(Spoiler Alert: If you’ve not watched this week’s episode of The Bachelor on your DVR, you might want to skip this article.) I’m the mother of a young teenager who’s not dating yet, so I can only imagine a nervous young man asking her father for her hand in marriage. Many argue that the whole idea is chauvinistic and reminiscent to times when women were treated like objects. Most people, however, still think it’s a respectful gesture, an important tradition,... Read more
Everyone else may have moved on, but I cannot stop thinking about Whitney. I’ve been unable to sleep several nights as I lay awake thinking about her. I get distracted in the middle of Spanish class only to realize I am thinking about her. I can’t stop thinking about Whitney, and about how wrong it is that she is not alive. It’s just wrong, and I can’t stand it. I want to turn back the clock, pour her a cup... Read more
Forbes has an interesting piece that will make you think twice before sliding your debit card: Every time you go shopping, you share intimate details about your consumption patterns with retailers. And many of those retailers are studying those details to figure out what you like, what you need, and which coupons are most likely to make you happy. Target, for example, has figured out how to data-mine its way into your womb, to figure out whether you have a... Read more
We’re on sabbatical in Costa Rica for three months. We’ve been here for four days, and I’m pooped. I know, I know. Poor me. Living at the beach, dancing merengue, practicing my Spanish, and hanging out with my kids and husband. Three months of rest, relaxation, and fun. What kind of ingrate complains about that? And I’m not complaining, really. It’s just that I find it exhausting. If I’m not pumped up on the adrenaline that comes from not knowing... Read more
It’s hard to watch Whitney standing there in all her ‘80s glory: gorgeous voice, huge hair, headband, patriot tracksuit and all, reveling in the music and the energy of the crowd. Didn’t she almost have it all? Read more
During graduate school, I spent summers doing inner city urban ministry with a multi-racial bunch of students in the African-American community of Austin on the West Side of Chicago. When you live in multi-racial community with several folks of each color and stripe, quickly the simplest issues have racial overtones. One night TC, a Chinese from Malaysia, made stir fry for dinner. Two African-American women, Shunelle and Niecy, promptly drowned their dinner with gobs of Louisiana hot sauce. As I... Read more
In Whitney Houston’s prime, her voice was angelic, strong, and almost otherworldly. Her career began in the eighties with a fresh face and bright-eyes, coming from a modeling and gospel music background. But after years in the industry and her rocky fifteen-year marriage to Bobby Brown, she became a different person. She gave an interview with Diane Sawyer in 2002, in which she was defensive and proud. She made fun of people on crack, suggested she used more sophisticated drugs,... Read more
If you’re a single lady this Valentine’s Day (like me), I don’t want to hear any complaining… instead, why don’t you celebrate this sweet occasion with the girls in your life? I’ve always enjoyed V-Day, as it’s a fabulous excuse to give out candy and cards to the special people all around you! You’ll be surprised how much it means to others when you remember them with a small yet meaningful gesture… you’ll bring joy to their day, and warmth... Read more
Suddenly the year of “wasted” tuition seemed infinitely valuable. One minority year was an experience that would change my son’s outlook for life. Read more
And it makes me like him a whole lot more. Does his rejection of publicity and profit, and his steady explaination of the situation make you feel better about him shooting his daughter’s laptop? And isn’t it funny the dog ratted her out? Read more
What She Said
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