I was supposed to meet up with my friends tonight. Probably the first time I've been out at night on a weekday this far from my apartment. 

I was wandering about the mall cause I was early. I used that half an hour to check out a shop selling used goods. Something that became second nature to me after being abroad. 

A children's glockenspiel. Ukuleles of different sizes and colors. Relatively modern record players. Vinyls in perfect condition. Billie Holiday. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Elvis Presley. Radiohead. 

These little things made me smile and a sharp pang of longing filled me.

Running my fingers over these little symbols of my dreams, I remind myself to be patient and persevere. 

The day will come when I do not have to live a make-believe life.