Chasing a Dream, the old fashion way...

My dream book and
cheap purple pen...

Allow me a little intermission before continuing with the cyber love topic. I'm expecting new research information, the latest in cyber love that is worth waiting for. In addition to the data, I personally went through my very own "cyber-deception" episode. So, once the bad impression settles, and my thoughts get organized, I will share  the real-life experience to support this exciting topic.

Yet, more important than "cyber love" is the 3ft tall grass in my backyard. Not a big deal for most people. But, in my case, it's a nightmare! My garden equipment broke down; a hired person is MIA; a second to-be-hired person got dismissed for over pricing (well, he was out of my budget); and HOA is doing what they know best. No other way around it! I dealt with it the old fashion way.

A little past midday, I grabbed the $10 machete, my son's old exercise gloves, and dived into the grass. I couldn't believe my eagerness to clear it all out! Firmly swinging the sharp blade, watching the grass fall graciously with each swing, and the yard furniture emerge. In the mean time, the stagnant thoughts in my head were flowing. Rushing wildly like trapped gas molecules, vibrating and expanding, under the heat of the sun.

My tools ...

Shamefully, I remembered how my parents and grandparents mastered the soil. Clear images of Dad, working side by side with his workers, in our huge land. Planting coffee, oranges, bananas, and so many other produce. I never understood the reason for him to work so hard on this land. It did provide for our consumption, and the best coffee ever. But, the crops did not generate a profit, it was always given away to friends and family. My pampered life, and private school was supported by our hardware business, not the fertile remote mountain land. Although the outdoor experience was amusing, for me it was too much of a trouble for my parents. Today, I finally got it..in that land, Dad got stronger in the midst of family and financial crises.

The hard labor under the harsh sun forced my issues in perspective. Reality standing defiantly before me, in the form of 3ft tall grass. I faced the accumulated bad emotions, and my situation. An unemployed-single mom, neglecting homeowner, and a enthusiastic adult student. All this entangled with a dangerous dream of writing. Very different from the success stories of married women that quit their six-figure-salary careers to fulfill their dreams. But still, it is my reality, and not less of a story.

Everything around me is gradually deteriorating, a sign that my "normal" life is coming to an end. And that's fine. I don't mind the patching, or duck taping. As long as my daughter is safe, and my dream is intact.

The path towards any dream
will always have obstacles. 

I stopped working several times to sharpen the blade. But, also to reach out for the other tools: the dream book, and my cheap purple pen. I took several breaks, triumphantly sitting on the recently cleared ground. Back towards the tall grass, jotting down, with my heavily gloved hand, the vibrating thoughts before they become stagnant again.

Three hours of swinging the machete and gathering the fallen grass gave me enough courage to look ahead. Still a huge path to clean, but at the end of it was the fence, stoically symbolizing my dream. Although missing a board, and in dire need of improvement, it equally protects our home and the invasive grass. Undoubtedly, the path towards any dream will always have obstacles. I just need the right tools, the best set of mind, and to remain focused.

I still have a lot of work before reaching the fence... but it is getting me stronger. Strong enough to continue chasing a dream the old fashion way: with hard work and persistence. At the end -just like the fence- my writing, too, is in dire need of improvement. And that's fine. Once I reach my dream, my strength will keep me striving for good writing. The type of writing that proudly stands firm, like a brand new fence.

**Note: will not translate to Spanish this posting**