Jessie Voigts's Blog, page 7
May 8, 2025
Author AJ Frazier on Writing, Diverse Characters, and Mariel
What does it mean to delve deeply into your life to write a novel? How do you even start? How does an author write deep, diverse characters?
Such were the questions that AJ Frazier worked through to write his new novel, Mariel.
He answered them, and then some, in this fascinating thriller that encompasses extraordinarily complex themes in a new and interesting way.
A.J. Frazier is a Black and trans author whose work explores supernatural and theological the...
May 7, 2025
Through the Eyes of an Educator: To the Wayfinders Who Came Before Us
As the calendar page flips and we move closer to graduation dates and summer’s arrival, students everywhere are abuzz with a palpable frenetic energy. Whether excited to fling themselves out the doors of an educational space, nervous for what lies ahead, or a bit numbed by it all, we’re often met with big feelings as we leap from one comfort zone into a grand unknown.
While many feel sideswiped by the power of these milestones, perhaps, there is wisdom that the wayfin...
May 6, 2025
Read This: Paris Shopfronts
There is so much to discover in Paris that a lifetime isn't enough. And what to do, when we are far away and planning (or dreaming about) a trip? What to see, do, eat, buy? We need help (and inspiration).
Enter the most BEAUTIFUL and inspiring new book: Paris Shopfronts, illustrated by Joel Holland, words by Vivian Song, foreword by Sarah Andelman.
Paris Shopfronts is the ultimate cultural informant and best friend in Paris you didn't know you needed. With ex...
May 4, 2025
Basic chile salsa recipe
Have you ever tried making salsa from scratch? I’m not talking about pico de gallo, the chopped up tomato-onion-cilantro combo that sometimes gets mistaken for salsa. Nope, I’m thinking of Mexican salsa that comes in endless varieties and has as its base dried chiles.
Making salsa is actually easy–promise!–and doesn’t take much time. I had fun whipping up a batch yesterday with my teen and her friends. It took all of 20 minutes. We probably could have made it faster...
April 29, 2025
How to Fund Your Education: Exploring Different Ways to Pay for College
College. It’s a dream for many, but what about the cost? Not so dreamy. If you're staring down that tuition bill and wondering how you're going to fund your education, you’re not alone. But the good news is there’s no shortage of ways to make it happen. From scholarships to student loans, there are a ton of options out there, some more obvious than others. The trick is figuring out which one (or ones) works best for you. Let’s dive into all the different ways to p...
April 28, 2025
Meet Avandra! Your Orlando Cultural Advisor
Are you new to the Central Florida area or have you been here for a minute?
Do you sometimes ask yourself what there is to do and where to go?
Get ready to follow Avandra on her adventures!
Avandra seeks out new experiences and places that she will be sharing with you.
Get ready, it’s either Feast or Famine!
For instance, are you aware of A Perfect Union Art Gallery, located in West Oaks Mall?
If you have never heard of it, you should definitely go and check ...
Footsteps of the fallen: The Gettysburg National Military Park
The dust swirls over the silent ridges where on July 1-3, 1863, more than 50,000 soldiers gave their lives in what we know today as the bloodiest battle in American history.
Today, the Gettysburg National Military Park stretches across 6,999 acres of rolling fields and wooded hills. For those seeking “dark tourism,” Gettysburg offers more than monuments and markers: it calls tourists to take a second and be reminded of these lands where their ancestors fell befor...
Protecting Patients On the Go: A Guide to Healthcare Security for Traveling Professionals
For many professionals, going on a business trip is an exciting experience since it offers a change of scenery, networking opportunities, and a chance to explore new environments and culture. However, business travel can pose a few challenges, especially if you have one or more chronic health problems. According to a recent study, 52 percent of employees are currently struggling with at least one chronic condition. What's more, it's not just older workers who ar...
But For the Shadows, Mexico Is Color – 2,730,000 Steps in a Magical Country
Note: This is an excerpt from But For the Shadows, Mexico Is Color – 2,730,000 Steps in a Magical Country
From About 60,000 to 80,000 Steps
Today, our first Sunday in San Agustín, we make a foray into town to find an ATM. We have to walk the mile and a half from our temporary housing at the university, where I’ll be teaching, because we’re very low on cash and cannot afford the small bus they call a combi. We only have enough to pay for our laundry, which we’l...
April 26, 2025
No Day Shall Erase You from the Memory of Time: Exploring the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
September 11, 2001 is one of the most recognizable dates in modern history. Many people in the United States will be able to tell you what happened on that day: two planes flew into the World Trade Center in New York City, one more hit the Pentagon, and a fourth plane was en route to Washington D.C. before crashing into an empty field in Pennsylvania.
At the site of the World Trade Center, there are several rebuilt buildings, as well as a memorial and a museum ...
