Ah yes. I remember coming home from my first solo trip. I was so excited to be home, my husband was circling the airport, and I was waiting for my bag. And waiting. And waiting. Suddenly, everyone else was gone with their stuff. I was alone at a now-stopped baggage carousel. I nervously called my husband.

I don’t think it was specifically Germany (at least not with these guys), but they would’ve found something “dangerous” about anywhere I went. I think it’s a strange anxiety of some Americans that have never left the country except for Canada and the Caribbean. They heard something in the news, and automatically the…

I’ve found that, for some people, traveling overseas equals death to them. I’ve only been off the North American continent twice, both times to Germany all by my lonesome. For whatever reason, I have talked to people who thought that I was crazy for going to Europe, because have you read the news on the refugee…

It is certainly not that easy to get hospitalized for mental illness. It’s hard enough when you ARE suicidal to get hospitalized. A bed needs to be found in overcrowded hosiptal wards, so plan on waiting for at least 6 hours in an ER. You need to convince a doctor that your loved one needs in-patient treatment and the…

Interesting. I’ve heard many people point to Holland as an example of why homebirth is obviously superior to the United States hospital method.

Oh yes, I’ve had the therapy, with a good therapist. Some shitty psychiatrists, but an excellent therapist and an extremely wise GP who spotted my issue faster then any other psychiatrist. I’ve come a long, long way, and that is why I can now laugh at the idea of God’s sign up sheets.

I have, actually. Writing has always been a background hobby of mine. The next two years are going to be insane for me (finishing up my Masters), but I have my notebook of stories that I plan on looking at more seriously when I get the time. At the very least, so my kidlet knows why I am the way I am and why I will…

Nah, I don’t worry about it. I cut both my parents out years ago and, today actually, my therapist and I discussed the idea that I’m nearing the end of needing therapy. Fifteen years in the making with a surprise diagnosis thrown in the mix, but I’m way past the worst.

You should be laughing! The whole thing is absurd. At the time, it sucked greatly and left me in shambles. When I started to tell my husband and friends these stories, it honestly pointed a huge spotlight at just how absurd so many portions of my life were. And two of the best ways I deal with pain are talking about…

Don’t worry, my 12 year old self hated her too. This was mild for her.

I appreciate it. I’m good now, out on my own, and some of this crap makes great cocktail party stories. My brother and I could win any pissing contest just by talking.

My parents didn’t believe in things like “activities” for us. More or less, it boiled down to lazy and cheap, but often justified with things like “God”, “heathens”, and “you’re too stupid for that”. For example, I wasn’t allowed to join the girl scouts with my friends. Years later, I learned that it was because the…

I knew that 45 min would be a pipe dream. Newark might be a great place, I honestly don’t know, but for me, it will be like hell. I liken my experience to waiting in line for a rollercoaster. The longer amount of time I have available to just think, the more intrusive thoughts I get and the more I can fester on my…

OH GOOD. I fly United later this week and I already have anxiety over flying. This isn’t exactly helping me here.

No, I know. Anyone with gluten allergy needs to take that stuff seriously. I have a gluten intolerant friend with multiple other allergies. I know she takes this stuff seriously, but we do have a laugh over “zero calorie, gluten and lactose free water”. Mostly because we also know someone who is NOT allergic or…

Well, it is sparkling water. You never know, those sneaky glutens and lactoses could ride in on a carbonated bubble.

Not even kidding, the water I’m drinking now is labeled gluten free and lactose free.

People also suck at identifying the flu. Most believe that a really bad cold is the flu, will self diagnose, and then claim they had the flu from the shot and/or “it wasn’t so bad”.

I was pregnant during a snowy winter, with many a snow storm. I regularly gave my unborn child a speech on “either you start coming out now, or you wait until the plows come through!”

I was a miserable, miserable pregnant person who was determined to stick to my diets and doomed by genetics. Everyone in my family gets type 2 diabetes, healthy weight or not. Weight only determines the “when”. Which is why my doctor was adiment about testing me early at 15 weeks and keeping me as far away from full…