What Happens When You Run Into Someone You Know

Ironic that I'm putting together a post about going out and running into people during a time when we're all spending the majority of our time indoors.

Living in a city as chaotic as New York, you can go weeks, months, and even years before you "happen" to run into someone you know around the corner or in your favorite deli. In my year here, it just hasn't been all that common. It's not that I don't know people in the city; through some mutual friend or experience, there's a decent number of people here. So it's always a fun experience when you do run into someone you know. I've noticed there's a few very distinct feelings and interactions - not to say that there are all.

1. The "Look at How Well I'm Doing" Moment

   Okay, so that title gives off a very negative connotation. In reality, it's not all that bad. It's a form of catching up, but I see it as a feeling of pride. These conversations usually surface if it's been a while since the two people last met. It also occurs a lot more if the two people share a similar career entry time and/or industry.

   Don't forget to mention you live in an apartment with an in-unit washer & dryer—guaranteed jealousy.

2. The "We Should Catch Up" Moment

   We've all been in this conversation one way or the other. It's not complete with the half-hearted invitation to "touch base" sometime soon and catch up on what's happening. A real win for when that does happen, but if you've had experiences anything like mine, it's more out of sight -> out of mind.

   You can go anywhere from a fake phone number to a shared calendar event here. Proceed with caution.

3. The "I Hope They Don't Recognize Me" Moment

   No shame for these moments. I've had my fair share of them too. Sometimes you're just looking to make a midnight run to your local grocery store for another tub of Ben&Jerry's half-baked, and you're not looking to engage. So you walk against the flow of the store and get out as soon as you can. There's no time to contemplate if you want the latest version of a Hershey's chocolate bar.

   Consider adding some [awkward] silence to the mix. If the other person manages to get you talking - you've found a hidden gem.

4. The "Who Is This Person" Moment

   So we're not the best with names and faces sometimes, it happens. The former classmate who you haven't seen in years. The friend of your friend you met at a group outing. Nothing wrong with them, I'm sure they're all great fun people, but you're too busy keeping song lyrics and random facts in your head. (No number from 1 to 999 includes the letter "a" in its word form).

5. The "Casual Acknowledge Existence" Moment

   Uber-casual with no time to waste. A casual head nod or hand wave if you're feeling the extra energy as you continue on your way. You're in the zone, and nobody's going to stand in your way. That chipotle bowl isn't going to eat itself.

   Warning: Can get possible embarrassing if they don't reciprocate or fall into bucket #4 above.

6. and finally, The "Of All the Gin Joints" Moment

   You're reeling from how this moment happened. You either like this person or don't mind their company at your favorite sushi spot as you "practice" your chopsticks skills. You offer to join them and pull up a chair without worrying about third-wheeling their 2nd date. After all, this is a coincidence you need to stress.

I think I'm going to make this a running list. This is people watching 2.0, everyone.

- P

Onwards & Upwards!

Two posts in one month… what could you have possibly done to deserve such a surprise?

The way this month’s progressing, it deserved a second post. Given that we’ve been at home the past few months, it was an absolute delight to get out of the city and state for a little bit. To anyone who’s not familiar with my interests - driving is up there. So you can imagine that a 5-hour drive with a friend was an excellent way to start the month.

Another pro-moment was my promotion earlier this month 🕺🕺🕺. Coming out of undergrad and grad, I’ve always just expected that promotions and raises get evaluated once a year during a typical annual “performance” review. I’ve only been with Pixel for a little over ten months, so my mental clock wasn’t prepared for the call I was about to have with the firm’s partners.

With my professional life, something that’s always been top of mind for me is the feeling that I belong. I’ve always worried that working at a company where I go day in and day out as a part of the system wouldn’t give me what I was looking for. At Pixel, I’ve finally found a space where my colleagues and bosses are more like my family - and that’s even more crucial when your actual family is thousands of kilometers (11,009 to be exact) away.

*Cue abrupt end to post here*

Stay tuned; you never know when the next post drops.

- P

We're in H2 Now...

So much for blogging more regularly.

These longer pauses in posts are definitely for effect. Gives me a chance to say “wow so much has changed since my last post”. In all honesty, the past few months have been rather consistent and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s refreshing knowing that there has been a level of stability given the instability around us.

Work Update: Staying inside for these past 4 months has done me a lot of good, especially in my professional life. II’ve been so cautious to not fall into a rut while working from home that I actually think it’s made me more productive. A part of me is still waiting for that drop in the productivity curve but maybe anticipating it is a step in the right direction to make sure it never happens?

As a part of Pixel, we’ve launched a few great campaigns for some great clients. It’s great seeing the work a small-sized powerhouse can do when we’re put to the test. Being proud of our work is definitely a nice to have when you spend every day working with the same people.

Friends Update: This has been a bigger change than I anticipated. We find ourselves in group calls in the middle of the day and the middle of the night. We’ve picked up online/mobile gaming as a way to stay entertained and I’m overjoyed at how it’s turning out. The last time I spoke to gang this much, we were roommates in college.

Family Update: Ah the bittersweet side of the update. Being at home all day means the calls and communication has gotten a lot more regular. I catch up with the family daily and it’s a pleasure. Mother dearest is on a mission to teach me Indian-style cooking and so far so good. It’s nice having a hint of home in New York.

It’s been tough staying quarantined in the city knowing that I’d be seeing them this summer if it weren’t for the “new normal”. Not sure when I’ll get to them next, but you better believe I’m on the first flight out when deemed safe.

For now I’m off to Ohio to reunite with my friends while connecting with the outdoors at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. As a matter of fact we all meet tomorrow.

More to come. Stay safe everyone!

- P

Grounded (For Now)

For anyone reading this, you guessed it… a COVID-19 post (well, the closest I’ll get to posting about it).

If you know me, you know I’ll spend as much time up in the air (yes, movie reference) or on the road. I’m a “New Yorker” who’s barely ever in New York. It’s not because I don’t like the city, but because I love the feeling of being on the move. I’ve been thriving off of weekend trips and long weekends in other cities with the people who matter.

If you don’t know me, peruse the website for a bit, and you’ll get what I’m saying. Travel is a big part of who I am. I don’t travel much for work. Almost all my journies are something I do in my own time, with red-eye flights and early morning buses.

I had a trip planned for every weekend of March and April of this year, and you can guess that I went from 8 trips scheduled to 0 very quickly. The world’s started shutting down, and flights began to get canceled, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’ve been grounded - going from airplanes and buses to not even using the local subway. I understand why I’m staying at home and I know it’s the right thing to do, but there’s this helpless feeling of looking out at the world and reading travel inspiration and knowing that it’s a while before I’ll be able to make it there. I’ve got plans in the pipeline for the rest of the year, but I’m not sure whether to act on them just yet.

In the meantime, I’ve been able to spend more time at home walking the streets of New York (before shutdowns got even more serious). I’ve spent more time with my roommate during the past week than the month before that. It’s not a bad problem to have, it’s just not what I was expecting from the month. then again, I don’t think anyone was.

// rant over //

I’m going to try and blog more often now, given the extra time that I’ve got at home. I don’t know what I would say other than just vomiting my thoughts on here, but stay tuned, and stay safe!

- P

New City, New Job, Another New Beginning

TL;DR - Moved to New York. Hustled for a bit. Found a job i’m happy in. Working on self-improvement. Stay tuned for more.

Every year, looking ahead, I think that this year will be a more stable one. One where I can finally think beyond a year (and buy some long-lasting furniture for a change). At the end of every year, I look back and realize there was no way that was going to happen, I should have seen the signs.

After my month abroad in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan (more on that in a different learnings post), I decided to move to New York in search of work and a new beginning. I found a local Le Pain Quotidien and made it my workplace for the next month. I didn’t know this at the time but I’d be spending more time there than at home sending out job applications and networking my way forward.

I then gave what I can only describe as my most interesting set of interviews yet. They carried a challenge, a take-home project, and a level of transparency I wish other companies extended. I found myself answering tougher-than-expected questions and providing real-time feedback to my interviewers.

Next? I got hired! I took a points & miles weeklong trip to London to spend some time with my family before I dove right into work.

I’ve been working for about a month and a half now, and the experience has been exhilarating. I’m taking on work I’d never thought of doing before, I’m learning new skills and developing traits that I wish I learnt earlier. Most importantly, I’m in an environment where I’m encouraged to be a better version of myself and work towards that.

As I write this post I realize how lucky I’ve been. New beginnings can be hard to come by for anyone. We often find ourselves looking for a chance to become a better version of ourselves and start from scratch. It’s hard to really start fresh given all the history we carry with us. While this might not be a new beginning, it’s definitely an attempt to be a better version of myself.

Until the next one,

- P

What South East Asia Taught Me

Here we go! I’m 6 months late to the game but I’ve been trying to write down my thoughts on my recent visits to South East Asia (July and December). I’m trying to look at my travels as more than just “fun”. I truly believe that a well traveled person brings a lot to the “table” and i’d love to continue growing and moulding my perspectives through my travels.

So without further ado, here’s my five lessons from my visits!

(Temporarily) Living in Singapore Someday

I spent a full 6 days in the wonderful city-state of Singapore in July. Having grown up in another new-ish metropolitan, I found myself immediately relating to the immense growth and buzz that Singapore offers. It helped that I had an uber-cool cousin living in the city who gave me a glimpse into what life might be like if I ever did live there!

Comparisons Between Countries is Near Impossible

Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand. The cultural differences between the countries are just so stark that pooling them together under “South East Asia” just seems unfair. I took away something different from each country, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at that region the same again.

Finding my Favorite “Get-Away-From-the-World” City

Bali has redefined my idea of getting away. I found time to white water raft, visit temples, relax on the beach, and eat some wonderful food. Did being there for the FIFA World Cup have anything to do with it? Maybe? Nonetheless, I see myself going back sometime (soon I hope).

Striving for More Family Travel

Barring Hong Kong, I had the privilege of spending my time in these wonderful cities with my family. In some cases it was family and friends, in some cases in was family and more family. I loved every combination I had, and my experiences were my own. What I did realize was that spending all this time exploring and doing new things with my family really helped me connect with them. Especially since I spend more time away from them than with them.

So I’m going to try and do more of that. Staycations or vacations, it’s clear to me that fun times accompany family time!

Tattoos Are Painful

And finally, the most….”permanent” experience. I’d been struggling to find the right message or symbol to get tattooed on my body for a while now. Bouncing between text and images, I finally found something that I just related to on a fundamental level. I found a sense of comfort in yin and yang, and decided to take the plunge and finally get a tattoo… in a more creative way!

It took about 2 hours, and it hurt to the point of numbness. All things said and done, I wear it on my bad with pride, and it reminds me that the life is full of yin and yang.

There we go. Those were my moments of clarity. Not all of them were profound, or any of them for that matter. But I’ve learnt more from my travels than I can write down, and I look forward to my next adventure - near or far.

Thanks for tuning in!

- P

2018 in Review

2018 ended on a very bittersweet moment for me. But then again, don’t most years end bittersweet? We go through the motions of “oh wow the year flew”, and “I’m ready for the new year.”

For me 2018 represented a lot of life changes (see: New Beginnings), but also a lot of self-discovery. I had the chance to travel extensively across Asia (separate post on that coming up), do a solo trip the way I wanted to, and spend a lot of quality time with my family.

So I’m going to highlight my Top 5 personal moments of 2018, and hopefully that will help you see why the year was a big one!

1. I quit my job

   I decided to stop working on consulting and go back to trying to find a niche for myself through a graduate school program!

2. I road tripped across the California Pacific Coast in a convertible Ford Mustang

   I went from San Diego - Los Angeles - Paso Robles - Monterey & Carmel - San Francisco

3. I spent the entire summer (June - August) with my family and travelled across Southeast Asia

   I started off in Dubai, spent some time in New Delhi, India, travelled to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Bali!

4. I started a phenomenal and esteemed graduate program

   My year-long M.S. in Commerce degree at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. I’m focusing my efforts on Marketing and Management.

5. I took my first solo trip, and ended that with a 22-person family reunion!

   I took a direct flight from New York City to Hong Kong (on points, of course) and explored the city for two days before heading to Koh Samui and Bangkok in Thailand!

Now as the year’s almost a month in, I definitely have a lot to forward to. I’m actively trying to find my place in the business world. I know I want to stay connected to the marketing world that I’ve grown to love. Stay tuned for updates!

Also: I’ll be graduating from the University of Virginia this summer. As a part of my graduation I’ll be travelling to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan with a group of my fellow students.

So that’s that! That was my 2018, and I’m extremely grateful for it.

2019, come at me!

- P

New Beginnings

Hello there! 

If you've noticed the updated "About" section of the website, you'll notice that I've recently relocated to the wonderful city of Charlottesville, Virginia. Apart from exciting the traveler in me (see "The Travel Project"), it marks the newest chapter of my professional career. I was chosen to be a part of the McIntire School of Commerce's one-year M.S. in Commerce program.

So what led to this?

My experiences and education in advertising, coupled with my recent experience in consulting, led me to believe that the business world really isn't so far out of reach. As an advertising undergrad, I found it harder to break through into the consulting and business sphere; daunted by the challenges it might bring with it. That hope of living on the corner of business, advertising, and technology now seems like a reality within grasp as I focus on Marketing and Management within my new M.S. program.

So what's it been like so far?  

Downright phenomenal. The program began on August 13th, and I haven't looked back since. My comfort zone has permanently changed for the better, and my horizon has been extended further than ever before. We focus on real world cases, ranging from Etsy to Amazon to Delta Airlines (thank you, Harvard), and we lead the discussions with guidance from our professors. I'm learning Strategy + Systems, Financial Account, Managerial Accounting, Organizational Behavior, and Storytelling; that's just the beginning. 

So what next? 

For starters, finding the right work-life balance. I'd like to build a network with my peers, spend some time exploring this historical city, and just be present. The recruiting season for next year kicks off soon, so I know my time management will be tested. I'm excited. I'm prepared. 

I'll update you all as things move forward. This is me signing off. 

- P

Advertising - Art, Science, or Consulting?

The advertising major on my resume often brings up the same initial thought: Photoshop. 

The conversation never seems to get old, where I get to explain to a new colleague or a new introduction that Advertising is more than just a Don Draper-like setting where Design and Copy come together on a page, or an 1984-like advertisement gets made.

Advertising is Research, Strategy, Consulting, Executing, and Analyzing. All in one. 

Think of the last few campaigns you've seen and loved. Share a Coke. Dove's Real Beauty. P&G's Like a Girl. The McWhopper. REI's #OptOutside. Every campaign you've admired, shared, retweeted, favorited, and loved. It started long before you could estimate. It started with an idea that went through filter after filter before becoming the 30-second spot you see, or the product you hold in your hands. What's more? It never really stops there. That's when the second half comes in. How did the ad do? How many people did it reach? Did the ad even work? Are we getting our message across? 

Advertising is making people recognize a want they didn't even know they had. And that takes more than exceptional photoshop skills. Photoshop is necessary in the process, to help you visualize what life could be like, but it isn't the ethos of advertising. It's not what I do. And it's a part of a bigger picture. 

Me? I'm more the "Consulting" and "Big Idea" kind of guy. The work that you don't see in front of you. The braintsorming, the ideation, the countless back and forths in meeting rooms and open white spaces.

That's where I want to be, the intersection of Art & Science is where I want to live. 

Mad Men, and why I love it

Being the "Netflix generation" means I get to binge my favorite shows on a whim, and that's what I've been doing the past few weeks. This time, it's none other that contemporary favorite - Mad Men. No, I didn't watch a season a day. No, I didn't procrastinate everything else I had to do. Yes, it's been worth it. 

Cigarettes, Alcohol, and a ton of hair product. The elements that make up Don Draper. 

I won't lie, this wasn't my first attempt to get into Mad Men. I'd tried before, finishing an entire season before letting it fade away from memory. This time however, things seem different. I know what you might be thinking "Oh the advertising major is watching the advertising show, how clichéd", but it's so much more than that. In fact, my favorite part of the show isn't even the fact that it's an advertising-based show. 

What intrigues me is the time-travel-like feeling I get when I put on a new episode. The show's ability to follow America's past, in so many ways, is what gives it the edge. Be it a political event or a cultural shift, the show capitalizes on it and finds a way to show the world how advertising was affected. It shows the world how change truly is the only constant when it comes to this industry, and how adapt or die holds special meaning at the agencies. 

While it's been a delight to watch Mr. Draper take on the world with his vigour, zeal, and ideas; the real pleasure comes in watching the supporting cast stand by him (and against him) as they grow. I'm looking at you Peggy, Roger, Pete, Joan, and some others. Character development, sets and scenes, dialogues, and everything else tie-in perfectly to make this show such a masterpiece. 

It's allowed my non-advertising peers to look into the past of advertising and wonder how marvellous advertising truly can be. Admittedly, it puts creative on the pedestal, and mocks account management. If only the world could peek into the doors of an agency today.