Day 1(09.11.23): I started my day off with dropping my mom off at work and my form of speaking changed from speaking informal to formal the moment I began having a conversation with my mom’s co-worker.. Right after I headed straight to campus but didn’t talk to anyone as I had my AirPods in the entire commute there. Once I got to campus I met up with my friend and I spoke to her in the most casual way possible. We’re young so we used slang and even when texting my friends throughout the day, it’s like slang is like the only way I text them. I alternate when speaking formally and informal with my professors. But one thing that I just noticed today is that I speak English and Spanish (Spanglish) with my Hispanic friends. I never realized because its something I do every day. At the end of the day I end off with going home and code-switching from English to Spanish because my parents only want me to speak Spanish so I don’t lose something that is a part of my identity.

Day 2(09.12.23): Waking up in the morning today wasn’t easy I was very tired so normally I woke up cranky. My mom was making breakfast and I spent 2 hrs getting ready in a very cranky mood. The moment I stepped out of my house my attitude changed very quickly, I put my AirPods in and blasted my music, but once I got to the ferry I lowered it down because I had seen someone who was very dear to me but no longer spoke to him. He came up to me and I changed into my “nice” face. I didn’t want to talk to no one until I got to campus but it just so happened to be that we got on the same ferry. After some small talk we parted ways. At around 9:30 I met up with some friends and laughed the entire time; being with them made me almost made me forget I had a class but I became the quiet shy person I am when I walked into my music class. After my classes I basically stayed in the library doing work until 7:30 and went home with my AirPods in once again blasting music however I was mad about the fact that my water bottle had spilled inside my bag so the entire time I wanted to just go home and sleep so no one would bother me. I got home, greeted my entire family and changed from speaking English to Spanish very frequently because I spoke to my siblings in English but to my parents in Spanish.

Day 3 (09.13.23): I feel like every time I get off the ferry and step into the city, I change my mood changes my facial expression changes. For some reason the air just makes me happier but more anxious at the same time bc there’s so many more people in the city than on Staten Island. I went straight to my first class and during class I def noticed I changed the way I acted. We had to do group work so I had to get get out of my comfort zone to talk to my partner and she was really sweet but I was very nervous and then the moment I found out we had to share out I got goosebumps, I was fidgeting with my knee the whole time waiting for my turn… I tried to calm myself down but nothing worked. After, everything was perfectly fine it’s just those type of moments I get so nervous and don’t know how to react. After I had two more classes and everything seemed pretty normal like any other day. On my way home is when everything went downhill, I usually get on the train and don’t talk to anyone bc everyone is just trying to get home from work or school but I saw an old friend so I started talking to him and I missed my stop. We spoke in Spanish but sometimes u do t understand him because he has a strong Dominican accent so we alternated from English and Spanish. Then when I got off I got all upset bc I had to get on another train just to miss the ferry by 3 min so I had to wait another 30 min for the ferry. My mood changed I didn’t want to speak to anyone however some stranger needed help translating to the worker so I helped her and was very formal with her as she was much older than me. Like any other day I got him and shifted from English to Spanish when I got home.

Day 4 (09.14.23): This morning was like any other day during the weekday but I don’t know what it is about this week but I saw a “friend” from the past almost everyday. It shocked me because its such a weird coincidence that we both happened to take the ferry at the same time. When ever I see him always have to act happy, no one is forcing me but I can’t act any other way since we both ended on good terms. I tried to distance myself and left as soon as our conversation ended, but right after I relied on my music to get me through the enormous crowd of people. I got to the campus pretty early so I got some work done and at around 12pm I switched to my normal self.  The favorite side of me that laughs, that jokes around and forgets about the problems. My friends and I went to try Raising Canes and I just spoke in the most casual way. I finally had my two classes in the afternoon and closed up from being social. I don’t speak to many people except one person in both classes. On my way home an old couple came up to me and asked for directions and so I turned off my music made sure I remained near them if they needed more assistance and paid attention to the small details because I didn’t want them to think I was being rude it I didn’t respond. So I kept track of where they were if they needed my help I would be there for them.

Day 5 (09-15-23): Fridays are always my busiest days of the week, running errands and working plus getting assignments done. I was on my way to the orthodontist at 8:30 in the morning and me personally I will blast my music just enough so I can sing to my hearts content but not too loud where you can hear the music outside. Once I arrived to the ortho I “turned” into my mom. Whenever I go to a  doctor, I always become this independent 18 year old who thinks she lives alone. I walked in and acted formal but in reality I was dreading for this to come to an end. I answered questions and ended with a “thank you” or a ”no problem/no worries”. Throughout the weekend I never know what to expect because I work Friday-Sunday. I work in retail specifically Target and everyday you deal with the good and rude people. It varies but after I arrived to work at 11, I went straight to the front desk to help my co workers. The first customer that came to me was the rudest person I could encounter, she first began complaining about a product and began confusing me with someone else stating “ I always have a problem with you” as she pointed and almost put her hands on me. Not to mention I had never seen her in my life and I had to get away because my sensitive-self couldn’t take it and began to tear up. I always try my hardest to remain calm and keep my customer service face but sometimes its just crazy novo people think they are entitled to talk to someone that way. The rest of the day I alternated from that polite customer service face to my goofy self because my coworkers and I always fool around even with my managers. I arrived home at around 11:30pm and talked to my parents in Spanish while eating leftovers. My day was pretty much gone with work.

Day 6 (09.16.23): Thinking I would be able to sleep in on my only day that I go to work in the afternoon, I wake up to a call from my manager to come in as soon as possible because back up was needed. I didn’t have a chance to process who was calling me so I answered sounding like I was still half a sleep, which I was but I didn’t mean to respond in that tone. Work was just like any other day the only thing was that two hours into my shift I felt nauseous and dizzy. It wasn’t just me who felt that way because two of my coworkers felt that way. I tried my very best to ignore the pain and continue helping customers but I couldn’t bare with the pain so I asked if I could leave early. I went on a break to see it I would feel better. After a few hours I felt much better and started messing around with my coworkers, laughing while arguing at the same time trying to get through the rushes that randomly showed up. The last thing I remember is going on my meal and driving to get McDonalds. I had placed my order 15 mini advanced so I would just pick up my food right when I arrived. After spending 20 minutes of waiting I finally received my food but it was hard as rocks. I didn’t want to waste time and say something because I felt bad so I ate it as is. I try to never complain about last food because it’s always busy for those workers who are simply trying to get through their shift. I got home and felt so relieved to finally be able to relay in my bed.

Day 7 (09.17.23): Sundays are always hectic yet I notice I code switch the most those days. I woke up early to go to church and serve as an alter server. Whenever I get ready there’s always an argument with my mom about how someone is dressed or how we’re going to be late. Upon arrival I act like the most innocent person I can be. I would describe my church as a toxic environment so I don’t think anyone in that place has ever met my true self. I say it with all respect but they judge people who wear certain clothes, or act a certain way because it’s seen as “unholy”. Therefore I put on an act for one hour every Sunday, especially that I serve so I don’t act a certain way. Right after I went to work and surprisingly it was empty. I didn’t want to jinx anything so I stocked the Halloween candy and just fooled around with stickers by putting them secretly behind my coworkers back. 98% of the time we act very mature and do our job but we have to have a little fun to make it less dreadful. I got out early and went to the Mexican parade in NYC. I love my culture and being able to experience such a beautiful event always makes me even more grateful. At the parade I only spoke Spanish to be able to communicate with the street vendors as they sold food. I ended my day with going to my aunts house and having dinner with them. I noticed that whenever my siblings and I are around my relatives, we never fight. I guess its just so we don’t standout and act with decorum outside of the house.