Rich Conversations: 036. Othela Longoria

Native Chicagoan, Othela Longoria, discusses her experience living in various neighborhoods of the city, including Hermosa. Topics range from Yu-Gi-Oh, learning how to drive in Chicago, and personal struggles and how she overcame them.

How are you doing during the coronavirus situation?

It hasn’t really affected me as badly as it has affected the rest of the city. I still have a job and have been working a lot longer and harder hours. It’s very intense. I’m a pharmacy technician in Gold Coast.

How has your routine changed?

Well, I can’t walk into a Starbucks anymore and get my coffee. I make me coffee from home now.

What’s something new you’re doing or feeling that surprised you?

I definitely feel a lot more appreciated at my job. Lately they’ve all been humbled and nicer to me. They’re just really thankful that I’m helping them out right now. It makes a difference in how we help them as well.

So how long have you lived in Chicago?

I was born and raised here in Chicago. I was born in the Humboldt Park area and then grew up mostly in Logan Square, which is a lot different  now than when I grew up. It’s a lot more fun and lively now. There’s a skatepark. I wish we had that when I was younger. The neighborhoods I identify with most would either be Logan or Hermosa. We have the best tacos in my neighborhood. They haven’t lost their touch. They haven’t lost their roots.

If you have an open day, how do you normally spend it?

I would either prepare for upcoming conventions. I’m really big on cosplay. If not, I’ll be either at the gym, running around with my dog, or doing errands. Sometimes I’ll go to the forest preserve.

When you think of Chicago, what colors do you imagine first?

Lots of blues. I remember as a kid, my grandmother took me on this water taxi. If you’re sitting in just the right spot, when the sky is completely clear, the sky reflects off the water and the water reflects off the sky. It makes you feel underwater. It is the most beautiful thing. That stuck with me. It’s one of the most incredible things. I’ve never seen so many blues in any other city.

What’s your proudest moment as a Chicagoan?

I’ve been to almost every Chicago event at least once. I would say there was one year for Lollapalooza, when it was raining and the wind was blowing so hard. They evacuated Millennium Park. I headed for the train and did not get lost for the first time. That was 2017.

If a friend were to visit you from out of town, what restaurant would you take them to?

Easy. Hands down. You have to go to Wasabi. I’ve been to a lot of gourmet ramen places, because I like food, legendary. Their pork buns are amazing. They have a really huge bar. Every single person I take there loves it.

What’s your hidden gem in the city?

Ignite gaming lounge. There’s one in the city and one in the suburbs. It’s very affordable. They have this whole area with computers where you can just play League and World of Warcraft. It’s so much fun. They have these big TVs and projectors where you can play SuperSmash Bros. They have every X-Box and PlayStation game. But most importantly, they have a Rock Band room. You and your friends can play Rock Band for two hours. That place is absolutely amazing.

By myself would probably just be Riis Park. It’s in the Austin neighborhood. They have this willow tree. It was definitely a place I used to skip school with my friends and play Yu-Gi-Oh! there.

What sound do you most affiliate with Chicago?

It’s between the honking and the sirens. Very passive aggressive honking.

What music has been the most influential on you during your time in the city?

That’s a hard one. It always changes. It’s always different. When I was in elementary school, R&B and rap was definitely the thing. I grew up in old Logan Square when it was very diverse at the time. Everybody was a minority in the neighborhood. We had our Reggaeton. That was really big. As I got older and moved around, rock music was what I listened to. I found other people that listened to rock music. I was in ballet, so I listened to a lot of Jazz. I did some Spanish dancing and exploring my roots. Music is something that’s hard to pinpoint. Our lives are always changing. It depends on your experience and the people around you. If I were to say one: Spanish music has always been a huge influence. The neighborhood has a lot of roots, even though everything is becoming more Americanized, there’s a refusal to not forget it.

If Chicago were to be destroyed, what’s one quality you would choose to keep to rebuild the city?

The oldest buildings in the city. The ones by Water Tower Place that look like castles. Every time I go by them, I get this feeling of hope. It shows you can withstand anything. You can get through it.

What’s a personal mantra or philosophy that guides you?

There’s something my dad told me as a kid. “The most beautiful things in this world are creativity, intelligence, and humor.” I’ve always followed that in my life.

Describe the best day of your life.

I randomly decided to go to New York on a spur of the moment trip. While I was out there, I ran into a friend who was just there. He was supposed to be in Israel. I had no plans. I had a friend in Jersey and called him to see if he wanted to come hang out around the city. Everything ended up great. It’s not about going from A to B, it’s about how you’re getting there as well. You’re not really living.

What’s the most influential book you’ve ever read?

There was this book I read in high school called Speak. This girl who was sexually abused before she went into high school. It was a really bad situation and I identified with it. When I was unpacking some of my stuff years later, I reread it and it was like a beacon of hope. The character overcomes not talking. Holding it in will only bring yourself down. It’s possible to speak up and get your way.

What’s something you’re curious about recently?

How to go about learning how to drive in the city. I’ve never had to learn before because I lived in the city. Learning how to drive downtown terrifies me. How do people go about driving there? Chicago has its own driving rules. How do people figure that out?

What’s something about you that few people know or understand? 

Despite how confident I can come off, I do have my moments where I’m very insecure and I’m very depressed. And that’s healthy. Everyone goes through that. I don’t like showing that vulnerability to people. I have to kind of be that rock for some of my friends. I think them seeing me would deter them from doing their things. I do it in private. Not a lot of people get to see me when I’m down.

Within the past five years, what personal realization has improved your outlook on life the most?

Everything is temporary. If you’re upset, it’s temporary. If you’re in pain, it’s temporary. If you want something to last, you can do that too.

Within the next five years, what’s something you’re excited about?

I’m excited to actually take off my second career and no longer be a pharmacy technician. Hopefully be a pediatric nurse. I’m excited to start traveling more. London, New Orleans, Vegas, California, maybe Massachusetts and Utah.