I spent the summer of 2010 on a dreadful cruise to Alaska. I hated the cameras, the throngs of tourists, and the disturbance of natural scenery. One day, I intentionally broke off from the pack and lost myself in a maze of looming glaciers. Looking up at the wondrous sight, I remember contemplating the purpose of photographs. I preferred to be busy experiencing a moment, not to worry about posing, showing other people I had a good time. Staring into the beautiful blue abyss, I knew I’d remember that scene forever, with or without photographic evidence. To my parents, however, pictures served as bragging rights to a cruise. My parents did not grow up with the luxuries of vacations, so they wanted to cherish the ones they’ve earned.
To fulfill requirements for Princeton’s B.S.E. degree, I realized I needed to spend the summer of 2011 reviewing chemistry. I decided on Harvard University’s Summer Scholars Program, but in order to afford its hefty fee, I had to increase my hours tutoring at Kumon.
I enjoyed my work at Kumon. Though students initially doubted my abilities because of my nerdy nature, they have come to respect my methods and form a healthy symbiotic relationship with me. I corrected their work, tracked their records, and closed up the center. Several times, I stood outside and ridiculously waved my arms to recruit students. Some days I experienced the teacher’s high of helping a student succeed, and other days an unsatisfied student forced me to learn from my mistakes. After working multiple hours at Kumon and cashing out my bank account, I had enough money to travel to Cambridge.
My chemistry class was filled with a slew of diverse personalities hailing in from various parts of the globe. We dominated Cabot library working on problem sets, ran nearly naked through a fountain during a Boston rain storm, and played pranks on the physics students. I worked hard and I played hard, enjoying every moment of the blissful summer. I scored an A- in the course and had the opportunity to meet a truly charming girl.
But the most rewarding part of my summer was being able to say I earned my experience. From monetary need to grades, I did it all myself. I realized the merit in my dad’s thinking: sometimes, you earn the right to take a picture and brag about success.
After I returned home from Harvard, my parents decided to take one last trip to the beach before summer drew to a close. My dad, of course, grabbed his camera. This time, I actually smiled.