Adriana Cifuentes

Edgar Allan Poe, the famous writer of grotesque short stories and melancholy poetry, uncovers the hidden corners of the human psyche in such works as "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Fall of the House of Usher". What Chris McCandless shares with Poe's characters is inward demons and the loneliness of their conscience in the same way. Solitude and self-discovery revealed an enigmatic, introspective outlook of human life in the works of American poet Emily Dickinson. While finding support in themes of nature, mortality, and quest for self-liberation, Dickinson's poems may represent what Chris McCandless had been looking for. Both Dickinson and McCandless explore the depths of the human heart as a complex phenomenon, looking for peace and lucidity in times of loneliness and self-awareness. Dickinson's poetic exploration manifests a similar quest for meaning, as seen in McCandless. One of the most known transcendentalists, Henry David Thoreau, in his works suc

Guatemala, 2/13/24             Dear Alex, I hope this letter finds you well, the Alaska trip is a huge deal, a life and death deal. You shouldn't take this lightly, I just want you to be okay through this process. I know I can't convince you to not go but I'll help you in what I can, maybe with some advice.  First, let’s go over your outfit, just the basics. Alaskan weather, capricious, needs special treatment. Oh friend, Dress in layers, each for their specific purpose to fight off the despotism of nature. Also don't forget that extra socks and gloves are necessary. When you are in those rocky terrains, wet extremities can not only mean discomfort but also can be a health state that can go from bad to worse. Now on to your gear, which, no, isn’t just equipment; it is also your link to life! Invest in good quality, wearable according to the weather items for example tent, which might withstand the wind and severe rains, a sleeping bag, which will hug you in warmth, and

  What is success? Success is something that depends on the point of view of a person, for me success could be to have a 6-digit income. However, for another person, success could be having a happy and lovely family. Success can be seen as a synonym for happiness. Real success goes beyond professional benchmarks and math scorecards. It can be defined as individual satisfaction, mental stability, and purpose. Living a balanced and purposeful life consists of managing connections, preserving mental and physical well-being, find pleasure in daily actions. In this respect, success is a harmonious mixture of professional and personal happiness. Success is a rather complex and moving concept that surpasses mere achievement. It includes personal satisfaction, grit assessment, and reach-back measures. Through a comprehensive approach, people can develop an appreciation of success in its entirety beyond the confines of society and appreciate the beauty within rather than just between two points

      These are the things that I love, the things that make me happy every day . Things like my family and friends always get a smile and a laugh out of me. There are pictures of myself because I motivate myself, knowing that I can do better for myself, I do it for my baby self to be proud. Accomplishing and meeting my goals makes me happy. Volleyball will always be my passion, it can get stressful but it helps me and I enjoy it. Sometimes even the little things can make me the happiest, little gestures and I know that I can make someone happy just by smiling and saying hi. 

My own Bucket List before I die Study abroad. Have a family. Own a pet (golden retriever or German shepherd). Skydiving. Graduate from university. Be a bridesmaid. Make Europeans fall in love with me. Have a 6-digit income. Play volleyball around the world. Pay for a stranger's meal. Go camping in the forest. Plant a tree and watch it grow over the years. Go to many concerts or music festivals. Experience a hot air balloon ride. Have a Jeep. Take my mom to Italy. Go to Israel. Speak fluent Portuguese. Plan a full trip for my friends and me. Finish all my watch list.