and the world just got bigger

Every night after work, I generally take an hour bike ride somewhere between 8:45-9:15, in hopes to shed the few pounds I've gained since I've moved here. It's not that I eat a lot, or drink a lot, or munch too often or anything, but I think it's because I'm simply getting older. It's weird looking down and noticing your body doesn't quite resemble the physique you've possessed the majority of your life. It's just a few pounds, but even the slightest change to me is monumental. Thus, my nightly bike rides.

Even more than just exercising, I really just need the time to myself. During the week, I wake up and take Korean classes, then go to school and teach, and afterward, I typically eat with Nate and Rodi, leaving a few hours to myself before bedtime. My apartment has a nice view and it's quiet, but I don't like staying cooped up for too long. I've always had reclusive tendencies, but lately I've wanted to get out. And I really love my bike rides. It doesn't really matter where I go. Sometimes I just lose myself in the streets, taking random lefts and rights, not in hopes to find anything but quality silence. My favorite parts of town are away from the bigger buildings, around the residential areas, where everyone is coming and going and laughing and waiting and looking in all directions with their actions - just living. Somewhere in the midst of everyone, I always have these pensive moments, saturated by thoughts of everything: like lonely sidewalks with overhanging trees, the smell of barbecue everywhere, people waiting for their bus patiently - perhaps thinking about nothing but the night, and, of course, there's the beautiful Korean girls, and how plentiful they are. Everyday I see someone I could love deeply, or would like to at least. How I'd like to say something smooth, just to catch a smile.

Last night, after I got home from my ride, I remembered I needed coffee. So, I took a shower and headed to Home Plus. I surveyed aisle two and found some Nepalese coffee. I thought about trying the Peruvian blend, but the word Himalayas on the package struck my imagination with snow and the essence of clouds. Hoegarden has been my beer of choice lately, so I picked up a four pack. Why they don't have six packs escapes me. There's only coffee mugs at my apartment, so I decided to buy some beer glasses. I found the aisle with glasses, but only saw coffee mugs. There was a white guy in the aisle, so I walked over to him and asked him if he knew where the beer glasses were. He drew a blank stare, which I thought might have been from me interrupting him, so I asked again. There was a pause, then, "English, I know not well." Ah ... silly me. I asked him in Korean, but he thought I was speaking English. I guessed he was Russian from his accent. I showed him my beer and made the shape of a glass, but I doubt my charades made much sense. So, I just said thank you and walked further down the aisle, which happened to be right in front of the beer mugs. I grabbed one of the glasses and held it up in the air and called over to him. He saw the glass, smiled, and said, "I understand." We both kind of laughed. I made my purchases and walked home, but couldn't stop thinking about how foolish of me it was to think the guy spoke English.