Somewhere along the way

Hey guys.

Felt like doing an update today on some of the things I’ve been doing during my break from the website.

I made a really good purchase recently. I got my HopHorse vibration plate about two weeks ago. I’ve been using it in the mornings to wake myself up—kind of like forcing my system to start moving before I even step into the restroom. It actually works better than I expected.

Somewhere in all that, I ended up looking at birds again.

I found one that looks way better than the Curl Crested Aracari. The Collared Aracari. To me, it just looks… elevated. Not just an appearance favorite anymore. It feels like a luxury bird.

They’re so gorgeous.

It’s elite.

I also got a new tote bag. I love it—and Muffy did too. It’s bigger, fits my laptop, and feels way more durable.

My old one was falling apart, losing shape, messing with my shoulder. It started pilling and looked older than it actually was.

The old one was cotton—or at least felt like it. It also came with a really nice marker set. Like… a really nice marker set. And a doodling journal.

I really liked it.

I ended up going to a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant. First one I’ve ever been to—and by default, my favorite.

I tried something new since they didn’t have the mango smoothie I wanted.

My god.

That drink was the best. It tasted like real fruit for once, and it lasted. My hands were freezing, but it was worth it. Every sip—I actually savored it.

I had ordered chicken egg rolls, but they came smaller than expected, with these leaves on the side. I figured out pretty quickly they were probably for wraps. The purple stem had a strange taste. I don’t recommend eating it by itself.

I don’t even know what it’s called.

I had it with my pho ga, which was really good. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to eat the whole thing. I forgot and got a surprise instead.

The sauce was a mystery. Didn’t like it. No idea what it was.

The dumpling sauce though—that one was actually good. So I just used that for everything.

Delicious wraps. Gyozas. Whatever they were.

And the lychee smoothie…

I could’ve added boba, but I didn’t feel like eating my drink like that.

It was so cold and windy that day too. On my way back to the library, I was freezing. I wasn’t dressed for it at all.

At one point, the wind was so strong my purchase almost crossed the street without me.

The wind would’ve been perfect for cosplayers though. Just stand still and let everything flow dramatically.

The wind would’ve been perfect for cosplayers though. Just stand still and let everything flow dramatically.

I ended up having gumbo at home later. It was actually a really good source of protein.

Somewhere along the way, I saw this image that felt completely cursed. Honestly, this is so true yet cursed looking.

 Then I tried rice curry from a ramen place.

Then somehow I got pulled into a movie trip by my stepfather’s daughter—the one who stole money from his account. He took a huge hit from that and the whole family had to downsize.

What I got out of it was a churro sundae, late quesadillas, free tickets, and a watch of Hoppers.

It wasn’t bad.

There was one part that almost made me cry. Just… sitting on a green hill. Peaceful. Quiet.

It reminded me of something I’ve never really had.

That kind of peace.

Even now, it still feels like something that comes with terms and conditions. But it’s better than what I was forced to accept.

My mother has been trying this weird approach lately. Trying to get close.

I entertained it for a bit.

But I’d be an idiot to trust her.

Every time she’s gotten close before, it turned into something else. I’ve seen her weaponize trust too many times.

If she tried anything now, I honestly wouldn’t care.

That would hurt the version of me that used to care—not the one now.

Our relationship isn’t real.

I don’t consent to repeating that cycle again.

At all.

I also talked to Gintama. Found out he has schizophrenia and is on antipsychotics.

I knew something felt off, but not that.

I’m not really good with that from past experience, so I’m not expecting much. But he’s been kind to me so far.

So… we’ll see.

Friends for now.

Then I randomly came across Yties again. Haven’t seen those since middle school. I used to have a purple-pink pair. 

Still think they’re cool.

Later, I went to a shopping center to see what might upgrade my life. I was trying to improve my wardrobe, but I got distracted by flowers. It was almost enough to derail my rush of a plan.

 

Eventually made it to Five Below.

Got a cat paw squishy, a tripod, bubble tea with strawberry tapioca pearls, and some 4D pear gummies.

The gummies were the best.

They looked beautiful. Like Frutiger Aero gummies.

The tea was really good too. I’ve only recently started trying those.

At some point, I realized my debit card was missing. I must’ve lost it during my trip somewhere.

So I ended up going to the bank.

The duck pond was right next to it.

Once I got there, it was too late before i realized it.  I didn’t even have my ID and it was 15 minutes from closing for the day.

So I ended up just going to the pond instead.

Way better than the one downtown. That one smells like sewage. If the wind hits wrong, you’re getting droplets in your face and hair.

This one was clean.

The ducks were beautiful—especially the brown ones.

Everything felt calm.

Fathers teaching their sons to cath and release. Ducks moving around each other. Mothers laying out on towels while toddlers ran around.

No trash. Just peace.

I didn’t take many photos.

Some moments are better felt quietly.

Like that scene in Hoppers.

After that, I went to a park in a really nice area.

It was so nice it made me feel ugly just being there.

It looked cooler than any park I’ve been to—literally. Fans, seating, a tower clock, some weird cocoon thing in a tree.

Then I realized it was mostly for kids.

Probably won’t go back.

Still peaceful though.

Then I checked out a nature center.

That one…

That one actually felt alive.

Way better than the other one from my Trailed Off post.

I took my flats off and just stood there for a bit. I was grounding.

No insects, probably because of the lizards. They moved so fast it looked like they were running from taxes.

Some squirrels had really fat bottoms. I guess that’s a good sign.

I saw flowers. A bluejay too. Not really a fan of those.

There were rabbit carvings, a fountain, different areas I kept wandering into.

Just walking through it felt calming.

Like I didn’t need to rush anything.

There were many areas I took an interest in. Simply walking in this nature center felt calming as i casually gained some information of the place. I came across an interesting fountain, bits and pieces of the plant life. I saw a few that i've never seen before. The rabbit stool seemed to go in hand with the rabbit pen.

The pigeons I came across were huge though I didn't feel like taking their photos. They looked tired and I respected that. I also kinda hoped to pick some pecans from the tree but it didn't have any.

I really ended up taking some more photos. I think I have a thing for tree trunks. During my walk, I kept staring at a bunch of live logs, beautifully creeping plants and bark patterns.

This sensory trail had me unstable. I tried to keep my balance but i was like an over reacting cat in flats.

Then I saw some more interesting interests. Live baby alligators. I didn't go inside of the houselike attraction but I was curious. Welp. That's about it.