We are better than this.We are better than the fights. We are better than the shootings. We are better than the filming of these events. We are better than the numbness we have to tragedy. We are better than adding more hate into hatred acts.

Living abroad where all the people are of one culture, who have an established country, and a cohesive civilization between the same borders, people often don't understand nor even fathom, what it is like to not have a country of your own.

It's like: always feeling like a stranger in the country you were born in.
It's like: getting excited at the sight of a familiar skin tone when you're in public.
It's like: your heart breathing fresh air when you hear the same tongue at the most unexpected times--which is--most times.

Whether this is a letter to myself or to all the friends I've seen grow up around me, I wanted to send my wishes, as we take on different paths and go different ways, of the things I hope you'd at least have the chance to experience in your 20s. 20s because this is the best time to build ourselves, to find ourselves, so we can fall into ourselves fully in our 30s. And even if our timelines don't align, that having these experiences will still be worthwhile.

So, to my dearest 20 somethings, these are the things I would wish for you.

"Nothing lasts forever."

Not the good, nor the bad, and I absolutely know that.

And so the most beautiful thing, is being awake and alive enough to know that although I don’t know how long it’ll last, I know very well, with all my being, that in this very moment, I am not short of anything.

It took a long time for me to find the words I needed. And even then, I probably still don't have all the right things to say.

"Toxic" a word I didn't want to use. Because that implies that there is something wrong with you, that you only bring harm.

And that is not the case. Because I too, am not perfect, and because you amount to more than just a label. Because you were the bestest best friend I could have ever asked for. For all the nights you were there through my most soul-wrenching cries, all the times you were there to celebrate my success, and even praise me on my failures. All the moments you never hesitated to come and save me, at any time, any where, for any reason. Thank you. For all the love I will never forget.

For the love, vision, and real stories behind this film, I wanted to commemorate the first anniversary since its release by honoring all the people who have been apart of the leap of faith I once took.

Honoring people because; taboo does not only consist of the two involved, but the many people around them.

'Leap of faith' because; I truly believe taboo is the greatest test to see who truly loves us unconditionally. Who will still be there when society can no longer read you as a valid member. And whether or not, you truly love yourself, to build the world you believe in, even if the world does not want you.