The Summer I Became a Writer
Ripples form around my fingers as I try to stay afloat. I lay on my back and shut my eyes from the powers of the sun. A pair of blue and gold macaws fly over. My mother calls them natures’ jewels since it is so rare to see them in the wild. Soon, the chattering couple and I become a speck to one another in a pellucid marvel of sea and sky. Their song is muffled when my ears dip into the deep blue. Moments later, breaking waves transform into Gaia’s musicality until I am covered in opalescent, snowy foam. An island breeze prys me further away from shore. I do not fight it. I know this blissful, oceanic feeling all too well.
In life, I think it is important to have a muse. We are on a continuous path in seeking inspiration for our passions. With newfound influence, we tend to work better when we feel our best. This is what the beach does for me. It takes “ocean therapy” to a whole new level. Finally, when my battery is recharged, I find motivation to face more arduous aspects of life. For example, I am most ardent about the fight against stereotypes in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), as well as lending support to girls who wish to join these types of programs. A primary challenge in being a member of STEM. automatically translates to being bad at writing. People believe you cannot excel at both and I am determined to put these rumours to rest. For this, I sometimes seek refuge in my muse for coming up with new ways to improve the system.
I’ve written stories my entire life but I was always a scientist at heart. At seven years old, I would stay up all night with my chemistry set performing experiments and walked around with a physics textbook until I was twelve. When all my concoctions ran out, I became interested in an old telescope that collected dust from years of not being used. I will always remember I’d stay up for hours trying to find constellations and shooting stars. All that time I still dedicated myself to writing. I guess I never shared my stories because I thought they weren’t good enough. I believed my science skill could never match my literary one.
In high school, my English teacher recognized my assignment pieces. I would pitch my beach chair into the sand and write until I was satisfied. I was Van Gogh illustrating his latest work but using only words. I had also become passionate about analyzing poems and novels. The ideas I wanted to explore and learn about in literature was like painting on a canvas with a myriad of colours. I was free to express my thoughts like counting numbers to infinity. My love for literature also strengthened my bond with math and physics in a sense where I used science to ground me. Trying to solve practice questions brought me back to reality because there were no wild theories for speculation. It was always one set answer.
When I became older, I realized one’s appreciation for literature and science does not have to be linear. To improve in one subject does not mean you should let another suffer. Math students tend to dislike English subjects but there is a chance in finding a balance that can co-exist between the two. For example, in class settings, one can build STEM ideas to bring literature characters and other models to life. There are many benefits in combining both fields because it improves critical thinking skills and communication. As the years float away and I become more confident in my academic abilities, I sink deeper into my appreciation for writing which I cannot wait to share with the world.
The best way I can describe my love for arts and science is through a sunset painting. This massive beam of light stands for my entire STEM career. It transforms into different light phases just like the opportunities I work toward. Before the sun completely fades out, golden hour presents itself and I fall captive to its majestic charm. No matter how many sunsets I witness, their beauty will always be like when I see one for the first time. It is truly how I feel about engineering because if passion exists in what you pursue, it does not feel like a job. Moreover, the sun overlooks a sea with crashing waves to sculpt rocks. The ocean represents my writing passion, reminding me of my smallness in its great vastness. There is so much to be inspired by as well as improve. I feel as though it would take many lifetimes to uncover secrets of the sea and the world of literature.
In my task to encourage more STEM students to appreciate writing, I am excited to see where this journey will take me. I feel as though I’m riding the currents in search of a remote island I can happily settle on. I know an entire generation of systematic ideals will not change overnight but where there is a stone’s throw, there will always be a ripple effect. And to all students, especially my fellow Women in STEM let us break glass ceilings, both scientific and literary.