Cecilia Garcia Luengas is a junior English Language and Literature major. She transferred from Southeastern Community College in Keokuk, Iowa. Garcia is originally from Mexico but moved to the U.S. at the beginning of 2017. “Over the past eight years, she discovered a solace and freedom in a once-foreign vocabulary and grammar that prompted within her a flourishing fondness for the English language. Garcia enjoys writing poetry, creative nonfiction, and various types of fiction, including horror. She also loves to sing, play with her two cats, read, and look for new ways to stay involved in her community” (Garcia Everyday English).

M&L: What is your favourite virtue?

Empathy.

M&L: What are your favourite qualities in other people?

Unabashed authenticity, compassion, and transparency.

M&L: What is your chief characteristic?

I don’t think I have a solid answer for this. It is a very subjective question, and I don’t know that I would trust my own answer. I would trust what my friends may say, but I do not know their answers.

M&L: What do you appreciate the most in your friends?

Self-disclosure. Most of my friendships are mid to long-distance, so we do not see each other as often as we would like, and I’ve learned the lesson regarding how important it is to stay in touch, even about the simplest things. Updating each other every few months is not enough, so if we don’t meet up as often, at least we’re texting/calling somewhat regularly. 

M&L: What is your main fault?

My fundamental fear of asking for help. I am constantly working on it, but it has been a part of my life for far too long that I truly struggle to address and confront it. 

M&L: What is your favourite occupation?

Anything arts and crafts related. Or singing. 

M&L: What is your idea of happiness?

Being appreciated and laughing with my loved ones.

M&L: What is your idea of misery?

Seeing someone I love suffer. 

M&L: If not yourself, who would you be?

I don’t know exactly how to answer this. I’m extremely grateful to be able to say that I am comfortable enough with who I have become to not visualize myself as anyone else. At least not in a self-depricating way. I guess, if I was not myself, I would like to be someone like Greta Thunberg. 

M&L: Where would you like to live?

I would like to live in Chicago or maybe around Pachuca (north-central Mexico). I really enjoy the freedom that I feel walking around Chicago. There are always things to do and I love having access to public transportation. The area around Pachuca, which I’ve never personally visited, sounds peaceful in a very pastoral sense. There are gorgeous forests around the region, and the landscape is charming enough to combat the downsides of living in a smaller, semi-rural area. 

M&L: What is your favourite colour and flower?

My favorite color is green, specifically the shades of the forest and sage green. My favorite flowers are lilys and orchids. 

M&L: What is your favourite bird?

My pretentious answer: Quetzals. They are majestic birds, but the main reason I love them is their colors, and because some people regard them as a symbol of identity in southern Mexico and other parts of Central America. Now, my more “humble” and truthful answer would be ravens. I love that they can immitate human speech and are just incredibly intelligent. I also love the way their feathers reflect the light. Their personalities are fascinating to me.

M&L: Who are your favourite living prose authors?

Agustina Bazterrica, Leigh Bardugo, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia. 

M&L: Who are your favourite poets?

Irma Pineda, Amado Nervo, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes.

M&L: Who are your favourite painters and composers?

Jose Clemente Orozco, Joseph Wright of Derby, Aliza Nisenbaum, Alexandre Desplat and Ludwig Göransson.