I had just graduated college. It was the summer of 2013, and I received my first job offer: the opportunity to teach English in China.

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I spent the last four years planning what my next step was, planning where my next internship would be, planning what countries I would visit abroad, but in less than forty hours I graduate college. I never planned for failure, I never planned to let myself down--and I'm not really sure I could have.

We have all been given the advice to never discuss politics or religion at family gatherings; apparently it will lead to fights and hard feelings. But why does this have to happen? Why is it so tough to voice our possibly controversial opinions and to listen to others that probably disagree?

I've surrounded myself with people who are fighting for those who stutter, and I've never been happier. While the journey is full of tasteless jokes and ignorance, there will always be those who help guide the way in compassion and understanding.

There are currently eight states within the U.S. which require any publically funded institution to allow firearms on campus; and 23 additional states allow these institutions to decide for themselves whether students can carry firearms

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I was just about to send out a "What the new application essay prompts are" email to students with whom I work. Right in the middle of writing it, it dawned on me that everyone should have access to this information, especially since it's not that easy to find.

College women - many who are voting for their first time - will be significantly impacted by the 2016 election. Whereas gendered rights have been political pawns throughout history, in 2016 we are taking steps backwards. Gains made are being eroded.

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Don't think you're doing me a favor by noticing my masculinity in order to appease to your heteronormative standards. Start noticing your behaviors and habits, and ask yourself why femininity bothers you.

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Since all the political news is terrible and only getting worse, I decided to reflect on something very personal this week -- about a great event that happened this weekend.

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Yes, I am fat, healthy, plump and everything else you want to call me. I will use the word "fat" without feeling sorry for myself and without cringing. Fat is fat, but fat is not ugly, funny or unacceptable.

As the Internet drives consolidation in competitive industries, with Facebook dominating social media, Apple ruling smartphones, and Uber becoming the king of transportation, Amazon wants to capture market share from its rivals by ingraining itself in our daily lives.

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This past weekend, I had the honor and privilege of being the commencement speaker at my alma mater, Trinity University. The invitation came from our new university president last October and was one of the most artfully-worded requests I've ever received.

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While the speeches are often inspiring, sometimes funny, and occasionally boring, rarely do they provide the advice new graduates most need at that precise moment: how to get started in a career, or even get their first job.

The Tao Te Ching suggests that it is sometimes necessary to learn to see the events in our world backwards, inside out and upside down.

In reality, mental health is affected by a slew of other factors including class, sexuality, race, culture, and family history. Minorities within these categories are often especially affected, so it is vital to address cultural identities within our discussions of mental health.

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I say this not to elicit sympathy, but to merely state a fact: My cat died and I am sad. Which, if you have ever loved an animal, is a perfectly appropriate response. Yet I'm not telling the entire story. I am very sad. I am breathlessly, obsessively, perhaps ridiculously sad over the death of my cat, Bongo.