I am from a three-story condo with very loud neighbors

A messy room that I’ll probably never clean

A backyard that I never go out in because there are spiders

That fluffy brown dog with a yellow bandana that takes walks across the street

I am from a noisy freeway masked by our quiet neighborhood

I am from Christmas and Easter in Orange County with my ginormous family 

To Thanksgiving at the dinner table with my parents

From 110% effort and pick up your socks

From when Mira and I buried a dead butterfly in our backyard

I am from arguments about petty things with my twin sister 

I am from stuffed chicken with the skin peeled back to reveal mushrooms and Prosciutto 

And hot dumpling sizzling and spitting hot oil from the pan

From Just eat it and unload the dishwasher

From plastic take-out containers piled high in our cupboards

I am from stuffing our faces with plain cheeseburgers from in-n-out burgers

I am from my long time friends that I left just recently

But of course, I’ll still remember them

I am from my new friends that are just are great

From piles of homework that sometimes ends up with me in tears

From my proud parents smiling at me for my exceeding expectations

This is where I’m from.