Garden of Life
Anyone can spot my apartment balcony from yards away. A cascade of green vines and leaves twirl elegantly around the bars below the patio railing. The grassy-colored greenery helps add to the peaceful paradise feeling you get when you sit in one of the patio chairs underneath the awning. You cannot avoid the bright greens from the various herbs and spices sprouting in medium-sized round pots and planters. And when you brush up against the springy shrubs adorning the sides surrounding the outdoor space your noise is gifted with a smell of fresh basil and parsley that lingers long enough to encourage a small grin from your mouth. (more…)
The Reunion
The comedy-filled high school reunion-related storyline has run rampant since the latter part of the last century. Young adults looking to settle scores, reconnect with old crushes and reevaluate their lives at their coveted nostalgic event entice the average western viewer. I don’t know how many times I watched the movie, “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” with my best friend on VHS. We would talk about our own reunions with a tinge of sadness at the fact that we would never be at the same event since our parents had always planned for us to attend different high schools. However, a level of excitement would arise at the future opportunity to visit our pasts and reconnect with some of the people in our young lives that would help shape who we grew up to be. (more…)
Deaf Immersion: Attending The MATA Expo
A flood of nerves had washed in as we pulled up to the Pomona Fairplex. We didn’t know what to expect. We didn’t know if we were going to be lost the entire time. We weren’t sure if we would be able to hold a conversation with anyone that was there. As we approached the building at the fairgrounds, we took a deep breath before we entered. (more…)
Taking The Leap
“I have a London Fog with almond milk here on the bar.” The man behind the small coffee shop counter set down my reusable thermos filled with scalding tea and milk and smiled at me.
“Thanks,” I said adjusting my reading glasses and grabbing the cup. I brought the beverage over to the uncomfortable couch where I was sitting and placed the lid on top. I picked up my laptop and began typing up an article where I had left off.
It was part of my weekly routine. I would walk into the loud local coffee shop downtown and write for an hour or so after work before going home. It was the only way I would be sure that I got some writing in, and the only other opportunity where I could relax while eavesdropping on people. (more…)
What’s Woven Into The Fog
I opened my door one morning to a vaguely thick layer of frigid gray fog. My charcoal-colored car, which was parked out front, barely emerged from the winter-like surroundings. I thought to myself that it hadn’t been this foggy this far inland in a while.
As I made my way down my apartment steps towards my car, a felt a small smile creep onto my face. It felt like it was now officially autumn, and not what felt like the perpetual summer, with brief pauses that allowed a chilly breeze, that most Southern Californians were accustomed to experiencing. I didn’t want to jinx it by grabbing a jacket, but I did think about all the sweaters I could now break out of the small “winter” section of my closet. (more…)
