My favorite question to answer is always “Where are you from?” because I like the answer I give. I was born in a small city, located in the center of Mexico called Aguascalientes, which literally means "hot waters." I lived there for twelve years, until 2011. My family and I moved because my dad’s company transferred him to another plant located in North Carolina, and after two years, he was transferred again to a plant here in Athens, Georgia.

I am very proud of my roots and love the country where I come from; thus, leaving and arriving to a new place was almost unbearable for me. Back in Mexico, I left my picturesque childhood home, the family I grew up with, and my best friends. In North Carolina, the culture shock hit me strongly, and not being able to speak to anyone when I first arrived was a huge struggle. I am very lucky to be able to go back and visit my hometown twice a year, but leaving is still very sad. People always say that one should not live in the past, but in the present; however, I find comfort in remembering my childhood in Mexico.

Even though I definitely miss my hometown, I am aware of the fact that coming to the United States was a huge upgrade to my life. I have learned something every step of the way. I am now bilingual and have many more opportunities for personal growth and self-realization. Most importantly, it shaped my personality into one that is now braver, more open, and more aware. At the end of the day, your roots never go away. I have learned to never forget and to always be proud of who I am, but to also embrace change and make it count as much as possible.