Could you tell I Puertoricanized KoroKoro Mart?

Oh my goodness what a wild ride. I was barely holding it together!!

In my family, I was taught the term "Puertoricanizing" something meant that we're gonna get things done but it's not gonna look pretty. My dad (Puerto Rican by the way), was an expert. Some times I really don't know what goes on in that head. To others it's "What the heck??" But hey, it get's the job done. That's exactly what happened at Korokoro Mart...

I was quite literally shaking in my boots. My goal was to just. show. up. I had to do my power poses in my car before walking in to set up. After two years of putting off markets, and making excuses, I knew it was time to get back into it, even if I knew I wasn't prepared.

Muscle memory apparently did not exist in this context lol because I completely forgot my set up, my processes, and what I needed. I had these down to a science just a few years ago!!

The night before, I had an amazing friend, @ kays.gf.bakery volunteer to come over and help me prep, and that made me realize how much of a mess everything was. I had no organized system, my sticker binders didn't have any numbers on them, and everything was disorganized. But she did an unbelievable job reassuring me that I am doing great, and that the goal was just to be there. We worked until midnight and I stayed up until 2:30am before  taking a  2.5 hour long nap. I'm not a coffee drinker but oh my the coffee vendor saved my life. 

This was my first time meeting many of you all. Sam was my very first customer and when he told me that he was here because of my Space Log, I was over the MOON!! Thank you Sam! Many of the times I mentioned my Space Log to you all, many of you were like "Oh! That's you!"

It honestly was amazing having conversations with you all, and bonding over our shared fandoms. My anxiety went away so fast!!

Now, behind the table was a whole different story. My friend was an absolute trooper when it came to helping me when I needed a break, because not only was it a mess back there, I realized I hadn't numbered my binders correctly! Talk about a huge set back. 

Either way, we made it through. I did it!! I came out of it with friends, lessons, and a great set of memories. Thank you all so much for joining me. I hope to see you at another DFW Market!!

- Karina