my old favorite place

I used to spend a lot of time alone here when I was in high school. But actually, I was never alone because the animals were always there. The best time to go would be on a spring day.... Tuesday or some off day when most people are busy doing other things besides enjoying the zoo. This place was a special place. It would take me far away from everything just for a while. I could be in the vast plains of Africa with the lions and in a few minutes be in Antarctica with the penguins. It was the whole world to me and at times i had the place all to myself.

I would sometimes sketch, write, take pictures, sleep on a bench, or just enjoy the quietness within the city. The proximity to the lakefront made it even more appealing but I liked staying within the confines of the park. I remember paddle boats in the South Pond in the summer and eating at the cafe by the pond. I loved the conservatory on the north of the park where it felt like a rain forest. Sometimes I'd watch the rowers practice on the South Lagoon. Most of the time, I was just sitting enjoying life and it was all for free. I really felt free and far away whenever I came here.

Life is different now. I have new people in my life that I want to bring here. I have brought my kids, Chloe, Dillon, Max and Bella here and told them about how I really enjoy this place and what it means to me. Sometimes, they seem uninterested, but I know, when they're older, they will know what it means to have a "place" you like. I still like my alone time here, but I rarely get the chance now. I want to go back whenever I can but I want to bring special people with me... so they can love the place as much as I do.

hard to find

Sometimes you have to step away from everything in order to find what you are looking for. You cannot find something this elusive unless you step outside of your bounds and let go of everything that is familiar and safe. No cell phones, no internet, no tv, almost no people, no support groups, no polution, no noise, no traffic, no air condition, no news, no more material comforts that we have grown so accustomed to and have started to worship. You let go of all these things and you start to attain what seems impossible to find, but it's there and it's simply beautiful.

The sound of the ocean waves, the smell of the warm sea air, the sound of the breeze through trees that grow naturally, the feeling of true love... are all there. This place was difficult to get to. It is half a world away, by jet; another plane to another island; cab rides; a speed boat; a tricycle ride; 2 bus rides; a ride on the back of a motorcycle; a ride in the back of a covered truck; more bus rides; a pedicab; more tricycle rides; walking down 182 steps down a steep mountain path by the ocean; a bangka; getting ferried across a river by a little girl in a small paddle boat; walks down dark provincial roads only lit up by the moonlight; walks down long stretches of beach around rock formations with the surf crashing all around.... all eventually led me to where I needed to be.

This place is not so much a location on a map, but a location in my soul. I have searched. I have left behind. I have disappeared... only to have found and be found. I have realised that it is absolutely true that sometimes you must lose almost everything in order to gain back that which you have lost. I have come full circle. We all lose... innocence, love, simplicity, youth, ourselves ... but it is not lost forever. It is just hard to find.

September 2008

trying to get back

IMG_4491.JPG, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

It's been almost 5 months since I left the beautiful Islands of the Philippines. It was my first visit since I was born there some 35+ years ago and it was definitely a sort of homecoming. I remember the feeling of coming home when the plane touched down and the empty feeling I had in my heart as my plane left the earth to come back.

I said to myself that I will be back. When I was floating alone in the Twin Lagoon in Palawan, I looked up at the limestone cliffs and was really at peace. I felt really close to God as I asked him "what do I do now?" And a few minutes later my answer came to me, surprisingly. It was a beautiful sign and my life will never be the same again.

Since then I have been longing to go back. I truly loved being there. I definitely left my heart there and it will probably stay there forever. So now, I must go back... go back.... to a place I love. Going back to my love.

My Philippines

MINI summer roaming

MVI_1114, originally uploaded by MataMedia.

I hope to be doing some "MINI" road trips this summer in this thing. Cruising to nearby towns in this ragtop to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the monotony of the suburbs. This is my vehicle to get away. Just me, my dog, Q and some cameras. This is the summer to roam.

RIDE : : : Galena

On August 26th, I rode out to Galena/ Jo Daviess County with Mark, Geo and Eric. Even though the day started out rainy, it eventually turned into a beautiful day to ride. We rode through the twisties of western Illinois and around the Galena area along the Mississippi River Valley... rode through quaint little downtown Galena... and had lunch at a Mom and Pop style restaurant. Northwestern Illinois is beautiful and unlike the rest of the midwest's cornfield-flat terrain. There are actually hills and cliffs there! And the ride on 52 on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River is absolutely breathtaking. It was my first long ride and even though I was a bit achey after the 375 mile ride... I'm already itching to do it again... and even farther next time. For those who ride, you know what I'm talking about... and for those who don't... all I have are some words I ripped off of my buddy's Friendster page - "Four wheels move the body... 2 wheels move the soul". Check out the video here from the ride. I'm the slow one who's always in the way of the camera bike. It was hard keeping up with an R1, R6 and Ninja ZX7 but the SV 650 handled the twisties just fine. It's so fun to ride. Special thanks to Mark for the great footage and to Geo and Eric for the great company. Looking forward to another one soon before the season is over.

Vegas!

Nonie and I went to Vegas for the first time for Nonie's friend's wedding this past weekend (4/9-4/10). It's an incredible place where money, alcohol, tobacco and anything deemed "crazy" flows so freely. It's like a cyclone of madness that runs 24/7... a place where anyone can be anything they want to be... a place where you can say WTF and be crazy and nobody will even notice... a place that drains you of your money and energy and leaves you wanting more. We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of things during our short 2 day stay but i think 2 or 3 days is enough there. Until next time....
See my Tourist Photos here