A Memoir of Personal Life Changes - Essay Example

An Autobiography Order No:184694 No: of pages: 5 Premium – 6530 Eric September 24th, 2007 A Memoir of Personal Life Changes Not may people love change! To change means, uprooting oneself from a familiar, comfortable and safe environment, and being cast onto unfamiliar and dangerous ground. Though living and learning are natural components of human life, yet, not many people relish the idea of being dug out from your protected corner and planted in the most uncertain of all places. If a person is faced by such a situation, then, they not only grow and adapt to their environments but also learn from them. More often than not, these are naturally occurring ways and means, which are customary to each and every individual, though they come from different cultural backgrounds. Learning from varied environments, leads to growth and also a broad outlook on life, which in turn guides and helps individuals to find a stationary yet satisfying plateau of ideals in their aspiring lives. However, for those people who never travel from one country to another- they don’t suffer from anxiety or added worry trying to conform to new surroundings or adjusting to a culturally oriented society, totally different from their own, but definitely, they are missing out on an exciting part of their lives. When speaking of myself though, I’ve had the good chance of this happening to me and that too, at such an opportune moment. I had to adapt myself to mass differences socially, culturally, economically, and even in a somewhat spiritual manner as well. These changes hadn’t been easy for me and needless to say, I don’t see how they’d be easy for anyone. It was a day like any other; a sunny April morning, the heat of which had been whetted the night before, due to the chill April showers. I had taken a shower and had spruced myself up with an expensive after – shave. I wore my brightest shirt with jeans and moved with an air of conquering the world. My life changed dramatically when I was just in my teens, the picture of which is clearly etched forever in my minds eye. I was drawing back the floral blinds, allowing the cool fresh air to engulf me and savoring every minute of it, when my dad’s rumbling tone was heard just within my bedroom door. I turned around to see him looking me straight in the eye saying, “Alright Eric, I think it’s about time you moved base from here and learned a couple of things on your own”. My eyes grew wider in astonishment as I cleared my parched throat to defend myself, but the words choked within and refused to materialize. Dad continued, “Never mind…don’t say anything, because parents know what’s best for their kid and I have better plans for you to make a success of your future, and yes, by the way, we are throwing a small send off party for you, so invite all your friends and we’ll have a great time before we see you off. My brother, your uncle Jim, in Alabama has generously consented to put you up for the next year since you are going to High School. I finally found my voice and blurted, “You mean, Me? Eric? Going to Alabama? College? Leaving all of you…..my lovely family? Oh, no dad, you got the wrong guy”… Dad’s overpowering voice was heard loud and clear among the din of my confusion, “No ifs and buts and no right and wrong…you are leaving this house…this very weekend”. I was confusion confounded as I heard the door slam shut! Oh, My God! I was almost terrified out of my wits. Confusion blocked my thinking and a lurking fear hit me in the pit of my stomach like a sledge hammer. Taiwan, my hometown was the be all and end all of my life. Everything in my environment seemed perfect until dad turned up with one of his ancient ideas! I called up my friends to relate my shocking story, but all I got was encouraging words and some said how lucky I was! Lucky indeed! Just imagine! With my limited language skills I wonder if I could get them Americans to even understand what I said! Leave alone enjoying myself! Such irony! I was being sent to a school in America, without me knowing proper English! The Farewell party was a great success, what with my parents stuffing all my friends with the best cuisine. I could hardly eat a morsel that day, as the thought of me going all alone on a huge airplane with no one for guidance, really terrified me. All my friends shook hands with me and left after wishing me “The Best of Luck”. I really don’t know what luck I was going to encounter in an unknown country and one that I have only read about in books! The next day was bright and clear as mom and dad drove me to the airport with my entire luggage. I felt butterflies in my tummy and raining in my heart as they waved their last goodbyes to me while dad said, “OK boy from now on, you are on your own! Shine where you are planted! I hugged each of them and then turned with blurred eyes to regain my faltering steps. I didn’t know what to do after this and it was at this moment I realized how much my dear parents were behind supporting me, all the while guiding me with their loving care. At this point I made up my mind that I would not let them down at any cost! I told myself time and again, not to chicken out but instead be brave and face whatever comes my way. I was guided to check in my baggage and finish other formalities and soon found myself sitting leisurely reading a magazine that I had bought. It was all about music and the cover story was about the “Beatles”. I am an extremely imaginative young boy and needless to say, I soon made myself the drummer in the group, because Ringo Starr could not come for practice as he was not too well. I was thrilled as I thrashed the drums feverishly, playing songs like “A Hard Days Night” and “Blue Suede Shoes”. Paul Mac Cartney came up to me and gave me a friendly thud on my shoulder saying that my playing was so good. I looked up to him with a big smile on my face only to find that I was smiling into the face of one of the airport officers who was scowling down at me. I knew at once I was in trouble as I heard the speakers blaring out that “This is the last call for a passenger called Eric and our flight would now be taking off”. That’s it! I did not wait to hear more…this was the fastest 3oo meters I had run in my life. I tore across the runway breathless and shaking with dread that if I missed this flight my father would skin me alive! I finally entered the doors of the aircraft before they were ceremoniously closed behind me…I had just about made it! After much panting and sweating I pulled myself up and looked around only to find many of the passengers eying me angrily with a scowl on their faces. I made a resolution that I would be more aware and careful of my surroundings in the future. Though this was my first flight I managed to put on an air that I had been flying ever since I was born. The US airport was breathtaking in a kind of prim and proppah way with everything and everyone so neat and so willing to help. I managed to talk in monosyllables and regretted the number of English classes I cut to play hockey which was my favorite game. I thanked the officer who came forward to help me because he somehow sensed that I had no clue what to do. The next thing that happened was I had miraculously found the exit and I was soon engaging in a bear hug with my dear Uncle Jim. Phew! It was such a relief after the ordeal at the airport. The drive home was a dream. It was so packed with scenic beauty that I could hardly take my eyes off. There were beautiful swans in a glassy lake and beds of the most colorful flowers I have ever seen. Yes, the US seems to be a good place after all! My aunt and cousins gave me a warm welcome and I felt thankful and relieved to be in safe hands at last. From the next day onwards, my uncle took me to different places and introduced me to a lot of very friendly people who really made me feel quite at home. We visited various Schools over the next two weeks and filled in huge forms to get a seat. The next best thing my uncle did was to fix up an English tutor for me because he knew well of my poor language skills. Everyday, the teacher came and learned fast as though my life depended on it. I had three weeks to go before all the Schools opened and this was my prime time to master the language before I went and made a fool of myself in front of my American classmates. I wouldn’t say I became a pro within that time, but definitely I was progressing well. One fine day, the postman came with a letter which said that I had gained admission to one of the most prestigious Schools “Auburn High School”, I was thrilled and so was my uncle and the rest of the family and soon preparations were on to see that “I fitted the bill”. By the end of all the speech and behavior classes, I had so much of confidence in myself that I was ready to take on the world!....Leave alone Auburn High school! Read More