Growing up, my parents wanted my siblings and I to have the most normal American life. They didn't want anything to hold us back in the future, so they worked hard to give us all they could. They wanted us to embrace American culture and participate in all the different holidays and events. This is what my parents would do so my siblings and I wouldn't have to struggle as much in the future because they knew that as first-generation kids, we were going to have to work extra hard to prove ourselves.

There were many things that I can remember my parents making me do as a kid so I could fit in. But one of my favorite experiences was joining Girl Scouts.

My best friend growing up, Ana, is the one who encouraged me to join shortly after she did. We were in the third grade, and I remember telling my mom that I really wanted to join. My mom said she had to meet Ana's mom before she made a decision, and shortly after meeting her, they became friends. So yes, I did get to join Girl Scouts!

I still remember the day I joined. I felt so weird because, in a way, I felt I didn't belong there; like that wasn't the place for me. But, I am so glad I stayed. This is where I found my love for camping and being in nature. This was also the place I found my love for arts and crafts. This was the place where I made my first good friends, some of which I still talk to today. This was also the place where I won the rope-tying contest.

I am so happy my parents had us join Girl Scouts. I know it was hard for my parents to keep us actively participating in things while they were both working two jobs at a time. They knew they didn't want us to live the life they did in Mexico. Neither of my parents got a formal education or were able to participate in activities like these because growing up, they had to work and take care of their younger sibling while their parents worked at the ranch.

So, although assimilating in many other ways was very difficult, I look back to these nice memories and realize that it was all because my parents wanted to give me a great life.