Every sticker has a story
Okay, maybe not every sticker. But the ones on my laptop definitely do. And since I like stories and stickers, today is a good day for you to read about them.
It all started when they told me at work I could not put stickers on the laptop. What do you mean I can’t? I have hundreds of stickers waiting for me to go through a whole decision process to see which ones are lucky enough to get added. I am also a rule follower, so this prohibition was threatening to put an end to my creative side. Cue me complaining to all of my friends about the situation.
Erika from Mixed Neshamot came up with a solution, though. Buy a case. And yes, my slow brain did not think of it, but that’s why my amazing Neshamot community exists. To talk about going through bureaucratic processes in Israel under a partner visa and how to solve my sticker drama. We literally handle it all. And I have a tiny sticker to prove how much they mean to me.
So what do my stickers say? Please behold a picture of me working and posing with my laptop on the 14th floor of my office, because life is better with some cute stickers.
The unicorn with the purple hair was chosen and placed by the kid of my best friend, Mariana, during the last war with Iran. I was working from her place in between alarms, and the youngest wanted to contribute to my creative space. Even though I am very protective of my storytelling, you cannot say no to a kid during war season. Every time I see it, I remember how calm both of her kids were during the alarms, and how much that helped (or forced) me not to lose my center as well.
Notice the theme? I love Friends. It is the kind of show that probably would not be as successful today, but watching it and rewatching it is my comfort space. It is also one of the main sources from which I learned English. Monica taught me cleaning terms in English, Chandler and Phoebe taught me how to be dramatic, and Joey taught me how to detect if someone is flirting with me. I learned English with Friends, Gilmore Girls, The Nanny, and ER, just to name my most-watched shows.
Mushu is my spirit animal, and I am still offended that he was not included in the live-action version of Mulan. Dishonor to their production team for such an offense. And yes, rest assured that I am always judging you. Not in an ‘I’m disappointed in whatever you’re doing’ way, but more like: why are you doing it? Judgment builds critical thinking, and I love it.
Peru, my beloved homeland. Truth be told, I need more Peruvian stickers; maybe on my next trip I will get some. A cute little map of my nation is exactly what I need for people to remember where I come from and what I represent.
See the pink potion? Yes, The Emperor's New Groove is one of my favorite movies. Funnily enough, when I first saw it, I did not connect it to Peru; I just thought it was a very relatable movie. I also added the very old ‘no drama, no llama’ joke, because along with the elephant sticker, if there is no drama, then what are we doing in life?
Notice how I don't have anything Israel-related? Two reasons: one, I am still struggling with my double identity. Two, I sometimes work and travel, and I don’t need some random brainless antisemitic human to spot something Israel-related on me and start a fight that I can guarantee you I will win. I am just too lazy to get into one.
I don’t identify as one, but I am a feminist at my core. I will feel rage when I see women’s rights being taken away. And girl, will I throw you a party when I see you succeed. I hate it when women are considered vulnerable and weak. You got it all wrong. Treat me nicely because if you push the wrong buttons, there is a kaboom waiting for you. And yes, women have less room to make mistakes, but I am here to walk with you through all of them. Do something wrong, accept it, and fix it.
Should I get another case and tell a different story?
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