Project One Revision

Vurne Bobbs

Project One

English 1100-068

13 September 2010

There is a narrative by Taneisha Grant called “To Speak Patois.” It talks about the way that she felt when she had to move from a place that she has been raised to a new place she knows nothing about. Her main focus is about change and how it affects everyone. She states in her narrative that change can be a scary condition but it can also be helpful if the person learns to fully release what they had in the past. I chose this narrative because I was faced with the same challenges that she had when I first moved from California to North Carolina two years ago. I immediately noticed the difference between states because I realized how much slower the pace of life is here. When I lived in California, I was always out exploring life every chance that I got. My parents always used to tell me that I am trying to explore life too early for my young age. I was sixteen but I felt as though I was on my own because I was in such a rush to be an adult. I believe that it was all the high expectations and the glamour of Hollywood that forced all the kids to want to try to become successful quickly. Although California has some parts of it that are more agricultural based, the majority of the people live a fast paced city lifestyle.

When I first came to North Carolina, I realized that my life was going to slow down tremendously because of the older atmosphere. In California, I lived next to other people and my backyard had a built in pool. The house that I moved into was surrounded by trees and wildlife and the backyard was nothing but dirt and grass. My neighbors were not even within walking distance anymore and the only pool I could jump in was the public pool but everyone knows the problem with public pools. They get dirty quick because young kids tend to relieve themselves in them.

I did not know anything about the state of North Carolina besides the fact that it is covered with trees and crop fields. I started attending Northeast Guilford High School did not know anyone. I stuck out like a sore thumb as a city boy. People tried talking to me and introducing the school to me but I did not want to get to close to them because I felt as though I would betray my old friends if I had left and made brand new ones. I did not realize I was doing this until my dad has pointed this out to me. He told me that I was subconsciously punishing myself for leaving my friends behind by not allowing myself to enjoy the new life I had.

I remember hearing that change is good from an old but very popular Disney movie called “The Lion King.” It was the scene when Simba (the lion) tells Rafiki (the baboon) that he has completely changed from the little lion cub that he used to be when he first left the Pride Lands. Rafiki replies to him saying, “Change is good.” The accent that the baboon has adds a little humor to the statement but in itself it is a lesson for people to learn from. Change can be a good thing in life. Change brings out new thoughts and ideas and allows them to participate in experiences that they would never have thought about. What type of change is good? Do you mean something easy, like changing your clothes or do you mean something more personal like changing your likes, dislikes, and habits to keep someone you love happy? Then you have is ask if all change is good. Some might say that changing the way you are to make someone happy is wrong because you are making yourself miserable in the process by not being yourself. Some might also say that changing the way you are to make someone is important for a relationship because it keeps the peace.

“Do you even know what they were talking about when they called us down here?” my sister asked seeming impatient. “How would I know that?” I snapped back. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked. “They always call me down here when I’m busy doing something,” I said shaking my head. “You were playing videogames.” She said while laughing. I tried not to crack a smile but I also found that pretty funny. My parents walked in and stood in front of us as though they were going to give a famous speech. “We’re moving.” My mom said without wasting anytime at all. I could tell that she could not hold back her excitement as nearly as good as my dad could. My dad threw up his hands waving them back in forth as though he was trying to erase that statement. My mouth dropped down to the floor and then rolled a couple of feet until it reached the kitchen table. My brain fell through my skull until it landed in my stomach acid. I could not believe in those words. My first thought was to laugh extremely loudly like I did when watching the last part of “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.” “Are you serious?” I asked looking for the right answer. “Yes.” My parents both said simultaneously. That was not the right answer that I was looking for.

A few years have passed since that day but I can still recall moving into the new house and officially starting a new life. I remember thinking that all my friends were going to hate me for leaving them behind. I was scared of making new friends because I did not want to replace that ones that I already had. I did not even want to look at other girls because I still liked a girl that I had to leave back home. I felt as though my life was ruined because I thought of all the negative things that could come out of the situation.

I soon started getting familiar to certain things around the new house and the new school after a few months. At my old school, my grades were very low because I seemed to talk more than doing my work. My parents told me that moving would be a good experience and a much better opportunity for better education. I didn’t want to believe them at first, but they were absolutely right. They always seem to be right. My grades started to change from C’s and D’s into A’s and B’s. I started to become more thoughtful of different cultures and families. I kept in touch with my old friends while making new ones as well. I learned a lot about getting used to change when moving to North Carolina. Everyone is different and special in their own way. I learned that from a girl named Brittany that I met while I was in Drivers Ed. Class out here. We began talking and became a couple. I had never met a girl as interesting as her and I never would have if I didn’t move in the first place and even became best friends with the girl that I used to like before moving here. That is a change that I am very thankful for.

“So what are your plans for today?” I asked. Brittany looked at me and smiled. “I think I have to go get my classes changed today.” She said. “Change is good.” I said trying to hold back laughter. “Where did you get that from? Is that from a movie?” She asked also trying to hold back her laughter. “It’s from The Lion King.” I said.