Thursday, December 30, 2010

Christmas Fireworks

sm north fireworks display 2010 (1)

Despite not having a good camera, I do my best to capture fireworks displays with my Nokia 2760. Mind you, the camera’s only a VGA, but I’m quite impressed with the results.

sm north fireworks display 2010 (2) sm north fireworks display 2010 (3)

It seems odd that SM North’s Christmas Fireworks paled in comparison to Trinoma’s though.

trinoma fireworks display 2010 (1) trinoma fireworks display 2010 (2)

I think I was lucky to be at Trinoma on the 25th, and that my nephew went through the trouble of getting the show times for both. He took videos of the whole thing, but I’m not sure if he uploaded them anywhere.

trinoma fireworks display 2010 (3) trinoma fireworks display 2010 (4)

trinoma fireworks display 2010 (5) trinoma fireworks display 2010 (6)

Even the trees that were in the way gave a nice “framed” effect for Trinoma’s shots.

I suppose I should post this in facebook too, seeing this is the only thing that made my Christmas awesome this year. ^^;

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

How Do I Plan to Plan My 2011 with a Planner?

I dare you to say my blog title 5 times really, really fast! xD

A question asked in Bong's contest competing for a rare Starbucks Planner from Malaysia.

The more I think about this inquiry, however, the more it begs the question: Can you really plan anything for the coming new year?

Certain circumstances usually come to “rain on your parade” whenever you least expect it. For instance, I had planned on migrating to Canada earlier this year, picturing my first experience of the autumn weather and finally getting to watch the snow fall on my perfect white Christmas. I had also planned to learn how to drive, take up my Master’s Degree for Fine Arts, study Mandarin, and the like.

None of these plans came true; mostly because they relied on the one thing that fell apart: my immigration. And my mistake was failing to make a backup plan in case I was asked to stay here for just a little while longer.

Even though the immigration will still occur some time next year, it made me realize a hard fact that the world is really full of uncertainty. You don’t, and can’t, know what the future brings no matter how sure you are that something is going to happen or even how many fortune tellers you go to.

But isn’t that also what makes life more interesting?

Even though I didn’t plan on it, I was able to go to Taipei, Taiwan and not only have the time of my life, but also fulfilled one of my many wish lists I never thought I could. I also started doing commissions on Deviant Art that led me to realize that I’m actually a good enough artist that people will be willing to pay for my work.

Most importantly, I’ve learned to appreciate life a little more, accepting that depression only means you’ve been strong for far too long.

So how will I plan the new year?

By leaving the pages blank… roll with the punches and be thankful for each new day that comes. And if I have to plan something, then I will always have a backup plan. That, and of course, sketch something on the planner almost everyday or as often as possible… like I always do~ ♥

Oh, and in case you don't dare click the links on this post, don't worry guys. All the URLs were shortened by a new URL crammer, xaverian. ^^;

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Grace Christian College: A Christmas Carol

grace christian college students present: a christmas carol grace christian college students present: a christmas carol 2

Last 18th of December, I had the privilege to watch a student play from my alma matter, Grace Christian College (which was previously known as Grace Christian High School). My nephew needed to watch the play for a report, and I decided to tag along.

I didn’t think much about it at first, but I had to admit, I was stunned with the production. All of the students were very talented and among those who stood out were Honeyfer Amancio as Ebenezer Scrooge, Eugene Francis Tan as Bob Cratchit, and Stephanie Ann Yap as the Ghost of Christmas Present. I also like the Town Crier, Hans Christian Golong, as I believe he was the one who bought the turkey that was “as big as I was”.

Overall, the adaptation was brilliant. Perhaps the sound system could have been adjusted better, since some of the dialogue couldn’t be comprehended, but it was a nice, heart-warming play nonetheless. I do hope all the students get credits for their hard-work. ;3

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas at the Malls

giant toy soldiers in sm the block
The Drummers of SM the Block

christmas tree outside gateway mall
A Giant Christmas Tree outside Gateway Mall

How will Christmas be for you this year?

If you asked me that back in November, I’d be excited and tell you about our annual Noche Buena… the kind where I’d be waking everyone up around 11pm of the 24th, just so they can watch me burn the barbeque… and then there would be endless chatter, exchanging gifts, and fighting over who gets to dance the next DDR song.

But this year, it’s different.

My parents have gone to Canada to celebrate the holidays there. My sister on the other hand, will be leaving for Taiwan in a few hours. My brother and his family are visiting their in-laws, although he did mention they’ll be back in time for Noche Buena. My other brother… will probably be with his girlfriend.

That leaves me to the house all by myself.

I held a Christmas Event in deviant art to try and cheer myself up, but that just sunk me deeper into depression. For some odd reason, I can’t draw anything decent at the moment.

I guess I’m not used to spending Christmas alone. ^^;

Oh well… I shall spam you all with some Christmas photos for the mean time. Hope everyone gets a happier Christmas than me~ ♥

giant toy soldiers in sm the block
A "Real" Multi-Lit Train at Mall of Asia

giant toy soldiers in sm the block
Optimus Prime and Other Railcars from Mall of Asia

Monday, December 20, 2010

Personal DNA: My True Self Revealed


Traits x/100
Confidence 8
Openess 42
Extroversion 16
Empathy 98
Trust in Others 16
Agency 10
Masculinity 12
Femininity 64
Spontaneity 36
Attention to Style 40
Authoritarianism 78
Imaginative (0)/Earthy (100) 20
Functional (0)/Aesthetic (100) 80

Who would have thought a lengthy meme like this one would turn out to be so accurate? Evidently, I am not suited for an authoritative position… and yet because I don’t trust people thanks to the fact I have near perfect empathy, it makes me a good leader.

This is going to be in my head for a while.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Charice Pempengco: Reset

When I first encountered Charice in Oprah, I was stunned. She was still a teenager, but her voice was absolutely stunning! I was even more surprised to see her on Glee, but I didn’t know if she also had the talent in singing her own songs too.

After I heard this on the radio though, I’m pretty convinced that she does have a rare talent.

Charice - Reset .mp3
Found at bee mp3 search engine

Hey hey! Pakinggan mo naman ako
Hey hey! I think this is the way na dapat gawin
Reset! Sana naman ika'y sang-ayon din
To all the things that I'm gonna say
I wish ika'y pumayag din
Mag-aagree ka ba?
If I tell you that "Magsimula tayo para tayo'y sobrang happy na"
We should reset all this
Ibalik ang nakaraan

Start it up, Start it up, Oh baby

I like this single very much, even better than her well-known, international song, “Pyramid”. Although the rap does have Tagalog and English in it, it doesn’t sound as annoying as most Tang-glish songs.

Good luck, Charice! Hope we get more awesome songs from you! ♥

Friday, December 3, 2010

Dream Selfy


www.dreamself.me

Now who wouldn't want a rabbit to perch happily on their shoulder anyway?