I have learned that sometimes we have to love people despite their frailties. I wave my white flag of defeat and finally let the cigarette win, because they will never lose and I cannot afford to lose anytime with my father. So I stick by him and keep to my promised visits even when I am too busy with school or friends. As we sit on his porch, I tell him about my day as he asks the usual questions....

Leaving the Massachusetts soil when I had the opportunity to visit the campus was a difficult feat. My visit introduced me to rolling hills, intellectual buildings, and yards of sweet grass. Tufts offers me the ability to pursue a degree in both Latin American studies, or linguistics, or fine art. Tufts’ appeal extends beyond Jumbo and the academics, but to the range of social activities. From burlesque to culinary society, the interest groups have a place for everyone. For me...

Every morning for as long as I can recall, a cup of ‘cafe con leche’ has been my companion, the trustworthy friend that is always there to make my mornings bearable. I cannot imagine my life without my ‘cafe con leche’, the sweet milk mixed with bitter, black Cuban coffee and three, maybe four, teaspoons of sugar. A drink symbolic of my upbringing, neighborhood, and culture. ‘El Cafecito’ (a small concentrated shot of coffee) for a Cuban goes hand in...

Raspberries, small red berries, its honeycomb-like shape stains my fingers purple as I reach into the plastic grocery store container for another one. As I place one of nature's finest creations in my mouth, the small fuzzy hairs of its surface tickles my tongue. My mouth curves into a smile as the taste kindles my senses. The juice seeps from the berry and drowns every other sense as I focus solely on its rich, bitter, sweet taste. Nothing can wash...