Adrian Arceo / Mexico
My life started in the 80’s, I was born and raised in the city of Arleta, California.
I believe almost every Hispanic Family has a very similar story from having someone in the family believing in the bigger picture and wanting more for themselves and their families so they come to the US seeking a better opportunity. And that was my dad striving for more to provide for my mother and my oldest brother, who was the only one of four to be born in Mexico. My father had a plan, to come to the U.S. and work hard, own a home and live a life that would have never been possible for him in Mexico. I am the second youngest of four brothers and was the youngest for ten years I remember my first ten years like it was yesterday. My parents had already been in the U.S. for fifteen years and were barely making ends meet. I had to share a room with my two older brothers and any other family members that were staying with us at that time. My parent’s home was what you would call a safe haven for a lot of my family members, from uncles and their wives to their sons and daughters, my cousins. We had family in and out of our home for many years and I never understood why we had to help everyone that walked into our door. It sometimes seemed like a hotel but as I got older I realized that my mom and dad were only trying to help them as they were once helped upon arriving into this unknown place we now call home.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that no matter what, family is family and we are here to help each other out. Another thing that I’ve learned in my culture is that hard work always is a must, there are no shortcuts. In life everything that you inspired to be you must work really hard for it. That is one thing that my father always has tried to embed into our heads. Never take a shortcut, always work as hard as you can and if you want something go for it. Everything is possible as long as you believe in it. For example, my father has always tried to be an entrepreneur. Even when he came to the states he started as a custodian for a large company, from there he slowly moved up the chain to become a plant manager responsible for everything in the building in and out. From there he became a self-employed businessman and that is what he has been doing for the past 20 years. He always says there’s nothing better than to own your own business. To work for yourself, give yourself your own hours and believe in what you or are selling. Ever since I can remember he would wake us up early morning to go to work with him no matter what the task, was he would show us how to do it and expected done the right way the first time his views have never changed in that aspect which is now one of the major keys in my life that I take with me every day that I go to work never take shortcuts always believe in what you do and work hard for what you want.
Also I love our home cooking and authentic Mexican dishes and music that speaks to the soul. Above all the traditions and values given by my parents and family members. Some of my best memories were made in the kitchen and at our dinner table. From removing seeds from the hot peppers, or rolling the maza for the hand made tortillas or cutting the onions I was always pitching in for the end results. My aunts enchiladas, my grandmothers arroz con leche, fathers chile and best of all flavors that bring you back to those memories of the people I love. Food is a time for family to part take in conversation, laughter and or reflection and celebration. Mexican dishes have so much more meaning than just overdone calories or spice it’s taste and culture that will always be a part of me and my family.
I believe almost every Hispanic Family has a very similar story from having someone in the family believing in the bigger picture and wanting more for themselves and their families so they come to the US seeking a better opportunity. And that was my dad striving for more to provide for my mother and my oldest brother, who was the only one of four to be born in Mexico. My father had a plan, to come to the U.S. and work hard, own a home and live a life that would have never been possible for him in Mexico. I am the second youngest of four brothers and was the youngest for ten years I remember my first ten years like it was yesterday. My parents had already been in the U.S. for fifteen years and were barely making ends meet. I had to share a room with my two older brothers and any other family members that were staying with us at that time. My parent’s home was what you would call a safe haven for a lot of my family members, from uncles and their wives to their sons and daughters, my cousins. We had family in and out of our home for many years and I never understood why we had to help everyone that walked into our door. It sometimes seemed like a hotel but as I got older I realized that my mom and dad were only trying to help them as they were once helped upon arriving into this unknown place we now call home.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that no matter what, family is family and we are here to help each other out. Another thing that I’ve learned in my culture is that hard work always is a must, there are no shortcuts. In life everything that you inspired to be you must work really hard for it. That is one thing that my father always has tried to embed into our heads. Never take a shortcut, always work as hard as you can and if you want something go for it. Everything is possible as long as you believe in it. For example, my father has always tried to be an entrepreneur. Even when he came to the states he started as a custodian for a large company, from there he slowly moved up the chain to become a plant manager responsible for everything in the building in and out. From there he became a self-employed businessman and that is what he has been doing for the past 20 years. He always says there’s nothing better than to own your own business. To work for yourself, give yourself your own hours and believe in what you or are selling. Ever since I can remember he would wake us up early morning to go to work with him no matter what the task, was he would show us how to do it and expected done the right way the first time his views have never changed in that aspect which is now one of the major keys in my life that I take with me every day that I go to work never take shortcuts always believe in what you do and work hard for what you want.
Also I love our home cooking and authentic Mexican dishes and music that speaks to the soul. Above all the traditions and values given by my parents and family members. Some of my best memories were made in the kitchen and at our dinner table. From removing seeds from the hot peppers, or rolling the maza for the hand made tortillas or cutting the onions I was always pitching in for the end results. My aunts enchiladas, my grandmothers arroz con leche, fathers chile and best of all flavors that bring you back to those memories of the people I love. Food is a time for family to part take in conversation, laughter and or reflection and celebration. Mexican dishes have so much more meaning than just overdone calories or spice it’s taste and culture that will always be a part of me and my family.