Week 9: The Beauty and the Ugly

I'll start this week's post out by being honest: I almost did not complete this week's blog. Lots of priorities and tasks came up this week, which took most of my time. Plus, I didn't get enough rest and I was very tired. However, I told myself to return with another post not because it's for a grade or anything. I have talked to a couple of people this week and they mentioned this blog, saying they enjoy what I have every week. Even if there were only six people (or six thousand) reading my posts every week, I do not want to let them down. So... here we are.

I had trouble finding a place to visit for this week. I drove around Fullerton to check out any parks other than Hillcrest Park. I just couldn't find any that caught my eye. So I ended up going back to Biola and walk to this nearby park. For those who don't know, underneath the La Mirada Blvd. entrance, you can see the La Mirada Creek. You can actually follow it and the creek will lead you to a park. You just need to pass by the tunnels, which are not the most aesthetic place nearby. However, while writing on my journal, the walkway reminded me of something.

Earlier this week, I chatted with a group of friends from high school to plan a big event this April (I will announce it soon, since it has to do with what I do). After that, we started talking about life -- how much we have changed since high school. I graduated from Jordan High School (the one in Watts, not Long Beach) almost three years ago. I can tell you straight up that I have changed a lot. I am a bit more mature and wiser than my 18 year old self. I believe that I will be wiser in the coming years. The talk gave me flashbacks of every silly decisions I have made since high school. I can even tell you that I have made bad decisions during my freshman year of college.

Where am I going with this? Well, while I was walking to the park, I just had tunnel visions. The water was green and somewhat polluted and no signs of visual aesthetics were present. But when I passed through the last tunnel, the sky was blue, green grass was present, and my eyes were relieved to witness light. If I can compare my journey from high school to now, it'll be like that. I'll admit it: I had tunnel visions as a teenager. I wasn't thinking straight and have made poor decisions. But, as I got older and a little wiser, I see life differently. Of course, I still have tunnel visions. There's plenty of room for me to improve as a person. It's just a journey that involves walking through dark tunnels and slightly viewing what's on the other side.

Of course, thank you to those that enjoy this blog. It is rewarding when you give me some feedback and praises.

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The Creek

Walk pass the tunnels

Filled with the green-like, dirty

streams of water, which

Leads to the unknown

Destination. Escape from

the tunnel vision.

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The Beauty and the Ugly

Three years of escaping from my tunnel vision to witness the bigger picture. Following the creek's pathway. Ahead was the narrow field of vision, featuring the hope of beauty on the other side of the filthy underground passage. The polluted stream of green water somehow led to a purify haven. Before I arrived, I walked like an owl, finding my way through the dull tunnels.

My peripheral vision was chained to outlook at a certain pinhole. Who knows what the channel will lead me to: the beauty of life or an ugly, dark ending. Black top, black bottom, black left, black right, black corners. Though a glossy rectangle was before me, it was as far as the eye can see.

Three years later, I finally witnessed the colors of life; now, I can depart from the creek filled with the grungy stream of water. The creek is still right beside me. The polluted water is still in my peripherals like the tunnel. But, the blue sky and the shining Sun has cleansed my eyes. I was blind by the tunnel vision, but now I can see.

Three years from now, I will find the bridge that will lead to a better version of me. Far away from the underground pathway, it is still right behind. Three years ago, I was by the tunnels: wondering what was on the other side. Now, I am hoping to bear witness what's on the other side of the bridge.