Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
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Like most people around the globe, I’ve been sequestered from society for a year. An entire year. Three hundred and sixty-five days and counting. Yes, I’ve had the pleasure of my family’s company, but even my charming husband and adorable children get tiresome after a while.
By Emily Cameron 5 years ago in Viva
All in the Presentation
Standing by that Photo of Fallen Trees, the one by that famous wilderness photographer. You know the one, at least you’ll recognize the image. It’s on display at the far back of the gallery, but you can see it when you are looking down the main hallway. There, under that very photo, your date awaits in a brown leather jacket, dark hair and holding a glass of wine. It will be merlot.
By KateC Gaston5 years ago in Viva
Probiotics: Turns out, vaginas are complicated. And brilliant.
"The vagina is a self-cleaning oven. Just leave it alone." Sounds familiar, right? I can still hear the words of my sweet-spoken professor, dropping this pearl on our women's health class, providing a valuable, yet simple, principle with which to guide our patient care. As NP students, we were taught to respect the body's ability to keep the vaginal peace. If a problem arose, we were trained to identify the condition, treat as necessary, and then advise the patient to resume leaving her vagina the heck alone. Don't flush it, scrub it, powder or perfume it. And the whole "yogurt-a-day-keeps-the-gyno-away" thing? Science wasn't supporting this, either. Gynecology professionals and governing health organizations had traditionally stood by the idea that there was no consistent evidence supporting oral probiotic efficacy for maintaining vaginal health and balance.
By Stephanie Williams5 years ago in Viva
Reflections of a Sauna Sisterhood
Reflections of a Sauna Sisterhood By: Paris Perrault Written as Covid Pandemic Lock Down Began March 2020 Something mystical occurs while sitting in a darkened, cedar planked sauna with fatigued, perspiring women. It is empowering and uplifting. It is sensual and invigorating. It is during this experience of sweat-equity, where magically, any woman of this sisterhood, is free to dream, re-define, clarify and reinvent herself, while simultaneously exuding a natural glow that one cannot buy in any retail market.
By Paris Perrault5 years ago in Viva
The 97%
If you have Tik Tok or you have any sort of social media I'm sure you've seen somewhere the 97%. Well, what is the 97% anyway? This number represents the percentage of women age 18-24 that have been a victim of sexual assault and/or harassment. Let that sink in. I'm sure many of you reading this are in that age bracket and if not, I know all of you know a woman between the ages of 18-24. Guarantee she is in the 97%. I know I am and I know that almost every woman I know is a part of it.
By Madison Rheam, B.A.5 years ago in Viva
The Invitation
Lily was terrified. They had been talking for nearly a year and finally she had worked up the courage to suggest a real “date.” The suggestion, much to her surprise, was accepted and to make the whole situation even more stressful, she’d suggested her place. What the hell was she thinking? It’s one thing to text back and forth, or talk for a bit on the phone. It’s also fairly easy to banter at the coffee shop. There are escape routes, dammit. You can hang up, have to go to the bathroom, or just leave. But no, you had to go and make it weird and inescapable by having it at your place. What are you going to do? Run out of the apartment and hope for the best? Girl, you are an idiot.
By Joyce R. Carter5 years ago in Viva
I am loving her
Why am I disliking the woman in the mirror? There is absolutely no reason why I should. However, I see her flabby underarm and the cellulite on her stomach, the oversized love handles, and that flab in her abdomen above her c-section and they disgust me. Years ago, she was somewhat fit, and I was a bit more comfortable with her. I say "a bit" because I admit that I still saw her many body imperfections: she still needed some tighter abs, glutes, and legs to be attractive.
By Jara Rios Rodriguez5 years ago in Viva
Not all Men but All Women
TRIGGER WARNING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT: Especially on Tiktok, I have been seeing the news about Sarah Everard and what happened to her. If you don't know, according to the NY times, Sarah Everard was a young woman who was raped and murdered by a police officer in the UK. You can read further about the story here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/world/europe/sarah-everard-uk.html
By Bea Usamani5 years ago in Viva
