This full moon is in the sign of Aries. Aries is the first sign in the zodiac sign. This is a time of completions. Full moons remind us that something is coming to an end. Aries reminds us that something is coming into fruition. Trust the process.
By the time you read this, I will be in San Diego getting ready to see Erykah Badu with one of my childhood friends. This year has been a whirlwind and has taken so many sudden changes and turns. I don’t think I’ve ever traveled this much in my life. From Hawai’i, to the Bay, San Diego, Las Vegas and soon to be Mexico. Life is funny, you can truly think you have it all figured out and then another life lesson hits. If it’s anything this year has taught me it’s to surrender and not be so attached to outcomes. When we hold on too tightly, we are the ones who break our own hearts. As said by my good friend, "life is like an open palm, if it comes let it. If it goes, let it. The right things will want to stay." One of my friends lives her life with the art of detachment - she embodies this fully and it’s something I’ve been trying to actively remind myself of. Nothing really belongs to us, it's all part of the experience. If we all lived more of our lives like this, I think many of us would enjoy the small moments more, people, and not take those moments or people for granted.
I just finished my last market of the year! A big shoutout to my Māmā who helped me at this last event: The Sacramento Aloha Festival. One of the most exciting moments was meeting a customer who already knew who I was. Whether they know me from Social media, or my Podcast it reminds me that Native Diaspora really is growing. Another highlight was being placed right next to Tricia Allen: a traveler, tattoo and cultural practitioner, author, anthropologist and professor. She asked to interview me which felt like a huge honor. We spoke for about an hour, my eyes lit up every time we spoke. She shared a story when she was traveling through some of the smaller islands throughout Oceania making balloon animals for children and how they had never seen such a thing. Over fifteen years later when she was back on the island, one of the very kids that she made a balloon animal for stopped her and recognized her immediately, speaking to her in Tahitian and motioning balloon animals being made. She became known as the balloon animal lady. She told me how something so small could make such a big impact and told me to travel with balloon animals so I too can make a child's day. Funny enough, I actually used to make balloon animals when I was a kid. It was one of the many random hobbies I tried to learn.
Her story got me thinking, how can I make a difference while also expanding my vision with Native Diaspora? So I bought a screen. My vision is to target smaller communities in need, thrift and print. If I were to run into a child years later, I would love to be known as the screen printing lady. One of my dreams is to visit the Atacama Desert to bring awareness to one of the largest fast fashion dumps in the world. The clothes can be seen from space. I have this vision of me standing there screen printing away, to me it's more than just a fashion statement, it's a political statement.
I feel like I’m re-building my life from the bottom up. No more car to call my own, no home, no steady income. Feels quite daunting to be 32 and not have any of these things that were once a huge part of my identity. Now I’m asking myself who am I without any labels? I think of myself as an extension of my brand. A traveler, advocate, storyteller, astrologist, artist, and seeker. For the past 12 years I’ve lived in Hawai’i. It’s been a time of learning, unlearning and relearning my place as not only a Kanaka, but a diaspora. Now it’s time to connect to my other roots- my Mexican and Latin American roots. Not only am I expanding Native Diaspora, I’m healing my lineage, but most importantly healing and finding myself. I’ll be taking a break from markets and focusing on my podcast, creative content, and learning from other Indigenous communities. However, online sales will still be available on my website and Etsy!
It’s brand new territory for me, I still remember when I first came to Hawai’i at 19 with my bright pink boots, fake nails and colorful makeup. Now I’m reliving that experience 12 years later in Mexico with no connection to my Mexican roots. This time however, I won’t show up looking like a complete tourist. Just a backpack and positive attitude ready to learn, unlearn and relearn.
Aloha nō.
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