FEATURE|Reigniting Slowly: To the Point of Full Return

REIGNITING SLOWLY, TO THE POINT OF FULL RETURN

by Hannah Angeli Mendoza

2 years of the whole world being in such pressing and prevalently health-conscious times has left everyone’s inner void of wanting to go back to normal almost insatiable—that is, almost impossible—to satisfy.

Fortunately enough, we can slowly feel the ease that the passage of time is giving us; questions of when everyone can go back to the “old normal” seemingly decrease—with the sights that most of us get to see most especially in places like our own school corridors.

Walking around campus already gives us a sense of premature nostalgia as we feel like college alumna walking into our alma mater 2 years since we’ve last been there. Even the irritable things make you feel this way: the endless flights of stairs, your inner batteries draining in lecture sessions, and even the scent of commuter vehicle’s smoke—leaving a trace for your senses that wraps up your day.

From the freshmen who feel seemingly lucky to be physically in classrooms for their first day, to the seniors who feel cathartic to be able to be there for their last—no matter which way you want to express it—this flame is always within every one of us; burning up in excitement, and even burning out when overwhelming feelings strike us.

And with all these, we know that we’re finally back where we need to be. Though part of our “normal” still hides under a mask, we’ll take every step—every moment—to keep our aspirations alight; no matter how hard it gets.

We’ll take it until we make it.

Illustrated by Jasmine Bernadette Bembo