These last 6 months have been the best 6 months of my life yet, I grew and learned so much. Today I found out that instead of having to wait 5 years for my Citizenship it's only 6 months since I got my Residency based on my Dad's status. I just went back and it is going to be 7 months on the 3rd! Wowsers.
Here goes an amazing full year of all-out opportunities. Big move in life to be made this year. GRE. Grad school. Better job? Travelling! Visiting Mexico!!! I've decided I'm going to keep pursuing my nutrition/trainer dream. Life decisions are so intimidating but we all go through them. I've finally accepted and come to terms that it is impossible to make the absolute "right" decision. You have to start somewhere.
I am so excited!
MUCH LOVE!!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
True Point of Life
As you heard I went to Tijuana. It happened and I apologize it has taken me so long to report back on the excursion. I had finals and work all weekend and am finally catching back up. Friends have asked me how visiting Tijuana was, others asked me why I had gone there at all.
For me, visiting Tijuana had nothing to do with the place and all about the value of the trip. I personally have no connection to Tijuana, and as most of you know I do not even consider Tijuana real Mexico as it is a place that gets abused by many young adults as a way to bypass U.S. drinking law. I am sure it is no news to anyone that Tijuana is the destination for many people in the U.S. as it is the closest place they can drink before being 21. I have always found that silly as in my family there have never been too many restrictions regarding drinking, great choice on their part because I was more prepared when I went off to college. Back to the focus of this post.
Going to Tijuana was the ultimate ritual to validate my being a resident now. On this trip I discovered how the Hispanic culture travels. There are shuttles that will drive you to Tijuana and back for $30/person. They also have destinations to Las Vegas and San Diego, it was a very interesting experience as anyone growing up in mainstream America would never know the existence of such affordable travel. When the shuttle arrived in San Ysidro (since the shuttles never actually cross the border) my dad and I walked through the border. There were swinging doors we walked through, then some small barricades and there was a yellow line on the ground that marked U.S. Border on one side and Mexico Border on the other. There was a sign that read, "Legal documentation will be required to re-enter U.S. Border". I had a quick flashback to my fear of finding myself in a situation where I wouldn't be able to re-enter this country again and I felt instantly sick. But reality was, I simply walked over a yellow line on the pavement and I was in Mexico . . . there was nothing ceremonial about it.
We were in Tijuana for several hours until it just became way too depressing to be there. I saw donkeys spray painted as zebras, their white paint had turned yellow. The strangest thing I saw was what looked like the entire Tijuana police department parked right outside the Tijuana Cathedral, it was a whole street barricaded off that was lined with a dozen Ford trucks and cops just hanging out watching everyone walking by.
I knew at the beginning of this journey to Tijuana that the thing I looked forward to most was coming back, yes I hadn't even boarded the shuttle and I was already looking forward to returning. This was all just to prove a point, I'm free. I am still looking forward to boarding a plan only to arrive to my real home and see somewhat familiar faces. In reality I know I will hardly recognize any of my family, but knowing that I will see faces that will be extremely happy to see me is what I really want. It is all about human connection in this life, nothing but human connection.
I am happy and thankful that my dad and I made it back safely. Most of all thankful that I attained what brought me pain and countless tears for so many years. I know that there are still a lot of people out there awaiting their turn. I know it's a painful process, but patience pays off. Just make the best of the time that you have here in the U.S. because not everyone is as lucky as us.
MUCH LOVE!!!
For me, visiting Tijuana had nothing to do with the place and all about the value of the trip. I personally have no connection to Tijuana, and as most of you know I do not even consider Tijuana real Mexico as it is a place that gets abused by many young adults as a way to bypass U.S. drinking law. I am sure it is no news to anyone that Tijuana is the destination for many people in the U.S. as it is the closest place they can drink before being 21. I have always found that silly as in my family there have never been too many restrictions regarding drinking, great choice on their part because I was more prepared when I went off to college. Back to the focus of this post.
Going to Tijuana was the ultimate ritual to validate my being a resident now. On this trip I discovered how the Hispanic culture travels. There are shuttles that will drive you to Tijuana and back for $30/person. They also have destinations to Las Vegas and San Diego, it was a very interesting experience as anyone growing up in mainstream America would never know the existence of such affordable travel. When the shuttle arrived in San Ysidro (since the shuttles never actually cross the border) my dad and I walked through the border. There were swinging doors we walked through, then some small barricades and there was a yellow line on the ground that marked U.S. Border on one side and Mexico Border on the other. There was a sign that read, "Legal documentation will be required to re-enter U.S. Border". I had a quick flashback to my fear of finding myself in a situation where I wouldn't be able to re-enter this country again and I felt instantly sick. But reality was, I simply walked over a yellow line on the pavement and I was in Mexico . . . there was nothing ceremonial about it.
We were in Tijuana for several hours until it just became way too depressing to be there. I saw donkeys spray painted as zebras, their white paint had turned yellow. The strangest thing I saw was what looked like the entire Tijuana police department parked right outside the Tijuana Cathedral, it was a whole street barricaded off that was lined with a dozen Ford trucks and cops just hanging out watching everyone walking by.
I knew at the beginning of this journey to Tijuana that the thing I looked forward to most was coming back, yes I hadn't even boarded the shuttle and I was already looking forward to returning. This was all just to prove a point, I'm free. I am still looking forward to boarding a plan only to arrive to my real home and see somewhat familiar faces. In reality I know I will hardly recognize any of my family, but knowing that I will see faces that will be extremely happy to see me is what I really want. It is all about human connection in this life, nothing but human connection.
I am happy and thankful that my dad and I made it back safely. Most of all thankful that I attained what brought me pain and countless tears for so many years. I know that there are still a lot of people out there awaiting their turn. I know it's a painful process, but patience pays off. Just make the best of the time that you have here in the U.S. because not everyone is as lucky as us.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
True taste of Freedom
Tomorrow I have my final for Microbiology which will be the last class I take at SMC. The day after that, on Thursday . . . I am getting the ultimate taste of freedom. Having attained my driver's license and a real job was definitely a benchmark in that culmination to freedom. I've been talking (maybe not in the blog) but I've been wanting to go to Mexico from the minute I found out I would be getting greenie, it has been 17 years since I was in Mexico.
On Thursday I'm leaving the U.S. I wish I could say it was go to back to see family, unfortunately due to time and money constraints, a trip to Tijuana is all we can afford. Even though I talk about Tijuana not being Mexico, this is going to be the one time I let it slide . . . obviously it won't be the same feeling as it'll be when I hop on a plane and actually go to what was once my home, but going into what is technically Mexico is going to be a hell of a whirlwind. The excitement kicked in today and I have had a really hard time focusing on this class.
I'M LEAVING THE U.S. FOR A DAY!!! It is the ultimate test. There are so many levels to this culmination to freedom.
MUCH LOVE!!!
I'm so excited, I had to get that out there.
On Thursday I'm leaving the U.S. I wish I could say it was go to back to see family, unfortunately due to time and money constraints, a trip to Tijuana is all we can afford. Even though I talk about Tijuana not being Mexico, this is going to be the one time I let it slide . . . obviously it won't be the same feeling as it'll be when I hop on a plane and actually go to what was once my home, but going into what is technically Mexico is going to be a hell of a whirlwind. The excitement kicked in today and I have had a really hard time focusing on this class.
I'M LEAVING THE U.S. FOR A DAY!!! It is the ultimate test. There are so many levels to this culmination to freedom.
MUCH LOVE!!!
I'm so excited, I had to get that out there.
Crazy Claw Will be Heard
That was the subject line I misspelled before going to bed last night: Crazy Claw Will be Heard. So despite the disappointment after reading the news that the Supreme Court will hear Jan Brewer's appeal, I at least got a nice laugh before getting to sleep.
I suppose in order to uphold Democracy the court has to give the illusion that they are giving Brewer a chance, so as not to give away their true feelings about how insane Brewer is. Ok, I think Jan Brewer is crazy. I really hope the Court keeps to its guns and turns down Brewer's SB 1070 law. This is a duty that is at the hands of the Federal government, and even though the government isn't doing a great job at controlling the borders, there are bigger problems in this society to complain about all the undocumented immigrants in this country because all they are doing is trying to give their children an opportunity to decent education, a safer life and better prospects. What is criminal about that?
I doubt you are surprised about how I feel about Jan Brewer and SB 1070, but there it is. I am eager to follow how this pans out.
Have a lovely Tuesday.
MUCH LOVE!!!(To everyone except Jan Brewer and all those ignorant people supporting her they will never understand what it's like to have to fight for survival)
I suppose in order to uphold Democracy the court has to give the illusion that they are giving Brewer a chance, so as not to give away their true feelings about how insane Brewer is. Ok, I think Jan Brewer is crazy. I really hope the Court keeps to its guns and turns down Brewer's SB 1070 law. This is a duty that is at the hands of the Federal government, and even though the government isn't doing a great job at controlling the borders, there are bigger problems in this society to complain about all the undocumented immigrants in this country because all they are doing is trying to give their children an opportunity to decent education, a safer life and better prospects. What is criminal about that?
I doubt you are surprised about how I feel about Jan Brewer and SB 1070, but there it is. I am eager to follow how this pans out.
Have a lovely Tuesday.
MUCH LOVE!!!(To everyone except Jan Brewer and all those ignorant people supporting her they will never understand what it's like to have to fight for survival)
Sunday, December 11, 2011
AZ back at it
AZ state Governor Jan Brewer is appealing to the high court and urging the court to reevaluate its decision to turn down the preposterous AZ law to give the police force the power to monitor illegal immigration and suspected undocumented immigrants. This Monday, Dec 12, the court will decide if it will hear the appeal or not. Here is the LA Times article, I will certainly keep an eye out for what happens. If you've read previous posts about this law, Arizona is not the only state to have given its internal police force the power to handle undocumented immigration and its victims, Georgia, Utah, Alabama and South Carolina have jumped on the band wagon. Hopefully the court turns down the appeal and finally shuts down these governor's wish to control an aspect of this society that should be in the hands of the federal government.
I'll leave you with that for now, have a wonderful Sunday.
MUCH LOVE!!!
I'll leave you with that for now, have a wonderful Sunday.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Emotional Toll of the Half Life
Last week I heard a news report my mom was watching, it was talking about a young man that took his life. He was undocumented, his name was Joaquin Luna Jr., was only 18 and felt he'd never reach his goals in life. According to the information available he wanted to be an engineer and at this point it is impossible for an undocumented student to be unaware of what lies ahead. The obstacles, stress and expenses involved with attaining a higher education without adequate permission for your presence and education in this country.
Back when I was nearing the end of high school I knew of only one other student that was undocumented, she was as frantic about going to college as I was. Personally I didn't become aware of the extent of the obstacles until the time for applications came along.
I am extremely lucky that I never felt like giving up on this life, but I can certainly say that I felt empty, lost, frustrated, scared and impatient. Those of you who have shared some of this life with me heard some of my concerns. I had numerous breakdowns about life and its refusal to change and give me a chance . . . I can definitely understand what this kid was feeling.
I am so lucky. I know that, have always known it. Don't take your life for granted no matter how difficult it may feel.
Enjoy. Live. Love.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Back when I was nearing the end of high school I knew of only one other student that was undocumented, she was as frantic about going to college as I was. Personally I didn't become aware of the extent of the obstacles until the time for applications came along.
I am extremely lucky that I never felt like giving up on this life, but I can certainly say that I felt empty, lost, frustrated, scared and impatient. Those of you who have shared some of this life with me heard some of my concerns. I had numerous breakdowns about life and its refusal to change and give me a chance . . . I can definitely understand what this kid was feeling.
I am so lucky. I know that, have always known it. Don't take your life for granted no matter how difficult it may feel.
Enjoy. Live. Love.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Fences
Today in the LA Times there's an article about the Fence Project. It's amusing to me that a government seriously believes, likes to believe or pretends to believe that a wall will discourage people from coming to the U.S. This project is a waste of money first of all. Second, has this government learned nothing from history? Actually they've proved time and again that they really haven't learned anything from history, as a government anyway.
No wall is going to stop a desperate person from getting what they need. This desperate person is a father or a mother in search of a better life for their family. A wall is the last thing that is going to deter them, these people have lived through things worse than material obstacles. If jobs were available to them in their own countries they wouldn't risk their lives, but not only is there a lack of employment. There's a lack of opportunity for prosperity and security.
A wall is not the solution to this problem. This is like sticking a band-aid on a viral infection. No one take offense to this, I am not calling immigrants viruses. I simply want to illustrate that there is a bigger issue there and every solution the government has come up with is a temporary cover-up. To soothe the tranquility of the extreme conservatives and everyone else who is blindly afraid of immigration and the people forced into this.
Think about it. Discuss it.
No wall is going to stop a desperate person from getting what they need. This desperate person is a father or a mother in search of a better life for their family. A wall is the last thing that is going to deter them, these people have lived through things worse than material obstacles. If jobs were available to them in their own countries they wouldn't risk their lives, but not only is there a lack of employment. There's a lack of opportunity for prosperity and security.
A wall is not the solution to this problem. This is like sticking a band-aid on a viral infection. No one take offense to this, I am not calling immigrants viruses. I simply want to illustrate that there is a bigger issue there and every solution the government has come up with is a temporary cover-up. To soothe the tranquility of the extreme conservatives and everyone else who is blindly afraid of immigration and the people forced into this.
Think about it. Discuss it.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
A Day for Thanks
Well here I am sitting in front of the computer, cutting and pasting images for flash cards to study for a lab practicum while logging onto facebook. A great friend I had the pleasure of meeting last year posted about how this time last year she was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family and I. She was telling us about the World Cup games in South Africa (that's where she's from) and she'd met some guys that spoke Spanish and they taught her to say some obscenities (because that is always the best thing to learn in foreign languages of course, telling people off haha). She wasn't pronouncing the phrase quite right and my parents kept trying to figure out what she was saying until they finally realized what it was and they were just cracking up for the longest time, I had no chance of ever figuring out what she was trying to say - I have little experience with profanity in Spanish, I'm not trying to play innocent here, I just don't use Spanish to tell people off. Point is, it just hit me.
Today, this Thanksgiving 2011 is the first Thanksgiving to be celebrated being truly free in the country of the free. There's so much running through my head sometimes it's a little overwhelming but all in all being where I am today, makes me so insanely happy.
Those of you who have followed me through this blog or life know this means the world to me. It is Life. I have it. I am thankful. For my family. My Life.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Today, this Thanksgiving 2011 is the first Thanksgiving to be celebrated being truly free in the country of the free. There's so much running through my head sometimes it's a little overwhelming but all in all being where I am today, makes me so insanely happy.
Those of you who have followed me through this blog or life know this means the world to me. It is Life. I have it. I am thankful. For my family. My Life.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Holy canoli!
It's been a while since I've had anything legislatively relevant to undocumented immigration. Yes life is definitely sweeter on the other side. I ran into some great news!
As of today, undocumented immigrants in the state of California will have access to state-funded financial aid! Today, Governor Brown signed AB 130, this means anyone attending a Cal State or University of California (on January 1, 2012 or after) will have access to financial aid actually being able to consider taking advantage of AB540 which states that if as an undocumented student you have attended at least 3 years of high school you can pay in-state-tuition. California is now one of the few states allowing access to in-state financial aid to undocumented immigrants along with New Mexico and Texas.
To the critics, AB540 sounded preposterous saying that this would give undocumented/undeserving individuals access to higher education. How is anyone undeserving of education? That's not the point, point is even with access to in-state-tuition it was still pretty much impossible to attend any of these institutions. Keep in mind that undocumented immigrants can't legally work and their parents are most likely nannies, gardeners or something along the unregulated fields of work. Remember that the only reason I was able to attend UCSB was because I had been fortunate enough to have met an amazing couple in my first years of education here who co-signed a loan for me.
If anyone out there has any questions about this please feel free to comment below or message me and I will do everything I can to help you out. Congratulations to those of you who have won a little more access to your promising future! I know that if I had had this news while going to school or looking toward my college years it would've taken a huge load off my shoulders.
MUCH LOVE!!!
As of today, undocumented immigrants in the state of California will have access to state-funded financial aid! Today, Governor Brown signed AB 130, this means anyone attending a Cal State or University of California (on January 1, 2012 or after) will have access to financial aid actually being able to consider taking advantage of AB540 which states that if as an undocumented student you have attended at least 3 years of high school you can pay in-state-tuition. California is now one of the few states allowing access to in-state financial aid to undocumented immigrants along with New Mexico and Texas.
To the critics, AB540 sounded preposterous saying that this would give undocumented/undeserving individuals access to higher education. How is anyone undeserving of education? That's not the point, point is even with access to in-state-tuition it was still pretty much impossible to attend any of these institutions. Keep in mind that undocumented immigrants can't legally work and their parents are most likely nannies, gardeners or something along the unregulated fields of work. Remember that the only reason I was able to attend UCSB was because I had been fortunate enough to have met an amazing couple in my first years of education here who co-signed a loan for me.
If anyone out there has any questions about this please feel free to comment below or message me and I will do everything I can to help you out. Congratulations to those of you who have won a little more access to your promising future! I know that if I had had this news while going to school or looking toward my college years it would've taken a huge load off my shoulders.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Life Update
That news had to be on it's own, I have other topics I'd love to share with you.
Apparently I've been at SMC for so long I have accumulated enough units and high enough grades to be invited to the honor society. Keep in mind I have been taking classes there since I was a freshman in High School. Big woop! I have a Bachelor's it would be kind of embarrassing if I didn't get it haha. So I got that a couple days ago, it really was a surprise because I don't really try to be a part of the SMC community, just the sub-culture of my individual classes.
ALSO this Tuesday was my last day of training and tomorrow is my first full day of work at the best second job anyone could have. I not only found a job in this tumultuous economic environment, but I got a job with one of the most respected companies in the world.
The gifts this grandiose life is giving me are everything I've ever wanted (some I could not have imagined) and I am looking forward to what awaits.
MUCH LOVE!!!
Apparently I've been at SMC for so long I have accumulated enough units and high enough grades to be invited to the honor society. Keep in mind I have been taking classes there since I was a freshman in High School. Big woop! I have a Bachelor's it would be kind of embarrassing if I didn't get it haha. So I got that a couple days ago, it really was a surprise because I don't really try to be a part of the SMC community, just the sub-culture of my individual classes.
ALSO this Tuesday was my last day of training and tomorrow is my first full day of work at the best second job anyone could have. I not only found a job in this tumultuous economic environment, but I got a job with one of the most respected companies in the world.
The gifts this grandiose life is giving me are everything I've ever wanted (some I could not have imagined) and I am looking forward to what awaits.
MUCH LOVE!!!
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