From East to West

Mark Travis Rivera is a writer, dancer, choreographer, feminist, and LGBTQA activist and will be temporarily relocating to the Bay Area from the East Coast. This blog will be his platform for sharing with everyone the experience of going from east to west.

[markingeasttowest]

I can't do everything and still have everything so I have to let some pieces go.

Grey's Anatomy 

[markingeasttowest]

I will be #FabulouslySpeaking at #NYU for the Multiple Identity Series for @NYUCMEP on October 17th. Speaking and performing with @markeddanceproj about my journey of being #disabled #gay and #Latino. How I had to learn how to embrace my identities in order to tap into my own potential. Aspire to inspire always. Dream big. Don't give up. 5 years ago I never thought my "stupid" idea would lead to all that has happened to me. Dance. Dream. Discover. #newyorkcity #lgbtqa #activism #cerebralpalsy #dreamer #passion #arts

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To Be Foreign (Late Night Prose)

Everyone wants to reach adulthood,

Wants to be grown 

Wants to be able to live on their own--

Do as they wish, 

Speak as they wish, 

And cope as they wish

But no one warns us of the woes of adulthood--

No one warns us of what it means to be foreign

When the ideas and beliefs you once held deeply

Force you to abandon what you knew

For what you now know 

You now know it's not always rainbows and butterflies,

That indeed life is about compromise and sacrifice 

That your friends will not last with you until your end,

That the chains you wear to fit in,

Become the chains that leave you gasping for air

As the conformity consumes your false reality

To be foreign

To feel as if you've grown light years ahead of the life

You left behind

To see familiar faces but still not recognize

Why your brown eyes once viewed them in such bright light

To be foreign in a place you once called home--

To be foreign-- attempting to cross the borders

Out of your reality,

Away from the life you ran away from

But no longer can you avoid your reality

Now border control known as adulthood and responsibilities

Are knocking on your door, asking you to prove your citizenship

Because despite feeling foreign,

This is your life, this is what you must endure

[markingeasttowest]

My platonic lover EnveNever and I. ♡♥♡♥ #California #love #gay #bayarea #friends #LakeMerritt #lakechalet

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Missing #California #bayarea #LakeMerritt #lakechalet #gay #fierce #water #FromWestToEast

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Jersey I'm home. Jetlag and all. Jersey I'm home.

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An Observer

I'm wide awake....it is 6:02 a.m. and I'm feeling super tired.

It feels strange being back in New Jersey, I didn't realize that while I was out West, a lot would happen that I would miss out on. (I know the world doesn't revolve around me!) My body may be physically in the East but my mind and heart is still in the West. Until the rest of me returns East I will enjoy being an observer.

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Enjoying the view.

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Flying...proud to be American. @virginamerica #FromWestToEast #sky #clouds

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Almost half way there. I'm coming home. #FromWestToEast

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I an in the air...had to purchase wifi because this flight is long. This summer in the #bayarea was so amazing. I found myself, I fell in love with him, with my craft, and affirmed my purpose. New Jersey I'm coming home and I can't wait to start this next chapter in my life. My ultimate goal was to #BeFree and as I go from West to East I have established that freedom. Thankful the universe allowed me to go on this journey. #FromEastToWest #love #dreams #dance #gay #life #passion #purpose #inspired

[markingeasttowest]

I'm Coming Home

I'm in denial that my time in the Bay has really concluded.

Today I'm coming home...tell the world I'm coming...excited about the next chapter in my life and to see familiar faces.

Now the question is whether or not they will recognize me.

will recognize mine.

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My view in #SanFran near the Castro. What an amazing journey the last three months have been. #FromEastToWest

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I'm going to miss this view. #bayarea #Oakland #LakeMerritt #gay #FromEastToWest

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Going to miss Tanja!!!!!

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Chocolate #martinis

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Moments like these make me feel super loved. Love having such a beautiful niece like Jailyn. #ProudUncle #Tio #family #love #guncle I'm coming home...