Immigrating with a Purpose

Yellow dresses and yellow walls are two of my favorite things. From NYC to Mexico, thanks @dentrelliswell for the photos! #valladolid #mexico #shopping #testinpatience (en Valladolid, Yucatan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqXU7FwH62x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t82ijdhxmtu4

The Mayas believed that cenotes were conduits to the spirit world. As a weak swimmer, I was scared to move more than a few feet down the rope, but when I finally made it to the far end of the cave it was magical. Spiritual. My trip to Mexico has come to an end, yet I'm extremely thankful for it. My spirit is at peace. #mexico #cobá #cenotes (en Cenote Multun-Ha) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqU8dMfA3Vg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=o7k5pvknzi8x

We started early today, and it was glorious. #cobá #mexico (en Cobá, Quintana Roo, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQq73RD11L/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ogbuh37n9oic

This special saved my life the other day. #isladelasmujeres #mexico https://www.instagram.com/p/BqPRWnYDThO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wlv3zsq5gmcg

Time to pack up and leave Cancun...on to another part of Mexico tomorrow. #cancun #mexico #allergictowintertime https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLyd_6jOTy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15dl2xkw1elly

When a crocodile decides to swim in the ocean and everyone's confused... Typical tourist move on my part running to take a pic. I always claim I'm scared, but I did the same thing with buffalo in Indonesia (the herder was laughing at me as I ran) and with orangutans (no running there...I didn't want my arm to get snatched off). #cancun #mexico #allergictowintertime https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLjR75DOLz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x0mozwqg7fpl

#cancun #mexico #allergictowintertime #iagreewithweezy https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLez71j0_B/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4nhw9e9le7kv

NYC in the summer time... #fbf https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp_FaVcjCa3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e6j7qs8exfml

Y'all, I worked at the polls from 7:15-1:15 yesterday (Fort Bend county). When I tell you people started lining up when we were still putting out signs that said vote here...people were SHOWING OUT. At 8:00:01, not 8:01:00, folks opened the door like "You better be ready because we're here." Americans are sticklers for time!! Surprisingly, I loved every second of it. It was amazing to see such a wide swath of people. Families, co-workers, friends...people were coming to vote. In that span of time, I received more Ms. and ma'ams than I've received in 10 years of teaching. I love my southern folks (well, sometimes...)! I was doing the same because my southern mom would NOT have me address an older person any other way if they had not said to beforehand. There were no breaks because there were no lulls longer than 5 minutes. And there I was bringing a book thinking I would have time to read. Our polling site wasn't as busy as the others...supposedly. People were coming to ours because the lines were crazy at nearby locations (#Jesusbeafence). I'll go back two more times to help out. My mom will be working too...like she tries to do every election cycle. If you have the right to vote, exercise it! #midterms #elections https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSz2EoHuiQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f9xisdq9y71c

#midterm #elections https://www.instagram.com/p/BpO6YvfHA30/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rvt5xlatp2l

Thank you @the.petite.planner for showing me how to draw mandalas! I love the process and am enjoying exploring a new side of my creativity. This was my first attempt at a mandala. I refer to @the.petite.planner IG post on mandalas all the time for scaffolding. #bulletjournal #mandala #meditative https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo4U9mkHDlM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e2iu38rhmk0r

Houston has been so wet and rainy all week mushrooms sprouted in the yard. The sun finally came out yesterday and again today. That same mushroom from the first picture looks really different two days later. And that's the extent of my nature walk...all done in 3 minutes. https://www.instagram.com/p/BngXr0GjRAw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jtzxqoiaw6ej

Why does my city have to do Lionel like that? #whereslionel #Houston #backhome https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOpWACnQIO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ic4vdjvjuq9s

Summer's just not the same without my @aerosoles_shoes. My final pair of sandals popped after stomping around SE Asia and NYC in them. I was still trying to wear them though! #comfy #howsthecushion #aerosoles #lovelove https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJW6KfntTm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=124jvl0sh0ubd

The Met's Fashion and The Catholic Imagination moved me. I was raised Catholic, so this exhibit reminded me of the peace the Church once brought me. There were many nods to Joan of Arc, whom I almost chose as my patron saint. I decided to go with Mary Magdalene though because there's a little bit of sinner and saint in all of us. You know. #tbt #nyc #themet #thecloisters https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHaDEjnEsc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nao6jgfaj0e5

Going from Harlem to Columbia, SC is jarring. When I arrived home (my granny's place I also refer to as home), new bedroom shoes, two new rocking chairs for the porch, a neighbor's bucket of pears, a gun commercial, hummingbirds, and 95 degree weather greeted me. #southcarolina #columbia #southernroots #globalframeofmind https://www.instagram.com/p/BnEEPg8nT6Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qhvfxwlvdv2z

Go get your #SundayBlessings. I'm getting mine in Central Park and lower Manhattan today with people I love. #nyc #newyorkcity #summersummersummertime