Stars (Bridge 2)

Based on the interview with my classmate Emma Dayan. The Integrative Studio post can be seen here

***

On a Sunday afternoon, the sky was filled with clouds and a stream of water drops started pouring down on the streets of lower Manhattan. We started staring, wondering, and daydreaming, on what it would’ve been like if we weren’t here, in Manhattan. We were both students of Parsons, and though our passion in the arts were increasing, our hopes and dreams say something else about us.

 

Though she grew up in Brooklyn, which is not that far from Manhattan, her family surrounds her like an ant farm, crawling and digging for a way out but end up bundling within its realm of relatives and close family. The distance is slim between her and her other family members. I, on the other hand, am comparatively different. I grew up moving and traveling to places, with or without my family and friends. New York is just like every other place that I’ve travelled to, and though the vibe is different, it doesn’t strike as a different experience. I’ve grown up and lived apart from family members because of my travels, and starting a new chapter in somewhere else isn’t all that challenging.

 

We’re different, in a sense that how we are shaped is very different from our background and experiences. However, the surprising aspect between us is how we think and the little details we gather whenever we start to ponder about something, or someone we dislike or cherish. We explore, we need comfort and find it through a number of different ways. Various stories have yet to arise but it’s our focused mind that allows such thoughtful exploration come into place. We’re lucky to be classmates in Parsons, and I think we’ll continue to be friends, even through the seconds of silence. We love the stars, and we love the melodies that flow within us. We keep each of them treasured and it’s what makes us who we are. We’re disappointed in many aspects, but keep the same thankfulness because none of the things would have appeared without the existence of the people and natural surroundings. And as several years to come, we may live as stars that are distanced far away from the Earth, sometimes like our dreams and realities, but without them we aren’t real, and with them, we are made with wonders of creativity. That is the essence of us coming together to Parsons, to learn the different ways life has to offer. It’s a beautiful, enticing but challenging experience. Hear our abstracted thoughts as we present to you who we are.

~

A new chapter is where my heart is.

 

It’s not my fault that I want to leave. I just really want to explore, to adventure into the wilderness and end up in places that I don’t find myself believing, even for a minute. I want to study abroad, and I’m grateful for the programs provided here in Parsons. I represent the wind, soaring through distances—the further the better—and raging for more in my exploration of different places. However, what always calms my heart other than the shimmering stars is my guitar. Music makes my thoughts flow into a soothing river and I am free. A chain is tied around my collar bone and tucked underneath my shirt. I am very thankful for my best friend. This gift of a metal guitar pick strung with a metal chain helps explain everything I hold true to. It means so much to me.

~

It’s like a tune of daydreaming.

 

Songs are the melodies that flow into my brain and out to my heart, through my veins and out to others to hear as well. However, though I play(ed) the violin, piano and flute, nothing compares to my voice. I do not expect everyone to like the sounds I produce, but I love soothing myself once in awhile with just the musicality of my voice and how high or low of a note I can produce.  Humans are amazing in this way, and it’s comforting to know that I can produce such a sound. Through the exploration of the different pitches, I find myself creating another language within my own universe. They say music brings people together, it surely does, but it can also create a love story from scratch, and I love watching movies that do exactly that.  It’s quite extraordinary. With the power of pouring out your feelings into a single tune and feeling so satisfied, it’s as if nothing matters after that.

~

They were the stars of the Earth.

 

Memories hold truths and lies in me. My heart complies with what they say and mean. I do not believe in astrology, but I do believe that distance creates a better image, bigger picture of how the story really is told, whether it is from truth or from lies. I cherish each of my memories in the stars that I search endlessly for, because at the end, they all come back as beautiful lights that twinkle in remembrance of things I love. I love the stars and the moments they hold. I treasure them dearly and wish one day they’ll all come back.

~

The stars were so bright they twinkled like fireworks.

 

They’re everything to me, my life, my hopes and dreams. I love the stars because of how pretty they are, but at the same time, they’re so far away. That’s sometimes like how I dream of myself, being far away from my family. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely do not hate them, but how can I absolutely adore them when all I’ve been feeling is being encaged by my family since I am always with them. I don’t know how it feels to be absent for a longer time, but I’m dying to feel like that. I love you משפחתי, but it’s about time I try and do my own thing, for once, without anyone disturbing me and trying to stop me. I don’t want to hear them tell me how important family is when I don’t even have the chance to get out of this village of family.

~

It’s been a semester together during our Studio and Seminar classes twice a week. It is always a pleasure to meet each other, talk about random topics and see the whole class burst with laughter and exhilaration. She’s a twinkling star waiting to burst out like shootings stars, where I am a star that is further away and possibly dimmer, not because I’d like to distance myself, but I’ve already had my turn and it’s time to see others shine. We come back after the day is over, and think through our hopes and dreams and reality. Though the day may be rainy, but the class will always be on the bright side.

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