I am from long nights of dancing where I jump and slide and move until I am out of breath,

and from coming home to a sports game usually turned on,

two brothers who have done their homework and are loudly playing some version of basketball with a mini ball and a  small basketball hoop hooked to the top of their door in the hallway,

a small excited black and white dog yapping at any tiny sound she hears from outside,

a yummy, delicious smelling dinner waiting for me warm on the stove,

and two hungry guinea pigs that always have room for more food

I am from taking six dance classes a week, each one being tiring but fun and a great way to learn about how to properly do things without hurting my body

and from listening to the long playlist of my favorite songs I have made while I do my homework as the sun melts into darkness

I am from shooting up like a rocket when I am supposed to be up in the mornings only to slide back under my warm quilt and close my eyes yet again

I am from a hill in the mission where many trees, colorful and tall, sprout up high, multiple feet above the ground

and from nice neighbors that are always cheerful and fun

I am from going to lots of cool but sometimes to long art events and being proud of every single one of my mom’s fantastic colorful art shows

and from listening to cars zoom up the hill at night, bouncing loudly on all the speed bumps that the driver does not slow down for

I am from a big-ish house but a tiny backyard where there is an avocado tree that does not grow avocados

and from two brothers who are the same age as me

I am from hearing questions like

“Really, triplets? Wow!” and

“What is like like being a triplet? Do you like it?” that excited and curious people ask

and from my grandparents saying, “Look at her! She’s practically a woman!” half to my mom and half to me everytime they see me

I am from hearing, “Goodnight” come from my parents mouths as I fall into my deep sleep that I will not wake from until my alarm clock makes that irritating sound that I hate at six thirty in the morning

and from all the kids who have asked me if I have siblings saying, “Oh, I feel bad for you because you have to live with two brothers!”

I am from, “Ready….. Set….. GO!!” before the bow of my boat slices through the waves for a race like no other

and from baking delicious soft brownies that make people say “yum”

I am from sometimes making light, fluffy, golden pancakes in my kitchen where the sunlight from a big window lights up the room on saturday mornings for breakfast

and from different cuisines every night that one of my parents makes

I am from getting La Altenas’ delicious juicy warm tacos for lunch with my brothers and my dad when we have nothing else to do

and from living in a neighborhood known for their delightful and appetizing taquerias

I am from my dad making a healthy breakfast every morning that includes some sort of fruit and any breakfast food that we have in the house while my mom packs the million things she needs to work,

having many ice cream shops with all their flavors creamy and delicious

and from having to pull my invisaligns out of my mouth every time I want to eat

I am from family movie nights on fridays where we watch movies that everyone agrees on

from spending every Hanukkah with my cousins and every Christmas at my house with all my family

from listening to Christmas music while me, my brothers, my mom, and my dad struggle to put our enormous Christmas tree up in the corner of our living room

and from being annoyed that the radio stations start playing Christmas music way too early

and from each family member picking out one Christmas ornament from Just For Fun each year to add to the Christmas tree

and from having my moms side of the family over at my house for Christmas every year

I am from going on a ski trip with friends and family every winter so I can ski down the slopes through the powdery, white, and sometimes man-made snow

I am from visiting New York and it’s hot summer weather for a month where I visit my family on my dads side and spend three weeks sailing in the crisp warm breeze with my bow slicing through the motor-boat-made waves of nice water

from staying up late on halloween night to trade candy with my brothers

and from hanging out with my friends whenever I can

I am from having an unorganized house that is slowly getting reorganized with new furniture coming in almost everyday and from playing the many songs I have learned and memorized on my guitar in the past years whenever I am bored

                                              This is where I am from