From enthusiasm to obsession

I was in fifth grade, Mrs. Holbrook's class, at Sego Lily Elementary.

It was the day before what I had heard would be the best field trip of the year- maybe even the best field trip of my life.

The same field trip my friend Alisa (since she was in a different class) was just about to return from that day.

It was afternoon. I was walking down the main hall with my classmates on our way to music class when the school buses pulled in and kids began streaming off. Alisa, red-faced and excited, with adrenaline still pumping through her veins, spotted me near the edge of my group and ran towards me at full speed. The flat-out charge ended in an enthusiastic bear hug that lifted me off my feet.

"Jessica! IT'S SO FUN!" Alisa shouted. She was bouncy and all smiles. Her wild-eyed euphoria was contagious. I started bouncing too.

"I can't wait until your class goes," Alisa said. "You'll love it!"

And I did. I loved it from the moment I stepped onto the bridge of the U.S.S. Voyager. I loved it more when I went back the next year with my sixth grade class. I love it more and more every time I go.

Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever grow out of it. I used to be afraid I would grow out of it.

But I've finally decided: I'm never going to grow up.