Cristina “Tomasita” Arteaga

Born: January 8, 1932

Zacatecas, Mexico

By: CeCe Rubalcava

February 22, 2007

Zacatecas, Mexico

Childhood• Not a very happy childhood

• Mother died when she was 12

• Had to grow up very quickly

• Had 11 siblings– 6 sisters– 5 brothers

• Says that her father was a very abusive father and he would beat her

School• Only went to school

up to the first grade because she needed to take care of her ill mother at a very young age

• Mother had been ill many years prior to her death

Dating• Dating was not allowed when

she was younger

• Was not allowed to even talk to boys

• Notes underneath a rock

• First boyfriend: Juan Manuel Correa– Neighbor boy that was very nice and rich– She was not allowed to date him because she

was poor

Jobs• First job was at the age of 38 when she

came to the US and was single– Nursery planting plants and picking fruit

• Last job was in 1978 at the age of 47– Bottle company

• Stopped working after a car accident

Marriage and Family• Married at age 13 to

Adolfo Bugarin

• Together they had a total of • 14 children

• 7 boys

• 7 girls» 4 died at very young ages

Major Changes• The automobile

• The washing machine

Most Memorable Moments

• Coming to the United States in 1969

• Buying her new home on October 10, 1973

Best and Worst• Best - She can do whatever I wants and no

one tells her anything

• Worst - The loneliness. Even though her kids may visit her throughout the day, she spends her nights alone.

Today at age 75• Mother of 10 children

• Grandmother of 30 grandchildren

• Great Grandmother of 21 great grandchildren

Advice• Do not marry just anyone

• Take care of your money so you do not have to worry about it in the future

• Be smart and do not let anyone take advantage of you

The Bugarin Family

The End