High School Flashback Tour: Christina Gonzalez

What do five YA writers do when they get together? Well, for one thing, we dish...about what we were like in high school. And we’ve decided to share!

So, this time it’s not just me having a flashback, it’s an entire group of Tenners (me, Kay Cassidy, Christy Raedeke, Jen Nadol, and Christina Gonzalez) all teaming up for a glimpse back at what we were like as teens!

We’re doing daily interviews (complete with uber-embarrassing pics)...and believe me, I saved the best ones for these ladies! And at the end of the week, someone will win a prize pack just for commenting on the interviews!

So, today give it up for Christina Gonzalez, author of The Red Umbrella, a book set in 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. Her friends feel like strangers. And her family is being watched.

As the revolution's impact becomes more oppressive, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States —on their own.

Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl?

Christina Diaz Gonzalez was born in a small Southern town, but moved to the big city of Miami when she was in high school. In high school she was a Majorette and had the silly nickname of Moose (the football coach gave it to her because she was small and the exact opposite of what people thought someone named Moose should look like).

Okay, Christina, it’s your turn to share:

1) Did you (or any of your friends) actually marry your highschool sweetheart?

None of my BFFs married their highschool sweethearts.

2) What would your teenage self have thought of today’s technology? And what piece of technology would have been your favorite (email/cell phones/texting/digital cameras/MySpace/Twitter/Facebook…)?

My teenage self would have been fascinated with all the tech stuff. I think digital cameras would have been my favorite because I loved taking pictures, but hated having to wait to develop them.

3) What’s one thing you would have done differently (like a do-over)?

If I had a do-over I think I would have taken more pictures (or at least put them in an album somewhere). I'm bummed that I can't find that shoebox with my old pictures.

(Thankfully, she still had this one!)

You can see all of my FLASHBACK INTERVIEWS (complete with pics!) this week at:

Kay Cassidy’s blog - Monday (5/17)
Jen Nadol's blog - Tuesday (5/18)
Christy Raedeke's blog - Wednesday (5/19)
Christina Gonzalez's blog - Thursday (5/20)

(And today over on Kay’s blog I talk about my over-the-top obsession with Madonna. Again!)

On Friday, I’ll choose one random winner from all of the comments I receive on the interviews this week to win this AWESOME prize pack:













(And there are five prize packs in all to win, so check out ALL the blogs for extra chances!)

Comments

Unknown said…
I agree I don't feel like I have enough pictures from high school. Love it!
Christy Raedeke said…
I think Christina is incapable of taking a bad photo!
Melissa said…
I really need to put all my pictures in an album... I keep talking about it and never doing it...

This post made me chuckle
Precious said…
Great post! Yeah, I agree with the taking more photos thing. I'm a 2nd year college student. And I have to admit I didn't like taking photos of me that much when I was in high school, simply because I didnt think much of it.

My classmates are usually the sources of my photos. I regret not capturing my highschool moments.
Liyana said…
Hah, you look gorgeous Christina! Tell us your secret, because high school and pictures just don't mix.
Hehe, I'm actually supremely grateful I didn't take more pics in HS, because I was in the PRIME of my awkward phase (I graduated when I was 16, so I never had a chance to come out of the icky cocoon while still in HS). Great idea and post though. Hopping over to the other interview now!
Heather Brooks said…
As much as I enjoy technology today, there is something nice about being able to really talk with people. I agree with pictures though. I wish I would have taken more. I only have memories from where others took pictures. Crazy!!
I don't take pictures! I need to start, don't want to lose the memories!
donnas said…
I feel the same way. I dont think I have nearly enough pictures. And even thinking about it I never remember to start taking more.
Mariah said…
She is right I wish I had taken more pics! I should start taking more now!
Shannon, you graduated at 16?! I'm impressed. I have a 16-year-old and sometimes graduation at 18 seems like a stretch!

And I agree with everyone (including Christina), I wish I'd not only taken more pictures, I wish I'd kept better track of them.
Kelly said…
I don't think I have enough pictures either...oh well, I don't know that I want to see them anyway! ;)
kghobbs(at)gmail(dot)com
I hated having to wait to develop my pictures! That was more like middle school for me though.

I can't believe Christina had the nickname Moose. I'm lucky to only have been referred to as Jimmy's little sister.
Aaron said…
Oh, I loved this! This was a great way to end the day, awesome read, lol. I love reminiscing about old times in school. And btw, I think Christina deserves a thumbs-up on her pic, 'cause I've been seeing more and more kids' yearbooks this year and so many of them look away from the camera like there's something else more interesting away from the shot. Maybe they're hearing an echo... (creepy "Twilight Zone" intro music begins playing)... O_O Lol
Great interview, Kim and those prize packs look sweet! :D

~Breeann
*high five* I love taking pictures as well! :) Oh and you look very pretty in that picture Christina! =D
Brodie said…
Loving all these High School flasbacks! I totally agree, I don't have nearly enough photos. I'm not good in front of a camera and I don't spend all that much time behind it either. Wasted memories!
Melissa said…
I started taking a lot of pictures only about 5 years ago, so there is a long time where I, personally, didn't record my high school life in photo format. Wish I had my current camera then...:)
Jessy said…
Christina looks very much the same as she did in high school.
Yeah, I don't think you can ever get enough pictures.