Does the Camera See Who We Really Are?

By Junior Alyna Rei

Years ago, Stanford admissions asked freshman applicants to attach a significant photograph, then write about it. Generations of Stanford applicants attached photos of horses, grandfathers, fields of flowers, the contents of their desks. The PVS Blog Staff went on their own photo scavenger hunt in search of a compelling photograph. Once found, their task was to tell us the story behind the photo. Alyna found a photo that reveals, perhaps, “the real Alyna.”

I recently went through my camera roll on my phone and found this interesting photo of me. I was curious about the photo and asked my mom what I was doing. This photo was taken when I was about three. 

Apparently, it was another day of preschool for me, and I was acting like the normal toddler that did not want to leave the house. I’ve been told that I was screaming and crying, so my parents bribed me into quiet with a bag of Ruffles chips.

Then, my memory came back to me.  I remember I was feeling so betrayed. I had this annoyed feeling in my chest. When I was younger, usually I would be okay with going to places, but I guess this one day I was not having it. I made a fuss. Ironically, as soon as we hit the preschool, I remember I was actually fine. Maybe I just had a rough morning.

I’m not sure why this photo fascinates me so much. Maybe it’s because of the way my mom turned in her seat to take a photo of me. Or maybe it’s because of the way my mom dressed me (I hate those pants). But, this photo will always be a favorite of mine and be something I will always find funny. Today this is not usually how I act. Back then . . ., apparently, it was another story.

In the words of my mother, if you have a kid who is fussy or crying because of preschool, bribe them with food; make it a treat that they don’t usually get, like ice cream. That’s funny, too–my mom advocating bribery.