This post was originally published inhttps://ateneamar.com/ on 29/12/2023, in Spanish. A few opinions may have evolved since then—because growth, aging, and changing your mind are all part of the fun.
As 2024 comes to an end, I feel incredibly grateful because this has been one of the best years of my life. It all started in January, when el gũero and I got married. Then came the first half of the year with my classes in downtown San Diego—I honestly didn’t know if people here would be interested in taking my classes… and it turns out they were. Sometimes I miss the Idea1 apartment, but only for the rooftop jacuzzi, if I’m being honest.
Then, in early May, we got the official news that yes—we were staying in San Diego. That kicked off the adventure of selling the house up north, going back to empty it out, and officially handing it over.
If you want to read about that trip up north, click here.
On our way back to San Diego, we stopped in Salem—one of the U.S. cities I’d been dying to visit. I’ve always been into the mystical side of things, and I fully believe I’m a little bit of a witch because careful with what I say… it almost always comes true. “Prophet voice,” my mom calls it.
Back in San Diego, I officially became a mom of four: two dogs and two cats—Nala, Paco, Chetito, and Uno. And here we are, closing out the year surrounded by our pets and making plans not just for 2024, but even 2025… although let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, we’re celebrating that my license is finally coming and my residency is on the way. And now? I’m about to go feral—in the best way. I can’t wait to cross into Tijuana to go to the market and finally be able to visit my grandma and my mom.
Migration is complicated. Becoming a legal resident or citizen is no joke. People tell you it’s hard, but it’s even harder when you’re actually living it. Sure, there are miracle cases like my friend Cesar, who got his card in three months—but mine took a little longer.
To close out the year, I also shared the news that I opened my online shop. echococo.store represents everything I want to create and grow in my future. Becoming a mom to humans someday, having my dream wedding in Mazaranch, filling my life with plants, watching the trees I’ve planted grow on my future little farm—all of that while continuing to share recipes with you from time to time and teaching whatever comes out of my kitchen, sweet and savory… mostly sweet. Just like me. (wink, wink)
And with that…
Happy New Year to everyone.
I’m leaving my links here so you can take a look at how my shop looks right now—and hopefully next year you’ll come back and say, “Wow, look how much Atenea’s business has grown,” and feel happy for me.
The Etsy Shop
The Online Store
My best wishes to all of you. May whatever your heart is wishing for—really, really wishing for—God help you build it along the way.
Health, money, and love, ladies.
I love you so much, my tribe. 💛