The summer of 2011 was coming to a close. The University of California Berkeley summer program had come to an end, and the thought of leaving my friends was upsetting. I had developed deep and meaningful relationships with people from all over the world and I was reluctant to leave. I had even met a girl, who my sixth grade brain thought was the love of my life.
The thought of missing my friends was selfishly overpowering, and it drained the enthusiasm away from seeing my family for the first time in four weeks. They had driven up six hours earlier in the day to come pick me up, and I greeted them with a sour look and no energy. Even though I was rude and negligent, I was still able to pick up on something strange. Something was wrong with my parents, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was. My mother kept breaking down into tears and my father kept comforting her, and I assumed that it was just a result of my behavior and that it wasn’t a big deal. If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t really care what was wrong. I was blinded by nostalgia and I focused more on the people I had just left behind than the people who had been there for me for the entirety of my life right in front of me. The six hour drive home that followed was miserable, as I refused to talk to anyone. My parents made multiple efforts to begin conversation, as they were curious how the program went. I deflected their efforts and put in my earphones, like any sour pre-teen would. I thought that
The events of the past few months were twisted around my ankles and dragged around their weight wherever I went. My friends were enjoying the beginning of the school year without me, and the discouraging weakness that comes with
I realized I would probably never see most of them again, especially the British counselors, many of whom had never been to America before that summer. Of course I could go back next summer if I wanted to, but it wouldn’t be the same. Everyone would be replaced with a whole new group of people that I would come to know and love then never see again. As these realizations hit me, I started to feel numb. After saying goodbye to everyone, fetching my luggage, and scrubbing off the mold that had started to grow on my shower basket, I slumped over to my mom’s good old gray Kia Sportage.
Fifty-two chapters, thousands of girls, timeless friendships through sisterhood, one big family. I’ve always known that I wanted to move away from home for greater opportunities and experiences. Although my parents were very optimistic about my decisions and the route I chose, it was difficult to leave home. The five-hour flight alone, the lonesome nights without my family, the horrifying first day speeches and upperclassmen, having no car to get around, and maybe the possibility of not liking your dorm roommates.
Just as I began to enjoy my stay in California, I had to leave once again. Again, I became an empty slate having to start anew in a different middle school. However, this time I was much more accepting of the sudden move to Arizona, especially since I knew that the move was for the sake of my mom’s job, and for the sake of my siblings and I’s livelihood. I learned how to sacrifice factors in my life, such as spending my 8th grade year with my friends, for other important aspects such as my mom’s job.
But, when my father finds out that we 're leaving for New York, he decided to come with us. He tried to do the same here with my mother, but my brothers did not let him, they confronted him. That’s when everything started changing with him. It was too late for us, the damage was already done. I hold anger, I was afraid to communicate with others, low self-esteem, and I couldn’t concentrate in school.
As a student in elementary school, I never had very many friends. I was never invited to parties or hang outs and was always kind of left out. Sure, my classmates didn’t mean to do this to me, but the reality of it hurt. This year, I changed. I took what I had learned and I made something better out of it.
All my life, I have I lived in Texas and considered it my home; however, I have a difficult time pinpointing exactly where “home” is, considering I’ve moved four times. I am more of a displaced resident than anything else. Being exposed to many different communities and circles of friends, I’ve been forged into the resilient person I am today. At Faubion Elementary in Austin, I didn’t have any real friends there, and consequently, barely remember attending.
I was afraid to leave most of my family behind, afraid to leave my friends and the hobbies I had. I told my dad but he told me “it's for the best” but I was young I didn’t know what that meant.
Now, at that time it had started to affect my social life. With not being able to go to school hindered the chance of seeing my friends at all. Being unable to go outside and play with my friends put a divide between all of us. On top of everything, I lost my confidence, especially when trying to socialize.
I would first like to start off by thanking you for your time to listen to my plea. I’m saddened that it has come to this. However, I’m grateful that I have a chance to voice my opinion. I would then mention why I left the area, which is why I was incarcerated in the first place. I would explain my son’s situation and how I was doing what was best for my family.
High school has been an intersecting experience for me. I have learned and experienced a lot of new things. I also accomplished a lot of goals for things that I always wanted to try. Also I will be leaving East Wake Academy with a lasting legacy that will make it easier for other students to pursue opportunities of their own. My time at East Wake Academy has been well valued; being there has allowed me to pursue opportunities that I would have never imagined could happen.
“I’m so tired of this!” Said Molly. I always find myself in my feelings about what Jake and I are going through! Sorry, where are my manners, I’m Molly Andrews. I live in Baton Rouge. I live with my mom and my dad died when I was one.
I woke up and stumbled out of bed to go get a bagel and some coffee. When walked through the dark room the floor seemed to be creeking more than it usually did each step. But it didn't sound like a creek it sounded more like a bang.
The screams could be heard from a mile away. I stood next to my best friend, Emily Morgan, as we entered the line for BIZZARO. My heart was already pounding and I felt adrenaline coursing through my veins. Little did I know that the ride would make you fall in love and terrified all at once. “You still want to wait?”
In a matter of seconds, the course of your life could be altered irreversibly forever. An individual’s defining moment can come at any point in your life in a variety of ways. As you continue to age, the number of these special experiences will accumulate. The moments that define you will pave the way for your future. It was in the summer of second grade when my mother decided to bring me out of the country to visit my father and spend two months in Dubai.