Visiting a new country every year, my use of markers and pens to produce simple drawings was the one thing that stayed consistent in my life. My wildest thoughts were depicted through lively illustrations that turned into a comic book with every episode representing a new adventure.
Image #420: I am snorkeling in Hawaii:
As I reflect on the memory and try to record every emotion, I feel like I am picking up shells from the sea or slowly chewing a piece of candy that I have brought back from the island. On the top of the page, I am floating, surrounded by fish, as I struggle to balance myself in the water. The fish swim freely as I am being smashed by waves. When they stop, they are suspended in the water. My commentary: “Why are they not affected by the waves and current? They gather around me and stare at this stupid human being. I am being laughed at by the fish. I am constantly being pushed around by arbitrary smashes. Snorkeling is like falling into a flushing toilet.”
My comic is the most generous way I can share my feelings. If people ask me about my trip to Hawaii, I can show them my comic and they can feel what it is like being underwater, laughed at by fish. In fact, I open up my mind as a reference for others to look at if ever they are curious about what it’s like to peek into someone else’s thoughts. When people read my comic, they will experience a time and space travel together with me to SVCA, MSJHS, South Africa, Malaysia, and China.
There are two types of readers, A.Those who have similar experiences with me. B. Those who do not. I welcome both types.
I treasure the reaction of type A: “Oh yeah! That is what I feel too, I went through those same difficulties when I first came to U.S!”
I feel excited by the reaction of type B: “Wow! I never knew that snorkeling is not that easy!”
My ability to share my feelings through this enjoyable art form has led me to pursue new ways of communicating, to reach more types of people. I will call them type AB experiencers, type X listeners, type O viewers and more.