(The thwarted plans of) Walking barefoot above the cold clouds

If there's one call of spontaneity that I always heed, that would be walking long distances out of the blue, out of a whim and on the oddest hours of the day. I have been doing this all through out my life: walking out, literally in any given situation, at any given moment. Giving in to walking can be likened to a tick that I can’t control, a thirst that needs to be quenched, a need, a must and never a choice nor an option. It must be heeded, as critical as a heartbeat. 

I had the opportunity to join a trip to Mt. Pulag last week. I did not think twice in signing up for the climb. Reaching the summit of Mt. Pulag, has been sitting patiently on my bucket list. I thought, perhaps a good climb on top of this magnificent beauty can cap off my year, right up to the very apex- literally. And so it happened, I joined a group 14 climbers, some experienced, some not. I thought that the substantial precipitation that greeted us at the ranger’s station, at approximately, more or less 2000 meters above sea level is just, after all, a  mere greeting. And yet, all through out the trek, which I must say, gave me the most intense exposure to wind chill in many years and gratefully an up close vantage of picturesque and massive land formations and verdant valleys which due to the day’s weather , has fallen a notch lower to perfection. The mild yet persistent rains blurred our vista. Upon reaching the camp, and suffering from excruciating cold winds whilst pitching the tent, and finally lasting the night without a warm meal— my hopes was still up for a morning with golden sun rays beaming out of the clouds. It did not happen. Perhaps, no dream for even the deserving ones for warm sunshine amidst a mountain top would be granted on that day. We are doomed to be besieged by rains on the entirety of this trip. The wind howled like the thunderous waves of the seas the entire night until the next morning. 

I was an hour away from reaching the summit but risking so may prove futile or even fatal. Most trekkers did not last the cold of the night, most were forced to break camp and do a descent mid night, we were fortunate to be housed in a tent, sturdy and made for such frightening conditions. The sleeping bag I cocooned myself in, saved me too. The winds pounded our tents and I must have recited a hundred or so Hail Mary’s which also, gratefully lulled me to sleep. 

The morning came but the bright sun failed to show up, as feared the rains and the dreadful cold winds reigned and conquered the mountains. No plans to assault the peak will be mounted. Hence the dream to walk amongst the clouds will be put on hold and that only means, this dream is not over. Although the gratifying feeling of reaching the summit and witnessing the first burst of the eastern sunrise did not materialize, I am no less determined than my first attempt. 

I shall see and experience this great mountain again and I am in no rush to accomplish it. The hunger of my youthful adventures has just begun.

Don't Squander Your Enthusiasm

A Completely Irrelevant Opening Line 

I have been taking long walks more and more nowadays. It is probably an unconscious effort to revive my muscles from eventual atrophy. I think the last time I ran a considerable 10KM straight was a few months ago, after which I slowly succumbed to the seemingly inescapable prison that is work.

 A Quick Glance of my 2011 at Work 

I have been writing more but I must say I have not written anything deeply connected to my own existence for a long period now. I have completely immersed myself to learning the ropes of running a small unit, more appropriately, a one-man unit of corporate Hermes'-- that in reference to the Greek demigod and not the bag brand that milk the world's rich, (although in hindsight, this illustrious brand must be named after the Greek messenger for the gods). I have been tasked to lay down the foundation for the company's corporate communication needs, down to the very rudiments, possibly building a platform from a complete nil. I built and opened doors. I introduced ideas and even fought for it. I was given the green light enough to boost my confidence but not enough to sustain it. I tossed myself to an unfamiliar territory and I basked in the abundance of learning and independence. I am confident to say, I had a pretty good year at work, I took things at a stride. I was not motivated to impress but to prove my worth, plainly and simply. More than my worth I hope I gave the impression that I am here to stay, to widen the path, maybe create new pathways too, to cultivate and nurture. I valiantly expressed my individuality in the same manner that I gave an unfaltering dedication towards my work, well except for moments that I give in to instinctive idleness—And this without question is natural. It was not always smooth-sailing, no year, or day at work will ever be, even if one works as librarian in a monastery. Some days at work can be despicably predictable but that did not push me to wallow in the predicted eventualities. I entertained myself, it is a blessing enough that my boss allows me to find inspiration outside my increasingly square world. This only proves one thing; I have embraced maturity and responsibility. I am taking charge of my future now and I am convinced that my future lies here and I am going to make it, build it, with my dry crinkled hands. To sum up this chapter- the chapter wherein work has to be inevitably mentioned on the year-end compendium of my 2011 life, I resolve not to pay anymore hint of squandered enthusiasm to it. Any statement completely related to work, will be tossed back to my inbox.