you through my eyes
By Dalya Cordeiro
This podcast is an adventure in interpersonal relationships. I asked my mother to share three songs she associated with herself. Meanwhile, I compiled my own three-song playlist of tunes that I associated with her. The intent behind this piece was to demonstrate how women perceive themselves versus how other women perceive them. It’s a reminder that there’s strength within each of us that we ourselves cannot always see.
Performance
Process
The idea came to me upon scrolling through some multimedia project ideas on the Girls Write Now website. When I spotted the option of compiling a playlist, I knew it was what I was going to do. Finding a subject was even easier—it’s about time I spoke about my mother. I asked her for some songs and contributed a few of my own. After that, I simply applied them to our relationship and was careful to be both thoughtful and truthful. This podcast was created using Anchor for the audio file and Canva for the promotional image.
Meet the Pair
MENTEE DAYLA CORDEIRO & MENTOR PAIGE CARLOTTI
Dalya’s Anecdote: My mentor is Paige and she’s more than I had ever hoped for. I knew going in that I would want a mentor whose attitude and spirit matched my own, and Paige not only fits that criteria, she flies far beyond it. Armed with a kind hand and a quick wit, Paige has been a superb teacher and a lovely companion. The Starbucks by Queens Plaza South will never be the same after we’ve spent so many Tuesday nights huddling inside it. I’m incredibly grateful for her edits, her laughter, and her constant support of myself and my writing.
Paige’s Anecdote: I feel strange being Dalya’s mentor, as she has far more to teach than I do. I was stunned to find out that English is her second language, given the command she demonstrates and maturity in which she writes. Many girls can be talented writers—which she is, no doubt—but she also has the drive to do something great with this gift. Despite our age difference, our senses of humor are identical (unsure what that says about me…), so meeting up at a Starbucks in Long Island City on Tuesdays always feels more like a privilege and less like an obligation.
Dalya Cordeiro
Dalya Cordeiro is a quick-witted, curious young woman living in Queens, NY with her mother. She is creative, kind and quick to make you smile. Dalya will be starting college in the fall and is eager to study political science, which is a testament to her deep sense of integrity and admirable moral code. Dalya lives to serve others, and her infectious spirit will undoubtedly continue to change this world for the better.
