It’s been a long, exhausting, uncomfortable-in-clothes, hard-to-focus day. I got a lot done though, so at least I feel satisfied. I can finally collapse, for the first time, on my new futon, duvet, and down pillow, with my blue-green Aduki in my hand and Loo by my side.

I already knew that I had a lot to learn, but it’s only now that I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. Sometimes it feels like I can’t keep track of everything, because there are so many things to think, talk, write about.

I have to keep in mind the fact that everything should be approached slowly. Rushing causes confusion, mix-ups of emotion. As much as I’d like to jump head-first into things, I have to pace myself. Learning is an investment, and as long as I can picture what I’m working towards, this shouldn’t be too hard. After all, I have the rest of my life, and the only limit is myself.

This will be a test.

But, most of all, this will be fun.

Ever look at a morning and think, “I’ve been here before. I was here in the summers of my youth, when the leaves were still lushly green, in the cool, dew-dropped mornings before the sun rose above the trees. I was here during the first mornings of school, walking to the bus stop through gentle suburban neighbourhoods, with their well-manicured lawns and their interlocking bricks. I was here before the Sunday rides into town, for big breakfasts and milk tea. I was here in another life, and all I’d like is to one day do it all over again.”

I hate being interrupted. When I’m talking about something, I get into a momentum, and interruptions lose all the momentum. It doesn’t matter what I’m talking about or how comfortable/uncomfortable I am talking about it. To me, it’s like trying to tell a joke then being told to wait five minutes right before the punchline. Although someone may remember the first part, the momentum just dies, and I’d rather just forget the whole thing than finish talking.

Loo learned to drive in Toronto. She’s probably the most aggressive driver I’ve ever met, surpassing the truckers in Hong Kong, although I’ve seen much more aggressive drivers in New York. She’s not as safe as John, but she’s not as crazy as Darren. Either way, the trip is interesting.

This is her driving, calm, collected.

This is me riding, excited, shitting myself.