Where are you from?

I cannot even count how many times I get asked that question...

Sometimes they just assume an answer, "you're from the US, right?" or "What part of the US are you from?". Other times it's a little more hesitant, as if maybe I could be Canadian or German, or maybe a "blonde" Tica (wishfull thinking). But without a doubt, every person I meet here asks me some version of this question. 

My first answer is always, "From the US, from Texas!" and sometimes that's enough. Other times it's the long version "Well, I'm from Texas, Austin actually, but I go to school in Washington, DC. I'm here for six months with an exchange program, so right now I live in San Rafael and go to UNA". That's usually a little confusing for them, and honestly for me too, especially in Spanish. 

But this all got me thinking, as someone who has moved around a lot in the past 21 years, where am I really from? I mean, I have had 12 different bedrooms, all of which were "my home" at the time, and which I still remember fondly and call my own. At the moment, I have roots in three different cities, all of which I love and feel at home in. That kind of feeling isn't summed up in an answer as simple as "I'm from Texas". 

And really, when I think about it, each place had an effect on me, something different to teach me, something to add to my life...

Dallas, I can't speak much for, since I was two when we left, but it did ensure that I knew from the very beginning that I was a Texan, and that that would always be home and where my family was. Japan doesn't really merit much of an influence either, since I was only there for about 2 months, however it was there that I made my first friend who didn't speak my language. 

Singapore, taught me about acceptance, adventure, and the importance of good friends. At age 7 I knew about Ramadan, Diwali, and the Moon Cake festival.  It was normal for kids to come and go from school, to live in every part of the world, and to speak other languages.  It taught me that the world was huge, and diverse, but that it was also accessible and open for me to explore. I also learned that family can be people you're not related to by blood. Sometimes friendships can be so strong and survive so much that they become your support structure, and really, if you can find this community, you'll always have a home. 

Connecticut, whether the place or the timing in my life (4th grade girls are pretty tough everywhere), taught me about defining myself. I spent a lot of time learning to discern what was and what wasn't something I was, supported, or agreed with, and what I wanted to be like. I also learned how other people saw me, what it meant to "fit in", and whether or not that was important to me. But, this was also where I started to learn about the importance of imagination and creativity, after all, you don't really need to think "outside of the box" until you've learned how to create one for yourself. To this day, "Appleseed Farms", "Beach House" and "Dogsled" are some of my favorite memories with my brothers, and those games really gave my 9-year-old self a chance to imagine what the world and my future were going to be like. 

Then there's Austin. With about 10 years of my life, Austin holds the prize for greatest influence, and the most variety of influences in one place. Here is where I learned what it means to be a family, and how to take care of others. Texas tradition taught me the importance of loyalty, pride in yourself, being polite, and not compromising who you are. Westlake taught me how to be a leader, how to succeed in heavy competition, and that the only real way to survive a cut-throat environment is to find a group of people to help carry you through. Austin taught me how to be a little "out there", and that different can be good,  and that individuality is important and should be valued. All pretty important lessons for a teenager. 

DC, an animal all to itself, hectic and powerful, has trained me how to fight for something I believe in with all my strength. Everyone who goes to DC is passionate about something, and willing to dedicate their lives to it. Working and learning in this environment gave me the confidence and skills to actually get things done in the world, which is a pretty wonderful feeling, but it also showed me that all that fighting can be exhausting and alienating, and while I know I'll always have a strong social justice streak, there may be other things in life that are also important. 

And now Costa Rica, the laid-back, pure opposite of ambition-driven DC, is teaching me everyday how to enjoy the journey and to let life happen. Sometimes you just have to relax and enjoy the experience instead of planning and controlling. When I get just the littlest bit stressed, over a project, or a trip, or something else, without a doubt someone tells me "Tranquila!" (litterally, "be tranquil", but used more like "don't worry about it") and I realize, that my stress and worry are not worth it, that my time here is too precious to waste it on that. Maybe that's another lesson, appreciating what you have and savoring every moment, because you know it's not going to last forever, and finding beauty, community, and joy in little, everyday experiences. I cannot count the times I have thought to myself "Of course I'm (fill in the blank...playing music on a beach at sunset, having a conversation about "typical Americans" with two French education majors (in Spanish), singing one of the few Spanish songs I know on a bus with a group of people I love being around, trying to convince my 4th grade student that it is not a good idea for her 12-year-old brother to be my boyfriend, etc., etc.). These experiences have been full and wonderful and rich, and I had nothing to do with making them happen, I just accepted where I was and what was happening instead of trying to control every detail, and they turned out better than I could have imagined them. 

So, here I am...12 bedrooms, 3 continents, 7 cities, 5 languages attempted, (only 2 successfully), a city girl, who likes being outside, music, bright colors, traveling, mexican food and sundresses. Maybe if you really want to know where I'm from, you should get to know me, because where I've lived has made me who I am, and right now, I'm really happy with who that person is, where she's been, and where she's going.