The Internet is a wild place, of which I am cautious.   Technology has the power to advance the medical field, space exploration, education, etc. We carry around a wealth of information. People can connect with, or stay connected to, loved ones.   But the Internet can make people lazy. We no longer retain as much information because there is no need. People become disconnected from the world around them. Cyberbullying is a major issue.   So how much is too much? And how can we tell the difference between utilizing technology for our own good and becoming so dependent that we lose touch with humanity?   What it means to be human will

  There is a lot for which I am thankful.   My loved ones. Bonded through blood and friendship. These people are amazing.   Food on the table, a roof over my head, and clean water. Don’t take these for granted.   A cozy night by a fire with a book, cuddly animals, and hot tea.   The sunrise, sunset, moon, sun, and stars. Look around more. The world is incredible.   My favorite show, The Challenge (yes, it’s a guilty pleasure I look forward to weekly).   Everyone who follows and supports me on Medium. This has been scary, but you are all extremely appreciated.   While the list above is not everything, it

  Lost in the sunrise While I drink my morning tea I think of memories Made by you and me   Settled in the saddle The horse beneath me Soft and gentle Mom wraps her arms around my side I know she won’t let me fall As I learn to ride   Singing along To our favorite songs Out of tune Without a clue Dear Dad, I’m glad you like music too   Our bond as sisters Began as family before But has outgrown what I could ever ask for Sharing secrets, jokes, and so much more You’re my best friend, of that I’m sure   Ferry trips over To Nantucket Biking through cobblestone streets

  It makes your paper sound less formal. It takes away from your main argument. It weakens your writing. It sounds repetitive. The reader doesn’t care about your opinion, only the research.   Those are a few pieces of “advice” I heard throughout high school and college in reference to writing with the word “I”.   Don’t get me wrong, I completely agree that there are types of writing where “I” should be left out. And I don’t think the advice I received was totally wrong. Actually, it helped me write strong and quality academic papers.   But now a dilemma has presented itself. I don’t know when to say “I”.   As I pursue

  The year is 1782, 66 years before the Seneca Falls Convention. Deborah Sampson disguises herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War.   Before joining the military, Sampson was an indentured servant. She was self-taught and went on to be a teacher.   When she left the military, she became the first woman to conduct a tour of lectures across America and the only woman in the Revolutionary Army to receive a full military pension.   Sampson is a powerhouse and a true inspiration. There are many events I don’t feel I am brave enough for, but none of them compare to pretending to be a man to fight in a man’s

    Have you ever felt unheard or unnoticed?   Here was this young high school student yelling and frustrated. He refused to complete any work and rebelled against authority.   I work in classrooms and I see the struggles that high school students go through. Many educators, and parents/guardians for that matter, assume teenagers have it so easy. They forget how it feels to process so many “firsts”, and they don’t realize how quickly some of these kids have had to grow up.   People get lost in the sea of teenagers and forget that each one has an individual story.   So I pulled the student aside, and instead of demanding he do

  What online platform do I use the most? Before Medium, I would have said a generic answer like Instagram or YouTube.   Truth is, I never felt like I found my place amongst the online world. You might get a post out of me every 3 months if you’re lucky. Hell, I’m even writing this after finishing a chapter in a hardcover book. Gasp .   But Medium feels like home. A media platform created with me in mind. Designed for the ‘behind the scenes thinkers’ and ‘artists needing to express’. People who don’t want the focus to be on themselves but rather on their creations. There are so many stories and worlds to

    Dear younger me,    I am almost positive you are expecting me to tell you to take a different path, make other choices, and change everything.   Truth is, you did it well. You played your part and we are here today because of you. Through the heartaches, memories, and decisions that led to our proudest moments, I wouldn’t ask you to change a thing.   Well, maybe there is one thing . Start writing more and earlier. Stop caring what people think. Be weird, honest, and unapologetically you. Not everyone will enjoy your words, but you do and that’s what matters most.   While we are on the subject, stop doing what

  Forever is too long to wait. When we said goodbye For the final time I told myself “If you love something, Let it go, and if It’s meant to be It will come back”   So I let you go And I waited And waited And I waited so long That I fell in love With someone else And found something That was more than Empty promises   I found something That was created from The sun, the moon, the stars, And the universe And I no longer waited for you But when you returned I knew it wasn’t meant to be See I had waited so long I found a love That would

  There are a million ways to die. You can be afraid of anything. But, I’m pretty sure this has never appeared on Fear Factor before.   Ever have water ‘go down the wrong pipe’ and choke on droplets and air?   You can drown in just a few teaspoons of water. It’s called dry drowning . While this is more common in children, and adults tend to grow out of it, there is still a fatal chance.   So, the next time you are gasping for air and trying to play it cool, just remember you are in a life or death situation. Most likely you’ll be okay, maybe embarrassed, but okay.   Moral