Purro Jalisco Compa!

Adrian (Son) riding the horse with Tio Guerro! <3

Were my Dad is from there are activities called Coliaderas (some what like rodeo's) these are picures we took when Juan & I went to one in the begining of the summer. This was close ot Forest Lake! But we can say it was en un Rancho en MEXICO! The guys on the horses are Juan (purple shirt) & my cousin El Guerro(Hector). My cousin is wearing the typical outfit guys should wear when joining the activites en la coliaderas. These are some of the tradicciones mi padre grew up with.


From the rider's point of view! He is drinking Sprite!! = )

My Mother's Story

Mom’s Story

It was Friday April 4^th 1984. We started work as usual, but this morning on that melon field, I didn’t know that my life could have changed forever.

                Me siento incomoda, like if something wrong is going to happen. As that white van comes closer my cousin says to me, "desimuladamente levanta la cabeza y fíjate que ya llego la migra." At that momento all I can think about is my children at home…

 As the man in the green suit approaches our group of workers; right away he asks, “Saquen los papeles.” I pay no attention and keep my head down and do my work, brainstorming of what to do? How didn’t I think about the plan if this was ever going to happen? Se me acerca el inmigrante and asks again, “Señora y sus papeles? Lo miro y le respondo sin pensar, “Si los tengo en la lonchera, déjeme sacarlos.” As I walk towards the truck were my lunch box sits. I’m stuck with the gilt that I had just lied to a immigrant. As he approaches me this time he asks again, “Encontró los papeles, Senora,” All I can answer is no Senor no tengo.” Me dice, “Súbase a la camioneta por favor.”

                As I sit with eight other co-workers I suddenly feel the emotion of sadness, hatred, worried absorbs me within. I listen quietly to my co-workers as they exchange advice and remind of us all about that law everyone is talking about. I suddenly remember listening to the local radio station announcer say “If caught by immigration DO NOT sign the voluntary deportation slip.” This plan gives me a shot of being with my girls and my husband, and not go back home to nothing.

                Waiting in those cold offices the immigrant assigned to me approaches and demands a signature. I stand my ground and say, “No I will not sign anything, I want my court.” He looks at me and tells me, “You know that they can send you as far as San Francisco to see an Immigration Judge?” I respond “I don’t care; I will go where ever they send me.” He hesitates in giving me the paper work and with that they send me free.

                I walk out of that office analyzing what just happen with all these mixed emotions, I cry, I head home to my family. Freedom never smelled as sweet as it did that day…..

Mom finally becoming an American Chicken!! 2012 Baby!! Go MAMI!!

 

 

My Dad's Story

My Dad's Story

 

I'm from Colotlan, Jalisco Mexico. I'm one of the oldest of 9 children. We live in a farm all I know is farm life and work with my hands. I know if I work hard salgo adelante. My home life is my mother is a house wife my father un hombre del campo. Seeing my father mistreat my mother was part of life in this family but yet she stayed, for her children she always said....

 

When I was 21 yrs. old I met a beautiful sun kissed Mexican woman, which was economically better off than I was. Still she seemed intrested and as in love as I was with her. As we wed with just the witnesses and us two in the alter, I think about my future of how I was supposed to support my family? I have been to El Norte before but I didn't know what Irma thinks about the situation, risks and outcomes of our move. As I ask myself, Is she willing to walk that hot desert like I did for 2 whole endless days?, or sleep under a abandon bus like I did the year before?, Or risk of getting stung or bit by those deadly scorpions or snakes? All these things run through my mind now and to think a couple years back I crossed the frontera sin pensarlo dos veses. My goal was just to work and bring back money to Mom. Now this trip will be for a longer time and for far more important reasons.

As this month passes I see little progress in bringing home money to support my wife and I. Not only is this stressful but if defines me am I strong enough to hold my family together? Am I going to be able to provide for my family once we decide to add a baby to our family? My only option is what I was thinking about a month ago, "Vamonos al Norte!" was all I can hear my concience answer back....

My Parents!! <3

Los Tigres Del Norte- "Jaula De Oro"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jeBzqS_6WE&feature=colike

 

 



Last Thoughts....

 

 

 

 

Reasons behind the emotional waves this class has made me go through this past month Ughhh!,  where do I start?? Well I always said that my writing does so much better than my words do. I jotted down the tip of the ice burg (example) of the personal experiences my parents went through being illegal immigrants. Personally I really don't remember when this all took place (Mom says we were too little to remember.) but I have carried the stories through out the years and sometimes I think those memories provocan mas dolor o mas passion al querer a tu cultura. Seeing my parents eyes water up as they start telling THIER stories gives you the meaning of how much they have gone through to be were they are at now. Te llenas de orgullo de ser su hija. Es un hermoso sentimiento tan grande tan inmenso que descrivirlo no podria.

 

I want to thank everyone in our class for opening up and pouring your thoughts your input on our cultures. To Curtis, gracias PROFE por entender como entiende. Anque algunas veses me frustrava por cosas que no llegavan al caso. Gracias por recordarme de las cosas hermosas de mi cultura, la dulzura de nuestra jente. It's amazingly beautiful and I'm so happy y orgullosa de ser quien soy al 1000% MEXICAN!!

 

I hope you enjoy the personal interviews I did the next two post are my Father's Story and My Mother's Story. I will not get into all the detail. Please feel free to add a comment or feed back!! Thank you so much!!

 

<3 Besotes <3

~Chel~

*~DULCE MEXICANESS~*

"After the storm, a beautiful rainbow shall appear!!"

"Despues de la tormenta, brillara un lindo arcoiris!!"

Last week we were asked to imagine that the situation in Mexico and the U.S.A switched? How would you take the change? Would you be able to leave your home in the U.S to live in Mexico's rising economy to provide for your family? What would you bring?, what would you take?

For me, this question has come up in our family talks before. I think it would be beautiful to be able to go back and make a living in Mexico. Being able to enjoy family and the culture up close and personal...PRICELESS!! = )
 

America has opened the door not only to my parents, but for soo many of mi jente. Con un poco de esfuerzo y esperanza todo es posible. Sacar adelante a su familia, como mis padres lo lograron. He had to learn English, adapt to different beliefs and continuous to stride for a better life. Both my mother and father have given up a little of their culture para encontrar una nueva oportunidad para sus hijos. Anque algunas veses era de no poder contestarles con la misma respuesta el ingles. You can say it's bittersweet, bitter because we never could say we know how to live in Mexico with all the struggles and beauty that comes with. And sweet because both my parents tried to keep as much of our culture in our lives. And as a parent with two boys, les quiero enculcarles lo importante de aceptar y EMBRACE their MEXICANESS/ LATINONESS!! To know about the Aztecs, to know about Pancho Villa, to understand why is it SOO important to also get that education that their grandparents never had. To better themselves. Not NO one else but themselves. To dream and dream BIG and don't give up on any dreams until they come true. That whatever is thrown at them, the out come will be even sweeter!
 

<3 <3 <3

BESOS!
 

DULZURA FAMILIAR

Salsa Verde!

Hola mi hermosa jente!

 Well not all that superb week just the same'o same'o. This weekend I spent time with my familia now that one of our cousin was in town. So we made the famous and yummy carne asada (thin steak seasoned), arroz, frijoles, tortillas, salsa al estiolo Mio: Molcajete! (just kidding) Had a sweet time reminiscing about the good old days in Cali. Trip how it is when we all grow up! It's nice to get together it has been awhile that we haven't gotten together, everyone gets so tyed up in school, work, everything in between ya know!

 

This is Mi Familia Mayra, Me, El Senor Conrado, Sra. Irma, Lovida, and Maria!
 (We are still missing 2 more children!)