The car smelled like bad news as soon as I stepped in. I would credit my intuition, but it was more like something I’ve learned from experience combined with statistics — the fact that, when it comes to this transportation service, the ratings don’t lie. I found comfort in knowing that it’d be a short…
For my short stories, please visit Books Once upon a time, I signed up for a foreign program to become a language teacher assistant. The program would allow me to work and live in Europe. I was hired and, despite some doubts, in the end I said, why the heck not? My role was described…
Like every year, we do a little reflection on the year that just went by. But like no other year, that I know of, this year gave us a little extra to think about, learn, be thankful for, perhaps regret, and even love. Here are some of the things that I learned and resented this…
To check out my latest books, please go here: Books “Go talk to him!” I gulped. I hadn’t had enough tequila to even consider such a daring move. I’d been to so many places around the world, but for some reason, Los Angeles seemed a little intimidating at the time. All the celebrities popping up…
Have we collectively become more sleep-deprived these past few months or is it just still us, the usual suspects — the insomniacs, the night owls, the creators, the brokenhearted…? These Drowsy Notes are a documentary of one of those sleepless nights. Five hundred twenty-four notes, what’s another one? 4:40 a.m. on the clock and heaviness…
Have you ever just felt really out of place at some place at some point in your life? I wrote this down on my notepad as I downed some tacos at a bar one night, a few years ago. What I wrote was much longer — the rest of it made it to my book…
They’d probably tell on me, but I wonder which rumors they’d choose to spread. Would it be the story of how much I procrastinate; how I spin on my heels eighty-nine times a day before making it out the door when I need to be somewhere on time? I wonder if they notice me when…
After a walk on empty streets, I took a little break to appreciate the blue sky and breathe in the warm Miami air. I sat there and stared at the little birds instead; pecking at the grass, skipping, singing their birdie songs, flying. Never have I been so jealous of their freedom and lack of…
You’re never too old to be unable to identify feelings, are you? You’re never too old to feel again the things that once felt new, when you were too young to understand that the phenomenon which bugged your stomach and fogged your mind and kept you up at night wasn’t at all lightning bolts; that…
“What if Mother remarried? Would you accept it?” “No way, are you crazy?” It was more of a nod than spoken words; a fast nodding “NAH”. Unthinkable. Despicable. Unacceptable. What was so insulting or sacred about it? (Nothing.) Did Mother not deserve to be happy? (Of course she did.) But the thought of having an…
While searching for inspiration, I came across a million great writing prompts. One of them, though, said: “Write about happiness.” I rolled my eyes. To be more accurate, that Robert Downey Jr. meme? That was me…for a good ten seconds. The truth is everyone wants to be happy. I mean, who TF wants to be…
I was on my way home. The worn-out leather seats in the next-to-last coach were comfortable enough to make me tilt my head back and close my eyes for the next three stops. On other occasions, I would not have. But it was all women; moms, schoolgirls, a couple of chit-chatting friends, a tired girl…