TRANSCRIPTION
When and why did you come to the United States?
“I came as visit and then I came to stay, I loved the state and the people and I decided to stay.”
Who did you come with to the United States? And who helped you cross the border?
“As a visit its very long story I crossed with my mom with a Visa, it’s much easier to say it that way, I crossed with a six month permission and didn’t have any help crossing. Back in the 1930’s it was not as hard to cross the border.”
What was it like crossing the border?
“I was not scared because I crossed legal with my Visa and at the same process my papers were being legalized to be a permanent resident.”
What did you know about the United States before coming here?
“I came over as a visit and the people that encouraged me to come to the States. I knew it was a better life for me and my mother in the United States.”
How old were you when you arrived in the United States?
“I was thirty years old when I arrived.”
Did your mother want to come to the United States?
“Yes, my mother always wanted to lived in the States.”
Who was the president when you arrived in the United States?
“Franklin D. Roosevelt was the president when I arrived here in the United States.”
What did you do for a living when arriving in the United States?
“Work! I had to take care of my mother.”
How long did you work as a cook?
“I worked twenty-years as a cook as helper many more years.”
Were kitchen appliances famous in those times, like the microwave is today?
“It was not used we used stove, toaster, oven that’s all there was coffee makers not nothing modern was use.”
What was the name of the Restaurant you worked at?
“The chain of restaurant I worked for was named El Rancho Food Services there were many I managed all of them.”
Did you have a car to drive to work and back?
“No! The company would drive me to and from work.”
What were your favorite foods to cook?
“I loved cooking Mexican and American food.”
Were you treated fair in the workplace?
“Yes, I was treated very well.”
Were you given a raise through the years working as a cook?
“Yes, I was given a raise. My total wage was one-hundred and eighty dollars.”
Why did you never marry?
“I never found a man that I liked.”
Why did you never have children?
“Because I never married.”
When were you able to save money to buy your home?
“I always knew how to save money I did my payments and then I would deposit my money at Westside Bank downtown now it’s Wells Fargo bank.”
How did you feel when you first bought your first house?
“I didn’t buy many just one I felt a big responsibility I didn’t have any help I was the providing for me and my mother.”
What was it like providing for your mother all these years?
“I wanted a home for my mom so she wouldn’t work and she never had to work.”
Are you happy living the life you had?
“Yes! I lived a wonderful life next to my mother.”
Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview?
"No! I said a lot. I talked enough English for one day. Now I have to go cook!
WE DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE TOGETHER, BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES WHEN A PICTURE IS TAKEN, YOU LOSE YOUR SOUL.
