The Pitch

Name 

Life Improving High Technology Integrated Architecture 

Mission of Organization

By integrating high technology into living spaces, our company could help to save more energy, lower environmental pollution, and make people’s living more efficient.

Why you are passionate about the work that your organization will do?

It will be a great change in the way people living on earth; it will be a revolution.

Technology has become a part and parcel of every aspect of living and continues to portend even more potential in the near future. With the imminent threat of devastating climate change impacts, scientists, artists and various specialists in society have begun to devise ways of mitigating against such occurrences. In this endeavor, technology has been allowed man to be able to reduce the impact of his activities on the environment.

A great portion of the life of man is spent in their homes and the quality of life is more or less dependent on it. A constant upgrading in a person’s home is thus instrumental in allowing for an improvement in the quality of life.

What is unique about what your organization intends to do?

The integration of technology in the housing system is often looked at as being expensive. The initial cost of installing centralized command system in a house may be high, but the long-term benefits are much more rewarding. By adopting house automation through technology, the owner, community and the environment at large benefit from the action. In the short term, on has to find more financial resources to ensure that the system is in place, however, upon automation of the house, all that they get in return are huge befits and savings.

Energy efficiency, for instance, allows for the huge saving in relation to the cost of accessing the energy. Most smart homes, for instance, utilize the solar energy which heavily minimizes the cost of energy in the house. Costs are not the only saving that is made, the demand on the natural resources is also reduced drastically. The ecological well-being of the planet largely depends on the day to day activities of humanity.

Why should Anima Mundi Development Partners support your organization?

Anima Mundi Development Partners should support our organization.

Smart homes offer the greatest sustainability and saving model so far in the market. An estimated ten percent of the cost of energy is reduced for the smart homeowner. The increasing cost of energy that is fueled by the increase in demand can be solved through the automation of home appliances to allow for energy and power efficiency.

Smart homes are the first step to the development of greener environments. The energy efficiency feature being the single most crucial component for attaining greener environments. Embracing solar power, customizable thermostats and rain harvesting technologies, smart homes depict the attainment of neighborhoods with minimal wastage and maximum efficiency.

“Better World”

EXCERPT from The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz

Today we are redefining the geography of community and accepting shared accountability for common human values. We have the chance to extend the notion that all men are created equal to every human being on the planet. This will require global structures and products we are only beginning to imagine.... Each of us in his or her own way can contribute something by thinking -- and acting -- like a true global citizen. We have only one world for all of us on earth, and the future really is ours to create, in a world we dare to imagine together.

My first step in making the world a better place might be ???

I have always believing in that in order to change the world, one has to be successful in himself first. After my graduation, I would pursue my dream in integrating high technology into architecture in a large scale. Building high-end, and top quality buildings, as the largest real estate company in Asia, I believe that I can earn a great amount of money, being a successful woman, and at the same time, making impact on this world. 

According to a publication by Maslow on the hierarchy of needs back in 1943, put forward the idea that shelter was and still is the most basic need that human beings desire psychologically for their survival. Shelter allows man to gain protection as well as a foundation for the establishment of a home. A great portion of the life of man is spent in their homes and the quality of life is more or less dependent on it. A constant upgrading in a person’s home is thus instrumental in allowing for an improvement in the quality of life. 

Improving technology and innovative advancements in the recent times have allowed for tremendous changes in human lives. The level of sophistication has brought a myriad of possibilities for human beings. Ease of task accomplishment and enhanced efficiency are some advantages that technology has brought about in the human life. 

Technology has become a part and parcel of every aspect of living and continues to portend even more potential in the near future. With the imminent threat of devastating climate change impacts, scientists, artists and various specialists in society have begun to devise ways of mitigating against such occurrences. In this endeavor, technology has been allowed man to be able to reduce the impact of his activities on the environment. 

One such development has been in the integration of technology in the constructions of houses. The concept of smart homes encapsulates the utilization of technological advancements and in creating houses with a greater degree of utility. Smart homes possess a central command that connects to all the appliances in the house and in effect allow for interaction of the appliances. Smart homes posit great potential in regards to enhancing efficiency of resource use and minimizing wastage. 

Its utilization can be achieved on large scale and in effect allow for greater strides in solving some of the resource challenges that the world is currently facing. 

Lala & Me

On 5th of April, the Tuesday, my best friend Stella bought a bunny for me. Since there is “la” in “Stella”, and another “la” existed in my name “Hilary”, I decided to gave the bunny’s name “Lala”. My acupuncturist told me on this yesterday that “lala” means happy in Korean. It was perfect! My name “Hilary” also means “happiness” in English.  

This picture below was taken the first night Lala in my house. She looked intimidated and stayed in the corner of her cage. 

As few day passes, Lala starts to get familiar with her new home. She started to jump a lot. 

I miss my two classes on Wednesday because of Lala. She was just so adorable that I could not push myself out of the door leaving her alone. By the way, she was the first pet I have. My parents never allow me to have pet. It was surprising that in my last month till college graduation, I got a pet!

These days I just play with Lala more and more. I learnt how to feed, hug, and play with her. There is a lot to learn! I have posted her pictures on my Instagram so that more people can get to enjoy the cuteness of Lala. > < Hopefully you will like her too! 

“What is that fluffy stuff over there!” 

My boyfriend had bought a bunny toy for me before, and she likes her little sister!  

To see more of Lala's pictures, please see on my Instagram!

Lala, say bye-bye!

The Genius of Money | Part III Interview

An interview with an Lynne Twist

-- Founding member of The Hunger Project, co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance, author of The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life.

At the beginning of the interview, Lynne told us her childhood story and background. It surprises me that she is so successful in her school life. At the same time, she has her very religious side, especially after the death of her father. She blames on herself for her father’s death, and was trying to do something to make up for it, to make her father proud. 

Then the Hunger Project came along, which gave her a platform to combine her public and religious life. She came to the realization that “the commons and communal values were much higher than individual values” (167). 

The later part of the interview got really deep with the talking about sufficiency and money. It is so deep that my brain could not process their talking. Instead, I just thought they are talking something so deep to make themselves higher than they are. 

Overall, I like the character of Lynne, who is sincere and kind, doing good for the humankind and the economic system. She thinks of beautiful things, such as turning money into a carrier that has taken her “deep into he soul of humanity”(169). I think I am just not as romantic as she is, and I rather to view money as practical as it is. It was interesting that there are so many different kinds of people exist on the plant. 

The Genius of Money by John Bloom

Part II Chapter 2. A Window into Transparency

The Desire for Connection through Finance (pg74-79)

“Transparency is a window into the other side of financial transactions” (75).

This chapter is talking about the relationship between money and our society. It begins with one of his friend’s story, which bring out his thesis statement: “the trust and accountability that comes of living in the same community, seeing each other at the marketplace, and the awareness that failing to pay a loan could have consequences for neighbors and the local economy” (74). The author points out the current banking condition: an unhealthy imbalance between the desire for economic gain vs. sustainability in the contest of our communities. 

He has used the article “Your Money” in The New York Times, Easton Bank & Trust, and the system of community farming as examples in explaining this concept. I like how he used the words that identify reasons “first…second…third” (78), making the passage easy to read. Reading the last few paragraphs, I found it funny how the abbreviation “CSA” appear in the passage, because the organization I am leading in USC is also called CSA. (Okay, let’s go back to the topic.) At the end, he went back talking about The New York Times article. Again affirm his statement that human relationship is important in today’s financial and banking world. 

The Genius of Money by John Bloom

Part I: 7. Begging to Differ - Charity at the Threshold (pg29-33)

In the chapter 7,“Begging to differ,” John Bloom provides a different perspective towards begging. He pointed out the fine line between begging as a social phenomenon in the olden days, compared to a sign to injustice in the society. As seen in the chapter, the two paintings – Beggars at the door and Feeding the Hungry, Bloom stated “the beggar’s condition did not symbolize injustice; it was nothing more than a fact of lie and object of pity.”

On the other hand, begging in a spiritual and religious context can be seen as a path towards enlightenment. It is through giving up all the materialistic presence that bridge the individuals towards liberation of the mind. Bloom also talked about how begging transformed itself through the Internet. Websites such as Cyberberg.com provide a way for people who are in need to ask for help, and at the same time fulfill donor’s desire to help and chartable nature. Begging has its negative side, but the act of giving also has its importance in humanity.

Genius of Money Part I: 12. Free Market Money in a Pop Iconomy (pg.47-50)

I like how the artists use money, the dollar bills as an art subject. “When artists focus attention on and use as subject matter such a common and desirable object as money, it takes on a new meaning simply by asking viewers to take pause at their own experience of physical money”(47). “By Co-opting these popular images, artists, along with a host of others in the Pop Art movement, were paralleling the emergent free market economy with a free market of images” (50).

This article is really concise but deliver a lot of information to make its readers to think. First the author was talking about artists, and how they use money as art subject. Then he transfer smoothly from the “work of art” to the talking about free market economy. The role of money played in the different systems: as values for accounting transactions, or systematic reward for competitive behavior. Toward the end of the article, the author refers back to the artists and make a parallel analogy to the free market economy.

Who is Hilary?

Academic Bio, 2016

Hilary Wang is currently in her fourth year of study in Architecture at the University of Southern California. In May 2016, she will graduate with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree. Hilary is currently on the executive board of Chinese Student Association (CSA). 

During the past three summers, Hilary has studied abroad in Axis-en-Provence, France, and Taipei, Taiwan. Along with six other teammates, she designed and built a small wood art studio in France. She interned in a design-build office in Taipei. These experiences provided her with practical experience and insight into the design, coordination, and construction of a variety of building types. Hilary has applied for the Real Estate Master’s degree program at the University of Hong Kong. In the short term, she looks forward to completing her undergraduate studies with excellent grade and enjoying her last year in college. 

Outside of academics, Hilary is very involved in University activities. She was on the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) her freshman year. Then she became a staff member in Chinese Student Association, helping out with many events. In her junior year, she was the family head of the Taiwanese American Organization (TAO), staff in CSA, Taiwanese Student Association (TSA), and Hong Kong Student Association (HKSA), enjoying different types of cultures among these diverse clubs. Hilary enjoys activities including Tae Kwon Do, modern dance, and modeling.