Author: Anggun

This afternoon I found myself heading sixteen miles south to the city – the half an hour ride brought me to this old neighborhood I left a few years earlier. Like most people, my early 20s doesn’t seem to take an easy toll on me, but who could have guessed that it actually is enough to torn apart the wonderful bricks of memories I built upon this old neighborhood of mine.

A couple of hellos from a breezy afternoon might come as a wonderful surprise as it reminded me of several things I liked about this place, but they no longer bring me the joy I once had – leaving me with the dread and uneasy feeling every time I step myself back to this neighborhood. I have got to leave.. and I have got to leave fast.

Strange as it might seem, I could barely recognized every inch of this neighborhood and most definitely: the neighbors. An awful memory I know, but forgive me – the only excuse I had is to pick up some mails which still being delivered to that tiny house by the end of the street.

Arriving ten minutes earlier than the initial appointment, I ended up turning my car to several corners around the neighborhood to simply dodge a handful amount of hellos I would probably get had I stayed for too long. Puzzled as I was two weeks ago, I have no great excuses for coffee and tea nor do I knew what she meant by mails when the current owner of the house called me to pick them up – I believe that I have updated every single item on my subscription list, but maybe I lost track.

As the storm slowly making its way out, I load a box full of a weekly lottery ticket I subscribed years ago and drive myself home. The sky and the weather seems to get heavier as I go, but my mind seems to get lighter as I thrown every single ticket on this box out of the window. None of them would have do any better for me or anyone else now as the expiration date had passed.

..so I just let the rain do its best to fight the ink out of its paper.

Waking up to a morning pawn of birds hanging outside my window, the rain have been a constant guest to my birthday each year. I would love to save an extra slice of cake if they wanted to come indoors, but that would have been very silly, so I shoot the idea right out and march to a quiet late morning. Thankfully, I finally get rid of that awful habit of waiting for my birthday to come by – I am no longer seventeen after all.

Run to a healthy miles around the neighborhood, the constant emphasize I have been trying for years to get myself familiar with how mundane a birthday can be is always refreshing. A quick hello on several occasions throughout the day have never failed to make myself thrilled along the way, though I still found a tiny bit of disappointment every time I run myself out to the front door – proud that I get better each time.

Stay for a lucky couple of parties that the neighbors have thrown, a delicious looking cake I cut out never once seem appetizing on my birthday, but I love to watch their faces light up when they gather around for a bite – this view always put me on a better mood. A set of beautiful harmony for everyone to dance to always made my feet count on a few joyful steps which bring me to a wonderful evening that lasted for several hours to come.

Later on the day, through the habit of throwing myself a party, I lit a reasonable amount of candle once I got home and blew out nearly every single one of them. Looking for the joy throughout the years, I have always been crushed by the waiting part of today. So, I always let one of the candle burnt to last.

..just in case the guest I have been waiting for is actually make it to my door.

I have been setting up a nice pair of windows for my new studio in the attic for the past several weeks, along with starting my very own musical ensemble through this view. Where else should I kick my start other than this wonderful place, right? Crafting up some narratives to a random crowd around the neighborhood has always been one of my favorite thing to do, right before they decided to blast into a musical number of their own.

Annoying as it might sound, but none of them actually realized that I tried to narrate their whole conversation in melodies from afar. Beside, it is the only way I know how to make this quiet, mundane, and extremely cold day turn a little bit crowder, warmer and most definitely: more interesting.

I’ve always wondered if I had the chance to one day make this entire neighborhood come to life, would others be enchanted my its beautiful sights? or just like me, would they be charmed by the people inside it?

It has been a couple of weeks now since I got a little bit of free time on my calendar and as the holidays are coming, this whole neighborhood is packed with families and biscuits! I swear this neighborhood started to smell like one gigantic bakery since last week. A delicious one though.

This morning I moved around some stuff and set the table ready. I have got to part with my backyard now that the weather is tad unfriendly these days. Still, I am so excited that I almost spent the entire morning trying to make some extra space for my family to cramped into – my happy ones are on their way.

Check aaand check! I got all the things on the list ready for the day and I am set for the week. Although it may take a day or two for my family to get here, I still got the rest of the day for myself. So, I take my bike out for a quick ride around the neighborhood. Having some fresh air while getting to know the place I began to fell in love with is always an exciting way to kill time.

I ring my bell slowly as I am passing through this one happy street. All I hear is nothing but scream of laughter behind those walls. I couldn’t help but smiling as I witness this wonderful time of the year. They wouldn’t want it to end, although it had me wondering if I am the only one left without a family. Probably, but I am going to take my part by keep on ringing this bell around. I don’t want to miss the fun.

Stumbled upon the thoughts, the rain is finally beat my track and lead me to this beautiful house at the end of the street. Looking a little bit lost on their conversation, the owners seemed to be extraordinarily happy. To be outside in the middle of this heavy weather on such a joyful manner, they must have really enjoyed each other’s company. The pairs of matching boots they are wearing could have given me some clues, but I am guessing they are planning for an adventure.

Caught on my way back, I finally park my bike as they rushed me in for a delicious meal. Thus, feeling apologetic for barging in on their moment is clearly my immediate response which they chose to be giggling over for the rest of the day.

Soon after the meal, I put on the extra pair of the boots as they asked me to join them in the backyard. I am pretty sure that almost everyone in this neighborhood done it, but rather than trying to move their patio furniture inside, they chose to sit on one. Although my backyard is pretty as is, I never quite understand how they managed to fit this entire world for themselves – let alone, share it.

I don’t know how and why they did it, but I bet this tiny extra pair never failed to leave its mark on.

Just like everything that comes these past few months, these tiny drops are coming earlier this time around. Marking yet another beginning of my favorite season. Welcoming another raining season is never a dull moment, so I set a few extra seats for today. I am having a party!

This evening I invited a group of extremely generous people over for a quick celebration and I have got to tell you that birthday is always a good excuse. Guessed I went a little bit overboard for throwing such an unnecessary party, but I ran out of ways to express this unbelievable amount of gratitude. So, I set my party a few months ahead of time.

A little bit suspicious now that the unexpected one might soon find its way to this lovely neighborhood, but I have got to set aside this uneasy feeling for having a tiny bit of heavy thought for today. This entire year has been exceptionally wonderful and everyone has been incredibly welcoming, it almost feels like I am having an endless birthday party – a present I never would dream of having. So I wouldn’t mind if none of these people know my actual birthday.

Now that the tables are ready, I am off to welcome everyone – the guests are finally at the door!