On a walk back to my dorm from Newbury Street I decided to take the scenic route through the Public Garden. While thinking about final exams, and trying to overcome some shopper's guilt I was feeling, I was suddenly stopped by a stranger and asked to take a picture of a cute little family. Two little kids, a mom, and a dad. I happily obliged, as I was glad to help capture their Saturday afternoon in the park.
I continued on my way, pulling my scarf a little tighter, as I'm continually learning the true meaning of winter in Boston. As I crossed over the bridge above the duck pond I saw another group of people gathering around a small patch of grass. A handful of tourists were provoking some squirrels. Big deal. But they seemed to be thoroughly entertained by this. hmmm.
After crossing the street (on a do not walk signal), I made my way into the common and again, saw another group of tourists, younger this time, provoking and playing with three squirrels. The entire park was overflowing with families and friends, jovial and conversational, enveloped in the blustery air and enjoying their day in the city.
It got me to thinking. Less than a six months ago, this was me. The tourist who took day trips to the city and was absolutely thrilled with the excitement, (for a limited time only). Even when I first came to Emerson, I was captivated, overwhelmed, and awe-struck with the environment that I would be prospectively living in for the next four years. Yet, somewhere between then and now, I've adapted. So has everyone that moved here in September. and it's really not that surprising, just a gradual adjustment from foreign surroundings to normalcy.
it was just something i was thinking about. how quickly we can adapt to completely unfamiliar territory and make it our own.
Sorry if this wasn't very eloquent. I'll try harder next time.
That's the procrastination talking.
1 comment:
"im as eloquent as an elephant" someone once said so whatevs.
anyway your right though. i remember one day on my way over to newbury st, i was running across the street in the new jacket i had just bought from h&m and i had some good tunes pumpin and i just thought...wow I live in a whole entirely new world. And life just got so much bigger. But the more I think about it, the more i realize that its not really adapting...its more like the Illusion of adapting. Let me explain. we've all gotten into these patterns and groves, so when our lives become contextualized by ritual, we focus on that stuff, and we miss the world around us that is outside our path. so as you, miss micaeli rourke, took the scenic route i used to always take at the beginning of the year, you went outside your monotony and just enjoyed this killer place. you don't have to think of it as like youve adapted unless you want to. For me, i live so close to niagra falls and ive been there so many times, it's like borrrring for me when i have to go..but if i get dragged there, and see the tourists and every asian and their mother, standing agape in pure aw of the rushing water-i think wow...how do i take one of the wonders of the world for granted?? how can i not appreciate this? and then i just take it in...so to me it seems more like you've been able to calm down, lose the stress, and just enjoy the awesome enviornment you live in. so good for you. well done.
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