My Happy Place :)

Hills, lush trees, green grass, and a lake---put them all together, and you got my happy place.

It's located in Villa Isla, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Somebody brought me there once, and instantly, I fell in love...with the place. Haha!

It is a quiet place, a good place to think things over and just reconnect with myself. Whenever I'm there, I'm at peace. I feel safe and loved, so close to nature. All I could hear is the humming of the birds, the occasional moos of the cows beside the lake, the sound of a farmer's tractor, plowing the farms nearby, the almost silent gush of wind---it is paradise.

Besides the peace it gives me, the place holds so many happy memories. I went there with my best friends and we had a lot of fun. I couldn't stop smiling whenever I remember that day we went there, we didn't bring anything, no blanket, no water, no food. We walked up the hills and got all thirsty halfway through our trek, we were drained out of energy, and all we had was a bar of chocolate, which we shared. It was fun and unforgettable. The next time we visited the place, we made it a point to bring a mat and food with us, and of course, Ryan's motorcycle for easy transport.

I miss this place. It's been a year or so since I last saw it, and whenever we go to Pangasinan and pass it by, I can't help but crane my neck and give it one long glance. I miss those times I spent with my friends there, the feeling of self fulfillment as we take the last step to reach the top of the highest hill, and that satisfying coolness of the wind caressing our tired bodies as we proudly gaze at the lake from the top.

I miss the sound of my shoes squeaking against the fresh grass, or how we would catch our breaths after we raced through a narrow dirt path. I want to hear it again, our squeals of joy when we found the perfect spot to lay our mat on, or the groans we let escape when the sun yet again changed position. I miss our funny conversations, or the comfortable silence. I miss the way we slap each other playfully, or pinch each other's arms, or reminisce about the funny things we did in the past. I miss them all. I miss this place, and I miss all those people.

In my happy place, I'm safe. I'm secure. I have no enemies, I have no limits nor boundaries. I can do whatever I want as I please, I can be who I want to be. In my happy place, hatred does not exist. My happy place is a place where the flowers that bloom are called love, and trees called peace provide shade from the heat. The lake overflows with laughter, and the birds sing of songs called friendship. In my happy place, there are princes and princesses, no evil step sisters, no evil step mother, no vain or greedy queens, only helpful madhatters and pixies and fairy dusts. In my happy place, hatred does not exist. In my happy place, hatred...It does not exist. Love reigns in my happy place. My happy place has a name. I call it my heart.