Foreshadows
Sometimes, I know myself without even knowing it.
“But I would rather sit on a hammock reading a book than party all night, or even hop resort restaurants, for that matter. I would rather take Greyhounds into small towns, so to speak.”
“When I walk into the Asian supermarket, I don’t know what half of those products actually are. Even when the labels have English on them, I don’t know what the cultural significance is, and I don’t even know what to expect. It’s not just the language. It’s the concepts. What is “dragon well tea?” What is an “ion boost” drink? What does “black soybean milk” actually taste like? But I bought the black soybean milk anyway, because it sounds all right and legal, and really, soybeans have never let me down.
I want to continue living like that.
I want to go to the Asian supermarket some more and pick out things that I don’t even understand and just jump into them.
I want to walk into random stores and see what they have to offer.
I want to take Greyhounds into small towns and hope I’m not offending anyone’s conscience.
It’s pretty typical, really.”
– 016 – My Trip to the Asian Supermarket
“I have spent most of the day in front of computers in the library, writing final papers to earn favor and letter grades. It is the sorriest sight to see a roomful of youth half-prostrated in front of their Macbooks on a dry Seattle day. I am pretty sure this is not what any of us were meant to do with our lives.
Why am I in college? What in the world am I doing here? It is what my family fought for, and it is a convenient way to put off actual self-sufficiency.”
1. If it’s a good thing, then do it.
2. Love fast and make it known.
6. Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be….
8. “A pebble picked up, weathered by the water, never belongs to you, but you can take it home.” (insideOrange 064)
11. Talk to strangers (in the daytime), and always find out where they grew up.
12. Food is meant to be shared.
18. Sit down, contemplate, have a cup of tea, spend time in the gardens…
21. The world runs more on questions than on answers.
23. “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” – St. Francis of Assisi
24. Packing is less awful when you travel lightly.
25. Take day trips and staycations, sometimes with yourself.
26. Talent is learned. Learn to sing.
27. “Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.” – Michael Masser and Linda Creed (apparently)
30. Do what you mean.
36. “Take it easy. But take it.” – Woody Guthrie
— 114 – If it’s a good thing, then do it.
