Oye Mijita, Your Señora is Showing
One day, you're the kid yelling "Car!" mid-game, and the next, you're the one coming down the street, on your way home from work. You don’t notice the shift—when you stop being part of the game and start yielding to it. Suddenly, I’m the one frustratingly turning off all the lights in the house, cringing at kids running around without sweaters, and—most recently—craving un pinche caldo in 90-degree weather. The señora in me is getting as loud as your mom around her comadres.
A few seasons back, I joined my prima for a Galentine’s Day celebration. I didn’t know anyone, but the idea of it being a bunch of girls from Long Beach and Pacoima felt reassuring. It was a pijama potluck sort of thing—I did my best to look the part, so me peiné y me maquillé muy cute, threw on a vintage pink robe over some sweats, y ahí vamos.
We arrived a bit late, so seating was awkward and conversations were already flowing. Initially, my prima and I kept to ourselves, enjoying the music, when a few girls sat in front of us. One caught me vibing and just matched my energy—before we knew it, we were putting on a Don Omar concert, free of charge.
After my set was over, introductions were made, and I wrapped my robe tightly in true señora fashion—like I was settling onto the couch to watch the latest episode of my novela. Nos sirvieron unos postres, and we started talking about the absurdity of singing that song since we were kids. For context, Dile by Don Omar is about THAT guy at the club—hyping up a night of seduction, control, and pure confidence. We sat there, laughing at the parallel between who we thought we were and the truth—sweaty, awkward 12-year-olds in our Aeropostale hoodies screaming, ¡otra noche, otra! Who did we think we were?
To further underline the moment, homegirl brought a whole-ass gelatina to the party. If that’s not the most señora thing I’ve ever seen, I don’t know what is. In her defense, it wasn’t the mosaic one with the colorful cuadritos, so te lo paso—it did have uvas in it though. We sat there, cackling, clapping, drinking, and just like that, we affirmed our onset-señorada. Al fin, nos despedimos, made sure to get everyone, and headed home. With leftovers in hand, I was glad to have brought my bata because it was cold y no aguanto el frío!
In the days following that night, I reflected on the "weight" of my age. While I didn't pull up with flan or finish the night with a cafecito, ya no soy niña. At 29, I’ve started recognizing the small but significant things that define who I am. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for what it means to be a woman, a señora in my Mexican culture. It’s been an enlightening, frustrating, humbling, scary, and empowering journey. Like osmosis, I’ve gradually absorbed the talents, traumas, strengths, pains, and powers of the señoras around me—whether it’s learning how to make a killer pozole or understanding how to nurture others in need.
As I reflect on these gifts—and, at times, curses—I’ve come to accept the challenge of sifting through what’s been handed to me. Just like the tin cookie box and the tub of butter that hold neither cookies nor butter: I don’t always get what I want, but I always get what I need. I’m learning to take what serves me and leave the rest behind without feeling guilty for establishing a difference between the two.
Al fin del día, I think I’m settling into my señorada quite nicely, but te llamo pa’tras, comadre, ¡se me queman los frijoles!
un pinche caldo – a damn soup
señora – a woman
prima – female cousin
pijama – pajama
me peiné y me maquillé muy cute – I did my hair and makeup really cute
ahí vamos – off we go
nos sirvieron unos postres – they served us some desserts
viejas – old ladies
Dile – Tell him (Dile by Don Omar, 2003. Do yourself a favor and ask Spotify)
¡otra noche, otra! – one more night, one more! (lyrics)
al fin, nos despedimos - finally, we say goodbye
bata - robe
y no aguanto el frío! - I can’t handle the cold!
gelatina – gelatin dessert
cuadritos – little squares/cubes
te lo paso – I’ll let it slide or I’ll give you a pass
uvas - grapes
ya no soy niña – I’m not a little girl anymore
pozole – a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy and meat (Do some field research)
cafecito – coffee
al fin del día – at the end of the day
te llamo pa’tras – I’ll call you back
¡se me queman los frijoles! – my beans are burning!
