I Started Taking Walks

Although I Doubt My Walks Will Be Regular...


I went over to my grandma's house today (in Vancouver) and halfway through the day (or what seemed like halfway), I asked my grandma if I could take a walk. Me asking to take a walk was something like me offering to wash the dishes. She kind of was suspicious at first, then dropped the whole thing and let me go.

I didn't know that one walk could enlighten and fulfil myself.

The first big thing that happened during my hour long walk was that on William, I saw Angelo's dad doing something outside. A larger than I thought part of me told myself to keep on walking (his back was turned to me and I was sure he did not know of my existence that day) and just ignore him, but a small rebellion broke up inside and I ended up saying, "Hello.", which ultimately landed me in an awkward conversation.

As I walked away from our little chat, I couldn't help but feel pleased with myself for doing that and I continued on.

When I reached the corner of the block of my school, I saw a man and a child (roughly my age) and at first sight, I realized that it was my long gone friend Scott. As I passed him, he looked at me and I couldn't help but feel that he thought I was somebody who he knew too. But I passed on.

I realized when I walked into the school grounds (the front side) that the whole garden thing had changed. They had probably rooted up all the plants and replaced the soil (of course, replanting the plants). The whole place looked vaguely familiar and I couldn't help but glimpse into my past.

So I sat by the stone ledge, where I once sat while playing Hearts, Cheat, and where I spent some time with an arguably important person in my life. I don't know how long I sat there, but it looks like the gods were giving me another chance to redeem myself.

I don't know if it was a coincidence (or the gods as I said earlier) that after I completed a round of the school, I bumped into Scott and what I assumed to be his older brother. I followed them for a brief while, only with the fence blocking me. Near the end of the block, I said, "Hey Scott." He looked back and smiled and I approached him and asked him how his summer was. After a little talk, I let him and his brother continue their journey and I continued my own.

The next part of my "little" walk included me going down to the grass field and saying hi to a friend who's name I never quite learned. But I always liked him and his family. They were actually really new to the school. So I said hi and I went down Grant to Rupert Park and walked a circle there. On my way back up Grant (no idea why I went down then up Grant), I heard a person playing the piano with his/her windows open. I stood and listened. When the song was over, I clapped awkwardly three times and contently walked away.

Nothing else happened after that. I finished up my journey and went home.

It's Getting Awfully Late


My assignment on how radios and televisions are more similar than different is due for presentation tomorrow and I've got to get that thing printed up. I've spent quite a while writing this post, and I hope that you have enjoyed it thoroughly.

The next time you walk around and you see a stranger, just greet them. And if you see friends, be sure to strike up a nice short conversation with them. As for my applauding of the pianist, that was something that I did, because I know how it feels to be appreciated. I'm a 7. My mood has been lifted because of my walk that I am extremely content with.

"The best type of appreciation is the one where you hear a stranger clapping outside your window and you have a smile on your face because you don't know who it is." - Kevin Zou