What Identify's You Best

While both my parents are Iranian immigrants, my brother and I were raised under an American household here in California. My parents came to America from Iran for educational proposes, as well as the Iranian Revolution in 1979. My dad came at the age of 16 in pursuit of a better life and college experience, and my mom came when she was younger with her family, both not knowing a single word of English. From Iran, they carried with them something that they could never let go of, their native culture. 

Coming from an all Persian background, I have been influenced by a number of Persian cultures and traditions that were carried out through my family. We celebrate a number of Persian holiday's in my house such as Persian New Year and Eid in March. Like most Persians, I am very close with my family and love drinking tea with candies. Although I do respect and love celebrating my heritage's culture, I identify myself as more American and Westernized. I am so grateful to come from such a diverse background such as Iran, however growing up in California, I see myself more accustomed to American-like ways of living, more casual and less conservative. Overall, my Iranian background is something I will always hold onto and cherish because it will always be apart of me, but I do not completely identify myself as a perfect Persian.