Alex Honnold, the dude who free solo (climb with no rope) half dome is few person I take notices. In a sense he might be the biggest flop, a mid twenty something with no steady job, no girlfriend, live in a shabby van, no insurance, no TV and all he does is climb. I do wonder how he surivied, but that's another story.
I admire him not because of what he do, but what he said. (I do give him credit for what he does, come on we can hardly climb even one floor, and he climbed something that probably twice the height of Empire State Building - rope free, that's something) In an documentary filed by National Geographic he said, when he climb Half Dome he starts with tons of determination and confidence, but often in half way he get tired, wonder why did he put himself in this situation, why is he doing this and the though often paratize him. Then he overcome the fear and doubt, and moves on. He learned to embrace the bad part as part of the experience and this drives him to move forward.
I am in this situation, I come in with confidence but now I am tired, I am not sure what I am doing and why I am putting myself though this. I am doing my best, and it's not enough, and I don't know what else I can do. I feel like I have no confidence to keep going, but maybe I should start to learn to embrace the bad as part of the experience.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Under Rated Places: Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon National Park is highly under rated. The canyon is almost as big as Grand Canyon, but hardly anyone talks about it. If it was ever mention it is associated with Sequoia National Park, where people mostly aim to see the Giant Sequoia, particularly General Sherman. I got a chance to visit King's Canyon, not because we wanted to, but more of because we didn't have anything planned for the afternoon. This national park is more beautiful then you can ever imagined. If the painted dessert of Grand Canyon is Mark Rothko , then Kings Canyon is the Picasso, the rock layer is full with different colors -- the green, the cooper, the lime, the yellow, in abstract shapes form by rocks. It is something you can't find anywhere else in the world.
Defining Moment
We all make decision everyday, every moment without realizing it. However, in the rare occasion you realize that you are making a HUGE decision that might change your life. I agree, you probably think that sounds like something that only happens in movies. However, strangely I just remember a few hours ago, I had a 'definting moment' earlier this year, a moment that I made a big decision that changed my life upside down.
This might sound like a story, but it actually happened in one of the most beautiful place in the United State, Arch National Park, UT. When I got the offer letter right before I leave the airport for my trip, I give it glance, and couldn't bother to think anything about it. Yes, it bothers me on and off. Should I do? or shouldn't I do it?? Am I ready to leave the my well paid job and be a poor student? Am I ready to live on no income? Everyone is tell me different things, and I just couldn't make up my mind.
Then there I was, in Arch National Park hiking towards Delicate Arch. After the grilling 2 hours uphill hike over some of the biggest and most blizzard rocks, we finally reach our destination, the infamous Delicate Arch. We aim for sunset, but the sky was cloudy, you can hardly see any lights. My group scatter around the arch, we took tons of photos, and all find a relaxing spot and enjoy our dinner. I had corn dog and some fresh fruits. After dinner, I starting to walk around the arch, there are tons of people trying to take pictures. It was pretty difficult to take a photos without other people in it. I walk around a bit more, then found a spot and sit down just enjoy the moment. My tour guide Scott walk over as usual checking on everyone. He came and sit next to me, I said 'hey' to him, then we just both sit quietly. I didn't have much to say, maybe because I didn't know him or maybe because it's just a moment in life that you are in such an amazing place with such indescribable view, you feel like you shouldn't say anything.
I dont' know after how many mins, we start talking randomly. About my life back in NYC, why I came to this trip, how long has he been on the trip. I told him how Charles (the other tour guide) got drunk last year in Denali. I guess that's what break the wall, the conversation started to flow. He start to open up to me about his life, how he don't think his relationship will work with his Australian girlfriend, about his experience in Korea, India, Sir Lenka then he said: "I enjoy my life now, I look forward to tomorrow, to next week, to next month." That is the quote that hit me so hard that I got blow away in the best way possible. I realized at that moment I don't look forward to anything. I spend a lot of money to go to middle of nowhere to look for adventure because nothing excites me anymore; I don't look forward to tomorrow, to next week or next months. I only got excited two weeks out of the year when I go on vacation. That's not enough!!!! I am unhappy 50 weeks out of a year. I don't want to live like this anymore, and there it goes, I put away all the con and only looking at the pro. Six months later, I am jobless but life is full with adventure and new friends again. I am looking forward to thing new events my new lifestyle will bring me. The good and bad, at least I am looking forward to tomorrow. So thank you Scott.
The hike was not hard.
This might sound like a story, but it actually happened in one of the most beautiful place in the United State, Arch National Park, UT. When I got the offer letter right before I leave the airport for my trip, I give it glance, and couldn't bother to think anything about it. Yes, it bothers me on and off. Should I do? or shouldn't I do it?? Am I ready to leave the my well paid job and be a poor student? Am I ready to live on no income? Everyone is tell me different things, and I just couldn't make up my mind.
Then there I was, in Arch National Park hiking towards Delicate Arch. After the grilling 2 hours uphill hike over some of the biggest and most blizzard rocks, we finally reach our destination, the infamous Delicate Arch. We aim for sunset, but the sky was cloudy, you can hardly see any lights. My group scatter around the arch, we took tons of photos, and all find a relaxing spot and enjoy our dinner. I had corn dog and some fresh fruits. After dinner, I starting to walk around the arch, there are tons of people trying to take pictures. It was pretty difficult to take a photos without other people in it. I walk around a bit more, then found a spot and sit down just enjoy the moment. My tour guide Scott walk over as usual checking on everyone. He came and sit next to me, I said 'hey' to him, then we just both sit quietly. I didn't have much to say, maybe because I didn't know him or maybe because it's just a moment in life that you are in such an amazing place with such indescribable view, you feel like you shouldn't say anything.
Amazing view of Delicate Arch
My Dinner...Yummy
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday's Quote
"If you want to make real gains in your life, you are going to have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations."
-- Dhani Jones
Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park
-- Dhani Jones
Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tonight's Dinner: Squash with Organic Red Quinoa and braised beef with red potatos
After a stressful day, I decided to reward myself by going to Path-mart. I got some zucchini and yellow squash, cook the up with some grape tomatoes added some sea salt. It's yummy yummy you can see....
Monday, June 13, 2011
Yosemite Bug Cafe
Yosemite Bug Café is hidden in a hard to find little spot along Highway 140, about 45 minutes’ drive from Yosemite National Park entrance. This place is truly a local gem; the open space in the dining hall is both casual and welcoming. Although the dining hall has no Wi-Fi but one thing is for sure, you are will have some quality time with your friends and family. Whether if you want to have coffee and chat, have some healthy dinner or just enjoy the beautiful surrounding of Sierra Nevada, there is something for you here. The café even offers puzzles and classic family games such as scrabble and monopoly. You don’t have to order food to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere; the dining hall is open to all.

The open kitchen also adds charms to the café, customers can see clearly what the chef is cooking behind the counter. At the first sight, you will be surprise to find that the chef, a big bear looking biker type man, actually creates some of the most innovation non-boring health food that will blow your mind away in the best way possible. Please don’t get scary away the word ‘health food,’ what I mean is food that consist of fresh ingredients and free range meat, at the same time that is not blend and you won’t feel like calorie over load after you eat. The menu is relatively small but well balance. You will find all types of protein and vegetables. You can expect to find some type of beef, fish, or pasta dish but only one of each type. Many of the ingredients came from the vegetable garden the café runs. As for the meat, they offer free range beef and chicken which always taste much more tender and juicy than your regular supermarket meat. This place offers food that you can taste the difference.

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