First Person Foreign

Airplane Mode (3): Returning

July 17, 2021July 17, 2021 First Person ForeignAbuelita

“La mejor parte de estar roto es que encuentras a quienes son capaces de darte partes suyas para que tú vuelvas a estar completo.” -Alejandro Sequera, Mi Viaje Sin Ti Keep in mind, I am[…]

Airplane Mode (2): A Day of Many Kindnesses

July 2, 2021July 3, 2021 First Person ForeignBeauty

Stop here if you haven’t read part one first. After being dropped to the airport by a kind stranger-turned-friend and making friends on the airplane, I was brow-furrowed over how much $ it would take[…]

Airplane Mode (1): Back to Myself

July 1, 2021July 2, 2021 First Person ForeignBeauty

June 30, 2021, 7:26am: The voice of Natalia LaFourcade pulsed through my mind as the puddle-jumper soared into the desert sky. If you are able, please listen to this song while you read: It honors[…]

Survive Teaching // Teaching to Survive

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 First Person ForeignArizona

I sit, a woman of average means and multiplying wrinkles, as a survivor of the Zoomiverse. I’m not sure if I’m better for having taught a lifetime of high school classes on Zoom, or if[…]

Taking out the Trash: 2020, A year in review

January 1, 2021January 1, 2021 First Person ForeignBeauty

2020 was NOT TRASH. I am so tired of hearing, in spite of the trauma, loss and anxiety-riddled year that 2020 was, the negativity infused in the number 2020 as if we are entitled to[…]

A cactus asks forgiveness: The Grand Canyon, Sedona and Tucson with a friend

November 24, 2020January 1, 2021 First Person ForeignArizona

“Take a picture of me!” she said and ran close to a Jumping Cholla (which we thought was a Joshua Tree). I didn’t think to shout be super careful; cactus having a way of seeming[…]

Driving to México

October 23, 2020October 23, 2020 First Person ForeignArizona

This post may be triggering on the topic of anxiety and mortality. México is the most misunderstood country I’ve ever been to. It is stunning. It is a hidden gem. It is full of fighters[…]

It takes bravery to be a teacher

September 5, 2020September 5, 2020 First Person ForeignBeauty

Before I begin this post, I adhere to the rules of FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. I will never reveal my students’ identities, their performance in my classes, or reveal anything about them[…]

On the Border (6): The Prison

February 25, 2020February 25, 2020 First Person ForeignBeauty

Today I walked out of my door to put my reusable grocery tote back in the car. Out fell the receipt from Walmart: whole milk yogurt, 4 avocados, and Whole B complex suggested by my[…]

On the Border (5): The Wall

February 24, 2020 First Person ForeignBeauty

On a Saturday morning, six of us drove to the border of Mexico after we picked up some sweet breads and coffee from Estrella Bakery. Maiya was kind enough to drive AND set-up this visit[…]