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Mastering the Basics
One of the recurring themes of my life these past few years has been that of feeling stuck. And if you know anything about me at all, you know that I hate feeling trapped. I hate feeling constrained....
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California, My Childhood Home
The older I get, the more I appreciate having grown up in California. I totally took it for granted as a kid and as an adolescent. It really didn’t even interest me that one of the world’s most...
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The Retrospective: September
The Retrospective is my monthly recap where I share blog highlights, where I’ve been, and the behind-the-scenes bits that didn’t make it onto the blog. Check out last month’s edition right here. I...
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Long-Distance Relationships: My Observations
Even though I love reading other people’s advice about things — sometimes out of pure curiosity — I still have trouble giving out (generalized) advice. Because… well, everyone is on their own path and...
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Environmental Triggers
I’m back in Michigan again and just like the weather, my brain feels a little foggy, gray, and overcast. That sounds more depressing than it is; I think I am okay with being back here, at least for...
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How to Be Grateful When Life Isn’t What You Expected
First, I have to get something off of my chest: Yesterday, I wrote a post about how I currently feel about things in my life and after I published it, I worried about how it would be received. I...
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Life After TAPIF
The Teaching Assistants Program in France (TAPIF) applications recently went live again and got me to thinking — and reminiscing — about my time in France. In case you don’t know, TAPIF is a 7-month...
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Bergen, Norway
Reminiscing about France recently had me thinking about my year abroad and all the wonderful places I got to visit. And so, of course, I started going through my archives to remember my time there and...
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Copenhagen, Denmark
After an enchanting day in Bergen, it was onto Copenhagen, Denmark. I was very curious about how I’d like Denmark for a couple of different reasons — the first being: it’s known as the place with the...
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NaNoWriMo
Every November, hundreds of thousands of writers participate in a month-long writing marathon that’s called NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. The goal? Complete a 50,000 word novel from start...
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Greetings from Sunny California (or: My Week in the Hospital)
If you checked your snail mail right now and got a postcard from me, it would say: “Greetings from Sunny California!” And that bright, beautiful phrase would be written over a picture of a hospital...
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Home Sweet Home (Back from the Hospital)
So, after 11 days in the hospital, I’m back home. It’s really weird. It almost feels like it didn’t happen, like the whole thing was a weird dream or a distant memory. I’m having a hard time...
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My Writing/Blogging Process
I’m the kind of person who rarely updates my music catalog, but the day that Taylor Swift’s 1989 came out, I was at Target that morning buying a deluxe copy of her album. Yes, at 28 years old and no,...
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How to Become “That Grateful Person” That You Never Thought You’d Be
I woke up naturally this morning after one of the best sleeps I had had in a long time. And unlike other mornings, my mind wasn’t racing or I wasn’t up and trying to do things right away. Instead, I...
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The Retrospective: October & November
The Retrospective is my monthly recap where I share blog highlights, where I’ve been, and the behind-the-scenes bits that didn’t make it onto the blog. Check out September’s edition right here. When...
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Back?
Pop Quiz: What’s easier than updating a neglected blog? A. Getting a root canal B. Climbing to the top of Mt. Everest C. Winning American Idol D. All of the above If you answered D, you’re my kind of...
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1001 Days Later
Yesterday was a date that had been on my mind for some years — 2.75 years to be exact. Yesterday was the official end date of my 101 Things in 1001 days list. To be honest, I checked out of completing...
View ArticleBook Update #1: I’ve Got a Secret…
So… I don’t know how to say it… so I guess I’ll just say it: I’m writing a book! Yup. I am. It’s actually a secret right now… I haven’t told anyone except for Tyler. But I suppose if you’re reading...
View ArticleBook Update #2: On Being a Writer and Distractions
So, my book is still a secret but I’m slowly getting used to the idea of calling myself a writer. About three years ago, I finally admitted to myself that I wanted to be a writer. I remember crying...
View ArticleBook Update #3: The Inner-Critic Speaks
It’s been a while since my last update with the book! So, today was the first time in about two weeks since I had touched my draft. And I think it was a good thing. Why? Well… 1. I think it’s good to...
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