The Mini Chismosa

Summary

The Chisme Corner with Vee Rivera

Episode: The Mini Chismosa
Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Vee Rivera
Guest: Vivi (Vee’s daughter, age 10)
Podcast Description: A vibrant, real talk space blending culture, motherhood, identity, pop culture, and unfiltered chisme.

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Overview

This episode dives into a heartfelt, playful, and candid conversation between Vee Rivera and her daughter Vivi. Titled "The Mini Chismosa," the episode gives listeners an intimate peek into their mother-daughter dynamic, discussing everything from growing up, spooky movies, Latina identity, cultural traditions, and the journey of learning Spanish. Expect laughter, a few teary-eyed moments, and relatable tidbits about parenting and childhood in a multicultural home.

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Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Mother-Daughter Bonding & Growing Up

• Vee welcomes Vivi back to the podcast after several years, celebrating her 10th birthday and reflecting on how she's grown.
• Vivi describes feeling “stuck at five,” and Vee reassures her that staying young at heart is good (02:33).
• Emotional reflections from Vee about Vivi reaching double digits and feelings of loss and pride.
  • Quote: “I felt like I was grieving you as a baby because now I’m seeing you grow up. But I also love that I get to see who I helped shape as a little person.” – Vee (31:50)
• Vivi opens up about noticing her mom’s emotions on her birthday and shares her own thoughts on growing up (31:02).

2. Birthday & Emo-Phase Celebration

• Vivi had an “emo” themed birthday party, featuring a custom stage and poster made by Vee.
• Discussion on how their shared love for Paramore and influence from cousin Ally shaped Vivi’s music tastes and style (04:00).
• Proudly unique: “No one else is gonna have an emo birthday party except for me. And if anybody else has one, then they bit the idea from me.” – Vivi (03:42)

3. Parent-Child Hobbies: Coloring & Late-Night TV

• Vee and Vivi bond over coloring for hours, using gel pens and horror-themed coloring books (05:01–06:10).
• Detail about watching cake competition TV shows (“Killer Cakes,” “Is it Cake?”) and the fun of guessing which object is actually cake (06:34).
• Attempting “scary” movie nights and sharing responses to famous horror scenes, including moments when Vivi was scared (07:43).

4. Love for the Horror Genre

• A central, lighthearted thread: Vivi’s “horror girly” side and how it has evolved under Vee’s supervision.
• Describes the first horror movies (Scream, Halloween) and watching habits; Vee shares boundaries about not allowing true crime (13:04–15:45).
• Vivi’s dream: Becoming a horror movie actress in the future, supported by encouragement from Vee.
  • Quote: “If I was in, like, the best horror movie ever... would you watch it?” – Vivi (19:09)
  • Vee: “Yeah, of course I’d be on set with you, girl!” (19:11)

5. Making Scary Things Funny

• Vivi explains how she copes with scary movies and haunted houses by making jokes to lighten the mood.
  • “I like to make it funny... just to get it out of your head. Because I feel like... get it out of your head, you know?” – Vivi (23:32)
• Advice to other kids: “They’re probably not gonna be as funny as me.” – Vivi (25:46)

6. Friendships, Kindness & School Experiences

• Vivi details sticking up for friends, being a peacemaker, and “being kind in a mean girl world” as her self-defined style of confidence (33:08–34:13).
• Discussion about avoiding meanness, self-control over words, and the way humor helps her connect with friends and teachers (36:08).

7. Gentle Parenting & Generational Change

• Vee and Vivi discuss “gentle parenting,” contrasting it with the stricter style Vee experienced growing up.
• Vee: “I don’t hit you, I don’t yell at you, I try to never lose my crap on you.” (42:01)
• Vivi dubs Vee “a chill pill” type of mom.
  • Quote: “You are a chill pill.” – Vivi (45:28)
• Honest talk about parental mistakes, apologies, and learning together (43:36–44:33).

8. Developing Personal & Cultural Identity

• Style: Vivi credits Vee’s influence but also independence in choosing her fashion ("I don’t wear ruffles anymore!”) (46:00).
• Learning Spanish: The challenges of immersion and different dialects, and how family tries to keep the language alive at home (47:52–48:56).
• Music and song lyrics as tools for language learning (51:41).

9. Latina/Puerto Rican Identity & Family History

• Vivi shares her love for Puerto Rican food and feeling “different” due to cultural background, especially in Delaware (52:40–53:09).
• Extended conversation about Puerto Rican ancestry, colonization, Taino, and African influences, with Vee sharing her DNA results and history (55:17–59:40).
• Discussion on multicultural classrooms and modern teaching about Christopher Columbus (“...he wasn’t the first one to discover America... and he wasn’t the best.” – Vivi, 60:02).

10. Final Reflections and Humor

• Vivi consistently brings humor, ending with food as her final “big” take ("Food." – Vivi, 62:15).
• Playful banter about wishes, Raising Canes, and a preview of next week’s Halloween/serial killer episode with Dad (62:22–63:52).
• Silly threats of “You better not tell nobody, or you’re dead to me!” (63:52)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On making horror funny:
  “I like to make it funny. That’s how I get it out of my head.” – Vivi (23:28)
• On gentle parenting:
  “I feel like I gentle parent but I also have some spice.” – Vee (42:01)
• On being a “chill pill” mom:
  “I think you are a chill parent... You are a chill pill.” – Vivi (45:15, 45:28)
• On Latina pride:
  “I love being Latina because we get our Christmas tree up for much longer!” – Vivi (54:04)
• On learning Spanish:
  “We should set a day… every day, we just talk to each other in Spanish for like 10 minutes. Even just for a little bit.” – Vee (49:52)
• On friendship and confidence:
  “Nobody bullies me. I can’t really stick up for myself because usually if I see my friend is having a hard time… I would come up and talk to them about it.” – Vivi (33:36)
• On being unique:
  “No one else is gonna have an emo birthday party except for me. And if anybody else has one, then they bit the idea from me.” – Vivi (03:42)
• Sign-off catchphrase:
  “There’s always room for more chisme here at the Chisme Corner. Oh, there’s always room for more burps!” – Vee and Vivi (64:35)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:21 – Vivi on how it feels turning 10
• 03:42 – “They bit the idea from me” (emo birthday)
• 05:01 – Late-night coloring & favorite activities
• 06:34 – Watching cake competition shows
• 13:04 – Horror movie origins, boundaries of what’s allowed
• 17:18 – Conversations about friends who like scary movies
• 18:59 – Dream to be a horror actress
• 23:28 – Coping with scary things by making jokes
• 31:50 – Vee reflects on Vivi growing up, emotional moment
• 33:08 – Confidence, sticking up for friends
• 42:00–45:30 – Gentle parenting, “chill pill” label
• 46:00 – Style influences and preferences
• 48:20 – Importance of learning Spanish
• 52:40 – What it means to be Latina/Puerto Rican
• 55:17 – Puerto Rican ancestry and DNA
• 60:02 – Christopher Columbus and real history lessons
• 62:18 – Finale: “Food” as Vivi’s last word
• 63:52 – Sneak peek at next week’s episode

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Tone & Style

The episode is lively, comforting, and deeply personal, with Vee’s signature warmth and humor balanced by honest, teachable moments. Vivi’s wit and charm shine, making the conversation accessible for both moms and kids. The blend of pop culture, everyday chisme, and real talk about identity makes the show an inviting space “sin filtros” (no filters) for listeners to laugh, reflect, and feel represented.

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For listeners:
Whether you’re a mom, a tía, or the “mini chismosa” in your own family, this episode offers laughs, insight, and inspiration on how culture, humor, and love shape the memories and values we pass on.

There’s always room for más chisme in the Chisme Corner!

Transcript

[A]

Trante mas de quarente del immigration a la in justicia de lagria a la resiliencia. Pero Hayes que untitular soy Marielena Salinas. Converso con quines escuchas cinco preguntas ondecell que escuches Podcast. Hey guys, have you heard of gold belly? It's this amazing site where they ship the most iconic famous foods from restaurants across the country, anywhere nationwide. I've never found a more perfect gift than food. Gold belly ship Chicago deep dish pizza, New York bagels, Maine lobster rolls, and even Ina garden's famous cakes. So if you're looking for a gift for the food lover in your life, head to Goldbelly.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code GIFT. That's Goldbelly.com promo code GIFT. It's okay.

[B]

You know I'd be talking like a loud Puerto Rican sometimes. This is time to say it.

[A]

Welcome to the chisme corner. I'm your host V. Rivera, your Latina amiga. And go to chismosa for all the chisme that actually matters. Latina motherhood, beauty. Navigating life in our 30s and keeping our mental health in check. We're keeping it raw, relatable, and a little spicy. We'll also be getting into pop culture topics and all the best reality show tea because Usabaque, I love me some tea. So get comfy because the chisme starts now. Okay, Chismosas. Welcome back to the chisme corner. This episode is really special to me because I have my mini bestie with me. My little Vivi. Introduce yourself. Are you happy to be here?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yes. We haven't podcasted in a long time. I think it's been like four years since the last time you podcasted with me. Like three or four years.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Are you excited? Are you nervous?

[B]

I'm excited.

[A]

You excited? Yeah. Yeah. You just turned 10 years old and how do you feel? Tell us a little bit about everything.

[B]

Well, I feel young.

[A]

Still. Still very young. Yes you are.

[B]

I don't feel 10, to be honest. I just feel like stuck in five years old.

[A]

Why?

[B]

I don't know. I feel like the minest little child.

[A]

Well, that's good though. That's good that you still feel like a child. Cuz you're a child. You shouldn't have to feel too grown up or anything. Just cuz you're 10. Did you like your party?

[B]

Loved it.

[A]

Yeah? What was your favorite part about it?

[B]

I'd have to stay. I Would have to say the little stage. Cuz it was really.

[A]

The little stage. Yeah, it was really cool. Like, she did such a good job.

[B]

I know.

[A]

And like.

[B]

And the little. The little poster, it was so cute.

[A]

Yeah. You know I designed the poster for you. I designed the poster and like everything. Like all the designs were me. She just put the. Oh, the things together.

[B]

Oh, that's interesting.

[A]

But like I designed a little poster and then I designed the little live show flyer and everything.

[B]

That's cool. I didn't know that that's why we.

[A]

Were able to keep the stuff. Like she let us keep it because she was like, oh, like I'm not gonna be able to use it anymore, so.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. But it was like, no one else.

[B]

Is gonna have an emo birthday party except for me. And if anybody else has one, then.

[A]

They bit the idea from me. You're like in your emo phase then. How does that feel? How did you get there?

[B]

You.

[A]

Me? Why me?

[B]

You started listening to Paramore and then.

[A]

I started getting you to listen to.

[B]

Paramore and then Ally actually got me into it because she started like telling me like, I don't know what you got the music into me.

[A]

And then Ally, I feel like she helps you figure out your style a little bit.

[B]

Yeah, she does.

[A]

And like dress. How do you. How you dress and everything. Like she. Yeah, she figured that out. But like the music was definitely me because I love.

[B]

It Was definitely you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Everybody knows.

[A]

So what's like your favorite band right now? What's your favorite music to listen to?

[B]

I don't have it right now. To be honest. I'm not really listening to music.

[A]

You don't listen to music like that. So what do you do? So I know what you do, but tell them what you do. I color you like to color. Yeah, she's been in this coloring kick. We've actually been coloring a lot together lately.

[B]

Yeah, Yesterday we're coloring and dad, my dad, he got me this little poor horror coloring book and it had like Annabelle in it. It had. It had letter face, it has ghost face. It has a lot of. It has like about a bunch of the original characters.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I colored Annabelle yesterday and Good.

[A]

It was so good.

[B]

Yeah, it was really cute. I loved it. And I made. I love how I made her like really old. Like I made her look rusted a little bit.

[A]

Yeah, you did. You kind of. Really Nice. Yeah. So you got your little horror coloring book and then I was coloring my. My monster girls coloring book. But I got a whole pack. I got like 100 pack of gel pens. Cuz I don't know about you, but I love to color more with gel. I like to color with gel pens. I feel like it's so soothing.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

It just feels so good. Like, I want to go upstairs and color right now. We were coloring for hours yesterday.

[B]

I know. Like, I didn't want to stop.

[A]

We said it was like 12 at night, like almost one o' clock in the morning. And I was like, oh, my God, Vivi. Like, we have to go to sleep.

[B]

But.

[A]

But on Saturdays, that's what we do.

[B]

I remember one time you said, go brush your teeth, and then I just completely ignored you. And I just kept coloring. You told me to brush my teeth, and I was like, I just kept coloring.

[A]

We're like, deep into coloring. I didn't realize I asked you to go brush your teeth. And then. And then I realized it was like half an hour later, and I'm like, oh, shit. Like, we really have to. We got. You got to go to bed, like.

[B]

Yeah, it was like 12:30.

[A]

Yeah. And we were just watching. Well, we started watching. Is it. Is it cake? No, we were watching Killer Cakes.

[B]

We were watching Killer Cakes.

[A]

That's actually a really fun show. There's only, like, two episodes, which I.

[B]

Was, like, really sad about.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because it was really interesting, too. It was really interesting. So. Yeah. And then we started watching the other one. Is it Cake? Halloween? Yeah, the Halloween edition.

[A]

That one was fun. I really like that. You get. You have to, like, see which one is actually cake. And then they all look so realistic. So that one's on Netflix if any of you guys want to watch with your littles. It's so good. I love that show. I love watching is a cake. And I feel like we always guess, like, I don't know, sometimes it's hard. But I feel like yesterday I was guessing all of them, so I was guessing all them. Yeah, we were guessing all of them, but it was so good. It's so much fun to watch. So we were watching that, and then we started watching Amityville Horror, and Vivi got so scared. Well, you were, like, scared at that one part where he's in the bathroom and then the guy's face comes up and he's like, all. He's, like, all gory with blood. You screamed. I was in the kitchen. I think I was getting something. And I just heard you scream.

[B]

And I was like, we're making popcorn. Yeah, you're making popcorn in the kitchen. And then when. What Was his name the little boy? Michael, I think.

[A]

I don't remember their names.

[B]

I don't remember their names. All I know is that one of them was Billy. Chelsea, I don't know. Think it was Chelsea.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I remember the one little. The little child, he went into the bathroom to go use the bathroom. And I don't know why, but he didn't close the door. I was about to scream at him. I want to scream at the TV so bad.

[A]

So funny. But she was, like, screaming from the living room. I was like, what the heck? And I realized it was that part, you know, that part always, always, always made me really scared. That. That movie alone always, like, scared me. When I was younger. Now that I'm older, I think, because I know what to expect. Like, and it's not as scary for me.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I didn't realize. I'm like, oh, wow. Like, this kind of scary for her.

[B]

At least I don't have to sleep with you anymore. Because I remember.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

When I had to sleep with you every single time I watch a Scream movie.

[A]

Every time.

[B]

Every single time I had. I had to sleep.

[A]

And I was like, well, why would you. Like, if you're scared, like. Well, don't watch it. Like, we don't have to watch it. But she would always want to watch it.

[B]

But.

[A]

But she just couldn't go to sleep. But I kind of like that. I love when you would just come in bed and cuddle me and sleep with me.

[B]

But now you don't. I don't do that. I don't care. I just go into my bed and I just realize that everything's just fine.

[A]

Fake.

[B]

And then usually if I don't do that, I just close my eyes and pretend nothing's in my room.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because usually the only reason I'm scared of the dark is because I don't know what's in the dark. That's why I hate. Like, that's why I hate when my light's off and I literally, like, scream when you turn off my light and then none of the lights off.

[A]

Yeah, it's just, like, scared of the dark. Like, really scared. Afraid of the dark. But I just got. For her birthday, I bought her this. Yeah. This hello Kitty lava lamp. And it's so cute. And it gives to the room, like, a light pink. Like a really. But it's so soothing. Like, I feel like. It's so nice to sleep in.

[B]

Really nice.

[A]

It feels like, so just, like, relaxing.

[B]

It. It makes me, like, not want to wake up in the morning I know.

[A]

Well, I got that at Walmart too. If you guys want to look for a cute lava lamp, they have really cute ones there. So I got that for you, and I think that helps you a lot. And you don't have to use your other light anymore. But I feel like you're gonna be one of those people that, like, needs a little night light or like, something to fall to every night. Like, I can just fall asleep in the dark. Like, I need to be pitch black in the dark to go to sleep. I can't have any lights on. No, nothing.

[B]

Yeah, because you're just different.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You're just.

[A]

Well, what do you think got you into, like, horror stuff? Like, how did you get, like, so into horror, you think? Did you feel like you were, like, ready for it?

[B]

Yeah, I was like, I don't even remember which one was the first. The horror movie I watched. I don't even remember.

[A]

Like, I feel like it was so long ago, but I think I. Because I always. I always watch horror movies like around Halloween and like, I start. Actually, I watch horror movies year round. Like, that's my favorite genre of movie. Like, I always, always. Anything I'm watching is like, horror or true crime, crime, documentary, whatever, which I won't. I don't let her drama or. Yeah, I don't let her watch true crime or anything.

[B]

But will you let me watch it once or twice?

[A]

What? I've never let you watch a true crime documentary.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What?

[B]

When it was like, that little kid that died and it was like a cold case.

[A]

I don't remember.

[B]

It was like she died because of suffocation or something. Not suffocation. Like, she got, like, really, like, choked out. And then they found her in the basement or something. And then. And then the one guy went to jail for nothing because he kept saying, saying. He, like, kept sending, like, spooky messages, like, saying about the murder to this one guy investigating the murder, and then he got arrested and then they realized that the fingerprint didn't match him.

[A]

You remember a lot of this and I do not. I don't remember any of this, really.

[B]

Yes, I don't remember.

[A]

It probably wasn't like, it was a supermodel.

[B]

She was like a model for kids. And then. And then everybody was like, she's too young to be like this.

[A]

And she was like, oh, the JonBenet case. Little girl. I think that's. I think that's her name. What is it called? Oh, and then they thought, like, the parents did it. Yeah.

[B]

And then they thought that the dad did it, and then they. They couldn't find the girl. And it was like a cold case. That was like, the last and first crime I've ever got. Like, I remember one time, grandma was watching one, and it was like, something about this girl. Her name was Gabriella, I think. I don't remember. Let's just say her name was Gabriella, because I know it start with. With. And she died of her being choked because her husband was abusing her and, like, didn't like her anymore. Mm. So, yeah. And then I remember this one. I think that was after he killed himself. He, like, shot himself in the head.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think it was brutal. Oh, my God. When you first started watching, I think it was because I was watching, like, Halloween or something.

[B]

You're watching.

[A]

No, actually, I think your first movie was Scream.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it was so iconic. It was Scream, and that was Scream. And it was. I was just like, oh, my God. Like, I. I've always been a fan of Scream, and I think Ali had watched it, and I would. I was watching it on tv, and I think you were like, oh, my God, I want to watch Scream. Yeah. Huh?

[B]

It was Halloween. No, it was Halloween.

[A]

Really? Yeah.

[B]

Because I remember I watched it before we came to this house. And I remember the first time I watched Scream was in this house.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Remember the first time.

[A]

Well, that's when you really started getting into, like, wanting to watch scary. Like, you love Scream. Like, you loved Ghost's Face, and you were like, oh, this is so cool. Because you kind of liked how it played into, like, them trying to make a horror movie or something.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But Michael. I think, like, Michael Myers, you haven't watched, like, barely any of them but you. I love Michael Myers for some reason. And you've only watched, like, the first or, like, two of the. No movies.

[B]

I've watched only one of the movie, and it was the first one.

[A]

And then I remember not even scary. They're just running from him the whole time.

[B]

I know. And it's just the babysitter running away from him and the kids almost dying. So anyway, four kids.

[A]

These four kids, like, they're just running the whole time.

[B]

Torture.

[A]

I remember I was watching the one where they were in the school. That's, like, my favorite one, by the way.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

And you didn't. You could not watch that one. Like, you were so scared. And I was like, really? You're scared of, like, Michael Myers? Because to me, he's, like, the non scared. Scariest of the. Of movies.

[B]

No, because I thought you.

[A]

But then you watch Freddy Krueger and then you watch Jason and you're like, you love them. But I'm like, how do you not want to watch? Like, how do you. How are you scared of Michael Myers and not these guys? Like, it's just so weird.

[B]

When I first started scary movies and I watched Halloween, I just didn't want to watch it because you went into, like, one of the scariest ones. And I didn't like it because I guess I did. It was a school one, and I thought he was gonna get shredded with his hand because I still have trauma from that.

[A]

You're so funny. You get your little pimple patch. You got a little ghost pimple patch. You're such a little horror girly. Well, I've never in a million years would have thought that you were gonna be, like, into horror. Like, I never. I know. I never, Never thought. And I didn't even wanna. I didn't think you were gonna, like, be into horror movies until you. You would just be. I would be watching a movie, and I would see you from the other room, like, kind of looking, and I'm like, vivi, if you can't, like, do not watch this if you're scared. Like, I don't want you watching this. Like, get away. I remember she's like, I'm not scared. Like, I want to watch it. I want to watch it. She's just always been into horror years.

[B]

I remember you were watching the Conjuring one day in the old house. You're watching the Conjuring, and I wanted to peek over to watch, and I saw the scariest thing in my whole entire life.

[A]

Oh, my God. What? What part?

[B]

It was the part I remember. Well, it's not scary to me anymore. Because I know, like, it's not scary to me anymore. Yeah, I remember it was the scariest part for me when I was little, where I saw the little girl in the river, Judy in the river. And she, like, was living in the river. And, like, when Lorraine saw. Freaked me out so bad.

[A]

Yeah, I remember what part you're talking about? When she was looking in the water.

[B]

And then she saw. Yeah.

[A]

And then she had to call to make sure that.

[B]

To make sure she was okay.

[A]

Yeah, I remember that.

[B]

That part messed me up so bad.

[A]

When I was little. Yeah, it was sad. Well, you've always liked horror. Did you think you would be, like, a horror junkie?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

When did you know? Well.

[B]

When I first watched my first scary movie. I feel like I Just knew that I had to watch more of it to get used to it. But now since I'm, like, watching it so much, I can't stop.

[A]

That's how I feel. That's how I was like. I was like, oh, my God. I want to, like, keep. Like, it's like an adrenaline rush almost.

[B]

I know. It's like every single day I want to watch a scary movie. It's like, can I watch this? I want to watch this season.

[A]

We're in spooky season, too, so that's how we are.

[B]

Yeah. Especially since my birthday's on October, so.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Gotta love it.

[A]

But do any of your friends, like, like scary movies or watch scary movies or anything?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I remember my friend Abigail. She loves scary movies.

[A]

I'm pretty sure last time we saw her at the movie, she had a ghost face shirt on. And I was like, oh, your friend likes ghost? Because I don't know, I feel like sometimes people will literally, like, talk to me sometimes about how you watch horror movies. And, like, you're not. I don't want to say you're not supposed to, but I'm like, every child has different. Like, I know a lot of people whose children watch it, and they know it's fake, and they're able to be like, you just know it's just a movie.

[B]

Exactly. That. I. I am just responsible my own actions. So that's why I'm allowed to watch scary movies. So I'm sorry for parents that actually don't allow scary movies with their kids, but I'm just. I just know that it's all fake, and I want to be an actress.

[A]

I think parents also know that maybe their children are gonna react differently or they can't handle it sometimes.

[B]

I understand if their children.

[A]

I know what you can and can't.

[B]

Handle it way too young.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, if. If they're five. Like, I. I remember I was five.

[A]

You were not five.

[B]

Not five.

[A]

But I thought maybe, like, you've just started into horror movies. Like, two, three years ago. I was like, you were like, seven, turning eight when you really started getting into wanting to watch.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, more.

[A]

More so like 8. I think what I really like, too, is when we watch scary movies, we look at the acting and we always look at, like, the special effects and the blood. Like, I know you know all that stuff is fake. And so she's able to watch it and be like, oh, my God, mom did that. Like, that is so cool. Like, I wonder what it was like when they filmed this scene. And now she tells me all the time that she wants to, like, act in horror movies. And I'm like, that is so cool.

[B]

And I. I was. I remember one time I asked you if I was in, like the best horror movie ever. I remember I asked you if you.

[A]

Want, if I would watch it.

[B]

And you're like, yeah, of course I'd.

[A]

Be on set with you, girl. Like, you better take. You better take me to all your everything.

[B]

My red carpet.

[A]

Yeah, you're seeing, like, I want to be there when you're like, acting and everything. Yeah, you can do it. I think you'd be a really great horror actress. For real.

[B]

I think the way I was crawling in the ring room. Oh, I think it was. I think I'm good.

[A]

Yeah, you guys.

[B]

So wait, I don't want to say it though. You know what? I'm just gonna say me, my. My brother and Ally, we did a little play.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Just for our family.

[A]

Yeah. And it was so cool. It was like a whole production too.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Lights. Backstage, they had. My friend's son was backstage helping them with everything and lighting and music and they had costume and. Oh, my God, it was so crazy. Makeup.

[B]

We had makeup. Yeah, we had a lot of makeup.

[A]

It was so the other kids.

[B]

So basically we did a play about ringworm because we recently had. It's inspired by our cat Sushi, because she had ringworm when we first got her. Wait, when we first got her or. Yeah, yeah, when we first got her. Yeah. So we. We. It's all about sushi infecting me and ringworm and. And since I was infected, I was crawling.

[A]

She went berserk. Like, she went insane.

[B]

I went insane.

[A]

She was crawling on her hind legs and everything while an hour. And we were just looking around like.

[B]

I would show you if I could. I will show you. But I was crawling. And that's exactly why I just said I would be a great actress in a movie.

[A]

I actually have a clip of you crawling that we just put in. Hold on, so we can see it.

[B]

There's a clip.

[A]

We were just cracking up because she just came out of nowhere on her freaking hands and legs. Just. You weren't even crawling. You were like full blown running. Like, you look animal.

[B]

I look like Megan.

[A]

Yeah, you did.

[B]

I looked like Megan.

[A]

It was so cool, though. You guys did a really good job. Yeah, that was really awesome.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, so we talked a lot about horror and that's good because we're like in the Halloween spirit right now, so very. We actually. I want to go to Pfeiffer's this weekend. Because I want to go pumpkin picking. We have to do, like, Halloween things we haven't done. Like, I mean, we've baked and, like, we've watched the movies, but I want to go pick. Yeah, pumpkin, we have to, like, go do something. I wish you can come with me to a haunted house, but I know that you don't. You would not be able to handle it.

[B]

I would. It's just.

[A]

No, you wouldn't. The minute we get there, you can't even go on slides at the park. Like, you get so scared.

[B]

I can't even go on roller coaster.

[A]

If we go to. If I know if I take you to Frightland that you would be like, I need to go home. Like, you would not go anywhere. Anywhere. Like, it's scary.

[B]

I. I would, but only when I'm, like, maybe 13 or 14. Maybe 13 or 14? Yeah.

[A]

You still got a long way to go.

[B]

I am actually so scared. It's like, I don't want to be in an actual horror movie. Like, it's like, I feel like being in an actual haunted house makes me feel like I'm in an actual horror movie.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And that's scary.

[A]

So bad in a setting like that. It's different than watching it.

[B]

Yeah, it's different than watching it. But then it's like, you know, nothing's gonna happen because, you know, all this is just, like, nothing's gonna kill you. Nothing's actually gonna happen.

[A]

People that are actually really funny. Like, the place I go to, it's called Frightland. And, like, I'll just be, like, messing around with them. Like, they'll just laugh back or, like, say something funny. Like, I don't know. We just laugh most of the time, but a lot. Sometimes they do get me, though. Like, they be scaring the crap out of me. I know some of them. Their makeup and stuff is so creepy. I'll be like, my God, I love your makeup. And she'll be, like, light in the mood. But I just love. I just love seeing, like, all their.

[B]

I feel like every single time and then something scary. I feel like I like to make it funny.

[A]

So. Yeah. That's how I am.

[B]

I love making it funny.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's like you have to just to get it out your system.

[A]

It's like, get it out of your head.

[B]

Yeah. Just to get it out of your head, because I feel like. Oh, my God. Hold up. What? Okay, I'm ready. I had to get some air for a second.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Been talking too much.

[A]

Yeah. It's okay.

[B]

You know I'd be talking like a loud Puerto Rican. Sometimes this is time to say it.

[A]

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[B]

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[B]

I mean, I get it from Chudi. So.

[A]

She does talk a lot. Oh, my God. My stepfather could talk. Oh, my God, girl, that's so funny. I'm gonna tell him you said. I'm gonna send him this clip.

[B]

Wait, what was I talking about?

[A]

You messed me up. What? You're talking about you being talking too much like a Puerto Rican.

[B]

Me talking too much about Puerto Rican? Okay.

[A]

You're so funny.

[B]

I'm sorry, you know how to say it? Oh, yeah.

[A]

You're saying that you make things funny to, like, get it out of your head.

[B]

Oh, yeah. I said I had to make things funny to get everything out of my head. Because usually it's like.

[A]

So is that the advice you could give to little kids if they start watching, like, anything scary, anything just, like, make it funny?

[B]

They're probably not gonna be as funny as me, but.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Definitely gonna be.

[A]

Probably not.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Definitely not as funny as me. Because I'm the funniest.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I feel like you have to know your limits. Like, if you are really scared of something and I always ask you, like, if I see in your face that you're scared, I ask, baby, do you want me to turn this off? Like, we don't have to watch this.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And she'll tell me, I remember one time or. Yeah, no, I'm good. Like, she'll let me know.

[B]

When I first watched it was. Yeah, it was called it, right? Yeah, it was it.

[A]

Oh, I'm not really a fan of it.

[B]

Honestly, when I first watched it, I told dad to turn it off a million times.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. I told him turn it off like, 10 million times. It was like. Because, like, when he was in the. When he was in the event thing and he was talking to Georgie, I got so scared.

[A]

That movie is a little. It's like, creepy. It's like, he's creepy to me. Like, I don't know. I don't like him. Well, why didn't dad turn it off? Because he was like, you got.

[B]

I don't know. He didn't turn it off because he was like, this isn't even the scary part yet. And I'm like, this isn't the scary part. He was like, this isn't the scary part yet. You just had. Yeah, exactly.

[A]

No, I don't. I don't do that. Like, if you tell me to turn it off.

[B]

But I feel like it helps me feel bad. It helps me, though, because I feel like Pennywise got me into the conjuring and then the conjure. Because, like, Pennywise is, like, scary. It's scary. It's, like, scarier than what I've watched. So I feel like it's good to push. Like, I feel like it was good to push me because it was scary. And then the conjuring is also scary. And then Insidious is also scary. And I feel like nothing's. Nothing that I've have ever watched is scarier than Insidious. So I feel like if I haven't watched Pennywise, I feel like I would have been prepared for, like, actual.

[A]

That's interesting.

[B]

Yeah. So I feel like it was good.

[A]

To push me, but you don't feel traumatized. Do you know. Okay. Do you know what traumatized means?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What does it mean?

[B]

Wait, hold up. I just forgot what I was about to say. I think it. It's like, when it's like, I know what it means, so I can't say.

[A]

What do you feel like it means?

[B]

I feel like it means. Not you about it. Look it up.

[A]

Yeah, I want to make sure you get that. I'm going to make sure you get the definition right.

[B]

Okay. Anyway, I think it means, like, something, like, not just something you can't forget about it, but it's like something that, like, actually, like, got you. Like, it's like.

[A]

Like you're kind of right. Yeah. It's like a lasting shock. It's like a result of something that if something happens to you or you see something or you go through something, it's.

[B]

It's just staying in your place. It doesn't Go away.

[A]

It's a last. It says, subject to lasting shock as a result of an emotionally disturbing experience or physical injury.

[B]

Yeah, I'm not gonna say it like.

[A]

That, because severely shocked and upset in a way that causes lasting emotional pain. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Well.

[B]

Yeah, okay. I was right.

[A]

Well, I'm glad you know what, you know, traumatized means, because you use that word all the time. So I want to make sure you're, you know, and, like, you're using your words.

[B]

I usually use it as a joke. Like.

[A]

Yeah, we always like, oh, my God, I'm traumatized.

[B]

I'm traumatized of this.

[A]

But traumatized does have, like, a bigger definition. Like, we can't use it too lightly.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, if you got to be careful if you're talking to someone and, like, you're like, oh, my God, I was traumatized. Like, they're really gonna think you're traumatized by something.

[B]

I only talk to you like that.

[A]

Though, because I get your humor.

[B]

Yeah, you get my humor, But I don't talk to anybody else like that.

[A]

Because I promise might not understand. Yeah, that's so crazy, because I'm not traumatized, and I'm not traumatizing you with the horror, so you leave me alone. Like, it's not me, I swear. Like, she.

[B]

Yeah, it's not her.

[A]

She be watching stuff more than me sometimes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You can't help it. Sometimes I feel like when I was young, I liked. I loved all that stuff, too.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, I was always. I don't know. And you. You either do it or you don't, and that's just what it is. I wanted to get into some questions for you because you just turned 10, and I kind of had a hard time with that. Stop. Put your little toes away, girl. Put them dogs away. Oh, my God. All right.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

You just turned 10. And it was. It was a pretty emotional for me. I don't know if you noticed, but I was very emotional.

[B]

I noticed a little bit, but I didn't want to say anything.

[A]

I did cry because I. I know.

[B]

I saw me. Yeah, I saw you. You're, like, wiping your little tears away, you know, like.

[A]

Stop. Yeah, I had some big. I had some big feelings about that, and I was just. I don't know. It's just when you see, you'll understand if. If you ever have kids in the future or just anything as time goes on and you celebrate birthdays and things like that, like.

[B]

Because it. Like, it hits hard. It hits you because it's like, after knowing that you oh, my God.

[A]

Are you crying? No, I'm not crying.

[B]

I'm tearing up. Mom, I'm not crying. I'm just tearing up because I can't talk about this stuff.

[A]

Go ahead. What were you gonna say?

[B]

I was gonna say it's sat. Sad. Can't say the word sad without crying. Oh, my God. Anyway, I gotta say it's sad to see your children not, like, going into your double digits because I. It's like I can't say for myself because I'm not a parent, but I know how it feels because.

[A]

How do you think it feels?

[B]

I think it feels really just. I just feel. I feel like it would be so, like, a lot of sadness because it's like it's not your baby anymore. It's like she's growing up. It's. Or he's growing up or like your child's growing up or something.

[A]

So, yeah, that's exactly how I felt. Like. I felt like I was. Like, I was telling them that I felt like I was grieving you as a baby because now I'm seeing you grow up. But I also love that I get to see down going. Who I've helped shape as a little. A little person. Like, you're going into your own thing. You have your own personality and you have your own style, and I love seeing all those things. But then it's also okay for me to miss, you know, you as a baby and relying on me and, you know, asking, mommy, can you t my shoes and, mommy, can you do this? Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. Like, it's so sad to not hear.

[B]

I don't call you.

[A]

Well, you call me mom. Well, you used to call me mommy when you were a baby. Now you say mom. Mom.

[B]

I, like, stopped at, like, 6. I started calling.

[A]

You always call me mom. Mom, Mom, Mom. I almost. I almost didn't get to ask my question, but. Okay. Going into you turning 10, what does confidence mean to you right now at this age?

[B]

Confidence?

[A]

Yeah. Do you feel confident, Megan, you're at your age right now.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Like, what does that look like for you? What does that mean to you? What does confidence mean to you?

[B]

I feel like confidence for me is just like, sticking up for myself maybe, or. Yeah, maybe that, because.

[A]

And kind of like being secure in who you are.

[B]

Yeah, like that. Yeah.

[A]

Because how do you stick up for yourself?

[B]

Well, I stick up for my friends because I. Nobody bullies me. To be honest, I can't really stick up for myself because usually if I see that my friend is having, like, A hard time or something. Like, if somebody is, like, actually, like, getting on to them, I would come up to them and ask them if they're like, okay or something. Because I usually know if they're, like, okay or not. So I like to actually go to them and actually, like, talk to them about it. And I would usually come up to the person and be like, how about you guys just work this out or something.

[A]

Like the peacemaker. You're such a Libra. Oh, my God. Libras, like, are the peacemakers in the world. Like.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

They like everything to be just, like, you know, chill and cool and.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So you're kind of like being kind in a mean girl world. Because I feel like girls can be mean sometimes.

[B]

Sometimes I could be mean.

[A]

You?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I know you were not the mean girl.

[B]

Sometimes, like, sometimes I want to say something so bad to somebody, but I had to, like, stop myself.

[A]

Well, that's not being mean. That's being human. Like, every. I go through that.

[B]

Yeah. But still, it's like, I know it's gonna hurt their feelings.

[A]

Well, that's good that you don't do it. I wouldn't want to make them feel a way that I don't want to feel or I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. But it's normal to have those thoughts. And, like, I mean, they're not mean. I think they're just. It's. It's human to kind of just have thoughts in our heads. But the fact that you don't act on them and you don't say them out loud, that's self control. Like, that's good. You should have that.

[B]

Yeah. It's like sometimes if I were to say. If I were to stay.

[A]

You're like, something not nice.

[B]

Yeah. If I were to say something not nice, I feel like my friends would take it, like, not. Not too personally because I know them for a little bit. And so if I feel like I. I don't know how to say, it's like, I don't know. It sounds mean, but I feel like if I were to call my friends, like, dumb, I feel like they would be fine with it because they know I'm not like, that.

[A]

Yeah, they know you're, like, joking.

[B]

Yeah, like, they know I would be joking. Like, saying it as a joke.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And all my friends know me as, like, this person that's really funny. I be talking to my teachers, like, oh, yeah. Like, I'm just, like, special.

[A]

Like, yeah.

[B]

I'd be talking to my gym teacher like, that because, like, she knows I'm silly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I talk to my.

[A]

It's your personality. It's just my personality not to take it, like, seriously.

[B]

Cuz they know I'm just like a funny person and very silly.

[A]

But you also have to know, like, your limit, which I think you do. Like, I don't. I've never. I've never heard you say anything super mean. And I've seen you be around your friends and everything, and I've never seen you be mean or say anything mean.

[B]

Yeah, I don't really say mean things to them unless they think it's a joke. Like, it is a joke. Like if I don't know how to say, it's like, if I'm joking, they know I'm joking. But if I'm not joking, they know I'm not joking.

[A]

Yeah. They'll know when to take you seriously.

[B]

They know when to take me seriously.

[A]

Yeah. So as long as you ain't a mean girl. Because I was about to. I ain't raising no mean girls.

[B]

No. I also have some friends that are actually really sensitive.

[A]

Yeah, that's what I was gonna say too, because I feel like you're not sensitive. Like you're not at all. Like, it's. It really is just sometimes I could.

[B]

Be sensitive, but only if I really, really think it's, like, real. But usually I. Oh, my God. Hold up.

[A]

You sounded like Jennifer Coolish. Oh, my God.

[B]

Oh, my God. Makes me want a halt talk real bad. Is that Jeff?

[A]

That's Jennifer Coolidge.

[B]

Makes me want a halt dog real bad. Wait, isn't that from, like, Legally Blonde?

[A]

No. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. It is from Legally Blonde. I think, like, this. Is it the second or third part? I don't remember.

[B]

I haven't watched the third part, so I think definitely not the third.

[A]

I think it might be the second.

[B]

It's either the second or the first.

[A]

It's not the first.

[B]

It's not.

[A]

No. She dressed up like it was. She was already working as, like, a lawyer and stuff. That's like, one of Evie's favorite movies, by the way. She loves Legally Blocked. The other day, she's like, can we watch Legally Blonde? Like we always watch.

[B]

Yeah, old.

[A]

All the old school 2000s movies. I love that. You love all that stuff with me, too. Like. Yeah, people always say, like, baby's like, the ultimate, like, 2000s thing. Like, you were meant to be born in the 2000s.

[B]

I know.

[A]

I was gonna ask you, like, how do you deal when someone's not being kind to you at all at school. But you kind of answered that question.

[B]

I don't really get. I don't like people if somebody's mean.

[A]

If they are, what would you do?

[B]

Like, if somebody was mean to me, I would either tell somebody or I would handle the situation by myself and, like, be like, why are you saying that to me? Because.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, it's like. Yeah. It's like, I don't know how to say, like, it just depends of how they're speaking to me, to be honest. It just depends on how the situation is, what's the scenario and stuff. Because usually it usually gets me on what it is. Like, if somebody's, like, talking to me behind their back, I know my friends will be telling me because they don't want me to not know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because they know me as this girl that's funny and nice.

[A]

Yeah. Like, you wouldn't do that to somebody else.

[B]

Yeah, they know I wouldn't do it to anybody else.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So they would tell me if somebody was talking to me behind my back.

[A]

So what do you do if you find out that someone's talking to you behind your back? Like, what would you do?

[B]

I probably go up to them and talk about it. Like, ask them why, and maybe you try to get it over with. Because. Yeah.

[A]

So what if they. What if they, like, don't want to work it out? Like, what would you do? Did you just be, like, okay with it and just.

[B]

I'll probably just leave it alone.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Probably just leave it alone. Because I don't want.

[A]

You don't need them. Yeah. You don't need a friend like that either.

[B]

Yeah. Even if they're not my friend, like.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, I don't need to talk to them.

[A]

I agree with that. I think that's a good choice.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right. What's. Do you think I'm a gentle parent? Do you think I gentle parent you? Do you know what gentle parenting is?

[B]

No.

[A]

So we call it gentle parenting in this generation because it's like, we're very soft. We're much. We're much softer with our kids. Now, as to, like, when we were young, growing up, our parents were very strict and very, like, always yelling at us or we would get hit with the chunklas and things like that, you know, like, it wasn't very much just parents or we wouldn't. They wouldn't, like, talk it out with their kids. Like, you know how, like, me and you, if you're feeling type of way, I go up to you and we talk about it. And stuff like it would always be like, don't cry or like, I don't want to see you crying or I'm going to give you something to cry about. Like that was how it was. Like, like back, back in the day. Not saying that mama was like that. Mama was. I feel like mama was not. She wasn't the way I parent you now. Cuz mama's very. Like sometimes she would brush things under the rug. Like I wish she talked a little bit more to me about things, but she wasn't like a parent that was like hitting us or anything like that.

[B]

Yeah, I know. She.

[A]

My dad kind of. My dad was like that. Like my dad was very, like he was always yelling and like he would do like, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Emotionally harmful things to us. So I feel like the way I try and parent you now, I don't hit you, I don't yell at you. I tried to never like lose my crap on you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Test me sometimes. Like I feel like I gentle parent, but I also have like some spice. Like you know, if I, if I give you a look or like, you know, certain things. Like if I, you know, when I'm not playing with you. Yeah, but you also get that soft, the very, very soft side of me.

[B]

I feel like I would be a gentle parent because I don't want my kids to be feeling like I'm not a good mom or like a bad parent. Oh my God. Oh my God. That makes me want a hot dog real bad.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Anyway, I don't want my. If I have kids, I don't want my kids to think I'm a bad mom or a bad parent.

[A]

Especially if I think that makes you a bad parent. If you like yell at your kids and stuff like that, like.

[B]

No, I don't think it makes you a bad parent, but I feel like it like makes your child like not me though. Like I always. Yeah. Like I don't know how to explain it.

[A]

It makes your child not want to talk to you or. Yeah, with you. I get it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I feel like there are people who listen and maybe they've, maybe they have yelled at their kids. But it's like, like it happens. Like parents make mistakes, you know? So this is why I want to like clarify that to people listening. Like you're not a bad parent because you yelled at your child one time. You know, I think if you, if you're doing it consistently and like really.

[B]

It'S like actually like every single day. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I feel, I feel that way because I Feel like there's times where sometimes we might lose it. Like, we're trying. We're. We're still learning. Like, you have. Like, especially with me, I feel like this is my first time being a parent. I don't know. I've never parented in my life. Like, you're my first time I parented anybody. So I learned. We're learning together. Like, I've learned with you. And, like, I'm trying to change so many things that I thought was normal growing up, and it's not, you know? So I think all of us, like, sometimes parents just need a break, you know? Like, we need to be. They need to. Sometimes kids have to understand, like, your parent is not a bad mom or bad dad because they, like, yelled at you once. Like, I think the main thing is, like, if they're able to apologize after two. Like, I think if I was to, like, yell at you or something, I would immediately, like, apologize to you and, like, come to your room and be, like, hugging. Like, I'm so sorry. Like, I didn't mean to do that. But, like, parents make mistakes, and I think children need to understand that too, because children make mistakes just. And parents make mistakes. Like, it's gonna happen.

[B]

I feel like the only reason if somebody would yell at their child, like, not the only reason, but one of the reasons, like, to yell at your child if they yell at you back. Like, if they yell.

[A]

Like, if a child, like, yells at their parent or something.

[B]

Yeah. And then. Yeah, it's just. That's what I feel. If my child would yell at me, I would probably not be okay with it.

[A]

Yeah, I would not be okay with it. Okay. If you yelled at me.

[B]

I wouldn't yell at you, though.

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

I wouldn't yell at you.

[A]

I know you wouldn't, but, like, I wouldn't know what to do. I'd be like, so taken back because that's not your character. So I'd be like, whoa, what is going on?

[B]

Why?

[A]

I'd be like, what is going on here? So you do. So do you think I'm a gentle parent?

[B]

I think you are a chill parent.

[A]

Pill. I'm a chill pill. I'm a chill pill. I think that's the best way to describe it.

[B]

You are a chill pill.

[A]

I'm a chill pill.

[B]

You're a chill pill.

[A]

What's one thing you've learned from me?

[B]

Style.

[A]

Style.

[B]

Yeah. I feel like clothes. Like, I feel like whoever's fashion to you is, like, fashion to me. But then also, sometimes it can be weird. Like, sometimes I don't like the style, and then sometimes it's. It's good.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I feel like I don't wear ruffles anymore. So whenever you point out ruffles or something.

[A]

Yeah. You're, like, ill. Ew.

[B]

I don't like that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Especially if. If it says. If something says a logo or something on it. Yeah. Even if it's, like, so comfy, I would probably not wear it. But the only thing that's okay for me is sweatpants. If it has. Because I remember I have my Old Navy ones, and I don't even care because it's small.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I feel like if. If it has. Has a logo or something on it, I would not be wearing it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Because.

[A]

So you think you got a lot of your style from me? Like, do you. You look at me to, like, as, like, inspiration or not?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Oh, I didn't know that. Because I feel like we have such different styles. Well, not so different, but I feel like I know your style already and you, like, know mine, so we kind of, like, can. I don't know. It's. It's weird, but I understand what you're saying.

[B]

I feel like I'm gonna be like you when I'm older because I'm, like you when you're younger, so that. That I could be like you when I'm older.

[A]

You think so?

[B]

Yeah, I feel like, not exactly like. Like, you know what I mean? Like, like, you. Like, I'm probably gonna wear, like, heels and.

[A]

Yeah. Like, be girly, but still chill.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I could be a chill pill.

[A]

You're gonna be a chill pill.

[B]

I feel like we're different, but sometimes we can be, like, the same, and then sometimes we're, like, really different from each other. So. So I don't really know. Like, I know that we have, like, different ways. Because you're really good at Spanish, and I'm like. But that's also because you're an adult.

[A]

And, like, it takes time to learn.

[B]

Yeah, it takes time, and I didn't.

[A]

Learn till I was a lot older.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, I didn't speak Spanish when I was little. I barely. I didn't know Spanish, like, at all. But I had to teach. Like, I taught myself because I wanted to be able to know my culture, and. And I thought I'm like, okay. Like, my whole family knows Spanish. Like, I want to be able to be in those conversations, too, when I'm an adult, and, like, I don't want it to end Here with you. I don't want you to be the last of our. Our family and our generations to not know Spanish.

[B]

I know. Yeah.

[A]

Like, I want it to keep going forever and ever. I want your grandkids to know, because that's how. That's how our Puerto Rican bloodline is going to survive. Like, that's how it's gonna go on.

[B]

That's how.

[A]

So that's what my thought was. But I don't want to for, like, I'm not forcing you to speak Spanish, but I want you to understand that it is important because of our culture.

[B]

You know, it's just hard because I feel like since I have different cultures, like, different teachers are from different places.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So they have different types of Spanish.

[A]

Yeah. You get taught Spanish so differently every year. Yeah. And that's something I didn't take into consideration when I put you in the Spanish immersion program, because I. I just didn't think about that. But then when I. When I hear from you and you're like, I'm so confused because, you know, my first Spanish teacher was telling me this, and then my. Like, she was Puerto Rican, but then my Mexican Spanish teacher is telling me something else, and so you get more confused, I think.

[B]

I love how I have. That. I love how I have a teacher that's actually Puerto Rican, like.

[A]

Yeah, because you can relate to that Spanish because you know it. Yeah.

[B]

But then also, I don't want to say I'm not learning.

[A]

Yeah, no, you are.

[B]

But it's like, every single time I try, it's like, I try my best, but it's like, I feel like I'm not learning anything. Like, at the same time, it's gonna.

[A]

Take a while for you to feel like. But you're not gonna feel like you're learning anything unless you actually start, like, speaking it, you know?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which is the hardest part, because your friends aren't, like, just speaking Spanish around you. Even your family. Like, all of us. All of our first language is English, so it's like all of us just immediately go to English. But I'm gonna try. I tried it harder. We should set a day. Like. Like, every day, we just talk to each other in Spanish for, like, 10 minutes. Even if just for a little bit. Like, we just do it. It'll. It'll make such a huge difference, I swear. You don't think so? I think you would get that practice and you would, like, understand, because I feel like you understand a lot. Like, when we talk to you in Spanish and when Chori talks You, like, understand.

[B]

I can do Spanglish.

[A]

Oh, that scared me.

[B]

That scared me too. Well, I feel like I can write in Spanish too. I can write in Spanish. I can.

[A]

You can hear words. Yeah. You understand? That's what I mean.

[B]

But the only thing I can't do is speak.

[A]

It's like, speak it. Well, that's the thing. It takes practice to learn how to speak it and to get that the. The accent going and to like, actually speak it the right way. You have to practice speaking it. Yeah, because that was my worst thing too. Like, I was young and I was like able to write it and I understood everything and I could like, translate for people, but I was not trying to, like, speak it. But once I started actually learning and speaking it and like, had more practice, even with songs, like, honestly, like, that's what really helped me, like, listening to a lot of Spanish songs. Like, I listened to a lot of Spanish rock and like pop music and then reggaeton, even just singing helped me my Spanish, cuz it helped me learn how to say and pronounce words and like, I understood it. And if I would look up lyrics, I would understand what that, you know, Like, I taught myself through, like, songs too.

[B]

Yeah. Like.

[A]

So I think we just need to practice more. We just need to actually speak it more to each other.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Thank you, my dear.

[B]

Drinks are served.

[A]

She got us a Coke. We're gonna asmr. Be opening it.

[B]

My God.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Wait, I'm going to put the mic on, like right here.

[A]

No, no. Okay. I wonder if they can hear like the. Yeah, like the sizzling of it.

[B]

Oh, wait, I had to do it for me too.

[A]

Oh, yeah. That's a nice can of Coke right there. So crisp, so refreshing. Cheers.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Coke, girlies. What does it mean to you to be Latina? Like, what is it like being Puerto Rican? What do you feel?

[B]

I feel food.

[A]

You love the food, right?

[B]

I love food.

[A]

You love food?

[B]

I love food.

[A]

Is that all you love about it?

[B]

I also like food.

[A]

You're so crazy.

[B]

I also like.

[A]

Do you like being Latina?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Why?

[B]

Cuz I'm different.

[A]

You're different?

[B]

I'm different for other people. Cuz some people are. Some people are like. Some people can be Italian, some people can be Mexican, some people can be Russian. You know, stranger things.

[A]

No, Mexicans are Latinos too. But I think what you're saying is because out here in Delaware, there's really not. You're not really surrounded by a lot of.

[B]

Yeah, I'm not really surrounded. Yeah.

[A]

So I Think that's why you feel like she feels like she's a little different, which I get that.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, I was gonna say I love being Latina because we get. Wait. Because we get our Christmas tree up for much longer.

[A]

We do. We keep it up for so long.

[B]

We keep it up till next year.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, there's like. Like, in Puerto Rican tradition, we have the Three Kings. So most of the time, a lot of Puerto Ricans don't take it down till after three Kings and stuff, too. So when Chori used to live with us. Well, when I. When we lived in New Jersey, Shorty celebrated, like, three kings, too, because that's what he was used to in Puerto Rico.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So we just always kept the tree up. Our tree would be up to, like, February, but so that's just how I, like, just kept doing it. So now I'm just like. I, like, why would I put the tree up, like, right after Christmas? Like, let's just leave it up till, like, February.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I do love that I have.

[B]

To ask you a question this time. Let's change it up a little bit.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Okay. A lot of my friends have been asking me if I have, like, anything else in my blood except for Puerto Rican. Like, if I, like. Because everybody knows. I'm like, I was born here in Delaware. Yeah, Everybody knows because I live here. So. Yeah, everybody knows. So everybody has been asking me if you're. If you're, like, actually fully Puerto Rican.

[A]

Well, nobody's actually fully Puerto Rican, because Puerto Ricans are made up of Taino, Spanish, African American. Like, it's a whole mixture. Like, you're never gonna be 100 Puerto Rican. I can actually show you my. And my, like, what I am fully.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Cuz.

[B]

Yeah, I did know how much I am.

[A]

No, I would have to do your ancestry DNA, because I don't know dads. So this is just my half, and this is based off of my mom and my dad, but I know dad's parents are also both from Puerto Rico, so it's not going to be probably any different than mine. Okay. So it says I have 24 ancestral regions, so 15 for me. Hold on.

[B]

Turn around.

[A]

Okay, so this is all. This is everything. Everywhere I, like, I come from. So it says 15. Portugal. Oh, 7% Spain. Oh, Spanish. Because that's what, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Azores. I don't know what that is. 25 from Puerto Rico, Northern Spain, Canary Islands, Basque, Sephardic Jews in Northern Africa.

[B]

What is this?

[A]

Eastern Europe and Russia? I don't know. I've never heard of these things.

[B]

Are you from Russia?

[A]

I have mon. This is new. I actually have. It says Ireland. Monster Ireland. Now Wales and north west England, West Midlands. I have Nigeria, Cameroon, Western Bantu peoples, Cyprus, North Africa.

[B]

This is crazy.

[A]

Yeah, well, that's why I told you, like, Puerto Rico is mixed from so many different, different things. So you're never going to be 100 Puerto Rican. You're never going to see that on your. On your thing. It's going to be a mixture of so many different things. Because you just learned about Christopher Columbus in school, right? Yeah. And what did you learn?

[B]

Well, not surprised.

[A]

You just got 100 on that test. And what did it. What did. What was the first thing that it told you about?

[B]

Well, the first thing that we learned was that Christopher Columbus was not the first one to discover like America and, and stuff. Like North America and stuff.

[A]

Yeah. Mentioned Puerto Rico in your. I'm talking about it because I remember it mentioned something about Puerto Rico in your thing. Well, it's talked about the Tainos. Remember he discovered Puerto rico and the u. S. Virgin Islands. On his second voyage in 1493, he found that. He found that Taino and Caribbean Indians populated the islands. So that's how.

[B]

Yeah, I remember when he found the Caribbean and then he took seven people. Yeah.

[A]

On November 19, 1493, during his second voyage, Christopher Columbus arrived in Puerto Rico. The indigenous Taino culture dominated the island. The Taino called the island Boriquen. That's what we call ourselves, the land of the brave Lord. Columbus named the island San Juan Bautista in honor of St. John the Baptist. And it says, in a failed attempt to reach La Espanola, on his second trip, Columbus landed on Puerto Rico. So he wasn't even trying to. He like accidentally landed on Puerto Rico where he was received by the Tainos. Taino Indians who were of the same ethnic group as the people of La Espanola and the other islands in the Caribbean. Yeah, because who was in Puerto Rico before the Spaniards? The first inhabitants of Puerto Rico were hunter gatherers who reached the island more than a thousand years before the arrival of the Spanish Arawak Indians who developed the Taino culture. It says Puerto Rico began to produce cattle, sugar cane, coffee and tobacco, which led to the importation of slaves from Africa. As a result, Puerto Rican bloodlines and culture evolved through a mixing of the Spanish, African and indigenous Taino and Caribbean Indian races that shared the island.

[B]

Yeah, because.

[A]

So that's what it is, girl.

[B]

I probably don't remember learning about that because all I remember.

[A]

Well, I told you a little bit about it because I didn't get into like, Puerto Rico and stuff. Stuff on your thing, but I told you about that.

[B]

Yeah, because I. All I remember is him going on his voyage and that he wasn't the first one to discover, like, America. But. Yeah. And I also remember that when he, like took the seven people, he like enslaved them for Christianity or something. So.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I remember that he wasn't the best.

[B]

Yeah. And then I remember there was something going on about potatoes.

[A]

I have no idea. I haven't, I haven't.

[B]

No. Because I swear they were talking about potatoes or something. Giving out a disease. Or was it like Europeans that gave.

[A]

I don't remember. I haven't learned about Christopher Columbus in so long. And all the things that I did hear about him were always not great. And I feel like when I was little, they made it seem like he was like this hero.

[B]

Ew.

[A]

But now I've learned, like, as I grew older, I learned what he was actually, actually doing. And like. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

I thought he was a good person at first too. But then when we started getting into, like, actually everything.

[A]

Well, I'm glad your teacher was like, she has the packets like the. Because I was looking when I saw Christopher Columbus on your homework. I was like, all right, let's see. What, what Christopher Columbus. They're teaching these kids. And your teacher, like, she had the whole truth on there. Like, she was talking about all the, all the real stuff. So I was like, oh, okay. Like, they're not feeding them some bull, some bs.

[B]

Yeah. In class too, we usually get these papers of. We got this one paper actually where it was like these people, these two people, they wrote to their. Their like parents or something. Because I remember one time you had to go. You like, not had to, but you had a choice to go to. To be enslaved for like four years or seven years. And then after you would get like 50 acres of land.

[A]

Acres.

[B]

Acres of land and stuff. And I remember we were. We were like reading about it and. Yeah, it was telling us, like, what happened to two of these people and stuff. Yeah.

[A]

Well, yeah, it's important that you learn the exact history that happened and not just the sugar coated versions that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

These schools sometimes teach you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyway, anyways, I think we. We covered so much. Is there anything that you want to add so we can end out this. This episode?

[B]

I have one more thing to add.

[A]

Okay, go ahead. Go for it.

[B]

Food.

[A]

Oh, God, please don't. I'm hungry. We need to go Eat lunch.

[B]

Food.

[A]

What are we gonna eat? I'm starving.

[B]

Raising canes.

[A]

Oh, my God. We just got raising canes, and we're, like, obsessed. We went, like, two times. Since when it opened. We went. The day opened, and then we literally went, like, the day after, too.

[B]

We went two times.

[A]

They're not on doordash, though, so you don't have to go convince dad to go get it. I'm not going out, and I don't think he's gonna go get it. So did you have fun?

[B]

I had fun.

[A]

You have an eyelash. You have, like, two eyelashes.

[B]

I can make two wishes. I made my two wishes. I can't tell you, though.

[A]

I'm not. I don't want to know. That's fine.

[B]

All right, guys, around my future.

[A]

All right, guys, we hope you enjoyed this episode. And, yeah, I'll be back next week. Is next week gonna be. Wait, when is Halloween? Wham. I can't believe we're already, like, halfway through I. October.

[B]

Wait, What?

[A]

It's the 12th. So when this episode. This episode comes out on the 15th, and then the next week, I'll be. Already I gotta be filming for my Halloween episode. I'm gonna do a Halloween episode with dad, probably. We're gonna talk about serial killers.

[B]

All right, well, I can't be on theraclaws.

[A]

No, you're not gonna be on that one.

[B]

Oh, wait, you just gave out a hit to them.

[A]

What?

[B]

You gave it a hint of what your next podcast is going to be like.

[A]

Okay, I always tell them sometimes, like, what the next podcast is going to be like, so they can, like, look forward to it and be excited.

[B]

Well, you better not tell nobody. You better not tell nobody, or you're dead to me.

[A]

Oh, God. All right, guys. Well, that's a wrap on today's Cheeseman, but don't let the conversation stop here. Let's keep it going. Make sure you guys go and subscribe on our YouTube where you get to watch the podcast. You can watch me and Vivi watch all the fun stuff on YouTube every Thursday. Well, that's when I post the videos every Thursday and leave a review. And make sure you guys follow me on my socials at Beautify Me and follow the Chisme podcast at the Chismet corner on Instagram. Until next time, take care of yourselves. And remember, there's always room for more chisme here at the Chisme corner.

[B]

Oh, there's always room for more burps.

[A]

No. Bye, guys. Bye.