Living Things

Some vignettes:

Yesterday while gardening in the backyard my mom stumbled upon a duck sitting on a batch of eggs in one of her pots. Today I went out back a few times to feed her some hamburger bun (which I made sure to break up really well, Rhegan) as she did her motherly duty. She seemed grateful...
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The other night David and I walked out to the edge of dock. The water was perfectly still, like black oil. In the distance two gigantic swans silently sailed toward us like magnificent white ships. Have you ever seen these things? They are huge and stunning. I've met these creatures before but never saw them with these new eyes. In that stillness and darkness, it was almost like meeting a pair of mythical beasts...
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On the island of Bantayan in the Philippines I sat on the beach looking at the sea. Noticing a blue mass moving across the sand where the waves washed up, I got up to inspect, but when I approached, it disappeared. I sat back down in the place where I saw the object. A few seconds later the sand around me was alive: little bright blue crabs with disproportionately large claws were emerging all around me, oblivious to my presence. I watched them for a few minutes scoop sand in their mouths with their claws, regurgitate, and move on. Weird. I stirred and got up and in unison the legion of crabs retreated back into the sand...
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The other morning while waiting for Willie to come to the job site, I sat in the backyard with my coffee with nothing to do but wait. I never noticed before how full the Jersey spring air is with the sound of birds of all kinds. A black beatle with a shiny gold metalic finish scurried past my feet. A lonely dog in the diagonal lot was amusing itself by digging a hole.

How is it that this Earth is so full of things that fly and crawl and eat and breath and do all sorts of things I don't even understand? And who I am that I can stop and take delight in such things? Amidst all that we have made and surrounded ourselves with, all of creation is there waiting to be noticed. And when I do notice, how can I not give praise and thanks to the Author and Creator of this all?

Pictures

Hey pals! During my 36 hour stint on the computer, I created a new photo web page, so feel free to check it out. It's much cooler than Ofoto. Appreciate the handsome banner on the top of the page which directs you back to my blog. It took a me a long, long time to create. There are pictures from Ali & Andy's wedding and also some from David's epic visit to the dirty Jerz.

In other news, I bought a mini disc recorder on ebay yesterday (yeah, some Franciscan I make). But I think it'll be useful for learning Cebuano. I also want to record my grandma's stories in my effort to elevate our family history into Hi-fi digital eternity!!!

Tomorrow I start my fundraising campaign, so prepare to be solicited! "I'd like to tell you about an exciting opportunity to make a difference with your money. Do you have a minute?"

me in a van

Place-meant to live!

A waterfall in Barangay Ungale, Kawayan

A couple of days ago I got an email from a friar at a parish on the island of Biliran in the Philippines. It had taken forever to hear from him and I was getting worried that my presence wasnt really needed/wanted. But hooray! Fr. Neil sounded very excited about the possibility of my coming for 3 years to live and work with the people there. He said that they have all types of ministries and outreach with children, elderly, farmers, and fisherfolk--all the poor and maginalized that are overlooked by this world.


School at Barangay Tubig-Guinoo

On Biliran they speak the same language (Cebuano) as my family. Right now I can only say a few words (armpit= kili-kili, butt=lubut, smelly= baho), but I am hoping to expand my vocabulary during my time there. Biliran is a very rural and poor island, with little industry or "development" by western standards, but I have a feeling despite the poverty and simplicity, the humanity of the people there is more developed than many places I've been. We shall see..

Oh, I just found this website, but I haven't had time to explore it yet. It's Biliran's own geocities webpage!

http://www.geocities.com/rolborr/official.html.

The village where the parish is and where I'll be living is called Kawayan (there's a link for it on the sidebar).
Also enjoy the traditional midi sounds from this exotic and tropical wonderland!


Genuroan Islet with Tagnucan and Tagasipol Islets

ENDing [ me ] BEGINing

nope. haven't left yet. 'tis the "fertile emptiness" between the end of something and the beginning of something else. A couple of days ago I said goodbye to my friends in DC and now my body and soul is couched in all that is Jersey. the comforts of home leave me apathetic; horizons have shrunk; crispness and clarity of life now dull. my room swallows me. i know i cannot go back, nor do i really want to. neither can i go forward faster than this time that is given to me. i must be patient. listen to what this place has to teach me. know that something new will begin again.

***Check out new pics!