Not being able to explain certain events can be a scary thing. From that fear comes stories trying to make sense of why things are happening. This is what is happening with a local tourist attraction in the Killeen area. The Maxdale bridge is often visited for its beauty and relaxing atmosphere during the day. At night that happy and relaxing atmosphere is replaced with almost a feeling of dread and unrest. Unexplainable events have been reported by various individuals who went out to the bridge on a whim to see something or to impress a girl like in the article from Backpackerverse. Reports seem to range from strange noises, what appears to be some invisible person breathing, to bodies in the shallow river. Despite this heavy traffic of paranormal conspiracies' the bridge remains a positive image as the backdrop of many wedding, prom, and even a few engagement photos. Here is where you can catch a glimpse of the bridge provided by a user on YouTube called furiouzzzz. He provides as clear of an examination of the bridges "Current" state. I was unable to make it over to the area due to certain life events. The bridge itself is full of rich history waiting to whiteness and learn. The main reason of focus is that it appears as if it was some ordinary bridge from some little know town but it is know all across the states as if it was some grand historical place like Alcatraz.
Brenda Berenice Sanchez Avila is a 45-year-old woman who immigrated to the united states around ten years ago at the age of 35. She has had to face several challenges with one of them being the language barrier. In her own words, she describes how “it has been difficult because, when I got here I didn’t speak any English". She also had to overcome the challenge of moving here as an adult with a well-established life in Mexico; arguably be one of the hardest things to get accustomed to because of the culture shock that happens; with Brenda often saying how hard it was to get used to the customs here. Yet, even with all of those challenges and obstacles, she has been able to build a life here that she’s proud of. She has been able to obtain her green card, her citizenship, and she even graduated from college in 2019 at the age of 43.
Brenda was born in Irapuato, Mexico in 1976, she grew up alongside 7 of her siblings, her being the 6th one for a total of 8 kids. Growing up, Brenda and her siblings grew up with only their mother as their parental figure; however, this didn’t stop her from dreaming big, with dreams of moving away to different countries and exploring the world. Brenda also always looked different from her siblings and the other kids she grew up around, being born with pale skin, blonde hair, and striking blue eyes. Looking different from the other kids brought her attention from the people around her. People often told her she looked Russian, and people who had just met her would be shocked at the sound of her speaking Spanish. Years later, Brenda got married, and within four years, she immigrated to another country for the first time. Along with her two kids and husband, she immigrated to the country of Russia. Just as other people had asked her if she was Russian during her younger years, she moved to Russia out of pure coincidence. Yet, this emphasizes something Brenda is always saying “Siempre llama las cosas que quieres y vendrán”, which means “always call the things that you want, and they will come”.
After Russia, Brenda moved back to Mexico where she had her third child. 7 and a half years later Brenda along with her family decided to move to a new country, the United States. More specifically Waco, Texas, this however also presented a bigger challenge for Brenda. Simply because, unlike Russia, this move to the United States was going to last much longer. She first arrived here in July of 2011, quickly moving into an apartment with her family. During the first years of the change, Brenda struggled with her English and the language barrier that she encountered every day. However, even with not knowing English, Brenda decided to go back and finish school just as she had always dreamed. She started out taking classes at Calvary church in Waco and completed her GED in the year 2016. Soon after, Brenda joined Mclennan community college and graduated in 2019 with an assistant degree in accounting. Once again achieving one of her long-held dreams.
Even though the language barrier produced some problems, Brenda was able to learn a concrete amount of English, and along with her family, they decided to enter the long process of becoming naturalized citizens of the United States. A process that lasted the family over eight years to complete. Before becoming citizens the family had to become permanent residents first, Brenda and her husband spent days and weeks organizing their papers, and 5 years after moving here they obtained their green cards. However, it wouldn’t be until four years later in the year 2020, that Brenda was able to obtain her citizenship. She often expressed how thankful she was to be able to obtain it often saying it’s “one of my biggest accomplishments”.
Throughout her time here Brenda has been able to not only form a new life for herself, but she has also obtained her permanent residency and her citizenship; which, is something many immigrants dreams of obtaining. She also managed to obtain her GED and eventually obtained her associate's degree. From the moment she arrived here she decided to step up and do everything in her power to not let the fact she had no actual knowledge of the language and culture slow her down. In her own words, Brenda describes being an immigrant with “For me being an immigrant means adapting to the country that is adopting you”. Which is something that resonates with immigrants all over the country like myself.
Have you ever wandered into the Earthbound Trading Co. store in Richland Mall and been curious about the pretty rocks they have for sale? Those crystals, aka the pretty rocks, that you spotted can actually have more purpose than just pretty decoration on your shelf. Although, if that is what you want to do then go right ahead. However, crystals can benefit you and your spiritual self in many simple ways! However, in order to understand how these pretty rocks can benefit you, you must understand what spirituality means. The definition is more complex than a simple x-y-z definition. According to takingcharge.csh.umn.edu is a sense of connection to something greater and also finding meaning in life. Being in touch with your spirituality can lead to a positive lifestyle. Spirituality acts as a highway and the crystals are the cars giving and taking from you. Crystals, like cars, can come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. The crystal that is meant for you is based on what you are needing and wanting in life currently. There are questions that you must ask yourself when looking for the right one for you. For example a good easy question to ponder would be “What am I needing the most right now?” So for instance if you are currently needing some more love in your life, rose quartz would be the crystal to help out with that.
Now that you have asked yourself what you need, it is time to look up which crystal will best fit those needs! The list of every single crystal would be entirely too long to flip through, however, there are some “starter” crystals that can be more easily found throughout stores, according to hellostudents.co.uk. Those are: Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Carnelian, Citrine, Garnet, Hematite, Jade, Malachite, Obsidian, Opal, Pyrite, Smokey Quartz, Tiger’s Eye, and lastly Turquoise. I know that was a long list to go through, but when you compare it to the list of every single crystal that exists it is not that long. Each of the crystals listed has their own purpose that can bring you different things. Amethyst is the most common of all. They are great for bringing you spiritual awareness and protection. Amethyst can be used during meditation as well! You can find amethyst in tumbled form and also bracelet/jewelry form! Clear Quartz is the second most common crystal. This can be described more as like a sandbox crystal. You can charge it and use it for essentially anything. It is a great choice if you are looking for a crystal that can do more than one thing! Lapis Lazuli is great if you are needing help on focusing or relieving any sadness. Moonstone is a great choice if what you are looking for is more peace and a soothed digestive system! Rose Quartz is the crystal of love. This crystals banishes any anger and boosts the love in your relationships, including the relationship you have with yourself. Carnelian will be helpful in boosting your creativity. Citrine is a crystal that is known for assisting with self-esteem, money, and success. It would be a great crystal to obtain if you are looking for more confidence and money in your pocket! Garnet is if you're looking to improve your health. Hematite is said to help keep out negative energy. It is also good for protection and grounding! Jade is the crystal that will boost your ambition. Malachite is the crystal associated with your mental state and mental illness. It is said that this crystal will bring forth strong emotions that you are needing whether they are positive or not so purchase with caution. Obsidian is for protection, Opal balances mood swings, Pyrite is great for defense, and Smokey Quartz is great for stimulating your survival instincts, Tiger’s Eye is perfect for integrity, and lastly Turquoise is said to guard against disease!
Now that you know a little more about what some common crystals can bring you. It’s time for you to go and find them. Waco offers the Richland Mall which houses Earthbound Trading Co. inside, however, if you are wanting to experience a store that is more spiritual than Celestial Sisters is the perfect shop. It is a cozy metaphysical shop off of Hewitt Drive that offers an entire room worth of crystals to choose from. They have all different sizes and shapes and even sell bracelets and crystal pendants to put on your jewelry! This little shop is a great experience for you and your spiritual self. If you are simply looking for a pretty rock to place as decoration or to dive into a spiritual journey, Celestial Sisters offers it all.
Crystals can be used as bracelets on your wrists, decoration on your shelf, or even placed in your pocket when you are needing it the most. If you are in the Waco area and have been curious about crystals then Celestial Sisters is the place for you! Best of luck if you are taking on a spiritual journey!
