WEBVTT 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:15.800 (chatter) 00:00:15.800 --> 00:00:39.500 [MARINA LABARTHE]: Okay, so this is an interview with Tina Shah as part of the Indo-American Heritage Museum's Masala Chat History Project. The interview is being conducted on November 9th, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the narrator's home. Tina Shah is being interviewed by Marina Labarthe of the Indo-American Heritage Museum. 00:00:39.500 --> 00:01:15.400 (chatter) 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:20.100 Ok, so could you please state and spell your first and last name? 00:01:20.100 --> 00:01:33.700 [TINA SHAH]: Sure, is it okay if I stay with my real?--So my real name is a Swati S W A T I, and my last name is Shah S H A H, but everybody calls me Tina T I N A. 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:37.200 [ML]: When and where were you born? 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:47.800 [TS]: I was born in the city of Surat, on February 18th, 1977. Surat is in the state of Gujarat, in India. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:51.900 [ML]: Did you grow up, did you grow up there? 00:01:52.300 --> 00:02:02.200 [TS]: No. I was there until about 3, and that's when we immigrated to America, and we immigrated to Chicago. 00:02:02.800 --> 00:02:05.500 [ML]: Cool. What brought your family over here? 00:02:05.900 --> 00:02:33.400 [TS]: I think opportunities. Initially, so my aunt, my mom's sister, older sister, moved to America first and I think after my mom got married, you know, she really wanted to come and be with her sister. And at that time many people in India were migrating over to America. So I think they just wanted to come and see what America was all about. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:41.600 And, you know, since they already had family here, they thought it was a good opportunity to come on down **laughs**. 00:02:41.600 --> 00:02:46.900 [ML]: Cool. Do you remember anything about India from when you lived there? 00:02:47.500 --> 00:03:16.550 [TS]: You know, not--when I was--not between then and 3, between when I was born and 3, I don’t-- I have a lot of memories that people have told me about. ‘Cause, you know, after, after I was born, we moved to this town called Bhavnagar? And my parents, you know, had their own--that was their first home away from, you know, where they both grew up. And, you know, it was just the three of us living away from the rest of the family. 00:03:16.550 --> 00:03:28.500 And so I have the memories that they’ve told me about that home and, and you know, just being there for maybe one or two years, but nothing, you know, authentic. 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:30.800 [ML]: And that was when? How old were you then? 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:42.500 [TS]: I think I was about maybe six months when I moved there, so between 6 months till I was, till we moved here, I think, yeah. Till 3, yeah. 00:03:43.100 --> 00:03:45.800 [ML]: What languages did you speak growing up? 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:55.400 [TS]: Gujarati, yeah. And I can still speak it not as fluently as, you know, I would like. But I speak it pretty well, I think, yeah. what 00:03:56.600 --> 00:04:03.300 [ML]: Um...so you went to school here then, in Chicago? 00:04:03.700 --> 00:04:32.400 [TS]: Yeah. So after we moved here, we lived in the city, like on Whipple Street on the North side. And then my parents, you know, were looking for jobs. My father went back to school. He did like, night school while he was working during the day, trying to get another--an engineering degree from a school here. Actually, DeVry. 00:04:32.400 --> 00:04:58.400 Um, and so yeah, we lived in the city, and then we moved to the suburbs. So then we--We actually have lived in a lot of different suburbs. So we lived in Rosemont, and Schiller Park, and River Grove. And then we actually went back and, went back to India, to live there again. **laughing** And then--Sorry, I don’t know. This is like a lot-- 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:00.600 [ML]: No, no! I wanna--No, I like--I want to know. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:07.000 [TS]: And we can dive into more of this, more of the parts later. But yeah, and then we came back. And then we lived in, I think River Grove again, for a short while. And then we moved to--Oh, God, um--Hanover Park? I don’t know. Yeah, **laughing** sorry! A lot of different suburbs, yeah. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:48.600 [ML]: No! Lots of suburbs. Yeah, no. I used to live in Highland Park. So I’m kinda familiar with the suburbs, but-- All the different "blank" Parks **laughs**. Um, so, did--Tell me a little about your family. What's your family like? Your parents, especially your siblings. What are they like? 00:05:49.000 --> 00:06:19.600 [TS]: Well, my father is very--Okay so my father is very hardworking. And, well I always remember him just all about the hard work, you know. He’s--And he used to work a lot. Um so--Sorry **laughing**. This is so weird to be, like, interviewed. And then it's hard to talk about. Um, but hopefully we'll get into the groove. So, I mean, what specifically, like, about their personality, or? 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:37.000 [ML]: You know...I guess, I would to know like what-- Like how many siblings you have, like how big your family is. And we can get into their personalities if you want, also. Up to you, whatever you want. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:07:09.000 [TS]: Sure! Yeah. So I have one brother. He’s younger. His name’s Samir, I call him Sam. And he's five years younger and--I remember when he was born. That's when we were living in our first apartment, here in the city. So I was five, so yeah we’d been here for almost, I guess for two years. And I remember playing in the courtyard of this apartment, and you know, this like--something happening where my mom had to go to the hospital, and I stayed with the neighbors. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:41.400 And then you know my dad came back. I don't know if it was like one or two or three days later, I don't know. But, he came back and he’s like, you know, “You want to come to the hospital and see your mom and your brother?” So I went. I remember going to the hospital and you know, seeing my mom. And she said--I think there was a, an Arabic woman next to her, that was also next to, in the bed next to her or something that helped her name my brother? So I don't know. I think I think the name came from some--from the woman that was sitting, that was in the bed next to her, or something. 00:07:41.400 --> 00:08:13.000 But--Or the idea for the name came from her. And yeah, and I remember seeing my brother threw, you know, that glass where you see all the babies. And he was over there and, yeah! So there he was. And we grew up very--fighting all the time. Like we would always just, you know, fight about everything, argue about a lot of things. And he’d always want to hang out with me and my friends, you know. And he was my little, annoying little brother. And I would be like, you know, “Get lost.” 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:40.900 But as we grew older, he got bigger and stronger **laughs**. And so, a lot of our, the fights, like our physical fist fights and stuff, he started really, you know, he started winning those fights more. And I started kind of backing off of those, I think. **ML laughs** But yeah, overall we didn’t--You know, we were always fighting. Like, you know, we got along, but we were just like, yeah, that annoying brother and sister that just like never got along. 00:08:40.900 --> 00:09:10.100 And then I went to college. And around that time, I think, is when we started actually talking **laughing** to each other, and like, you know, talking about our lives to each other and, you know, now that’s how we are, we get along great. And you know, that’s--We’re, I’m happy to have him in my life. And, yeah and then my parents, they're really, great people. Like I said, my father is a very hardworking person. 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:43.700 He's retired now and I, like, you know, I remember when he retired. We gave him a little party, a retirement party, and I gave a little speech just saying like, you know, “My work ethic is--you know--comes from you! Because you worked hard. You--” An honest worker too, like he’s not trying to pull a fast one, at all. He's an honest handworker and that’s something that I, you know, bring to every job that I have to do. Whether it’s at work or anything else outside of work. 00:09:43.700 --> 00:10:15.300 So that’s definitely something that I admire about my father. And he really did work hard. Like he went back to school when we lived here, and I remember him, you know, going to school at night. And, you know, there’s stories of him not having a car, and taking like three buses to get to work, and come back. And my mom’s also a very hardworker, as well. And she, you know, growing up, she was very happy and, you know, loved entertaining, and she’s a great cook. 00:10:15.300 --> 00:10:42.200 Everybody talks about her cooking. And yeah, they're good people. You know, I think that they had a hard time raising their kids in America, 'cause as we grew up there were a lot of things that we do here in America that they’re just not used to, in India. So there were, growing up we bumped heads a lot. But, yeah. I mean it I guess it was bound to happen **laughs** 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:51.500 [ML]: Yeah, that's really, that’s really interesting. Uh, so in what ways did you bump heads? Like, do you remember--Do you have any stories about that? 00:10:51.500 --> 00:11:19.440 [TS]: Well, like, boys calling me, for example. You know, I remember one of the first guys that called me, I--you know, it was just a friend. I mean maybe, you know, he was interested in me, whatever. But really it was just a friendly call. And I think that they were just surprised that I would have a friend that’s a boy, and that’s calling me. And I remember taking the phone and sitting down at the dining table and my father, you know, sat right across from me and pretended to read a newspaper. 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:51.600 You know, and like was kind of, like, you know, surveying me while I was on the phone with him, and it was very uncomfortable. Um, so, yeah. I think you know, just boys, and friends as boys. And then, you know, as I got older and dating, also that was just a big no, no. And you know, we bumped heads a lot. I mean I kinda had to sneak around, and it wasn’t fun, you know. And I always got caught, too. So it was like, it was no fun, yeah. 00:11:51.900 --> 00:11:54.600 [ML]: Was it kind of similar for your brother? would you say? 00:11:54.600 --> 00:12:28.000 [TS]: No! Not at all! You know? Maybe, I, you know, I kinda broke my parents in, I don’t know. Because he had--and maybe also, well I think definitely, because he's also a guy, but-- And he was more responsible than me. He wasn’t as like-- You know, I feel like me, I kind of really was a bit of a rebel, and a little wild and crazy let’s say. And maybe too much, you know, for my parents **laughing** to handle. But my brother was, is just a much more calm person. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:58.100 And then when he--and he was more responsible, too. And maybe, also 'cause he saw a lot of the arguments-- You know, he was there when, you know, I’d bump heads with my parents and, you know, argue with them about me wanting to go out with my friends, or whatever. So, he wasn’t--yeah, he wasn’t--and when he started dating and stuff, it was, it was okay. Like, I don’t know. So, I don’t know if it was--I think a lot of it has to do with because he was, he’s male. But maybe also because I broke them in a little bit? **laughs** 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:02.300 You know? They’re like, “Alright. Yeah, this, this is--” Yeah, exactly. 00:12:59.900 --> 00:13:08.100 [ML]: Or a combination, yeah. That’s interesting. Were your parents religious at all while you were growing up, or? 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:17.600 [TS]: Mhm. So, yeah. So they practiced Jainism. Have you heard of Jainism? 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:24.200 [ML]: Uh...I believe so. Is it...like, nonviolence? 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:53.300 [TS]: Yes! Exactly, yeah. That’s like the main principle, is like, nonviolence. So my parents--My father, you know, he, like, wasn’t totally practicing, but he would go to the temple, you know. And pray and what not. But my mom, was like definitely more active in like the Jain community, and all that. But yeah. And I can’t remember when. Maybe when I was in grade school? 00:13:53.300 --> 00:14:23.300 It was around grade school, high school, um, like around 8th or 9th grade, when the Jain temple, here in Chicago--It's in the suburbs, in Bartlett--was first built. And before that, there were Jain community events that happened like--You know, they would rent out spaces at high schools and what not. So we'd go and, you know, there'd be an event. Maybe like a dancing event, or there’d be a lecture. Someone coming to lecture about religion. 00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:53.200 My parents would go to that, but then the kids would always just play. Like, we, you know--And I think they’re a bit more hardcore in the temple now about teaching Jainism in classes and all that stuff. But back in that day, it was more for the parents, and the kids just kinda hung out and played. And that’s actually how I met, like, a bunch of my really good friends, that we're still good friends. I met them, you know, at the Jain temple, actually, and we're still like sisters and good friends. Like, I met them when I was 15. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:15:24.600 Um, but yeah. So, my parents, they were religious and--So vegetarianism is like, you know, part of the whole nonviolence thing. Like, don’t eat meat, you know. And that’s a really big part of Jainism. And when we came to America, though it was hard for my mom, for my mom and dad to like, you know, keep us vegetarian, me and my brother, just because there weren’t that many vegetarian options like at school. 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:55.600 And you know, we couldn’t eat chutney sandwiches every day. And, you know, it was just really hard to live in America and be vegetarian, at that time. So, you know, in the beginning like we, for a while we ate meet and it was just, you know, at school, or like maybe from McDonald’s or the gyro place across the street or something like that. My mom didn’t really cook any meat at home. If anything she would maybe warm up hotdogs or chicken nuggets, or something like that. 00:15:55.600 --> 00:16:22.500 Um, but anyways, but then later on--Sorry this is, like, going round about. But, so religion was--my parents were, my mom more so, we would go to the temple. They would kind of sit and listen to the lectures and the preaching and what not and then the kids would play. But then like, you know, we were always kind of, you know, reminded of like the nonviolence principle, and being vegetarian. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:51.200 And we would pray, too, like we would pray, you know, at night, whenever we would remember, I guess, or during like religious times and stuff like that. And so we were vegetarian--So basically, we were eating meat. But then as I grew older and went to college, I think I had to do a speech about--I had an assignment to do a speech about my religion. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:17:22.300 And I did some research on the whole nonviolence part, and I did more research on like the, you know why we're vegetarian, why Jains are vegetarian. And I kind of made the decision to be vegetarian after doing all that research, just ‘cause you know I was like, “Oh, this is what happens to animals" and all that. And you know, like I said before--The things that I ate before, since my mom didn’t really like cook stuff, we would eat out. If there was meat, I’dd eat like McDonald’s cheeseburgers, so I wasn’t really, you know, losing out on too much. 00:17:22.300 --> 00:17:48.700 And I wouldn’t say that I’m really vegetarian--I mean that I’m really religious. I do believe in just being a good person, in the nonviolence part, in the vegetarian part. Um, but yeah. You know, the stories are also interesting about the people that have, like, reached Nirvana and like these are the people that we pray to. They're interesting, but-- 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:58.800 Yeah, I don’t know. I just, I guess I’m just not--I haven’t gotten as into it as much as maybe a very religious person would. I’m sorry, that’s such a bad answer! **laughs** 00:17:57.700 --> 00:18:11.000 [ML]: No! No, no. That’s a great answer! 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:03.200 [TS]: **laughing** Am I making any sense here? 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:19.100 [ML]: Yes. Lots of sense. And I love hearing about your experience with Jainism because I don't know anything about it, other than the nonviolence part. But that seems to be like the most important-- 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:21.800 [TS]: It is. It’s like the guiding principle, you know 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:26.800 [ML]: That’s, that’s really awesome **laughs**. That’s a great religion. 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:45.800 [TS]: Yeah, it's cool. I mean there’s, in India there’s--you could be really hardcore about it. And there’s people that don’t even wear shoes, because wearing shoes might kill an insect, you know? And so they walk barefoot around India, which is just crazy, **laughing** you know? 00:18:45.800 --> 00:18:48.300 [ML]: Is it pretty common in India? Jainism? 00:18:48.300 --> 00:19:06.600 [TS]: I think it's the third most popular religion? Third or fourth. I think first is Muslim then Christianity or Hindu--Hinduism, Christianity--Those are the top three and then the fourth is Jainism. Yeah. So I guess you don’t hear about it as much as, because there are a lot of people that are the other three. 00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:18.300 [ML]: Mhm. So, you mentioned you moved back to India after you had moved here already, could you tell me a little bit more about that? 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:52.900 [TS]: Yeah! So, okay so let's see. When we first came here, my dad--So my dad I think was, he went to school, back to school, to get like an engineering degree. And you know my memory is very fuzzy about this stuff. But from there we had moved to a few different places. And he had like a few different jobs, you know. And then his la--the last thing he did before we moved was, he bought a motel. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:20:23.800 And you know he ran at motel for, I don’t know, I’d say like maybe two or three years? So we were there, and then my parents made the decision to move back to India. I think that they were missing India, they were missing their family. Like both my parents have like six--My mom has six brothers and sisters. Well, one sister was here. And then my father has like seven brothers and sisters, you know, so like-- 00:20:23.800 --> 00:20:52.900 So they they were the only ones really here outside of, you know, the one, my mom's sister. And so there's just like tons of family back in India. And I think that they were just missing India, and you know maybe they were also hav--I'm not exactly sure, but maybe they were also having, you know, hard times in America. Like the motel thing didn't work out, you know, wasn't working out. But we--I remember it was really hard for me and my brother, because you know-- 00:20:52.900 --> 00:21:23.500 I remember my best friend, right before we moved, at school, Danielle Oplaski **laughing**, you know? I remember her and this guy that I had a crush on, this boy that I had a crush on, John Ivanelli. You know and I was so sad to like leave America, and leave the school and, and move back to India. And, you know, so my dad, yeah. He sold the motel. He's sold our car. Like everything, everything that we had in America that, you know, that we had built, I guess. 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:53.900 Um, he sold everything, and we moved back to India. And we move back to India--So I was 8 years old, at this time. So we were, we were in America for like five years and then I moved back. So we sold everything, moved back to India. We ended up staying only for like four or five months and come back. And we came back and had to start all over. And we moved back. And I remember, I was crying like almost every day. My brother was also crying. 00:21:53.900 --> 00:22:19.100 Like it was just so different, you know. We didn’t, I didn't have any memory of India from when I lived there. So when I went to India, like it was a totally different world. I mean, people don't use toilet paper, you know. That was a huge shock for me, and I wouldn't go to the bathroom, because I was like, “There's no toilet paper. I do not want to use,” you know, “water.” The food was different. You know, and I just missed my family and friends in America. 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:50.800 But, you know, over the course of those months, like I got to know my family, and I ended up having a really, really great time. And I probably could have stayed there and lived there, you know. But we moved back because my parents, I think, realiz--Well, what happened was they realized that the luxuries, things that come easily in America, are not easy in India. Like getting your child into a good school. It's not, you know, it's not a set process like it is here. It's like you have to kind of know someone there. 00:22:50.800 --> 00:23:20.900 You have, you know, you have to kind of go through people, and, and maybe pay someone off, you know. And I think that they, after coming back, quickly realized--and now having something to compare to--quickly realized that like, you know, life in India wouldn't be easy for, for us, you know? It wouldn’t be--we wouldn't have the same opportunities as we do in America. And like things like just getting us into a good school. You know, if that's so hard in India-- 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:48.000 You know I think that--You know, that and I'm sure a lot of other things. And you know even like, you know, health insurance in India is just like not great. So, so yeah, I think that they just realized like, it wouldn't be a very easy life, and you know they're definitely better opportunities in, in America, you know. So we ended up coming back and starting from scratch again. **laughs** So, yeah. 00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:50.600 [ML]: Do you remember what that was like, coming back? 00:23:51.100 --> 00:24:21.500 [TS]: Coming back--Well, I remember, I think I was happy **laughing** to come back. And we came back, and we didn't have anywhere--You know, my parents didn’t have a job. Actually my father went back earlier, to start looking for a job and kind of getting settled. And then me, my mom, and my brother came you know maybe a month or two after him. And we were staying at one of our friends--my parents’ friends, they also own a motel. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:55.400 So we were staying at their motel, you know, while we were kind of trying to get set up. And then I think we ended up finding, yeah, we ended up finding an apartment. This was in Schiller Park, when we came back. And I started at like, I think it’s called George Washington School, or something. And yeah slowly, we, we, you know, we--I think my father, my father got a job. We found an apartment. We moved and--It’s a little bit fuzzy in between like the motel, our friends’ motel, and the apartment, but you know. 00:24:55.400 --> 00:25:00.000 Yeah, I would just, I just remember, “Okay continue doing life,” **laughing** I don’t know. Yeah. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:06.100 [ML]: Do you remember at all living in the motel? Or-- 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.900 [TS]: Before India? 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.700 [ML]: Yeah. 00:25:07.300 --> 00:25:38.400 [TS]: Before moving? Oh, yeah! Yeah I totally remember living in the motel. I remember we had my first pet, this bird named Tweety, who we would let fly around the motel. And, you know, and it would poop, you know, in different places. And we--Living in the motel like, our home in the motel was like, you know, it was, it was a home. It looked like an apartment, you know. It was just--We weren't like living in like, you know, a hotel room or anything like that. 00:25:38.400 --> 00:26:05.800 But it was like, you know, the owner’s apartment. And then, so they must have broken down a whole bunch of rooms and made like a whole apartment out of them. But it was, you know, a good space. There was two bedrooms and, you know, living room and dining room. And, yeah I remember Tweety **laughs**, flying around our space. And then I would, you know, give her baths in our sink. And I remember thinking about God a lot, at that time. 00:26:05.800 --> 00:26:32.900 I would leave notes up on our kitchen cupboards saying, “Hello God” and like things like that. I just like randomly remembered that. And then, I don't know--And at that time I remember thinking a lot about death, too. Which is so weird, right? Like I think one of my frien--one of my cousins, actually, her grandparents came to visit us. And they were visiting from India and they came to visit us. They came over for dinner one day. 00:26:32.900 --> 00:27:02.700 And I remember seeing them and feeling, like, “Wow, they're really old!” You know? And I don't know, for some reason, they started making me think about my parents, and like them getting old and then passing away, possib--you know, this, this possibility of them passing away. And I just remember after that, after that, when I prayed every night, and I still do, I would always, I would always say, “Please don't let my mom and dad die” **laughs**. 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:34.000 And even though I'm older, and I don’t--you know I know that they have to pass away eventually, like I still say that, which is so weird. But anyway, at 8 it was just like, these like--yeah, like God and death all that. So yeah, living there was cool. And then I remember, you know, I’d see people checking into the rooms. And I remember just--you know ‘cause my playground was like the motel, basically. So I would run around. For some reason I got my hands on some Clint Eastwood posters--You know who he is? 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.600 [ML]: Yeah. 00:27:34.600 --> 00:28:06.700 [TS]: Okay. **laugh** And I remember I had a whole bunch, and I was like trying to sell them to like people that were like checking into the motel. And, and then there’s--Yeah I definitely remember living there. There was like a huge forest behind the motel that I would like go and play with. And it, and then after the forest was like this neighborhood with a bunch of apartments. And I had friends that lived over there, so we would like--You know, I’d go over there through the forest and we’d play in this--You know, it was tiny, like space, yeah. It was a little tiny forest, yeah. 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:11.100 [ML]: That’s fascinating. It sounds like you had a really exciting childhood. 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:15.100 [TS]: **laughs** Yeah, I think I was thinking a lot. 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:35.900 [ML]: Also very, yeah, philosophical child **laughs**. Yeah, no that’s very interesting how some things that we do as kids just become rituals and stay in our lives. Yeah, no that’s fascinating. I--my parents also owned a hotel in Peru. 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.500 [TS]: Oh! Really? 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:42.200 [ML]: Yeah. When Tamara told me that your parents owned a motel, I was like, “Oh, that’s, that’s funny.” 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.600 [TS]: Yeah. 00:28:42.600 --> 00:29:14.400 [ML]: But I remember my favorite thing about the hotel was that I--Sometimes people would come and they would have kids my age. So that was my favorite thing. And I remember running around--yeah, it was my playground, too. And I would get to meet all these kids from all over the world. But, yeah, no, it's definitely--It's a cool experience because you get, you get to meet people. I don’t know how much you, you know, you talk to them or anything but-- 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:44.200 [TS]: Well you know, so this was--I don't what the big difference is between a hotel and a motel, but motels I always considered as being a bit not as nice as a hotel, I guess. But this was definitely a motel. And so the people, and the people--It was called The Lighthouse Motel. And it was, it was, it wasn't a very nice--I mean it was--You know it's a very basic motel, and so the people that came there I didn't really see that many families. But I would see like a lot of, like, you know, individual people. 00:29:44.200 --> 00:30:15.300 Like a lot of individual men or whatever. So, you know, I would say hello--like I would try and sell them my Clint Eastwood posters and stuff. But, you know, I didn't really talk to them very much. I would talk to the people that worked at the motel. Like there was this lady, Mildred, who you know checked people in and all that. And she was really great. She was a big crocheter, and you know, she would always be crocheting stuff. I think she taught my mom how to crochet. So I remember her, you know, and she was really sweet and we’d always, you know, hang out and talk and stuff. 00:30:15.300 --> 00:30:26.000 And then there was, you know, another person doing something else. So I remember like the people that worked at the motel and hang out with them. And then hang out with my friends that lived behind the motel **laughs**. 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:29.400 [ML]: Yeah. Was it here--it was here in Chicago? 00:30:28.300 --> 00:30:47.800 [TS]: Yeah this was in um, River Grove? Yeah, yeah. And actually there was a cemetery next to it. There's a huge cemetery and--I think that space might still be a motel. But there’s a big cemetery and that would also be our, part of our playground as well. We would just like walk around the cemetery, me and my friends, yeah. 00:30:47.800 --> 00:31:03.000 [ML]: That sounds like fun. So what did--So you had the motel, and then you moved back to India. And then you guys came back. What, what did your parents end up doing as a living when they came back? 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:28.700 [TS]: When we came back, I--Let’s see, I’m trying to remember. Oh, so I think my father tried real estate at that time. So he, yeah, he was a realtor and was trying real estate. I think that's what he was doing. ‘Cause he was definitely a realtor. Was it at that time? Yeah I think he was--Sorry my memory is like so horrible right now. 00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:29.100 [ML]: No, it’s okay **laughs**. 00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:48.000 [TS]: Um, yeah. I think he was either real estate or engineering. He might have tried engine--it was in engineering, and then he tried real estate. And then we're back to engineering. So that definitely happened. I just can't remember at that time if that was--yeah, so. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.400 [ML]: And your mother? 00:31:50.000 --> 00:32:17.700 [TS]: My mom, she was--She stayed at home for a while, and then she ended up working at Motorola, for like 17 years or so. And she, that’s--And she retired, you know, from there, so. Yeah and I remember the one thing--So we did, we did--What was that thing at the Cultural Center, where you interview someone else? Um, it’s called... 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.400 [ML]: That sounds kind of cool. 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:27.400 [TS]: Yeah, so the Cultural Center has this thing where you can interview anybody and it goes into the Library of Congress, they’re like oral interviews. 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:29.100 [ML]: Oh, I didn’t know that. 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:35.400 [TS]: The name is like escaping me right now...Oh God. Anyways **laughs** I have it in my-- 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:38.300 [ML]: No, that, that sounds really cool. I'm going to look into it! **laughs** 00:32:38.300 --> 00:32:50.700 [TS]: Yeah. It’s--So they have a sounds studio at the Cultural Center, and they also these like moble things where you, so you just like ask anybody--Uh, what’s it called?? The name, sorry it's like on the tip of my tongue. 00:32:49.700 --> 00:33:00.100 [ML]: **Laughs** If you want you can look it up. If it’s one of those things. Do you want me to look it up, or what is it--um, what should I look up? Cultural Center? 00:32:56.800 --> 00:33:06.800 [TS]: Sure...Cultural Center story--oh, wait is it called story something? Cultural Center-- 00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:07.800 [ML]: Storycorps. 00:33:07.800 --> 00:33:08.600 [TS]: Storycorps! Yeah! 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:12.700 [ML]: Oh! Is that’s on NPR? 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:12.900 [TS]: Mhm! 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.600 [ML]: Oh, really? 00:33:14.600 --> 00:33:45.300 [TS]: So you can, go and interview anyone you want. And, and so me and my brother interviewed my mom. And in, the in the course of doing that, we learned about her first job in America. And we have no idea, like no memory of this at all, but she was like an engraver, of jewelry. That was one of her first jobs. I’m like, “I had no idea!” You know? **laughs** Um, yeah. So my mom, she worked in like accounts payable, like-- 00:33:46.000 --> 00:34:00.700 Yeah. I think after we came back from India, she was, she was like-- She stayed home and then she worked in some random company as an accounts, handling accounts. I just remember calling her and she’d always be like, “Accounts payable. Accounts payable.” So **laughing** that’s all I remember. It’s like-- 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:02.700 [ML]: **laughs** You just--It plays in your head? 00:34:02.300 --> 00:34:24.200 [TS]: Yeah. “Accounts payable,” like that she would just--you know that's how she would answer the phone. And so, yeah. And then, she, she started working at Motorola. And she was there for 17 years, so. I think that was around the time when we moved from Schiller Park to Hanover Park? So, yeah, yeah. 00:34:25.600 -> 00:34:30.800 [ML]: So when you were in India for four to five months, did you go to school when you were there? 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:31.400 [TS]: I did not. 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.300 [ML]: No? Okay. 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:33.900 [TS]: No, no. Not at all. 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:37.600 [ML]: Do, do you remember making any friends while you were there? 00:34:38.200 --> 00:35:09.400 [TS]: Um, yeah! Yeah. So let's see. I--So we stayed with my dad's brother most of the time in Surat, in the the city that I was born in. And we made friends with a lot of the neighborhood kids. And there was one little boy-- I mean I guess, he was just my like sidekick for a while but, you know every day--I mean in India everybody just comes by, and stops by, and they’ll stop by for like a second and have some chai. 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:40.400 And, you know, and leave, or they might come by for a little longer, who knows. But it’s, like open-door policy, basically everywhere. But, you know, this little boy, really cute, he would come over every day, and we’d play and we'd always ask him if he, you know, drank is milk. And, you know, he would come over and like, you know, have some milk with us, or whatever. But I remember him. And then the, the housekeeper, you know, in India like basically everybody has a housekeeper. 00:35:40.400 --> 00:36:10.000 And, so it's not because like they're rich or anything. This is just like, the way life is. Like every middle, and even a lot of the lower-income families, usually have somebody to cook and clean. And those housekeepers are very much part of the family. They might have been there for like years and years. So like my, my uncle's family, they had two that were, that have been with the family since, you know, a really long time. 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:40.900 Like since their kids were born. Since my cousins were born. And there was one, one of them her name’s Parvathi, Parvathi Ben. She was she was just my favorite person. I just loved her. And I still love her, like I--and she still works with the family, now. And we got very close she was just so sweet, and so nice, and so fun. She would always play with me and my brother, when we were staying there. And she's just really, really fun and caring. 00:36:40.900 --> 00:37:10.200 And I remember whenever, you know, I was concerned, because, you know, she lives like in, you know, a slum of the city. And I remember I tried to follow her home one day. ‘Cause I just wanted to make sure that she was, you know, going home safely. And I think she like turned around and was like, “No, go back home!” but, you know. But she was--Yeah I mean I would--she wasn't like, you know, a friend my age but she was someone that I really adored and cared for. 00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:50.600 And you know I--we got very close and I really missed her when we came back. So, yeah. And, yeah, I think we played--Yeah, well there were some other neighborhood, some random neighborhood people that lived in that apartment complex where my uncle lived. So we’d play with them here and there. But yeah other than that, a lot of my, my cousin--So my cousin was, is my, was my age, or is my age. So, and she lived, you know, there as well. My uncle’s daughter. So we would hang out all the time. And I'd play with her friends too, ‘cause her friends would come by but, yeah this--Sorry, more memories are coming back as I talk, so-- 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:52.000 [ML]: No, I love it! You can just be 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:57.400 [TS]: Yeah **laugh**. This isn't like a smooth interview. Like I feel like I’m just like, “I don’t know” 00:37:56.000 --> 00:38:06.900 [ML]: Yeah! No. I mean, really, that's the--that’s kind of what I'm hoping happens. So, it’s--don’t worry, it’s not--It doesn’t have to be structured at all. 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.400 [TS]: Yeah. 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:28.900 [ML]: I love the story about your housekeeper. That’s, that’s awesome. I--in Peru it's similar, in the way that, even if you're like lower-income, everyone has a housekeeper. And I've also had the same one since I was--Sara. Her name is Sara. She’s--I’ve had her since I was born. 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:30.900 [TS]: Oh, okay. Were you born in Peru? 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:35.200 [ML]: I was, yeah. So when I go to, back to Peru, she's the first one at the doorway 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:35.700 [TS]: Yeah! 00:38:35.700 --> 00:38:39.300 [ML]: And it’s--So your story just made me like almost cry, because I--**laughs** 00:38:35.700 --> 00:38:40.200 [TS]: Aw! **laughs** Yeah. 00:38:40.200 --> 00:39:02.200 [ML]: Like, I, I get that. It’s, um, it’s a deep friendship. She's like one of the most important people to me, and I--it’s, it’s interesting. I liked hearing you say that. So tell me a little bit about your experience in, like, elementary school, middle school 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:05.500 [TS]: Okay, um, in terms of? 00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:19.600 [ML]: In terms of...of, like, you moved. Was it, was it hard when you came back, like making new friends or? 00:39:19.600 --> 00:39:20.200 [TS]: Oh yeah. 00:39:20.200 --> 00:39:22.100 [ML]: Do you have the same friends? 00:39:22.100 --> 00:39:48.900 [TS]: Yeah. One thing that I remember when we moved and I started school was I didn't have a huge wardrobe. I don't know what happened to my--Well, I probably grew. But to all like my American clothes. You know, like my Indian clothes I, you know, wore there. I wore those in India, but when I--When we came back to America, I remember not having that many like shirts and pants to wear. 00:39:48.900 --> 00:40:17.400 And there was this one sweatshirt, this Minnie Mouse sweatshirt, that I wore to school. And I remember wearing it like twice in a week, because that's just, I didn't have any more clothes, you know, than that. Because we were starting over and I needed to get some more clothes and all that stuff. And, yeah. And I remember someone commenting like, “Didn’t you just wear that?” you know. Something like that. And so I remember, I remember that. 00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:20.900 And, yeah. **phone rings** Is that me or you? 00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:21.800 [ML]: Um, that’s you. 00:40:22.300 --> 00:40:22.900 [TS]: Oh, it is? 00:40:22.900 --> 00:40:25.900 [ML]: Yeah. You can take that off if you want **laughs**... 00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:47.700 [TS]: Are we good on time? 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:50.400 [ML]: Oh, yeah. No. We’re, we’re good... 00:40:58.900 --> 00:41:14.000 [TS]: So... It’s botheirng me that I don't know--I can't remember--I’m having trouble right now remembering the order of the places that I lived. So I have to like back to that and get back to you 00:41:14.300 --> 00:41:17.700 [ML]: Could--Yeah, no that’s okay. ‘Cause you moved around the suburbs a lot, right? 00:41:17.700 --> 00:41:23.600 [TS]: Yeah, and so I'm like, “Okay did we live in Schiller Park after we came back or was that before we came back?” you know. 00:41:23.600 --> 00:41:31.000 [ML]: So, so your overall--did you, did you--When every time you move suburbs, did you switch schools as well? 00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:32.400 [TS]: Mhm. I did. 00:41:31.500 --> 00:41:41.300 [ML]: So what was that like, starting new schools? Do remember an overall experience of like, of emotions that you felt while all that was happening? 00:41:41.300 --> 00:42:10.800 [TS]: I don't really remember it being super emotional. Um, except when I left, you know when I was moving back to India? Because I remember I had a best friend at that time, and that boy that I liked, or, you know. But other than that, I don't remember it being super emotional. Um, and then I think--Let's see when I started--I think I was--When we moved to Hanover Park-- 00:42:10.800 --> 00:42:42.100 So from, let’s see--Came back from India I was 8. And then yeah, and then we--And that's when I met one of my oldest and dearest friends, who’s still one of my best friends. That was all through like the Jain activities and all that stuff. And, yeah. And so after we came back from India, we moved to Schiller Park. And then after Schiller Park, we moved to Hanover Park. 00:42:42.100 --> 00:43:10.000 I think that's what it, what the order is, yeah. So yeah, ‘cause when you're in sixth grade you’re 12. So 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Yeah I think that’s right. So, but yeah. So initially--going back to the Minnie Mouse story and all that, but. But yeah we, excuse me. So yeah, the Minnie Mouse story, and then after that, what was the question sorry? **laugh** I’m so sorry! 00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:15.100 [ML]: No it’s okay! It’s okay! Um, your experience in school, but um-- 00:43:15.800 --> 00:43:47.600 [TS]: So yeah, having any--So, overall--So experience in school, well starting these new schools wasn't too bad. But as I started going to--I think around elementary school, around sixth, seventh, eighth grade, I started experiencing some racism, you know? And into high school, too. And I don't know, I actually thought about those experiences today, after like last night's election, you know. 00:43:47.600 --> 00:44:17.700 Just because I feel like--I don't want to like, talk too badly about Trump here but--you know, one of the things that I feel like he's sort of doing is perpetuating, like you know, racism. Like a lot of, a lot of those types of thoughts. And that's like a huge fear that I have of things like that-- Kind of like I feel like, you know, America's move forward, and, you know like, kind of expecting people that are different, and, and all that. 00:44:17.700 --> 00:44:46.700 And, and with everything that he talks about, and that he represents, and the people that have been supporting him, it’s just--I just feel like, you know, I don't want racism to come back, you know. And that's one thing that I'm afraid that's going to, that's going to happen. Because going to be okay to, you know--Because he's calling so much attention to Muslims, and like people that are here in this country illegally or whatever, you know. And I'm just, you know, afraid of those kinds of, that kind of life coming back. 00:44:46.700 --> 00:45:16.100 Because yeah it was really hard growing up, and being--I’ve been called “Haji Hindu,” “Camel jockey,” you know. There's been things yelled at me, you know. And just you know--That's one thing that really sucked, because that made me feel, you know, really scared to go to school at times, you know. ‘Cause I didn't want someone to pick on me because I was different and call me names and you know. Or saying, “You smell,” just because they know I'm Indian. 00:45:16.100 --> 00:45:43.100 And you know there's like, you know, reputation about curry, and all that stuff, like things like that. And unfortunately I did experience a lot of that. And it wasn't fun, you know. And I feel like that really made me not enjoy school, very much you know. And, you know, being--And I was scared to go to school. And so yeah, I mean it wasn't about like--The starting the new schools wasn't so bad. 00:45:43.100 --> 00:46:00.300 But as I got older, and into like, you know, elementary or grade school, like six seventh, eighth, junior high, and then high school, there was an increase of like racist comments that, you know that I experienced. And that was no fun. Yeah. 00:46:00.300 --> 00:46:02.400 [ML]: Once you got, started getting into high school? 00:46:02.500 --> 00:46:12.000 [TS]: Yeah in high school, too. Yeah. Yeah, just you know people yelling things out, like as you're passing by, passing them in the hallway. 00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:12.900 [ML]: Wow 00:46:13.100 --> 00:46:43.100 [TS]: Yeah. Yeah, I remember we had this group in high school. I forgot what it was called, now. But basically it was like a cultural group that was like trying to go around to different classrooms and like educate people about, you know, what--you know, what I represent, or you know. So, for example, I was like, I was talking about how when you call someone Hindu, that's actually a religion. 00:46:43.100 --> 00:47:14.700 And so, you know, that's not what I practice. And, you know, just trying to compare to the like calling someone, “Hey, Christian!” or--you know what I mean? So like, just so people know like what the context of what they're saying is. And I so I remember, I was in this group that would go around like, kind of trying to educate people on like what, who we are as you know Indians. And they were there other minorities in that group, too. But yeah. 00:47:15.600 --> 00:47:20.200 But unfortunately, yeah that happened, and that was no fun **laughs**. Yeah. 00:47:20.900 --> 00:47:24.100 [ML]: How--Did your parents know that was happening? Or your brother? 00:47:24.500 --> 00:47:54.300 [TS]: Yeah, I think that they did. Yeah but I--you know what, I’m sure I talked about it. I don't remember anything specific but-- You know I think they would always, their number one sort of go to was like ignore it, you know? And, you know, I would try and ignore it but, it was hard you know when someone is like picking on you everyday, and you know. So-- Or saying things like that, so. But you know I got through it, **laughing** I guess. 00:47:54.300 --> 00:48:01.600 [ML]: Yeah. What are some of the things that, like, really stuck with you? 00:48:03.000 --> 00:48:04.700 [TS]: Um. What do you mean, like? 00:48:05.300 --> 00:48:23.500 [ML]: Um, in terms of, of people teasing you and stuff, I guess. What it seems--I mean you kind of listed a few of them but, um are they things that kind of, that you notice yourself thinking about, sometimes? Or not necessarily? 00:48:23.500 --> 00:48:51.100 [TS]: Um. I, no I don’t think about it, about it too much, now, you know? I mean I think about, you know, one of the reasons why I don’t, I didn't go to my high school, like reunion, or whatever, was because you know, I didn't have a great experience in high school, you know? And, it wasn't just because of race but it was also because of like, you know people just picking on you because you're different for whatever reason. 00:48:51.100 --> 00:49:20.900 And I had, I think I was like dating some guy, that some other girl like dated. And she was pissed off and like had the whole school like, you know, against me or whatever. But yes there were like a lot of you know--So those things definitely stuck with me because I felt like I was--So you know they're there would be people that would pick on me for whatever reason, whether it was for racist reasons, or, I don't even know what the other reasons would be, you know? 00:49:21.700 --> 00:49:51.100 Uh, I think one--there was, you know, one annoying boy that like sat behind me in History class. And he would always poke me in the in the back and call it, like “back boobs” or some--I don’t know. I don't know what it was. I don't know. But you know it's just like, just jerky kind of things, you know. And I just felt like I got a lot of, I experienced a lot of like-- You know and then the, there was, you know, this person that was not happy that I was dating her old boyfriend. 00:49:51.100 --> 00:50:22.300 So, you know her and her friends would just like, like make my life horrible. Like they would like you my house all the time, and TP my home, or you know, or like confront me in the hallway. I just remember one day like, through my books down, totally tired of it and I was like, “Let's go! If you want to fight we can fight,” you know. And of course like nothing happened. But you know I just had a lot of it. And then, you know, and then on top of that like the racist stuff, you know, was just like, I just didn't like these comments, you know. 00:50:22.300 --> 00:50:47.300 They were just like, almost harmless comments. Someone just yelling something you, at you, in the hallway, and like what do you going to do, right? It's all in passing, and it was just like, yeah. Part of, all of those things like attributed to me not wanting to really go to my high school reunion. Even though I did have a lot of good friends in high school, regardless of that, but yeah. They were just, you know. 00:50:47.300 --> 00:50:57.700 It was, overall, I would get like this pit in my stomach, like, every Sunday night, like thinking about, you know, the week at school, and how it was going to go **laughs**. 00:50:58.250 --> 00:50:58.700 [ML]: Wow 00:50:58.700 --> 00:50:59.700 [TS]: Yeah. 00:50:58.900 --> 00:51:00.400 [ML]: Um 00:51:00.500 --> 00:51:02.900 [TS]: Sorry, it's not like totally India-related, but--**laughs** 00:51:02.900 --> 00:51:12.300 [ML]: No, that’s okay! I, I wanted to know, ask **laughs**-- So, your daughter is in second grade, right? 00:51:12.300 --> 00:51:13.100 [TS]: Mhm! Yeah. 00:51:13.100 --> 00:51:23.100 [ML]: Um. Do you, do you have some of those similar fears that she might experience similar things? 00:51:22.200 --> 00:51:53.300 [TS]: Oh yeah! For sure. Um, you know, I--she's sensitive, just like me, and um. You know, I know--I can see where, you know, if someone says, “I don't want to be your friend,” and it just upsets her. So, you know--or like, you know, the boys like, picking on her for whatever reason. Like you know, she wants to play kickball with them, they won't let her play, and she gets upset. Or she's upset that she doesn't have someone to play with at recess. 00:51:53.800 --> 00:52:24.500 Um, so yeah, there's definitely, you know--And it's hard, because it's like what do you say, you know? Now I know why my parents always just said, **laughing** “Ignore it,” you know. ‘Cause it's hard to give good advice, you know, because you're not in that situation, and you know. And she's only 8. And you know, I, I try to, I try to do the best that I can. And in saying, like you know, “Maybe they're just having a bad day that day, and you just need to take a break,” and you know. 00:52:24.500 --> 00:52:51.700 And you know, usually the next day is better, so I kind of have her focus on like, you know, “Stop focusing on like what just happened, and focus on like the next day. And you know, maybe that person will be in a better mood. And you know, if they're not, then maybe you just need to take a break and not play with them.” So, I definitely think about those things and yeah. And, I also, you know, I think about, you know, her experiencing any racism, you know. 00:52:51.700 --> 00:53:25.100 I mean she's half Indian and half American, and I don't really know how much, how much she’ll experience, you know, the things that I experienced. Hopefully not any, you know? Nothing. But, you just never know, **laughing** you know? And, but yeah, I definitely, you know, worry about her, and her feelings getting hurt and I think the best thing is just to like, you know, talk to them about things that make them upset, and equip them to like be able to handle these situations better. 00:53:25.100 --> 00:53:43.600 And, overall, just you know, teach them how to like not let it bother them too much? ‘Cause I think that was my problem, was like, it just like brought me down so much. And I am, you know, I’m sensitive. And so yeah, I see that in her, and I'm like, “Don't let it bother you so much,” you know. But **laughs**. 00:53:43.600 --> 00:53:45.300 [ML]: It's hard not to let it bother you 00:53:45.300 --> 00:53:45.600 [TS]: Yeah, yeah. 00:53:45.600 --> 00:53:59.300 [ML]: Yeah. Um. She, she is, she seems like an incredibly smart girl, she--I love that one of the first thing she says to me is like, “I voted for Hillary today” **laughs** 00:53:59.300 --> 00:54:00.900 [TS]: Yeah **laughs**, yeah. 00:54:01.300 --> 00:54:30.000 [ML]: That’s--I love it. So just she--You know, my, my, my little sister knows a lot about politics. I mean as much as, you know. I think a lot for an 8, an 8 year-old, I don't know. What, how do, do you talk to your daughter about like--How much of it do you talk to her about? 00:54:30.000 --> 00:54:59.400 [TS]: You know I haven’t really talked to her that much about this election, but--like directly. But she's been part of, like the conversations that I have with my husband. I hear something on the radio she hears like my reaction. She's seen some of the debates, like not all, not fully, but like, you know, I think she’s, she's heard our comments of like, you know, what we think of how Donald Trump was like behaving, or you know. 00:54:59.400 --> 00:55:33.000 Yesterday when we were, we were, we were watching, you know, the polls, and you know, just all the news coverage on the, on the, on the election. And, you know it's like, I was telling her, I’m like you know, “She is going to be the first woman president. You know, she might be the first woman president. You know, there's never been a female president before.” And you know, I was just kind of taking a moment to make sure that, you know-- And it was it was in my mind, like, “I have to let her know that this is like, something crazy. Like that this is a huge thing, you know.” 00:55:33.700 --> 00:55:46.100 Um, but other than that, yeah. Like I haven't really--I think she's just kind of gotten a lot of, as being like a background observer, has gotten a lot of the information that way, you know. 00:55:46.300 --> 00:55:49.700 [ML]: Yeah. She, she said she’s going to run for president. 00:55:49.700 --> 00:55:50.600 [TS]: Yeah! **laughs** 00:55:49.300 --> 00:55:51.400 [ML]: I love, I love that. 00:55:51.400 --> 00:55:53.800 [TS]: Well I told her, I’m like, “You could be president one day, you know.” 00:55:53.600 --> 00:55:54.700 [ML]: No, that’s great! 00:55:54.700 --> 00:55:55.200 [TS]: Yeah! 00:55:55.900 --> 00:56:18.300 [ML]: I, I really like hearing that. One of my big fears with Trump being elected is that, like like the, the way that he makes young girls feel, you know? So I, it just, it’s scary. So it’s really cool to see how, how like positive she is. She’s like, “I’m--don’t worry--I’m going to be president” **laughs**. 00:56:18.300 --> 00:56:18.900 [TS]: Right, yeah yeah. 00:56:18.900 --> 00:56:20.600 [ML]: I love that. 00:56:20.900 --> 00:56:22.000 [TS]: Do you mind if we pause for a second? 00:56:22.000 --> 00:56:23.300 [ML]: Oh yeah, no. Go ahead. 00:56:23.300 --> 00:56:24.900 [TS]: Can you pause this, or no? 00:56:25.300 --> 00:56:28.400 [ML]: Um, I can just-- (Second recording lost as of 1/2017, but it was transcribed and is included in the attached document)