Articles written by Kristin Schaaf

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About me - Kristin Schaaf

I have wanted to be a writer since I could hold a pencil in my hand and spell my name. My passion is to write.

Writing for me can be therapeutic, or just an opportunity to escape and get away from it all.

I also enjoy singing, learning to play the guitar, and

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Politics, News & Issues > Politics in Asia Since the world faces many challenges in 2009 including a global economic crisis, climate change, political upheavals and more, what are Asia's main challenges in 2009 and how will you be affected?: 1 of 21
The saying "times are tough" is beginning to fall on deaf ears as many around the globe are either looking at or experiencing firsthand the scene of global poverty and environmental destruction with a loss of hope in infrastructure and politics.People are suffering, whether from not being able to feed our families to wonderin... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Self-Awareness & Realization How to find your true passion: 8 of 108
Passion starts as a small seed. Water it, and it will grow abundantly. Cultivate it, and it will dwell within you.Passion is not something that comes on its own or that you can conjure up within you. Passion must first be discovered, then cultivated. All it starts with is a small desire, an inspiration. You have the power to ... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Lifestyles & Trends Understanding why celebrities divorce so often: 1 of 13
With nearly one out of every two marriages ending in divorce, it comes to be not much of a surprise when we see many celebrity marriages break apart.Why do celebrities' marriages seem to be topping the divorce charts? Just as any other relationship, there are several factors that can lead to these growing number of break ups.... More..
Relationships & Family > Romance & Sexuality Should a person reveal their sexual past: 2 of 19
I have always been a firm believer that honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to healthy relationships. I cannot imagine being married and not having open communication with each other. Without it, there is no complete trust in one another. This honesty and open communication should be part of the relationship ... More..
Entertainment > Celebrities (Other) Why are celebrities featured in mainline news: 2 of 15
The news, just like all mainstream media, reflects our culture. And our culture loves the celebrity lifestyle. We aspire to achieve our dreams in the same way. We hope to never have to worry about money. We want to be able to have whatever we want whenever we want. But at the same time, celebrities' lives are such a far cry f... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Food & Agriculture The pros and cons of supporting local farmers in your region: 3 of 18
Living in Iowa, I have seen the impact of the growth of industrialized agriculture on both local farmers and our environment. For this reason, there are many pros to supporting the local farmer.Corporate factory farms can house thousands of hogs (or chickens or other animals), and they not only take away the business of the l... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Psychology How to play hard-to-get: 4 of 14
Playing hard to get can be incredibly annoying to the opposite sex unless you know how to do it. You can keep him guessing and still keep him wanting more if you play it right.They key to playing hard to get is to let him know you're interested without letting on too much. Say hello, give eye contact and smile, but don't let ... More..
Personal Finance > Mortgages & Home Loans Exposing the unscrupulous practices of the mortgage broker: 16 of 54
"Bad Credit or No Credit? We Can Help!"I prey upon people with bad or no credit because they are the most desperate."Let's get you a fixed loan at a six-percent interest rate."Little do they know, hidden fees and balloon payments are just a couple years away. Adjustable-rate mortgages will pay for my vacation in the Bahamas."... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Is the slang use of the word "retard" or "retarded" discriminatory?: 6 of 20
In the recent months, our society has been able to witness several Hollywood figures opening their mouths and having words follow that many find offensive. Quickly, we slap a label on the person as a bigot, racist, close-minded person who needs to get help. When did we as a society become so close-minded to people making mist... More..
Travel > United States Kauai's secret gems: 1 of 3
Kauai, Hawaii is well known for its beautiful sand beaches, cascading waterfalls and lush terrain. There are many places to explore and things to see on this island, many of which are secret gems.A few of the must-see places to find are located on the north shore. Secret Beach is just that - a beach that is hidden after about... More..