Jan 25, 2008

A slacking student

…It was my turn to show off. I had been practicing the routine countless time already. This time, I got to fix my previous failure. The audiences would cheer for me, and screaming my name out loud. Few minutes later, the music got started. The whole body of mine shook excitedly. It was about time…

Suddenly, everything was absorbed into the dark, while a strangely familiar sound appeared. I woke up.

When such a thing happened repeatedly, sometimes I wondered if I really liked the world in which I belonged. Anyway, I tried to move my tired body to turn off the annoying alarm clock five feet away. The only thing I wanted to do at that moment was to go back to my warm bed, and to continue my “show”. I tried so hard to get rid of that thought, and went to the bathroom. I didn’t want to miss the music class again. In fact, I was practicing a very important thing from the book I recently read. It was about endurance.

I opened the door of the dorm, and the freezing air just spread allover. I had no idea that the place could be much chillier than Montana. Gotta go anyway.

The music class was in the furthest building from my dorm. There were two people walking on the street, holding each other’s hand. “Oh my, when will I have someone like that beside me?” I wondered. Well, I shouldn’t have thought anything, just walked, walked, walked…

The air was increasingly freezing. I got nothing to cover my face, so the situation was really harsh. It immediately reminded me the last time I had gone sledding in Bozeman. It was sick that I had had to stand there being frozen passively forever. Just like this time, it was even colder. Suddenly I thought: “Why do I have to do all of this? Why do I have to be in the US in the first place? My friends in Vietnam can stay and enjoy the nice and warm weather...instead of suffering in the harshly cold one – like me…”

“Oh no, what am I thinking? I am supposed not to have such thoughts ever! I am protected by God! Yeah, that’s right! I am protected. My body is being protected. I can do this…”

I couldn’t feel my chin anymore. I tried touching it, just to feel as if I was touching someone else’s.

Argh! The wind was so strong. It blew to me just like I was touched by a combination of fire beam and countless needles. Oh no, it wasn’t cold. It was …hurt!

My shoulders couldn’t move easily anymore… They were hurt also…

Ha! My left head was hurt this time. Was “hurt” a level between “cold” and “frozen”? I didn’t know. Hopefully not.

Oh, there we go! The building was right there. Just open the door, get in, and I would be fine as usual.

I made it. Thank God!

The classroom was empty, and I collapsed. The music class was cancelled that day.

6 comments:

Maria Tusken said...

Anh, you amaze me. I look forward to reading your posts so much because you write so well. You are unpretentious and delightfully honest. Have you ever thought about writing as a career? I am serious. You're the only person on here who can make me laugh and cry - who can effect me deeply. You don't bother with social issues, or unoriginal ideas. You write about the everyday sort of things. And you're very talented at making ordinary things interesting and fun to read. I knew you were talented, but you are impressing me more and more every time I read your blog.

Anh said...

Wow, I feel a bit embarrassed with your comment, Maria. Thank you anyway ^^.
Well, sometimes I am inspired by something around me, and I want to write it down otherwise I'd forget really soon. So, normally I have one post per week.
About writing career, I don't think I would do it, since I am going to have my own business after I graduate. But I have been making "manga" (Japanese comic), maybe I'll show you someday.

Maria Tusken said...

I am glad I have embarrassed you. It's one of my favourite things to do to others (sometimes).
Keep being inspired.

Richard Gianforte said...

hey Anh - I love your forthright style, and way you can communicate exactly how you feel and think. It's a wonderful talent. Keep writing and telling us how things are going!

Sam said...

Anh, pardon my ignorance, but what is a "popper"?

Anh said...

@mr.Koenen: wow, long time no see, Mister. I forgot that I should put the explanation for "popper" into my blog. Now you can see the answer there. Sorry about that.