I am from café con leche and pan tostada con mantequilla

Eaten besides hot summer suns.

I am from filled sketchbooks and vinyl records piled high

Ever encouraging my imagination.

I am from 8mm film rolling through a projector,

And cameras always in my hand ready to capture the moment.

I am from wild short hair and eyes that turn green in the sun

Able to dress it up or put on a uniform and take the court

I am from words that did hurt

That stopped me from being who I am.

I am from falling down

Again

            And again

                                    And again

And getting up a second, a third, a fourth time.

I am from words that can inspire

Words that can change.

I am from sharing my stories,

Never letting fear hold me back.

I am true to myself

I am true to making mistakes and learning from them

I am true to trying new things and letting my curiosity lead me

I am true to being me – and I guess you could say, I really love that.