Kids are mean. In my lower middle-class elementary school, teachers talked about bullying being bad. Then, in fifth grade two kids sat on beanbag chairs as the teacher announced to us and pointed at them, “Bullying has happened in our school.” Everyone in the classroom just remained quiet, but we all knew that was not the only time bullying...
I was scrolling through Facebook the other day when I happened upon a short video that was supposed to open up dialogue about the “Chicano identity.” The video was no more than a minute long and the text that flashed across the screen read, “Newer generations (of Mexican Americans) often don’t identify as Chicano and view (the term) as...
My, how time flies. A part of me doesn’t believe it; but here I am, writing a reflection of my time spent in college. Has it really been four years since I first set foot in my dorm room? I’m in my fifth year and what people say about college being a transformative period for a young adult holds...
You might have heard before that the key to forming successful relationships in college is by being an outgoing person: not being shy when someone sits next to you in lecture and always being the one who asks questions in class. The burden of making lifelong connections suddenly now weighs on your shoulders alone. A major component to becoming...
I have a job that doesn’t pay enough.
Well, it is above minimum wage, so it’s better than most jobs I had throughout college. It isn’t much, however. Graduating UCR has given way to a new phase in my life, which basically amounts to, “You need to have a steady job and make a steady paycheck or you’ll run...
In February, I am starved for love. I wait for “Good morning” texts and desperate “I love yous.” I re-watched “When Harry Met Sally” and “Before Sunrise,” analyzing their interactions and tenuous eye contact. I stare at the couple in front of me in Coffee Bean, fingers interlocked, hushed conversation and delicate smiles exchanged between the two. Though I...
I think we can all agree that college is a difficult and stressful time in our lives, and for good reason, as it’s a highly challenging environment meant at refining us as thinkers and leaders. But, there’s one thing to de-stress about, and that’s the notion of getting your degree in exactly four years, as most universities encourage you...
This year, I’m preparing to vote in my first general election, and it’s exciting knowing just how important my vote will be. Casting my first ballot in the Democratic primaries made me realize the power and responsibility of voting, and the importance of honoring the struggles of those who fought for this right. Voting isn’t just a right, it...
In 2015, my anxiety levels were at an all-time high. My father was hospitalized in January of that year due to breathing problems that made it difficult for him to sleep comfortably. During his visit, he was also diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
My father emerged from the hospital just fine, except for the constant doctor visits and medication that...
From a time before I can remember, I’ve been a Catholic. I was baptized very young, and consequently have been going to church and learning about that faith for more or less my entire life. It is fair to say, then, that being Catholic has always been part of my identity, and influenced many aspects of my life, from...