I can almost smell it in the air. If I close my eyes and take in the fall breeze, I can smell the soccer field– the new turf, the sweat on my forehead, and my disgusting goalie gloves. I can hear the sound of 20 high school girls walking to the field from the locker …
On Authenticity
At work the other day, a customer told me that she loved my freckles. She was a beautiful young woman who donned little makeup, revealing a strip of freckles across her nose and upper cheeks. “I keep spending time in the sun, hoping for more freckles!” she said. I laughed, wishing I could offer this …
On Europe 2.0
For how much I travel, I much prefer home. I prefer to feel comfortable, to feel known, to be familiar with the landscape, to have the option of crawling back home to my ridiculously comfy couch at a moment's notice. I can handle short trips, ones not too far away, but going across the globe …
On Being a Barista Who Doesn’t Like Coffee
Clickbait. I got you. Well. Okay. The title is partly true. Let's get the facts straight. I am not trained to be a barista (yet), but I do work at a coffee shop called Cat and Cloud. I'll be happy to pour your cup of Joe or make you any blended drink, but espresso drinks …
Continue reading "On Being a Barista Who Doesn’t Like Coffee"
On Italy
I don't know if it's just my social media feed, but there seem to be a heightened amount of trips to Europe this summer. Maybe it's the fact that the people I've grown up with are graduated or soon to be graduating and now taking exciting vacations to celebrate. Maybe it's because some people would …
On Confidence
In my Leadership/Student Government class, after giving a presentation on the legacy of the incredible and groundbreaking black female journalist Gwen Ifill, my teacher asked why it was important that diversity was present in the media and beyond. It took me aback, and somehow none of the group I presented with had an answer, yet …
On Travelling Abroad
International travel might just be one of those essential life experiences. It's eye-opening, humbling, and even life-changing for some. As you probably know by now, I spent two weeks across the globe, first in Budapest, Hungary, and then in various places throughout Turkey. I asked for support, both in prayer and financially, and God followed …
On Inadequacy
The feeling of inadequacy is not one I thought I was familiar with. Growing up in a family filled with Christ-following, musically talented, athletically skilled, and educationally gifted individuals, it's actually slightly shocking that it took this long for me to realize the expectations that I placed upon myself. I began to recognize this fear …
Before I Go
In 17 days, I will be travelling to Budapest, Hungary. This trip, however, is different than the typical dream Europe "vacay" one might imagine. Instead of being filled with sights and fine dining it is going to be filled with a whole lot of Jesus (not to say that we will not take in the …
Surgeries
Roughly eight years ago, I had surgery on my belly button. People always give me a weird look when I say that. It sounds less strange when I tell them I had an umbilical hernia. It was a simple procedure to remove it, yet it was still full-on surgery– hospital gown and everything. As a …
Journey to the Center of Madison 