Get to Know, Yours Truly

Welcome to all the girls, gays, and the theys. My name is Jasmyn Castro, a twenty-something-year-old teenage girl on a mission to dominate a post-grad life.

Here, you’ll find reflections on the highs and lows of adulthood - from the exciting moments of triumph to the inevitable setbacks that will come along. Figuring out your career path to navigating relationships, managing finances, and prioritizing self-care, are only a few things that will be discussed. But first, for us to get to know each other a little better here are four super dupper cool facts about me: 

Isn't he beautiful?

My Husband is The Weeknd (not fr)

Yes, it’s true, my husband is The Weeknd. He just doesn’t know about it yet. 

Let me transport you back in time to circa 2012 when Drake released the iconic song “Crew Love” ft. The Weeknd. Picture me, a small middle schooler with a flip-over side bang, shoulder-length bob, wearing an oversized giant hoodie, sitting in my Spanish class. The teacher had just given us free time. She goes to turn on the radio and there it is. Drakes's voice fills the room. Do you have the scene now? Great. Now as the song began playing I froze. It was during this moment I became enthralled, captivated, and consumed with the voice that I now recognize as my husband. Quickly, I looked up the lyrics on my iPhone 4 in hopes of finding a new song to repeatedly play while riding on the school bus back home.

But in all seriousness, my love for The Weeknd developed from my passion for his music. It wasn’t until the release of “Beauty Behind the Madness” that my admiration truly blossomed. He took me into his world enriched with passion, pain, love, and longing. His lyrics were raw and honest, painting vivid portraits of love lost and found, of late nights and early mornings, of recklessness and redemption. He’s just unapologetically himself which is something middle school me and I now admire. 

Me and Five Guys go way back.

Eat, Eat, Eat

One of my greatest passions is exploring the world through its culinary gifts. Growing up, one of my fondest memories was being taken out to different restaurants by my family, specifically my Uncle Tony. From cozy and authentic street eats to exotic eateries in New York City, each dining experience sparked a sense of excitement and wonder within me. 

I remember the anticipation as we walked through the doors of a new restaurant. The ambiance of the restaurant overcame my senses as we were greeted and escorted to our table. With each meal, I found myself going on a new journey of discovery, eager to sample flavors and textures I wouldn’t have imagined. Each bite transported me into the role of Remy from Ratatouille (one of my favorite movies when I was younger) experiencing food as colors, shapes, and music. 

But, the ultimate culinary artist in my eyes is my mother. With her apron tied snugly around her waist, she effortlessly transforms the simplest ingredients into works of art. From a mixture of soul food to an array of delicate cakes and pies that captivate the taste buds. 

While we were living in New York my mother owned a bakery and I was always amazed how she was able to put her heart and soul into every recipe. Even to this day, I love sitting at the kitchen counter (when she allows me) watching her work, and hearing her share memories of cooking with her uncle, while hoping she lets me taste all the food before the final product. I swear, in my entire twenty-something years of living, I have never heard anyone regret tasting my mother's food.  

As I grew older, this transformed into more than just a way to satisfy my hunger - it became a passion. I found myself diving deeper into the world of food, eagerly watching YouTube videos of food travelers, and imagining myself experiencing the culture. Looking back, I realize those early experiences of being taken out to different restaurants played a vital role in shaping my love for food.

Mwah, no skips

Playlist Connoisseur

‘Playlist connoisseur’- someone who possesses a refined taste and expertise in curating playlists, for music streaming platforms or personal enjoyment. 

I get giddy knowing I’ve been honored as the designated music friend. The knowledge that my friends trust me to provide a mood for whatever occasion we’re about to encounter is truly something special. Are we just driving around? Check. Feeling sad? I got you boo. Are the girls getting ready for a night out? Already done. 

Curating playlists is my form of expression, a way to mix genres, artists, and sounds to create something special for each occasion. When I see the headbobs or feel the energy shift in the room as my carefully curated playlists come to life, it fills me with an amount of serotonin that is indescribable. 

Heaven

Loves reading 

Like many others, my journey into the world of reading began with the iconic duo: Harry Potter and Wattpad. Reading has always been one of my sanctuaries, introducing me (or including me, for the girls who know you know) to fascinating characters, and even inspiring me to put pen to paper myself. 

However, as I navigated through college, the demands and extracurricular activities began to overshadow my desire to read. I found myself caught in a cycle: eagerly purchasing books to read, only to watch them gather dust on a constantly growing to-be-read list. But, for the new year, I’ve made a promise to myself: to reignite my love for reading by delving into at least one book each month. 

But this blog isn’t just about me; it’s about us- a community of people who at the end of the day… are just girls, gays, or they. I aim to create a space to connect, relate, and learn from each other’s journeys. Here’s to embracing the uncertainties, celebrating the victories, and cherishing every moment along the way. “May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, angels protect you and Heaven accept you” or whatever Drake said.  

Peace out Girl Scouts!