Learning Photography

My Beau and I. Photo by Chopper

For quite some time, I looked at schoolmates and friends who have their own digital camera with little envy. The closest I am to owning a camera was my sister's GE point and shoot. 

Last January 19, I was told to go to the airport to meet with someone who has the camera sent for me. I was a very cautious since there have been stories about people who were requested to bring something for the relative of their co-workers running away with the packages that were never meant to be theirs. I am also worried about the camera sent. I have no idea about the brand or model of the camera. In my head I was wishing for a Nikon, but a Canon would also be fine. My partiality to Nikon emerged because I usually borrow a friend's Nikon DSLR for my photography class. 

When I got the package, I had in my hands a Canon EOS 1000D which I named Beau.

I brought Beau to school the next day since the university intramurals will end with the cheerdance competition where many classmates participate in.

As expected, I had problems in adjusting to the lighting since the weather was a bit fickle. One minute the clouds covered the sky and the next, the sun was shining bright. When I moved to a different place or indoors, I keep forgetting to change the settings to take advantage of the light.

It was pretty confusing. At times, I felt so dumb for forgetting. I am a beginner. And I am willing to learn more.

Welcome, 2012

Let me share how we spent the New Year's Eve in pictures.

A simple table setting for the celebration
I thank my Brother  for the napkin(tubao) folding.

Chicken and Tuna Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls), Beef Curry and Cold Somen Salad - Yum!
add Frozen Yogurt and Fruits and we have a wonderful feast!

Lighting up the sky with sparklers while the rest can burn thousands of pesos on fireworks

Closer

Resting by the lake, my brother and sister who guided my steps as we walk back up

Usually, it is the hardships the binds people closer together. Sharing the struggles and fighting against it to survive can open our eyes to the people who share the same goals. And during those problems, those who either offer their hand, give encouragement or simply, cheer you on, are the people whom you should look up to and not forget. They are the ones who shares your success.

After a few mornings when we can barely get up due to the cold, my siblings and I mustered the strength to wake up early to walk to the lake. The trek will be an hour of downward slopes and winding roads. It definitely  is a challenge for our legs as we are going to try keeping our balance most especially when the descents are steep. 

I walked to the lake once when I stayed during the semestral break. You don't really get tired to easily when you walk to the lake. Probably, the cool climate helps a lot. The problem will be walking back. Instead of steep descents, you will be facing the reverse.

I haven't tried walking back from the lake to my mother's church. Because it is really hard. I don't have enough stamina to do so. It definitely is hard to drag 90 kilos upward. 

That morning, I wanted to much to look for a tricycle that would bring us back up. I was breathing hard. I can feel my chest pounding. But my brother and sister said "No." They want to walk up if they can. My sister will join me if I get a trike. But my brother wants to keep going. That time, I wanted to hate my brother for the guilt-trip. 

It must be fate that decided not to send any vehicle to help me from my misery. So, together, we climbed to the top. There were stops along the way to catch our(well, mostly mine,) breaths. 

After 45 minute,  I can see the church near a ravine. We were closer to where we started. And in this trek when the choose not to give up on me, we became closer.

Let Me Make A Wish

Lights from the Ayala Triangle Gardens

Christmas is so near. Yet, I don't feel it that much. The weather in Manila remain warm even if the temperature has been lower. At home, the only decor we have is a a sinamay decor that we used on the stairs of the old house we rented. No lights, no trees, no wreaths or lanterns.

I got gifts from exchange gifts from Christmas parties at school, work and church. I was part of a Christmas cantata and even designed the backdrop. Yet, I still don't feel it.

I guess, the idea of how commercialized Christmas has been dampened my feelings toward the celebration. Perhaps, the idea of how much problems the country is facing prevents me from having a really Merry Christmas. And worse, witnessing what was going on the church I'm attending adds despair from my already down spirits.

Amidst all the merrymaking and holiday rush around, I cannot join the people around them. I cannot think of gifts, parties and enjoying the holidays. Not when the distorted perception of the holiday lingers and is instilled in the minds of the majority. Not when the government decides based on vested interests. Not when the people who are preaching God's words are the ones who are not following it.

For this season, I am not wishing for the material things (though I need them in my studies). I wish for compassion. I wish for unity. I wish for a greater understanding. I wish that that once again, people may see that Star in Bethlehem and understand the message of Christ's birth.

I wish for peace. I wish for love.

Project Lost

I lost an assignment from work. It feels like hell. The problem is, I can still finish the job but I know I will be late. But knowing that I will send it past the deadline made me give up. Then, I realized that many of my colleagues have been sending works late.

I need to get back on track.

Repetition

I sometimes wish that I could write and speak like that. I wish that I can find the right words and ways to express what I feel and what I know without just saying them. I hope that I could write poetry the way they can. 

Caffeine+Sweets

Adi(pencilslaugh), Aiza(aizafalconi) and I woke up early for a Congress on Social Media and Cyber-Ethics. While I listened to the speakers, the two (they admitted it) took a nap.

Though I did not enjoy sitting in for a long time, I was happy to attend the said event. I learned a lot from the speakers. And yes, it was the second time I hear Kara David talk.The first time was during the Comguild Convention where she discussed making documentaries. This time she expressed her thoughts on their campaign Think Before You Click and on Cyberbullying.

After that activity, we decided to bond over Iced Cafe Mocha, Red Velvet Hot Cocoa and Ice Blended Mocha Latte. We talked a lot on random things, so I decided to film them talking. I plan to edit the video clip and post it online. And yes, I don't think the video has something we should be ashamed of. :3

Soon, I got an SMS from Chopper(paresatbp) to meet with him in Cafe Noriter.

Too lazy and impatient to wait, I decided that we should meet him at Becky's Kitchen where he is buying a cake for a friend. We, the three of us, walked under the blistering heat of the sun. That time, I seemed to forgot that I don't have a good sense of direction. I rely on maps+instructions. We ended up walking around a block with Chopper nowhere in sight.

After the long hike, we went in the shop and enjoyed the ambiance brought by its interior. When Chopper appeared at the door, we moved to a cozier spot and ordered a slice of Swiss Chocolate Cake for Adi, a mug of hot cocoa for Chopper and a plate of waffles and fruit for me.

It was a great day for caffeinated drinks, sweets and bonding moments with quirky friends. We took a lot of pictures, had loads of conversations (both profound and mundane) and had fun in each others company.