Virtual Reunion

[an update on my life written for a virtual reunion of my fellow interns from last year]

I still attend Holy faith and still go salsa dancing whenever possible (aka whenever Sara will drive). I still have compost, I still bus it or bike it wherever I go--I swear Metro should pay me I promote them so much, and Kenneth Hahn is still my favorite park. I’ve learned how to cook for 12 -15 people on a moment's notice- no prob, how to throw a block party- street closure and all, I can tell you exactly how much a 20x30 canopy costs and where the best deal in town is- thank you very much. Things are not always all peaches n cream however: work is so VERY challenging and i can't tell you how many times I just think i cannot do it anymore. I miss home and the little family i do have more than ever (especially with the passing of my grandma last January), and I struggle with finding the balance&peace Elizabeth Gilbert does even though I did make it to Rome in May and ate the best pizza and gelato in the world like she did.

But let’s see, besides catching up with you lovely people, looking back there were some definite highlights: November of last year I moved into an Synchronicity LA, an intentional community started not too long ago by a bunch of recent APU college grads. It is in Harvard Heights- tucked in between West Adams, Koreatown, and South LA. It is the highlight of my life these days and I love that I come home to such welcoming creative energy every night after days at work that are less than enjoyable.

As for CHC, I am still there fighting oil companies and working to reduce diabetes and obesity in South LA through more parks, etc. Highlights from the past year included presenting at two professional conferences last November one in long beach and the other was the American Public Health Association in Philadelphia. Also last May, I was responsible for bringing a series of State-sponsored hearings to Hermosa Beach and Baldwin Hills on the drilling going on in our communities.

Also, a big part of this past year has been an intention on my part to process and grow my interest in racial justice- I really needed an outlet to process my experiences living and working in inglewood/south la and also finding a way to integrate conversations on racism into my work at CHC. I've gotten pretty involved with LDIR: Leadership Development in Inter-Ethnic Relations -taking their two month training last Nov/Dec and I continue to participate in their study group on various racial justice topics and their program development team. These are often really hard conversations, but something keeps drawing me to them!

And lastly- I have to mention cuz i was super involved in planning it and according to some, it will go down in Harvard heights history- we had this little block party a few weeks ago. Check it out: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/578380146lqsQMu?start=0