I have always believed that although I was born in America, I am still Slovakian because of the lifestyle I practice. Therefore, I always get agitated when someone tries to impress others by saying they are this and that. People always seem to claim a ridiculous, exaggerated heritage. For example, they might say that they are half Irish, one-fourth German, and one-fourth Italian. Now this is a random example, but there are those who take this bizarre record even further and turn it into a listing just trying to name as many nations as they can, when in fact the majority of them do not have any ties to their so-called "motherland." People might start these assertions when they find out I am Slovak-American. Perhaps they feel that they are not "cool" enough, consequently they start spouting out nationalities.

My mother and father were born in Czechoslovakia, present day Slovakia, and they spent most of their life there. The rising hostiles and the eventual spilt pushed my parents to immigrate to America. They left and had their children in America because they feared that another dreadful war would take place.

Although I had a Slovak upbringing, I have had my fair share of the American life. Other than eating weird food, practicing odd customs, and helping my parents in social interactions, I have fit in quite nicely. I love watching football even more so than soccer; it gets the blood rolling better. The ways my emotions sway outrank those in any other sport. Country music has me hooked; compared to other genres it is much more relaxing and enjoyable. However, do not get me wrong, I love my Techno music. Now unless I bring it up, am on the phone with my family, or someone meets my parents, people are surprised to find out about my roots.

I'm a Grady baby born in Atlanta, GA, and after a lot of moving around, I came back to Georgia for high school and now college. I consider myself a tall, dark, handsome, goofy nerd. My family —immediate and distant— means the world to me. I love all of them, and I am blessed to have them. Once you meet them, you never forget the Turac's.