Skeleton Spotted in Audubon Park, New Orleans

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My family traveled to New Orleans this past weekend. If you have never been, the summers are HOT and uncomfortably humid. Let’s put it in an exercise kind of way: in Baltimore I go for long distance runs with a cell phone in hand. I hold it for the use of Pandora or in case of emergency. When I left the house at 7:30 a.m.  on Friday morning to head out for a run, it was so hot, steamy, and muggy outside that I knew my phone would be ruined if I ran with it. My husband spontaneously decided to join me for a morning runRead More →

S-t-uperstitions

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Many of us can’t help but worry at the thought of a Friday the 13th approaching on the calendar. That no matter what, we are destined to have bad luck that day. Or, we see a penny on the ground and stare so intently; not at the value of it, but to see if it’s heads up, or good luck. Or, if we spot a black cat, we quickly turn the other way hoping the eye contact we made with it does not bring us bad luck. These are just a few common superstitions we universally acknowledge. As competitive athletes, we strive for perfection and do whateverRead More →

Thunder Thighs are for Tomboys

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I have been told that even as a baby, I always found a ball to kick around the house. However, I would say that I started playing soccer when I was three years old. At the time, my brother was five years old, and he was just beginning organized soccer involving team practices and games. As a typical younger sibling, I was dragged along to his activities. It was apparent that soccer was going to be the sport I would grow with, as even at an early age I possessed qualities that pointed in that direction. When it was my turn to officially begin my soccerRead More →

Day 1 of Preseason: August 12, 2002

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I woke up in a frenzy. Sweating and breathing heavily, I frantically surveyed the eleven foot by twelve foot room my family had just moved me in. My surroundings were drastically unfamiliar and foreign, but once I realized I was in a loft next to my best friend, I instantly noted it was day one of preseason my freshman year at Michigan State University. Women’s soccer, a fall sport, required athletes to report to school earlier than the normal student population. Campus was quiet and desolate. My heart pounding was not. It was 8:00 a.m., and we were instructed to eat and enjoy our breakfast before reporting to the team lockerRead More →

It is OKAY to talk about it or ask me!

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I just returned to Baltimore last night after a 2-week trip back to Michigan. It was wonderful. The trip was comprised of time in my hometown, West Bloomfield, and time “Up North.” We were surrounded by family and friends the entire time. Our family stayed in Charlevoix, overlooking the infamous drawbridge and water that connects from Lake Michigan to Lake Charlevoix. We took a ferry to Mackinac Island, and visited Petoskey and Harbor Springs. My kids had an absolute blast between the boats, playgrounds, beaches, and biking. The weather was ideal, the lake was calm, and the people were as friendly as can be. The fudge was exceptional, theRead More →

The Louis Vuitton "Tootsie Roll" Handbag

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“Oooh! I love your bag!” is a frequent compliment I receive when out on a Saturday night with friends. I smirk, and my response back is a very simple, “Thank you.” I tend to be a very dramatic, animated, and expressive individual, so when given a praise, my exclamation back would usually be an, “Oooh! Thank you so much!” However, this Louis Vuitton “Tootsie Roll” handbag is not your typical, “I went to the Louis Vuitton store, wanted a bag, so splurged and purchased one.” This bag has far more meaning and significance, with an overwhelmingly life-altering experience behind it. Literally, this Louis Vuitton handbag turned on a switchRead More →

Desperate for Change

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I was skin and bones. So thin that every body part of mine appeared toned, defined, and sculpted. My thighs, for the first time in my life, did not rub together, my abdominal muscles looked like I had a six-pack, and my butt was finally tight and proportionate to the rest of my figure. I had dug myself into such a deep hole that climbing out seemed virtually impossible. I was in a paradoxical predicament. I knew I looked terribly frail and unhealthy. I felt weak and distant. However, I was feeling quite a sense of accomplishment in a world that felt so chaotic and outRead More →

The "Carrot and Stick"

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I was a considerably motivated child, but, the truth is, my ability to reach my utmost potential was mostly a credit to extrinsic incentives. Admittedly, I was driven to achieve goals for tangible rewards or pressures, rather than solely for personal fulfillment. It started as an elementary school student. I would bring home my homework, read the directions, barely, and then rush through it as quickly as possible like it was a race. Everything was a race to me — even in school. Whether it was solving math problems, reading a chapter book, or even writing an essay. Unfortunately, I didn’t fall under the categoryRead More →

Sporty Shoe Style

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After a friend shared this article with me the other night, I sat and reflected, as I was able to relate to it on many different levels. Kathryn Laudadio lost her life to suicide after an ongoing battle with anorexia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, her demons out rivaled her rational thoughts. Sure, my heart went out to her close family and friends who are still struggling from her loss. But, the two most significant aspects of Kathryn’s story that kept recurring in my mind were her personal psychological battle and her confidence and passion for shoes. Throughout my life, I have had a reputation for owning anRead More →

2015 World Cup Champions!

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As I watched the World Cup final match so intently last night, I found myself reminiscing about my past personal soccer experiences. I was a fan last night. A fan of the sport. A fan of the inspiring women on the twenty-three player roster. A fan of the United States of America. But, a fan, finally. Lori Chalupny, a current member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and 2015 World Cup champion, was my roommate in Bradenton, Florida at the age of 16. I admired Lori then, and I see her as a hero now. She was my teammate, friend, and roommate that week in Florida,Read More →