Inspirations can turn into decisions

Hola latinitas! First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Elaine Alvarado and I am a new editorial intern for Latinitas. I am excited to write and contribute for this great cause and would love and welcome any comments from you in the future.

Around the time I was nine years old, my family and I moved to Guatemala. Many people do not know where this country is located, but it is right next to Mexico and it is a very beautiful place. Both of my parents were born and had grown up in Guatemala, so they knew all of the culture and traditions that I had no idea about. Like most girls, I was more interested in making friends and meeting new girls like me that I could spend time with. My parents were planning out a trip for us to take one day and they said it would be a very nice place to have a family trip and spend the day together. This trip would change my education and life. I did not know it would, until we arrived.

As soon as we parked our car and walked around, my parents explained to me that this was one of the oldest cities ever created by the Spanish conquistadores in the Americas. Wow, I was so excited. I had never seen colors that were as bright and colorful and full of life like the ones in these pictures. Nothing I had ever seen before had gotten to inspire me that much as a girl. I was in love with the beautiful roads, churches, and traditional culture. I knew I would remember this place forever. It was just so different and unique, I felt that it was a very special trip and I am so thankful my parents took me there.

We moved back to Houston a year later and I stayed there until it was time for me to go to college. As a freshman in college I had to choose a major or a study, something that I wanted to go to school for and something that I thought I would really like. This is when I remembered my trip to Antigua, the old city I visited with my parents. I knew that I loved culture and I wanted to study something that would be artistic but at the same time special to me in a way. I decided to choose Architecture and learn how to design and create buildings. Architecture teaches you how to think creatively and solve problems and so far the classes I have taken have been very exciting to me. Its funny how things that happen as a girl can influence you to make decisions when you become an adult. That was my experience and that is why I chose to study Architecture. As a young Latina I know that we are able to find inspiration and become who we want to be. Just remember to always follow your dreams and your inspirations as you grow up.