I thought they were happy to see me, but when I opened the door to our shack, I saw that everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes. It felt like my heart just fell to my stomach. “What's going on? Why are all of our belongings packed away?” I said really confused. “We’re moving again. I am so sorry Francisco, but we have to.” Explained my mother. I was so upset that we were moving. My little brothers and sisters were upset as well. “But I finally got to know my teacher and I am getting really good at English. Today I was excited to come home so a I could tell everyone that I would be learning how to play the trumpet. Please I need to stay so I could learn to play the trumpet please.” I begged on my knees to stay. “I am
what else they were up to. They stared back at me. For once I had
The time was running fast and I had a couple days left to spend some time with my family and friends. At that time I realized of people I will miss, and I wouldn’t able to meet them again. Even for my parents, it was the toughest time leaving all families and friends behind and start a new life in a new place.
Around the month of August of 2008, the bell ranged and I was dismissed from class. Once, I got out of my class, I went to look for my mom’s car. When I stepped onto the car my mom said, “Jose, guess what?” “What,” I said to her. “Your dad and I decided to move to Colorado,” she said to me excitedly. “What in the world is Colorado, ma?” “Oh my God Jose, never mind about that, aren’t you excited that you’re going to be able to live with you dad?” “Yes, of course!” During
I was twelve years old when my parents made the supreme decision that our family would be moving. There was no definite reason given to me about why my parents were deciding to suddenly make a dramatic change. All I knew was that in the matter of a week my childhood home and everything I had grown to know would no longer be mine. Our house was put on the market and by the second day it was sold. Just two days later all of my belongings were shoved and stuffed into brown cardboard boxes and taken across town to what would soon become my new home.
Our house was being foreclosed on, the only home I had ever known. It was the house I grew up in; and it was going to be gone in the blink of an eye. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal, no one was dying and it is, after all, just a house, but for a 15-year-old girl who had never known anything else, it was huge.
Every new graduated high school student wants to get out of their parents’ house. They want independence, and to feel like they are going somewhere in life. Well, that’s what I thought. Moving out was the hardest thing I had done so far. I had just graduated and was barely making any money but I thought oh well so many people move out this young I’m just going to have to work harder, maybe skip school this semester until I can get on my feet to take classes. I knew all too well that I wouldn’t be able to afford it on my own, so I asked my best friend if she wanted to live with me. Little did we both know that living with another person would be a very different experience then living with our parents. We had plenty of fights over messy rooms, the empty fridge, empty bank accounts, and annoying neighbors.
You wake up and jump right out of bed; you cannot believe this day has finally come, the day you've been waiting your entire life for: moving day. Your name is Betty Lagware and you are eight years old, you have light brown hair and deep blue eyes like the ocean. Well that is how you describe them because you love the ocean. In fact you didn't eat fish for two years once. You are moving from Paulina, Oregon to a small town in the state next which would be Seabrook, Washington. Your new house is walking distance to the beach and docks. One more thing you have not been to your house but your parents have; you have not even seen pictures of your new home.
I moved to the United States in 2011, seeking a better life and a higher quality education. Surely, being a first-generation college student, I felt an immense amount of pressure to succeed because I was the only one in my family who was lucky enough to get the opportunity to earn a college education. When I initially arrived in the United States I did not feel a sense of belonging rather I disliked the transition as it made me feel lonely. Of course, a large move like this one had a significant social impact in my life. But through these challenges, I constantly reminded myself of the reason I moved here and that is to attain an education and pave my way to success.
At my school, students go through the process of getting their rooms for the next year slightly after the midway point in the year. Last year during this time, my best friend and I decided to room together. However, shortly after, my friend withdrew from the school due to personal issues. This sudden withdrawal caught me completely by surprise and left me in a unexpected predicament. I was too late to get a single, and all my friends had already found roommates for next year, I had no idea what I was supposed to do for housing. Naturally, I went to talk to my school’s dean to figure out my situation. I assumed that they had extra rooms prepared in case of this kind of event. After my meeting, I learned that the only rooms they had available
I remember the days when we used to live back in Georgetown. We never saw many of the neighbours, just the occasional glimpse of them as the doors closed behind them. Looking back now; the racism that existed back then, the suspicious glances thrown our way, it was no wonder Momma would come home some nights and cry herself to sleep. I guess that’s why we ended up moving, but back then I was just too young to notice or care.
Every kid at the age of four is still learning how balance themselves on a tight rope and learning how to draw a stick person. They don’t think about their future yet, every four year old is living carefree discovering new things about themselves what they are capable of doing. For me at the age of four I was placed in a difficult position, it was a hard chapter for me. Me being at the age of four I had to say bye to my friends and leave behind my family who raised me.
Moving weekend. These two words have defined my life several times since my pilgrimage to Colorado. My first few years here were chaotic, unknown, and completely spontaneous. For someone who likes control, a concrete plan at least two weeks in advance, and a generous helping of consistent routine, my first days, weeks, years, where I was but a nomadic, semi-"homeless" wanderer were met with the most challenging and illuminating moments I have yet encountered.
Everything seems like it’s falling out of place, it’s going too fast, and my mind is out of control. I think these thoughts as I lay on my new bed, in my new room, in this new house, in this new city, wondering how I got to this place. “My life was fine,” I say to myself, “I didn’t want to go.” Thinking back I wonder how my father felt as he came home to the house in Stockton, knowing his wife and kids left to San Diego to live a new life. Every time that thought comes to my mind, it feels as if I’m carrying a ten ton boulder around my heart; weighing me down with guilt. The thought is blocked out as I close my eyes, picturing my old room; I see the light brown walls again and the vacation pictures of the Florida and camping trip stapled to them. I can see the photo of me on the ice rink with my friends and the desk that I built with my own hands. I see my bed; it still has my checkered blue and green blanket on it! Across from the room stands my bulky gray television with its back facing the black curtain covered closet. My emotions run deep, sadness rages through my body with a wave of regret. As I open my eyes I see this new place in San Diego, one large black covered bed and a small wooden nightstand that sits next to a similar closet like in my old room. When I was told we would be moving to San Diego, I was silenced from the decision.
If you ask anyone what home means to them more than likely you’ll get several different opinions. In my case home has never been a specific place it’s always been wherever my mom was! My Mother and I have been moving from place to place ever since I could remember.
When faced with new environmental changes and a lifestyle to adapt to, many college students feel overwhelmed by homesickness. Homesickness is most commonly due to anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A research studied concluded that homesick college students are three times more likely to drop out than non-homesick students. For many first-year college students, being away from home can be like an adventure. It’s exhilarating to be off on your own and completely in charge of your life and social well-being. I know that during my first week in college, I didn’t feel homesick at all because I was so anxious to meet new people, explore campus, and check out my classes. However, as I got more used to