The past four to five years have been rocky in the United States. From a growing cancel-culture, political divide, and a global pandemic, the nation is divided. Friends and families are disseminating because of varied beliefs and political affiliations.

Open dialog disseminated through hurt and anger, ending relationships, and inciting unrest. We, as a country, are at a crossroads. We must come together not as individuals living in a common region but as human beings desiring recognition, connection, and community.

As a Communication Specialist with a master’s degree in Communication & Global Studies, with experience working in domestic and global…

It happened. I turned 30.

Like many others around the world, I had a huge birthday milestone during the pandemic. The plans for birthday cake on the beach, margaritas with my girls, and vacation paradise came to a screeching halt. Instead, I stayed at home with my husband and daughter, watched a Disney movie, and ate pizza from the box. Did my birthday look different than I expected? Yes. Was that ok? Surprisingly, yes! I was fortunate enough to be safe, healthy, and provided for, and while I was initially disappointed, it was nice to spend time with my family.

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5 ways to tell if your relationship is in it for the long haul.

My girlfriends often ask me, “How did you know your husband was the one?”. Often times, they are asking with the intent of comparison to their own relationships.

But here’s the thing…I can’t be the one that chooses their life partner. It’s a big decision filled with sacrifice, service, and mutual understanding.

I remember when I first met my husband. I worked in marketing at a farm, and my husband had been hired to work the land. Our meet-cute was indeed cute.

It was pouring down…

As a Communication Consultant in the nonprofit sector, I often sit in large meetings with people of different cultures, experiences, and passions. It is an incredible honor to make a difference in communities all around the globe.

At the start of my career, I served on a university board to provide input on cultural matters. Students of varying backgrounds representing different campus sectors filled the board room — student-athletes, various academic leads, supervisors of college grade levels, religious leaders, etc. Together we problem solved for better educational pathways.

This time sparked a seed of interest that would carry into a…

“Litterer! Litterer!” the little boy holding my hand screamed as the man in front of us dropped his used coffee cup on the ground.
“Shh, it’s ok. We’ll pick it up when the man leaves.” I assured the boy.
“Why did he throw it on the ground?” he questioned.
The man looked back at me, smiling as he got into his car. “You know, I’m not sure,” I said.
“Well, my teacher says that our earth is dying and that we need to reduce and recycle so that our earth doesn’t die, and that littering is bad.”
I smiled, “Your teacher is right…

“Mom, is it dead?” I questioned as my little orange fish floated to the top of its fish bowl.

I was a middle school girl, so excited to have a fish. I was jealous of my brother’s dog and excited to have a special pet that was all mine.

I was so concerned about taking care of it. I fed it every morning, bought it toys for its home, and sang it cute songs carefully crafted by yours truly. However, one day I decided the tank needed cleaning, which ended in the tragic demise of my precious little fish, Squishy…

As a toddler’s mom, a fulltime graduate student, a fulltime worker in a not for profit organization, and a freelance Communication Specialist, 2019 was filled with stress, anxiety, and pressure.

But here’s the truth, I didn’t even realize how burnt out I was.

In 2020, my graduate program ended, and my hours at work were reduced by a full day. I was incredibly blessed to have not lost my job in a time where the unemployment rate grows consistently.

I didn’t know how to handle the stillness.

I had been on-the-go for so long that rest became such a foreign concept that it caused me anxiety to just…

As a Communication Specialist, I solve complex problems in workplace communities. Throughout the years, I’ve noticed a common theme, miscommunication. As my girlfriends complain about their partners, this theme emerges as the focal point of conflict.

I have been with my partner for almost five years. He is kind, honest, and adventurous. However, we grew up in two completely different regional cultures.

He is a white southern gentleman, and I am a Hispanic mid-western girl.

Our differences often caused tension at the beginning of our relationship, forcing us to think beyond ourselves to strengthen our relationship. …