This is the final project submission for REL3152: Race, Religion, and Ethnicity for Maria Pamela Acosta and Shaun Johnson. Thank you Professor Burnside for an amazing semester and such a creative option for our final. You were our favorite professor this semester <3 happy holidays!

Three years ago, I was hospitalized for severe abdominal pain and several other explicit symptoms. After long nights, testing, labs, and not being able to eat anything, I received my ulcerative colitis diagnosis. Immediately, I was given medication and began to ease into remission. It's been three years of learning to be strong on days where I feel pain in every step and looking in the mirror and feeling beautiful despite my illness. Feel free to DM me on instagram if you have any questions. 

In this episode, I get real about what it was like working in a restaurant/club. Servers do NOT get paid enough to deal with the BS and I had enough. Between feeling objectified and disrespected in my workplace and not getting paid enough at all, it was time to call it quits. Now that it's over with, here's all the tea and ranting I've been holding in this year. Enjoy, and don't forget to tip your servers!

This Summer is for growth -but, we're not just speaking it into existence. In 2021, we're putting in WORK. Trips, flights, and experiences are on the calendar and saving money is the top priority. In this episode, I talk about how treating yourself is okay, but it's important to keep a budget and learn financial discipline in order to have a very hot girl summer. 

Interested in attending law school? I am! So, I asked my friend Kendra to share her story on how she got to where she is now: a 2L at Fordham Law. From immigrating to the U.S, joining speech and debate in high school, and interning in Washington D.C; Kendra shares how each component of her life prepared her for law school and gave me tips on how we can all prepare too. Huge shout out to Kendra for doing this episode with me! I had so much fun and if you have any questions, our socials are below:

Insta:

@kendra.blandon

@latinaworkinprogress

In this episode I discuss what happens when people try to come back into your life. Why are they back and have they changed? Is rekindling a relationship always the right thing? Remember, your energy is finite and you don't want to waste it on someone that does not bring you growth and positivity. We prioritize the people we care about, but we don't have endless time to hand out. In 2021, we don't have time for foolery. Make the best decisions for YOU. 

Happy New Year! In this episode, I talk about the explosive first few days of 2021 and how it feels like 2020 has come along after the countdown. Still, 2020 was a year of growth and I share how choosing optimism is the best way to make it through 2021. I hope this year treats everyone well and that it can be better than the last <3

In this episode, I discuss how intimidating growing up can be. Graduation is approaching and that means starting a new chapter in my life. For a very long time, my relationships have influenced the decisions I've made in my life and I think it's finally time to end this; it's time to be independent. The future is still unwritten, but I need to make sure that I'm the one using the pen. It's intimidating to finally start to become independent from the support and complacency my childhood and those around me have provided. However, what doesn't challenge you won't change you. Cheers to new, daunting chapters. 

In this episode, I talk about the importance of creating boundaries in the relationships we have in our lives. Family, friends, and partners need to know the topics you want to discuss and the ones you're not comfortable with, especially with holidays approaching. The election has created a lot of division that impacts our relationships, it's bound to be a topic at Thanksgiving, so just let your racist grandpa know that you're drawing a boundary with him. Drawing boundaries are important for the health of your relationships and yourself. That being said, also draw boundaries with yourself. Self care can go too far and, sometimes, you need to say 'no' to yourself and establish discipline. If it doesn't challenge you, it's not going to change you. 

In today's episode, I reflect on three major news events that heavily impacted women and their standing in society: Breonna Taylor's injustice, RBG's death, and Kamala Harris making history on the vice presidential debate stage. These events reverberated throughout the country and got me thinking about some of my own micro-level experiences as a woman. I recount three events that happened to me this past month as I pondered the age old question: why do men take up space? This is an ode to Kamala Harris' epic "I'm speaking," moment on the debate stage. I know sometimes social norms and professionalism prevent us from saying exactly how we feel during a situation, so this is everything I couldn't outright say but was definitely thinking.