2013
has been a challenging year.
I
started this year in my paternal grandmother’s homeland, the Philippines. I celebrated the new year on North Pandan
Island: watching turtles lay their eggs, seeing baby turtles born on the shore,
sleeping on the massage tables and hammocks, and diving Apo Reef (second
largest contiguous coral reef in the world!).
-- http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5033/ 
Overall,
although this time had amazing moments of superb joy and beauty, I was also
really challenged by the hard realities of racism and sexism, which I perhaps
saw and felt more clearly traveling in South East Asia. Still, from these experiences I was able to
recognize much more clearly the multiple oppressions of race and sex in
California, in my history, and in my communities upon my return.
Returning
to California, I continued my graduate studies and lived between family and old
(now many farmer) friends. To help
motivate myself, I wrote about my academic journey on my blog: cristyroses.blogspot.com. In the spring, I wrote and submitted my
dissertation proposal. In the summer, I
advanced to candidacy and began writing the dissertation itself. Then, in the autumn, I submitted a complete
draft of my research! I’ve had many
opportunities to present my research along the way, and I’ve also been honored
to have my creative writing published in a handful of anthologies. In 2014, I hope to continue this presentation
and publication trend!
Additionally,
as a part of my school endeavors, I’ve been developing mentor relationships
with my dissertation committee members. It was with their encouragement that I
submitted and presented at the Gloria E. Anzaldua conference this year.
Moreover,
with their support, I helped to facilitate community events with the Fil-Am
community in the Bay Area including the opening ceremony of Fil-Am day at the
Asian Art Museum.
Other
big mile markers? In September, I
celebrated my birthday with an under the sea party. In October, I journeyed to Alaska for some
adventures, and in November, I sprained my ankle badly. This injury is perhaps the biggest of my life
(lucky me right?), and it’s created a growing season these last couple
months. Thankfully, I was still able to
join in on our annual Joshua Tree New Years Camping Week. What a glorious time!!
Truly,
the holidays were so precious to me this year because of my travels last
year. And, altogether, 2013 has been one
of growth for my creativity, my writing, and my whole integrated self. I can’t even imagine what 2014 will bring.
