Happy New Year! The year ahead always feels like it’s filled with so much promise and mystery and adventure! Don’t you agree? Well, January is already halfway over, and so it’s time to get this new year of my blog (my 6th year of blogging!) started!

In case you missed it in one of my many various blog posts (because yes, I do mention it a lot 😉 ), I am a proud Portuguese American. I was born here in California, and growing up, my parents made sure I was involved and active in our local (and rather small) Portuguese community. Although I don’t speak much of it anymore, apparently I used to be fluent in the language when I was very young.

While my Portuguese language skills have sadly diminished quite a bit, I’m trying to keep as much of my heritage alive as I can. I took Luso-American classes in college, and one of the best adventures of my life was studying abroad in Portugal a number of years ago. I’m always trying out Portuguese recipes, but it’s frustrating that the nearest city with a decent selection of Portuguese goods and products is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. Sheesh. Now that I’m a mom, I’m also trying to instill a spark of cultural curiosity in my children about that part of their heritage. It’s not easy, but I’m trying.

I discovered the following article (titled “A Dichotomous Identity” in the link below) while browsing through some online Portuguese journals, and wanted to share it with you. So much of it reminds me of my own life, trying to be American and yet also trying to be Portuguese. So please give it a read. Thanks for stopping by. ❤

Source: A Dichotomous Identity