Twelve years ago this week, I wrote my first blog post. The topics I’ve written about have changed as my life did – from my dating debacles to sexual health to cancer to parenthood to diversity in education. And, today, I’m shifting gears again to write about something that I almost avoided posting about: Menopause. […]
10 years ago this week, I sat down at my laptop and clicked on WordPress.com. I didn’t think much about my handle and template, as I set up a blog. Within an hour, I wrote my first post about getting asked out by a younger man and pressed publish. The act of blogging was simple. […]
I tasked my students in my Body in American Culture course with examining their thoughts about the body, beauty ideals and body image. The basic guidelines for this Body Genogram are as follows: Connect your early life experiences with your current understanding of your body and beauty in general. How do they or do they […]
In 2010, I was on a date with a man who wanted to talk a lot about my blog. Him: Your stories would make a great book! Each relationship could be a chapter with the last chapter about the man you decide to marry and spend the rest of your life with! I thanked him […]
I used to be the girl who was a little too comfortable parading around topless in the gym locker room. Now, I’m the girl who changes in the shower stall as quickly as she can. I used to be the girl who loved her real, full breasts. Now I’m the girl who tries to not […]
In less than a month, three friends have contacted me because an immediate relative was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. With the disclaimer that I’m not a medical professional and every person’s case and experience are unique, here are my thoughts for these women: Make sure that you surround yourself with a team of doctors […]
My friend, Kai, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007. The prognosis from the start wasn’t promising. “She’s dying. I don’t know what I should say to her,” I shared with a friend. “You don’t think she knows she’s dying? You don’t need to pretend otherwise. All you can do is continue to be you and […]
When I first began blogging in December 2008, I had a basic WordPress platform. The pale mint green and grey template was neither busy nor fancy. Since I blogged anonymously back then, there were no images embedded in my posts. I appreciate that a strong blog is about the written word, but I also acknowledge […]
Educate | Advocate | Titillate In June 2010, Stef was diagnosed with triple-positive, stage one breast cancer. Since her aggressive cancer was thankfully caught early, she’s vowed to do whatever she can to educate others and raise money for the cause. To that end, she: * Speaks and writes about breast cancer prevention, surgery, chemotherapy, […]
There was a time when I embraced the pink of breast cancer. I know better now. Pink epitomizes all that is sweet and feminine. A pink ribbon is small and aesthetically pleasing. Breast cancer is anything but pink and pretty. The reality of battling the disease is enormous and ugly. Pink ribbons are gender-stereotyped accessories […]