Personal Narrative: Shelbyville's Biggest Break

We were now in Missouri I was so excited because I had never been to Missouri before everyone didn’t understand why I was so excited because it was just Missouri, but it was a new place to me. It was lunch time, so we stopped in Kansas City, Missouri at Burger King. Burger King was not prepared for that many people at once, all twenty-seven of us walked in, and their mouths just dropped, but they got us through the line efficiently, and we were off again. Our destination for the night was Evansville, Indiana so our bus driver was to the point where if you had to go hold it as long as you could because every time we stopped that was just later it put us in Indiana. We stopped for a few more times and then we were in Mt Vernon, Illinois which

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,

Being from rural Mississippi, people from other states assume that we know very little about what goes on outside our state let alone our own town. In a way, I can see why, but glad I am one of the ones who, thanks to my family, have an idea of a world larger than my town. I am from a family of six consisting of my mother, father, step-mother, brother, and identical twin sister. We did a lot of traveling when growing up normally traveling out of state even if just for weekends. My interest in other cultures and languages came from my family, especially on my mother’s side where I members who traveled out of country for work and would bring us back clothes, books, or other souvenirs. My dad did not do as much traveling as my mom and had not

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

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.

I have spent copious amounts of time in communities stricken with low socioeconomic statuses, less fortunate than the usual neighborhoods I see in Pikesville. The experiences has engrained a strong moral compass into me, leading me to have a solid goal; of beautifying and bettering areas of destitute.

I stayed there for a yr and I didn't like it, I wanted to go home after one week of me being

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.

In 2014 of October I moved to Georgia from Florida. I was leaving a place I had been living in my entire life. It was a tough situation as I knew moving to a different state and school could be difficult. I was very nervous as it was a new environment with different people and new types of school work. I was worried about not making friends or getting bad grades. That morning of school my heart raced. When I arrived at school I met new people and my teachers, I also figured out which teachers were bad and what teachers would be good. I left school that day very happy knowing I would have a great year. Later that week I started to become more familiar with the grading systems, behavior system and connections. at my old school they were called

I never thought a white woman from North Carolina could make a change. Back then, everywhere I went I can feel the town's eyes follow. You don't grow up thinking that your beliefs could/would change. Hell, you grow up thinking much of nothing down here. In North Carolina, the only thing you have time for is making money. So you can buy more time.

Nolensville, Tennessee. The place I call home. I have lived here for the past five years, and although I have not loved every second of it, it has grown to be a place I love to call home. I mostly grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee until I was 13 and got the news we were moving to a new town. I would have to change to new schools and make new friends while having to move houses too.

I have lived in Indiana for most of my life and only moved a couple times and those times wernt that far. The biggest move I had was when I moved to Texas a couple years ago. When we moved down there we drove the whole way in a box truck we rented to haul our belongings. It was pretty taunting drive at times, riding in the truck. All the little thing that affected the truck that didn’t a normal car. But on the move back up it was 100 times worse.

I am from Alabama aka AL, but I live in Colorado now. When I was down there I lived in a small town that is called Frisco City, Al that has trees everywhere and there are lakes everywhere too. I loved everything about my hometown, but I had to leave my home because I was young and dumb. Also I wanted to see a new place. When someone asked me why I left AL I told them why. I have been in CO for 1 year and I like the jobs here and the education is great. I really miss my family and my hometown, so I wanted to go back home to see my family because I haven't seen them in a year. That's why I am telling you about my trip back home.