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What to Work

April 29, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

My Venezuelan friend gave me permission she did not realize she was giving me. She okayed my desire to get a lot of work in and feel thoroughly as if I had gotten my day’s work done before I went down the street from our co-living space in Bogota, Colombia to the nearby mall.

She had given me permission to do what I really wanted to do, while most everyone else was touring. She had given me the permission to get work done and relax and maybe tour later, or not tour at all, but rather just live the local moments. She had given me permission, not literally, but by being my friend, she had given me permission to do what I wanted authentically.

Heading to the mall or store (I would see), I was remembering the options they had in the food court and heck, maybe even stopping off earlier at the store that very much reminded me of Trader Joe’s back in my country. Should I cook something simple from the place we are sharing with other travelers today or should I get some ready-prepared casual food to go? I had a chance to do a mix of both.

I cannot adequately attribute the details of the entire moments to each day. Over the variety of times, I grabbed some snacks and easy options to cook in the shared kitchen. One of my favorite restaurants, Qbano (a cute play on Cubano) was a frequent stop in the mall. I recall getting the mixed veggie bowl and crispy thick fries. I added some churros to offer my friend once I returned.

I had booked my stay in the area for several days. yet was extending my days little by little at the end, considering whether I should go to Cartagena or an entirely different country. As we sat there in the evening, in my comfort of working across from her at the large, shared desk, she was asking me if I had decided to go the next day, disappointed when I said yes and visibly relieved when I said I was staying a little longer.

She gave me the permission, without her knowing, she gave me the permission to be myself, not only comfortable as a workaholic, ticking things down off my list, but also there for the exploring, wandering, and fun.

I sat there, peaceful in having this time and being in the not-so-familiar position of following up to see when she would be free to grab a coffee, not happy hour, in this instance. Coffee-shop mood was the matching backdrop for our dynamic. She had introduced me to Varietale, when she could not join and was still working from our temporary place and I was looking forward to going to Liberatario with her, not too far from our place. She had good taste. Liberatario was within walking distance and Varietale had been within exercise-walking distance for me.

One night she did not seem too entirely into working, although I assumed she was, but yet as she invited me to the other side of the table to see what captured her, I was pleased to see she was enjoying the Miss Universe 2024 Pageant. She was rooting for Miss Venezuela as we gathered around her computer, I rooted for several contestants. Miss Venezuela, Miss Mexico and Miss Nigeria. Miss Nigeria, was so gorgeous. We were impressed by many, interested in all the contestants’ performances, category by category. Miss Denmark had some inspiring answers.

Another guest, also her friend was rooting for Miss Nigeria only. (Nee- her-ia) he lingeringly enunciated, lingering especially in the middle (as if in those moments, he was within momentary dreams). I giggled to myself. He was from Venezuela too, waiting for a consulate appointment in Colombia. He was always so friendly, genuinely interested in all the people circulating around this bit of office space and in and out of the adjacent kitchen.

My friend. Glad to have her for the time, if not every time. I returned to the same place months later. She had gone. I thought of her often while I conversed with others in our old space. She and I had settled into safety in everything: food, giggles, chats over romantic prospects, geopolitics, Making easy work of work, It was a need for us both, I like to think.

I remembered the story she told me of dangerously crossing the Venezuelan-Colombian border. I was impressed by the business she had grown and how social media savvy she was. I watched one of her many video presentations. I was excited when she received another new client, while we were together. Her eyes filled with happy tears from the excitement I expressed.

We sat in Liberatario the last night, shortly before I would finally be leaving. We had mentioned discussing in detail, some romantic disappointment I had recently experienced, but then, I no longer had the desire to spend those moments lamenting a jilted relationship. We could just enjoy ourselves. There is a time for venting but it dissipated in the ambience.

I just wanted the space and the time that we always made. She told me of one downside to her business experience to which I relayed some comforting advice in Spanish, that felt more as if it was being delivered through me than by me. Mostly our laughter mixed, we appreciated the artwork around us and a simple break from working – a break from trying.

From the Office

April 28, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

DC has not changed much. A lot of restaurants and bars have fallen away, however. It has not changed a lot over the years from 2006. At the same time, a lot of places have closed and been replaced, there are a lot of old haunts that encompassed my newer stomping grounds in my second home following my home state. Some establishments are no longer there, just the old building itself, closed, a type of homage to its memory.

U Street. Dupont Circle. Farragut North. Just to name a few of my favorite neighborhoods and depending on what mood touched me, I liked to find myself in Georgetown, Farragut West, and some others up to the point where I really just got a kick out of visiting Friendship Heights ultimately moving into this chill neighborhood.

I was a little dejected in the beginning, however, because, though I liked Takoma Park, Maryland in which I had initially moved for a while, I had anxiously imagined living in DC proper. DC was not far. Two metro stops a way and a short walk was all, but traveling from Maryland through DC and working in Virginia was not quite matching the dream I had duly imagined since my eighth-grade trip of living in DC, once I had finished college. Of course, this was also most suitable for the images of me as a potential ambassador😊.

Though a little removed for the first several years, my curiosity for events and culture meant leaning into the proximity. I made a good habit of hanging in the District for museums, art, dining and special events, though I was ultimately coincidentally intrigued with the nearby cities in Maryland and Virginia.

I did not have as much interest in where I worked outside of DC, but grew to like it, as it encompassed what we affectionately call the DMV, just the same as where I lived in Maryland. I also increasingly appreciated being in this area.

The exposure gave me an introduction I was not expecting and experiences I otherwise may not have ever discovered. Where I worked and lived in those first few years added to my perspective. It was similar when picking international trips as a digital nomad. You land in other notable spots, make unexpected acquaintances, and even the sour moments shape all you are to be.

March 2026 Blog/Poetry and Prose – 2

Cassandra Johnson

3-29-2026: Pressure and excitement to perform over the hope of a new day.

Waking up inspired. Going to bed tired.

No plans for sleep, but softly falling into it.

Traveling to fulfill my goal of volunteering abroad while fulfilling my efforts to volunteer domestically, it is never long lost on me that motivation comes from lessons and practice.

Telling Time

March 2026 Blog/Poetry and Prose – 1

Cassandra Johnson

3-27-2026: The laughter in the moment is so quiet and contagious, until it erupts and we move our bodies in camaraderie at the humor and movement and away from the anxieties of the day, of being mistreated, being marginalized and in our superior moment of good feeling, we rise above the negativity, the bullying that rages at our ever-appearing joy.

As we move through these tumultuous times when so many people are being attacked because they hold less power in the face of depraved government officials that impose their will upon us, we still hold on to our joyous moments, intermittently and for a vast majority of the time. We earn our money justly and take care of ourselves and each other.

We watch movies, enjoy our favorite foods, and laugh within our complementary senses of humor. It is so important that we have family and friends now, that we have our community and moments of joy – zen moments to enjoy ourselves and each other. Funny movies, funny shows, profound books, deep reflections as well as things not to take too seriously. We support ourselves on our resources and reflections so that we can keep fighting, prevailing and protecting.

Then, we realize we are powerful. Rather, we are reminded in moments that people still have a need to be liked by us, to believe in their messages and propaganda, lest they be questioned and know the real truth they are trying to hide within their power. We do not respect them in their unearned spaces, pushing all of us out who truly earned our accolades and actually deserve the spaces they steal from us.

Credit to The Joy Reid Show and The Daily Show respectively, for Moment of Joy and Moment of Zen and the reminders underscoring how much I like to write reflectively in poetry and prose.

My Happy Birthday

February 27, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

Thank you all. Thank you family and friends. Thank you, readers. Thank you for what is positive, what far extends the bad actors and serves the resilience, resistance and rewards of a healthy, adventurous life.

What I Don’t Mind

February 25, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

I don’t mind one bit.

What I absolutely do not mind is being reminded of what we deserve. What so many deserve.

Grace.

Grace and rest.

Grace, rest, and care.

Coincidentally close to my birthday and as highlighted during my trip this week, I was reminded of how nice a life of wandering and close friendships can be. I was also reminded of how nice resting on a vacation and good treatment (hospitality) can be uplifting and when nicely delivered with respect and kindness, can be a nice reset.

I was reminded not to mind this break, the care, and conveniences. I recalled how okay it can be to let go of anxiety and momentarily put away a day of always working on efficiency and progress. I did not mind such sweet smiles, greetings, convenient breakfasts, door to door service and that Ubers and taxis made easy tasks of completing errands and meeting up with friends. Getting older or just having been a taskmaster for so long, the guesswork that is taken out of having to be just about everywhere and get everything done with brute force makes the easy parts nicer and the formidable parts more palatable.

Similarly, I don’t mind the cross-section between what is very walkable and quickly drivable with  ready options to be near amenities. I don’t mind the layers of ready relaxation.

I do not have to go out of my way to meet my cravings or needs. I do not have to worry about being especially late or paying for anything I do not enjoy. I did not have to worry about running out of time, income nor inconvenience and I do not mind at all.

Travel in What Pictures Cannot Capture

January 27, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson
Travel in what pictures cannot capture.
Travel in that, from which pictures can just borrow a piece.

When I first landed in Merida, I did not expect to stay so long, though I thought it efficient to run out my tourist Visa. (180 days).

I look at my photos, yes picturesque, yet they do not capture all the beauty and anguish interwoven into the weeks. They don’t match the ease I felt sitting in the sun after a long project and drinking agua fresca. Salsa in the bar. Daily free performances. Restaurant stands. Cute shops. The pictures do not capture the taste of a good Mexican meal, only the appearance and sometimes, they mistakenly highlight a tasteless Yucatecan one.

The pictures are graciously appreciated yet also inconsiderate of the anxiety I felt leaving a nice Merida neighborhood for an inconvenient one.

Pictures borrow a piece from the scenery, they borrow a piece from the nostalgia, they borrow a piece from the senses that engage in the moment. They borrow from the delight and sometimes veil the anxious spirit. They borrow and allow a revisit to the places, to the feelings and sometimes uplift a moment that was not uplifting and alternately dull a moment absolutely beyond exhilarating.

The experiences were unimaginable. I am glad I tested out a desire to see the Mexican city among the many, and look forward to soon seeing if the feelings, both okay and good, are still there. Yet, short, round-trip ticket, this time.😊

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Far-reaching

January 26, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson
Feeling within the capacity to be strong enough
Knowing well the reserve of willingness and resilience
Feeling the mirage of perceived limitation
all the time, knowing the goals obtained. As well, projected.

I started talking to my new coach just one week ago and connecting with her again this week, I knew we were a good match. Being yourself without having to prove yourself is one of the nicest places to be.

Safe space lies in authentic encouragement and likewise, in the acknowledgment of skills and accomplishments. Being seen.

Being encouraged to continue to do work that aligns with my passions is satiating. I thank her for the tools to progress even further and to be kind with even the personally coping steps that landed at my past goals, just the same.

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Unlocked

December 31, 2025 by Cassandra Johnson

The stumbling blocks along  the path. Duly recognized.

No reason to be ashamed when what is true is that you made it through.

 A past survived. No need to let go when the world continues to hold on to you.

[May 2026 publications, additions]

Life lessons. Varying. Aptly recognized, I now have more information to take on my next project plus travel endeavors. Maybe there is an enhanced way to complete my translation, teach a student, and travel to South America? There may be parts I can skip altogether.

Without reinventing myself. I can embrace the highlights and the issues I have had to improve my steps and continue helping local and international communities.

A Little Direction

December 30, 2025 by Cassandra Johnson

I took a couple of local trips. Perhaps, I will be able to work something out in January too.

I am working out some combination to include volunteering and working but with some significant changes that work better for my schedule and the assistance I can provide to the organization I choose. I will circle back around as updates come.

The first year of my blog captured a lot of my volunteer thoughts abroad. I highlight Peru and my previous experiences with disaster relief, in particular. I also have some time that touches a little on volunteering in the US. I always wanted to do both, but there are times when I feel it becomes tainted by the leadership structure.

There are other times I joined projects in my home state before doing so in DC, when I first moved to DC, and other projects in places like Ecuador and Bolivia, but what I want to do also becomes limited by my job. Overall I am intrigued to volunteer some more, because I feel it fits well into continuing to learn with others and grow together. This time, perhaps, my efforts will just be a little different. My work experience may lean a lot more to what I can do and also changing who I am.