The best of 2

I'll start off by saying that both my mother and my father were born in Mexico. I, on the other hand was born in America. So I'm Mexican by blood, American by location. I was raised with a mix of both heritages, so I'm well placed in both spectrums. Since I was raised in America, I'm naturally exposed to American culture, so at times it's hard to understand my Mexican heritage, the food, the language, and the culture.

The life that both my mother and father lived culturally is far from mine. They know the language, they know the food, and they definitely know the culture. But, is it beneficial to show it to their only child, when he lives in America? Of course, it's what continues to allow the roots of our culture tree to grow. But a degree there's a sense of heritage that was lost through the transaction of information. So how do I continue the culture of my parents, yet establish my own identity, what is my "third" option?

I constantly listen to the people around me who speak Spanish, I listen carefully so I can pick up words that I was not taught. Like a baby, I practice the words with an odd accent, but I try. I try to keep a median between both cultures. I'm bilingual, I speak both Spanish and English. I practice Spanish, because if you don't use it, you lose it. Aside from the language, there's the food. I'll never put a Mexican dish down even if it's the weirdest looking plate i've ever seen. Because I can see my parents enjoying the dish, so why can't I? If I don't like it, then it's fine, at least I created a "third" option for myself.

I'm continuing to try to pursue the heritage of my parents as well as mine. I'm creating a "third" option for my self in-order to gain the best of both cultures. I practice Spanish and try cultural food as much as possible. I'm setting up a system that allows me to continue the culture of my parents, yet establish my own individual identity.