Storming

I took this picture from the covered balcony at the top of my apartment building a few days ago. Flash flooding to the max, yo! There are people wading to get across the street--uber unsanitary. The rest of the day, people were trying to clean up the mess in their shops and reverse any water damage they could. It was pretty sad to see the heavier glances, sluggish movements, and hunched shoulders of aged shopkeepers just trying to stay afloat, no pun intended. After the flooding, the streets were filled with garbage and the sewers were backed up. What a day!

But to point out my benefit in others' distress, I loved the storm! I was gently awakened at 7:30am. The erratic sprays of rain at different angles and strengths made an oddly comforting sound to wake up to. I felt ironically cozy and safe. The lightning looked like it was dancing in the rain, and I liked it. It made me want to dance in the rain. I miss dancing, but mainly dancing with all of my friends. Anyhow, all of this was really strange because I would normally be freaked out beyond all freakability, but I suppose just being here in Hong Kong changed all that. I couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to take my companion, Austen, to the balcony and read a little bit in the storm.

This is what the balcony looked like during the storm. It's really nice up there. Next time there's a storm where you are, read a novel. There's something about the thunder, lightning, and rain that magnifies every emotion on the page. Persuasion is 100x more romantic, tragic, and heartbreaking. Loves it! My book is a little crinkly from the humidity though. Small price to pay, indeed!

While up there, Ray, the Filipino man who takes care of the apartments, comes up to do his daily cleaning routine and spots me chilling in the storm. He is a phenomenal person! I invited him to sit with me and just look at the lightning and we started talking about our lives. I don't think I'll ever forget that conversation because it was so genuine. Have you ever just found a stranger that you could just tell everything to because s/he was a stranger? I'd like to think that our sharing things about our lives made an impact on the other. He talked about his Catholic faith, his wife Christine, and how fortunate he is to have this job. He told me how he studied civil engineering in the Philippines, but had to come to Hong Kong to work because it has better conditions and pay. He talked about his previous girlfriend of 5 years and his 3 week text messaging relationship with Christine before marrying her. We shared tears as he talked about how fortunate he feels about his job because both he and his wife get to live together and work for the same employer here in Hong Kong. Ray takes care of the apartment while Christine works during the day in the owner's home. I met the man and he seems like he really is a good employer. While telling me this, Ray played with my set of keys and saw my car keys. He asked, "You have a car?" His tone of voice was heartbreaking. He shared his photo album with me. We exchanged mailing addresses to keep in touch when I leave here.

I really don't mean to sound cheesy or write like I've been reading too many novels. But the storm really did feel magical to me. It brought about a passion for whatever was going on at the moment, whether it be rising out of bed, reading, having a conversation, or just thinking. To be honest, I didn't even read too much while I was up there...only a couple chapters. I mainly sat and thought about my surroundings and how beautiful everything is, even tragedy. I missed my friends, my family, my dog, and my home(s). But at the same time I felt so liberated, like this storm was washing everything away and starting fresh. New job, new home, new city, new friends. This next year is going to be really scary, but even with all this new stuff happening, I know that all the old "stuff" I have in my life will always be there and will always be strong. I can't say anything except I know that we'll get through whatever comes our way together =)

I love metaphors and you do too.