the sound I liked

of his beard. He strummed it with his guitar pick.

I loved that sound.

I've worked so hard for all of this. To have the memories I have, to have the two best jobs in the world where I can tutor, and essentially teach, students, adults, a two-year-old, whose mother studied in Granada 11 years ago, and who tells me stories of Almuñecar and eating all the hotdogs. I'm reaching graduation in several months, I live in a beautiful place, where I can dwell with the loud people on the streets or hide away and listen to them with the blinds down. I don't feel guilty anymore, and I don't know how this happened.

Martha, my dear

she reuses envelopes as folders.


silly girl

I saw something very beautiful a few weeks ago. I was sitting in class and out the window was the American flag blowing in the wind. But all I could see were the red stripes, and it was so beautiful. Red and white stripes of a large flag filling up the window. Not because it was just red and white stripes, but because I knew there were stars, and I liked that they were hidden.

I was mad at the cold until

I saw a long sheet of plastic flying and twirling in the air. I was still bitter, and when I made it a few steps from my door, a neighbor said, "C'mon. Get up." I looked over and saw her dog dead on its side on a huge heap of snow. The dog didn't move its head, but its eyes, and looked over at me. "He's lazy," the neighbor said.

I wonder who else knows that this slow guitar instrumental is the Beatles's "I will."

hermana

A friend asked me when her wedding is, and I said in October. I noticed that in less than 8 months, it'll be here. I can't wait to see her blossom after this new chapter and pursue her passions, expand her possibilities, have space and time [to herself]. No need to worry about anyone else. Pluck out who and what is best for her. She needs this freedom to be the colorful, strong person she's always been. I never loved someone right. I never was loved so much. Some people love only what is lovely. They didn't see the parts that she saw. They didn't stay up with me many, many nights when I was at my worst. Their love didn't change me, and I don't mean change me in a summer romance and teach me some important things, but truly change me and push me to finally grow up. But her love did. Her love for me shows her strength. It's not a shame to love, it's not a weakening action or pursuit. I wondered what it was for many years, but never followed through with it, never was transformed by it, until I grew in love with her. I couldn't grasp the idea of living monogamously with someone and loving them every single freaking day, how annoying and tarnished it would be. But every day, I love her, though I don't like how she handles things or cares too much. I love her but want to be away from her. I love her and want to be next to her. I love her because she is not like me, but because she is like me. That because she is like me, she chooses different routes, she chooses to be different. And then I learn to be different, for the betterment of myself. As her sister, I was forced into this relationship, but learned how to love because of it.

She's leaving home. bye-bye ~The Beatles