today, i entered the vast forest behind my house for the first time since i started uwaterloo. and the strange thing was that i didn't feel the magic that i once did.

i can't shake that feeling. something that used to mean so much to me now feels empty, like a piece of me was left in the past.

in high school, i would bike through the forest to school instead of taking the bus like everyone else. every morning. it was just me, the morning dew, and nature's voices.

i memorized the huge network of trails by heart and could get from point a to point b even in complete darkness. i traversed the routes at midnight, and when the snow was as high as my knees. there were occasionally coyote sightings that closed off the entrance, but i entered anyways.

to me, this was freedom. it was honestly a core part of my life during this time. something that differentiated me.

i think this is symbolic of life's chapters. will always visit the forest when i'm home, but it's time to move on.