Life After Peace Corps

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 (4): The Lecture

February 2, 2020February 15, 2020 First Person ForeignArizona

In this post, I write about a lecture I attended. To reference the slides from the lecture, here they are. I had a wonderful Monday. Not even as Mondays go, but like, a wonderful day[…]

The Lockdown

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 First Person ForeignDoubts

One time my sister and I were playing in a borrowed minivan when we were young. We were making a family trip to Tennessee where we would stay in a cabin for free: borrowed leaves,[…]

The Traverse and the Reunions: Returning to Ketchikan (2)

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 First Person ForeignAlaska

“Alaska lulled me here on some sort of fantasy.” I thought as I ran up and down the hills of the residential streets. I pushed myself to scale them because I am trying to keep[…]

The Joy and The Bliss: Returning to Ketchikan

July 19, 2019 First Person ForeignAlaska

Hoy mismo I landed in Ketchikan and sent a text to Claire. I had to connect to the internet to do so, no T-Mobile in Alaska. I realized this in 2016 when I got a[…]

Bombsalmic Vinaigrette at Tucson Airport

July 15, 2019July 16, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

“I think they have balsamic dressing packets like that in the food court.” I laughed. “How does that help me now, Ma’am?” said my id. My superego suggested I keep quiet and won by a[…]

Meeting the Blind in Las Vegas

July 10, 2019July 11, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

What do you think of when you think of Vegas? Casinos. And what do you picture when you think of casinos? Lights. Bright lights. Bright lights and nearly naked people (women, let’s be honest). This[…]

Living on the Border 3: Soy libre / I am free

July 3, 2019July 3, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

I didn’t even see it coming. I never know how I am going to feel as I turn left into the parking lot of the Benedictine Monastery with not a cloud in the sky. With[…]

On The Border 2: Intake for the First Time

June 30, 2019June 30, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

(Picture borrowed from Google search of Tucson Benedictine Monastery). I had been getting intake emails since I got added to the list serve with subjects like “50 Guests Arriving at 1pm.” After a 2-hour training[…]