This interview was conducted in Spanish.
TRANSCRIPTION
What was your most memorable moment as a young girl?
I most remember when I played Volleyball in Monterrey at the age of 10yrs old at Benito Juarez. I loved spending time at school because I really had no option because that's where I had the most fun.
What did you want to become a when you where a young girl?
As a young girl I wanted to be a cosmetologist because I loved putting makeup on my sisters and styling there hair one time I decided to makeover my brother and my parents were really strict and my father let me have it because my father was a "machista" and didn't believe in gay or anything like that. I remember that he punished me for a very long time for playing that silly joke on my brother.
How strict where you parents?
My parents back then never let me be out later than 9 o clock pm I got there late my parents would never let me go out in months there was no forgetting about punishments. I remember one time where my sister and I went out to a Quincenera at Apodaca in Monterrey but I l lived in Industrias Del Vidrio which is a pretty good distance. So my sister and I secretly went out and got caught at 2am walking in the door. My parents where waiting with a belt in the living room we got whooped so badly I never did it again.
How bad were your economic standards?
My parents worked very hard for what we hade and gladly we understood that when our parents said no it meant no! I Maria Munoz had to work for family to live a little better than normal. I have lots of brothers and sisters and all of us worked full time job in order for us to live the hard life of a Mexican.
How was your school like?
School is so different from schools in the United States first of all because the students are not the ones to move from class to class the ones that move are the teachers. And all schools where uniforms except college or universities but other than that the school doesn't have to worry about dress code. School was so strict unlike here in Texas. Kids get away with so many things that are done during school like I seen kids in middle school making out and kissing there was no way that schools in Mexico going to let you even hold hands with a boy or vise or versa. I remember that you couldn't even be that close to a boy and if so you where in deep trouble.
Did you have a boyfriend at a small age?
I would have to say boyfriends no I had lots of guy friends because unlike girls we really didn't get along I don't now if it was that they where jealous of me or because I was really girly.
How did you get around in car, bus, or walking?
Ha funny I actually walked everywhere or if too far took the bus there was no way that back in my years I would have my own car by the age of 16 economy was way to bad for me to have my own vehicle. My mother would send me to the store on my own walking but again in Monterrey there is a store everywhere and basically at every corner.
Did your job better or worsen your economic standards?
When I first started working of course it got a little better, because I tried my best to take my family to a better place then where they where at. My mother had way too many kids to try to keep track of all of us and support each and everyone of us in a wealthy way so I had to do what I could to at least support myself.
Which was your first job?
My first job was working at a store named Abarotes Elizondo it was kid of like a grocery store they sold all kids of stuff like milk, meats, cereal sodas, cookies, chip, you name it they had it. My salary was about 100 pesos every week for about 30hr (That's like about 10 dollar a week). But to me that was a lot back then because you can buy many things with that money it's not like now that everything is so expensive.
What made you come to the U.S?
The main reason for the risk of coming to San Antonio was because I figure that I would have a better life as far as economically and for the future of my children. I knew that as soon as I was going to leave Monterrey I would have a different life. Even though at fist I was going to struggle but I still had the courage to face my fears and do it for the future of my kids and myself. So basically I did it for the kids to have a better future.
How did you get to the U.S?
I believe I had an easy way to get to Brownsville because that's where I first stayed when I cross the border. I used fake identification from a friend of mine who had lived in Brownsville for a very long time I traveled in a car with my husband Candelario who already passed away remember being nervous all the way over to the border until my husband told me just act normal because then there going to suspect something is awkward. So I took a deep breath and waited for what was to come praying that nothing went wrong.
What did you do in Brownsville? How long did you stay?
When I went to Brownsville Texas I was only there to visit family that I hadn't seen for a long time so basically It was a really quick visit I want to say about 1 week or so. As far as being there I remember going to there most famous place called
Where did you go after Brownsville? What did you do there?
Right after I left Brownsville Texas I drove to Waco my Husband at the time we traveled with one of his sister named Maria Concepcion Munoz which we all knew her as Conchita. We where in Waco Texas for about a week or so as well because my husband Candelario Munoz had family that was there and he hadn't seen theme for years.
Why did you move to San Antonio? What did you do in San Antonio?
I moved to San Antonio because I though it was a nice place to come and form a different life than the one I had in Monterrey. I believed that it was a great place for my sons to start there education and be some thing in life that I couldn't be.
How did you receive residency in the United States? Describe the process.
I actually received Residency in San Antonio the government was giving an opportunity for people that had been in the U.S for I believe it was 5-10 yrs and at that time I decided to go out there and take a risk for what was to come I remember arriving at the office to immigration and there being thousands of people in the waiting room and I was just thinking to my self I hope this is no trick to deport me back to Monterrey. So I waited for hours until I finally got called over to a lady who was helping to make my process go through she was a very nice young lady she asked my many questions until finally she came to a conclusion to give me my residency. I thanks god for this opportunity that I was given to live a better life economically and for having the chance to give my sons a better life as well.
Do you go ever go back to Mexico? Why?
I go to Monterrey often to visit my Daughters and Son that never like the American life so I do go back and forth to visit not only my kids but the place where I believe will always be my place to get buried when I die. Even though I struggled there I still love where I was born and will like to die where I was born.
What is your American Dream?
My American dream to me has been accomplished! That dream was to see my kids live a better life than I did and make them our future. I can't ask for more because my kids are the greatest thing in life and I don't think I'm the only one who thinks that. All mothers out in the world believe that same thing.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview?
I don't think so everything that has been asked was said and that's how my life came together as an immigrant. So all you people that don't think it's possible. Keep trying and do what you have to do to make your American dream come true.
