Tonight, my friends and I are heading out to camp at the Big Bend National Park. Sure, there's definitely feelings of excitement. But, I am not gonna lie. I am kinda nervous. It's not like I haven't gone camping before. However, this is the first time we're doing it backpacking style, carrying all our water, food and... (the best part) using the big outdoors as our toilet. A sarc mark should be inserted somewhere there. Although, growing up in the Philippines has given me some experience in that latter issue, it seems more intimidating when coupled with backpacking out in the desert rather than near the comfort of a house and family. And we're gonna be out there for 5 days! Fun!
Preparing for this trip has been pretty interesting, though. I got a legitimate backpack and even got myself a hydration bladder! Though, that's not the interesting part. What I found most surprising (or I guess not considering where I am) is that the outdoors equipment store here called Academy sells guns at their store! You don't see that in New Jersey. Life in Austin does not usually afford too many "real" Texan experiences. But this was a good reminder.
Of course, since I'm about to embark into the big wild desert, I start thinking of what kind of wildlife we may or may not encounter. Snakes and scorpions are top on my list of critters not to meet. However, there could be the possible mountain lion or black bear. I have to admit that the thought of running into one of these make me one to get something extra to protect myself just in case. Don't worry, I didn't get one. The thought only just grazed my mind.
Anyway, I think I'm worrying too much. This is going to be one fun experience and a great trip, I'm sure. We're supposed to head to an area near the Rio Grande River as well! I'll let you all know how it turns out.
5.03.2012
4.08.2012
Springtime in Austin
It's pretty amazing!
Experiencing spring in the hill country of Texas is surprisingly one of my favorite experiences here in Austin. This city never fails to surprise me.
I love the fields... even patches by the highway that are filled with wildflowers bursting with fragrant colorfulness. The ones pictured above are called bluebonnets. They are everywhere!! Definitely a sight that I lacked back in the east coast and yet have absolutely craved. Apparently, last spring didn't have enough rains to produce this kind of beauty. Therefore, for this spring season, I feel very lucky to have it. In fact, the first chance that I found, I galloped across this field. Though, I was careful of each step since snakes are pretty common around this state.
I love the fields... even patches by the highway that are filled with wildflowers bursting with fragrant colorfulness. The ones pictured above are called bluebonnets. They are everywhere!! Definitely a sight that I lacked back in the east coast and yet have absolutely craved. Apparently, last spring didn't have enough rains to produce this kind of beauty. Therefore, for this spring season, I feel very lucky to have it. In fact, the first chance that I found, I galloped across this field. Though, I was careful of each step since snakes are pretty common around this state.
The unfortunate side of the prolific plant life are the allergies. Oak are in full force. I didn't even realize I was allergic to it. Though they say that if you live in Austin long enough, you'll eventually succumb to this affliction.
Neverthless, I love how this area is not like the rest of Texas. It has nature, rolling hills and just a lot of gorgeously beautiful, scenic areas. It is just refreshing on the eyes in comparison to the concrete jungle that I've had to navigate the last couple of years.
Who knows where I will be next spring, but I definitely intend to make the most of this while I have it for this moment.
Who knows where I will be next spring, but I definitely intend to make the most of this while I have it for this moment.
12.26.2011
Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
Home. An idea so elusive to me as of late.
Where is home?
Familiar faces that warm my winters when it's too dreary to go out,
singing by the baby grand piano
as the seductive smells of a home-cooked meal wafts from the kitchen to the living room.
I guess you can tell I feel homesick. My mind wanders to the house projects left unfinished, my clothes, books, and things that left in the drawers and friends that I have not enjoyed the company of for months. And this has been only my 2nd Christmas away from my immediate family.
Then again, even if I was with them, this holiday season still feels different.
You see, I'm not quite sure where "home" is at the moment.
They say home is where the heart is.
My heart feels left behind at my small, cozy, cape cod in the east coast filled with 17 years worth of memories, community and friends.
However, that isn't home anymore. I am adventuring my new chapter of life in Texas. And if home isn't Texas, then the next possibility should be where my parents and sister currently life. However, that doesn't seem to be how "home" works. And it's not for lack of trying. I celebrated Thanksgiving in California this year, but somehow, it lacked the familiar, enveloping, comfortable sense of home.
But, I can't help but feel a little selfish with these musings.
A couple of months ago, I volunteered to help clean up the home of a lady whose house had burned down during the devastating Bastrop fire. She made it out with her life and her dog while every thing that she held dear went up in flames. Nevertheless, she knew what was most important. It wasn't this house where she spent decades in. She even commented how this fire wasn't as bad as when she almost lost her child to an illness several years back. Then, as I worked, my head kept repeating the verse that tells us to store our treasures in heaven where moths and rust can't destroy. What mattered most isn't the physical things in this life - a house, clothes, books and even your geographic location. Let's add on to that lesson the most recent catastrophe where over 1,000 lives were lost and hundreds of homes washed away in my home island in the Philippines. Such a tragedy.
Things like that can definitely straighten your perspective.
I start to think.... I may not be in a familiar place that I can call "home" (and my heart still mourns at that thought), but I do have so much more - shelter, clothes, a good job, people who love and care about me.
I am so blessed.
And when I look back at how I got to this situation where I am far from "home", I recall that this is what I wanted - freedom, adventure, something new and something exciting.
As long as I am safe, secure and have the love of people that matter most to me....
then I know that when I am ready to stop wandering the world,
I'll truly know where "home"is.
Where is home?
Familiar faces that warm my winters when it's too dreary to go out,
singing by the baby grand piano
as the seductive smells of a home-cooked meal wafts from the kitchen to the living room.
I guess you can tell I feel homesick. My mind wanders to the house projects left unfinished, my clothes, books, and things that left in the drawers and friends that I have not enjoyed the company of for months. And this has been only my 2nd Christmas away from my immediate family.
Then again, even if I was with them, this holiday season still feels different.
You see, I'm not quite sure where "home" is at the moment.
They say home is where the heart is.
My heart feels left behind at my small, cozy, cape cod in the east coast filled with 17 years worth of memories, community and friends.
However, that isn't home anymore. I am adventuring my new chapter of life in Texas. And if home isn't Texas, then the next possibility should be where my parents and sister currently life. However, that doesn't seem to be how "home" works. And it's not for lack of trying. I celebrated Thanksgiving in California this year, but somehow, it lacked the familiar, enveloping, comfortable sense of home.
But, I can't help but feel a little selfish with these musings.
A couple of months ago, I volunteered to help clean up the home of a lady whose house had burned down during the devastating Bastrop fire. She made it out with her life and her dog while every thing that she held dear went up in flames. Nevertheless, she knew what was most important. It wasn't this house where she spent decades in. She even commented how this fire wasn't as bad as when she almost lost her child to an illness several years back. Then, as I worked, my head kept repeating the verse that tells us to store our treasures in heaven where moths and rust can't destroy. What mattered most isn't the physical things in this life - a house, clothes, books and even your geographic location. Let's add on to that lesson the most recent catastrophe where over 1,000 lives were lost and hundreds of homes washed away in my home island in the Philippines. Such a tragedy.
Things like that can definitely straighten your perspective.
I start to think.... I may not be in a familiar place that I can call "home" (and my heart still mourns at that thought), but I do have so much more - shelter, clothes, a good job, people who love and care about me.
I am so blessed.
And when I look back at how I got to this situation where I am far from "home", I recall that this is what I wanted - freedom, adventure, something new and something exciting.
As long as I am safe, secure and have the love of people that matter most to me....
then I know that when I am ready to stop wandering the world,
I'll truly know where "home"is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)