By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
Summertime has come although it is hard to see that due to recent rains in our city. But, even before these rains started to pour, sunlight was almost always present in our lives. Figuratively and literally, Baguio City is starting to look like a summer capital. The easing of the alert level allowed most of the population to go back to malls and classrooms. Tourists and heavy traffic, seemingly going hand in hand are starting to be an everyday occurrence. Though, after being locked in for almost two years, there was some part of me that started to miss the sight of civilization in this beautiful city.
And although a long time coming, high school students like me are starting to go to classes in person. I’m sure many are excited to see their friends and classmates. To talk with each other and go out together. But hesitation coming from some students are understandable. Even now, as I crave the experience of going to class in person, certain doubts still arise. Had the years of online classes left me unprepared for a surprise quiz in the classroom? Or had they made my mind dull? I can’t help but think of such disheartening situations.
Somehow, I cannot get enough of certain possibilities. The chance of forming life-long friendships and memorable encounters entice me nonetheless. Would I meet some amazing people? Will I make memories that would last a life time? After all, a school does not only give us knowledge. It gives us experiences, both big and small. And these moments will definitely help us students in navigating through the future. Perhaps, even with excitement, there will be some days when we would forget to study, when we would neglect and put aside our school work. It would be the consequences of such mistakes that would give us a better sense in selecting our choices properly.
No matter how much I rattle my head; I cannot see a future where there would be no hardships in the classroom. Nor can I see a class so unforgiving it can only offer hardship without lessons to learn from. I guess no amount of time rattling my head can change the results I see.
Life will always have its ups and downs. We are not so perfect that we can go through life without mistakes and consequences. Nor is life that damp it cannot offer up any colorful memories.
We had gone through one of life’s downsides in the past two years. Those times have been plagued with isolation, hunger and fear. No end was seemingly in sight. Yet, here we are now. We can move just about anywhere. We can travel to other regions. Even the children can be with their parents in going to the park.
The cold times have been replaced with the sun beaming on our faces. From the damp and colorless sight of this city, we can now see her vibrant colors. And as long as we keep moving forward, then I’m sure we can see the sun another time.**
