First town

     My hometowns are Gilbert and Mesa, Arizona. I moved here in 1996 from Plattsmouth, Nebraska. I was 14 years old then. I will admit, when I first arrived, I missed the mid-west and all of my friends. Months would pass and winter would come around, and the weather was perfect. I never had to shovel the snow here. It was never too cold to go outside. Every day I liked it more and more.

 

     The first town we moved to was actually Gilbert. I was a Gilbert “Tiger.” I made many friends at school. I loved how they had a mini Taco Bell in school, which was amazing for me. I grew up. I met the first of many girlfriends. I got my first job in Gilbert at a Pizza Hut on Gilbert Rd. The reason why I say that these two towns are my hometowns is because you simply cross the street and you’re in another. It would be wrong not to give credit to the two towns that raised me.

 

     Every year there is a carnival on Gilbert and Baseline right next to McDonalds. It’s on the border of Gilbert and Mesa, so it’s a carnival for everyone. It’s not huge, but it’s our yearly carnival. They put up rides and games, I never win, but I always try. Every year I see people that race miniature RC cars in the parking lot. I was never really interested in that, but I like the idea that we have a tradition in these two towns. There is always something to look forward to.

 

     My hometowns have grown so much since 1996. It’s sad because I want to live forever and time is a reminder that I won’t. Nevertheless, it’s a good thing too, because there are more memories of good times from the theaters and restaurants that have been added to my towns. I remember when they added the AMC on Stapley and Baseline in Mesa. Macaroni Grill followed along with so many other restaurants. I don’t hang out there anymore with friends, that was when we were the younger crowd. Now there is a different high school crowd, but it’s a place that I now bring my dates; a place to fall in love over dinner and a movie. For dessert, a good place to have a sundae is at Streamers in Gilbert.

 

     My hometowns will always be here, which is why there will always be so much to say about them. Many new memories I have are at Mesa Community College. There are classes that I’ve loved, like World Religions and Psy101, and there are some I have not liked so much like math in general. I definitely enjoy learning and living in my hometowns, and I never plan on leaving.