Crazy Adventures in the Life of a Redhead

Climb the Second Highest Mountain in the Philippines: Check! One of my goals for my time in the Philippines was to climb the second highest mountain, Mt. Pulag, which rises about 9,600 ft. above sea level. It is not the height that distinguishes it from other mountains because the height is not that impressive. Most of the Rockies tower above this “puny” mountain, but I have never seen a mountain quite as unique as this monstrous hunk of rock. There are three ecosystems—pine forests, mossy forests and grasslands with dwarf bamboo that can only be found on the hills of Mt. Pulag—that make this mountain one of the most enticing mountains to climb, and with four different trails of varying lengths to choose from, quite approachable for the majority of adventuring walkers. I had no choice which route to take because I opted out of the camping aspect. I thought to myself that all camping is about the same, so why camp alone when I could have the company of a lovely family who invited me to ...

This was week three of hauling water. I am getting used to having to collect my water in a plastic pail, walking down the short hall from the laundry area where the source of our water is located, and dumping it into a blue plastic tub, which I use as my “shower” and flushing water reservoir. It is not so bad. I am thankful to have any water. There are hundreds of thousands of families around the world for whom carting water each day is not an unusual act of unfamiliar circumstances but is rather a daily chore that must be completed, sometimes with the travail of great distances that must be covered to reach the source of water. I suppose I can feel a small amount of solidarity, if only a minutia. I finally discovered—about two days ago and after I wrote my opening statement—that I could turn on the water whenever I needed in order to fill the tub. Now, I do not gather water but simply flip a switch. How nice! I wrote some thoughts about week 14, and I wasn’t goi...

Last week was a great week, even though we had no water. I have discovered that the cold water actually does wonders for my hair. Therefore, if I ever chose to be a masochistic beauty queen, I would never go back to warm water! Unfortunately for my hair, I think I will always choose a hot shower over freezing cold scoops of water. (I suppose it is also an environmental thing. It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Maybe I should reconsider my desire to get hot water again!) Call me Miss Masochistic Environmentalist Curly-haired beauty ☺ I don’t have a whole lot of news since I have been taking life easy. I have become a happy recluse, shunning the comforts of company and town life for the tranquil environs of my solitary room. The extra bed was taken out of my room, which makes it seem even bigger and emptier now. I decided to embrace the quiet and revel in this opportunity to find great comfort in the hermitic existence I have established for myself. Granted, I see my students in the...

I just finished reading a carefully crafted novel, which reminded me of the resplendent character of the written word and why movies can be such awful permutations to the imagination and to the narrative of a creative mind. I guess that proves that what God has created can never be outdone by what man creates. Movies these days are products of special effects and modern technology, great rifts of dissonance and noise that aim to impress an increasingly hardened and jaded public. But, books are the product of our God-given imagination and the talent to weave, rebound and metamorphose that God has instilled in human beings that makes us unique of all the created beings. When I read an exquisitely turned page, where the words move and jive in a peaceful rhythm, I see God’s handiwork, and I feel joy. Even the most obtuse scenes, which are sometimes jarringly surreal, I can appreciate because the author is making use of a Divine gift and bringing to life his/her consciousness. I wish all wr...