Earlier this year I listed playing trivia and word games as one of the sources of joy when things seem hard. I was definitely feeling it in February, but even more now when the other shoe dropped in my work life (see: grants from NSF being terminated).
Sean and I play several, mostly just us two. We starting playing the NPR Sunday Puzzle last spring. Once I realized that the kids could join in and get the on-air challenge, I started waiting to listen so the kids could join in, mostly on the way home from work/after-school programs. It’s a fun part of our week and now the kids are so used to the intro music and taglines they try to do it along with host Ayesha Rascoe1.
The Sunday Puzzle includes a challenge question you do at home. Sometimes we get it and enter, sometimes we get it but forget to enter on time, and other times we’re left stumped. This week I got it and entered:
Name a famous singer past or present. Remove the first and last letter from the first name and the result will be a potential partner of the last name. What singer is this?2
Odds were in my favor since only ~450 people entered.
On Thursday afternoon I got a call from an NPR producer telling me I’d been selected! Some people seem to have been playing decades before they get on-air. I felt lucky and excited to be chosen. It was hard for me to keep the news to myself for a few hours. When I told my family they were so excited. Sean high-fived me and Xavi said “let’s go!” like his team had won a game.
What I felt like before playing (left). How I felt after (right)
I did the recording on Friday. It was hard being on the spot with puzzle-master Will Shortz and I needed several hints and help from Rascoe, which I’ve seen often. I suddenly couldn’t name things I would know, like a language that begins with a N. You can take my Chicana card now for not using Nahuatl3. At least one of the categories was something I’d know well, colleges and universities.
While I told people I was going to be on the Sunday Puzzle, I also was hoping for a kind edit and media magic. The recording aired today on Weekend Edition and the first friend who listened told me I did awesome, especially with the colleges question. The kids on the other hand were glad I didn’t say their names. Archie also suddenly could name a number of dog breeds.
Nevertheless, it was fun! Since I was a kid, I always wanted to be on game shows like Jeopardy! or Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? As my brother Adrian said, this might be the closest I get to Jeopardy!.
Aside: it was really nice to chat with Rascoe pre-taping while we waited for Shortz to join the call. I told her how my kids were going to be so excited to hear I’d “met” her. Next NPR “bucket list” item I have is to get to a watch a Tiny Desk concert live.
Rascoe was so sweet. We had a few minutes pre-taping while we waited for Shortz to join the call. I told her how my kids were going to be so excited to hear I’d “met” her. Next NPR bucket list item I have is to get to a watch a Tiny Desk concert live. ↩︎
Gladys Knight! Take off the G and S and that becomes Lady who can be a partner of a Knight. This literally came to me in the shower. ↩︎
This came to me after Shortz suggested using Navajo. I don’t speak Nahuatl, but know numbers and some words. My email address contains the word for star, citlalli. ↩︎
One. I have a pretty gnarly cold and had to skip book club at church. Normally this would not have been an issue, but I volunteered earlier in the week to facilitate the discussion and bring snacks. The book for this month was Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young-Lutunatabua. I felt bad about completely bailing, so I asked Sean to be my facilitator by proxy. Sean doesn’t go to book club and didn’t read the book. No worries, I told him. I’ll prepare you. I checked out the study guide for the book, highlighted some of my favorite quotes, wrote down several questions, along with how I would answer my own question in some cases and sent him on his way. It went fine. One of the people who attends every session told Sean to report back to me, “You have a good man.” I do.
Two. Archie and I recently started the Narnia series with The Magician’s Nephew. This was inspired by picking up The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from a local Little Free Library. I figured it would count for a reading challenge prompt and Archie and I could read it at bedtime, which I’ve really been enjoying lately. It was news to me that even though The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first book published, it’s technically the second in the internal chronology. So, I had to start at the beginning. Anyway, it’s been neat to see Archie discover this world and also raise questions like, “Why is Aslan only calling the male animals to his advisor circle?” Archie’s response, “I think it’s because when this was written, boys were more favored.”
Three. I’ve been obsessed with The Pitt. Not only is a great show with compelling storylines and amazing acting, but it also rectifies some of my problems with the streaming model. Instead of 8-12 episodes, we get 15. There’s more time to see characters develop and actually see story arcs be resolved. I know some people love to sit down and binge watch a show. I get that, but there’s also something so nostalgic about waiting week to week for the new episode to drop.
Four. Leonor had a few recent newsletters about 5 rules. The February 5 rules newsletter included rules on running (fully agree with all of them) from a contributor as well as others on fashion, art, all things money/budget/saving, and more. I don’t know if I can think of 5 rules for anything at the moment, but I do have one: there is a The Wire line for everything and I will quote it at least once a week. Most recently: is you takin’ notes on a criminal-fucking-conspiracy inspired by the Signal group chat with The Atlantic editor.
Five. It’s National Poetry Month and I’m trying to write a poem a day. I wrote one haiku and attempted a word association/stream of consciousness poem about my Grandpa Bartolo who would’ve been 100 in March. I condensed it all to this haiku:
North of La Brooklyn Lived Don Bartolo, sobador, Known for healing hands
A few months ago I remember seeing a prompt on Bluesky from a contributor with This American Life. They needed stories from when someone said an off-hand remark that stuck with you for a long time and had a major impact on your life1. I couldn’t think of one to add, but this winter, I recalled a remark my dad made about musicals when I was a kid.
We had just rented The Sound of Music on VHS. I don’t know what prompted it, but I distinctly remember him saying it was boring and too long, “They sing the same song for 15 minutes!”
I took that and extrapolated it to believe that all musicals were boring and too long. Musicals weren’t my thing.
I still held on to this belief even after seeing a few musicals at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. We could never afford orchestra tickets for a family of six, but my dad got complimentary tickets from work. We saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Candide and a couple other shows thanks to that perk2. Joseph and Candide were fine and I enjoyed them, but I didn’t go home and immediately beg my parents to get a CD recording so I could listen to the songs endlessly. In my 20s, I saw a few other shows at the same theater and was a bit bored in the second act. Don’t hate me, but I didn’t love Wicked and Mamma Mia!
The joke is on me. I’ve enjoyed musicals and musical theater since I was a teen. I was really into the 1990s Disney musicals. Some of the first CDs I owned were the soundtracks to Lion King, Aladdin, and Pocahontas. A friend gave me a 4-CD disc set of Disney music for my quinceañera, and it was one of the best gifts ever. To this day, “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid is still a go-to at karaoke.
Two, I was a band kid from middle school into college! Do you know how many times I played music from musicals?! Twice. West Side Story really had a grip on my band directors. Yes, I’ve formed a shark and a jet on a football field.
Maybe my dad isn’t into musicals, but I am3. See: Hamilton obsession and Hadestown.
Hadestown came to me by way of Xavi.
After acting in the fall Shakespeare play, The Tempest, Xavi decided to audition for the winter musical which would be either Hadestown: Teen Edition or Mary Poppins4. The students and school decided on Hadestown and Xavi was cast as a member of the chorus/workers.
From December through February, he worked hard in many rehearsals on weeknights and weekends to learn the music and choreography. We’d listen to songs from the musical in the car or at home as he practiced his parts and choreography. It was cute to hear him share the origin story of Orpheus and Eurydice with Archie.
We saw the school’s production four weeks ago. I was blown away by all the performers and so proud of Xavi’s hard work. I was also touched that my mom was able to come out to see Xavi. He didn’t know she was coming and was so surprised to see her when he came home from school.
Before the teen performance, I had only heard a few of the songs from Hadestown. But afterward I knew I wanted to see the Broadway production. So, when Xavi asked if we could see it while visiting family in Long Island, I immediately said “yes, let’s see if there are tickets!”
We both loved it and I’m obsessed5. Two weeks later, I’m still amazed at the set, lighting, actors, and musicians and have had the Original Broadway Cast recording on repeat. Seeing the Broadway production made me appreciate more what Xavi and his peers did with a minimal set and budget. I told Sean that I was much more touched by the teen rendition of “Why We Build the Wall” because I saw Xavi up there and because the themes of the musical will have a greater impact on his generation.
On the road trip back from Long Island, we did family sing-alongs to Hamilton, a musical I played constantly when Xavi was a toddler and Archie was in utero/a baby. After asking to skip to “Wait for It”, Xavi said, “I have such memories of this song!” He then didn’t allow me to sing until the chorus, because he claimed Aaron Burr’s parts.
Whether we’re singing “Wait for It” or “Wait for Me”, I’m glad we can have these full circle moments and influence each other’s music taste.
It’s a parenting moment I didn’t know I was waiting for.
I also got to see an incredible flamenco show there and Natalie Merchant at the Greek Theater. That was my first concert. ↩︎
No shade whatsoever to my dad who has had a huge and positive influence on my musical upbringing. I’ve reflected on it like in this snippet from seeing Los Lobos years ago. ↩︎
The number of times I watched my VHS of Mary Poppins might also say something about my affinity for musicals. ↩︎
Sean and Archie didn’t go, but Archie still had a good time spending Christmas money in the Nintendo LEGO stores. ↩︎
I’ve been getting flashbacks to early 2020 when we didn’t yet know how COVID-19 was going to impact us. There were huge impacts in my work at a university. I had to pivot to cancel or figure out how to move programs online. I barely knew how to use Zoom before March 2020 and quickly had to learn. I won’t even get into all the changes with school and childcare. It was hard, but fortunately I had a good support system both with family and professional help and felt relatively safe in my Ithaca bubble.
These days are different and I feel it in my bones and ability to concentrate. I love to read and struggle to get through books. It’s the dead of winter and the walks and activities that I enjoy and help manage my worries don’t seem appealing. As I write this, it’s in the teens outside.
So, here’s what I’ve been doing to try and manage my own mental health amidst a barrage of bad news.
Daily gratitude journal. Some days I’m just thankful for a cozy sweater or the light that streams into my window in my office. Just writing, using my dozens of pens and markers for doodling and making something pretty calms me.
Staying informed by reading/listening to a few news sources rather than doomscrolling endlessly. It’s one thing to read an article about the latest cuts to research funding. It’s another to read dozens and dozens of takes on that on Bluesky. I’m not on Twitter anymore. I’m never calling it the new name. I still doomscroll, but way less.
Playing more games. Sean and I recently started playing Cinematrix on New York Magazine. He is a movie trivia whiz. We also still play the NY Times games like Wordle and Spelling Bee. We listen to NPR’s Sunday Puzzle with the kids. No matter how many times Archie insists he doesn’t like the game, he joins in for the on-air puzzles. Usually, the weekly challenge is a little tough for them (and us too!), but Xavi was so excited when he helped us solve the puzzle on January 26th almost instantly: “Think of a popular singer whose first and last names each have two syllables. Drop the second syllable from each name and you’ll be left with the piece of a toy. What singer is this?” He gave the name of the singer and instantly I got the toy.
Music! Lately, I’ve been listening to Khruangbin or jazz greats like Miles Davis and Bill Evans while I work.
More TV and theorizing about my favorite mystery box shows like Severance and Yellowjackets.
Connecting with friends and family. This isn’t always easy, but a quick voice note does wonders to lift my spirit.
Being creative. Recently, I made the 12th version of Valentine’s Day cards for family members from the boys. I have a running list of punny jokes related to different members. The next project is making cards for friends.
Investing in creators who make content I value and enjoy. I’ve subscribed to Patreon for creators like The Stacks Podcast and Vibe Check. They both have robust communities for subscribers.
Volunteering. I’ve made an effort to get more involved with my local church. I’ve completed training for being a lector and have already.
Singing. I went to karaoke for the first time in years (maybe 15ish?). There was no one else in the place except me and a few coworkers. I sang way too many songs including “Por Un Amor” in Linda Ronstadt Canciones de Mi Padre style. Xavi is also into Hamilton again and we’ve been singing “Nonstop.”
One of my favorite things about the beginning of the year is updating my list of books I’d like to read. I’ve already added a bunch of the books friends with similar taste has listed as their favorites so my list keeps growing. It’s not a bad problem to have and makes me thankful for libraries. Below are my goals/intentions for the year in reading:
Read 75 books – This is a little higher than my typical goal, but I think I can get there. I’m including the picture and middle grade books I read with the kids too.
Transition fully to The StoryGraph as my book tracker of choice. If you’re on there, add me as your friend (I’m cindylunares).
Participate in my parish’s book club as many months as I can.
Complete the A-Z challenge by author last name.
Share my mini-reviews monthly and not get behind.
January Mini-Reviews
A Fire So Wild by Sarah Ruiz-Grossman
Set in Berkeley, this short novel follows three families/couples that all become linked as they experience a devastating wildfire in their neighborhood: a wealthy lesbian couple and their son; a teacher in affordable housing, his teen daughter, and his ex-wife; and a couple living in their van with their dog. Ruiz-Grossman’s journalist background and training shines through as she develops the characters so they’re more than caricatures (e.g., clueless rich liberal, activist teen). This is a quick read, which fits with the theme. If you read it, be prepared to be absolutely stressed.
I read this novel a few days before the Palisades and Eaton fires in LA and some of the novel came to mind as I read the news.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
In Bradley’s debut novel, we follow an unnamed British civil servant who becomes part of a ministry experimenting with time travel. The British government brings back people who would’ve died in their time and the bridges live with them in an attempt to assimilate them to contemporary society. The narrator is assigned to Graham Gore, a naval officer who was part of the doomed Franklin expedition in the Arctic. The novel is a mix of sci-fi, mystery, humor, and romance. I felt some parts were stronger than others, like musings on how history and narrative are written, and exploring the link between being the child of Cambodian refugees and being an expat from a time where you should have died (battlefields, plagues, and doomed expedition in the Arctic). I didn’t care for the romance and the pacing felt uneven and rushed at the end. It was fine.
Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
Urrea is one of those authors I know I can go to and will always provide a quality book in any genre. His stories are well written with compelling characters and strong women, Good Night, Irene was no different. He was inspired to write the book by his mother’s service and it shows in the care with which he writes Irene and Dorothy, the two protagonists. Both volunteer for the American Red Cross Clubmobile Service, an initiative during World War II where young women drove trucks equipped with small kitchens into the front lines. They brought donuts and coffee to GIs, played music, and tried to boost morale while also facing challenges of war. We follow Irene and Dorothy as they become close friends, develop relationships with servicemembers, see action in London and France following D-Day and are forever changed by their service. I alternated between the audio (great narration) and the book and would recommend either.
Random note: Urrea dedicated this book to Cinderella, his nickname for his wife who worked hard in researching the book. It made me feel like it was for me since sometimes my parents call me Cinderella.
Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace
I mostly know Wallace through his contributions to Slate’s parenting podcast and didn’t know what to expect. Wallace writes poetically with raw intimacy on themes like a precarious childhood, family, relationships, his queer identity, the pandemic, wildfires in northern California, masculinity, being a Black man, and more. This was tough to read at times, especially the chapters where he faced abuse as poverty as a child.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
I bumped this up after seeking a TikTok creator share the top three “crowd pleaser books” she consistently recommends and also gets great feedback on. A man dies in Vera Wong’s rundown SF Chinatown tea house. Vera quickly begins investigating even though police see the death as a mistake. She starts meddling in the lives of her main suspects who all have a mysterious tie to the person who died. I found myself laughing out loud several times as I worked on a puzzle and listened to the audio. I don’t usually love bossy characters, but Vera was so charming. It was the perfect book for a cold January weekend.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams
Last year I started attending the book club my church hosts most months. The choices are typically literary fiction novels, but they also include poetry, a nonfiction book, and always a religious or spiritual book (not just Catholic teachings). The February book seemed especially timely given that I feel a ton of despair every time I look at the news or go to work in an field under attack. I’ve felt quite tender for the last few months with family deaths, a graduate student passing away, the fires in California, and the actions of 47. Reading this book was a nice reminder that there are ways through the difficult times. The book is layered like a birthday cake and includes teachings during the historic meeting between the two spiritual leaders, and exploration of those things that steal our joy as well as the pillars that helps us cultivate joy. Finally, they include a useful list of practices like prayers, meditations, and other habits/actions you can do to bring more joy. One of the pillars of joy is gratitude and a practice they share is one I’ve heard of many times: the gratitude journal. It’s never stuck, but I’m trying again.
Luz Makes a Splash by Claudia Davila
An inspiring middle grade graphic novel about Luz who is determined to make change when she and her friends discover that a local soda factory is using up all the water that’s desperately needed during a drought and heatwave.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
This beautiful picture book introduces the cultural significance of fry bread to children. The illustrations are warm and inviting and filled with symbols and children that reflect the diversity of indigenous people in the U.S. (fry bread is color!). I especially loved Maillard’s author’s note which adds a context to each page for adults or older children who want to learn more about indigenous food, history, diversity, and more.
Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena by Karla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
A lovely Christmas story about a sugar cake figurine that comes to life in a bakery. The illustrations are stunning, and I love that there’s a mariachi singing the songs for Las Posadas. The author was inspired by her own grandmother’s talent as a baker and figurine maker.
Bookish Notes
I usually read randomly across topics and genres. As such, I’m amused when the books have some link. In January, almost half of the books touched on the impacts of climate change in one way or another: Luz Makes a Splash, The Ministry of Time,A Fire So Wild, and Another Word for Love. The last two were likely inspired by some of the same recent wild fires in Northern California in 2017 and 2020.
I picked up two books at the library on a whim simply because there titles drew me in. They both had protagonists who shared names of family (my mom) or my ahijada (goddaughter). I don’t think I would have seen this when I was a kid and love that there are children’s books that reflect my family and community. I shared Esperanza Caramelo with my comadre who then showed my four-year-old ahijada. She absolutely lit up to see her name on a book.
Lotería Chicana 