Tumblr

Ooops! Just got addicted with Tumblr.

Cool lay-outs. Way better than Blogger or Wordpress. I love it especially for photos. Aack! It sure can distract me from school.

I was just browsing browsing the other day for non-stuff out of sheer laziness.  After tumbling upon tons of quotations in graphics from Tumblr, I wondered how the heck it worked.  So up I joined.

Two days later, I still can't get enough of it.  I love its layouts!  Since I don't have something right now to work on to relieve stress, I browsed through 2009 photos, chose a few that I liked, edited some, then posted them. Voila! A preview of my 2009, a collection of the shots that I liked (and which I think were the best).  Check it out here: http://katefarrales2009.tumblr.com.

Originally, I thought that since my blog in Blogger looks cluttered (at least for my standard), I decided to make my Tumblr blog the blog for photos (sort of the photoblog choice of the moment).  The 2009 preview was a decision after seeing (and realizing) that "my 2009 best" cannot be highlighted with my ordinary regular mediocre shots of my day-to-day (at least will try to make it daily, but I doubt I could make that) life.  So here's the link: http://katefarrales.tumblr.com.

I'll still keep this blog, and the other one.  This for the random rants, while the other for trip/travel/adventure features.  Speaking of the latter, I hope to add to that one soon.  I miss going on trips!

So, I still have an exam tomorrow, and I need to study.  I've splurged my whole weekend on non-school-related stuff already, plus half of this Monday.  Good luck!

(P.S. I still need to drop by a Meralco branch since I forgot to pay the bill, and its due two days already!  Tsk tsk.)

Now that you're in Singapore

"Even if I haven't spent enough quality time with you, even if you may feel neglected at times, and even if our memories together have been quite few, you're still a big part of my life.  Since yesterday, I've been missing you.  I hope I have given more time for you, made more memories to cherish forever."

Oh yeah, that's for my camera. Mon brought it to Singapore, who flew there just this afternoon.  I don't know when he'll be back (and ultimately, when I'll be reunited with my dear cam).  Or I should go get it there myself if he doesn't come home soon.  He should, however, shoulder my plane ride as I am currently living in poverty.

Apparently, it's true - you only get to value someone (or something) when it's gone.  Fortunately, it's not going to be a permanent (or even long) separation.

Anyway, this semester has been quite slow... The readings and stuff needed to be done have been piling up very slowly, but now it has become very big.  Scary.  (And yet, here I am writing on this thing.)  It still feels slow, though.  And boring.

Bored, even with tons of stuff to do or readings to read.  (I think I prefer problems that can be solved mathematically than read historical analyses of what happened or whatever.)  That boredom made me want to re-ignite my love affair with a camera - particularly, start an amazing affair with my dear cam (I really have not made it a habit to name my gadgets, and even if I do, I probably would have given them boring names).

To prep me up, I've been reading some articles from DPS - just enough to get me excited.  Now that dear cam's in SG, the momentum might swing away.  Yet, I hope not.

So what other "creative" outlet to turn to?  Put some sizzle to life!

12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country

I got this from an e-mail, which the sender found from her "favorite book at home written by an old friend" who "thought it over long trips visiting underprivileged clients."

From The 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country by Alex "Pinoy" Lacson

1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.

I do follow traffic rules.

2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.

I do it except in sari-sari stores, or when I'm just tired and oblivious to the world.

3. Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.

I don't buy smuggled as far as I know.  Yet, I have some pirated programs in my laptop (I think three) and tons of pirated e-books and music or movies.  I love Filipino products, but let's not start talking about comparative advantage...

4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.

Yes I do!  Except that election in our country is so not ideal...

5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.

Yes, sir! I just hope they are respectable, too.

6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.

Of course.

7. Support your church.

How?

8. During elections, do your solemn duty.

I vote and I will vote.

9. Pay your employees well.

Employees?

10. Pay your taxes.

Uh-oh.

11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.

I am student myself who needs financial assistance, too.

12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

Oh, not yet a parent.

How will I fare next year?

Imagine

Could I just be imagining things?

I just saw last night a large flying insect that at first glance looked like a mosquito, and somewhat a spider when it was on the wall.  When I saw it flying again, it looked like a giant mosquito.

I was reading some journal article when it flew past in front of me, through the study lamp, then behind the study table.  I was shocked. Then I checked it behind the table to make sure that it was real, and it was there!  I freaked out.  I did not know what kind of insect it was.  I was afraid to smack it with a bunch of papers.

So I went to get some insecticide, then sprayed it on the strange insect.  Then it flew again, and again I freaked out.  Then it flew again, and again I sprayed some insecticide until it was gone.  I didn't know where it went, probably died, or hid, or disappeared from my imagination.

Later learning that I shouldn't have had sprayed the poisonous chemical in my room when the aircon was turned on and my little sister was asleep, I sprayed some freshener and left the door open.  While waiting for the smell to go away, I comforted myself by hiding from my blanket, wishing the strange giant insect would not appear anymore (or grow bigger).

It wasn't really giant.  Just the size of a gagambang bahay (the spider with thin long legs), but flying.

Did I just encounter a common insect I don't know and haven't seen until now that I'm 25? Maybe I was just imagining things.

A Holiday Greeting from Subic

Taken before the Grotto (north-bound) in Subic, while stuck in traffic due
to some unfortunate maneuvering of a heavy equipment used in construction on
Dec. 19, 2009.

I'll take pictures of Castillejos park and plaza before the new year, after
I'm done with my paper.

Happy holidays (again)! Oh, I still have the holiday (vacation) mood despite
the paper (and probably the reason why I can't write the paper). :)

P.S. (off topic) I'm loving Gmail Labs (offline mode). I can now save
attachments even when offline!

Happy Holidays!

A simple *noche buena*, not a grand display of foods, but a lovely gathering
anyway, especially with cheerful Lara and sleepy Venice. Love love love!
Merry Christmas! :)

A Christmas Wishlist

Homeworks over the Christmas break really breaks the break.

School-related to do list:

• Two short (just three pages each) for economic history
• A (probably) long homework for microeconomics (which I haven't really seen yet)

Christmas vacation want to do list:

• Write here (which I'm doing anyway). My last real entry was months ago! And since I can't focus on school work, might as well finish this thing.
• Write my Christmas wishlist (I haven't done it yet for this year. Read it here somewhere below.)
• Read on photography tips. I suck at using flash, and yet I always am in low light situations, and my camera cannot really handle well low light scenes with lots of actions going.
• Use the camera on trips! Though this thing would cost me some gas (or food) money.
• Sleep, eat and play with the kids (my sisters)!
• Read on school-related yet interesting stuff without pressure.

And to continue my yearly list, even if no one really bothers to send me gifts in that list, here it is!

CHRISTMAS WISHLIST:

• A compact digital camera, easy to bring anywhere
• For the summer season, a waterproof camera and or a waterproofing gear for that big one
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens (just copied this thing from some website, but that cute little lens, I want that...hihi)

I don't have the money, nor the means to make that money, yet, so those listed above are really just in my dreams. And now for the more realistic ones.

• New wardrobe and shoes! And accessories :)
• A nice (really nice, let's talk about Oakley) pair of shades
• A single bag for the laptop and camera

And the most realistic ones...

• Nice set of earphones that fit my ears
• Books (I have the list in my FB account, except for the HP series)
• More trips!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :)

Now back to (ir)regular programming... (why have I enrolled in grad school again? oh yeah, I remember...)

P.S. I forgot about the 1 TB external hard disk drive! Or even half of that size. Simply an external HDD. I need it!

Noong Pebrero

February pala ito. At ngayong taon lang na ito!

Salamat kay Ed para sa larawan.

P.S. ...sinusubukan ko lang ang Flickr-blog upload via e-mail...at trip
lang, hindi recent pic ang ginamit ko... :)

Cute Dog!

December 13, 2009

On the way to World Trade Center for the bazaar!

Ballpen and yellow paper

Always with me...