Teachers

Inhale. The scent of dusty pine bookshelves, the sound of the librarian stamping return dates onto back pages. Exhale, open eyes–stacks of multicolored volumes

Theater/Writing

When the inflatable couch arrived, I knew the play would be a success. Now I could see the physical space that my characters had been occupying in my mind.

Much Ado About Nothing

Up on stage, under the glowing spotlight, and in front of the glowering judge, I felt as if nothing could get in my way. As would soon be evident, I was absolutely right.

Kombucha Club

“Are you serious?! How are we supposed to run a Fermentation Club without kombucha?”

Harmony

“Alexa, turn on the bedroom.” “Okay!” my trusty AI robotically replies as the entire room lights up in an orange glow, sparking all of my pent up creativity. Outside, the Texan cicadas are buzzing away, and together with the crickets make a symphony.

Rocks + Stars

I’ve always found myself in two worlds—one that looks to the sky and one that looks to the ground, one in the future and one in the past.

Magic + Science

I believed in magic. At 11, I excitedly swiped through various contents of the Book of Potions, an alternate reality videogame by fictional wizard Zygmunt Budge. The closest person in my life—my grandfather, a Nepalese palm reader—often encouraged me to believe in inconceivable things that could occur in the future, even if there wasn’t a rational explanation for them. So, that’s exactly what I did.

Light/Umbra

Umbra: the innermost, darkest part of a shadow

Movement

For longer than I can remember, I’ve been on the move.

Photography

I love trying new things. I’ve played five instruments, nine sports, including spearfishing. And they’ve taught me a few important things.

Running

I know it’s working thanks to the blood pumping in my ears, and the steady, rhythmic pounding of my feet against the dirt as I replay the same Twenty-one Pilots lyrics in my head, the triplets lining up perfectly with every stride. The music distracts me from the searing pain coursing through my legs. I become aware of my brain beginning to panic, thinking that I am in danger and that I will die if I stop running. Just the way I planned it.