Unfortunately, the second event I signed up for (the mobile mural workshop) was incorrectly labeled in the google docs sign up form. In the form, it said the workshop was at 1 pm, but when I arrived at the site the crew was just wrapping up. It had actually started at 10 am that day. I also ran into a problem with my first volunteer opportunity the day before because it was thunder storming.

The day of the parade I arrived early at the garden to help Dee Dee set up. I helped her hang a few of the posters with Dalia. Spending time with Dee Dee inspired me to become more involved in the maintenance of the summer, and I’m planning on reaching out to once finals end to ask about volunteer opportunities. I may not be able to become an actual member of the garden, but I’ll spend as much time there as possible because the women who run it are so kind and are making such in an impact in their community. I’m inspired by them, and I know I could learn a lot from them. I’m grateful we were so involved with this garden this semester. It’s helping me find my place in New York.

This piece depicts one of my classmates in a studio class. I placed thread between two pieces of glass to represent her gentle, reserved nature. The pastel colors also represent her personality.

Keeping a sketchbook is critical to my creative process. I make new ones every few months, using recycled paper, fabric, and a Coptic stitch. My sketchbooks are places where I introduce and explore concepts.

My partner is Ximena, and my found poem is inspired by a story she shared with me during our interview. Ximena told me since she was very young her father recited the poem Viajar by Gabriel García Márquez to her and her sister. It’s her favorite poem, and her father read it to her sister before she left to travel abroad and read it to Ximena before she moved to New York City. The poem is about traveling and leaping into the unknown. I fell in love with the poem after I read the English translation and decided to use it as inspiration for my found poem.

My source material for my found poem is a book my mother gave me a while ago: You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. I chose to use this book because it has a similar message as Viajar; Sincero teaches the readers to force momentum by leaving their comfort zones and challenging their self-doubts. I cut out bits and pieces from You Are a Badass to recreate advice my mother has given me throughout the years.

I wanted the format of my found poem to be reminiscent of a traditional letter.