A Day in My Ordinary Life

I am a city dweller. I live in a small furnished flat on the third floor of an old apartment building. My neighborhood is quiet and my neighbours are friendly. Every workday I wake up at six o'clock, and my daily routine begins.

I make the bed and straighten the room. Then I sweep the floor and take the dirty laundry to the washing machine. The ordinary housework does not take long, because I am accustomed to it. I also write a short entry in my diary and log the day's plan in my calendar.

My agenda is simple. I check the timetable on the wall and look at the date on my phone. The weather is changeable in autumn, so I often check the sky before I choose my clothes. Today it is foggy and dark, and the sunlight is weak.

I constantly check my phone for messages. My usual breakfast is tea and bread, and I typically leave home at a quarter past seven. The route is familiar to me. In summer the daylight is long, but in winter I walk to the stop in the dark.

After breakfast I leave the flat. I am a commuter, and I usually take the bus. The timetable says the bus comes at half past seven. Oftentimes I walk along the sidewalk. There is much traffic, so the cars never speed. Today a plane flies overhead, and the front of the bus is crowded. I leave work at six p.m.

My workplace is a conventional office. On a normal day the paperwork is fairly heavy. I deal with forms, files and reports. I arrange meetings and organise the files. I also help my teammates identify small flaws in the data. It is an ordinary but useful job.

Last week we had to extend a deadline. The boss asked me to interpret a letter from a Japanese client. A colleague from Nigeria checked my translation. We discussed the importation of commodities and the annual increment in overhead costs. A supervisory manager mediated between two workers to settle a small fuss.

I earn an average salary. Last year I got an increment, so my pay is considerably better now. I am a self-motivated worker, and my prospects are good. I undertake new tasks and never misuse my liberty. I value my independence and my personal wellbeing.

For years I paid rent for lodging, but now I reside in my own residence. My registered domicile is here as well. City life is convenient, though the cost of living has grown progressively. The mortgage is awfully high, and I need the money badly.

In the evening I return home. I remove my shoes and change into loose clothing. I am a moviegoer, but on weekdays I seldom go out. I subscribe to a magazine and keep a blog. I also browse a microblogging site, where people share short posts and thumbnail photos.

In the evening the children in the yard play noisily. I do not smoke, and I keep the flat clean. The toilet and the kitchen are always tidy. My cat is fixated on the window and watches the stars at night. A whopping electricity bill taught me to save energy.

Yesterday the situation at work was difficult. I forgot a form, and the consequence was a delay. A frequent problem is that people leave their desks in a mess. So I reorganized the shared shelf and fixed the wrong labels. It was a terribly busy afternoon, but I finished the job.

On the weekend my lifestyle is different. I go hiking in the rocky hills outside the city. The western zone is remote and quiet, far from the noisy streets. I wander along shallow streams and watch green trees. The fresh air is extremely good for my wellbeing.

On Sunday I cook at home. I buy a pint of milk and a bottle of vinegar. I prepare a big dinner and invite a generous neighbour. She is a gracious host herself and always brings a framed photo. We talk about the past and the ordinary days.

She has a pet. Her dog has thick fur on its neck. At night the dog can howl like a wolf, and the thud of its paws sometimes wakes me. We laugh about this weird habit. I also like the monkey at the zoo, but a visit there is rare.

Last month I saw a doctor. He said stress can reduce saliva and harm sleep. I sleep badly when I am worried. So now I sleep more and feel progressively better. A little exercise prevents many problems.

I am also studying mathematics in the evening. I can multiply two numbers quickly. I know that twelve times four is forty-eight, and fifty is not far from that. I keep a log of my study hours.

I love festivals. Christmas and Halloween are full of festivity. My birthday and my parents' wedding anniversary fall in the same fortnight. On a holiday I often arrange a small party. This year the itinerary for my trip includes Paris and Tokyo.

I want to visit Japan and try Japanese food. I will visit an art exhibit and watch a gorgeous sunset. The prospect of travel makes me happy. I must fill in a form and extend my passport.

Sometimes the news is unusual. I read about a total eclipse of the sun and about the planet Jupiter. A magazine said a laborer in Iraq marched to demand fair pay. In one western country, people protested an infringement of liberty. These reports are exceptional, but they remind me that not everyone's life is ordinary.

The weather here is changeable. Normally it is mild, but sometimes it is abnormal. A foggy morning is common in winter, and rare storms can be a hazard on the road. Oftentimes I carry an umbrella, just in case.

I try to help the needy. A poor old man lives near the front door of our building. I give him some warm garments. He thanks me with a smile. It is improper to ignore someone in need.

My new phone is a leading-edge device. I install useful apps for storage and photos. I also use the radio and subscribe to a daily newspaper online. A commuter blog told me that recycling can prevent waste. So I recycle paper and plastic as part of my everyday life.

I keep a profile on the microblogging site. Oftentimes I post about the installation of new software at work. Positive feedback is a reinforcement of good habits. I praise my teammates, and they thank me in return.

In meetings, people sometimes misinterpret my words, so I explain the scope of the plan clearly. If there is a personal-injury risk at work, I lodge a report at once. We also mediate small disputes between colleagues, and this prevents bigger problems.

Last spring I decided to rebuild my old balcony. I removed the old boxes and moved the furniture. Then I arranged the plants in a row. This chore took a whole weekend, but the result was gorgeous.

My residency permit is renewed every year. My pursuit is a quiet and stable life. I want to travel somewhere new next year, and my only unmet need is a little more free time. My PE teacher at school once said that health is the best gift.