Author: Carmen Watts

Blog, Knowledge, Podcast, Semester, Spring, University

The End Of The Spring Semester

Carmen Watts
Carmen Watts

Spring is the Earth’s way of believing in its growth and starting again –
People have springs, too.

Olivia Ann Rose Clarke

As the semester comes to an end, it is important for me to make certain that I take something valuable from each course Im in. Not only because I am paying for it, but also because I want to continue to grow.

Learning is fundamental. I prefer not to be a passive learner; I want to be like a plant, soaking up as much knowledge I possibly can, like they do in the sun. It is a privilege to be at a university surrounded by countless sources of knowledge and knowledgeable individuals.

A particular course this semester taught me a great deal and opened my eyes to something that peaked my interest. This course is Strategic Presentation. What is Strategic Presentation? Well, this is the question my professor asked us at the beginning of the semester. Yes, I did add this course to schedule, but no, I really didn’t know the course goal.

I honestly thought it was a public speaking course. And boy, was I wrong, for the better, though. I’m not a big fan of public speaking. This course is all about how you present yourself, primarily online. On the media platform, the ultimate goal of Strategic Presentation is to be able to Google your name and have all the wonderful things about you appear, not just your Twitter profile.

This triggered my competitiveness because when we were told to google ourselves, I wasn’t at the top!

This course showed me how to start blogging and podcasting. At first, I was completing the assignments merely for the grade, being a passive learner. The more I wrote, the more engaged I became, since it was a topic I was truly passionate about; telling my story. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed writing until this semester. It sparked a fire within me—a passion I didn’t even realize was there. I will carry this valuable knowledge forward and continue applying it to grow in my fields of Public Relations, Marketing, and Communications, as well as in my personal passions.

Channel your inner plant—soak up all you can, and grow into the person you’re truly meant to be!

Blog, mysteries, twins

Podcast Notes

Carmen Watts

Host: Carmen Watts

Guest: Mariana “Mari” Simpson

Mariana’s Socials: LinkedIn

In this episode, we explore the fascinating and eerie world of twin connections—both inseparable and long-lost. Our guest, Mariana Simpson (who goes by Mari), joins us to discuss two real-life cases: the Silent Twins, June and Jennifer Gibbons, whose unbreakable bond led to isolation and tragedy, and the Jim Twins, James Lewis and James Springer, who lived shockingly parallel lives despite being separated at birth.

Topics Covered

  • The Silent Twins: A mysterious case of isolation and tragedy
  • Unique twin language
  • The Jim Twins: Separated at birth, reunited with almost identical lives
  • Personal reflections on sibling dynamics

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and icebreakers
01:00 – The Silent Twins: June and Jennifer Gibbons
11:00 – The Jim Twins: James Lewis and James Springer
19:00 – Final thoughts and favorite story

Quotable  Moments

Mari – “It was just so crazy how you might have a strong connection with someone to the point where it literally eats you alive.”
Carmen –  “What would you do if you found a twin who lived your same life?”

Join the Conversation

Which story did you find more chilling—Silent Twins or Jim Twins? Let us know in the comments!

Leave a comment

Full Podcast

Chiang Mai, Phuket, Thailand, Travel

My Adventures In Thailand

Carmen Watts

3–4 minutes
Carmen Watts


Is it possible for my favorite trip to be sixteen hours away? Yes, it is. Where the street night markets are buzzing, beautiful temples, and gigantic elephants. I am talking about none other than the incredible Thailand.

My trip was filled with unexpected adventures, eye-opening experiences, and peaceful beaches. When navigating a trip, I go with the flow and dig deep into the culture to make my vacation worthwhile.

BANGKOK


Bangkok is the biggest city in Thailand and is home to the bustling night markets. My friends and I got an Airbnb in a residential neighborhood. I thought it would be awkward in a non-tourist section, but it was very eye-opening. We were welcomed with open arms, and I found out that my Airbnb owner, who lives in Thailand, is actually an

alumnus of my college, Rutgers. We tried Thailand’s snacks and drinks. Also, I almost got scammed at a temple, but it was worth it because it was breathtaking.

Our driver said we had to see the floating rivers, so we booked him again so he could show us. It was terrifying at first because I couldn’t stop thinking of all the creatures below us but it turned out to be an amazing ride.

We were in a skinny boat and stopped at multiple shops on the river, where I spent more baht (Thailand currency) than I should have.

PHUKET


Phuket is the place to go to if you want to see beautiful beaches. They have amazing tours of the islands nearby, where we got to shop and see monkeys. Also, on the tour, we got to ride the long tail boats with the flowers on them, and it felt like I was transported onto a Pinterest board. We were taking in Phuket’s beauty so much that we almost missed

our boat back, but honestly, I wouldn’t be mad if I got left in this paradise. That night,

watched the sunset, put on our bed clothes, closed our eyes, and then boom, we were in party outfits in an Uber to downtown. Maybe it wasn’t the safest idea for me and my friend to randomly leave our resort at 12 am to see the nightlife, but it was thrilling. We met tons of foreigners that were not American or from Thailand. It was an impulsive success.

CHIANG MAI


Thailand is known for its elephants, and Chiang Mai is the perfect place. My friend and I booked our $60 flight and got on our way. We were the only few who spoke English but that gave me practice to work on my Thai skills. Chiang Mai doesn’t see foreigners as often, especially from the States. There were some curious stares, but I wasn’t bothered at all because I stood out like a sore thumb with my brown skin and braided hair. I even had a family ask to take a picture of me and my friend. We finally made it to our resort, where we were in a cabin and could feed the

elephants. We followed a man who carried our luggage to our cabin in the forest, and we even hopped on the back of a motorbike until we reached the hill where our cabin was at the bottom of.

It is dark and rainy, and we are following a really nice man whom we can’t communicate with because of a language barrier down a steep, slippery hill. We survived, and the place was really jaw-dropping. There were stray dogs that would sit with us during the night.

In the morning, we woke up to a traditional Thai breakfast and more stray dogs that just wanted to chill with us. Then it happened: the elephants came to our cabin. It was an extraordinary experience to be that close and feed them sugar cane out of a bucket.

Thailand was a trip I will never forget; even my grandkids will know this story.

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My Adventures In Thailand

2030, Adulthood, Adventure, The Future, Unpredictability

Who Will I Be In 5 Years?

Carmen Watts

The year 2030 sounds like an eternity away; even the number itself looks futuristic to me. That year will mark the beginning of a new decade while also being the ten-year anniversary of the historic event of the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be a decrease in 2000s parties and a rise in 2010s parties, filled with Gen Alphas wearing clothes I wore in middle and high school. Yes, 2030 may sound far away, but the reality is it’s only 1…2…3… 4…5 years away. Instead of being 21 years old, I will be 26, and instead of college assignments being due, I will have college loans due. 

2030

At 26, my frontal lobe is going to be fully developed, so the excuse of being young and dumb won’t fly anymore, and I will have to start using retinal creams to prevent wrinkles. If these things sound a little scary, I am sorry to break it to you, but welcome to adulthood. Despite all of these slightly not-so-exciting factors, I’m actually super excited about the age of 26. More specifically me at the age of 26. 

Embracing The Unknown

The years between 21 and 26 will be life-changing for me because I have big plans. In that short time frame, I will transition from the bubble of college into the real world. But that is it; well, that is all that I can tell you. If I want to be honest, I can’t tell you where I am precisely going to be in five years. I mean, I can guess, but I have a better chance of telling you what gender my first child is going to be. For the record, I won’t know any time soon. Yet I am still excited and fully prepared for the unknown, the change, and the unpredictability. I don’t want my 20s to follow a script—I want it to be an adventure. To do things I haven’t done and see things I never thought I would. I am not saying I don’t have a plan; I am just not limiting myself to one.

One Girl, Many Versions

Carmen Watts, age 26, moved to San Francisco and works in Public relations, living in a cute light blue house. Carmen Watts, age 26, moved to NYC, working in a corporate communications role and renting an apartment in Chelsea. Carmen Watts, age 26, living in Houston, engaged, working in Public relations, and has a house with two dogs. All these versions of myself can be me in 2030, and I will be grateful for any of those scenarios or other ones I can’t even imagine. As long as I stay true to myself and my goals, whatever timeline I fall in will be great. So yes, I am excited to live my next mysterious plot. 

Blog, gardening, plants

Why I Want To Master Gardening

Carmen Watts

Plants are a part of nature that we as humanity should guard and foster. Approximately 30% of our earth surface is covered by plants; that number decreases each decade due to human activity. Plants gift us fresh air and food, but to me, plants gift me a sense of peace. Taking care of a plant is a skill I want to master so I can one day maintain a full garden

Hawaii

I started my fascination in this skill a few years ago. It is less important when and more important to talk about where. A place where nature is nurtured by its native people. I am talking about the wonderful destination Hawaii. Nature and plants are tightly tied into the Hawaiian culture and ceremonial practices. In Hawaii, was the first time I felt the actual life in plants, which was beautiful. I almost felt as if the plants were watching me, I know that might sound a little scary, but it felt breathtaking. In that moment I knew I wanted to be a part of the protection over nature.

My Start

Later I began to slowly make progress to mastering gardening. Freshman year I purchased my first plant and I named her Athena. She was behind my TV near the window next to my roommate. Since I didn’t see Athena much, she was often forgotten that first semester. My plant was slowly dying and it was because of my lack of discipline. I came to a realization and questioned my self “how am I being any different than mankind not nurturing plants and slowly decreasing nature’s existence?” I wanted to change and make a difference even if it’s just 0.0000000001%. That next semester I started to be more attentive on when Athena needed to be watered. I focused on how much sunlight it needed and adjusted her position. It wasn’t easy nor was it a short process, but I was rewarded with a healthy plant. It felt great to know that because of me my plant survived and grew. This process taught me patience, responsibility, and mindfulness. Two years later, Athena is still alive, thriving, and larger than ever, accompanied by three other plant mates. However, this is still the beginning. I want to grow and care for a larger garden so I can feel more of the breathtaking feeling I felt in Hawaii. 

Blog

Romanticizing Your Life

Carmen Watts

“It’s rainy and cloudy outside today, which is such a bummer. I can’t even go for a walk, and I have so much homework to do. Ugh, it feels like today is going to be the worst day ever!” Did that make you feel gloomy? It definitely did for me. But how about we switch that mindset? Yes, it’s a rainy day, but that makes it a perfect opportunity to watch movies like *Twilight* to match the weather. If you look closer, the clouds are diffusing the light and making the leaves on the trees look greener. I have homework to tackle today, but with the rain falling outside, it’s the ideal setting to light a candle, play some Lofi music, and get my work done. It almost makes me feel like a Hogwarts student! Today can actually turn into a nice, cozy day. Much better, right? 

This is an example of switching your mindset to a romanticized life. Ever since I picked up this advice from one of my favorite podcasters, Tam Kaur, Romanticize your life; life has felt so much sweeter.

Why Should I?

Your outlook on life greatly influences how you experience it. Approaching the natural events that occur in our lives with a positive perspective allows us to appreciate the small things, making it feel like we are treating ourselves daily. Spoiler alert: we are treating ourselves daily, and by romanticizing this self-care, our days can feel less stressful and more enjoyable. 

Now How?

Okay, good. Now that we understand why I romanticize my life, let’s discuss how I do it. Imagine you are always in a movie where the main character is you. Would you be interested in watching that movie? Back in high school, I wasn’t interested in the movie I was starring in. Every day felt like it was on repeat, except for the times I went out or went on vacation, which were only a small part of my year at that time. This feeling continued into college, where I spent the year feeling dull until summer break or a party came along. However, normal days can be incredibly beautiful. 

For instance, waking up and making coffee before class while listening to your favorite soft music and scrolling through Pinterest. Take a moment to notice how beautiful the sky looks or how comfortable your pajamas feel. Before studying, put on a nice outfit and spritz a lovely fragrance. Romanticizing your life is all about setting the scene in your own grand movie. Noticing all the elements, characters, smells, tastes, and emotions that are intertwined at this moment. 

Romanticizing not only makes you happier, but it can also elevate you to your higher self. By living with intention and visualizing your life positively, you can create your dream life. So go out today and appreciate the beauty in both simple and complex moments. You only live in this movie once, so live as if you are trying to win an Oscar!

Blog

How I Got Into Books

Carmen Watts
Photo by John Ray Ebora on Pexels.com

My Early Years.

I used to hate reading! When I was younger, just the thought of reading could single-handedly bring me to tears. I remember reading a paragraph and then having to read the paragraph over again because I just forgot what I read. I just didn’t get why people read books for fun. It’s words on paper, nothing exciting. When I used to take those silly but fun quizzes, I would always choose to watch a movie rather than read a book. Also, when I was younger, I struggled with dyslexia, so reading and writing were difficult for me to enjoy since it was challenging. I used to get anxious when I would have to read in front of the class because I was terrified of skipping words or, worse, seeing a W instead of an M. I was told to keep reading and that, eventually, I would get better. But, of course, reading started to feel more like a chore than a hobby.  Fast forward to several years later, I am now the woman the little me didn’t understand. I now read a new book every month and really enjoy it. If we were to take that quiz over again, I would choose to read a book over to watch a movie. I know you are probably wondering, “Carmen, how in the world did you go from hating reading to loving reading”? 

What Changed?

Well, It’s not something most people would assume, like audiobooks or social influence, because those definitely didn’t work on me at all. The real reason I got into books was because of my impatience. Yup, my lack of ability to wait for another season of my favorite show. 

Let’s go back again a few years; I started watching anime, more specifically, Attack on Titan. It was such a great show I ended up binging the first two seasons, and the last episode was a major cliffhanger. It was so intense I just had to find out what happened next. If you know anything about anime, the next season could take a decade to even start production, and I was not waiting. Attack on Titan anime was made from its manga that already had the full story. So I found it and read it ALL. I basically read two whole books, and I did it easily. After that, I would read the manga every time I watched an anime. Eventually, I began reading the manga before watching the anime and then transitioned to solely reading the manga and webtoons. I started to get into a flow of reading where visual stimulation was no longer necessary. I was able to imagine and visualize what I was reading.

When It Clicked!

Then I read the first book I personally chose, which had nothing to do with school, The Red Queen. I read the book in a week; I finally came to the realization why people prefer books over movies, because you can make your own movie in your head. A more detailed and in-depth movie with your imagination. When I read books, I get more of an emotional connection to them and have more fulfillment when it’s finished. To me, a movie was a quick trip, but a book is an impeccable journey.