New Places, New Faces
Ashley Weaver
Session B
Topic 4
New places New faces Whether you are speaking of jobs, friends, scenery or state of mind, in life change is inevitable. Some welcome it with open arms, while others fight it until the end, whatever “it” may be. We make a choice to handle such things or allow ourselves to be handled. Success is determined by ability, or lack thereof, adjusting to these changes presented in our lives. In my case, the change was in residence. Though my birthplace happens to be here in Jacksonville, I moved and lived right outside of Philadelphia from eight months until seventeen years of age. Philadelphia was my home in every sense of the word. Growing up I never pictured myself there forever, but moving was not in the foreseeable future. Weather up north is seen as a burden to some, but to me it’s something beautiful. New hope in instilled through Mother nature, from the changing of leaves, to the mystical feel of a truly white Christmas, the seasons hold a special place in my heart. However, temperature was not the deciding factor. My job was by no means a career choice, but I had stayed with the company for four years, which at seventeen seems like a lifetime, and had grown to know and love my job as well as co-workers. It was comfortable. My friends were not lifelong, in fact most of them I had only known for two or three years, but they had been there for me through it all. I couldn’t lose them. My home was everything. My friends were irreplaceable. My job was my safe haven. My city was my life and as far as I was concerned nothing would or could change that. It was July. About three years ago now, me and my family were on our way to Jacksonville, for a vacation. This was nothing out of the usual because this has always been a frequent choice for going away. My parents were quaint, but no matter how subtle, as I look back, the hints they considering a move were there. Every trip we take there usually comes a day where my sister, my
Session B
Topic 4
New places New faces Whether you are speaking of jobs, friends, scenery or state of mind, in life change is inevitable. Some welcome it with open arms, while others fight it until the end, whatever “it” may be. We make a choice to handle such things or allow ourselves to be handled. Success is determined by ability, or lack thereof, adjusting to these changes presented in our lives. In my case, the change was in residence. Though my birthplace happens to be here in Jacksonville, I moved and lived right outside of Philadelphia from eight months until seventeen years of age. Philadelphia was my home in every sense of the word. Growing up I never pictured myself there forever, but moving was not in the foreseeable future. Weather up north is seen as a burden to some, but to me it’s something beautiful. New hope in instilled through Mother nature, from the changing of leaves, to the mystical feel of a truly white Christmas, the seasons hold a special place in my heart. However, temperature was not the deciding factor. My job was by no means a career choice, but I had stayed with the company for four years, which at seventeen seems like a lifetime, and had grown to know and love my job as well as co-workers. It was comfortable. My friends were not lifelong, in fact most of them I had only known for two or three years, but they had been there for me through it all. I couldn’t lose them. My home was everything. My friends were irreplaceable. My job was my safe haven. My city was my life and as far as I was concerned nothing would or could change that. It was July. About three years ago now, me and my family were on our way to Jacksonville, for a vacation. This was nothing out of the usual because this has always been a frequent choice for going away. My parents were quaint, but no matter how subtle, as I look back, the hints they considering a move were there. Every trip we take there usually comes a day where my sister, my