Wendy Hernandez’s childhood was filled with many different things, mostly good, including Disneyland tickets.
Also, she enjoyed being able to go to a friend’s house when she wants to play with them as well as being able to go to Chuck E. Cheese and the movies every few weeks or so. Lastly, she liked going to her cousin’s house and playing on her Nintendo DSI or WII when she was bored.
TRANSCRIPT:
Jose Hernandez: What was the best gift you have received?
Wendy Hernandez: The best gift I have ever received were Disneyland tickets. I was able to meet all my favorite characters and go on all the rides. I say the best part was the firework show at the end, it was so beautiful.
JH: What did you do for fun back then?
WH: Back then I would always go to Chuck E. Cheese or the movies.
JH: Why would you go to Chuck E. Cheese a lot?
WH: I feel like Chuck E. Cheese was and still is one of the best places for kids.
JH: What are your favorite types of movies?
WH: My favorite type of movies to this day are scary movies.
JH: What was your favorite memory back then?
WH: My favorite memory back as a kid was when I got both the DSI Nintendo and the Nintendo Wii console.
JH: What were the types of games you would play on both consoles?
WH: On the DSI I would play Mario Kart with my friends and family and then for the Wii I would play just dance.
JH: What was a typical day back then when you were a child?
WH: As a child I would be outside playing with my neighbors or I would be begging my parents to take me to my cousin’s house.
JH: Did you get into lots of trouble back then and if so, what was the main reason?
WH: I did not get in trouble as a kid, although the most that I would somewhat get yelled at for was when my mom was trying to do my hair. Other than that I was a well-behaved kid.
JH: If you would get in trouble, would you think it would shape your life differently?
WH: if I were to get in trouble then I do think it would shape me differently. I think I would have a bad attitude have a low self-esteem and be overly stressed. I honestly do believe that it is good for parents to have more patients since we are all new to learning how to correctly behave as a child.
JH: How would you describe your childhood?
WH: I would say I had an amazing childhood.
JH: What was so amazing about your childhood?
WH: I also got everything I asked for but I am also glad I did not grow up as an iPad kid. I’m glad I was able to enjoy my time outside. I was always playing with toys, whether it was just me or with my friends. We had one of the best cartoons when I was a kid.
JH: What was your favorite cartoon?
WH: There are so many good cartoons to choose from, but I’d say SpongeBob SquarePants is my favorite.
JH: What did you want to be when you grow up?
WH: I always wish to be a teacher growing up.
JH: Why did you choose to be a teacher?
WH: I chose a teacher because I always thought they were so patient and cared so much about their students. I just wanted to be able to help people out.
JH: What other jobs did you want to do other than a teacher?
WH: Other than being a teacher I also wanted to be a nurse growing up.
JH: What uhh.. What was the main reason of you wanting to be a nurse?
WH: The main reason I wanted to be a nurse was because they always help people feel and get better.
JH: Who were your childhood heroes?
WH: My childhood heroes have always been my mom and dad.
JH: What are the main reasons they are your heroes?
WH: The main reason was seeing how hard my dad was working to provide me with everything I needed to succeed, also how loving and caring my mom was to me, no matter how tired she was.
JH: Was there a teacher that heavily influenced you?
WH: A teacher that heavily influenced me was my teacher back in fifth grade.
JH: Why did she heavily influence you?
WH: She would always talk about her life experiences to help us do better also whenever I needed it, she would always give me advice.
JH: What specific advice would she give you?
WH: A specific advice she would talk about was to never give in to peer pressure. Looking back, I think that’s one of the best advice I could have taken.
JH: What was your earliest memory?
WH: My earliest memory as a kid was celebrating my third birthday and my baptism. I remember my mom making posole and how it was my first time ever trying it.
JH: What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
WH: The most important lesson I have learned in my childhood is that time doesn’t come back.
JH: When did you learn that lesson?
WH: Time doesn’t stop for anyone, we do not realize how fast time goes and how fast we are constantly growing. I learned that lesson once I made it to the sixth grade elementary school passed by so fast.
JH: What are you proudest of in your life?
WH: One of my proudest moments in my childhood is being able to culminate with good grades.
JH: Why is this your proudest moment?
WH: This is one of my proudest moments for my childhood because all I ever wanted to do is make my parents proud.
JH: If you could hold onto one memory from your life forever, which would it be.
WH: A memory I would love to hold onto forever would be my family and I celebrating Christmas.
JH: Why was this your favorite memory?
WH: This is one of my favorite memories because we always eat our favorite dishes and dress in PJs. Once the clock hits midnight, we all sit together and pass out our gifts. This is special to me because everybody is living in the moment. No one is on their phone and there aren’t any types of distractions. We all get to be there enjoying the moment and just spread the love we have to each other.
JH: What was your favorite toy or game growing up?
WH: My favorite game growing up was tetherball. I always remember playing it throughout elementary school. I would always play during lunch and I would beat everyone.
JH: Tell me about your childhood friend and your favorite activities with them.
WH: I remember always hanging out with my elementary besties. They were always so nice and would always invite me to their houses. We would either play in the pool that they had or just play with their toys. Sometimes I would just go over to watch movies at their house. Sadly, I lost touch with one of them, but to this day, my other friend and I still message each other.
JH: What were you afraid of as a child?
WH: As a child I was always afraid of the dark and heights. I got over my fear of the dark. I just forced myself to sleep alone in my room and reminded myself that nothing was going to happen.
JH: Are you still afraid of heights?
WH: I am still completely terrified of heights. I remember that for my eighth grade grand night, we went to Six Flags and I had to miss out on so much rides. It was kind of sad since most of my friends were getting on all the rides, but I could not get on without panicking.
JH: What’s your favorite type of food?
WH: My favorite type of food back then was tacos. It was my favorite because my dad would always buy us some when he was drunk.
JH: Are tacos still your favorite food?
WH: As of right now, I would say that I am more into Chinese food. There are just so many different combinations you can make.
JH: What song or movie scene makes you cry without fail?
WH: A movie that always makes me cry is the ending scene of “Instructions Not Included.” There was definitely a twist because I thought there was gonna be a happy ending, but when Maggie died in Valentine’s arms, it always makes me cry without fail.
