Too often, I find myself getting wrapped up in the drama of the world. I carefully examine what I say, how I look, and what I do. Its as if I am looking through and being looked at through a microscope. Personally, I find that I struggle to balance my sanity while attempting to not cross some imaginary line of political correctness and social “niceties”. As the direct result of this, I miss out on so many opportunties to say what I really want to say.

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It’s hard to keep quiet when shootings or mass killing are an everyday occurrence in this world. It’s heart breaking to wake every morning to a lass shooting in Orlando, a bombing in Baghdad, shooting of civilians during police stops,  terrorist attacks in Paris, Turkey… The list goes on and on. 

I am the daughter of a police officer, so these police involved events hit close to home. But unfortunately violence is not foreign to me. I first experienced violence when my uncle was killed in the line of duty – I was 5. He was not killed with a gun, but rather run down by a vehicle at a road block. Since that time, I’ve only seen violence cause pain and misery in every form from suicide, school shootings, and bombings. From Columbine, to war in the Middle East, my generation has not known a time of peace in this world. 

Let’s stop treating violence as the answer. It hasn’t worked as far as time can recall. Let’s try a new approach. Let’s try peace. 

#StandwithPeace

An open letter to men talking about women in the workplace,
Just, stop. 

Don’t tell us that taking more than 6 weeks off after having a baby seems “unnecessary”. I also don’t want to hear about your wife complaining that the new minivan is hard to drive.  That its just because she’s a woman, and she doesn’t drive well. “It’s not the minivan, honey”.

Don’t tell us that the tshirts (“unisex”) are fine and women should stop complaining that they don’t fit right or are unflattering. It’s not our vanity, it’s inequality that causes us to complain. 

Next time? Be prepared for a fist to the face or (more likely) a feminist rant about how your entitled male bullshit isn’t welcome here. 

Regards, 

The woman sitting near you (and likely every other woman overhearing this conversation) 

We boarded this bus merely hours ago, as strangers. We come from various places in this country, walks of life, and political perspectives. But we all have one thing in common. Alcohol.

Specifically, beer. We’re visiting the beer Mecca of the United States – Portland, Oregon. Brewvana tours is awesome and brought a collective group together to share their love of beer.

We’ve visited Baerlic Brewing, Hopworks Brewing, Columbia River Brewing, and Scout Brewing. And what happens on a tour, stays on the tour.

Alcohol can  lead to disease and bad decisions if not used responsibly. But it can also bridge differences and force you to learn new things and meet new people. Plus. It’s alllllllllll about science. And I love science.

So next time you’re in Portland, give Brewvana and their tours a shot. I promise you, you don’t be disappointed.