I write about the supernatural, the unexpected and the phenomenal. My stories are inspired by the bilingual, multicultural world that shaped me. I'm the author of the Bodega Botanica Tales series, an adult coming-of age six-part novella series; I host a short story podcast by the same name. This newsletter is about my personal questions and insights to this unpredictable, complicated and magical world, one Spanish word at a time. I'd be honored and grateful if you signed up.
Is Somebody Watching You?
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Volume 2; Issue 7; April 2026 Hola! Do you ever feel like somebody's watching you? I do. This past month, I've been watched, mostly through online, virtual and in-person events. I admit it's mostly of my own making and a bit intimidating. But then there's the new reality of being watched, like my Alexa app waiting to be summoned, scam e-mails that know too much, something popping up on social media related to a recent conversation, or an AI suggesting proposed language at the beginning of my search. This got me thinking. Do I still have control of my private thoughts? I hope so and thus, the reason I write. After all, thoughts are humanity's last remaining freedom, as confirmed by true accounts of imprisonment. But then there are times that being watched can be an opportunity to help others, like when children watch their parents. What I've come to learn is allowing others to watch me can be important work, and it has rewards and consequences. So if you choose to share your thoughts, inevitably some will disagree, but that's okay. But for those that rather watch others, remember to lean in towards kindness as you never know who's watching you. For more about my experience of being watched, read Bodega News, along with meeting some talented authors I watched: Other Magical Tales. My Spanish word for this month is Presentá, because she's always watching. Bodega News
Spanish Word Translation: Presentá: Someone who's nosy or always meddling, like watching you from afar. When I was a kid, I often heard my Tias y Tios say, "¡Que Presenta!", which was not a compliment, since it meant that neighbor, friend, or family member had overstepped with their questions. Fast forward to my twenties and it felt like I was always being asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?" or "When will you get married?" It was exhausting having all these eyes on me. The truth is that the stress I was feeling was self-imposed, although many in my culture got married much younger. In the end, my aunts and uncles were just making small talk, since they didn't know what else to ask a twenty-something. Thank goodness the culture has shifted, and now we can ask "What career will you choose?" and "Where will you live?" but I can't help thinking that it's the same pressures, just different questions. So if you've ever been accused of being a Presentá or Presentao, be rest assured that maybe it isn't you.Until next month...Stay tuned Brujas! Other Magical Tales: |
Bodega Botanica Tales Monthly Newsletter
I write about the supernatural, the unexpected and the phenomenal. My stories are inspired by the bilingual, multicultural world that shaped me. I'm the author of the Bodega Botanica Tales series, an adult coming-of age six-part novella series; I host a short story podcast by the same name. This newsletter is about my personal questions and insights to this unpredictable, complicated and magical world, one Spanish word at a time. I'd be honored and grateful if you signed up.
Volume 2; Issue 11, August 2026 Hola! Ever feel hopeless? I have. This past month, after completing my responsibilities, I still had set-backs in my health, my artistic projects and even my personal life. This got me thinking. What's left after hope fails? Hope is wanting something, and that something is an outcome that, in my opinion, is usually self-serving. Common examples include, "I hope it doesn't rain for my event," "I hope my team wins, and "I hope my loved-one gets better, because I...
Volume 2; Issue 10, July 2026 Hola! Have you ever been scared by the actions of people? I have. This past month, a stranger called me an offensive name because I drove slowly, a neighbor honked at me during my leisurely walk, a friend became angry when I asked a question, and a family member used the word "demonic" to describe my actions (the latter confirms mutual fear). In our 24-7 media driven world, you can experience people shouting their grievances and worries while arguing and debating...
Volume 2; Issue 9; June 2026 Hola! Do you wish for more time? I do. This past month, I took time to celebrate a birthday and graduation, cheer at a dance recital, and even pay my respects at a funeral. Yet, I still hoped I could declutter my closet, accompany a friend to an event, and get more writing done, but I had, well, no time. This got me thinking. Does time demand our respect? Basic human needs, like sleeping, eating, and moving requires time. If we fail to take the time to do these...