THE THINGS WE LONG FOR

This time last year, I was on a bus ride home, from my full morning class. I remember freely walking around the streets, riding the public transportation without thinking too much of the surfaces that I touch, and most of all, the memory of interacting with my students and colleagues in the campus. I really took those simple things for granted, and my heart is dearly longing for those days lately.

I've been reading a lot of people express their longing for activities, people, places, and memories. Reading them could be a bit heartbreaking but at the same time, the tone of hope along with that longing is also encouraging and uplifting at the same time. It reminded me that all these things will pass, and having that sense of longing could be an avenue to keep pressing forward knowing and thinking that someday, we'll get to experience the things we long for again.

Today, I wish to look back a bit and share with you some of the things I look forward to experiencing, when all this is over and when we're all safe to get back out there again.

1. Visiting Museums and Galleries 

There's nothing I miss more than randomly deciding to go inside an art gallery or museum whether it be after work, while waiting for my husband, or when I travel. I truly miss that very quiet and personal time spent with myself, the space, and the artworks that are being exhibited. I miss reading through exhibit notes and pamphlets, I do also miss observing how everything is curated and how the space changes from one show to another. More than anything, I miss learning. Museums and galleries show me how much I do not know, they teach me to see things from other perspectives-way beyond my own, they teach me to appreciate and observe the process of how things come to place.

2. Riding the Plane

I believe I've talked about this before, I love the feeling of plane-takeoffs. While it is one of the scariest experiences because we are uncertain of how it will end up, it is also a majestic encounter for me. To be able to feel your body float across the sky, to see the city from above, to keep wondering how things are navigated, it's an overwhelming and wonderful experience for me. I miss looking from the window and see the colors and textures change. I miss hearing the announcement of takeoffs and arrivals. I truly cannot wait to ride the plane again, when all is safe and certain. And I'm sure that when that time comes again, it will be more meaningful, for all of us.

3. Commuting

In the Philippines, our main medium for commute would be: Tricycles, Jeepneys, and Buses. If you're living in a village, one of the ways to get out would be through the tricycle and I used to take this a lot. I never thought I'd see the day where I would actually say I miss riding this vehicle. I rode it to buy groceries, to get to the nearest bus station that would take me to work, to go to the nearest mall, or to go to people's homes. Since I live with seniors at home, I need to be more accountable and careful in my activities now. So riding my go-to vehicle is not really an option for me at the moment. I look forward to the day when I get to ride this one again and get my hair disheveled by the wind ;)

4. Campus Life

As a teacher, I truly miss seeing my students in the classroom. I still believe that face to face sessions give learning a more personal and insightful experience. I know that more than anyone, my students are missing the campus life as well. More than the formal lectures, it's the human interaction and the memories shared that everyone treasures the most. And so I hope, that one day, someday, I'll get to see schools filled with students and teachers again. I hope that this time has taught all of us to value each other and value the privilege of being in a learning institution and use that to be better people and shape better communities.

5. Physically interacting with people

We interact with people in different methods and levels of intimacy, but regardless, we are built to interact and share a specific time with one soul and another. I used to get annoyed whenever I face crowded places or hear obnoxiously loud voices in cafes, but this time has indeed taught me that these are all part of how we were built and that if we are removed that privilege, we get lonely, we feel blue. This is indeed true. Now more than ever, whenever I see people and notice that we meet in the eye, regardless if I know them or not, I give them a nod and eye smile (because we're geared with masks). People shape communities, and communities are nothing but a row of concrete blocks without people who make things more vibrant and alive. More than anything, I also miss my friends. I miss hugging them every time we run into each other. I look forward to the day I get to freely hug people and I'll make sure to make the most out of our time spent together.

6. The Beach

I truly miss being by the beach. I can still recall one sunny afternoon spent under a parasol, lying down and taking a nap, with the beach waves serving as my lullaby. I look forward to the day that we get to visit the beach again and just momentarily escape the city.

7. Travelling with friends and family

Travelling with the people dear to you is a great opportunity to build stronger bonds. The places you visit, the activities you share, the food you enjoy, the adventures and the mishaps are collected experiences that everyone will forever remember and keep. I really look forward to the day when I can take my family out to a trip again, we haven't done this in a long time and it's something that I've always wanted to gift them with. This last longing in my list is actually something that I look forward to the most, and it is what inspires me to keep working hard and endure the hard times of today. I know that there will be a perfect time for everything, and I know fully well that this is a reward we all are looking forward to enjoy.

January is about to end and I wish to gift you with something for the next coming months. I'm bringing back the Monthly Downloads section to the blog where you can download your free Mobile and Desktop Calendar Wallpapers. This year's theme would be all about travel, and every month, I shall be sharing with you bits and pieces about the photograph/s featured. I hope that you'll be able to use these as a medium to track down your days and at the same time, look forward to the things that are about to come.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD:

DESKTOP WALLPAPER / MOBILE WALLPAPER

We long for a lot of things and most of the time, things that we have taken for granted. And I know how tough it has been for all of us, there may be times where we do not find the motivation to keep looking forward and hope for a better day, but I hope you'll find the strength to always remember and look back to those days where joy abounds. Use these memories to keep going, to look forward, to yearn to be better - a better friend, a better child, a better person as a whole. We'll get through this, my dear friend, this I am sure of. I hope that you know that you're never alone and that there will always be someone out there willing to listen and care for you.

May today and always be a Happy Heyday!

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