Essays

On Talking to Strangers

Owning a rubber chicken purse has a plethora of handy-dandy advantages.

It brightens up any outfit.
It’s waterproof on rainy days and drink-proof on rowdy nights.
It makes kids smile.
People are more likely to trust you.
You are automatically a boss babe because you dare to wear a rubber chicken purse.
It is the perfect conversation starter.

Now, as a disclaimer, I already am a very outgoing person who loves to talk to anyone and everyone, but I can honestly say that bringing my chicken purse on the trip to London made my interactions with locals more frequent and sincere. Instead of being just another American tourist, I was that cool lady with the chicken purse…

On Saint Paul’s Cathedral

Walking up the spiral staircase between the Whisper and the Stone galleries in St. Paul Cathedral is delightfully meditative. I sit here on a bench-like outcropping on which I presume not many have sat. At six feet tall, even I had a hard time pushing myself up, using a stair to sort of launch myself. I might sit here for a bit and watch people make the trek up. I snuck a picture. Shh, don’t tell. It’s funny, I thought I could sit in the Whisper Gallery forever, but I’d rather stay here. Much more private. I just watched the rest of my classmates pass by. I feel like a gargoyle…

On What the OCean Means to Me

Everyone experiences the ocean differently; some are terrified of how vast and mysterious it is, while others feel the most at peace when able to breathe in the salty air and hear the waves crash on the sand. Both of these feelings are completely understandable. The ocean is terrifying. With one giant wave, it can consume you and spit you out like unsavory food. It contains sea creatures that are perfect killing machines, gobbling up their prey, which you could be mistaken for. However, despite this, the ocean has a calm feeling as well. The crashes of the same waves that can trample you are relaxing to listen to. The marine animals are fascinating to study and awe-inspiring to see. Because of these opposing characteristics, the ocean perfectly embodies respect. You cannot be consumed by fear but must also be wary and respect its tremendous power…