violence against women

In Kindergarten

I was 5 when I faced my first bout of aggression at the hands of a future man. And, like most women, it was certainly not the last... Because, after all, we are reminded of the constant question: who are they going to believe?

Writing

Charlene is Trying to Write

In July of this year, I had a wild idea: Why not get another master's degree? I finished my PhD in 2023, was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award in 2024, left for Spain on that award in 2025, and then moved back. While I sipped my

Love

On Being In Love

When we think of love, we often imagine the kind that requires our partners, or potential ones, to run for us in the rain, hair soaked and clinging to their face, droplets caught on their lips, feet moving fast toward us, arms opening into some grand, cinematic declaration. We think

Life

No Pasa Nada

On January 14, 2025, my children and I landed in Málaga, Spain, after traveling for well over 20 hours.  hours Meanwhile, on January 14, 2026, I had another procedure, a uterine fibroid embolization after years of pain and irregularities, and having finally had a doctor listen to me about these

Travel

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, June 5, because if I were in Spain, I suppose it would be June 6, but this date, this number is a strong reminder of what I walked away from. One year ago today, my children and I finished packing our bags and said goodbye to

Writing

On Being and Becoming a Writer

I was in the 7th grade when I learned that I love writing. I've shared before, but my 7th-grade English teacher introduced me to the beauty of writing. I have collections of journals before that where I shared my hopes and dreams, the feelings I had for

Politics

I'm Not Political

Content: politics, death, murder, and oppression I'm pissed. I'm furious. First, for the reality of our sociopolitical world. Second, that I have to even write this. Today's essay was supposed to be a eulogy for my cat of 18 years and 8 months. Yes,

Chronic Pain

My Body Hurts

I woke up at 1 pm today, but to be fair, I didn’t fall asleep until 7 am. Not for lack of desire, a rambunctious evening, or being caught up in a good book. No. Instead, it was because I hadn’t slept, tossing and turning. I contemplated writing

New Year

2025 in Review

2025 was quite the year for many of us, never mind the realities and sociopolitical conditions of the world. I was reminded of this fairly often while abroad. Many folks will be sharing their experiences, accomplishments, and New Year’s Resolutions by the end of tonight, but I want to

Travel

A Letter to the Woman I Was Last Year

Dear Charlene, in December 2024, You are about a month out from the trip of a lifetime. In a little over a month, you will land in Spain after 25 hours of traveling from San Diego to Chicago, Chicago to Madrid, and then finally, Madrid to Málaga. Coincidentally, today, the

Travel

The Spaces Between Belonging

We had been in our new flat for a week when I walked into the kitchen of our new home for the next four months, looked at the pouches of ramen I brought from the United States to curb potential homesickness, and scrunched my nose. We only had a few

Life

What We Should Do

I'm not sure whether I believe in signs, but I feel that there are times in our lives when perhaps they appear more than others, and those moments push me to believe in them more than not. When I first arrived, I was terrified I had made a

Cultural Exchange

The Importance of Cultural Exchange

With pen in hand and notebook open, I peer out the bus window, admiring the various landscapes in the many different neighborhoods. I watch the people gather and disperse, looking for a seat, sharing space with strangers, or gripping the yellow metal bars to stand still in place. The blue

Fulbright

The Fulbright Program and What We Can Do

With the current federal funding freeze and the ways it is impacting Fulbrighters right now, I must speak about my experience and also bring to light some of the struggles Fulbrighters are currently facing. Because for me, and for others, receiving a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award is an incredible

Niche

I Have Nothing to Offer

I woke up this morning and laid in bed longer than I wanted. Today, my seventh day in Spain, a thought crossed my mind: I have nothing to offer.  This thought was not an existential spiral, nor should it flag concern.  I have been up since 5:15 a.m.

Travel

A Good Night's Sleep

Monday’s excitement was met by Tuesday’s trepidation.  Having to move my flight back several times, initially planning on leaving December 31, but facing hurdles from the timing of visa approvals, then January 7th, then hitting a wall with a few other last-minute plans, my children and I

Grief

On Grief and Humanization Amid Neoliberalism

It’s been no secret that I juggle a lot. I always have. In high school, I worked 32 hours weekly at a grocery store while balancing marching band practice and physical therapy. I would do homework on my lunch break or stay up really late to finish my coursework.

Writing

Why I Write

I stood trembling in a library. I gripped the small, blue book tightly. Surveying the entire library, family members were present, awaiting the start of open house night. Mr. M came over, asking if I was ready. My sweaty palms would not budge from the book; I could feel myself

Barbie

Barbie, bell hooks, Plato, & the Patriarchy

** If you haven’t seen the Barbie movie yet, please note that there will be spoilers in this piece.** I played with Barbie dolls, but I’ll be honest, I struggled a lot with imagination play. That has a lot to do with my childhood issues, but that’s a

Travel

Water Color Skies

Right around the end of May, you’ll find me preparing my car, preparing it for an annual road trip to Illinois, where I spend a considerable amount of time with my kids in Illinois. Of course, when I say Illinois, most folks immediately assume Chicago, but where we live

Missed Chances

The story of love goes on beyond, The starry sky and land and sea, Of how two people connect and meet and end up happily. That happy ever after is oft a fantasy, Pretending our lives are author-crafted, But if it exists, we seem to forget the times our

Graduation

Using han, Finding jeong

This is the final reflection I shared in my dissertation. I reflect on my Korean culture and heritage, and the process of using the Korean concept of han to find jeong.  I was working as a secondary humanities teacher when I first started thinking about my dissertation, starting with my

Graduation

Life After the Ph.D.

I initially started this website a year ago when I felt as if I was drowning, struggling to find out what my next steps would be and focusing on a dissertation proposal. It had a few names, but all boiled down to finding joy. I successfully defended that proposal in

PhD

Finishing the Ph.D.

Perhaps you are a newly minted Ph.D., out in the scary world of academia trying to weather the storm, unsure of when to ease the mainsail, terrified of capsizing yet just as scared to lose momentum, stranded, unable to reach the final destination for your career, or life. Or,

Poetry

Today is More

This poem is written by Charlene. © 2022 Quiet among the crickets' songs, With sounds of cars chasing taillights in a city always bustling, The warmth of my children reminding me to love, Embrace, Exhaust all sources of compassion, Before I exhaust my body and mind, ridding myself of tolerance.