Writing
Explore samples of my writing at various publications.
10 Tips for Supporting a Friend with Cancer
After learning that a friend, colleague, or neighbor has cancer, you may wonder what you should do. You might want to help in some way or think about stopping by for a visit or sending a gift. Or maybe you simply feel at a loss for what to do or what to say.
We talked to Memorial Sloan Kettering social workers Meredith Cammarata and Liz Blackler to get their best tips on how to support a friend with cancer. Here's what we learned.
Teaching Kids About Financial Responsibility
Teaching kids about money involves a lot more than just making sure they understand that there are four quarters in a dollar. So how do you instill good money values in your kids to make sure they end up with a cushy 401K and an emergency fund, rather than piles of bills and mounds of credit card debt?
It starts early—and like any good return on your investment—compounds over time. Teaching them about financial decisions when they're young, and letting them make mistakes, will make it less likely that you'll be bailing them out of a tight financial spot later.
Understanding College Savings Plans
Holding your tiny newborn in your arms, it's hard to imagine all that life has in store for her—first steps, starting kindergarten, learning to drive, going to prom, applying for college. And while you may not have to worry about prom dates just yet, it isn't too early to start saving for her college education. In fact, experts recommend that you begin putting away money for college as soon as possible.
5 Amazing Breakthroughs Discovered by Accident
Chances are, the next time you get sick, you won't want to hear your doctor utter the words "mistake" or "accident." But if it wasn't for mistakes and accidents, some of the very things you rely on to stay healthy or help you heal may never have been discovered. Here, a look at five accidental breakthroughs that have changed the way doctors practice medicine.
7 Biggest Myths about Dating and Mating
Myth: Men are from Mars
Fact: Contrary to popular literature, men and women are both from planet Earth. You probably already knew this one was a myth, but some of the other falsehoods we'll expose here might surprise you. Find out how much you really know about the desires and motivations of the opposite sex.
The Financial Costs of Having and Raising Children
Many parents feel the sticker shock that comes with having a child before their babies are even born. In fact, one trip to shop for cribs, strollers, and diapers can make even prudent parents worry that there's not enough money in their bank accounts. And baby items are just the beginning—as your child grows older, so do the expenses.
Complete Guide to Maternity Leave
When you become a new mom, you'll have to juggle plenty of demands. And if you're currently pregnant and working, your first lesson may come sooner than you expect-when you have to make decisions about maternity leave. If you're planning to return to your job after giving birth, you'll need to understand your legal rights and your employer's obligations; that way, you can leave and come back under the best possible conditions. Read on for a comprehensive look at your maternity leave rights, responsibilities, and options.
What is Erosive Esophagitis?
Erosive esophagitis is damage or severe inflammation to the esophageal lining. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. Erosive esophagitis is a rare but advanced condition that can be painful and make it hard to swallow. Erosive esophagitis is most commonly caused by persistent acid reflux disease (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD), where stomach acid and juices flow up into your throat. Patients with GERD may experience esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophagus.
Stressing Success
The best of the class of 2003 are ready. For years, they've watched classmates earn awards, recognition, scholarships and entrance into prestigious colleges. Now, as their senior year is upon them, they are harvesting their own honors and awards in preparation for the many applications they must complete. ... They wonder if their long lists of achievements will be enough—enough to get them into the college of their dreams, enough to get them that scholarship, enough to pave the way to their desired career, enough to make others remember them.
While they wonder if it's enough, they never consider the opposite: is it ever too much?
Classify These Under 'Fun!'
Mike Fleming sits in the driver's seat of a long, steel wagon. His 30 passengers point to and take pictures of the water buffalo, zebras, elk, ostrich and dozens of other animals that approach the wagon. But the animals don't faze Mike. ... Mike is 10 and has been working at Wagon Trails Animal Park in Vienna since his family opened it three years ago.
Zooming In On 95 Years
Picture a barefoot family clad in pastel or white clothing comfortably lounging against a stark white background. Now picture this image exquisitely framed and hanging in the family's home. It's a look that's become as classic as the Clifford Norton Studio, which celebrates its 95th anniversary this year.