where are you from?

i had to answer this question all the time in australia. and it makes sense, too-- you talk funny, you have a slightly different way of dressing, and something about an international kid just reads "international kid" to the locals. it makes sense. but i have recently started getting the question again.

it makes a lot of sense. i just forgot that i wasn't done answering the question because it's just been so long since i got it. and i forgot how complex the answer was.
i'm from arkansas by way of the suburbs by way of australia by way of chicago.
of course that's not the answer i give when i'm really asked, but it's the most accurate concise honest answer i have.

maybe it's just late, maybe i'm over-thinking things. but i think the variety of answers i can give for this question is fascinating and i never would have guessed any of it a few years ago.