Blog 1 - Lighting the Match Once Again (as a senior)

 Blog 1 - Lighting the Match Once Again (as a senior)


Words. They can seem meaningless at times, but in actuality, hold extensive value. They shape our perspectives and at times, can outline what our thoughts and morals can grow to become. “A picture is a thousand words” is a quote famously spoken at many instances, but really never made sense to me. Sure, a picture can hold depth to it, painting a scene that our mind can capture. But words can do the exact same, if not better. At least, that's how I always viewed it. They held more importance in my head, as they gave me freedom in the picture I painted in my mind. Rather than a painting which was already made, words offered me a blank slate, to come up with a scene of my own that may not be the same for everyone. A scene special to me traced into my memory. And that’s what I loved the most. The match had been lit.


Me when I used to buy books at Barnes and Noble (dream place!)


Ever since I was 5, I had a crazed obsession with reading. I’d fly through books, comics or novels, so being able to read fast was a trait of mine I liked to highlight to almost all my friends. “Look how fast I can read!” It remained a staple in my childhood, being able to speed through the Magic Treehouse series in a week, or the Junie B. Jones books in around 2. But as time went on, and I progressed through middle and high school, that love for books slowly dissipated, and the stress of school quickly replaced it. With my mind completely occupied with the constant stream of assignments with piling tests coming my way, the hobby of reading quickly turned into a chore moreso, something I had to do for English class. I hated the looming threat of being called on in English class to summarize the chapter or name a plot point that I had no clue about. The match was starting to go out.


 

She's me. I am her. We are the same. She has a big fat mouth. I do as well...



The passion for it was overtaken by a fear, primarily driven by school. Looking back now, I think what caused it was a forcefulness from school. As a child, I enjoyed it more as I had no obligation to stick to a book, I could hop around with a free choice to read anything. I could grab a book from the library and read it on my own time, not bound to a deadline or schedule, but to the limit of my own mind. But now, that is gone. The match went out, leaving the room dark.



However, once I entered 12 AP, that suddenly changed. My view towards reading had been altered once again. Mrs. Feldkamp handed me the lighter. To light another match. Something brand new. 


me when we got to pick our own book! 


She let us pick what independent reading book we wanted to stick to, and we change it every month. The childhood memories came back, of being able to read whatever I wanted, and that sense of freedom rushed through me. The match had been lit once again. Now, I’m reading Crying In H-Mart, and I actually look forward to reaching the next chapter. I’ve discovered that I love to read when it’s out of my own choice, not being forced by an agenda or schedule. The match continues to burn.



P.S. (I think I’m really going to enjoy weekly independent reading time!)

  • Prisha, reading enthusiast

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2024 at 9:32 AM

    I really liked how you talked about the differences in a picture vs a word. The idea of a blank slate and the creativity that comes with words and sentences is very understandable, vs a picture that was already made and placed in a very specific goal.

    ReplyDelete

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