Onion

For the first time in many years, I am not traveling this summer.  Instead, I'm spending my days - virtually all of them - in a coffee shop reading, and writing copious amounts of nonsense for hours on end. 

To my surprise, I actually enjoy this more than traveling (for the past 3 years, I've been averaging 3~4 travels a year.  It's a good time for a break).  I always loved reading as a child, until my parents forcibly stopped my reading in Korean in an attempt to improve my English.  The plan completely backfired, and I spent nearly my entire life hating the language.  What a shame, because both Korean and English have their own merits. 

But I'm glad to know that my love for reading seems to be innate rather than inculcated, while my affinity for writing - a rather jumbled relationship - was a serendipitous discovery.  It doesn't completely suck after all. 

In addition, I have more time on my hands thanks to high intensity interval training and intermittent fasting.  I don't feel compelled to exercise 3 hours a day.  Thanks to the excess time, I plan on reading and writing for about 4 hours a day until this December and see where it takes me - see if I can do it - see if I find it enjoyable.  Hopefully, this will be more successful than the 365 day photo challenge, which was a dismal failure to say the least. 

At first, I thought about posting on facebook, but no, it's too intrusive.  If I post too many posts on my status, I would feel too much like a proselytizing Christian street missionary in Korea, people I find to be quite despicable.  I think more highly of a worm. 

At any rate, it's a boon to be reading and writing more often.  Yesterday, my friend Amanda compared me to an onion, saying that there's a new side of me that she discovers whenever she converses with me.  For the next week and a half, you, my reader, will discover a new side of me that I have yet to share with anyone.  Hopefully, it won't shock you.