I was born in Long Beach, California on July 1st, 1992. I lived there for a little bit, and then moved to San Diego where most of my relatives resided. I started playing soccer when I was 8, and it came like a second nature. It turned out that I was really good at it, and I was the top player in the league. The whole league was almost full of people that went to my school. Because of that, I was well-known at school. School was like my second home. I had a lot of friends, and I actually liked doing the work. Every morning, I was eager to get dressed up and head to school. Teachers and students, knew who I was. At that time, life was great. I had a lot of friends, was with the people I loved; felt like I had everything I ever needed.
A couple days before my 13th birthday, I was given some news that would change my life forever. I was told that we were going to move to Texas. There was many times before this, where my parents had told me that we were moving but it never happened so when they told me this, I didn't believe them. It turned out that we indeed were planning to move. On my 13th birthday, we had a birthday party/going away party with family and close friends. With family and close friends surrounding me, I never soaked in what was really going on. It finally hit me that this was going to happen. The day I was dreading for finally arrived. That morning, we said our good-byes and were off. 23 hours later, we reached Houston, Texas. We pulled up to our new house, and proceeded to unpack. Everything was so new to me. New home, and new surroundings. From this moment on, I knew my life would drastically change.
It's been 6 years, and I'm still living in Houston, Texas. Moving here, I had to adapt to everything. Everything about me changed. The way I feel about people, my attitude, and how I am not open to anything anymore. I was told that I have changed a lot by many people, but there's nothing I can do. Hate it or love it, that is just how I am now.
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(I had this song on repeat just to remind myself of some good times I had in California. Listening to this song helps soothe me down, when I'm feeling down or mad.)
I can completely relate to your story. Since I was an infant to now, I have lived in many states and countries. Every move will cause an impact on who you are, as a person, due to the fact everything changes around you. I understand where you are coming from when you stated that California"you" is not the same person as the Texas "you". Just moving from one state to another things change. The atmosphere around you will change, I have lived in California and it is the total opposite of Texas. Living in one place for as long as you did you set up roots and had to abruptly pull them out, to move had to be hard. I myself, have moved so much, like a gypsy in the night, that I do not have roots planted in anyone country. My family coming from Ireland and Scotland and the never ending moving, we are scattered all over the globe. So for me, not moving constantly, I think, I would have the same exact feelings you are going through because of a move. Great song by the way. I agree having a song is a great way to remember a place.
ReplyDeleteI can understand how you must feel. I am a native Texan and can't imagine living anywhere else. I have traveled the world but there is no place like Houston for me. The age at which you moved is a really hard age to relocate at. I know my oldest was about your age when our family moved from Katy to Kingwood, and to her we might as well have moved to Alaska.
ReplyDeleteTherese Shaath
There have been plenty of times when all I wanted to do was move far, far away and I never really thought about all that I would have to endure. I always expected the dramatic change, but your blog really opened my eyes to how much it would change me. I hope you have adjusted to Texas and its bipolar weather, and have learned to love Texas like the rest of us. :)
ReplyDeleteI am also a native Texan and can't imagine living anywhere else either. I think i'm just comfortable with familiar surroundings.I lived in Florida for 1 month and when I first got there,people were staring at me like I was an alien. It seemed like their way of life was so different from ours. But it was exactly the same.Just a little slower and quieter. When I told everyone that I was from Houston, you could swear I said Hollywood! They were so fascinated! I was so confused! I think it's great that you have adapted to the nonchalant ways of Texas but always represent where you came from.
ReplyDeleteI was very sorry to read that you aren't open to anything anymore, but I understand. Like you, I moved at the worst possible time for me and had loads of trouble finding out how to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered how my life would be if I moved to another state or country. On few occasions I almost did just leave but in your case your moved as a family. I've only moved once in my life and it was only 20 minutes away, but still my life changed and for the better I can see that now that I'm older. Sometimes it's healthy to adapt and grow as a person, not all of it can be bad.
ReplyDeleteLose an interest and gain another.
I can tell leaving California was a huge life changing event. I spent several weeks in San Diego and was ready to come back to Houston. We become so relax and comfortable with our surroundings, until it makes it hard to accept change. Continue to take it one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteI have some family living in California too. My family and I traveled there plenty of times and my cousins always tell me that texans are so different then peple from cali. I love traveling and meeting new people. I have lived in many states beside Texas and I learned a lot of different things about people. Even though we all live in America part of america acts differently in their own ways. My family moved to Texas 16 years ago because it was cheaper compared to Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that your move to Texas, has changed you so much. I can understand that being in a different place and cause you to change. Also, since you had to leave your friends behind, that can be hard too. The thing that saddened me most was that you said that you are not open to anything now. Sometimes, in life we don't get to make certain decisions, but we do always have to learn how to adapt to the situation. Maybe, the way you have adapted is shutting yourself off. But if I were you I would try to look at it as simply a stepping stone in life, and make the best of it. I know you will probably never love Houston the same as you loved your hometown, but I hope one day you will enjoy yourself in Texas!
ReplyDeleteAmanda Miles
I think that age that you moved was a really bad time to leave. Its right when you are trying to find yourself and and feel accepted by people and fit in and having to start all over in a new state is so hard. I moved when I was in 6th grade and when I got to the new school it was hard to find my place b/c everyone had all grown up together and I was like the outsider for a long time. I told myself I would never do that to my kids and so far I have not moved them. But we all seem to survive. I often wonder what life would be like had I stayed where I was. I hope you have found a place here in Texas!! Nancy Ringo
ReplyDeleteI understand what your saying but with me home is Texas. I love travleing and seeing new places and things but eventually I gotta come back home. It would change me in some ways also if I werent able to come back.
ReplyDeleteI am a Texas girl born and raised, but my sales job has taken me to different states over the years and some of those states I have called home for many years before moving back to texas. I have lived in Tennessee, Maryland, and all over the state of Texas... but I always find myself back in Texas! I love it! I know that it may be of little comfort...but maybe over more time things will change for you:)
ReplyDeleteSimona Muttilib