Group 2- Interesting Times

In the essay "Interesting Times" by Judith Lewis, the author tell us of her life as a resident of Los Angeles. When originally moving to Hollywood, Lewis hated the way the people acted there. She felt like she was not that kind of person and she just did not belong. Eventually, the town began to shape her and she became a true Angeleno. She sometimes even has to check to make sure it really is her doing what she does because the city has changed her so much. In the beginning, Lewis had tried to resist and despise the ways of LA, and that was originally easy with her car getting stolen twice and noticing every bad thing. The point where she began to conform was when she noticed that the city was going through interesting times that may not be its fault. The times were sometimes bad and sometimes good, but she soon realizes that she is a part of it and even in the worst moments, like the Northridge earthquake, she did not want to miss out because this was now her city. Whether people loved LA or hated it, it was the mixed feelings and curiosity that kept them there. Over time it became easier to live there and she realized that Los Angeles really had made her life better.

In this essay I have come to understand that where you live does shape you, whether you like it or not. Also, you shouldn't automatically judge places because it can be different than what it seems, and living there or noticing more closely can completely change your idea of a place.

I do question how long it took Lewis to realize certain things about LA. I would have liked more of a timeline for events rather than just knowing that after ten years she has changed completely. I only wonder this because I doubt every change of her happened all at once.