
my dream job would involve writing and traveling . I can imagine myself somewhere in some foreign country drinking coffee in some cafe where I write poetry as I’m people watching as I blast music in my ear buds.

When I think of a good leader, I think of the good bosses I’ve been lucky to have. In my opinion, a good leader treats their workers with respect, is compassionate while also holding their subordinates accountable for their errors. A good leader also challenges and encourages their subordinates to evolve and improve. An example of a good leader is my gen-z boss at Kroger who’s always been kind and respectful to me and who has gone out of his way to accommodate to my scheduling needs when my life got crazy. He also gave and my other coworker a $100 gift card for Christmas. At 23, he’s more mature and way better than some of the bosses I’ve had who were way older. It makes me want to always work hard at Kroger. An example of shitty leader is Joe Biden.βIMO, my genz boss would make a far better president than Joe Biden.
I wrote this poem in January of 2023.

a drunk driver hits an ambulance-
and there is outcry, an uproar over the craziness of it all
we all judge and hate the drunk driver without compassion
without looking in the mirror, without acknowledging
how most of us have made alcohol a staple,
a must need for celebration-
a must have for everyone no matter what social class youβre in

If I had a magic wand and I could un-invent something, it would be the concept of war. Maybe itβs the idealist that still lives in me that thinks humankind could be more evolved that who we are now. Itβs inhumane and absurd that in 2024, innocent lives are lost, entire family lines decimated because some countries need to βwinβ and think theyβre far superior than the βotherβside.
I wrote these three poems in November of 2022 when I was still married. One thing I wanted to mention about the first poem is that even though my ex no longer serves me breakfast, he’s still super reliable. For example, my car decided to kiss another car this morning (car accident) and he was the first one I called to help as I was overwhelmed. Granted, we still live in the same house but he didn’t have to come and still came. I’m glad we are still able to be friends despite the fact that we’re divorced. I think that when it comes to love, familial and friendship love is the best kind of love there is out there for me.

little reminders
little reminders of how Iβm loved
greet me on daily basis
breakfast served by my starter husband
my son asking me if Iβm okay
my coworker saying one of my poems moved her
the cold breeze in the air kissing my face
my favorite song playing on the radio at the right time
itβs the little reminders that give me hope in humanity
11/20/22
friends
friends provide everything a lover hasnβt been able to-
an unconditional love and acceptance
where they provide a space for me to be who I really am
they donβt care if Iβm dramatic or loud
they encourage me when Iβm down
and they never leave me when Iβm too much
11/19/22
my community
community is my tiaβs buenos dias on whatsapp
or mamiβs phone calls to check up on me
community is greeting my fellow runners on my route
or laughing with my coworkers about the latest absurd policy
community is blasting yung gravy from my car radio
or vomiting my feelings out on paper or at open mic
community is everyone and everything I love
11/9/22
I wrote this poem in January of 2023.

if my parents hadnβt chosen america as their new homeland
I wonder who I would’ve been
a woman of priviledge married to a man who loves me for me
or would it have been inevitable for me to turn out as a rebel whoβd cause many scandals
would I have take my education more seriously because of the pressure from society and my parents
or would I have still struggled with my ADD and said fuck it
I wonder who Peruvian me would have been if I didnβt have a bilingual and bicultural identity

In an ideal world, I would reduce a lot of clutter in my life if my emotionally supportive ex husband moved out. I can’t kick him out though cause my children would cause a ruckus and hate me. Plus, I’m trying to be patient and give him time or find some way we can live apart (I’ve been set on this goal for years), I guess I could find other ways to reduce clutter. I could go through my closet and dresser and get rid of clothes I don’t wear anymoreβand donate them to goodwill. I could also go through my bookcase and donate books. Honestly, I need to go through my room and the entire downstairs of my house and do a deep decluttering and cleaning. I could also through my google storage and delete the videos, pictures, and files I don’t need since I’m always running out of google storage so this is something I really need to do. My problem is that with little free time I have off, I like to get lost in writing poems, reading, or watch TV and have no desire to do adult things unless I absolutely have to. I guess I could add it to my 2024 goals.
Harness the Power of Adversity for Personal Transformation by Julia Mitchell
Imagine a life where every challenge paves the way for personal growth. In the journey of life, facing adversity isn’t just inevitable; it’s a crucial ingredient for personal development. Here, Life on the BPD reveals how encountering and overcoming obstacles can remarkably transform you.
When adversity knocks, resilience is your shield. It’s about bouncing back from setbacks with a stronger resolve. Every struggle you face teaches you to adapt and overcome. Through these experiences, you gain a robust mental and emotional fortitude that prepares you for future challenges, turning you into a resilient warrior in life’s battles.
Adversity acts as a mirror, reflecting your deepest values and motivations. In these moments of self-reflection, you discover the essence of who you are and what truly matters to you. This heightened self-awareness often leads to significant life changes, aligning your actions more closely with your personal values and aspirations.
Challenges are the gymnasium for your problem-solving muscles. They force you to think critically and creatively, pushing you to find innovative solutions. This honing of problem-solving abilities is invaluable, equipping you with the skills to tackle future challenges more effectively and with greater confidence.
Experiencing hardship often deepens your understanding and sensitivity towards others. This newfound empathy allows you to connect more profoundly with people, understanding their struggles and offering compassion. This connection fosters stronger, more meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally.
Adversity often serves as a wake-up call, prompting you to reevaluate your life’s direction. It encourages you to pursue paths that are more aligned with your values and passions, leading to a life that is not just successful but also fulfilling and meaningful. This reassessment can lead to significant changes, whether it’s a new career, a renewed focus on personal relationships, or a dedication to a long-neglected passion. It’s an opportunity to realign your life’s trajectory with your true self, ensuring that your future endeavors are not only prosperous but also deeply rewarding.
In the face of job loss or career stagnation, adversity becomes a motivator for change. Crafting a standout resume becomes your tool for transformation. Online templates and resources can guide you in showcasing your skills and experiences, aligning your professional profile with your career aspirations, and opening doors to new opportunities.
Adversity often serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurial ambition. In the wake of challenges, the idea of starting your own business becomes not just appealing but a viable path to reshape your future. To start a business, you should begin with these key steps: develop a business idea, create a business plan, secure financing, and develop a marketing plan. Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or LLC offers numerous benefits, including limited liability protection, potential tax advantages, less paperwork compared to other business structures, and operational flexibility. Turn to Zenbusiness to form your LLC for a cost-effective and straightforward way to launch your business.
Embrace adversity as a transformative force in your life. Whether it’s in the realm of business, personal development, or relationships, challenges are not just obstacles but opportunities for profound growth and transformation. Remember, in every adversity lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. Use it to your benefit and watch as you emerge stronger, wiser, and more fulfilled.
Image via Pexels
my favorite animal is a cat. I love them because they’re confident AF and mysterious. they’re also gorgeous creatures. I’ve also had cats as pets in childhood and for a short while a few years ago (that turned out to be a disaster-that’s another blog post-lol). Anyways, one of my most favorite cats was Mr.Jingles, this huge gray and fluffy cat one of the most recent exes had. For the back story, me and this ex were super chaotic and toxic. I think I went there for two reasons, one was to spend time with his cat and the other, well-that’s a story for another time. Anyways, Mr. Jingles had a big personality and always greeted me when I went over there. Also, my ex had him spoiled, and so Mr. Jingles slept in the bed with us also. He was so playful all of the time. He was a big boi, but that didn’t stop him from climbing everywhere. He could also be very sweet at times. I’ve recently been in touch with this ex(another long story, we’re friends now), and he told me that Mr. Jingles met his untimely demise when some dogs got to it. My heart broke in half because I was so fond of this cat. I hope he’s somewhere in cat heaven with all the good ones, including my cats, fluffy and slinky malinky.
I wrote this poem in January of 2023.

They laid him on my breast and told me,
βMeet your baby boyβ and I was in shock
the alien on top of me is mine?
this wasnβt supposed to be part of my adolescence
I’m only seventeen and some days I barely remember
to brush my teeth
and now I have this great responsibility
and his beady and angry eyes questions
as to why his comfort was disturb-he already hates the world
and I think , same, kid, same
I wrote this poem in January of 2023.

I go between contacts and glasses to fit my different personas-
in my contacts Iβm a pretty woman with makeup and a dress
I become the kind of woman men are nervous to be around
or get intimidated by
In glasses I donβt care to capture the male gaze or even mine
itβs when I work that second job or Iβm at home
itβs when I allow myself to just exist
not caring about the pressure to be attractive
or allow my social conditioning to take over
and tell me since Iβm this crazy, I need to be pretty, sexy, charming
to validate my existence
Lately I prefer my glasses, lately I want the freedom to just be
I remember being super excited and happy going on this bus ride because going to Oxapampa has been a dream of mine for quite some time. Oxapampa is the town my dad was born in and raised. When my dad talked about it, it always seemed picturesque and like something out of a fairy tale. I was also excited to meet my dad’s relatives (aunts and uncles) who helped raise him and the cousins who he played with. His relatives also seem to be larger than life characters who were genuine and good people according to my dad’s description of them.

when I think about my most memorable road trip, I think of my 10 hour bus ride I made from Lima to Oxapampa when I went to Peru last spring. It was memorable in a good way. The company we booked the trip with was wonderful and me and my son were mostly comfortable. So the trip to Oxapampa meant going up into a high altitude of 5951 ft above sea level from the 528 ft above sea level altitude in Lima. We were advised to consume coca leaves before going to prevent motion sickness so we went to the pharmacy and they gave us coca leave in pill form.

Our seats themselves were super comfortable and we could recline into an almost bed so we slept super comfortable. They also had screens where we could watch American movies dubbed in Spanish. One reason we were super comfortable was because we were on the upper deck of the bus which had more space for seats. Of course, we paid more for this V.I.P seating but damn , it was well worth it. Unfortunately and fortunately, it didn’t have WIFI so I just listened to my downloaded spotify playlist. There was a lot of Conan Gray and Taylor Swift I played on my way there. We went at night so we slept most of the way there but I did manage to capture some short videos of what I saw outside the video. We went through a lot of provinces and small towns. Here’s a short video of going through Pasco. This was shortly before we arrived.
I also want to mention that going on this bus ride was also kind of exhilarating because some of the roads are treacherous and narrow and sometimes we were going on terrain that was high. That meant if the driver lost control of the vehicle, we were SOL. Haha. It’s a good thing that a lot of drivers in Peru start driving between the ages of 12 and 14. There’s probably more I will write about this trip. So when we arrived, my great Aunt picked us up and we stayed at her air b&b on her property. Where we stayed had this rustic and magical vibe. I’ll probably write more about this trip that was life changing and healing in so many ways but for now, I’ll just answer the prompt for bloganuary about memorable roadtrips.


I wrote this poem in January of 2023.

does someone have a voodoo doll of me and stuck pins inside my head-
inside my heart-because lately Iβm finding it hard to breathe
as my emotions consume and control me-
and I feel like the biggest failure and imposter for allowing it to happen
even though I still function well enough to mask
the mountain of turmoil and grief thatβs currently residing me

A crazy business idea I came up with this morning is making custom made piΓ±atas. Theyβre not any old piΓ±atas. Theyβre piΓ±atas of things or people you absolutely hate. I would also have a private and safe room where you can beat the shit out of the piΓ±ata. Iβm not sure if theyβre anything like this out there in the world. I have seen a piΓ±ata of Trump online before so who knows. I imagine that people with anger issues and disposable income would maybe go for this idea. The safe room Iβd provide to beat up the piΓ±ata would include music tailored to the clientβs taste or my own personal rage playlist. I would also decorate the room according to the clients needs. I know that there are things like rage rooms out there, but, do any of them have custom made piΓ±atas?
I wrote this poem in January of 2023.

Jealousy is a normal emotion of the human condition
and shame shouldnβt be associated with it
everyone feels it
I used to run away from it
but now I sit with it
ask what it needs
Sometimes itβs me projecting an insecurity
or sometimes itβs a legit feeling
And thatβs okay too-
and jealousy doesnβt have to destroy anything
as long as I know how to acknowledge it
and donβt allow it to consume me