One of my most frequent memories of childhood and adolescence - and even into young adulthood and still sometimes to this day - are the seemingly random, sudden, and all-encompassing epiphanies I experience (rarely now, but still) when it comes to words and concepts we use in every day life. A "crosswalk" is called a "crosswalk" because people use it to "walk" a"cross" the street. *mic drop* 0_O Mind blowing, right? Or get this one: We refer to car engines having a certain am

When I was growing up, there was one descriptor that followed me around everywhere - at home, at school, visiting family - everyone seemed to key in on this one part of my personality and turn it into a reason for praise. Or at least, a reason to take notice. This one phrase became so ubiquitous that it fused into my self-identity: "She is so meticulous." Meticulousness was a specialty of mine. It still is, though I have learned to turn it down, because you simply cannot be a

My mother helped me with a great many life lessons growing up. Some on purpose, some by accident - all from a place of love and as the result of accumulated wisdom from her own life experiences, which were so many and varied. I could cite many lessons which I still carry with me today, and which I hope to pass on to my children. One in particular has come in highly useful more than once - especially given my tendency to over-analyze, to over-think, to nearly paralyze myself s