Thank you for helping me find myself.

I have always put so much pressure on myself to be this specific kind of individual that had to fit in and adapt to the way of life in El Paso. Now, before I say anything else, I just want to say I love my hometown. My childhood memories are some of the best. Having Juarez 20 minutes from my house is great (well was before all the violence happened) and you just can't beat the magnificent sunsets or the view of the city from the Franklin Mountains. Unfortunately, even with all that is beautiful in my little city, I never quite fit in. I was always told by friends and family that I was too big for El Paso and I never understood what that meant until I came to Boston. 

Here I'm part of something so much bigger than anything I've ever done. These past few months I was able to show what I was capable of without being questioned because of past mistakes or get looked down on because I took a year off from school. Since I've been here, its just been me. I started off new and it was the best thing I could have asked for. No one knew my name, my past, nothing and they got to know the real Karen. Not the one they heard about from others.

Before I came here I always second guessed myself. Even while applying to this internship I never thought I was good enough. Point is, I never valued myself. The things I would teach my girls during our after school programs and the advice I would give them about being confident and to love themselves was something that I wasn't doing. Now that the summer is over, I've learned a lot about myself. I know I can challenge myself and I will come out on top. I have learned to appreciate every little thing that has come my way - good or bad. Most importantly I have learned not to be so hard on myself. I've gone most of my life trying to figure this out on my own but sometimes you just need to meet the right people to make you realize this. That's what happened here. I met the most amazing people. Without realizing it, they taught me how to be a better person. They taught me how to be more humble, see things from a different point of view and to always give someone the chance to do something great.

My summer in Boston is essentially over but I'm not good at saying goodbye. I'm terrible at it actually, so I won't. It will be a see you later. I will see you all later and I cant' wait to hear about med school, New York, crazy random babysitting stories, soon to be bakeries with the most delicious brownie pops (yes I'm still with that. Trust me you would too if you would have had them), YouthTrade, grad school, France, a tiny adorable baby and maybe some more stories about Geneva. 

I'm heartbroken about leaving my home but I will be back, that I'm sure of. Thank you to everyone for making this the best summer of my life. Until next time Boston. I will miss you.  

Yours Truly,

A very honored Latinita

PS. To every Latinita out there reading this. I know some of you feel like you don't belong right now but you will find your place in this world. I'm 23 and I just found it. Don't rush things. Great things will come your way. Just give it time and you will see what I'm talking about.