Articles written by Drew Woodson

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About me - Drew Woodson

Drew Woodson is a writer and a teacher of writing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Parenting & Pregnancy > Teens (Other) Should you let your teen travel overseas?: 1 of 17
When I stepped off the escalator into the train terminal, I felt like I was Neil Armstrong hopping down the ladder to step foot on the dusty surface of the moon. I was sixteen and newly arrived for an exhange program in Germany. I knew very little German and nothing about foreign travel, but the struggles I encountered in tha... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges How to talk to your teen about religion: 2 of 18
Teenagers spend most of their time developing their identity. It is what they are thinking about when they are getting dressed in the morning for school, when they taking a Science test, and when they are making plans for the weekend. It drives what they do and say at all times. Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist, des... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Holidays & Celebrations The history of Lent: 2 of 10
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a day many people know as "the day after Mardis Gras." It celebrates the coming of Easter, the most important Christian holiday, and commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness resisting temptations from Satan. The Lenten season in the Christian tradition begins with repentance and for... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Immigrants: 9 of 40
Immigration is the civil rights issue of our generation. Whether American citizens like it or not, immigrants drive our economy and have rights as human beings that must be protected.Immigrants want to work and there is little work in their countries of origin. So, they risk their lives to come to the US. How many of us would... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Football Why college football gets the most coverage of any educational sport: 1 of 4
College football season, with all-day tailgates, multi-million dollar TV deals, and rabid fans has earned the right to call itself a big time sport even if it lacks the glitz and polish of professional leagues. The popularity of college football can be explained by three powerful factors: frequency, proximity, loyalty. Media ... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > New Year's A guide to reversing New Year's resolutions and avoiding the guilt: 3 of 10
There are two keys to successful, guilt-free New Year's resolutions. First, is to stop promising yourself what you won't do. Instead make resolutions that promise what you will do. This simple paradigm shift not only helps you avoid the guilt that comes with common missteps. Second, make your resolution simple and action-base... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking Fruits & Vegetables How to cook okra: 4 of 13
I cringed recently when my friend asked me, "Okra? Is that a kind of fish?" We were at a soul food restaurant and the owner was close enough to hear. She laughed and said, "No, honey, it's a vegetable," and served us some of her finest.Okra is indeed a vegetable, and while it is common in Southern and Creole cuisine, it does ... More..
Local Guides > Boston 10 tips for Boston tourists: 2 of 6
Boston mixes the history of a colonial town with the culture of a modern metropolis. When you are there, it is hard to know what to do and what to skip. These tips help you identify what should not be missed on your visit.1. Walk the Freedom Trail.But make stops along the way. The Freedom Trail takes you past many of the hist... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges Warning signs your teen may be troubled: 1 of 3
Parents should always watch for unhealthy habits in their teens, but certain warning signs may indicate the need for more direct intervention.The warning signs fall into two general categories: avoidance and calls for attention.AvoidanceIt is not unusual for teens to change their social patterns from time to time during their... More..
Food & Drink > Seafood How to judge the freshness of market fish: 1 of 2
At Haymarket in Boston, the vendors yell at you if you are too friendly with the merchandise, and they do not take kindly to the suggestion that their merchandise might not be the freshest available. So how can one be sure that the fish is fresh? Talk, look, and smell.TalkIn a market environment, it might be hard to communica... More..