Carry Me Back To Ol' Virginie

In 1607 the first American settlers landed in Jamestown, VA; this marked the beginning of civilization as we know it. As a non-Virginia native, I admit that I know way too much about this one state than I ever expected to. The state, however, is arguably one of the most historically rich as well as the most beautiful. Autumn was my favorite season because leaves would adorn every tree in bright hues of yellow, orange, and red. Winter brought blankets of snow and ice-covered foliage, with the occasional snow storm. Spring and summer were equally awesome; flowers flooded each front yard and the grass would return to a brilliant green. Indeed, we did have seasons, unlike certain other places in which I've resided.

My first two years in Fairfax were spent finishing that torturous experience often referred to as elementary school. Being new and an unusual Californian, I never became close friends with anyone. This was the beginning of my shy streak because I was insecure without anyone to talk to. After graduating on to middle school, I could tell things were going to be good. Robinson Secondary School, home to the Rams and the most ghetto-wannabes, made my life so much happier. My first day in my first class (oh, how I loved math) I met an equally shy and awkward girl named Allison. This was the beginning of a potentially lifelong friendship, time permitting. I'd like to say that we were instantly best friends, but no, there was another girl named Audrey; however, she left a couple years later. Al and I became "siamese twins" even though we really don't look much alike. People ask if we're related, but the only explanation I can give is that we both have the same color hair. She's nearly six feet tall (wishing she was 5'4") while I'm in a 5'7" body (wishing I could be 6'); Al has a model-esque frame and I'm average, possibly stout, in comparison. Whereas I was the good student who made mostly A's, she was the girl who nearly failed seventh grade math. To most, it would appear that we had nothing in common, yet every time we're together it's like nothing has changed.


Six long and somewhat eventful years after that exciting first day, we graduated all too eagerly. It was a bittersweet moment for me because my dad had already left to begin work at a community college in a town near Dallas, TX. My last days in school were spent driving around with Allison, anticipating what was to come less than a week after graduation. We received our cap and gown, accepted our diplomas from the school that caused our incurable insanity, and partied until it was time for me to leave. Those last days were spent packing, both physically and emotionally. Boxes were being stuffed with everything we decided to take with us, and I was cramming in as much time as I could with my friends. I was so bitter about the move that I decided to attend James Madison University, two hours away from the home I knew.
I was very skeptical about the school, to be honest. First of all, about 80% of the students were emotionally high-strung girls who were all competing for the most attractive male they could find. I personally hated it for most of the first semester because I'm just not the stereotypical girly girl socialite. In November, I became friends with Ken, a ladiesman who was very easy-going and great to talk to. This friendship was possibly the only thing that kept me from becoming overwhelmed by all the estrogen and drama that consumed all of JMU. My second semester was unreal, and made me regret my decision to transfer. Over Christmas break I had made my final decision, that I was going to transfer to a school in Texas. Today, I don't know my reasoning, but I'm sure it was for the best.
It all began with a little chore called laundry. The whole year, I had been avoiding any personal attempts at washing my clothes. No, I was not the smelly kid you could tell was coming from a mile away, I simply visited people who were willing to do my laundry for me. In retrospect, this is probably the worst yet most ingenious thing I've ever done in my life. Up until mid-April, I had a great system going; then I came to the realization that I really needed to wash my clothes. So on a Friday night when nearly everyone had gone home, I took my huge load of clothes and put them into a washing machine. I was fairly nervous because this would by my first time doing laundry in my entire life. There happened to be a boy who was drying his clothes when I went down, so I told him about my anxiety. When I was folding my clothes later, I found two large socks that were obviously not mine; so I found this boy's room and returned his socks. This should be the end of the story, but no, we end up talking and he asks me to lunch. The last few weeks were confusing, to say the least. I had liked Ken, this boy Nabil was infatuated with me, and another boy (well, guy) named Jay also wanted to date me. The mere thought of something like this happening in a school that was mostly girls is preposterous! This JMU experience has left me struggling to figure out more about who I am because I had always convinced myself that I would be one of those girls to jump at the first chance of a dating relationship. I feel confident now that God will work everything out in His own time and I really shouldn't just date in attempt to fit in with the rest of society.
If only pictures could capture the beauty that lies in the great state of Virginia; it can only be experienced first-hand. Keeping in mind that I don't have any of my own photos, I'd like to share one last picture I found that's of the nation's capital. This is why my goal in life is to return to NOVA someday to live.
Your "Virginia is for lovers" fan,
Anna