Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
@wandernarratives.bsky.social
College lecturer by day, storyteller always. Fulbright U.S. Scholar. Aspiring author fueled by wanderlust, weaving borders—real, imagined, & in-between—through words & photos. Doctor Who. PhD in Education. Spain based for now.
More info: linktr.ee/cehm
More info: linktr.ee/cehm
Pinned
I’ve never truly felt like I belonged. On trips or in familiar cities, I still felt out of place. In Spain, that changed; it became home.
Fulbright made that possible. It is more than an award. With it under attack, I’m sharing my story. Want to read more? Check out the link ⬇️
#fulbright #research
Fulbright made that possible. It is more than an award. With it under attack, I’m sharing my story. Want to read more? Check out the link ⬇️
#fulbright #research
December 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Stuck between needing routine but despising it.
Much of it for me is burnout from juggling too much for too long.
Today I tried something different... got up, got dressed, opened Scrivener to write stories for literary magazines instead of lying on the couch.
Small wins.
#Burnout #Writing
Much of it for me is burnout from juggling too much for too long.
Today I tried something different... got up, got dressed, opened Scrivener to write stories for literary magazines instead of lying on the couch.
Small wins.
#Burnout #Writing
December 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reviving my newsletter/Substack, Wanderlust Narratives, after stepping away to figure out my writer/scholar identity in Spain.
Today's post is on why I left, what I learned, and what this space is for.
Read here: substack.com/@wanderlustn...
#newsletter #writing #academia #wanderlust
Today's post is on why I left, what I learned, and what this space is for.
Read here: substack.com/@wanderlustn...
#newsletter #writing #academia #wanderlust
Welcome (Back) to Wanderlust Narratives
Stepping away, coming back, and what this space is for.
substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Reviving my newsletter/Substack, Wanderlust Narratives, after stepping away to figure out my writer/scholar identity in Spain.
Today's post is on why I left, what I learned, and what this space is for.
Read here: substack.com/@wanderlustn...
#newsletter #writing #academia #wanderlust
Today's post is on why I left, what I learned, and what this space is for.
Read here: substack.com/@wanderlustn...
#newsletter #writing #academia #wanderlust
Various street art messages and types (murals, graffiti, stickers, and wheatepaste) throughout San Diego captured over the last month.
#StreetArt #SanDiego #SanDiegoStreetArt #PoliticalArt #PoliticalMessage
#StreetArt #SanDiego #SanDiegoStreetArt #PoliticalArt #PoliticalMessage
December 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Various street art messages and types (murals, graffiti, stickers, and wheatepaste) throughout San Diego captured over the last month.
#StreetArt #SanDiego #SanDiegoStreetArt #PoliticalArt #PoliticalMessage
#StreetArt #SanDiego #SanDiegoStreetArt #PoliticalArt #PoliticalMessage
Are you over 18 and live in San Diego? We want to learn about your views and experiences with street art here in our city and your neighborhood.
tinyurl.com/StreetArtOpi...
#streetart #survey #sandiego #sandiegosurvey #survey #sandiegoart #sandiegostreetart #graffiti #socal #research
tinyurl.com/StreetArtOpi...
#streetart #survey #sandiego #sandiegosurvey #survey #sandiegoart #sandiegostreetart #graffiti #socal #research
December 6, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Are you over 18 and live in San Diego? We want to learn about your views and experiences with street art here in our city and your neighborhood.
tinyurl.com/StreetArtOpi...
#streetart #survey #sandiego #sandiegosurvey #survey #sandiegoart #sandiegostreetart #graffiti #socal #research
tinyurl.com/StreetArtOpi...
#streetart #survey #sandiego #sandiegosurvey #survey #sandiegoart #sandiegostreetart #graffiti #socal #research
🧵 Six months ago today my kids and I moved out of our flat in Málaga, Spain.
A year ago, I was preparing to leave. Between visas and travel plans, stress and grading, I was ready to hop on that plane. (1/2) #fulbright #phd #phdresearcher #grants #livingabroad #travel
A year ago, I was preparing to leave. Between visas and travel plans, stress and grading, I was ready to hop on that plane. (1/2) #fulbright #phd #phdresearcher #grants #livingabroad #travel
December 5, 2025 at 11:01 PM
🧵 Six months ago today my kids and I moved out of our flat in Málaga, Spain.
A year ago, I was preparing to leave. Between visas and travel plans, stress and grading, I was ready to hop on that plane. (1/2) #fulbright #phd #phdresearcher #grants #livingabroad #travel
A year ago, I was preparing to leave. Between visas and travel plans, stress and grading, I was ready to hop on that plane. (1/2) #fulbright #phd #phdresearcher #grants #livingabroad #travel
I just lost the game, thanks to my 11 year old.
And this means you lost the game, too. 🫠
#thegame #milleniallife
And this means you lost the game, too. 🫠
#thegame #milleniallife
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I just lost the game, thanks to my 11 year old.
And this means you lost the game, too. 🫠
#thegame #milleniallife
And this means you lost the game, too. 🫠
#thegame #milleniallife
🧵 (1/2) He always talks about how he's the best at some nonsense.
So, let's make sure to give him a round of applause [sarcasm] for this record breaking facts he can add to his stats sheet:
#governmentshutdown #politics
So, let's make sure to give him a round of applause [sarcasm] for this record breaking facts he can add to his stats sheet:
#governmentshutdown #politics
November 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
🧵 (1/2) He always talks about how he's the best at some nonsense.
So, let's make sure to give him a round of applause [sarcasm] for this record breaking facts he can add to his stats sheet:
#governmentshutdown #politics
So, let's make sure to give him a round of applause [sarcasm] for this record breaking facts he can add to his stats sheet:
#governmentshutdown #politics
Wild to think we have a person in power who believes they're so above the law that it’s justifiable & logical to deny people access to food because they want to take away people's access to health care.
Alas, logic was not the MAGA campaign. Nor was humanization.
#SNAP #governmentshutdown
Alas, logic was not the MAGA campaign. Nor was humanization.
#SNAP #governmentshutdown
November 4, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Wild to think we have a person in power who believes they're so above the law that it’s justifiable & logical to deny people access to food because they want to take away people's access to health care.
Alas, logic was not the MAGA campaign. Nor was humanization.
#SNAP #governmentshutdown
Alas, logic was not the MAGA campaign. Nor was humanization.
#SNAP #governmentshutdown
Elmo went as Luffy from One Piece for Halloween this year.
And the fact he went as a pirate who fights corrupt government rule after PBS and in turn, Sesame Street, had their federal funding cut seems too coincidental to be, well, mere coincidence, and I'm loving it.
#luffy #elmo #sesamestreet
And the fact he went as a pirate who fights corrupt government rule after PBS and in turn, Sesame Street, had their federal funding cut seems too coincidental to be, well, mere coincidence, and I'm loving it.
#luffy #elmo #sesamestreet
November 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Elmo went as Luffy from One Piece for Halloween this year.
And the fact he went as a pirate who fights corrupt government rule after PBS and in turn, Sesame Street, had their federal funding cut seems too coincidental to be, well, mere coincidence, and I'm loving it.
#luffy #elmo #sesamestreet
And the fact he went as a pirate who fights corrupt government rule after PBS and in turn, Sesame Street, had their federal funding cut seems too coincidental to be, well, mere coincidence, and I'm loving it.
#luffy #elmo #sesamestreet
Day 5 in a row of writing. ❤️
October 29, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Day 5 in a row of writing. ❤️
🧵 (1/2) Explain your WIP.
I'll go first. Working on a cool project with @midnightgaea.bsky.social
Our pre-teen main character carries ancestral knowledge of deep resistance, while the neighborhood ravens enact it, believing in the future that humans have given up on or just don't care.
#writing
I'll go first. Working on a cool project with @midnightgaea.bsky.social
Our pre-teen main character carries ancestral knowledge of deep resistance, while the neighborhood ravens enact it, believing in the future that humans have given up on or just don't care.
#writing
October 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
🧵 (1/2) Explain your WIP.
I'll go first. Working on a cool project with @midnightgaea.bsky.social
Our pre-teen main character carries ancestral knowledge of deep resistance, while the neighborhood ravens enact it, believing in the future that humans have given up on or just don't care.
#writing
I'll go first. Working on a cool project with @midnightgaea.bsky.social
Our pre-teen main character carries ancestral knowledge of deep resistance, while the neighborhood ravens enact it, believing in the future that humans have given up on or just don't care.
#writing
February of 2024 I told myself I'd write (non-academic work) daily.
Then life got busy. I had to prepare for Spain. Teaching 8 classes, etc.
Made a decision yesterday that I'd adopt that again.
Yesterday, I wrote 157 words, still significant to me.
Today, I wrote 1,028. ❤️
#writing #writer
Then life got busy. I had to prepare for Spain. Teaching 8 classes, etc.
Made a decision yesterday that I'd adopt that again.
Yesterday, I wrote 157 words, still significant to me.
Today, I wrote 1,028. ❤️
#writing #writer
October 26, 2025 at 7:16 AM
What if we’ve been missing it this whole time?
We’ve always had the answer to life, the universe, and everything, that's clear: 42.
What if the Ultimate Question… was simply a multiplication question after all?
Because, really, two factors of 42 are… 6 and 7. 🫠
#hitchhikersguide #answertolife
We’ve always had the answer to life, the universe, and everything, that's clear: 42.
What if the Ultimate Question… was simply a multiplication question after all?
Because, really, two factors of 42 are… 6 and 7. 🫠
#hitchhikersguide #answertolife
October 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
What if we’ve been missing it this whole time?
We’ve always had the answer to life, the universe, and everything, that's clear: 42.
What if the Ultimate Question… was simply a multiplication question after all?
Because, really, two factors of 42 are… 6 and 7. 🫠
#hitchhikersguide #answertolife
We’ve always had the answer to life, the universe, and everything, that's clear: 42.
What if the Ultimate Question… was simply a multiplication question after all?
Because, really, two factors of 42 are… 6 and 7. 🫠
#hitchhikersguide #answertolife
My friend Rhiana is graduating after a tumultuous journey. She still made Dean's List while working, too. She's always that friend who remembers your birthday and celebrates you. Now she's walking across that stage and I want it to be pure joy, not stress about fees. ❤️ (1/2)
#graduation #gofundme
#graduation #gofundme
October 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
My friend Rhiana is graduating after a tumultuous journey. She still made Dean's List while working, too. She's always that friend who remembers your birthday and celebrates you. Now she's walking across that stage and I want it to be pure joy, not stress about fees. ❤️ (1/2)
#graduation #gofundme
#graduation #gofundme
What do you admire about yourself? It's so easy to get bogged down by the world, pressures, and narratives that exist out there. So, what is something you find really beautiful about yourself?
October 17, 2025 at 5:29 AM
What do you admire about yourself? It's so easy to get bogged down by the world, pressures, and narratives that exist out there. So, what is something you find really beautiful about yourself?
As a former Starbucks "partner," the irony isn't lost on me. They shut down stores with little/no notice; some employees even showed up to work only to find out they'd lost their jobs.
Boycotts work: $12B loss for Target, $4B for Hulu.
Another reason to skip the bux? Here you go.
Boycotts work: $12B loss for Target, $4B for Hulu.
Another reason to skip the bux? Here you go.
September 29, 2025 at 5:20 AM
As a former Starbucks "partner," the irony isn't lost on me. They shut down stores with little/no notice; some employees even showed up to work only to find out they'd lost their jobs.
Boycotts work: $12B loss for Target, $4B for Hulu.
Another reason to skip the bux? Here you go.
Boycotts work: $12B loss for Target, $4B for Hulu.
Another reason to skip the bux? Here you go.
Transitioning back to SD has been rough, but I finally visited @mystgalaxybooks.bsky.social. I haven't been since they were in Clairemont (and been going since 2005.)
I took my kids & 2 good friends. It was a nice reminder of what community can look & feel like, even if you don't know everybody.❤️
I took my kids & 2 good friends. It was a nice reminder of what community can look & feel like, even if you don't know everybody.❤️
September 15, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Transitioning back to SD has been rough, but I finally visited @mystgalaxybooks.bsky.social. I haven't been since they were in Clairemont (and been going since 2005.)
I took my kids & 2 good friends. It was a nice reminder of what community can look & feel like, even if you don't know everybody.❤️
I took my kids & 2 good friends. It was a nice reminder of what community can look & feel like, even if you don't know everybody.❤️
Reposted by Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
🧵If we care about public health, how can we ignore the forced starvation and genocide of the people in Gaza
Zainab was 5 months old. She needed dairy-free formula for a milk protein allergy. There was none. She starved to death. She is one of thousands. Look at her face. Say her name. Take action.👇
Zainab was 5 months old. She needed dairy-free formula for a milk protein allergy. There was none. She starved to death. She is one of thousands. Look at her face. Say her name. Take action.👇
July 29, 2025 at 9:23 PM
🧵If we care about public health, how can we ignore the forced starvation and genocide of the people in Gaza
Zainab was 5 months old. She needed dairy-free formula for a milk protein allergy. There was none. She starved to death. She is one of thousands. Look at her face. Say her name. Take action.👇
Zainab was 5 months old. She needed dairy-free formula for a milk protein allergy. There was none. She starved to death. She is one of thousands. Look at her face. Say her name. Take action.👇
Wild how the anti-mask crowd of 2020, a mask that helped save lives, suddenly became pro-mask in 2025 when the kidnappers of ICE started using them to conceal their identity during kidnappings.
It's almost like it had nothing to do with freedom or their ability to breathe. Shocking. 🙄
It's almost like it had nothing to do with freedom or their ability to breathe. Shocking. 🙄
July 29, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Wild how the anti-mask crowd of 2020, a mask that helped save lives, suddenly became pro-mask in 2025 when the kidnappers of ICE started using them to conceal their identity during kidnappings.
It's almost like it had nothing to do with freedom or their ability to breathe. Shocking. 🙄
It's almost like it had nothing to do with freedom or their ability to breathe. Shocking. 🙄
Remember when anti-DEI Target lost $12B? Paramount gets 67% from TV & 24% from streaming. If you're pissed they axed @colbertlateshow.bsky.social to focus on boot-licking & Trump foot-kissing, remember: when folks bail en masse, it hits hard. Just ask Target how that worked out.
July 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Remember when anti-DEI Target lost $12B? Paramount gets 67% from TV & 24% from streaming. If you're pissed they axed @colbertlateshow.bsky.social to focus on boot-licking & Trump foot-kissing, remember: when folks bail en masse, it hits hard. Just ask Target how that worked out.
If you're a student at SDSU and you're looking for a cool new class to take for fall, consider taking Sociology 496: Visual Methods with me.
A few things planned: photograph, picture books, and more. But! I need about 6 more folks to sign up.
Interested? Let me know.
#sdsu #sociology #fallclasses
A few things planned: photograph, picture books, and more. But! I need about 6 more folks to sign up.
Interested? Let me know.
#sdsu #sociology #fallclasses
July 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
If you're a student at SDSU and you're looking for a cool new class to take for fall, consider taking Sociology 496: Visual Methods with me.
A few things planned: photograph, picture books, and more. But! I need about 6 more folks to sign up.
Interested? Let me know.
#sdsu #sociology #fallclasses
A few things planned: photograph, picture books, and more. But! I need about 6 more folks to sign up.
Interested? Let me know.
#sdsu #sociology #fallclasses
I'm convinced Your Idol did its job so well, that now the algorithms are actually just reflective of Saja Boys' hold on all of us, so we just keep playing the songs and the movie on repeat.
And honestly, I'm cool with it.
#kpopdemonhunters #kdh #movie #sajaboys
And honestly, I'm cool with it.
#kpopdemonhunters #kdh #movie #sajaboys
July 15, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I'm convinced Your Idol did its job so well, that now the algorithms are actually just reflective of Saja Boys' hold on all of us, so we just keep playing the songs and the movie on repeat.
And honestly, I'm cool with it.
#kpopdemonhunters #kdh #movie #sajaboys
And honestly, I'm cool with it.
#kpopdemonhunters #kdh #movie #sajaboys
I really should be writing, trying to take some pieces of my dissertation, finished a while ago, and turning them into articles, but instead I keep dancing to Golden, Soda Pop, and Your Idol, so I guess tenure-track possibilities can wait. 😅 #phdlife #kpopdemonhunter
July 13, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I really should be writing, trying to take some pieces of my dissertation, finished a while ago, and turning them into articles, but instead I keep dancing to Golden, Soda Pop, and Your Idol, so I guess tenure-track possibilities can wait. 😅 #phdlife #kpopdemonhunter