There’s a place within my university where a group of trees is clustered together to provide shade. Underneath them are stone benches where students can sit to have conversations or complete their class assignments. I remember some of the best moments with my classmates happened there, whether it’s a one-to-one talk or just a simple debate about the intricacies of our assignments in class. That place is colloquially named the “mini forest”.
It looks like a “mini” forest. The ground is bare with dirt and grass. You can find a few insects roaming around, from ants to small beetles. It can get very muddy when the rain pours. All the time, during summer, it provides a shield from the extreme heat. You can feel the wind flowing through you when you are there.
Every time I’m by myself on campus, I always go to the mini forest to ponder. What happens now? What are my next steps? What do I truly feel at this time? All the while observing the soft swaying of leaves and the clasps of branches. My senses slow down, bringing calmness and sensitivity to the stillness of nature. That feeling allowed me to reflect on what my priorities are and how to solve my problems. I also do it to keep myself at peace, to be in solitude. It’s one of the reasons I love green spaces, both for spending time and while travelling.
As of writing, it now has an official name: “Alumni Park”. It was renovated with an organized cobblestone-like path walk and benches that are designed around gardens of flowers and shrubs of small trees. Looking at it, it feels more like a park than a forest. Not that I’m saying it’s bad, but it just carries something different. I personally tend to lean on the past and tap into nostalgia. But oh well. Maybe new students might appreciate the renovated “park” more. I will definitely miss the place after graduation and its past look. All the memories… They’re still there.
