Month: January 2017

Posted in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized

What’s Ahead in 2017

Posted on by melissaburgess

Well, here we are – now almost two full weeks into the new year, and I’m finally making moves to sit down and type up a post about what I hope to accomplish this year. As I touched on in my podcast (see my last post), I think it’s always important to set attainable goals, whether that’s on January 1, May 16 or October 4. I always want to strive to be better, happier, healthier, etc. and it’s like a full-time job. Sometimes I let myself down… and that’s okay. Sometimes I don’t achieve what I’d hoped – and that’s okay.

Anyways, a few years ago I stopped setting “resolutions” at the start of each year. It seems like an easy way for people to set themselves up for disappointments. “I’ll go to the gym more often,” we say, and then maybe we do for the first few weeks…. and then we drop off. “I’ll eat healthier,” and then we do… at least until a party comes up and there’s a table of good – but not healthy – food in front of us.

At any rate, I like to set hopes for not just the new year — but for the foreseeable future. Not resolutions – but goals nonetheless. Bonus points if you have ideas on how you’re going to accomplish those things too.

Here are a few of mine:

  • Visit at least three new states. Traveling gives me energy, and I already know how I’m going to accomplish this one: my Texas road trip in spring.
  • Try more new fitness things. I’ve already started this one with my boxing class at BikeOrBar.
  • Write more. This is all about pushing myself, and I’m going to try my hardest to post here at least once a week along with my other writing forums.

I’ve got other ideas in my head for things I’d like to see happen this year, but for now, I’d like to keep them to myself. Let’s just say that 2017 is going to be an interesting year, and I’m ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead straight-on.

Posted in Food, Health & Fitness, Love, Marriage & Relationships

Please, Don’t Ask People If They’re Expecting (Etc.)

Posted on by melissaburgess

When I first got married, I guess some part of me knew that the question would eventually come. I wasn’t sure when, or how, or who would ask it, but I knew, sooner or later, someone would ask if (or when) we were planning to have children. We did get a few questions right off the bat – literally, just days, maybe even hours, after the I-dos… “Are you guys thinking about kids?” “Do you guys want kids?”

I roll my eyes already. We’ve barely been married a few hours, or a few days, and already, the conversation has turned to our potential parenting at some point in the future.

I want to put it straight right here, before I go any further. It is absolutely, completely okay (and awesome) if people have children right after they get married, or soon after. It’s also awesome if they have children before they get married. It’s awesome if people choose to wait. It’s awesome if people choose to never have kids. It is completely up to the couple.

And that, my friends, is where we often run into a roadblock. Having a child is probably (I assume, since I’ve never done it) one of the most incredible things you can do. But it should be your decision — not anyone else’s.

Continue reading “Please, Don’t Ask People If They’re Expecting (Etc.)” →

Posted in Miscellaneous

Looking Back on 2016

Posted on by melissaburgess

Alright, so it’s already a few days into 2017, but I’ve been meaning to take some time to sit down and reflect back on the year that was 2016. By and large, it was a fantastic year for me, and I’d be lying if I said otherwise.

In my personal life, I got married! July 16, 2016 was an amazing day, and I’ll always be able to look back on that day with fond memories. A few days later, we did our New England honeymoon, which was eye-opening and a new adventure in many ways for me. From my first time seeing the ocean, to whale-watching, to visiting six (Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut!) new states… it was a trip to remember, and certainly one I’ll never forget! In the process, I also checked another MLB park off my list: Fenway. In other pieces throughout the year, I also saw cities like Syracuse (my first time really visiting), Cleveland (where I got to see Good Charlotte), Toronto and more.

I look forward to more traveling in 2017, including the trip we’re currently planning – a drive to & from Texas, which will be a whole new horizon for me (and possibly six, maybe more, new states!)

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Posted in Books, Reviews, Uncategorized

Book Review: “Everyday Sexism” by Laura Bates

Posted on by melissaburgess

Perhaps one of the most important, eye-opening books you can read on the topic, I suggest everyone pick up a copy of Laura Bates’ “Everyday Sexism,” which builds off the website and associated social media accounts.

Sexism is rampant these days, whether you experience it every day or not. I particularly think this book would be a crucial read for anyone who doesn’t, or thinks they don’t, experience sexism. There were a lot of little gem quotes in this book, which is littered with examples from real women and men around the world of their experiences with sexism.

From being catcalled on the street to being harassed at work, from lower-level offenses to the most serious stories of harassment and assault…. this book will open your eyes to what women (and men, to a lesser degree) are experiencing around the world. From tales of Internet harassment (thanks, social media) to how that can reach over into the non-virtual world…. this book covers a little bit of everything, including how varying groups can experience different levels of sexism, including sexism intertwined with other things like racism, ableism, homophobia, etc. I found it to be a very thorough read, if an incredibly sad one. It’s hard to read all the stories and see what people experience in these categories around the world, to feel the pain, the embarrassment… and to connect that to what we’ve felt in our own lives.

Continue reading “Book Review: “Everyday Sexism” by Laura Bates” →