To start off with the familia, we have to begin with the two most important people who started it. My parents, Umer and Cherry Alcaraz. They both met at the theatre they were working at. It was my mom’s first day on the job and she was walking down the stairs. My dad saw her and “knew she was the one.” Super cheesy I know, but I love hearing the story. My parents are pretty chill for the most part. My mom, who I call “Nanay,” is very understanding, and sacrifices so much for my family. If it wasn’t for her I probably wouldn’t even be here making my website, and going to school. She is a Geometry teacher at a continuation school, and has always pushed my siblings and I to get a good education in order to be successful in life. My father, on the other hand, who I call “Tatay,” is a really big jokester. He is also the talker in our family. He always says that we’ll be leaving a place soon, and we end up staying for another two hours because he’ll be catching up with someone. It doesn’t matter though because it’s something I love about him. Both my parents really. I’m so grateful for all the things they’ve done for me, and I take them for granted all the time, so I’m thinking it’s time to pay them back for all the good they’ve brought into my life.

My oldest sibling is Lehi. He is currently living in Florida with his newly wedded wife and having the time of his life. Lehi lives for adventure and loves to have fun. He mountain bikes, skydives, surfs, rock climbs. He does EVERYTHING. He also one of the most talented people I know, and is the one who sparked my love for music. Lehi is a self-taught guitar player, and once he hears a song, he’s able to play it on the piano or guitar in ten minutes. It’s ridiculously mind-boggling. My brother is very energetic, and although he gets distracted easily sometimes and acts like a kid, he is definitely known as the oldest by all means when things are serious. Other than that, he is the friendliest and most open, lovable person ever! I’m really happy to know he’s blood related to me.

Sariah is the princess of the family, and literally the princess of the family. In my family we go by our second names, and Sariahs’ first name happens to be “Princess.” So cool and fancy, I know. She always helps me make decisions about important things. For example what classes to take, what programs to do, what major I should have in college. Sariah is basically my second mom, and she spoils me a lot, which is really nice too. Sariah loves to travel, and has been to so many places. In a way, I feel like I really want to be like her. I want to be someone who has a good paying job, who has a nice house in the city, and who travels everywhere. She’s very involved in my life, and has always been the one to introduce me to new things. I love her a lot!

Josh, who is also called Jopay or Jops, is the one whom I’m the closest to. When I was younger, I remember that I’d always watch him play video games and he’d let me play sometimes. Josh seems like a very reserved, quiet person from a far, but when you meet him he is so nice. He also has these really random spurts of being hilariously funny and you won’t be able to stop laughing. Another thing about Josh is that he’s always been good with his money, and he loves to buy shoes. If he had $1 mil. he would spend it all on shoes. He probably has over 20 pairs. Josh always seems to have the right answer, and I feel really comfortable talking to him. He’s always been there for me and I will always be there for him no matter what.

The sibling closest in age to me with 7 years ahead is Abish. Abish is a funny one. She’s probably the one I’ve fought with the most, but now we’re really close. When she still lived in the house, we would always make late-night runs to McDonalds, and buy their apple pies with a McFlurry. It was so much fun! Abish is great at talking to people, she got that from our dad. She’s good with old people, little kids, people my age, everyone! Even strangers on the street! She’s also always been the entertainer of the family. Abish makes everyone laugh and the things she says I can not even describe to you because it’s so funny and such a “you had to be there” moment. We can always talk about things that I couldn’t talk about with my brothers because that’d be weird, and even though I’m younger she always seems to have to ask me for advice, but I love it. It makes me feel needed. :) Although Abish and I didn’t get along that well before, I find that now we’re really close and I really do love her with all her little quirks.