Act 1 Scent 4: Hot Air Balloon
Updated: Aug 18
Aspirations of a bubble gum ~
My 9-year old daughter displays a series of adolescent curiosities which I deem as her greatest hits. One particular discovery in the spotlight, is her first piece of chewy confectionary, the bubble gum. Witnessing the growth in real-time, warped me back to my own childhood infatuation with bubble gum.
From the unwrapping to the opening pitch, a series of rhythmic chews masticates the gum, prefacing a release of dopamine one chew at a time. A meditative instrument deforming and reforming our mythical concoctions, harvesting a spectrum of bubbles. These simple bursts of joy and silliness defines our youth, and till this day magnifies the continuous search and reflection of my own aspirations.
Our hopes and dreams go through this self-seeding cycle with a few lucky bubbles rooted into the core of our existence at an early age, sprouting new fulfilling visions that one day can blossom into fruition. Similarly, this life phenomenon resembles a short and profound tale like the angelica root. Leafing in its initial year, the garden angelica (Angelica archangelica) umbrellas into a globular flower before it drops its seeds and settles into the ground in its second season of existence to prepare for new growth. What rises and falls is not limited to above ground, beneath the soil is a root (angelica sinensis) known for healing properties dating back to ancient times.
Often known as the female ginseng, the angelica root “當歸” (in Cantonese pronounced “dong gwai”), in Chinese medicine helps balance the female hormone system during the ups and downs of the menstrual cycle. Even in medieval herbal traditions, the root aids in digestion and promotes respiratory health. Carrying earthy, herbaceous, and hypnotic licorice notes, these botanicals are also masterfully used in spirits of Western civilization like the treasured French-monk distilled Chartreuse.
Ideas sprinkle and spark through our minds and begin to germinate much like the gravitational formation of baby stars from heat and friction. Within these stellar nurseries, the embryonic root begins to anchor our hopes and dreams. Unafraid of losing our grasp, we slowly release our inner butterfly from our cusp to fly freely through our own solar system.
With each breath, the bubbles fill and pop, forging our imagination. My daughter’s discovery of bubble gum reminds us to believe in these precious moments, and not let these seeds die out like a supernova. The ignition of self belief belongs to us,
…a bubble awaiting to take us to new heights.
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