Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

America, Culture, Personal Thoughts, Writing Spot

When I taught Intercultural Communication, this principle is one I always hoped my students would take to heart by the end of the class because traveling to three different continents than the one I was born on gave me first hand experience in how vital a lesson this is. Martin Luther King, Jr. says it best:

Make it Monday | Thanksgiving

America, Culture, Family, General, Holidays, Make it Monday, Personal Thoughts, Seasons

I love Thanksgiving. One of my favorite parts about the holiday is hosting the big feast. There’s nothing better to me than a table full of food and surrounded by family (or those adopted as family for the day).

Despite my love of the holiday, I know Thanksgiving has a lot of pressure. It may be one day out of the year, but on it, we pack a momentous dinner, a myriad of family dynamics, and the start of the Christmas season. Perhaps that is why there is so much fuss to push Christmas off until we’ve given Thanksgiving its due. And yet, have we actually remembered what Thanksgiving is all about?

Reading Wednesday | Stealing Jake

America, Books Review, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels, Writing Spot

Stealing Jake, by Pam Hillman, follows Livy O’Brien as she tries to make a new life in Chestnut, Illinois. When she steps in to protect a group of street kids, she must face her own past since she was once one of them.

Reading Wednesday | The Spice King

America, Bethany House, Books Review, Christian Fiction, Culture, Historical Fiction, Novels, Romantic Suspense, Writing Spot

As soon as I saw the cover for the first book in Elizabeth Camden’s new series, I couldn’t wait to read it. A historical novel about spices, botany, and political intrigue, it mixes romance with with world of commercial food, business rivalry, and treason. Happily, The Spice King lived up to my hopeful expectations.

Reading Wednesday | Ring of Secrets

America, Books Review, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Writing Spot

Spies, codes, and a nation at war for their independence. In Roseanna M. White’s Revolutionary War romantic suspense novel, Ring of Secrets, a young patriot must hide her true heart amid those loyal to the British.

Back to Work, a New Journey Begins

America, Culture, Family, Gender, Identity, Personal Thoughts, Personally, Teaching, The Family, Updates, Writing Spot

This past week, I returned to work after my maternity leave. It’s a juggling act, as all moms know, but I love my job and I’m excited to be back at it. With being a working mom fresh on my plate, I thought I’d write down a few thoughts on the subject.

The Rio Olympics, a few thoughts

America, Culture, Personal Thoughts

We’re nearly a week into the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Others have likely covered most topics already, from gold medal winners to women competitors to Mr. Phelps’ game face. But, as I watched the games and listened to the announcers, two thoughts have lodged themselves in my head: cross-cultural sportsmanship and the power of the human body.