So Jung's Blog

 Book 2, Post 1 I chose the book, The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World by Wade Davis because I was interested in learning more about Polynesians' mastery of navigation across the Pacific Ocean. As someone from the islands, I've always had a strong interest in learning more about the history and culture of Pacific Islander communities to deepen my own understanding and engage more mindfully with these traditions. Although the book focuses largely on Polynesia, it still has strong correlations to the cultures in Micronesia and Melanesia. It truly is incredible that these islanders were able to navigate across the waters without any modern technology, only the stars, ocean currents, wind, and bird flight patterns.  The book so far had been engaging to read, and it's interesting to learn that Polynesians took months to travel from from one island to another. Initially, I expected this book to focus more on the firsthand perspectives of the islanders l...

To:             Clark Hansen, CEO, Anima Mundi Development Partners From:        So Jung An, Research & Development Subject:    Investment Opportunity: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Date:         October 18, 2024 As a member of the Research and Development Department at Anima Mundi Development Partners (AMDP), my role is to identify and evaluate potential investment or funding opportunities that align with our values. AMDP is dedicated to conducting business in a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and profitable manner to address society’s most pressing needs. After conducting thorough research, I highly recommend the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), a nonprofit organization, for its strong commitment to expanding access to higher education across the Western United States, ...

To:                Clark Hansen, CEO, Anima Mundi Development Partners From:         So Jung An, Research & Development Subject:    Investment Opportunity: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Date:        October 18, 2024 As a member of the Research and Development Department at Anima Mundi Development Partners (AMDP), my role is to identify and evaluate potential investment or funding opportunities that align with our values. AMDP is dedicated to conducting business in a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and profitable manner to address society’s most pressing needs. After conducting thorough research, I highly recommend the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), a nonprofit organization, for its strong commitment to expanding access to higher education across the Western U.S., which aligns with our mission o...

  Two Lovers Point Have you heard of the story of Romeo and Juliet? What if I told you that Guam has its own version of this tale?   Guam has a famous tourist attraction called “Two Lovers Point” or “Puntan Dos Amantes.” Every week, thousands of tourists come to enjoy the breathtaking view from the cliff and write their wishes on keychains attached to the lookout’s railings. While couples often confess their undying love at this scenic spot, this cliff is rooted in a Chamorro legend of eternal love.    The Legend Behind Two Lovers Point During the Spanish colonial era, there was a highly respected family on the island, where the father was a wealthy Spanish businessman and the mother was the daughter of a Chamorro chief. One day, the family’s oldest daughter discovered that the father had arranged for her to marry a Spanish captain. After hearing the news, she ran away to the beach, where she met and fell in love with a humble Chamorro man under the moonlight. When ...

 Book 1, Post 2      I chose American Like Me by America Ferrera because I was interested in hearing about other people’s diverse backgrounds and how they identify as being "American." As a Korean American growing up in Guam, I’ve often felt like I didn’t fully belong in either Korea or America, so I decided to read this book in hopes of connecting with others who may have had similar experiences. The book was inspiring because it allowed me to learn about different ethnic backgrounds and how individuals overcame the prejudices they faced while shaping their own identities. Although each story offers a unique perspective, many of their struggles and successes are relatable on a broader scale. The person whose story stood out to me was Randall Park.      Although Randall’s story doesn’t directly address the identity crisis I’m currently experiencing, I still found it relatable as we share a similar upbringing. Randall Park’s memoir mainly talked about h...