One of the happiest feelings in the world is to breathe and just wallow in God’s creations. It invokes a peaceful feeling that allows you to fully appreciate and marvel in the beauty of what’s in front of you. Many times in the past, I have experienced this overwhelming emotion that rendered me completely in awe of the nature. A perfect example was my stint in the Loboc River. It was short and yet so sweet. And every time I recall the cruise, it brings about the same feeling I had while I was sitting there on the boat too grateful.I could not think of anything else as I let the wind brush against my face except dolce vita. It was very magical and a wonderful experience. It’s the kind of feeling that’s devoid of stress, of any drama just pure joy. Two years later, that sort of feeling resurfaced once more as I witnessed the beauty of the Grand Canyon.
2014 was the year that allowed me to travel and go to a lot of places that I used to only dream of seeing. I remember when I was 21, I’ve only thought of maybe one day traveling and stepping foot on the US soil. Maybe, the universe heard of it that somehow an opportunity presented its way to me and not only did I get to go for a vacation but I even had the chance to live and work there. Truth be told, even though I secretly wished for it to happen, I never thought that it would happen so soon.
When I arrived in the US then, I had my wishlist of where I wanted to go. They were mostly cliche tourist destinations but who cares, right?haha! All I wanted then was simply to explore. On top of my list was New York and then LA and Vegas. I must really be very lucky at that time because all the places I’ve wished to see, I was able to really see. Of course, on that list, the Grand canyon was included since I was already living in Arizona. And the very lucky me had finally the chance to go see it three months into my internship.
The Grand Canyon
Around December of the same year, two of my roommates and I had all the same day off. Out of nowhere, we planned to go for a road trip. We decided it would be nice to see the Grand Canyon and to stop by Sedona along the way. To make it all possible though, we decided to rent a car to avoid any road mishap. Jean, another friend of ours, came up with this idea and since my roommates were scared to drive on the freeway, Jean and I were the designated drivers. Jenlee, another close friend, also tagged along on a last minute notice. The plan was that I’d drive from Tucson to Phoenix and then Jean, from Phoenix to Sedona and then my turn again but somehow it ended up the other way around.HAHA! Talk about spontaneity.
Quick stop on our way to Red Rock State Park
We left Tucson at 4:30 am so we’d be able to reach Grand Canyon around 9 am. But with all the restroom breaks along the way and the quick stop to get some drinks, the drive was stretched to until 11 am. When we arrived, we found out that it snowed the day before thus, most areas were still covered by snow. And may I just say that it was very very cold. I was too relieved that the smart me brought the thermal jacket and wore two layers of clothes under.I thought with the elevation and the winter season, it will definitely make the state park very very cold. And who would want want to freeze to death?! Not me.HAHA
Kidding aside, Grand Canyon turned out to be just as I expected. It looked like a live painting. It was picturesque and for which there’s no doubt of how breathtaking it was. I loved that I could stare at it and just be left captivated. The feeling actually can never be compared to anything. To witness and see it in person was sheer bliss. Back then, I thought, how nice it would have been if my sisters and brothers can see it too. As I stood there in awe of everything I was seeing, I could feel that life was really good. I could feel how lucky I was for what I have and what was given to me. I remember the feeling just too well. I still know of how overwhelmed and happy I was.
Two years later, here I am still able to remember the feeling of happiness it brought upon me. The Lord has been very good to me during those times. I must say I was very very lucky. They say that when it rains, it really pours. I was very blessed indeed at that time and I couldn’t have asked for more. And you know, it was sort of weird because the more I felt blessed, the more blessings appeared. I can never put into words how good God was to me. And I was just really really beyond thankful.
I know two years have passed, but with all the things that have happened to me, I lost all the drive to write about the wonderful things. I was blinded and sidetracked. It’s only now that the drive to finish this entry emerged but what the heck, better late than never, right? HAHA
Thank you universe for allowing events to happen the way they did. I was given the wonderful opportunity to breathe and wallow in the beauty of nature. Thank you Lord for the endless opportunities that you have showered me to explore the world. Only You can do it that way. Only You can invoke such wonderful feeling of happiness.
Spill the Beans 