- SPARK -
I Am From…
Cali Amador
I am from Morelos, Jalisco, México--a place where Wi-Fi is not needed, where street dogs run wild snapping at some of my carne asada. A place where scorpions run on the walls trying to sting you. A place where fireworks light up the night with all different kinds of colors, where little kids roam the streets biting on some pan dulce, where my life began as a tiny child trying to get a coconut to fall from the trees.
The place where my grandma makes the best pozole verde for my birthday. Where I grew up tasting frijoles de la hoya, growing up catching chickens only to find out they would become my dinner. The place where my father told me the ocean water was sweet as candy, where I figured out it was as salty as a bowl of salt. And, where a stray dog once stole my taco.
Mexico, the place I thought I would never leave because my father said that we had it all as we left for the so-called “America,” where my family would earn a lot of money. Where I met my best friend who is obsessed with pandas, where Wi-Fi is everywhere, where pesos are nothing here.
I am from two places: Mexico, where my life started, and America, where my life continues. The Mexican ways will never leave my heart, no matter where I am. Even though I have brown skin, it doesn’t mean that I don’t belong here either, no matter where I am and no matter where I live. I am proud to say that I am Mexican-American.
- PROMPT -
Where I come from:
Think about your home and your neighborhood. Write about what it’s like living in your house or on your street. Go into detail about your day-to-day routines at home or how it might be different on special occasions.
My community:
Walk around the building to really explore the community around you. Use all five senses as they wander the grounds.
My family:
Family plays a big part of where we come from. Write about your family. Explore what role you play in the family: are you the oldest? Youngest? Middle child? Only child? Who are some of the other characters you have in your family?
