Where are you from? It's a common question asked when you meet someone for the first time, especially in college. When asked this question, most have a straightforward answer. “Oh, I'm from blank" or, “I've lived in my house in blank my entire life" or, “born and raised in blank." For me, it's kind of a complicated question. I wasn't born and raised in the same place and I would consider several places home.

I was born just outside of the greatest city in the world, New York City. But I was raised in the greatest college town in Indiana, West Lafayette. New York born and Midwest bred. Two very different places that made an odd lifestyle combination, but it has truly made me the person I am today. This is how I see it; I got the best of both worlds. Being born in New York I learned the value of family and love from my loud, crazy Italian family. Being raised in a close nit community in Indiana I learned the value of true friendship and kindness. These places have definitely captured my heart in there own unique way.

My parents were born and raised in Staten Island, New York. They lived right down the road from each other their entire lives, and didn't know it until they met their sophomore year of college (I'm a sophomore, yikes). They both come from big Italian families who taught them that family comes first. My parents are very strong, hard working people, who taught me family is everything and I believe that that is the New York/Italian way. New York is fast paced, inspiring and is unlike any other city in the world. I think being from there has taught be how to be ambitious, to dream big and to be driven. It's given me confidence in myself and my ability to succeed in anything that I want to do in my life. It's also taught me how important family is and how thankful I am for mine. Got to thank the big apple for that one.

Although New York City is an unforgettable place, the state of Indiana has captured my heart just as much. A lot of people I know can't wait to get out of Indiana, but for a kid who has moved a lot, Indiana has been home for the past 13 years. It's where I met my best friends, fell in love, graduated high school and created most of the memories that I will never forget. The Midwest is full of the most genuine people who have huge hearts. Living here has taught me to not be selfish and to care for others. The beginning of my sorority's symphony says, "To see beauty even in the common things of life" and I think this explains the Midwest perfectly. That's probably why I decided to stay here for college while my family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Now I have a started a new chapter of my life in another Indiana college town. Got to love Funcie, chirp chirp.

Wherever I end up after graduation, I will never forget these two places. They have made such an impact on my life and overall moving around as made me a strong independent person. The world is so big with so many different types of people so why stay in one place? I think this quote truly says it all.

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place." -Miriam Adeney