WHO ARE YOU?! WHY ARE YOU HERE?!

Those who have ever read a novel know that there are questions that every author seeks to answer.Those questions are often things like: Is it a society? Where does this society exists? What are the species in charge? What are the values of this society? What do species believe in here? How do the species of this society deal with conflict, disaster, or the regular monday blues. The answers to these questions lead the reader to an idea of the authors story. In the terms of this Blog i will try to give you as the author the most direct answer to these questions as i can. Throughout these posts i want you as the reader to know that it is not my goal to portray myself as the Protagonist, the Antagonist or even the supporting role, but just as i see myself through my lens. I am Sophia, that is what my parents named me. My father, a great lover of knowing named me this after the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. Why he named me this im sure he has told me in the past, unfortunately i have forgotten the reason and will not try to text him to ask him again or make up a fake one here because i am sure he will read this first. (LOL) what i have gathered about the Hagia Sophia is this: Its name in english is “Holy Wisdom.” (Pretty snazzy in my opinion) The city in which it stands was first named Byzantium by greek colonists in 16BCE, from this it has been renamed Agusta Antonia, New Rome, and Constantinople. The structure that is the Hagia Sophia was built first as an Orthodox Christian church and after became an Imperial Mosque, today the structure is a museum. The changes to its physical structure as well as its religious meaning give it very rich history and purpose. Some of the art on the walls can not be uncovered because it sits on top of other works of art, and this debate can not be settled by destroying art. This change throughout history and the structure’s versatility inspires and intrigues me. Beyond my name I consider myself very culturally and ethnically diverse. My parents were born and raised in a country named Republica Dominicana which sits on an island named La Hispaniola. Spanish settlers who landed there and proceeded to conquer the native population brought with them religion and culture from Europe. My family and ancestors are a great deal mixed between native Tahinos, Spanish settlers, and their African slaves. This is confusing, yes, and many fights have been fought in the search for one identity my opinion is that i was born into a melting pot of rich history that i someday i would like to dedicate my life to unraveling and understanding. My mannerism and attitude can oftentimes be associated with my heritage as well, as some people have said to me, i am one “Strong Willed Latina Women” (notice the leading capital letters) taking this with a grain of salt, i know i am not easy to handle but who the **** said i ever wanted to be. (lol) Back on a serious note however, i seek to understand much more about this large part of who i am. This is also why i sit here and write this today. No story can ever be complete without it being retold various times in different voices. The goal of this Blog is not to speak about myself or my actions or what the mask is i carry, but to retell the stories that have been taught to me and that shape me. Through my personal voice, using my own candor i will try to bring you along through my journey. Thank you for reading through my first brain bubble, i do hope you will keep an eye out for more. I’ll say goodbye with one of my favorite quotes.

“I wanted to know you moved and breathed in the same world with me.”

-F. Scott Fitzgerald-Benediction-