Back To The Mushroom Kingdom | Chronicles Of The Young Immigrant Women
nalu romano
In ten days I’ll be returning to New York. In ten days my life will restart. I kinda feel in a Mario game: never played, heard about, know maybe a rule or two about winning this thing but definitely have no clue how to jump without falling. Anyways I have decided to write about it with my own conceptions. In 10 days I’ll be back to the Mushroom Kingdom. Though I love mushrooms enough not to crush them… This time I’ll have to learn how to smash-the-fuck-out-of what’s in front of me no matter the taste or how much I wish I could use them in a happy-recipe. The best part about facing this chapter as a video game is the illusion I’m in control of everything. Worst part is the time I waste “jokesying” terrible situations and inventing words such as “jokesying.” I could’ve just said I’m wasting time finding comic relief but then it wouldn’t be me (or this column). Recap: the strategy is to keep thinking Mario but no time to save a princess. She’s been doing fine without me, thank you. Mario journey this time is to keep on walking. Which makes me wonder if I’ll ever be a stable player in my life as an immigrant. No wonder why Mario has a latino name. A guy going through places he’s never been before (otherwise he wouldn’t need help to see the way), among with friends from different nationalities and races and shapes: definitely not stable. Mario, I feel you. In ten days I’ll get home to pack up and leave one more time. Robotic steps towards the end of a phase. Collecting special effects to defend myself. Getting stronger as I learn the tricks not to die over and over again as I live. No ring in my finger nor rings to stop me: a basic outfit (yet super original and trendy) comfortable enough to all seasons coming. Does Mario have a soundtrack? Because I’m going mute this time. Dramatically and unapologetically in silence. It’s fun to think life is giving me one more chance to restart the game. I’ll lose, though. Because we always do. But the Mushroom Kingdom will never close its doors for the bad players. That’s why I love it there. See you in ten days, New York.