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Tufts Admissions Team

Ahorita

Sep 20
Kayla Cortez Jumbo Talk

 

 

Besides the past, what was, and the future, what will be, what is currently? 


Currently, I am motivated by the little things. I walk around campus like a child at Disneyland for the first time and soak in Massachusetts. The colorful leaves and the crisp air- small details I didn’t have in Texas that remind me of how hard my family worked to get me here. To a first-generation student like me, each seemingly trivial detail, down to the sociable rabbits, is inspiring. 


Currently, music is my obsession. When I plug in my earphones, I adventure into a euphoria of notes, poetry, and melodies. On the shuttle to Hyatt, I find myself replaying “Girl With The Tattoo Enter. lewd” by Miguel and “Provider” by Frank Ocean over ten times. Otherwise, I hit shuffle on my Bad Bunny playlist, hoping to land on “Otra Noche en Miami.” Music has encouraged my poetry. I hope to share my work, whether in stanza or lyric, at Tufts Open Mic Night. 


Currently, I read an essay every day as I’ve discovered each piece impacts me differently. One of my favorite pieces is “He Asked Permission to Touch, but Not to Ghost” by Courtney Sender, a Professor here at Tufts University. It details modern love and how consent in sexual interactions is more about self-defense and less about love. Another is “Goodbye to All That” by Joan Didion, a story of how she fell in and out of love with New York City as if it were a person.  


Currently, I am looking forward to finding myself. Rather than solely indulging in the latest trends, I'm creating my distinct style. I’m exploring new hobbies like photography and new foods, while still eating at Picante Taquería every week. Exploring comes with questions like: Who do I want to surround myself with? What are my passions? Who do I want to become? But “Who am I?” is the biggest question I'm on a journey to answer. 


My inspirations, favorite songs, most meaningful essays, future hopes, and I will most likely change by next week. But, I’m here now- or ahorita as my Mom would say. And now is a beautiful place to be.

About the Author

Kayla Cortez

A walking Bad Bunny fanpage

View Bio & Articles
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