If you’re Puerto Rican, most, if not all, applied to you at one time or another….

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I grew up in a household where coffee, milk and sugar were part of a balanced breakfast.

I grew up in a household where my ADD and ADHD was treated with “cuando te coja te voy a dar una gasnata” instead of Ritalin.

I grew up in a household where all it took was just ONE look.

I grew up in a household where we loved white rice and fried eggs.

I grew up in a household where soup was considered “comida de enfermos”

I grew up in a household where Spanish was my primary language.

I grew up in a household where Spanish was my only language…

I grew up in a household where music or TV was never played on Good Friday.

I grew up in a household where we ate “bacalao” on Good Friday because all other fish was too expensive.

I grew up in household where we ate “pernil” at Thanksgiving.

I grew up in a household where we ate “pernil” at Nochebuena.

I grew up in a household where we ate “pernil” at birthday parties.

Come to think of it, I grew up in a household where we ate “pernil” at every social function.

I grew up in a household where Tilo and Manzanilla were the remedies to end all ailments.

I grew up in a household where I could have cafe con leche for breakfast but I was too young for a buchito de cafe negro.
I grew up in a household where we watched la novela while we were having dinner.

I grew up in a household where I was not allowed to sleepover at anybody’s house but they could all come over to our house

I grew up in a household where we didn’t need El Cable because we only watched El Canal 47.

I grew up in a household where “la lonchera” was the lunch box.

I grew up in a household where “la carne” was from “la carniceria” and the groceries were from “la bodega”.

I grew up in a household where meat and potatoes were literally “carne con papas.”

I grew up in a household where oxtail stew had the colorful name of “rabo encendido” or a fiery tail.

I grew up in a household where people were either “blanco, negro, indio o chino.”

I grew up in a household where we drank Bustelo because El Pico was for Cubans.

I grew up in a household where we ate “habichuelas pintas y
coloras”, many times burned to a crisp by  and exploding in la “olla de presion”!

I grew up in a household where the oven was used exclusively to store “las ollas” and the used oil.

I grew up in a household where “las maquinitas” were slot machines and “el juego” was anything related to gambling.

I grew up in a household controlled by Puertoricans.

I survived in that household controlled by Puertoricans.

And I’m proud of it!!!



It’s great to be PUERTORICAN!