Winter Walk IV
I have not worked on my landscape drawing since the last post.
After a winter of little running and lots of rest, I injured my right hip without doing anything. I got up from a computer session last week at the Square and found myself limping home. I have gotten better since then, and walked nine miles yesterday, but with the warm days coming I hope to be able to run when I want.
A few days ago Rachel and I were hanging out and I told her I was spending time contemplating my future. Within the next 5-15 months I may leave Illinois and start anew somewhere else. Not getting Leona's job means I have no long term commitment to the park district. The main idea is to move west, preferably Oregon, and see what unfolds.
Lurking in the back of my mind is the desire to practice Zen Buddhism somewhere. I believe there are a few places in the USA which offers this opportunity, but there may be better places to study in Asia, at a cheaper cost. If I have to pay monthly room and board it would be financially wiser to go to Southeast Asia. I would have to work at learning the local language, but seeing that I will have an abundance of time to study means it should not be that difficult to do.
When I mentioned this desire to study Buddhism to Rachel she said she had also been contemplating her future. She said that because she kicked me out of the house she feels obligated to try dating, but she doubted she would find someone who made her feel as happy as when she is with me. She said she would prefer if I did not leave Urbana, and that there was a possibility that when my lease was up at the end of June we could get back together.
I am not sure what to think of Rachel's suggestion. It took a lot of effort to start a new life on my own, and I do not know if it would be a good idea to go backwards instead of forwards.
