Bonnie Kong
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Bonnie Kong
📍 Brooklyn, NY | Corporate Development at Colgate-Palmolive
Rambull: Discover 6+ useful and interesting recommendations from a new cool person each week. A full archive of past recommendations here.
Bonnie Kong’s Self-Description
I love learning about new things and sharing them with my friends and family. Hence, I was super excited to write a post for Rambull! Also a native New Yorker, a first-generation Chinese American, and an ENTJ.
BK’s Socials | @bonniekong on Instagram and on Twitter; Linkedin
Why BK?
BK is a good friend from grad school that I’ve admittedly done a bad job of staying in touch with. Thus, I was thrilled when she reached out to check in and mentioned she had enjoyed reading Rambull. She is quietly very confident, cool, and interesting.
*Written in their own words*
📕Book: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
The Psychology of Money is a recent read that I often reflect on and have recommended to several of my friends. The title is a bit misleading as it’s not about behavioral economics or investment strategies. Rather, the book highlights stories of wealth across different time periods and translates these stories into practical advice. The book is an easy read, and there is something for everyone. My biggest takeaway is that wealth accumulation is less about how much you have and more about self-awareness.
🎧 Consumer Product: Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
I got these Jabra earbuds during the height of the pandemic when I was doing a lot of long-distance running. I’ve tried other brands in the past, and they would come loose when I run or hurt my ears during extended usage.
Recently, I used these earbuds during a half marathon and have used them comfortably during a six-hour flight. The battery life is awesome; I use these earbuds daily for my commute and calls, and they only require one full charge per week. It also easily connects with my work laptop via Bluetooth, whereas I’ve had issues with other brands in the past.
📲 App: TooGoodToGo
Two of my favorite things are sustainability and a good deal, and TooGoodToGo combines both. The app is a platform that connects customers to restaurants and stores that are getting rid of surplus unsold food at the end of the day. I live in a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn where there are a lot of small cafes and bakeries. A typical haul for me would be a week’s worth of pastries for less than $5. The app launched in the US in late 2020 and is rapidly expanding across the country.
🌎 Digital Tool: Weekly language class (Preply)
Since January, I have been taking weekly 1:1 Mandarin lessons on a platform called Preply. Although I speak Cantonese (a different Chinese dialect) fluently and have studied Mandarin in college, I hope to be fluent in Mandarin for business usage. Weekly lessons focus on dialogue reinforce regular practices, and you can go at your own pace.
Preply is an excellent platform for anyone looking to learn a new language. Tutors range from $5 to $50 per lesson and are located around the world. My tutor is based in Northern China, and it’s been great practicing with a local.
📺 TV Show: Ramy
Ramy on Hulu is a dramedy that focuses on the life of a first-generation Egyptian American based in New Jersey. I love this show for the different perspectives it provides. First, the show is an authentic portrayal of Muslim American life that we don’t often see on television. Second, the title character is a lost millennial, with whom many of us can relate. He turns to his religion to find meaning in life, whose ideologies often conflict with the lifestyle of a twenty-something in America. Lastly, a large part of the show highlights the character progression of Ramy’s friends and family. The acting of the ensemble cast is superb and the best I have seen in a while.
🎵 Musical Artist: DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ
In the last few years, 90’s named artists have made a name for themselves in the house music scene (think DJ Seinfeld and Ross from Friends). Unlike the two artists mentioned above, DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ is characteristically whimsical, blending feel-good riffs with soundbites from old tv shows and well-arranged vocals. I caught on to DJSTTDJ this past summer with her EP release, Call Me, and it quickly became the soundtrack of my summer.
🥉Honorable Mentions:
🍽 Staub Dutch Oven - I got this for my parents two years ago during Black Friday. It’s great for making stews because of its ability to retain heat and moisture. Also great for frying and baking bread.
🎵 Rap Radar Podcast - this podcast was previously exclusive to Tidal, and now it’s available on all platforms. Hosts Elliott Wilson and B.Dot Miller are former music journalists and interview luminaries in hip hop in a candid manner.
💪 SolidCore - I don’t typically go to workout classes because I don’t find them any more effective than going to the gym. Solidcore feels like a real workout that leaves me sore for a few days.
🔌Personal Plug:
🎧 Coney Island Stories Podcast - I’m on the board of the Coney Island History Project, and one of my initiatives was to turn their oral history recordings into a podcast to reach a larger audience. My interview was featured in the last episode. Give it a listen!
Thank you Bonnie!
Editor Notes:
I’m planning to take advantage of a Thanksgiving break. Look for the next edition on Wednesday, November 30th.
If you need help with gifting (I’m probably best if it is for a guy), let me know as I am happy to help. Fill out this brief survey so I get a sense of what to recommend.
You can find all previous recommendations and 80+ gift guide recommendations here (see below). One gift idea I recently found was a coffee roaster for that next-level hipster in your life. I recommend you take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this week and next!
What gift are you asking for during the holidays? Drop it in the comments. 🎁👇