Happy New Year everyone! I have always loved New Year's because it is a chance to start fresh and revisit my goals. I have several goals for this year, but one of them is to write more on this blog. Since starting graduate school (I'm on year 4 now! Two years of the masters and … Continue reading New Year New Goals
Blog
‘O Me! O Life!’: Taking My Own Advice
One of the shortest of Walt Whitman’s great poems, ‘O Me! O Life!’ was featured in the 1989 film Dead Poets Society: Robin Williams’s character recites it to his class. ‘O Me! O Life!’ contains many of the features of Walt Whitman’s greatest poetry: the free verse rhythm, the alternation between long and short lines, […] … Continue reading ‘O Me! O Life!’: Taking My Own Advice
The Power of Positive and Negative Talk
This semester I am teaching Interpersonal Communication for the first time. The class focuses on relationships and how they are formed, maintained, and/or destroyed through communication. One of the required readings for the course is the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. In Chapter 1 of the book, Gladwell discusses the psychologist John Gottman, author of … Continue reading The Power of Positive and Negative Talk
Back to basics
It's been over three years since I last wrote on this blog. I considered deleting it multiple times, but then I would hold off for the hope that I could one day go back to writing just for fun. In the time that has passed, I got married to my wonderful partner Jason, we got … Continue reading Back to basics
Jesus, Sex, and Controversy
One thing that continues to puzzle me about writing and blogging is why some posts get more attention than others. There are obvious reasons, such as when a post is controversial or speaks about a current event in a new way. For example: How many people would read this if it had the word sex … Continue reading Jesus, Sex, and Controversy
An Alternative to “Life’s Not Fair”
Day two without my computer and I am still crossing my fingers that it will work tomorrow after three days of airing out. Until then, I am still the imperfect cranky person who grumbles about how unfair life is. I literally just had my car stolen two months ago, shouldn't I be exempt from expensive … Continue reading An Alternative to “Life’s Not Fair”
Perfect Timing
It only makes sense that the day I announce a 30 Day Writing Challenge would be the same day I spill water all over my laptop. My immediate response went something like this: *!*#$&@^* (uncalled for expletives in the face of technology disaster) Of course. The universe does not want me to write. Or maybe … Continue reading Perfect Timing
A Subacute Future / Coming Soon on the Blog
According to my brilliant doctor sister-in-law, my anxiety over the future is what the medical community might call "subacute." Besides the fact that I love having a new term to label it by, I also thought it was an apt description. From what I understand (in my limited capacity for medical terminology) an "acute" problem … Continue reading A Subacute Future / Coming Soon on the Blog
Stay Informed, With or Without Opinions
The last few weeks have lit the internet up with stories and opinions on every piece of tragic news. First there was the Israel and Palestine conflict, then Robin Williams death, and now the horrible situation occurring in Ferguson, MO. With each emerging story I have considered whether or not to write and share my … Continue reading Stay Informed, With or Without Opinions
When You Don’t Leave the House All Day
The car, the front door, and even shoes, are being neglected by me. This summer has provided me with many days where I don't need to leave the confines of my brother's house (where he and my sister-in-law have been kind enough to let me crash for the summer) and instead cocoon myself into its barriers. … Continue reading When You Don’t Leave the House All Day
