Yearly Playlists and Yunasa

Every winter, my dad and I send an invitation to over 50 exclusively selected music-loving family and friends. The challenge: pick one song released from the current year for our collection: Project Mixtape.

Light/Umbra

Umbra: the innermost, darkest part of a shadow

Rocks + Stars

I’ve always found myself in two worlds—one that looks to the sky and one that looks to the ground, one in the future and one in the past.

Diversity

My parents introduced me to the significance of diversity — inadvertently.

Dance

“Gender is a puppet show; every time you call me ‘he, boy’, I feel you tug the strings…”

My Dreamscape

Every night for as long as I can remember, I have looked forward to the moments right before I fall asleep where I visit what I call my Dreamscape.

Defining ‘Home’

About a decade ago, a teacher asked me, “What would be the first thing you’d include if you were building a city?”  Without hesitation, I said, “An airport.”

Introversion

Here’s how most conversations used to go for me: Just say something. Now. Wait, nevermind. Now. Come on, just say it! And when I finally gathered enough courage, the conversation was over.

Being Small

February 4th, 2015: one of the happiest days of my life.

My Natural ‘Mom Vibe’

Apparently, I have a natural “mom vibe.” On my volleyball team, I am team mom in every way. As a natural worrier, I like to make sure that everyone has all of their necessities: knee pads, water bottle, hair elastic, uniform.