The first thing my new teacher said was a very sharp and commanding ‘hi’. My mum quickly introduced me as I was completely frozen on the spot by his impressionable persona. While I was motionless, the conversation he had with my mum seemed blurry. I was staring at him; he had glasses, no moustache. Looking at his facial expression, he seemed serious and authoritative. Then, I was briefly distracted by my new classmates whispering, ‘that’s Telma’. I wondered whether it was a good sign or not? I knew a couple from the playground. I then remembered my new teacher telling my mum, ‘leave her with me, I will look after her’. He gave me half a smile and for a split second, I felt reassured. I don’t even remember my mum leaving. As I slowly entered the new classroom, you could hear a pin drop. No one was talking but looking at me as I was following the teacher to my new sit. I wondered whether my notorious reputation followed me here or whether everyone was weary of the teacher.

Once he stood by the black board, he looked at the class with a serious stare. Frowning while examining the class, it felt like an inspection. As I gain my seat, he welcomed us with rules and expectations for the year. During break time, I got to know my classmates, although one in particular got my attention. She was new herself and she was Spanish. I was relieved I wasn’t the only one new. I was sort of hoping this new year was a fresh start and would not be as bad as I thought or expected it to be.

All was going well considering the changes, however, I still had poor grades and found myself the 2^nd bottom of the whole class. I knew what that meant, I was an easy target for the teacher and the subject of ridicule of my classmates.

I was already dreading what a long year it was going to be. To make matters worse, there were 2 guys in the class who didn’t like me, well who didn’t stand me at all. No matter how tough I was mentally, I was a girl and clearly out of my depth. I would always put up with a fight, however, I had to surrender. I wonder why they didn’t like me? Was it my colour, my grades or my strong character because I wasn’t the typical girly girl? Probably the combination of all 3. I remembered because of my grades, the teacher always stuck with the bullies than me. I tasted yet again a sense of injustice. For instance, one day after school, as I was rushing home for lunch, I was cowardly ambushed by the 2 boys who punched and kicked me. I tried to fight them off, to no avail. Beside, no one was around so it would have been their words against mine. I knew I wouldn’t be believed nor supported if I reported them. I had no choice but to suffer in silence and say nothing.

For the teacher, in his eyes I was trouble and was asking for it. Even when I asked for support or mentioned a topic I didn’t know, he would say if I paid more attention in class, I would be able to get better grades. To be honest, I just could have tried harder if I wanted to. How could I when I ask for help and be told I was responsible and he basically won’t help me? I just carried on struggling and my new Spanish friend would help me sometimes.

All I knew, I missed my friends at Marcelly. I wondered why my mum would change me to come to this school? I didn’t connect with all my classmates. I was a loser and an outsider, even my Spanish friend intergrated better than me. She would often uplift me with words of encouragements on how to improve my grades and I did try at last. Unfortunately, the bad periods kept on coming thick and fast.

I have always been a huge Walt Disney fan. I probably will carry on watching them forever. Since my dad took me and my sister to watch Lady and the Tramp in the very beginning of our lives in Geneva, I fell in love. My mum sensed how much we loved Walt Disney films and it has now become a tradition to watch every new Walt Disney films each year. I still do so even today!

My introduction to Walt Disney films happened during the 80s. During the late 80s and during the 90s, Walt Disney produced iconic films and that era has been known as the Disney Renaissance. Renaissance in French means rebirth. My introduction to Walt Disney films coincided with this iconic era where films revolved mainly around famous fairytales, myths and legends. As an avid reader of fairytales and other genres in general, this was such a perfect timing for me as a Walt Disney fan. The one pattern I discovered in almost every Walt Disney films is how the main protagonist either stood out, is an outcast and always goes on a personal journey of discovery.

Watching Walt Disney films has become a legacy since it was my father who introduced it to us. He introduced us many things such as Tintin, Asterix and other comic books. I think the reason I enjoy Walt Disney films so much is how I can identify myself with the main protagonist and also the antagonist.

That era, which defined Walt Disney, the Walt Disney Renaissance, was so successful as every film released that decade, was a box office success and was a hit with audience as well as critics alike. The Walt Disney Renaissance started off with the Little Mermaid (1989) and ended with Tarzan (1999). During that period, I even became a teenager, and instead of outgrowing Walt Disney movies, I always came back for more. I couldn’t care less what people thought because it was a legacy my dad left us.

During that era of Walt Disney films, 3 films for me stood out the most and I can instantly identify with the characters for each films. Also, they were my favorite films during that era. The films that made a huge impact on me are: Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Lion King (1994) and Mulan (1998).

Starting off with Beauty and the Beast, so much I can say about why I love that film deeply and especially the story, the characters, the setting. I will need to write a whole book because that film is pure excellence. Despite the magical world that film offers and the unforgettable songs, it comes down to a simple message: beauty lies inside a person and not outside. When the film first came out, it created so much buzz that I was so eager to watch it. The buzz was even bigger than when the Little Mermaid came out couple of year earlier. I was 9 when the film came out. The poster is not as colourful as it is today but quite mysterious. In a reddish background, you have a beast holding hands with a woman, they seemed to be dancing. The beast and the woman are quite dark and it seemed like it was their shadows we were looking at. The poster alone was so intriguing that we were compelled to want to know more. The opening of the film also invited you to the story by getting closer and closer to the castle. The voice over explained briefly the beginning. As viewers, we felt as if the narrator was talking directly to us and instead of simply being viewers we were voyeurs or witnesses. I identify with Belle so much because of her love for reading and for how independent she is. For me, she is the main hero of the story, not the typical princess who needs to be rescued. In fact she saved Beast numerous times and was the reason for his transformation. If you look closely, Belle stands out for being the only one in the village to wear blue clothing. Also, everyone in the village sort of live together and form a strong community. Belle and her father live slightly outside the village and seems to be onlookers. In the song ‘Belle’ she realizes and even accepts that she is odd so in other words an outcast. As the story moves along, she becomes more confident as well as never stopping her love for reading. She even teaches the Beast to read when he offers her a whole library. I love the fact that she is not aware of her own beauty and has so much humility. The Beast is actually a prince who has been punished for his arrogance and selfishness. A fairy casted a spell on him and everyone in the castle. Despite his frightening demeanour, the Beast thanks to Belle, becomes friendly. He does have a bad temper. What struck me is the Beast and Gaston, the main antagonist, are like mirrors: Gaston looks handsome from the outside, but ugly from the inside because he is arrogant, selfish and not very clever. Gaston is so unlikeable and turns evil that you forget that he is handsome. The Beast is the opposite, ugly from the outside and has a very good heart as the story progresses. You almost forget that he is a beast as well as ugly because he is so kind as the story progresses. The changes in the Beast is thanks to Belle who he falls in love with. I enjoy how we see the Beast’s transformation and transition from bad to good. I identify myself with the Beast also because at first I look frightening as I used to frown a lot, with my temper and strong stubborn character too which didn’t help. However, the more you get to know me, you find that I am sensitive and friendly.

The next film I have enjoyed so much was the Lion King. The film itself was based in Africa which I can identify with due to my African origins. The buzz created by this film was the legendary cast of many famous actors who voiced the main characters. The story is based on the works of Shakespeare ‘Hamlet’. During the Renaissance era, the Lion King, despite being mainly based on ‘Hamlet’ was an original story about 2 brothers.

Although the film focuses primarly on Simba’s long journey to become the future king, Scar who is the main antagonist, takes center stage. Scar is upset and jealous of his brother Mufasa (the current king of Pride land or Pride rock) and Simba. He simply wants the throne and orchestrated his own brother’s death as well as blame Simba so that he can become king. The reason why I identify with Scar so much was my own jealousy I had for my sister. My sister was like Mufasa, an example for others, a righteous person and possesses a good heart. Scar was so jealous of his own brother that he killed him so he can become king.  Scar, not only is an outcast but he was so mischievous in getting his way. I am the same, I would do anything to get my way, obviously I wouldn’t kill to do that. If you look at the animal kingdom in the Lion King, they all live in harmony. Scar doesn’t and he is the leader of the hyenas who are also outcasts. There are so many lessons to take away from the Lion King; in the perspective of Simba, it is to accept responsibility and knowing as well as accepting who you are. In terms of Scar’s perspective, it is to simply accept his brother as king. He did everything to become a king. When he became the king of Pride land, the kingdom fell apart even the hyenas complained that things were much better when Mufasa was king. Also, to add why I identify myself with Scar, I was just like Scar; I was the outcast of my family for I was so trouble and terrible just like he was.

Finally, the last film I identify so much with is Mulan. Mulan stood out from all the other women in the village for being different. Mulan is set during the era when the Huns invaded China. Mulan was pushed to be like every other woman with the aim to marry and bore children, in other words to become a housewife. Mulan is full of life and longs for being just herself. Things change drastically when her father, the only man in the household of Mulan, is required to go to war and fight the Huns. Mulan, who possesses a strong character, furiously opposes for her father to go to war. Her father reminds Mulan that women need to know their places. Mulan takes her father’s place because her dad is elderly and disabled. Just like Belle, Mulan is different to the other women and is the film’s hero as well. She not only rescued her village but the whole country. I identify with her because of her courage and to stand up for herself as well. The fact she has to disguise herself like a man, I am reminded how I used to be a tomboy when I was younger. The message I love about the film is there shouldn’t be barriers and women and men should be regarded as equal. Even the emperor realised it. The film is set in an unidentified era of Imperial China (221 BCE – 1912 CE). I love Mulan’s heart because she could have gone to war for selfish reasons such as bringing honours to her family and even for herself, but she deeply cares about her father and went to war in his place because her disabled father could have been killed during the war. Mulan has the same spirit as me, full of energy and full of life. She wants to be accepted the way she was and at the end she does.

After the Renaissance era, Walt Disney films were still popular, but not as popular as during the 1990s. The next era of Walt Disney popularity will come during the end of the 2000s and especially during 2010s when Walt Disney partnered with Pixar. Also, as I became older, my interest in Walt Disney waned, due to pressures of life, but I would purchase the DVDs to the point I collected the Walt Disney films. To my pure delight, as recently as 2020, I have subscribed to Disney + which showcase a repertoire of Walt Disney films as well as series.

I firmly believe Walt Disney films are not made just for children but for all ages. Looking from an adult perspective, there are jokes children will not get. What I am most thankful for is that Walt Disney films represent an escape and I enjoyed watching the films especially during my worst moments following my father’s brutal departure. Today, with my children and even with my wonderful partner, we all watch the Walt Disney films together like I once did with my father and then my mother. Each Walt Disney films provide a life lesson, a message and also the opportunity to follow any character’s journey (protagonists and antagonists). As I watched all the Walt Disney films Renaissance era in Geneva, I was so happy that despite the hardship of my life there, I was able to escape my everyday life with the movies. I was able to also realise I was on my own journey and I am always learning through my many experiences. I was also the protagonist and the antagonist in my own daily storylines of my everyday life whether at school or at home.

I was first aware of my new school to be Adrien-Jeandin, when we first moved to Chapelly. I mean it was hard to miss because the school stood right there right in front of my balcony, blocking the view of the magnificent mountain hiding behind that monotone building. Also, since we moved to Chapelly, we rarely played in the school’s playground because before it was renovated, the playground looked so desolated and did not attract children at all.

From the outside, the school is made of bricks and really looked more like a prison than a school. The only good part about the school was the slide. The slide resembled an endless tube going from the first floor to the ground floor. To enter the slide, you have to enter the mouth of a giant clown. The design of the colourful clown gave this desolated school and playground some much needed life. Somehow, I wasn’t the only one who felt the school needed a major revamp. Therefore, before the new school year, during the last weeks of summer, major works started. I couldn’t wait for the results like everyone else. At last, the playground looked like a playground with swings, wooden animals, and painting on the ground. There was even a paddling pool which was open only during summer holidays.

Despite the major and lovely revamping of the playground, the stoic building still looked like a prison and almost out of place with the new décor. The setting of my new school will also set the tone of my whole year as I felt so trapped with no escape for a whole year. Prior to starting school at Adrien-Jeandin, I met a few future classmates in parks or in the playground. Of course, the friends I made in Marcelly were way better by a mile and irreplaceable.

I missed Marcelly and my friends that I was forced to depart from. I also missed my teacher who allowed us to express ourselves and undoubtedly allowed us to do what we wanted sometimes, well often to be honest. I saw that teacher as a father figure because of his moustache, which I know doesn’t make sense to many people. I missed the gatherings we had when my father was around. It occurred to me that since the brutal departure of my dad, my mum didn’t see many people as much. Despite the void my dad left by leaving us, his legacy was what we enjoyed as a family. He was the one who introduced my mum to Tintin, Asterix. Musically, he introduced us to Whitney Houston, Cesaria Evora as we enjoyed listening to them so much. But the one legacy he has left us was introducing us to Walt Disney films that we watched every new release. Surprisingly, in 1993, there was no new Walt Disney release during the legendary Disney Renaissance.

I must say, the signs of what was to come was the writing on the wall. Then, my instincts came back to haunt me. I became pessimistic and dreading the new academic year. I wasn’t a top student and it daunted me that I would struggle. Also, I was trouble and I knew I would get myself into trouble. Regardless whether I was ready or not, I had to prepare for it in a matter of days as the new academic year was fast approaching like a train.

The D-day has arrived. I was nervous and could hear my heartbeat so loud like a drum. On a very important day, we lost track of time and were late. The one thing we have learned the hard way, was the Swiss do not mess with time. Already that was bad of us to arrive late, it didn’t help that as I was reluctantly walking to my new school, I felt like I was going to get judged and serve a sentence.

First stop, my sister met her new teacher. My sister’s teacher welcomed her with a warm smile. That was so promising for her already and I was green with envy without even yet meeting my new teacher. My sister so far always had lovely and friendly teachers unlike me.

Now, it was my turn to meet my new teacher. The anxiety devoured my whole body and my heart was beating faster which didn’t help. Approaching my new class, which surprisingly was next to my sister’s class was daunting. Then I saw him, my new teacher. Standing tall and strong, he was blocking the door with his arms crossed. He looked more like a prison guard than a teacher. I already felt I was in deep trouble despite not having done a single thing. Behind his glasses, he threw stares at us like daggers. If looks can kill, me and my mum wouldn’t be spared as his stare had no mercy.

Suddenly, my instincts became a prediction of what was coming.