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I randomly stumbled upon an environmental NGO offering a wide range of classes, mostly on marine and forest conservation.

After a few minutes of browsing their website, my heart thrumming against my chest in excitement, I was already filling out a contact form to learn more about their offerings. Their one-week programs were enticing but too daunting for an introvert like me (at least for now), so I inquired about their one-day course on rainforest ecosystems instead (a lecture followed by a field activity).

The last section of the form was the classic “Tell me about yourself.” My hands flew across my keyboard, and after quickly polishing the text, I submitted it without a second thought. I didn’t want to give myself the chance to overthink and back out.

Here’s what I came up with:

Hi! I’m Anne from Laguna. I’ve been working in the corporate world for around 8 years. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree, and one of my biggest what-ifs in life is, “What if I’d pursued the natural sciences instead?”

I’ve always been fascinated by nature, particularly trees, forests, and the mountains. I also love the ocean and its many secrets, and learning to swim—and, eventually, scuba dive—is on my bucket list. For now, though, I want to focus on the land first, starting with forests.

For years, nature has been at the back of my mind, but I never seriously considered learning about it. Sure, I’d expose myself to nature-related books, online courses, videos, documentaries, and podcasts, but it was always just a phase. For one reason or another, nature was never fully integrated into my daily life. When I finally went hiking for the first time this month, after putting it off for years because I lacked the confidence, I realized what had been missing.

Being out in nature and learning firsthand.

It seems so simple, but I’ve never been an “outdoor girl.” I live in a city and have always considered myself a homebody. I didn’t grow up camping, hiking, or spending weekends in nature. But now that I’m in my 30s, I’m ready to finally embrace this side of myself and pursue my passion for the natural world. One is never too old to learn, and learning doesn’t have to be in a formal academic setting.

I’m looking forward to this new stage of my life, and I’d love to learn with your organization in the future.

Was it oversharing? Most likely.

Do I regret sending it? Definitely not.

Can I afford their classes, which also entails flying across the country? Absolutely not, but there’s no harm in asking, right?

#forests #learning
field logs photo dumps

Mt. Pulag diaries: Day 2

I wish I have the words to describe how the hike went; how magical it was. But, unfortunately, I still don’t. In fact, a part of me refuses to immortalize my first hike into the written word. It’s strange, given that writing is my most comfortable form of self-expression. That I write as a form of remembering.

I do want to reflect on my experience at some point, but I want the specifics—the journey—to remain embedded in my memory, even if it eventually becomes fuzzy. A vague recollection of an event I’ll forever cherish.

For now, though, I’ll let these photos speak for themselves.

When I finally beheld the beauty of Mount Pulag at sunrise, I had to admit that I shed a few tears. It was too beautiful, and I’m just a girl.
When I finally beheld the beauty of Mount Pulag at sunrise, I had to admit that I shed a few tears. It was too beautiful, and I’m just a girl.
I was spellbound with the colors of the mountains as they were bathed by the early morning sun.
The path to the summit.
I’m just grateful there was clearing that day, even if the sea of clouds was a bit sparse.
I learned that there were so many wild berries in Pulag!
They were juicy and slightly tangy, reminiscent of blueberries. But admittedly, my first thought was, “Are these nightlock berries?”
They were juicy and slightly tangy, reminiscent of blueberries. But admittedly, my first thought was, “Are these nightlock berries?”
The dwarf bamboo covered the top of Mt. Pulag and parts of the mossy forest. I was in love with them and the open grassland. I didn’t even know we have that kind of ecosystem in the Philippines!
The dwarf bamboo covered the top of Mt. Pulag and parts of the mossy forest. I was in love with them and the open grassland. I didn’t even know we have that kind of ecosystem in the Philippines!
More views while sitting and meditating by the mountain’s edge.
I could honestly stay here forever.
I welcomed the early morning heat.
It was a pleasure watching the sun take its course in the sky.
While I wanted to stay in the open ridge for as long as possible, I was also excited to descend and finally see the mossy forest in all its glory. I’ve always loved forests and trees.
While I wanted to stay in the open ridge for as long as possible, I was also excited to descend and finally see the mossy forest in all its glory. I’ve always loved forests and trees.
Everything seemed like it was pulled out of a fairy tale.
The giant fern trunks up close and personal.
I had to admit I walked too slowly in the mossy forest because I was admiring my surroundings.
I’m not even religious, but is this what the entrance to heaven looks like?
I’m not even religious, but is this what the entrance to heaven looks like?
More views as we descended Pulag.
I loved seeing these little farms and rice terraces.

Note: Photos taken with my Sony Cybershot DSC-T50 and minimally post-processed on Lightroom.

#forests #hiking #mountains #pulag