In our society we are submerged in the world of technology. It has allowed us to keep up with people we haven't seen in years and it has also allowed us to snoop on those we see every weekend. We live in a world where stories are shared and gossip is spread. But among this world of tales there are many secrets.
We look at familiar faces and think we know those people because of the years we have spent sharing our lives together. We know who they are dating and what they like to eat, wear, shop, travel, where and when they work out, and so on. But their secrets are yet to be told. My life for example is full of them. None of which I will spill on my blog but they inspire my emotions and thoughts. They have made me the person I am today and have evoked enough deep thoughts to keep me from sleeping tonight haha. So here we go...
We are told that we are given challenges in life to help us grow. We were given people in our lives to push us to reach our true potential. We are from different parts of the world and end up in different places to keep us unique from one another. I am slowly starting to understand my life. It's been an experience I cannot describe and it's been full of trials, challenges, and happiness. I was born in Brazil and raised in the USA. Seems pretty simple and to the average American it seems pretty normal. But for me it has been quite the challenge. Where do I truly belong? Brazilians see me as an American and Americans see me as a Brazilian. I've been asked by my own people if I understand what they are saying and have been called a gringa. They laugh at me and say that they think its funny to ask if I understand the language that I was first taught and grew up speaking in my own home. I'm seen as different and not one of them because I am more reserved. They think its "cute". On the other hand I was teased as a child for not saying things correctly in English and for not reading right. I was laughed at for asking "stupid" questions about what things meant or what the Super Bowl was. For years I felt like I had no true home. But, life went on and now after finally being a citizen of the United States of America for the past 3 years I can say that I may not be only from one country or the other, But I am from both. I like to say I'm 50% each. I speak two fluent languages and have grown up with two very different cultures. I have taught myself how to read in Portuguese and speak perfectly with no accent and also speak perfect English. I have had the chance to take the best from both cultures and combine them into my own to live. I may not be like you, but I am proud to say I'm Brazilian and American. Not just one or the other.
Life gives you challenges... They can either destroy you or build you. From living on my own and learning on my own for the past 7 years I choose to get stronger. This experience is a tiny piece of one of my secrets. I wear a mask of smiles and perfection. Only to fool the world that everything is always ok. But who doesn't? I guess this question goes along with the answer everyone has for it... It's to hide the secrets. The secret tears shed on lonely and sad days, the secret heartaches and heartbreaks, the secret wishes that my life was normal. I wish more then anything that my life was normal in so many aspects of it! But if it was I wouldn't have the personality and strength to be who I need to be in my future. Life isn't perfect and it never will be... But... There are many perfect people in my life and for that I am eternally happy.
