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Early in 1995 I meet Janine who is from 'down the hill' - some
part of the L.A Valley. We both are different from the other
people at school and we perfectly get along. She talks a lot about
L.A., probably because she misses it. According to her L.A. is not
that different from Hesperia, but a lot better in terms of
partying and excitement and they care a lot more about looks (if that's even
possible). We just love each other to death. Janine gets kicked
out a little while later, because she has over 14 detentions. They put
her on home studies and I miss her terribly at school.
That is just about the time, when the
senior jocks start splitting into
two separate groups. It is the national day of prayers, when we
meet in the chapel instead of first period class. People are
asked to come up front and give testimony. Senior Tom volunteers
and only seconds later the big, muscular, football player
emotionally testifies in front of the whole school that he
loves God, that Jesus rules his life and that he believes in the mighty power
of the lord. What follows is amazing and magnificent - if you believe in the spirit
of God. Almost the entire school stands up to give testimony or ask for
forgiveness for their sins. That day no one goes back to class. We
all spend hours and hours in the chapel, while one student after
another publicly regrets his/her evil deeds in life (the words
drugs, alcohol and anger are probably used most). By the end of the day nearly
everyone is crying.
************* After this day life at HCS changes. People
stand up for their believes in God. The senior guys separate into
groups.
Matt and Jay keep living their 'evil' lifes, while Tom and Mark
stop any kind of sin and start living after the desciples and the
bible. Scott, Mike and Tim try not to get involved, while Paul
is stuck in the middle. They all believe in God. There is no one
doubting his existence, but who is going to live after him is a
completely different story. I start off on Jay's side as all of the others seem
largely insane. Some people I find rather bewildering - like
alternative junior Earl who has come close to being worse
than Jay decides that "sin and Satan are only fun for a season",
while now "the holy spirit is working in his life".
Tom does a lot of missionary talking, trying to convince
people to hand their lifes over to the lord. Jay and Matt stand
firm. I on the other hand - and I do realize that this is rather
questionable - jump over to his side. Has anyone ever been in such
a Christian environment? I tell you, strong Baptist believers are
difficult to resist.
************* Anyways, Easter Break is next, and I fly over to visit Isabelle in
Missouri, instead of going down the hill to L.A. with Janine. I
figure out the differences between the two states pretty fast:
Missouri is older, greener, dirtier, smaller, more conservative, less
focused on looks and popularity. Yet I would not
want to live there. I miss California that week.
In March due to health issues in my host family I switch host families. I move in with Shellie.
Finally my initial master plan has been implemented. I am happy... at least for a while. ************* For the rest of the year everything is
in some way connected with God and the revival in the chapel on the national day of prayers.
I have actually stopped drinking (although that may also have
something to do with the fact that I am really sick of meeting
friends for the mere purpose of getting drunk) and try not to sin - if that's even
possible. I go to church about three times a week and make plans
on how to get the spirit of God working in Germany. I depend on
him. He does and he will show me my way. (Yes, today I am
considerably embarrassed that people were able to influence me so
easily - but I guess we can blame it on the age right??? ) God is the one thing I think about a considerable amount of time,
but he isn't the only thing. I also reflect on life in the States.
Cultural
differences you will just have to get used to. For example someone
will tell you to call him, but that doesn't mean that he actually
wants you to call. One of the sentences I hate most is "We'll have
to go do something sometime", which pretty much means... nothing,
because you'll probably never ever do anything with the person who
says that. In America you quickly find lots of so-called friends,
but most of them will let you down pretty fast. I'd also say
people over there are a lot unhappier than we are, or maybe they
only show their feelings more openly (Might have been the age
though). What I like about HCS is that people care about you.
Whenever you have a problem you can tell everyone, even the
teachers. It's like this really huge family, although it annoys me
a lot of times when everyone seems to know everything about
everyone.
The time when I will have to leave is drawing closer pretty fast now.
We have grad night at Disneyland, which is a tradition for High
Schools in Southern California. All the seniors including their
dates go there together at night and don't get back home until
early morning. Also, there is the senior graduation which is pretty cool, but it
does feel weird seeing people my age graduate while I
still have three more years to go. It makes you jealous. Then
there is the graduation party at Kellie's. The very last time I
see my best friends Janine and Scott.
My last two days in the States turn out to be the worst you can
possibly imagine. Besides the fact that Paul and I just seem to
burst into tears every chance we get, a whole bunch of shit
happens with my
host mom Shellie that I don't want to talk about. She destroys a
relationship that means an awful lot to me. If I ever hated a
person it is definitely her (See, I told you my master plan's suck!
I should have stayed with my initial host family and it would have
been so much better than this). Anyway... in the morning I just
quitely leave with Paul and
his Dad who take me to the airport together.
Saying good-bye is the hardest thing I ever did in my life. Even
Paul's dad cries before he leaves us to ourselves. The stewardess
has to call out my name twice and finally she drags me onto the
plane. I leave Ontario Airport on June 13, 1995.... nine months
and 23 days after I have come here.
Thank you Ron, Julie and Jon Murphy for being my second family
Paul, thank you for helping me become who I am! Learned a
lot from you! See you at Farmdale! Heaven at the latest.... back
next
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