I am from the two fog shrouded hills atop San Francisco

I am from a gravy colored abode

I am from walking into my green and baby blue striped room

I am from a giant puppy running through the maroon door to greet me and my brother

I am from the giant pigeon landing on our roof, sending chills through the house

I am from the twin beanbags, midnight blue, and hot pink, one for me, and one for my brother

I am from a closet full of stuffed animals

I am from an amazing view of the bustling San Francisco

I am from a quiet street, where only wandering Uber drivers and lost tourists visit

I am from watching as a thick blanket of Karl’s fog approaches the city

I am from gazing at the fireworks on New Year’s from my balcony

I am from hanging out in my room with friends

I am from my dog, irritating but lovable

I am from swimming for 60 minutes nonstop

I am from wanting to read a dictionary front to back, beginning to end

I am from wanting to make a YouTube channel that makes people’s lives a little better

I am from hoping to get an Axolotl, because their cannibalistic lifestyle is adorable to me

I am from dreaming that people will stop buying plastic bottles.

I am from eating raw fish with milk

I am from sweet, braided, egg-washed bread

I am from birthday baking sessions

I am from homemade meals, made by my mom

I am from salmon every week, slathered with herbs and mayo

I am from takeout, from fake chicken, to dumplings and seaweed salad

I am vigorously devouring my mother’s crazy cookies and tacos 

I am from snacking on little oranges that are the best fruit ever

I am from Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews, sent by my grandmother

I am from mishmashed fruit smoothies on hot summer days

I am from Friday night Shabbat

I am from giant parties for every small occasion

I am from weekly Zoom calls with my grandparents

I am from a yearly trip to sleep away camp, then to Philadelphia 

I am from joke presents on birthdays

I am from always getting out of the house in the nick of time

I am from being called ET, like the alien

I am from odd sayings from my mom

I am from nonstop dad jokes

I am from being confused with my brother

I am from people saying my hair is from the 80’s

I am from deep conversations at the table

I am from my dog’s whooping, booming barks

I am from horrifying tales of poisonous plastic

I am from isolation for 2 years

I am from hearing of new variants of the disease that uprooted our lives

I am from observing protests of Thanksgiving

I am from the world warming around me

I am from a slowly dying planet 

This is where I’m from.