Ode to Teachers

This is the essay that got me a half scholarship to a Leadership Program in Australia. 🙂

Morning sunlight streamed in through the slanted windowpanes, bathing the classroom in a soft golden hue. Shuffling in with half-closed eyes, my classmates and I took down the chairs and rummaged for pencils and notebooks. Suddenly, the door flung open, and in came my 5^th grade teacher, Mr.Rackowitz. As always, he greeted us all with those crinkled eyes and that wide smile which creased his face with lines. He stood silently for a moment, hands politely in front of him, with jet-black hair damp and square glasses perched lightly on his nose. It rose and fell as he talked.

“Good morning everyone!”

“Morning…” we yawned in reply.

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AFS Exchange Program Selection (2017-2018)

Ever since Sunday, 21st May 2017, there’s only been one thought clawing at the back of my mind. My performance during the AFS interview. I know it’s a silly thing to think about.

“Move on! Get it done and forget it.”  — everyone, literally.

But, I’m not the type who moves on so easily. So, in this post, I will be mainstream and cliche and talk about my experience thus far in the AFS selection process, like so many other bloggers have done. ^^

And for those of you who are reading this in preparation of your own AFS selection test, then good luck! May the odds be ever in your favor. 😉

The Bongo Man

A while ago, I entered a competition called Genius Olympiad. Thankfully, my essay made it to the final round. However, the trip to New York and back is far too expensive. So instead, I’ve decided to share my essay here. Hope it brings you a little moment of reflection… =)

***

I’ve always longed to see the “spirit” of nature. Oftentimes I’ve asked myself, what would it be like to feel the heartbeat of a forest, or to hear flocks of birds take flight across wide open fields? What would it be like to observe, uninhibitedly, monkeys swinging from branch to branch in the thriving Amazon rainforest? What kind of person would I have been had I grown up in a world of dark starry nights instead of artificial city constellations?

Then, in fifth grade, I finally found my own “deep connection” with nature.

It was one of those days where the sun shone and the sky blazed blue, scattered slightly with clouds. The breeze blew, bringing scents of warm soto, cow dung, and burning wood, curiously all mixed into one. Panting, I made the final leap through the air.

“Yes! I win!”

Face crimson with sweat, my friend Alia staggered behind and planted her hands on her knees.

“You… got a… head start,” she rasped.

“I did not.”

Pushing aside a hanging branch, we stepped into the shadows of the forest canopy. Here, it was a whole other world. Here, light danced in strange ways before us, casting its rays upon crawling critters on the forest floor and fallen fruits. Branches rustled and creatures scuttled. The air was vibrant with the smell of the moist soil that pillowed our feet.

Treading lightly, we weaved between slants of sunlight, when a boom suddenly echoed through the air.

Thud. Thud. The sound was constant, reverberating through the foliage. We stood rooted to the spot.

“Do you hear that?” I whispered.

New Years Reflections

Hi internet explorers!

This is a little bit late, but today I’d like to write about 2017 and the daunting, exciting 361 days left we have ahead of us… before the year changes again, I mean.

A friend of mine says that we shouldn’t really celebrate the new year, because our new year is the Islamic one. By we she means Muslims, gang. While she may have a point, that’s a little bit extreme, isn’t it? It’s not as if I was getting drunk and partying only because it’s a new year. Instead, I believe it’s the perfect time to reflect on what you’ve done so far in your life. And what you plan to achieve this year.

Some people feel like the New Year is pressured with social obligations. Mustn’t we go out and make the most of the new year with our friends or family, or kiss that person beneath the fireworks? But it’s just another day. The only difference is, we’re restarting the cycle. It’s been ingrained into our minds to live life in cycles. That’s why we have rituals, festivals, birthdays. It’s a renewal of the soul, in a sort. You can read more about this in Myth and Reality.

Anyways, you might be wondering. Why did I put a picture of cherry blossoms up there and not fireworks or something? The most honest answer would be because I think it looks nice *cough* I took the photo *cough cough* . But, I could formulate two other answers for you. First, because it reminds me of the trip I took to Japan with my family at the beginning of 2016. We move through time in moments. The best moments are fleeting. So we record them in pictures, journals, and blogs. We’re obsessed with memories, aren’t we? And when you need to move on from something or someone, sometimes there’s still a nagging at your brain as you remember… and remember… Is that why it hurts sometimes to be human? Because we’re so preoccupied with memories we let them devour us, let ourselves obsess over them. Until we’re weak and crumpled on the ground, heavy with memories.

Wait, wait. How did I get so sidetracked?

Whales, let’s move on. The second reason I’m making off the top of my head. It’s because flowers symbolize cycles, don’t they? Withered, they fall to the ground, where their seeds scatter. And before you know it, they’re shooting out buds and growing into tall, lovely trees. In turn, more flowers fall, carrying seeds- regenerations.

So, that’s what the new year means to me. How about you?

 

NOT IMPORTANT THINGS

This year I have three resolutions:

1. Study hard & passionately. Get all-A’s. (okay, okay. You might think of me as a nerd or whatever, but this is very important, people! Try asking anyone, “Do grades matter?” “Well no they don’t, young lad. Not at all!”)
2. Get out of my comfort zone and have a new experience.
3. Be happy so that everyone around me is happy 🙂

Sophia

Awwwww that’s so sweet, Hannah 🙂 I miss you so much too ❤

First World Problems

I still remember the first day I met Sophia. I was playing at the playground at my elementary school when Ms. Kinkaid, the principal at the time, called me over. A little girl who looked about my age had long black hair and was hiding behind Ms. Kinkaid. She was looking down and moving her black slippers back and forth through the dirt as I came over. Right after we were introduced, Sophia and I became close friends. We have been close ever since, despite the long distance friendship we currently have. I still remember all the times I went over to her house and we would let our imaginations run rampant as we played games, raced snails on the gazebo, and jumped on her bed while listening to the radio. I miss her so much, and I’m so glad that we are friends. 🙂

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Aloha~

Hello and welcome to my blog. 🙂

So far this is the third blog I’ve made, the previous two having been neglected due to inactivity and laziness(hehe.. :D)

-oh, by the way, if you’d like to see my previous blog here’s the link: sophycitrus.blogspot.com

the other one though(the one I made at age eight) has been deleted by Google-

Hopefully, this blog will be more successful than my previous two and let me say beforehand that I hope you enjoy.

Ciao! 😀