I am a 26 year old New York Native who moved to New Jersey at sixteen years old. I've been working in the food industry since I was fourteen years old. I taught my mom and dad how to speak English as my mom came from Puerto Rico and my dad came from the Dominican Republic. My mom had my siblings but still had to work. So during the summer time I would babysit my younger brothers when I was about nine years old. I knew very early my family was poor because of our living conditions and environments but we always made the best of it. I knew that I wanted to get a job so that I can help contribute to my well-being and my family's well- being. I first moved out at seventeen because my relationship with my mother became rocky. I craved independence. My relationship with my mother was never healthy since I was a kid, I was just too young to feel the damage. I've always had trouble affording my own apartment because I need roommates. I never made enough money to be able to have both a car and apartment. I wasn't poor enough to qualify for a sufficient amount of financial aid so I can continue my education. I tried to live with my mom recently so that I can properly save money. But in the midst of me trying to sell and get rid of a lot of things that I will not be taking with me on my backpacking journey, she kicked me out because " I have too much stuff." I communicated with her very well and told her my plans. She was actually very happy for me. I don't know what happened, maybe all my things were stressing her out or I wasn't moving fast enough. The point is she's been this way all my life. My dad rents a room somewhere in New Jersey so I am not able to stay with him. I currently crash with one of my closest friends that I grew up with but still pay him $500 for rent. Soon enough I won't be able to pay him because my last day is in September. I also still pay for my younger brother's phone bills. It is very hard to get by with no chance to breathe for myself when I feel like I'm somewhere I don't belong. This is why I have decided to get up and go and finally take a risk to focus on myself 100%. I am in love with the camera and everything about it. I want to take my craft seriously and gain income from it. As well as being able to provide jobs or learning opportunities for anyone interested. I bought a one way flight ticket to Thailand and from there I will continue my travels throughout southeast Asia, and Europe to continuing giving out the love I haven't received from my family, in hopes of finding a new home somewhere out in the world. While also being able to express my creativity as freely as possible. So far I have two months of my travel accommodations booked. I will soon book more. I currently work part time at a bagel shop.