 | a woman's place is where she wants to be | Jan 31, 2007 |
 | Oxymoron | Aug 20, '08 12:41 PM
for everyone |
BEAUTIFUL MISTAKE Whatever sugarcoating, 
still, just plain wrong. 
Sinful Fudgie Brownie Day Off with Chef John & Lovely Kar COOK-BAKE-EAT-DRINK-TALK-LAUGH 
Who says this toy is only for the big boys eh?
They told me not to buy Canon, but I think my one-week old geeky equipment is just enough for my everyday "tourista mode" needs. And besides, Canon EOS 450D comes with a 18-55mm lens kit, and a free AF70-300mm lens, 2G memory card and a nice little back pack. (God Bless Dubai Summer Shopping Fest!) But so much of my appreciation for photography, I think there is more than just looking through that complicated yet amazing thick lens and clicking the shutter for a worthy photograph. Buying a professional camera is similar to buying something important like a house or a car, or even worse, getting into a relationship. :) And if I am in this relationship, this camera is definitely playing female. It needs extra care in handling for it has so many configurations, as well as complications hehe :) 
Anyways, I started to be friendly with it, unfortunately, I think it is living up to its name, (Canon Digital Rebel XSI) and giving me the hard time of discovering the magic it could bring :( Even I sleep beside it, read the manual while playing with it until I fall asleep, it would be ridiculous if I write something about this camera since I am still in the "point-and-shoot" phase. hehe :) And sometimes, I just can't handle the nose-bleeding from the terminology! haha Besides my Kuya Chris, Kuya Jepoy, Kuya Seamus and the 3Ms I only listen to when it comes to camera geeky stuff (Macky, thanks for all the advise on the lens, you are a true master :) Mikey, you know I have been bugging you about this since college days hehe :) and Melchi, your photos will always make me believe that life is beautiful again... I only listen to the experts' reviews found in dpreview.com. This site is recommended before buying a camera for it compares everything to everything else, and it basically tells you all the relevant information from prices to specifications. But in my own world, (without the things I cannot comprehend about tech stuff), Canon 450D is an equipment so advance yet any amateur cam-holder like me could grasp its technicalities in no time. It is relatively easy and user-friendly :) 
Canon 450D will always be compared to Canon 40D, since it is its predecessor. However, the Digital Rebel launched more improved features far from what the previous one has. The only disadvantage they see is the price and what they call the exposure compensation, which is +/-2.9 EV. 
Okay, it has 2 more extra mega-pixel (from 10 to 12megapixel, which I am not sure if it makes any difference at all), it has the largest screen, and longer battery life. Apart from that, what I like about it is the independence it gives the user to configure the settings in situations they prefer. I found the additional "My Menu" very practical for people like me who just wants to discover what the cam can do, for creativity's sake. ^__^
 I waited until the sun is asleep before I tried my new cam. 50 degrees will melt both me and my baby :(
The two mosques outside my balcony now serve as the subjects of my everyday 'clicking' practice. At night, I just open my curtains and fix my eyes onto them, (Although it is not allowed to take photos! hehe :) After taking newbie shots, I started thinking if it is really the man or the machine who deserves the credit behind a good photograph. On the other hand, I always bear in mind that having a quality camera doesn't guarantee somebody can make the perfect shots every time. If you ask me, I am more than satisfied just by playing with it :) Have cam, will shoot :)
I spent almost the whole afternoon with a stranger cab driver, thanks to the regular traffic jam on my way home. However, I must say, I have enjoyed the cheap entertainment during the time I was stuck in traffic when I saw this. :) 
 Learn from the mistakes of others, who knows, your mirrors are next! His improvised car windows say it all. Enjoy :) It thought it is goin to be a typical evening duty. 
As I contain myself with the couches downstairs my apartment while I wait for the bus, it came to me with full awareness that I haven't been sleeping really well during the past few days of the week. Maybe, I just miss everything about home. I wanted to close my eyes. I mean, I wanted to hibernate, not even sleep. A few more minutes of hearing the mosque outside combined with the crazy Indian ring tones comin' out of our guards' cellphone, my ears will start bleeding to death. It was still early, but I just want to get this night over with and finish this flight. A loud screeching and banging outside our lobby sucked me out from all the momentary hallucinations and reverie - there were two cars, two families, some injured, some dead. The world stopped for a while just to look and see. I even forgot that I could still see the sun at 7:00pm and it was 50 degrees outside. Shocked, I just stared, because that is all I can do.Then came the police, the paramedics and all people who can help. How surreal life can be? The blood on the broken window glasses reminds me that death exists even in the strangest and unanticipated form you could imagine. Death is the only thing that is free of prejudice. It never chooses. It sees no color, race and age. It forbids further questions whether you are prepared for its coming or not. And most importantly, it always arrive with mystery and surprise. The bus is here, time for me to move on. JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. 
SHUKRAN,SALAMAT
 
....
If LOVE has a name, what would we call it? If only this book could whisper its contents in your ears while you are reading the sweet words engraved on its pages, it would make you feel that loving somebody could be the most amazing human experience ever, and all of indifferences dissolve in absurdity. (And plus you get the *kilig* factor every page.) I just borrowed this book entitled NINETY-NINE NAMES OF LOVE (Expressions of the Heart) authored by Priya Hemmingway from Desislava Stoykova, one of my closest buddies back in the training college. She brought this from her hometown in Sophia, Bulgaria. (I am still on my way of figuring out if there are any stocks in Dubai.) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * My days off could either be boring or extreme. Especially now that its freakin' 40 degrees outside my house, I wouldn't think about going out. Reading books, experimenting with my cooking and just basically doing nothing is a good way to maximize my days off. I feel very blessed too, because my friends are just one or two floors away from my room. (We bug each other, yeah) Since we have our own schedules of flights and days off, we rarely see each other, and by the time we meet, we have tons of stories to tell (^__^) and of course, we just talk.. and talk.. and talk.. and talk more. Aside from the regular chismisan, our favorite topics of all are... (which I think most girls do) Relationships, Love, Marriage and all the twist and tangles, my dear. Without even noticing it, this is our way of coping up with our daily homesickness. Especially to Ivy and Ate Edna who are soon to be wives this year. (Congrats!) They say that this occupation will never be friendly for a decent relationship, and sadly, the idea of' 'friendship' is most of the time superficial because you meet a lot of people - a lot. But you need to manage, you really need someone especially in this city. I guess, others just do well at it and survive.
 The anecdotes I have read in this book are very remarkable,optimistic and simply uplifting to the heart. It claims that by expressing love, life becomes divine. Your belief in love just grows stronger. The unplublished poems and prose from writers (even Tolstoy and Christian saints) born in exotic countries like Tajikistan, Persia, Afghanistan and India among others are accompanied with its colorful kama-sutra-ish illustrations. it complements the story behind each "name of love". I handpicked my favorites. These are lines you hear in weddings, man. Not cheesy, but super ancient flowerly *kilig* statements. To Yves and Ate Edna (I am aware that you are about to tease me that this is one silly product of my boredom, but hey, whatever, this is for you. All I ask is to be the one of the flower girls and please spare me some wedding cakes.. please. ^___^ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Love is Glorious "In that glory there is no I or We or Thou. I, we, Thou, He and She are all in one thing." Mansur Hallaj (B857) Sufi Mystic and Martyr from Persia Love is Affectionate "The bride has entered the sweet garden of her desire, and she rests in delight, laying her neck on the gentle arms of her beloved." St. John of the Holy Cross (1542-1591) Christian mystic and poet born in Spain Love is Life "If you want to live, die in love; Die in love if you want to remain alive." Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273) Sufi Mystic and Poet in Tajikistan
Love is Understanding"All, everything I understand, I understand because I love." Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910, Russian Author) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Maybe I should let my folks read this. Nah. Way too late. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | Almusal | May 11, '08 4:22 AM
for everyone |
[haiku: good morning Joachim]  Sweet sunshine taste on my plate with your warm embrace
A zest of life and of love, squeezed into juices The morning birds come to sing, humming their usual joyful tunes. Join me in me in this special meal Even my breakfast is your lunch time Just can't start the day without you. 
I first saw it in a snowball. The rest is pure adoration and amazement.
 Golden Touch: At least everything you see in the atrium lobby is covered in pure gold. 
This 28 story high or exactly 321 meters above an artificial sand in the Jumeriah beach waters makes the Burj Al Arab the world’s tallest hotel! The Burj Al Arab is the only seven star hotel in the world, which houses 202 bedroom suites. At night, the middle part of the façade, made from fibre glass changes its colour. ~I could only tell you so much~  All of this spectacular experience will not be possible without Ate Edna, who previously worked in the Jumeriah Beach Hotel, which is only a couple of blocks away from the Burj Al Arab. She managed to book a special tour for us inside the suites for free! On a regular basis, you need to pay Dhs 300 ( roughly Php 3,000 ) for a small cup of Arabic coffee! 
Their atrium lobby, which happens to be the highest in the world, houses the golden coated reception area. The warmest welcome from a multi-cultural staff will greet you and welcome you with the finest Arabic coffee and dates.
 There is a separate hotel reception every floor.  The door, the windows, lights and even cabinets found in the presidential suite can be controlled using a remote.
Since the emirate Dubai started as a fishing settlement then a pearl-diving center,people look at the Burj Al Arab not as a typical hotel, but a modern reminder of their progress from traditional to an advance society.
  "A cup of coffee
shared with a friend * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * is happiness tasted and time well spent."
-anonymous I think I would place the blame to Kuya Jayps, Nard and Claire for this one. hahaha-Just kidding. love love love The craze started a year ago about the same month as today, where my night and day is technically just the same because of my part time work. After school, I take two trains, one jeepney and pass four shopping malls. (Gateway, Farmer's Plaza, Guadalupe Mall and Market! Market!) Looking back at those haggard days, I still can't figure out how I did it. My body needs to stay awake. And as antidote to the sleepy feeling for most of people of my same job last year is to drink COFFEE.  Although I have been researching some information about coffee since I was in second year college, I rarely drink coffee. It's not that I hate its taste but I know the 'wapak' factor it would bring me. I drink coffee, but if there is tea, I'd rather choose it. (with all those aroma, leafy taste and extra honey, please) Now since we are now in what we call "ber" months, the "ber-months-breeze" gives me the same exact feeling why I find myself sitting with my friends at any Starbucks Coffee shop at least every night of the last few months of last year.   
It's the time of the year where Starbucks gives away the sought after planner/ organizer to customers who could complete the required stamps. Come and think of it, this is very impractical. For a minimum P150 drink, it earns 1 silver stamp. Don't forget that you need to complete the 21 slots to avail the planner. It is like the organizer costs a couple of thousand pesos. Geez. (Well, they say the proceeds will go to Sparks of Hope foundation, Starbucks Coffee Foundation) To cut the drama out, I am making an early New Year's Resolution: No more silver stamps for me this year Don't get me wrong! I have savored the first quarter of the planner. In fact, it turned out to be a scrapbook. I am the only person who touches it. But, you know, if you have sisters, we try our best to sneak out on each other's 'diaries' haha! Anyways, since I have no plan of riding the bandwagon this year, I am sharing the highlights of my beloved planner, my inner thoughts and all its sweet madness wrapped in its thick black leather coat. 
Through my fingers: I never miss a day without writing, If I don't have anything to write about, I draw, I scribble, I cut and paste just about anything. "Everything is RENT" "The movie is right, there is just no other day but today"  I am not selfish, but really, it is just all about me A calendar not to count the days but its blessings An empty page to be the canvas of my thoughtA short prayer not to ask but to thank And most of all, A family picture to remind me of what am I here for.  Life: Love, Lose and Learn I choose to end my relationship and attachment with this planner. Every page, every word comes so strong and unmanageable. The pen only meets the paper when it is sad I have to stop, or else I it would stop me. "Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but looking outward together in the same direction" -The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery  Different everydays Special days in my calendar happen during ordinary days Each leaf and pages tell a different story Documenting one's emotion Celebrating occasions It is dangerous to re-read the stories and to look back at the pictures just arouse bittersweet memories For now,this chapter ends "When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there's no need at all to understand what's happening, because everything happens within you". -page 155, The Alchemist Paulo Coehlo Not because I won't have a Starbucks planner, I will not write. (what is Papemelroti doing? hehe ^__^) I know my friends are getting busier,but it doesn't mean we aren't having coffee nights together. This year is not definitely not the best or the worst year either. But I am more looking forward for the new year than any other holiday this year. And its not even November yet! 
 
O r t i g a s Thousands of salary men reside in your streets. Hundreds of elevators embed in your buildings. You help people get a living but not a life. And people never really get to speak. But not yesterday…
When you are really tired after a day’s work, all you want is an FX that will park in front of you as if saying ‘let’s now go home’. For a while it’s drizzling, another sleepy afternoon. I feel that public transportations and elevators have something in common. Most people have the same destinations but they rather sulk into silence and not speak during the journey. They don’t speak. But not yesterday… Many people like to seat in front, beside the driver seat for different reasons. I am one of them. I think the aircon is cooler and comfortable. But not yesterday… Since I sat beside the middle aged, large-built, deep-tone voiced, hairy driver, he never stop talking. I think, I made the wrong choice. His qualms about the no U-turn slots His connections inside the city capitol make him confident about not getting arrested should he violate any traffic rule… Cursing the passengers who did not pay their fare… And even Manny Pacquiao should be a national hero. What is the only passenger to do? Nod and smile occasionally. Taking advantage of this over friendly driver, I responded to his questions enthusiastically and even challenge him about the things he said. Anyway, it’s not everyday that you talk to strangers in the streets. When I am about to go, he now places the “feeling close” card on his forehead. It felt strange because he sounds like a father. It freaked me a out a little. He sounds like a father giving a riddle-like advice to a daughter whom he will not see again. Out of the topic, out of no where he said: Kaya ikaw ineng dapat sa mga gagawin mong desisyon wala kang pagsisisihan. [As for you young girl, make sure that you will never regret any decisions you will make in your life] He startled me a little but all I can do is smile. The rest of the night, I found my self questioning myself about regrets, decisions, my purpose and my destiny. Now, I found the answer why some people just remain silent. Somebody needs to listen. When people speak and somebody is willing to listen, There will be no such word as a stranger. Am I too optimistic about it? Probably, yeah? I did not even ask his name. I think have no reason to. Maybe in the next few days of my life in Ortigas we might meet again.
I hope next time the vehicle will be full and I am not the only person inside! And I hope he will let me pay my fare. Thanks manong. The altered version of happily ever after...  Belle: My husband is an animal Cinderella: Mine sill drives me a pumpkin Snow White: My husband leaves me with the 7 little ones. Ariel: Mine wants me to wear a fish net stockings Sleeping Beauty: I just pretend I'm asleep 
I hate to say I told you so, but just give me the pleasure to say I told you so that..
We are going home with the crown! This photo is the banner outside the school taken during the victory party. THE PARADE OF THE RED SHIRTS f a n <noun> etymology: probably short for fanatic; 1. an enthusiastic devotee ( as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator.   
During the game, you just can't help but take snapshots of random people. Different emotions, different expectations - and they come in cool shirts too! The third picture defines "ordinary fan" to the next level. It's the Ogie Menor hairstyle syndrome.   
[left]: There was this one lively group of students who passionately tally Sam Ekwe's score, rebounds, steals and points. They came very prepared with that improvised scoreboard. I remember our 'batibot days' during college haha ^__^ [right]: Kuya JP, Bernie and my Joachim: They were all standing. Very intense...yeah? |
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