Things have been a little wonky over here lately. Not in a bad way. More like “I’m trying to figure things out without getting discouraged” kind of way. It’s no secret that the writing on the blog has been different. I’m working on a longer writing project and trying to save my creative energy for …
This post comes from January 2010. During my senior year of college, I took a class entitled “Life Journeys.” Part of our grade involved keeping a journal and submitting “small writings.” Small writings had particular requirements, including printing enough copies for everyone in the class. We played a song, passed around our writings for everyone …
I originally wrote this in April 2014. At the time, I was working in my hometown at a small local nonprofit. Housed in a church, it was the only free after-school program in the Valley. We provided after-school care for 30 upper elementary school and middle school students, many of whom were first-generation immigrants to …
I found this writing in a folder from a long-ago (and very short) stint of writing for a small local magazine in my hometown. I had titled it “Bread is Like Life,” which I still think can be true. Originally, I wrote it in 2013 after spending the morning in the world’s tiniest kitchen trying …
I’m the primary cook in our house. Part of that choice is because I’m the one at home. Part of it is because, for the most part, I like doing it. I’m not a great cook, but as time has gone on, I’ve gotten more comfortable in the kitchen. But it didn’t start out that …
A while back, as I was thinking through some ideas in my head, I wondered, “Why do I write?” What is it in my being that compels me to put pen to paper? Why do I feel more myself when I’m writing regularly? I had a health scare not long after moving here. Most of …
I don’t watch golf. It’s one of those sports I don’t really understand (see also soccer and water polo). But I do watch the news. Don’t worry – I promise those two things are related. Earlier this week, I saw a news story about a golfer named Scottie Scheffler. Apparently, he’s a big deal. He’s …
Most of these words came to me last week in a flurry. I sat down with my journal, and they poured out of me onto the page. I don’t usually write long form in my journal – it’s more for the day-to-day happenings, or maybe a note I hope to flesh out later. When the …
Italy was our most recent overseas duty station. While it brought its own unique learning curve and challenges (as all duty stations do), it was an amazing place to spend three years. We learned a lot while we were there and grew our family by two. We were stationed in Northern Italy. Of course, there …
PCSing with kids is not for the faint of heart. There’s a lot that comes with moving with children. Both of our children were born in Italy. While we had done some European travel while living abroad, this PCS was our first big adventure with both children. With 14 hours of flight time and a …
