I Don't Know Where To Start

I Made It -- Graduated And Licensed!

I don't know where to start writing about all that's happened since my last post in April. For starters, I'm done with graduate school -- for the moment, at least, and am officially licensed (hallelujah). Events leading up to my graduation on June 1st were intense. Between classes, finishing my internship at the middle school, working, job-seeking and holding things together for the end of our son's first year in public school, the last weeks of the academic year for both my son and I were harder than the last three years combined.

Was It Worth The Sacrifice?

A part of me says, "Absolutely." That's the goal-seeking, self-actualization side of Ezzy that wants to continue to learn and grow. However, the mother-wife in me often contemplates the time I took away from my family, especially my eleven-year-old son, to accomplish this goal. I felt guilty the week of graduation, too, because he'd been selected to participate in a little league competition taking place the same day. You see, this was his first year playing baseball, and considering he'd never played before, never mind pitched, he'd done pretty darn well. My husband had assistant coached and I attended every game. Seeing his developing grit, pride and ganas to play baseball made this mom happy. I didn't want to rob him of his opportunity to compete in something he felt passionate about.

Our Son Was Given A Choice

So we gave him the option. He could either accompany my mother and husband to an over three hour ceremony on a hot day, where he'd most likely be bored, or he could play baseball. I told him the decision was his to make and that as much as I wanted him to see me receive my diploma, I also didn't want him to miss out on something important to him. I was only sorry that I wouldn't get to see him compete. He could let me know.

Our son pitching.

The Verdict

A couple of days before my graduation, as he sat across from me in the living room playing Minecraft, while I caught up on one of my favorite shows, I casually asked him if he'd made a decision about what he wanted to do. His response was, "Mom, your graduation is way more important than baseball. It's not, like, you graduate every day. I can play baseball anytime." He said this wearing a look of disbelief -- disbelief that I'd ask him such a question.

The doubts, worries, and insecurities that had plagued me about my decision to pursue graduate school evaporated at that moment.

This mom had done something right

School Lunch Policy Goes Awry

Source: USDAgov

I consider myself fortunate to have stumbled upon a School Guidance Counseling program that places a heavy emphasis on social justice, doing what's in the best interest of the child, while maintaining confidentiality. A semester of ethics illustrated how difficult that charge is when so many constituencies are involved: the student, peers, parents, administrators, teachers and outside agencies. It may seem an impossible task, but when the physical and mental well-being of a child take precedent, the best course of action does reveal itself.

School Principal Gets Fired When School Lunch Policy Goes Awry

What sensibilities should we expect of our educators? I use "educator" broadly because in an education setting, educators include everyone from the school bus monitor to the janitor. Shouldn't we expect ten times more from our teachers and administrators? I read an article in the Huffington Post recently about a principal who'd lost her job after a nine-year tenure because she'd opposed a school lunch policy that humiliated children whose lunch accounts no longer had a balance, or were close to zero.

Is It Ever Okay to Humiliate a Child?

What kindness or empathy does a school show to children whose hands are "stamped" red in front of their peers? A great lesson in The Scarlett Letter! Children living in poverty, or other challenging situations such as homelessness, endure enough pain in their lives without having to be publicly shamed. This case really is not complicated and the answer seems obvious. Deal directly with the parents and not the children. The question I ask is simple: How is this policy in the best interest of the child (never mind maintain confidentiality)?

I'd encourage the educators who defended their decision to enforce this policy to revisit their own school's website, where it states under one of its Points of Pride "A caring school environment where every student is known and valued."

Just some food for thought.

Source: Flickr/Tim Lauer

Are you all familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and how each stage relates to human development? Yes, I know. It's pretty basic stuff, Human Development 101, but here you go.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Source: Wikimedia/FactoryJoe

The Year In Pictures

I didn't want to let the year end without sharing some of the moments that stand out in my memory.

2013 is the first year since I moved to Massachusetts that I've seen this much snowfall. Note the snow at the entrance to the garage. And I live here because …

One thing's for sure, this is not where I plan to spend my Golden Years.

Human Development Across the Lifespan was an intensive summer course that I took in which we were required to present our stages of development with a thirty minute presentation at the end of the course. The class was intense not only in the volume of material we covered in seven weeks, but, also, because of the intense emotions and life experiences shared by our cohort.

I think it was the first time I didn't dread knowing a presentation awaited me. My biggest worry was that I wouldn't be able to talk for thirty minutes about myself. Much to my surprise I was so into my presentation that I lost track of time talking about my family and ancestors. The class laughed when I flashed a slide that said to "Google at your own risk."

It was while I wrote my presentation that I discovered that an actual word exists for healing with books: bibliotherapy.

Yes, books heal. 

Hispanicize reinvigorated me. It was loud, colorful and charged with energy. This has become an annual event where I look forward to spending time with mis blogueras amigas-hermanas. 

Our son is not a little boy, anymore.

Maine in the summer is where I wish to be.

These are smiles that make me happy.

Pearl (top right) arrived via USPS recently. She replaced my rooster Richard (bottom) who had to go live on a local farm where he could do what he does best -- crow. Thank God for great neighbors.

I love Latism and everything it stands for. It's challenged me to step into discomfort. I am a better person because of it. Life is colorless without a sense of community.

I accomplished a lot this year and continue to learn about myself. My two biggest goals for 2014 are to graduate in May and secure a job in my field of study.

Happy New Year, my friends. :-)

Adjusting My Sails

Most of October and the entire month of November don't feel real. A lot has happened. So much in such a short period of time that trying to remember it all makes my heart race.

Latism came and went
Halloween
A couple of online book clubs
My son's eleventh birthday
Single-handedly building Richard and Samantha's new coop
Sending Richard to live on a farm
and Thanksgiving.

With Christmas and New Year's so near, I reflect on 2013, grateful for the many blessings I've received.

Change swirls about me. My internship at the middle school has revealed where I've known all along that I can make the biggest contribution. I can't help but be a little anxious as 2014 approaches. I feel the direction of Sincerely Ezzy changing.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

You know who you are.

We Start At A New School This Week

We start at a new school this week. As some of you know, our son attended a small, private school close to home, and when I say "small," I mean K-8-under-one-hundred-students-small, where everyone knows your name. We're moving for a number of reasons, but the only one that matters to us is that our son requested it. He's ready to experience life outside his small brick building. Both Mom and Dad are a little nervous, because this will be a big change, not to mention culture shock for him. There will be no daily chapel, children aren't expected to hold doors open for their elders, he won't eat his lunch at his desk, nor will he be expected to attend eighth grade graduation each year. Having said all that, despite all that we'll miss that made his previous school special, we're proud of him for advocating for himself, stating that he's ready to make new friends, while firmly and confidently letting us know that he is not going to be siting at the peanut table, either.

Today we attend his new school's Fourth Grade Meet-and-Greet, where we'll drop in to the class, meet his new teacher, other parents and classmates. It's a huge fourth grade wing at a school that will be the equivalent of a small high school for a middle schooler used to a small brick building. I'm grateful beyond words for the role the school adjustment counselor, in addition to the other supports, that are being made available to make his transition as comfortable as is possible, for a ten-year-old, transferring to a new school. I can only imagine the anxiety a family must experience if they or their child are new to the country and don't speak the language. What supports are available to them? As a student of school guidance sitting on the other side of the table, I empathize with these concerns, and for that I'm also grateful.

This week we'll be chronicling a lot of firsts. We're not expecting everything to be perfect and we welcome the unpredictability and excitement that starting something new brings. I came across a wonderful article written by Dr. Michele Borba, a renown and multi-book published, parenting expert. The article is titled "Helping Kids Fit In to a New School and Make Friends." She makes some wonderful recommendations you might find helpful if you have a child starting at a new school.

Is there anything special you've done to ease your child's transition to a new school?

Year Two of Grad School -- Over!

Some course materials ... except for The Great Gatsby. Had time to sneak it into my reading. :-)

I can breathe! Returned from my back-to-back trips to Hispanicize and a much needed family vacation to the end of my second year of graduate school. Can't believe I just typed those words. They look bizarre on the page: second year of graduate school. I've survived it all! Presentations, role-playing, writing and reading assignments. This week sees the end of my 100-hour practicum at the middle school, then a short breather before summer school starts next month.


Meetings, Meetings and More Meetings

I've been exposed to A LOT at the middle school: initial and three year IEP meetings, transition from middle school to high school meetings, 504 meetings, parent-teacher meetings, administration-guidance meetings, student group meetings, counseling sessions with students. In short, I've gotten a broader glimpse into what the job of a school guidance counselor entails. How they're able to cram so much into their days, know the names of the over two hundred students they're assigned, and keep it all straight -- I don't know! Often they don't eat lunch, run from one meeting to the next, when they're not on the phone with parents, community services, or filling out the reams of paperwork that mandated. A good amount of endurance and a healthy sense of humor are required.

Being a parent myself and having the experience of going through the IEP process has helped me to appreciate being on both sides of the table.

Tim Wise: White Privilege, Racism, White Denial & The Cost of Inequality

Multicultural Counseling Weekend

One of the best experiences I had this semester took place over several weekends, both Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crazy, right? Truth is I couldn't wait to get to  Multicultural Counseling for Children and Adolescents. We tackled some pretty heavy-duty material that made some uncomfortable, while reaffirming the experiences of others. Racism, stereotypes, micro-aggressions, a close inspection of our own biases and assumptions, and advocacy for underserved populations were just a few of the topics we covered.

What I didn't know before starting this program at Cambridge College is that the role of the school guidance counselor is evolving into one of being an agent of social change. Be ready to make yourself heard.

Microagressions and Stereotypes Matching Lesson

Here's an interesting classroom lesson ... matching microagressions to their corresponding stereotypes ... the class did a pretty good job of identifying the pairs. Encouraging to know that educators entering the profession have a high-level of awareness that will help all of us effectively advocate for students and their families.

Micro-agressions and Stereotypes Matching Lesson

This colorful class project has been hanging on one of the walls of our building since I started school. The bright colors, symbols and energy depicted in it make me smile every time I walk by it. Yup, even adults do art projects in school. :-)

I'm anticipating the future and am already thinking about looking for a job in the spring. I cannot wait for either school or the internship to start in the fall. In the meantime, my husband and son are happy to have my undivided attention and I'm happy to just "be."

Feeling blessed.

1987 McKinney-Vento Act: Protecting the Educational Rights of Homeless Children

Over a million homeless children are in need of educational assistance in the United States.
The 1987 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides that support.

Families with young children now account for 40% of the nation's homeless population and in the course of the year, more than 1.3 million children are homeless. 

(Source: National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty) 

During my school guidance practicum at the middle school this week, I learned about a federal law and educational resources available to homeless children. These services are provided by the The Office for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. The law is called the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and it was passed in 1987 to protect the educational rights of homeless children who who are not able to advocate for themselves.

McKinney-Vento makes provisions for each school district to have a  McKinney-Vento Liaison who helps locate homeless children and their families to provide them with educational support and referrals to local services and agencies.

One in every 45 children in the U.S. is homeless each year. 

(Source: America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness, National Center on Family Homelessness)

Homeless children lead unpredictable lives. For most, school provides them with the only sense of stability they know, and often the only two meals they'll see during the day. Everything -- their relationships, academics, behavior, physical and emotional health and safety are affected by the transient lives they lead. Think about it for a second. How could a homeless child concentrate enough to learn or be able to develop meaningful relationships if they're hungry and constantly on the move?

Over 40% of the children who are homeless are under the age of five. Ten percent of all children live in poverty.

(Source: National Center for Homeless Education) 

What causes homelessness for many of these children? Following are a few of the most common causes per the Office for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth:

• Lack of affordable housing
• Deep poverty
• Health problems
• Domestic violence
• Natural and other disasters
• Abuse/neglect

During my research for this post, I found two great videos. This first one was put together by a group of students who interviewed several McKinney-Vento Liaisons. It's inspiring and illustrates how much these educators care about the children and families in their districts.





So what are homeless children's McKinney-Vento Rights?

• To go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.
• To stay in their original or last school even if they move to another.
• To get transportation to their original school.
• To immediately enroll in a new school.
• To automatically receive free breakfast and lunch at school.
• To receive Title I services.
• To receive all the educational and supplemental services that all other children are provided.

In Massachusetts they also have:

• The right to immediate enrollment.
• The right to choose what school to attend.
• The right to transportation.
• The right to participate in the same programs and activities as other students.

This next video was produced by the Anoka-Hennepin school district discusses McKinney-Vento and how students are identified.





The video outlines the warning signs that educators should look for that might suggest a student is homeless:

• Erratic behavior and attendance
• Tardiness
• Numerous absences
• Lack of personal records needed to enroll
• Inability to contact parents
• Lack of participation in school activities and field trips
• Unmet medical and dental needs
• Lack of immunization or medical records
• Poor personal hygiene
• Respiratory problems
• Skin rashes
• Chronic Hunger
• Fatigue
• Disengagement in class
• Isolation from former friends
• Mood swings
• Abrupt changes in behavior

(Source: Anoka-Hennepin McKinney-Vento Homeless Grant Video)

School guidance counselors and all other educators, from the school bus driver to the cafeteria worker, who come in contact with children at school, are charged with helping to identify these children. I encourage you to find out who the McKinney-Vento Liaison is in your district and ask them if there are any school supplies, book bags or other items you might be able to donate.

Please visit the following sites to learn more about McKinney-Vento and homeless children and youth:

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• National Coalition for the Homeless
• Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
• Horizons for Homeless Children

The Secret Behind Resilience

What explains resilience?

Am I the only one who's ever wondered why some people are more resilient than others? For example, why is it that in a home where siblings are exposed to some kind of neglect, trauma or abuse, some are able to develop strong coping skills, going on to lead rewarding lives, while others don't?

I found my answer in a New York Times article my first semester of graduate school. It shook me. Prior to reading A Question of Resilience by Emily Bazelon, I'd never really considered the "nature" part of the "nature vs. nurture" argument for human development. Saying that someone was just "born" a certain way seemed too easy an explanation, like voodoo. As far as I was concerned, a person's environment and upbringing explained everything.

What I discovered in the New York Times article is that resilience is born out of both a person's genetics and environment.

"While children of average intelligence or above were more likely to exhibit resilience, the researchers noted that good relationships with adults can exert an effect that is as powerful, if not more, in mitigating the effects of adversity." Emily Bazelon, New York Times

Even though scientists have been able to identify genes that determine physical attributes, such as hair and eye color, genes that explain our psychology had remained a mystery. That is until a group of researchers identified 5-HTT, a gene that regulates the brain's serotonin levels. They discovered that the pair of genes in 5-HTT comes in two variations, two long alleles or two short alleles, with the short allele being the equivalent of getting the genetic "short end of the stick."

"Researchers are discovering that a particular variation of a gene can help promote resilience in the people who have it, acting as a buffer against the ruinous effects of adversity. In the absence of an adverse environment, however, the gene doesn't express itself in this way. It drops out of the psychological picture." Emily Bazelon, New York Times

We should all hope to have the protection of the long version of 5-HTT. Turns out that people carrying the long set are found to be more resilient, while those carrying at least one short allele are prone to developing depression and/or anxiety. The good news is that even if a person carries a short allele, it remains dormant until there's a trigger: stress or trauma.

The end of the New York Times article mentions a genetic test being made available through doctor's offices to test for the gene. What do you think? Would you want to know which set you carry?

Even though I'm fascinated by the topic and will be exploring it more as it relates to children in schools, I'm not sure I'd want to know.

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Sir Ken Robinson on TEDX: "Do Schools Kill Creativity?

"If you're not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to watch a wonderful TEDTalks video about creativity. In the video, Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally reknown thought-leader in creativity, innovation and education, speaks to how public education strips our children of their creative talents, by defining for them what success should look like. 

Sir Ken Robinson contends that we've been conditioned to raise and educate children fearful of being wrong by stigmatizing mistakes both at school and at work. He's also critical of our universities, stating that "academic ability has come to dominate our view of intelligence" and that they [the universities] "design the system in their image."

Something else he said hit pretty close to home. That we should be careful how we toss around labels, such as ADD and ADHD, because what some might consider weaknesses, may in fact be strengths. What's important is that we allow our children to pursue their interests, without their schools' or our interference. I agree.

What do you think?

Creativity is diverse.

                    Creativity is dynamic.

                                    Creative is distinct.

Slipping and Sliding

Lately I've felt as though I've been racing after time. Precious, precious time, my friend who reminds me that she cannot and will not stand still. Not for me or anyone else. Except on those rare occasions that she hovers to wrap her arms around me to whisper that looking back will hurt my progress and that worrying about the future is a waste of energy better spent on the present. The here and now are what matter. I know all this, but need to be reminded every now and then, that in my travels, I should only see the road one or two feet ahead ... as if through fog.

I'll get there. What's the rush?

School's started and although I'm nervous and stressed about the new material, a new cohort, new professors, and a practicum, I'm too excited to mind it much. If all goes as planned, I'll be finished by next May. Then on to my job search. Now, to focus!

We had three feet of snow dumped on us over the weekend and we're bracing ourselves for a little more the end of this week. There's a part of me that's hoping (secretly wishing) to get snowed in so that I can have just a little more time to stand still.

Henry C. Hayden ©1887

What Is It About Public Speaking?

Honest to God. What is it about public speaking that makes so many of us want to run and hide (or more, like, drop dead)? You know what I'm talking about: the shaking hands, knocking knees, sweats, racing heart. Makes you want to run out and give a presentation, doesn't it?

I'm in the middle of preparing the slide deck for my research presentation on Wednesday and, although, I'm not as nervous as I'd normally be, there's still this thread of discomfort pulling through me, like a tiny inch worm.

Part of why I'm not petrified is because I've been with this cohort, now, for three semesters, but more importantly because I've learned that negative thoughts are just that, thoughts that can't own, possess, or have the power to control me, unless I ALLOW them. It's taken me a while to grasp this important truth, but grasp it, I have with a lot of work.

What I've found comforting the last couple years is learning of all the powerful and influential people who are afflicted by stage-fright and that really only a small percentage of the population is naturally at ease speaking in public. Even so, still wishing I could be a little more like all my extroverted friends who can't wait to "perform." I envy each and every one of them. Gimme a little of that!

So, I've decided to punch FEAR in the face (or, as I'd say back home, "kick its ass").

                                                                              Source: imgfave.com via Deana on Pinterest

Feels Like We're Moving at the Speed of Light

You know that weird feeling you get when you drive somewhere and don't remember how you got there? That's how last week flew by. ZOOOOOM! *lol* Woke up Wednesday a.m. in a panic, having forgotten that summer school started that same evening. The next seven weeks will be intense as we wrap up our independent research projects and start to present our findings. Everyone in my cohort will be giving a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation. Somehow I've managed to not drop dead from anxiety. Will have more to share on that front as 6/27 approaches. Too much going on between now and then to obsess. *bites nails*

This is going to be an interesting week. I'm not keen on blogging about work, as I like to keep work and personal separate, but I've got something too cool going down not to blog about it and I want to be able to share some of what I learn during this unique experience. I'm proud to say that the company I work for was selected as a finalist out of 1,200 applicants in the Mass Challenge. We move into the Accelerator in Boston this Wednesday, with 120 other companies, for the next three months. To say I'm excited and grateful to have this opportunity to learn from the best and brightest in our community would be a gross understatement. The brain power! OMG. The getting to-and-from will be interesting seeing as I'll have to take the T into town, but we'll make it work. :-)

More to come! Strapping myself in ...

Hope everyone is enjoying a peaceful weekend and Happy Father's Day to all you dads.

Harvard Square and typical graduate classroom at Cambridge College's School of Education

First Year of Grad School, Officially Over!

Cambridge College, MA: School of Education, National Institute for Teaching Excellence
and School of Psychology and Counseling

Believe it, or not, tonight marks the end of my first year of graduate school. Can you say, "W-E-P-A!"? If only my last final weren't a freaking oral exam, in front of my peers, I'd be skipping down the street with a cup of coffee right now. :-)

To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out how the heck I crammed so much into what I thought was a busy schedule, five classes: Intro to Counseling, Counseling in Schools, Professional Seminars I and II and Counseling Techniques, a research project, a 75-hour pre-practicum, two stressful jobs, and the MTEL (which I passed!) ... yeah, the thought, alone, gives me heart palpitations.

But I did it, and I would do it all over again, con gusto, because of how much I've grown.

Source: promised-love.tumblr.com via Ezzy on Pinterest

I tell you all this not to pat myself on the back, but to encourage YOU, if you're thinking about going back to finish school, or to pursue an advanced degree TO JUST DO IT. Don't over-think it. We can talk ourselves out of the best growth opportunities with just a little self-doubt and fear of the unknown.

It's a tough lesson to learn: The only barriers in life are the ones we build for ourselves.

Have you gone back to school, or are you thinking about it? If you're on the fence, what's holding you back?

The morning I drove 45 mins to take the MTEL. I've been a notoriously bad standardized test-taker all my life. I'm convinced that the reading and writing I've been doing the last few years were the best preparation. *relief*

"Cambridge College is a microcosm of America's future." Hugh Price, President NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE

Procrastination and Writing a Lit Review (This is so me!)

Wish I weren't clutch. o_O

Examining the representation of ELL students in alternative education programs relative to the population,
but must first learn of the challenges ELLs face, e.g. lack of teacher multicultural training, attitudes, poverty ...

My Bible <3

Abrazos y Besos to Latism ... On Being Born-Again y La Escuela

#Latism11 Chicago Conference

I can't believe that a week ago, today, I had the honor of volunteering and attending the Latinos in Social Media (Latism) Conference in Chicago. Thinking this is probably a good time to apologize for the five minutes warning I gave you before your Twitter timelines became flooded with my #Latism11 tweets. Every single tweet meant something to me, I only wish I'd attended more sessions, so I could've tweeted more! So to my friends, thank you for not blocking me, but more importantly, thank you all for the retweets.

PBS Kids: Virtual Pre-K! Ready for Math

I am filled with gratitude that what started as an offer made by me to help in future Latism Boston events turned into an invitation to volunteer at the annual conference. My head is still reeling from this last-minute whirlwind trip, where I met several blogueras/os (@Kiki_Liki, @LatinaSweetie, @Cheryl_Aguilar, @BlogsbyLatinas, @Juan of Words, @LBCConnect, @FollowtheLede to name a few) and attended events sponsored by brands that recognize the importance of engaging Latino consumers intelligently and thoughtfully.

What's stuck with me since coming home has been the thought-leaders from education, government, non-government groups and business, even key-note speakers, who discussed how they're using social media to make a difference in their communities ... and, of course, all the education sessions I missed because there simply wasn't enough time to do everything. Ay. For an infovore like me, it hurt.

It's taken me a week to recover. I returned home at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, only to turn-around and be at school that morning at 9 a.m. for a final group presentation in my Counseling in Schools class. Since Saturday, I played catch-up on the intro to my thesis that was due in another class, last night. I've been stressed out. But finally, I wake up this morning, sick, but still able to breathe a little easier. And if I had the chance to do it all over again, would I? Absolutely. Although, I'm left with the lingering thought that my roomie, Viviana Hurtado @WiseLatinaClub (who I didn't meet with the lights on for over 24-hours) thought I was a weirdo because of the strange schedule I kept. : )

Following are a few highlights
from one panel in particular
that moved me.

Spanglish -- From El Barrio to Madison Avenue (moderated by @JuanofWords : ) *hi Juan*

• When communicating, whether in English, Spanish, or Spanglish, it's important that we remain flexible and adapt to our audience. We need to know who we're addressing and allow our comfort-level and language ability to dictate how we communicate. We'll know when it's appropriate to use Spanglish.
• Language is the bridge between our culture and identity. "Who do we want to be?" or better, yet, "What identity do we want our children to have?"
• "Forced" Spanglish in advertisement by big brands misses the mark -- those of us in the target market know when brands haven't done their homework.
• KNOW that small omissions in Spanish accents can make a HUGE difference, e.g. "ano" v. "año" can be the difference between "Happy New Year" and "Happy New Anus." 
• Manuel Delgado, @DelgadoMan, from Agua Marketing introduced the term "retro-acculturation" and had us all laughing when he referred to those of us who can relate to this term as, "born-again Latinos." I'm thinking somebody should jump on making t-shirts. : )
• Also, I was surprised by how open and comfortable panel attendees were to share their bicultural, biliterate, identity challenges, however large or small. Simply, wow.

A little dancing from the Awards Night Gala (they could move!) ...

Thank you to Ana Roca-Castro (@AnaRC), Elianne Ramos (@ergeekgoddess), Reina Valenzuela (@Soylamar) and the rest of the team for organizing this wonderful event and to the sponsors who made it possible for me and the rest of the volunteers to attend. ¡Mil gracias! I'll be ready for next year. : )