Everything from my accent, the food I eat, and my morals are identities that are important to me because they represent my culture and upbringing. I often get asked where I’m from because of my complexion and I gladly tell them that I was born in Orlando, Florida but consider myself Puerto Rican (Picturing the Other in-class blog). The cuisine on this island is a big part of my culture. The food is not only delicious but used to connect family and friends. My morals are important to me because of my religious background and the time and dedication I have given to my church. All of this would not be possible without the backbone support that I continue to receive from my family. Reflecting on my parent’s upbringing of my brother and myself has truly inspired me to learn from their success and failures. In my opinion the best quality in my family was communication. I never remember feeling fear to confront my parents about any problem I was facing. This was crucial in letting small issues spiral out of control into a major problem. I remember my dad would sit down with me on a regular basis, open a bottle of wine and engage in deep conversations regarding my future. 
Being raised in a dominant Spanish speaking household was a unique experience. It is typical for Hispanics to live with extended family members. I remember growing up with my grandmother until I went to high school. She always told me she was my second mother. Her wisdom and knowledge that she passed on still follows me in life. My grandma's conservative views were heard everyday. For example, she would not allow me to go to school with gel in my hair or go to bed at night without praying . Surrounded by an American culture was hard to adapt to because my upbringing was so different. My family did not believe in sleeping over at a friend’s house or going on dates with the opposite sex. Having a strong Christian background meant going to church three times a week. I remember having to change and eat dinner in the car after soccer practice to be on time for church. Although I found my religious background to be unfair and a burden in my social life, as I matured, I realized it was simply a different culture. Having a full itinerary showed me time management from an early age. I knew church was my priority and if I wanted to participate in any extracurricular activities I had to master the artistry of managing time in order to satisfy both my parents and myself. I recommend using good judgment when punishing your kids. This is an extremely sensitive subject because a thin line exists between being your child's friend and letting them know you are the authority. From an early age I was taught never to disrespect my family members and was always warned before being punished. Incorporating such parenting skills will bring about a successful family environment. Family bonding is extremely important. Some of my fondest memories were made at the dinner table and at our bonfires in the backyard. The little things in life are the ones that will mean the most later. Although it’s a sacrifice at times, you will soon learn why it is all worth it.
As a first generation Hispanic college student, I would have to embrace a completely new culture such as in the movie Persepolis. I could relate to her quotidian lifestyle and her extremely conservative upbringing. Although her story takes place during the Iranian Revolution, she must hide her identity from her parents and the public because serious reprimands would occur. During my adolescence, I also struggled with finding my identity. At times I felt like I was stuck in between two worlds. Due to the harsh circumstances, Persepolis was forced to flee to Europe in hope of a better life. Leaving for college was my parent's attempt to give me a better life although I still felt like my identity was missing. After leaving college, I protested the mold that my parents and society had sculpted for me without any consulting. I experimented with different political and social views until I felt content. Although Persepolis' parents believed in freedom and equality, her culture would overpower this belief and the totalitarianism for of government (my parents) would be victorious in the end.