A Quick F.Y.I.

First name: Carmen, which is Latin for 'a song.'  Favorite urban dictionary definition? One who dances to old school Will Smith in cars and ghost hunts for fun. All in all, quite quirky with randomness 24/7.

Nicknames: Carmencita, Carmie, Nemy, Mena. The strangest one? My cousin, Debbie, calls me Conchita 

No. of Letters in my entire name: 24, not quite the entire alphabet but nearly.

Age: 36 and digging it. 

Cultural Heritage: Latina (Puerto Rican)

Favorite Color: I'm never quite sure, but mostly sage, warmer reds, and deep yellows.

Favorite Place to Be: On the beach or in my bed.

Favorite Months: September, October, December, April.

Preferred Footwear: Flip flops or rain boots.

A list of authors I love to read. 

Laurie Halse Anderson

M.T. Anderson

Judy Blume

Deb Caletti

Stephen Chbosky 

Sarah Dessen

Nina de Gramont

John Green

Bethany Griffin

Stephanie Hale

Matt de la Pena

Alyson Noel

Kelly Parra

Melissa Walker

And then there were stars.

One of my favorite photographers, Grace Kasu, took this photograph of me.

I met Grace when I was a shy eleven. We had just moved to a new neighborhood. I was playing on the street, desperately in need of a friend, when this chocolate-skinned girl with a huge smile circled me on her bike. She told me she wanted to give me a makeover.  We've been friends ever since.