Up from bed, down the stairs. Bread goes in, toast comes out. Put soap on, wash soap off. All that is in my mind is the quiz that will be returned today in school. With nothing to look forward to, life is bland.
The moments leading up to the returning of the quiz are tasteless as well. Open my locker, close my locker. Stand up, sit down. Unzip pencil case, zip pencil case. Grab the returned quiz, release the returned quiz. Close my eyes, open my eyes.
But our moods are subject to change at all times. My countenance is suddenly altered by the perfect 20/20 score like a calm-blue sea is creatively sculpted by unexpected gusts of wind. While I blithely read over the successful quiz that was just returned, I sponge the sanguine checks-marks off of the bone-white page that seemed so ice-cold the day before, letting that good feeling permeate through me. My backpack is hollow like a gourd as I effortlessly hoist it onto my back, and the tumultuous, chaotic crowd of subbies outside the classroom seem to lift me like an air flow gives a paper airplane one final boost. I am soaring above everyone; soft, down feathers supporting the rigid exterior feathers, my hawk-vision piercing every piece of prey that averts its beady eyes from me. Each bounding step that I take clears me even further from the cloud cover that tries so doggedly to hold me down. Pristine oxygen floods my lungs and my mind is purged of all its fatigue. Gone is the familiar drowsiness that affects everyone. Everyone but me.
Just like a cross-country runner that starts the race too fast, I lose my adrenaline and "runner's high" after I settle into the race. I stop noticing the surroundings that I had been paying close attention to during my euphoria. Things go back to normal as I trudge through the rest of my school day. A single question lingers in the back of my mind: What defines me if simple events influence me like so?
The moments leading up to the returning of the quiz are tasteless as well. Open my locker, close my locker. Stand up, sit down. Unzip pencil case, zip pencil case. Grab the returned quiz, release the returned quiz. Close my eyes, open my eyes.
But our moods are subject to change at all times. My countenance is suddenly altered by the perfect 20/20 score like a calm-blue sea is creatively sculpted by unexpected gusts of wind. While I blithely read over the successful quiz that was just returned, I sponge the sanguine checks-marks off of the bone-white page that seemed so ice-cold the day before, letting that good feeling permeate through me. My backpack is hollow like a gourd as I effortlessly hoist it onto my back, and the tumultuous, chaotic crowd of subbies outside the classroom seem to lift me like an air flow gives a paper airplane one final boost. I am soaring above everyone; soft, down feathers supporting the rigid exterior feathers, my hawk-vision piercing every piece of prey that averts its beady eyes from me. Each bounding step that I take clears me even further from the cloud cover that tries so doggedly to hold me down. Pristine oxygen floods my lungs and my mind is purged of all its fatigue. Gone is the familiar drowsiness that affects everyone. Everyone but me.
Just like a cross-country runner that starts the race too fast, I lose my adrenaline and "runner's high" after I settle into the race. I stop noticing the surroundings that I had been paying close attention to during my euphoria. Things go back to normal as I trudge through the rest of my school day. A single question lingers in the back of my mind: What defines me if simple events influence me like so?
This is brilliant, Vinay. Though I've been feeling some uncharacteristic lethargy this quarter, I can definitely relate to that hugely elevated aura that surrounds every major assessment. It's scary how much those things can influence our moods and define our weeks. Numbers are frightening things.
ReplyDeleteYour third paragraph gave me chills, partly because it just sounded like a refreshing winter wind. Like being kept in a dank prison of darkness for a week then finally opening the door and feeling the outside air for the first time. Or something. I love love love your theme! The background is a wonderful color, and the title (so cute) contrasts it perfectly.
Whoah, this is such an accurate description of receiving graded projects. It's like impending doom until you actually see the grade written on the paper -- the grade which will determine your mood for the next hour or so. I like your description of getting a good grade, its filled with metaphors and imagery. They always tell us not to stress over grades that much at Uni, but nobody likes that feeling you get when your grade is lower than you would have liked and the only way to combat that seems to be to get good grades. I feel on top of the world whenever I get good results back. Much like you feel here, floating through the halls as you are proud of your most recent A+.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! Can't wait to read more.
Vinay, your blog posts have this ebb and flow, rhythmic feel that's awesome. The style truly grabs the reader and brings him/her into your world, and its exhilarating. Props on this post, it's really artistic, and like how Gloria said, the theme and background is excellent. It certainly connects with your posts. My only complaint is that it simply isn't long enough! Can't wait til your next dose of All Is Well!
ReplyDeleteGood post Vinay. I like the balance of your beginning sentences and I can really relate to that feeling you described right before getting a graded assignment back. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteThis is so great Vinay! I just love the way you wrote this. You painted this vivid scene in my mind of a day that I think we've all had before, and you did it so beautifully. I love all the metaphors and descriptions and things. I can also completely connect with the tension that comes from getting graded material back; I feel like it happens everyday! Great job on your physics quiz; I'm looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteGreat feel Vinay. Unfortunately, seeing as I never got a 20/20 last year in physics, I can't quite relate to your ecstasy. I definitely liked the way you used language in such a fluid manner. Your description of feeling is unbelievably deft and calm. If it makes sense, its almost like you're describing organized chaos in your brain; that moment of hesitation prior to looking at the quiz, followed by the overwhelming flood of joy upon seeing the grade. I will look forward to the next installment of your blog! Well done!
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