Behind The Scenes: An Interview With Geena The Latina
Geena answers a few questions for Totally Unprepared
I took a few minutes the other day to talk to morning radio personality Geena “The Latina” Aguilar about what inspired her to participate in the Totally Unprepared’s earthquake preparedness campaign. Here’s what she had to tell us about the experience she had being totally unprepared.
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: What made you decide to let Totally Unprepared visit you at home?
GEENA: Well since I am officially a grown-up and on my own I decided it was time to make sure I was fully prepared for whatever may come my way. I want to survive the next earthquake and I felt like it was time to be responsible for myself!
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: You mention that you are a new homeowner. How long have you had your house? Are you excited to have a place of your own?
GEENA: I moved in September 2010, so a little over a year. I love having a place of my own! I’ve literally moved five times since I’ve lived in San Diego so I’m finally glad that I won’t be moving anywhere for a while. It feels good to finally have a place to call home.
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: Do you feel like Totally Unprepared’s visit made you think more about earthquake preparedness? What about your family?
GEENA: Oh yes for sure!! There was stuff that Totally Unprepared pointed out that I hadn’t even thought about or realized was a hazard. And knowing what we should have in our emergency kit was definitely helpful! I would have never known otherwise.
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: Have you ever been in an earthquake?
GEENA: Yes, I lived through the big Northridge earthquake. I remember it being really scary, and ducking under a table. The aftershocks kept going and going and going so it was scary to even try to get out of the house and into the street. We had to live outside in a trailer for about a week. All the local stores had bare minimum food and water. I remember all our neighbors pretty much living in motorhomes and tents on the street for about a week because no one’s house was livable or safe. We shared whatever food and water we had. And I remember that stores only took cash no credit. I was in 7th or 8th grade I think.
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: What was it like working with Sue and the Totally Unprepared team? Were they helpful? Do you feel like you learned something?
GEENA: Everyone was really fun and nice and definitely helpful! Yes, I learned a lot of stuff! Things I probably would have gone my whole life not knowing.
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: Tell us a little about the groovy red chair
GEENA: One of my old neighbors was actually throwing it away so I asked if I could have it and I’ve had it since then! Who would try to throw that away right?? Really cool!
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: Do you feel comfortable shutting off the gas at your house now that you know how?
GEENA: Yes. I’m used to leaving that stuff to my dad but since I’m on my own I can’t depend on dad for those types of things. So I’m glad I feel confident enough to do it myself now.
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: What do feel is the most important message people can get from watching Totally Unprepared?
GEENA:I think it’s important to be prepared in case of an earthquake and to know where things are i.e. water shut off, gas shut off etc. It’s not hard to be prepared, it’s just a matter of taking the time to do it.
TOTALLY UNPREPARED: What was the funniest thing that happened when Totally Unprepared showed up at your house?
GEENA: My dogs Chunky and Teddy were in attack mode because they’ve never had that many people in the house! Also Chunky is camera shy so every time he noticed the camera, he would hide. My nephew Steven was pretty tired until he saw the pizza the crew brought for lunch. Since then he wants to star in commercials just so he can have pizza for lunch every day!
By: Elizabeth Rood