Karen G.
Me and my Mom
I was about two or three years old when this picture was taken. This picture was taken a little bit before my mom left from Veracruz, Mexico to Los Angeles, California. She left to try her luck and because she wanted to give me a better life. She wanted to give me an opportunity to grow up without any worries about money, to have the opportunity to go to school and become someone better. I was reunited with her a year later.
Thomas Jefferson Democrats Beanie
This beanie represents a lot to me. This beanie signifies chance, progress, power and luck. I am so lucky to be in a country where no matter what social status or ethnic backround you have, you still have the equal opportunity to go to school. Once I finish high school I will be the 5th person in my whole entire family who actually graduated from high school. Most of my family never made it out of elementary. Because life is so hard in Mexico, instead of going to school they would go to work at an early age. Once I finish high school there are so many job opportunities out there. In order to get a decent job it's mandatory that you at least have your high school diploma. With your high school diploma you are the one in power during the course of your life.
A Quinceanera
In the Hispanic communty it is traditional that when a girl turns 15 she has a party to celebrate her turning into a woman. First, she attends church to thank God for letting her live 15 years. The whole ceremony is supposed to signify the transitionof going from a girl to a young lady. Then there's a party where the family attends and the closest friends are invited. The Damas and Chambelanes are usually the closest friends of the Quinceanera. They accompany her to church and dance the traditional waltz at the party. Then, after the party some families have a dinner for the Chambelanes and Damas to thank them for helping their family make the party possible.
The Rosario
In the Mexican community the rosary is used to pray for important things or people. You can use it at church or at your home in front of an altar. There are 20 Mysteries reflected on the rosary. They are divided into the 5 Joyful Mysteries, the 5 Lumminus Mysteries, the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries,and the 5 Glorious Mysteries. The rosary's purpose is to remind us of certain events in the history of our salvation.
Immigration
Coming from an immigrant family and actually being one myself, hearing about the raids and deportations really hits home. We came to this country looking for a better life. We didn't come to "take" jobs away from people. And besides, most of the jobs that immigrants do, no one else wants to do them. We are the ones breaking our backs so we can earn a miserable amount of money that can't pay the bills. In order to live in L.A most immigrants have more than one job, parting them from their familes. And now, with the deportations and raids, they are breaking up families by the hundreds.
Immigrants-college= Poor hard working Immigrant
As I said before immigrants come to the U.S for a better life. And the kids of those immigrants come for a better education. They have hope all the way into high school, but then something gets in their way. The fact that they're immigrants means they can't go to college. All those years of hard work, where does it all go? Nowhere. Because they don't get the chance to prove that they can do it. Then they give up and end up working in common jobs like mowing lawns or cleaning pools; when they could have been in college, studying to be something greater. It's not fair. Yeah, the U.S. has justice and equality for all. But those "all", have to be born within their piece of land that they call the "liberty land".
Hopes and Dreams
After I finish high school I plan to attend college and major in Business. I want to be an entrepreneur and own my own restaurant. I plan to start small, then work my way up. I am also fascinated by the art of cooking. After I get my business major, I plan to go to the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in France. Then it is my dream to be the executive chef on my own restaurant.
Reading
I love to read! It is one of my favorite past times. I love any kind of books but mostly I'm into the mysteries and science fiction. I also read books with some historical facts. I love learning about the past. Anything that has history interests me. The Giver is one of my favorite books. You get lost in a Utopia which you could of have never imagined.
Passions and Values
The most important things in my life are family and friends. My life is a puzzle which is slowy forming, but without them, my life wouldn't be complete. My family is an essential part of my life. Being Mexican you are born with a natural bond that always brings you close with your family. They've given me my values and morals. Now my friends are like my second family. They are always there when I need them. When I can't talk to my family I know that I can always go to them. They are the two things I really treasure in my life.
Places I'd like to go
I haven't been in my home country for about eight years. I miss my homeland and my people. There's always a bond that will forever tie you with your land and your roots. No matter how many years I spend far away from my home. I will forever remember my customs and beliefs. I plan to return to my homeland someday. I just hope that that "someday" comes soon. I can feel my land calling my name.
