The following is a short piece about my family's first vacation. My dad was in prison for 33 years, and in November of 2016, he was released and subsequently deported to Mexico.

Growing up, visiting my dad in various California prisons, with my mom by my dad's side, I didn't know anything different. Because of how others would react to my story, I knew my life was very different from everyone else. This project is the culmination of 33 years in the prison system, by way of my father 's life sentence, and our journey as a nuclear family in an unconventional way.

This piece is merely an introduction to my family as we travel to my dad's hometown of Bellavista, Mexico. I am currently working on unveiling the raw, and at times ugly truths about this entire process by digging deeper in to the details surrounding the life sentence imposed upon my dad, how it affected me as a young girl and the struggles it presented, and continues to present, although my father is technically free.

To come are the harsh realities of the dangers of becoming institutionalized, released and then expected to make something fruitful of what's left of your life after prison.