The Truth

There would be punishment and pain, and there would be happiness, too.   That was writing.
-Markus Zusak, THE BOOK THIEF

I received another postcard from Steven Antol from the SHERATON WALKER HILL in Seoul, Korea.  I’m excited because I will be going to Hawaii again in mid-May for that company award/conference.  The truth is that I am hoping to see Steven but he’s on OAHU and I’m not sure I will see him since I will be on the Big Island of Hawaii.   Also, Mitch Schwartz is traveling with me.   Perhaps I should’ve simply gone alone.   I’ll make the best of it.  This trip is only a few weeks away.  Steven wrote: Dear Michael, Today I am in SEOUL, KOREA.  I woke up a little while ago.  I’m going downtown and try my luck on finding a nice jacket.   It’s about 37 degrees outside.   You know I’ll be freezing.   I fly back to JAPAN today, and turn around and fly back to SEOUL for one more night.

Hey, remind me to tell you about a story in the park at the temple.   It’s pretty funny.   WOW…only a few more days until the interview.   Well, when you get this it’s probably over.  You’ve done a great job.   I knew they would like you.   Hey…Have a GREAT Day.   S-
I received another letter dated April 23, 1989, JAPAN, from Steven Antol.   It almost seemed like a closure to our relationship in some ways as he mentions an ironing out with his ex-named KAULA (I guess he is Hawaiian).   He also asked about my relationship with Kelly which I found strange.  He knows that’s totally over now.  It’s not easy having a long-distance romance with someone who is up in the air half of the time. Hi Michael,
I just got back to JAPAN today.   I had a few days off and returned to Honolulu.   I moved most of my things back.  I have three more days to work here and then I’ll move home at the end of this month.   I’m really ready to return now.   I’ve had enough of JAPAN.   I don’t want to study.   I don’t want to watch Japanese TV or eat Japanese food.   I just want to go to the beach.

Thanks for the beautiful card.   The underwater photo was beautiful.   I also got the postcard with the nuns on it.   That was funny.   I visited with HERMAN and EDDIE.   They asked about you, of course.   They wondered what happened since he left a few messages but never got a hold of you.   Anyway, I told them that you were fine.   They thought you were a really nice guy.   And I thought that was certainly THE TRUTH. If I don’t talk with you in SFO before you get to Hawaii I’ll call you at the Hotel between the 15th and 19th of May.   I have no idea where I’ll be during that time.   I probably won’t get to fly over to the Big Island (where you will be)…but just enjoy every day there.   You deserve it.

I’m still working on the relationship with Kaula.   We spent a good bit of time together on my last trip talking things over and trying to figure out where things may go.   This is a really confusing time for me.   I feel kind of silly talking about me in another relationship…but during this time I am thinking of YOU, Michael, a terrific friend who I met only a few months ago…and always wish you the BEST. I’ll keep in touch and hope you’ll do the same.  Hey…what’s happening with you and Kelly?  Did you get together?  

Aloha and Sayonara, S- My days as a part-time school teacher ended last month but I love when I receive a letter or postcard from one of the students.   This time it was written in pencil by another Steven (too cute).  He included his photo, too.   Steven wrote:
  Steven Su, 516 Ellis St. #208, S.F., CA 94109 Dear Mr. Armijo,

Thank you for teaching me how to write paragraph.   Thank you for coming and teaching us.   I like you gave one the postcard and ads and thank you for teaching me how to make the ad for my invention.   I apolshated (appreciated) you coming.   I hope I can see you again. Sincerely Room 8 Student,
Steven Su

I found the most colorful postcard called ANGLE OF THE ASPHALT, A miracle on Maplewood Drive (from a calendar print around 1j954) that I just loved.   I decided to mail it to Paloma on April 28, 1989.   I couldn’t resist posting a porky pig sticker on the card.  Porky pig makes me laugh.  I wrote:

4-28-89, Paloma: Your new venture sounds exciting.  If you’re going to be in the process of moving and working and getting settled…a visit in July 89 may not be such a good idea.   I may go to FLORIDA because an old friend/co-worker (DALE ORLANDO—I don’t know if you met him) moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.   Maybe I will go there.  

I think we’ll hook-up soon though.   Time is passing and we should get-together.  You seem to write great ENGLISH still!  You’re ok!   I bought this card at SF-North beach area and I thought it was neat.   Hope you like…thanks for the card of the gal in the negligee in the shoe (cool card).   I’m currently unattached relationship-wise.  No biggee though.   Later.
Love, Michael J Armijo

“We’re a work-in-progress…figure it out!”
-Paul Wesley to Nina, as heard during Season I of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, based on the book by L.J. Smith