I don't know if it's just me, but my surroundings have become very depressing as if a large blanket was covering over me. Everyone's sick or just not in the mood. Messages left in the air, scornful looks, attitudes. Perhaps because finals are approaching. The dining halls seem more empty than usual. Everything, and everyone, in fact, seemed to exude a melancholy vibe. This all happened right when I got back from Thanksgiving break.
tkd
1Q84 World. 5/2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
Toothbrush, elusive suitemate, two hares
I came back to the dorm around the evening from a medium-haul bus ride. The lights were off. My room was just the way I left it. My roommate's side was miraculously clean. I unpacked my stuff and realized I was the only one here. I went to the bathroom, but something felt off. I realized my toothbrush was missing. Where could it have gone? Fortunately I had packed another one, but how could my toothbrush suddenly vanish like that? Did someone take it? Everything else was just the way it had been. I messaged my roommate as he was the last one to leave the suite, but got no reply.
Half-perplexed, I went to the dining hall to eat with my friend. As I sat down, I felt a sensational hunger. I got everything the dining hall could offer, but couldn't finish any plate because of its bland, uninspiring taste. Even the drink was not great. The fizz was lacking. Overall the dining hall was empty. With halfhearted movements and expressions, employees served the students in sheer ennui. It seemed like this was the last place they wanted to be. Nothing was worth noting as everything was the same.
Outside the wind produced a lonely howling breeze. Buildings here and there were still under construction. For now they remained as nothing but pillars and rails, but in a few years this site would have a movie theater, extra study rooms, a gym, and more. Now it was however just a skeleton of a building.
The sky was already dark, and nighttime had come. An ominous bitter breeze hit me, leaves swirling in the air. Winter was coming.
When I came back, my other suitemate had come back. But minutes later, he left the room without notice. Just where could he have gone? My best guess would be the library, as he was a studious person. We usually didn't communicate unless it was something urgent. Most of the time he would be on his desk studying away. He didn't attend much parties as he was the stay-home type, yet his presence was not at all a bother to me and I'm sure he thought the same for me. He's a nice one who you could always depend on. With him gone, it was back to only me in the suite. The rest of the suitemates were coming the next day, so I had a night to relax.
With Christmas songs serenading me, I tried to get some work done. Slowly, I began to realize my college life was coming to a close. After I breezed through these finals, I only had one more semester left. In retrospect, I haven't done anything remarkable.
"You went to parties," my friend said.
"That isn't the most important thing," I said. "Parties are parties. They happen everywhere."
He mumbled something to himself. "I dunno, you met people. Met new friends."
"Friends like you," I said, kicking a pebble. "Yeah, that's one thing I appreciate. But everything seems to go by so quick. I can't believe it."
He didn't say anything.
Who knew where I was going post-graduation. Though it was something I needed to slowly plan out, in due time.
"Altoid?" he said, flipping the lid of the tin case.
"Don't mind if I do."
When I came back to my room, my suitemate still wasn't there. I watched a couple Japanese comedies, ate a banana, read, and scribbled down some thoughts on my notebook, but I couldn't write anything. Half giving up, I threw my pen on the desk, put my hands around my head and kicked back, staring at the bare wall in front of me. Nothing. But at one point, I thought of a proverb that my mother had told me earlier,
Have a focus point and focus on that one thing. Only on those rare occasions will the two hares collide with each other. I closed my eyes and dreamed. Thought of a rabbit hopping in a plain field somewhere in the open. It didn't know where it was, but it kept hopping. It was alone. Did it know where it was going?
Just when I was about to continue imagining the lone rabbit, the suite door opened and my suitemate came back.
Half-perplexed, I went to the dining hall to eat with my friend. As I sat down, I felt a sensational hunger. I got everything the dining hall could offer, but couldn't finish any plate because of its bland, uninspiring taste. Even the drink was not great. The fizz was lacking. Overall the dining hall was empty. With halfhearted movements and expressions, employees served the students in sheer ennui. It seemed like this was the last place they wanted to be. Nothing was worth noting as everything was the same.
Outside the wind produced a lonely howling breeze. Buildings here and there were still under construction. For now they remained as nothing but pillars and rails, but in a few years this site would have a movie theater, extra study rooms, a gym, and more. Now it was however just a skeleton of a building.
The sky was already dark, and nighttime had come. An ominous bitter breeze hit me, leaves swirling in the air. Winter was coming.
When I came back, my other suitemate had come back. But minutes later, he left the room without notice. Just where could he have gone? My best guess would be the library, as he was a studious person. We usually didn't communicate unless it was something urgent. Most of the time he would be on his desk studying away. He didn't attend much parties as he was the stay-home type, yet his presence was not at all a bother to me and I'm sure he thought the same for me. He's a nice one who you could always depend on. With him gone, it was back to only me in the suite. The rest of the suitemates were coming the next day, so I had a night to relax.
With Christmas songs serenading me, I tried to get some work done. Slowly, I began to realize my college life was coming to a close. After I breezed through these finals, I only had one more semester left. In retrospect, I haven't done anything remarkable.
"You went to parties," my friend said.
"That isn't the most important thing," I said. "Parties are parties. They happen everywhere."
He mumbled something to himself. "I dunno, you met people. Met new friends."
"Friends like you," I said, kicking a pebble. "Yeah, that's one thing I appreciate. But everything seems to go by so quick. I can't believe it."
He didn't say anything.
Who knew where I was going post-graduation. Though it was something I needed to slowly plan out, in due time.
"Altoid?" he said, flipping the lid of the tin case.
"Don't mind if I do."
When I came back to my room, my suitemate still wasn't there. I watched a couple Japanese comedies, ate a banana, read, and scribbled down some thoughts on my notebook, but I couldn't write anything. Half giving up, I threw my pen on the desk, put my hands around my head and kicked back, staring at the bare wall in front of me. Nothing. But at one point, I thought of a proverb that my mother had told me earlier,
He who runs after two hares will catch neither.
Have a focus point and focus on that one thing. Only on those rare occasions will the two hares collide with each other. I closed my eyes and dreamed. Thought of a rabbit hopping in a plain field somewhere in the open. It didn't know where it was, but it kept hopping. It was alone. Did it know where it was going?
Just when I was about to continue imagining the lone rabbit, the suite door opened and my suitemate came back.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Thursday, November 26, 2015
When it comes to jobs, there is a distinct difference between the US and Japanese hiring process. While Americans tend to steer more toward jobs that fit their speciality and/or interests, the Japanese focus primarily on the individual. They encourage everyone to have an equal level of understanding and skill. Therefore, there is no room for creativity. In Japan, companies tend to strive to have employees no matter their major. Based on their viewpoint, they take new graduates and train them from the ground-up. Thus, at work, there is a high chance that you wouldn't be able to utilize the skills you learned in your college major.
That took me aback for a bit.
Oh, by the way, Happy Thanksgiving!
That took me aback for a bit.
Oh, by the way, Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
I woke up and saw the cloudy Boston skyline from out the window. The captains were preparing to land the cessna plane. Five other people were on board. It was the first time I was on such a small plane. Usually when I'm on a plane I'd expect PA announcements, in-seat television and entertainment, large roaring engines (Rolls Royce), flight attendants and refreshments. But the aircraft was so compact that there was no room for any of that. You couldn't fully stand. It took me aback, but it was fun. The captains were right there, operating the plane.
It was a smooth landing.
"Thanks for flying with us," one of the captains said. "Please exit from one of the doors."
I was headed for a Japanese job interview. I think I did okay. It was my first official Japanese interview.
It was a smooth landing.
"Thanks for flying with us," one of the captains said. "Please exit from one of the doors."
I was headed for a Japanese job interview. I think I did okay. It was my first official Japanese interview.
Boston and Back
It was a journey across the state. I was Boston bound for a job fair.
I checked the time and it was around four in the morning. I muted my alarm. I rubbed my eyes and squinted out the window to see that it was still pitch dark. I stretched, yawned, and splashed my face with water. Turning on the bathroom light was a struggle. Squinting my eyes, I brushed my teeth and shaved. I took a swig of water, and changed into my crackling new suit. I packed in my briefcase my notes, folders, snacks, a drink, and an umbrella. I called a cab and over the other line was a man with a deep, baritone voice. A monotonous tone, a tone that seemed as if working was the last thing on his mind. Strange things tend to happen in the early mornings. I threw on my peacoat, applied a dash of cologne, and headed out the door. Still half asleep, I stumbled my way to the cab, the chilly breeze welcoming me. Nobody else was walking. I yawned once more. Birds were chirping melodiously somewhere above. The half-moon hung atop the sky, as if watching my every move.
Leaves on the ground scattered from the wind. It was the hour where everyone on campus was asleep. It wasn't the weekend where you'd occasionally catch drunk students wandering around campus. It was a Friday morning in the hushed AM hours. What could anyone possibly be doing at a time like this?
The lonely cab was idle in the road. I got in, and greeted the driver, who was a lady with round-rimmed glasses.
"You here for 5:15," she asked me.
"You bet."
"Where you going?"
"Bus terminal."
"Aight come on in."
She was wearing an oversized jacket with a blanket rested on her lap. She was counting money as she was driving, something that got me feeling suspicious at one point. Meanwhile, I was looking at my exhausted-looking self from the side mirror. After a little meet and greet, I learned that she was a great poet and creative writer. Not to mention, she had a passion for law school.
"I want people to do the right thing, be a little thoughtful to one another," she said, eyes straight on the road. "I was in an accident on the 10 bus when the driver slammed the breaks in 8:45 in the morning. I've been trying to find a lawyer but he be tellin' me he won't support me because I got no bruises or fractures what am I supposed to be, dead? I just wanna be a private investigator or lawyer and learn this myself and help people the way they should be helped. I don't back down that's me. I was disabled since 2001 when my back popped when I was working underground at SUNY. That's why this accident doesn't slip away.. I don't let it slip away from me that easily."
She handed me her business card as she dropped me off in front of the terminal. I got on the bus, and slept for most of the ride.
At the career fair, a horde of people with identical attire were walking around the place. I could never really distinguish them unless I really paid attention. It was something else.
It took me six hours to get back. Heavy traffic, transfers. When I got back at the bus terminal, which was around ten, I waited for the bus. Shortly, a taxi cab slowly approached the curb and stopped right in front of me. What gives, I thought. I looked in the driver's seat and out came someone familiar. It was the lady who drove me here in the morning.
She called my name. "Is that you?"
"No way," I said.
This just goes to show how connected the world is, and how, by chance, we might bump into one another.
"You know that's why I want to take up on law school. I want to help people the right way, you know what i'm sayin'?" she said. "None of all that bullshit I get from what happened to me."
The next day I got up in the afternoon, only to wake up from a phone call from one of the companies I applied to yesterday. They wanted an interview for the next day. This meant that I had to go back. No buses nor train that could get there on time for the interview.
So the only alternative was via air.
Back to Boston I was.
I checked the time and it was around four in the morning. I muted my alarm. I rubbed my eyes and squinted out the window to see that it was still pitch dark. I stretched, yawned, and splashed my face with water. Turning on the bathroom light was a struggle. Squinting my eyes, I brushed my teeth and shaved. I took a swig of water, and changed into my crackling new suit. I packed in my briefcase my notes, folders, snacks, a drink, and an umbrella. I called a cab and over the other line was a man with a deep, baritone voice. A monotonous tone, a tone that seemed as if working was the last thing on his mind. Strange things tend to happen in the early mornings. I threw on my peacoat, applied a dash of cologne, and headed out the door. Still half asleep, I stumbled my way to the cab, the chilly breeze welcoming me. Nobody else was walking. I yawned once more. Birds were chirping melodiously somewhere above. The half-moon hung atop the sky, as if watching my every move.
Leaves on the ground scattered from the wind. It was the hour where everyone on campus was asleep. It wasn't the weekend where you'd occasionally catch drunk students wandering around campus. It was a Friday morning in the hushed AM hours. What could anyone possibly be doing at a time like this?
The lonely cab was idle in the road. I got in, and greeted the driver, who was a lady with round-rimmed glasses.
"You here for 5:15," she asked me.
"You bet."
"Where you going?"
"Bus terminal."
"Aight come on in."
She was wearing an oversized jacket with a blanket rested on her lap. She was counting money as she was driving, something that got me feeling suspicious at one point. Meanwhile, I was looking at my exhausted-looking self from the side mirror. After a little meet and greet, I learned that she was a great poet and creative writer. Not to mention, she had a passion for law school.
"I want people to do the right thing, be a little thoughtful to one another," she said, eyes straight on the road. "I was in an accident on the 10 bus when the driver slammed the breaks in 8:45 in the morning. I've been trying to find a lawyer but he be tellin' me he won't support me because I got no bruises or fractures what am I supposed to be, dead? I just wanna be a private investigator or lawyer and learn this myself and help people the way they should be helped. I don't back down that's me. I was disabled since 2001 when my back popped when I was working underground at SUNY. That's why this accident doesn't slip away.. I don't let it slip away from me that easily."
She handed me her business card as she dropped me off in front of the terminal. I got on the bus, and slept for most of the ride.
At the career fair, a horde of people with identical attire were walking around the place. I could never really distinguish them unless I really paid attention. It was something else.
It took me six hours to get back. Heavy traffic, transfers. When I got back at the bus terminal, which was around ten, I waited for the bus. Shortly, a taxi cab slowly approached the curb and stopped right in front of me. What gives, I thought. I looked in the driver's seat and out came someone familiar. It was the lady who drove me here in the morning.
She called my name. "Is that you?"
"No way," I said.
This just goes to show how connected the world is, and how, by chance, we might bump into one another.
"You know that's why I want to take up on law school. I want to help people the right way, you know what i'm sayin'?" she said. "None of all that bullshit I get from what happened to me."
The next day I got up in the afternoon, only to wake up from a phone call from one of the companies I applied to yesterday. They wanted an interview for the next day. This meant that I had to go back. No buses nor train that could get there on time for the interview.
So the only alternative was via air.
Back to Boston I was.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Yesterday the taekwondo demo team performed again at the Egg, but not many of our friends saw it.
After tonight I really believe that chance happens in oftentimes banal, unprecedented moments. It's all about timing, like I mentioned in one of my novellas.
It's amazing how a simple concept like time can shape our lives.
After tonight I really believe that chance happens in oftentimes banal, unprecedented moments. It's all about timing, like I mentioned in one of my novellas.
It's amazing how a simple concept like time can shape our lives.
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