Proud To Call NOLA Home!

I was born and raised in southern Louisiana. I spent a majority of my childhood in LaPlace; however, I started to attend school in the city in 6th grade. Both of my parents worked in NOLA and eventually at the end of my 9th grade year we moved to Metairie!! I was sad to leave LaPlace, but so happy to be closer to school and friends. After graduating from Cabrini High (when I say it in my head I sing it like in the Alma Mater), I went to LSU (Geaux Tigers!). I have always been proud of being from southern LA. My grandmother grew up on in New Iberia and her first language was French and she didn't learn English until she was about 7. I love my heritage and I am so sad that my sons will not be able to experience everything I did!!

With saying that, I love telling my students I am from New Orleans. They get a huge kick out of it and they ask me so many questions about Mardi Gras. We are huge Saints and LSU fans and watch all the games. My only problem is....people say I don't say sound like I am from New Orleans!! When people say that I feel hurt. Now, granted even a great friend of mine, that I have known since high school, would tease me about how I talk! I pronounce "Coke", "let", and many other things strangely...according to her and many others!!

My parents aren't originally from New Orleans; they both grew up in Montgomery, AL and you can still hear their country accent every now and then. Even on my Sweet 16 tape, my dad says "I hope you have a great Sweet 16!" as country as you can imagine!! My friends from Memphis do say that my accent comes out more when I am around family, which I guess how it is for everyone.

No sure why I felt the need to blog about this, but a former student of mine pointed it out to me again yesterday and I felt hurt. I guess it's because I am scared that I am going to lose my love and my experiences of New Orleans because I live here in Memphis. I don't want to ever forget where I came from. I have found that since I have moved to Memphis that friendships aren't the same and I don't want to lose anymore. I am however trying to reach out to old friends to let them know that I DO love them and miss them so much!!

New Orleans is home to me. My parents, sister and in laws live there. I have old friends that still live there and my memories are still there.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!