Personal Narrative: My Life In North Carolina

California has always held a special place in my heart for many different reasons. I was born and raised in this state and although there has been many drawbacks to being Californian, it has always been a place of comfort for me. California has played a huge role when it comes to the person I am today and why I have such an open mind, love for different cultures, and my willingness to work hard for the so called “California Dream.”

Though I spent my entire life living in North Carolina I never thought of myself as a Southerner. My understanding of the Southern lifestyle was quite limited; there is an emphasis on family solidarity, and self-sufficiency with an agricultural backdrop that is part of their essence. The South is not simply a location, manners or customs it is a way of life. Hearing the childhood details of a favorite professor allowed me to envision a picture perfect life under the shade of a magnolia tree and little southern girl who grew up to be a Sandhills Community College professor, Mrs. Cole.

Well the week of our trip to Memphis Tennessee had finally arrived ! My colleagues Beverly,

Growing up in rural North Carolina was both a blessing and a curse. My hometown, Fallston, North Carolina, is a tiny town way off the beaten path. Most people speak with a southern accent, are devout christians, vote Republican, think camouflage is a normal fashion pattern, and adore country music. But while I was a child, none of these things were a problem. I never realized how close-minded everyone was or how there were no opportunities for success; I was too concerned with the three most important events of the year: the Fallston FunFest, the Belwood Tractor Pull, and the Cleveland County Fair. However, as I grew older, zeal wore off and reality set in. I started to realize how conservative and restrictive it was. What little Fallston offered,

The greasy scent of cheap burgers and fries wafted into the car as we pulled into the parking lot of a Wendy’s, right in the heart of who-knows-where, East Tennessee. I couldn’t contain my excitement as I rushed my 12-year-old self out of the minivan and into the palace of grease. Clad in ratty sweatpants and a t-shirt with my hair pressed down from my prolonged use of headphones, it was evident that I spent long hours sitting in a car, asking “if we’re there yet” too many times to count. In this moment, however, carving up Snowshoe Mountain on my snowboard didn’t seem as exciting as the machine that stood across the room. Standing tall, shiny, and red, the Coca-Cola Freestyle soda fountains were in the early stages of being released, and

In recent days I had the opportunity to go back to North Carolina for a few short days. There, with a heavy heart from a loss in the family, I had nothing else to look towards. I’ve always heard of individuals finding peace, faith, blessings, and love of Christ from attending church. I’ve never been a person who put their faith into a higher power. As I was growing up my parents never wanted to force me into any religion without me knowing everything about it and choosing which route to take on my own. As the years treaded on, I never bothered myself to learn about the many different religions and what each stands for. So I used this opportunity as mine to attend church for the very first time. I attended the Roman Catholic services held

My exchange for South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics is a great one. The school receives a driven student determined for success and craving to be the change of the world. I get an amazing opportunity to boost off into success from one place created solely for students just like myself. I’ll have to give up a few hard things that I considered normal, but anything in this life worth having is worth the fight-well in my case, the sacrifice.

The only state I have ever known as home is North Carolina. I was born and raised in Charlotte and the only time I have ever moved away was last year to start a new chapter of my life as a college student. Growing up in Charlotte has had such an impact on what I plan to do with my future. As a young child I always thought of Charlotte as the next best thing to New York City. I shortly realized after visiting that was not quite the case. New York City introduced me to a new world of opportunity.

Every single person has their own unique identity and culture.At first when I moved to Lafayette from my hometown it was like being a White Tiger around all regular tigers.I didn't really fit in and I kinda stood out because I wasn't from Lafayette.I moved to Lafayette from my hometown in the summer of 2015.My cultural identity fits me because of my accent.

This summer I went to Maryland for the first time and met my family that is over there.

Growing up in Northern Michigan and having family members from all over the state meant that my family traveled around quite a bit to see all of the natural wonders that Michigan has to offer.  From the time I was born until now I have lived in the same neighborhood (Lake Arrowhead). When I was in fifth grade my parents divorced but because both of them loved the neighborhood so much my mom kept our house and my dad built a new home about three miles away but still in the same neighborhood. I use to think this was strange that my parents were divorced but still lived in the same subdivision, as I got older I realized it was because they both shared the same love for the Lake and wanted their children to be raised by the water. This neighborhood is special for many reasons, it is a private neighborhood, there is many miles of trails for ATVs, a private pool, and most importantly there is the actual lake arrowhead lake (Buhl Lake).

One year ago this morning on April 11/2016 I arrived to Charlotte, North Carolina after four day trip on Amtrack train. From San Jose, California to Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Janelle! Janelle, girl get up." I was shook out of my sleep. I opened my eyes and looked over at my alarm clock. It was 7 and today I started my new entry job at Atlantic records. It was nothing but a little entry job, working in the office versus the studio. But it was all in the same building. I got up and walked tiredly to the bathroom where I turned the shower on. I remember when I applied for this job. The people back home thought I was crazy when I got accepted and I decided to move all the way across the country from Rhode Island to LA. But I was sick and tired of the small town life. I went to college and got my degree in Music Management and if I kept up the way I was, I would have wasted another 10 years of my life thinking on shoulda,

I remember my trip to wet n' wild in North Carolina. It was about a years ago and it was on of the amazing trip of my life. I remember flying to North Carolina. I was sitting on the plane thing about all the delicious Krispy Kreme donuts I was going to eat, their donuts were first created in North Carolina. North Carolina also has many theme parks located on its famous strip, including Golf & Arcades, Wet n' Wild, Parks, Shows on ice , tours locations and more . And out of all these places, the most interesting place was wet n' wild.

My mom always made sure my sister and I were okay even if she was going through all this on her own. During this time my mom met my step dad who I think of as my “real” dad. He was there for my mom through this dreadfully difficult time. He has always been more of a father figure to me then my blood dad was. He always made sure if we needed anything he would be there. They were together for about 2 years and then when I turned five they got married. I haven't seen my mom upset since. He has two kids of his own, my step sister Erin and my step brother Jason. While making sure they are okay, and making sure they had everything they need he is also doing the same with my sister and