Thoughts after reading SuJ's blog...
"This bubble we live in..." I've heard that line from plenty of people throughout these years. Always a topic of conversation when we are put outside our very own bubble and experience new things. For me, I was thrown back into the bubble of Sacramento. Americans, as SuJ put it, are in the bubble of not experiencing war first hand. As Americans we have not experienced war outside our front door, in our neighborhoods and community, on American soil. This led me to thinking about my own 'bubbles' throughout my years. Sacramento to Orange County back to Sacramento. In Orange County, it's rare to see a homeless person walking the streets, people hustlin' on the street corners, ridiculously baggy clothes, 'ghetto' talk, etc. All of this is nothing new to me, nor is it to a lot of people I know. It just becomes a part of the bubble you live in at the present time.
Yesterday I went shoppin' around Sac hoping to find some new clothes that were to my liking. My initial thoughts were that I wouldn't have too much of a problem finding clothes that 1) fit me 2) i would wear. I went to this place called SD Mart in South Sac. Its like an indoor flea market. As I walk up to the front door w/ my homie Brandon, theres this one cat who catches my eye and starts walkin up to us. "Ey homies!! Yall fucks with the mens cologne?! Cause I gots you homies. I'm talkin bout the real shit! Ya feel me?! Real labels n' errything" I kindly respond with a, "Naah bruh, I'm still on deck with the cologne I got now. Thanks though.." He quickly conceded and asked the next group of people behind us. Yea, that was nothing. I've encountered plenty of situations like this before. I just kept laughing and smiling as we were walking inside. Brandon being curious asked what was so funny. I proceeded to tell him that shit like that doesn't happen on the daily in OC. Iono, it seems like yea, this happens everywhere, even the OC, but this time it was different. I dont know how to explain it. It just got me thinking. Two completely different worlds exist. I had existed in two different worlds absorbing the different styles and culture. Acclimating to my environment wherever I was.
The last five years of my life, not once was I scared to walk the streets of Orange County. There was always for some reason this feeling I had that nothing bad would happen to me regardless. If it does happen, I can handle myself and not have to worry to much. Here in Sacramento though, it's a little different. I'm not scared to walk around the mean streets of Sac, but definitely apprehensive at times. I know too many people here that have had experiences w/ guns, weapons, robbed, constant fighting, getting jumped, etc. Just the other night I was in the parking lot of my brother's apartment with his PS3 in hand walking to my car. Two fellas start walking up to me yellin at me to give them the PS3. Obviously I say, "Fuck nah.." Then he proceeds with a more stern voice talkin bout, "I didnt ask you, i'm tellin you to give it to me nigga..." After some 'fightin words', they didn't do anything and I went straight to my car and drove off. Again, the idea of living in a bubble pops up. I havent had to deal with anything of this sort since I dont even know how long ago. I remember when I was in middle school if we had new shoes, we would tighten them to our feet when walking down the street if we saw some people walking our way, fearing that we would get jumped and they would steal our shoes. It was only done because we know things like that would happen. It's a different world no matter where you go.
This leads me to my next point. I've talked to plenty of people back here in Sac within this past month and a half. The one thing that I have found myself frustrated with or passionate about, is when people talk to me like they'll never see whats outside of Sacramento. Some just don't believe they have it in them to explore the world, and others are just sooooo very content with 'home' they don't even think about it. The people who are content with living at home have different reasons or just simply don't care to explore whats outside their bubble. At first I was frustrated at them, but after numerous conversations they are who they are. That's where they have their goals and I support them to the fullest. The folks who just don't believe they can, those people frustrate me. These are some of my closest family/friends. It's all about passion and wanting it. Whatever "it" may be. And honestly, I don't give a fuck who you are or where you come from, because I strongly believe that if there is something out there in this world that you want to acheive/experience, then you can set yourself up to achieve it. Hardwork, responsibility, and positivity are pretty much the only things I feel necessary to acquire such happiness. On those rare occasions where one isn't able to acheive such, then it was meant to be. Sounds cliche, stupid, hypocritical to what I just said but shit happens, and for those exceptional circumstances there isn't anymore one could do about it. I feel as though some people will always "think" about what they want to do, and never do it. They sell themselves short and think that it's not possible. But how will you know unless you do it?
"Success is a journey, not a destination"... I forget where I got that, but it has never been more true to me than today.
With all this bubble thinking going on, it again motivates me to pursue Japan. I want to experience new things, cultures, life, etc. It will only make me a better person, the change I want to see in the world...
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