OK. I have moved into full-force Christmas mode. My room looks like Ms. Santa’s workshop: piles of gifts stuffed in shopping bags, slivers of wrapping paper on the floor, spools of ribbon on my dresser. I don’t know where the scissors are, but I’m sure they’re around here somewhere. They are the most popular office […]

Inspired by some magical advice I got last night, I am taking deep breaths and thinking Simple. A Christmas tree covered in twinkly lights and colored balls. Gifts wrapped in kraft paper in twine. Packets of store-bought hot cocoa and tiny marshmallows. This time of year doesn’t have to be about extravagant expectations. I need […]

When it comes to airing out my laundry, I’d rather rejoice than grieve. I like sending the Good Things list because it makes me happy and I know it makes you happy, too. But I don’t like talking about the bad stuff. I’d rather not think about it myself, much less share it with anyone […]

It was tougher than usual to give thanks today. I had to keep reminding myself that the work that I have to do — the work that I’ve been doing until now, 1:30 in the morning, and the work that I’ll resume when I get back to my place tomorrow — is actually a blessing. […]

One of the best gifts I got for my birthday was the one I gave myself. Last night, I tore open an envelope addressed to me. My name was written in wild cursive. I recognized it immediately; it was Sabrina’s. I excitedly unfolded the slip of paper that was nestled inside and started to read […]

1. Get in your car and drive. If possible, get on a highway. If there’s traffic, it’s okay. Keep driving. 2. Roll up all your windows. 3. Pop in your favorite CD, preferably one with lyrics you know by heart. 4. Turn up the volume. 5. Turn it up more. 6. Turn it up so […]

I’ve been braving the malls, parking lots and cashier lines this week. I know, I know, Christmas is over a month away. I know. but I’ve been putting together a monster care package for some of my favorites back home in the Philippines, just in time for my dad’s business trip this weekend. It’s a […]

All this time, I thought Natalie Merchant was singing to someone named Anna in her song “Tell Yourself,” but really, she was just singing to me. Or my 13-year-old self, who used to bury her nose in Sassy magazine. I know what you tell yourself, you tell yourself. Look in the mirror, look in the […]

I lost my wallet, once. I left it in the stall of the girls’ bathroom on the 3rd floor of the Humanities building, and I didn’t realize it until two classes later. By the time I ran back to the bathroom, it was gone. I was petrified. Not only did the wallet contain all my […]

I must be getting old. When asked what I want for my birthday, I keep saying, “Nothing.” “Are you sure?” they ask. “Yeah,” I say, without even thinking. Young Christine would have jumped at the chance to make a long and detailed list of everything her pretty, little, selfish heart desires, but now I keep […]