Sigma Tau Delta 2023 National Convention: Day One

Hello, again! Today was the day that I flew out to Denver, Colorado to spend about five days engaged in a conference. The theme of this year's conference is "Colorful Colorado," which hinges on the idea of Colorado being a colorful and vibrant state inherent in inspiring writing. Additionally, the conference is working to highlight writers of color, namely, Toni Morrison. Brenda Peynado, author of The Rock Eaters, will also be present to deliver the Keynote Address. Peynado's novel of short stories bend genres of magical realism, fantasy, and science fiction together to explore questions of what it is like to be an "other" in different scenarios, and how we can strive to love in a world set on building walls. Ultimately, it bares the complexity of humanity and human nature as being both harsh but also marvelous and beautiful. The convention theme is one that has really interested me, and I was given the honor of being accepted to present my original work as well as serve as a chair for another poetry session. Here is a link to the conference website, in case anyone is interested in learning more about it. 

I started my morning at 3:00 AM by packing up the last of my things in a suitcase, dressing in comfy leggings and a sweater, and getting a ride to the airport from my poor dad, who also had to be up this early. Thankfully, the lines were short and I got through security with time to spare. 

The plane ride over to Denver was short, but enjoyable. I ended up with a window seat and no one next to me even though I was super late checking into my flight yesterday, so I would call that a win! I enjoyed watching the sunrise out of the window of the plane and nodding off while listening to music. 

When I got into the airport, I took an Uber to the hotel that I will be staying at and where the conference sessions will be hosted. My Uber driver, Rob, was a chatty fellow with some wise things to say. When he heard I was from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, he talked a lot about the recent homicides and expressed concern for all of the trauma that the community has been through. He also talked extensively about his volunteerism at the Wild Animal Sanctuary here in Colorado, where he spends his time talking with visitors about the animals that are currently housed there. He asked a lot about my life goals and what my conference presentation was about, and was happy to engage with me in all my nerdy scholastic talk. He said my parents should be proud (Are you reading, mom and dad?) and said that I would go on to do wonderful things in life, which was definitely a needed confidence-booster for the day. 

Upon arriving at the hotel, there was some confusion with the check-in process between myself, my roommate, and the Sheraton, so I spent some time in the lounge answering emails and working on job applications. After getting into my room, I have been spending time preparing for the week and getting some work done. I took a long nap once I was able to get into bed, and then woke up to tutor two of my fourth-grade students in reading and writing. They were fun to work with and are excited for their upcoming Spring Break. Between working with the kiddos and writing cover letters and supplementals for different grants, awards, and jobs I have my eye on, I have been catching up on blog posts and reading The Rock Eaters by Brenda Peynado. I hope to have it finished before her Keynote Address on Thursday so that I can have her sign it after the address. It is a phenomenal novel, and I would recommend to anyone who is even a bit curious about it. 

Around dinnertime, I did leave the hotel to grab some food for the week, as the only food items I had with me were four granola bars, which I don't think is enough to responsibly survive on. Also, being a poor college student, I don't want to be going out to eat for every meal. I got a couple sandwiches, a few veggie salads, some soups, iced coffees, and of course a jar of pickles. There is an empanada café across the street that I have my eye on, so maybe I will visit that as well as a small treat. 

As for the rest of my time here, I will primarily be in sessions, watching and taking notes from other very successful writers and students across the country. I present on Thursday and am acting as session chair for a poetry session on Friday. I do also have some work to get done on various applications, schoolwork, and projects that I have running right now, but I am hoping to get some time to explore the city a bit. It is Spring Break, after all! There is a heated rooftop pool in this hotel, so I will definitely be checking that out one of these nights, and a pretty nice gym that I can see myself in, too. Outside of the hotel, I am hoping to visit the Denver Art Museum, Modern Contemporary Art Museum, Botanical Gardens, and Tattered Cover Bookstore. Each of these are a bit of a walk, but it will be good for me to get outside of the hotel. I can already tell that staying in this single building for a majority of the time here is going to be a challenge; I am someone who is happiest moving around and discovering things, and the Denver area is such a beautiful region for hiking and outdoor activities. However, I just don't think this trip will be the time for me to do any of those things, which is a bit of a bummer to me, but also provides more motivation to make it back here soon. I'm coming back for these mountains, for sure. 

My roommate, Alexandra, arrives tomorrow morning, and I am excited to get to meet her and talk more about conference stuff with her. We seem to get along very well over text, so I am hoping it's the same situation in person, too. I am excited for the learning opportunities these next few days will provide, and will make sure to keep the blog updated. 

Happy trails for today!