I think my story begins in Boston, where my dad and his dad were born and raised. Even though I was born and raised in Shirt Hills, New Jersey, I start here because I always felt like a Boston kid living in New Jersey (which is Yankees territory mind you). While I love New Jersey and New York City, which was only 40 minutes away, it was Boston that is my home away from home. Every summer always had a Boston vacation to see my grandfather on my dad’s side before he passed in 2012. Summer weren’t complete without a trip to Boston and seeing Grandpa Earl. It made me proud to represent Boston in New Jersey. It always gave this close emotional connection to the city. Talking Red Sox and Patriots with Yankees and Jets fans, pronouncing Boston as “Bahston”, always celebrating Patriots Day every year, made me feel like a special Bostonian in New Jersey.

When I moved to California, I had that same sort of feeling, but instead of repping Boston in New Jersey, it made me proud to represent the east coast out here on the west coast. In a school made up largely of locals, having this completely different way of living and being brought up made me proud to stand out. I like comparing and contrasting the culture of Los Angeles and New York City  and being lucky enough to experience both. It was culture shock when I first came out here, but I think I’ve fully embraced west coast culture while staying true to my East Coast and Boston sensibilities.

I think the main thing about writing this is realizing all the areas and cultures that have shaped me. Watching the Red Sox, missing a good New York slice, and being enamored with the California weather out here is what reminds me I’ve got many different cultures in my DNA that I’ve adapted to and embrace fully.