A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Morning Optimism and Unexpected Roadblocks
Today started off with a sense of optimism. I thought I’d have a chilled day, just refining the platform we’ve built. Things were going smoothly until around 2 PM when I began building the product for TestFlight. What I assumed to be a straightforward process turned into a chaotic mess. I encountered numerous build errors, and the logs were absolutely useless. It was an unexpected rollercoaster, and I couldn’t even take a shower as I was stuck fixing these issues.
Disappointing Turnout and University Interest
Despite the technical challenges, I hoped to showcase the app to many people. Unfortunately, only a few friends came, and no strangers showed up, not even from my Discord community. However, we did garner some interest from the university, which was encouraging. I had a productive conversation with Brennan from UCalgary’s UToday, and we discussed a potential interview. It’s great to see the university’s interest, as our mission is to help solve loneliness and foster a more connected university community.
Networking Challenges and Mentorship
Although I was busy, I managed to speak with Brennan and set up an interview. I also wished I had more time to connect with a journalist I met. We eventually fixed the technical issues, but TestFlight still didn’t work as expected. We resorted to using the laptop, and I struggled to present the app clearly due to a dry throat from talking so much without a break.
On the brighter side, I connected with Naveed, who understands our mission well, and I intend to learn more from him. I also spent time with Jin, a Korean student who has a lot of interesting experiences and vibes well with our mission. I hope to have more opportunities to connect with him.
Evening Karaoke and Personal Growth
The evening took a lighter turn with karaoke. Jin, Kaela, Oxford, and other friends joined in. Despite some reservations, I ended up singing by myself, especially enjoying a personal song from “Hamilton.” (Satisfied) No one else joined, but it was a fulfilling experience. Encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones, I managed to convince a few people who initially resisted singing to finally give it a try like Oxford and Locke.
Reflecting on the App’s Mission
Throughout the day, I contemplated how to communicate the app’s mission effectively. I realized that emphasizing loneliness rather than just “making friends” could resonate more deeply with people. Helping those who feel lonely find meaningful friendships is a more powerful message.
Overall, the day was challenging but filled with lessons. It pushed me to maintain an optimistic outlook, foster connections, and learn from setbacks. I hope to continue inspiring people to step out of their comfort zones and engage with our app’s mission.