I’m Graduated. Now What?

Trumpets sound. Bells in the bell tower chime. Crowds cheer, and I ascend to my throne, waving. I am no longer a mere student. I am a graduate. Okay, so trumpets didn't sound, but bells did ring and crowds did cheer (for me and for the many others that I sat with—in fold out chairs,Continue reading "I’m Graduated. Now What?"

Fighting for the Shirt

The shirt. A coveted item in intramural sports. At my university, whatever team wins their division's tournament doesn't receive fame or money—their names don't go down in history—but—they get the shirt. Some, like me, could only dream of what it looked like. Perhaps a soccer ball on the front. A few words that proclaim IntramuralContinue reading "Fighting for the Shirt"

The Ultimate Campus Couple

Our story begins with two ducks. One waddles with her brown feathers stiff against her side, but her tail shakes high in delight. The other keeps his shiny green neck stretched to its full extent, watching for any who may walk too close. The two live in a flock full of brown and white andContinue reading "The Ultimate Campus Couple"

Finishing My Second Book; A Few Favorite Quotes

If I could end my university experience in any chaotic way, it would be this way. Soon, I'll submit my draft of my first novel to a writer's conference I will attend this summer. By the end of April, I will have the first (and hopefully second) draft of my second novel done. This, onContinue reading "Finishing My Second Book; A Few Favorite Quotes"

My First Book Rejection

Finally. It happened: they rejected me. A part of the book world saw my work, tossed it into my chest, and pushed me away. We mean the best when we say this, but we have no time for this, even though it seems it took you a lot of time and a lot of hardContinue reading "My First Book Rejection"

17 Again—Why It’s Not Worth It

Have you seen that Zac Efron movie? The dad zaps back to age seventeen and rules the school because, hello, older people are so wise and know how to do high school right: no awkward moments or embarrassments because most adults won't fret over the same things that teenagers do. We've gained the knowledge toContinue reading "17 Again—Why It’s Not Worth It"

Why I’m Nobody

I'm Nobody! Who are you?Are you — Nobody — Too?Then there's a pair of us!Don't tell! they'd advertise — you know! How dreary — to be — Somebody!How public — like a Frog —To tell one's name — the livelong June —To an admiring Bog! Emily Dickinson My first poetry night. Last night, after aContinue reading "Why I’m Nobody"

Wasting Time in the Mirror

I walked into our dorm for sports camp and started counting. The bathroom had a wide mirror that covered the wall. Both the closets had mirrors to check faces. There were full length mirrors as well. Squealing, my twelve-year-old self delighted that there were so many reflections. You couldn't have asked me why I hoppedContinue reading "Wasting Time in the Mirror"

Why I Stopped Writing at the End of 2022

A simple goal. Write weekly, forgive myself if I miss a week, or even two, and keep writing for my blog. By 2022, I had accomplished half-consistently posting at this rate. As a university student, that felt good. If I could continue like that, I could start seriously working on my other goals: grow myContinue reading "Why I Stopped Writing at the End of 2022"