LI YUN ALVARADO
  • About
  • Publications
  • Courses
  • Bookshop
  • Resources
Picture

Li Yun Alvarado's Blog

Poet, Parent, Puerto Rican! ¡Wepa!
​
Amplifying Puerto Rican and underrepresented voices while supporting aspiring & emerging writers through her writing, teaching, and advocacy.

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase using my links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work in this way!
​
Find Books on Bookshop:

September 2018 Newsletter: Puerto Rico on Our Minds

9/1/2018

0 Comments

 

Puerto Rico on Our Minds: One Year After Hurricane María

​Hola Familia,

I'm wondering...

What's your Hurricane story?

Where were you when Irma and Maria hit?

How did you experience the aftermath of the storms?

What do you think about when you think of Hurricanes Irma and Maria today?

Those are a few of the questions on my mind as September gets underway and the one year anniversaries approach.

If you have a hurricane story, hit reply and share it with me... I'd love to know if and how Puerto Rico is on your mind these days.

I returned from my first post-Maria visit to Puerto Rico a few weeks ago. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you probably saw my photos from the trip (if not, be sure to check them out!).

Here is one of my favorites from an amazing community art project in Yauco called Yaucromatic 2 created by artists and community members working with the nonprofit Arte Para Unir.
Picture
Returning to Puerto Rico for the first time since Hurricane Maria is hard to describe. I’ve traveled to Puerto Rico since I was two-months-old, so returning is always so familiar and I always have an amazing time with mi familia...

And yet. Everywhere I looked there were quiet or in-your-face reminders of what happened on the island almost a year ago.  Everyone I spoke with had their own Hurricane María stories to share.

Case in point, when I asked my cousin about her experience with the hurricane, she answered, without skipping a beat, "I'll say this much. My daughters (ages 3 & 5) got over their fear of the dark." 

But also. Our Isla del Encanto is as enchanting as ever. And its gente? As committed to Puerto Rico and its future as ever. Alongside the pain, challenges, and ongoing recovery efforts, there is hope and art and joy and laughter.

As we approach September 6th and September 20th, I hope you’ll join me in thinking about Puerto Rico, amplifying Puerto Rican stories and voices, and supporting organizations leading the way on recovery efforts—recovery efforts that will last for years.

I’m supporting Taller Salud and hope you will join me by supporting my campaign on behalf of Taller Salud today.

Read all about this campaign and learn more about Taller Salud by clicking here. And keep an eye out online and in your inbox for updates about the campaign throughout the month.

Thank you in advance for sharing your stories with me and for showing Taller Salud and Puerto Rico some love 🙏🏽 

Abrazos fuertes,

Li Yun

PS Before you go, please Read More below for publication, blog, and event updates.

Recent Publications

I’m calling 2018 “publication summer” because I’ve had several poems, an essay, and a magazine column published this summer 🙏🏽🙌🏽 More on those next month.

For now, here are links to two of those publications--my own Hurricane María stories. Both of these pieces mean a lot to me and I hope you will take some time to read and share them:

Essay: "Literatura, Música, y (Huracán) María: Reflections from the Diaspora"

Poem: “Momentos de María"

I'm planning to host two Facebook Live Readings of these pieces later this month, so be sure to connect with me on Facebook to watch those.

Teach Puerto Rico: Updates

Many people have written about Puerto Rico since last month's newsletter outlining resources you can use. If you're planning to teach Puerto Rico, please check out my UPDATED Teach Puerto Rico post here.

September Blog Preview & Upcoming Event

Puerto Rico. All Day. Every Day.
I can't think of a single Puerto Rican who doesn't have la isla on the mind this September. I'll post about Puerto Rico throughout the month, and as I mentioned above, I'm hosting two Facebook Live Readings in support of La Isla and Taller Salud.

Latina Writer's Conference
I'm speaking on "Writing & Caretaking/Parenting" at the Latina Writer's Conference at La Plaza de La Raza in LA on September 8, 2018. I'm excited to share my experiences from these last two years of Mamihood and will be sure to post about that event on the blog!

August Blog Series:
​Li Yun's Lessons Learned: Breastfeeding

In honor of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, I wrote a three part series sharing some of the challenges I faced early in our family's breastfeeding journey. I also include tips and resources based on my experience. Access the first part (with links to parts 2 & 3) by clicking the link above. 
​
  • Part 1: Fed is Best, but Breast is Freaking Awesome, so if Your Goal is EBF, Don't Give Up Too Soon!
  • Part 2: Honor Your Cuarentena and Build Your Support Network
  • Part 3: Mechanics, Logistics, and Resources, Oh My!

Please share this series with any Mamas who might need extra support or good info around breastfeeding right now.

Before you go...

Please Support Puerto Rico's Taller Salud
before my campaign ends on September 20th

&

Sign up to get these newsletters right in your inbox!

Abrazos Fuertes Always,

Li Yun
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Cover Image. Workbook for Writers & Creatives. Write Your Year: Reflect, Set Intentions, and Chart a Course for Your Writing Life.

    Write Your Year

    a workbook for
    Writers & Creatives
    ​by Li Yun Alvarado
    LEARN MORE

    Picture

    Words or Water
    by Li Yun Alvarado
    Finishing Line Press, 2016

    BUY NOW

    Click here to grab a FREE Worksheet: FIVE W's FOR WRITERS. Use it to help clarify your mission and craft a writing life you love!

    Categories

    All
    Author Website
    Book Recommendations
    Comelibritos' Corner
    Free Challenges For Writers
    Li Yun's Library
    Mamihood
    Money
    National Poetry Month
    Navidades
    Newsletter
    Nuyorican
    Poetry
    Publications
    Puerto Rico
    Readings & Events
    Service & Social Justice
    Words Or Water
    Writing Life
    Year End Review


    Find Your Books on Bookshop:
    ​


    Sign Up for Li Yun's Newsletter by Clicking Here!

    Try Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free Audiobooks

    Archives

    December 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    June 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015


    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Li Yun Alvarado

    Puerto Rican Poet, Scholar & Parent

    Amplifying Puerto Rican and underrepresented voices while supporting aspiring & emerging writers through her writing, teaching, and advocacy.

Join Li Yun's Writer Community

Get Writing Life Insights & Resources, Book Recommendations, Course Offerings, Occasional Promotions and More!

I take your privacy​​ seriously. Unsubscribe at any time.

You're almost in!

Check your email to confirm your subscription and start receiving regular Writing Life Insights from Li Yun.

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.Thank you for supporting my work in this way!
​
Cover of the poetry collection, Words or Water. Features a black and white print of a woman with outlines of birds in her hair.
Buy Now

Contact

Privacy Policy 

Terms of Use



Links

COPYRIGHT © 2021 LI YUN ALVARADO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
  • Publications
  • Courses
  • Bookshop
  • Resources