Aly Lee
Virginia
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Articles by Aly Lee
With Georgia Leading in IT Infrastructure, Eclipse Networks Urges Businesses to Assess AI Readiness
With Georgia Leading in IT Infrastructure, Eclipse Networks Urges Businesses to Assess AI Readiness Why 95% of enterprise AI pilots fail to deliver a return As AI spending surges, Atlanta IT firm Eclipse offers SMBs a readiness assessment after research found 95% of enterprise AI pilots fail.
Tell Us The 2000s Scandal You Still Can't Stop Thinking About
Nowadays, thanks to the invention of social media and endless sharing, there are new stories to consume every second. Just when we're finished reading about a recent event, an even bigger scandal pops up a few minutes later, before we can process the first one. I remember a time when doom-scrolling news sites was not a common addiction. And that time for me was the 2000s. I'm a proud millennial, so I was blessed to grow up in the era where smartphones weren't really a thing.
CMMC Readiness Becomes a Business Priority Ahead of the Compliance Deadline
Schedule a CMMC Compliance Audit with Eclipse Networks As CMMC requirements reach subcontractors, Atlanta-based MSP helps defense suppliers stay compliant. Most of the businesses caught by this don't think of themselves as defense contractors. They're a manufacturer, a construction firm, an engineering shop.
Atlanta's AI Data Center Boom and Its Impact on Local Electricity Costs
Eclipse Networks gives clients an inside look at the private cloud data center powering their technology. As AI drives up power demand in Georgia, businesses with a clear technology strategy—not just more tools—will come out ahead.
AI Has Changed the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape for SMBs, Warns Eclipse Networks
AI cybersecurity threats are on the rise Atlanta-Based IT Leader Urges SMBs to Audit Infrastructure and Establish AI Governance Before Adopting New AI Platforms If your infrastructure hasn't been audited and your team hasn't been trained, you're adding risk faster than you're adding capability.” — Steve Ryerse ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Eclipse Networks, Atlanta's oldest managed IT and cybersecurity provider serving small and mid-sized businesses, today...
Georgia Data Center Offers Low-Impact Alternative as Industry Faces Growing Scrutiny
Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Tricia Pridemore Visit Eclipse Networks Data Center Managed IT and cloud services provider Eclipse Networks hosts Buddy Carter and Tricia Pridemore at its low-impact private cloud data center supporting SMBs. Technology doesn’t always have to be disruptive.
Ranking All Of The "Bridgerton" Couples So Far Based On How Much They Burn For Each Other
Bridgerton is one of the hottest shows right now. Seriously, the world cannot get enough of this historical romance drama! With the conclusion of the newest season, which focused on our second Bridgerton sibling, Benedict, we can only anticipate even more enchanting connections in the seasons to come. These very love affairs captivate people's unwavering interest.
16 Comedy Series Kisses That Were Just As Sizzling As Any "Bridgerton" Scene
When we think of romance, Bridgerton, Outlander, Never Have I Ever, Heartstopper, or The Summer I Turned Pretty are probably some of the shows that immediately come to mind. While there is no question that these shows bleed intense, lustful moments, I was pleasantly surprised to find that several sitcoms have just as much heat and tension. In fact, some of the most passionate kisses in TV history come from these classic shows made for comedy.
The last column I’ll ever write
Four years ago, I applied to be a columnist for the Life section of The Cavalier Daily. With no prior journalism experience and just a profound love of writing, I hoped that my slightly modified college application essay would garner me favor with The Cavalier Daily gods. Four years later, I have over 40 articles under my belt. When I applied, I couldn’t have imagined the impact this position would serve me.
A four-year journey to feeling at home at U.Va.
You might think — reading this column by a glamorous, fourth-year Cavalier Daily writer — that I have always been a proud Wahoo. In truth, I didn’t know the words to the “Good Ol’ Song” until this semester. I have not always loved being at this school. When I was in middle school, my family and I moved from Northern Virginia to Kenya for six years. Despite living overseas for half my adolescent life, I fully expected to jump into American college life with barely a hiccup.
If I was a Post-Grad…
Somewhere in my illustrious and complex collegiate career, some lucky soul told me that fourth year was really chill. I don’t know who said that or why, but I will testify that fourth year is not very chill at all. Let me be the first to tell you — it’s not all wineries and McKinsey interviews.
Thoughts on U.Va. Basketball from a non-basketball fan
I am a third-year in my spring semester at the University of Virginia, and I have never been to a University basketball game. I know, I know. A good number of you are probably horrified. With the Hoos officially heading to the Final Four, I have weathered many an aghast look when I confess to people that the only sports event I’ve ever attended was the homecoming football game my first year. Sports have just never really been a prominent part of my life.
Processing unexpected homesickness for Kenya
Whenever I’m homesick, I go out and buy mangos. I usually limit myself to two or three because mangos tend to be overpriced and go bad quickly if you’re not careful. I’ll plop a few in my grocery bag, pick up another jar of peanut butter — because I’m always running out — and then make my merry way home. As soon as I step inside, I quickly rinse the fresh mango, whip out my large, pink knife and go through the soothing, familiar task of slicing it open.
Being ill as an introvert
It’s tough to be an introvert when you’re irreparably ill. Afternoons once spent drinking coffee in a solitary corner are now consumed with aggressively kind doctors discussing your bodily functions. An already limited capacity for small talk is stretched thin as you must divulge your major and career plans with the sweet nurse stabbing a needle in your arm. There’s the daily responsibility of updating friends, family and acquaintances on how you’re doing.
Back to new, normalcy
If you’ve been following my past few articles, you may notice that my life has not been extraordinarily “normal” as of late. It’s not everyday you have a stroke. For many weeks, this “stroke-ness” consumed me. It was all I could think, feel and do. I was a patient. I was a medical mystery — the girl in room 210 with the purple hospital gown. I was an image on a screen in the doctor’s office. I was my body and all it’s abnormalities. For weeks, I was a patient. And then, suddenly, I wasn’t.
Six MRIs and counting
“First timer?” George, the med-tech, asks as he escorts me down the pristine hallways of Fontaine Research Park. “Yup! First IV too!” I reply, a little too cheerily for someone who just had a needle stabbed in them. George gives me a smile that says, “I’m charmed by your enthusiasm, but I pity your ignorance.” I smile back in full confidence. This is my first MRI. I am a certified first-timer — first MRI, first hospital gown, first real medical concern.
I had a stroke?
Hi my name’s Aly, I’m a third-year from Northern Virginia, and this semester, I had a stroke. First, a disclaimer — I write this not to elicit sympathy or manipulate people into sending me food and cards. I don’t want the attention. I don’t want to be known as “stroke girl.” I just want to write because I love to write. I feel most like myself when I write. And it’s about the only thing I can think of to do right now anyway. So, my story goes like this.
“Bao” is the time to talk about minority representation in media
As I’m sure all us millenials know, “Incredibles 2” came out this past June after 14 years of anxious waiting. Sure, I was pumped to witness Jack-Jack and Mr. Incredible duke it out with the baddies. But in reality, I was sitting in that theater for one reason and one reason only — the short. I heard a lot of buzz over Pixar’s newest short, “Bao,” which was also Pixar’s first short directed by a woman — you go Domee Shi!.
How to make your own Roots bowl
With summer quickly approaching, students stuck in Clem cramming for exams are dreaming about studying abroad this summer in Valencia or finally getting the chance to intern on Capitol Hill. Most of us will not be staying in Charlottesville over the summer, so unless you’ve got a local internship or are taking a summer class, the end of second semester means saying goodbye to Charlottesville and its most valuable treasure — Roots.
My continued identity crises
On a typical summer day, you can find me cruising down the backroads of Blacksburg with my radio blaring the local country music station — 94.9 FM, for those who were curious. Blacksburg, if you didn’t already know, is a small town located in southwest Virginia, where most people also enjoy listening to country music and doing other small town, southwest Virginia things like hiking or using backroads even when it makes the trip longer because the “real” roads are never actually busy.
Getting ready for the summer
As we approach the semester’s finale, it’s easy to get lost in the stress of finals and the potential sadness of leaving the University for a lengthy three months. Clem late nights may not the most conducive environment for healthy forward thinking, but still I ask you, at least for the duration of this article, to take a moment to ponder your plans for this upcoming summer.
Reserving judgement, appreciating identities and building relationships
Picture this — it’s springtime and a typical Thursday afternoon, if you will. There’s a light breeze in the air that tickles your cheeks and the sun’s beams soak into your skin for the first time in months. Through your $10 pair of earbuds, your favorite playlist is playing, and for just a moment, everything is right with the world. Now, imagine that there is an urgent tap on your shoulder. It is so unexpected that you jump out of your skin, dramatically and embarrassingly.
'Figure it out as it goes' is an okay life motto, right?
There I was, sitting in 1515, next to a full bookshelf and in a finely crafted wood chair. I looked out of the window while listening to indie-folk music, feeling like that cool-and-quirky booklover everyone secretly aspires to be. I should’ve been sipping out of a coffee mug while wearing glasses — really would’ve finished the hipster look. In reality, I’m sure I was simply tapping my pen out of frustration, gazing out the window to avoid looking at the repeated red X’s from my WebAssign.
Excellence without exhaustion?
Once upon a time, there was a young girl in a suburb holed up in her basement with piles and piles of construction paper, glue sticks, stickers and glitter strewn all around her as if a local Michaels had exploded. With plastic scissors in hand, she furiously cut through thick stacks of multicolored paper spewing blue/red/green petals and leaves.
The dangers of being so focused that we might fall
Everyone knows that eating sugar begets eating more sugar. Once you start, your body continually craves more until your biological clock tells you — it’s noon, have you eaten some processed sugar yet? I recently realized that I was at this point and beyond — intentionally stuffing my pockets with cookies so I could instantly satisfy my sugar craving right when it hit.
The art of being abnormal - lessons from Spongebob Squarepants
I’ve had no small share of shocks and horrors this semester, from missing my coffee before 8 a.m. lecture to losing my favorite pair of socks. Yet, my heart nearly dropped when while perusing Facebook I saw an anguished face, a single tear rolling past buck teeth and a long yellow nose. It was Spongebob Squarepants. Mighty Porifera, yellow and porous is he, was weeping. Why? It was the end of his show. I was, as they say, completely “shook.” Spongebob? My Spongebob? Ending?
Muddy Buddies offer the ultimate snacking experience
Known as both puppy chow and Muddy Buddies, this addicting snack is my absolute weakness. The crunch of the Chex cereal and all the peanut-buttery chocolate goodness is absolute heaven. However, most recipes for this amazing treat result in a massive amount. While I’m not complaining, it is just too dangerous to have nine cups waiting around in my dorm room for me to devour.
College sports and school pride in the US
Coming from England, I had no previous knowledge about the fact that college sports were a huge deal in United States. Had someone suggested watching a University of Edinburgh soccer match on TV, I probably would have laughed. This is not out of spite, or me demeaning the standard of the play, but because it simply doesn’t exist. Equally, the idea of wearing a University of Edinburgh sweatshirt would probably have had me and my friends in fits of giggles.
How much difference can one spring break really make?
The oldest living giant sequoia tree is an estimated 3,266 years old. It predates the Roman Empire by more than a thousand years. It’s roughly 13 times older than the United States. It’s 41 times older than the average human lifespan. It has weathered storms and fires and earthquakes, icy winters and blistering summers, lightning strikes and howling winds. Its bark is soft and furry to the touch.
The dangers of ‘the student is always right’ mentality
The customer is always right. Since the days of old, this mentality has been ingrained in my soul. I remember waltzing into Macaroni Grill like the privileged snob I was and ordering waiters around like it was my job. “These crayons suck!” With disgust, I threw aside the now-broken crayons and half-colored kids menu. Thanks to my good parents and society at large, I’ve learned more socially acceptable behaviors at restaurants.
HotCakes - so much more than just a free latte
At the beginning of each semester, you can find most University students catching up with friends or getting ahead on their studying with a free latte from HotCakes Gourmet — a café and bakery located in the Barracks Shopping Center. HotCakes is easily accessible for students given that you can get to Barracks either by bus or a five minute drive. With an ample amount of tables in the café, HotCakes can also be a great place to do some studying with great food and coffee.
The necessity of putting yourself out there and sharing your story
The single coolest thing about my fifth grade experience was that my classroom had a massive library in it — with bookshelves upon bookshelves of different types of books that we could check out from the teacher, take home and read.
Dear Chloe Kim
I know you’re probably busy winning gold medals and stuff but just wanted to send you a quick “hello.” I don’t have many idols in my life besides maybe the approval of my parents and dark chocolate but you, young lady, have earned my worship. I was the girl who came dead last in every high school cross country meet, so you are an inspiration. And as someone who’s dreamt of dying my black hair a sultry gold since age 13, you are a true vision.
An account of relapse and recovery on Grounds
You and I are both going to need a little metaphorical foreplay before I tell this story. Hurricanes show up so often in Florida that you’d think the Sunshine State owes them money. They knock everything around then leave, littering every strip mall and bleached coral one-story house with displaced palm fronds, drywall and Taco Bell wrappers. A fecund smell lingers for the next week as neighbors emerge from their cardboard-covered homes to clean up the mess left in their yards.
The coffee shop line embodied my college experience
Last Sunday, I stood in line at a crowded coffee shop in D.C. absolutely starving. I stood on my toes and peered around the surrounding puffy North Face parkas to catch a glimpse through the glass of the baked goods display — it was brimming with muffins and scones galore. What I didn’t see were the breakfast sandwiches I’d been told again and again were so good. So, I waited patiently for my real options, and person-by-person, I reached the long awaited counter.
Confessions of an INFJ
I am an “advocate,” “protector” and “counselor.” I find purpose in helping others. I am idealistic, yet realistic; gentle, yet passionate. Sometimes, I can be a perfectionist to the point of exhaustion and can be intolerant of others’ weaknesses. I place extreme importance on order in my external world and tend to internalize conflict manifesting in physical signs of stress. Are you a little uncomfortable? This is a lot of intimate details about a girl you’ve probably never met.
Jack Brown’s keeps Charlottesville weird
If there’s something Charlottesville citizens know plenty about, it’s burgers. Whether a diner burger on the Corner or a chic sandwich on the Downtown Mall, burgers are just about everywhere in our city. So when it comes to burger innovations, one might be hard-pressed to find something different. That is, if it weren’t for Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint. Jack Brown’s takes an eclectic approach to the classic burger joint.
Top 10 ways to get ready for school
A staple of the University community is at least half of the students being dressed in University garb. It wouldn’t be a normal day if everyone were dressed normally. In order to feel like you’re back on Grounds, dress up your entire family in Cavalier gear — even the dog or the cat or the hamster. I don’t know where you’ll find a shirt small enough for your hamster, but maybe your grandma can whip something up.
U.Va. sends first-year students abroad in pilot program
For many students at the University, the summer before their first semester brings back memories of choosing twin-sized bedsheets, double-checking that their roommate is buying the microwave and imagining their home in Charlottesville for the next four years.
‘Hoos in the Kitchen’ cookbook tells stories of Charlottesville community
Food can tell a story — the story of people, the story of a place or the story of a culture. At the University, for example, the Gus Burger from The White Spot invokes images of students enjoying late night eats, while the surrounding vineyards and breweries tell the stories of local businesses in the Virginia countryside.
Learn to embrace nostalgia
Though now our News Feeds are loaded with articles like “Ten Celebrity #TBT Pics You Must See” or “Try Not to Cry at this Insta of a High School Musical Reunion,” believe it or not, nostalgia has not always held such appeal. The word nostalgia was first coined in the 17th century by Swiss physician Johannes Hofer describing the physical and mental ailments Swiss soldiers felt when longing for home.
No. 18 Virginia takes down Wisconsin in Monday night showdown
With a sparkling 6-0 record to start the season and a newly minted spot in the AP Top 25 Poll at No. 18, the Virginia men’s basketball team looked to continue its winning ways against Wisconsin Monday night. In front of a packed crowd at John Paul Jones Arena and a nationally-televised audience on ESPN2, the Cavaliers (7-0, 0-0 ACC) took down the Badgers (3-4, 0-0 Big Ten) in a low-scoring 49-37 game to win the ACC-Big Ten matchup.
Finding authentic West coast Mexican food in Charlottesville
I love the the University because it provides a safe and welcoming environment for students to debate virtually all issues — politics, religion, school policy, new dorms versus old dorms, the El Jefe versus all other Roots bowls, etc. I’ve engaged in such conversations, and I truly appreciate the maturity and open-mindedness of students arguing for their chosen sides.
Take planes, trains, trams and the underground to every new adventure
I’m sitting in the bed of my dorm room at a university in London. My roommate Hannah, a fellow third-year at the University, is doing her nails as I type — both maneuvers to keep ourselves awake being that, as of now at 8:48 p.m. in the United Kingdom, we have been awake for nearly 32 hours. We arrived in London from Budapest early this morning. Though we have both been voicing our fatigue routinely every hour or so, it’s dawning on me just how lucky I am to be in this state of utter exhaustion.
Embracing food from dino nuggets to kimchi
Of all the things I look forward to about going home, grocery shopping with my mom is chief among them. There’s something about my foodie-soul that just loves to look at potential snacks with someone who has the means to buy them. Thus when my mother announced she was making a Costco run when I was home for Thanksgiving, I squealed with excitement. On this particular grocery trip I was feeling especially nostalgic as I walked through the frozen food aisle with my mother.
College is all about treating yourself
I have unabashedly said that phrase far too many times this semester. Although I abhor the fact that meme culture has become so ingrained in my subconscious, I must admit this mantra has become the theme of my college experience. Treat yo’ self. You deserve this. You do you. It’s cute. It’s kind of freeing. I didn’t always think like this. Pre-college me was very restrained — “I want to eat a whole box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but that would be unheard of.
Today I am thankful for …
I am at a point in the semester where everyone and everything is annoying to me. Here are some examples: lugging a lunch bag and a 10-pound backpack simultaneously because I am no longer in the haven of unlimited meal swipes — annoying. Losing my digital watch and having to wear this nice analog one, which I can’t even read because analog clocks are confusing — aggravating.
Just pick up the red solo cups already
It’s a 15-minute walk from Grounds to my apartment, and I typically love the stroll. It’s a prime opportunity to get in some light exercise, bump some tasteful Nelly and fantasize about running into a young Jon Hamm on my way down 14th. There is, however, one facet of the trek that really gets my knickers — or rather, two-for-one Xhilaration boyshorts — in a twist. There are red solo cups everywhere. The abandoned plastic remnants of parties past. Everywhere.
Top 10 things to do over fall break
I cannot emphasize this enough. A change in perspective is absolutely essential when your midterms are slowly but surely crushing your spirit and immune system. Escaping from the source of your anxiety is about as medicinal as prescription drugs. Though the University is much beloved, there are so many things around Charlottesville that are worthy of your time. The Downtown Mall, Barracks Road and other central locations are a wealth of much-needed distractions.
Sigma Delta Tau looks to new beginning
Around the Corner, a little ways up Virginia Avenue, is a white, 1916 remodeled house that proudly hangs the sign “Sigma Delta Tau Opening House.” The sorority Sigma Delta Tau had an open house Sept. 24 to celebrate its transition from a floor in the GrandMarc apartment to its own house just off Grounds. “We have been wanting a house ever since we started [at the University],” said Madison Lewis, fourth-year Curry student and SDT housing chair. SDT had been looking for a house for various reasons.
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