Of the World of the 19th Floor
A few entries ago i mentioned about things that i loved to do back when i was in Secondary School,or when i was a kid.Well,i almost forgot my most ancient love.And that is,to sit on my balcony at night.The wee hours of the night as ive mentioned,are the times when solitude is at its best.When lonliness seems like a blessing somehow.I guess,its the times spent alone on nights like that on the balcony that i appreciate the most.

The weather's different nowadays,with the mornings usually occupied with temporary showers and thunders here and there.Wet mornings,dont you just love those?The nights are particularly cold nowadays.Kind of reminded me of the smell of the air when i opened my aunt's room window in Taiwan,smelling the cold winter air.It felt exactly the same i guess,perhaps a little warmer.The night skies are lit by the streetlights from below,and the clouds above can be seen floating about.Sometimes,in big bulks like cotton candies.Sometimes thin and long,as if being stretched by the arms of the wind.On the 19th floor,it is so different from the floors below.As if im in a different dimension already,the world from the view there is just totally different.The sound of cars seem to be a whole lot softer,and much further away in the distance.To be away from the world below seems to be a detachment from the world.From reality.It seems like a totally different world up there,with you being a tad bit closer to the sky and stars.

I got bored yesterday,and thought of going to the balcony again.It rained in the early evening,so the tiles were a little moist and wet.The wind was chilly,with a salty smell still lingering in the air.It was 2am,and most of the neighbours were asleep,save for some nightcrawlers staying up late to watch midnight television.Armed with my Geography notes,my handphone and a sweater,and went to the wooden benches i had on the balcony and sat down on the cushions.Staring into the distance was a great feeling,with the million city lights down below.I felt like i was on a throne,with the world silence before me and for me.Well,in a night like this its hard to resist the temptation of being king for a few seconds or so.A lizard or some sort made a funny sound in the bushes to my left,while the trash bag fluttered in the soft night breeze.I studied for a long time there,forgetting the comfort of my bed.The wind was blowing,and the air was quiet.I took a short break after a while,just staring up into the sky.It was blank,like an abyss falling upwards.The moon was hanging low,a crescent no longer.It was bright,and the moon poured through the windows of my room,which made it glow in a creepy yet beautiful sort of way.

Dellia perhaps described my balcony best,with it being like a Secret Garden.Well,its not exactly a secret garden.It does have a lot of plans and wildlife(The lizards,and sometimes this bird which comes for honey),but its a pretty well known secret i'd say.My parents would sit at the chairs there for coffee in the mornings sometimes,and im a pretty frequent occupant of those seats as well.My sister,being overly fascinated by boybands,never engaged in anything that is remotely fulfilling when it comes to spiritual well being.Perhaps,the world from the 19th floor has a power to enchant or to heal in some ways unknown to myself.It resembles a shrine in a way,where monks pray.I dont pray i guess,or talk to god on my balcony.I simply stare into the distance,wondering what's beyond the building covered horizon.

If i have the chance,i might move to my balcony for a night or two.I remember sleeping on the bench on one rainy afternoon with my blanket and pillow when it was raining out for a week or two.That was perhaps the longest rainy season i have experienced in my 18 years of life.It rained for a long time,and i slept on the balcony with tiny bits of rain falling on my head.To me,nobody ever intrudes my peace.At midnight,on my balcony,i am king.No yelling sister,no naggy parents,no homeworks,just me against the whole wide world.Perhaps you are right Dellia,it is my secret garden.It might not be that secret at all,but it sure has the same enchanting feeling.That magical feel to it all.I guess,my balcony at midnight is a little over rated.I guess my descriptive skills are going way over the top in this entry.Oh well,i just love my balcony.So sue me.

The world on the 19th floor at midnight is so different from anywhere else.To see a little further,a little higher,a lot bigger.

Song of the Moment---Two Steps by Dave Matthews Band