Through reading, I escaped the bad parts of my life in the South Bronx. And, through books, I got to travel the world and the universe. It, to me, was a passport out of my childhood and it remains a way - through the power of words - to change the world.

My diabetes is such a central part of my life... it did teach me discipline... it also taught me about moderation... I've trained myself to be super-vigilant... because I feel better when I am in control.

Same way I have my entire life. Keep my family and friends close. My Latino friends close. I visit the island [Puerto Rico] as often as I humanly can.

The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.

You make your life choices understanding that you might and do have to work harder to prove yourself.

Without question, so many people, throughout my life, never think of Puerto Rico as part of the United States.

I'm a New Yorker, and I jaywalk with the best of them.