1- Jacob P- Remembering my Origins

            Remembering my origins 

 I am from the golden California hills 

 I am from the sweet scent of jasmines in the spring 

 I am from the oak trees that cover the hills of Vacaville, charred by the annual fires

 From the course, sandy beaches of Dillans, Pismo, and Fort Bragg 

 I am from the visits to the Napa wineries and the breweries throughout California. 

 I am from the camping trips spent underneath the scorching summer sun and the huddles around a heat lamp in the rain 

 I am from the family trips to San Francisco, Benicia, Suisun, and Apple Hill From the humid corn fields of Ohio along with the foggy redwood forests of Oregon and the dry, arid valleys of Nevada. 

 I am from the annual Almond Festivals, Dixon Mayfairs, Christmas tree lightings, and the Fiesta Day Parades.

 I am from the Sunday breakfasts with my family and the crab feeds with the Boy Scouts 

 From the lopping of Christmas trees in the rain to weeks spent at summer camps with my friends 

 From the hikes through Mt. Tamalpais, Pinnacles, and Blue Ridge

 I am from the many hours spent in arm bars, kimuras, chokeholds, and head cranks in Jiu Jitsu

 I am from the many hours of my life listening to Pearl Jam, Papa Roach, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool, Audio Slave, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Van Halen

 I am from the air shows with my brother and my Grandpa at Travis Air Force base

 I am from the wind farms of Rio Vista and the snow-capped mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe. 

 These are what I am from