3.SYNCHRONICITY
When I got home, I decided to try watching a little TV in order to relax or divert my mind from the activities of the day and sleep, even though it was already nearly eleven at night. I flipped through the channels, dissatisfied with what I found, until I came to the French language station, TV5 Monde. There was a documentary about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, with testimony a descendant, Charles Bonaparte, and interviews with historians and other experts. It struck me as a coincidence because the topic of Napoleon Bonaparte had come up out of the blue earlier in the evening, when I was out with my boyfriend at a bar. We wanted to try going to a new place. Across from my boyfriend, who faced me and the wall behind me, was a framed art piece featuring Napoleon posed atop a horse. Hm. He remarked on the piece, so I remembered it.
I eventually got to sleep. Just before slumber overtook me, my mind with its usual self purging or spastic process in which all kinds of seemingly random images and ideas flow through rapidly. In a more anxious state, weird and ugly or negative thoughts fly around and race through. It usually takes more time to fall asleep in that kind of state. Other times, the images and ideas are neutral or pleasant. The ideas can make no sense; the images disconnected and irrelevant. My experience is of the latter kind this night. This time, an image and fractioned memory of exchanges with an acquaintance of mine comes to the fore and lingers. I am awake enough to be aware how odd it was that such memories should appear in my mind’s eye at that moment.
In the morning, I go about my normal routine, which is to tidy my bed, wash my face, make coffee and then turn on the computer. While the water is heating up, I get into my social media and email accounts. Strangely, I notice a posting that has been replied to by this same long lost acquaintance of my “twilight” mental activity the night before. “That’s weird,” I say to myself.
I have time to look at more postings. Oddly, the name of an actor mentioned rarely in the media these days comes up three times. He has been out of the mainstream media ever since his hit series ended three years ago. I wonder why his name has come up at this time, because there is no indication of a reason, like an award, a conflict, a new movie or a death.
I then complete the morning routine, downing the coffee along with vitamin and mineral tablets before getting around to eating breakfast. I regret that there is no fresh fruit for breakfast. I must leave soon to get to my first class of the day, so I do my face and dress right after eating the bowl of cereal. In short order, I am ready to take off. Remembering to pack a lunch today, I again regret that I have no fresh fruit. I give up the idea of taking a lunch to work.
It is time to read the gas meter and write down the reading for the gas company employee because she is due to pay a visit to the apartment building today. I remember that just as I am about to put on my shoes, so I dash back inside to read the meter. Seeing the number on the meter, I pause briefly. There is something significant about that number, but I cannot remember what. Shoes on, meter reading written on the sticker outside my apartment door, I can take off Coffee as well as cold air makes my nose drip slightly in the morning. Outside I wish that I had remembered to take some tissue along. No matter. When I get to the corner, a couple of church women are handing out packets of facial tissue as well as brochures. I gratefully take a packet of tissue, though I decline the offer of the propaganda.
After I get to my office, I settle into a day’s work. My coat is hung up, my computer on, and day planner open. Unexpectedly, a colleague drops by on a quick social call. She bears fresh fruit and offers me some. I gladly take the dried figs and single kiwi.
In the first class, I greet the students. Since I arrive early, there is time for some chit-chat before starting into the lesson. I engage in an exchange with one of the eager students sitting in the front row.
“Do you know the actor, Steve Carell?” asks one young man.
“Oh, yes. A comic actor. How do you know him?”
“I saw an episode of ‘The Office’ yesterday. I was just doing a random search. I tried watching it. It was hard to understand, but funny. Do you know that show?”
“Yes, I used to watch a few episodes.” This is quite a coincidence because Steve Carell is the name of the actor that appeared in the social network postings in the morning. I liked that show and this comic actor.
Between classes, I get a phone call. My handbag buzzes against my hip before I notice the particular melody of the mobile phone. I manage to juggle the books and water bottle in my hands and get the phone out of the purse. The call is from a colleague who asks me to stand in form her in a couple of weeks. The hours seem to work, I say. “I know,” replies the colleague. I checked your timetable before I called you. So you wanna take it?” I say, “Sure.” Actually, I am happy for the extra work. Just yesterday I had been grumbling to myself that I did not have much overtime work because I was looking for extra pay. This subbing job will help me.
I feel a little sleepy-eyed but there is not time to go get some tea or coffee. I move on to my next class in a room on the opposite side of the building. I arrive there with a few minutes to spare.
A student ambushes me at the doorway. “Teacher, could you check this?” He holds out a can of coffee. “Not if it is an assignment or homework,” I reply. “Oh, no. No, it is for a contest. Can you check my English?” “It’s really a contest?” The young person explains the situation and I am satisfied that it is truthful. I bring him into the room to set things down and scan over his paper. I notice that number there in the text, the same one I read on my gas meter that morning. I make just a couple of changes to the writing and hand it back. “It looks fine. Good work. Good luck.” The student thanks me and, as is the custom, offers me the drink again to signal gratitude. “Here, teacher.” I accept the coffee beverage with pleasure. It is just what I wanted.
It is my lunch break following that second class. I decide to take lunch in the staff cafeteria even though none of my friends can accompany me at that hour. I want to save my bag lunch for my evening meal since I have an evening class and the options for dinner on campus are worse than what you can find at lunch. Anyway, I recall that I have just enough money for a campus lunch. I count the coins. I have 60 won. (Sixty-two is that number that keeps coming up today.) I need to get to withdraw more cash soon. I do not mind sitting alone for a quick lunch, so I hope that the menu is good and put my supplies back in the office before I go to the cafeteria. I have to exit this building and cross over to the next to the west.
On the way there in the courtyard, I encounter a colleague with whom I am chummy. I have not seen him for awhile. “How are you these days? Long time no see,” I say. “Yeah,” he replies. “Where are you headed? Have you had lunch yet?” “No, I was just heading to the staff cafeteria. Why? Do you have time to eat with me?” “Sure,” he says. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.” We proceed up the concrete steps and in through the building to the cafeteria. My companion steps ahead and gets to the ticket dispenser ahead of me as we exit the elevator. “Let me treat you, today. I want to pick your brains.” That is fine with me—I get company for lunch after all, and I get to hang on to the few bills in my wallet for a few more hours.
We have a great discussion. In an effort to assist a friend, he wants my opinion on an employment situation. I do the best I can. He has to rush off for a one o’clock class, though, so we cut the conversation short. “I’ll email you with more,” he calls as he departs.
I have a spare period. Everything is prepared for the rest of the day and the next day, so I can enjoy some free time. Sitting down at my office computer, I open up the Youtube site. As usual, Youtube remembers some things I have seen before on various Youtube “channels” and offers a selection of other videos I might enjoy. Today, there is a film with Steve Carell among the selections. I feel compelled to click on it.
I am interrupted by a knock on my door. Through the veiled glass, I can make out Rose on the other side. I wave her in and call out an invitation to enter. Movie paused, I turn and offer Rose a seat. “Oh, I can’t stay. I have a meeting in a few minutes. I just wanted to give you this.” She holds out a tenner. “What’s that for?” I ask, surprised. “I owe you. Remember when we went shopping together and I didn’t have enough cash. Sorry I haven’t paid you pack sooner.” I had forgotten all about the debt. “Oh, right. Now I remember. Thanks.” Rose adds that she does not have coins, so that she cannot repay the remaining 60 won then leaves with a “see you later.”
I watch the entire movie because my afternoon class does not start until three o’clock. I have time to putter around before I must leave to go teach it.
The afternoon class transpires without any remarkable incident. Once again, I go back to my office. I climb the stairs up the three flights to my office’s floor. Inside the office, I set some water to boil in the electric kettle for tea. The dinner period is from five until seven o’clock, and my three-hour evening class begins at six. After checking messages, the tea is brewed so I sit back to sip it. I am not at all hungry, but I wonder what the choices might be for dinner. I do not know why, but an unusual craving for potato and leek soup arises. I have not thought of potato and leek soup for years, and I have not eaten it for a longer time. I turn my mind to a review of the lesson plan for the evening and the next morning, then open up a word game to while away another 30 minutes.
Finally, I start to get hungry and it is a decent hour for an evening meal: 5:30 p.m. I put on my jacket, grab my handbag, and make a beeline for the student cafeteria. I must exit this building and cross the courtyard to a building to the east.
I cannot believe my eyes when they behold potato soup on the menu. The menu changes every day, according to what is in stock and what suits the cooks, I suppose, so the fact that something new is offered today is not what I find uncanny. It is that the new thing happens to be potato soup. Okay, it is not exactly potato leek soup, but it is a potato soup with some other leafy contents. I check with the cashier to confirm its existence, and eagerly make my order. It turns out to be excellent soup, and very satisfying to me. I am very pleased, especially considering that the dinners in this place are sometimes pretty lousy. I really lucked out today, I feel.
Colin is supposed to call me this evening. He knows my schedule, and I have clarified reminded him, besides. The plan is for him to call right at eight, at the conclusion of my night class, and just before he must go out to meet buddies for beer. We are supposed to discuss out next date. I really want to leave it for the following Saturday, but he has been wanting to get together on Wednesday night. I am reluctant to hand him the “I just need a little more space this week” line. It could send off the wrong signals. It is just that I am the type of person who enjoys good doses of solitude but is sociable all the same. I am feeling that I need to pull back and catch up with myself this week. At this point, I would really like time at the spa or reading mid-week. However, I have to carry through with what has already been negotiated and agreement I have already made.
I leave my mobile device out to make sure that I do not miss the call. He calls after my class, at 20h02. “Hey, sweetie,” is my answer. “Hey, babe. How’s your day goin’?” “Pretty good. Yeah, everything is going right today.” “You don’t say. Good for you.” “You seeing your buddies tonight?” “Yeah. Yep. Steve and Barry. We’re going to the Hollow Tree. Remember that place?” “Oh, yeah. I do. I’m sure you’ll have a good time there. Don’t they have a live band?” “That’s right. I think we went there together once, to meet Barry and his girl.” “Yeah.”
Colin abandons the small talk. “Say, I wanted to run something by you, hon.” “What’s that?” “Well, I know we talked about Wednesday, and you agreed to see me on Wednesday, but something’s come up. Would you mind putting it off until the weekend?” “What’s going on?”
“Oh, Marten wants to meet to talk about a proposal and some new clients. It is hard to say no. I hope you understand.” “Yeah, no problem. I can just catch up with my reading or something. No worries.” “Are you sure? Sorry to shift gears like this after I made you promise to see me. I hope I haven’t upset your plans.” “No, sweetheart. I could use a little extra time to myself, just to center myself, you understand.” “Yeah, I do. I know what you mean. That’s super. You’re terrific, you know? I’ll make it up to you this coming weekend,… if you catch my drift…” “Ooh, I’ll look forward to that.” “K. I’ll call on Thursday.” “Good. Let me know how the business meeting went then.” “Will do. Love you.” “Love you too.”
I get my wish. I will relish the free time on Wednesday evening, and a full night’s sleep by myself. It will help me regenerate and get balanced.
It is time to pack it up and head home. I want a long shower and there is some tidying to do. I do not mind the tidying, since it helps me relax and recover my ground before I go to bed. Maybe I will watch a little TV in bed.
I feel really well connected today, though. There is not much balancing to do. It has been an ordinary but good day. Have you ever had a day when everything went your way? It happens, even though it might only be little things that flow together, so maybe more it happens more often than you believe.
END