July 1999, scorched by the summer sun, tanned by summer memories, and buzzed with childhood thoughts. It began. I began to create the ultimate end of summer adventure, a tunnel. I decided to dig a tunnel from my secret spot in the wooded area behind my house to China. Powered by determination and excitement, I started digging. I dug, and dug, and dug some more. Routinely, I would wake up bursting with excitement, set out to my secret spot, and dig. Often, with mere glimpse of color from the forms that made up my parents, I would hear them question my determination and intentions. With the buzz of my parents chatter long behind me and shovel in tow, I set out to continue my journey. As I dug, questions passed through my head. What would be …show more content…
I had a mental awakening. I realized, the basics will not finance my future, aid me in my future endeavors, or make me a successful teacher. This realization was the awakening that would be the foundation for the rest of my career, and beyond. This mental awakening was the spark that lit the fire to strive beyond the basics, come from the background. My love of discovery came back to me like an old friend that lost touch. It felt so familiar, as if it never dulled. Intellectual curiosity is something that is not taught, but yet discovered. Curiosity is just that, a process derived from the desire to discover. As educators, parents, and peers when someone shows interest in digging deeper into a topic, we should cradle this. We should encourage intellectual curiosity and discovery. The love of learning is a gift and it should not be muted or shoved aside. Society has a problem with curiosity; they see it as a threat. When someone is curious that means they question what is already presented. We live in a society that is depicted by rules, a society that says these are the rules, just follow them; leaving no room to question the intentions, the basis, and the principle. Creating a society that is dependent on routines and procedures, often dimming the intellectual curiosity of adults. “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing,” said