An experience that impacted my life was when my family and I moved to California 10 years ago. I was in first grade at the time. My mother is originally from California and she found a new job that had a higher income. Therefore, both my mother and father decided to move there. My dads side of the family was really sad because we lived in Fort Dodge, Iowa, since my older sister was born and now we would only be able to see them once or twice a year.

California is a lot different than Fort Dodge. It was very different to move to a bigger town and a bigger school because I was use to my very small school. One difference between the schools was how many kids went there, there were probably five times as many kids per class than at my old school. Being there was like being in a jungle full of animals running around. I was little but it still drove me insane! There was also not enough regular classrooms in California. My classroom was a portable classroom with a ramp, like when I was in pre school at Holy Rosary, in Fort Dodge. I remember my teacher was nice, but I did not really make many friends. That school scared me and my sister did not like it either. I remember not wanting to go to school and my parents had to literally drag me into school. I cried and my parents cried.

I had a birthday party while we were living in California. I invited a couple girls from the classroom I was in, but no one came. I was pretty upset about it because I wished people would have came, but only my family was there. I had learned that the kids in Fort Dodge were more friendly than the ones in California. At least at the school I went to.

I remember my mom liked her new job in California, but she really missed all of her friends she had in Fort Dodge. We all missed our friends. Even though my mom was making more money in California than she was in Fort Dodge, she just was not happy either. I could tell because she cried almost every day.

When my parents made the decision to move back to Fort Dodge, my sister and I were so happy. I knew my mom was too. When we left, we were also sad because we knew we would not be able to see my moms side of the family very often. I am happy where I live now because I love my friends and family here in Fort Dodge.

My experience moving to California has taught me that money is not everything, having money does not always make you happy, and that good friends are hard to find- cherish your friendship.