Teresa

Teresa writes in short, quick lines, the way someone writes between appointments. She works in a salon, loves sports and cooking, has two children, a partner, a dog and a cat, and some college behind her. Asked who she is, she reaches first for other people: I am outgoing love to meet new people and always enjoy outdoors. Across five days she rarely lingers on herself; her answers keep turning toward family, coworkers and neighbors.

She grew up in a large family whose parents came from Puerto Rico. The rule at home was clear: our parents taught us speak Spanish at home and school you can speak English with your friends and teachers. She learned it as a gift, not a burden: they told me speak Spanish is a great opportunities in the job field to manage both language. Culture, for her, is something you keep on purpose. its very important keep your culture.

Her defining moments are few and spare. Being surrounded by the people she loves most. Leaving her family behind to start a new life in the South, because everything its very expensive food wise and living expensive where she came from. And a year that weighed on her: living life differently compared many years ago 2020 is a hard thought. What kept her going, she says, was my faith with god and my family. Missing home, she adds, became harder after this epidemic.

Her food came from the women before her: my grand mom and my mom are both who taught me alot things in life learned how to cook and manage. Her own cooking is traditional, rice and beans, chicken, fish, pasta and soup, and she passes it on: as a mom I think is important to pass it on your recipes and continue the traditional of your culture food. She does all the shopping and all the cooking. She brings dishes from home to share with coworkers and neighbors at the holidays. The person she watches on television is a woman who cooks and runs a business, and she imagines herself in that role one day. One reading is that food, for her, is a way of giving that also holds a quiet ambition.

The pandemic showed up first at the register. She expected groceries to get cheaper; instead, mostly I spend than usual. At home through the spring, she gained weight. Watching her favorite shows, the snacks come out, chips and dip, cheesecake, cannoli. She has tried eating without meat, but the taste totally different what i normal eat did not stay with her.

Asked for her superpower, she writes two words: my mom. Her weakness is just as short: eat alot. The person she admires is not an expert or a friend but my kids. When she reads, she steadies. Her 2 a.m. call would go to my family.

On Day 5 she names one habit to change, my habit of eating that fast food, and one obstacle, laziness. Then, in a longer reply, she argues herself out of it: stop beating ourselves include me stop been lazy and wake up with a good attitude. Her plan is plain and physical: eat healthy exercise do a lot walking. The voice that is brief everywhere else grows long and determined here, as if this is the part she most wants on the record.