A mother, a father, and a brother. That was all I was used to for almost 10 years. I grew up in a small neighborhood people used to call "dangerous". I would just call it loud. There was always people, movement, animals, cars, just sound. We slept nights hearing the streets rumble, our ears assimilating to the white noise. We had it all, good health, endless laughter, and especially that delicious Peruvian food. But everything started changing when my biological father came into the picture. He was caring and thoughtful but our dynamic had crumbled. My step-father felt replaced and I felt confused. It was hard on my mom and especially on my brother. He dropped out, making my mother's grip harder, pushing me to go to college. No other choice. But in my mind there hadn't ever been a choice. College was my future, the survival of my family, and where I would grow up to become an individual. This influenced me greatly and is still influencing who I am today. My childhood has made me have a stronger voice even when its trembling. I have become strong-willed and independent about my responsibilities and what I want to achieve. It has made me push myself outside of my comfort levels and to be open-minded of other cultures. Still today, I live in that small apartment, now only mother and brother. The white noise still loud as ever.