where is this sun you speak of?

Outview , the first book of the Inner Movement series, by Brandt Legg is published by The Sager Group on January 29, 2013. The story is about a teenage boy named Nate who has been seeing and experiencing outviews in his dreams. Certain circumstances made him realize that there is something much more than his present life. As the days progress, he becomes more and more acquainted with these weird experiences in which he is always being chased by someone armed or something weird. Little by little, he and his friends, including his family, realized there is something happening around which is more than what is normal. The story becomes more complex as it progresses. There were puzzling situations, twists and turns, and amazing magical powers happening as Nate (and everyone close to him) walks on a journey he never thought of passing through. A part of the story made me think if there is really that kind of secret group in the government. I admit reading that part of t...

Dear dreams , The reason why I still go on walking along this rocky path of life is because of you. You are comprised of both real and unreal things. Some real, tangible things that seem so easy to achieve but I am too clueless how to start. Some unreal things that require me to take risks, do wild things, or nothing. Most of the time I just let you sit in the air and not mind how to deal of your presence. That does not mean I don't care. It means I still have hope for you but there are more things easier to achieve. Or so I thought. Thank you for existing in my head. I know it takes years but you are still hanging in there. Thank you for the patience. It's not like how others' dreams are; others seem to achieve theirs quickly than I do but maybe that is because I dream about big, difficult, and almost impossible things. I am taking baby steps now. I clearly don't know how to put myself out there but once I figure it out, perhaps it will be easy. Be pa...

(August 4, 2013)   Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. It is quarter to eight in the evening and it is raining. Thought the weather would make me sulk further but as I am typing down my words I am feeling better. Maybe writing has that effect on me. It has a capacity to calm me down and think about what really matters in life. For years I have been dealing with unlikely situations and although I try to avoid such happenings it just comes along with me anywhere I go.  I know I am too old to write about the same thing over and over: writing down words while pouring out all the emotions away. I don't mean to be mushy or whatever, it's what my life has been lately. I can't get away from that and believe me I want to get away from all of these unlikely things. I could not find my way out just yet. Screw the one who made me feel anxious all the time. I sometimes pity myself for being with this kind of person but I know it won't stay this way forever. I am tir...

It's my first time to use the Holga135BC camera that I borrowed from a friend. I loaded it with Kodak Color Plus 200 film and used from January to March. I encountered a problem with the camera's counter after several shots. It doesn't move once it reaches 8 but I can still roll the film. Having no clue what was going on, I slowly opened its back under a shade and checked if the film was placed properly. I knew it would ruin some photos but I wanted to make sure the camera still works. Although the camera is designed to have some light leaks (which I thought so), I have gotten several photos that are fully leaked. Not really sad about that though. That's film. You won't always get perfect photos. I reckon I have multiple photos that are blurred and out of focus but I like them. The light leaks add more drama and feel to each of the photo Also, for this first roll, I learned somehow that 200 ISO needs more lighting than what I thought. I don't really know mu...

  Taking for granted the medium level (of flavor strength label) of this tea was a wrong act. Based from its aroma, one would definitely indulge a big gulp. That's what I did when I had my very first cup of English Breakfast Tea. To be honest, I did not quite like its flavor. I thought it was too strong for me. I knew it will take me a while to evaluate fully the taste. And so from one sip to another, I ended up drinking the whole cup.  My primary reaction of its bitterness is basically because of my expectation. At least now I know what Twinings' medium flavor strength tastes like in my mouth. Once I learned that the English Breakfast Tea is actually a black tea, I just started loving it. My sister gave me a bunch of teas so I am just basically trying out everything. In which I am really thankful for because I have now a good alternative of coffee. Green tea is a good alternative but I must say English Breakfast Tea is just as good as coffee.  Sometimes I dr...

It's the first time (in a long time) that I woke up early again and it feels great. As usual I drink coffee, read new blog entries, and listen to a breakfast mix composed of French songs over 8tracks in my pajamas . My usual good dose of sunshine on a rainy month, same old good morning vibes (except that I miss seeing the simple interface of Google Reader). This morning routine has been going on for two years. It's funny how I still feel the same morning feelings except that now I wouldn't worry about school stuff. I have been feeling blah ever since I finished college. So now I feel lucky that I don't have to force myself to school but at some point I long for those busy days because being busy is better than doing nothing, obviously. But some things must end. I reckon how many times I wished those days would end. It's so true that once you get out of college, you'll definitely miss it especially when you're jobless. So I let myself busy by writing, read...

Mimes Chimes and Rhymes (verses by Ian Graham; drawing by Emilie Vercruysse) is a 50-page book of poetry published on March 2013. First, I want to talk about the verses, in which I really enjoyed reading in one sitting. The poems are funny and smart. It's not the boring kind of fun. When reading poems, sometimes it makes me giggle whenever the last word of each line rhymes together. So I enjoyed the verses very much. Second, the drawings are absolutely fitting to each of the verses. Not the kind that I would draw from the verses. In other words, I'm not clever enough to draw such witty comics! Overall, it's an easy, short and funny read. :) I got this from First Reads and sent by the author himself in which he wrote: "All our best to Debbie Grace. Winner of the Goodreads race. So where's this sun of which you speak? Well, here's some fun to make you shriek." I totally shrieked while reading it because I LOVE RHYMES AND HE JUST WROTE SOMETHING F...

Hi! A couple of months ago, I made my very first S'mores. You just need some Graham crackers, marshmallows (fat-free), and chocolate bars. Place crackers on a microwavable plate. Top with a chocolate bar and marshmallows. I used Toblerone (!) and fat-free marshmallows. Put as much as you want but if you want a not-so-messy (!) S'mores, you can put just enough . As you can see, I did otherwise. Top with another layer of crackers. You can do two layers if you want. Cook in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. I added some more locally-made fat-free mango-flavored marshmallows and caramel puffs! Now you are ready to party! Look at that! It looks very messy, don't you think? But who cares if it's messy, it's S'mores! The marshmallows did  not melt so I suggest using smaller ones or adjust the time it is in the microwave. As you can see, I still have some excess melted Toblerone! Messy but yummy! I'll try to make a less messy and designed f...

Throughout my entire college life, I have never experienced volunteering in campus activities. I have some courses and organizations that required me to get in touch with the community which I enjoyed and learned so much from. I was a passive student most of the time and I'd rather focus on little things that mattered most with regards to my course rather than be all-out. In the Summer of 2013, my last months at the university, Don and I heard news from UCEAC seeking volunteers for the upcoming Midterm Election. Together with Nemuel, we volunteered for the Blue Vote 2013. Came the day of the Volunteers' Training and Orientation, 6 days before election, it was a half-day activity wherein we were informed about the rules & regulations, PCOS machine, and field reporting led by different speakers including local news reporters. There were around 600+  volunteers from Ateneo. Came the day of the election, the three of us, together with four volunteers, were assigned as ...

These days my afternoons are usually spent drinking coffee or tea to blend with the cold weather. A cup is perfect for calming down after a whole day's work. Much better with soothing music in the background or even just the sound of rain. One of my favorite teas is the Wild Berry Zinger Herbal Tea from Celestial Seasonings. It consists of hibiscus; rosehips; roasted chicory; orange peel; blackberry leaves; natural flavors of: black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, red raspberries, cranberries and cherries; citric acid. A definitely caffeine-free tea. The sweetness is enough for me but you can put some honey if you want. It has a fruity aroma and a strong fruity taste. It's the first tea I got from Celestial Seasonings and so far I am loving every sip of it. :)

First page of the book Farmwife by Marion Roberts . If you're from Ateneo, you might want to read it patiently. ( Written during my last month in Ateneo as a student. In which I spent time in the library reading a really old book, Farmwife by Marion Roberts, and sometimes free writing in which, most of the time, for more than 5 years, I didn't make any sense at all although I try to give my best but always fail .) Let me tell you about myself. What I have become after twenty-two years of living. To tell you quite frankly, I don't know where to start. If I will write something based on today, it might or might not matter tomorrow, in a week, a month, or in five years. But today, I exist. I exist among these students in an air-conditioned library who are trying to study for their exams. Today I am trying to finish a book published on 1952. It is about a woman who lives in the farm. It is not a novel rather a diary with twenty-two chapters. I am half way to fin...