Donor Joakim

My most memorable childhood experience would be of those days I spent at a local lake with family and friends. My parents grew up in a small town in Mexico with people who formed a small, but tight knit circle. Family and friends would often gather at the lake to do a carne asada after a long week of work under the sun, and we as kids would go swimming, fish, and run around in the playground. These were long days, but I also had a sense of sadness when I saw the sun start to set, knowing that one by one everyone would have to go home soon.

I identify most with my dad, who has and continues to work extremely hard to provide for the family. He still comes home with a smile on his face, but you can see in his eyes how exhausted he is. He is a popular guy and people never fail to strike up a conversation with him when they recognize him in public. A 5-minute walk down the street in our hometown turns into a 5 hour ordeal due to the sheer number of people eager to catch up with him. His reputation of being a generous, kind, and humorous person casts a shadow over me at times, being the junior, but I remind myself that many of my peers and my generation look at me the same way the older generation looks at my dad.

I really like people who are ‘go with the flow.’ People who won’t let a minor inconvenience or a judging look from a stranger ruin their night. People who can celebrate others’ achievement wholeheartedly, knowing that their time will come and that their journey is unique. People who understand that others are busy, and just because you go 3-9 months without talking, you are still close as ever and when you see them in person, it’s like time hasn’t passed.

I went to a winery for the first time with a good friend of mine. We had made no plans to go there, just happened to drive past a sign. It was heavily populated by the upper middle class, so we stood out quite a bit. When we got there, two waitresses brought us waters at the same time and they playfully fought over who would serve us, with one stating that her water was better because she actually put ice in her glasses. The whole time we were there, my friend and I did our best to speak in an upper-class accent and talk about upper-class things, like our wealth, boats, and having to pick up our children from ballet and soccer practice. An hour and a half of wine, good friendship, and bad acting is one of the best memories we have together.

I would be in Mexico, in my parents' town. I would be living near my family and spending the days taking in the sun, the air, and the environment. Visiting my hometown in Mexico takes me back to my roots – where I realize what matters most to me in life and why I should cherish the things that make me who I am. With little internet or cell service, I am living one day at a time when I’m there.

I want my children to grow up to be respectful and humble. I have worked hard to offer my future kids a life my parents would’ve wanted for me. Depending on the level of success I attain, I want them to stay grounded and to stay connected with the culture and language I hold close to my heart. To put their best foot forward and get an education and work hard and to be content with what they have, not be envious of others.