Hope

What a perfect weekend.

I woke up before nine on Saturday morning, went on a bike ride, and lounged outside of Starbucks for several hours reading Everything Is Illuminated. The sun was bright, but the breeze was cool, and the coffee was chilled.  I caught up with the news, had a few epiphanies, and wrote a little bit. Then I relocated to the picnic table in my court and read some more. I read so much, and just kept on reading. (I don't quite know why I'm so enthralled by this book, but I just think it's wonderful. No doubt I'll be posting some excerpts soon.) Then the night didn't end until five in the morning, after several drinks, smokes, and talks.

Today, Sunday, is how I want to spend every day - eating new foods, drinking coffee, relishing nature, reading, being at peace. I had lunch in a French cafe with JC and then we spent several hours at the park in downtown Monrovia. Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe the atmosphere - big, green trees; the bluest sky; everyone lounging on the grass, on the benches, reading and cherishing each other's companies; the only sound being distant chatter, an occasional car, a child running by. In one word: peace.

I haven't touched my homework, but I don't care. I was able to read so much, drink so much coffee, and have so many good conversations, the kind of conversations that induce introspection, challenge what you believe, forcing you to give a defense for what you've accepted, the kind that bring you closer to yourself and to others.

But the weekend has come to a close, and I'm brought back to reality. It's time to hit those books, but my goal for the week is to not get submerged. To keep a clear mind and not get over stressed, to sleep and to study, to follow my own advice.

It was a beautiful weekend and it's times like these that give me hope for the future.