After my first undergraduate Physics exam at Columbia, I remember sitting on the stone steps in front of Pupin Hall and crying. It wouldn’t be the last time an exam brought me to tears. Hello, Organic Chemistry!
Many years ago, when I lived in Seattle, I purchased candles at the Ballard Farmer’s Market from Julianna, the creative mind behind Ascents Candle Company. Julianna creates beautiful pastel ombré candles from palm wax—a sustainable vegetable wax—and all essential oils. As her candles burn, they develop an interesting crystalline structure that adds to the beauty…