Little Things

Today was a bunch of little things that came together to make, a wonderful day.

Helped someone by giving them a ride to the airport. Always nice, feeling useful.

Got to nova, ate lunch with aunt and company. Free lunch, always nice. Played with cousin some, who doesn't hate me as much. Saw a CJ.

Then Georgetown. Been wanting to ride a train for some reason, and I think the metro satisfied that itch for now. Until I travel on-wards. Walked around... and it just felt good to get out of C'ville and Richmond area. I needed to go somewhere different, where I could loose myself in tall buildings and random people walking by.

Then we got there. The hustle and bustle, the newness of it all was so attractive. So much diversity, so many different languages... felt cool. And then... so much materialism. So many clothing and shoe shops that were the baller expensive brands. And... I was like this is nice... and then I also said, this is so sad... People drinking and enjoying themselves, people shopping and dropping cash, and... then thoughts of other parts of DC were on the back of my mind. But still, got that Georgetown Cupcake. Overrated and expensive? Maybe, but delicious? Yes!

Went kayaking on the river. Walked around some more.

And then the best part, had legit ramen at a place called Kintaro. And some sushi there. Gg. All thoughts left and I was lost in the deliciousness of it all. And to top it all off, there were actual Japanese customers there. Slightly wonky experience there due to some issues with reserving seats, but all worked out well. Fatty tuna there was a taste unkown to me. Sushi that actually melts in your mouth as you chew. I've read and heard about it, and it was great. No soy sauce needed at this place, just enjoy the fish and it's tenderness.

I burned through 1.5 rolls of film like nothing. And then used my DSLR, but by that point it was getting dark. I look forward to developing these. It's nice that you can really enjoy taking pics of random people. There's so much hustle and bustle people don't care. In C'ville they stare, and it's sorta awk, but I still do it.

Could I live here and enjoy it? Heck ya. Good food everywhere. Things to do. People around. Saw so many photo takers was refreshing.

But then... would I really enjoy it? Probably not. I'd lose myself and wake up 10 years later saying what happened to your dreams and aspirations? What happened to God? And I'd have to confess... that I lost sight. On the metro today, a guy carried his dry cleaning on the metro and asked around for some cash to get off the metro, and I was saddened. He was met with silence by the crowd. A refusal to make eye contact. That's scary guys. Granted it all worked out in the end, but that's the life I would develop. My bubble, my people, people like me, end of story. I've got enough struggles, so thanks be to God that I'm stuck in that humdrum of C'ville. Sadly this plays in other areas of my life though, that I'm only beginning to grasp. I read the news semi-regularly depending on how busy I am at work. I don't know if you know about Egypt... read about it. Please... not only Egypt all around the world, things... are shocking. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream. What is going on???? This child was raped and you get a blip on the news end of story? Hundreds murdered, and we process it and go on with our day. So happy I'm not there? Churches getting persecuted... churches manipulating people wrongly in other parts of the world. So many things are more demanding and important than my foolishness. Moved in prayer, but I want to be moved in action. But I guess it starts with the little things now. Saying hi to people is small, but important imho. Helping strangers. I can't stay here... I will always hate myself if I never do and act and go. You might say, maybe that's the issue be content with what you have. And yes... I know I'm the worst person to help... but at least I want to. At least I don't read these things and move on. I stop... (The sad part is this empathy depends on my emotions, my business, my circumstances, but I pray that would not be the case.)

Also, I was reminded of something that happened with my cousin last week. (Un)lucky for me, I was in the back seat and had to keep wiping her nose cause I didn't want to close her nose so she would breath okay. Got blood splatters over my arms as she kept crying and screaming and blowing, and I just kept wiping. Something about that hit me. The importance of life? The necessity of blood for survival? I'm not sure...

Regardless, a day to get out of foolish thoughts. And reflect on God in a different light. As much as I hate to admit it, I need people. I'm an introvert needing time alone, lots of it. But in the end... I still have social needs. Always shocks me for some reason.

One last story. A friend of mine, posted about his dog that passed away. And it was beautiful. How he found him, how things played out. I read it while at work, and my mind shut down to everything else as his feelings towards his dog crashed over me. And I emerged empathetic, but also reminded about the sanctity of life. I felt dirty for my longings of death for personal satisfaction. I felt sad, cause I hated a gift. And even now I struggle with it, but life is so precious. I like taking pics of kids, but it's hard cause you don't want to look like a creeper. But... they are so precious. That life, which I hope any parent would protect at all cost.

Yes this post is more genuinely hopeful than the last one haha. More genuinely happy... let life continue to flow.