Life After Peace Corps

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[…]

To (actual) Mexico from (Used-to-be) Mexico

March 7, 2023March 10, 2023 First Person ForeignCompany

April 26, 2022: Just like with anything, anywhere, the more you learn, the less you know. The same can be said of languages, countries and, well, life itself. I like to travel because it reminds[…]

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[…]

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[…]