Bren

by: Brenda Nieves When I compare us to the rest of the universe I realize that we are so tiny, but your actions have made such an impact. This moment spent with you fills me with euphoria. I would be content with reliving this day loving you in every single way. I look at you sleeping and all I want is to be stuck in this moment laying next to you. When you speak time freezes and the only person I can hear clearly is you. Your words dance into my ears and seep into my bloodstream they flow into my heart and fill me with love. You were right time is irrelevant, but I do wish we had an early start. It's hard to leave a place knowing you're leaving behind half of your heart. I look at you talking and all I want is to be stuck in this very moment completely focused on you. When our skin touches I no longer feel afraid. I get lost within you. It's almost like the bed sheets create an unpenetrable force field and remove us from the world and you just driv...

The content of this website is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Indonesian Government. I wanted to update you all on my life here in Indonesia. It's been a month since I've left America and I have learned about their culture, food, and how to speak their language. It has not been easy. I've dealt with illnesses (YES ALREADY) and of course I miss my loved ones. But let's get to some snippets of my favorite memories so far. This is a cute banner made of my cohort during one of my training sessions. The first few days here I stayed in Surabaya which is a major city that is densely populated. Out the window of my bus, I could see SO MANY people riding motorcycles; they use that here more than they use cars. I even saw three people on one motorcycle with a tiny little baby between them! I was impressed because that takes skill. I can't even ride a bike correctly (I'll get into that...

By: Brenda Nieves Before I get into the topic of letting go I thought it would be important to tell you why I was thinking about it so much. Soooooo, I got a, “big-girl-job” to teach English in Indonesia with the Peace Corps. This was literally the dream job I have always wanted. I feel so blessed to have the this-this opportunity. However, the thought of leaving my friends, family, and loved ones behind were lingering in my mind. I wasn’t sure how to approach this situation, so I literally had to think about what, “letting go” meant to me. The photo was taken by Damon Mackin @legaltrapmack Letting go was pretty hard for me. ***WARNING IT'S ABOUT TO GET DEEP*** I was in a relationship that was extremely toxic. I was cheated on and it took a toll on me. I tried to hold on to what I had and it made me feel like I wasn’t good enough, ugly, and worthless in every capacity. I wanted to let go, but I felt like if I did I would have to end many relationships around me. I f...

(photo taken by: Ayaris Perez)                                                        **An attempt at using iambic pentameter. This was done two years ago** By : Brenda Nieves Looking into your eyes and seeing your love It’s tantalizing! You promised to be nothing but true, see when love is tested a man must prevail. Oh, Lovers far away the lies become truth. What can I see here? Blinded by a veil. I find the messages Your lust has taken her and love has failed.

I decided to write this blog because if you didn’t notice already I am a college graduate! #Lit #Finally #FMLStudentloans Although this is indeed wonderful news there is something that isn’t talked about, so I thought it would be beneficial to address this wonderful thing called post-graduate depression. (Photos by @legaltrapmack) My thoughts: When I was told about post-graduate depression I definitely didn’t think it existed or that it would ever happen to me...but look at me now. This feeling felt like a ton of bricks and they came before graduation. I was worried about my personal relationship, friendships, and life decisions. I had thoughts like: is this the right decision, do I really want to go on this path in life, why did I come to college, and why am I not as excited to graduate college. There was even a moment where I cried because I couldn’t find socks in the morning ( don’t judge me ). It wasn’t until someone told me that they ask themselves these questions and...

(photo taken by Freedom Club member) by: Brenda Nieves When I think of him my stomach tightens and I begin to sweat. I just don’t know what to do. I thought this was a myth! brown-eyedn eyed sweetheart is really trying me and it feels like a threat. Into my heart, you go? Ha. I don’t think so. I’m building a wall 50 ft tall and in width. Two beers in and then I remember. It’s crazy how thing fall together. It sucks that I’m leaving in September. My story started without you and here you are writing yourself in. I’m sorry love, but I’m not gonna keep you around straglin’ *This piece was published in Shenandoah's Literary Magazine for 2018 Spring*

How to Listen There are many things that are currently happening in America, Trump becoming president, laws changing, and people fighting for their rights. In this moment of turmoil, the best thing we can do is understand each other, instead of physically hurting each other. I’m not saying to take someone else's belief and make them your own, but just listen to what others have to say so that you can better understand their actions.This can create a less hostile environment so that there is room for civil conversations. I think this is pretty fucking important because it seems like we're living in a very important time in American History (fingers crossed). (I don't own this photo. Click here ) Topics That are Causing Conflict I’m currently living in Virginia and the two topics that have been causing some conflicts here are the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM) and the Confederate flag. I have heard about BLM from fellow peers saying things such as “they’re a...