by Andrew Martinovsky

I am from a city where I can taste the tasteless blanket of fog.

A constantly changing world.

A very hilly city that makes it almost impossible to bike around.

Falling asleep to the busy road next to my window hearing the sound of wheels zooming on the road.

A place where parents came from living in a one room home with a hole for a toilet in the backyard to building up a life for themselves in America.

A home that encourages me to follow my dreams.

Wanting to become president one day to fix all the unfair, unjust and inhumane problems our world has.

My cousin and I sneaking into the kitchen behind our parents to get little fruits and cake before dinner.

Drinking smooth hot cocoa or sipping fruit tea with my grandma at night.

Rating restaurants whether they are good or bad using crayons and paper with my friend.

telling my little brother bedtime stories about the scary witch.

Talking with my grandma about politics and arguing about certain issues.

Watching movies with my family that my parents watched in the 90s.

Having long conversations with my dad about conspiracy theories in the car.

Seeing my grandparents and cousins almost every week at the park or someone’s house.

Arguing with my brother about his bad taste in music.

A family that is never afraid to give constructive criticism to help me build back stronger.

People telling me I am “too ambitious.” 

Being very vocal about the things I believe in.

Telling people the truth as it is.

I am from a 

      D

        I

         V

           I

            D

  E

    D 

world but a 

      U

        N

          I

           T

            E

              D 

                family.

This is where I’m from.