Hey hey! Are you good? I hope so, but as always, I hope that things are well and peachy keen in your world, and sending you positive vibes either way. This is pretty much my staple greeting now so hopefully, you don’t get too tired of it.
At the time that you’re reading this letter that I typed in advance, I’m currently recovering and resting. I’m recovering from surgery I had on 3/17 and while it’s painfully exhausting, I’m excited to have more control over my body and a better way of living and creating once I’m fully healed. The recovery process is tedious, so with this said, the next letter may be a bit shorter (like this one). So, bear with me and we’ll be back to our more regularly scheduled program in May.
I also want to simply say thank you in response to my last newsletter. My last letter was incredibly challenging to write, but the good wishes I received meant the world to me. We all need kindness and grace and I appreciate you extending that to me.
Something else really exciting has happened between this newsletter and the last newsletter. In case you missed the news… I GOT A NEW JOB! I now serve as the Program Manager for the MARN ART + CULTURE HUB. It honestly doesn’t feel like a job though. It feels like I’m truly doing more of what I love which makes me excited to work each day. I work with an incredible team of talented and committed artists, and I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity. You can read more about my role here.
Just to go ahead and dissolve any questions, I am still teaching at UWM, I will just be teaching much less and it’s a decision that I’m very proud of and beyond content with. It took a lot of courage for me to speak up for myself, but I’m glad I did, and I feel like life is beginning to make more sense now.
MONTHLY HIGHS AND LOWS…..
HIGHS…..
- Accepted the offer to be MARN ART + CULTURE HUB’S new Program Manager.
- Switched up my creative language and began experimenting with a new method of working.
- Spent time with family and friends in Alabama.
- Spoke with Syracuse University’s Photo Department about my archival research.
LOWS…..
- Surgery!
- Challenging experiences in my personal life that have had me in a fog (no further details will be provided from here, but mainly expressing so that you know that not everything is going great)
NEWS + UPDATES…..
A couple of pieces from my work, Our Mothers’ Gardens, will be on view at the San Diego Mesa College in San Diego, CA from April 3-16th! I’ll be traveling to the opening on April 6th, so if you happen to be in the area, I hope to see you there!
I am open and available for freelance writing and photography opportunities starting in May. If you or anyone you know need my services, contact me here and let me know. I’d love to work with you (or anyone you know)!
ART/CULTURE STUFF I’VE BEEN INTO…..
Here’s what I watched over the past month, and of course, if you ever have any show or movie recommendations that you want to send my way, please send me an email so I can watch and follow up with you about it later.
Binge-worthy Shows
Catfish: Any of the seasons (TV-14 | 2012-current | Reality Television) - 5/5
You: Season 4 (MA | 2023|Psychological Thriller) - 3/5
Alright, folks, that’s all I have to share for this month. I haven’t really had much time to read or watch movies, so that’s why it’s not listed in this letter. Considering I’m recovering from surgery at the time that you’re reading this, I’m sure I’ll have a lot of good watches to report back to you in the next newsletter. Thank you for reading and I hope the remainder of this month brings you all your heart desires. If you ever miss any newsletters, you can find them in the archive on my website and if you’re interested in what I’m up to in the meantime, check out my Instagram!
Take care of yourself and you’ll (briefly) hear from me again in April.
Love you, mean it!
-Alayna N. Pernell