A Pleasant Day

Today was a really good day for me. I didn't do anything too special, but I just haven't been by myself outside in a while. I have many days where I stay in my room by myself, but it's just not the same as being outside, where there are trees, and grass. I like to hang out with people, but I do need my space to do this sort of thing. Solitude and nature just makes me feel very serene. Back home, I used to hang out at this park, where there is a lake in the middle, and dogwalkers and families would hang out there. My friends and I used to hang out there when we didn't have anything to do, becuase there's nothing to do in that suburb. I liked that place though, because it was very green, and the flowers smelled good. I think I am really weird how such an experience is always so relaxing for me. So today, I went to this place, where there are gardens, and roses, and families picnicking, and museums, and little kids on field trips. I mainly just walked around and read, and daydreamed, as I often do. I ate lunch by this pond with lily pods, and church bells were playing music. A painter was about 20 feet away from me. The botanical garden was right across from me. Then the church bells stopped making music, and a saxophone player took its place. I read the book I'm reading right now, which is True Notebooks by Mark Salzman. Wonderful book, by the way. Then I walked around the rose gardens for a bit.

I left and rode the bus going towards Barnes and Noble. Because I am very direction illiterate, I always make sure I ask someone if I'm going the right direction now. I happened to ask this man who worked for the county who was involved with media and communications. His wife makes dolls, and she's in Australia right now. His wife also gives classes on how to make dolls, and has written a few books on doll making. I also know that he was trying to go home ASAP because his neighbor got laid off just like that one day. He showed up to work, they talked to him, they told him to clean up his office, then followed him home so that they can take the company car from him. they also didn't give him a pension. So, this guy got the media to cover this story, and will appear on the local news tonight. I have to check this guy out and look at his writings; I'm hoping he's pro-migrant, maybe I can get him to write some pro-migrant stuff happening locally...I'll have to look at his writings first and see. This guy is in the process of writing a book about a senator, though I can't remember the senator's name. Then he gave me his business card. One thing I've learned from riding the bus, you'll never know what conversation you'll be in with the people in there. So many stories I've heard, and interesting at times.

So, Barnes and Noble I went, which I have not checked out yet. I don't like the Barnes and Noble here though. I thought the ambience was very different from other Barnes and Noble. And I like it when they play classical music in the background; this Barnes and Noble wasn't. Just like hanging out in a park, I could stay in bookstores for hours by myself. It's another place where I like to spend some solitude....yes, I'm weird. Oddly enough, I spent the bulk of my time there looking at study aid books. Actually, I go to this section often whenever I'm at a bookstore. I don't know why I do it, but it's just a habit I guess. It feels like I need to buy one of those books for a test or something. I saw the books on how to get into college, and all of those books about "what to expect when you're in college". Then I picked up books on personal statements and read those for a bit. It's weird, though, because right now, it feels like I'm writing a bunch of personal statements. I didn't look for scholarships available to me when I was in high school, or even when I was in college, which is basically why I'm so screwed and not in school right now. Just that, I didn't know there were available scholarships for us, since my school doesn't really deal with people like me. I hit a pretty big wall, but now, I'm trying to get up, and not make the same mistakes again.

Which reminds me why I embarked on this trip in the first place. Before I went to the park, I went with an acquaintance I've met a few times before in meetings, but I haven't actually talked to. He's an AB 540 student, and he just started this mentorship program at his high school he graduated from. I told him how great this program was, because from my experience, I really wish I knew someone in high school who I could talk to about this. It's so easy to feel alone when you don't have anyone. Turns out, our stories are pretty similar, except he found out in his junior year. I guess you could say I found out my senior year while applying for college, but maybe I was too cowardly to do my own research about my status. The signs were all there, but I just thought that it can't be happening to me. It's like what they say about getting in an accident while drunk driving, right? they say that most people think it won't and it can't happen to them. I think it's the same with finding out about being undocumented. This guy could totally relate to that feeling. And he was just an overall really cool person. So, I went to his hs so that I could get involved with this too. I am really excited about this one. The excitement comes from the fact that I know we will be preventing kids from hitting the same wall I hit.

Since I've moved here, I've actually met a lot of really cool people. It's just sooo amazing, seeing people who care so much. I really look up to all the new people I've been meeting, because they've done so much for others. And they're personalities are just really cool, and I enjoy their company.

After B&N, I go home. And even the bus ride home was cool, because I saw one of the people I met from my very first bus ride here. We talked a lot on that first bus ride, and she could tell I was all OCDish about where I was going. My face was probably all panicky. I sometimes wish I was more of a Type B personality than a Type A. Type Bs are more relaxed, and Type A are uptight people. My need to be meticulous sometimes just causes me a little too much stress. I think my Type A is the reason why I get things done, but sometimes, it's just a little too much. Little things become bothersome, and I just can't help but dwell on something if it's not going exactly how I planned or wanted. Yup, that's me. Anyways, it was nice to talk to her again, who I have not seen since like January.

Then had a fish dinner, since I'm Catholic and observing Lent. I love fish. Then had some strawberries, and they were really sweet and yummy.

And now I'm writing this. Yup,this was my day. nice, relaxing, and perfect. Not much, I know, but when I have days like these, I'm just in a really good mood.