A Final Goodbye

For my last blog, I thought it would be only appropriate to give a reflection on my experiences during Border Beat this past semester.  It is hard to believe this semester has already flown by and it is time to graduate.  When I knew I would have to keep a blog for this class, I was nervous because I had never kept a blog before and I found it hard to believe I could write about one topic relating to the border for an entire 15 weeks.  However, I chose a topic that interested me and therefore the blogging process was simple.  Each week I enjoyed finding new and interesting people to write about and share their experiences with all of you.  These people were from various parts of the world who have all come to the United States for a new life for one reason or another.    

Each blog became more complex because at the same time I was learning valuable multimedia information and techniques in Border Beat.  I can honestly say that this class taught me more than almost any other class I have taken at the university.  Also, the information has been valuable and important to the world of journalism.  I learned tools such as Soundslides and Final Cut Pro, which are key concepts to know in the journalism industry today.  Online is the future to journalism,  and I am so happy I took this class to learn all the different aspects that go alone with online journalism.  

Not only have I learned key information, but I had an unbelievable time along the way.  I was able to visit places throughout Arizona I would  never have been to if I had not taken Border Beat.  In the beginning of the semester I was nervous about writing eight stories along with two special projects.  However, I did something a little different to make the stories more fun and interesting.  I traveled to Bisbee, Ariz. with Laura, another Border Beat reporter, to do a story on a Panama hat maker.  We spent an entire day in Bisbee and therefore we did a four part series on the store and the man behind it all.  It was fun, interesting, and turned out to be a really wonderful series.  I did the same thing with Laura towards the end of the semester when we visited Ruby, Ariz., the second most well preserved ghost town in Arizona and only five miles from the Mexico border, where we met with the caretaker of the town and spent the entire day learning about Ruby and its history.  Again, we did a four part series on the town, its history, and much more.  

As for the special projects, those were fun as well.  I was able to go to a free trade coffee corp. in Douglas, Ariz., and spend the day learning to roast coffee.  Here Laura and I produces a four part multimedia project about the coffee corp. For my second special project two other reporters and myself went on a Mexican Riviera cruise and was able to write some fun stories and put together video and slideshows of our experience on the cruise.  It has been a fun, yet a challenging semester.    

If I can give some advice to future Border Beat reporters, its to have fun and learn everything.  If there is an opportunity to come in and learn Final Cut Pro with John, then do it.  You will be so happy you did.  Learn and practice everything you learn.  When you learn soundslides, utilize the tool in your stories so you have it down.  Also, produce  stories that are interesting to you.  Write about topics that you have an interest in or else you won't have nearly as much fun or learn as much.  I  learned a lot because I was interested and engaged in the topics and stories I was covering.  Lastly, ask Jay for advice and story ideas because he always has some really interesting stories to cover and his advice and critiques are extremely valuable.   

I feel privileged to have been a part of the Border Beat team.  I learned a great deal about the United States- Mexico border and became friends with many of the other reporters.  Each person was able to contribute to this truly wonderful online publication throughout the semester.  I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog about those individuals who have come to the United States from various places around the world for a new life.  Thank you!

   

My Experience With Crossing The Border

The semester is coming to an end and this is one of the last time I will be writing to all of you about those individuals who have come across the border and into America. I thought for one of my last blogs I would write about my own experience of crossing over the border.

In the Spring of 2008, I ventured to Florence, Italy where I studied abroad for five unbelievable months. I studied literature and writing while overseas, and was able to follow in the footsteps of some of the most famous writers and literary scholars of all time, including Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, who studied in Florence during their time.

My roommate Katie and me sitting in the Arno River ledge during our first day.

Photo By: Elizabeth Pfordte

Before traveling to Florence I had been to Europe once before with my high school senior class, but I did not truly appreciate the history and beauty as I did when I lived there. Living in a foreign country was an entirely different experience than visiting several countries and only spending a few days in each.

I have traveled to nine different European countries, and each one is unique with so much rich history to offer, but today I will focus on Italy, since that is where I spend a majority of my time.

After living in America my entire life, it was quite a culture shock when traveling to a country where the only words I knew were ciao (pronounced chow and meaning hello), and grazie (meaning thank you). Thankfully were required to take an Italian speaking class during our study abroad, but until class started I relied on my nearly fluent Italian speaking roommate to help communicate for me.

The thing that surprised me the most was how many and how well Europeans spoke English. If they were to come to America, there would not be many people who could also speak their language. I almost never had a problem communicating with an Italian because they almost all spoke English.

Another thing that mesmerized me was all the beautiful architecture that surrounded Florence. My apartment was three blocks from the Duomo, one of the largest domes in the world. It was an incredible to be able to walk next to such a magnificent building everyday on my way to school.

The Duomo on a sunny day in Florence

While abroad I realized how different life is in Italy compared to America. One of the things I loved most about living in Italy was being able to walk everywhere. The only time I took a taxi or another mode of transportation other than my feet, was when my roommates and I would go to the airport. I would most likely walk at least three miles a day, but I loved every moment of it.

The Arno River

The grocery store was one of my favorite weekly activities. Two of my roommates and myself would run along the Arno River a few times every week and then venture to the massive San Lorenzo Market. There we became friends with our favorite butcher who would cut us our meat for the week and our favorite deli where we would purchase our turkey and cheeses. We also found our favorite fruit stands where the woman would always give us a small bag of oranges for free, and she always had the biggest smile when we would come visit each week. Lastly, we had our favorite bread maker. Florence doesn't add salt to their bread so it is always very bland and requires much oil and vinegar when eating. However, we found a woman at the market who makes fresh focaccia bread every morning with salt.

It's the little things about living abroad that I miss the most. I miss the simplicity of their life. They take time off every day for nap time where almost every store is closed for a two hour period each day. At first it was frustrating when I would go to get something and the store would be closed right in the middle of the day, but then I learned to appreciate and love it. I miss the easy accessibility of being able to walk everywhere and having the train station a two minute walk away where we could catch the train to other parts of Italy for a small price.

At the very top of the Duomo during sunset.

I learned that many things are much easier in Italy, such as not really needing a car in Italy, but then America has a lot to offer that Italy doesn't as well. Such as how Florence only has two McDonalds, a handful of Chinese restaurants, one Mexican restaurant, and a few other ethnic restaurants I could count on two hands. America is full of different ethnic foods, where Italy is proud of their home cooking and feel pride in featuring those restaurants with only a few ethnic restaurants to offer.

I could go on for hours about the differences between America and Italy and my experience abroad, but I won't. Each place has their own uniqueness and things to offer.

The Changing Face of the Arizona Snowbird

This past weekend I went home to Phoenix, Arizona to spend time with my family for the Easter weekend.  During a get together my parents hosted on Easter, I met a couple by the name of Teddy and Celia, and their children Teresa, Christian, and Joe, who are relatives to Jan and Michelle, a couple I did my blog on previously during the semester.  

They reside in Stavanger, Norway for a majority of the year, and move to Phoenix, Arizona during their time off.  It is required by Norwegian law that residents receive five weeks holiday each year.  

Teddy is a terminal manager of a freight company in the oil business, while Celia is the manager of a clothing store in their hometown.

Teddy loves to spend his time golfing in the warm Arizona weather, while Celia enjoys spending her time shopping in the many malls in the Phoenix area.

Teresa is nineteen and attends school in Norway, learning to be a carpenter.  College in Norway is different in that they teach students a trade instead of graduating with a major and minor like American schools.

Christian turned thirteen on Easter and enjoys sports, especially soccer and during his birthday at our house had a soccer theme birthday cake.  

Joe is seventeen-years-old and enjoys spending his time on the computer.    

No longer is it grandma and grandpa from the midwest who come during the winter months to Arizona during the snowbird season, now people come from all over the globe to enjoy the sun, space and beauty of the Arizona desert.       

A video on Stavanger, Norway

The Helper

This past weekend I had the unique opportunity of visiting Ruby, Arizona, located in Santa Cruz County, nestled in a bowl of the Montana Peak, thirty miles west Nogales, and only four miles north of the Arizona/ Mexico border. Ruby was an old west mining town that was the leading producer of lead and zinc from 1934 to 1937. 

However, in 1970 the mine shaft collapsed and Ruby shut down as a mining town.The rich history behind Ruby includes many murder stories of Mexican bandits who would come across the border and kill visitors and residents of Ruby. Now, Ruby is considered to be one of the most well preserved ghost towns in Arizona.

While I was visiting, I was able to spend time with a man who calls himself Sundog, the one and only resident of Ruby, Arizona. He is the caretaker of the run down town who's responsibilities include collecting an entry fee, providing a map and brief history lesson of the town, cleaning the outhouses, and tending to his garden full of herbs, vegetables, and fruits.

Sundog relaxing on his chair

However, there is much more to Sundog than meets the eye, because after spending time with him I learned one of the things he enjoys most while caring for the town of Ruby. He helps those who are crossing from the border through the desert with basic needs such as food and water.

Sundog describing the old mine shaft

Since Ruby is located so close to the Mexican border, only four miles, he often receives visitors who need a place to rest along the way. He said most of the travelers come with coyotes, and they often do not stop through Ruby, but those who are traveling alone or in groups find themselves stumbling upon Ruby, and the small house perched on top of the hill belonging to Sundog. 

During my visit, Sundog received a visit from the volunteer group, Samaritans, who are a Tucson local group of people committed to helping border crossers in the Sonoran Desert when they are in need. The individuals provide the border crossers with food, water, communication equipment, medical assistance, maps, and individuals survival packs.

Many people ask, well isn't that illegal? However, according to their website, "It is never illegal to provide water, food, & medical assistance to another human being in distress." In addition, border patrol is aware of the group and sets limits for the volunteer group as to where they can travel.

Samaritans came to Sundog to ensure he had plenty of water and food packs for the travelers. He described that he was awakened at 7 a.m. by a large group of travelers just that morning to wiped out half of his food and water supply, "But don't worry, if ever some of them come and I am out of food packs I'll just give them some of my own food supply. That's not a big deal," he said. Sundog said he enjoys helping the travelers and they are always very friendly to him.

In addition, Sundog told us of other Mexican travelers who come through Ruby, only these visitors are there to stay for the entire summer. They are known as the Mexican bats. Upon my visit I had heard of this unique phenomenon, but listening to Sundog's stories were much more fascinating. He said during mid April to early May the colony of bats make their way to an enormous cave located in Ruby. He said once all the bats have finally migrated for the summer, to watch them leave as the sun is setting is an unbelievable site to see. 

The cave that becomes home to the Mexican bats from mid April to late August

"It takes all of a few minutes for all the bats to leave the cave. And

 when they return in the morning the sound is so loud it wakes me up," said Sundog. He said even though he has seen the bats every summer of the six years he has resided in Ruby, "I never get tired of watching it. The site still sends chills up my spine every time I watch them."

Sundog is able to meet people from all over the world who come to Ruby to see what it's all about. He said people come from all over the world, "Especially Germany. I meet a lot of Germans." Sundog is also able to help out struggling travelers from the border and view the beauty of the Mexican bats who come for a visit each summer.

Sundog at the old post office, the site of some Ruby murders.

How To Become An American Citizen

After writing the stories of many individuals who have traveled to the United States for a new life in America, and the stories I have experienced, this week I decided to talk about the difficult process these individuals go through to become and American citizen.

First off, in order to become an American citizen in the first place, the U.S. Citizenship Information website says the process will take anywhere from six months to more than two years.

Applicants must first turn in an application, and then wait for a scheduled interview before the process can begin. After the interview, the applicant must wait anywhere from one day to 180 days before they have their swearing-in ceremony to receive their naturalization certificate. However, in a few Immigrations Service Office, this process can take up to an additional one to two years.

According to the U.S. Citizenship Information website, "The length of time for the entire process depends on the number of U.S. Citizenship applicants the USCIS offices receive in each state." The website also urges applicants to pay close attention when filling out their application papers because making a mistake could cost them an even longer period to wait. In addition, the website offers a do-it-yourself service that helps applicants through the entire process to help ensure they do not make any mistakes.

As follows, the website states that their are four major steps in becoming a United States citizen.

*Step One: Submit The Complete Application
-This includes obtaining two passport-size photographs, ensuring all documents are together and completely filled out, and sending all necessary documents to the right USCIS location.

*Step Two: Get Fingerprinted
-This is after the USCIS office has let the applicant know they have received the application, the acknowledgment letter will give a specific time and place to get your fingerprints that the applicant must show up for, and send any additional documents the USCIS office asks for.

*Step Three: Attend USCIS Interview & Take Tests
-The USCIS office will send a letter with a time and date for a scheduled interview, attend the interview at the correct time and place, proper identifications and further documents will be asked for, answer the interviewers questions, take the Civic Test and English Test, and lastly wait until the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services comes to an answer about your citizenship.

*Step Four: Take the Oath to Become a U.S. Citizen
-The USCIS will send a ceremony date to attend, go to the specified date and time and return your Permanent Resident Card, answer any questions they may have about what you have been doing since the interview process, take the Oath of Allegiance, receive the Certificate of Naturalization, and enjoy life as an American citizen.

These four steps make the process sound easy, but the amount of time it takes between each of the individual steps can and most likely will take years. For example, Jan Svedsen, who I wrote about in a previous blog, has been trying to gain citizenship in the United States for the past two years and still has not had his ceremony. However, some are more lucky, such as Nadja Riess, who only took about a year to go through the entire process.

Visit the U.S. Citizenship Information website to learn more about Green Cards, Replacement of U.S. Citizenship Certificates, Change of Address, USA Greencard Lottery, Green Card Employment Authorization, and Removal of Conditions on your Green card.

Also learn about the cost to become an American citizen, your status on becoming an American citizen, and more.

Watch this Video to see a Immigration lawyer's view on How to Become a U.S. Citizen


See the ceremony new American citizens attend

My Own Experience

Last week I had the opportunity to cross over the border for myself and experience a very different way of life. I took a cruise through the Mexican Riviera, leaving from Los Angeles, California and traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.

When first boarding the Princess Cruise Line, holding 3,000 passengers and 1,000 employees, I noticed that many of the employees were of ethnic heritage. When I asked our waiter, Romeo, about the different ethnicities on board he said more than half of the employees on board were from another country, including Russia, Mexico, and Canada, just to name a few.

Our first two days on board were spent at sea, and during our second day on board the activity manager asked for passengers to yell when their home country was called. When Canada was named I noticed more than half the passengers outside by the pool started chanting. When I asked a family next to us, who I noticed had been chanting, why so many Canadians were on board, they replied that travel expenses were minimal. They said to go on vacation for them right now in the state of the economy, coming from Canada to Mexico was very cheap.

After the two days at sea, our first stop was Puerto Vallarta. The staff members from the ship told us of a hotel we could go to and show our ship card, and they would allow us to use their facilities for the day. As soon as we stepped foot on the beach the little kids selling souvenirs and women selling henna tattoos and hair braiding started following our large group of college students.

When we finally made it through all the women, children, and other sales people on the beach, we entered the Krystal Hotel. Upon entering the large pool with attaching tiki style bar, I met a couple who was visiting from Canada. I asked them why they chose to come on vacation to Puerto Vallarta, and they replied that including flight and an all inclusive hotel for a week, their total price per person was $750. Can't beat that!

A video on Puerto Vallarta


The following day was spent in Mazatlan, which was the only place of the three I had not previously visited. Upon leaving the ship, there were men with machine guns and shuttles waiting to take us to the port terminal. I noticed that Mazatlan seemed like a much more industrialized city and not nearly as large as Puerto Vallarta. The large group of us piled into two large vans that took us nearly 10 minutes to the nearest beach bar. The city appeared older with a lot less college students compared to Puerto Vallarta, and the cabs were all open air taxis. When we finally reached to beach bar, the employees were ecstatic that so many of us had come, seeing that there were only around five people before we got there.

Video of Mazatlan


The following day was spend in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, where I had visited two years earlier. When we exited the ship we walked across the deck to catch a water taxi to take us to the local beach. As we approached the beach I had spent my time two years prior, I noticed the amount of people seemed far less than what I had remembered. I asked our waiter, and he said the spring break population was much less than usual. Other than that, the beach seemed the same with some additional condos being built. The beautiful beach and clear water was just as I had remembered it.

Video of Cabo San Lucas


In America, I never see little children following me around the beach trying to sell little clay turtles, nor do I see people with machine guns on a daily basis. The people in Mexico were very friendly and receptive to us spring break kids, mainly because a lot of their money comes from our yearly visits during the spring break time. The difference in the way of life and culture between Mexico and America is drastic, but I have learned to appreciate both in their own ways.

A Kind Of My Own

When thinking of people to interview this week, I thought it would be interesting to do a little research about my own family history. I am 98 percent Irish, and have a long line of Irish ancenstors. My grandma, Carolyn Connolly Rogers, was happy to talk with me about her grandmother, Mary McSorley, who immigrated to America from Ireland, and the memories she still has of her grandmother from when she was young. Here is what my grandmother was able to share with me about my great, great grandmother.

Mary McSorley came to the United States with her sister, Cassie, where they left their entire family back in Ireland to start a new life in America. Alone, the two girls traveled by boat, Cassie was 12, and Mary was only 10.

Mary grew up in County Armagh, located in Northern Ireland. She was part of a large, but very poor family who could not afford much out of life. They knew their only option for a better life was to pack up and move to America, only knowing of distant relatives in Chicago, Illinois.

After many years, while visiting Canada, Mary met her husband, John Arthur Connolly, another Irish man. She became Mary McSorley Connolly. They settled in Waterloo, Iowa where he started making carriages in the late 1800's.

"My early recollections of her was that she never talked much, and when she did she talked with an Irish brogue." An Irish brogue is an Irish accent that my grandmother said was extremely hard to understand.

In addition, she was very short, heavy set, and would wear silk dresses that would hang to her ankles. "Nobody dressed up then," said Rogers laughing.

Her husband was considered one of the wealthiest men of Norteast Iowa at one time, and although they had much hired help, "Everytime I went to the house, she was always ironing," said Rogers.

Together, they had five children where she was left to take care of them during the day, while John was working at the carriage factory.

At nightime, she would always serve mashed potatoes and "lots of dessert...they love their dessert," said Rogers laughing, adding that her grandmother would read the coffee grounds like a palm reader reads a palm. "She thought she could detect your future by studying your coffee grounds," said Rogers laughing.

"She was involved with our family and loved us very much, but she just wasn't very social," said Rogers. In addition, she worked a lot with the Catholic Church and donated a lot of time with them.

"Her dream was to go back to Ireland, but she never made it back," said Rogers. Although she had the money to go, the means 0f transportation back then were not nearly what they are today. There was no air travel, and the only way was by boat, which to her was not convenient.

After a hard life of living in poverty in Ireland, and coming to America for a new and wonderful life, she passed away after a stroke in the comfort of her own home at the age of 90.

Below is a documentary on Irish immigration to America.