I am from the city of Angels,
where stars glister in the dark blue sky,
I am from the country whose proud flag has the colors red, green, and white.
I am the only daughter who clung tightly to her mother's thighs as soon as the
school bell alerted it was time to say good-bye.
I am from two cultures, Spanish being spoken at home, and English once I walk out the door.
I am from Mexican-born parents, who blessed me with not 1, or 2, but 4 brothers, I being the only girl. Lucky for me, with the privacy of my own room, while the boys all bunched up and upset the same for them did not hold true,
The sweet smell of pancakes and music on Saturday mornings I hold dear,
just as the routined Saturday night pizza and t.v with my grandma in full gear.
I am a tomatoes and strawberries, eating until my stomach says "no more,"
I am the quiet one, but with a temperament when provoked,
I am the dreamer, who is fascinated with traveling the world, and one day becoming just like the woman I most adore, for she is exceptional and loving, and so much more.
I am from "do your best" and "yes you can!," and soaking up every bit of knowledge my sponge-like mind could absorb, and being a teacher's pet, surely not to disappoint.
I am from mid-days swims in the pool, to afternoon strolls in the mall with Mom,
and taking out my dog for occassional walks.
I am from family get together's on every Holiday, with bar-b-q's, fruit punch, and boardgames that oozed with fun, from laying on the living room couch watching Saved by the Bell re-runs.
I am the one who called shot-gun when riding in the Astro-Van, to get a better view of all there was to see, but shortly after, I would find myself in a deep and pleasant sleep.
I remember those trips to Griffith Park, where a pony ride would brighten my heart, and afterwards a picnic lunch under the trees would put me at ease.
I am from a lemon tree, whose leaves dangle delicately with a soft breeze, and there I stand, overlooking all there is to see. As I lose myself in the sky, I imagine myself traveling oversees to visit my beloved Italy.
The first thing that I noticed as I began to read about where Evelyn is from is the way in which she expresses herself. Her use of language to visualize her meaning for the reader and allow them to relate is superb. She writes "I am the only daughter who clung tightly to her mother's thighs as soon as the school bell alerted it was time to say goodbye." This immediately brought me back to when I was a child and the pain I had in being separated from my mother. She writes on to poetically portray her culture, her interests, and the memories of where she came from and how that has shaped who she is. I greatly appreciate the way in which I was engaged with her story and smile knowing she has a good life.
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