From the Big Pumpkin...

GLEE Stars on GQ: WHAT THE F - - - ?!?

I have been unashamedly a HUGE fan of GLEE... until now. In the October issue of GQ, racy photos of cast members Lea Michele (Rachel) and Dianna Agron (Quinn)... and oh yeah, Cory Monteith (Finn) ---whatevaa--- were shot for a cover article spread. The spread, as men's magazines go, stayed true to its formula: Dudes look like Rock Stars, and Babes look like 'Ho's.  Ouch.  Tsk-Tsk, Girls. You prostituted your girl-next-door reps for this? Sex sells. Hope the paycheck was worth it.

I did find this pic of "Finn" hilarious. What is he holding?


I still love the show, and I am looking forward to their spin of  the "Rocky Horror GLEE Show," but I did find these photos disturbing. Next time, you gotta warn a sista. I 'bout choked on my Raisin Bran.



Climbing Mount Sinai

The next morning I started out at 2 am (yikes!) on the rigorous pilgrimage up Mount Sinai, a.k.a. Moses' Mountain. Hundreds of people from around the world came to St. Catherine's for this spiritual sunrise climb, and I was one of about 500 that day. Peeps could go by foot or camel.  I chose the latter since I was still getting over a bronchial infection. Regardless of what method of travel peeps chose, it was an exhausting journey.

Along the way, there were canteen rest stops that were run by the Sinai bedouins. They were a welcomed sight after hours spent on the trail in the dark. The pilgrimage route was pitch black except for the twinkling lights of hundreds of flashlights, which made the experience more surreal.

Although the climb to the top was only 5 miles, it was slow going because the rugged terrain was met with rocky bends, craggy cliffs, and steep uneven pathways. The darkened trails were littered with camel riders, hikers, and bedouin guides, and we all trudged forward on automatic pilot. It was sooo early!

This was the rest stop prior to the 750 steps climb.  At this point, camel riders had to dismount and go the rest of the way by foot. The daunting climb was SO steep!

When we reached the top, we were euphoric but utterly exhausted. It took 3 hrs to get up there, and we still had a half hour to go before sunrise was to appear.  My friend Dave took advantage of the break by taking a little cat nap.

And then the sky started to lighten up.

Ever so slowly, the sun peeped out from its lair.

Then cameras started clicking.

Gooooood Morrrrrning, Sunrise!

The top of Mount Sinai was filled to clicking capacity!

And then with a collective groan, it was time to make our way down and return rented blankets back to the bedouin rest stops.

It was strange "seeing" our surroundings! The view was spell binding and unnerving at the same time.

It was God's country!

The journey was not easy, but it was so worth the experience! 

Break Time!

Bedouins greeted us at the bottom of the 750 steps and haggled with us over a "good price" to ride their camels back to the monastery. And haggle I did! Thankfully, I got another sweet docile mount!

However, the camel station was a crowded site to get through!

But then we were off!

This was my bedouin camel guide.

I had fun taking pictures along the way.

And then the welcoming sight of St. Catherine's loomed ahead in the distance. I was so ecstatic! It had been a long morning, and a long 6 hr round trip journey. My back ached, and my knees hurt. However, I was blessedly thankful for having done it. To think that Moses had made a similar journey to meet with God, made all my aches and pains disappear. It was a spiritual and unforgettable journey of a lifetime!

The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-15)

 A couple week-ends ago, I headed up the Sinai Peninsula towards St. Catherine's Monastery in Mount Sinai; the site where Moses led the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt and where God revealed himself to Moses in the form of a burning bush. Moses was a respected man of God amongst the Jews, Christians, and Muslims. To take part in the pilgrimage of where Moses may have walked was so exciting! Regardless of the differing theories that have been debated by scientists and religious scholars about this site, my Christian beliefs acknowledge that Moses walked upon this land and spoke to God. This journey was both moving and spiritual for me, and I am grateful for having experienced it..

St. Catherine's Monastery is "the oldest working Christian monastery in the world," and is sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. It was built around 527 A.D. by order of Emperor Justinian I, a Roman (Byzantine) ruler. Its library contains the 2nd largest collection of early religious codices and manuscripts after the Vatican, and is the site of the burning bush --- which still garners debate amongst religious scholars today.

Entrance into the monastery.

St. Catherine's interior pathways were lined with stoned tiles.

 Guest accomodations were provided on a first come/first serve basis. The rooms were plain, but were clean and orderly. A dining room was also on the compound, which was convenient because the monastery was at a remote, an isolated location.

Steps by the reception office led to the lower back courtyard where some of the guest rooms were located.

My room was by the East wall, and like all sides of the monastery's walls had a view of Mount Sinai.

Bedouin guides and camel herders camped on the outskirts of the monastery.

These young bedouin boys caught my eye, as they were bringing camels back down from the top of the mountain.

The bell tower and the Church of the Transformation (Basilica).

The monastery was built to fortify the church which suffered desert raids throughout the centuries. The church was rebuilt several times, and was renamed the Church of Transformation. Unfortunately, no pics were allowed to be taken inside.

This was Moses' Well. While it was modernized over the centuries until it was finally closed off, it was said that Moses drank from this very same well.

The Chapel of the Burning Bush was built by Helena, mother of Constantine I. The chapel was supposedly built over the roots of the burning bush that God had transformed into when he spoke to Moses. This bush is supposed to have come from the very same roots! While this bush has stirred debates on its authenticity, it has been documented that root clippings removed from this bush and transplanted elsewhere have met with failed results. So far, only St. Catherine's site has been the only place where the bush has thrived. Understandably, the bush was barricaded off, so we could not get close enough to touch it. However, the thought that this could be the ACTUAL bush had my pulses racing!!! It was a fantastic first day, filled with amazing sights. However, the real exploration was the next day's early morning pilgrimage up "Moses' Mountain". Stay tune!