After being away for a couple months I've gained a new appreciation for my hometown. It's a tiny little place in the middle of the California Valley, but it's probably one of the best places you could grow up. It's definitely a huge factor in how I became the person I am. I would even go as far as to say that my hometown is THE BEST. If you don't believe me, allow me to convince you with only two reasons.
1. The Food
I think the moment in which I expressed the most anger and frustration out of this entire semester would definitely be when I tried to explain to a few of my friends why those hard shell things with ground beef in them are NOT real tacos. I'm currently writing this the day before I fly home and I can already tell you that the first thing I want to do when I land is go directly to Arabula's Taqueria to get some REAL tacos and probably some papusas and a nice big cup of horchata. I might also invite myself over to someone's house when their mom or abuela is making posole or arroz con leche. The best part is that they would definitely welcome me. If you've ever been around a Mexican or Hispanic family, you will know that you will never go hungry in their presence. They will feed you until you feel like you're going to explode. Not only do we have amazing Mexican food, but we also have some great white people food. My dad in particular can make some mean comfort food. Every Monday he feeds anywhere between 20-80 teenagers. My favorite of his dishes are his tri-tip sandwiches, his oven baked mac-n-cheese, his smoked turkey and mashed potatoes and his butter bacon green beans that have been stripped of all nutritional value. As you probably noticed, we don't really worry too much about eating healthy, but we sure as heck eat happy.
2. The People
The people in my town are amazing. Not only do have a ton of smart, talented and hilarious individuals, but the majority of the population has hearts of gold. The amount of support community members have for each other is insane. When someone is able to accomplish a goal or get somewhere most individuals can't, people become as proud of them as if they were their own child. Not only do we come together to celebrate the good times, but we are also their for each other in the rough times. We definitely do not have a majorly wealthy population, but no matter what people have they are always willing to give. Whenever there is a fundraiser for a team or group or family in need everyone does what they can. Either they support through gifts, time or their love and support. We are truly like one big family. Recently we lost a member of that family. As broken hearted as we all were and still are, everyone is coming together and sharing loving memories and prayers of hope and peace like no other. Not only did our own town show a level of support like no other, but even the communities surrounding us showed their love as well. It's in these hard times that I become so grateful to have spent the majority of my life thus far in the beautiful community of Firebaugh California.
We may not be the biggest, most prestigious, or most well off community, but I don't think anyone would want it to be any different. We are a community full of love like no other. I know most kids who graduate can't wait to get out and "become something"; an attitude like that makes me so sad. We often don't realize how amazing our home is until we leave it. I promise you that even though I have left and even if I do "become something", I will never forget where I come from. Red white and blue through and through.
