“I vowed to never take personal responsibility for other people’s spoons/attitudes/stupidity, because frankly, I have enough to worry about with my own shit” I read that line in the middle of a hideous week and it felt scriptural. I decided to start the challenge reading “Furiously Happy” by Jenny Lawson, an author with mental illness. I… Continue reading You Too Can Be Furiously Happy
The way I measure the quality of my writing is whether I enjoy reading it after some time has passed. Sometimes it’s a few weeks, sometimes a few years, but in the words of Gertrude Stein “I write for others, and I write for myself”. I go back and read old stuff and in reading… Continue reading A Quest For Normalcy in 24 Books
When I was fighting for my right to remain in the U.S., I was introduced to Reveau, three months old and warm and I was at once lost and found. I suddenly believed in love at first sight, and I held it in my arms for a few hours as my sister-in-law, my best friend… Continue reading It’s Quiet Uptown
Nancy is my “Twinner”- we were both forced back to Mexico on September, 2009. She was sent back on September 1st, 4 days before I was to set foot on Mexican soil. It’s funny (in a sad kind of way) to think that we weren’t even that far from each other- she was in Tijuana… Continue reading 6 years down…
It’s been a few weeks of soul searching and conversation between myself and God. During a 4 hours drive from Cancun to Merida, I took advantage of the nighttime darkness and the starry stretches of rain forest road and poured my heart out. I really, really needed a rest. I needed to feel like I… Continue reading #TogetherWithoutBorders
Every time I speak on immigration I will inevitably hear the question “Well, what can I do?” from someone, and I am here to tell you of a very specific thing you could do: Donate. I know, you are probably rolling your eyes, but if you have ever wondered what you as an individual can… Continue reading How You Can Help: Yamil & Claudia
“My activism is informed by my belief in Christ…” Jill’s voice trails off, and I think about that. Me too, I want to say. And it’s true. It wasn’t a Moses-and-the-burning-bush moment that brought me to what I feel my life calling is; it was violent and quiet all at once. It was Homeland Security and… Continue reading A Long and Exhaustive List of Grievances
Nancy doesn’t use crutch words- it has taken me a while to put my finger on what is so elegant about her speech and when my mind lands on this, I feel like I’ve really found the main culprit. But it’s so much more than that- she weaves words (in both English, and Spanish) and… Continue reading Thankless Tasks & Wobbly Movement
I just got to hear my little sisters sad voice over the phone as she mustered enough strength to tell me that her long awaited visit would have to wait until next summer. I could hear small cracks in her voice that betrayed exhaustion, and weariness. She is my baby sister, and I cannot stand… Continue reading Free to Be, You & Me (a Little on Privilege)
I am finding it very hard to believe that I have had a personal blog for years without writing very much about books. I am sure everyone is questioning whether I am who I really say I am and I am willing to provide proof that I am who I claim to be- so,… Continue reading Where The Red Trees Are
A guide to belonging everywhere 