Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- early morning

Earlier this evening, I left 2008 Walnut Street for the last time. Corey and I had to clean it in order to get our security deposit back. It is interesting to think that I moved into the city two years ago. It's also interesting to think back to all the memories from 2008: from my first weekends in the city to pre-gaming sessions just about every weekend to my going-away party and everything in between. To think of all the meals that I cooked in that kitchen. To think of all the hours of reading books and the hours of watching television there. To think of all the deep, late night conversations I've had with Corey and other guests. Perhaps just as much as everything combined, though, I think of my experiences with several different women: the young 19-year old sophomore girl to the experienced 34 year-old attorney to the 23 year-old physical therapy student to the 19 year-old Filipina girl. More than anyone else, though, my memories are dominated by Heather, the girl that I loved and wanted so much, but was just not to be.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- night

It has been just over two months since I've last written. There's no need to make excuses since I have no obligation to write. But then again, I feel that writing is important, so I do feel bad that I haven't kept up.

I moved in my apartment here in Philly on the first weekend of June. In some ways, the transition to living on my own has been more difficult than I expected, partly on a materialistic (and hence financial) level, but even a bit on the emotional level. I thought I would be well-prepared to live on my own from my solo travels in Central America. But there was always that sense of excitement and newness when on the road. Being alone in a stable environment has proved to be a different game. Nevertheless, I still think it was helpful that I travelled solo in order to transition to this new experience.

In material terms, there is much work to be done, most especially with regards to living room furniture and decorations for the walls. But since I have all the essentials I have inevitably lost much motivation to complete my settling-in. I am a simple man, so I don't as much for coffee tables and rugs. Perhaps only my love of color, and the life it brings, is impelling me to decorate the walls. Even still, I have been slow to take initiative in the area of interior design.

Now, I could catch things up on my life at the office, or my educational ambitions, or my social life, but right now I don't feel moved to do so. Probably next time. Before ending this long-awaited entry, I'll re-cap a very interesting experience of the past two days, a two-part journey through the city of brotherly love.

On both Saturday and Sunday afternoons, at 4:00 p.m. to be exact, I left center-city for a tour of a different section of the city. On Saturday, I left for West Philly, travelling west on Walnut Street, then Spruce Street, then Market Street before eventually reaching 69th Street, the city's western limit and its border with Upper Darby. During my tour, I saw more than a handful of block parties, where residents blocked off roads at their own discretion, and set up barbecues, loud music, and games for their children. The smells in the air and the sights of young and old alike having fun were enough to light up the soul. I was also impressed by the stateliness and grandeur of the architecture in West Philly, which evidenced that it had once been the wealthy suburban section of the city. Much of it has been kept up nicely, despite a more middle-class character. It was depressing, though, to see some buildings falling apart as a result of poverty and lack of maintenance: a snapshot of the long, slow death of the beautiful architecture of an age long past. I also rode my bicycle past Malcolm X park; I was slightly surprised to find out that a park would be named in his honor. It makes sense due to the predominantly black population of West Philly. But for the city government to recognize that name surprised me a little bit. On the ride back into University City, I stopped at Abner's for a decent cheesesteak. From there, I crossed back over the Schuylkill River to finish Saturday's journey.

Earlier today, I set off on a similar voyage, but in a different direction: south. I started off down Broad Street until I turned left on to Washington Avenue. Then I turned right on to 10th Street. I took that as far as I could go, before getting back on to Broad Street to eventually reach my destination: FDR park, right by the stadiums. Once there, I dismounted my bike to walk the circuit, passing by all the picnic areas and pavillions. Most of the groups there were either black or Southeast Asian, either Vietnamese or Cambodian. I was really impressed with the groups of southeast Asians since some groups were as large or larger than 50 people. It was amazing. It was great to see everyone having a good time. After walking the circuit, I hopped my bike to ride back to my apartment. I couldn't stay out as long as yesterday since I was really hungry for lunch. I rode back most of the way on 16th Street. It was nice to see other parts of the city. I hope to do it again.