https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp Themes from the story en-us 2020-12-15 17:10:11 UTC 2020-12-18 06:43:15 UTC hello@padlet.com 3707812 https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1024952221 “The gang’s allure was wearing thin for me; I still loved hanging with my friends and I enjoyed the parties, but I could see the mindlessness of the fights, the shootings, the drugs. I had a lot of confused feelings and wanted someone to help me sort through them.’’ 
Mona was still apart of the gang but wanted more in life and for her future.
 This picture of ducks can represent the time Mona was in the gang and wouldn't want to smoke, do drugs, or commit crime, like everybody else. The white duck is still a duck but it's not like the others.

]]> 2020-12-16 17:36:22 UTC https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1024952221 3707812 https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1028502783  “I always wanted to be a police officer, m’ija. But someone like me … no, not me , I lack an education. These hands are good only for hard work, yes ? But you, someday, you should be a police officer. To show people that a Mexicana can do a good job, too. For respect, for honor, for your raza…”
Mona was really close with her dad growing up.The picture of the father and daughter represents the time when Mona and her dad had a close bond and did everything together.

]]> 2020-12-17 16:59:23 UTC https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1028502783 3707812 https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1029370506  ”There’s no excuse at all,” she repeated as she turned off the faucet. “You’re an idiot not to leave him. You deserve whatever you get.”
Mona was in an abusive relationship with her husband she had opportunities to leave him but always ran back to him thinking he was the man she fell in in love with. The picture below represents when Mona finally called it quits and left.

]]> 2020-12-17 20:29:44 UTC https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1029370506 3707812 https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1029409843 “Eighteen and dead instead of eighteen with a future.”
Mona was talking about how being in a gang was a death sentence and there's more out there for people who want to take the right path.
The picture below represents how easy a life can be taken away, just like that, so young.

]]> 2020-12-17 20:43:35 UTC https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1029409843 3707812 https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1029418324  “All of it reminded me of when Osuna had pushed me to get my GED. His belief in me made me demand more of myself, and just like that, I felt like I was moving forward in life again.”
Mona had went through a lot before she got where she was. The woman trying to cross to the other side can represent how she was put down by her ex, friends, and colleagues about how she couldn't make it but she went past it either way.

]]> 2020-12-17 20:46:38 UTC https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1029418324 3707812 https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1030435638 "The steady diet of PCP turned Frank into a raging incoherent monster. The drug attacks the brain and nervous system, I'm told, and the symptoms are bizarre as they are frightening."
Drug use was around Mona a lot. Although she never partook in it she knows how much it can really mess up a person. The picture of drugs can signify the drugs used around her and how she watched people turn completely different from whom they actually are. ]]> 2020-12-18 06:30:35 UTC https://padlet.com/3707812/tew4hbpukuxa3arp/wish/1030435638