My connection to San Diego

By CHRISTIAN NUNEZ
Sheridan High School Student

Editor’s note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade honors English class, taught by Tanya Busailah.

All I’ve ever wanted was to grow up in San Diego rather than in Indiana. In fact, most of my family was born there, including my mom, dad, sister, and two brothers. I rarely get to see my brothers because they live there right now.

In 2006, my sister was born. My parents decided to move to Indiana in 2007 for a more affordable lifestyle. While here, they bought a house to be constructed. I was born in 2008. Since then, we usually go out to San Diego once a year; sometimes we don’t even go. It’s always an amazing experience to be there. I get to see all my family, and we go to touristy places. I get to eat authentic Mexican food every day, whether it’s from a restaurant or from my grandma.

I remember seeing Gilbert (my brother) once, and I’m really missing out on spending time with him. I’ve never had true brotherly love or had the chance to grow up with either of my brothers. When I first met Gabriel (my other brother), he was already acquainted with my cousins. They were all cool with each other, and I never got to have that same bond with him. He even took me and my family to a Padres game. It just feels like I’ve missed out on so much with them, and I regret that. Now, I no longer see either of them, and it feels like an important piece of my life that I should’ve gotten to experience.

While visiting, we usually go to some malls, beaches, and just walk around. We spend time together, whether there’s a holiday or not. It feels like I’m able to truly open up when I’m there. It’s a great experience, and I hate to leave every time. While in San Diego you can also go to the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, SeaWorld, Seaport Village, Belmont Park, La Jolla Beach, and Old Town. These are not only top attractions in San Diego but places I’ve also been to.

I always think about the many different opportunities I could have had growing up there, like meeting different people, spending more time with family, and gaining a different perspective on life. I see what I’ve missed out on all my life. What I also notice is that I don’t see many people who look like me in Indiana. Growing up here, I don’t really experience that. But when I’m in San Diego, I feel like I fit in more than I do here.

It’s also like I’m halfway between here and there, because when I’m in San Diego, they say I’m “whitewashed,” and when I’m here, it feels like I’m giving in to that.

Don’t get me wrong, I like it here, and I’ve met some great people, but it feels like I’m missing out on a lot more than I could be experiencing. Indiana is often called the boring state, and it’s true for a reason. In San Diego, there’s a lot to do, and I wish I could have had that life. I get to experience my culture down there and see what it could have been like to grow up there.

I hope that one day I am able to live there and experience more.