Humans of Blair: A fiesta of a life

Senior Marisela Tobar immigrated to the United States when she was 5 years old. But before she made the move, she raised a chicken her godmother gave her. She named it Pancho after the Plaza Sésamo (Sesame Street for Spanish speakers) monster, and she loved it. One day after school, she came home to dinner. The main course: chicken. She decided to go outside to feed her pet, but he wasn't there. "Where's Pancho?" She asked her mother. "You just ate it," her mother replied. Tobar laughs as she recalls this story, "You know, in the end, you can't go back, you just have to laugh a little bit." This fun loving attitude inspires Tobar to live in spite of life's complications. Migrating from El Salvador to the United States was one of the most difficult things Tobar and her family has done. "There's a lot of struggles or overcoming barriers like the language barrier, the culture, embracing different cultures. Also finding a lot of difficulties economically." Tobar doesn't have regrets though. "It was very difficult but now I see that it was one of the best decisions my family has ever done."

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Photo: Tobar takes a selfie which demonstrates her fun-loving outlook, and her easy going approach in life.

Tobar takes a selfie which demonstrates her fun-loving outlook, and her easy going approach in life.  Photo courtesy of Marisela Tabor.

Even though Tobar left El Salvador, much of her family lives in the United States with her. Family and friends are extremely important to Tobar, as the happiness of others gives her joy. Tobar's family includes over forty cousins so every family gathering is a party. "Some people are really funny and some people are really, just really mean. But we all compliment each other and in the end it's always a fiesta," she says. Since it's the holidays, Tobar was excited to celebrate Christmas with her family on Christmas Eve, a tradition in her family. Tobar's family opens their presents at midnight on Christmas day, and then celebrates. "It's just like New Year's Eve, that when the clock strikes twelve we all get together, hug each other because we're all celebrating Christmas." Tobar hopes to incorporate the warmth that she feels within her family into her future profession. She would like to become a teacher because she adores children. "There's this innocence that is so natural. And once we grow up, we lose that, and I love just seeing this innocence and this ability to make them laugh for no reason. I enjoy that a lot."