23

A coming of age

By Thomas Feng

April 15^th, 2018

It was 40 degrees in Melbourne on my birthday. The sheer intensity of the heat always surprises me; I don't particularly enjoy being wrapped in the rays of a golden blanket, with sweat and two ceiling fans the only ways of cooling down.

You probably wouldn't have been able to tell that it was my birthday. It was a Friday. I took the day off work. I went to my favourite local cafe in the morning, which coincidentally was closing down forever that afternoon (I haven't enjoyed a soy latte ever since). I cleaned my apartment and made a Vegemite avocado toast for a breakfast treat. I sat in my sun room and read a magazine listening to cars and trams pass by.

The days are long, but the years are short.

Sometimes life and work are really busy for weeks at a time, but when I make time for myself, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Entering my third year working full-time, I realise more and more how fast time flies, and how life can just go by if you're consumed by what's happening in the office.

After lunch, I decided to go to the NGV Triennial on my own. It took me two and a half hours just to peruse the ground floor. I was constantly struck by the moments of wonder stirred by the thoughtful creativity of the artists in the exhibition.

Yamagami Yukihiro's Shinjuku Calling reminded me of my time in Tokyo, Pae White's installations gave me a sense of a colourfully dimensioned utopia and I sat in teamLAB's Moving Creates Vortices and Vortices Create Movement in the corner for five minutes watching the world swirl and swirl around following the flowing sea of people.

A little smirk refused to leave my face afterwards.

22 was about remembering who I am. 23 is about embracing it.

I came back to South Yarra for dinner at Verve Spice with a few dear friends, where we enjoyed a lot of wine, eating falafels and each other's company.

There was no cake, just a candle in the middle of five marshmallows; we were all so full from Nick's incredibly generous hospitality towards us.

So I am 23 now. I count myself fortunate. Fortunate to be feeling more secure about who I am and who I want to be. Fortunate that it is becoming easier for me to navigate the giant, real-world of adulthood. Fortunate that I am surrounded by family and friends who love me and remind me that they love me.

22 was about remembering who I am. 23 is about embracing it.

P.S. I recently surpassed 50 subscribers properly on this little three year adventure of writing (and noone unsubscribed so I fell below). Thank you dear friends for reading. I hope to hear from you soon, I love hearing from you - t.feng95@gmail.com.