So, if you have ever read my blog, you might already know that I am the first-generation American daughter to Mexican parents. My parents did not speak English when they first crossed the border into the U.S. and it took them a while to really become fluent. I, myself, learned English from a combination of watching Sesame Street, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and from going to an all-English kindergarten.
I remember coming home one day and excitedly telling my parents that I had learned how to say "ventana" and "puerta" in English. I yelled out "Door! Window!!" My parents were so proud. My dad immediately started telling all of his friends (they didn't speak English either) that his daughter was learning English very fast. He'd pull me outside when his friends would come over and ask, "A ver, Marisol, como se dice 'Cierra la puerta!'?" and I'd reply (in my best Gringa accent) "Close the door!" "Y como se dice 'Abre la ventana!'?" "Open the window!" He'd then look at his friends and they'd laugh and make "Oooh!" and "Aaah!" noises and slap his back good-humoredly.
Well, it seems that my days of showing off my ability to speak English are over and the time has come for me to pay the universe back for my good fortune. I had one of those "full circle" moments in my lowest elementary-level class today...
Life is amazing!
