Allegra Bortoni, Grade 12
UWC Costa Rica
As graduation day approached my mind pondered the possibility of not getting to see some of my second years in a vast amount of years (if ever again). Following this train of thought, I considered that it was time to take the initiative and spend more time with those with who I admired the most but hadn’t had the chance to spend much time with. It was now or never.
I have several unforgettable memories and encounters within these “final interactions”, however, the one I’m about to describe is stored with particular fondness and affection.
Everybody knew who Changchang was. If you slept considerably late you could find her studying in the library and if you woke up quite early you could find her birdwatching around campus with heavy black binoculars as a necklace. Not only was she academically outstanding, but her art pieces were also wonderful and outstanding. A very kind soul, transmitting a comforting presence at the residence, academic environments, and extracurricular activities.
When May started whispering the ominous approach of the end of the year, I didn’t waste the opportunity to go out of campus together.
I believe we met at four at the gate and we walked together to the nearest coffee shop. Rain followed our departure and added an element of coziness to the ambiance. We took a small table under a tent, next to the yellow coffee bar. As we drank our chocolate beverages and shared a steaming cinnamon roll, I got to know about her past, her UWC experience, her pastimes, and her insights (which have kept me reflecting to this day).
I specifically remember her telling me a recent anecdote about our Visual Arts teacher. Since all of us have to pack our belongings we frequently encounter the situation of having too much stuff to fit into our suitcase. Our teacher suggested Changchang to donate some of her art supplies for future generations' common use. To this, she replied: “I can’t do that, they’re my friends.”
I thought she had such a heartwarming way to see the world. From that day on, I kept thinking of what she said and translating her thoughts into different personal scenarios.
I have a similar feeling about some of my belongings, so I started looking at them through this “friend” lens. I thought about my tiny plastic, and wooden collectible figures as little beings who watched me year by year step out of childhood, which now defend my trinkets and belongings as they serve as my room decor. Or I thought of my favorite pens as the intellectual co-authors to several appreciating handwritten notes, messages, and love letters.
A couple of weeks later, when we were going through the final exams week, she came to me carrying a neatly folded beige pencil case decorated with different colored cats. She had brought it all the way from China and had had it with her since her early teens. She told me it was a difficult decision, nonetheless she wanted me to have it.
I have kept and used her colored pencils ever since. Our shared friends.
Image Courtesy: https://www.google.com/search?q=taza+amarilla+santa+ana&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjmguHq_735AhXFwCkDHbYBC5IQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=taza+amarilla+santa+ana&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECAAQGDoFCAAQgAQ6BggAEB4QBzoECAAQHjoGCAAQHhAIOgQIABATOgYIABAeEBM6CAgAEB4QBRATOggIABAeEAgQE1CcA1iBDGC3DWgAcAB4AIABtQGIAboKkgEEMC4xMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=AYz0Yqb-N8WBp8kPtoOskAk&bih=746&biw=1536&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=VfP_hTdlP12jTM
I have several unforgettable memories and encounters within these “final interactions”, however, the one I’m about to describe is stored with particular fondness and affection.
Everybody knew who Changchang was. If you slept considerably late you could find her studying in the library and if you woke up quite early you could find her birdwatching around campus with heavy black binoculars as a necklace. Not only was she academically outstanding, but her art pieces were also wonderful and outstanding. A very kind soul, transmitting a comforting presence at the residence, academic environments, and extracurricular activities.
When May started whispering the ominous approach of the end of the year, I didn’t waste the opportunity to go out of campus together.
I believe we met at four at the gate and we walked together to the nearest coffee shop. Rain followed our departure and added an element of coziness to the ambiance. We took a small table under a tent, next to the yellow coffee bar. As we drank our chocolate beverages and shared a steaming cinnamon roll, I got to know about her past, her UWC experience, her pastimes, and her insights (which have kept me reflecting to this day).
I specifically remember her telling me a recent anecdote about our Visual Arts teacher. Since all of us have to pack our belongings we frequently encounter the situation of having too much stuff to fit into our suitcase. Our teacher suggested Changchang to donate some of her art supplies for future generations' common use. To this, she replied: “I can’t do that, they’re my friends.”
I thought she had such a heartwarming way to see the world. From that day on, I kept thinking of what she said and translating her thoughts into different personal scenarios.
I have a similar feeling about some of my belongings, so I started looking at them through this “friend” lens. I thought about my tiny plastic, and wooden collectible figures as little beings who watched me year by year step out of childhood, which now defend my trinkets and belongings as they serve as my room decor. Or I thought of my favorite pens as the intellectual co-authors to several appreciating handwritten notes, messages, and love letters.
A couple of weeks later, when we were going through the final exams week, she came to me carrying a neatly folded beige pencil case decorated with different colored cats. She had brought it all the way from China and had had it with her since her early teens. She told me it was a difficult decision, nonetheless she wanted me to have it.
I have kept and used her colored pencils ever since. Our shared friends.
Image Courtesy: https://www.google.com/search?q=taza+amarilla+santa+ana&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjmguHq_735AhXFwCkDHbYBC5IQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=taza+amarilla+santa+ana&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECAAQGDoFCAAQgAQ6BggAEB4QBzoECAAQHjoGCAAQHhAIOgQIABATOgYIABAeEBM6CAgAEB4QBRATOggIABAeEAgQE1CcA1iBDGC3DWgAcAB4AIABtQGIAboKkgEEMC4xMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=AYz0Yqb-N8WBp8kPtoOskAk&bih=746&biw=1536&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=VfP_hTdlP12jTM
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