Beauty

Guatemala, Mi Amor: Day One, Phoenix to Mexico to Guate to Mayan Punishment

March 24, 2024March 30, 2024 First Person ForeignArizona

After much separation anxiety, I decided to leave my computer in my small apartment in Phoenix. For lack of a better term, I call Phoenix home. As a woman living alone, and just becoming more[…]

Las montañas: Returning to Guatemala, 1

February 26, 2024 First Person ForeignBeauty

So, I booked a trip. I’ve been lucky to book so many before, but this one took some plotting. All of the layovers on the US dollar looked egregious: red eyes on opposite coasts, or[…]

How To Survive In The Grand Canyon (and a Few Travel Tips)

March 14, 2023March 15, 2023 First Person ForeignArizona

And while it’s important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, these are tips on how not to kill your family on your trip to the Grand Canyon. And prevent them from killing you. You may[…]

Day Two in Sonora: Running

March 14, 2022March 15, 2022 First Person ForeignBeauty

I arrived to my destination, Hermosillo, and I cast myself into the unmentionable details: the personality of the sidewalk, the road signs, the things Hermosillenos don’t consciously notice because who thinks about sidewalks? Like myself[…]

Estoy en tu tierra: Spring Break in Sonora (One)

March 12, 2022March 14, 2022 First Person ForeignBeauty

I saw a pavilion with booths below it. I had already crossed the border and did not understand. I looked at the medium cup of Dunkin’ Donuts, jostling with yellow liquid. _______________________ After I piled[…]

“Grumpy and Grateful” and Other Lessons from Education

October 19, 2021March 22, 2022 First Person ForeignBeauty

I looked around the room “Who is feeling grumpy today? I see that you all look grumpy.” I comment, offhandedly. Let’s play “I’m grumpy and here’s why” and whoever wanted to share, shared. “I’m grumpy[…]

You Will Never Be Enough

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 First Person ForeignBeauty

Any job will tell you this. Before I jump in, 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,[…]

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[…]