I've been in New York for a while now. Been pretty relaxed. Having a holiday from school, and get to study at my leisure. And I get to imorove my english. (You may think that I speak english fluently, but actually I have to think for a minute or two to see if my words are in the right order, even when I talk slang I pause for a moment.

Anyway I've been touring the city with Frankie and Andre, taking in the sites and everything. The otherday we went to Brooklyn and we looked at some of the things that Andre drew on the walls to brighten up the neighborhood.  I couldn't believe some of the things that Andre drew. They weren't the traditional gang graffitti that I see on the walls in Puerto Rico, they were meaningful, they had depth, beauty.

Well my sister brought her camera along, which isn't anything special because she brings her camera even to the toilet, and she took pics of Andre's work. We were goofing around and we all were in some of the pictures. When we got home she gave me one that she had edited and it looked like a model shot. I thought to myself, "Maybe I'm pursuing the wrong career, maybe I should be a model."

It may look warm but I thought It was so cold that I think that my brain froze for a minute!!!

But as I looked at the photo, it reminded me of something else I had seen a while ago. I figured it was a pic that Frankie had taken so I looked through her portfolio and I found it She had taken a similar photo in Brooklyn during high school, and that made me wonder.

Am i cursed to follow in Frankie footsteps. I mean will I ever be noticed more for than being Frankie's and Andre's little sister, or Toren's twin sister, or something of that nature? It's a bit frustrating at times because even my dad compares me to her. Sometimes it makes me think that he's proud of her and not of me. When will I be the sun and no longer will I be forced into her shadow?

i am a DANCER

In RoseCity we dance.

Though the pulse of the speakers has aid

We choose to use the pulsations of  heart to move.

To grind, to groove

Others stare awkwardly as we gyrate shamelessly

Letting the music flow through our bodies

A vessel for the rythm of life

Not just our life but theirs, ours.

i am a SK8R

In RoseCity we skate

Through the streets on our board

sidewalks never have the pleasure to touch our wheels

cars a hinderance?

Only if they don't move as we drift

We own the streets as a mother owns a child

that is to say that we have passion for the grind

cuts, and bruises, and broken bones?

Of course

but they are proof of our love of the breeze in our hair

and the speed under our feet

not battle scars

but our proof of identity.

i am ROSE CITY

do not judge what you do not know

for the depth that there is to me is far unknown

Many have explored in hopes of discovering

but most failed to see

That those things that I love inhabit me

look not at the face

but the soul of the city

for the joy is deep

but the pain is deeper

i am the RHYTHM

i am the GRIND

i am ROSE CITY

(photos copyright Frankie Sarda (don't be a jackass and steal them ^_^)