This week, I got a virus. That's it.

For about four days, my grand plans of exploring Mexico City and being productive were replaced with sleeping, drinking electrolytes, and wondering if I would ever enjoy food again (spoiler alert: I most certainly did). It wasn't exactly the cultural immersion I had envisioned, but I suppose getting sick is an international experience, as many of my colleagues would agree.

To make matters even better, on Wednesday we visited Hagamos Composta, an incredible composting facility. From an environmental perspective, it was genuinely fascinating to see how expansive their operation was and how much organic waste they were able to process. From the perspective of someone battling a stomach virus, though? Let's just say spending the morning surrounded by decomposing organic matter while already nauseous was far less than ideal.

Once I was finally feeling better, I had the opportunity to watch The Odyssey. I originally read The Odyssey back in ninth grade (shoutout to Mr. Sherbine), but I don't think I appreciated it nearly as much then as I do now. Watching it years later, especially in the middle of an internship centered around leadership and community impact, I found myself paying attention to different things than I had as a freshman.

Honestly, the first act was almost painful to watch. Odysseus came across as incredibly egotistical, convinced that every decision he made was the right one, even when the consequences were obvious. Time and time again, his pride put not only himself but his crew in danger. I kept finding myself frustrated, not because he lacked intelligence, but because he lacked humility. It reminded me that confidence without self-awareness can be just as dangerous as indecision.

Yet as the story unfolded, I watched Odysseus begin to reflect on the consequences of his actions. What surprised me most was that he didn't become a better leader because he became smarter. He was already the smartest person in almost every room. He became a better leader because he finally learned that not everything was within his control. Once he confronted his own pride and stopped believing every problem could be solved by his own will, he found profound growth not only within himself but also in his journey home to Ithaca. Nolan's interpretation of Odysseus serves as a reminder that even the smartest of men can be brought down by their own hubris. Intelligence alone is never enough. Without humility, self-reflection, and the willingness to adapt, even the strongest leader will eventually become their own greatest obstacle.

As the story continued, I found myself writing down several lines (some more accurate than others) from the film that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. One in particular, stated by Circe, says, "Leaders can teach their people savagery and pillaging and still call it 'discipline.'" Another, spoken by Athena, asked whether Odysseus perceived “chance or consequence when he witnessed people die”, a reminder that leaders must confront the weight of their decisions. The closing exchange, in which a character (Telemachus iirc) asks why songs matter and is told by Odysseus, “Songs are what people remember for those who cannot write,” made me reflect on legacy. Together, these moments transformed The Odyssey from a story about one man's journey into a reflection on the responsibility that comes with leadership.

That realization has also changed how I view our work with Rennueva. Developing a scalable business and recycling model isn't just about creating an innovative system. It's about understanding the people who will use it, the communities it will affect, and the partnerships required to make it sustainable. Throughout this internship, I've been surrounded by people who lead in completely different ways. Some lead by organizing teams, others by asking thoughtful questions, and many simply by showing up consistently for their communities. Watching that in real life, alongside Odysseus's journey on screen, reinforced that leadership isn't about always having the perfect answer. It's about making difficult decisions, accepting responsibility for their consequences, and having the humility to change when you're wrong.

Ironically, spending a few days sick forced me to slow down. In doing so, I had more time to reflect on why I came to Mexico in the first place. While I would have preferred to skip the virus, it gave me an unexpected pause before jumping back into the work with a clearer perspective. Leadership, I've realized, isn't measured by how loudly you can command a room or how confident you appear. It's measured by your willingness to grow, to serve others before yourself, and to leave behind a story worth remembering.

Next month, I'll begin my own journey back to Ithaca, quite literally. As I return to Cornell, I'm hopeful that I can bring the knowledge, perspectives, and experiences I've gained in Mexico back to my campus (including a possible odyssey-themed event 👀). Whether it's the lessons I've learned about sustainability through Rennueva, the importance of community-centered design, or simply a deeper understanding of what leadership truly means, I hope this internship is only the beginning of the impact I can make. Unlike Odysseus, I won't be returning home after twenty years at sea, but I do hope I arrive with the same willingness to grow from the journey.

So yeah... that's my totally out-of-left-field weekly recap. I got sick, toured a composting facility at the absolute worst possible time, rediscovered The Odyssey, gained a new view about leadership, and somehow still managed to work on recycling systems.

Thank you so much for reading,

Also... maybe follow my Letterboxd too?!!! 🤔🤔

¡Hasta la próxima!