I am utterly exhausted, angry, and filled with deep sorrow from having to constantly demand accountability and justice. I am overwhelmed from educating family, friends, and strangers about the never-ending acts of violence against my black and brown brothers, sisters, and siblings. Here's the thing, family, friends, and acquaintances: BEING NICE IS NOT THE SAME … Continue reading An Open Letter to Family, Friends, & Acquaintances about Anti-Racism
What I'm Thinking: Holy crap. This semester is going by fast. And I really need to catch up on my readings. And all of a sudden everything is due?! Hold the phone; when did this happen?! It's that time in the semester when assignments are in full force and the stress level is c r … Continue reading Words of Advice: Get You a Theme Song
With July steadily melting into August and a new school year slowly creeping around the corner, I can't help but reflect on the adventures of the past several months. As it turns out, this summer has been surprisingly intense. Summer of 2019, you have blown my mind with the copious amounts of plot twists and … Continue reading What Summer Taught Me About Love & Loss
During an impromptu visit home to Eastern North Carolina in April, one of my dearest friends (and seriously one of my favorite human-beings) asked me if I had been "Libbed Out" by my social work studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. Yup. "Libbed out". I assure you, I was just as confused by the statement as I … Continue reading “Libb-ed Out”
Four or so months ago, I was welcomed into the School of Social Work with a greeting that continues to deeply resonate with me: You. Belong. Here. We have all left our communities to come here. Yet, the thing is, often, the deeper our relationship with our communities, the heavier the burden. There are many … Continue reading Dissonance & Duality
I read a lot. A few of the books I've picked up lately have shaken me so much that I can't but go on about them to anyone. My kid sister. The stranger on the train. The cashier at the grocery store. The barista at my local coffee shop. Good Lord, even my patients, and co-workers … Continue reading 3 Must-Reads That Will Change Your Life
Fact: The only letter I can see during an eye exam is the "Giant E" but even that sucker is blurry to me. In fact, I can barely see the screen I'm typing onto without the aid of my handy eyewear. I'm near-sighted. I've worn glasses since fourth grade and admittingly, I should have started … Continue reading Near-Sided Vision
Of all the people we have the most difficult time forgiving, the person who often stands to be the most difficult to forgive is none other than ourselves. Sometimes we go through experiences that we wish we could take back; circumstances that a restart button could solve immediately. We may even have memories that make us want … Continue reading Dear Me, I Forgive You
I get pretty nostalgic during January. I mean, can you blame me? 2017 and I spent 365 days together. That's 8,760 hours or 525,600 minutes! If you prefer to be even more pretentious, that's 31,536,000 seconds. (Please feel free to check my math, but do me a favor and keep it on the down-low if my numbers are … Continue reading Dear Future Me
This past weekend, I received a disturbing emergency alert message via text message. In all capital letters it read: BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. On a chilly Saturday afternoon, a high school friend and I were grabbing lunch and catching up. Two local girls who grew … Continue reading A Sobering Farewell: How The Hawaii Ballistic Missile Mishap Impacted Two North Carolinians
A Fish Out of Water 