Looks Like Another Rainy Day

gloomy and sullen clouds lurked in the sky this morning…depressing and downcast raindrops drawn unto my window pane..a new day is beginning.  With barely enough sleep to sicken even the busiest of college students, I summoned my every inner reserve to move my ankle that would wiggle my foot to begin the outward motion from leaving the comforts of my warm bed.  With my mind vehemently protesting at every conscious action taken, I begin the painstaking task of orientating myself to face another day.  Another challenge.  Another battle of maitaining the thread of being that identifies me as a person of integrity, without losing my soul to a world which seldom gives second chances.  A chill travels from my spine to my toes and back as humid skin encounters cold rigid air.  Opening the blinds to my window, I see the distant city before me, strong and dominating in the landscape, grotesquely humanesque without taste..only bitter efficiency.  Lifeless rain continually putters against the window glass and I sigh again…this time deeper and drawn out…it looks like another rainy day. 

Walking through the slick streets with frost lingering from every breath, I make my way to class.  I am late again.  The teacher does not seem to notice but I am not fooled.  Every action is taken note of, calculations and assumptions are made and I feel as if I might be developing a bad reputation for my tardiness.  In actuality..I guess this assumption woud not be too extreme..but I am a work in progress.  The seemingly endless repetition of class and break consumes my day.  Walking miles and miles around campus, I pass countless students, empty souled and empty spirited as we pass.  The rain seems to consume all energy on the campus.  Only cars and automobiles seem life-like..metallic monsters persistently screeching angrily at all who would dare come close..incompassionate and forever moving. 

Finally I see a smile..  it is so nice to see happiness amongst such gloom, and inwardly I am grateful.  I return it endearingly, and the moment is gone..soon to be forgotten.  But yet I remember.  I still remember. 

After eating lunch/dinner, I trek to the gym for the joy of my day.  Hitting the bags and working on my technique strengthens my resolve and relieves my stress.  My mind feels focused and sure..life is again sane.  We are all family here, regardless of any differences..we come for the same purpose and are like-hearted.  Sweat dripping from every pore, my muscles rack with aches yet this pain is welcome.  When I am done I receive nods of respect from my teachers and comrades.  I can ask for nothing more. 

On campus, people from the exchange program and in my dormitory knows that I am a fighter.  Everyone knows I have a girlfriend.  Everyone knows that I am a Christian.  Everyone knows I am here to study and not play.  I receive admiration from being a fighter, admiration and scorn for maintaining a long-distance relationship, criticism and questions regarding my faith, and respect for my choice to study.  This is currently what I stand for, and I am proud that I have established myself in a such a straightforward way.  After all, I’m a pretty straightforward guy.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.