Summer Fellowship for Hispanic Undergraduates

Are you currently an undergraduate college student? 

Apply to CHCI's Summer Congressional Internship 

All program participants will receive an eight-week work experience on Capitol Hill and these great benefits:

• Stipend of $2,500 for the eight weeks in D.C.
• Free roundtrip travel to Washington, D.C.
• Monthly Metro transit stipends
• Housing (all expenses paid by CHCI)
• Leadership development

This unmatched experience to learn first-hand about our nation’s legislative processes is available for college undergraduates enrolled full time in an academic institution.  Students of ALL majors that have an interest in the development of public policy and who have demonstrated leadership abilities should apply.

To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and how to possibly get credit for the internship, visit http://www.chci.org/internships/.

The CHCI Staff is here to assist you with your application, so contact us at CHCIapplications@chci.org or 1-800-EXCEL-DC with any questions.  You can apply to more than one of CHCI’s amazing programs at the same time.

*Current college seniors graduating in May 2012 are ineligible to apply; however they are eligible to apply for CHCI's Public Policy Fellowship program.  The application deadline for the Public Policy Fellowship is February 17, 2012.  Check the CHCI website for complete eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Arkh: A Genderqueer/Minority Focused Videogame

There are some wonderful people doing a great thing right now. They are working on a genderqueer/minority focused video game completely off the beaten path. If you are tired of minorities always being anything but secondary characters, and queer relationships being mocked and made fun of, this game will change all that. If you would like to learn more about what they are working on, please click here: http://thearkhproject.tumblr.com/

Also, feel free to chip in and help them reach their goals!

Cancun, Mexico

As a Spanish speaker I had a very interesting five days in Cancun. The things that people said under their breath in Spanish sometimes made me laugh while other times it just made me smirk. In the end, whether you speak Spanish or not, tourism is their livelihood and they will do their best to get those dolares out of you. Yet, the best part of it all, I would say is what I came for: fresh grouper fish, white sand and warm weather :)

Henry and I stayed at the Club Internacional de Cancun which is part of the Royal hotel chain. It was very spacious and quiet which we really appreciated. We went to the Hotel Zone but really didn't like it. It had a fake feeling, what with Starbucks and Versace stores being there. All these name brand stores and overpriced items...Some people may like that, but I for one don't. Therefore, we took the public bus everywhere to save money and to have a more real experience.


The buses are nice, clean and they run very often. If you are traveling on a budget I would recommend it (it costs less than a dollar per person) as it is not too difficult and there is only one main street if you stay in the areas where all the hotel chains are. However, if you know some Spanish, I would say to venture out into the city of Cancun where the real action is.

We got lost while trying to get to Plaza las Americas, the shopping center of the people of the city of Cancun. It was great because although we went in the opposite direction of where we wanted to go, we got to see how people interact with each other and how they live their lives. We knew we were somewhere completely different when a taco was one peso (where we were staying three tacos are 50 pesos) and the houses started to look a bit more worn down.

We also went on a catamaran party cruise sort of thing to Isla Mujeres and that was fun. People went snorkeling, although I personally didn't feel comfortable enough to do that. The snorkeling instructor toward the end also had everyone on the ship do tequila shots while he was dressed in very stereotypical Mexican garb. He was a hoot! Lastly, we went to the Royal Sands to their spa in order to end our vacation on a relaxing note. One word: Awesome. Well worth the money to do as the spa is affiliated but is not part of the hotel. The Sands also had a HUGE majestic pool that was quite a sight to behold.

First Semester - Done!

I wanted to update this blog more often but alas I was not very good about because of school. Until I came to Columbia you know, I never understood the meaning behind a vacation. After 2 weeks I usually wanted to go back to school and I didn't really ENJOY my breaks. For the first time in my life I can say, this is not the case. I have never been worked so hard in my life and I finally understand why people look forward to vacations! The day that I was done with finals I was in awe. I thought, "I'm really free?!" It felt good! Since Monday I have been seeing friends, sleeping late and going out. What a wonderful feeling!

So to update you on things that have happened. A lot has happened. Well something major. Henry's grandpa passed away last Monday. He was 87 but an awesome individual. He was a survivor of WWII. He was in the US Navy and he survived 5 days at sea when the USS Indianapolis was sunk by a Japanese submarine in the Pacific ocean. He was only 19 at the time. I suppose since that time he worked hard to live life to fullest, and that he did. He was a skier, a golfer, a sailor and a traveler. He shared 60 years of marriage with his wife Sandy before he passed away and had 3 children. I was very glad to have gotten to know him and to spend time with him these past 7 years. He was truly a great person and he will be dearly missed. RIP Donald.

Since Henry's grandfather passed away, there have been concerns regarding his grandmother. She has the early signs of dementia and she must be going through a really difficult time right now. Everyone was concerned about her living alone in her house but we don't want to put her in a home right away because enough change has taken place in a short period of time. Henry and I were asked a while back if we would consider living with her temporarily in the suburbs. After having a long and serious discussion, Henry and I agreed that it would be best and the right thing to do to live with her. We are the only ones who have the flexibility to do this and we really care about her so we are going to do it. It may not be the easiest commute for me to Columbia, but I will be living there for free with Henry and we will be helping a dear family member. As you may or may not know, family is VERY important to me and one of the things that I value the most. As messed up as my family may be at times, I could never leave them in their darkest hour if they needed me. Hence, why they tend to stress me, because I CARE.

Finally, there has also been talk of marriage. Henry's family has been sort of nudging and asking when he will propose. It's kind of crazy to think but he and I have been dating for 7 years and next year I will be 25. Wow, a quarter of a century old. Also, in the summer I will working in Indonesia! How exciting! Looking forward to the adventure that lies ahead. It'd be nice if he actually proposed before I left but everything in due time. I used to be really impatient when I was younger but I have learned the virtue of patience :)

There is a Light at the End of this Tunnel

Feeling a lot better. Things seem to be turning around and I am thankful for that. I am also feeling really fortunate for the friends I do have and for the support network that the Rangel fellows have given me. They have really been helpful at this time and I feel blessed to know that these people will be my future colleagues at the State department.

So on to happier news...I bought my mom's plane ticket and she will be going back to Nicaragua. I love my mom but this will be a huge load of my back. She is able to live a better quality of life in Nicaragua and as long as she is in NYC she will continue to be unhappy. I will not be able to support her if she stays in NYC. Plus, even though my step dad has colon cancer he is fighting and seems to be doing better. She will be with him and it will give her something to do while he is able to support her with his business. He isn't rich but they live modest but comfortable lives in Nicaragua.

My sister started her taxi driving job last week. I had given her startup money and it seems her hard work is paying off. She is finally making enough to pay her bills and she is in a much better mood. I feel relieved. I was able to have a candid and rational conversation with her and she really seems to be thinking about her future. We will be opening her first bank account next week and are looking EMT programs she can apply for next spring.

I am not sure if you know this but this semester I was an editing assistant and production assistant for the Journal of International Affairs at SIPA, a reputable and well known publication. This journal has gone to print and it looks beautiful. I felt really proud to have been a part of that and am looking forward to having a copy in my hands and seeing my name in it.

I am so glad to have made the friends that I have at SIPA. So far, since Friday I have been putting in between 3 to 4 hours everyday on Economics and things are starting to come together and to solidify. I am going to grab this Friday's econ exam by the balls and get that B average! I am not going to let my grade slip below a B in this class. Although I must profess that economics has gotten exponentially harder from the time that I took my last economics exam (there are three in the semester). I will make sure to reward myself by getting a drink after my exam with my 2nd year SIPA student/Rangel fellow Marissa who is just absolutely awesome and who I deem a great friend and my informal mentor.

Wish me luck! This weekend I will start working on the 20 page paper I have due in exactly one month's time. No worries though, I already started doing research for it. :)

Korean Ballads

You know I'm not doing well when I start to listen to sad Korean ballads. Henry used to complain that I listened to too many sad ballads or instrumental (background music) but I find it's my way of coping. For some time I was okay but it seems that I need it again. Feelings of hopelessness and depression come to mind...However, I tell myself that I've been through worse and if I have made it this far I'll be okay. Sometimes I just feel so tired...tired of working so hard and still feeling like I am far from my goals. I want financial stability...I want a family that can fend for itself and isn't prone to being preyed upon by people with ill intentions. Is this too much to ask? I wish I could cry but its hard for me. Sometimes I think that I come off as distant and all knowing to my family. Apparently, my sister thinks "I have it all"...I guess I've been really good at deceiving them for the past 7 years.

In undergrad I had to work two jobs and paid my tuition through scholarships and loans. I babysat, worked in a pizzeria, delivered packages, worked as a Sunday school teacher...It was a lot because I not only had to take care of school expenses but also living because my family never had a dime to spare as they have always lived paycheck to paycheck. I know that if I hadn't gotten this fellowship I'd be thinking twice about graduate school as I really don't want to add to my 40,000 debt from undergrad. However, this year I've had to help my family with money because they are behind on bills and can't afford food...I've been paying one of my mom's credit cards while paying for my phone bill, health care, tuition and just living. I don't even have income right now. I'm pretty close to having to taking out loans again. Of course, my dad is in another country because my parents are separated and although he doesn't have much to spare because he needs money to live himself, he's been helping by giving $200 a month...but that's not nearly enough.

In addition, my mom's depression and nerves are getting worse. She's taking everything out on my sister and I don't like it. She's told my sister that she can't believe she's her daughter and that every year instead of growing her mind she is shrinking it. This is all because my sister lost her job and she didn't go to college. Well, excuse me but not everyone is motivated enough to go to school. Not everyone wants to make sacrifices and to take out loans. Not everyone is me. I don't like people especially my own parents making my sister feel worse than she already does. She's a misunderstood young adult still trying to find her way in the world and I know that she is trying. She just started a job this week as a taxi driver and she is working at night. Yet, my mom frowns down upon it. Why? It's income. She's working and trying to move forward. Also, my mom seems to be having memory problems. She gets so nervous she forgets things. She sometimes can't stop crying and is very angry. While I understand that she had a difficult childhood where she worked since she was 9, grew up without parents and had to survive an earthquake, it's still difficult for me as her daughter to deal with this behavior. Yeah and she stopped taking her depression medication.

I try to take a deep breath and look at things from a different angle. I know grad school is manageable. I have been managing it fine so far. Of course, compared to my life overall grad school seems easy.

Grad Students are Sad People

Ok, nearly half way into the semester I have realized....the grad students around me are sad people. Seriously, what is wrong with these people? Stop complaining and stop making excuses, please! They say, "oh I'll do x, y and z when I get a handle on my schedule" or "maybe next semester". My questions is, why not start now?

Take some risks, even if they are calculated risks. Who cares if you sleep a little less or if you don't think you are good enough? If you want to do something set forth and do it. People who don't even have all their limbs or who don't have our first world luxuries have done so much with so little...I think that the issue here is that, many people lack perspective, that, or in their frenzy tend to forget what's important and why they are here. Good grades are important but what did I intend to do upon entering a premier university? I want to make a difference and I want to make an impact on this world. I can't do that if I allow my workload to stop me from enjoying and living life! Or perhaps, I am thinking more like a second year student already?...