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[kaitestimonios]

Maria del Rosario Perez

Maria del Rosario Perez was born on October 10, 1974. She lived with her parents in Veracruz, Mexico and was the oldest of six siblings. She immigrated to America so that she could give her family a better life. Here she planted her roots, had two daughters and married to Antonio… She, as of today works at a bodega to support her family here, along with her family back at home by sending them money at least once a month. As her daughter I can say that my mother is one of the most hard working people and greatest cooks that I’ve ever known. But also as her daughter she tells me about her life as a little girl and the hardships she had gone through to get to where she is today.

Me: How were the women treated?

Mom: Well in my era is was not too bad, but there the custom is that the women always has to do everything, and the men don’t, so it was always women, men were always the ones to decide what to do.

Me: Who was your influence when you were a little girl? Why?

Mom: My mom, because… she’s a good women, she’s a hard worker, also...she would let us go to dances, she would protect and help us when my father didn’t want to let us out. She would say “Come on let them go” and she always influenced us to do things.

Me: What were the hardest things you had to do? Why?

Mom: Having to work in the camp to help my parents and yes,it was very hard because we were young. We were about seven or eight years old and we had to walk an hour to get there, where the corn and beans were. We had to do a lot of gardening taking out all of the weeds that were bad. And then the sun was strong very strong, so it was very tiring and us that we were little girls we wanted to play, but we had to help our parents.

Me: Did your parents ever had risk anything to give you a better life?

Mom: Yes, my dad had to go to other towns to work because there would be times when my town wouldn’t have a lot of work and so they had to go far. To get where they needed to go they would walk since they didn’t have a car and it was about an hour or two of walking. They would also have to go to other cities to cut calla and it was hard because cutting calla means we have to be in the sun and it was very difficult but you had to work to give food to everybody

Me:How was it where you lived/grew up?

Mom: It very beautiful, there was a lot of vegetation, a lot of trees.

Me: How was society?

Mom: Well we were all the same, we were all poor.

Me: How did the streets and houses look?

Mom: Well the houses, the majority of where I lived in my town were made of adobe. Adobe is wood and hay. And the floor, there wasn’t any. The houses didn’t have floors, or carpets, they were made up of dirt and we had to water it so that the house was always maintained fresh. The streets were cobbled there were a lot of rocks also the streets weren’t paved, up to the date the streets of where you grandma lives aren’t paved yet.

Me: What were tradition that they had where you lived?

Mom: Well there, their are a lot of traditions, but the greatest one is the one of El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) they cook, make alters which are very beautiful um...they make crowns made of pure roses to take to the dead in the graveyard and then they put them on the altars. They cook what the dead had liked and they put it as an offering on the altar and then the tradition of like in Christmas of the baby Jesus, they sing to him, Los Reyes Magos in which they come and we also have to sing to them and the Reyes Magos bring toys for the kids.

Me: Do you have any favorite stories that they have told you?

Mom: Yes, when we went to the river to swim. When my grandma would tell us about...um, how they grew up, how they had to make the tortillas, because there no grinders and they had to make them by hand, and I liked hearing those stories.

Me: What would you do in your spare time when you were a little girl?

Mom: Ohhh well in my spare time I loved to play with my friends hide and seek.

Me: How was it living with a lot of siblings?

Mom: For me it was very hard because I was the oldest of six and so I had to help my mom with everything for my brother and sisters, helping in the house with the chores, having to clean the diapers of the smallest/youngest. I had to help with washing the clothes, so for me it was very hard because yeah seeing that I was the oldest I had to help with everything.

Me: That’s it, thank you mom

[kaitestimonios]

Shelby & Jared

Shelby is a 2nd grade student. She was born July 27, 2010. That makes her the age of 7 when this interview took place. The point of this interview is to know what a young child would say compared to an adult whose faced the real world and has experience. Shelby is a very creative but can sometimes be a bit spoiled, but when she is positive she is the kindest kid ever. She can be soft spoken and calm. She is my sister.

Jared is a 7 year old boy who goes to school with Shelby, they are best friends. Jared could be quiet but when asked what he wants he will directly tell you. He is a boy with great patience.

By interviewing a 7 year old I can compare their thoughts to someone more mature and older and understand kids have a different mind set because they are young and innocent.

Reporter: Jared and Shelby I have a question, who is your role model and why?

Shelby: What does that mean?

Reporter: Like who do you look up to?

Shelby: Oo! Mine is..Sia from My Little Pony. What?

Reporter: Ok why?

Shelby: Because she’s like Lady Gaga. (giggles)

Reporter: Ok because she’s like Lady Gaga, Jared who’s your role model?

Jared: Mavral!

Reporter: Which one?

Jared: All of them.

Reporter: Why?

Jared: Because..they're cute.

Shelby: (laughs a sorta evil laugh)

Reporter: O-ok? Thank you, next question. What was the hardest thing you ever had to do?

Shelby: Mmm? I don’t have one. My hardest thing is to do is the challenge in math class. We had to get sticks and a little cup and we had to stack it up. BUT! I won so. (laughs an evil laugh)

Reporter: OK. Jared.

Jared: Um..create a war.

Reporter: Create a war? Uh..ok. This one's pretty easy. What do you choose a phone or a toy?

Shelby: (sighs happily) I would choose a My Little Pony toy. (She says as-a-matter-of-factly)

Reporter: Jared?

Jared:.....Phone. I wanna call the police and-and I want some money and to get a toy too.

Reporter: Ok

Reporter: What’s your favorite color and why?

Shelby: My faviote color isa...um...my faviote color is blue, light blue-dark blue.

Reporter: Why?

Shelby: Because….I don't know. Because….I don't know.

Reporter: Are you sure you don't know?

Shelby: Yeah?

Reporter: What 3 words would you describe yourself?

Shelby: Lets see! Is unicorn lover one? Is that 2 words or one?

Reporter: Just pick 3 words that describe yourself.

Shelby: Uh ok, unicorn lover, crazy.

Reporter: Ok thank you. What 3 words do you think people would describe you as?

Shelby: Uh..Uh..Uh...This is hard. I don't know.

Reporter: Just say 3 words.

Shelby: Um ok lets see….mm, friendly? A little crazy, just a little. And quiet.

Interview ends;

Reporter: Have you ever been heartbroken?

Jared: Ok I have been heartbroken, and this girl said ‘Oh, can I see your face?‘ (right here Jared makes an ugly face and moves his finger up and down to show what the girl did)

Reporter: ok? Say what she did to make your heartbroken?

Jared: You will pay for this!

Reporter: Have you ever had your heartbroken besides the girl?

Jared: Yeah.

Reporter: Ok tell us about that.

Jared: Yeah by a boy and-and a dog too.

[kaitestimonios]

Hortensia Brambila

Hortensia Brambila. 76 years old. She lived in Veracruz for most of her life. Now she lives in Huntington Park with her youngest son. Her husband died 6 years ago and is currently a domestic housewife. Hortensia says that when she was little, she had to work. Even though she had zero experience with the job, her whole childhood revolved around it.

She met her husband while working on the job and had 10 kids. They are all older now and have their own families. Since she was working to make sure her family had descents amounts of items, she couldnt spend that much time with the. All of her kids everywhere, and to this day, she regrets not spending enough time with them. Immigrating to a new area can be hard for some people because of they must start from the bottom and work their way up. Since Hortensia already had kids at the time, she had to support them.

She was never home, so her children had to go out in the world without knowing anything. This is something that haunts her to this day. To this day, she still has many worries in life. Learning about God and converting to Judaism helps her deal with everyday problems.

Q/A:

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

“Rabbi Melman...He helped me find God and treats everyone with love and respect. gave encouragement and treated everyone equal.”

What was it like where you grew up?

Working since 12 years old. The area was bad; far in the outskirts of town and was far from everything

If you could have a redo what would you do differently?

“I would've took care of my kids more. I didn't treat them well, and I couldn't treat them the way they should have been treated because of my jobs.”

What was the hardest thing you ever had to do?

Working at Martin Luther King Hospital. Had to pick up heavy items/heavy lifting.

What are you most proud of?

“I don't like to be proud But I like the fact that I have hard working kids. I am proud of my children, and how strong they've grown up to be. “

Most important life lesson?

“Find God and then to reach goals.” *grandma very religious.

What was the happiest/saddest moment of your life?

When I converted to Judaism. Whenever her children got hurt.

What are some experiences that you had when you were growing up?

“Looking for work. Even if I didn't know how to work, I still had too.”

Childhood friend?

“I don't remember any of my friends, but there was this one girl. Bernarda, i think *she couldn't remember the last name* I meet her in Veracruz, when I was 9 or 10.”

How did you meet grandpa?

“When I was in a job.” Everything back then was work, work, work. No matter what.

[kaitestimonios]

Maria E.G.R.

Maria E.G.R. is a Mexican immigrant, mother of 5, housewife, and sister to 11 siblings. She was born and raised in Colima, Mexico on April 5, 1977. She started working at the age of 13 to help her mom with work. She and her family were always a poor, respectful towards other, and a hard-working family. She had to leave Mexico when she was 20 after her mother´s death and came to America to have a better life and future for her kids. She came to California in 1997. She came on a bus that took 3 days or so to come to the U.S. She came with close to nothing. She didn't even have a pair of good sandals. She came with one torn sandal. From how poor her family was. She then moved in with two of her older brothers in California. She will explain the struggles and worst experiences of being a Mexican immigrant with nothing in America but how she got through it even though she still has some struggles today.

#1-(Which is one difficulty being a woman?

Well, having the same job As a man but not being able to get paid equally but less than men.

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#4-(What has been the biggest struggle in life?) Forgot to ask why.

    -   Not being able to see my family in Mexico.

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#2-(How do you stay strong during today's society?) And how do these examples help you stay strong by … I forgot to ask that follow up question.

Be active during kids school meeting and learning and going to First 5 LA meetings.

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#3-(What effect has America made you become a better person?)

   -    Going to classes of parenting to be a better mother/parent, being a better friend, being a better citizen, and liking to learn.

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#5-(Do you have a person/s that has influenced you into a better person, If there is who and why?)

Parent

  Why:  

Showed me what is respect/Saludo - giving greetings

Respect my elders

No agarrar cosa que no son mias - Not getting things that are not mine

Respect parents and sibling (family)

Showed me good things to be and good person  … Giving  thanks to everything

Ask permission ... To not forget and like to learn more about the society

[kaitestimonios]

Carmen

Carmen was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and raised in South Gate where she attended South Gate schools. On March 7, 2001 Carmen was elected as the first Mexican-American Bilingual City Clerk of South Gate, her passion to advocate for others led her to run for office and proudly serve as the Elected City Clerk for the City of South Gate.

Question 1

Me: What was it like to come to the U.S.?

Carmen: “Scary because we were traveling, it was long and nothing was familiar.”

Question 2

Me: What were to happen if you hadn't came to the U.S.?

Carmen: “My life would be different. Wouldn't have gone to college. Would’ve had limited opportunities and as a result we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish as much.”

Question 3

Me: Pros for leaving Mexico?

Carmen: “Access to education, ability to be bilingual, ability to be independent, ability to live the American Dream.”

Question 4

Me: What is an important lesson you’ve learned?

Carmen: “Doesn’t matter where you come from, if you really want to achieve something you have to put your mind to it by setting goals that’ll lead to setting your own success.”

Question 5

Me: If your race, ethnicity, or gender is depicted negatively by the media, tell a story that helps us understand how this affects you

Carmen: “It affects me when they highlight the negatives instead of the positives. For example, they focus on an immigrant who has caused harm instead of one who goes to work everyday”

Question 6

Me: How would you like to be remembered?

Carmen: “As a person of integrity, making a difference for others, and making the world a better place by simple acts of kindness.”

Carmen’s story has now been documented for the world to see in order to show that immigrants can become something successful. They’re not as useless as some may think. Carmen Avalos is a documented citizen and has been ever since she came to the U.S. I hope this Testimonio makes a difference in your life. Thank you.

[kaitestimonios]

Julia Perez Pacheco

Native American, female, millennial, and frustrated. Being a friend of Julia has allowed me to see her struggles and I’ve also grown to be frustrated about the issues that target my friend. She’s a student, and an activist at heart. Issues in particular she cares about is: the education system and this country not recognizing the indigenous peoples culture and their struggles. Furthermore, she also cares about the struggles of teenagers who are a minority.  Although being fairly young, born in 2004, the struggles she has seen and understood is beyond her years. Additionally, she is a member of the Perez Pacheco family. A mother, a father, and her brother Esteban.

Through her talkative interview we are able to see the passion she has for her roots , family, and overall identity. Her perspective on the world is a lens that is oftentimes ignored. She is a minority whom is also a teenager. Although she has many ideas, she isn’t always listened to. Her testimonio will represent her people's voices that don’t have the outlet to express their concerns.

I think the biggest influence in my life would be my parents because like, I wouldn’t have known my culture and like where I’m from. I wouldn’t be who I am without them. Because, first of all like my dad, when I was smaller, he would take me to go protest. You know, and be an activist. He would show me like my culture. So, that’s what became a part of me. Also, my mom because like she helps me with everything and she is able to explain things to me like where I’m from and why it’s important to like speak out for what I believe is right. She helps me with a lot of things and they’re always there. They influence me posi-tive-ly because I’m able to know who I am and what I think is right.

My mom is from Mexico, her name is Xochi. She’s from Nayarit and Zacatecas. And I think she was born in New Mexico. So I’ve been to Mexico and I think it was last year in the summer and it was so beautiful. I love it so much. Like, it’s this farm, like a ranchito so it still has the things from the past. It’s not like a city, like how it is now. It’s more of a ranchito and things like that. So like, it still brings back a lot of memories like her grandparents and were still able to connect with our cousins and tias. So I guess that from her side in Mexico, it’s so peaceful. And I like it there because her great grandparents. they’re already going to be like 100. Well, they’re able to tell stories about when they were smaller and how it was back then. So, it was pretty interesting because you don’t think things would evolve like that. I don’t know how to explain it like, the fact that they were able to go through all of that. Because they had struggles. But now, they’re able to have like hot showers,and things like that, during the winter. Back then, you would need to have like a shower and put water and like wait for it to heat up. And like, it’s just one little bucket. And so I guess she’s seen how it’s evolved and stuff like that .

At first, her family raised her as I think a Christian. So she believed in like god and things like that. But when she met my dad and she got into the native American culture, she realized it was like the culture of the past. And so, like she was able to connect more with her culture than like god. Like I don’t know how to explain it but her identity was more with [Amateo] which was their belief instead of god. So that made her who she is. Because, I could tell that she was very religious because she grew up like that. But once she realized what her real identity was she could understand, how it shaped her to who she is.

On my dad's side, he’s Coras from Peru. So the first thing I like about Peru is that there’s a lot of llamas. I love the llamas. Yeah so, my dad's side, is so, I don’t know. It’s just so high. Like the altitude of Peru is so high. Like for example we went there a couple of years ago and it was amazing like we went to Machu Picchu and everything like that. Me and my brother were fine. But like my mom, since Mexico is like a lower altitude like people who are not used to that type of altitude get sick. So what I think is so fascinating about my culture  is that we’re able to adapt to new surroundings.

Also, from my dad's culture, they have native dances that they do and it’s so beautiful. Like, they have these nice dresses that they sow. And they can do like these cool little hats. So, it’s so cool to see that. Yeah so and like if you go to Machu Picchu you feel some type of connection because it’s so high up there and you can see the ancient village and you’re just like wow how did they know how to build that? Yeah it’s just so cool to see those civilizations that were there before. Their stories show that we’re peaceful and fine. It just fascinates me that we already knew a lot of things like they were able to make water sources from the top of the mountain. If you were to go to those civilizations, you would see running water and they’re able to fill it on top of mountains. I just think it’s so cool. So that’s on my dad side.

And for my dad, his grandfather had taught him, so he spoke a native language, so he taught him about all the ancient stories. And his grandfather taught him all of his stories. And what his family did, and how they survived, their struggles of living. Like, the time where the Spanish had killed them. So, he shaped who my dad was because without that, his heritage, he wouldn't be who he is. Because, as a child he would talk to him and things like that. As he grew, up he started being an activist. He would help out with native ceremonies. He just started giving like classes, that’s what led him to helping the community. And the same for my mom because she would help the community as well. A few things that shaped him along the way, helped him become who he is now.

One day a week, we try to wake up as early as we can. My mom usually conducts these things. We get the drum and wind thing out. Then we give thanks to the 4 directions. We just start singing our native/traditional songs. Our sacred number, our culture number is the number 4. So we sing 4 songs and go to the 4 directions. North and south. In addition, we would thank the creators for another day of life and we would say what we’re grateful for. For friends and family and the things that we have. Our ceremony is a time for us to come together as a union.

Another thing that we do is on Mondays. It’s basically a tradition now, we conduct classes. We teach about the native culture so the community can know about where they’re from and their identity. Because many of them don’t know their identity like we do. Many people get confused about who they are and they’re trying to find themselves. So, we help them with that. The majority people think that there’s no Native American. They only think there’s American or Mexican. We help them connect to where their from. We teach them things. For example, the dances, or songs, or the foods. They should know their own history.

Now, I’m not scared. Since I moved to a new school, there’s been many incidents where teachers would tell me the wrong history and people would be confused of native American culture. Because, they would ask me, are your Christian or Catholic, questions like that. I would always tell them, oh I’m Native American. So then they’re like, oh you live in the wild. So stereotypical things like that. And so if it weren’t for my parents who helped me from a  young age, I wouldn’t have understood how important it is to tell them who I am. Not many kids at this age know their identity. I’m glad that like, by now I’m able to tell people who I am with confidence. Not like other kids who don’t know who they are.

So, as you may all know. Um, Christopher Columbus didn't discover America. So what I’m trying to say here is that we are one of the first people to come to this land, I guess if that's how you say it. Our stories and traditions matter because our stories are what we are before, how we were before, who we were before. So I think that it definitely matters and it makes an impact  because not many people know this and this culture, We inherit this culture today. I think it’s important that we learn who we were and who we are because that’s like a part of you. Like through all the suffering that we’ve been through, it’s kind of unfair to forget who we are. Like what I’m trying to say is that it’s very important to know about our culture and history because it’s like, it’s been here for so long. The spanish and english, took it away from us and the fact that we’re still here today even though those struggles, shows a lot. Since we still know it right now.

So I went to Hawaii because my dad and his group helped guard some of those ships of the Hawaiian people. So I went to Hawaii and it was beautiful there. There was like this island called Makahi. This island like no tourist would go there. Because like that’s the island that people were trying to protect so it’s reserved for like culture. So like a lot of like culture is there. So we went to play the Makahiki game, an annual thing where women, men, and children, we play a game. So there’s this game, where so what I learned there was love and family. Like they were so nice to us. They gave us a van! For 10 of us. They let us have a house for free! They were so nice. Oh my god, I loved it so much! So there was like, they welcomed us. So what I learned there was the meaning of love for someone. Idk how to explain it but we went to Hawaii and they just welcomed us. They didn’t even know us but they loved us. They called us brother, sister, cousin, like they just welcomed us into their family. I think that’s what touched us the most was the love. Like, we told them about who we were and where we’re from and like what we do in our culture. So, they honored us and I was like wow! And like here, you’ll get put down, like if you speak about how you express yourself, like you get put down. There,  it was so free. Like, like, we were talking about our culture. And you know how in Hawaii they just looked at us with warm hearts and love. They were on our side. That just showed how much love they had for us and like they were just  idk how to explain it. Hey we're agreeing with us and they were really like connecting with us because they were a different culture. And that showed me how we’re all related, like we’re all family. Like it taught me that, we’re all like how do you say it? Like, we’re all family and that we should treat each other as one. And now, people get put down because they’re transgender, they get put down if they’re LGBTQ, or like even if a guy doesn’t play sports, he gets put down, if he’s not good at sports, he gets put down, if a girl acts tough, she gets put down. Like, all those things that now society is teaching us how to be and how to act. But, in Hawaii it taught me that we should accept everyone. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are, we’re all a family. We all come from the same place, believe it or not. It can show us that like, we can all support each other and we shouldn’t put each other down because in reality we’ll fall down too. We should help each other get up. So yeah.

So what I want people to remember me by is like someone who gave their hearts to them. I want to be someone who gives back to the community. I also want them to think, oh yeah I could trust her. You know, and she helps me with things. She's a great friend. Those things. What i mainly want is, she helped me stick up for myself, she helped me find who I was. She helped me like, she taught me stuff. Like, all I want is for people to be happy and find themselves like I did because my parents had such a good influence in my life. I’m so glad that I was able to have that as such a young age. Like, I would want for people to be happy and I want to help them. I want to make sure they go through the right path. Like, like, at my school, there’s kids who would brag about doing drugs and things like that and I would tell them, you can do so much with your life, you shouldn’t be doing drugs, and I just want to help them. Like, know who they are. I think that leads to me, I think I want a  career, I would want to be a teacher or like a politician. I think as a teacher, i’m able to teach my students about the REAL history and who they are. I could teach them about so many things. Or as like a politician. I could step it up a notch, make new laws, or maybe like impact the community more, and like I would wanna be an activist. But you know, I’m already an activist so that doesn’t really count. So yeah, I would want to be a teacher or um politician. But like one of those really, really good politicians, I wanna be like Obama. I would be better than Trump of course. But, I just want to be someone who impacts the community in a positive way. And I just wanna be able to do it like, um in a positive way. I just wanna do something about it.

[kaitestimonios]

Viridiana Fernandez

Viridiana Fernandez was born in 1996 in Los Angeles, CA. She works as a Clinical Social Worker at Torrance. She is Mexican-Afro Cuban. She wasn’t really close to her father so she doesn’t really know a lot about him, she’s meet him a few times before. She only lives with her brother and mother. Her mom has played a big role in her life. She and I are from the same religion which is catholic and she’s been my godmother since I was a baby. She is a very humble, caring, and funny person who is fun to be around with. She's mostly belongs to the mexican side. She has a mother that is from mexico so she grew having a big perspective on the mexican side instead of the cuban side. She sure has had ups and downs but has overcome them. Good job!!! She is a very successful women. She was the first one to graduate from college. She got a masters degree. She not only cares for herself but also cares for others. She hopes to buy her family a house one day.     

  I was born here in the United States, but my mother is Mexican and my father is Afro-Cuban. I think I know a bit about my ethnic backgrounds as far as culture goes. I have had the opportunity to visit both Mexico and Cuba, and was able to learn a little bit about both cultures. I also know that my ethnic background has allowed me to be a more diverse and culturally aware individual. I didn’t grow up with my dad. My dad and mom separated when I was about 5 or 6 years old. However, I always kept an interest in my Cuban culture. I was introduced to Cuban food and Cuban music at a young age. To this day, I enjoy Cuban culture very much. I first visited Cuba in 2011. It was definitely a culture shock that I am grateful to have experienced. The people, the language, the politics, their way of living is very different than that of the United States. Some foods that are very common in Cuban culture are fried plantains, rice, black beans, yuca, pork, and avocado. I was raised by my mother who is from Mexico, so I am the most familiar with Mexican culture. From food to religion, my preferences have been highly influenced by Mexican traditions. For instance, every Christmas we have tamales and posole; they are staple foods in a Mexican household during the holidays. I am also Catholic and Catholicism is a dominant religion in Mexico.

As a child I thought everything was fun and games. I only worried about having fun and being carefree. As I grew older, and became more observant and educated, I began to realize that the world is not all fun and games. I became aware of the violence and injustices that exists all over the world. The short and simple answer to this would be because that is just the world we live in. Violence and injustice seem to have always been a part of humanity, unfortunately. Violence has become normalized and for some people it is a part of life, a way of living. People’s beliefs may also push them into doing violent and unjust acts against others. Some people may believe that they are superior to others and should therefore be treated unfairly. Sometimes violence and injustice can be a cycle in which people fall into. Once people fall into a cycle of violence it can be very difficult to leave because they have become so used to it.

The happiest moment of my life was probably when I went to Cuba and was able to visit my family of the very first time after about 20 years, I had never met them and I was finally able to meet them when I was about 20 years old. That was a really nice moment. The saddest moment of my life was probably when I was a little girl and my only dog got ran over by a car. And when we had to give my older dog up for adoption or to the dog pound. Losing my dogs was really sad especially when I was a kid. And having them for many years and having just lost them.

If I can do everything again I think I would do High School. I would do high school all over again. High school was really fun for me but I did have a couple of years where I rebelled and it affected my grades and it affected relationships with friends and teachers. So I think I would do High school all over again just to redo those bad moments that caused me a lot of negatively I guess, I supposes.

I think my mom. I think my mom has always had the biggest influence on my life then and now just because she is the only parent I have and she always modeled for me and she's always been a positive influence. She's never done anything negatively. She's always been a strong and independent women. So I think she set a great example for me.

When I hear my name I think of difficulty just because I have a very unique name, my name is Viridiana. So everytime I hear it I think of unique and difficulty just because everytime I have to introduce myself to someone or someone hears my name or says my name, it always sparks a conversation because they don't know how to pronounce it or they wanna know where it comes from since they've never heard about it so I think about unique, different, difficulty, one of a kind.

One thing I like about myself is that I can say I'm persistent with whatever I wish to accomplish. I'm determined. I try not to give up easily on my goals or whatever it is I’m trying to succeed it. So definitely persistent, determined, responsible, and independent I would say as well. I think they all in the same catergory. One thing I hate about myself is especially when I was in school was that I am a huge procrastinator, I'm a huge huge procrastinator, I always wait or maybe not now but when I was in school I always waited to do things last minute and I hated that about myself but for some reason I would not I couldn’t change it so ya I huge procrastinator. Another thing I would change about myself or hate about myself is that I feel like that I'm kind of lazy now. LIke I feel like I never have energy to do anything but to sleep and go to work. So I wish I was a little more motivated as well to do things for insintice get a workout routine I have no motivation what so ever so ya I think that would be it. Those things would be it.

My dreams for you. So as my goddaughter my dreams for you are to be a successful women one day and independent women for you to accomplish all your goals whatever they may be. Whether it's going to college, you know whether its moving across the country to pursue what ever goals and wishes and dreams you have and for you to be happy with whatever you do. And to be able to navigate through life and healthy and prosperous way.

My best friends are still my friends that I met back in middle school and high school. When I was between the ages of 11-16 that would be about 10 years ago from now. Ya my best friends are my friends that I met 10 years ago or more. And what are they like? They are funny, they're really calm, laid back. They now how to have a good time but their always very responsible um and their very smart. All my friends in my group have most of them at least have gone to college and live successful lives so far so ya.

I would want to be remembered as a humble, caring, and funny individual who always did her best to help those around her. As someone who was a hard-worker and always tried her hardest to accomplish her goals. One of my goals was to pursue higher education and be the first in my family to graduate from college. In 2013, I graduated from Cal State LA with a bachelor's degree. In May of 2017, I graduated from USC with a master degree. As far as education goals, they have been accomplished. My next personal goals are to be able to travel to different parts of the world and eventually buy my family our first home.

[kaitestimonios]

Brenda Reyes

 Brenda Reyes, is a Mexican American woman whom was brought into this world by her two inspirational, hard working, and loving, immigrant parents, Filemon and Susana Reyes. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, the youngest born child of her two older brothers. Of course as every youngest child in a family she got a couple of perks compared to her older brothers admittingly, but that did not mean her life, and issues growing up were easier for her. Her story is one of a rough childhood, but with the message of striving for success no matter how many obstacles come your way. Not only is she a hero to me but she is my beautiful Mom, since April 2nd, 2004 at only twenty years old she gave birth to me, Rene Isaiah Reyes. Then came her second second child and my sister, Haley Alyssa Meras on May 20th, 2005. However due to her having to raise two children on her, yes she got countless amounts of support and help from her parents, but she was unable to continue on her education and strive for a career she wanted. This was a time in her life as a single mother to have to become even more responsible and mature than ever before, for her kids, and for herself. A couple years later and being a single mother of two children was no longer an issue for her, she became married to David Ortega a couple months before her third child came into this world. On June 16th, 2015 Aleah Marie Ortega was born healthy and well. Although she is able to be more at ease than her days as a youth, she continues to have a constant unsettling feeling when she thinks back to her past and things that could be much different today if she did things differently in the past.   

Question: If you could do everything again what would you do different.

Answer: So let's begin than, If I could everything again what would I do differently? Well during high school I would take college courses, to eventually go to a four year university after I graduate from high school, focus on school. Why? Well now I am an adult trying to go back to school.

 Question: Who has been your biggest influence on your life? What lessons did you learn?

Answer: Filemon Reyes, My dad, I wish I would've listened to him, everything he has ever told me has come true. I've learned all his wisdom about life…

Question: Are you proud of me?

Answer: Of course I am proud of you, you've accomplished so much, you're a very talented young man, academically and in sports.  

 Question: What is the hardest thing you've ever had to do?

 Answer: The hardest thing I've ever had to do is admit that I am wrong because I am a very proud person that doesn't like to be proven wrong, and when people prove me wrong, it makes me upset.

 Question: Can you tell me about your religious beliefs/spiritual

 Answer: I believe in, well you wouldn't understand it, how can I explain it? So i believe in it, it's a religion made up of a system of divination.  

Thank you, now I gotta go, bye son, love you.

(walks out the door) …

Elaboration:” I Love my kids, I really do, But having them at such a young age affected my future, future as in with trying to finish school, and get to where right now I am struggling with. There's so many sacrifices I had to make for my kids because I love them. “

“A homemaker, mother, provider, work in the healthcare industry, customer service representative, being a single mom was one of the biggest challenges i ever had to to endure, thankfully i was able to find a loving husband, a loving man, who provided me unconditional love not only for my self but for my children, and now we have been able to raise our family together as one, A Mexican American, Female, April 2nd 2004, May 20th 2005, June 16 2015, I don't have a specific date I can mark in my life because I feel that everyday is as important as the next, there are special days throughout the year, such as my children birthdays, my parents birthdays, my brothers birthdays, my loving husbands birthday, and my birthday, because it reminds me that I am a year wiser.”

[kaitestimonios]

Hilda Pedroza

Her name is Hilda Pedroza and is like most moms stay home, clean, cook, sleep. But she is different. She was born on Wednesday September 27, 1978. She is someone who goes to work to help special ED kids that are in preschool. She was one of the first more kids of the American Dream. And her struggle with her life and everything that is happening. She had a rough life being the guinea pig kid. She was going to have to go through the struggle of others. Her parents were from Mexico and she didn’t really get help from her parents so she is going to have have trouble through her life. There were many problems growing up, getting sick, not being able to get help from people in her family.She was someone who has go through problems that were like others but she was born here.When there are other stories like hers they each have their own meaning behind it.And for this story we might be in a small town but she has a big story.

“I was born at LA County - USC Medical Center or General Hospital in the section Women's Labor and delivery, on Wednesday September 27, 1978 at about 10:44.

I have three brothers that I was growing up with but I had four brothers and I had one sister. It was my brother/step brother, then me, my sister, then my other 3 brothers.

Some problems that I had growing up was Learning English because my parents were from Mexico so they didn’t didn’t know how to speak English so when I needed help on like my Math homework I wasn’t able to get help from anyone.

Another one was that I had Hepatitis C when I was like 7 years old.  So I was having to be separate from my family. Like I couldn’t share the same cup,use the same utensil as everyone else, and other things like towels, and like my clothes couldn’t touch anyone else's clothes.  And the way that I was cured was that I drank a lot of Jamaica and after 3 months of Hep C it went away.  

Another one is that when I was like 3 years old my whole family told me that I had taken sleeping pills because my mom used to sleep in the day and work in the night so I would take some too and one time I took some and I was told that I ended up sleeping for 3 days straight. So when that happened my dad got mad at my mom for taking those so she stopped stopped. Which meant that I was going to take them anymore.

The next thing that happened was that My uncle had died when I was like 8 years old and it was hard for me to do things because he was always helping me but with that my parents were depressed. So my parents couldn’t help me with anything I needed.

It was okay but better than others who were like me. I had to tutor the ones who needed help. It was hard to read before because I never liked reading, I hated it it was the worst it was boring to just sit there and read a book. But know I love reading it is the best feeling to know that I am learning something. But before I used to not read and I didn’t know how to pronounce some words and after I was able to pronounce them.

So in school like in Elementary School I was barely learning English. So in school I was having to go the the classes that were ESL which was English as a Second Language. I was going to the class so I was learn English better. So they would give me directions in Spanish then the work would be in English. The other people who would go there to the program they would ask for help like tutoring because I was born here so I knew a little more than others so they would come to my house and my mom would know them so it was okay with her. Most of the immigrant families were from my mom’s town so when they would come here they would know my mom.

Academically I would look for better books that I actually loved to read and enjoy and also I would have asked for help when I really needed it. And in my life I would have done nothing really but I would want to fix me learning English so I can learn and speak it better.”

[kaitestimonios]

Jose Perez Martinez

Jose Perez Martinez, August 6th, 1955, born the oldest in his family. Born to Carmela Martinez and Herman Perez. He lived in Mexico for most of his life. He had struggles growing up as a child in Mexico and he would change that for his kids and grandchildren. He didn’t get very far in his career because as a young kid he had to begin working for the better of his family and his siblings. He was a very hardworking man and helped out his family. He set out on feet to move to the United States for the first time, without documentation. He immigrated for a better future would he would begin a new life. He came here in his twenties and worked hard, to set out a future to he would call his future kids and grandkids. Throughout his whole life, he continued working to give his kids a good future, he wanted them to succeed in where he didn’t. Being born in Mexico didn’t define what and who he would be. He was able to create a whole life for himself and his family in the U.S. Now he is the man, I am able to proudly call my grandfather, who has done nothing but work his whole life. Even now, as a 61 year old man, he continues to work as a manager of his apartments. He works to support his family. A careless man his whole life, hard working, goal seeker. He has earned so much respect and he is a man of morals. I look up to this man and have my whole life to thank him for.

Q: If you could go back to when you were a teenager what would you have done differently?

A: I would have continued studying. I stopped studying for being dumb and give my siblings the opportunity to study. My mom didn’t have the money and was struggling to support our education so i began working.

Q: What were your plans after high school through your teenager perspective?

A: I loved engineering. I would have studied to be an engineer.

Q: How do you recall your childhood and did it affect you growing up in any way?

A: I recall a nice, happy childhood. There wasn’t a lot of money growing up but there was a lot of care and happiness, family. No it did not affect me in any way.

Q: What memory impacted you the most as a child?

A: When I returned with my mom because I lived with my mom in Mexico.

Q: Why did you live with your grandma?

A: Because my grandmas didn’t like my mom. She loved me but she didn’t like my mom so she took me. Once I was able to see my mom again it was really impacting?

Q: What do recall from your dad’s death?

A: I don’t recall anything, I was only 6 years old. I don’t even remember who he was. I only saw one photo from my aunt Irene. All I know was that he was a good man who took care of my mom. I remember more of my uncle than my own dad. My dad died at age 27 from tuberculosis.

Q: Did you want to begin working and what did you work as?

A: I really wanted to study and make something of myself. But my family was more important. My mom and aunt needed help raising all 8 of us and, me being the oldest knew it was the best choice. I worked in a workshop and once I moved back to Mexico I owned my own workshop.

Q: What problems did you face in Mexico?

A: During the elections, I was against the leader of the town and he sent me away after he confronted me.I moved Mariscala Oaxaca, the desert, I worked with a company of the government for Hydraulic resources. I would work and travel a lot.

Q: When you first moved here, what was your first impression?

A: Everyone spoke english. When I had first come to Los Angeles, I had already been in other places but when coming here it was beautiful. I later realized, there was so much work to be made in order to succeed.

Q: How did you come to the United States?

A: Through the bus and walking, illegally.

Q: Where did you meet my grandma?

A: I met you grandma here, I had known her brothers and we had been talking for awhile. I fell in love with her, I wasn’t as accepted because I was 7 years older but they soon were able to accept the fact that we were going to get married. We got married here, Huntington Park. But, we returned to Mexico to have your mom and uncle. I wanted my kids to be Mexican.

Q: Why did you move back to Mexico?

A: I was scared that my kids, would be exposed to gangs. I wanted to see them become the people I was not able to become. I wanted to give them all of the opportunities I never had.

Q: Coming to the U.S. did you have to begin your life from scratch?

A: Nods head, Mhmm (yes)

Q: Here in the U.S. have you had any problems?

A: No, not really.

Q: How many times have you moved back and forth from Mexico?

A: I came, went back to see my mom before getting married, came back, went back to have my kids, and came back once they were born, then went back, and came back permanently in 2000.

Q: Where did you meet my grandma?

A: I met you grandma here, I had known her brothers and we had been talking for awhile. I fell in love with her, I wasn’t as accepted because I was 7 years older but they soon were able to accept the fact that we were going to get married. We got married here, Huntington Park. But, we returned to Mexico to have your mom and uncle. I wanted my kids to be Mexican.

Q: What do recall from moving back to Mexico, with my mom and my uncle?

A: A normal life. There was a time where we would go to Acapulco back and forth for a time. I always treated my kids well, I was never a strict father. I tried to give them everything.

Q: If you could change anything from your life what would you change?

A: Nothing, I would keep everything I have. You and my grandchildren, and my kids.

Q: Which country would you consider the most as your home?

A: If you would have asked me this question years ago, I would have said Mexico.  But now you guys are here and now this is my home.

[kaitestimonios]

Ivan Adan Bonilla Brito

Ivan Adan Bonilla Brito is my father. He was born in Mexico Puebla and traveled here to follow my mother in america, hoping to be part of my life and give me a better life here. He now works as a construction worker struggling to gain money. My dad story represents the struggles of the immigrants. I decided to interview him wanting to hear his story and want other people to know the struggles of a immigrant father trying to support his family.  

Me: What was the happiest moment of your life and why? And what was your saddest moment of your life and why?

Dad: My happiest moments of my life...I have four moments. When I met your mother, when she decided to stay with me forever. The second one is when you born. The third one is when adan-your brother- was in your mom stomach and when he born and the last one is when Ivan born, that was the most beautiful moment of my life.

Me: And which are your saddest?

Dad: My saddest moment of my life was the day my grandfather died. He- He was my father...well you know Itzel I don’t have a father and he was a father to me and that’s why it's the saddest moment of my life.

Me: Okay then, how was your life different from what you imagined?

Dad: Well...to be honest I never had the imagine of my life, of my future because uh I marry your mom so young and I thought that life was going to be easy but umm this life right now it's- it's perfect for me.

Me: Okay...who are you most proudest of in your life?

Dad: I am proud of my three kids because they show me that they have a great great heart. I have really good kids, that they can go and read and um exceed their own limits and obviously your mom too because she’s very talented and she's a great person. She showed me how to push myself and that is why I am still here because she is a really, really great person.

Me: Okay next question, who has been the greatest influence in your life.

Dad: Well one of the person is my grandfather because he was like a dad to me. He taught me how to be honest and uhh he taught me how respect- to respect women and how to be a man. My wife helped me alot while we were together, she has been with me on every single aspect of life together

Me: Okay, next question. What was it like where you grew up?

Dad: It was simple. Its regular like the streets over here but the only difference is that I spend most of the time out in the streets, riding my bicycle after I finished my homework.*gives me the look of Did you finish your homework look*

Me: I finished my homework

Dad: Okay that's good. Well my childhood was really really good. I did a lot of activities on the outside

Me: Did you use that as an escape?

Dad: what do you mean?

Me: Yeah like an escape from your problems?

Dad: No, no I do it for fun. Yeah I do it for fun.

Me: If you can do something again what would you do differently? What would you change?

Dad: The only thing well… I don’t really want to change anything umm….I will only modify is to tell my grandfather how much I love him.

Me: Okay then, what religion are you in?

Dad: I believe in God obviously. Im catholic, I believe in la Virgen Maria

Me: If you believe in God how would you describe him/her/ or them?

Dad: what do you mean?

Me: Yes, how would you describe God to someone who doesn’t believe in God?

Dad: I mean I believe in God, I say he gives us the freedom to believe what we want to believe

[kaitestimonios]

Maritza Lagunas Bello

Maritza Lagunas Bello was born on March 23, 1995 in Los Angeles, California. She works at the LAPD and used to work at target too and the same time. She is my only and oldest sister, we have two brothers. She is married to Luis Adrian Bello, who is a professional boxer. They have a son who is about to turn 3 in December and his name is Luis Adrian Bello the third and she is currently 4 months pregnant. She currently lives in downey with her husbands family and is working hard to have a house of their own. After she had her first kid she has fell into postpartum but she had made it out and is positive and healthy.

Leaving home at a young age was hard because I had to leave the family you only knew and also because of everything that they had done for you and it’s hard to leave the only place you’ve ever been able to call home, it's like leaving a very important part of your life behind. My dad has always been a good role model for me growing up which is why I'm able to say that he is my favorite relative. My son has also been an inspiration to me because he has taught me to define the odds of me fighting through postpartum depression, he’s the reason I have something to look forward to, I want him to look up to me as his role model. As my dad did to me, I also have high standards to set for him to follow when he gets older.

With all the life challenges I am proud that I I’ve had never stopped pursuing school. Being a parent affects education and work because you have to balance all 3 in one. You need a job in order to support you family, an education to get a career to have a better job so you can provide for my family.  Responsibilities such as going through college and working didn't look that hard especially being a parent but I made it through and never gave up or stopped. I would like for my son to remember me as a strong minded person who didn’t let postpartum beat her.

If I had a chance to do everything again I would change nothing because my life wouldn't be the way it is if I didn't make any mistakes. And from my mistakes I learned to be a better person and have no hate towards yourself nor to others, being a better mother and now I have what I always wanted. So far throughout my life my best memory would be birthing my son, my worse would be having my cousin pass away and never been able to say goodbye.

[kaitestimonios]

Marleen Melendez

Marleen Melendez was born in 1998 in Montebello, California. She works as an electrician and is currently living in Covina. She is Mexican-American and has been a long time friend of mines. She and I are from the same religion and used to go to the same congregation before she moved to Covina. We are both Jehovah Witnesses who preach door to door helping people draw close to God by using the Bible. Growing up, I was about 6-7 years old when she started to give me Bible studies until I was 12. We grew very close to each other as friends and everytime we see each other, it's always a joyous moment. Marleen is an extrovert who is kind and funny. My greatest memories and experiences have happened with her which is why she is very special to me and the reason I decided to interview her.

How do you feel almost coming into adulthood?

“I'm scared because of all the responsibilities you get, you can't get away with childish things!”

What type of responsibilities are you most scared of going into adulthood?

“Not being able to sustain a home or a job. If I get married the possibility of having kids and making sure I'll have enough money to feed them.”

“I am a Jehovah Witness. We preach door to door helping people draw close to God by using his word the Bible. There are meetings twice a week that are Bible based. Being a Jehovah Witness has helped me mature as a person. We follow the guidelines that God has given us through the Bible. Learning how God loves moves us to want to change for him. For example in the role of a family the Bible says that children should obey their parents so that it may go good in their lives, treating your wife with love and a husband should be treated with respect. Ephesians 5:33, 6:1. When I don't read the Bible daily and look for God's guidance, I get lost but when I do my very best to follow his principles, it goes well for me. Matthew 5:3 says “ happy or those conscious of their spiritual needs..” I’ve found that to be very true. When I made God real for me, my life changed completely. I learned from reading the Bible, why he allows us to suffer? what hope do we have after death? is he really too busy to listen to us? the more we read about God the closer we can draw to him because we see the great love he has for us. Being conscious of my spiritual needs is the most important thing in life for me.”

When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?

“Usually how to get along with people! The most common problem among people is having to get along. Our imperfections sometimes make this difficult since we are constantly clashing because of differences in opinions and feelings. It may seem hard to forgive, but a useful bible text I like to apply in these scenarios is Luke 6:37 where it says “..forgive others to be forgiven.

“My best friend is my sister. She is a very caring and loving person. Always putting her spirituality in first. I look up to her for guidance! And she is studying to be a nurse because she wants to help people.”

What place on earth would you want to visit the most? Why?

“I don't have a specific place! Because I’d love to travel anywhere and learn about new cultures and taste new foods! I love going to the beach. The sound of the waves relax all the thoughts in my head. How you're toes shape perfectly into the soft sand. Sometimes you can even see dolphins jumping into the horizon, The sweet breeze that carries the salty smell of the ocean. And if you swim! Your lips will taste like salt also! Delicious!”

What are you interested in that most people haven't heard of?

“Most people know about it but don't take the time to appreciate is the sunrise! I love watching the sunrise because during the process you can see all the animals waking up, catching their food, and getting ready for the day. And the sky starts to change colors from black to different shades of light blue. As the sun comes out you see it's rays bursting behind the edge of the earth. It reminds me I have a new day, new beginning to do something better than yesterday.”

If your life were a novel, what would the title be?

“Marleen’s Crazy Life.”

“I hope you are successful in life. I pray everyday that you make wise decisions in life. That you learn quickly in how important it is to think before you act. I hope you never forget where you should look for guidance because there is someone always by your side ready to take care of you. And when the time comes and we make it into Paradise I want to travel the world with you. You can take pictures of everywhere we go and you can draw every animal see. I am always happy to hear you are standing up to your beliefs with your friend's and when they ask you questions you you're research. I admire all your photos! I hope you can become a professional photographer or even maybe an artist! You’ve progressed so much most of your drawings look realistic. I just hope you become famous while you’re alive and not die and then become famous like most of the artists.”

“I would like to be remembered as someone loving. I try to be there for my friend's and family. Anyone who needs help I hope they can come to me without fear of me rejecting them. I really try to be my best to let people know they're needed because everyone's important.”

[kaitestimonios]

Daisy Hernandez

Daisy Hernandez was born in 1986. Daisy Hernandez is my mom. Daisy Hernandez works at Kaiser as a receptionist. Daisy Hernandez is 50% Mexican, and 50% American. Daisy Hernandez was born in the United States. She lived and was born specifically in Long Beach. I'm writing about my mom because she is the biggest influence on me, she made me, she brought me into the world. This matters because without her in my life, I wouldn’t be where I am in life. 

What Was the happiest moment of your life?                

                “The happiest moment of my life was when your stepdad proposed to me. We went 7 to go eat at a Marisco restaurant. That was the happiest moment of my life because I was having a rough times that day, and when he proposed to me, that 9:made my day and I started to cry. He gave me flowers, a thank you for everything letter and a heart box of”

Who has been your biggest influence on you and why?

                 “My dad has been the biggest influence on me my whole life because ever since I was little, I knew what was going on with him. My dad’s life was never easy, still right now he still has a little trouble with his jobs. He’s been working 3 jobs his whole life just to support are family. He would be coming home late paying all the bills because my mom didn’t work at the time. But somehow he manage to do everything. All that motivates me to do whatever I want because I know i’m going to complete it no matter what.”       

What was the hardest thing you ever had to do?

                  “The hardest thing I ever had to do was telling your biological dad that I can’t be with him anymore because of his bad behavior towards me, and abusing me sometimes, and also because of his bad additions, like him smoking drinking and doing drugs all the time. It was really hard for me because I really loved him but he didn’t support you and me. “

What are you most proud of in your life?

                   “Im most proudest that I go to work everyday, I go to school 4 days out of the week, I go to the gym 2 times a week, and I take care of our family. Im most proud of that because It’s hard for me but nothing's impossible. Im also proud of that because even though I have a lot on my plate I can handle it because Ii was used to this when I was little”

   What was it like where you grew up?

                   “Where I grew up was really bad because there was a lot of teenagers around my house doing bad things. Like they would throw rocks at people’s houses. They would knock on people’s door and run away.They would also go to the liquor right next to our house and rob snacks. They were all want to be cholos. I would never want to go because it was dangerous. The only good thing that I had as a child was getting a dog every few month because my dad used to live at the pet shop. The other good thing is that every school I went to was very close to my house. My elementary school was only half a block away from my house. My middle school was 3 blocks away. My high school was 2 blocks away, so all the nearest schools were together and very close to my house.      

[kaitestimonios]

Carlos Manuel Caceres

Carlos Manuel Caceres. Born May 25, 1965. The second oldest of 4 sons. Born in Merida to two parents, Yazmin and Mario Caceres. He immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and had to make a life for himself in the states. Bringing his cultures and experience to the states, he started a family and left his mark on this country.

Yes-I was born in Merida in 1965 in a small clinic. My parents were already in the United states by then, so I just went to Yucatan-well, my mom went to Yucatan to give birth to me instead of being born in the United States. You get it?

Uh huh

After about 7 years-no, I lie.

(Whistles in bewilderment)

Uh, in my junior high years or in about my ninth grade year of school uh my parents, now having four kids decided to go back to Yucatan and live. So then the Christmas break of that year they took me back to Yucatan and they decided to stay there. And well that was where we were gonna live. I didn’t handle it and came back by myself. Well I didn’t come back by myself, my mom brought me back to my Tia Flor’s house, where she accepted me back in what I believe was 1980. And from then on in I just grew in my Tia Flor’s house which is near downtown, near Chinatown.

Okay, speaking of family, can you tell me a family tradition and why we do it?

A family tradition. Hmm. Well in Yucatan, well let’s say Day of the Dead. In the Day of the Dead we eat this-this special- uh baked food it's called Mucbipollo, which is baked and smells delicious. All through the neighborhood, you drive down Day of the Dead and you’ll be smelling all these houses with this stuff.

Mucbi.

Mu-mucbi?

Pollo.

Pollo.

It’s a Mayan dish which is like a giant pie made with masa and chicken meat a-a-an-and pork meat. Get it?

Okay.

Tha-that’s, you know an offering to the dead, but its accustom in Yucatan  to make it. And my dad loves it.

What was the happiest moment of your life?

Hmm. Happiest moment of my life? So far?

Yes. You can’t have a happiest moment that hasn’t happened yet.

Uh huh that's right. I guess the happiest moment was when I saw you being born. That was a pretty happy moment That’s the only time I can really remember being freaked out.

Okay, and what about the saddest?

The same day.

What? (dry, forced laugh)

Because, I’m no longer irresponsible.

So you had to be like-so you had to, like,  grow up that day?

Exactly. See, if you weren’t born I would still be irresponsible-not cause I’m married to your mom-but still pretty irresponsible. You know, but once you were born, it changed the whole thing. I became a responsible person.

Umm.

Happiest and saddest day of my life

(Dry, forced laugh) Umm, have you ever had your heart broken? Or broken someone’s heart?

Uhh, yes I have.

Details?

Details?

Yes, details (dry laugh)

You wanna hear this sad st-I don’t wanna hear this sad story. You know it’s nothing. Somebody you thought you were very in love with and stuff like this and they didn’t live you the way you loved them. You, you know, you play that part for a long time. The you decide, “oh man, they don’t love me!” And then you finally realize it, and-and that was it.

Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

I don’t think so...

Uhh, speaking of like, love, was it weird when you first met Mom, since she was like younger than you? What was it like?

Yes, oh I hated your mother.

(Laughs)

Yes, uh we were on the debate team at uh Pasadena City College. And uh-

That seems like an appropriate meeting for you.

Yeah, arguing huh?

Yeah.

Yeah, we still (unintelligible) But anyways, she uh-I didn’t think nothing of your mom-in other words, I didn't really like your mom to tell you the truth. And then uhh, little by little, you know I just started hanging out with her and more and more started to like her and before you know it-SHE HAD HER HOOKS IN ME!

(Chuckles)

Trapped like a rat. And I guess I was old enough that I wanted to be married. You know? She’s young, pretty-she’ll be prettier than me when I’m old…

(Laughs)

Why not?

Umm, if you had to do everything again, what would you change? Do differently?

I would’ve gone to college when I was eighteen, as soon as I got a chance. Or I would’ve joined the Marine Corps., the Navy when I was eighteen or other services. But more than likely, college. I should’ve done that. I-I totally, totally regret that.

Okay, umm. Is-okay um on the subject of that, what is your biggest regret?

That-uh, by going to college-by not going to college uhhh at a young age I didn't uh-I don’t know I should’ve been-I should be more well off-I don’t know. I-I should’ve evolved with the rest of my peers, but I didn’t. It’s like I- I spent five years in the wilderness, trying to find myself. No, I was too busy having fun for five years, or six years, or seven years. Until I met you mother and then it all changed. Well actually, when I met you mother, my best friend had gotten married. Well he didn’t get married, he moved in with his girlfriend and stuff. So, most of my (unintelligible) friends were hooked up, had girlfriends and stuff. So the same idiots I hug out with, well, we didn’t hang out anymore. And by then, you know, I-I-that’s when I- round the time where I met your mother. And then I also got hooked up. So I started seeing your mother and, well she was more fun than hanging out with my friends. Well, at the time it was…

Okay-uh last question- is there something that you’ve always wanted to know about me, but never asked?

About you?

Yes.

(Unintelligible mumbling)Yeah, I’ve alway-well, never been afraid to ask- I always ask, but you never tell me about you feelings.

Feelings?

Yeah!

Like?

Growing up. What is is like being you? I’d never know, you never talk to me. You know, you never had adventures. Everything’s silly and icky.

[kaitestimonios]

Enrique Merida

His name is Enrique Merida. He was born in Guatemala, he is 37 was born in 1980 and went to the U.S when he was 8, during this journy he experienced a lot of things, from being separated from his parents to tv teaches him a lot of what he knows now. Now he sells jewelry and is a husband and a dad. I chose him because he was there for me when my dad died and took care of me. Now this is a story all about how he immigrated as a kids and his experience when he first arrived to the U.S.

How old were you when you came the the U.S?

I was 8 years old when I came.

How long did it take for you to become a citizen.

I became a citizen 13 years after i arrived here.

How has your life been like after you came to the U.S.?

My life has been better then it would  have been in Guatemala because there's more opportunities here. You can get a better education, there's no civil  war here, it's a much better life here.

How long did it take for you to get here?

From the day we left it took us about 3 weeks to get here

What was the biggest thing that worried you on your trip here?

The biggest thing that worried me was getting lost from my parents, not making here and getting sent back, those were my two biggest concerns.

What is something that you miss and why?

I do miss all the green fields that we used to play in as kids, I used to fly kites with my older sister, and I do miss that.

What is the first thing you noticed when you came?

The first thing that I noticed when I came was the diversity, a lot of different color people, so that was kinda a shock at first.

Who or what helped you with the change?

Honestly T.V helped with the change because by watching tv I got to see a lot of the way life is here. So watching television really helped me, even pick up the language.

Who did you go with on your trip, were you ever separated from your parents on you trip?

Yes it was my parents and my 3 siblings, myself and  two younger siblings stayed in Tijuana while my parents crossed the border, we crossed over by people who crossed miners, and  we reunited.

Did anyone make you feel comfortable, and safe on the way there?

Yeah my parents, by telling my that everything was going to be ok and there's nothing to worry about.

What is the way that you went, was it more than one, and did you feel safe?

We took busses and a flight from Mexico City to Tijuana

Do you ever want to go back to see what it's like now, how do you imagine it to be?

Yes i would like to go back and i imagine that it has grown greatly, because it been 2 years since I visited my home town and I do have relatives that I would like to see.

If you had the option to stay would you and why, if  no then why would you leave?

I would still leave because after having the quality of life that I have in the US, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the would.

When you were with you siblings who was the one who took charge of everyone?

Since I was the oldest I would try to be strong and I would give the words of encouragement and comfort, I told them that we would soon be reunited with my parents and sister(how ever, I would cry daily because I missed my parents).

Was it hard to get into school, what were the things that you had to do to qualify.

It was not hard to get into school the school was very accepting and welcoming we just had to get out vaccinations p t date, that day I had about 6 shots

Was there a point in your trip were you thought something was about to go wrong?

I was too young to think of the worst and negative thing; I was only 8.

[kaitestimonios]

Martha Eloisa Bobadilla

Martha Eloisa Bobadilla was born and raised in East Los Angeles. She was born on May 30th, 1983. Her family consisted of her great-grandmother, her mother, her father and two younger brothers. Although her father was murdered in Mexico when she was nine. She grew up taking care of her brothers, Chad and Jorge. Her family had a taco truck and would always have road trips to Mexico. With the many challenges but also many successful moments, she is a strong, independent, and beautiful woman that I will always look up to.  

Question: What is one life mistake that you regret?

Answer: “One life mistake would be not continuing school. I would do things differently and not let anyone or anything change my mind of completing my education.”

Question: What is one thing you would do differently?

Answer: “Continue with my education. I wouldn’t let anything stop me from going to College or University, graduate and achieve any goals I would have for myself.”

Question: What is your favorite childhood memory?

Answer: “My favorite childhood memory would be when every Sunday, all the family would get together, the holidays and playing outside with friends and cousins. Every evening the neighborhood kids would come out and play together.”

Question: Are you proud of your background?

Answer: Yes, I’m very proud of my background. I love everything about it. Our tradition, food, family.

Question: What was your hardest part of your life?

Answer: “My hardest part of my life would be a lot of events. First my father’s death, sexual molestation, grandparents death, almost getting kidnapped, the loss of my lifelong grandmother’s home, and most recently, my two brothers being behind bars.”

Question: What was your biggest influence or life lesson?

Answer: “My biggest influence or life lesson would just be myself seeing things with a different perspective than other people see it. All the events I had in my life, I see it just like a lesson to make me stronger. I would never be a victim.”

Question: Are you happy with yourself? Why?

Answer: “I’m happy and proud of the mother that I am. I feel that I give my all as a mother. I’m unhappy with myself as a person outside of being a mother. Like I could've been someone with a career.”

Question: Are you proud of me? Why?

Answer: “Yes, I’m very proud of you. I’m very proud of the person that you are. You have a great heart, smart, beautiful, caring and giving. I’m proud of all that you do. I’m proud of 100% of the person you are.”

Question: What are your dreams for me?

Answer: “My dreams for you is to be successful in life. To reach and go beyond your goals. To do what makes you happy. I hope you don’t limit yourself in life. To know you are capable of doing anything.”