Several months ago, unintentionally I lost quite a volume of my writings of my late 20's and most pictures of all through 20's. As for the pictures, there's no way to trace the image of my younger days. Reminiscing the old days might revive something, but most will be forgotten from the memories.

The other day, I ran into an old classmate in the bookstore. We were not that close at that time, but knew each other pretty well through the mutual friends. We had a chat in the coffee shop to refresh the old days and to start the possible new era(?) of friendship.

When I brought up the subject on losing my writings and pictures, he mentioned that I should write the some chapters (on younger days) of autobiography NOW before I lose all my belongings and memories. One needs not to wait until late years to write on younger days. At a later age, everything has to rely on memories with many things forgotten and remembered incorrectly. He told me to write about my teens, twenties and portions of thirties now while I still have vivid memories and documents about it. I think what he said is right.

Even now I can't remember many things around me ten years ago. I didn't think about mentioned guy until I ran into him unexpectedly. His existence was totally obliterated in my memories until then. Occasionally I go over old papers, pictures, writings, and personal belongings just to look back. I assume all of you do once in a while. Just keeping is not enough.

In notebooks and diaries, everything is scribbled chronologically. Those were written to be written. What he suggested is to write according to the incidents to trace how my thoughts were changed (or evolved if you prefer it) over time.

When he first told me to write some chapters of autobiography now, it sounded very serious, but I soon realized that's it. We need to think about ourselves once in a while. Rather than just think within the head, I think it's better to spell out sentences by sentences.

Being a non-professional writer and being not forced to look back younger days to beautify it, it will be more candid and direct to see myself now. It is not to be necessarily read to others. Know where and what you are to go ahead. (Nov-8-97)