The beginning of summer 2025
soy la misma newsletter
Hello + happy summer! I’m typing this newsletter from an apartment in the upstairs of Springboard for the Arts office in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The cozyness of the space allows me to ask myself, “Okay, what do I want to do — something I can’t seem to do at home?” And writing this newsletter was at the top of my list!
Folks, I don’t know about you, but there are some things that I just feel too lazy, too overwhelmed or just plain too tired to do them in my house. I’m still settling in the new home and still contemplating ideas of the way the rooms should be decorated and set up. Perhaps, once I’m content with my office space then I’d be more inclined to take time to write to you. I’m also trying to get a cute bistro set for the outdoors, so that I can soak in the morning summer sun. I’d venture out into town but Worthington’s public spaces are not places I’m eager to be at; we’ve got Phileo’s which is the most local and authentic-ish cafe in town. I say —ish because they don’t serve you a cute hot latte in a mug (the food does slap) and also they close at 3pm and closed on weekends as they’re also a church. I’m not asking for a lot, I think? Back in my “youngin” days, the local panaderia (bakery) was the place to go — as was the library. But since new owners bought it, they decided that every part of their open wall and window space needed a refrigerator full of goods. Slaps forehead. Capitalism, man. Therefore, it’s no longer an enjoyable spot. And the library is currently closed for remodeling and their new set up is tight. My little entrepreneurial dream has been to open a small coffee/tea shop, but I also feel that’s like 90% of us. Maybe, later in life? I am always reminding myself of a quote from a Rural Regen. friend, “Every time you say yes to something, you say no to your craft,” as in we put our writing and creative work to the side.
Moving on from the day dreams… I’m actually content with how the school year ended. This year, I had things under my belt. I attended so many workshops, and I’ve completed the last full semester of grad classes and student teaching—-GAH! Always learning, learning, learning! I successfully passed the EdTPA and graduated from the Graduate Teaching Licensure program from St. Scholastica. Now, I’m taking on 2 more grad classes (which can’t be taken simultaneously) so by December, I’ll be part of the 8% of Latinas with a MASTER’S!!! EEEEEEKKKK. I don’t think I’m done from formal education, but I do think it’s a “catch you in a bit” kind of a vibe. I’m truly stoked to become a tier 3 licensed teacher this fall because then I officially feel like I’m legitimate and no one can take that from me. When I started, I’d let teachers give me opinions and do all the talking in leadership meetings, cause what did I know? (Uhm, I did know some things just felt like I’d be invalidated due to my tier and lack of education in this profession). But now, GIRL, I DO KNOW. There’s a lot of meme-able moments here that I will spare us from. As you can read, I’m just so excited and proud. The most prideful moment I had this end of the year was my student reading an essay at graduation which she wrote in my creative writing class. A moment that solidified my why I’m where I’m at.
With it being such a momentous school year, this summer is about unwinding. I’m returning to the yoga mat and drinking my chamomile tea in the morning and my chrysanthemum (natural dried flowers) tea at night. Roque’s worked real hard this spring on his floral and veggie garden, so I love spending my evenings watching him build his DIY trellis as the plantitas stretch up. This year, we decided to plant a few of my favorite herbs such as mint, lavender, and marigolds. A new vegetable in the garden is the beet! It’s hard to find them in the stores out here for some reason. And a girl needs her beets for red blood cell production and anti-inflammatory needs! My aunt also gifted me ruda for my house, which in our lineage is one of the most treasured yerbas to have in our homes. I’ve also started walking outdoors with my mother on the daily, as we take the family dog for her much needed exercise. At this rate, I might sign up for a 5K. How are you connecting to your inner self this summer?
During the day, I’m trying to find the ganas to do some transcribing work and creating a new site for the oral histories for Stories from Unheard Voices. This work is tedious and time-consuming so sometimes it’s not fun! In the end, it is worth it. I’m also not trying to get so drained by my passions, so I do them when there’s energy in me. I’m signed up for a few writing workshops this summer but nothing too overwhelming, fingers-crossed. I’m looking forward a few events occuring this summer, maybe more on that later this June. Truly, life is life-ing!
What I’m Watching
Youtube, youtube, youtube — whatever is on my recommended or subscribed list
Finished the first season of Grosse Pointe Garden Society on Peacock
What I’m Reading
Thunder Song: Essays by Sasha LaPointe
Critique is Creative by John Borstel and Liz Lerman
PoP (problem of practice) research articles (GAH!)
What I’m Listening
Leon Thomas radio on Spotify
No Traigo Nada by Snow Tha Product
La Yaquecita by Los Tigres del Norte (my happy song)
Newsletter Poem Choice
The poem below was a poem of the day this past week and it stopped me in my tracks. There’s details in the poem that are so real, and Nikki does incredible job with the musicality of the story. I recommend reading it out loud and listening to the rhythm as the words slip out of your lips.
childhood remembrances are always a drag
if you’re Black
you always remember things like living in Woodlawn
with no inside toilet
and if you become famous or something
they never talk about how happy you were to have
your mother
all to yourself and
how good the water felt when you got your bath
from one of those
big tubs that folk in chicago barbecue in
and somehow when you talk about home
it never gets across how much you
understood their feelings
as the whole family attended meetings about Hollydale
and even though you remember
your biographers never understand
your father’s pain as he sells his stock
and another dream goes
And though you’re poor it isn’t poverty that
concerns you
and though they fought a lot
it isn’t your father’s drinking that makes any difference
but only that everybody is together and you
and your sister have happy birthdays and very good
Christmases
and I really hope no white person ever has cause
to write about me
because they never understand
Black love is Black wealth and they’ll
probably talk about my hard childhood
and never understand that
all the while I was quite happy