Justin Payongayong

I live and breath Toronto. I have been there and back. These three locations serve as the building blocks for who I am today.

I find it hard to believe I have such a personal connection to a shopping mall. Nevertheless, this place is near and dear to my heart. Growing up just a few minutes away from Yorkdale, I would always go to the mall in my free time. From a child to a seventeen year old, I have made countless memories here. I have made friends here, experienced food that I have never tried before, purchased items that I could not afford when I was younger, and experienced my first kiss at Yorkdale. Call me crazy, but my fondest memories are just a 5 minute walk away from home.

I remember rushing after school to catch the train. My destination was Jurassic Park, the unofficial outdoor gathering place for the Toronto Raptors. After several hours of lining up in the pouring rain, I watched Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. The crowd was electric from start to finish; so much so that I had goosebumps on the back of my neck. Even though we came up short in the end, I hopped on the train back home with a feeling of happiness and content.

I need peace and quiet just as much as I need to socialize. Heading to this park always gives me time to reflect on where I am today. I walk around and I see cyclists, dog walkers, couples and friends all having a good time. There are no electronics in sight. It is just pure face-to-face conversation. Given the current situation, I yearn for the day everything is back to normal. I yearn for the day I can go back and feel like I never left.

Remembering

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