Where I'm From

Daniella Hernandez Where I'm From I am from el vientre de mi madre Mexicana. Lulu- the name of my mother, a woman who motherless and fatherless made it on her own. Came to this country not knowing anyone and without speaking a single palabra de Ingles. I am from a Mexican engineer who found no job upon graduation so had to come here. Educated and all, he was still among those ilegales so he turned to recycling cardboard for a living. Together, they honorably work hard so that my sister and I can have una vida mejor I am from gatherings and celebrations where my family unites and the traditional comida nunca falta I am from tacos, tostadas, tortas, tamales, tinga, tortillas, tamarindo, tepache, turundas, tequila-- osea pura vitamina T. But when my ma cooks especially for me, she knows that I like it not too spicy. I am from where food is our expression-- capirotada, sopes, enchiladas, chilaquiles, , gorditas, chile, mole, pozole and our lovely molcajete that was used by my Aztec ancestors that I now use to make mi salsa. I am from high school and college bound not prego and just sittin' around. I am from immigrant parents who want me to make the difference among our "lazy" raza and Work hard to get that big, two-story, white picket fence casa. I am from where I became the odd ball for choosing education over incarceration! Even my own cousins question what I do. " Porque Trader Joes, y no Vallarta foo?" I answer them “I was at El Super the other day but where were you?" I am from "Percinate mija y encomiéndate a tu angelito de la guarda." I am from el doce de diciembre to celebrate las mañanitas de la virgencita de Guadalupe. I am from la Cuaresma where my mom makes capirotada and we sure become vegetarians every Friday. Confession and taking the bread and wine is what makes me Catholic along with baptism, first communion, and confirmation. I am from integrated roots que seran pasadas a mis futuras generaciones.   Translation: Where I’m From I am from the womb of my Mexican mother. Lulu- the name of my mother, a woman who motherless and fatherless made it on her own. Came to this country not knowing anyone and without speaking a single word in English. I am from a Mexican engineer who found no job upon graduation so had to come here. Educated and all, he was still among those illegals so he turned to recycling cardboard for a living. Together, they honorably work hard so that my sister and I can have a better life. I am from gatherings and celebrations where my family unites and the traditional food never misses. I am from tacos, tostadas, tortas, tamales, tinga, tortillas, tamarindo, tepache, turundas, tequila-- in other words, vitamin T. But when my ma cooks especially for me, she knows that I like it not too spicy. I am from where food is our expression-- capirotada, sopes, enchiladas, chilaquiles, , gorditas, chile, mole, pozole and our lovely molcajete that was used by my Aztec ancestors that I now use to make my salsa. I am from high school and college bound not prego and just sittin' around. I am from immigrant parents who want me to make the difference among our "lazy" race and work hard to get that big, two-story, white picket fence house. I am from where I became the odd ball for choosing education over incarceration! Even my own cousins question what I do. “Why Trader Joes, and not Vallarta foo?" I answer them “I was at El Super the other day but where were you?" I am from "Make the sign of the cross and pray to your little guardian angel. " I am from the twelfth of December to celebrate the birthday of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I am from Lent where my mom makes capirotada and we sure become vegetarians every Friday. Confession and taking the bread and wine is what makes me Catholic along with baptism, first communion, and confirmation. I am from integrated roots that will be passed on to my future generations. * "capirotada” is a famous Mexican Lenten dish