Alison Trujillo

My Top 4 Tips for Language Learning

I recently started taking Italian classes: Elementare Uno. So far I am thoroughly enjoying myself – I’d forgotten how wonderful it feels, after fumbling with words and tentatively mumbling a new verb conjugation, to be able to finally put a sentence together! Being a language student has reinvigorated my understanding of the general student experience.Continue reading “My Top 4 Tips for Language Learning”

Surrealism and Remedios Varo

I’m currently reading “Remedios Varo: Unexpected Journeys” by Janet A. Kaplan, professor of art history and executive director of Art Journal. Few books have been written about Remedios Varo, and Kaplan’s work, published in 1988, is a thorough journey into the artist’s life and gorgeous, captivating artwork. I first learned of Remedios Varo as an undergraduateContinue reading “Surrealism and Remedios Varo”

Ode to Perfumería Gal

Okay, time for a confession. I’m addicted to chapstick. Lip gloss, vaseline, lip smoother – call it what you will, I am addicted. It’s been this way since I was a young girl and my mom, for example during a windy day on the ski slopes, would whip out her Chapstick brand lip gloss andContinue reading “Ode to Perfumería Gal”

Currently Reading: La tregua

Well, it’s been awhile since my last post! Part of my time lately has been spent finishing books in my “to read” pile, and this one – “La tregua” by Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti was up next. I am about halfway through and thoroughly enjoying it. A brief synopsis (don’t worry, no spoilers!): “La tregua” isContinue reading “Currently Reading: La tregua”

New and Noteworthy Films

Tonight I’m off to celebrate Opening Night of the San Francisco International Film Festival. I’m super excited to start the evening off with the a screening of What Maisie Knew. There are, as usual, some intriguing films from Spain and Latin America that I want to check out in the coming weeks: Mexico: After Lucia (DespuésContinue reading “New and Noteworthy Films”

Gorgeous…

…is the first word that came to mind when I opened a package that arrived from Ecuador yesterday. I found out that women from the Kichwa community of Sani Isla were making this beautiful jewelry to help support their families and their community, and decided to reach out in the hopes of purchasing some ofContinue reading “Gorgeous…”