I am from the pet shop, from the dogs and cats to the fish and reptiles.

I am from the colorful and welcoming Persian carpets.

I am from the tulip, the national flower of Iran.

I am from camping, and the large trees of Georgetown.

From the Alaei’s and the Mainwaring’s.

I am from the language of Farsi and the hand gestures of an Italian.

From “always be yourself” and “follow your dreams”

I am from church on Sunday mornings.

I’m from Sacramento, pasta, and kabobs.

From the fighting of my great uncles Kurt and Roy in the Vietnam War.

From the artistic paintings of my grandmother and from my fathers journey to America.

I am from the picture frames and the scrapbooks.