Hello All, Yes, it's been a while. I started grad school - so taking three classes plus teaching two sections of English 101. [Insert all the grad school/ teaching cliches here about work and balance and writing and ] Publication Updates: I got another short story published. The research paper I helped write (and then … Continue reading Two Months Into Grad School Update
Mental Health/Illness
Shelter in Place: Day 53
Hello Everyone, Today I am feeling a number of conflicting emotions that generally even out to "okay". I am feeling grief. Not only for my own family's loss, but for families that have lost loved ones to COVID and for family's that are continuing to lose loved ones to hate crimes. I am feeling excitement … Continue reading Shelter in Place: Day 53
Shelter in Place: Day 40
Hello All, Laur here again. Just hanging out. Tomorrow I'll head to the grocery store. Today I started working on a felt octopus (pictures to come), made a strange pseudo-lasagna and also some surprisingly delicious peanut butter rice pudding. I'm trying very hard not to pack too much too quickly. I have this tendency to … Continue reading Shelter in Place: Day 40
Shelter in Place: Day 24
Hello Gentlefolk of Every Persuasion, Brief update before I dive into the meat of the post: I have successfully petitioned to be furloughed at the company for which I work. The choice (or lack of choice) was to commute into San Francisco from Oakland or apply for unemployment. After three days of calling HR hourly, … Continue reading Shelter in Place: Day 24
Shelter in Place: Day 11
Now, I am going to share my thoughts on prison and detention centers. I hope that more people now than ever will recognize the inhuman experience that is the United States' system of mass incarceration. Not only is it dehumanizing, immoral, and fundamentally racist, but in the light of the COVID-19 crisis, prisons and detention … Continue reading Shelter in Place: Day 11
Shelter in Place: Day 5
For some reason, I keep thinking that I'll go to bed and when I wake up the whole catastrophe will have been a dream. I have very vivid and in-depth dreams, so it wouldn't be that out of the ordinary. One of my dreams was so compelling that I titled it in my sleep. But … Continue reading Shelter in Place: Day 5
Stockholm- Lighting a Fire in My Belly
Okay gang, I'm writing these posts on my phone so no promises that they will be many or properly spelled. I'm in Berlin now, have been for all of one day, and I see suddenly why everyone is afraid I'm going to run away to Europe. But not yet. And before I tell you about … Continue reading Stockholm- Lighting a Fire in My Belly
Thoughts on Suicide and Self-Harm
Disclaimer: I am doing very well. I have a regular therapist and am taking anti-depressants. I have not had a serious depressive episode since January. I just want to share this side of my life in order to make it easier for other people going through similar situations and feeling alone. I am fine. You … Continue reading Thoughts on Suicide and Self-Harm
Another Open Letter
Content Warning: Discussion of suicide and grief It feels like every morning I wake up and something new has happened to shake me to the core. Carleton College is a private institution of higher learning. It is deeply flawed in many ways. It is still struggling with a past rooted in racism. … Continue reading Another Open Letter
A Long-Delayed Post About Mental Illness
Trigger Warning: Discussion of depression and suicide. (Finally posting this because I just posted about vulnerability and the Break the Silence event is coming up.) I started working on this post last summer. I haven't posted it yet because 1.) I'm scared and 2) I'd rather tell people this in person. But the reality is … Continue reading A Long-Delayed Post About Mental Illness
What All The Kids Are Doing 