Passions and Reflections
This week in a lot of ways was overwhelming. My first week in an actual University. Somehow I had forgotten how to be a student in the past few years so this week in a lot of ways felt like I was trying to recall a long lost skill.
A strong theme that I could find in all the classes I had was the idea of reflection. For example, one of my courses, “Introduction to Factual Production” had a task for me to interview a friend and learn about their passions. Now compare that to my other class in “Communication for Makers”, where I had to take a walk on a route that I usually take.
For the interview, I got to talk to one of my best friends about his interests, the game of cricket. We talked about how he once dreamed of being a cricket player, eventually finding success in the construction industry. He now works in a construction company while spending some of his time at the weekends, playing club games to keep himself in touch with the game.
For the walk, I decided to walk from my home to the Wellington Waterfront at around 1 AM. I usually go on this route when I feel like I need to think. The objective of this walk was to observe and examine the accessibility of the route, which I did take note of. But there was something else that struck a chord with me. The largest stretch of my walk involved going through a street that was under development. Heck, walking along the city streets at night, I notice a lot of construction work happening to improve the city. These things made me think…
Image 1: Evolving Wellington City (Thorndon Quay).
What is my role in this rebuilding city? Where do I stand in this new stage in my life where I don’t know how I will be when I come out of this experience? I have been living in Wellington for 8 years and the city feels completely different from how it was when I first came over. Some in a very good way, some not so good. And walking along the streets made me realise that the change would never stop. There is always something that is going to be modified about this city. And like the everchanging Wellington, as a Human, I keep changing too. That’s where this question came to my head, “How would I feel about the new version I find myself evolving into?”.
What is my role in this rebuilding city? Where do I stand in this new stage in my life where I don’t know how I will be when I come out of this experience? I have been living in Wellington for 8 years and the city feels completely different from how it was when I first came over. Some in a very good way, some not so good. And walking along the streets made me realise that the change would never stop. There is always something that is going to be modified about this city. And like the everchanging Wellington, as a Human, I keep changing too. That’s where this question came to my head, “How would I feel about the new version I find myself evolving into?”.
That’s when my interview came to my mind. Especially the fact that many don’t get to follow something they are passionate about. And here I am following the life of my dreams. That made me realise that, no matter what changes come within me, I’ll feel that I am going to be proud of the outcome because it is a change that’s happening from me following my passion. A luxury that not a lot of people get.
As this realization came upon me, I sat by the edge of the waterfront taking in the quietness and stillness that the ocean sometimes has to it, finding myself falling in love with this city again. Maybe that’s the point, maybe the idea of home and existence is to find love through continuous evolution.
Film of the Week: Chithha (2023) written & directed by S.U. Arun Kumar.
Song of the Week: Mitwa - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) - Shankar Ehsaan Loy.
