Docia Maria Elena De Garza is my name, but most of my friends and family call me Docie.  I am 11 years old and live with mi familia in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  I was born in Texas, but my parents were both born in Mexico.  Papi immigrated to the United States when he was 12; Mami, meanwhile, came to Mexico when she was in her later teens.  They met at a fiesta and it was instant love.

I have two brothers: Diego, who is 10, and Almonzo, who is six.  I also have a younger sister, Carmelita, who is four and autistic.  She goes to a speical school for children who are disabled.  She isn't too bad, but if she is around people she doesn't know or in a strange situation, she has a habit of running off; we have to constantly keep guard over her.  It's a pain sometimes.  (Carmelita does not talk much.)

My brothers, thank God, aren't too bad, but even they have their moments, such as when they track mud onto the floor Mami just waxed or when they put fake spiders or snakes in my bed, just to see what I will do when I wakee up in the morning.

I like to do many things: watch tv (in English and Spanish; we speak both here at home, but in public, it's mainly English for us), go to ballet folklorico dance class every Tuesday and Thursday after school (I'm a member of a troupe for young people; we are practicing gor the big Cinco De Mayo Celebracion next month, on May 5), gab on the phone with my friends, go to movies or to the mall, eat junk, Mexican, and Cajun food, listen to music (ranchera, salsa, ballet folklorico, conjunto, ballads, Cajun, rock/pop, etc.),  and annoy my brothers, just to get their goat for scaring me some mornings with their stupid fake snakes and spiders.

When I grow up, I want to become a translator for Spanish speakers who don't know much in the way of English or a teacher to inner city kids.  I think I would be good at both; I want to make a difference in the Latino/Latina community, to help them become stronger and more confident Americanos.  

Or I want to be a professional dancer, particularly in ballet folklorico.

Well, I hate to go, but I am at school as I write this, and it's almost time for my next class, which is History/Current Events.  (BORING!!)  I will write in here again soon;  until then, this is Docie De Garza saying adios!  Hasta luego y bendiga!

~Amor, tu amiga en Colorado, Docie.  :)