April 9th 2022

I interviewed my mother for this video project. I asked her to tell me a story but not just any story, it had to be something of magnitude. Something that changed her life for the better in her opinion. And right away she looked to my father. She said clearly that her world was changed the second he entered it and without him she would not have the blessings that are her children.

I wanted a more tradition interview style. I wanted it to be sat down, with good lighting and in private but we do not see each other very often with them living so far from campus. So I could not be picky and in a way I think that this interview shows exactly our relationship with each other. We are constantly busy and running from task to task. I think sharing a beautiful story in a busy diner on a weekend away in Ocean City is pretty in character for us.

My mother’s name is Gina Karina Azua Elliffe and she is from Manta, Ecuador. She came to the United States as a little girl when her mother was seeking a legal divorce from her cheating husband that Ecuador could not offer to her at that time.

My mother then grew up in Union City and joined the church at 17 years old to be a missionary. She then traveled the world with her beliefs and hopes to make the world a better place. She then was married in Sweden from ages 21-29. When her and her first husband could not have children and being so far from home was too much for my mother to bare she came back to United States. While being home for the first time in years my mother was walking in Manhattan alone. It was a cold day in February and she was wrapped in a hat and scarf. She felt the need to stand in the middle of the walking traffic, in everyone’s way. People cursing at her presence left and right did not phase her as she was determined to keep with what she felt was right. And soon enough, my father, who’s first day in America was that very day, tapped on her shoulder. The rest is history.