Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
To me, Arizona is paradise. Sure, it can get hot, dusty and plenty of things here can kill you, but there’s no other place I’d rather live. And I think, in a way, Arizona ruins any attempt to live elsewhere. How so? Here are 10 examples that show just how much we Zonies love and appreciate our home state: