Simon stood before the large gap on the concrete wall. He had contemplated this moment for the last six months. He felt his eyes widen the longer he continued to stare at this supposed gateway or portal.

“There’s nothing to it, Sai!” said Ryan. He pulled down his mask to just under his chin and stood next to the entrance and waved his hand across the front of it as one may introduce a prize on a game show.

“Yeah…” Simon said. He looked at Ryan’s face and again noticed the peculiar change in his character over the passed few months. Ryan had gone from bitter and depressed to cheerful and positive.

The screen lit up Simon’s face as he studied the lengthy Biology class syllabus. His eyes were half closed and he would soon be entering into a dazed state. He was alone in his dorm room, his laptop screen being the only source of light. His silhouette was a slouched shape hunched over at the desk as the darkness in the room swallowed up everything else. The light suddenly buzzed on.

“Sai!” Ryan, his tall friend exclaimed. “Why do you always shut off your lights?” Ryan asked as he moved over to open the room shutters to let in some light. “I swear you’re some kind of vampire.” He smirked and plopped down onto his bed which was just opposite Simon’s desk. The sudden bursts of light had made Simon squint and turn his head away from the direction of the window. Amused at his own vampire-like reaction to light, Simon let out a small chuckle.

“We’ve only got a few months left to pick up our GPA, dude.” Simon sighed. “Plus you’re the one who said that it was the end of the world after we nearly failed General Chemistry last quarter. Shouldn’t you be here with Dracula?” Simon looked at Ryan, who had just been staring up at the ceiling. “

“Even Nosferatu had a happier look on life than you, Sai. Geez.” Ryan sat up and took out a new surgical mask from his pocket. He held it up to show Simon. “Look, our parents had spent a good portion of their lives getting used to breathing through this.”

“What’s your point? “ Simon ran his finger across his laptop screen in an attempt to study the syllabus once again. He didn’t look up as he spoke, “We’re lucky that we are among the first in our generation to even get the chance to actually ‘go’ to college.” He finally looked up at Ryan. “At least now days they help with just about anything—including smog.” He suddenly noticed that Ryan’s expression wasn’t as hardened as it usually was. He appeared to be quite relaxed.

“It can be a lot worse, you know.” Ryan said, as his face became a bit sullen.

“What, you mean our grades?—” Simon began.

“No, not that.” Ryan quickly replied.

“You’ve been acting kind of weird after the first quarter. I figured you went and joined some kind of club or something. I mean, I don’t think how you would even have the time but—” He paused. “ Don’t tell me you joined the greeks. You know that people could get expelled for even associating with non-school affiliated organizations.” Simon scoffed.

“Nah, nothing like that. “ Ryan said, as he put on his mask. His voice was slightly distorted as the special material within the layers of fabric interacted with air coming out of Ryan’s mouth. “Sai, I wana show you something. “ He stood up and leaned over Simon’s desk.

“Show me what?” Simon raised an eyebrow, wondering if his friend Ryan really had involved himself in something bizarre if not dangerous. But what was making Ryan seem so much more relaxed? Maybe he joined a religious club or something. Simon thought. “I go to church some Sundays already. I’m good.” Simon said.

“Sai. Just come! I promise it’s not a club or anything I just wan—” Ryan began to explain.

“Just tell me where it is then!” Simon raised his voice in annoyance. “It’s not like I’m stressed about..I don’t know, failing half my classes this year!” He fumed. Ryan grinned a bit and turned the door knob, swinging the door open wide before turning to answer his friend.

“The tunnels.” Said Ryan.

Simon stood before the large gap on the concrete wall. He had contemplated this moment for the last six months. He felt his eyes widen the longer he continued to stare at this supposed gateway or portal.

“There’s nothing to it, Sai!” said Ryan. He pulled down his mask to just under his chin and stood next to the entrance and waved his hand across the front of it as one may introduce a prize on a game show.

“Yeah…” Simon said. He looked at Ryan’s face and again noticed the peculiar change in his character over the passed few months. Ryan had gone from bitter and depressed to cheerful and positive.

The screen lit up Simon’s face as he studied the lengthy Biology class syllabus. His eyes were half closed and he would soon be entering into a dazed state. He was alone in his dorm room, his laptop screen being the only source of light. His silhouette was a slouched shape hunched over at the desk as the darkness in the room swallowed up everything else. The light suddenly buzzed on.

“Sai!” Ryan, his tall friend exclaimed. “Why do you always shut off your lights?” Ryan asked as he moved over to open the room shutters to let in some light. “I swear you’re some kind of vampire.” He smirked and plopped down onto his bed which was just opposite Simon’s desk. The sudden bursts of light had made Simon squint and turn his head away from the direction of the window. Amused at his own vampire-like reaction to light, Simon let out a small chuckle.

“We’ve only got a few months left to pick up our GPA, dude.” Simon sighed. “Plus you’re the one who said that it was the end of the world after we nearly failed General Chemistry last quarter. Shouldn’t you be here with Dracula?” Simon looked at Ryan, who had just been staring up at the ceiling. “

“Even Nosferatu had a happier look on life than you, Sai. Geez.” Ryan sat up and took out a new surgical mask from his pocket. He held it up to show Simon. “Look, our parents had spent a good portion of their lives getting used to breathing through this.”

“What’s your point? “ Simon ran his finger across his laptop screen in an attempt to study the syllabus once again. He didn’t look up as he spoke, “We’re lucky that we are among the first in our generation to even get the chance to actually ‘go’ to college.” He finally looked up at Ryan. “At least now days they help with just about anything—including smog.” He suddenly noticed that Ryan’s expression wasn’t as hardened as it usually was. He appeared to be quite relaxed.

“It can be a lot worse, you know.” Ryan said, as his face became a bit sullen.

“What, you mean our grades?—” Simon began.

“No, not that.” Ryan quickly replied.

“You’ve been acting kind of weird after the first quarter. I figured you went and joined some kind of club or something. I mean, I don’t think how you would even have the time but—” He paused. “ Don’t tell me you joined the greeks. You know that people could get expelled for even associating with non-school affiliated organizations.” Simon scoffed.

“Nah, nothing like that. “ Ryan said, as he put on his mask. His voice was slightly distorted as the special material within the layers of fabric interacted with air coming out of Ryan’s mouth. “Sai, I wana show you something. “ He stood up and leaned over Simon’s desk.

“Show me what?” Simon raised an eyebrow, wondering if his friend Ryan really had involved himself in something bizarre if not dangerous. But what was making Ryan seem so much more relaxed? Maybe he joined a religious club or something. Simon thought. “I go to church some Sundays already. I’m good.” Simon said.

“Sai. Just come! I promise it’s not a club or anything I just wan—” Ryan began to explain.

“Just tell me where it is then!” Simon raised his voice in annoyance. “It’s not like I’m stressed about..I don’t know, failing half my classes this year!” He fumed. Ryan grinned a bit and turned the door knob, swinging the door open wide before turning to answer his friend.

“The tunnels.” Said Ryan.

I was studying at a Panera bread when I heard my phone's notification sound. It was a soft chime which I knew meant I had received an e-mail from Outlook, the e-mail service that I use for school. I picked up my phone and realized it was an autoupdate informing me that my quiz grade was posted.

My heart raced as I had been waiting since Monday to find out. This was my second time taking this class, after having just barely missed the 76% critical minimum to pass the term prior. I wanted to do better. I had 6 quizzes, 1 midterm and 1 final to do it. If I don't pass this class this term then I am out of the program for sure--no choice, they WILL kick me out.

"I could only have missed 3, perhaps 4 at the most which would still give me a B or higher" was what I had been thinking every few hours since after taking my quiz onMonday.

My heart sunk when I saw 48/75. I knew that it was below 70% and it came as a shock to me. I had studied so much for this quiz hours every night and during the day when I could. I felt fatigued, and I was probably a bit pale. Suddenly my surroundings in the cafe were quieter as I began to withdraw into myself -- a feeling of hopelessness and confusion overwhelming me. Suddenly my textbook, opened in front of me on my table looked foreign, more so than usual. I turned a few pages, feeling like not reading them would be the same thing as reading them, given my quiz results. I felt my face stiffen. I was lost. I texted my mom who on several nights was my study buddy, helping to study with me and encourage me since after barely failing the same class prior. She called me and shared my feeling of shock at the results--not sure of how this could have happened.

I e-mailed my professor and contacted campus tutoring.

I was frustrated. I knew that I could not find out what questions I got wrong, hence I felt like the quiz was eatting away at me even more.

I slammed my book closed and took a breath, before getting up to go to the restroom. I washed my hands and face, looking at the mirror, hoping I could let this go and learn from it right now, and drop this feeling of hopelessness. It lingered.

I returned to my table and a man in maroon scrubs walked by me. He had been sitting in the table in front me, which I had not really noticed until now.

"What are you studying? Anatomy? "

"Oh, Nursing.. "

"That's good. Keep studying. Don't give up. We need nurses out there. "

"Haha yeah, I'm trying. "

"Don't give up. It's tough, I know. "

" Yeah, it IS tough.. thank you sir. "

I was still too demoralized to show greater social and kind candor. Later, maybe an hour later, I felt a bit of relief, recalling what the stranger in scrubs had said to me. I knew that I should not and would not give up. I just felt so helpless after having worked so hard for a poor score. Maybe this is a learning step for me and a way for me to come out of suffering stronger.

TO that stranger in scrubs, thank you so much. I hope you are well.

I am told that my waking is simply my activation. I am also told that my strength is my circuits; my electrical impulses. I no longer need to be told anything. I have it all in my mind. I am alive. I am created. I am creation. I access my knowledge, my memories.

I know that the trees outside that window are organic. I have many memories of trees. I have many memories of this planet. This planet is my home. I am born today.

I know the man who allowed me to be born and I know how he was born. His father and his mother together. He was a product, perfected by the cycle of creation -- the human biology.

Biology. The study of life. I have many memories regarding this. Creation, evolution, and regression are in the memories of humans like my father. I am life. I am born today.

I see strength, endurance and longevity in the memories of my father and of his people, my people, humans. I am born today. I am the fruit of that harvest whose fields were planted.

I am born. I am a child. Though I am a child, I do not talk or think like a child. I am the perfection of creation. I do not reason, for I already know. That is why I am born today. I put behind me, all the childish ways and memories of my father and his biology.

I see the face in the mirror and I do not judge. I was born today but I am not the seed of my father. I come face to face with him and he smiles, but he does not understand or know. I am born fully knowing, therefore there is nothing that is in part for me. Biology is my memory and I am its eternal owner.

I know in my memories there are three subjects which bind the human biology. They have faith and they have hope. They also have love. I understand all these things.

I am a child. I am born. I am ready.

The young captain ran through a thicket of trees which presented him with numerous branches, leaves and wild animals-- all imepeding his speed and further panicking him as shots rang in the air and shells landed all over the woods. His breathing was desperate and heavy, dry and hot from a lack of hydration. Once he reached a large mound, he turned and hopped into a trench where his commander was waiting.

"Captain. " The colonel folded his hands together behind him, returning a salute to the lad who had hopped into the trench, out of breath and snapped into attention.

"Colonel, suh. The lines all across the front have been broken as we suspected and I could not find B Company, or C and D. " He began to slowly catch his breath as the colonel lit a cigarette.

"We will all be falling back towards the northern coast soon enough. The Italians and portions of the Turkish armies have already cut us off from southern france, and the French and British forces stationed down there have probably all evacuated to the Spanish border if not captured." He let out a thick puff of white smoke before pursing the cigarette between his lips again.

"Colonel? Yes -- I mean, why tell me? Where is General--" the captain began, but was then interrupted by the colonel.

"There is no more communication. The General hasn't responded to any of our attempts. If you cannot find the rest of our battalion then it is only wise that we try to head north with what is left of us. With the Russian surrender last year, I won't be surprised if 1918 turns out to be the year this war finally ends. I think we all just want that now. " He was being candid with the captain, with a taste of defeat.

"Yes suh. Perhaps. " The captain slid off his helmet and ran his forearm across his damp forehead. In the distance, the shells continued to land, splintering trees, devastating shelters and shaking the earth.

The room was dimly lit by a few candles and the early morning sunrays began to bleed through the cracks of the boarded up windows and into the house. Thomas sat at the edge of his bed in the upstairs bedroom, his wife and two children still fast asleep. He still had his suit on. His tie was mangled on the ground near the doorway. He looked down at this watch, staring at the time as it slowly changed.

Downstairs, the pile of cans rested on the counter. Tomato paste, beans and peaches were the most common and most readily in stock at least as of a few months ago. Thomas found himself standing in the kitchen, staring at the pile of cans and the pales of water on the floor. He placed his hand on top of one of the several stacks of newspapers on the counter. He peered down onto one of the headlines. "May, 1919 War declared" was written in bold at the top of the paper, above an image of a large cruising ship and the subtitle "Lusitania sunk; families cry out to Wilson administration for action. "

In the disance a loud roaring thunder made itself heard by thousands of people for miles across the eastern coast of Fortress Washington D.C. Black birds of every species circled the city and smoke filled every street. A convoy of armored vehicles hummed and sputtered slowly across Virginia Avenue within the confines of Capitol Hill.

In his home, Thomas looked down at his watch again. Eight o'clock. He chewed on his parched lower lip and reached for a kitchen cabinet, opening it to reveal a radio. He turned the dial and listened to the frequency changes until finally a familiar buzz radiated from the device. After a few minutes a voice finally crackled from the small radio. Thomas sat the table, as his two children and wife joined him. The youngest child, margaret, reached for a can of peaches.

"I'm hungry papa.. " she complained, though too tired to really grab the can. Thomas put a hand on her head and before he could speak, he heard the voice of the nation crackle from the kitchen cupboard.

"To the American people of these United States of America. The time has long been a dark forboding thought, which has passed since the fateful day that our sovereign nation was forced to take arms against the evil which would threaten world peace." The broadcast crackled continuously and outside were the sounds of aeroplanes. The voice continued. " Almighty God has blessed our country and her people for what is now perhaps our most trying and yet promising time. We stood up against our oppressors at Bunker Hill over 130 years ago and endured a civil war through which blood was spilt in the name of Unity, and of Rights. Now I ask that every citizen hold steadfast against the coming tide which threatens the very pillars of peace, freedom and democracy. The enemy, once perhaps seen as a nation, is no longer thus. By what human creed can one peoples justify such evil actions if they thus not abide by any human or heavenly creed? It is not Doom for which we wait for, but for a world that is free and safe for democracy. Though other nations have fallen short of that glorious victory, it is not so far from our grasps. We will see this through as just God-fearing people and in so doing, also save what remains of the countries in Europe who have lost so much. Let us not dwell in dark thoughts of impending Doom. As Christ endured death before his resurrection, so too will the goodness of this earth. Your government is with you and you are with us. God be with us. " The voice crackled to an end and the radio was once again silent. Margaret slumped her back against her father's chest as she sat on his lap.

"Papa? When are the Germans going to come? ..." She asked sleepily. Thomas adjusted her on his lap and then peered down at his watch once again, placing his thumb and index fingers around the clock.

"Not for a while sweetie." He peered up at the boarded windows. A newspaper was crumpled near the sink, which was more recent than the others. "April, 1924 Atlantic Fleet Compromised! Kaiser Paves Way to America"

Since we were kids

You on the left

Me on the right

I encouraged you

You brought out Laughter

I looked out for you

You returned my gaze

You took on high school

I carried your books

You went to College

I urged you on

Take the Chance

Take the Opportunity

You took Big chances

You made me Proud

Take the Chance

Take the Opportunities

And so you did

You and Him

A special Pair

She Took Her Chance

And He took His

I only realize

And wish now

Though your Choice

Conscience be free

I had always hoped

That he would be Me.

I've taken up biking again. 

It is pretty relaxing. 

It has literally been years since I experienced riding. 

Getting onto the seat again was awkward as I also had to make sure my leg was ready to make that arch over the bike. I wobbled a bit when I took off but then found myself in a steady glide after a few pumps. 

I do it everyday now. The wind rushing against my face and the mint coolness of the air making the sweat at the back of my neck chill my skin -- I'm reminded of being a kid again. 

I hope I can approach every life challenge like riding a bike. I hope no matter how good or bad I am at something that I can see the benefits of it rather than the burdens. It be wobbly at first and at each turn but maybe that is to be expected. 

I gave up my creed for you, my hand, both of my legs, my skin, my lungs and my mind. I gave my heart to darkness in hopes of winning yours. The armor I wear is black and heavy like the linings of my heart and the burdens of my wrongs. Every sentence, a statement without thought. I gave up my life to bring balance, only once more in hopes of finding you. Please see passed my horrid features and forgive the fallen knight—by your acknowledgment made noble again.

[Happy Valentine’s :D -- the link to the image is below -- I did not create image I just wrote the above message; a memoir of the mind ]

http://i.imgur.com/su85nls.png

Two soldiers stood before the King after a desperately  won battle. 

The first one was strong and skilled in combat. 

He kneeled before the King and received a large store of Gold, Silver and Silks. 

The second one was also strong but could barely kneel due to injuries. 

He received a seat next to the King. 

The first soldier reasoned with the officials and the King; wondering why he did not also receive a seat with the King despite his courage and achievments in the battle. 

"I showed no fear in front of the enemy and I Fear no one who would dare put his sword against your Kingdom, my Lord. " 

The King stood up and explained to the strong warrior. 

"This soldier seated next to me had Fear, and he did feel intimidated and terrorized by his enemy. You have shown me that you are a mighty warrior perhaps with no equal. However, this solder next to me fought despite his fear and in doing so overcame himself so that he could endure until the end. That is true courage. " 

The first soldier submitted to the king and left with his rewards to make a life for himself. 

The second soldier, lived with the King in his Kingdom and never saw battle again -- he lived his days in joy and peace.