Flare Magazine, Mini Issue 3 is out!
Flare Magazine has a new special mini-issue about medication and my creative nonfiction piece entitled “Shedding” is included! I love this magazine and what editor Kelly Esparza is doing to raise awareness about chronic illness. I’ve tried so many different medications for chronic migraine and although I still get migraines (fighting one today, in fact!) I’m nowhere near as bad as I used to be. “Shedding” details my journey trying CGRP drugs for the first time, specifically Aimovig, for chronic migraine. The side effects weren’t fun, to put it mildly. Check it out here! Flare Magazine, Issue 3: Medication
“Taking Space” is a Finalist!
My creative nonfiction piece, “Taking Space,” which discusses living with chronic migraine was a finalist in Genrepunk Magazine‘s Editors’ Choice Awards! Thank you to editor, Kelly Esparza, for nominating my piece! I wrote “Taking Space” after returning from a trip with a friend. Traveling with friends triggers anxiety about managing migraines. I don’t want to be the one to ruin the fun so I downplay my disease and the stress that accompanies it. I’m definitely still a work in progress, but I have come really far when it comes to advocating for myself and avoiding my triggers. You can read “Taking Space” here!
Flare Magazine, Issue 1 is out!
A new chronic illness / disability literary magazine has released its inaugural issue online, and I’m thrilled my creative nonfiction piece about living with chronic migraine is included. Check out the flash fiction stories and poems as well as the other personal essays at this link: Flare Magazine, Issue 1 Thank you to editor, Kelly Esparza, for accepting my essay about navigating chronic migraine during travel and how it tests personal relationships and friendships.
Dumplings, Turnip Cakes, and Pepper Buns, Oh My!
If you’re in Taichung and you can’t decide what you want to eat, how about trying a little of everything? This is what my friend and I did at the market on the 3rd floor of the Splendor Hotel building on Taiwan Blvd. The hotel itself is on the 12th floor where the lobby and hotel restaurants are. Street level there is a bakery, a coffee shop, a Family Mart, a pharmacy, and clothing vendors. There’s a Starbucks down one level. If you go up to the 3rd floor, this where you’ll find the wonderful market and several food vendors. There are plenty of places to sit if you choose…
Best Won Ton Noodle Soup in Taichung
It’s funny how my favorite breakfast place has changed owners and was somewhat disappointing during this last trip to Taiwan, but it wasn’t a total fail because right next door I found a new favorite place! If you’re craving won ton soup, be sure to check out Jiang’s House. Actually I have no idea if that’s the real name but I know it’s one of several won ton noodle soup places owned by someone named Jiang so that’s what we’re going with. My friend (she knows THE best places to go!) brought me here and said I had to order the won ton soup. We didn’t get their signature soup…
Best Japanese / Sushi in Honolulu
I finally got to travel to Hawaii for my big birthday trip from 2021! We had postponed it but it was definitely worth the wait. Initially we were supposed to go to the Big Island but we decided to change it to Oahu and stay in Waikiki. I was afraid it would be too crowded but we found secluded beaches up in North Shore and away from Honolulu. I’ve been to most of the islands a dozen times. Honolulu I’ve been only three times and I honestly don’t remember much about where we ate. So for this trip, I wanted to make sure we found those hidden gems that I’d…
Rosacea and its Possible Causes
When my dermatologist prescribed Soolantra, an anti-parasitic with Ivermectin, for my rosacea, I didn’t understand what that meant. Does that mean I have parasites on my face? What I discovered is a controversial theory that rosacea sufferers are linked to an overabundance of demodex mites on the skin. Confused and kind of grossed out, I spent hours researching and stumbled across Dr. Tara O’Desky’s website Rosacea Help. She was a rosacea sufferer but healed her rosacea naturally. Being an advocate for natural treatments, I was instantly intrigued. She talked about her gut health and that in order to heal we need to address the root cause of rosacea. It’s an…
A Rosacea Journey – The Beginning
Around April 2021, I started noticing my skin breaking out a lot more than usual. Before this, my skin would get the occasional pimple but nothing I concerned myself too much about because it always cleared up. I figured this increase in pimples was due to mask-wearing and knew “maskne” was a thing affecting a lot of people. So I bought acne wash and diligently exfoliated every day. I wasn’t sure why I was getting it now after wearing a mask for over a year but I didn’t think too much of it. Then I noticed little red bumps all underneath my chin. I had never had acne there before…
Finding Balance in 2021
What a crazy year this has been. I know many of us want 2020 to be over already. But 2020 wasn’t all bad. I learned a lot about myself during “safer at home” orders. I learned how to find balance despite the growing anxiety and stress of the world around us. Despite not being able to travel or see my loved ones. Here are some ways to find balance: Forgive yourself It’s okay if you don’t get that short story written. Or if you skip the Zoom meeting with your family. These are stressful times. Allow yourself to check out for a bit. Take a walk. Do yoga. Meditate. Or…
Healing From Within
How I managed my migraines naturally My essay is up today at Exploring Wellness. I talk about how I decided my life needed a change when I was suffering from 15-20 migraine days a month. I was miserable and stressed out. I was tired of taking so many drugs. Reiki came to my rescue and from there I learned how to maintain a consistent meditation and yoga practice. My migraine days were reduced significantly. You can read the entire article here: Healing from Within: How I Managed my Migraines Naturally
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