Articles written by Vicki Hopkins

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About me - Vicki Hopkins

I live my life as a single 59-year old woman in the beautiful state of Oregon. My career is that of a contract specialist during the day, and on the evenings and weekends I devote to my writing.

I currently have a fairly popular blog entitled Lessons from

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Health & Fitness > Emotional Health & Wellbeing Assessing self worth: 1 of 6

Self-worth can mean different things to different people in different stages of life. How we assess our self worth is usually dependent on what stage or place we find ourselves at the moment. It can be a personal determination as to what we value the most; and if we don't possess what we value the most, we can deem ourselves...
Relationships & Family > Online Dating Considering relocating for love: 1 of 4

As you enter into the world of on-line dating, you'll soon find out that you can search for your potential mate from 1 to 2,000 miles away or more. While this gives you a wide range of choices, it also can present a wide range of problems. If your long-distance relationship has succeeded and you fall in love, the next obviou...
Relationships & Family > Divorce Psychology Making the decision about divorce: 3 of 11

Making the decision about divorce is one that should be made at the marriage altar during the exchange of vows. It should be a heart-felt decision that divorce won't be the legacy of the marriage or the aftermath given to the children of our marriage. However, many couples look at divorce as a way out, the escape clause, if ...
Relationships & Family > Divorce Psychology Interviews: Marriage advice from those who are divorced: 1 of 3

What marriage advice can a divorce person possibly give? It would seem divorcees would have very little advice to hand out, since we have failed at our own marriages. However, we often learn more about ourselves in retrospect then we do at the present moment. It takes time to step back from the hurt, pain, and disappointment...
Arts & Humanities > Writing Process (Other) Considering writers and role-playing: 2 of 5

WRITERS WHO ROLEPLAY Need to work on your fiction writing skills? Do you ever wonder if you have what it takes to write a novel? Can't seem to develop a character? Never had the joy of being the evil plot bunny? Need practice describing scenes? Well then, pick up your quill, dust off your computer, create a character, and ro...
Entertainment > Movie Analysis Movie analysis: Symbolism behind the Phantom of the Opera: 1 of 1

Throughout the story and the original novel, the symbolic use of mirrors abound. I think much deeper it's dealt with in the original book by Gaston Leroux, and somewhat alluded to in different terms in the movie. Nevertheless, let's take a look at the reflection in the mirror and see what's there. What is a mirror? Basically...
Entertainment > Movie Reviews Movie reviews: Noelle the Movie: 1 of 1

Today I went to the show and saw a movie that will probably go unnoticed by many. It's entitled Noelle. I occasionally shed a tear at the theater, but I don't usually blubber uncontrollably like I did at this one. It's a low budget, hardly publicized movie, with a touching message. It will never win an Emmy or an Oscar (thou...
Food & Drink > Cooking (Other) Making the most of leftovers: 12 of 20

The inspiration for this article is from my friend and co-worker, Loretta, who suggested that I write about what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers. Hum, since I rarely cook, I don't usually deal with leftovers, but after pondering the leftover thought, I figure there has to be a lot of correlations we can draw from a Thanksg...
Relationships & Family > Online Dating Tips for success in online dating: 10 of 15

On-line dating can be fun and frustrating all at the same time. It is an alternative route you can travel in your search for a mate. The best way to succeed, however, is to map your course first by determining what qualities you want to find in a person, the price you're willing to pay, and what investment in a relationship ...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Loneliness: 95 of 121

Have you read the latest? Tyra Banks in an issue of Essence magazine is quoted as saying, "I'd go to work [on 'The Tyra Banks Show'], and women would be crying in my arms. But then I'd go home and put my key in my door and nothing. No friends, no husband, no children. I feel so full when I'm at work, but so empty when I come...