The floor was so clean, white marbled floor waxed over god knows how many times. The blurring echoes of the plastic wheels rolling on the floor blended with the chatter of hundreds of languages that my 7 year old self couldn’t recognize. I watched as my dad took phone calls, as my mom looked over the tickets and documents, and as my uncle discussed landing time with my grandparents. Cutting through all the noise and more was the airy PA system of a woman’s voice announcing, “This is the final boarding call for Korean Air flight to Kuwait City.
Since I was young, I’ve always moved from place to place because of my father’s job. At one point my suitcases were a staple piece of furniture in my life. And each time we packed, my suitcase grew heavier than the last time. In my ever growing suitcase, I’ve always had a digital camera, which is currently filled with photos of my chamber group from Interlochen Music Intensive; a sketchbook from way back, filled with the faces of my neighbors from Korea; and my stuffed teddy bear from a Build-A-Bear in Kuwait. Even though I haven’t moved in many years,my suitcase still seems to grow heavier as I collect the knowledge I’ve gained from all the places I’ve lived.
I was 5 when I moved to Singapore. Despite cultural differences, I was able to make friends easily through sheer curiosity. I even shared my love for things that were different and new, like the time I manhandled a giant land snail in front of my terrified new peers. While my new gastropod friend wasn’t able to fit in my suitcase, I was able to capture the moment with a photograph. It became clear that I wasn’t scared of things the way others seemed to be. My courage has remained with me through my life, and even currently helps me perform in front of large audiences. In a recent voice competition, I was willing to take risks to deliver one of my best performances; as I walked into the audition room, I told myself to believe that the judges would be blown away no matter what I did. What always travels with me now, tucked away in a corner of my suitcase, is my ability to look for the best and embrace the unfamiliar.
As I made Kuwait my third home, I found, once again, that it was easy for me to adapt; my curiosity outweighed my fear. Looking back, I realize that the instinct to learn before I critique has allowed me to truly experience diversity. Kuwait gave me hands-on experience with Islam, as prayers were broadcast across the country five times each day. This exposure to multiple cultures has prompted me to look at issues from many sides and take all perspectives into account and respect the beliefs and needs of others. I was able to put this attitude into practice when I volunteered to guide a student on the spectrum through our church’s annual musical production. In our opening performance, when my artist froze and turned 180 degrees to stare at me, I recognized that this was his reaction to feeling stage fright, not simple confusion. With a smile, I led him backstage with a graceful exit. By playing with the Play-Doh that I’d prepared beforehand, he managed to calm down and regain his confidence. In his next scene, he performed meticulously. This capacity to understand through the eyes of another remains in a big pocket of my suitcase, ready to use wherever I go.
Moving around the world, I may have never felt the traditional feeling of being “at home.” However, looking back on my life, I understand that even if I haven’t experienced the feeling of being rooted, when I visit my former homes I will always have a familiar face to smile at and a city to welcome me back. As for now, I keep my suitcase packed with my digi cam and a sketchbook, and if I ever need anything else, I’ll search for a lesson to remember back in my suitcase pockets.