11

I am standing outside tonight

I feel the cold wind blowing on my face

The wind brought loneliness with it

Maybe loneliness is like the wind

You feel it when it comes

But you never notice it when it goes

一人で外に立っている

冷たい風は肌に触れた

風は寂しさを感じさせた

おそらく、どちらも同じように

来た時に感じる

消え去る時に、気づかない

10

I always wanted a bird. But no ordinary bird. I wanted a bird unlike any other. I got one. It was still an egg that time. It grown big, strong, and mesmerizing. 

I first taught it to speak. It spoke with a voice so soothing that it can take your worries away. Next, I taught it to sing. Sounds and notes so heavenly that even angels are jealous of it. It kept it in a cage and fed it a feast fit for a God. Not even my fellow men were able to taste the delicacies that it consumes. I wanted it to fly higher and farther than any other bird. So I let it out of its cage.

Days turn into night; Seasons pass one after another. Then one night when the moon was crescent, it came back to the cage. I never want it to fly away again, so I broke its wings.

It still speaks and sings, and now it can't fly. It truly is a bird unlike any other.

9

You wished upon the heavens for power and they gave it to you.

You could tame the vicious seas; Out run the fastest beast; Strength so great that mountains were made. You soared through the skies as free as a bird. The best gift of all was immortality. You could neither age or die.

Humans started to worship you as a God. But not all. Some grew fearful, and their number grew each passing day. Your friends feared too. They made a plot to catch you in your sleep. You were placed in a stone coffin. They sealed it and sent it deep into the sea.

When you woke, you were sad. The only thing that still made you human was the connection you had to your people, and know they thrown you aside. You stopped being human at that moment. You mustered up all the strength you had and made the seas split into two. Your rage was shown in the skies and earth. The ground would tremor and the heavens roared as you made your way back to the humans.

You were worshiped as a God. Now, you became one. You saw humans beneath you and you ruled the world with an iron fist. The world was finally peaceful. It was orderly and prosperous under your rule. Now tell me, is power good?

8

I got out into the cold autumn night. It wasn't as cold now as it first. I gotten used to the cold. I sat by a bench overlooking a field. It was empty tonight, and quiet. The wind blew gently. I took out my pack of Marlboro and lit up a stick. The sound of the cigarette burning in the night of autumn was satisfying.

I stared to think of all the choices I made to get here, to this foreign land. I had to stay here for the next 2 years. But already I felt bored with this place. I knew that my potential will be realized. However, It would not be any time in the near future. Time passed swiftly here. It already been a month since I got here.

I had a companion with me tonight. The autumn wind wishes to share my cigarette. I allowed it, for a while. The wind was greedy, he stole half of my stick. I lit up another. I think back to the time when I caught my mother smoking in her room. She tried to hide it, but I could smell the scent of tobacco on her. I was acquainted with that scent. She advised me not to smoke, yet she goes on doing the same. Ironic, is it not?

I hear the sound of cheering from a far. It must have been the soccer game. I tried to think of other thinks that were not important, to fill my mind with thoughts less toxic than the tobacco I was inhaling into me.

I saw the stick get shorter with each puff. I thought to myself, is my life the same? It becomes shorter with every breath I take, with or without the cigarette. My feet and hands were starting to get cold. I tasted the residue of Jack Daniels on my lips. My bladder was starting to fill from the water I drank earlier. It was time to leave.

But before I left, the thought which I sought to escape from caught on to me. I could not run from my true self anymore . I am a wolf, despite what others may think of me. They see me as kind and good. But I know the truth. I am but a wolf that wishes to be among sheep. So I dress myself in sheep's clothing. It is only during my time alone that I can truly be honest with myself.

My heart yearned for a person that will do the same - a person to be honest to me. I stepped on the stick of cigarette and took the unlit buds on the floor. I threw them into the trash. But I took up my sheep clothing and continued to wear it.

7

I took a joint last night. I haven't done it in a while. It reminded me of all the things that I left behind: all the drugs, the alcohol, the girls, the parties, the money, and the fun. I have mixed feelings about them.

That joint helped me think about what I really want in life. I saw a cozy apartment unit; there was enough space for a small get-together; a view of the city skyscrapers and elegantly furnished interior. It was not big, probably 1000 sq ft. It was my own little fortress. I know I can make it there. But the dream seemed so distant, not in distance but in time, which made it seem even more distant. I'm certain that I can get that little apartment unit after graduation.

I wanted to see a girl there. In fact, I want a girl there. I have seen the darkest end of society, seen things that good people should not see, things that would make stomachs churn with disgust; yet the worst part is that there is nothing a single man can do about them. I need some comfort in my life. I soft, gentle touch. A lap where I can rest my head on; shoulders where I can cry on; arms that will embrace me and a voice that will comfort me. For too long I have struggled, I want some peace.

I see her in that little room with me. Does she see me too?

6

A boy meets a girl. The girls speaks a different language. The boy thinks she looks attractive. He gets to know her and finds out that he admires her qualities for than her beauty. He strives to learn a new language to know more about the girl. The girl helps him. He helps the girl to learn his language. They became friends. The boy mustered up the courage to tell her how he feels. He was not surprised that she already had a boyfriend. He felt disappointed. He settles to be her friend instead.

Is there a moral to this story? Is there really a right and a wrong?

I think things do not happen for a reason. They just happen. It is our job to make the most of it or let it consume us. In the end its about choices. How will the boy act now?

5

I'm the weakest
Not the strongest; Not the smartest;
Not the fastest; Not the bravest
Despite it all, I am still here
I have survived
I now lead
The strongest, smartest, fastest, and bravest
And all I did was try
I tried the longest and hardest
I'm the weakest
But it's my weakness that gives me strength

4

Power is an illusion You could be the greatest swimmer but it would all not matter once you step out of the water. Your strengths only excel in the environment where it is meant to excel.

I pursue power. Not because I lust for it, but because I crave it. I need it to protect those that I love. Some see my intent as noble; others do not. It matters little to me. I know precisely what I want.

In the world we live in, power is found every where. It takes the form of paper. Paper that is used as a medium for all transactions. Get hold of enough of these paper, and you will amass enough power to protect, or to destroy.

Power does not corrupt. It merely shows you who you really are. Some fear the truth of their very nature, so they avoid power. They condemn it. Others embrace their true nature and live by wicked intent. Despite that, there are a few that live with their true nature. They battle them every day, to keep the evil at bay.

I think it is more noble to overcome your natural evil through great effort than to be born good. Skyrim thought me that. Death is the only thing that waits us, if there is no God. I choose to live my life as well as I can. If there is a good to judge me at the end of my road, He will say to me: "You lived a interesting life, full of color and adventure. You left the lives you touched a bit better and I commend you for that."

3

I was one of the best in school. I went over my head with it too. Life has its ways to humble you. A great man once said: "stay humble or be humbled". I will forever remember that phrase. You make mistakes. That's what happens when you're young. 

I was motivated by good intent. I wanted a better quality of life for the girl I loved and myself. We talked about marriage. Our heads were filled with love as much as our hearts were, at that time. It was a moment I will never forget. I will cherish that moment. Reality was not so kind. He had other plans for me. 

Circumstances got in the way and I thought about running away with her. I wanted to be with her so bad, despite all the complications life threw at me. However, I chose the easy way out. I broke up with her because I didn't want her to get hurt any more. I wonder every now and then whether I did right by her. I should have given her a chance. But I knew her answer. 

I learned that it is better to let people choose their destinies, instead of hiding possibilities from them. I think you'd have less regrets after time has past. Maybe our relationship would have continued if I opened up to her, but now I will never know the answer. 

2

When I got off the plane, I felt free. I was fascinated by this new place. Maybe it was because I was alone; maybe it was because I chose to leave everything behind and make this my new home; I wanted to stay. However, there was nothing left for me back home, with the exception of my friends that stood by me and accepted me for who I really am. I'm finally here. I'm finally in the USA.

They called me a genius. They called me talented. They never saw the hours of work I put in; the lonely nights alone with the books; the failures that I hid from them. All they saw was what they wanted to see. Despite feeling neglected, used and mistrusted I could never really bring myself to hate my family. But that doesn't mean that I have to live with them. I had learned a long time ago that the world has no rules except those that you chose to live by. I chose to live by my own rules; one of them states that its okay for me to leave my family behind. It was time for me to live my won life. A life free from their strings.

I came to this quite little town in Alfred, New York. The view there was nice. So were the people. I could see this as a place to grow and leave my roots. I could build upon myself and make a life here, starting with this college. I had a feeling that the time I will spend here will be one of those moments that will be hard to forget.

I was willing to work hard to earn my freedom. I wanted my own life. That was what I am fighting for. That was what I will reward myself with, because I deserved no less.

1

Stories always get more interesting with a member of the opposite sex involved. For me, it was a girl. I tried to reach out to her, but I pulled back each time.

I remembered the pain I felt. That was the most devastating feeling ever. I think a man's worst fear is making the woman he cares about cry, because it shows him how weak and inadequate he truly is. No man wants to feel that way.

That is the reason for me to be who I am today. I play around, sure. But I do so proudly and openly, so that girls know to stay away, or at least not get too close.

I am afraid to love again. But I am trying. Step by step, maybe one day I can reach her. And we can hold each other's hand.

It's been so long since I pursued a girl. I guessed that I need to start from level 0. Well, since I made the first step, I am at level 1.

0

I think that the reason people get a passport is either to go some place or run away from a place. My motivation was more towards the latter.

After a 3 hour drive to the city, I waited another 2 hours to check-in. My parents were there with me. We were not close. I tried not blame them. It was as much as my fault as it was theirs. 

Before they sent me off, we exchanged hugs and took pictures. I was uncomfortable with that. All I could think of was the freedom that I will feel after I step towards that gate. I had a one-way ticket after all. 

I waited 2 hours for my flight, and I was bound for Seoul, Korea. That was not my final destination, only a transit. There was a girl next to me during the flight. She was cute. We talked. That made the 7 hour flight more bare-able. Her name was Jenifer. She was going to Tokyo, Japan to meet some friends. I thought to myself, "What a great thing it is to be free!" 

I know that freedom is not cheap. It comes with a price, and some times the price can be all too costly. Despite that, I still pursue it. 

Freedom seemed elusive for me back home. There were always strings attached. The moment I got my visa was the happiest moment of my life. I can finally run away from here. I want to be in a place where I can be myself. I want to be the best version of myself! In a less than 24 hours, I will reach that place.