My ink is a way of manifesting my most authentic self by transforming years of self-destructive behaviors into art and self-expression.
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Enter For FreeMy most recent tattoo is a large fighting rooster on my right hip. The rooster is part of my Mexican culture as a symbol of the underdog. This resonates with me, as it represents me growing up as a child of poor hard-working immigrants, earning a PhD, and becoming a college professor. Cock-fighting is a popular sport in Latin America, and I connect with the feeling of being a "warrior" for my family (in fact, that is the meaning of my name).
If your ink could speak, what would it say?My ink is a manifestation of who I am and where I come from. Given a voice, it would tell stories about: Athena, the daughter of Zeus; the conquest of Latin America; the Mexican revolution; the journeys of my parents; my relationship with my family; the cyclical nature of life and death; my rise from the ashes; my battles; and my fierce resilience.
What would you do with the $25,000?I wish I could say it was something extravagant, but truthfully I would use it to make a large payment on my mortgage. As a homeowner and a mother with college debt, it can be challenging to make ends meet. I know how important it is to work toward owning my home and preserve generational wealth for my daughter.
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Body art deserves to be shown off.
