The August Edit

ERICA MONTHLY. ISSUE AUGUST.pdf

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Summer is almost over, and another month has flown by. August was packed with fun, memories, little moments with friends, and some big changes. I’m still running and trying to stay on track with my marathon plan. I took a quick trip to Puerto Rico to see Bad Bunny, truly an experience of its own. I also got into my first car crash (not thrilled about that one), and I finally left my job. I’m thinking I’m stepping into something a bit more up my alley. August was such a month, so much happened, and somehow not enough happened all at the same time. If you’re here, thank you for being a loyal reader and wanting all the chisme. Stay tuned for everything.

PFKNR

This was my first time in Puerto Rico, and honestly, I wish I had stayed longer. I already want to go back and see more of the island. I loved Puerto Rico so much. The beaches were beautiful, the culture was rich, and seeing the Puerto Rican flag waving everywhere made everything feel so alive. Bad Bunny, as always, knows how to put on a show. He has never disappointed me. This was my sixth time seeing him in concert, and each show always feels different, but this one felt more personal. The message in Debí Tomar Mis Fotos really came through in everything he did with his residency from La Experiencia in Plaza Las Américas to the small festival vibes he brought to El Choli. He even brought Tonitas, fucking Tonitas to El Choli, which was so cool to see! The stage design and entire setup were insane. As someone who has been to MANY concerts, I’ve truly never seen anything like it. I loved this concert so much nothing compares.

Training for Race Day

I’ve finally picked up a good tempo. Running five days a week with a mix of easy/recovery runs, speed work, and a long run on Saturdays. I hate to admit it, but when you strength train, lift heavy, and actually commit to the speed workouts… it really does help. I’ve noticed such a difference in my pace, how I feel during and after my runs, my asthma, and even my knee. These past few weeks of actually following my plan have been paying off. Honolulu Marathon, here I come.

Major Update

I quit my job. And you want to know why. Well, it was a mix of everything. Management, staff, and the overall vibe. I couldn’t do it anymore. I was overworked, underpaid, and honestly just drained. So I left without anything solid lined up besides my little part-time job. Thankfully, everything worked out. This September, I’m starting a new job with the Department of Education, working in a school. I’m really excited and looking forward to working with kids and their families.

I Survived

Guys… I got into my first car crash. Can you believe it? So here’s what happened: I was parallel parked on the street, trying to merge out so I could drive off. The light turned red, and there was a big enough gap between the car in front of me and the one behind me. I thought, “Okay, this is my moment.” The light turns green, I start pulling out, I’m like a quarter of the way out, and suddenly the guy behind/next to me decides he’s going to start driving too. And of course, you can imagine what happened next: his big truck fully rammed into my tiny Toyota fender. We do the whole “pull over, inspect the damage, exchange insurance” thing. I let my dad handle the back and forth because patience was not in my spirit that day. This man had the audacity to say it was my fault because he “didn’t see me” and apparently I “should have made eye contact” before merging. He even threw in the classic “women can’t drive” line. Safe to say if I see him again, I’m running him over.

Signed and Sealed

August was a month of transition and relaxation. I finally started to get my groove back and find a good balance between work, my social life, and my life as an athlete. August felt like a warm hug. I know September is going to bring so much, making progress on my 9+1, potentially fostering a dog, and starting a new job. I’m excited to see what’s ahead. Thank you for reading another month. I can’t wait until next month.

Let’s Talk About Back To School

Back to school season feels so weird now that I’m not the one returning to campus. Seeing people post their move-in days feels almost surreal. When I’m not on campus, I forget that campus is even real, like it still exists, but the version of it I knew is frozen in time. Syracuse was my home for five years, but I lived a completely different life there. It feels like a whole other version of me. Now I just have the memories: walking down Euclid, walking through the promenade, seeing Otto ride around on the scooter. Even if I went back, it would never be the same, because I won’t be there with my friends, my classmates, the people who made that chapter feel alive. It’s strange how a whole era of your life can come and go so quickly. So yeah, back to school season always hits a little weird.

Song of The Month

Voy A Llevarte pa PR by Bad Bunny is the song of the month. It was honestly so hard to pick just one song. I’ve had the entire album DeBÍ TIRAR MáS FOTOS on repeat, before Puerto Rico, during Puerto Rico, and long after I got home. The whole album is a masterpiece, but this track captures the Puerto Rico experience in the most perfect way. The song starts strong with the iconic line, “Acho, PR es otra cosa,” which I have not been able to stop saying. And the more I listen to it, the more it takes me back, the energy of the streets, the crowds, the flags, the people. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to book another flight, pack a bag, and go right back.