Like it was yesterday, I remember my dad leaving for a job interview for a position running a foundry in Georgia (just south of Atlanta) during the spring of 1979, the year of my 14th birthday. Living in the mountains of New Jersey my entire life, this move is not only a change of location, but also a new culture, which at 14 is extremely scary to think about. Packing our belongings and saying goodbye to my friends and family, we begin moving from Hopatcong, New Jersey, to our final destination Griffin, Georgia. Moving in the summer, the weather becomes the first major difference between the two locations; after leaving the dryer, cooler mountainous weather, I couldn't help but notice the heat and humidity
of our new home. There are only a few children running around in our neighborhood, limiting my friend making before school; I remember thinking 'this is going to be a tough adjustment.' Even signing up for school is something of an ordeal, coming from one of the best school systems in Jersey, I am entering a new school who's curriculum is approximately four years behind, requiring me very few core classes to take; half my schedule is now electives.
First day: I’m ready, putting on my brave face, I head to school. BOY OH BOY do I stand out like a neon sign; dark hair, big Jersey jewelry, tight jeans, and a t-shirt, versus the preppy Izod shirts, Levi jeans, and dockside shoes my classmates are wearing. I remember feeling like Joan Jett going to a cotillion, talk about a square peg in a round hole! Sitting in my first class, the teacher instructs us to stand up one by one and introduce ourselves, I sat listening to everyone’s sweet lilt and drawl as they are talking. It's my turn, the heavy AU/AW sound is very noticeable within my words, my northern accent loud even to my own ears; I start introducing myself. The looks I’m getting from my classmates are a little disconcerting. Afterward, the girl sitting next to me , leaning over, looks at me, asking earnestly, “have you ever seen a cow?” I could only sigh, talk about culture shock!
