I was sent to this world over 14,000 days ago, with the mission to live amongst humans and learn their culture and behavior. Undoubtedly, this culture and behavior are influenced by the geographic area they currently reside in.

When I arrived, it was in a place called Ecuador, Guayaquil specifically. First, I learned the basics to survive in that place: learned to walk, speak their language, be aware of my surroundings, move around by myself. I went to a place called elementary school, another one called high school, then one called university, and so half my life was dedicated to learning what the humans there taught me.

It’s funny how, from its smallest version to its mid-size version, my physical wrapping had a flaw in its blood pumping motor, and all the specialists forbade me of any kind of distractions that involved physical activity. Seeing that, the humans who took care of me, whom I call parents, surrounded me with books, encyclopedias, paintings, canvases, poster boards, assembly pieces, modelling clay, and a limitless supply of educational items that helped me get distracted and taught me to see the world in a different light, unlike what most kids learn. Every bit of knowledge someone tried to give me, I already knew and it was boring. The still and unmovable, the perennial and static, have always been an affliction of mine, the reason why passion for the ever-changing and unpredictable — specifically emotions and the human mind — began making its mark in me. It was so thrilling to influence them, have an impact on their behavior, affect their emotions. I became a perception maker. I became an artist.

While still a kid I conducted an experiment. The same two fish in two different fish tanks. I didn’t do this once or twice, but three times for the next 300 days. The fish in the bigger fish tank always grew more than the fish in the smaller fish tank.  12,000 days after being sent to that planet, to that country, to that city, my mental and professional growth had reached its peak. Such level of growth even hurt my safety there, and I started looking for new cities and cultures. I definitely needed a place where I could find all places at the same time.

Today, with only 740 days living in this huge fish tank, filled with different worlds, different minds, beliefs, and emotions, a place where all places are in, and despite having to learn a new language, a new way of looking at things, and a new perspective on life, I can say with the utmost confidence that I feel a part of this new geographical area I chose as a habitat. To be honest, I’m starting to believe I’m not from a different world, but I’ve always been part of this one — New York. I just didn’t know it.