Sunshine.

I'm working in my computer and the morning sun fills the living room with its glorious ray. Outside in the garden, the reds and greens and oranges and yellows fill my heart with excitement.

It's the day after Christmas and if I were in Toronto, I'd probably be still under the comforter savouring the artificial warmth of the thick bedfellow. 

But I'm in Manila!  The sun breathes its natural glow and crawls under the skin, and energizes everything in its path.

Aah.  People from the west and from the cold countries eagerly anticipate spring and then summer as early as the first blast of snow.  Snow can bring nostalgia in Holiday celebrations but could dampen everyday activities especially if it becomes wet snow, or ice.

Filipinos sometimes fail to appreciate the natural wonders the country has to offer, like sunshine. We take it for granted.  

People who live in the countryside also fail to recognize the extra wonder they have - the clean rivers, the forest, the wildlife.  Oftentimes, they kill the hunt, they forage the trees and  pollute the water.

While here, I may occasionally curse the mosquitoes who feast on my blood, but overall I plan to feast on the many small wonders Philippines has to give me.  

In the mornings, I will bask in the glorious sun, and in the evenings, to look up in the sky and gaze at the stars, and if there's a moon, to continue to dream.

Meanwhile, there are still birds that fly into the garden and remind me of the canaries I used to have - with their lovely songs.