I have always been drawn to the California lifestyle, the energy of city life combined with a more laid-back atmosphere than many other major cities. I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m a ’90s kid. I grew up watching 90210 and often daydreamed about being one of the students, even though the characters would be older than me now since I’m only in my early 40s. I always wondered what it would feel like to live in Los Angeles.
When I finally visited LA, my dream expanded. It was no longer just about living in Los Angeles, I wanted to live somewhere in California. So many Filipinos have built their lives there, especially in San Francisco and San Diego, and I’ve often imagined what it would be like to call the state home.
As I’ve gotten older, though, my dream has shifted. Now, I think I’d rather live in Hawaii. The catch is that I’d want to live there with plenty of money because I wouldn’t want to work, I would simply want to enjoy a peaceful, happy life surrounded by nature and beauty.
I also find myself daydreaming about reliving my life from my 20s, with the same family, the same memories, and the same experiences but with one big difference: we’d be living in the Philippines with enough wealth to enjoy an incredibly comfortable life. We’d have a home that was like a fortress, safe from typhoons, fires, floods, and earthquakes and I would be healthy.
So, when I think about it, I suppose what I’m really longing for isn’t just a place. I’m longing for a dreamland.
Have I Told You This Already? 
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