my craft" . Welcome to the world of riffing.       “Riffing” is a “rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring” or “a succinct witty comme...

If I'm being completely honest, I chose to read American Like Me because it was the first book on the reading list, and it seemed like a book that could capture my attention. American Like Me, by American Ferrera, is a collection of short stories written by people in all different industries on how their culture affected their upbringings. I have a relatively short attention span (thank you Instagram Reels), so I thought this book could keep my interest piqued.  I was correct!  Starting with America's personal story, I could feel her authentic voice coming through while she spoke of her experiences. America's perspective is captivating when she speaks on finding authentic jobs, navigating the emotions that come with growing up, and being told you're different. I enjoyed reading about her unique childhood and looked forward to the upcoming stories. While reading about the upbringings of Reshma, Al, Jenny, and Bambadjan, I started to notice the difference in each indivi...

  Yoga Instructor   My current job is a great escape from the numbers and statistics involved in the business world. I can express my creative side and engage in a wonderful community. My job in the studio starts 30 minutes before my classes when I tidy the studio, greet and check in students, and set the environment. As students come in, I ask for their names and make sure the class is paid  f or. If there are any new students, I set them up for success and make sure they feel comfortable in the new experience. During the hour session, there is a lot I must do and account for, including: My students My sequence The music The heat and lights My Students I teach multiple classes a week to groups of up to 35 people. A room filled with 35 people is very overwhelming. It is my duty as a teacher to stay grounded and present to lead a successful and safe class. I enjoy teaching small classes as w...

Who am I? I come from a small town about an hour outside of NYC. Warwick, known for its apples, ski resorts, and farms, was the perfect place to grow up and join a community. In the near future, I plan on staying in the LA area, ideally Culver City, Hermosa Beach, or Marina Del Rey. Fun fact about all of these places: they have a Corepower Yoga studio, so I'll be able to continue teaching yoga like I do here at USC! On the other hand, I might move to Europe!  I have always been passionate about travel, and now is a great opportunity for me to make the move. My plan is to find a career in Marketing or Human Resources that allows me to either stay in Los Angeles, or move to Europe. I'm passionate about sports, non-profits, and entertainment and mainly focused on those industries! When following my dreams and ambitions, I am stubborn and persistent. I get this trait from both of my parents. All three of us are willing to fight for things we believe in or want. Unlike my parent...