Dear UCSD

Being with you for almost two years has changed the way I do things and my routine. But most of all, it has changed the way I walk...literally! If you've seen me outside, you'd notice the difference. I've been told that I got this "happy bounce" when I walk. I guess that's a good way to put it but for those who don't know what that means, it's basically because I switch the little hips that I do possess -reppin the itty bitty hippy committee [LOL]- and I have a pretty fast stride so sometimes, it looks like I'm lowkey runway walking. HOWfuckinEVER, that is definitely NOT when I'm with you, which is a good 90% of the time. There are times when I just don't give a flying fuck so I walk my usual walk anyways, but more often than not, well damn, I feel like I'm walking with a turd stuck up my butt cuz I walk so stiffly...like everybody other person you've been with before

ICKY! Why theee fuckkkk do I feel obliged to walk a stiff conforming way when I have a specific way of walking that clearly only pertains to the Julieanne Denisse Aquino in this world?! I know I don't fit into your norms and your standards , I know that! & I knew that coming in, but I thought that was why you chose me over the others, so why in the world do I consciously struggle to change the way I walk- the way I am- when I am with you?! I mean you didn't tell me I couldn't keep walking the way I do, I just put that on myself, and if you had the audacity to tell me I couldn't so I shouldn't walk my signature walk, I should be excited and indignant. Excited, because I can finally school your ignorant and closed-minded perspective that is clearly not aware of the diversity in the walks of this Earth. Indignant, because I didn't like you at first either, but I learned to compromise and accept you for who you are because I think I might just love you, so why can't you do the same for me? So if that day ever did come, oh I hope you come prepared with some kinda protection because I will walk my "bouncy" walk all over you, happily.

Ingrid Michelson - 'The Way I Am' from the infantry on Vimeo.

[Shout out to Myke B. for finding the actual video :)]

Sincerely,

Your girlfriend, I mean favorite student.