Episode 17: Twitter 101

Before you do anything else, follow these instructions:

A) SMS "follow @across2worlds" to 40404 (Twitter),

or

B) Go to Twitter, sign up and follow me.

If you've been living under a rock the past 6 years, or one social-media website is enough, I give you Twitter. Not actually giving you, but educating you with the facts. Twitter is a micro-blogging service to tell the world what you're up to in 140 characters. You can follow famous people like the U.S. president (@barackobama) or your favorite actor/actress (@tomhanks/@zooeydeschanel). And find trending topics classified under hashtags (#monasticpilgrimage) to classify what's happening in the world. Yes I am simply using you to increase my followership.

If you kept on reading to this second paragraph and haven't followed me already, shame on you; you must have been one of those problem children in school. Just kidding, I still love you. Many people have been asking where I am at exactly this moment (Shawano, WI) and where I'll be the next few days so Twitter becomes better than Facebook because, unlike Facebook, you can follow and unfollow whomever you please and is more social-media acceptable than a Facebook unfriend. *gasp* If I indeed unfriended you on Facebook, it's because we haven't talked in years. I'm sorry and you're welcome to friend me again. I simply don't need 1,200 friends.

After this simple passive-committal step, you'll be able to get up-to-the-minute report of everything (via SMS, mobile app, and stationary app) that I don't post on Facebook or this blog. It's like one of those stalking relationships where you look at pictures of your 1st grade elementary crush. Yes, I just admitted that publicly... but this is rather useful information, like where to eat if you happen to be in Shawano, Wisconsin.

Woo. Completely transparent. Like Lance Armstrong, who for the record, passed every in-competition test. A winner in my book, not some sports politics on who has jurisdiction in deciding his fate. Doped up or not, he still won the Tour de France 7 times among others. He bested Miguel Indurain at the 1993 World Championship before cancer, the 5-time winner of the TdF and physiologically better than Armstrong with a resting heart rate of 29 compared to 33, and a VO2 max of 88 ml/kg/min compared to 84. And he survived cancer treatment. How many people do you know do that and accomplish more thereafter? Food for thought.

Last but not least, the two people I miss at the moment:

Cousin David and Kyle

Until next time.

Bicycle Banter: Numbers, Maps, and Things

For the rest of my tour route, click here. If you are remotely (~25 miles) close to this route and would like to provide your front yard, please contact me at across2worlds@gmail.com. Thanks!

Some numbers so far for y'all:

Days: 32
States: 7
Miles by bike: 1,200
Miles by train: 1,200
Miles by car: 100
Days of sun: 30
Days of rain: 1
Days of snow: 0

Mountain passes: 3
Hikes: 4
Average daily mileage by bike: 62
Average speed (mph) by bike: 12
Showers: 16
Laundry: 8
Flat tires: 0
Ounces of white gas consumed: 28
Calories burned: 160,000
Days with monks: 5
Days with family: 9
Bears: 3
Bald Eagles: 2
Animal noises I've learned to make: 4

 

AND a picture, for kicks- Gus the touring cyclist, and Gus the dog:

 

 

Until next time.

Episode 16: The Rising Sun

Kootenai Falls

We approach West Glacier in the late afternoon via treacherous highway 2. Some clouds with mild weather. We eat at the taco truck by the name of "The Wandering Gringo" and it doest indeed wander- south to Arizona (maybe that's why their tacos are darn good). The Apgar Village is recommended to us by bicycle path located at the mouth of Lake MacDonald. Canadians are our neighbors and share original Coors (the good kind, and stuff that can't be had in Canada) and good stories up to the night.

A highlight, if not the crowning jewel of the Northern Tier of the Adventure Cycling Association route is Glacier National Park. The look people get when one mentions Glacier, something happens- they swoon, or their eyes focus into the distance, or become animated, telling you the best hike to a lake or pass they've been to. It has become, for some, a place to be one with nature, become a place to go to for spiritual enrichment, become a place to be awed, inspired, fulfilled, and nourished. So I thought, "ok nature, show me: do your best."

The Highway to the Rising Sun. Sounds epic. Going-to-the-sun highway is the actual name but it doesn't roll of the tongue quite well.We set off by eight o'clock on a freezing morning. They close the only road that goes through the park to cyclists because it's a two lane road that has practically no shoulder when two-wheeled velocipedes carrying person and pack would certainly be secondary to motorists because of the view. A picture is worth a thousand words? Well, these will be the grandest thousand for a while:

The ascent took 4 hours (for me) to get to the top. We took pictures and did the tourist thing at Logan Pass, located at 6,646 feet above sea level. After descending into Rising Sun to set up camp, we met with Graham, an old high school buddy who tours people around St. Mary Lake, the second largest lake in Glacier to Lake Macdonald. The next day we spend lunch at Piegan Pass after getting to St. Mary Lake, a 4.5 mile hike that ascends 1,750 feet higher while a little creature's curiosity nagged our picnic of chili and rice.

 
After spending a week in Minneapolis, Kyle got a call for a potential job offer and had to head home. He made it to Washington by train safely and wish him well in the real world. So I'm on my own starting tomorrow, heading into Wisconsin in anticipation for the Great Lakes. I'll miss you Kyle. The one thing I've learned is that it's the journey that matters, not the destination. And so part two of the journey starts tomorrow.

Until next time.

Bicycle Banter: Travel

We travel day by bicycle.
Drink, eat, bike. Drink, eat, bike.
Drink, eat, sleep.

We travel afternoon by train,
plains running slower than the power lines.
The lounge car with people perusing-
city folk, farm folk, Omish folk, mountain folk.

We travel evening by train,
all wandering folk, all to leave a place to get to a place-
Glacier, The Oil Boom, Fargo for farewell,
Mom at the hospital, St. John's.

We travel morning by train.
The rising sun calls for listening with the heart,
a stranger pouring his life into my story.

I travel day by car, with monks.
Pray, eat, work. Pray, eat, work.
Pray, eat, sleep.

I travel day by foot.
Alone with God.

Episode 15: Just Do It

Sorry Nike, I'm stealing this for the day. People say things they want to do. Less people act upon what they say. What started out as a dream is about to become reality. I'm leaving to go on a journey, physical, spiritual and everything in between. So I'm acting upon what I said months ago. To get up and decide to do it was the easy part. To pray and discern if God wants me to is less easy. To actually walk out the front door with my life on a bike is the hard part.

My buddy Kyle and I are biking across the Northern Tier of United States of America, the place I've called home for most of my life. From Ellensburg, Washington to Bar Harbor, Maine. 11 states, 2 territories, 4,200 miles, 6,000 calories a day. Glacier National Park, The Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, the Appalachian Hills. And why you might ask? For the adventure of course, not for the attention. Not for a charity or for academic research; for a change of scenery, meeting new locals everyday, and eating food of the area. 

I have noticed that the people who inspire me, the ones I've met and read (and able to learn from) function on a higher sphere than most. They go out and... Just do it. They seemingly contribute to society effortlessly. They listen. They teach. They write poetry and compose music. They eat, pray, and love. So I go searching out there in the world and inside myself, and in people for something intangible, something more than money can buy. Maybe we'll find a paradise no one else has found.

This summer I have sold, auctioned, and given away all my possessions, besides my books and tools of trade. Since I've gotten back from Macau, I've earned my bachelor's degree, my wage as a musician, a bike mechanic, and librarian. I'm able to pay the bills, play music, ride the bike, float the river, throw dinner parties, go to dance parties. I've made new friends and gotten closer to old ones. And farther from some. If I were to impart any wisdom it'd be: if one walks the humble, respectful, just, and rightful path of life, everything works out in the end. People have good hearts and it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside knowing that. By the way, if you'd like to contribute, I'd give you my utter thanks and blessings. I don't think it's tax-deductible but you'd have a special place in my heart.

I write all this envisioning epic Wagner or ethereal Mahler in the background and guffaw at the idea: if a simple person like me would ever receive a drop their genius I'd be thankful. And their blessings for the trip. Thanks music gods. What I'd do to sit down for coffee with Rachmaninov. Or Beethoven. Or Bach. You probably won't hear from me as regularly because I'll be doing my soul-searching. Not google searching. If I have something profound or funny to say I'll tweet something somewhere (@across2worlds), or post some pictures that inspire. Maybe someday I'll write a book about it but as of late, I have nothing to say. 

Godspeed gentlemen. And gentlewomen.

Until next time.
劉暢

Episode 14: Providence

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

― C.S. Lewis 

Chelan Countryside

As most summers, it's filled with sun, friends, little school, and being spontaneous. On the last day of July, after breaking 2,100 views, I started thinking what would readers like yourself like to read about? I doubt the usual what I ate for dinner, family vacations and how awesome the new Batman movie is, but rather something that entertains, a light read, something one could learn and maybe change the course of your decisions and maybe your life. Your personal legend. So here's my life lesson for July: Providence.

Beauty doesn't really get much better than this.

What does one not talk about with new acquaintances? Religion and politics. I don't talk about religion much because of the fact that many people have strong beliefs and opinions toward such things. But I am here to break that. Whether you have been reading this frequently or for the first time, I'm forcing you to read this. Actually, in reality I'm not forcing you to do anything because this is a free country and you can close this window at anytime. It's only to boost my view count. Yes, I'm using you. How about that, Dr. Reverse Psychology?

Antilon Lake, Chelan

In July, I went to Ellensburg, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Wenatchee, Chelan, and most of the cities in between. Something liberating about that was traveling mostly by bicycle. While the greater distances was through public transportation, I tried my best to ride to my places of destination. And through the graces of good people out there. Like Trader John from Entiat who gave me a 1/2 lb. of cherries because they hadn't opened yet. Thank you.

All Trader John said was "just remember me in your will."

Ambition is addictive. 100 miles to Chelan? That's 10 hours on the bike. Sure. But my body said no. And I thought, "why not see if I can hitch a ride?" So I hitchhiked for the first time. You don't know what you don't know. I met and rode to Chelan with a pleasant fellow by the name of Mark Pilling who lives and works in his truck... that's also a camper, as seen below. He sells and services satellite equipment for TV, VoiP, and internet, which requires him to travel all over the U.S., such as relief services after Hurricane Katrina for which he ended up staying for 7 years. We also had an intelligent discussion on the origin of man and the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints history. It was as if we were long-time friends reuniting on a road trip.

Thanks Mr. Pilling for the ride and conversation.

Let me tell you a story. About a couple of souls with a wonderful heart. Lindsey, Maddy, and I taught the children of Macau and came back living through the good and the bad, the adventures and the lazy days and came back (speaking for myself) a new man. Ever read The Secret? Neither have I, but what I can tell you about this self-help book is simple: Think the way you want to live. Ever read Paolo Coelho's books? I've read 2.25. The Zahir, The Pilgrimage, and my current read, The Alchemist (thank you Sam). If you're not fond of reading, which would be ironic since you've gotten this far, his weekly blog is an acceptable, financially non-committal, inspiring read.

Lindsey & I

Maddy & I

Quotes from The Pilgrimage, which I admittedly looked up on BrainyQuote because the books are not within reach:

“I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now.”

“But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here.”

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say.” 

“We are travelers on a cosmic journey,stardust,swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”

“There is only one way to learn. It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”

“It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

========================================================================
From The Alchemist

“Still, being fragile creatures, humans always try to hide from themselves the certainty that they will die. They do not see that it is death itself that motivates them to do the best things in their lives. They are afraid to step into the dark, afraid of the unknown, and their only way of conquering that fear is to ignore the fact that their days are numbered. They do not see that with an awareness of death, they would be able to be even more daring, to go much further in their daily conquests, because then they would have nothing to lose- for death itself is inevitable.”

“Have pity on those who are fearful of taking up a pen, or a paintbrush, or an instrument, or a tool because they are afraid that someone has already done so better than they could…”

“We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body. Many times in our lives we see our dreams shattered and our desires frustrated, but we have to continue dreaming. If we don't, our soul dies, and agape cannot reach it.”

“We always know which is the best road to follow, but we follow only the road that we have become accustomed to.”

Until next time.
劉暢

Episode 13: The Great Upheaval

After a couple weeks of blog silence, I thought about what to write and have come up with some clogged artery where my previous writing freely flowed. More and more I realize my thoughts to process some internal conflict. Here are some results of my reflections.

I've come to really like this place called Macau. What does one do with lifelong friends? What I'll call the "Asian aesthetic" molds well to my heart and way of living; the people who I barely know after four short months, who have adopted me into their professional, church, and even family community has come at a total surprise. I have some closer friends in Macau than some acquaintances at the school I've been at for five years. So, what does one do when they have to get up and go? Some of that feeling is here and now as I approached my departure date.

Looking helplessly at the state of my apartment, I realized my procrastination not only comes from that I work well on a fast approaching deadline, but that I didn't want to leave. I've grown close to the people, I've made close friends, I've walked the land, I've eaten the food, and loved the kids. From Macau I went to Hong Kong and the Philippines. Flashback to Hong Kong the day before my departure to the Philippines:

The BP International Hotel in Hong Kong is related to Lord Baden-Powell, the "inventor" of modern-day Boy Scouts. Watching the people of the hotel, coming and going, inside and outside on the road I think: I'm going to the Philippines, somewhere I haven't been since I was 5 years old. 18 years. Almost my whole life. Does life change when you're 30? Does it speed up? It's hard to imagine being 50; more than twice my age!

A week in the Philippines grants me some inspiration and insight on the life of my parents. Mostly sacrifice. A whole month of work in the Philippines is equivalent to four days wage in the States. The Catholic Faith is a permanent bond to the Philippines, a glimpse of the influence of Colonial Spain, while everything else reminds me of America. It reminds me much of Macau- the people, the festivals, the community.

I sit on my seventh hour of flying back to America, reflecting on the past 122 days and what I've learned. After reading 4 books back to back, teaching kids the gift of music, living in a foreign country, eating its wonderful food, it's hard to express everything I've learned that would be useful to share with the rest of the world. But this I am sure:

1) What I wish I could do is take every single person on this earth on a journey to experience life the way it should be experienced- through the hardships, the trials and errors, the eating, the socializing, and to appreciate the little things in life. Many people live life absently. Or aimlessly. And many people don't. Some people do both. I want to share those experiences because that is what life is about, to live and share our life experiences.

2) Everyone should experience a great upheaval. It's the precursor to a wonderful journey or the end of a chapter in life, emotional and symbolic of what is to come. My dad came to the U.S. with two suitcases and a camera. My mom came to the U.S. and cried for the month. I admit I did much of the same. The internal, logistical, and physical constraints gives an opportunity to think about what is really important in one's life.

3) I am sure of nothing else. Wisdom acquire is relative and can be used rightly and wrongly. Pure love can only be shown as clearly as the person who knows love. Forgiveness is taught and sometimes the hardest thing is to forgive one's self. But to forgive in general is the key to peace on this earth. Easier said than done, but maybe if you and other people read this, and put your knowledge into action, the world might become a better place. 

Until next time.
劉暢