📌 The Bean-Sized Bulletin, Issue 34

👋🏼 Hello, World!

By now you probably know I’m a big fan of Adventure Time. That mathematical joy is of course thanks to my partner in crime and heart—Alessandra, the Princess Bubblegum to my Marceline! For many years, being an openly queer educator, inside and outside the classroom, was simply not an option. But now I’m standing on the groundwork of those brave souls who came before me, and I acknowledge how flippin’ fortunate I am today. If sharing these bits of my life can do even a fraction of what others before me have done, I’m happy to share my story.

So here’s some (queer) joy I’d like to pass along. Every March 14, us geeky folk celebrate Pi Day. It is a day to celebrate the mathematical constant pi (π) and to eat lots of pie—apple pie anyone? Now, every March 14 for me comes with twice the pie—I mean, twice the fun! It’s a day that celebrates the blend of pie and math… and it’s also Ale’s cake day! This year marked a very special birthday for Ale. In the spirit of sharing our stories, here are some of her thoughts.

Somehow, I’m 40. Forty. The kind of age an adult would have.

Someone serious with plans, and goals, able to keep plants alive, have savings and a bunch of more reasonable things.

But I’ve never been one to plan too far ahead, so perhaps forty can also be the age of someone who purchases too many books, plays too many games, sleeps not nearly enough and looks for the adult in the room, while trying her very best to act like one until, perhaps, she’ll be one for real.

Perhaps. And perhaps, for now, that’s ok 🙂.

- Alessandra Pereyra

🎬 Behind the Scenes

I’m so happy to be back in your inbox with issue #34! It might seem silly, but it feels like quite a big win to be back on a regular schedule. Is there a win or two from your week you’d like to share? They can be big or small and don’t have to be work-related! Sharing wins has become part of my weekly routine at the running club I recently joined. A little celebration can go a long way when the world feels as heavy as it does lately. I hope you know that this little bulletin is my way of keeping in touch. You can always hit reply and share what you’re up to, your pets, your new finds and generally say hello 👋🏼.

If you’re wondering what I’ve been up to when it comes to my various projects and adventures, I’ve got some exciting news to share! A year or so ago, I was itching to get back to teaching pronunciation in group settings. To ease into it, I formed a cohort of former learners, colleagues, and new friends. Over eight weeks, I learned so much and am forever grateful to everyone who was there. Now, a year later, I’m ready to try again and sprinkle more of that “oh yeah, that’s Rose’s doing!” goodness. Stepping out of my comfort zone isn’t easy. Impostor syndrome is strong with this one—me. But after reading and hearing some heartfelt affirmations from those who have learned with me, I’m ready to experiment with new skills and approaches.

⭐ Priority Registration: Vocal Craft Workshop Pre-Registration ⭐

Calling all language learners, pronunciation explorers, and curious souls! I'm thrilled to offer you an exclusive first look at my upcoming workshop: Vocal Craft: A Gentle Introduction to Pronunciation.

Interested in being the first in line when registration opens? Pre-Register Here!

💎 Linguistic Gems

So I did the thing! After much procrastination, I livestreamed the first episode of the Linguistic Gems series on YouTube 📹. Now, it’s not perfect. It’s actually not supposed to be perfect, it’s a low stakes way of getting out of my comfort zone and getting out there into the world. In my effort to share my love for the subject of pronunciation, I want to also share what it’s like to make mistakes IRL (in real life). This will take me lots of practice, which is a good thing. After all, practice makes progress.

As you already know, this new section is quite close to my heart. Adding a livestream element alongside the monthly bulletin seemed like a good way to share my work with a broader audience and interact directly with you. For the longest time, I’ve been happier behind the scenes—showing my face feels awkward for me, not to mention how anxious I get. Reflecting on these feelings, I was able to narrow down that this anxiety mainly comes from the fear of not being perceived the way I want to be perceived. But, as I mentioned in my first Linguistic Gems stream, “It’s completely normal for what we say to be understood differently by others—each person perceives the world in their own unique way.”

Why am I sharing this? Well, it’s my process, and perhaps my experience can somehow make you feel a little less scared to try things—though what I’m really excited about is exploring sounds and your own voice together. I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and I’m learning to be okay with that. I do feel, however, that my people are out there (and here)! So thank you for coming along, and here’s my work-in-progress livestream titled “It’s-a me Mario!”

📚 Book Nook

“Set in an alternate Tang dynasty China, this dark historical fantasy presents an enchanting, immersive world in which the manipulation of elements knows no bounds. Centered around life and death, this fast-paced story is gory and gruesome but lightened by moments of levity. Baker touches on racism, sexism, classism, identity, and family and friendship ties.”

- Kirkus Reviews

Back in 2023, while doing some research on Dark Fantasy, Ale recommended I read The Keeper of Night. I wasn’t sure what to expect since it had been a while since I read something in this genre. I was hooked from the get-go! I loved how much detail there was and how complex the characters became. I especially appreciated what now know is called Historical Fiction. I went on to read the sequel and had already by then decided Kylie Lee Baker is one of my favorite writers. So it’s no surprise that I would pick up her next book titled The Scarlet Alchemist, and loved it!

⚠️ Some content warnings about this book I want to be mindful of: This book has graphic descriptions of violence, death, murder and blood.

🎮 Game Corner

At the end of the day, Sable shows us that we grow not by conquering the world, but by taking a moment to bask in the beauty and knowledge of it. It’s OK to not rush to grow up and do the next thing, or chase the next accomplishment. Growth can come simply by taking in the beautiful moments of life. It can come in a moment where you sit and appreciate a view or spend time with another person. It can come with dinking around and catching bugs all day. It can come with gliding through a peaceful landscape.

- Polygon

Sable honestly felt like a soft hug that melted away all my worries for a few hours each week. I didn’t know what to expect when I came across this game, but I’m so glad I played it. If you’re looking for a beautiful and peaceful gaming experience that offers moments of calm 😌, this is the one to pick!

🔍 Curated Discoveries

Growing up on the vast prairies of Canada’s Saskatchewan province left its mark on Andy Shauf’s music. The soaring folk orchestrations, lyrics rife with loneliness and regret, and multi-instrumental virtuosity all point to an artist whose music is shaped by the solitude of rural life. Shauf’s lyrics are preoccupied with how places and the memories they hold shape our identities. His discography weaves a musical tapestry of old friends, loved ones, and the small towns we all inhabit in our minds.

- Firebird

Many moons ago, before I would reconnect with Ale, I was living through a painful breakup 💔. I had no clue how I would ever get over such heartache. One thing I did a lot of back then was walk everywhere. Somehow moving felt like meditation. I’d usually walk with music to help quiet my very crippling thoughts, and one day a song came up on my discovery playlist. It was a track by Andy Shauf titled Lick Your Wounds. The song was so soothing that I kept it on replay for what was probably weeks. Something about the music felt like medicine—a gentle companion through my healing process.

I would eventually find solace and acceptance amid the heartbreak. Of course, I went on to explore more of Andy Shauf’s music, and it’s no surprise he’s now a constant presence in my discovery playlists. In moments of pain or struggle, how has music offered you solace?

I founded Queer Runnings, an inclusive and supportive virtual running club, to create a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ runners who may feel isolated in traditional running communities. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, tackling an ultra marathon, or looking for a queer-friendly running group, I’m here to guide you every step of the way with personalised coaching and a strong sense of community.

- Sophie Fells

Speaking of gentle companions. Running used to be my thing–until life happened and slowly pushed it to the background. Those important adult responsibilities have a way of reshuffling our priorities, you know?

But then I found Queer Runnings, and wow. This isn’t just a running club—it’s community magic. Sophie, who leads the group, has created something really really special. Real queer joy in motion. If you’re curious about why moving together feels so different from moving alone, this is your crew. Looking for gentle accountability to go from couch to 5k? Sophie has got your back 🙌🏼!

Loving issue #34? Want to fuel the Bean-Sized Bulletin? Buy me a cafecito ☕ on Ko-fi and help keep the creative magic brewing!

Until next time, human beans—stay curious! 🌟