Category Archives: Life

My Body, the Resilient Warrior

Posted on January 15, 2018 by emsander

My body is strong. It’s been through a hell of a lot. You see, it’s been fighting since day one, as soon as my diseased lungs expanded for the first time. A relentless slog forward. Despite the premature death sentence … Continue reading →

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A Beautiful Disaster

Posted on January 6, 2018 by emsander

Everything in my life was so fantastic this past year. I moved into D.C. proper and absolutely loved it. I checked off a huge item on my bucket list by seeing John Mayer in concert. I enjoyed the dating scene.  … Continue reading →

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Learning to Walk Again

Posted on December 31, 2017 by emsander

Stay focused. One foot in front of the other. Go slow. You can do this. These are the encouraging remarks I whisper to myself as I wobble down the street. I can barely walk straight. Everything around me is bouncing … Continue reading →

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A New D.C. Adventure

Posted on May 6, 2017 by emsander

I was sad to leave Arlington. I loved the house, my roommates, the location, the neighborhood. It was perfect in my mind–except that the house was slowly killing me. It was dusty and moldy from years of neglect by the … Continue reading →

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White Girl Woke

Posted on March 13, 2017 by emsander

I am WOKE. Not awake, which is obvious considering I am writing this, but I am woke to current reality. Trump became president and the America I thought I knew wasn’t the actual America I lived in. The progressive, open-minded, accepting … Continue reading →

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French Kisses

Posted on April 10, 2016 by emsander

I have taken a French lover. I still can’t quite believe it. Me, the woman who basically resigned herself to a spinster life. Me, the good girl who always followed the rules when it came to dating. Me, the skeptical … Continue reading →

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D.C.: My New Life Chapter

Posted on August 17, 2013 by emsander

I was on the metro yesterday with two of my new co-workers, laughing and joking. As I smiled, I thought about how far I’ve come. Wasn’t I in a hospital fighting with doctors and struggling to breathe not long ago? … Continue reading →

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The End of the Crisis

Posted on August 1, 2013 by emsander

It happened! IT happened! After almost a year of unemployment, I finally got a new job!!! While I was making plans to move to San Francisco, the universe had other ideas. My new job is taking me to D.C. Goes … Continue reading →

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An American Abroad

Posted on July 12, 2013 by emsander

In an earlier blog post, I referred to my semester abroad in London. I promised I would write about it sometime and that time is now. My 5th London Reunion is fast approaching. This is an annual tradition where the … Continue reading →

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Peace of Mind

Posted on July 10, 2013 by emsander

Dreams are powerful. A nightmare can scare you senseless. A fantasy can melt your heart. And other dreams are in a category of their own. The ones that shake you to the core, that shift your perspective, or inspire a … Continue reading →

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