Thursday, June 23, 2016

Refraction Research (Part 1)

I was finally able to convince Danika to read what I have written so far for my story about James.  She seemed to be rather surprised by my writings.  She said they were good except for two things, I don't know anything about sports and how I feel about jocks is inaccurate, according to her.  So now we are going to see a game with some of her friends so I can change some of the things I wrote and where I would be able to  insert about the camaraderie among the guys.  

Danika and I head over to a friend’s game.  It is almost over as Danika waves to the group of guys she calls her friends, they wave back.  She says she comes out to see them as much as possible.  She met them a few years ago when she was in her freshman year and she thought the same things as I did, just a bunch of jocks until she got to know them. 

They come off the field and introduce themselves to me, they won the game and are ecstatic to say the least.  Before I could say a word Danika asked if they were going to get lunch now and the tall guy answers her, “Yeah, of course. I am starving!”  

I guess we are going to lunch with the guys now?  Danika looks at me and says: “Isn’t this great?  Now you can do some of the research on your book and interview each one of them for some background on how and why they love the game.

Great Danika!  I think to myself, thanks so much!  I always wanted to interview a bunch of sweaty jocks!  As we are talking I am guessing they are going to the locker rooms to shower and change while Danika and I stand there and wait for them.  

She tells me: “I think you are going to be surprised about what you originally thought and how it will change your opinion after interviewing them.  Some of them are really amazing!”

Now I  am wondering if I did the right thing in actually showing her my work?! I am nervous and feel very awkward.  What in the world am I going to ask these guys?

As we head over to get lunch my mind is in overdrive, the questions just keep coming.  Who will I interview first?  Should I ask them about the game?  When did they start to play?  What do you think of people saying you are just dumb jocks?  No, scratch that.  Some of these guys are pretty BIG!  

Oh Danika, I don't know if I should hug you or never to speak to you again!  Only time will tell.  Wish me luck, I think I am going to need it!

.Lily

Friday, June 17, 2016

Spaces



Being in your space is somewhat of a luxury.  I suppose?

Living among others is entirely different.  Sleeping and waking patterns are different and not chronologically synced, morning rituals are to each being his or her own, and so on.  

I’m wondering if all new roommates go through this transition, they must?

Living at home is comfortable, no awkwardness there.

Trying to make coffee quietly is a new concept or rather, I haven’t had to do this in a rather long time.

Danika and I haven’t been able to see each other since we moved into our “new” apartment.  She just got back in and is sleeping late, which I imagine is unusual for her.  This does give me a good time to write a little more about James and my short story.  It is quiet, and with the early morning sunrise visible through our window, I feel the inspiration flowing.

I would like to think I could allow Danika to read the material I have written so far; she is a rather good editor after all.  But I am also quite nervous.  I don't ever let anyone read my stories or writings because they are so personal to me, but I feel she would be honest and tell me what she thinks.

I like that we are opposites.  Danika is so spontaneous, and sometimes I wonder what would I be like if I could do that, just be carefree and not have a ton of lists to make sure I haven’t missed a detail.  Winging it is not something I would usually even think about doing, but watching her, and how she seems to allow nothing to bother her, I do kind of wish I had that within me.  I don’t know; maybe I do and just haven’t unlocked it yet?  Taking a step and not having things planned would be like a vacation for me, I think that would make life easier, except if I did I would be so anxious.  Danika just came back from a mission trip, with her Church in upper North Carolina, to help a mission team who lives up there, and many of the people she took the trip with she didn’t even know.  I don't think I am quite that brave.  Maybe while living with Danika, I can learn how she can do these things.

She seems to be so casual about her decisions, and even now, she has been in school for a couple of years and is still unsure of her major.  I don't know what that is like, I always knew I wanted to be an author since I was a young girl.  Danika jokes about when she finally grows up maybe then she will know what career option she will choose.  She is, as I said: an incredible editor, but she seems to be good at almost anything she does.  Oh, of course!  Apple pies!  She is still trying to master that, haha!  

Okay, off of Danika, and back to the apartment.  I have unpacked the last of my belongings and taken many walks around our neighborhood just enjoying the quiet.  I like it here, and it seems to be helping me with building up my character and the storyline.  I hope to have Refraction done by the end of the summer.  However, I do want it to be perfect before I put it on my blog and have people amazed by the story.  

I have set some attainable goals this summer and am ready to try new things by stepping out of myself and learning some new stuff.  Being around Danika has shown me I have been all by myself this whole year, but I like my time alone, and I have enjoyed being by myself these past few weeks, but as I have walked every morning and said hello to the neighbors I almost feel like Danika is who James needs to be.  My Refraction.

I am such a lucky girl, a soon to be author, new friends and my story bursting through my mind ready to be written.

Well, let’s see what today brings?

.Lily

Friday, June 10, 2016

A Walk Around the Neighborhood



I see them hand in hand walking slowly, carefully watching step after step. This couple who are elderly and apparently have been married for decades.

He opens the door for her, she turns ever so slightly towards him and smiles at him while saying thank you. He goes to the table near the window and pulls out a chair for her; again she says thank you as she clutches her purse into her lap as she takes her seat. He starts to turn around and head to the counter but instead looks back at her and asks her if she would like anything else?

"No, just the coffee." she says to him.

He walks straight up to the counter and asks for "two black coffees." He asks the young girl at the counter for "two creamers, please" and "that will be all" he tells her. She smiles back at him as she hands him his coffees and creamers.

"You got it?" She asks him.

“Yes, yes, I do, thank you!” he says.

She tells him to "have a good day" and he says “Thanks! I will! I am with that beautiful woman over there!” as he points to her at the table “She is my wife!”

The young girl smiles at the elderly woman, sitting at the table. She smiles back, knowing her husband must have said something to the young lady. He liked to make sure everyone knew she was 'his' wife. You could see the love pour out of this man for his lady.

He walked slowly back to her and set the coffees down as he pulls out his chair and sits down. He begins to open the creamers, one for each coffee, he takes the stirrer and stirs her coffee first and then he takes a napkin from the holder and placing the empty containers and stirrer on the napkin. While I am getting my coffee, I can't stop watching this couple. I find a seat facing them so I can drink my coffee and see them talk to each other.

The woman picks up her coffee and sips it slowly, watching him as he sips his.

“It is really hot, today!” She laughs at him as if she has heard 'his joke' before.

Looking at the two of them for just a moment, I can see when they were young, Maybe even dating back in college? My mind wanders...maybe they both went to school here? Do they have children? Grandchildren? How long have they been married? The way he looks at her, I guess I never paid that much attention before.

They are both dressed nicely; maybe they were taking a walk and decided to stop here for coffee? I had just followed them in here and was just going to grab some coffee to go, but when the girl asked me, “For here or to go?” I found myself saying, “Here!”

They are both laughing now. I missed what was so funny! There it happened again right before me a young couple in love, smiling and flirting with each other.

What did he do for a living? He looks rather intelligent.

She was a beautiful woman with big blue eyes that kept him almost dazed and in a trance. They quietly spoke to each other barely audible really? They looked over to me, and I just smiled and put my head down into my coffee. They must have felt me watching them. That’s great now I am a stalker of seniors.

They have finished their coffee; you can see he is asking if she is ready to go and she nods. He gets up first and walks over to put their empty cups and napkin into the trash receptacle and goes back over to her and gently helps her scoot back her chair and offers her his hand so she can get up. Her arm is securely locked into his, and he puts his hand on hers as they head out for the door. He lets go of her arm to open the door for her and once again her sweet smile, a nod and a thank you from her and a nod back to her from him and they both laugh.

I follow right behind them as I look to watch them walk the opposite way. As they look into the store windows and comment on what they see. I see a young couple once again, hand in hand, smiling as they walk the streets of the city.


.Lily

Friday, June 3, 2016

Alone with an Introvert (Exclamation of my own Character)

Well, I made the big step and moved into an apartment with Danika while classes were finishing up last week. Danika was heading out of town for a missionary trip as we finished up our last class; thus, the friendly apartment manager had let us move in a few days earlier so we could get all of Danika’s stuff set before she left for her trip. It has been busy, and I have finally had time to relax a little bit and thought I should write some.


How nice it is to have the apartment, slightly more comfortable than a dorm room, especially all to myself, at least for this week. Danika has a few trips planned for this summer, so I will get to have the place to myself a few times, and I hope I can write during those times. Danika will be back this weekend, so I wanted to stay in and write while I still had the chance, but I have decided to get something to eat. I love Indian food, but the apt manager also said there was a good little restaurant only a few blocks from here, I might just do something out of the ordinary and get some food because I am starving.


I just finished unpacking a few more of my things; I didn't have that much to pack in the first place, just a few things (i.e. some clothes and a couple of boxes).  Danika though, she had stuff to move since she has collected a few more boxes than myself, of course, she has been here for a year longer than me.  She also had some newer pieces of furniture which I am quite comfortable writing in, especially her big oversized chair.  I may have to confiscate that when she returns, it is perfect to hang your legs over the edge of the chair and write on the laptop, but as my hunger pains increase, I guess I better get down to the restaurant and get some food to eat.  I haven't picked up more than a few things for the apartment, but I don't feel like cooking right now.  If I am going to be an author I must have the time to write, but I also must eat!


I have had some time just to relax, though and reflect on how different I am from Danika. Danika is a real extrovert and can just relax in front of people and is sociable among others; they just seem to be attracted to her outgoing personality.  Although I wouldn't usually consider myself an introvert, I am reconsidering that opinion of myself to be incorrect.  I am not like Danika as she says hello to every person she walks past, and I am always having writing on my mind, so I am not paying attention to others.  I also seem to notice I am shyer than her; she always appears to know just what to say.  I wonder how it would be to walk in Danika's shoes, just a day, taking on new projects and traveling like she is this summer.


I could certainly use her stories in my stories; maybe this is where I can add the other side of me into the storyline.  How would she feel or how would I handle living in an apartment for the summer and starting my second year of college? What about having a job or interning as an editor at the library?  Taking a few bold steps into a future, I hadn't seen until now?  The possibilities are endless, aren’t they?  Where shall I go next?  Maybe it is just time to get some dinner?  I am starving now!  I love the aromas of the Indian food and wish I was back at home with the restaurant Mom and Dad always took me to while growing up.  What would I eat if I hadn't loved Indian food?  I wonder where James would like to eat?  I am sure he would have his plans and be ready to go out with his friends, or maybe he wouldn't plan at all and just wait for the phone call to go out because James' friends always call him first?  Hmm?  Where oh where shall I go?

Until next time,
.Lily