Mt. Apo and me

Friday, June 27th, 2008

 

So i dont look like a girl in the picture. Anyways, this picture was taken summer of 2006. This is actually me 2nd ascent in the majestic mount apo!. We were only 6 in the group, but since this is a summer climb which is actually a climbing season, we met new friends and we had new adventures along the way. Did you know that they sell balot at the peak for 40 pesos, i think. The prices for goods here go way up youd be glad a 1 kilo rice costs 40 pesos. LOLS. but really, so many people ascend mt apo during climbing seasons (holy week and during novembers i think). Anyways the technical details of mt. apo is as follows:

 

Country:Philippines

Subregion: Mindanao
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status: Fumarolic
Summit Elevation: 2938 m 9,639 feet
Latitude: 6.989°N  6°59′20″N
Longitude: 125.269°E 125°16′10″E

So, that was mt. apo. The first time i went there, i was with my new found friends in college. There were about 11 of us and I was the only girl then. So when we got there, 2 of our friends who served as our guide opted to go for the old trail and ignored the new trail established. The idea was, if we go straight up instead of trekking at the side of the mountainwe would get there faster. Yeah, we made our own trail with our own faces and hands. There’s nothing like going through thick tall bushes pushing through unknown areas and wishing for a trail to emerge. But there was none for quite a long time. We pushed through the bushes and got our arms numerous little tattoos from the divine artist. Anyways it was such fun!. not knowing whether you would emerge in a clearing or youd be face by endless bushes trying to ifight it and make way through it.. It was like, we were adventurers, amazons in our own rights, actually i never felt fear because i thought it was how trekking would be. It was my first major climb and so i thought it was normal. Later i discovered that they were actually afraid because we got lost. lols. we actually got lost and were forced to make an emergency camp near a destroyed little house. We stayed there because after minutes of trekking we never seem to stop arriving at that same little place. And so, fighting our own fears and beliefs, and having no choice for it was already beginning to go dark, we set camp there, not knowing were the hell it was. Only knowing that tomoroww we are gonna find our way, when there is enough light and renewed energy. And so we drank our hearts out and enjoyed the night.

NExt story will be continued. lols. that was just the first part.

Project Overload. System Error. Need-To-Relax………

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Gawsh!. Its the first formal week of classes and im already at the point of spontaneous combustion!. I got tons of things to do!. I have to review my group’s thesis proposal and recopy them with all the attachments. Tomorrow the group is going to start making the timetable for our research project. We are going to conduct a random survey which focuses on emotional perception and music preference. Tomorrow, we are going to have an oral examination on research methods and other related concepts (this is for my industrial psychology class). For my club, I have to make and edit pictures for the bulletin and also I have to edit the website that I am making for the club. So I still have to study for the group process long quiz tomorrow and I haven’t started doing anything except to write and blog about how I feel about those requirements. Oh I wish there was a some kind of project collaboration software wherein i can input all the concepts of all the subjects and then it will just relate the concepts all together and give me appropriate answers to all my questions. Anyway, anyhow i know i should start doing something right now while there is still time. So I’m good to go. Ta Ta for now!. 

Hair concerns, one of life’s challenges

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

One of the things I really agonize about whenever I travel is that my hair becomes super dry, super ugly and super limp. No matter how I try to protect it by covering my hair with shawl all the way from one place to another, my hair still gets messed up. I have long since wished to graze and walk In the sand under the sun with my shiny, glossy hair down. Grrr. I guess it would remain my dream. Not unless I go to super chic salons, waste money on hair rebonds or hair relax and hair maintenance treatments, buy hair vitamins, eat healthy and the rest. Duh. I cant live like that because first of all my budget is running low ever since and besides, Id rather use my money to buy outdoor apparels than give them to hair stylists. Also I have this other problem, I have a high forehead and I do want to have a hair transplant. Actually my mother and I had plans about getting a hair transplant but I kept on delaying this because I’m afraid of the anesthesia and I’m afraid of how I’m gonna look after the transplant. Anyhow the problem is not that urgent yet. If in case I do decide to get one I think Id go to a new york city male hair transplant doctor or a hair transplant doctor from Europe or anywhere out of this country. Not that I consider the Filipino doctors inferior, no that is not the case. I just want to have a reason to go out and go to places like New York, London, Greece, Scotland, Egypt, Rome and All other beautiful places on earth. Yeah, I’m daydreaming but daydreaming is actually a defense mechanism against the anxiety feelings brought about by the harsh realities of life like being poor, being unable to travel to wonderful places even in the Philippines and such. But these limitations are challenges that people overcome to become better and stronger. So embrace all the challenges in life for these will only make you more than what you are and allow you to become someone you could be proud of.

Sunburn is Summer’s Tan Overload!

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

 

 

Mila Jovovich

Ultimate Summer Look

<333

I miss summer!. As I look at my darkened skin, i remember those precious moments in the water, on a surf board, waiting for the wave so I can try and knock myself off a surfboard. Honestly, this is a sport i would want to learn no matter what!. I loved it the first time i learned how to paddle and relax my muscles so I could go steady with the board. Argh, I so want to go surfing but I cant because first of all I dont have a surfboard yet and secondly there are no known surfing spots here in Davao, unless its their so called “season”. Anyways my new skin is tons darker than before and I am having a hard time getting my skin color back. I am using Avon’s skin whitening renewal lotion which purportedly will whiten my skin faster than any other brands. I hope this is true.

 

Anyways, my sunburn reminds me of the summer I had. Talking about sunburn, that is what you get if you travel without bringing your sunblock, your umbrella, sunglasses or any other accessories for skin’s protection. This is also the price for staying under the sun for long periods of time enjoying the beach and the waves.

For medical professionals sunburn is reddening of the skin that occurs after you are exposed to the sun or other ultraviolet light. In my own words sunburn is SUMMER’S TAN OVERLOAD!. Well I think that its a good way to name it as such as if this was some big bright machine giving you loads and loads of tan, only it cant turn off unless its time to shut down so you got all those sunburny pain and the interesting skin peeling after a few days.

Those who got tan can go out and stay longer under the sun not getting burned, or so some say. Thats why I think Id like to get a tan, say from San Diego tanning, or from Belo Medical, or from other tanning salons or whatever they call those tanning places. For protection and for people to stop commenting about how I look different. Anyhow i would like to share information about how tanning and sunburn works copied from my assignment in my Biology class last semester.

 

Sunlight comes in three forms:

1. infrared (heat),
2. visible light
3. ultraviolet

 

Ultraviolet light is classified into three categories:

• UVA/Ultraviolet A has a wavelength of 315 to 400 nm and is also called  long wave or black light - this is responsible for tanning. The UVA rays affects the skin’s inner layers.

• UVB/Ultraviolet B or middle wave(280 to 315 nm) - this causes sunburn or damage to the skin. The UVB rays affects the skin’s outer layers.

• UVC/Ultraviolet C or short wave(100 to 280 nm) this uv wave does not reach us

An intersting fact about UV rays is that it gets reflected in different types of surfaces.

Such as the sand, it reflects 20% of UVB rays thus you will most likely get sunburned when you stay long under the sun in a beach than when you are in the city.

Also snow reflects 90% of UV light which accounts for snow blindness or sever sunburns when overexposed.

Glass however absorbs UV light so its good if you had a glass house, that way you cant get hurt while basking under the sun. Actually most sunscreens use the same UV-absorbing properties as the glass.

 —–

 Tanning - how do we get tanned?

 1. Ultraviolet radiation damages cellular consitituents. After 2 minutes of exposure to the sun, the UV rays start to damage cellular DNA of the cells in the Malphigian layer of the skin. This damage triggers the pituitary gland to release MSH or melanocy stimulating hormone. The MSH then travels back to the skin and activates the skin’s epithelial cells to create and release the black pigment known as ‘melanin’.

2. Melanin absorbs ultraviolet radiation thus protecting the skin from too much damage.

3. Too much melanin production due to prolonged exposure to the sun results to a tan!

o0o

Sunburn however is a different matter.

Sunburn is the result of the skin’s overexposure to ultraviolet light, be it from the sun or from other ultraviolet light sources.The cells of the skin become inflamed due to overexposure to UV rays adnd the extent of the damage depends upon how long you exposed yourself and how hot the sun is. Also fair skinned individuals get easily burned, around or less than 15 minutes of midday sun exposure and they get burned. Dark skinned individuals however will take a greater time under the sun before getting burned.

Signs of Sunburn:

• Irritation of the skin

• prickling sensation

• skin feels hot

• skin is noticeably red

• skin feels tight, dry and swollen

• hypersensitive to touch

• wrinkling

• leathery texture

• peeling

Tips on preventing sunburn while outdoors

1. Dont forget your Sunblocks or Sunscreens with an SPF of at least 20. SPF 10 means that you get 10 minute protection upon sun exposure. After 10 minutes, the sunscreen loses its capacity to absorb sunlight, thus you need to apply more lotion. Therefore, the higher the sun protection factor, the longer time you get burned by the sun. 

2. Wear a hat, preferably wide brimmed. Dont forget UV glasses too. Bring umbrella all the time because the sun is not friendly nowadays.

3. When climbing or trekking, cover exposed areas of the skin with long sleeved shirts and pants. Do not wear dark colored clothing as they absorb sun’s energy. Choose light and white clothing to reduce chances of heat stroke.  

4. Stay away from too much sun, especially between 10am to 4pm.

5. Remember that UV rays get reflected by sand, water and concrete so stay away from them unless you intend to enjoy seeing yourself burned.

 Tips for Sunburn Relief

• Take a cool shower!.  

• Apply Aloe Vera to the affected area. Aloe vera is a home remedy for sunburns which is actually effective because of its soothing and healing properties.

• According to research do away with products that has benzocaine, lidocaine, or petroleum (like Vaseline).

• Increase oral fluid intake. Hydrate your skin.

• Try adding 1/2 cup baking soda to a tepid bath and soak yourself. Airdry for better relief. You’ll see.

• Take aspirin or ibufropen for pain relief.

 

We can draw lessons from the past, but we cannot live in it.

The title of this blog is a quotation by Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of United States. Incidentally I saw another quote from Lady Bird Johnson the wife of President Lyndon Johnson: It’s odd that you can get so anesthetized by your own pain or your own problem that you don’t quite fully share the hell of someone close to you. 

Well? that tells me there’s something wrong with the relationship. Anyways thats not the topic I want to expound about. While I was browsing the internet, i came into an article by Dennis C Carey which is about leadership development and its about old CEO’s helping new CEO’s grow into more mature professionals. This article reinforced my ideas and feelings towards my teachers, mentors and older people in life. This is about passing on knowledge from one who has seen the world to one whose eyes has just began to see reality. As youne people, our perspectives are narrowed by our limited experience in life. I believe that as we grow up and take in more experiences in our lives, our insights will change, our perspective will shift, and we will be able to see the world with new eyes. What does it imply to us?. Young people of the new generation, so sure of ourselves, so deviant and so antagonistic to authorities (who we perceive as the people responsible for setting limits and restrictions in our lives) tend to rebel against earnest directions and go on doing things we later regret in life. I believe that these seasoned mentors, our parents, our teachers, our porters, our trekking guides, the people older than us should be respected and listened to. Because first of all no matter what we do, they know more about life than we do and we need their opinions to guide us into making more practical and effective decisions in life. Anyways i would like to say that as we go through life we acquire more experiences thus we learn more lessons in life. Our seniors should be valued and their opinions/advices should be respected and taken into consideration. Anyways we couldnt be better without our elders teaching us how to be good at one thing or another. Before people become leaders they must first be good followers or something of that sort.

In context with trekking or mountain climibing, having a   GUIDE is one of the most important factor to ensure safety during treks and or ascents.  If you have someone within your group who knows how to read trail signs or who knows the trail well, then you might not need a guide. However, I had this experience where me and my friends trekked mt. apo and we didnt have a guide.  2 of the people in our group said they knew the trail and all that but then again we found ourselves lost in the towering bushes, pushing ourselves and parting the bushes to see where to go next. In the end we camped out in an unkown area because darkness has fallen and we havent found the right trail yet. This situation causes you to lose unnecessary strength and stamina, most importantly your food supplies might get depleted because of the delay, believe me you dont want to starve or thirst in the middle of the jungle. Anyways locals are usually deployed as guides for the reason that they know the mountain more than any other people. They are also very ingenious and crafty that even if you suddenly have no more food to eat, he can find a way for you and your group to survive in the mountains without getting hungry or thirsty. Some of the guides also know certain parts of the mountains that they take you to the peak the easiest and fastest way possible. I love those guides!. Some however, dont know any shortcuts because they are either still young or new to the place. So more personal tips next time!. see ya!.