Today was my last day of class. I have been taking a photography class at Dallas College to learn new ways of making photographs. In this class, we learned several processes to make photographs without a camera. I have had a camera in my hand since I was five years old, so I don’t need to tell you how mind-blowing this was.🤯

I showed up on the first day of class with my camera bag, a pen, and a notepad. I thought I was ready until the professor said (pointing to my camera bag), “Oh, you won’t need that for this class.” I couldn’t breathe.😱 I double-checked my schedule to make sure I signed up for the correct class, and I did. As I sat there in shock, he continued to give us an overview of the syllabus and said, “Any questions?” Of course, I raised my hand and asked for clarity, “Soooo, we aint gone need our camera at all?”🤨 He replied with a smile, “Nope!” and proceeded to teach the course.

I had a similar experience with a poetry class in the spring. My professor is clearly in love with poetry. Let me tell you something: there is nothing like learning from someone who loves what they are teaching you.🤩 This course introduced me to a myriad of poetic forms, igniting a spark of excitement to experiment with these forms in my own work.

These past months have revealed a newfound love for learning, a passion that only amplifies when it aligns with my interests.🤓

Of course, I studied photography and poetry when I was younger, but it’s different now because I approach these subjects with curiosity instead of trying to conquer them. During the final critique today, I wasn’t nervous about anything. My narrative was about what I learned and how I will continue to explore these processes to learn more. I wasn’t stressed about my work being perfect and I’m not stressed about my grade. Granted, I am a grown woman who is paying her own tuition.🤣  Yet, I am amazed that I can still find inspiration in learning new things about something I have been intimately acquainted with for over 50 years.

I have been thinking about why school feels so different now. It’s because there is no pressure to learn. I’m not up cramming for a test all night and working all day. I’m not interested in what other people want for me. I’m interested in learning new ways of thinking and being. I’m interested in nurturing my curiosity so that I see things with the eyes of a child. I’m interested in telling stories that inspire others to tell their own.🦋

I am inspired by everything and
I realize if there is a limit to the sky
I must fly higher and higher until
I reach the highest high

So tell me, what’s your sky?🤔

Hey Siri, play “I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album, but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time” by Andre 3000.