The Island Bookstore
I wonder, not for the first time, how he hasn’t run out of stories to tell.
Olivia graduated from Calvin in May 2018 with a double major in business and writing. She now works as an editor in Nashville, Tennessee and is eating her way through the restaurants of her new town. She enjoys weekend trips with friends, petting other people’s dogs, and drinking coffee like a Gilmore Girl.
The Precedented World of Hallmark
Added bonuses: a man confessing his love to an elevator, and the theme song is one of the cheesiest Christmas tunes of all time.
Turkey Trot (or Not)
To perfectly capture the moment, the photo of my mom crossing the finish line includes me in the background, having lost the battle with my stomach and undoubtedly scarring fellow turkey-trotters for life.
Ode to October
October is an attack on the senses in the best way.
Uplifting 2020 Conversation Topics
The question “Do you have a TikTok?” definitely sparks an interesting conversation.
One Year in 23S
When I walk through the blue door, now it feels like a home—my home.
Overheard in Fremont
The men greeted one group member by erupting “Herman the German!” when he walked in the door.
My Top Ten: Non-news-related Podcasts
In the midst of all the learning and educating, listening and serving we are hopefully doing as a global community, I hope these podcasts bring your minds and hearts some rest and levity.
One Dog, Two Dog, Red Dog, Blue Dog
You get them their own nuggets one time and they start to expect things.
Letters from Quarantine
Every day now carries a different weight, new set of worries, and another chance to intentionally look for the good.
While You Were Sleeping
It feels so wrong to continue living normal life in the aftermath of a tragic storm.
Cerulean Waves
I run down the dune to be closer to the water and it feels like I’m flying. I don’t think about climbing back up.
My Mom’s Kitchen
There’s a warm spot on the floor in front of the refrigerator—my favorite spot to think.
The Snowy Knight of Christmas Holly
Best line: “A guest house, on a teacher’s salary?”
Fear Factor
I mean honestly, I cried the entire eight-hour car ride to college (shout out to my parents who kept driving).
Back to the Basics
Thirteen years later, I realize I made a bad trade. Mom, you were right. No one is surprised.
M is for Music City
Can I carry around a sign that reads: “I’m new here”? Can I attend the adult version of Cokes and Clubs?
Apartment Shopping at IKEA: A Progression
Oh forget it, I’ll just buy everything online.
The Group Date
This is probably the only day I will ever respond positively to the question, “All right, are we ready to go for a run?”
The Concert Count
If we can all connect with the same music, our souls must be similar in some way.
The Unlikely Sports Fan
As the game went into double-overtime (that’s a thing?), I was stress-eating a Pop-Tart when I finally realized I was being ridiculous.
Fair-Weather Fitness
First of all, the whole thing felt like a trick.
Preventing Snow Faux Pas
REMAIN. CALM.
The Other Manhattan
“It has letters like the Hollywood Sign, so it’s basically the same thing.”
Advice from the Island Bar
This friendly man at the bar wrote the books my dad and grandpa read at the beach for years, AND he was partially responsible for our family tradition of eating dinner (and lunch, and then dinner again) at Doc Fords on Sanibel.
A Journey of Advent
For months, I have been waiting for news about my dream opportunity. I have held back from any long-term commitments for the sake of a possibility. I have been expectantly been waiting for news—any news.
On Ketchup and Culture Shock
The ketchup consumption in my house has dramatically increased this fall.
Open Seating
“I’m actually on a connecting flight, traveling to a corn hole tournament. It’s a pretty big deal,” the man in the seat behind me announced.
Take a Hike
But after a few more minutes of walking, I saw it: the view from the top—the mountains that dropped into the sea, the trees already changing into their fall garments, the ocean fading into the sky.
Vivian Maier
She took photos because it was something she had to do, because creativity flowed out of her and became her way of life. Because she had something to say.
