The Home Decor Corner: A Bold Bathroom With a Dino-mite Twist

Dear Reader: I published this post the morning of July 13th, only to learn hours later that Sam Neil had died the very same day. Though he deserves much greater honors, this humble post is dedicated to him.

I was so preoccupied with whether or not I could, I didn’t stop to think if I should . . . but I’m so glad I did. My Jurassic Park-inspired bathroom is among my favorite spots in my house. It’s quirky and lively, accompanied by the subtle air of 90’s nostalgia, while balancing the silly with the—dare I say—sophisticated. If ever a Jurassic Park-themed bathroom could be classy, I like to think mine is it.

Raising a Monster

Raising kids is tough. Raising monsters is even harder—which is why it’s important for caregivers to be mindful of their style of parenting. We’re all familiar with the parent who consistently replies to the child’s whiny, But why? with, Because I said so. Or conversely, the “cool mom” who tries to be a friend instead of an authority. These are parenting styles—different ways parents choose to approach child rearing—and they play a key role in determining the well-being of children and their futures.

Some parenting styles help parents raise well-adjusted and secure individuals, while others increase risk behavior and hinder a child’s sense of belonging and decision-making skills. Such negative outcomes can be monstrous, much like the fate of one of the most iconic monsters in horror literature: Frankenstein (whom I’ll refer to here as “the Monster”). Regardless of the type of parenting style we use, children are not likely to grow up to be as fiendish as Mary Shelley’s fictional ghoul, but dissecting this classic tale reveals how Victor Frankenstein’s “parenting style” fosters the Monster’s troublesome behavior.

Enough for Me

After two years of living in Texas, I’m finally getting past the shock of being uprooted. The year we moved in, I felt a drought of connection. Soil hard and cracking, resistant to my presence. I couldn’t find even one person my age and in a similar stage of life to befriend, which only made my grief thicker and more potent. I thought of my old friends constantly and hated that I couldn’t be a part of their everyday lives anymore. I was separate from them now, and although technology and snail mail could keep us in touch, there was no equal substitute for in-person contact.

A Plant Called Juanita

^{Note to Reader: I wrote this piece many years ago and haven’t found a home for it. I’m so fond of it and the science that I couldn’t let it die in my “drawer,” so I’m letting it live here. I hope you enjoy!}

Juanita was captivating. She was a single Blue Jacket hyacinth with a compact, orderly, and cylindrical display of small bell-shaped flowers that unfolded thin lavender petals, like tiny, curling starfish. The natural perfume, signature of a hyacinth, that radiated from Juanita was sweet and generous. Typically, hyacinths are surrounded by a sturdy fence of seven to eight tall, slim, and vibrant green leaves that curve inward, as if their life-long mission is to protect the stalk of small flowers. Juanita only had six leaves, but they were firm and protective all the same.

10 Years Out of the Desert

Ten years ago today, I left California with my family and moved across the globe to Abu Dhabi, UAE. I couldn’t have imagined how much my life would change—the people I would befriend, the challenges I would meet, the goals I would achieve, the ways I would grow—in the decade that followed.

Old Maid Seeking Representation

I didn’t know how specific relationship statuses could get until Facebook told me. If you have a Facebook, you likely know that they give you a variety of options for describing your romantic circumstance that go beyond the standard single, married, or in a relationship labels. In a domestic partnership, for example, or in a civil union. Who knew this kind of detail was necessary to add to a Facebook profile, or even interesting to our friends?

Grateful for 2020

Remember when Tiger King was what everybody was talking about? It must’ve been a busy year, because I forgot all about it. I don’t know if you guys feel the same way, but it seemed like 2020 was just, like, a really crazy year. Lol it’s probably just me, idk.

So Much to Lobe

Like hemispheres laid out upon a globe

A map of me, with landmarks grey and white

Hidden Strength

All I wanted was a chicken quesadilla from Chipotle with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa on the side, like an edible Mexican flag.

Moana: the Ocean & the Holy Spirit

I recently saw the Disney film Moana for the first time. As you might know by now, the movie has some encouraging themes, such as stepping up to responsibility, discerning one’s calling, and learning that worth and identity are not dependent on material possessions (like magical fish hooks) or even the affection of others. There are also a few delightfully quirky side characters in the film, like Tamatoa, the shiny crab voiced by Jemaine Clement, and Alan Tudyk‘s character Heihei

Blogger McBloggerson: Some Thoughts on Writing

B. F. Skinner, psychologist best known for his contributions to the field of behavior analysis, particularly his work regarding reward and punishment, chose to pursue a career in psychology only after having majored in English at Hamilton College, New York, with hopes of one day becoming a novelist. Skinner veered away from a career in literature, however, after realizing he had nothing to contribute. Skinner once admitted, “I had no reason to write; I had nothing to say.”

Passiontide: Why Are All the Statues Covered?

Last Sunday as I walked into Mass, I immediately noticed that my favorite statue of Mary the Blessed Mother was hidden under a deep purple cloth. The statue was wrapped up like a cheap purple ghost on Halloween, and in fact, all the statues in the chapel were veiled in like manner. Even the crucifix was hidden behind a purple drape. Why are all the statues covered? I wondered. It must be a Lenten thing I’ve never seen before. But why did this sudden change take place during the fifth week of Lent, as opposed to the start of Holy Week, or even the first week of the Lent?