I Am From

(poems go here) I Am From By Claudia Xoy I am from a mixture of a land of yearlong spring and another of erratic weather. I am from two places one whose bird is quetzal and the other a bald eagle. I am from two worlds colliding or rather two cultures colliding, and little ol’me trying to find my place in this new land being pushed by the current in one way or the other struggling to hold on my rock of identity. I am from a loving family that has nurtured me and taught me almost everything that I know. A family, where parents are strict but it’s because they care. Where family bonding occurs in many different times of the day, whether it’s folding laundry with momma, learning how to make “good” rice with abuelita, talking cars with Papi or discussing how Justin Bieber is so fascinating with my younger sister. A family that taught me that dinner is served at 6pm and you are never to be late. A family that has it’s up and downs but even when walk that troubled road, it is somehow less troubled because we know that happiness shared is doubled and pain and troubles shared is divided. I am from all different types of food that have created a melting pot in me. Some spicy, and some sweet. From the syrup sliding down ever so slowing on my finger as I try to pour it on my pancakes as a child, or laughing around pan dulce y café sharing that always consist of “one more” I am from the land of “one more”, from “One more story Momma! Por favor?”, to “One more movie, please. One more bike ride, one more one more, and now I look back at something that I’ve done and I wish I had “one more chance”. I am from friendships, of throughout the years. Friends that have come and gone but nevertheless indeed left their mark. Lessons from not putting aluminum foil in the microwave, to knowing the right amount of make up to apply one my face without looking “plastic”. Growing, changing from Barbie dolls to Ipods, Saturday cartoons to romantic films, to even falling in love… a lot. I am from mistakes. Some repeated over and over till the lessons learned. Mistakes that have made me realized who I am, and where I’m headed. What I want from what I thought I wanted. Mistakes, that have taught me reality from dreams. yet I keep dreaming. Mistakes, that have showed me my strengths and weakness. I am from God, my Creator, my faith a place where I am truly found. From that amazing love that shelters me. From a supernatural power that envelops me in grace. Grace that is ever lasting. Because although I am from many places, and I may discover many more in the years to come- the one that never changes is God. This is where I am from.