Friday, September 30, 2005

Friday, September 30, 2005

so far but oh so close

Posted by Hippobean at 6:07 AM 0 comments
Somma Peak on the left, then the Gigante valley and then Vesuvio's summit. The still active volcano looms in front of us most real. I was at the stern of the SNAV Sicilia, contemplating the now lite last remnant of the Naples protective wall while unaware that Vesuvio was so close! Big and in full view! Most impressive. As the evening light faded, artificial lights came on and we can see the lives of the houses spiriling up the side of the mountain that look like lava flows. The overnight ferry started to pull away from the Napoli harbor. Welcome to Amalfi. It's been 7 years since Hippo last set foot in Italian soil. The flight to HRW was uneventful. Since I had 4 hours to blow before the BMI flight to Naples, I surprised Tomo and Mely by showing up at their flight gate. Then I found a good spot and settled down for my carefully prepared music and awaited for the appointed hour. The flight to Naples was pleasent in the company of a Napolitano who gave me insights to the city. Flying over the Alps was an impressive site and I thought I spotted Lauderbrunnen. Then the wind kicked up and rain splatted on the windows as we descended into Napoli. A bit rocky but otherwise unenventful. My flight actually touched down before theirs so I had time to scout out the airport. Alibus to the Port of Naples was quite a welcome to the industrial city filled with traffic, people and caos. Why would such a big mass of people want to live here? The SNAV Sicila was already docked when we made it there and we went in early. The evening on the ferry we got the ultimate pleasure of seeing the coastal lights diminished right before our eyes and a fantastic silhouette of Visuvius as a backdrop. Then we passed by the island of Capri. Out on deck, it was windy and a bit cold. Pitch darkness, lights on land, and the constant sound of waves, an occassional splash. Again such settings always made me melancholic, I thought of him constantly. Wondered what he could be doing at that moment. So far but oh so close to my mind. Thus was the first day of what promises to be a memorable journey, last of the year.

Monday, September 26, 2005

Monday, September 26, 2005

While they are still real ...

Posted by Hippobean at 2:14 AM 0 comments
Summer came and went without bringing any warmth. And so quickly Fall is upon me and with it the much anticipated Advanced Flash class. I rushed through the first 2 assignments just to get them out of the way and out of mind so I can enjoy Sicily and Tomo's wacky family fully, without thinking of school. I want this last trip of the year to be completely adventure filled and totally enjoyable as I know I'd need to work very hard in Greg's class. This is going to be my internship last quarter. I'm back in being part-time. Although I enjoy the extra free time I wont enjoy not having much money again. I've gotten back to the routine of showing up to work every day and having a purpose, a place to be and a job to do every morning, just like what I've been doing all my life up till the day I was laid off from Vicinity. Now I'm back to being a part-timer. How quickly the time passes. I dont want this quarter to be my last as I've grown attached to the people at NAS and to the routine of going to the Base every morning. I know I will miss it terribly when I'm gone and I try not to think about it. I need to remind myself to really slowdown and appreciate from the bottom of my heart the fact that I was blessed to be given this opportunity of a lifetime. I look at the buildings, the guards, the immense open space of the Base, the wind tunnel I passed by every morning, the Columbia Cluster, Veronica's gentle smile, Ryan's goofy coolness, Don's sunshine, Lisa's insults, Harout's strange jokes, Cathy's understanding, Heather's friendly face, Randy's gentle voice, Lesya's cabbage wraps, Sue's big eyes, Rob's quiet intelligence, Steve's hearty laughter, the little shells on the glass, the ants. Some day, in the distant future, they will all come back to me and would cause a smile on my face. But for now, they are my presence and I should appreciate them, enjoy and love them with all my heart while they are still real...
 

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