I thought back to this past summer. I had decided to stay in Shanghai rather than flying back to the states as I recalled the difficulty of my journey here. I had mixed emotions about this decision, I had not seen my parents in a while, and they were still getting used to life without me. Many of my friends ventured off as well, returning to their home, family and friends. But I felt staying was best, it would be unfamiliar and different; I hoped for a change within myself following the end of summer.

One of those midsummer nights, I remember waking up to the sound of rain and thunder. Awaking the sense of familiarity and comfort as I often experienced these awakenings back home in Florida. The rain hitting the window and my sheets muffling its sounds. After hearing some thunder I rose out of bed and went to the window for a closer look. The rain got louder and clearer as I opened the window, just as my mom used to do so I’d  wake up faster.

Closing the window, I placed my hand against the glass as I listened to the wind howling. Knowing that I had found some pieces of home in a place that was not home, I was happy about my decision to stay.

Through the manipulation of zipper and paper sounds, I hope to achieve the growing sense of comfort in an unfamiliar place. I want to utilize the recording of a clicking pen to mirror the consistent rhythm of the storm through my increasing attachment. The crescendo of emotion traveling along with the decrescendo of the storm is what I hope to capture most.