Angel Nugroho: Discovering what shapes us and taking a break
I am halfway through with Governor’s School and everything still feels new. There is always a class or elective or inner realization that gives it a sense of freshness.
Unfortunately, getting out of bed still tires me out. But as alluring as my bed can be, I managed to haul myself out of it early on a Sunday morning, and take a walk to the art museum. One half hour trip on the greenway later, and there it was: the North Carolina Art Museum welcoming 100 Governor’s School East students.
It was as welcoming as a heavily secured storage facility with no windows could be. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or at least where you are in the museum. Once you step inside, is architectural design makes perfect sense.
Awash in a soft, creamy light, the museum presents its art with no disruption, but also stands as masterpiece of its own. Everything from 15th century art to present day works enamored me.
I particularly loved an interactive weaving exhibit meant to reflect African tradition and art. The idea that people who had never met could create something beautiful struck me in a wonderfully poetic way.
Right after the Art Walk, I joined another group to discuss the novel, Little Bee. Although I definitely have required summer reading to catch up on, I could not resist a free read and fresh faces.
Little Bee is an intriguing novel, filled with mystique surrounding the relationship of a young Nigerian refugee and a British magazine director. Not only did we discuss Western attitudes towards refugees and their wars, but also questioned the perspective of the author who had not experienced being a refugee himself.
Little Bee elevates the idea of people having different perceptions of the world. People are shaped differently according to their family, their past, their environment, and the certain opportunities available to them. This is one of the biggest concepts that I will take home from Governor’s School simply because you can apply it to all aspects of life.
Speaking of taking things home, this third week of Governor’s School also brought the mid-session break where the my newly purchased books could finally find a home.
Despite a relaxing, fun-filled Independence Day celebration, I was itching to go home- mostly to sleep for 24 hours, but also to see my friends in Charlotte. My parents managed to take me to several of my favorite restaurants before I finally crashed.
Of course, I had to share some of my newfound hobbies with my friends at our belated Fourth of July party. I tried teaching them some swing dancing, but dancing to High School Musical just does not have the same effect. And, finally, I returned to Governor’s School where everything was once again, brand new.