Jayasri+Kamakolano

// __I am From __ //

//I am from quaint collections of adventurous works of fiction, // //cluttered against the kaleidoscopic butterflies floating off the pastel-colored wall, // //Frolicsome games lurking in every corner under the enduring case of stairs, // //scattered among the stacks of ancient weather reports with keen senses of prediction //

//I am from summer fireflies fluttering around the congested palace of nature, // //Rose bushes with prickly needles waiting to pounce on every stray cat, // //hiding under the spring-colored wonders of the lasting trees, // //Saplings waiting to devour the glorious rays of the sun in eagerness to nurture //

//I am from chocolate fudge used as a sauce with melting vanilla cookies, // //ice-cream topped with pecans and caramel syrup on every special holiday, // //traces of burnt crusts of garlic bread baked during every rush hour, // //tomato soup giggling from the outbursts of singed tongues as a result of a common mistake committed by rookies //

//I am from the rustling of the autumn leaves, to the neighbor’s antique assortment of wind chimes, // //Filling every house with melodious music constructed by the soft summer breezes, // //The mystery of the stranger’s car with two broken eyes showing off its name “Pippie”, // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">always concluding with bursts of laughter and mirthful grins making its owner wonder with regret about his choice of spending his dimes //

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">I am from the recitation “when I was little. . .” from my mother, who’s always positive and charitable, // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">Reminding “always strive to do your best at everything” from a protective and a determined father, // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">“I told you so!” echoing through a practical and a fable-loving grandma, // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">“Have fun but be safe!” repeated by a comical grandpa where his heart lies within the possibility of all nature being inheritable //

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">I am from a path composed to be overflowed with every moment spent in a place originated only for me, // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">Memorizing every fact about my life expanding every second as I accept it, // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">A route stepped on by everyone I admire and devote to, // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt;">All secured in an endless creation of a photo album where no one reaches except for the many memories to always be looked upon with glee //

Pisces vs. Myself By Jayasri Kamakolanu “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” This inspired message given by Albert Einstein relates to the main trait of Pisces-creativity and imagination. Although I don’t acquire all the classic characteristics of a typical Piscean, I have various similarities too. This makes me incomparable yet parallel to a person who portraits a Pisces. It also shows that not every person is entirely what they were predicted to be. You become the individual you strive to become, not the person someone else created you to be.

I admire imagination and creativeness shown through paintings, sketches and pieces of different writing. Skill in artistry and being imaginative are traits I definitely posses. A vague memory flashes in my mind from time to time that makes me feel proud to know that I held a special trait. My art teacher took an important part in making me realize this. It was a simple instruction from her, “Don’t think. Just draw what comes to your mind.” In an instant, I was entrapped in a world of nature overflowing with pine trees, maple trees and all the trees you could ever imagine. Grape vines growing, the empyreal radiance of the sun shimmering on the soft waves crashing ashore, delicate flowers blooming and butterflies peeking out at the corners of their petals. These were my models displaying in my mind. I hadn’t realized that all these creations were pouring onto the blank, bisque colored sheet, from me. As I was leaving, my teacher caught up to me and said, “What you did was beautiful.” I replied saying, “My drawing?” However, in return, she only said, “No, your creation, although, your skill in drawing was just as beautiful.” She left me hanging onto her message not realizing the true meaning of what she had said about my “creation” until later. I finally arrived at the conclusion that she was proud and amazed by my vivid and detailed imagination. I then realized that art wasn’t just a decoration to make your room prettier but a piece of new creation, which is a necessity in life. Likewise, I grasp a few other traits such as intuitiveness, attentiveness and patience. The dictionary definition of intuitive is immediate apprehension. Procuring untaught, pure and noninferential knowledge is one of the habitual traits a Piscean could posses. In other words, it means to consider something with instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning. There have been various events where I concluded decisions without a reason; I just had a feeling, an instinct. For example, during the end of second grade, there had been an English pretest. It had been only a short path of effortless questions where I reached the one that gave me a laborious time. It was to infer a definition for the word, determination. There were only two options-dedication and respect. I was convinced with the word dedication because it was spelled and pronounced in an advanced way. As an effect, it was the factual answer. This trait may not be the ultimate choice to follow multiple times. It proved my realization that in life, there lie many decisions that are possible to be chosen within your instincts or educational reasoning. On the other hand, weak-willed and easily led do not trace me at all. In fact, I feel I am just the opposite. I don’t give in to something that I am being forced to do. I stand up for myself and commit to the things that seem right to me, not because everyone else is doing it. Nevertheless, I do posses the traits of being attentive and sensitive. I am continuously complimented for my patience and attentiveness. I take great pride in that. For instance, during my times with a great friend, I had always loved listening to her talk about her experiences during summer, family discussions, her leisure activities. . . etc. I never interrupted her nor did I ever argue with her; she was interesting. Even in class, I am eminently involved in all activities for me to perfect my attentiveness. Simultaneously, it is also because I appreciate acquiring new information about everything, even if it has to do with a person’s favorites or science facts about frogs. Lurking at a shady corner of my mind, a faint incident emerges into a vivid picture, every time I am reminded of the word, attentiveness. A creative teacher who proved to be respectful was someone who made me conscious of this trait. During the last period of school, where most of the students were almost completely focused on the plans they had made for the holiday break, the clashing of the bell camouflaged an extra credit assignment the teacher was announcing. After the two celebratory weeks of time off, most students were half-asleep during the All these traits that make me my own self are the things that I am most proud of.

“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” This astounding adage echoes through the mind of Friedrich Nietzsche who announced it to the rest of the world with extensive respect for individuality. He taught every person in this world including me that being yourself does not involve in what the astrologers, scientists or the stars predict. Your true self is revealed through your own actions, accomplishments, opinions and what you dedicate in life to succeed. You are the answer to your future; no one in this entire world can make that decision for you.