Stories

It has been one of the goal on my bucket list to watch a live musical in theater and today, I did just that. I might went a little crazy on the plan, but I assured you it went great. Although it was not the Broadway production ones, it was definitely worth the money. Especially, since I saw it twice in a row. I know, it is either I really like the play, or I was simply abusing my earning.

Show Four

So, there I was, on a Saturday afternoon getting myself ready and waiting for my date to go to my first theatrical experience ever. It might be the thrills as I couldn’t wait for the show, but the weather today is exceptionally chilling, so put my jacket on to give an extra layer. I kept tying my hands to one another as I stepped into my ride, hoping that it reduced the cold that I am experiencing. Though it had became apparent to me that it was never about the weather. Thankfully, my company this particular evening was extraordinarily comforting, so I have my temperature adjusted in no time. I’d recommend you to have him around in a delightful event or even a stressful one any day, but today is my turn.

When I bought the ticket, I assumed that because the show is happening on a Saturday night, it would be the height of their performance. So, strategically, I was putting my money (literally) for the experience. So, much to my luck or maybe my company’s, we sat on the center of the theater for tonight show. Far enough to enjoy the whole set, but close enough not to get everything distorted. I’ve said this repeatedly, but it was perfect. I was captivated in awe, joy and disbelief as I got to see my first musical, laugh to every punchline and enjoy every bit of it. I even let go of several jokes I thought of as they might ruin the experience for others. The overture of the show, especially, has a special place in my memory.

As the curtain closes, I feel an extreme silence creeped in. Captivating, that it heightened each of the sensory experiences I encounter for the rest of the night. I can feel that every bit of conversations, sounds that matters, echoing in my head along with the complimentary silence it created. Although I didn’t have any memento left from the experience, all through and through, it goes beyond what my eyes could have witnessed and certainly, it was a lovely evening on my part.

Show Five

It was starting off as a rainy Sunday morning. Much to my disbelief, I tried to recall whether last night was real or just another product of my imagination. Feeling a little too preoccupied by the moment, I always forget to keep something from an experience. Thankfully this time I brought my family along, and they kept asking whether I was enjoying last night’s show during breakfast. It always brings me an extra feeling of joy to spend the morning with my family. In short, I am sleepy, but my morning is already a delight.

At 12 pm, me and my family ran three flight of stairs to see the afternoon show. Among others, I am no longer a VIP to the theater, and also to the experience. As if, I was having a Cinderella moment last night, one that nobody had noticed. I sat on the far right of the theater with my sister, two stories above the seat where I was lucky to be seated in last night. Too far that we almost touch the ceiling, and I didn’t meant that figuratively.

Watching it for the second time, it really taught me about the gift of mystery. Accustomed to the scenes that was shown the night before, I no longer thought of the “what’s next?” question this time and clearly, I was making notes instead of enjoying the show. In return, I got to see my sister’s reaction on watching it for the first time, and it was a treat.

Cut to: 30 minutes before the show ends.

You know that feeling when you thought you know what’s coming, and it didn’t happened? It was one of these times. Two hours into my second’s show, I was feeling unnecessarily arrogant for knowing what’s coming next. Thus, it was a surprise to me as it was to everyone else when the crew failed to lifted up one of the backdrop, causing the show to stop for nearly half an hour. On so many different ways, it was another memorable experience for the crews, as well as to the audiences.

It was heartwarming to see just how supportive the audiences are, with the crews standing on the stage in front of a full theater, admitting to the technical difficulties they are having. I must have gotten a little bit teary at some point as they continued with the show. With joy, my sister turned to me and said it proudly, “you wouldn’t get this from last night’s show, sister.” And as the curtain closes for the second time, all I can think of now is how well the end of on the previous night was.

Oh, the things you must have done correctly in life to have everything goes according to your favor. It must have been plenty.

This weekend, my family and I drove down to the bay on far, far east of my house. Too far that it almost seemed impossible to believe that it exists. Too far that I actually found several things I have been looking for the last fifteen months. Too far that it almost felt like I have finally reached the edge of this tiny neighborhood. Although, I am starting to believe that unlike others, this one has no limits.

Through the rare occasion and its eternal bound, I got the chance to be a part of the world I have never know existed. I learnt few of its famous phrases, I encountered a few of the friendly faces, I tasted some of its local delicacies, wore the pretty dresses and peeked on another view of the sea. I even got a new sister in between.

All in all, life is beautiful if it ain’t perfect.

Travelling to a new place can sometimes be both confusing and exhilarating. Some can find themselves homes, while others can feel more estranged than they already are. One can be having the time of their life, and just a few step away, the other one is struggling. Although one can set out their sail up to countless of new opportunities, don’t forget that others might anchored down to the limited options presented. Life is that funny sometimes.

So, for the most exciting hour that I missed today, let’s cheer on you, your significant other, and the blurry, blurry faces of the crowd (as you usually do).

Happy wedding, tiny brother.
Cheers.

This evening I went out to the city with a dearest friend of mine for a quality time. When our body have been accustomed to the exhausting 9 to 6 schedule, it is quite hard for us to find time for one another. So whenever I got a chance to beat the traffic for the opportunity, I will be there in no time – and this evening chance apparently a cozy coffee shop on the busiest part of the city.

Apart from our profound conversations, there are several things that I love when I am hanging out with her. First, she keep introduced me to interesting places I have never been to. I think if it weren’t for my choice, we have never visited any places more than once. Now with that thought in mind, I didn’t think that we have been to anywhere twice. Second, I always go home with a smile and somewhat feeling light-hearted from the encounter. Third, I always got to enjoy the most beautiful hour of our city. One I am seeing now, which can only be seen past the neighborhood curfew.

Now that the traffic lights had turned yellows, I got to keep another minute for five.

You know you are having fun if you replied an immediate yes to an invite. It doesn’t matter about the time and place because they always come later, somehow you will manage to get there. Whether it is early in the morning or late at night, whether the place is far or way too far, the yes always comes first and you will fight off the chance to impossible. I love having this amount of energy, one that drives the productive being in me and I would happily give up my lazy weekend for that.

So, this morning I took my bike out for a ride outside the neighborhood with a favorite neighbor of mine. A little bit daring since I haven’t went biking for years and never once go this far outside the neighborhood. The bike is a little bit rusty and the tires were running out of air, but the blanket of dust in my garage can easily be wiped off, thus I found the appropriate tools around fast enough to catch up the morning sun at six. I am ready.

I was excited and looking forward to this particular morning for so many reasons, one I can name at the moment is because I miss the rush of waking up to catch an early schedule with joy. I think the last time I did that was seven years ago and I was nowhere near this wonderful neighborhood. I love that my schedule (for once) can again beat the sun’s. I love that I got to breathe the fresh air, right before it is polluted by the daily doze of metropolitan taste. I love that I can run freely around these empty streets, where I could easily be run off and shouted by angry commuters any other day.

One lap, two laps, three laps. I was way too early to be around for what have been scheduled for today, but I love it so much that I didn’t even bothered to rushed anyone. I didn’t know what I was looking for in life, generally, but I am assured that parts of it probably is this feeling and the calmness it attracts. So, I keep pedaling my bike around the neighborhood for an hour or so, and enjoying the morning delight as the sun came up, and stand tall enough to greet everyone in this neighborhood. Especially, one that I have been waiting for.

Quick as it was, as the clock hits seven, I was shuffled between the morning crowd that comes from every edges of this tiny neighborhood. I never know that this area have so many people lived inside it. Much to my luck, I was found in no time and much to his generosity, I ended up riding his bicycle while he rides mine. I don’t know how we got here, but soon enough our bikes is rolling between the tallest skyscrapers around, whilst proceeding to our daily conversations as usual.

Riding side by side between the intersections, I could feel that sometimes the crowds are shifting away as they giving us chances to tell a thing or two about our favorite spots within the city, and the story behind it. Although I was lack of both, going forward I definitely has this one stored in mind. Comfortably expressing an extreme feeling of joy throughout the ride, hiding my expression would have been harder had I left my mask behind. For that, and so many others, I am forever grateful for today.

Shuffling between the beautiful cityscapes, delicious taste of local cuisines, and countless of wonderful memories we experienced, I can tell that never once did my imagination ever gone this far.

Although it will take me forever to believe that every minute of today was real, I will continue splashing this bucket of the most daring color around. All over this lovely town.

Fifteen months ago, a group of highly adventurous and educated community filled up the empty part of my neighborhood. Slowly, but they are continuously growing as another one of them keep coming. Sometimes it takes weeks or even months, but lately they have multiplied themselves by many, that I finally lost count of the number. Maybe I am new, but I assumed it rarely happened for others to witness this dramatic changes so pleasantly. I love welcoming them to the neighborhood and I tend to keep them comfortable living here as much as I can.

It started with two, but I finally got acquainted and closer to at least one-third of the crowd. As I have gotten to know them for the past fifteen months, I can attest that they are one of the kindest bunch of people I have ever met. All of the sudden, within weeks, I keep coming to this part of neighborhood early. And as the days passes, we started lending hands to one another, exchanging stories and laughter. I started getting invited to lots ant lots of events, lunches and dinners they arranged, as well as rides home. I rarely have my photos taken by others, but in a fifteen-months timeframe, I have collected at least a hundred of them, with each and every member of the community on the frame.

As the sun is setting on the west, every time I feel tired walking home the thought of them being on that very corner, just a few kilometers away from me, always brings me an incredible amount of comfort.