Immigration Reform (or the lack thereof)

I don’t often talk about my views on immigration reform. A lot because it is a very controversial topic. One that my friends and family feel very strongly about and it’s just one of those things that we all know about each other and choose not to "rock the boat”.

However, mainly I don’t talk about it because I chose not to make it the focus of why we are here. We are here because we choose to be together. And this is where we can be together. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. But that doesn't mean that I don't pray for someone (*cough cough*, Obama, *cough cough*)to make changes that will allow us to return one day (sooner rather than later).

Today Corin posted some articles that she had read online. The one in particular I really like is from the The Huffington Post .** I hope you will take a minute and read it. I think it really could be an eye opener for a lot of people. I think there is a lot of misinformation and stereotypes (as in they are not all drug dealers and free loaders taking advantage of the system...just as an example..)that people place on immigrants- and of course particularly illegal immigrants.

That being said, I am really grateful for the internet. It has allowed me to find others who are in similar situations and honestly? It is a relief. It makes me feel more "normal" in a way and it is nice to be able to talk with others who are in similar experiences. And surprisingly, our numbers are larger than expected. One day when I have more time I will post everyone's blogs here, so that you can go and read their stories too!

**I do ask that if you choose to read the article and you have strong opinoins that may or may not differ that you are constructive in what you say. If you aren't...well you know the drill.

You’re doing it wrong….

 

Gracie has some crazy sleeping positions. (this one not as much crazy as correct..and cute…)

She sleeps on her back. (And she was dead asleep when I took this picture.)

She sleeps half in/half out of the bed…but this is new. I haven’t ever seen her lay beside her bed with her head tucked behind it…

Sleep*: You’re doing it wrong.

 

*technically she is sleeping correctly. However sleeping your bed didn’t sound as good as just sleeping. Go with me here.

My little friends

Life is good. I have a job and I like it. I am staying busy and I LOVE that. The weather is so much cooler and we sleep so much better. Life is good.

I only have one complaint. One which I’m not quite sure how to handle.

Let’s start with this. I was a chubby little thing growing up. But thankfully I had good friends. I was never made fun of (at least not to a great extent) , I was always accepted.  I was lucky. (Just ask my sister, her experience was the exact opposite growing up)

However, at 26 years old, I find that I have a bully. I have a bully in the form of a 9 year old little girl that lives up the street. My crime? I speak English. My downfall? I cant speak Portuguese well enough to put this little girl in her place.

And here is the other thing. This little girl is uneducated. She lives in with a pack of children about 12 strong (not sure if they are all siblings), with 3 other women (not sure who is the mom), and 2 men. So she is never alone. She is usually with 4 or 5 other kids and usually a mother type figure…or at least a woman old enough to be the mom. I always happen upon them while I am walking home generally. The Mom never says anything, the other kids find me intimidating, and seem in awe that their sister (or whatever) has the balls to talk to me. So basically I find myself hoping as I walk home, that they are in school or at home and not walking around the neighborhood.

Thankfully I haven’t had any other encounters this week. And it’s not that I’m scared of her, it is just irritating, because many things in English run through my head to say to her, I just don’t know how to translate them. And I don’t want to perpetuate her ignorance either. So I’m going back to that whole kindness kills thing.

In other news, the other night when we went out for pizza, there was another little girl. She was leaving with her Mom and she was staring me down with the strangest look. And her I am thinking(and smiling at her), how does she KNOW I’m different?? She hasn’t even heard me say anything! Only to hear her exclaim to her Mom after she had walked past me(in Portuguese of course), “Mom, she has the eyes of a mermaid!” How could you not smile after hearing something like that! Restoring my faith in little girls everywhere…