Following a long graduation ceremony, at a family dinner—a family I had not seen in a year—I realized I felt obscurely embarrassed about the loud notification indicating it was time to BeReal. As my months post-graduation have led me to reflect, there is no need for a DNA test, I am the epitome of a daughter of a spontaneous man and somebody’s careful daughter. While I was growing up, these two personalities influenced my own while conflicted each other and while I interned at places where social media was my job, I have come to enjoy people not knowing where I was or who I was personally.

I slowly realized a certain panic was associated with the loud noise of my phone at times.

I spent a month on the South Shore with my partner’s family, in a town which could only be described as a classic American suburban town located in southeastern Massachusetts. I realized how much I love spending time with my partner and how a phone signal was not in the picture at all.

As I reflect on these moments, I realize that social media's grip on my daily life had gradually loosened. The compulsion to capture and share every moment had shifted into something much simpler—just being present and sharing when I feel like it. I think seeking validation is just something I do as another girl in my 20s. Losing my 1,000-day BeReal streak was symbolic of something bigger: the realization that I no longer needed validation to feel connected, fulfilled, or seen. I’ve learned that it's okay to live moments for myself, untethered from the need to document or broadcast them.

My relationship with social media has always been tricky as I was an intern just a bit after it was legal for me to even create an account (for legal reasons, let’s say I didn’t have an account before thirteen,) and I believe it will always have its place. I’m grateful for the ways it helps me stay in touch with friends and share my silly thoughts as I am at this moment. But I continue to find ways to no longer let it dictate my actions or hold power over my daily sense of meaning. The silence that follows the absence of notifications is something I now cherish, offering space to focus on the relationships and experiences. In this phase post-graduation, I’m learning that my life doesn’t need to be constantly shared to be meaningful—it’s enough to live it.

I've developed a routine of dedicating pages to my reflections and significant moments at each month's end, a practice that began back in ninth grade, when the days faded slower than I wanted. This month brought a lot of joys and not-so-joyous moments, as life usually does. A theme for March was getting to know my girlfriend through the lenses of those who were in her life before me.

With an early March of getting to know her best friend and a late March of visiting her hometown; putting together the mosaic of how she became my favorite person in the world has been the greatest thrill. I remember learning about palabras compuestas (compound words) in elementary school, the word rompecabezas (puzzle) is my favorite to this day, it translates to “breaking heads.” While I have never been a fan of solving puzzles, I would spend many a lifetime solving hers.

The invisible string theory has always been real and dear to me. Yet, learning about my girlfriend’s love for cotton candy ice cream and seeing the many Dora The Explorer stickers just confirms it to me. I wonder if younger us were being told their ice cream choice was odd at the same time.

In the first stages of getting to know each other, I put together a playlist of songs that already made me think of her. Some relating to the nervousness of having a crush which I hadn’t had in years, others about wanting someone to stay forever, and so on.

One of the songs in it was Leonard Cohen by boygenius, the lyrics “I never thought you’d happen to me” and “I might like you less now that you know me so well” resonated to me (still do.) Letting someone dig through every corner of your mind and want more everyday is a joy I didn’t know before her. It may be cliché to relate boygenius songs to our relationship, but we did start talking after Phoebe Bridgers held my hand and she wanted to fangirl over it with me, so no regrets.

I think our past does not define us, but it shapes us. I got to meet sides of her I now get to love thanks to those in her life, getting to know her world is such an honor, and I thank gods I don’t believe in for it every day, after all, who would I be without you, without them?

As your favorite data fashion girlie, I love a trend, so I started a weekly segment that I’ll be doing every show called ‘What('s) the Trend?’ (so creative!)

I’ll also be writing about it here every week, but essentially I choose 3 topics or things that are trending that caught my interest this week and explain them in my way + opinion of them, here are the ones from this week:

First things, and I’ll be surprised if you have not heard about it by now, the famous TikTok ban bill the U.S. government is trying to pass.

• Basically, U.S. lawmakers (and other countries) are always concerned that international apps like TikTok, which is owned by the China-based company, ByteDance, are misusing sensitive user data— which is not ironic since that is not an issue in their own countries and definitely is not something their own authorities should address (lie!)

• The proposed ban sparks a broader debate on censorship and the role of social media as a platform for diverse voices. While it's crucial to address legitimate data privacy issues, it's equally important to ensure actions taken don't stifle free speech or set a precedent for undue governmental control over digital spaces.

• Overall, this TikTok controversy is less about a single app and more about the broader challenges of ensuring user data security while maintaining open forums for expression.

Next, Eternal Sunshine by Ariana Grande:

• I’ve been playing the album on repeat, especially the song that was played at the beginning of the show, ‘we can’t be friends (wait for your love),’ the references to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) are worth taking a minute and reading over the lyrics if you are a fan of the classic film, if you are interested in reading more about it, you can go to my Substack post where I compare the two pieces: Why Ariana Grande's 'we can't be friends (wait for your love)' Is a Blissful Ignorance Masterpiece

Lastly, and this may be more of a personal recommendation, but I’ve reading more about influencers in Fashion Week and how social media is making the fashion industry more “accessible.” I am developing an app for fashion that enhances one’s shopping experience and redirects users to second-hand vendors, so I have been reflecting about what sharing my style means to me. I think filming your little outfits for your 300 followers, your 2-people groupchat, your partner, or your sister, has the power to both inspire and be inspired. To me, this reciprocal exchange of inspiration embodies the true essence of fashion.

That’s all for this week, subscribe and now listen to La Niña del Desierto (Radio Version,) every Wednesday 6 p.m. EST here! <3

The album is titled eternal sunshine referencing the 2004 movie. If you are not familiar with the film, think of discovering your estranged girlfriend, Clementine (which I would still name my daughter after,) has undergone a procedure to have any memory of you erased, of course you live in New York and your name is Joel and you kind of look like Jim Carrey. You decide to undergo the same procedure, but obviously have to keep the receipts, so you film yourself recalling all the mems first.

I first watched the movie in my brother’s Play Station 3, where he would download movies for the family to watch. I remember thinking the thought of erasing someone from your life did not make sense at all (I was 9 years old.) Today, I have had experiences that have made me wish someone had never stumbled into my life. I have cried until the sun rises in voice messages to my best friend that is two hours behind. I have hurt and realized a person’s intentions towards me were just evil. Yet, I am a fan of the mosaic theory.

The theory first emerged in a political setting, used to describe "apparently harmless pieces of information that when assembled together could reveal a […] picture." It is now a TikTok trend in the context of sharing habits and traits that you have because of the influence of those you have met, so, you’re a mosaic of those.

My take on this, relating it back to the eternal sunshine concept, is that forgetting someone erases the personality traits and all the memories that shaped you into the person you are today. There is this pressure in the “healing era” side of social media that forces you to try to remember your past with love and appreciation, even if something was negative, which I think is not fair. I personally go back and forth, and so does Ariana in her lyrics for the song in this video.

I don't wanna tiptoe, but I don't wanna hide
But I don't wanna feed this monstrous fire
Just wanna let this story die
And I'll be alright

Expressing how she wants to just forget about her past and erase those memories, we see her walk into a clinic where memories can be erased, in her world named “Brighter Days Inc.” which in the 2004 film was named Lacuna.

However, later in both the song and video, she tries to clench to a necklace similarly to Jim Carrey’s Joel’s: “Please let me keep this memory, just this one.”

I think I found her take liberating as she sings “me and my truth we sit in silence baby girl it’s just me and you cause i don’t wanna argue” referring to herself and her truth of the events, according to Genius. To be loved is to be changed, and I think we often get caught up in questioning whether we were loved or not. Instead of focusing on the changed part, for the better or worse, you’ve grown.

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Lastly, going back to the beginning, one of the videos that made me get into the album was created by @thedailyvictorian on TikTok where Victoria Hutchins shared: “I would never know how cold it is in this space of you not loving me, and me not hating you.” Hearing people’s interpretations and perspectives about a song or a specific lyric that stood out to them has always been my favorite part of media, especially seeing more art be inspired by it. Of course, I have to share some data, I am always interested about how newer media references help the popularity of older films.

If you like this song or simply the eternal sunshine concept, I would also recommend her other songs from this album, especially i wish i hated you and don’t wanna break up again for a more upbeat ballad vibe.

Years later, a 20-year-old me walked out of a Pace dorm bathroom bursting with excitement about the possibility of a free abdomen, paired with a red 8-ball shirt by edikted.

The act of realizing your pants size will vary from store to store is a rite of passage for shoppers (or the girlies) everywhere. However, I find that the selection of the rise of pants is often overlooked as a default of preference. But, where does that preference come from? Who is it made for?

If one thing will influence a Mexican girl growing up too close to the U.S. border is Hollywood. We can trace back the rise (get it?) of the high-waisted movement to to Levi's first production of jeans for working women in the 1940s. My earliest memory of them, however, is captured in a poorly scanned photograph of my mom on a hotel balcony in Mazatlán (I want to recreate it someday.)

With a leather jacket and a bow tying her hair, she was the fashion icon I aspired to be. I followed her everywhere, growing up watching reruns of Friends (1994) and The Nanny (1993,) longing for the day I could wear pants like Monica Geller or pull off a high-waisted mini skirt like Fran Fine.

The solution for keeping women’s modesty at the workplace quickly became more of a fashion statement when icons like Marilyn Monroe popularized the high rise fit in movies like The Misfits (1961.) Today, some fashion critics view high-rise pants as a controversial topic, debating whether they represent a step towards body positivity or oppression.

Growing up with glamourous Costco sweatpants has given me an appreciation for comfort in dressing, often outweighing my desire to emulate the stylish cool strangers I admired as a child, envisioning whole imaginary lives for them. Maud Barrionuevo, head of buying and marketplace at LVMH-owned etailer 24S, highlights the shift in preference from the 2010s towards high-rise pants, emphasizing the enhanced comfor and a suitability for other body types. And of course, I could not be your favorite tech girlie without showing you some data:

In conclusion, my journey into the history and design of high-rise pants has shifted my perspective. While I once relied on them to conceal my insecurities, I feel ready to dress for what I believe looks great and experiment with all rises. I'll occasionally venture into low-rise pants territory. After all, fashion should be about expression, not oppression. Remember, be that cool stranger your younger self would’ve admired, whatever that means to you (whether it means wearing 8-inch of denim over your belly button or showing your underwear like a stereotypical plummer, I support both.)

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