Worlds Apart Words Together

  As I (Marit) think about Christmas, my heart warms with memories from cherished traditions. Growing up in the Netherlands, Christmas unfolded over three magical days—Christmas Eve on the 24th, 1st Christmas Day on the 25th, and 2nd Christmas Day on the 26th. When both sets of grandparents were still around, the holidays were a joyous dance between two sides of the family. The 1st Christmas Day was dedicated to one family, and the 2nd Christmas Day to the other. With only one grandparent remaining, we have made a commitment to visiting her during the holidays. As times changed, our gift-giving tradition shifted from Christmas morning to the enchanting Christmas Eve, marking a new chapter in our festive celebrations. There is a back story about this. One year, we went to Disneyland Paris right before Christmas. I believe we were supposed to come back the 2nd Christmas day. On Christmas Eve we received a phone call from our grandma that grandpa had been rushed to the hospital. We le...

The festive season is upon us, and we are eagerly counting down the days until Christmas, anticipating the joy of seeing one another again! In the spirit of the holidays, we have decided to kick off the season by sharing our excitement and delving into the world of our favorite Christmas movies. Now, let us talk about the enchanting world of Christmas movies. The allure of these films goes beyond mere entertainment; there's a psychological underpinning to our love for them, as explained by Psychology Today : h oliday movies have the power to boost our mood and alleviate symptoms of depression, providing a temporary escape from the stressors of daily life. They tap into our sense of nostalgia, transporting us to the "good old days" with heartwarming stories, familiar images, and comforting music. These films trigger a longing for the simplicity, hope, and happiness associated with times gone by, offering a respite from the complexities of the real world. As most of us do n...

Thanksgiving—the quintessential American holiday that elicits a spectrum of emotions, from eager anticipation to downright dread. As the holiday just pasted, I find myself analyzing my ideation of the idealized vision of Thanksgiving and the more times than not chaotic reality of the day. Thanksgiving is typically portrayed as a table full of the typical Thanksgiving feast—turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and the list goes on. For some, the anticipation of a day dedicated to eating and indulging in these dishes is enough to make anyone's mouth water. Yet, beneath the surface of this cooking spectacular lies the unspoken truth—preparing for this feast can be a logistical nightmare, from grocery shopping to the inevitable shuffle of furniture to accommodate the multitudes. For me, Thanksgiving embodies ideals of familial harmony, laughter, and gratitude. It's a time to come together, share stories, and expres...

Welcome back to a new week with us! This time, join Marit as she takes you on a thrilling journey through her two-day escapade in the vibrant city of London, U.K. From iconic landmarks to dazzling Christmas decorations and an unforgettable night at Mamma Mia the Party, this weekend was nothing short of magical. The Spontaneous London Adventure This past weekend, I embarked on a spontaneous trip to London with her long-time friend Soraya, whom she met during her swim career. The idea came from their shared desire to experience London during the festive holiday months and, to attend Mamma Mia the Party. With a 'f*ck it' attitude, we quickly planned the trip and discovered it was surprisingly affordable to fly off to London and check off two items on our bucket list. Jet-Setting to London Thursday kicked off with attending morning classes, followed by a quick home stop to freshen up before catching our 21:00hr flight. A mere hour later, we touched down in London, setting the stage...

This week, we are diving into the transition from the warmer season into the fall and winter, examining Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Whether you're familiar with it or encountering the term for the first time, join us as we explore and delve deeper into its significance. SAD - What is it? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression or winter blues, is a distinct form of depression acknowledged in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Classified as Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern, SAD is characterized by a recurrence of depressive symptoms during specific seasons, most commonly in the winter months. Individuals experiencing SAD often exhibit a range of symptoms that mirror major depression. These can include: Feeling persistently sad or experiencing a depressed mood Loss of interest or pleasure in once-enjoyed activities Changes in appetite, with a tendency to eat more and crave carbohydrates Altered sleep patterns, typical...

As we've all noticed, fall swooped in a few weeks ago, and if you're living in a place where the seasons change dramatically, you might be experiencing a whirlwind of chilly winds, early sunsets, and all things fall-tastic. But fear not, because there's a silver lining to this seasonal shift, and we're here to explore it with you in this week's blog post! Early Sunsets: The Dark Side of Fall Let's start with the not-so-great part of autumn – those early sunsets. If you're like us and reside in a location like The Netherlands or the Midwest of the United States, you're probably reminiscing about those long summer days when the sun didn't call it quits until 10:30 p.m. (or even later). Now, it's a whole different story; by 5:30 p.m., darkness begins to settle, and it's only going to get earlier as we tumble into winter. But have you ever wondered why you start feeling sleepier earlier in these seasons? It's all because of that magical hormo...

Welcome to another week of Worlds Apart Words Together. This week we are introducing a new blog/podcast series: Traveling in your 20's. Lots of young adults have the dream to travel around the world or different countries while they don't have too many responsibilities just yet. In this series, we are and will be inviting people who are traveling or have traveled during their 20's, to share their experiences! Our first traveler is David. David is one of Leah's younger brothers who started his journey from his home country Australia. He made his way to Los Angeles and will continue to explore the United States for another 7ish months. We had the opportunity to ask him some questions about his journey so far! Go check out his adventures and follow along on his travels on: Instagram: @enduro_warrior49 & @venture_dma / YouTube: @venture3814 Q: For how long have you been traveling? A: I have been traveling for just shy of 3 weeks. Q: What does your travel look like?...