Where I Have Lived: Pre-College
I was born in Racine, Wisconsin, but I don't remember much at all since I moved out before I even went to nursery school. I wonder how different my life would be had I stayed there.
I was in Pennsylvania up through the end of fourth grade. We were very briefly in Lancaster (too young to remember) before moving right outside of Harrisburgh to a town called Camp Hill. It was an interesting place where people seemed much simpler and neighborly, although it was a difficult place growing up as a minority. Most of it was self-induced childhood feelings of wanting to blend in, although there was minimal childhood jeering. For the most part, I felt accepted and in fact the cool and popular kids were the smart ones! I made some great friends and had a great neighborhood, backyard, and parks to explore. It was fun exploring the outdoors as a kid through all the seasons.
I was reluctant to move to NJ since I had built up good friendships in Pennsylvania, but I had no choice. In Pennsylvania, I was much more of a social, out-going kid, but once I moved to NJ, it was difficult, and I became shy which took me a while to overcome. I moved to Ocean Township, NJ which is about an hour south of NYC right by the shore. The kids were quite different and were meaner in general compared to PA. The popular kids were now the bad ones. There was a noticeable difference in the number of minorities in the area, although my specific school district didn't have as many until the later years. Nearby towns were definitely diverse. I also became a Christian while living there and attended Monmouth County Chinese Christian Church. Excluding people, I can't say there's a whole ton about NJ that I miss aside from the Jersey Shore which can be quite beautiful contrary to popular belief. I did make good friends though and had fun but have no desire to live there again.
