This website started as an ode to the border of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. La Frontera! Although this blog has focused on many things, especially the music, one thing that I keep in mind is home.

Although I now spend 80% of my time outside of El Paso, it is that time away that makes me appreciate certain aspects of the border that I didn't before. I'm not the most eloquent with words, but I always long for a piece of home when I am away. Whether I do it consciously or unconsciously, I have that yearning. I really notice it when it comes to food. Every time I crave Mexican Food and buy it outside of El Paso or Juarez, I can't help but compare it. Nothing compares to Frontera food. I feel like I should know better by now, but I every bite of Mexican food outside of El Paso is followed by a, "I told you so" in the back of my mind or a very disappointed stomach. Perhaps part of the authenticity and flavor of frontera food is our proximity to Mexico and the fact that El Pasoans are not afraid of spice. No shade intended, but it is my opinion. It is that symbiotic relationship of la frontera that makes all the difference. 

Recently, I found myself grinning the whole time I was re-reading "Drink Cultura: Chicansimo" by José Antonio Burgiaca and on page 29 he states, "El Paso is the Mexican-food capital of this country". Literally could not have said it better! This post has no rhyme or reason. I just wanted to talk about how I miss the food in El Paso and provide another reason as to why it should not be overlooked. Anywhere I go, I compare it to El Paso (and Juarez) cooking. Rare are the times I am truly surprised and many times I am disappointed and think "I could have made this better at home" or "my mom makes it better" or "this salsa is so diluted"! 

On that note, and drastically changing topics because I have no end this to reason besides saying I am missing frontera food, what is you favorite Mexican restaurant where you live? 


* Burciaga, J. A. (1992). Drink Cultura: Chicanismo (1st ed.). Joshua Odell Editions.

Well.... here we are. I am still writing in this newly re-opened Thoughts Section. I was hopeful that life would resume to "normal" by now, but in the United States we like to make mask mandates a political issue rather than understand it is for safety measures.

Anyways, during quarantine I have found myself listening to a LOT of podcasts. In a way, they are soothing. There are days where music can feel overwhelming or "distracting" and I find myself  wanting to zone out, laugh or learn something new! Luckily, I have some pretty good podcasts that either make me giggle or gasp. Below is a list of podcast I have been listening to during this time and how I would describe them:

1. Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend (funny/Interviews)
2. Wind of Change (non-fiction/drama)
3. We Bought a House (Vlog-like podcast sans the video aspect)
4. Best Friends! With Sasheer Zamata (funny/ friendship)
5. Parcast Presents: Infamous (informative/drama/non-fiction)
6. Literally! With Rob Lowe (funny/interviews)
7. Anna Faris is Unqualified (funny/interviews/advice)
8. Handle your Scandal Podcast (self-improvement/helpful/Interviews)
9. Latinos Who Lunch (Everything Latinx)
10. Martha Debayle Podcast (advice/Spanish)
11. Dolly Parton's America (Everything Dolly!) 
12. The A-24 Podcast (TV/Film/Interesting)
13. Oh, Hello: The Podcast (Funny/Wild/Great for Koll & Mulaney fans)
13. UNHhhh Podcast (Funny/A little bit of everything)

These are some of the podcast I have been listening to during quarantine. Can you tell I like funny interviews? Ha-ha. If you guys have any suggestions let me know!

Those that know me (especially my roommate) know how much I LOVE exercising. Y'all don't even know how sad I was when the gym closed. All my life I have done sports. All kinds of them. Ballet, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, dance, and Crossfit. You name it. However, something I really enjoy doing is running. I just zone out with music and my thoughts. More like listening to music and daydreaming whilst I run. Thus, when the gym closed, I was devastated because I could not run anymore! I was also not going to run outside without a mask either (it's hard to breathe in it). Plus, it's getting hot outside.

Anyways, upon discovering that the apartment gym was closed, I literally sat in my apartment pondering. What was I going to do? I could not not exercise you know? Two days passed and all these at-home exercises started popping up on Instagram. However, none of these seem to be motivating or "my type". During spring break I stumbled upon Sydney Cummings' videos on Youtube. It legitimately changed my life. I fell in love with hiit-style workouts. THEY ARE AMAZING. I truly recommend. Many do not require equipment and her energy really got to me as well. I could really write a whole page on this but I will keep it brief. 

The reason I even bring this up is because for me, exercise is an outlet and I love it. It is not a "chore" of sorts and finding enjoyable forms of exercise during the quarantine has been reliving. This is by no means a way of saying "you have to do this or you to do that to be doing this during quarantine". For me, exercise is a must and for others it's not. But it never hurts to try something new. 

This brings me to my latest question, what do you guys do to keep fit during this quarantine season? Any recommendations?

Hello! Long time, no thoughts! I decided to reopen the thoughts section of this website after a little back and forth. It's a lot more casual here and not at all like the other pages. It's just you and my writing/thoughts!

Quarantine has been a weird time. There has been a lot of time to reflect on the last few months as well as the future. The million dollar question everyone asks me lately is: "how do you think this will all change when COVID is over?" Ummm... well it won't be over. Hopefully, we are better prepared and have the proper vaccine. What do I know? It looks like some people still don't understand the extent of the situation! This is a question that loomed over my thoughts today for I was listening to Conan O Brien's podcast earlier. He and famous director J.J. Abrams were discussing this issue. It's true, people forget things after a few weeks. 

I'm trying to not zero in this one question. Although I'm no doctor,  I am pretty sure adding stressful thoughts to one's routine is in no way helpful or zen-like. Instead, I told myself that I would learn at least one or two new hobbies during quarantine. I am glad that I finally have time to cook, bake, paint, and exercise more!  My goal was to buy cool retro-looking roller skates but they are sold out everywhere! Maybe it's a sign that I shouldn't? I was also considering learning the ukulele. Who knows, might come handy one of these days.

What are you doing during quarantine? Thoughts? Any new hobbies? 

Look forward to reading them!