Category Archives: Personal Essays

Naked Birches at Night

I wonder if the white birches feel naked next to their pine neighbors who shed no leaves in the fall. While the birches lose their cover, pines keep their needles. Are the birches jealous or perhaps resentful? I’ve walked past these pines regularly for several weeks. They stand out, white and narrow in the fuzzyContinueContinue reading “Naked Birches at Night”

Rediscovering My Creative Drive Through The Springwood Current

Introduction I had this idea two weeks ago that I would design and create a newspaper based on a game I was playing. Cities: Skylines. The game allows you to run a city, adding infrastructure, and watching as the traffic impacts the city services like fire and police. You’ve read, perhaps, some of the “history”ContinueContinue reading “Rediscovering My Creative Drive Through The Springwood Current”

My First French Lesson with Italki

I just had my first French lesson with Mika on italki. We spoke in English and French, often with her correcting what I thought she was saying. I learned that my pronunciation and enunciation need improvement. I thought my main struggle was listening, but I think it’s confidence. I don’t always feel confident with French.ContinueContinue reading “My First French Lesson with Italki”

Brain Fog

This piece is on brain fog. It may be messy, which only illustrates brain fog further. I currently have brain fog. If you don’t know, brain fog is a haze hovering over thoughts, memories, and conversations. The brain fog has been influencing my functioning quite a bit. We’ll see how I write this post…or ifContinueContinue reading “Brain Fog”

Thoughts On Teaching

I’m teaching three classes this year: 8th Grade English, 9th Grade World Cultures, and History Through Film. The last one is truly an elective for mostly upperclassmen (ironically, there are more girls than guys…so upperclasspeople?). So far, so good. However, I’m coming across a few issues. The first issue is realizing how lacking these kidsContinueContinue reading “Thoughts On Teaching”

Reflection of Our Minds

9/18/24 I’m inspired to write this post based on my brother’s recent letter. He wrote, “This world we live in is but a reflection of our minds.” He went on to add that I should create a world I want. I liked his particular phrasing as it reminded me that the world is unique forContinueContinue reading “Reflection of Our Minds”

Unveiling Creativity: Writing Beyond Alcohol Influence

I once wrote, “To be a writer, one must be an alcoholic.” For a long time, my strategy was to drink and write. From high school to when I turned 21, I wrote sober. Once I introduced alcohol, my writing changed. Or, maybe the writing didn’t change, but I did. I’m thirty-one now and IContinueContinue reading “Unveiling Creativity: Writing Beyond Alcohol Influence”

Celebrating Life: A Thoughtful Birthday Perspective

Subscriber Content I just got off the phone with my brother, who turns 28 today. Happy birthday, bro! We shared maybe two sentences on this subject. “Wow, dude. You’re old! Ain’t life short?” “Don’t fuckin’ talk about it.” We changed the subject to more happy topics: travel, hanging out, and his plans for the evening.ContinueContinue reading “Celebrating Life: A Thoughtful Birthday Perspective”

A New Nick in Town

The days are already crisp. I’m talking sub-50° mornings. I walk into the classroom and it feels good! But I run warm as a person. Most of my students, I imagine, are a bit chilly, especially during the first period of the day. It warms up though as the day progresses. But I really likeContinueContinue reading “A New Nick in Town”