There was I, going about the fall semester and adjusting to this brand new life of green card holder, when this patch of good news came my way:

Kinda out of the blue but hey, I’ll take it! Next thing I know, the Governor is shaking my hand and there are flash lights popping all around, with my proud husband beaming with encouragement and love.

I must confess that my politics don’t often align with the Governor’s – that smile you see on my face wasn’t only for the pictures, though. She made an excellent speech about the immigrant community and challenges faced, listing specific progressive accomplishments that made me, once again, sure that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

My gratitude to Natalie Espino, Director of Museum Education, Academic Programs & Community Engagement of the Hispanic Society, for supporting my work with such consistency, and also for her galvanizing words that uplifted all of us during the ceremony. We are, indeed, proud New Yorkers.

Come what may.