Life After Peace Corps

Chaotic Beauty

Most people find nature most beautiful when it was tamed, arranged, and dressed up in an English or Japanese garden: flowers in groups and rows and trees pruned to smooth green curves. For the longest time, I could not understand why I did not see them beautiful. When everyone was eager to watch Cherry Blossom in DC, I turned to a small creek by my neighborhood, enjoyed watching the disorderly growth of wild daffodils.

When I lived in Azerbaijan, I accidentally discovered a wild area that was forgotten by the locals. That place really had nothing to look at, only weeds and wild desert flowers grew. But when I entered to that place, birds erupted under my feet. Vines twisted and tangled, spreading out in absolute disarray. Rather than admiring all the cultivated flowers in the park, I, once again, found myself kept going back to that secret place, enjoying its untamed beauty. For most people, that place was untidy and ugly, but for me the place was alive and chaotically BEAUTIFUL! In fact, I like that place so much that I wrote about it and the article was later published in Peace Corps’s magazine. (My wilderness in Sumgayit)

These days in DC area by the National Mall, tourists were everywhere to photograph the explosive display of cherry blossoms. I loved watching the bloom as well, but I much appreciated when the flowers began to wither, millions of ting pink petals blowing away by wind, drifting to whatever direction the breeze sent them. The chaotic sight pleased me.

The essence of the earth’s beauty lies in disorder.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a book called Nature’s Chaos, published by Eliot Porter, a famous nature photographer. When I finished the book, I had the most satisfactory smile, I know I am not crazy….

Life After Peace Corps

Raven Rock – Appalachian Trail (AT)

Finally the weather cooperated; Derrick (former CMCNY member) and I got together this past weekend and headed out to West Virginia for a hike. Jing-Yih was our hiking leader. He reminded me of HY; an easy going guy with lots of self-control. I liked him without ado. He took us to hike section of the AT, a peak called the Raven Rock. It is one of the most popular hikes in West Virginia. The view from Raven Rocks is also one of the best in the area.

It was a 5.5 mile hike with a vertical gain of 1,530 ft. Yet, Jing-Yih cautioned us not to take the hike so lightly for it required three strenuous ascents to reach the peak. We began the hike by heading north. Derrick was in the front to set a pace. Before Derrick moved to Maryland, I only hiked with him once or twice. I knew he was a very energetic hiker but I did not realize he was such a competitive one. The hill did not slow him down. He kept climbing and climbing. By the time I caught up with him, I was nearly out of breath. I was immensely impressed with Derrick’s performance. He was truly in an excellent shape.

Twenty minutes into our hike, and after a sequence of switchbacks, we reached our first view point, a ridge with an open scene. Below us were meadows and valleys. It was hard to believe only a week ago; the landscape was still gray and bare. Rain ignited the outburst of young shoots. The woods, from bare twigs had become a sea of verdure. Right before us, all things were alive and beautiful. The hardness of winter was long gone, Spring was already upon us.

The second and the third hill were just as challenging, if not tougher. The path became very rocky. After ascending to the next ridge, the trail began descending to a small valley; a small mountain stream with clean water flowing over round, odd-shaped stones. The water level was low and we crossed the river with no difficulty. Soon, we passed a sign marking the Virginia, West Virginia border. Finally we reached Raven Rocks. What a fantastic view of the Shenandoah Valley!

A young man with rope and rappel approached us. He appeared to be a serious rock climber. He greeted us with a warm smile. We exchanged greetings and he told us that Raven Rocks was notable for containing the Crescent Rock cliffs. During spring and fall, its 100ft wall was a favorite spot with local rock climbers. Looking down to the cliff wall, I could not help but noticing that the place was similar to the “Claudius Smith Den” in Harriman State Park of New York. Few years ago, George, Mr. Chen and I were also practicing our rock climbing skill on that cliff wall. We took our lunch in the shade of a pine tree. Stella (Derrick’s wife) made us a delicious rice cake. I finished it less than a minute. I guessed I truly missed Chinese foods.

On our way back to the parking lot, I realized this was my first hike since I moved to Virginia. I felt good, and I enjoyed the hike. Looking at Derrick and Jing-Yih, I knew I would not be lonely again. They are now my new hiking partners; replacing Mr. Chen and George…….

How much I look forward to our next hike!

Life After Peace Corps

The 26-mile Training

I have been very discipline to train on my own for the upcoming annual CMCNY 26-mile hike. This past weekend, I carried a 30lb backpack and hiked 14 miles. Next weekend, I determine to hike 16-18 miles with the pack again. Carrying the heavy pack helps me to develop strong leg muscle, build endurance and tolerate the physical pain.

Yet I have to admit, without a friend like HY, Sandy and Mr. Chen to talk to, training on my own can be quite lonesome. Luckily I met a new friend recently. This new acquaintance is handsome and full of energy. He accompanies me every weekend, rain or snow, cold or hot. He usually is cool and calm, but when he is confined, he becomes very agitated. His body trembles and his voice quivers, but I love this side of him as well.

I feel like I know him all my life......I look forward to seeing him more....

Life After Peace Corps

The early arrival of Spring

Spring is in the air..........and I love it!

This is the path I walk on every day. The magnolia, the dogwood, the daffodil.

I could not resist picking some daffodil home to decorate my bathroom. I know I shouldn't but......

Can't wait to see the cherry blossom in DC and it should be the end of March.

Life After Peace Corps

Not Because it is Easy

Right by the hill of my apartment lies a small creek. It is the “Four Mile Run Stream” The name is misleading for the entire length of the creek is more than 9 mile. The stream's eastern section forms the boundary of Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. Alexandria is where I live.

I was drawn to this rivulet since I discovered it. Nearly every Sunday, I carried a small backpack and walked along its bank. Last Sunday, the weather was warm like Spring, so I walked extra miles and it was then I came across another nice park along the riverbank.

Past the park entrance, I was surrounded by trees. Winter’s gale had stripped off all their leaves but they stood there tall and regal. The woodland extended far to a hill side and beyond stood more silent forests. A fainted trail appeared as soon as I arrived at a stone bridge. I followed it and finally reached the top of a hill. Nothing special there, but the trail reminded me of the “Almost Perpendicular” in Harriman. No one was around, so I took off my pack and dug behind a bush. (I always believe we should all give something back to nature).

The park is much bigger than the Monticello park, and I found myself really enjoying the walk. By the time I left the park, I had already walked more than six miles. My 30lb backpack started hurting my shoulders; I took a break, drank some water and determined to carry on. I knew, at this very moment, my friends HY, Sandy, and Mr. Chen were doing the 20-mile hike in Harriman park. How much I wanted to be with them. So I pretended that I was hiking with them, pretended that I was competing with them and pretended that I was still in New York. All the “make-believe” sounded so silly but it worked and I felt 10 times better. I went on for another three miles and by the time I got home, I was tired and my legs were sore, ached like I just did the 20-mile hike with Mr. Chen, Sandy and George.

After I took a bubble bath, I fell asleep on a sofa. In the dream, someone asked me:

Why do you always like to torture yourself, to do the difficult thing?

“We choose to go to the moon….and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard” J K Kennedy

I will be fine HY, I will……Thanks for being a great friend.

Life After Peace Corps

March 3, 2012

My Plant and I

Since I move to Virginia, my plants have not been doing well, especially my night blooming cereus. They just stop growing. I can tell they are confused with their new environment. I guess they miss the enormous window that used to give them endless sunlight. Perhaps they are protecting to me as why I have to drag them hundreds of miles away from their friends - the annoying Rego Park pigeons, and why in the world they have to put up with the dry air constantly coming out from that antique thing (heater) right next to them. My plants are my best friend now (sad to admit) so when they are not happy, I am miserable as well.

I try everything to cheer them up. I remove all the window curtains to allow maximum amount of sunlight comes through. I put extra fertilizer to the soil, I talked to my plants more often than ever, I massage their fragile leave and I pray every night to God, please let them return to their normal, cheerful selves again, but in vain, they remain as lifeless as 1^st day since I move to this new apartment.

How can I help them to live again?