SWEET 16

Adolescence

This photo was taken in Las Vegas with my younger sister, Angelica. I was in in 8th grade at the time. We were riding a small roller coaster at the Circus Circus hotel, where we were on vacation with my brothers and father. My mom was in Colombia again at this time. 

Adolescence was a time of figuring myself out and it was quite a journey. I recall being increasingly self-aware, especially about my body image and clothing choices. This might have been because I had started puberty at an early as and peer influence was at its highest. I always wanted to buy Hollister or Abercrombie clothing because I wanted to "fit in" with my peers at school. Additionally, peer influence was more prevalent because I was always out with my friends and became distant with my family. In fact, I remember being more disrespectful with my parents sometimes, mainly because I was trying to be more independent, even though I wasn't technically a full adult yet. Middle school was also a time of experiencing my first romantic relationships and I learned how to ponder about abstract ideas such as loving someone other than a family member. I am glad to be out of this phase because my emotions were all over the place!