Siri Venkatagiri, Week 12: Nostalgia


Me and two of my best friends on vacation in Palm Springs, unaware of the concept of "college." Taken in 2011.

Occasionally, when I indulge in an iced matcha latte with brown sugar syrup instead of my usual hazelnut syrup, or when I rediscover the wistful melodies of Symphonia IX by Current Joys after forgetting the song’s existence, or when I catch the faint scent of my Apple Tree Blossom perfume from years ago, I find myself instantly transported to the older periods of my life. I vividly envision myself in these past times, the mannerisms I talked with, the phrases I used, and the friends I had, and find myself experiencing extreme nostalgia. Even if those times weren't always kind to me. 


Recently, during a late-night phone call with a close friend who attends a different high school an hour away, our conversation drifted to the realization that next year marks our final year as normal teenagers. It's the last stretch of the familiar, carefree existence we've known since childhood. After next year, our friend groups will venture across different states to attend different colleges and leave behind the comfort of our close-knit social circles and familial bonds. The growing realization that our cozy and familiar lives are swiftly slipping away, unnoticed due to our busy day-to-day lives, has prompted me to frequently reflect on old memories. 


I recall moments like the last evening of summer before high school, when neighbors knocked on my door, eager to play two-square on the worn asphalt of our neighborhood court. Or the bittersweet day I bid farewell to my elementary school without properly saying goodbye to the people who constituted my entire childhood. Memories of laughing until my ribs ached with my freshman year friend group, a moment etched in my mind with fondness. 


These memories that have shaped my life into what I know it as today will soon turn into a figment of my childhood experiences twenty years from now, reduced to nothing but mere nostalgia. Despite my sorrowful acknowledgment of our ever-changing lives, I am forever grateful that I was able to make such wonderful core memories that have made it so difficult to let go of the past, and I eagerly anticipate the unknown journey that lies ahead in the next chapter of my life. 

Comments

  1. Keshavi KanagalingamMarch 27, 2024 at 9:59 PM

    Hi Siri!
    I enjoyed reading your blog about nostalgic moments in your own life! Specifically, I liked the overall structure of your blog, as it was easy to follow and well-organized. Similar to you, the memories that I have made in my past are extremely important to me and allow me to feel grateful for all of the people I have met and spent time with! Additionally, I would like to touch upon how you are able to embrace the past while simultaneously being excited for the future. In my case, I often find myself viewing the past and the future in a negative light, as I reflect on the mistakes I have made in my past and the worries that I have about what will happen in the future. However, reading your blog has inspired me to think about the good times, cherish the past, and look forward to the future! Thank you for your blog!

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