What habit has been sustaining you lately?
The habit that has helped me is reminding myself to pray. Prayer is the highest form of meditation. It not only helps me grow my faith, but also helps me stop overthinking. Whenever I catch myself going in circles about something—whether problems or people—it’s a good moment to talk to God and let Him take care of the rest. I find peace in that.
What time of day do you feel most like yourself?
I feel most like myself at sunset. I think sunset light is what attracts me most visually. The world around me becomes more vibrant and I feel more present. It’s my favorite time to take photos.
When recently did you feel out of place?
I can’t recall a specific moment lately, but I felt out of place for most of my life, especially when I was younger. I struggled with anxiety and depression in my teens, so it’s been a long journey and a long process of reflection. Sometimes, feeling uncomfortable is an opportunity to grow and understand yourself better.
What are you still holding onto even though you know you’ll eventually have to let go?
I think I tend to hold onto painful memories or moments in my life when I disappointed myself. It’s my mind’s way of protecting itself, but it’s time to let go of that old identity. Moving forward means accepting the past and being compassionate with future failures.
What scares you more today: change or staying the same? Why?
Both scare me! But honestly, I should only be afraid of staying the same. Being afraid of change means being afraid of failure. My favorite quote about fear is: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” I’ve come to understand that guilt and lack of forgiveness are what hinder our growth. Once you understand that, everything starts to feel less frightening.
Recommend a movie, an album, and a book and tell us why you liked each one.
My favorite film is Ana Karenina, directed by Joe Wright. Every scene in this film is visually beautiful, and the story is captivating. Keira Knightley is also one of my favorite actresses. This film was so good that it made me want to read the original novel!
My favorite album is Bubba from Kaytranada. The beats are flawless and masterfully executed. There isn’t a single song I don’t like on this album. No matter your background or age, I think his music can make anyone start dancing.
I recommend reading the Chicken Soup for the Soul. It’s a collection of real, impactful, and honest stories. I used to read them with my mother when I was younger, and I still remember some of those stories. I’m grateful to my mother for introducing me to this series.
What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
It’s hard to choose a favorite restaurant because there’s so much variety and it depends on my mood. I’d say a place in Gardena, California that I never get tired of is Spoon House. I’ve been going since I was a child, and it’s always been the same cooks preparing the spaghetti. Everything there is delicious—the salad dressing they make, and especially the French bread, which is prepared daily by one person. I recommend ordering number 19, the spicy tomato one.
Which friend have you admired lately, and why?
Lately I’ve been admiring my friend Natalia. No matter what life throws at her, she remains resilient and uses her creativity as an outlet. God gave her a beautiful voice, and she’s been sharing it with the world lately. She inspires me to do the same with my own gifts.
I was born in Long Beach, California, and grew up in Gardena, California. I work in the family business, owned by my father, who is an architect originally from Zacatecas, Mexico.