There is always a part of me left wherever I go. When I was younger I always liked traveling on vacation or going to new places, even if it was just for a day, to explore. It was always an adventure. I always secretly wanted to just pick up my things and go somewhere new, to be able to find myself and explore the unknown. As I finally got the opportunity to move I learned more about myself and others than I ever thought I would.
1. You find out who your real friends are.
You would think that those who you spent so much time with over the years would be by your side through this huge change in your life but as I found out the hard way, that is far from realistic. Sure you will have one or two that will check in every once in a while but besides that there will only be a “ I miss you comment” under a few of your posts on Instagram.
2. People are awestruck by your accent.
I never realized how differently people from other regions truly spoke. At first it seemed like every time I opened my mouth someone would ask where I was from, ask me to repeat what I said because they didn’t comprehend, or flat out try and repeat what I said exactly how I said it. I personally didn’t mind it because I was just as fascinated with their accent as they were with mine.
3. The world is not flat.
As silly as that sounds it's true. Being from the Midwest, just a slight hill seemed like a mountain. After I moved to Pennsylvania I was set straight right away. You don’t know what hills are until that’s all you have. Also appreciate the size of your roads because not every place has shoulders, or guardrails for that matter.
4. School is school.
School is school, no matter where you move to no one really wants to go. Unlike not wanting to "school" with your friends, you now don’t want to "school" with strangers. You walk down the halls with unfamiliar faces. You pass groups of kids with their friends at their lockers and remember what that used to be like. Although it takes a while, you will make new friends and things will get into a routine like they once were.
5. Food changes
I am out here without a Culvers, Portillos, Panda Express, and Potbelly’s. Some people where I live have never even heard of those places. But vice versa I now have been blessed with Primantis Brothers, Pierogies, and sandwiches with cole slaw in them.
6. The 'ultimate' question
“Where do you like living better?” It gets asked all the time. I don’t know, there are different memories with different people and there are pros and cons of both places. I usually say I cannot compare the two. A part of my heart is in both places.
7. New people
Not everyone is going to just walk up to you and introduce themselves because you are a new face. Being a teenager when you move is especially hard because people have their cliques that they are in and don’t tend to stray from them. I remember the first two weeks after I moved I didn’t go out of my way to meet new people and decided I would let them come to me. NEWS FLASH, it doesn’t work like that.
8. Starting over
It's like you have a flashcard, completely swept clean. There is a new environment, new people to meet, a new school, and a new address to memorize. Don’t even get me started on memorizing a new address. Nothing like getting a look because you give an address that ends with IL instead of PA.
9. I think my GPS is in my top five.
I don’t know where I am. Ever.
10. Different vocabularies
Yinz is a word. Buggie is also a shopping cart. A gumband is something you put your hair up with and a sweeper is that rolling thing that sucks up dirt.
11. The best parts
The best part of moving is that you will make new memories. You will become closer with your family. You will meet new people who adore you for your differences and your quirky habits. You get to share stories that others will be amazed with.
If you give a family a new home…..chances are….
