Unpredictable -

Summer&Rain.

July 9, 2009

While carrying my heavy load of SAT books in one hand and my umbrella in the other, I rapidly rush down the elevator to catch a cab outside. It’s 8 AM on a gloomy summer day in the middle of July. Before I step outside, I notice the pouring rain and the various shapes and sizes of puddles. “Again?” I think to myself. I slowly place my black flip flops on the concrete floor, the few milliseconds feeling like hours. As I notice the time on my cellphone, I decide to quickly avoid all the puddles and ride the first taxi I see. Flip-flop, flip-flop, and suddenly,

SPLASH.

My shoes are soaked in water, and whenever I move my foot, it makes a little squeaky sound. Not AGAIN.

I always thought of summer as a season of joy, happiness, sunshine, and well, the beach. Those creative dot-to-dot coloring sheets as a first grader exemplified all the seasons and their characteristics. However, in Korea, it’s a lot different. Instead of going to the beach, it rains about 3 or 4 days out of the week. Almost all students go to academies (hagwons) and study for extra help on particular subjects OR the SAT’s. I never thought one summer could be so stressful: AP study on my own, SAT 2 bio alone, SAT reading, SAT writing & math alone, AND summer reading. SO, my mom and I decided that I need a break from all this. I’m quitting my academy next week to focus on just relaxing and reading for once.

As for the rain, well, I can’t do anything about that. As I turn on my IPOD in the cab, I click the button “shuffle.” AND guess what comes out? Songs such as Hometown Glory by Adele, On Your Own by Green River Ordinance, and My Love by Westlife–songs that simply bring the whole mood down. As I’m trying to concentrate on my SAT teacher’s words, the distracting noise the rain makes won’t disappear. That’s when I get into a grumpy mood and just feel lifeless, like the rain has sucked the energy out of me. As I come back home into my room, where the lights are all on and the cool breeze of the air conditioner touches my cheek, I become my usual self again, all extroverted and ecstatic to take on my daily tasks. That’s when I realize how the weather can make everything just seem worse, even if they’re the same things one does everyday. I mean, think about it. The song My Love, by Westlife isn’t supposed to be a depressing song. Plus, I could have just clicked the next button instead of feeling all dreary inside.

We have to face it–the weather does, in fact, affect our mood. Let’s just hope that the weather does clear up soon to make me all jubilant again…especially when I’m at the beach next week.

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