Always Wandering

On that particular afternoon, leaning back with legs outstretched and head tilted to the sky, the passing of the moment made me recall what Hal Borland once said, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”

2011 had been a very good year for my wandering feet and mind. Going on and moving ahead, my thoughts shift between looking back and looking forward. To past experiences that became life’s lessons; to future adventures that will become life’s treasures.

Thank you for being with me this year.

“Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behavior by making you happy. Therefore, it counteracts depression, in turn reducing the stress of depression. Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition, both physically and mentally. So, eat lots of chocolate!” – Elaine Sherman, Book of Divine Indulgences

They both turned s-i-x-t-y!

The big 6 and 0 finally caught up with my Mom and Dad. My Dad threw a surprise party for my Mom and for a change, my Dad chose to celebrate his privately.

The best parents in my universe deserve all the love and gratitude. Cheers to their compatibility and insanity. And to the set of happy and normal children they brought to this era.

Dangerous as it seems, here is one for the books: planking at 400+ MASL. An instant adventure is what happens when you do something risky and over-daring.

Taken at one of the rock faces of Mt. Marami with the verdant landscape of Cavite in the background.

Just look at a rosy sunset,
And wonder about running off into his rays.

Before sunset, after sunset,
There’s the ruddy glow of the sky.

And I quote:

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”

- Rabindranath Tagore

 
July was a lazy month.

Save for my foray into a race upgrade at the end of the month, I was mostly an onlooker and cheerleader at the sidelines.

I waited and watched like the Matabungkay audience in the photo during a local sports event.

Thank You, Lord, for the endless blessings and the sheer joy of my being in this world: treading, enjoying and wandering. I have had my tests of faith and physical limits; but You are always there when I start to think it all ends.

“Above all else, know this: Be prepared at all times for the gifts of God and be ready always for new ones. For God is a thousand times more ready to give than we are to receive.” – Meister Eckhart

“A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re at home.”
~Author Unknown

You were my happy accident as I was strolling along the streets of Lucban during this month’s Pahiyas Festival:

the innocence and radiance of your smile
the noisy banter of your fellow kiddos
the colorful array of houses and streets

This is your summer.

Of perfect young summer; lavish and eternal.

When you were first unveiled that eventful night in March, a mix of emotions ran through the crowd. It was launched as the theme of the bellwether RunRio team. Now, it has become the song of all runners in the metropolis.

And I saw you again this month – on a shirt.

As people continue to run for a host of reasons; you manage to capture and encapsulate it all in a *heart*.

Last March 26, burning mountains loomed over the back of the northern campsite of Nagsasa Cove. Retiring early after a scorching traverse of Mt. Bira-Bira (a.k.a. Mt. Nagsasa), we awoke at 10:00 PM to the agitation of fellow campers, the loud crackling of bush fires and a fiery orange sky.

We quickly hauled our bags and carried our tents towards the beach. As the flames engulfed the dry terrain and the strong winds fanned the fire, it raged and threatened to advance until it hit the rocky base of the mountains. Heavy smoke stung our eyes and made breathing nearly impossible. We retreated to the southern part of the cove where this spectacular yet scary sight befell us.

Behold. “The common curse of mankind – folly and ignorance.”