Birthdays

In high school, much like how it was in middle school, birthday's that fall on school days are a pretty big deal. Even if they do not fall on a school day, but people know about it, it still is a pretty big event. This Sunday is my friend Nicole's... I mean Catalina's :).... birthday. She is finally joining the fifteen year old club... yayy! But for us being "Mexican American" turning fifteen is an even bigger deal than birthdays in general. Turning fifteen, in our culture, comes associated with a quincenera. For us, however, we decided to have a less conventional quincenera route and together we have chosen to become a Florecita. In my community participating in the Florecitas is the hispanic equivalent of what a catillion ball is for the less Hispanic people. We, essentially, are coming out to the community as young women; we are coming out to the public and establishing our place in this world. It is very meaningful for my family, as well as myself. Usually the Florecitas, run by the League of Mexican American Women, consists of a large amount of people from private, or catholic schools. I am happy to say that this year there will be about one third of the sixteen florecitas from a public school: that school is Tucson High, and I am happy to be in that group. I cannot predict how this event will unfold in the next four or so months, the entire even will take place in September, but between the community work we will be a part of, I can say that Las Florecitas will be one of the better experiences of my life, and I am happy to share it with my five other friends at Tucson High. So welcome to the fifteen year old club Nicole... I mean Catalina... and Happy Birthday :)