My housemother

Actually,my housemother is my first American friend. I think there is fate between my housemother and me because I am from foreign country. She takes care of me a lot. I can learn something from her, and I really enjoy staying with her.

我的屋主是我的第一个美国朋友，我觉得我们之间很有缘分。由于我来自外国， 她对我很照顾，我能从她那里学到很多东西， 我很喜欢和她再一起。

1. Q: Could you tell me something about your life right now?

R: well, I take care of three family members who have special needs. Because I don't retirement, I have to work until I can't work anymore. I take them to doctor appointment. I help them with shopping, and I help them keep their apartment clean. We do family things together on holiday, We go outside eat together. Even though I take care of them a lot, I feel it is my responsibility. Because I have roommates from foreign countries. It is interesting part of my life. I can learn a lot from them, and I am able to show those students things about my country. Once I had one time marriage, I got marriage at 24 age. We live upper part of new york state. We lived in the country, and it is very small town. Because he had one time marriage, I choose to take care of his two sons. Through years, he decided he didn't love me any more. He wanted divorce. After that, I went home, and I lived with my mother. Then I with my brothers moved to California. I went to Santa Barbara Business city college. There are travel programs. But I was not able to find a job. Then I got a job in Television Station in Santa barbara. I worked there for 8 years. I was laid off. I felt depression. Then I was being personal care attendant. So that's what I do now.

问题：能告诉我关于你的生活吗？

答： 我需要照顾3个我的家人，因为他们都是特殊的病人。我要带他们看医生，陪他们逛街，打扫房间。节假日我们一起出去吃饭。也因为我有好多外国的室友，我可以 了解很多不同国家的文化，并且这也成为了我生活中很有趣的一部分。我可以告诉他们美国的风俗习惯。我有许多好朋友， 我也为他们做一些事情。

2. Q: What big experiences have you survived as a woman ?

R: um.... First, I think when I was 8 years old, my parents got divorced. It affected my whole life so that I choose a man who is emotionally unavailable. and second, it is i got divorced. well, that's kind of sad thing. But I still believe love. Then my parents' death.

问题：作为一个女人， 你的最痛苦的经历是什么？

答：第一 ，在我8岁时， 我的父母离异，这个对我人生有很大的影响。 第二，就是我个人的离异，那个使我很伤心，但是我一言相信爱情。

3. Q: In your opinion, what are some of the financial challenges that woman face?

R:I think it is not like used to be. Now women have more choices than they ever did before. Otherwise, that's still challenges. There is still sexual harassment for women. Most women still don't make as much money as men. There are a lot of single mother. they have to raise their children. also child care fee is very expensive. most single mother have to go to work, and some of them also have to go to school.

问题；以你个人的观点，女人要面对什么样的经济问题？

答；恩。。 我认为现在以不象过去了， 女人有了很多的机会和选择。但是仍然有许多的挑战对于我们。譬如， 现在的性骚扰。并且现在有许多的单亲妈妈，她们要独立抚养她们的小孩，这个是很不容易的。她们要工作赚钱，有的还要上学，对于单亲妈妈这是很难的。

All in all, i interviewed my housemother and i also learned something from her. i got better knew her. i am glad to meet her and make friends with her . whatever, this is a very nice talk with her.

总之， 这次我访问了我的屋主， 我自己从中学到了许多， 并且我也进一步的了解她了。 我很高兴能够遇到她，并且能 和她做朋友。不管怎么样， 这是一个开心的谈话。

NEVER GIVE UP

Introduction

Ayako, my sister, never gives up. If someone is mean to her or she gets something bad, she doesn’t care on it. She is little different Japanese woman from other normal woman. For example, when I visited the Czech Republic, then we went to the grocery market to get dinner. She chose everything without asking me. It seemed like she had planned what she would cook. However, when we got home, she asked me how she could cook it. She chose all of them without my opinions. Finally, she said to me “cook it.” She didn’t now how to cook, so I cooked. She is strange because she is not observant, she is pretty bossy.

Could you tell me something about your life right now?

She is a violinist. She belongs to an orchestra in the Czech Republic. She is still trying to get her dream that to get a higher orchestra. After she graduated a music university, she went to the Czech Republic to go to a graduate school. And then, she joined an orchestra. But she received terrible treatment from local people because they don’t accept a foreigner well.

Also, in the class, when she was an undergraduate student, the teacher didn’t hand out to her because even if the teacher gave it to her, it is waste papers. So, she couldn’t read Czech well. She could get only music score.

I interviewed about discrimination, but she is in the art world, so it should be strong-arm tactics, I thought. However…

How did you get discrimination as a working woman?

She had to take an audition before she joined the orchestra. And then who is going to sit front or back row. It should depend on the place of the audition. But, it is not actually. The audition has every year and she got 1^st place from 2006. Then one guy got 2^nd place from 2007, but there was no 1^st place. She thinks she should be first low, but she is second low. She said that why she is foreigner and woman, that’s it. Moreover, she thinks his violin is terrible. She gets mad. She giggles at him from his behind when he get mistake.

This happening is not rare. Her friend gets same thing.

Do you think that women are seen in the same light as men?

She thinks that this is one of the reasons, why women get discrimination is maternity leaves. So, company thinks women are going to take the maternity leave for one year, on the other hand men is not going take it. That is why company chose men because men don’t obstacle to the job. However, she thinks if women have more skills or get more money, men should take maternity leave and take care of baby. She gets mad about discrimination so much.

Conclusion

My sister is tying to get better orchestra, and she hopes the orchestra judges equally to men. There is much discrimination, but she will never give up, and she likes to get over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhlWFTuvVs
this is funny!

Congo

1. COULD YOU TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?
My Name is Okeya Badalamay. I’m from Africa. I moved here to the states because my family was in danger of being killed. I moved here when I was 15.

2. WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR YOU AS A GIRL? OR AS A LITTLE GIRL?
My life wasn’t great like most girls. When I was 10 worked in the mines searching for diamonds, gems, any type of precious material. That would be valuable.
My father was on bed rest because of an accident that happened when he tried to save his friends from military guerillas of the congo.

3. WHAT KINDS OF CHALLENGES DO YOU THINK WOMEN FACE IN SOCIETY? Being excepted, think.(She laughs) Bryant: Question, how do you think its funny? Okeya: I am black, I am African. Bryant: but, Okeya: but I’m looked at as different then everybody else. Just because I’m from a different country and my skin is a little darker then other people. I get looked at differently why is that. Bryant: well I don’t know some people are just too ignorant for their own good.

4. HAVE YOU FACED ANY CHALLENGES AS A WOMAN? Okeya: Yes or course the transition form my country to the united state was the biggest jump I ever made in my life. I mean I was scared to death to come here. Bryant: And why is that. Okeya: Because my hardest challenge is over coming change. I mean its so much freedom here in the states then it was in Africa. I’m not around my friends from backing my country. Bryant: but there are some students that speak you language right. Okeya: Yes or course but I don’t know them we don’t relate because I’m from a different part of Africa that’s dangerous. Bryant: So where are you from. Okeya: Bamaba it’s a territory of the Congo.


5. WHAT BIG EXPERIENCES HAVE YOU SURVIVED AS A WOMAN? When I was a little girl I was abused and molested. Bryant: Wow…not raped right? Okeya: no not raped but just taken advantage of, Hey lets come back to that subject it a sensitive area. Bryant: Yeah I’m sorry. Okeya: its ok, we can come back to it.

6. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE GROWING UP IN YOUR FAMILY? In my family I had to work at a young age to help out with the family. And because of that I missed out on my early youth. Bryant: so what type of jobs did you do. Okeya: clean houses, anything that needed to be done. Till I was forced to work in a minery.

7. WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A MOTHER? No Kids

10. DO YOU THINK THAT WOMEN ARE SEEN IN THE SAME LIGHT AS MEN? AND COULD YOU SHARE SOME EXAMPLES? Okeya: I don’t think so, in myc ountry women are beaten, raped sometimes maybe even killed, just to prove a point, and in the American states to, women are not respected, they call names,disrespected, down sized and humilliated by dominant male figures. I don’t understand that why is it such a big deal it a women is a little dominate, it seems like you males, Bryant: Hey watch it now. Okeya: (Laughs)…I’m joking but males seem to get intimidated when a women wants be a Ceo or a, president. Bryant: Well to plea my case I think women with power and a voice are elegant and attractive, I mean it’s the way of life a few words of wisdom ”keep on keeping on” Okeya: Yeah.

8.(IF OLDER) COULD YOU SHARE SOME DIFFERENCES YOU SEE GENERATIONS? Okeya: yeah I’ve seen a lot of deaths in my country. The deaths were too make other out as an example. If you were to cross a guerrilla controlled area in the Congo, and if you were asked to give up your valuable you’d better do it, because you can be killed. So sometimes while driving even near the Congo you’d see dead bodies once in a while. Bryant:

9. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN FACE? I can’t speak of American women but I can speak for the women in my country. All the jobs don’t pay very much so there is no chance to really grow and become someone.

10. HAVE YOU HAD ANY FINANCIAL CHALLENGES SPECIFICALLY AS A WOMAN? Not in America only in my country, my family was poor very poor.

12. DID FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIENDS (OTHER PEOPLE – JOBS) TREAT YOU DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE YOU WERE A WOMAN? Leaving my family especially me father I think he needs me the most but I know me being here will better help my family

13. WHAT KIND OF SACRIFICES HAVE YOU MADE AS A WOMAN? ? Leaving my family especially me father I think he needs me the most but I know me being here will better help my family

14. WHY DID YOU CHANGE COUNTRIES? HOW DID IT AFFECT YOUR LIFE AS A WOMAN? I changed country because it’s freer here in the states. It’s a chance to earn money and be free. This was the feeling I couldn’t get back home. If I stayed I probably will work my whole life either not a penny to show for it. So when I worked little by little I managed to save up. And with a little help from my close friends I saved up ten thousand dollars “US Currency”. Bryant: so how did this transaction affect you. Okeya: I hit me hard when I slept my first night without my family. I think I cried for about four months. Bryant: Wow!!!...Was it that bad. Okeya: yeah it was I hated being away from my family but I know that this will only make me stronger. So as the days go by I’m getting stronger and stronger. And the fact I’m doing this for my family makes me feel even better when I get down about not being with my family.

15. WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL MOVING FROM YOUR COUNTRY TO ANOTHER? To become successful. Get a degree and move my whole family to a better place in Africa or move everybody here. Bryant: why here why not Africa. Okeya: I won’t to move them to a better place in Africa, but it so much violence that is unbearable. I love it here in Santa Barbara it’s so peaceful and their are no mines here.

16. AS A WOMAN, WHAT DID IT MEAN TO CHANGE COUNTRIES? A chance to pursue a better live. To start over and make a better life for me and for my family.

17. HOW DOES YOUR ETHNIC BACKGROUND INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE AS A WOMAN? It makes me stronger because coming where I’m from its hard to look back and want to go back to my country. I came to America dead poor and I ended up in college

19. IN YOUR COUNTRY, HOW DO THEY VIEW WOMEN? Women were only good for a few things in my countries, work, cooking and carrying a child. Women are harshly down sized in my country. Women would get beat, raped. It was expected for a women to stay in a women’s place, ”what ever that means”

20. WHAT IS THE ATTITUDE TO WOMEN IN YOUR ETHNIC BACKGROUND? Women were mostly afraid to speak up and defend themselves. see because in the congo, unlike the United States. we diddnt have any type of law enforecement to protect use from the rapings.

A believing woman

“God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley I'm not afraid when you walk by my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.”(Psalm 23).

Introduction:

As I did this interview, I found out many things about this amazing and loveing woman i have in my life. Her name is Rebecca Menchaca, and she is my mother. All her life she has worked so hard and always had one shot to prove herself.There were so many obstacles in her life she had to over come and to conquer the women she always wanted to successfully be. In the following questions I asked, I saw the happiness she got in he face that she was so humble about the accomplishments and the hardship she went through. As telling me about her experiences being women of color and had to work twice as hard as others.She never gave up and kept pushing herself to do better in every part of her life. There are so many reasons I picked Rebecca, my mother, for a couple of main reasons. she has always had this relationship with god I look up to. Also, for being the youngest child in her family,as am i.It seem she had to always prove herself and over come obstacles that where stereotypical.

Questions: Recorded 3/15/08
Q: Could you tell me something about yourself, who you are?

A:. Am Rebecca Lee. Menchaca,i love to cook and care for others. I also have three amazing children I love and do as much as I can for them.

Q:How was is growing up in your family?

A: My Parents were very strict, I went to school came home and did homework and then we ate dinner as a family. Though they were very strict we had so much love that most people in a life time don’t have.

Q:What do you think is your flaws in the work force?

A: Being to nice and not having as much education as other I work with..

Q: As being a women, what are some problem are you faced with sometimes?

A: People may not take me series in my family because of being the youngest. Also sometimes with the people who are against what I believe in can be hard too. That when being the ethnicity that I am, some do not think I am capable of doing some acts.

Q:As a working women, have you had any bad times in the work force as being a women?

A: Yes, as being the women and in my job potion I have had some client not wanting to work with me because of what I look like and my gender.

Q:Tell me about your job and how you got there?

A: When getting my job as a case worker for the mental illness in the county. I only had a 3 year degree from SBCC.I first was a tech at Santa Barbra cottage hospital and work with dcutreas during the pregnancy. Most people I worked with had their bachelors and had more calefaction then I had. But something i brought to this job they liked. I truly care for all the people I come to encounter with.

Q:How did you get treated when you were a kid?

A:When being the youngest girl in my family, I was the one that just did everything love my family so much so I did as much as I can to help them. I sometimes got pushed around because I would never say anything.

Q: What is your filling about being a mother?

A: As a mother I became to see that having children was something that meant very much to me. When it comes to my kids, if someone hurts them or make them fill bad about themselves, I would be there for them always. Sometimes I fill that I can care to much, but I don’t think you can never care to much about who you love.

Conclusion:
As getting all this information about this woman I thought I knew so well. I was so happy to hear all she went through and how she accomplished so many life experiences. Having so many barriers in her life and has dreams to follow, she has always worked hard. As over coming issues and people bringing her down. It seems she just went through it and never gave up. This woman is a woman I truly look up to .Yes, she is not on magazines or in history books, but she did make a different in her own life and in her city and lastly on me, her daughter.

Happiness in My Lost Youth / Ai

Introduction;

It is the warm story about one strong woman who raised two children since she was still young. This woman is my mother, 　named Kiyomi. She is a normal woman who loves children and hopes to have her own children who are my younger sister and I. For her, life is full of happiness with little bit of darkness in her childhood.

Could you tell me something about your life?

My life is good for me and I am happy even though I do not know what other people might think about my life (I mean I did not have much time to spend with my friends or go to university). However, I am happy because I have you guys (my younger sister and I) who (I think) raised good. Maybe you do not know that I had been spent severe life when I was young, and maybe you might not endure if you are in my situation then: therefore, I want to tell and explain you about my lost youth now.

How did you grow up when you were a kid and what was the difficulty for you?

I was born in little poor family as their last children. I have two older brothers and one older sister. My family was poor and had some debt, so we had to change and move out from our apartment many times. Every time I had to do this, I also had to change my school. For me, it is difficult emotionally because I had to be separated from my friends, and I had to make new friends. I can not remember exactly, but I think that I changed my school almost seven or eight times. However, it is OK now because I could meet you guys after that.

How did you meet with your husband and had us (two daughters)? And what difficulties did you face then?

After I graduated from my high school, I was working at the restaurant. There I met my husband for the first time, and he was working as the manager of this restaurant. He was really gentle man and always was so serious about his work. I was fall in love with him soon. After some months passed on, I noticed that I had a baby (you) in my belly!! I was really grad because I want to have my own child even though I was still one 19 years old young girl and had not married with him yet. At once, I told to my husband about it. Of course, he was also really grad about it, and we went to the house of my husband’s parents to report it and get agreement about our marriage. However, it made me really sad and put me really depressed. His parents disagree to our marriage, and even they asked me to abandon my baby!! I could not believe that there were the parents who were not happy to have their grandchild in this world!!

Finally, we could get agree from his parents after we talked so much, and we married and I born you successfully. After two years later, I was given new life (my younger sister) and I came to raise two of my children. I was busy and sometimes really exhausted, but I was still happy with you.

What challenges have you faced as a mother of two girls?

I think that my two daughters were not so troublesome for me compared with other kids because both of you ate a lot and slept really well without much crying. I have one desire for you to do that is let you learn how to play the piano. It was my dream because I love piano and I wanted to learn when I was a kid. However, it was difficult for my family’s financial situation, so I had to give it up. Since then, let my children learn how to play the piano was one of my dream for you. When you were five years old, I found the teacher for piano, and you started to learn the piano.

Conclusion;

For me, my mother is always beside me, and she always ready to help and support me. I think that she never spent her childhood happily without any trouble like me, but I hope I could give her lots of happiness. The title of this story, Happiness in My Lost Youth comes from my inspiration when I interviewed her. She had my sister and me as my age now though, I am still going to college in America and studying. She never complained about having me so young and could not go to university and playing with her friends. However, to raise two children was the hard work physically and sometimes emotionally. However, in those days, she sometimes felt happiness as I gradually grew up. I think my mother is the strongest woman I ever meet. I respect her, and I want to be the mother like her in the future.

FEMALE CONFIDENCE

Introduction:

I had the huge luck to be Maria Ines`s grandson; she is a very brave woman. She was born into a rich and very happy family. She has everything she wants in life. According to her, her life was pretty easy until she lost her husband to cancer. She was 43 years old and she had 2 sons to raise. After that her life became challenging and pretty tough, but she didn't give up. She raised her two sons alone. She did pretty well. Today both of them are successful in their jobs; one is a lawyer and the other one is a engineer.


1 - Conte um pouco da sua rotina hj em dia?! Can you tell me what do you do in you days?
I usually do some walking, then some exercises at the private gym in my building. In the afternoon I usually visit my youngest grandchild and go shopping in the neighborhood where he lives.

2 -Como era a sua vida quando vc era menia? quais as principais diferencas entre hj em dia?
How was your life when you were a little girl and what do you think that is different between the kids today ?

In those days, it was not dangerous and violent like today. I used to enjoy riding my bike, as I lived in a small town. Today it is totally different. Children play mostly in their computers and electronic games.

3 - Quais os valores que vc presa que essa nova geracao nao da valor? Which are your believes that the new generation doesn't have?

Family comes first. Then, the moral values, which are difficult to find nowadays.

4 - Quais sao os desafios que a mulher enfrenta hj na sociedade?! What do you think that are the challenges which a woman have to faced in the society today?
Women work as much as men do, but they usually don't get paid as well as men do. Appart from working, women have also have to find time and strengh to take care of their homes.

5 - Quais os desafios que voce passou como mulher ? What are some of the challenges you faced as a woman?

My greatest challenge was to become a widow, with two teenager sons to educate.

6 - Oque mudou de melhor e oque se tornou pior em relacao a mulher na sociedade nesses ultimos anos? What get better and what became worse for the woman in the society on the last couple of years?
In the present days, women have a lot more freedom, which was just impossible in the past. In this sense, the present days are better. On the other hand, the competition at work, makes it more difficult for women, to grow on their careers, as most women have to work today, to earn their living.
7 - Em seu pais como a "mulher trabalhadora eh vista, como eh em comparacao ao homem?! In your country how do they view the woman as a worker compared to a man.

Today, it is normal for women to work. In my time, women were only teachers, or only took care of their homes.

8 - Voce ja sofreu algum tipo de pre-conceito por ser mulher? Have you suffer any type of pre-concept for be a woman?
Fortunately, I have not.

9 - Voce acredita que mulher pode ocupar uma posicao igual a do homem ?! Do you think that the woman can handle the same spot that the man?
I am sure that women can take the same position and possibly, do a better job than men, in many occasions.

10 - Qual o principal desafio que vc enfrentou como mae? What was your most challenge as a mother?

My greatest challenge was to send my 16 years old son to spend a year in Canada on an exchange program. Today, I recognize it was a very good decision. But at that time, it was very difficult to accept it.
11 - Qual a principal problema que vc teve que enfrentar na sua famila? What was the biggest problem that you faced in your family?

My biggest problem was to be a widow at the age of 43, with two teenage sons.

12 - Olhando para tras, do que vc mais c orgulha de ter conseguido?! Looking behind, What make you most proud ?
I feel very proud for being able to see my two sons graduated, one as a lawyer, and the other as an engineer.

13 - Como as experiencias q vc passou na vida te influenciaram como mulher?! How does your life experience influence your life as a woman?
I had no experince at all in life, and had to learn everything and take important decisions, after I lost my husband.

14 - Para vc, qual a coisa mais importante q a mulher deve presar?! For you, What is the most important thing that a woman have to believe?

The person's character is the most important.

15 - No seu pais como a mulher eh vista e como isso afetou a sua vida?! In your country, how do they view a women ? and how this affect your life?
Unfortunately in Brazil, women is usually is seen as inferior to men. This has not affected me, as I have not worked away from home.

16 - Como a religiao afetou sua vida ?! How does the religion affect your life?

I have always been catholic, and married a man who was even more religious than me. Religion has always played a good part in my life.
17 - Vc acha q a religiao afeta de forma diferente o homem e a mulher? Do you think that the religion affect man and woman on a different way?

I don't think that religion can affect women, differently that it does to men. At least the catholic religion doesn't. I know others can do, but I am not so familiar with them.

18 - Cite uma mulher q vc admira e descreva pq?! What women is your mirror and why ?

Margareth Thatcher. She was able to command a first world country with strong hands.

19 - Quais sao os seus objetivos a serem alcancados para o futuro? What are some of your goals to for the rest of your life

As I am retired, today my main purposes are to travel a lot and enjoy my 5 grandchildren.

20 - Qual a sua maior paixao, oq vc mais gosta de fazer? What is your biggest passion, and what do you most like to do?

Travel as much as I can.

Conclusion:

My grandmother is a very happy person. She always can handle what life gives to her. She is sweet but on the same time she can be tough. I am very satisfied with the interview. This is one more thing that make me so proud to be her grandson. For me, her best quality is that she knows how to enjoy the life.

The Candidness of my sister

Introduction:

I interviewed my sister Tresha Rose; she’s a single mother of three. We share the same father but, different mothers. After explaining the reason for my interview to her, Tresha was more than welcome to comply with the interview (I was elated by this). My sister epitomizes resiliency; she’s very strong-minded, goal oriented and she possesses the mental toughness and strength which a woman needs to make it in this world. Tresha has a beautiful soul and altruistic qualities which are rare characteristics in some people today. She’s a caring and very loving person. Tresha gave me honest answers which were well in-line with my goal in conducting the interview.

1. COULD YOU TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?

My life is complicated! Three children, a degree but working in a career that has nothing to do with my degree.

2. WHAT KINDS OF CHALLENGES DO YOU THINK WOMEN FACE IN SOCIETY?

Not getting the same pay as a man would for the same job. Not getting treated as equals to the opposite sex--society hasn’t changed much.

3. HAVE YOU FACED ANY CHALLENGES AS A WOMAN?

As a minority woman yes, it’s like I have to work harder to prove myself.

4. WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A WORKING WOMAN?

I have been passed over a few times for a job promotion when I worked for a company for 5 years and had the experience necessary for the job.

5. WHAT BIG EXPERIENCES HAVE YOU SURVIVED AS A WOMAN?

Being a single parent, I thought it would have been a piece of cake but I realize, as I got older it takes two parents to raise a child.

6. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE GROWING UP IN YOUR FAMILY?

My biggest challenge was being the oldest and helping my single mother with my three younger siblings, definitely a lot of responsibilities on my part.

7. WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A MOTHER?

As a mother there are numerous obstacles you have to take on, childcare, a job to make sure your child eats properly, a roof over your head, just simply providing because you have a little someone looking to you for all the answers.

8. DO YOU THINK THAT WOMEN ARE SEEN IN THE SAME LIGHT AS MEN? AND COULD YOU SHARE SOME EXAMPLES? Of course not, men have different responsibilities than women in the course of a lifetime. Women are the caregivers, the nurturers and some times the providers. Men (the responsible ones that is) are just the providers. Women can do the same things men do but just don’t get the credit for it.

9. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN FACE? Some women aren’t able to get the same salaries as men do so some find themselves struggling to make ends meet.

10. HAVE YOU HAD ANY FINANCIAL CHALLENGES SPECIFICALLY AS A WOMAN?

Definitely, I’ve been a single mom with little no help from my child’s father so everything was up to me to provide for my child and me.

11. DID FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIENDS (OTHER PEOPLE – JOBS) TREAT YOU DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE YOU WERE A WOMAN?

I wouldn’t say family treated me different I just knew everything was up to me to figure out on my own.

12. WHY DID YOU CHANGE COUNTRIES? HOW DID IT AFFECT YOUR LIFE AS A WOMAN?

I can’t really relate to life as a woman in my country I came to the U.S.A. at a very young age and been here ever since.

13. AS A WOMAN, WHAT DID IT MEAN TO CHANGE COUNTRIES?

Can’t really answer this fully, I know the reason my mom came to the U.S. was for better opportunities and to be with family.

14. HOW DOES YOUR ETHNIC BACKGROUND INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE AS A WOMAN?

I try not to make my ethnic background influence my life; I’d like to believe I make my life what it is by the choices I make. My Ethnic Background would just be putting a big stereotype stamp on my head and that’s not what I want to be seen as or judged by. I am not by far ashamed of where I come from or where I was born I’d just like to be seen as an individual who has the same struggles as another.

Conclusion:

I was satisfied with my sister's responses. Tresha has shown great resiliency being a single mom and dealing with the stress of reality, which made me have a more profound and emphatic respect for her. I hope my interview with my sister can serve as an example or template for young female, in making more educated decisions throughout their life.

My Grandtree-Dylan Long

Oral History-Dylan Long


Introduction:
There are, in the world, many wise and wonderful women whose backgrounds and life stories are very interesting. I chose to interview my grandmother because she is one among very few whom I know best. I asked her about her life and what it means to her now. I thought this would be a good way to gain insight on life and love.

Where were you born?
I was born in New Haven, Connecticut on October 15th, 1923. I grew up there and have spent most of my life there until recently, when I moved here, to Santa Barbara. I did, however, spend a little bit of my life in New York.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My parents emigrated from Italy to America. I was born in America, the first generation. My mother died when I was seven. I became very close to my father; he was cool. Childhood was lonely. I suppose my mother’s death kind of defined the overall feeling when I was growing up.
My parents were bilingual after I was born. I am not sure why I never learned Italian from them. Maybe it was the depression, maybe they thought if I were to grow up in America, I should learn English. I’m not sure.

Do you have any hobbies?
I used to sing and play the piano. I loved to read. I read so much that they almost took me out of school. And since that didn’t happen, my eyes decided to grow glasses early on. I still love to read.

What are your significant memories?
The biggest event of my childhood was driving to New Jersey in the 1930s several times to visit relatives. Sometimes we drove in a Buick, sometimes a model T. My father was a cement contractor in business for himself until my mother died. He always did well.
You said you grew up during the depression, how did you fare?
Well, we were poor, but we weren’t starving. Everyone where I was living was poor. Some people lost their house but my family got lucky.

Did your father remarry?
Not for fifteen years. Father died in 1944, at age 50. I was 20 years old and a senior at Grace-New Haven Nursing School. I was very sad. I had a four month internship at NYC though.
When did you go back to New Haven?
I only stayed in New York for six months. When I went back, I was 21; I spent six years in the operating room, till I was 27, and later became supervisor of the OR. That was nice. I was finally at the top of my game, literally. There was a lot of opportunity to advance; so many nurses had joined the army. Housing was scarce and I had to move in with my older brother. He had a wife and two kids. This was not a happy time during my life. It wasn’t the house shrinkage that got to me, but my brother’s wife. She resented me. She resented me because I had a job and earned my own money.

Did you date often?
No, career was very important to me. In 1948, I married a hometown boy. He had a big smile and my heart thumped when I saw him. In those days, when a woman got married, her job became secondary. I resigned as supervisor and started to work part-time in the evenings. In looking back, this was a loss because I gave up the specialty career I had trained for. At that time, it did not seem a sacrifice, because that is what all women did.

Did you have kids? If so, how did they affect your life as a woman?
As a woman, I was overjoyed and over packed with joy. We had five kids. They all have a different nickname for me. The nicknames actually started when their kids tried to pronounce my name.

Wow! When did this all roll over?
It didn’t; they’re still at it. I am known as Tee-Tee, Me-Me, Grandma Treecy, Grandtree, and Grandma Te-Te. We had our first child in July of 1951. In those days it was rare to wait three years. Now you know when we were married things were not modern yet. I continued to work and hours and off shifts even when I had two children. My first born became a nurse, an RN, like me. My second daughter became an attorney. The twins came in third and my last child was ten years lounger than them. His four sisters pretty much raised him for me. Lucky, I guess. Five is big number to take on, especially when a couple is poor. The twins made the front page of the paper, they were the first twins born that year. It was January 1st, a special day.

How did this affect you as a woman?
From 1955 to 1960 my husband and I owned a restaurant. I worked in the restaurant and my family lived upstairs. About this time the twins had arrived, in 1955. As a woman, this was very difficult to keep watch on. The restaurant created lots of hard work, with a very low profit. I grew up in nice one family house, but I raised my children in an apartment.
In 1960, my husband got a job in a factory. He also got benefits. We closed the restaurant. The restaurant was a kind of “presto pasta” before its time. Life became more stable after this. I worked for the bus company as a “wellness nurse”. I took blood pressures and counseled people about their health. Another thing I did was 10 years of volunteer work at the Red Cross. Around 1970, I started working odd shifts again because my husband’s factory went on strike, and closed for 30 days. Thirty-five years went by; all our children went to college on scholarships. Three went on to graduate school. I now have seven grandchildren and they all call me by different names. This is because when they were little, they found it difficult to pronounce my name accurately. We are now in our eighties, Herby and I. We are married almost sixty years. Two years ago we moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to one of our daughters.

Thank you Grandtree. I liked your story a lot. You have led a very strong life so far. I can tell that you believe in earning what you take from life.

My Mom's Challenges in life

Introduction:

My mother grew up in a small town in Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She moved to the city of Vancouver when she was in her early twenties. Since then she has had two children. I have a sister named Naasheka, she is four years older than me. We both grew up playing many sports. My mom has been raising Naasheka and I on her own since I have been three years old. Often my mom would drive Naasheka and I to two sports a day. Sometimes both of us would have two sports in a day, beween picking and droping my sister and I she would always have food ready to eat in the car for us. She has been working hard to keep us going in the right path in life. She also makes the best food in the world.

Could you tell me something about your life right now? My life right now is fulfilled with happiness knowing both my two children are happy and healthy and are working toward a post secondary degree. I try to enjoy everyday to the happiest and healthiest by keeping a healthy diet and exercise.

What was life for you as a girl or as a little girl? When I was a little girl I remember spending hours with my grandma who taught me many things about li which has molded me into who I am today.

What kinds of challenges do you think women face in society? The challenges I face as a woman in society are trying to make a modest living without a post secondary education.

Have you faced any challenges as a woman? The challenges I have faced as a woman are being respectful and kind to others keeping up with the daily chores keeping a healthy life style.

What challenges have you faced as a working woman? The biggest challenges I faced as a working woman is continuing to find ways and means to upgrade myself to be competitive in the working world.

What big experiences have your survived as a woman? The biggest experience I have survived as a woman was raising my two children for 18 years on my own.

What was your biggest challenge growing up in you family? The biggest challenge I had growing up with my family was doing the daily household chores in my house. When my mother started working I prepared dinner every night. I would also have to vacuum, do the laundry and mow the lawn when the season arrived.

What challenge have you faced as a mother? The biggest challenges I have faced being a mother were raising my two children to have confidence in themselves to teach them that they can do anything they set their mind to do. And to always treat others as you wish to be treated with respect and honor at all times.


Do you think woman are seen in the same light as men? And could you share some examples. I do not believe women are treated equal to the same light as men. An example is when a woman takes her car into the service shop they will over charge her for the same job they would do for men and/or tell them there are more unnecessary things which are needed to do to the car.

Could you share some differences you see in the younger generation, or could you compare the generations? Born in the late 1950’s I see many changes in the younger generation. Both parents are more likely to be working full-time which leaves less time as a family unit to communicate and teach children etiquette and respect for each other. More time is spent on computers and watching TV and video games which has changed the social skills of the younger generation.

In your opinion, what are some financial challenges that woman face? In my opinion some financial challenges woman face are jobs that women try to match the wages and to be competitive in the role of men in the work force.

Have you had a financial challenge specifically as a woman? Especially as a woman I have had financial challenges working part time jobs raising my two children on one income during their school years.

Did family members or friends (other people- jobs) treat you differently because you were a woman? No I do not believe that family members or friends (other people- jobs) have treated me differently because I am a woman.

What kinds of sacrifices have you made as a woman? I feel I did not make scarifies as a woman. I consider it was survival and the love for my children to be there for them 24-7 which some people might feel is a sacrifice.

In your country how do they view women? In my country Canada I believe the general public view women who are becoming as equal a bread winner as men.

How does your ethnic background influence your life as a woman? My ethnic back ground gives me as a respect as woman.

Conclusion:

Now that I am older I understand the hard work she has gone through as a single mother, how people stero type and judge my mother before they even know her. She is a wonderful woman. I can imagine what it would be like to grow up with two younger brothers to look after. With out her care I would not be the same friendly person I am now. I now see how hard it is to make end meet as a single parent.

Strong and Stubborn

Strong and Stubborn

Introduction~
I have always loved but been scared of my mom. She is a very stubborn, smart, beautiful, adventurous, patient, relaxed, open minded and talented song writer/guitarist i know. She is very strong on her beliefs. I respect her for having the most patience in the world. Of corse most people think that their mom is the best, but looking at her and how she takes in the world and responds to it, makes me respect her even more.

Q~Could you tell me something about your life right now?

A~ I feel content with the variety of the activities in my life and think that they reflect a range of my creative interests. My children are young adults now; that gives me a little more time for myself than i used to have when they were little.

Q~ What was life like for you as a girl? Or as a little girl?

A~ I have three younger brothers and have helped take care of them quite a bit during our younger years together. As a little girl, one way i remember trying to get my parents attention was to get the highest grades possible in school and be a good child. I had a safe, stuburban childhood with close neighbors and loving family.

Q~ What kind of challenges do you think women face in society?

A~ Although women have made inroads into male dominated industries, i think that women will always face the added challenge of being the primary caregiver in the home and trying to balence excellence in their profession, personal lives, and other activites. No matter how equal things appear the bulk of the responsibility will always fall to the women. I don't think many men have to think about how they will pick up the kids after work, make diner, help with homework, make birthday cupcakes, and seek advancement in the workplace all in one day.

Q~ Have you faced any challenes as a woman?

A~ Yes, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially- but challenges help me grow and know myself better.

Q~ What challenges have you faced as working woman?

A~ As a working woman who got her college degrees in her 40's i think that my current professional challenge is to catch up with my peeers who finished college in thier 20's. I think i will always be challenged to strike a healthy balence between my work and family goals and commitments.

Q~ What big experiences have you survived as a woman>

A~ Marriage, childbirth/parenting, divorce, finishing two college degrees as a single working mother, and creating a new family through my recent marriage.

Q~ What was your biggest challenge growing up in your family?

A~Being the only girl and also being the eldest, I became a caregiver at a young age. I also felt like my parents had very high expectations for my school performance.

Q~ What challenges have you faced as a mother?

A~ The earlier parenting years seemed so easy in comparison to raising teenagers. Over all i think the biggest challenges as a mother are to allow my young adult children to find their own way in the world learning their own success and bad decisions, and to trust that each of them will find a path that brings them joy.

Q~Do you think that women are seen n the same light as men? And could you share some examples.

A~ The simple fact that women are aren't allowed to go shirtless in public is an example of the double standards for sexuality that America has for men and women, It seems like that the over all standard for women's behavior are defined by how men would like to see them. I am continually surprised and disappointed by how, even in modern times, women's socially constructed roles are still narrowly defined.

Q~(If older) Could you share some differences you see in the younger generation? Or could you compare the generations.

A~ I think with the media explosion, women now more than ever have the sense of entitlement based on how they perceive themselves to be physically attractive. It seems now more than ever women, not just famous women, focus on their appearance as some type of currency or cultural capital that they can use as leverage.

Q~ In your opinion, what are some of the financial challenges women have?
A~I think that the greatest challenge is faced during the years hat children are grade school age when a women has to choose between working full tine to provide substantial income and being home with her children in the afternoons when school is out. It's a miserable, unfair choice to have to make.

Q~Have you had any financial challenges specifically as a women?
A~As a young mother i choose to stay home with my children because, without an advanced college degree required to make enough money to afford preschool, the cost of missing my children's younger years would be much greater than the cast of childcare. As a young mother, I cleaned houses and cared for other people's children. Helped in the family business and tried to bring in some income without giving up being with many kids at home. Returning to school in my mid 30's to complete 2 college degrees as a single working mother was a tenuous balancing act. It was well worth it as now in my 40's i have a full time job with benefits and help can support my family better.

Q~Did family members or friends (other people-jobs) treat you differently because you were a women?
A~The most unusual comment i ever got was from the income tax preparer who told me i was foolish to be divorced and go back to school because i wasn't going to make any money.
I didn't use his services after that unsolicited, chauvinistic advise. I don't think that i have been unusually discriminated against on the job because i work in a profession that traditionally had been dominated by females. But times that I've worked in or along male dominated fields, like auto mechanics or engineering, I have been careful to make as few mistakes as possible because i felt like i had to prove myself and my ability even more than if i had been a man.

Q~What kind of sacrifices have you made as a woman?
A~ As a young wife, i thought I was supposed to give up my academic, professional and financial autonomy. At the time, in my early twenties, i felt tat it was more important for me to support my husband's goals and also took them on as my own. I also took on the primary role of running the household, keeping the books for our business, caring for the children, and balancing our budget. In many ways , i sacrificed my identity as an independent thinker and doer.

Q~How does your ethnic background influence your life as a woman and what is the attitude tword the women of your ethnic background?
A~As a Jew, mothers are traditionally responsible for arranging holiday observances and teaching their children to do so. I have found over the years that honoring certain Jewish traditions maintain a connection between my mother, my grandmothers and me. Every Friday night now i call my mother and we say the prayer over the Sabbath candles on the phone with each other. I feel connected to her, my grandmothers, and Jewish woman all over the world when we do this together, and it brings both of us joy to do it. Additionally, mothers are keepers of the home, the ones who makes sure everything is well cared for and happy; mothers come last on the list. This is a more unhealthy tradition that i am trying to break and teach my daughters how to avoid bring the martyr type my mother exemplified.
Some archetypes for Jewish women include the nag, the caretaker, and the cook, etc. These types aren't terribly flattering to the women. The characteristic that I try to identify most with the women is the woman with the backbone of the family providing emotional strength and wisdom whenever possible. There is a healthy independent stubbornness in that, I think.

Conclusion~
After the interview I learned that she went through a lot more then I thought with my sibling's and I. I feel bad because I was such a pain sometimes, even thought I knew what she was going to say for most of the questions, she surprised me. I still think she is a very smart, stubborn, wonderful women.

The pleasant moment with Aileen

Introduction
Aileen, my interviewee, is my ex-private tutor for TOEFL test as well as my friend. After finishing our lessons in the last month, every Sunday we go to church and enjoy Santa Barbara, having lunch at the fancy restaurant with Jazz, for instance, or taking a walk with her pet, Macca, in the park next to the ocean. Although we have known each other for just a few months, she is now such a precious existence for me. The interview took place on one day of last month at the park where Jewish wedding was held. My purpose for asking her somewhat a wide range of questions was to deal with the diverse roles that Aileen had to come up with, as a working woman, a mother of nine children, and, at the same time, a student.


Q. First, could you tell me something about your life?
My name is Aileen and I’m a 70 year old woman, born in America. Now I’m retired and enjoying my freedom and living in Santa Barbara where the weather is beautiful.

Q. What was life like for you as a little girl?
I was raised by two women. I didn’t know my dad. So I didn’t have a father image, which was – difficult. But, I had a good childhood. I was just lonely because I was the only one. All I wanted to have was a sister. Other than that, life was pretty good.

Q. Then, you might want to have a big family.
Yeah, ‘cause I was lonely. So I wanted to have a lot of children so they wouldn’t be lonely like me.

As a woman in society...

Q. What kinds of challenges do you think women face in society?
Well, they do the same job as men, but they do not get the same pay. And sometimes, they are picked on, because they are women. They are teased and sexually harassed. Financially, they are not as always as official as men and a lot of them are single parents, trying to support their children and work at the same time. So, that’s challenge.

And I think women are seen as the weaker sex, as not as intelligent as men. But that’s not true. But, that’s the way the society looks at us, I think. They don’t seem to be offered the same seriousness. They are not taken seriously as the men. What they say is not looked as the equal as the men might say. Hard to explain, but sometimes men don’t seem to accept women who’s running a country because they always feel that men helping women.

Q. Do you think the women in the society are still facing – challenges in the area of educational or...
Yes, I think there are some occupations that are not as opened to women as they are to men, which is not fair because they are high-paying occupations. I think a lot of women hold the same offices and jobs, but do not get paid the same amount of money as same effort.

Q. Then, have you faced any challenges in a society as a woman? For example...
Yes. As a single parent, it was difficult to obtain financial help to go to school because the men were – and in the traditional system, they feel that woman doesn’t need to go to college, should help men, and take care of the children.

Facing financial challenges as a woman...

Q. In your opinion, what are some financial challenges that women face?
The fact they are sometimes raising children by themselves and working but they don’t get paid as much as men would. And yet they are still not being head of the family. I think that probably the financially women are not paid as much as men – when they are doing the same job, which is not fair.

Q. Have you had any financial challenges especially as a woman?
Oh, yes. When I was raising my nine children by myself working three jobs –a coach at the college, a typist, a hostess at a restaurant on weekend, and also part time baby sitter – while I was going to school. I even couldn’t find time to be exhausted.

About her school life and her choice of major...

Q. And it maybe difficult when you decided to come back to school. It would have been also challenge...
Oh, yes. It was challenge because I was a lot older and I had to deal with younger people whose education is paid for by their parents and make it for to relax and party instead of studying. And I had to work and raise my children and study, too. Besides, some of my children, probably, thought I was wasting my time going to college in my 40. But, it was something I wanted to do. So, that was difficult but it was worth it.

Q. Is the decision you made your major as the Law and society related to your thought of women’s status in society?
Yeah. A woman could give a different perspective on crime and criminals and a better idea of how to deal with it. Yes, definitely, I think woman has more compassion, a more nurturing, and I think it’s important in order to keep teenagers, especially, out of system.

Q. What was your most interesting part in the law and society?
I had to do paper about the women, who were beat up by her boyfriend of husband. So I had to go to a court and listen to cases. And man was a judge, so the husband who was guilty actually got off free. The woman was batted, but it didn’t seem to matter.

Q. Were you interested in other majors except for the law and society?
No, I wanted to be a criminal attorney. That’s why I took that. And I went to law school for one year. And then, I found out that the law did not work the way I thought it should. And I stopped.

As a mother...

Q. What challenges have you faced as a mother?
Well, I had to do much work even though I had to work outside of the home. It was still a lot – raising my children. And my ex-husband didn’t believe that the man’s job was to do any housework, any cooking, or taking care of the children. So, that was up to me. So, that was a challenge, trying to do all by myself.

Q. Then, you mean you had to work at the same time do house chores?
No, I didn’t have to work outside, out of the home, until I became a single parent. And then I did, to support my kids.

Q. What was the most difficult moment as a mother, raising the children?
Finding the time to spend with each one, individually. That was the hardest part, giving each one individual one on one time. There weren’t enough hours a day.

Q. Could you give me a specific example?
Well, my one daughter was in the middle. I didn’t know at the time when she was growing up. I didn’t find out until she became a mom. And I was with her one night and she told me she always felt like she was in the middle and she was ugly and she didn’t feel that we had time for her. That was sad because it was very me but there wasn’t much to do about that.

Her voice about ethnic background...

Q. What is your attitude to women in your ethnic background?
Well, I think white women probably have a little better advantage than Black or Asian or Hispanic, because they think they’re the superior race, which is not true, but that’s the way they look at themselves. And I think white women have been in this country the longest time, their chances are a bit better of being treated like an equal, whereas other various background people are treated.

Q. What is your thinking about women from another ethnic background?
Hispanic woman are very hard working. They tend to stick together so they’ve got their strength and their unity because they help one another. So, whatever challenges they face, they a kind of face them together rather than individually, which is good, cause they have more strength. Whereas they do, white women tend to do it alone. I think white woman can learn from that.

Q. As a tutor, have you experienced something related to women from other ethnic backgrounds?
Sometimes we can come to a solution at their problem, based on my experience. I was tutoring one Korean woman, who was in her sixty. And she had married to a white man who was a marine, and she had come to this country as his bride. But, he was a real Macho man, so she was never allowed to learn anything. And then, he had a heart attack and she was left without being able to drive, hardly able to read or understand English. She was just a kind of out there, so she needed to be helped to learn the language so she get a driver’s license, write a check to handle her finance. I had to help with her English. So, that was a challenge.

Conclusion
To be honest, this interview thing was such a challenge for me, from beginning to end. As an international student, who just arrived here in January this year, I was a kind of nervous about the project, because it would require a lot of job to do. Now, however, I am satisfied with my work and grateful for the opportunity to hear one woman's voice personally. Though the whole process, such as listening to recording repeatedly and arranging the contents of the interview, I was also able to pracice post my work on the foriegn web site that I am not used to using. Above all, learning the point of view as well as some valuable experiences from Aileen would be unforgettable memory to me.

My relative overcame her challenges

Introduction: I have many relatives in the US. All of them are my great-grand father's older brother's posteritiy. One of my relatives whose name is Ellen Yamamoto, 64, is a strong and mature woman.She was born in Japan and attended US Military schools in Tokyo all her life as she was an American Military Dependent. Her father was American, so she was raised as bilingual Japanese-English, but she did not receive any formal Japanese education.

Interview:

1, Could you tell me about your life right now?  

I am now retired after 30 years as an National Account Executive for Kaiser Permanente. 

2, What was your life when you were girl?

I lived in Japan because my father was with the US Army stationed in Tokyo.  I attended US Military schools in Tokyo all my life as I was an American Military Dependent. I am bilingual Japanese-English but did not receive any formal Japanese education.  I am also bi-cultural because I spent my childhood in Japan as an Japanese American.

3, What challenged have you faced and do you face as a woman?  

As a Japanese American I faced racial and gender discrimination in the work place through the 1970s and 1980s.  In those days, women were paid less and faced a glass ceiling.  However, despite these challenges, I was able to progress upward in corporate life and became the highest level in Sales & Account Management nationally in my company. 

4, What kind of challenges do you think woman faces in society?  

Asian American women have faced stereotypes and discrimination which has fortunately subsided.  However, many still in mainstream American think that Asian women, especially Japanese American, are supposed to be meek and not assertive.  However, with more education and opportunities to work with Asian women, this prejudice or stereotype should subside. 

5, Have you faced any challenges?  

Yes, raising 3 sons alone and learning how to be more assertive in the business.

6, Do you think that woman are still seen in weaker than man in society?  

Yes, but this is starting to subside as more women hold key roles in society.  If Senator Clinton is elected President, her presidency will create a big paradigm shift in this thinking, if it hasn't already. 

7, What is your biggest challenge?  

Biggest challenge was to raise 3 sons alone and make them effective in society. And did you succeed?  Yes. 

8, How could you overcome a fear?  

With courage,determination and by moving forward. 

9, Have you ever felt any sex discrimination in society?  

Yes and racial discrimination. 

10, What do you think the equal rights for man and woman?  

They should be equal and fair. Everyone should be judged by their merits, skills and talent.  Men & Women equally have the responsibility to build and sustain a better society and nation.

 

11, Could you share some differences you see in the younger generation?  

Younger generation have less manners, more impulsive and more impatient. 

12, In your opinion, what are some of the financial challenges that woman face?  Not being able to get equal pay.  This has started to change but more needs to happen. 

 

13, Have you had any financial challenges specially as a woman?  

Yes, getting lesser pay than my male colleagues which began to change in the 1990s. 

 

14, What kind of sacrifices have you made as a woman? 

Raising 3 children alone with no support from a spouse the sacrifices were a) not having discretionary income to spend on oneself and b) spending all available on my children. 

 

15, Why did you change countries? 

I did not change countries. I am American by birth. My father is an American who was stationed in Japan. 

 

16, What was your goal moving from your country to another? 

Living in Japan as a Japanese American I tried to absorbed the culture of my forefathers.

  

 

17, How does your ethnic background influence your life as a woman?  

I apply the good aspect of my Japanese background to improve my life.  For example, I try to eat more Japanese foods because they are more healthy and have less fat. 

 

18, In your country, how do they view woman?  

I don't this is applicable to me but in the US women have more equal opportunities.

 

20, What is the attitude to woman in your ethnic background?  

Unfortunately, Japan is still a male dominated society and sometimes Japanese American men try to impose this culture on us Japanese women even though they wouldn't impose them on mainstream American women. 

 

21, What challenges have you faces as a mother?  

Keeping young, up to date, trying not to lecture my children and to trust them.

Conclusion: Finally, she could overcome all her challenges and fears. All her family and relatives have been keeping eyes on her softly and kindly, so now she is doing same things to me. She is always taking care of me instead of my parents. She gives me a good scolding when I do wrong, and praises me for my efforts.