Marie's Diary

Independence Day '06

2006-07-03T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hello all: I know its been a while since I've updated, but as you can imagine it gets harder to update. I am again happy to say that my family is doing well, and that I did in fact receive an extension for those of you that still check this. I will again be returning to college in the fall and am really looking forward to driving and working while continuing my advocacy work in hopes for changes in legislation to come quickly so others like me can also have a chance to continue to pursue their dreams. It's been a bit since i've been to DC but i expect I will be travelling there in a short time. As far as my family back in Costa Rica, dad did in fact find a job which he ironically begins today. Tomorrow, July 5, is the one year anniversary (if that is in fact what you call it) of their departure. I again can not even begin to express in words what these last few months have been like. I am agian so thankful to have some wonderful and amazing loving people who surround me and have really helped me and my family out. Lets keep the hope alive. Lets get some legislation passed soon! thanks for all the support. Many blessings! Marie Gonzalez

last few days of school....

2006-04-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

Here's the update: School is winding down, I took my first final yesterday, and my last final for this semester will be this thursday. I cannot believe the school year is over. I dread all the uncertainty that will be the next couple months. I am still awaiting my work permit, hopefully once I get that I will have some money to continue to pay what I need and start preparing for if i do have to leave for Costa Rica.

My parents are still struggling, and they are hurting even more in the fact that I still do not know what is going on. But we will continue our fight!

There is still hope!

blessings,

Marie

SPRING BREAK

2006-04-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hello again, So this past week was my spring break! I traveled downt to New Orleans with Campus Crusade for Christ to help with Katrina Relief! What an amazing and overwhelming experience it was! I was so glad to go down and meet with people who were just so hopeful. People who had lost everything, and yet had not given up! It was amazing to see that, I wish that I could only have stayed there longer, but Spring Break is only a week, and as I found out i'm allergic to the mold, that probably would not have been a good idea! Anyway upon coming back into the world of cell phones, electricity, and running water. I found out that so much had happened on the immigration front. We were making headlines! How awesome! I'm so proud of everything going on! I wish I could have taken part in some of it, but I will be taking part in actions taking place on the 10th and I'm way excited about it! Lets keep the wheels rollin on this! Together, Si se puede!! peace, Marie

And the countdown begins.... again!

2006-03-23T19:37:00.000-08:00

99

So, thats the new number! So much has been going on. It finally hit me this past weekend, We are going on 9 months since my parents had to leave and all thats left for me is until the 1st of July.

I cannot state again, how crazy time is. How it can be short and long. How a year has flown by and yet seems like eternity. This weekend I am getting ready to head down to New Orleans for my spring break in order to aid in the Katrina Relief.

I am ready to go, and am very nervous. I don't know if that is even the right word. So much has gone on in my head in the past year, and I finally realized that I can't avoid it anymore, and it hit me hard. The past weeks have rivaled the worst of days, and yet I know I am heading down to aplace where people lost it all. How thankful I will be at the end of the week, I can only imagine.

I spoke with my parents tonight. They continue to inspire me and give me hope to continue. The coming months I know will be nothing like what I've gone through in the past, though it is the same circumstance. I'll continue to take each day and I am sure we will all continue the fight. I encourage those of you that can to get involved with what will be happening in DC this coming Monday. We need to come together and continue the fight! We can win this! It is a just cause, and its for the benefit of all!

I pray something great comes out of htis week, and I have hope!

Have a wonderful day, whoever reads this.

prayers and blessings,

Marie Gonzalez

An Update on my life

2006-01-30T16:57:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends... I do not know how many people will read this. It has been a very long time since I wrote on this blog. Life for me is going quite well. I am happily living my second semester of college. School is going great I love my classes and have found myself to be overly involved on campus.

My family is doing ok. I cannot believe that the fifth of Feb. It will be seven months since I last saw them. My life continues to get crazy as each month passes, but I continue my fight.

Five months from now I hope to still be here, but July the 1st is fast approaching, and I still don't don't have an answer.

Four months and a Day

2005-11-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

I came "home" this weekend. It was nice to be able to just come back and relax. Hang out with friends, have nice meals, not have to worry about anything. Yet still there's no running away from it. I'm numb to the whole fact of where I am.

This morning I realized today is the 6th of November, meaning four months ago yesterday my parents had to leave. It doesn't get any easier with the passing months. I still have many responsibilities I must take care of for them. My communication seems to decrease with the time as well. Not that I mean for it to, but its harder to reach them where they are now, and it keeps getting more expensive.

This week I received news my puppy (dog) could die because she was very sick. As worried as I was about her, all I could think about was what if something happens to my parents. I just wish things were better for them! Here I am, by no means in a great state of matters, but still I am attending a school I love, I have wonderful helpful people around me, I have so much, and yet they sacrificed it all so I could have this. I keep dreaming about seeing them which isn't making it any easier.

I know that things are looking slim, but I cannot give up! I still have hope, hope for me hope for all the thousands of others. Something must be done!

I am still awaiting word from immigration about my work permit, that's another constant worry about when next semester rolls around, but I must deal with each day as it comes.

I appreciate all you that have asked about my parents, next time I talk to them I'll let them know.

Overall though, school has been amazing for me this semester. Everyone on campus has been very understanding about the issue. I have great support from students and administrators. My traveling has restarted this month as well. I'm excited about being able to get back in the fight. Now that things are semi settled with school, I can now focus on what needs to be done. I think all of us students combined have wonderful stories, if we can find a way to uniquely present it to others! We have such great talent and potential, there has to be a way!

I want to end this on a positive note, that I know God has an amazing plan, I feel blessed to be involved in this fight, I know its for a good cause. I know we can get something done!

My love and blessings to you all.

~Marie Gonzalez

3 months

2005-10-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it?

This morning I woke up, only to realize today marks another month passed since my parents had to leave.

I cannot even put into words how I feel right now. I've been able to talk to them very little over the past few weeks for multiple reasons. And with each passing day it gets more difficult for me, but it's all for a good cause, and I will not give up!

I am happy to announce that I am back in the fight beginning with this Friday. I will be speaking at Missouri State formerly known as SMS. I am marked as a keynote speaker for Hispanic Heritage month. This will be the first time I do a presentation since they had to go back.

Soon I will also be traveling to DC again. Life is crazy, and time well can drive you crazy.

School is going well, I am doing very well in my classes, though I have been really stressed about managing the activism and school. I'm happy to be back at it. And am going to work my hardest for all those other students out there and all the other families.

Many blessings!

Hello!

2005-09-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hi friends!

So it's been a while I know! College life is absolutely crazy! I keep meeting amazing people though. I'm back in the swing of things now, and am managing both sides of my life (media and school) really well.

I dont speak to my parents as often anymore... I miss them lots still. I cant believe we are going on three months.

My events are starting back up again. It's only getting harder, but I have wonderful people by me. I appreciate all the support and we HAVE TO KEEP WORKING HARD. WE need something done!

many blessings to you all. Thanks for caring.

~Marie

First day of school... College I mean.. ;)

2005-08-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone...

So I have been missing for a while. Life has been crazy... But hey I'm in school! I am studying at Westminster College here in Fulton Missouri. Everyone is incredible here! JUst wonderful people left and right!!

I love my roomate and the people on the floor and my classes are turning otu really good :)

My family is doing well although we are both missing each other tremendously, but we are making it thru.

:) I hope to continue my fight now that my schedule is startng to return to normal! To everyone out there keep the fight going!!

Many blessings.

Marie G

it's been awhile....

2005-08-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I'm back from California. I had such an amazing time, I was even doubting my return to Missouri. I'm glad to be back home. I will be attending school this year. All of this is still in the works. But i pretty much have the place set up and everything. So that is exciting!

Other than that its just been the usual running around with errands and such trying to get everything where it needs to beon time.

I'm so glad to just be able to go to school. I give you all more details on that when its all for sure.

blessings.

Marie

Family

2005-07-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

So I'm in L.A. right, it's an amazing feeling being back here. Kind of nostalgic though. Knowing this is the place where we first called home in the US and seeing all the places where we used to go when I was little.

Staying at the house where dad used to come visit his aunt and uncle in his own youth, and kind following is his steps is cool.

I feel guilty being here and having a good time, while dad is still getting back to 100% and while mom is so stressed. It's nice to have family around... To look in pictures and meet new people ( I decided today, that when I go back to Costa Rica, to visit, I'm going to have to have a huge party to meet everyone!) and to see pictures of my grandparents who passed on long ago. Today I get to see the rest of my cousins ( I guess they are 2nd or 3rd) but its going to be great. It's been about 6 years since I've been back here.

You can tell dad wishes he was here, he loves it here in Cali. I've definitely been missing them tons, I keep calling for the stupidest reasons, but its so good to hear their voice. I think the rush of memories has increased my missing of them. It's specially hard when something happens, like I just want to pick up the phone and push the speed dial 3 which was mom's cell and just cry to her, but I must stay strong, at least I still talk to them often right?

IT was really bad yesterday, I called a friend, and was leaving a message and was like "oh yea I'm here in California, hanging out with the folks, and I was like wait a minute, I wish I was" ugh I cried.

Anyway, Family is great, I wish I had longer than a week to hang out with them. And to get to see everyone, frankly I've been kind stressed about that. Trying to see both sides and still getting some relaxing time in and a trip to Vegas.

Unfortunately there is still so much left to do, so little time, and so many decisions that I need to have made upon my arrival in Jeff City again. I'll enjoy what I have and pray for another opportunity to come back.

Thanks to everyone back at home who's doing an amazing job and helping me out with everything with the HOUSE. I owe you guys big. Love you and thanks for everything! Especially for letting me have a week off!

Thanks for all the comments and support I've been receiving its amazing.

Many blessings.

Marie G

Hello ;)

2005-07-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I hope your week is turning out to be amazing. My week thus far has been exceptionally busy. I can't believe I leave for LA tomorrow already.

I am happy to report that Dad is feeling better, though still unsure whether it was a virus or not. He still has a bit of a fever, but last night when I talked with mom she said that he was getting stronger, and every time I talk with him he seems in high spirits.

I really appreciate all the wonderful comment and support. I'm very excited to start back up and meet all the other wonderful people involved in this and to really get things rolling.

Time is flying and we need to get something done.

To report on other personal things well: College decision, still not sure (as frustrating as that is, I know it will come), living conditions are good. I'm living with a friend for now, they are a wonderful family! Spirits: Well I've had a rough couple of days, I'm not going to lie. But since I'm going to see family I will at least get away for a couple of days (as much as I can)

Well that's it for me. Hope everyone has a good day. ;)

blessings.
Marie G

So I've been a little busy...

2005-07-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!

Hope your week was amazing, and that the weekend brings you some much needed rest and fun.

My days have been long and busy. It seems like i never stop. Between things wiht the house, moving into my friends house, diciphering college applications, worrying about Dad *he;s been really sick, i mean really sick, but keep the prayers going, hes a tough man., and everythign else i'm missing, things are good.

I miss my parents, i cant believe its been two weeks. I just dont understand how fast and how long and how it can be both.

As far as everything else. well i still dont understand. But i thank you all for all your support and prayers and all your comments.

Many blessings upon you all!!
have a safe and fun weekend.

mucho amor,

Marie G

Another Friday

2005-07-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

So last night was my last night sleeping in my "own" bed.

Today I woke up with the feeling I had forgotten to do something. But in reality its a lot of somethings.

Last night I had a couple friends come over to help me pack up my room and such. It turns out I had to kick everyone out but 1 because all we were doing was talking and well i need to get my wrok done.

I have to turn over the cars so they can go up for sale. thats really going to be kinda sad. I'm really attached to our van, which has been so good to us (2 trips to Cali, 2 trips to Florida, and lots of trips in between) Its a part of me growing up more so than the house.

Speaking of the house, i'm so glad i have people coming over today. Its so hard to get motivated enough to clean out and pack your stuff. I decided yesterday I'm goign to live wiht a friends family for now.

I told my parents last night that i'm having kinda a rough time. I think i've been pretty strong up to this point but i'm definitely wearing out. I've applied to a couple schools now. Idk how much good that will do me, but I hope they accept me. I just dont know how the financial part will work out.

But I guess I'll deal with that as it comes.

Anyway hope everyone that reads this is having a good day. have a great weekend. Thanks so much for all the encouraging comments. They always make me smile. We need to get this fight moving!!

:) Keep up all the good works.

blessings.

Marie G

Limbo, Limbo

2005-07-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Ah, so still nothing new really. Other than the fact I pretty much did nothing yesterday except do interviews. It was a good change though. I went over to a friends for dinner in between interviews. Then came back home and was finally finished close to 10.

Life is so funny. I've been really tired today even though I slept in. Some friends are coming over to help me pack the remains of my room and sort through junk and shred papers.

I spoke with mom and dad last night, after trying to get through on the callng card for about 2 hours. Those things are so frustrating. But at least i got to talk to them.

I guess i better go do some more work round the house. HOpe everyone is having a good day.

Marie G

WeAreMarie Podcast#10

2005-07-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

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It's been a week now,

2005-07-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I apologize for not checking in any sooner.

Today is a week since my parents left. I'm happy to say I've at least gotten to talk to them daily, but it doesn't make it any easier.

I've been so crazy busy wiht everything needed to do with the house, and bills and decisions, I have to say i've neglected one of the most important things: College.

I unfortunately still do not have any "official" letter from DHS but we know that it is ok. I just have been so patient I dont think I can wait any longer! But the fact is i have no choice.

As far as my college situtation, well as far as everything in my life right now it can be stated as I DONT KNOW. It's scary. I dont know where I will be living in a week. I dont know if i'm going be accepted into school. I dont know if I will get to work. I dont know if I'm going be able to afford school.

These are only a few of hte thoughts going through my head. Today I have an interview with Telemundo.

Other than that, Its back to the drawing board and takign it one hour at a time.

Many blessings to you all. Hope you are having a good week.

I'll let you all know when I decide something.

Its been 3 days........

2005-07-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Its been 3 days since my parents left. I don't understand how time can fly by, but yet be so long.

As you all can imagine its been a crazy couple days.

Many thanks to the friends "family" who are helping me get through this. I barely have time for myself. I have a billion things going through my head, but I still must decide my future. Still there is so much uncertainty that I don't even know where to begin. I know that all things happen for a reason, although this time I can't understand it. It's funny because something so personal has turned into something so public.

As I sit here writing people are helping me pack up my house. The surprising part of all of this is that I'm numb. I think I finally realize the meaning of the saying "You don't know what you have until you lost it". It feels like I lost my family even though they are only a phone call away.

It's amazing how much support we've had through all of this. We've been so amazingly blessed. Even strangers have taken up this cause in Costa Rica and the United States.

I could never thank all of you, but know you are in my prayers and I ask God to bless each and every one of you. We will continue to work to keep this from happening to others. The fight has just begun!

Many blessings. Marie Gonzalez

WeAreMarie Podcast#9

2005-07-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

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WeAreMarie Podcast#8

2005-07-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

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WeAreMarie Podcast#7

2005-07-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

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Ok so here's my idea.....

2005-07-02T22:09:00.000-07:00

Hello folks, well its 12:16 my time, I've been reading all the comments-- its nice to hear from some of you folks I appreciate your support, for the rest of you well its interesting to see your mind, and viewpoints and as most of you are well aware I find it is necessary to know both sides.--

Some of you bring up very interesting points. Let me clarify a few things:

First of all once I was no long a "minor" I couldn't have legalized if I wanted to because I was already under Deportation Proceedings. (we've been under proceedings since 2002!-- Yes i've been living in hell for three years!)

Second of all my family and I were given a good opportunity because of us being good people to get VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE-- Check this out... We have to pay our own way back (yes your tax dollars are not paying for us) which my parents will still be taking on Tuesday, July the 5th. Not everyone can say that, it even helps on the recond, well not really they have a ten year bar, but at least its not 20! or a fine! (think positvely.)

Third:

As far as the coming year, I am staying. For some reason, the authorities have found that there is a good reason for me to stay in this country, perhaps because I love it and maybe because no matter what it is and will always be my home (no one can take that away from me, those are my feelings). Idk their reason, it doesnt matter i'm thankful.

As for my parents leaving on the 5th, give me a second, just one... Think about how you would feel not seeing your parents for a year... Maybe more? How about if your mom is your best friend? How bout if you get married and you cant have your own parents present at your wedding? Just a thought. Maybe some of you are not very close to your parents, but being an only child and going thru this has definitely brought me clost to my parents, and i'll tell ya and anyoone who knows me knows that i am very independent and can care for myself, but that is besides the point.

As for children being punished for parents actions: it is a US law, if I could see right now I could read my papers and tell you where it states, and I'm paraphrasing obviously my eyes hurt too bad from crying but that is besides the point, it states that children cannot be punished for what their parents did. Its just not right so how can that apply to immigration?

As a future attorney, I'll tell ya I like to clearly look at both sides and I have. Believe me I wouldn't be fighting this hard if I didn't feel I deserved it. So anyway, have at conversations again. I just got tired of scrolling down so much.

blessing upon you all.... Yes all of you. We are all humans and therefore at least have something in common, yes even the "ALIENS" among us are humans. (bad joke, sorry if someone gets offended, i just hate that term,)

a mixed blessing,

2005-07-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

hello everyone.

i just wanted to check in and let you all know that i am ok. This is a blessing and a wonderful opportunity. This is what i have been fighting for, but i've also been fighting for my parents!

I cant imagine a year without them. let alone that i only have one weekend left with them. there are so many questions so many doubts.

It is a big win for me, i know. I am staying. I know. but I just cant believe it. by far yesterday was one of the longest days i have ever seen in my 19 years.

I really appreciate all the support, and i want everyone to know this is not over yet!

thanks to all who have helped.

mg

Wow!

2005-07-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

And the craziness continues.

I was on CBS The Early Show this morning. Amazing interview!! I've been up since 4:30 this morning!!

This is just incredible. God willing smething will happen!!

:) Thanks for all the support lets keep the pressure going.

After I was finished wiht the show, man i lost it. It was about time, i've been overwhelmed with everything. It was some good cleansing time.

Yesterday was AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Thanks to everyone who helped in anyway at the rally. I love you all, and I trully meant what i said. We are Family!!

GOd Bless. More later!!

:)
marie

WeAreMarie Podcast#6

2005-06-30T23:29:00.000-07:00

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wow, what a day!

2005-06-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Can i say PRESS, PRESS, PRESS.

that's pretty much all my day consisted of. Being on the phone! I got my cell back so for those of you who need to contact me the number is back, same number different phone! (Thanks to the ppl at Cingular for putting up with me!)

I'm exhuasted. With each day that passes, the weight gets heavier. God only knows what the next few days will bring, but I am hopeful it will be good news.

Tomorrow 10:00 a.m. State Capitol Jefferson City Missouri 1st floor rotunda (inside) Be there if you can!

Off to bed. Update tomorrow.

Countdown: 5 days!

We'll keep fighting!

peace.

Another interesting day in my shoes!

2005-06-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

I cannot possibly say I'm rested, but i will proceed to tell you how my day went yesterday:

We had a great amount of meetings on the Hill yesterday. I want to say about 8. We had a wonderful meeting with the Honorable Ike Skelton, who yet again surprised me with his big heart. I was really glad he got to meet the whole family. I honestly think, God willing, when this fight continues i will eventually get banned from some of these offices since i'm in there quite often and take up a few hours of these busy people's lives. Oops :)

the meeting continued throughout the day wiht lots of support back at home. The DC trip in intself was amazing because my parents got to meet all the wonderful people i've been talking about for the past year. All the folks from CCC who by the way took us to dinner the night before and shall i say it ws awesome and very fun! One of the best dinners i've been to in a while! And they gto to meet Josh from NILC and we got to meet Kamal if you check the we are marie section you can read about his story. Talk about an amazingly smart person!

Anyway Things were so crazy yesterday that I lost my cell. I am so upset. Every single number i ever had is gone!! I am still hopeful we will find it somewhere althought its highly unlikely!

other than that well when we made it back to KCI our car would not start! We had to call our great friend/attorney Ben to come help us out! It was crazy!! THanks Ben I owe yaone!

Yesterday was very emotional because i didnt get tos ay by to my friends @ CCC although i'm sure i'll see them soon and am thinking positively but for some reason i'm always really sad when i leave DC. NOt to mention yesterday was such a busy day and everything that I just hadnt had any down time. And losing my cell added to it all!

SO we made it home aroudn three this mronign only to find a stray dog at our door? Except i was half asleep and didnt see him and my parents let me him in the house and i walk out and dang there is this huge great dane coming at me and i had no idea what to do. It was pretty scary.

We are currently trying to find its owner but at least i can say i'e made a new friend!

Thanks to all of you who have been checking otu this diary and the podcasts. I sincerely hope that you are a getting a great inside into my life as crazy as it will be in the next days!

Keep the hope up and keep getting the stories out there! :) THanks to all my extended "family" in DC. I love you guys! THanks for making hte trip amazing. See you soon!

have an amazing day!!
many blessings!

Marie G

ps if you are in the Mid-Mo area, i'm leaving to go do KLIK this mornign and i'm also doing partyline there. So call in and give me some feed back. Those fo you who have my contact info again dont call the cell for a couple days until idecided whether i should buy a new one or not! let me know what yo uthink!

i know i cant believe i lost it. that thing is usually glued to me! Oh and forgive me for my spellings its about 7:30 in the morning here!

Back in DC

2005-06-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!!

I'm in DC with Mom and Dad. We got to go sight see yesterday for a few hours it was great!! My fourth time in DC and I actually can say I've visited the monuments and taken some pictures. I actually felt like a tourist!

Today was busy on the Hill as usual. It's wonderful to be back and hanging out with CCC folks and having their help. As usual its very frustrating to have those meetings but today I think we actually had some good things come out of it!

Today I got to meet Kamal. If you go to the "meet other marie's" section you can read about him. He's an amazing guy, very smart! He is also facing the deportation process.

The more stories that I hear the more frustrating that this situation is. I just wish everyone could just see it through our eyes. It's so hard. That's why I am so thankful to have the support we have both here in DC and back at home and across the nation!

It's still really cool to have people recognize my story and I'm hoping it's doing something! We shall see. Tomorrow will be another busy day on the hill!!

Hopefully more good will continue to come out of all of these meetings. So we shall have to wait and see but keep the hope up!!

Keep checking out the podcasts!! Hope everyone has a great day!! I will talk to you soon!!

WeAreMarie Podcast#5

2005-06-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

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WeAreMarie Podcast#4

2005-06-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

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Happy Friday!

2005-06-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

Good day to you all!!

So yesterday turned out to be a pretty busy day. In the afternoon I ended up going to Columbia to record an interview with KBIA which will air next week on thursday. So check that out. Today I woke up at 6, it was hard considering i've been staying out late, but I'll survive.

I did KWOS at 7:15 with John Marsh, and then did KLIK at 8:10 with Warren Kretch. Very nice interviews both places. Its so nice to go there and not feel like i'm being interviewed. Just like i'm talking wiht friends and lots of people are listening.

So its friday. My list of things to do grows more and more each day. Its really difficult becuase i have an offer to go to the Lake of hte Ozarks, I would love to go down there. But there is so much to do! So many people to see and so much packing to do!

Countdown is down to 11 days. Keep next thursday open on your calendar! @ 10 a.m. at the Capitol, we will be having the United we Stand Rally! Be there if you can!! Spread the word!

Keep checking out the podcasts!! Thanks so much for all the support. I probably wont update until Monday again. Hope everyone has a great weekend! Keep the prayers for safety in travel for my family and I as we leave for DC on Sunday. We'll be back tuesday! HOpefully we'll get some more meetings up there with a couple of the Big Guys!

peace.

mng

WeAreMarie Podcast#3

2005-06-23T12:40:00.000-07:00

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36 hour days?

2005-06-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I hope Thursday is looking nice and busy for everyone! My day as most has been hectic. I got to go to lunch this afternoon with a good friend which was a really good time! I now have another article of clothing given to be by a friend to keep! I love it.

Each day as I come across new people I realize how small of a world this really is! Everyone always knows everyone!

I got my itenerary for DC so I'm excited. I'm just not ready yet! I still have so much to do today. I'm happy to report my family and I are doing a little better today. We are definitely in work mode around the house. Our spirits are high becuase we've had a few visitors this morning. So that is always amazing.

Thanks so much for the wonderful comments keep them up! check out yesterday and today's podcasts. they are sure to be entertaining.

:) Have a great day! Many blessings!
~MNG

Another hard day.

2005-06-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday already, my week is quickly coming to an end. This was my last week to get personal things done before next week goign to D.C. and having the event on the 30th here in Jeff City.

Pretty much what i've been tryign to do is run all my errands and see as many of my friends as possible. Last night was so hard for me. I got to see one of my good friends from H.S. who is leaving to go back to college.

I knew this point was coming, but it hit me out of the blue. It was a great night filled with friends, and recalling memories. A lot of just hanging out and not doing anything. But after he dropped me off at home, and he, my parents and I were all talking about how great of a time we are going to have in Costa Rica, and as he was walking out the door, I realized this was my first official "goodbye". Now you can go ahead and tell me its just see you later not good bye. I know that.

but there is such a finality to it. and knowing this is the first of many emotional moments in the next 13 days is goign to be very difficult.

I can't imagine how I'll handle the rest, i'm sure with some it will be mroe difficult than others. I know i wont have time to see all my friends, but i hope they understand.

I've been blessed with wonderful friendships in my life, and I'm so thankful for that. I'm glad that I am able to say I will miss people. And to all of you that have made such an impact in my life, and in my family's, I love you and thank you!

WeAreMarie Podcast#2

2005-06-21T23:59:00.000-07:00

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14 days.............

2005-06-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

In two weeks exactly, the countdown will be down to 0, and my family and I will be boarding a plane to C.R.

yesterday was a rough day, not feeling well but its ok. (this morning when I woke up on eof my best friends had dropped offa package for me, her gift she's been working on. Its a beautiful flower she painted or well I don't know what the technique was but its beautiful. It's titled "a flower in the darkness" it was a beautiful representation and is my first official piece of art I own, so it was a nice surprise) Today will be another day full of packing. Everyone should check out the podcast from last night. Go to yesterdays entry and at the bottom is a link you can click on.

I'm really upset because my computer being what it is (a big piece of junk, that I couldn't live without) isn't letting me listen to it. So let me know what you guys think. I'll be doing that everyday so you should check it out!

I hope everyone has a great day. I may update later. Have a great Tuesday!

~MNG

WeAreMarie Podcast#1

2005-06-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

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Emotional Weekend, with more to come :(

2005-06-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hi! So I'm sorry for those of you who check this regularly that I haven't updated in a couple days.

Let me tell ya what's been going on: I've seen quite a few friends lately that have been dropping by just to say hey, my parents and I ended up having some difficulties with the plane tickets for the 5th, so we ended up not officially having them until Saturday morning. Let me tell ya that really stunk! Purchasing them, not only because of how much money (we got a pretty good deal though!) but also just because it really starts to hit you.

It was a tough weekend because its getting harder to be positive. It's not that we are giving up but the only certainty we have at this point is that we are leaving on a plane @ 2:30 on July the 5th. If the weather is hotter than 85 degrees our pets cannot travel with us. As its looking our parakeet wont be able to go either!

So far, I've got half my room packed up only to really realize how many things will be left behind. I'm so scared to lose some of those things, and I'm just not sure how to get by without them. I know its just material and its sad, but dang you know its just not so easy to give up, and its just the material aspect.

My family and I have been having constant "family meetings" its kind of frustrating too cause its usually as I'm in the rhythm of packing. But things are going as well as they can. Its really hard today though to walk into my room and not see all my pictures up and not see my CD's and electronics. I'm trying to plan a get together with my friends. As its looking this will be the only week I will really be able to hang out with ppl. And it doesn't even seem like I will get much of that in unless I have 24 hour days. But I'll prioritize well don't worry.

Its really hard to get ppl to talk about things. I told them they need not hide their emotions and that I want to know, because pretending doesn't help matters.

So anyway this is kind of depressing but life goes on and I'll keep fighting! So next order of things we have our "Gonzalez Group" meeting tonight to discuss the event on the 30th of this month @ 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. Be there if you can!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

peace.

Marie G

comments

2005-06-15T23:56:00.000-07:00

I did another interview today. It turned out well, although it did take me part of the morning mostly because it was in written form. It got me thinking a lot.

Thanks for the comments. Gracias Roberto, no worries I'll keep fighting. As to the other comment, well all I can do is hope that whoever wrote that is well informed of all the facts, and even after that if you still feel the same way, well all i ask is to be informed and to think about the human side of this. Yes I understand rules and regulations are in place for a reason for the betterment of the people and the nation. What stumps me is how easily people forget that sometimes laws need to be changed or updated to the times, in this case i feel thats what should happen. Also how often people forget where they come from.

Now the other thing that puzzels me is how easily my case can be lumped into some simple sentances believe me if that were the case I woudn't be fighting as hard as I have been. My parents came to this country legally, they came looking for a better life. THey worked hard for that life. At no point in time did they hide, we thought things were going fine, everything around us pointed to yes. Belive me if we had known there would have been plenty of opportunities to change our situation, unfortunately that was not the case which makes the situation now even more frustrating. Now i'm not here to argue, but facts or no facts of my story this comes down to basics. People deserve second chances. Especially people who are hard workers and have a lot to offer.

All I'm saying is what my family and I have lived through the past three years, no one should ever have to endure. I will never be able to put into words the emotions that have been my life. I just hope and pray that people can one day look beyond the words "illegal alien" and see poeple who deserve an opportunity.

It hurts to have people who dont know me tell me i deserve deportation. Unfortunately, or fortunately for those of you opposing our fight, July the 5th, @ 3:30 pm my family and I will be on a plane because we took voluntary departure. 20 days left, guess well just have to wait and see.

peace.

Planning is not so much fun!

2005-06-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

So today was a day of putting things into action after our nice talks last night @ the meeting. We managed to confirm the main speakers today so that was a great thing. This is all for the event on the 30th of htis month.

It was very crazy playing phone tag wiht everyone. Today was tough for me because I was able to see some friends of mine that I hadn't seen in a while. Catching up with them is always hard because they are taking this situation very hard. Its funny because its the people closest to you that dont want to know, they do but they dont. It's hard for me because its a reality and we have to face it (just in case) but its true and it hurts.

More planning went on today; apart from the event as far as belongings and such, what will be left to certain people, things like that.

As I was checking the website earlier I was thinking about hte suggestion made by the comment on yesterdays blog, I found it nice, but its funny to me. In my way of thinking and because of who I am and what I feel about marriage it angers me that something like that would be one of my only options. How can something as sacred as marriage be put in that postion, it would be different if i had a serious boyfriend, but i'm not willing to sacrifice love for papers.... now if i find the right guy that would be different! :) Anyway, i appreciated the comment but its not a solution i'm willing to take, but it was nice of you tot tak the time to write about it as well thanks for it. Hopefully something will work out a different way.

Well my best wishes to everyone. Hope Wednesday is happy day for all who read this.

~peace!

22 days and counting....

2005-06-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hi,

hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was nice just catching up on things I've missed and cleaning house and sorting thru clothes, pictures, and makings lists of what does and does not go.

Today was pretty much not too eventful until the later afternoon/evening hours. It's so hard with so much uncertainty around not just for events but just in general. It turned into a tough day, but luckily the Gonzalez Group came in wiht a bang to lighten up the day and to step up when stepping up is needed.

We are planning our local solidarity event for June the 30. If you are in the greater Mid-MO area and would like to participate please let me know. It will be a great op to rise up to the challenge and push for CIR.

Thanks to all my friends at CCC for all your contiuned hard work. Keep me posted. :)

Things keep getting tougher but anyway, I'm still hopeful that on July the 4th I'll be celebrating.

Have a happy Tuesday!

Back @ home.

2005-06-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

So I arrived in STL this morning around 8. It was nice to see my parents and tell them all the details of my trip. As usual they were incredibly happy to have me home, you'd think I'd been gone for a month!

Now that I'm back at home, I've realized I have so much to do. Luckily today I took the day to catch up on rest and well its back to the planning board for next week. So off to work on getting details together!

hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

A full day @ the Hill

2005-06-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hola, everyone!

Wow today was a jam-packed day full of highs and lows! But it was in general an amazing day in which lots of things were accomplished.

I met today with Rep. John Lewis, talk about an amazing guy! It was such an honor to meet with him!

Later I went and dropped in a few different offices and well got some good responses for sure. Then I met with the rest of the MO delegation, Mr. Ike Skelton, and someone from Mr. Bond's office. Both were very accommodating in listening and seemed willing to pursue the cause, but again nothing concrete, but I'm still hopeful.

Over all it was a great day on the hill, topped off by an interview in the afternoon, then just hanging @ C.C.C.

I have to admit, I'm exhausted, but that is what I came here for. I leave tomorrow morning @ 7:00. I'll be back though, haha!

thanks again to everyone @ CCC for all your hard work!!

love,
mng

Busy Wednesdays make for busy Thursdays?!?!?!

2005-06-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

Aloha, from D.C.?

haha! Oh goodness! What a day, busy but it was good! Very productive as well. For those of you that have Telemundo, hope you had a chance to watch the evening news, I didn't but my parents said it was a very nice story. Anyway, I ended up on the Hill today with the cameras and well we put some more pressure on Mr. Talents Office and once again thanked them for their time and support but also pushed the urgency of the issue with my family and how we need any help they can provide! (gracias Carlos and Dushaw for going with me and Dushaw for the food, u were my hero for the day!)

After my interview with them was finished I went to a meeting @ NCLR concerning D.R.E.A.M. and some more Ideas with my family. Thanks to all you who I met yesterday @ the meeting, know I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your efforts, sorry for interrupting the meeting! I rushed out of there for another meeting, got to catch up with my good friend Deepak from C.C.C. (thanks for making time out of your busy schedule. To see me!), and then the staff had a nice reception for me! Thanks guys!! I'm so glad to see some of you again, and to the new faces, its a pleasure! Gracias to all mis amigos there Germonique, Sean, Justin, Jen, Son Ah and Mary from Far away!, Carol, Marcia, Susan, Deniz, Yolanda, And of course Cela! I really thank you all for all the friendly faces and making me so at home and especially those of you that have really been great mentors through all of this thanks for caring so much!! ((If I forgot anyone yell at me or leave me a comment and I'll make it up to you with a great big hug I promise, but forgive me I have a billion and two things going thru my head!))

I've met plenty of new people lately (Sorry If I forget ur name the first couple of times!), it is still so surreal all that is happening around me! Shea thanks for taking the time to do the interview and for putting up with me while I was so tired! It's amazing, and I really think that we can do something we have such a great network of support and so many people working on this, we will get something done for all those families out there just like mine!

I also got to catch up with Josh today for the first time in a while, and reflect on how I first became involved with D.R.E.A.M. and immigration reform aside from living it. It's just amazing that that was only a year ago. Thanks for hanging out with me!

Tomorrow promises to be another full day of meetings, interviews, and well lots of things (hopefully). I got a mini tour of D.C. today, (although I have no idea where I am going half the time and the metro and buses are still an idea I must get used to!) but like I've said before I really like it here!

Anyway hope everyone has a great day tomorrow!

~peace. (sorry bout writing a book!)

Greetings from our nations capital!

2005-06-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was a very productive day, and well today was too!!

I'm in D.C. now, I'm really excited to be here! I love this city, well I guess right now I'm technically in VA but LOL whatever!

Today mi familia and Maricela all went to a meeting with Mr. Dan from Metropolitan Congregations United. I was really excited to hear that they referred to us as "friends" and to know that they are supporting us!

hopefully the more people we get the more sources we have into who we need to reach.

I'm really excited, tomorrow I get to go to C.C.C. and get to see my friends there! And then hopefully I will also have some very productive meetings tomorrow and Thursday as well!

keep the prayers going! Let me know if you guys have any suggestions on others I should meet with while I'm in D.C.!

:)

~peace!

And the thirty day countdown begins, again!

2005-06-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

Hola Amigos!

Well today was a busy Monday! Got up this morning and did an interview with EFE and then Maricela flew in from DC.

After talking at the house for a while we went and had a couple meeting with area faith leaders trying to set up a local event the week before my famliy and i have to leave.

We managed to stay quite busy, but I am happy to say the meetings were successful in that everyone is willing to work with us especially to promote the urgency in this issue for everyone!

Later on, we had a meeting with the "Gonzalez Group" who of course were happy to step up and organize the local project!! ( Gracias) So if anyone has any ideas we'd be happy to take them! We have a few, but since its going to be in the final countdown it will definitely be great to do as much as we can to push!

Its crazy, today is June 6th. If any of you remember yesterday, the fifth, was the original day set for departure of my family. So it's just wild to think that a month ago, I (although hoping for the best) was planning on this being the first day in a new country! So needless to say, i've spent the last twenty four in deep reflection. If only I knew what was to happen 29 days from today!

Ah but life is good, and my family and I are truly blessed! Thanks again for all the support!!

Cela and I will leaving for DC tomorrow afternoon after we have another meeting with an affiliate out of the STL area. Keep ya up to date with what happens @ our nations Capital!

~peace.

TGIF

2005-06-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

I really hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! In spite of everything today looks like a pretty low key day!

Yesterday went really well, I went to Columbia and did a taping for a radio station in Kansas City. It will be on this weekend @ 5:00 pm on Sunday. It's 89.3 fm in the KC area, or www.kcur.org anytime after Sun.

After that I participated in the D.R.E.A.M. conference call, I am so amazed by all the work people have done for kids in our situation! It was really cool to hear what people have been doing especially from all across the nation.

I was really excited to have some comments posted on yesterday's entry! Thanks to whoever put that up, and know I am also praying for everyone else in our situation! And dont worry I wont give up!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy your Friday!

~peace.

MNG

2005-06-02T00:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Well today was another day full of telephone calls and plan making! It honestly feels like I only do three things each day, talk on the phone (sounds like a typical teen thing, only i am not talking to my friends, instead planning interviews and such), in meetings, or replying to e-mails, then i'm asleep because it must be really late at night! Ha, yea even last night I was at a friends house after our Prayer service, and i spent about 2 hours on the phone making plans for today or next week!

Speaking about the prayer service, talk about amazing! It was beautiful from the music, to the readings, to Father and his message! My family and I totally lost it, in a good way!

Tomorrow I know so far I only have two things, one is a radio interview with a station from Kansas City, that heard the NPR story last week, and the other is a conference call.

just a quick thanks to everyone for all support! All the prayers, and well wishes~!

muchas gracias!!

~peace!

¿It's tuesday already?

2005-05-31T13:21:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go? This morning my family and I travelled to Madison, Illinois. We were invited to take part in a media briefing with the United Congregations of Metro East a member of the Gamaliel foundation! I am proud to say it went really well, and keep an eye out for different articles and news story's tonight in the STL and Madison Area.

I cannot believe tomorrow is already Wed., But i did enjoy having some rest this weekend so i should not complain! But I have so much to do! Tonight I have a meeting with the group that has been helping us "the Gonzalez Group" as they call themselves.

The press continues to come around, which is amazing, but also tiring, but like I have said before I will do what I must. Nothing too exciting yet though we have lots of people pitching our story our there and for that I thank them!

Well I hope everyone is having a good Tuesday! Thanks for all the support!

Countdown: 35 days until July 5th

Wow, what a week!

2005-05-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a week! So I know my life is and has been crazy, but it seems like it is only going to get crazier! I mean wow! This is my first entry for this site! I'm nervous. I am also very thankful for the opportunity! I just wanted people to have a chance to see into my life, see all the good and the bad that my family and I will be going through in the next month, basically until the 5th of July! That's the day that my family and I are now scheduled to leave the USA, for Costa Rica, a country I don't remember! So welcome to my life, and thank you for taking the time to check this site out! Before we get any further I'd really appreciate any help you can give, not only for my family, but for all the families and all the Students that are going through this! I know if we all pull together we will get something done~!

Yesterday I was on Telemundo/NBC "Hoy en el Mundo", I know by now I should be real used to the media, but somehow this one got to me a bit! I don't know if it was the traveling or the fact that everyone told me 5min on national television would make or break my story. Luckily I think it went well. I flew back to Missouri in the afternoon! That was my second trip to the Windy City in two weeks! Oh yea and the special story they did on us for NPR was on today as well!

My family and I are still trying to get things ready for the house to go up for sale. It's so hard, I'm trying to stay positive, but on the other side realistic. It's almost like a "double" life! It's hard too because of my friends, they all want to hang out and do all the things that are left to do (It is summer), but at the same time they know my number one priority is my family!
There is so much going on around me and across the country. My family and I are really blessed to have lots of support throughout all of this, and next few weeks will truly be a test to that!
My story is just one of many. I'm blessed to get the chance to share it!

more later~

peace.