This will be the only day I post multiple posts (unless extenuating circumstances present themselves of course), this will be short and sweet. I just want to point out that I've finally changed my username. No longer CagedBird, as I am no longer shackled by the chains of being undocumented, this is long overdue I know. Also, the summary of this blog has been updated for a better understanding of the purpose of this blog.
Thank you for your time :)
Have a wonderful day!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Immigrant in Your Life
I've got so much to say! This morning I saw an article that reminded me I meant to share something with you the other day but I didn't want to bombard you with multiple posts in one day and then I got busy. So here we are today.
First, I want to share a personal achievement with my interweb readers and friends. As most of you know I work in retail. It's not for me, I still can't figure out whether an existing position there truly fits me. A position I've been filling recently is one that doesn't formally exist but I've been playing all my life and am finally getting paid for it (kind of), translator. I get called for customer service in Spanish for sales, and customer service for repairs. I constantly feel like I'm the only one that speaks Spanish. I love it! Whenever I get asked to translate I feel extremely empowered and useful, my Spanish has improved so much. I can hardly believe how comfortable I feel speaking it on the job. I could totally live an all-Spanish speaking life. . . maybe haha.
Second order of business. Have you seen in the news that several people in places of power are advocating for Driver License to be given to undocumented immigrants? LA Police Chief Charlie Beck spoke out about this about a week ago, and a couple days ago Assemblyman Cedillo launched his bid for the same cause. This sincerely warms my heart yet worries me at the same time. If you read the article about Police Chief Charlie (which I've linked in their names), he believes Driver Licenses for undocumented immigrants should be labeled differently. I realize that any undocumented immigrant with the opportunity to have a Driver License, having the ability to avoid having his car impounded or possibly going to jail, would take it. But would they go for it if it was labelled saying: Provisional Driver License based on immigration status? I feel like this is going to lead to discrimination.
I know that when I was undocumented I wanted no one to know about it. I did everything not to be reminded of it, maybe it is different to be undocumented as a full grown adult? Perhaps you see things different. I suppose if you are a father and husband, with the chance to not get in trouble for driving "illegally" you'd take it because it would be one less thing to worry about. Now aside from the possible discrimination, I think this is great and it should be seriously considered. Driver License or not, an undocumented immigrant will drive because they need to survive. They didn't risk their lives crossing the border to sit around afraid to drive to work because they don't have a plastic card that says they can drive. Plus, there are plenty of people out there with those little plastic cards claiming they can drive and certainly put us in greater danger than the undocumented immigrants. Let me not get side-tracked. I am just trying to make a point. Aren't undocumented immigrants living with the shorter end of the stick as it is? First their countries are left with no chances for providing jobs since companies have infiltrated their industries and economies? They risk their lives coming to the land of promise to pick our vegetables, work the slaughter houses for your meats, take over your mom roles, keep your home, maintain your lawn, pick up your trash, make your food at your fancy restaurant so you don't have to go home and make it yourself? Isn't it time this country does something to recognize their extremely important role in this economy and society? Allowing them a Driver License is the least that can be done for them.
When government asks for your opinion about this, think about how much of your daily life depends on the presence of undocumented immigrants before you ask that they be sent back to their countries.
I think I've said my peace for today. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts with me! I love seeing how much more traffic is coming through here, I would love to hear from some of you.
MUCH LOVE!!!
First, I want to share a personal achievement with my interweb readers and friends. As most of you know I work in retail. It's not for me, I still can't figure out whether an existing position there truly fits me. A position I've been filling recently is one that doesn't formally exist but I've been playing all my life and am finally getting paid for it (kind of), translator. I get called for customer service in Spanish for sales, and customer service for repairs. I constantly feel like I'm the only one that speaks Spanish. I love it! Whenever I get asked to translate I feel extremely empowered and useful, my Spanish has improved so much. I can hardly believe how comfortable I feel speaking it on the job. I could totally live an all-Spanish speaking life. . . maybe haha.
Second order of business. Have you seen in the news that several people in places of power are advocating for Driver License to be given to undocumented immigrants? LA Police Chief Charlie Beck spoke out about this about a week ago, and a couple days ago Assemblyman Cedillo launched his bid for the same cause. This sincerely warms my heart yet worries me at the same time. If you read the article about Police Chief Charlie (which I've linked in their names), he believes Driver Licenses for undocumented immigrants should be labeled differently. I realize that any undocumented immigrant with the opportunity to have a Driver License, having the ability to avoid having his car impounded or possibly going to jail, would take it. But would they go for it if it was labelled saying: Provisional Driver License based on immigration status? I feel like this is going to lead to discrimination.
I know that when I was undocumented I wanted no one to know about it. I did everything not to be reminded of it, maybe it is different to be undocumented as a full grown adult? Perhaps you see things different. I suppose if you are a father and husband, with the chance to not get in trouble for driving "illegally" you'd take it because it would be one less thing to worry about. Now aside from the possible discrimination, I think this is great and it should be seriously considered. Driver License or not, an undocumented immigrant will drive because they need to survive. They didn't risk their lives crossing the border to sit around afraid to drive to work because they don't have a plastic card that says they can drive. Plus, there are plenty of people out there with those little plastic cards claiming they can drive and certainly put us in greater danger than the undocumented immigrants. Let me not get side-tracked. I am just trying to make a point. Aren't undocumented immigrants living with the shorter end of the stick as it is? First their countries are left with no chances for providing jobs since companies have infiltrated their industries and economies? They risk their lives coming to the land of promise to pick our vegetables, work the slaughter houses for your meats, take over your mom roles, keep your home, maintain your lawn, pick up your trash, make your food at your fancy restaurant so you don't have to go home and make it yourself? Isn't it time this country does something to recognize their extremely important role in this economy and society? Allowing them a Driver License is the least that can be done for them.
When government asks for your opinion about this, think about how much of your daily life depends on the presence of undocumented immigrants before you ask that they be sent back to their countries.
I think I've said my peace for today. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts with me! I love seeing how much more traffic is coming through here, I would love to hear from some of you.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Big Week!
I've been looking forward to this week and for good reason. I started the SOSMentor internship yesterday, it was so great having something that makes sense in my life. Working at my current job only makes sense because it's challenging and constantly evolving but it ends there. I need to make a more obvious and meaningful change in people's lives. As the intern for SOSMentor I act as an assistant to the teacher leading the workshops on healthy eating as well as the one in charge of making sure the program continues getting its funding. I get to make videos, take pictures, collect information, etc, etc. I'll share more as it becomes more involved.
W2 forms came in the mail a couple months ago, it was honestly intimidating. I started asking friends where they file their taxes, how they file their taxes, lots of interrogating. Since of course nothing in my life can be plain and simple I realized I'd have to find someone to do my taxes for me, turbotax was not going to work for me. Finally today I got to searching, and I got an estimate from H&R Block and then another one. The second one won. So today I filed my taxes!!! I'm a real working girl now! I'm very hopeful as I'll be closer to meeting monetary goals for getting certified to teach abroad with the tax return.
I've started writing my Personal Statement for the scholarship I'll be applying for. I've had a couple times where I've changed my mind about getting certified knowing that having this internship I'll have great prospective for a more fitting job, but travelling is a must. I need to reset my mind, my person so I can make better decisions in life. My momentary change of heart about the program was set off by a girl from work leaving to Japan to teach English. A coworker made a hateful comment about how everyone goes abroad to teach English. Writing about this now makes me think that she was jealous, who knows, it really doesn't matter. Everyone has their reasons for choosing their paths in life and it doesn't make it wrong. I'm excited!
I feel that ultimately regardless of what field I end up focusing on, there will be teaching involved. Active teaching. I'm excited.
MUCH LOVE!!
W2 forms came in the mail a couple months ago, it was honestly intimidating. I started asking friends where they file their taxes, how they file their taxes, lots of interrogating. Since of course nothing in my life can be plain and simple I realized I'd have to find someone to do my taxes for me, turbotax was not going to work for me. Finally today I got to searching, and I got an estimate from H&R Block and then another one. The second one won. So today I filed my taxes!!! I'm a real working girl now! I'm very hopeful as I'll be closer to meeting monetary goals for getting certified to teach abroad with the tax return.
I've started writing my Personal Statement for the scholarship I'll be applying for. I've had a couple times where I've changed my mind about getting certified knowing that having this internship I'll have great prospective for a more fitting job, but travelling is a must. I need to reset my mind, my person so I can make better decisions in life. My momentary change of heart about the program was set off by a girl from work leaving to Japan to teach English. A coworker made a hateful comment about how everyone goes abroad to teach English. Writing about this now makes me think that she was jealous, who knows, it really doesn't matter. Everyone has their reasons for choosing their paths in life and it doesn't make it wrong. I'm excited!
I feel that ultimately regardless of what field I end up focusing on, there will be teaching involved. Active teaching. I'm excited.
MUCH LOVE!!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Time Needs Time
I'm sorry an update is way overdue especially since the last post is about me possibly getting Citizenship much earlier than expected. I did a little more digging and it turns out it's actually 5 years. Shame shame on the person who falsely got my hopes up, but it's ok life is still great!
I've been having a lot of free time, that dangerous free time for self-evaluation where I made myself think I'm wasting my time and need to do more. We are our most demanding critic after all. My time needs to be filled with productive, soul-fulfilling activities. On my days off I've been hiking and playing beach volleyball. I still can't get myself back to the gym, but one of these days. I also made some Ninja-speed moves and I now have a Nutrition Internship with SOSMentor. I'll be working at Uni High with an after-school program that teaches kids about healthy eating and proper ways of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I'll also get to do an eating disorders internship which will be once a month. SOSMentor will be for about 15 weeks and I am going to learn so much and I am sooooo excited!
The interview for the internship was today, I'd gotten an email from them a couple days ago saying my resume was "impressive". That made me feel so great! The last couple weeks have definitely picked up and I'm so excited for the weeks to come. I've set several goals for myself and I am finally coming to terms that I need to give time, time.
I've decided I need to travel, so I am going to get my certificate to teach English abroad. That way, I'll get my fulfilling life experience on as well as my travel in. I'll do that for a couple years and then come back and get my Masters, in what, right now it is up in the air whether it'll be in Nutrition or Latina American Studies and MBA. We shall seeee.
Life is beautiful.
LOTS OF LOVE!!!
I've been having a lot of free time, that dangerous free time for self-evaluation where I made myself think I'm wasting my time and need to do more. We are our most demanding critic after all. My time needs to be filled with productive, soul-fulfilling activities. On my days off I've been hiking and playing beach volleyball. I still can't get myself back to the gym, but one of these days. I also made some Ninja-speed moves and I now have a Nutrition Internship with SOSMentor. I'll be working at Uni High with an after-school program that teaches kids about healthy eating and proper ways of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I'll also get to do an eating disorders internship which will be once a month. SOSMentor will be for about 15 weeks and I am going to learn so much and I am sooooo excited!
The interview for the internship was today, I'd gotten an email from them a couple days ago saying my resume was "impressive". That made me feel so great! The last couple weeks have definitely picked up and I'm so excited for the weeks to come. I've set several goals for myself and I am finally coming to terms that I need to give time, time.
I've decided I need to travel, so I am going to get my certificate to teach English abroad. That way, I'll get my fulfilling life experience on as well as my travel in. I'll do that for a couple years and then come back and get my Masters, in what, right now it is up in the air whether it'll be in Nutrition or Latina American Studies and MBA. We shall seeee.
Life is beautiful.
LOTS OF LOVE!!!
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