Family – Page 3

First Time Back | Broadway Reunion & Family Reunions

August 14, 2017August 27, 2017 First Person ForeignFamily

Where did I leave things? My first night of sleep on US soil in a Vacation Rental By Owner in Jersey City, air conditioning puttering, skyline dazzling as I fell into dreams on an orange[…]

First Time Back | Subways and Panini

August 14, 2017August 27, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

Before I “get into it,” I want to affirm how great my family is, on so many levels, and I appreciate them perhaps more than ever because absence, time and tortillas make the heart grow fonder.[…]

Aceite | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 26, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

I explained the situation over the fire. It’s where I explain most situations. The ‘situation’ being: I’m not decided on the next time I should go home, a normal question for PCVs worldwide I’m sure. Luckily[…]

Hembra | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

January 27, 2017February 1, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

The first week in site, welcome and instructions came in a shower of words from my host mom. Lots of words. At dinner, she’d eat a bite, wipe her mouth and say more. Eat a bite,[…]

Arrival into Site: The First Morning

January 5, 2017 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

On my first night: As we eat, I look over at Doña Clara at 88 years old as she calmly eats. As her daughter teaches me K’iche words, she erupts in laughter, her body doesn’t[…]

The Party: Day 6 of Peace Corps

October 3, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

On my 5th day in Guatemala, my 6th day in Peace Corps, I went to a party. I learned so much. I have so much more to learn. The night before, Rosa Maria said she had a[…]

Health & Safety & Hip-Hop & Privilege: Day Two in Guatemala, Day Three in Peace Corps

October 2, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

At the end of a day as long this election season, we gathered in a circle. We were down two volunteers (one: sick, one: ready for bed). Today, there were several wake-up calls, one right[…]

Returning to Atlanta: First 48 Hours

September 28, 2016 First Person ForeignChanges

This time, Going to Atlanta is Like Eating Change Breakfast. Have you ever eaten Change Breakfast? It’s When You Go to a Restaurant Because You Have to Eat And You Order Food Because That’s What You Do[…]

“Baby?” Conversations in Alaska | 5 of 50

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I stood in a dear friend’s living room in July. I asked “What’s been going on?” I was hung up on a Fisherman, she was hung up on fertility. Different boats. This is what followed: “It’s[…]

Nana’s Ring, Conversations in Alaska: 11 of 50

September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

“Okay Natalie” Aunt Sherri says as she flits around the hotel room in her pajama suit, juggling four things at a time like she’s rushed but can’t decide which thing to do first. She randomly interjects:[…]