Where am I from? (With Response)

Where I’m From

 

I admit it. Originally, I was completely dreading this school assignment. If there’s one I know for sure, technology hates me. I can’t even scan a picture properly and now I have to make a video with pictures, background music, and a voice recording! Oh my gosh, how am I going to do this!? Surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Whenever I couldn’t figure something out, the assistance of friends made it a lot easier which was incredibly comforting.

Throughout the process of making the video, there were so many fun memories such as laughing whenever I messed up recording my voice. Even further, looking back at the pictures of family and high school really was an realization of how much I have changed. It’s amazing to see how much my classmates have changed as well. I feel so much closer to them, knowing their backgrounds and knowing mine as well. Although I lost so much hours of sleep, I’m really glad that we did this!

 

I am from waking up at 6 am filled with childhood memories

Of watching Soul Train and getting down to songs

Like Got to be Real and Boogie Wonderland

I come from jumping up and down my couch

Pretending that I’m an honorary power ranger

(The Pink one to be exact!)

And waiting for shows such as Hamtaro, Teen Titans, and The Last Airbender

Was I the only one who had a crush on Prince Zuko?

 

Mabuhay! I originate from the Philippines

A country with tons of pride and a heck of a lot of food

From lechon to lumpia with its crispy goodness

Melting immediately when it touches your mouth

And for dessert we have leche flan and halo halo

While being surrounded cousins, friends

And tone deaf relatives singing Karaoke

Who for some reason someone always sings…

 

I come from my beautiful Chinese great grandmother

Who died soon after her daughter’s birth

Forcing my grandmother to be strong and stern

Which passed down to my mother

Matching perfectly with my dad’s goofy personality

We are a family that can smile through the hardships

Of having the unlucky genetics of diabetes and cancer

 

I come home to the Bronx

A place of grime

A place of such realness, authenticity, and humility

Not looking to impress but simply to survive

Where no one but the brave ventures

But, nonetheless, is filled with great warmth, secret wonderlands

And empanandas!

Which do you prefer, chicken or cheese?

 

I am from sharing silly secrets of romance

And dancing to K-Pop … until I’m caught

I am from my mother’s 3 inch beige heels

That I stole from the basement

I am from midnight cravings for chicken nuggets

And barbeque sauce

 

I am again staying up until 6 am

Taking in all the new experiences

Learning and enjoying day by day

Thinking about not where I’m from

But who I want to be