tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64383352024-03-14T05:22:31.975+08:00The Wanderlustshazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-65922826696889491382014-04-24T16:43:00.001+08:002014-05-12T14:12:09.924+08:00Confessions of a Fogged Mind<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wow, I can't believe my feet have taken me back here. I think every time a sort of overload happens in my life, I get the tendency to retreat and look for my safe haven once again which, needless to say, is this blog. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The overload I'm talking about has something to do with my being ill.<br />
<br />
I've had lacunar stroke back in December, and it's turned my world upside down since. The stroke itself was something far from damaging. It was a mild one. My internist, a good and competent doctor, has told me that my case was sort of a fluke, considering that my age and blood make-up were not a likely candidate for such illness. And I do believe him. Well, I suppose, flukes do happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was committed to the hospital for a week after a rather invasive and painful ct scan showed I was having a stroke, although twice before in the emergency room I was misdiagnosed as suffering an acid reflux and was sent home prematurely.<br />
<br />
During confinement, I was given intensive shots of citicoline to wake my neurons up and generate new brain cells. I guess that from then on, my once simple-if-a-bit-leaning-towards-erratic-brain was never the same. Good or bad, I can only speculate.<br />
<br />
My problem began when I started working again four weeks later.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Immediately, I could sense that something in me has changed. I got fidgety and irritable at the slightest stimulus. How's that for stress-busting prevention? Yikes. Secondly, I have known myself to be a bit of a scatterbrain, yet generally useful and capable of mildly complex endeavors. But after the stroke, I realized that I vacillated more often and focused less. There was always a sense of missing out something that I can't exactly pinpoint, and it frustrated me that I couldn't identify it right away. It just felt that I had to get to it, or I would become agitated and endlessly cuss under my breath.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometime around February this year, after boldly taking up driving lessons for five sessions, things turned for the worse. I was always feeling vertiginous, out of balance, fearful. It didn't help that my stomach was always churning and was just plain uncomfortable at all times of the day. I had lessened my caffeine intake, and loaded up on potassium and fiber instead. But there seemed to be no end of the ill feeling. It was just perpetually looming when I least needed it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not being able to cope well, I turned to my internist. This time he told me outright that I was exhibiting pervasive symptoms of anxiety disorder, something expected from a stroke patient like me, but that I needed to mend myself, by myself.<br />
<br />
He did give me Xanor to ease my nerves somehow, but not without warning me adamantly that it can be habit-forming. I personally was resolute to use it only for two weeks as prescribed, so imagine how relieved I was when the pills seemed to indeed alleviate my symptoms. Finally, the monster was put away in the dungeon. Or so I presumed. Ouch! Little do I know that such solutions are meant to be short-lived and are never to be relied upon.<br />
<br />
By mid-March, I was back to square one. I honestly dreaded running back to my internist . I just knew that I had to be off of those pills and do something to combat my infliction the natural way. But how, I just didn't have an iota. So, there I was in his clinic and again he dismissed me saying, "fix yourself".<br />
<br />
Feeling incredulous, I set myself to murdering my doctor mentally. Did I not look to him like a rabid dog that had totally lost it? How do I fix what breaks without provocation and glues itself whole again just when you think it can never be mended? And then breaks again at your most unawares? Tricky shit, right? But then again, he seemed to be right on. Acceptance, that's a word. But right now, how do I accept something so extreme and psychologically fatal and resurrect from those little deaths?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently, I've had anxiety attacks for days on end. It's a tiny hell all the time, if that's what hell in fact feels like. The dizziness, palpitations, nausea, fear of falling and fainting, just the sheer fear of dropping dead in a public place where no one knows you, triggered at a time when you least expect it --that's how bad it is.<br />
<br />
On good days, I'm still myself, easy to please, with a ready laugh, and I guess a healthy enough disposition to not be disparaged by such thoughts and fears of these unknown lurking demons.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But by god ,when it does happen--out of the fucking blue---I swear, I crumble like a handful of sand. Forgive the language. But I can't begin to elucidate how horrible that very moment feels, and unless another person experiences it himself, there is no elucidation that can paint the picture enough for one to understand, or empathize at the very least. I don't know now if talking about it, verbalizing it, confessing it ,would help.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've always made light of the word "shrink", but right about now, I think that's ironically who I most desperately need.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-29322698780013025672013-05-18T14:13:00.001+08:002014-04-24T16:00:38.215+08:00Cruisin’ Mindanao<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72RkSVSXf6s/UZZbIqEnwGI/AAAAAAAACr8/iTNOuac1LyI/s1600/022s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-PH</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I found myself all wrapped up in the preparation for our
family trip down south at the beginning of May. It’s my husband and kids’ first
time to see Mindanao (or parts of it). We would be away for a week and it’s not
a nearby destination, so you ‘d realize how that unsettles me. In terms of
making sure we have a place to stay, enough clothes to wear, ready budget for
food and other incidentals…well, suffice it to say that I was the go-to person,
as other moms in our company were. My female cousins and I have been spent a
considerable amount of time pouring over our itinerary---but the husbands and
kids seem imperturbable and blissfully unaware of the nitty-gritty that had to
be dealt with. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely, the dirty job
rests on motherly hands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On to the trip, I was glad to have a much smaller camera with
me. My big cam has served me well, and it’s always going to be put to good use,
regardless. Oliver got us an EOS-M on our wedding anniversary last April, and I
decided to bring that, together with the dainty prime lenses which I never
really got to use. Being a photography enthusiast, I’ve naturally
planned and imagined taking many amazing pictures and portraits of people, but reality
strikes me that I’m a mom, and time-honoured, it is my utmost job to look after my kids’ needs first. So
forget about <i>amazing</i>. I just took photos, period. Below are images of people and places captured whilst cruising the route of
Davao-Samal-GenSan-Saranggani-Surallah-Sultan Kudarat. The ones where I appear were mostly taken by Oliver, or one of the people in our group.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That was a trip.<i> Literally</i>. At some point, in between plane and jeepney rides,we were cramming
ourselves inside a pretty rundown van that my brother and a cousin took turns to
drive, for hours and hours, on the wide, at times deserted roads of the south. We were
7 adults and 7 kids, almost new to these territories, and all wide-eyed. But
the beaches we’ve been to, the roads we passed, the clear aquamarine waters and
cold spring we’ve dipped our bodies into, the horses, <i>yes horses!</i> we've said hello to, the rough stony roads we braved, the
mountains and waterfalls we <i>flew over</i>, the novel food we’ve partaken of and enjoyed, the unexpected token of warmth and kindness of strangers, the joy
of familiarity in cousins, uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces, or the most random of people, and the stories shared —all that
inundated the senses, and certainly filled a huge part of each one’s personal memory
bank. And it’s the memory of <i>mesmerizing Mindanao</i> that we name it after. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkS_aWTi2lE/UZZbRQWa-5I/AAAAAAAACsE/fwsDobKqNY0/s1600/024s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkS_aWTi2lE/UZZbRQWa-5I/AAAAAAAACsE/fwsDobKqNY0/s1600/024s.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sta. Ana Wharf , Davao City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIJdQTKV6ao/UZZbGa7RuqI/AAAAAAAACr0/bIA67qVyFm4/s1600/021s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIJdQTKV6ao/UZZbGa7RuqI/AAAAAAAACr0/bIA67qVyFm4/s1600/021s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmYSZl1v0IM/UZg0GO-i1yI/AAAAAAAACz0/haCAV5YCrGo/s1600/035s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmYSZl1v0IM/UZg0GO-i1yI/AAAAAAAACz0/haCAV5YCrGo/s1600/035s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badjao kids diving for coins. This boat is bound for a 9am trip to the Samal Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPRvnJ_0tfQ/UZZbtlDmxZI/AAAAAAAACss/B85VRXkYpgc/s1600/107s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPRvnJ_0tfQ/UZZbtlDmxZI/AAAAAAAACss/B85VRXkYpgc/s1600/107s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samal Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZMCobiOdjI/UZZbcHpFvuI/AAAAAAAACsk/8ww4KZFflGg/s1600/084s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZMCobiOdjI/UZZbcHpFvuI/AAAAAAAACsk/8ww4KZFflGg/s1600/084s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lwsd782aCs/UZbmQbWdGmI/AAAAAAAACs8/gWuWHvoUrWk/s1600/089s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lwsd782aCs/UZbmQbWdGmI/AAAAAAAACs8/gWuWHvoUrWk/s1600/089s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kD3sP1KWKCQ/UZZbY3_HELI/AAAAAAAACsY/kFKtTK2BLpE/s1600/062s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kD3sP1KWKCQ/UZZbY3_HELI/AAAAAAAACsY/kFKtTK2BLpE/s1600/062s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4Wf3dpW0OI/UZZbZNaiEbI/AAAAAAAACsU/C2aFz6WU5fg/s1600/075s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4Wf3dpW0OI/UZZbZNaiEbI/AAAAAAAACsU/C2aFz6WU5fg/s1600/075s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ9-vWXhlXA/UZc8-3W-PQI/AAAAAAAACv4/DTsotNdmOE4/s1600/126s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ9-vWXhlXA/UZc8-3W-PQI/AAAAAAAACv4/DTsotNdmOE4/s1600/126s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RHK50npf66o/UZc9Vnys5eI/AAAAAAAACwA/7CShcx_3Naw/s1600/186s.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with our host family, my cousin Gloria Dawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fE76HAW3TPE/UZc97r9LONI/AAAAAAAACwI/vPQXQolVGqQ/s1600/188s.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road trip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq3LXC7vDAc/UZdOwjX6AGI/AAAAAAAACw8/nXnmz-NP6Ro/s1600/197s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq3LXC7vDAc/UZdOwjX6AGI/AAAAAAAACw8/nXnmz-NP6Ro/s1600/197s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saranggani Bay in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc_rNXLpoHs/UZcuqgFSRjI/AAAAAAAACuI/oiGtiPwRgr4/s1600/300s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc_rNXLpoHs/UZcuqgFSRjI/AAAAAAAACuI/oiGtiPwRgr4/s1600/300s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco Beach, Glan, Saranggani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UtUBQ5APXAU/UZcrnuqwVBI/AAAAAAAACtU/nXV_V2Bptsk/s1600/207s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UtUBQ5APXAU/UZcrnuqwVBI/AAAAAAAACtU/nXV_V2Bptsk/s1600/207s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rknHJeSWcGY/UZcs5MEoHCI/AAAAAAAACtk/mwzC3lEPQ8E/s1600/211s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rknHJeSWcGY/UZcs5MEoHCI/AAAAAAAACtk/mwzC3lEPQ8E/s1600/211s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-np7ctn3WiKk/UZctGQlOqQI/AAAAAAAACts/iypLcUg9rRE/s1600/268s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-np7ctn3WiKk/UZctGQlOqQI/AAAAAAAACts/iypLcUg9rRE/s1600/268s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FnS2pg3mnA/UZdI29KIovI/AAAAAAAACwk/MXEx8DrHu48/s1600/saranggani3s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FnS2pg3mnA/UZdI29KIovI/AAAAAAAACwk/MXEx8DrHu48/s1600/saranggani3s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PiPa9JBYgE/UZgqo4LNoCI/AAAAAAAACy4/w27kLL7FOyo/s1600/295s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PiPa9JBYgE/UZgqo4LNoCI/AAAAAAAACy4/w27kLL7FOyo/s1600/295s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RghKuImG4xI/UZctwVIEYHI/AAAAAAAACt0/5rwU7yCz2w8/s1600/273s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RghKuImG4xI/UZctwVIEYHI/AAAAAAAACt0/5rwU7yCz2w8/s1600/273s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah_y3iTk6m0/UZcuiwosTzI/AAAAAAAACuA/5tTR8ZT2cuk/s1600/291s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah_y3iTk6m0/UZcuiwosTzI/AAAAAAAACuA/5tTR8ZT2cuk/s1600/291s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peace, serenity....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qbv0DfWhwOI/UZcxpmSHtRI/AAAAAAAACuw/0XxHBcZmjcI/s1600/313s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qbv0DfWhwOI/UZcxpmSHtRI/AAAAAAAACuw/0XxHBcZmjcI/s1600/313s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TC0GqB6lCUE/UZcyOVEHg6I/AAAAAAAACu4/O89Vcz3BpFo/s1600/324s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TC0GqB6lCUE/UZcyOVEHg6I/AAAAAAAACu4/O89Vcz3BpFo/s1600/324s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">el caballero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj9ktyRTgao/UZcy5GRDRwI/AAAAAAAACvQ/7hM43AfTiR8/s1600/328s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj9ktyRTgao/UZcy5GRDRwI/AAAAAAAACvQ/7hM43AfTiR8/s1600/328s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_OWgalvKI0/UZcyi2mlI_I/AAAAAAAACvA/1KklzGUQIjU/s1600/329s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_OWgalvKI0/UZcyi2mlI_I/AAAAAAAACvA/1KklzGUQIjU/s1600/329s.jpg" height="400" width="266" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrbPWBwNrd0/UZdPOaZnuII/AAAAAAAACxM/8AKi7BSYOY0/s1600/369s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrbPWBwNrd0/UZdPOaZnuII/AAAAAAAACxM/8AKi7BSYOY0/s1600/369s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9D6o8sLKZU/UZcy3HbQTOI/AAAAAAAACvI/iVwZfM_jRks/s1600/366s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9D6o8sLKZU/UZcy3HbQTOI/AAAAAAAACvI/iVwZfM_jRks/s1600/366s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fisherman fixing his boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAeqISsrnF0/UZcwVZfEWQI/AAAAAAAACuY/OPxOBZ6BqGE/s1600/304s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAeqISsrnF0/UZcwVZfEWQI/AAAAAAAACuY/OPxOBZ6BqGE/s640/304s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local girl cleaning her pots with beach sand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3GnSZxGVLQ/UZczACX2XLI/AAAAAAAACvY/Lfi19R6BwyU/s1600/378s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3GnSZxGVLQ/UZczACX2XLI/AAAAAAAACvY/Lfi19R6BwyU/s1600/378s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had the opportunity to chat with this girl, and listen to her rough life. She just graduated with first honors from 6th grade, but her grandma couldn't afford to send her to high school as five other siblings left in the grandma's care have to be fed. The family fish as their main source of income, but enough money hardly comes by.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbVdUGsTGFM/UZczGIExHhI/AAAAAAAACvg/dJr69cITReY/s1600/379s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbVdUGsTGFM/UZczGIExHhI/AAAAAAAACvg/dJr69cITReY/s1600/379s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDC57BFr474/UZeCNoI6KrI/AAAAAAAACxs/z3rXwAQnBBw/s1600/401s1.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming in the cold spring waters of Olaer. General Santos City.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDC57BFr474/UZeCNoI6KrI/AAAAAAAACxs/z3rXwAQnBBw/s1600/401s1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-VI2mix9vU/UZgttysWH4I/AAAAAAAACzE/T5NOqs4YzpA/s1600/418s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-VI2mix9vU/UZgttysWH4I/AAAAAAAACzE/T5NOqs4YzpA/s1600/418s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visit to my father's place in Sultan Kudarat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9beRBEWHt6k/UZguo0HeYWI/AAAAAAAACzQ/5gNmQZYN-So/s1600/434s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9beRBEWHt6k/UZguo0HeYWI/AAAAAAAACzQ/5gNmQZYN-So/s1600/434s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick stop at the bridge that connects borders of Region XI and X1I, Socsargen. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auegogE_ndE/UZeDe_md5BI/AAAAAAAACx4/wiXHUiaHdIs/s1600/491s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auegogE_ndE/UZeDe_md5BI/AAAAAAAACx4/wiXHUiaHdIs/s1600/491s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fishing trip to my sister-in-law's farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG18ZtSeoA0/UZeEkBX9LTI/AAAAAAAACyE/WHzhF-nW-HU/s1600/466s+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG18ZtSeoA0/UZeEkBX9LTI/AAAAAAAACyE/WHzhF-nW-HU/s1600/466s+(2).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YX78toCz004/UZeE-1zFbFI/AAAAAAAACyQ/HyXjZfyGChA/s1600/439s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YX78toCz004/UZeE-1zFbFI/AAAAAAAACyQ/HyXjZfyGChA/s1600/439s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilapia pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1aD8mPHd3Q/UZgxymUHyzI/AAAAAAAACzc/gfJkedPK63c/s1600/456s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1aD8mPHd3Q/UZgxymUHyzI/AAAAAAAACzc/gfJkedPK63c/s1600/456s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister-in-law Michelle teaching me and Maxine how to sink a line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRgsXfsaTg0/UZgyL5-SFTI/AAAAAAAACzk/rMymA5bXKlE/s1600/485s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRgsXfsaTg0/UZgyL5-SFTI/AAAAAAAACzk/rMymA5bXKlE/s1600/485s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miko, with the day's catch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMcAzXVLWSU/UZg1RDuTMnI/AAAAAAAAC0A/Ko0g3ouC1zQ/s1600/478s.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mllF8NEcZPI/UZg5LeAOEcI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/NbDISsN4PF0/s1600/518s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mllF8NEcZPI/UZg5LeAOEcI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/NbDISsN4PF0/s1600/518s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the zipline deck. Lake Sebu, Surallah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx-CDRYJ_dc/UZg5ZhxtiBI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/X0xgxIIaJyY/s1600/509s.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bawal mag-picture picture sa kalo</i>. Do not take pictures with the hats, or donning the hats. Point well taken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3djPKhHeIn4/UZg5-SRvirI/AAAAAAAAC0g/cy5R2yzxF5U/s1600/498s.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinkets made by the T'bolis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuKtgvB4mtc/UZg6Q1jWv7I/AAAAAAAAC0o/4dV5lz6qnoM/s1600/zipline3s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuKtgvB4mtc/UZg6Q1jWv7I/AAAAAAAAC0o/4dV5lz6qnoM/s1600/zipline3s.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highlight of the day, zipline.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3djPKhHeIn4/UZg5-SRvirI/AAAAAAAAC0g/cy5R2yzxF5U/s1600/498s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzGxl-HVFgM/UZg6gMQXXtI/AAAAAAAAC0w/QqWeV0Ne7Mk/s1600/zipline2s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzGxl-HVFgM/UZg6gMQXXtI/AAAAAAAAC0w/QqWeV0Ne7Mk/s1600/zipline2s.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id15UmfWOWI/UZg63lkD9LI/AAAAAAAAC04/OtCVhCc6CHc/s1600/zipline1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id15UmfWOWI/UZg63lkD9LI/AAAAAAAAC04/OtCVhCc6CHc/s1600/zipline1s.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6G9kFuX65Es/UZg9RxpaLyI/AAAAAAAAC1k/MV0Wj0TAhBM/s1600/bloom1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6G9kFuX65Es/UZg9RxpaLyI/AAAAAAAAC1k/MV0Wj0TAhBM/s1600/bloom1s.jpg" height="400" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers by the roadside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2i6UdsQpRR8/UZg8VqTNSoI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/d2Y7_tOK3Xg/s1600/549s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2i6UdsQpRR8/UZg8VqTNSoI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/d2Y7_tOK3Xg/s1600/549s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our restaurant. Lake Sebu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIM2i4iZv4A/UZg8XY2CWsI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/mDz1fZcRZyY/s1600/546s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIM2i4iZv4A/UZg8XY2CWsI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/mDz1fZcRZyY/s1600/546s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxHheuJu9q4/UZg8PRuXLGI/AAAAAAAAC1I/1Y669vL1zp0/s1600/543s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxHheuJu9q4/UZg8PRuXLGI/AAAAAAAAC1I/1Y669vL1zp0/s1600/543s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A carte blance view of nature, as we while away and enjoy our crunchy tilapia fare.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-59866811704939367372013-02-19T16:42:00.002+08:002014-04-24T16:02:55.879+08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I guess that if I had to define freedom, the first few things that will come to mind are laughter, smile, air and sunshine. Those for me are ultimate symbolisms of being able to express happiness without the constraints of society's woes or the dictates of unknown, and often negative, forces in life. However, it cannot be ignored that most times it is only in our minds that we shackle and deprive ourselves of what can be had. I had been in that mental prison at some point in my life. It cannot be helped. But I now love my freedom, and if it has to mean nothing else but laughter, smile, air and sunshine, and a content mind- then let me be the first to have it. Simple. Last Saturday, the family decided to spend the few remaining hours of the afternoon at the Sunken Garden. We took turns photographing each other and this time I only brought the 85 lens that I haven't used for a while. Gab did quite a job, and I must say that I have almost forgotten how I really love this lens. Something about the camera though tells me that pretty soon, an upgrade has to be considered.Rolling on the grass, laughing at the kids' crazy antics, sharing in the simple food, basking in the afternoon breeze, watching a lovely sunset--- ah, freedom. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O7Tu01Yivpg/USMyuZZWDuI/AAAAAAAACpI/b0EvVMmI7Dg/s1600/02162013-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O7Tu01Yivpg/USMyuZZWDuI/AAAAAAAACpI/b0EvVMmI7Dg/s1600/02162013-2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAt7GZQOAuI/USMxKlhvE3I/AAAAAAAACok/KFRhWdX36PA/s1600/02162013-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAt7GZQOAuI/USMxKlhvE3I/AAAAAAAACok/KFRhWdX36PA/s1600/02162013-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZf5vsIQTck/USMxLrbqIlI/AAAAAAAACo0/YNVSKPQZBlg/s1600/02162013-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZf5vsIQTck/USMxLrbqIlI/AAAAAAAACo0/YNVSKPQZBlg/s1600/02162013-4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRm4y6Jo1wA/USMwsrIRk0I/AAAAAAAACoU/rxESx0WyJAs/s1600/_MG_0305s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRm4y6Jo1wA/USMwsrIRk0I/AAAAAAAACoU/rxESx0WyJAs/s1600/_MG_0305s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMi6ZlMCgQM/USM7aseqTKI/AAAAAAAACrI/xTk0dxoyjmg/s1600/_MG_0325s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMi6ZlMCgQM/USM7aseqTKI/AAAAAAAACrI/xTk0dxoyjmg/s1600/_MG_0325s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ssVLCSbTkk/USMwtAhyuoI/AAAAAAAACoY/WcFsJIE1gC4/s1600/_MG_0350s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ssVLCSbTkk/USMwtAhyuoI/AAAAAAAACoY/WcFsJIE1gC4/s1600/_MG_0350s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0Qaik2rYTs/USMxK14_fAI/AAAAAAAACos/v0_lFS8yUTs/s1600/_MG_0354s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0Qaik2rYTs/USMxK14_fAI/AAAAAAAACos/v0_lFS8yUTs/s1600/_MG_0354s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tuAj2WCQJI/USMzmfQ87rI/AAAAAAAACpo/RLGx97sxl8E/s1600/_MG_0476s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tuAj2WCQJI/USMzmfQ87rI/AAAAAAAACpo/RLGx97sxl8E/s1600/_MG_0476s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SknDcWnp1MI/USMzSp4_v5I/AAAAAAAACpQ/yGltNQRiT88/s1600/_MG_0348s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SknDcWnp1MI/USMzSp4_v5I/AAAAAAAACpQ/yGltNQRiT88/s1600/_MG_0348s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YKS-vt0aYE/USMz5UrFWJI/AAAAAAAACp4/VztPEw47_lI/s1600/_MG_0453s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YKS-vt0aYE/USMz5UrFWJI/AAAAAAAACp4/VztPEw47_lI/s1600/_MG_0453s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXykADuZgqo/USMz4rT9tLI/AAAAAAAACpw/guzlIh4wZXE/s1600/02162013-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXykADuZgqo/USMz4rT9tLI/AAAAAAAACpw/guzlIh4wZXE/s1600/02162013-3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OF-qyn26T8/USM0VxZKxoI/AAAAAAAACqA/-mHIza4IN1k/s1600/_MG_0504s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OF-qyn26T8/USM0VxZKxoI/AAAAAAAACqA/-mHIza4IN1k/s1600/_MG_0504s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yLPELtqnds/USM0YrweaGI/AAAAAAAACqI/qh7E6rRAolw/s1600/_MG_0436s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yLPELtqnds/USM0YrweaGI/AAAAAAAACqI/qh7E6rRAolw/s1600/_MG_0436s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dl_f6Zl3SEw/USM09Z2sk5I/AAAAAAAACqg/a_8ZRD1kT0g/s1600/_MG_0533s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dl_f6Zl3SEw/USM09Z2sk5I/AAAAAAAACqg/a_8ZRD1kT0g/s1600/_MG_0533s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMGHpwoDhg4/USM0fV9r9VI/AAAAAAAACqQ/RntKdWL0cf4/s1600/_MG_0343s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMGHpwoDhg4/USM0fV9r9VI/AAAAAAAACqQ/RntKdWL0cf4/s1600/_MG_0343s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgxBLHI8_NI/USM07vreooI/AAAAAAAACqY/q88tJ5QXsEo/s1600/02162013-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgxBLHI8_NI/USM07vreooI/AAAAAAAACqY/q88tJ5QXsEo/s1600/02162013-5.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkUsdocWamU/USM0-SUs9CI/AAAAAAAACqo/GaWenEO9rgo/s1600/02162013-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkUsdocWamU/USM0-SUs9CI/AAAAAAAACqo/GaWenEO9rgo/s1600/02162013-6.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sI4UkOAXnF4/USM0-q6PomI/AAAAAAAACqw/gJi2UQI6ZT0/s1600/_MG_0593s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sI4UkOAXnF4/USM0-q6PomI/AAAAAAAACqw/gJi2UQI6ZT0/s1600/_MG_0593s.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-78678185534777595472012-11-25T03:42:00.000+08:002012-12-01T22:20:55.224+08:00<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My son has been going to Catechism class for three straight Saturdays now. As always, I am tasked to do the chaperoning. He has been insisting to go to the church alone, but tough luck. We just can't risk that yet. His classes run to about 3-4 hours. So, I figured that I could use the opportunity to photograph Sophia at the Sunken Garden since it is near the church and three hours is lot of time to walk around and take enough photos. But first of all, I had to figure out how to coax my daughter into a supposed photo session again. Luckily, I saw this party favor store near where we drop off Gab and bought a few balloons which I know would thrill Sophia. She's an impressionable kid really, not like my son who seems to scoff at everything nowadays, feeling that he's beyond "silly kid stuff". And this is how the balloons won her over and how they were put to good use.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Shot with Canon 350D, Canon 18-55 3.5 lens, Canon 50mm 1.8 lens.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfgFjlvDxGE/ULGciJzjLQI/AAAAAAAACic/G1TmvUz1PmY/s1600/_MG_8768ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfgFjlvDxGE/ULGciJzjLQI/AAAAAAAACic/G1TmvUz1PmY/s1600/_MG_8768ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLeKqyqxnqY/ULGcWsptgVI/AAAAAAAACiQ/n-BNRC6i_jc/s1600/_MG_8758ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLeKqyqxnqY/ULGcWsptgVI/AAAAAAAACiQ/n-BNRC6i_jc/s1600/_MG_8758ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sA94r1_gVoQ/ULGcPzvC_2I/AAAAAAAACiM/OMU8MO36Muc/s1600/_MG_8753ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sA94r1_gVoQ/ULGcPzvC_2I/AAAAAAAACiM/OMU8MO36Muc/s1600/_MG_8753ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bm57PwxuBjE/ULGcrhPWfQI/AAAAAAAACik/tQWcO4sN_q4/s1600/_MG_8769ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bm57PwxuBjE/ULGcrhPWfQI/AAAAAAAACik/tQWcO4sN_q4/s1600/_MG_8769ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmSTbItNX5o/ULGcwBU0bmI/AAAAAAAACis/KpJL-rb8auA/s1600/_MG_8793ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmSTbItNX5o/ULGcwBU0bmI/AAAAAAAACis/KpJL-rb8auA/s1600/_MG_8793ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18wy-jF8-Bw/ULGc1DBkw0I/AAAAAAAACi0/BVIx1gSHy7s/s1600/_MG_8805ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18wy-jF8-Bw/ULGc1DBkw0I/AAAAAAAACi0/BVIx1gSHy7s/s1600/_MG_8805ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-sCXGHWxHs/ULGe0TBDV_I/AAAAAAAAClE/T-iuNsboBsk/s1600/sg4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-sCXGHWxHs/ULGe0TBDV_I/AAAAAAAAClE/T-iuNsboBsk/s1600/sg4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n__8rIYhitk/ULGd9VowYNI/AAAAAAAACk0/5BA2lW4gLq0/s1600/sg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n__8rIYhitk/ULGd9VowYNI/AAAAAAAACk0/5BA2lW4gLq0/s1600/sg2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVYcxvrnloE/ULoSBt98ceI/AAAAAAAAClc/5VcQO1UhhLg/s1600/_MG_8847ef1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVYcxvrnloE/ULoSBt98ceI/AAAAAAAAClc/5VcQO1UhhLg/s1600/_MG_8847ef1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzmQc4ng6qU/ULGdEx1uPbI/AAAAAAAACjM/kRgwDoGKKoo/s1600/_MG_8902ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzmQc4ng6qU/ULGdEx1uPbI/AAAAAAAACjM/kRgwDoGKKoo/s1600/_MG_8902ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llFntKxtaVM/ULGdJTiITYI/AAAAAAAACjU/CCI-gv00LfE/s1600/_MG_8915ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llFntKxtaVM/ULGdJTiITYI/AAAAAAAACjU/CCI-gv00LfE/s1600/_MG_8915ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkOF5JgnBGQ/ULGdN75tjwI/AAAAAAAACjc/npr7m7ytF3I/s1600/_MG_8933ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkOF5JgnBGQ/ULGdN75tjwI/AAAAAAAACjc/npr7m7ytF3I/s1600/_MG_8933ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-200Vw7d4PRY/ULGdRTuUYeI/AAAAAAAACjk/D-jcXoYSnss/s1600/_MG_8936ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-200Vw7d4PRY/ULGdRTuUYeI/AAAAAAAACjk/D-jcXoYSnss/s1600/_MG_8936ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-7VdwtJ37c/ULGdXF8LM7I/AAAAAAAACjs/D_FSB2cbROo/s1600/_MG_8954ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-7VdwtJ37c/ULGdXF8LM7I/AAAAAAAACjs/D_FSB2cbROo/s1600/_MG_8954ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-35ckOZuWGtw/ULGdBB9c_8I/AAAAAAAACjE/ok83uKnlCxU/s1600/_MG_8865ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-35ckOZuWGtw/ULGdBB9c_8I/AAAAAAAACjE/ok83uKnlCxU/s1600/_MG_8865ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6EkmMXJsP0/ULGet4njruI/AAAAAAAACk8/A9jzW_SUUw8/s1600/sg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6EkmMXJsP0/ULGet4njruI/AAAAAAAACk8/A9jzW_SUUw8/s640/sg3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1lhs0FG1IOA/ULGdbTcjBpI/AAAAAAAACj0/-jw2PP9h7Ss/s1600/_MG_9054ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1lhs0FG1IOA/ULGdbTcjBpI/AAAAAAAACj0/-jw2PP9h7Ss/s1600/_MG_9054ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3QB7tJhKu8/ULGd4FzVGMI/AAAAAAAACks/L_gLWks5Oj4/s1600/sg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3QB7tJhKu8/ULGd4FzVGMI/AAAAAAAACks/L_gLWks5Oj4/s1600/sg1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUIPJaRU3b8/ULGdgA3stdI/AAAAAAAACj8/oAhfw5HLIbM/s1600/_MG_9058ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUIPJaRU3b8/ULGdgA3stdI/AAAAAAAACj8/oAhfw5HLIbM/s1600/_MG_9058ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e9WXRsbFkxc/ULGdx56714I/AAAAAAAACkk/fILY1dOalrg/s1600/_MG_9114ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e9WXRsbFkxc/ULGdx56714I/AAAAAAAACkk/fILY1dOalrg/s1600/_MG_9114ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Fy847iwWt4/ULGdtGgdw3I/AAAAAAAACkc/NjWmoji9vW4/s1600/_MG_9109ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Fy847iwWt4/ULGdtGgdw3I/AAAAAAAACkc/NjWmoji9vW4/s1600/_MG_9109ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6koOm4K_04/ULGdqhODieI/AAAAAAAACkU/9DvT2L77gko/s1600/_MG_9100ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6koOm4K_04/ULGdqhODieI/AAAAAAAACkU/9DvT2L77gko/s1600/_MG_9100ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWiDGIoHGVI/ULGdjeXdLYI/AAAAAAAACkE/US_9qZywR94/s1600/_MG_9078ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWiDGIoHGVI/ULGdjeXdLYI/AAAAAAAACkE/US_9qZywR94/s1600/_MG_9078ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBxhBEFI4G8/ULGdoEbXXuI/AAAAAAAACkM/AhkRhBJNC7Q/s1600/_MG_9095ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBxhBEFI4G8/ULGdoEbXXuI/AAAAAAAACkM/AhkRhBJNC7Q/s1600/_MG_9095ef.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and a photo of me by sophia ;D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-14298346119522092802012-11-03T18:06:00.001+08:002014-04-24T16:04:14.440+08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
For Sophia's 7th birthday, we opted to go on a family trip. I personally am hoping to throw a simple celebration for my daughter, but she did not seem bent on having one, so a trip it was. We left Manila at around 5am and the victory bus dropped us just a little way off from the city proper. We briefly waited for my friend Bullet to collect us. Sure enough, he was there in a huff, looking all gloriously wind-blown and properly wrapped up like a true northerner. A few minutes later, we were rolling out onto a pretty little village called Foggy Hill in Green Valley where Bullet resides. The townhouse next to his would be our home for the next three days and two nights. So here, aside from the usual snapshots that we took of the kids and ourselves, and of my friend, are some of the images I captured of the City of Pines. It was swinging around 12 to 14 degrees when we got up there, and we were lucky to be taken to some nice places by my friend on our first afternoon. The air was nippy and just the right kind of nice to make you engage in a long quiet conversation around a fire, or maybe seek warmth from an occasional bottle of good liquor, namely Bullet's cognac, after a simple dinner. Otherwise, you simply wait for the sun to go down and the moon to rise up; and hold your breath for the beautiful strange silhouettes that the mountains make in the dark, until the moon tires and wanes herself from view, and obscures everything into nothingness. Even the total darkness was comforting in such a place. Next thing you know, you're in bed sleeping soundly and snugly and waking up to the fresh smell of mountain dew and sunshine, marveling at another beautiful day. Aye goodness, it was wonderful to be up there.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrpSG0V2N9k/UJTj67Xtj3I/AAAAAAAACRM/mTw1JSCAN1g/s1600/baguio5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrpSG0V2N9k/UJTj67Xtj3I/AAAAAAAACRM/mTw1JSCAN1g/s640/baguio5.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhE2KEo0kr8/UJTkkdXUMFI/AAAAAAAACRs/1V_DX881ebo/s1600/baguio10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhE2KEo0kr8/UJTkkdXUMFI/AAAAAAAACRs/1V_DX881ebo/s640/baguio10.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pNAc2NMXI4/UJTkvU3c6aI/AAAAAAAACR8/Rxq2OopFIZo/s1600/baguio7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pNAc2NMXI4/UJTkvU3c6aI/AAAAAAAACR8/Rxq2OopFIZo/s640/baguio7.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOmVad24eRg/UJTk0u4oh8I/AAAAAAAACSE/9ktopT4YqZE/s1600/baguio9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOmVad24eRg/UJTk0u4oh8I/AAAAAAAACSE/9ktopT4YqZE/s640/baguio9.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iph00_UkrPo/UJTdNt_ekBI/AAAAAAAACN8/Rm7ubOn_Byc/s1600/baguio16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iph00_UkrPo/UJTdNt_ekBI/AAAAAAAACN8/Rm7ubOn_Byc/s640/baguio16.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQYP9hZHXBg/UJTduxWiX_I/AAAAAAAACOM/_WzBPKiQKsA/s1600/baguio6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQYP9hZHXBg/UJTduxWiX_I/AAAAAAAACOM/_WzBPKiQKsA/s640/baguio6.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICmfVqbY1dA/UJTm7GCuykI/AAAAAAAACSU/Ixmi_gcCybg/s1600/baguio13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICmfVqbY1dA/UJTm7GCuykI/AAAAAAAACSU/Ixmi_gcCybg/s640/baguio13.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5T9y6oTe9NE/UJTnAjI6ldI/AAAAAAAACSc/Vm6I2FQBJGo/s1600/baguio3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5T9y6oTe9NE/UJTnAjI6ldI/AAAAAAAACSc/Vm6I2FQBJGo/s640/baguio3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Vcx7DLvkg/UJTd5yHFepI/AAAAAAAACOU/z4qa0wMJ1FI/s1600/baguio8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2Vcx7DLvkg/UJTd5yHFepI/AAAAAAAACOU/z4qa0wMJ1FI/s640/baguio8.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kgkEggIl7H4/UJTj2xA3zTI/AAAAAAAACRE/wg7TaOCbnWU/s1600/baguio4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kgkEggIl7H4/UJTj2xA3zTI/AAAAAAAACRE/wg7TaOCbnWU/s640/baguio4.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcFysWQvZe8/UJTyrpVn1wI/AAAAAAAACUY/hDLXtmFhJPA/s1600/baguio11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcFysWQvZe8/UJTyrpVn1wI/AAAAAAAACUY/hDLXtmFhJPA/s640/baguio11.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j58910QDxq0/UJTm1zmO1dI/AAAAAAAACSM/pJwYVgP5YRw/s1600/baguio12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j58910QDxq0/UJTm1zmO1dI/AAAAAAAACSM/pJwYVgP5YRw/s640/baguio12.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtxhxtzaryk/UJTerISVTPI/AAAAAAAACOc/oZInlJ1OqtI/s1600/baguio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtxhxtzaryk/UJTerISVTPI/AAAAAAAACOc/oZInlJ1OqtI/s640/baguio1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y_w4u3iM_g/UJTexcmDSgI/AAAAAAAACOk/zqHzp54ac3E/s1600/baguio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y_w4u3iM_g/UJTexcmDSgI/AAAAAAAACOk/zqHzp54ac3E/s640/baguio2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvuY0-aCNgg/UJTfUDJLngI/AAAAAAAACO0/KNr5XUWzepU/s1600/baguio15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvuY0-aCNgg/UJTfUDJLngI/AAAAAAAACO0/KNr5XUWzepU/s640/baguio15.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGe2AVlNmug/UJTfZraD2-I/AAAAAAAACO8/mO4o1IeR_as/s1600/baguio17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGe2AVlNmug/UJTfZraD2-I/AAAAAAAACO8/mO4o1IeR_as/s640/baguio17.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62ItDcQezC8/UJTfii34WCI/AAAAAAAACPM/hEruWg04CTQ/s1600/baguio20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62ItDcQezC8/UJTfii34WCI/AAAAAAAACPM/hEruWg04CTQ/s640/baguio20.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvabN8KkHjs/UJTfeXveyyI/AAAAAAAACPE/yKqvAUfzEzk/s1600/baguio18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvabN8KkHjs/UJTfeXveyyI/AAAAAAAACPE/yKqvAUfzEzk/s640/baguio18.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-969Js9anLvQ/UJTfOMx5rTI/AAAAAAAACOs/G3ogknjTgts/s1600/baguio14a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-969Js9anLvQ/UJTfOMx5rTI/AAAAAAAACOs/G3ogknjTgts/s640/baguio14a.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-45486103863904129302012-10-25T17:07:00.002+08:002012-10-30T16:32:52.138+08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i adore square photos. i would really love to put up some great, gallery-wrapped canvas photos on our bare walls sometime. i've been researching for a store that does that, and i may have found one <a href="http://www.gicleemanila.com/index/price-list?typeid=1">here</a>. someday soon....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9hxP7mcK4/UIj6hTwO5RI/AAAAAAAACGU/f2QXqJ6_oPU/s1600/sophiesquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9hxP7mcK4/UIj6hTwO5RI/AAAAAAAACGU/f2QXqJ6_oPU/s640/sophiesquare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HU4QOU0Xsrk/UIj6Yz8TSzI/AAAAAAAACGM/zxQPX2I5CUs/s1600/sophiasquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HU4QOU0Xsrk/UIj6Yz8TSzI/AAAAAAAACGM/zxQPX2I5CUs/s1600/sophiasquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HU4QOU0Xsrk/UIj6Yz8TSzI/AAAAAAAACGM/zxQPX2I5CUs/s1600/sophiasquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HU4QOU0Xsrk/UIj6Yz8TSzI/AAAAAAAACGM/zxQPX2I5CUs/s640/sophiasquare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMUn63GIGwQ/UIj5yoDEZJI/AAAAAAAACFo/pQcMTyWm9r4/s1600/shara2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMUn63GIGwQ/UIj5yoDEZJI/AAAAAAAACFo/pQcMTyWm9r4/s640/shara2.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bcq3ImvH6pI/UIkANNXslzI/AAAAAAAACIc/rRu6A-cLkAA/s1600/shara1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bcq3ImvH6pI/UIkANNXslzI/AAAAAAAACIc/rRu6A-cLkAA/s640/shara1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m21UrM2OFJU/UIj56qu_8VI/AAAAAAAACFw/pIOhmy8YutI/s1600/shazsq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m21UrM2OFJU/UIj56qu_8VI/AAAAAAAACFw/pIOhmy8YutI/s640/shazsq.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9La8TvwfzcE/UIj6HU_XLMI/AAAAAAAACF8/XK5llXqcMwU/s1600/shazsquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9La8TvwfzcE/UIj6HU_XLMI/AAAAAAAACF8/XK5llXqcMwU/s640/shazsquare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWg-QvGrGs8/UIj6QGKdanI/AAAAAAAACGE/Hz7BXCmMwsY/s1600/shazsquare2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWg-QvGrGs8/UIj6QGKdanI/AAAAAAAACGE/Hz7BXCmMwsY/s640/shazsquare2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7e1K1JSopY/UIj5dE67TsI/AAAAAAAACFY/REAF8D_8zIU/s1600/samsquare2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7e1K1JSopY/UIj5dE67TsI/AAAAAAAACFY/REAF8D_8zIU/s640/samsquare2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXK4rPmghFM/UIj5l86gBPI/AAAAAAAACFg/KgQpffc-tKw/s1600/samsquare3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXK4rPmghFM/UIj5l86gBPI/AAAAAAAACFg/KgQpffc-tKw/s640/samsquare3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-81312331835710787772012-10-17T18:02:00.002+08:002012-10-21T12:59:58.015+08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is something about sitting on a bus on a long haul, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bound for somewhere, just gazing outside the window, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while images of life zoom and blur past your vision---</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
grasslands, trees , endless power lines, small sleepy towns, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
nameless people transacting the day's keep, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sun burning down over vast cornfields. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This time, my kids and I were travelling up north to Bataan </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and had a couple of stopovers in two other towns. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was around August, the dead of the rainy months. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a real foggy morning and early yet </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as we left home from the south at 4am. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We reached Pampanga by six and heard mass </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at that famous church half-buried in lahar. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1991.<br />
Mt. Pinatubo Eruption. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That was memorable for me as it was the year<br />
I had my first real job in Manila,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and a few weeks into starting work,<br />
I got to the office </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and find my desk covered in white ashes.<br />
You would have thought it was snowflakes,<br />
but obviously</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
were remnants of the volcanic disaster. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember that Pampanga is about three hours<br />
away from Manila,<br />
so go figure </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how epic, or cataclysmic, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was back then. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, as there was nothing better to do inside the bus</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but listen to the children chatter, I decided </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to take some shots while we sped away on the road. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It happens each time.A sense of disconnect washes over you, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
much like viewing a silent film for hours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You know there is something taking place, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but going through a different motion and not hearing any sound</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
compels you to philosophize about what you are seeing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may either put imaginary words into the scene, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or create a sort of musical score to it </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with a nocturne, a serenade, or something </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
retrospective of those movies from a bygone era. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Real, but dreamy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fleeting, but unforgettable. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There, but not quite. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Serene and silent, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yet overly tempting to the senses.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've always loved silence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you care to ask me, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because of the advantages it affords people--</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
being able to compose one's thoughts, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to daydream, to ruminate, to observe, to relish, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
without having to explain one's self to the world--</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while the world herself </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is bustling with sounds,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with action, with a feast of flavors and aroma!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love that when I sit on a bus </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
going somewhere </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on a long haul, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
instantly become</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a spectator,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
remotely sharing in the happenings, as I </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
silently fish out my camera, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and freely take into account</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what I would
call </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
life in motion, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if only </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
quite</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in a haze.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWjrsyiMzCg/UH6ASNCptSI/AAAAAAAACAE/OHfzX2sXp74/s1600/MT+Samat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWjrsyiMzCg/UH6ASNCptSI/AAAAAAAACAE/OHfzX2sXp74/s1600/MT+Samat.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fG9b3qfQOF4/UH-fVvl8niI/AAAAAAAACB8/9JWx1D1JVIE/s1600/001sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fG9b3qfQOF4/UH-fVvl8niI/AAAAAAAACB8/9JWx1D1JVIE/s1600/001sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6y7Z9xIH64/UH-hJPOpvzI/AAAAAAAACCc/2G0LUzjJaEY/s1600/113sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6y7Z9xIH64/UH-hJPOpvzI/AAAAAAAACCc/2G0LUzjJaEY/s1600/113sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipPwg1jFoUE/UH-fzNofoaI/AAAAAAAACCE/KN_7xICCWGU/s1600/004sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipPwg1jFoUE/UH-fzNofoaI/AAAAAAAACCE/KN_7xICCWGU/s1600/004sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD-ujqsMcsI/UH-gBOxC7kI/AAAAAAAACCU/zDhaeg78fDM/s1600/006sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD-ujqsMcsI/UH-gBOxC7kI/AAAAAAAACCU/zDhaeg78fDM/s1600/006sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq41v9jwf7k/UH-ilx5c3iI/AAAAAAAACDE/BsfQdQmZsBY/s1600/066sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq41v9jwf7k/UH-ilx5c3iI/AAAAAAAACDE/BsfQdQmZsBY/s1600/066sm.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3n0kL3tZhU/UH-honO7EcI/AAAAAAAACCk/NfNZJ5Hkj_c/s1600/067smjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ofFsnMyKGEw/UH-igZu2-_I/AAAAAAAACC8/pc5jgomKXFk/s1600/064sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ofFsnMyKGEw/UH-igZu2-_I/AAAAAAAACC8/pc5jgomKXFk/s1600/064sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJD6iRb1EuI/UH-ipD2bFoI/AAAAAAAACDM/rpK91qjbG7k/s1600/074sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2xczth6pKc/UH-isKQ0L2I/AAAAAAAACDU/crEG1oQOD68/s1600/079sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2xczth6pKc/UH-isKQ0L2I/AAAAAAAACDU/crEG1oQOD68/s1600/079sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM3lHTnU4H4/UH-h0CPWPJI/AAAAAAAACC0/o1SPcq_JyXE/s1600/070sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM3lHTnU4H4/UH-h0CPWPJI/AAAAAAAACC0/o1SPcq_JyXE/s1600/070sm.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXlMIbrOja4/UH-hu5eoPKI/AAAAAAAACCs/ctD4fWPY3pg/s1600/068sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXlMIbrOja4/UH-hu5eoPKI/AAAAAAAACCs/ctD4fWPY3pg/s1600/068sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3n0kL3tZhU/UH-honO7EcI/AAAAAAAACCk/NfNZJ5Hkj_c/s1600/067smjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3n0kL3tZhU/UH-honO7EcI/AAAAAAAACCk/NfNZJ5Hkj_c/s1600/067smjpg.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-84140016981091285692012-10-09T18:19:00.001+08:002012-10-10T10:13:00.826+08:00Intramuros<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last March, we hopped on a bus from the south, to the heart of Manila, where some historic landmarks can be found. <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Manila/Intramuros">Intramuros</a> is a name for a walled city built and fortified to protect the Spanish conquistadores from invaders, and the remnants of it can still be enjoyed and accessed by the public easily. My children, being their usual curious and wanderlusting selves, really took in all the new old things that were visually introduced to them along the way. I wish however that something can be done with the way these important places are presented to the public, and especially to the visiting tourists, that one can leave with absolute appreciation and can say to himself "wow, I've been there!". How so, I'm sure we have plenty enough creative local juices and resources to do the job just right. Here are some of the images I took of the place, and the tourist-y poses of me, my husband and kids.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rHR9vNmvfA/UHPsyJ2L7SI/AAAAAAAAB38/8m2ul1_y1E4/s1600/intr10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rHR9vNmvfA/UHPsyJ2L7SI/AAAAAAAAB38/8m2ul1_y1E4/s1600/intr10.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DUd4FeFoA0/UHPs_34NSRI/AAAAAAAAB4s/tkZ7BURMuMM/s1600/intr16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DUd4FeFoA0/UHPs_34NSRI/AAAAAAAAB4s/tkZ7BURMuMM/s1600/intr16.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJntgP1Pbv8/UHPs0E4kq-I/AAAAAAAAB4E/9GVmlaqHQwI/s1600/intr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJntgP1Pbv8/UHPs0E4kq-I/AAAAAAAAB4E/9GVmlaqHQwI/s1600/intr11.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBQzdBoK5sU/UHPtE0ZskfI/AAAAAAAAB48/c_iyzTj1vJ0/s1600/intr18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBQzdBoK5sU/UHPtE0ZskfI/AAAAAAAAB48/c_iyzTj1vJ0/s1600/intr18.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uqAcMxNsxb4/UHPtGYVm7TI/AAAAAAAAB5E/tI9QZvCsIOc/s1600/intr19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uqAcMxNsxb4/UHPtGYVm7TI/AAAAAAAAB5E/tI9QZvCsIOc/s1600/intr19.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnVPf3dDwFU/UHPt3JEK7sI/AAAAAAAAB70/KZPZyz8PPW8/s1600/intr7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnVPf3dDwFU/UHPt3JEK7sI/AAAAAAAAB70/KZPZyz8PPW8/s1600/intr7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kULhOUEu2-8/UHPxk8BjC-I/AAAAAAAAB9M/izpZMDcQ-1s/s1600/intr37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kULhOUEu2-8/UHPxk8BjC-I/AAAAAAAAB9M/izpZMDcQ-1s/s1600/intr37.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZWYzAHzJO0/UHPxni2FVqI/AAAAAAAAB9U/z0nraAaG1h0/s1600/intr38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZWYzAHzJO0/UHPxni2FVqI/AAAAAAAAB9U/z0nraAaG1h0/s1600/intr38.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQbYHOJCNis/UHPxpzoVdBI/AAAAAAAAB9c/f8lQt21_XQ4/s1600/intr39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQbYHOJCNis/UHPxpzoVdBI/AAAAAAAAB9c/f8lQt21_XQ4/s1600/intr39.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrndGJjyIvk/UHP_GArlf4I/AAAAAAAAB-g/gBEdkZLs9UM/s1600/intr40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrndGJjyIvk/UHP_GArlf4I/AAAAAAAAB-g/gBEdkZLs9UM/s1600/intr40.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkDRVLJd3Tg/UHP_t7TAzXI/AAAAAAAAB-s/inKMaxgGGyc/s1600/intr33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkDRVLJd3Tg/UHP_t7TAzXI/AAAAAAAAB-s/inKMaxgGGyc/s1600/intr33.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_VdTNMZHOY/UHPs3ZsZ_GI/AAAAAAAAB4M/j9xeylqK3kc/s1600/intr12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_VdTNMZHOY/UHPs3ZsZ_GI/AAAAAAAAB4M/j9xeylqK3kc/s1600/intr12.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qVdChHl1VY/UHPtMHKwXlI/AAAAAAAAB5U/RxN1meVOa84/s1600/intr20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qVdChHl1VY/UHPtMHKwXlI/AAAAAAAAB5U/RxN1meVOa84/s1600/intr20.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_AtAouQcCA/UHPtJCVmNxI/AAAAAAAAB5M/rSP_PKTJFIU/s1600/intr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_AtAouQcCA/UHPtJCVmNxI/AAAAAAAAB5M/rSP_PKTJFIU/s1600/intr2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWyGNNjWwv0/UHPs6iX7EgI/AAAAAAAAB4U/4UiG-4Emtvk/s1600/intr13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWyGNNjWwv0/UHPs6iX7EgI/AAAAAAAAB4U/4UiG-4Emtvk/s1600/intr13.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vgH8ZbgE_Y/UHPtNjQYE-I/AAAAAAAAB5c/QlnDrWumEH0/s1600/intr21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vgH8ZbgE_Y/UHPtNjQYE-I/AAAAAAAAB5c/QlnDrWumEH0/s1600/intr21.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx5VgpodBMc/UHPty-6HZ-I/AAAAAAAAB7k/oTYpMK1wtYE/s1600/intr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx5VgpodBMc/UHPty-6HZ-I/AAAAAAAAB7k/oTYpMK1wtYE/s1600/intr5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JwspT9Ecns/UHPtRFK7Z3I/AAAAAAAAB5s/Tv4RTFv-Ko8/s1600/intr23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JwspT9Ecns/UHPtRFK7Z3I/AAAAAAAAB5s/Tv4RTFv-Ko8/s1600/intr23.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hic8orlW8c0/UHPs-GBRsmI/AAAAAAAAB4k/f7LhdbF9-oI/s1600/intr15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hic8orlW8c0/UHPs-GBRsmI/AAAAAAAAB4k/f7LhdbF9-oI/s1600/intr15.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtNQ8t0RWeI/UHPtZxa-V4I/AAAAAAAAB6M/TFQU5z7wv98/s1600/intr28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtNQ8t0RWeI/UHPtZxa-V4I/AAAAAAAAB6M/TFQU5z7wv98/s1600/intr28.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olsDZdcCWkE/UHPs8DeE_YI/AAAAAAAAB4c/P9uCXgT6DQU/s1600/intr14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olsDZdcCWkE/UHPs8DeE_YI/AAAAAAAAB4c/P9uCXgT6DQU/s1600/intr14.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw_YOSRtgbc/UHPtS2Dey4I/AAAAAAAAB50/oZN5EO6ddcY/s1600/intr24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw_YOSRtgbc/UHPtS2Dey4I/AAAAAAAAB50/oZN5EO6ddcY/s1600/intr24.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nee9WGXj6mQ/UHPtVDshB1I/AAAAAAAAB58/_PI01YwWCKA/s1600/intr25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nee9WGXj6mQ/UHPtVDshB1I/AAAAAAAAB58/_PI01YwWCKA/s1600/intr25.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fT9qc9w97I/UHPswPlf_yI/AAAAAAAAB30/NnLHher8FBU/s1600/intr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gu73e_daxw/UHPtWbm-jqI/AAAAAAAAB6E/woWoZHQXEBU/s1600/intr26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gu73e_daxw/UHPtWbm-jqI/AAAAAAAAB6E/woWoZHQXEBU/s1600/intr26.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fT9qc9w97I/UHPswPlf_yI/AAAAAAAAB30/NnLHher8FBU/s1600/intr1.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDsUqbJ6IvY/UHPtex7dzuI/AAAAAAAAB6c/l5mBb203rHs/s1600/intr3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDsUqbJ6IvY/UHPtex7dzuI/AAAAAAAAB6c/l5mBb203rHs/s1600/intr3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAuNWRsORpw/UHPtCTW_KSI/AAAAAAAAB40/hyqGByjofHQ/s1600/intr17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAuNWRsORpw/UHPtCTW_KSI/AAAAAAAAB40/hyqGByjofHQ/s1600/intr17.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wticISKIjm0/UHPxfyRPnuI/AAAAAAAAB80/Urq_KsQKPnQ/s1600/intr34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wticISKIjm0/UHPxfyRPnuI/AAAAAAAAB80/Urq_KsQKPnQ/s1600/intr34.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_c_I8lzIbM4/UHPtbSrD8SI/AAAAAAAAB6U/hZYtM4CC_ak/s1600/intr29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wH5qXrfgYIY/UHQCND-Ya1I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/IHS7UcpDgHo/s1600/intr41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wH5qXrfgYIY/UHQCND-Ya1I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/IHS7UcpDgHo/s1600/intr41.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWOjR65bZy4/UHQCGUokDWI/AAAAAAAAB_E/p84PaeDuvwo/s1600/intr42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWOjR65bZy4/UHQCGUokDWI/AAAAAAAAB_E/p84PaeDuvwo/s1600/intr42.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_c_I8lzIbM4/UHPtbSrD8SI/AAAAAAAAB6U/hZYtM4CC_ak/s1600/intr29.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmxBGm8gRhw/UHPtkoqEo6I/AAAAAAAAB6s/7u-HNxX9Rzg/s1600/intr31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SmxBGm8gRhw/UHPtkoqEo6I/AAAAAAAAB6s/7u-HNxX9Rzg/s1600/intr31.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FlbqZKnassY/UHPtxC4lKSI/AAAAAAAAB7c/TLysDmmET6I/s1600/intr4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FlbqZKnassY/UHPtxC4lKSI/AAAAAAAAB7c/TLysDmmET6I/s1600/intr4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1TfNwZIAPs/UHPts6s205I/AAAAAAAAB7M/H9xIH9iXu-k/s1600/intr35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1TfNwZIAPs/UHPts6s205I/AAAAAAAAB7M/H9xIH9iXu-k/s1600/intr35.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7qRYXKR3-s/UHPtuXs09aI/AAAAAAAAB7U/mof3sZ8xTvw/s1600/intr36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7qRYXKR3-s/UHPtuXs09aI/AAAAAAAAB7U/mof3sZ8xTvw/s1600/intr36.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zorrrbwlums/UHPtPXYPB6I/AAAAAAAAB5k/TZM-nL5aPNA/s1600/intr22.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62BsOp4w6r4/UHPt4YuQBeI/AAAAAAAAB78/CqcvB2qciwY/s1600/intr8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62BsOp4w6r4/UHPt4YuQBeI/AAAAAAAAB78/CqcvB2qciwY/s1600/intr8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWZ994X_M7U/UHPt6YQ8W8I/AAAAAAAAB8E/DFI7q37dj6Y/s1600/intr9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWZ994X_M7U/UHPt6YQ8W8I/AAAAAAAAB8E/DFI7q37dj6Y/s1600/intr9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjkelDaQ84I/UHPtiM04z4I/AAAAAAAAB6k/WNQOfpbVKdI/s1600/intr30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjkelDaQ84I/UHPtiM04z4I/AAAAAAAAB6k/WNQOfpbVKdI/s1600/intr30.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-77656449482094340442012-10-01T00:19:00.001+08:002012-10-11T17:25:34.886+08:00Seven WondersSophia will soon be seven, and as her mom, I can't be any more glad and appreciating. It has been an amazing journey with my girl, and here 's why I cherish her:<br />
<br />
1. she has been and always will be my photography muse : )<br />
2. she has the gentlest littlest speaking voice<br />
3. she is sweet and amiable towards everyone<br />
4. she is not conventionally pretty, but gives me the most precious moments my lens could capture<br />
5. she tries to be responsible for herself and is very helpful towards her family<br />
6. she laughs at little things, like it is the funniest joke she's ever heard in her life<br />
7. her unique spirit amazes me everyday.<br />
<br />
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWw6oPVYHHw/UGhxFwJ6wZI/AAAAAAAAB1s/NK5cNQl7MXM/s1600/093012-2-774808.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nW4Z1dJTgM/UGhxHSAqCNI/AAAAAAAAB2E/kRyZQi3Ev-Y/s1600/152s-780966.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005290519759058" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nW4Z1dJTgM/UGhxHSAqCNI/AAAAAAAAB2E/kRyZQi3Ev-Y/s1600/152s-780966.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWw6oPVYHHw/UGhxFwJ6wZI/AAAAAAAAB1s/NK5cNQl7MXM/s1600/093012-2-774808.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005264251928978" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWw6oPVYHHw/UGhxFwJ6wZI/AAAAAAAAB1s/NK5cNQl7MXM/s1600/093012-2-774808.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LYIjafOZlo/UGhxJZFSEYI/AAAAAAAAB20/eNOfrFGuiRU/s1600/209s-789617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005326777946498" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LYIjafOZlo/UGhxJZFSEYI/AAAAAAAAB20/eNOfrFGuiRU/s1600/209s-789617.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LYIjafOZlo/UGhxJZFSEYI/AAAAAAAAB20/eNOfrFGuiRU/s1600/209s-789617.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LYIjafOZlo/UGhxJZFSEYI/AAAAAAAAB20/eNOfrFGuiRU/s1600/209s-789617.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-SZNlXobdA/UGhxIHoRnnI/AAAAAAAAB2c/AEAcWdGA-5U/s1600/135s-784600.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjNje1WCZ3o/UGhxIiePk3I/AAAAAAAAB2o/9yc-diRg4bA/s1600/134s-786461.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005312118690674" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjNje1WCZ3o/UGhxIiePk3I/AAAAAAAAB2o/9yc-diRg4bA/s1600/134s-786461.jpg" /></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005304913010290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-SZNlXobdA/UGhxIHoRnnI/AAAAAAAAB2c/AEAcWdGA-5U/s1600/135s-784600.jpg" /><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OObeb-1mexY/UGhxH6LwSuI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/c6hookZYIdk/s1600/093012-3-782834.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005301303724770" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OObeb-1mexY/UGhxH6LwSuI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/c6hookZYIdk/s1600/093012-3-782834.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L07Iz5jcJ4I/UGhxKMvF5lI/AAAAAAAAB3A/7-CbjEKz6N8/s1600/093012-1-791871.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005340643518034" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L07Iz5jcJ4I/UGhxKMvF5lI/AAAAAAAAB3A/7-CbjEKz6N8/s1600/093012-1-791871.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ldk0iTMqg-k/UGhxK7BQ4xI/AAAAAAAAB3M/yoPwKo0GpeI/s1600/249s-795152.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794005353067766546" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ldk0iTMqg-k/UGhxK7BQ4xI/AAAAAAAAB3M/yoPwKo0GpeI/s1600/249s-795152.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: tahoma, new york, times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<br /></div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-56933913695504009132012-09-24T22:16:00.001+08:002012-09-24T22:40:32.970+08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have once mulled over Henri Cartier Bresson's quote saying that <i>your first ten thousand photographs are your worst</i>. He probably said that figuratively, although in the age of digital photography, that can't be any further from the truth. It's not impossible to take as much as ten thousand photos with a single memory card, now that we are talking gigabytes and terabytes storage. But I really think his words made a lot of sense. I took it that he meant one has to make a choice and use his camera to the fullest; that he has to practice his craft a lot, ten thousand folds, until his passion for it comes to fruition.I am still trying to get there. As my kids grow, so does my love for photography. I cannot say that I will someday leave an indelible mark to the world, as far as photography is concerned, but for now I am enjoying the journey. I have yet to take my best photograph, and I always keep that goal. I will probably never take it in this lifetime, my best photograph, but then at the moment that's exactly what keeps me going. These are a few photos of Sophia around March this year, playing with an old Advantix film camera outside our place. I love how the afternoon sun is just about to wane and throws a bit of golden glow on her head.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5nO7cTYlzE/UGBTVQ3_IVI/AAAAAAAAByI/7fAQ4mVfMQc/s1600/004sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5nO7cTYlzE/UGBTVQ3_IVI/AAAAAAAAByI/7fAQ4mVfMQc/s1600/004sm.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dhR5WfoeJwc/UGBdgZp_LZI/AAAAAAAABys/-ddn6doBDpU/s1600/118sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dhR5WfoeJwc/UGBdgZp_LZI/AAAAAAAABys/-ddn6doBDpU/s1600/118sm.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc2NK5W3W3g/UGBe2CgaXwI/AAAAAAAABy8/KCLLhUp2Rz4/s1600/050sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc2NK5W3W3g/UGBe2CgaXwI/AAAAAAAABy8/KCLLhUp2Rz4/s1600/050sm.jpg" /> </a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay1AdOM_7M/UGBl6SRe_FI/AAAAAAAAB0U/-bGBhlhmJQ0/s1600/photosam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay1AdOM_7M/UGBl6SRe_FI/AAAAAAAAB0U/-bGBhlhmJQ0/s1600/photosam.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fu3LYqvdJW8/UGBh_pVb1GI/AAAAAAAABzs/nrOoqv12h14/s1600/110sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvWyKxmgiuw/UGBwvIobZqI/AAAAAAAAB1A/EM0tIfwZTtw/s1600/043sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvWyKxmgiuw/UGBwvIobZqI/AAAAAAAAB1A/EM0tIfwZTtw/s1600/043sm.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fu3LYqvdJW8/UGBh_pVb1GI/AAAAAAAABzs/nrOoqv12h14/s1600/110sm.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZOJEGyWJ_0/UGBeacRaDwI/AAAAAAAABy0/xCXFJvxBzSM/s1600/117sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZOJEGyWJ_0/UGBeacRaDwI/AAAAAAAABy0/xCXFJvxBzSM/s1600/117sm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-39640591564507652272012-09-22T15:11:00.000+08:002012-09-24T16:54:16.157+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A break from my Cambodia uploads. Sometimes working on one particular photo album for a tad too long makes me feel sick and bored of it. I just feel the need to get away for maybe a day or a week. But then it's hard to find to find the time to jump back in and resume my processing. Time is really such a precious commodity, ain't it? Here are a few photos I took of Sophia from around February which I rediscovered from my stash just recently. These were taken from the school lot adjacent to our place, where the gardener grows flowers and vegetables.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGDbfv2Msnw/UF1c0rDHPLI/AAAAAAAABpk/_38Xi8Y6e1A/s1600/086small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGDbfv2Msnw/UF1c0rDHPLI/AAAAAAAABpk/_38Xi8Y6e1A/s1600/086small.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSEAtjhpYQo/UF1daLBiuBI/AAAAAAAABp0/TsWJyWi5RvA/s1600/samflowrs3small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSEAtjhpYQo/UF1daLBiuBI/AAAAAAAABp0/TsWJyWi5RvA/s1600/samflowrs3small.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Au0YwV0KBBU/UF1dpKZdI2I/AAAAAAAABp8/v9y53-ExNsM/s1600/samflowrs4small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Au0YwV0KBBU/UF1dpKZdI2I/AAAAAAAABp8/v9y53-ExNsM/s1600/samflowrs4small.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5cl7gbuBHWg/UF1dI9jRNoI/AAAAAAAABps/RriH4uE5Ylg/s1600/samflowrs1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5cl7gbuBHWg/UF1dI9jRNoI/AAAAAAAABps/RriH4uE5Ylg/s1600/samflowrs1small.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFSXIo3sK4o/UF1eU3BNl8I/AAAAAAAABqM/ck7Pj0dcD8U/s1600/101efsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFSXIo3sK4o/UF1eU3BNl8I/AAAAAAAABqM/ck7Pj0dcD8U/s1600/101efsmall.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ikJx3R6VCc/UF1eFoV5U2I/AAAAAAAABqE/cGuTY8fsnnw/s1600/sambike1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ikJx3R6VCc/UF1eFoV5U2I/AAAAAAAABqE/cGuTY8fsnnw/s1600/sambike1small.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raL-3F0MHXg/UF1fjHgRPLI/AAAAAAAABqU/IcQq-9qiBaE/s1600/sophiareadssmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raL-3F0MHXg/UF1fjHgRPLI/AAAAAAAABqU/IcQq-9qiBaE/s1600/sophiareadssmall.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-g12y4u3qM/UF1gJW7JzuI/AAAAAAAABqc/G_UpDFQDorI/s1600/132bwsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-g12y4u3qM/UF1gJW7JzuI/AAAAAAAABqc/G_UpDFQDorI/s1600/132bwsmall.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIh7_e-M0mU/UF1grOb7_EI/AAAAAAAABqk/uirD43bpyRg/s1600/samflowrs5small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIh7_e-M0mU/UF1grOb7_EI/AAAAAAAABqk/uirD43bpyRg/s1600/samflowrs5small.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-_iks5OTfs/UF1h2oFbgrI/AAAAAAAABqs/Y1D-esjvJb8/s1600/009small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-_iks5OTfs/UF1h2oFbgrI/AAAAAAAABqs/Y1D-esjvJb8/s1600/009small.jpg" /></a>shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-73699533095748554832012-09-19T17:45:00.002+08:002012-09-24T16:53:07.433+08:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sometime in May this year, a friend and I got on a plane to Siem Reap for a five day vacation. I left my kids behind in my husband's able hands. I've never been anywhere much, and I felt I really needed this breather, with just someone unencumbered by the demands of living a partly-slaving life with children, a spouse, and a day job. Whinnie is the best one there is. It was a good decision all in all. The place reminded me a lot of my Vietnam trip some ten years ago, ancient in its edifice and teeming with history. To me it doesn't matter if it's good or bad, or both. Every place is bound to have a past, and soon enough, a future. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Siem Reap, a province in Cambodia, and gateway to the famed Angkor Wat temples, was as remote and exotic as I would want a place to be, with people just as gentle and almost untouched by the contraptions of a modern world. Here are some images I took of the place, but this is a work in progress, and I need to find time to organize the hundreds of photos I've taken. I will keep adding images in the next few days. Needless to say, Cambodia is now etched in my mind, for life.</div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNZY0kUOPwQ/UFmOs4iSMLI/AAAAAAAABfM/O3MiVNQs2eM/s1600/_MG_4358small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNZY0kUOPwQ/UFmOs4iSMLI/AAAAAAAABfM/O3MiVNQs2eM/s1600/_MG_4358small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAzeyk65ofo/UFmRYyT4bFI/AAAAAAAABfs/biQQGMD7Mp0/s1600/_MG_4022small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAzeyk65ofo/UFmRYyT4bFI/AAAAAAAABfs/biQQGMD7Mp0/s1600/_MG_4022small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y11uynbUzRE/UFmRI8XVScI/AAAAAAAABfk/13dFEZ_L4nw/s1600/054small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y11uynbUzRE/UFmRI8XVScI/AAAAAAAABfk/13dFEZ_L4nw/s1600/054small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCWMQUsZIeA/UFmO4KGf-KI/AAAAAAAABfU/B-zNWMdBZxk/s1600/bikesmall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCWMQUsZIeA/UFmO4KGf-KI/AAAAAAAABfU/B-zNWMdBZxk/s1600/bikesmall1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul8caMmbpZQ/UFrpicJJExI/AAAAAAAABlY/XVVdatbWh0Q/s1600/_MG_4301bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul8caMmbpZQ/UFrpicJJExI/AAAAAAAABlY/XVVdatbWh0Q/s1600/_MG_4301bw.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpcJ1lRhT4c/UFrp9JQaipI/AAAAAAAABlg/lMWVE7R2RNM/s1600/_MG_4348small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpcJ1lRhT4c/UFrp9JQaipI/AAAAAAAABlg/lMWVE7R2RNM/s1600/_MG_4348small.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXiIwi9NeJI/UFrqGzdS_YI/AAAAAAAABlo/aveTqGC18d8/s1600/_MG_4351small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXiIwi9NeJI/UFrqGzdS_YI/AAAAAAAABlo/aveTqGC18d8/s1600/_MG_4351small.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnffy40APsI/UFrqU_ZxZ_I/AAAAAAAABlw/q0oNPUcpWo0/s1600/_MG_3921small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnffy40APsI/UFrqU_ZxZ_I/AAAAAAAABlw/q0oNPUcpWo0/s1600/_MG_3921small.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_0ebvUUi68/UFrqi0zjv1I/AAAAAAAABl4/3wnHn7t6hNo/s1600/_MG_4203small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_0ebvUUi68/UFrqi0zjv1I/AAAAAAAABl4/3wnHn7t6hNo/s1600/_MG_4203small.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9z_TbEY6niE/UFrquOQZQkI/AAAAAAAABmA/Qtmxw6nYuTY/s1600/_MG_4225small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9z_TbEY6niE/UFrquOQZQkI/AAAAAAAABmA/Qtmxw6nYuTY/s1600/_MG_4225small.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMxaf-B2sQk/UFrq4ISCIWI/AAAAAAAABmI/flg5apEGFu8/s1600/_MG_4027small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMxaf-B2sQk/UFrq4ISCIWI/AAAAAAAABmI/flg5apEGFu8/s1600/_MG_4027small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXKDu1iPmKU/UFrrEC9KziI/AAAAAAAABmQ/RdJfSCFaR2c/s1600/_MG_4031small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXKDu1iPmKU/UFrrEC9KziI/AAAAAAAABmQ/RdJfSCFaR2c/s1600/_MG_4031small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-sz8gtZ9Pc/UFrrtLwWetI/AAAAAAAABmg/QtPB1YkUqvI/s1600/_MG_4020small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-sz8gtZ9Pc/UFrrtLwWetI/AAAAAAAABmg/QtPB1YkUqvI/s1600/_MG_4020small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gPYRtm7_js/UFrsuKGCGeI/AAAAAAAABmo/cFwZsgvnn5M/s1600/_MG_4007small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gPYRtm7_js/UFrsuKGCGeI/AAAAAAAABmo/cFwZsgvnn5M/s1600/_MG_4007small.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGNPOkAR8pA/UFrtHBC2YJI/AAAAAAAABmw/5BbAUIi2yvE/s1600/_MG_4024small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGNPOkAR8pA/UFrtHBC2YJI/AAAAAAAABmw/5BbAUIi2yvE/s1600/_MG_4024small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SL1Rgk8Mw5k/UFrt6CIfE0I/AAAAAAAABnA/qhMdlkbXECE/s1600/_MG_4041smalljpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SL1Rgk8Mw5k/UFrt6CIfE0I/AAAAAAAABnA/qhMdlkbXECE/s1600/_MG_4041smalljpg.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2wjKzMWgP4/UFrufNX6u-I/AAAAAAAABnQ/Eqj_aF000hc/s1600/_MG_4247small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2wjKzMWgP4/UFrufNX6u-I/AAAAAAAABnQ/Eqj_aF000hc/s1600/_MG_4247small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GCqgpVMQbw/UFruoPgdvvI/AAAAAAAABnY/fvp6QsTFxI0/s1600/_MG_3965small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GCqgpVMQbw/UFruoPgdvvI/AAAAAAAABnY/fvp6QsTFxI0/s1600/_MG_3965small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGYMenICRd8/UF__TYjZveI/AAAAAAAABuo/1j4y0Pb6aWw/s1600/_MG_3976small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGYMenICRd8/UF__TYjZveI/AAAAAAAABuo/1j4y0Pb6aWw/s1600/_MG_3976small.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-custTp8UHnw/UFru0Z-ANpI/AAAAAAAABng/9sF_KwwXUtA/s1600/angkorsmall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-custTp8UHnw/UFru0Z-ANpI/AAAAAAAABng/9sF_KwwXUtA/s1600/angkorsmall2.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1oMsvN8TVE/UFru9BSf8SI/AAAAAAAABno/-rFrrcwa_ZM/s1600/_MG_4192small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1oMsvN8TVE/UFru9BSf8SI/AAAAAAAABno/-rFrrcwa_ZM/s1600/_MG_4192small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ug4VV0sguPc/UFwwmgEdeII/AAAAAAAABoM/XYBwa0g_Uok/s1600/_MG_4093bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ug4VV0sguPc/UFwwmgEdeII/AAAAAAAABoM/XYBwa0g_Uok/s1600/_MG_4093bw.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3jRY4eC688/UFwxIE6K8LI/AAAAAAAABoU/2GG6sFXp5vk/s1600/angkormonks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3jRY4eC688/UFwxIE6K8LI/AAAAAAAABoU/2GG6sFXp5vk/s1600/angkormonks2.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSXdWPjHpbI/UFwxa-4bZvI/AAAAAAAABoc/jswDYhgnuXc/s1600/angkormonks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSXdWPjHpbI/UFwxa-4bZvI/AAAAAAAABoc/jswDYhgnuXc/s1600/angkormonks1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BmGb3O2zww/UFwx1BNCYEI/AAAAAAAABok/DZsokXM_8g0/s1600/042small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BmGb3O2zww/UFwx1BNCYEI/AAAAAAAABok/DZsokXM_8g0/s1600/042small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQkJQx2gr8Q/UFw0aOBEHuI/AAAAAAAABo4/42NCQKHBOf0/s1600/_MG_4340small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQkJQx2gr8Q/UFw0aOBEHuI/AAAAAAAABo4/42NCQKHBOf0/s1600/_MG_4340small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RGgCI_ahzcY/UFw0mYtl8AI/AAAAAAAABpA/ITtakpqeXuE/s1600/_MG_4310small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RGgCI_ahzcY/UFw0mYtl8AI/AAAAAAAABpA/ITtakpqeXuE/s1600/_MG_4310small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Yp39EuVHxo/UF9OC0pB9CI/AAAAAAAABrg/p32jEkFotbg/s1600/elephsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Yp39EuVHxo/UF9OC0pB9CI/AAAAAAAABrg/p32jEkFotbg/s1600/elephsmall.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKnokcGBXVI/UF9P0vCIbHI/AAAAAAAABro/p3M6sekJ4MY/s1600/_MG_4643small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKnokcGBXVI/UF9P0vCIbHI/AAAAAAAABro/p3M6sekJ4MY/s1600/_MG_4643small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOMsxaXyNaE/UF9NKGwZ8RI/AAAAAAAABrY/AcAGR4EhV3o/s1600/bikelady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOMsxaXyNaE/UF9NKGwZ8RI/AAAAAAAABrY/AcAGR4EhV3o/s1600/bikelady.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZiF0cEwUU8/UF9RlvoYd2I/AAAAAAAABr4/6KhDj2fDdz4/s1600/_MG_4638small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZiF0cEwUU8/UF9RlvoYd2I/AAAAAAAABr4/6KhDj2fDdz4/s1600/_MG_4638small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7UksEnEc7o/UF9MkypDWMI/AAAAAAAABrQ/VwsK32tGy4s/s1600/046small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7UksEnEc7o/UF9MkypDWMI/AAAAAAAABrQ/VwsK32tGy4s/s1600/046small.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPsnqZc72cY/UF_6VS-yKEI/AAAAAAAABt4/wvrAI-Z5he4/s1600/_MG_4623small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPsnqZc72cY/UF_6VS-yKEI/AAAAAAAABt4/wvrAI-Z5he4/s1600/_MG_4623small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkAUkQ93BJk/UF_5dZRvxgI/AAAAAAAABto/8PcWjHQzPlQ/s1600/_MG_3970small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPsnqZc72cY/UF_6VS-yKEI/AAAAAAAABt4/wvrAI-Z5he4/s1600/_MG_4623small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EddCL9j9ubg/UGAWX4R6AdI/AAAAAAAABv4/ljAX2CPWwcg/s1600/kbalspeansmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EddCL9j9ubg/UGAWX4R6AdI/AAAAAAAABv4/ljAX2CPWwcg/s1600/kbalspeansmall.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDa6b6BUOlk/UGAXqo29fKI/AAAAAAAABwc/OPtjrLGsFZE/s1600/angkorknickknacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDa6b6BUOlk/UGAXqo29fKI/AAAAAAAABwc/OPtjrLGsFZE/s1600/angkorknickknacks.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xf6hLbivHik/UGAXp4FTFZI/AAAAAAAABwQ/vIGS_jhZZDA/s1600/angkorfood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xf6hLbivHik/UGAXp4FTFZI/AAAAAAAABwQ/vIGS_jhZZDA/s1600/angkorfood.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkvbz5lFv-w/UGAYt6V9ZjI/AAAAAAAABwo/4-K4D1yq5rw/s1600/dogsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkvbz5lFv-w/UGAYt6V9ZjI/AAAAAAAABwo/4-K4D1yq5rw/s1600/dogsmall.jpg" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNuR_TtTW20/UGAZYSI4ZUI/AAAAAAAABxU/nDg-AczO_bM/s1600/_MG_4374bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNuR_TtTW20/UGAZYSI4ZUI/AAAAAAAABxU/nDg-AczO_bM/s1600/_MG_4374bw.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my travel and best bud, whilma</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5WvYYdD6ts/UGAZxPdXgDI/AAAAAAAABxk/Ysu0JcWbZDA/s1600/_MG_3970small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5WvYYdD6ts/UGAZxPdXgDI/AAAAAAAABxk/Ysu0JcWbZDA/s1600/_MG_3970small.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all smiles at the Angkor Wat entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDcaN2nb8DE/UGAZmc5bWuI/AAAAAAAABxc/pDF8Qh--Vzk/s1600/_MG_4623small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDcaN2nb8DE/UGAZmc5bWuI/AAAAAAAABxc/pDF8Qh--Vzk/s1600/_MG_4623small.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">អរគុណច្រើន. Thank you, Cambodia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-48241867101939443952012-09-17T17:17:00.001+08:002012-09-25T11:41:00.432+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3CDB_KNcsk/UFbZCk2Cr0I/AAAAAAAABZQ/6KEzGdquAak/s1600/007small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I wish I knew how to make those cool templates of varying sizes that professional
photographers use in their blogs, but I have yet to figure out how it's done. With my tenacity, I will. Positive of that. On the afternoon of last New Year's eve, while contemplating what to cook for dinner, I snuck out with my camera as Sophia was quietly playing alone in the yard with bubbles. It was easy breezy getting her photos that way, not conscious of me, and having <i>her own fun</i>. Which reminds me, that I must think of something else new and novel to preoccupy her next time. Make that <i>Every Time</i>. Sometimes the tricks you thought could make her forget she's being photographed become old very suddenly. I'm dreaming up of capturing her with a bunch of pastel balloons, in a beautiful flowy dress, on a
grassfield in an insanely sun-drenched afternoon, with an abundance of light flares to boot. Tall order, I know. But yeah,
getting there....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3CDB_KNcsk/UFbZCk2Cr0I/AAAAAAAABZQ/6KEzGdquAak/s1600/007small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3CDB_KNcsk/UFbZCk2Cr0I/AAAAAAAABZQ/6KEzGdquAak/s1600/007small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNIDT8bvybc/UFbsG6m3_XI/AAAAAAAABbg/D6LqFsxOlKg/s1600/032small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNIDT8bvybc/UFbsG6m3_XI/AAAAAAAABbg/D6LqFsxOlKg/s1600/032small.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PYpHSbqzGU/UFbY9bjOM7I/AAAAAAAABZI/5Ulrs1Jcd4U/s1600/006small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PYpHSbqzGU/UFbY9bjOM7I/AAAAAAAABZI/5Ulrs1Jcd4U/s1600/006small.jpg" /> </a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SyVE_l-w56o/UFbgeiKaRgI/AAAAAAAABbI/SH4cKuQWQRI/s1600/2samsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SyVE_l-w56o/UFbgeiKaRgI/AAAAAAAABbI/SH4cKuQWQRI/s1600/2samsmall.jpg" /> </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8HTnCqdog8/UFbtuxI45KI/AAAAAAAABb4/q-OW8DDy6ps/s1600/050small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8HTnCqdog8/UFbtuxI45KI/AAAAAAAABb4/q-OW8DDy6ps/s1600/050small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XpzJA0Aerzg/UFbuJ21di6I/AAAAAAAABcA/oPj2r_39VYc/s1600/073small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XpzJA0Aerzg/UFbuJ21di6I/AAAAAAAABcA/oPj2r_39VYc/s1600/073small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LHG8zfqTZZM/UFbvJgHR_kI/AAAAAAAABcQ/Vbbbf9txq0o/s1600/113small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LHG8zfqTZZM/UFbvJgHR_kI/AAAAAAAABcQ/Vbbbf9txq0o/s640/113small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zElOqYWeB4U/UFbu61sfQDI/AAAAAAAABcI/1MFC0xp3p8Q/s1600/110small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zElOqYWeB4U/UFbu61sfQDI/AAAAAAAABcI/1MFC0xp3p8Q/s640/110small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJoo1VTVuyA/UFbvkS1ZJLI/AAAAAAAABcY/QY9JJ75Lgfs/s1600/046small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJoo1VTVuyA/UFbvkS1ZJLI/AAAAAAAABcY/QY9JJ75Lgfs/s640/046small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNL_u_HLh7k/UFbwr2AlQbI/AAAAAAAABco/bTQ7bGSILOk/s1600/076small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNL_u_HLh7k/UFbwr2AlQbI/AAAAAAAABco/bTQ7bGSILOk/s1600/076small.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip9sa31K65I/UFbwUxs28EI/AAAAAAAABcg/FtPp-xU7rjY/s1600/054small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip9sa31K65I/UFbwUxs28EI/AAAAAAAABcg/FtPp-xU7rjY/s1600/054small.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQECeNsnnfI/UFb2aNISKnI/AAAAAAAABdE/Rxr79qbbM78/s1600/039small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQECeNsnnfI/UFb2aNISKnI/AAAAAAAABdE/Rxr79qbbM78/s1600/039small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-91929297935568741552012-09-16T23:59:00.001+08:002012-09-25T11:41:40.161+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzdsyF0fmAg/UFX5rZxAa6I/AAAAAAAABXQ/ZPA9bApp62o/s1600/sam1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzdsyF0fmAg/UFX5rZxAa6I/AAAAAAAABXQ/ZPA9bApp62o/s1600/sam1s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2UYISAzYVo/UFX6SVgF7PI/AAAAAAAABXg/qpj7KpRkOCg/s1600/isaybws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2UYISAzYVo/UFX6SVgF7PI/AAAAAAAABXg/qpj7KpRkOCg/s1600/isaybws.jpg" /> </a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dOGFKcuXmE/UFX59HynvFI/AAAAAAAABXY/imEeXEBrYpo/s1600/417205_10151081829588661_2027179273_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dOGFKcuXmE/UFX59HynvFI/AAAAAAAABXY/imEeXEBrYpo/s1600/417205_10151081829588661_2027179273_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--fCiVIL8RC0/UFbTVPBctJI/AAAAAAAABYY/HK17AVO9TLY/s1600/_MG_6182s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--fCiVIL8RC0/UFbTVPBctJI/AAAAAAAABYY/HK17AVO9TLY/s1600/_MG_6182s.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjKHiUMuJ0I/UFbTueopEaI/AAAAAAAABYg/3DMs3rdej9k/s1600/_MG_6181s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjKHiUMuJ0I/UFbTueopEaI/AAAAAAAABYg/3DMs3rdej9k/s1600/_MG_6181s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRV2DsNOlsA/UFbT-Z3L2wI/AAAAAAAABYo/pqLFC7rDvYQ/s1600/389800_10151081830108661_580574283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRV2DsNOlsA/UFbT-Z3L2wI/AAAAAAAABYo/pqLFC7rDvYQ/s1600/389800_10151081830108661_580574283_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ung9gprfHR4/UFbUGtbRteI/AAAAAAAABYw/1yyTM98Kpoo/s1600/534446_10151081830373661_175546915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ung9gprfHR4/UFbUGtbRteI/AAAAAAAABYw/1yyTM98Kpoo/s1600/534446_10151081830373661_175546915_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I love her in color. I absolutely love her in black and white, too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-57555546126562677702012-09-16T19:43:00.000+08:002012-09-18T17:40:41.014+08:00Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8xrPc3c_ho/UFX-5pKg_FI/AAAAAAAABYA/BPZZU_gMaDo/s1600/_MG_6183s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8xrPc3c_ho/UFX-5pKg_FI/AAAAAAAABYA/BPZZU_gMaDo/s1600/_MG_6183s.jpg" /></a></div>
I've thought of this for quite a while now, and I guess it's high time that I start it again. I've been away from this blog for too long. As I look back, I realize once again that this is where I took root . This is where I used to hide myself away, where only a handful of people shared my life's circumstances with me, not judging of my failings or of my successes. This is where I need not worry about, nor pander to, people's expectations of me. Beginning today, I will turn to my corner here, and become my unbridled self again. </div>
<br />shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-14558273353765330972011-11-15T02:00:00.003+08:002012-09-16T20:15:26.709+08:00purple sunto compensate for the weightlessness, and an obviously tepid blogging moment, here are photos i took of sophia last weekend. did this mosaic via bighugelabs. everyone seemed to stay indoors to watch a boxing bout that day, but my daughter and i got out to catch the waning sun, and savor the quiet of the afternoon. the streets were deserted and as sophia was swirling around and walking away into the urban sunset, i felt desolation and a strange sense of peace, both at the same time. she's in her absolutely super purple-y outfit and grey boots, and we picked a beautiful yellow flower from the sidewalk for effects.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCvivPbGOO8/UFXCkny-NXI/AAAAAAAABVs/M6-xELtQUTk/s1600/mosaic6e9ea246c8ab37bfea87ea4827df2390e20bf34c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCvivPbGOO8/UFXCkny-NXI/AAAAAAAABVs/M6-xELtQUTk/s1600/mosaic6e9ea246c8ab37bfea87ea4827df2390e20bf34c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-50326142284570132392011-08-02T14:01:00.013+08:002011-08-03T23:37:28.158+08:00When It Rains....<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Much as I love the monsoon rain and how it seems to envelop me in a kind of invisible protective veil, muffling the cries of a rather dissonant world outside my bubble---- of late it appears to have exactly the opposite effect. Suddenly, I wake up in the middle of a street finding everything around me soaked in the rain. I tread ever so gingerly to avoid muddy potholes, yet I lose footing and get myself drenched. The car horns blast at me, cussing me at my inability to make sense of the danger that lies ahead. Just as I turn to the direction of safety, a vehicle sweeps past and almost collides with me. And then, I wake up. From the dream within my dream. From the more unsympathetic reality. That for the nth time, I had overslept and was going to be late for work. As they say--when it rains, it pours.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This post is not exactly about my bizarre déjà vus, or my millionth attempt to go into raptures over rains. They are in fact quite becoming a nuisance now, considering how many days my kids will miss school and therefore miss learning, of how our laundry system has gone haywire because nothing can dry up quickly enough, and how it seems people (aka my kids) just feel more famished in the cold, or rather wet, weather that we are compelled to buy everything by the double. And, most frustrating of all, of how my runners are easily gathering dust because I cannot run outside. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqleSAP9Tzw/TjeR1pC0OeI/AAAAAAAAA5w/fxxw7B1oAu0/s1600/202e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqleSAP9Tzw/TjeR1pC0OeI/AAAAAAAAA5w/fxxw7B1oAu0/s200/202e2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This is about my kids’ health. Gabby's, in particular. Last year, I had my bouts of ill health and was confined in the hospital twice. And so did my son, once. He passed out at a doctor’s clinic, and had to be hospitalized for a week due to a very bad case of respiratory infection. Although we were one happy family camping inside his room, and Sophia was allowed some nights to sleep over, for my husband and me, it was something that we hoped would never happen again. Gabby at the onset, has tested positive in G6PD during his newborn screening test. I wouldn’t want to assume that because of this, and despite his diligent attitude towards eating the right foods, he still gets sick. Because when he gets sick, boy does he ever.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">G6PD has been relatively unknown until the recent past, when hospitals and birth clinics require all newborns to undergo such test. Wikipedia describes Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency as a “hereditary disease, linked to abnormally low levels of <b>G6PD</b> or <b>G6PDH</b>, a metabolic enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, especially important in red blood cell metabolism. G6PD deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect. Individuals with the disease may exhibit non-immune haemolytic anemia in response to a number of causes, most commonly infection or exposure to certain medications or chemicals.Abnormal red blood cell breakdown (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemolysis" title="Hemolysis"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">hemolysis</span></a>) in G6PD deficiency can manifest in a number of ways:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Prolonged <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_jaundice" title="Neonatal jaundice"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">neonatal jaundice</span></a>, possibly leading to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernicterus" title="Kernicterus"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">kernicterus</span></a> (arguably the most serious complication of G6PD deficiency)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemolysis" title="Hemolysis"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Hemolytic crises</span></a> in response to: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Illness (especially infections)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Certain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medication" title="Medication"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">drugs</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Certain foods, most notably <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_bean" title="Broad bean"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">broad beans</span></a> (favism)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Certain chemicals</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_ketoacidosis" title="Diabetic ketoacidosis"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Diabetic ketoacidosis"</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In other words, there is no sure-fire way to tell which food or scenarios would give Gabby a trigger. We are left to grope in the dark, and have to learn the hard way, as we go along. One of the instances that we recognized how worrying it can get is when he puffed up over an allergy with Taro pie, courtesy of Mc Donald’s. In spite of the anti-histamines, it took almost a week for the bloating to completely go away and get him back to his normal appearance. Poor kid almost couldn’t eat because of his swollen tongue. What is strange about it is that his illnesses are all asymptomatic of G6PD, that it’s almost silly to blame it on his deficiency. I mean others are on worse boats, and yet something tells me the culprit is exactly that. Do I contradict myself?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lately, his struggle is with constipation. We had brought him twice at the ER paediatrics in the middle of the night because of complaints of stomach pains. After a battery of tests (abdominal xray, urine, blood), we always come home with the same verdict----that he only needs to "pass", to be relieved of the pains. Hilarious and off-putting, if you come to think of it, but really! As a parent nothing of that just casually comes to your mind and not worry about the underlying cause of such a discomfiting situation. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">His constipation has probably nothing to do at all with his G6PD, and yet we cannot help but think that something must be done at the root of it. As of the present, we have decided to modify his diet—and that includes the whole family in the process. We buy more fruits, and bring in more fiber on the table. I took out my blender the other night and made some mean pineapple smoothies as alternative to our dessert, when in the past we always had iced tea or colas. This is a sacrifice that has to be made. Again as they say, sacrifice one thing for the good of the others. But as it is, I’d sacrifice many other things for the good of one. The one that is my precious boy.</div>shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-9012019286575003252011-07-17T12:21:00.011+08:002012-09-18T17:56:57.099+08:00Sunshine Saturday<div style="text-align: justify;">
The rains had finally let up. Many an afternoon, I looked outside of my office window, longing for a dry pavement that I could jog on---but no such luck. I only had one opportune day last week to go down and run. Even then I could feel that I have missed out on my regimen and noticed how laboriously I had to heave my legs off the ground. I was careful not to get my knee injured, so three turns at the oval was all I could muster. I must get my act together and make a purposeful start next week. As the kids' exam week also lurks just around the corner, I welcomed anything to relax us before then. Sophia and I hopped on the jeepney to Sunken Garden yesterday. Armed with my camera and my only prime glass, a bottle of ice cold water and some biscuits, we were off for a few snaps. I am quite happy with how it turned out. The sun and its warm, magnanimous self was smiling down on us. And dear Sophie? She loved the grass on her feet....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrWlxS_rMSM/UFg0bq2r6GI/AAAAAAAABdg/NzhYQ0rjSps/s1600/280Esmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrWlxS_rMSM/UFg0bq2r6GI/AAAAAAAABdg/NzhYQ0rjSps/s1600/280Esmall.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNlU19Pv-x0/UFg03f3RUJI/AAAAAAAABdo/vlTUwZc_qIo/s1600/sunken10small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNlU19Pv-x0/UFg03f3RUJI/AAAAAAAABdo/vlTUwZc_qIo/s1600/sunken10small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ah63JDAmrS0/UFg11zkepMI/AAAAAAAABdw/AXxWr3LHHzQ/s1600/sunken9small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ah63JDAmrS0/UFg11zkepMI/AAAAAAAABdw/AXxWr3LHHzQ/s1600/sunken9small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSHSp7rdNBg/UFg3KR6MGTI/AAAAAAAABd4/YMS1X7jFWUw/s1600/056small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSHSp7rdNBg/UFg3KR6MGTI/AAAAAAAABd4/YMS1X7jFWUw/s1600/056small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQYZTG7OBGc/UFg4RkTsyuI/AAAAAAAABeA/l5_zxPQoeVA/s1600/sunken1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQYZTG7OBGc/UFg4RkTsyuI/AAAAAAAABeA/l5_zxPQoeVA/s1600/sunken1small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tv1JOy0RSE/UFg6b4wYPUI/AAAAAAAABeI/gy1yUouV7J0/s1600/sgarden6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tv1JOy0RSE/UFg6b4wYPUI/AAAAAAAABeI/gy1yUouV7J0/s1600/sgarden6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGT_XB9h22I/UFg9LMsH6JI/AAAAAAAABeg/H_51xR4SVtQ/s1600/sunken11small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGT_XB9h22I/UFg9LMsH6JI/AAAAAAAABeg/H_51xR4SVtQ/s1600/sunken11small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rrlwe6AV-qk/UFg9Wyn-mxI/AAAAAAAABeo/YZeWppYv4Xk/s1600/sunken7small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rrlwe6AV-qk/UFg9Wyn-mxI/AAAAAAAABeo/YZeWppYv4Xk/s1600/sunken7small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yEmoYLGTPY/UFg9js1EgNI/AAAAAAAABew/mpTkJujRJ2c/s1600/426efsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yEmoYLGTPY/UFg9js1EgNI/AAAAAAAABew/mpTkJujRJ2c/s1600/426efsmall.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQ5UFz0MGus/UFg7H3oPteI/AAAAAAAABeQ/X0Ss7qEjL6g/s1600/215small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQ5UFz0MGus/UFg7H3oPteI/AAAAAAAABeQ/X0Ss7qEjL6g/s1600/215small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsTeanXP6ys/UFg82GG0F8I/AAAAAAAABeY/EBtTjLNqD68/s1600/201small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsTeanXP6ys/UFg82GG0F8I/AAAAAAAABeY/EBtTjLNqD68/s1600/201small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-8436203297666269272011-07-14T18:04:00.013+08:002012-09-18T17:36:38.153+08:00Grateful Project No. 9<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So here I go, finding myself in a state of gridlock again, perpetually doing things that keep my hands busy and my brain half done-in, while poor Wanderlust has to endure this tiny bit of misfortune as a consequence, begging to know whether her existence is a bane to her owner after all, and that she’s been nothing but dead weight these past seven years. But owner reassures her---No, it’s not you. It’s me. I created you, therefore it is only right that I nurture you and let you grow. But well you see at some point, I feel that you have got to be on your own. You know, go out to the world and find whether you’ll carry on just as you are, without me. Just then, owner is left feeling flustered at her cruel thoughts, and in a counterbalance, gets into a panic and feverishly thinks of ways to make up for the damage. She combs her hard drive for photographs that might be natty enough to please Wanderlust and recoup her losses, photos which of course she would need to have something to say about. Mind, the words have to be as clever as she can manage them to be or else she’d be tormented no end with such inadequacies. Only then will she be able to sit back and breathe deeply, pleased with herself and her exploit, and reassured that she had the month of July 2011 covered. And that, People, is how agonizing one single pointless blog entry can be. Drives you stark raving mad. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Today, blog owner is thankful for colors. She feels that when she is not being some kind of an imp marauding as a mother and a law-abiding citizen with a day job—she is a child who revels in cheap thrills. Like crayons.And fairy tale books. And whimsical characters. And frog princes. And tiny cars. And all things awash in the beautiful colors of the rainbow.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0f79CzTGBXQ/Th6s8VOCaOI/AAAAAAAAA4c/WGpaidCY7hU/s1600/007s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0f79CzTGBXQ/Th6s8VOCaOI/AAAAAAAAA4c/WGpaidCY7hU/s1600/007s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dayBPmgbSRI/Th6s_9hxYUI/AAAAAAAAA4g/cNZiirNWPIs/s1600/004s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dayBPmgbSRI/Th6s_9hxYUI/AAAAAAAAA4g/cNZiirNWPIs/s1600/004s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLpW7DQF9-4/Th6popAcJKI/AAAAAAAAA4A/dYhaiCdSNRM/s1600/044s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLpW7DQF9-4/Th6popAcJKI/AAAAAAAAA4A/dYhaiCdSNRM/s1600/044s.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6q7xh_UNUd0/Th6pzuIv1FI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/BYtrtIlyH7s/s1600/042s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6q7xh_UNUd0/Th6pzuIv1FI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/BYtrtIlyH7s/s1600/042s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nGEXv3cCvk/Th7FIBCQL_I/AAAAAAAAA4k/NIYERvF3y2A/s1600/050s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nGEXv3cCvk/Th7FIBCQL_I/AAAAAAAAA4k/NIYERvF3y2A/s1600/050s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mB7F23CZuqo/Th6pryluRqI/AAAAAAAAA4E/46YTpGyLghM/s1600/013s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mB7F23CZuqo/Th6pryluRqI/AAAAAAAAA4E/46YTpGyLghM/s1600/013s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K31dFZURXFg/Th6puXnnpoI/AAAAAAAAA4I/9X_snxTOR8w/s1600/032s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K31dFZURXFg/Th6puXnnpoI/AAAAAAAAA4I/9X_snxTOR8w/s1600/032s.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBYpn-sZwDk/Th6pxfZQKRI/AAAAAAAAA4M/2Jdf2e6fFfA/s1600/050s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCtzJ1UnpZA/Th6p17M_SkI/AAAAAAAAA4U/Bvkfo94quJw/s1600/015s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCtzJ1UnpZA/Th6p17M_SkI/AAAAAAAAA4U/Bvkfo94quJw/s1600/015s.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkuw_5uyjvI/Th6p4PZy_LI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/VafOQIrBLGc/s1600/029s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkuw_5uyjvI/Th6p4PZy_LI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/VafOQIrBLGc/s1600/029s.jpg" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">
</span></blockquote>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-61525254833774309742011-05-10T15:48:00.005+08:002011-05-10T16:32:26.011+08:00Grateful Project No. 8<div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes luck has a way of falling on your lap without warning, just like that. The knee jerk reaction would be to involuntarily jerk a knee of course, open your mouth in disbelief, and then slowly curl it up into a smile, a really big smile. A few days ago, I did just that. I had recently expressed my thoughts on starting to run, for the sake of my health. I am not a sporty person, and had never once taken an interest in signing up for any gym or exercise club. But after my close brush with the grim reaper late last year, I've decided to take control of my life and turn it around to something more physically beneficial. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then there is the slight angle of vanity, which any self-respecting woman would probably understand, especially if nothing she owns seems to look or feel right on her anymore. She either must surrender to the higher powers of obesity and resign to wearing baggy clothes, or just darn do something about it. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEXCXMs6etc/Tcjh_kFCJ9I/AAAAAAAAA2M/-6bPZXgWBK0/s1600/004s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEXCXMs6etc/Tcjh_kFCJ9I/AAAAAAAAA2M/-6bPZXgWBK0/s640/004s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, like manna from heaven, my husband gifted me with these beautiful running shoes on Mother's Day. I know that Oliver has got the proverbial <i>good provider </i>quality down pat. Yet I've got to acknowledge the fact that we are not the kind to splurge on things that seem to be beyond our means. Simply put, we are misers. That's because we believe that a stuffed cupboard is better than empty stomachs in expensive garbs. Or something like that--I know how shite my metaphors can get. But that's my idea of a good provider anyway. So imagine my surprise when I got these. If I hadn't had blisters on my feet, I would have broken in on them at once and made a mad dash to the door and sprinted my way to a trail nearby. And then the rain decided to be a drama queen, too. So I had to wait for a few more days. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I would like to shout out a big <i>thank you</i> to my husband who believes in my capabilities as a woman, who goes the extra mile, who opens up avenues for me, in big or small ways, so that I can enjoy the many aspects of my life---as a mother, blogger, photography enthusiast, and now a social runner--or better put, a health advocate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today, I am starting a new chapter in life. I am getting outside!</div>shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-74863719116681106772011-05-04T16:27:00.004+08:002012-09-18T17:38:31.030+08:00Big Four-O<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN">Celebrating birthdays every year is gradually turning out to be an oxymoron. How I’d reflect on my 40th birthday, in a nutshell --is bittersweet. Bitter as I get to concede with the fact that some things are inevitable—our ostensible photo aging, the aggravation of illnesses that seem to plague our bodies at an age when it is touted to be just the beginning of life, my significantly diminished value in the workforce, let alone in the social front. Life can be fair and square, eh? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN">And yet, it progressively becomes sweet--- to realize that in every birthday, indeed there is a life---breathing, moving, talking life, where one gets to be the phoenix that burns and rises out from the ashes to start anew. It may not be that obvious to others who consciously try to curb their fascination in foolish things--- but for this day alone, I will gladly suffer the fool that I am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NT-sEmPw0Ts/TcEJC-epH2I/AAAAAAAAA18/2rQaZvXYEUw/s1600/009s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NT-sEmPw0Ts/TcEJC-epH2I/AAAAAAAAA18/2rQaZvXYEUw/s1600/009s.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Gab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, what is it like to be forty? Oh man, like any other day. I walk to work, sweat under the same unbelievably hot sun like everyone else, grounded in the fact that I am no better than the next person, except perhaps that I have mellowed, that I have a constant song in my head, that I have 360 degrees of happiness around me—that I know I only have to find that little unique indentation on Mother Earth’s crust and dig deeper and deeper so that I can create my own master work of art, that is my life.<br />
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN"></span><br />
<span lang="EN"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN">At forty, I’d like to learn many things---to play the guitar and channel my inner Mitchell, which my son will probably scoff at, seeing that I am a little late in the game. But why the heck not? I’d like to finally take that driving thing off my shoulder and get my driver’s license. At forty, I know. And because a friend was aghast that I’ve never had a facial in my life, I’d most possibly consider that one, too. Then I need to get my pair of runners, and scamper off to better health if I had to. Wax a record, or maybe just get a youtube account and sing my heart out. Cook my very own cabbage rolls. Learn to use makeup. Get a Lasik. Dress better. Laugh more. Love more….. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
PS: What I got for my birthday:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFO0BBPCOYo/TcEJEgoYBQI/AAAAAAAAA2A/dmXHP0XJ560/s1600/060s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFO0BBPCOYo/TcEJEgoYBQI/AAAAAAAAA2A/dmXHP0XJ560/s1600/060s.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little serenade from my son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhbhwzl_ir8/TcEJG1hAH-I/AAAAAAAAA2E/4Kavp4mSQfU/s1600/089s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhbhwzl_ir8/TcEJG1hAH-I/AAAAAAAAA2E/4Kavp4mSQfU/s1600/089s.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love notes from gab and sophia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIvROIog8u0/TcEJKqY2siI/AAAAAAAAA2I/WOMAv4uGgOU/s1600/093s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIvROIog8u0/TcEJKqY2siI/AAAAAAAAA2I/WOMAv4uGgOU/s1600/093s.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from true blue artzooka fans, these recycled cards are worth millions for me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-68108124000800431462011-04-28T13:22:00.009+08:002012-09-18T17:41:41.832+08:00Vignette- Bacolod City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The trip with my family to my hometown in Bacolod last week can be best described in three words--<i>short but sweet</i>. Very short in fact, that we only had two whole days to frantically go around and somehow trace back the remnants of my Ilonggo roots, something which I had longed for my husband to savor and experience. Until this trip, he only heard about it in my oft-repeated stories, and it was vague to him at best. Never mind my kids as they are too young to understand all this, and Sophia thought we were actually going to another swimming foray. Well, swimming there was none. I'm sure she and Gab felt a little disappointed as suddenly it got impossibly hot in Manila and the prospect of flying over to a much cooler place and soaking in a glorious body of water would have been really nice. But Bacolod was all about seeing Angustia again, and my home folks, and understandably being sober for the occasion, so I felt that except for the kids, we had kept our expectations to a minimum. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
For someone like me who has seen things in a bigger scale, Bacolod to my eyes now has become rather feeble and sleepier than it seemed back then. Maybe owing to the fact that we came here at the deadest season of the entire year, Oliver remarked that the streets were practically deserted of people. The roads from Silay to Bacolod impressed upon him because of the lush and verdant trees, and I found myself pleasantly surprised as well. However, when we reached downtown where our hotel was, there was the undeniable stench. It crossed my mind that this part of the city is on the verge of decay---that people who have had centrifugal tendencies to stray away and live in other parts of the country, or the world, would someday go back and realize how small and poor and half-forgotten this place had been, that this very truth could be seen in everything---the toothless old people, the homeless who sleep on the plaza benches, the dirty kids who mill around with blank stares on their faces, the dilapidated shops that are now swarmed with flies and not with people, the San Sebastian Church which used to be very huge and was considered the bastion of all the grandiose that symbolized the sugar plantation capital of the country. But the thud on the road shook me up and made me realize we were now cruising along the Bredco port and probably the stench that threw me off-kilter came from all the <i>talaba</i> (oyster) and <i>sisi</i>. And then as we drove nearer to the heart of the city, I could see not far beyond that SM and more modern shops had risen from where the Reclamation Area used to be. Bacolod life, in my absence, has indeed happened, however snail-paced it did. It has become a mixture of the old and the new, and I was rather torn. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But the moment I went to Sum-ag it was totally another story. I was transported to the days of yore when I was just a little kid climbing up the sarisa tree to spend an idle afternoon with my cousins, while the folks would take their places on the mahjong table, and asked to be served their cafe, or send us out for some loose change. There was warmth in all the smiles and hugs and the lilted accent accompanied with such animated hand movements, that the hot sun, for all its worth, did not seem to bother me for a moment. Oh Sum-ag, I love you the most for my childhood days, for the bad times and good times, for the titas and titos, for the cousins and grandparents, for abundance and hunger, for the tears and the laughter, for making me touch the ground again and say---I was here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As for the photos, I have really often struggled with landscapes, and going to Don Salvador Benedicto on the third day of the trip would have been a wonderful chance, but more often than not, you get carried away in the moment, of touching base with everyone again. A simple bisou-bisou would not do, it's the only time to catch up with people who have forever been close to your heart but don't get to hear from, in more than a decade--that photographing has to take a backseat for a bit. However, I had to look for that small window of opportunity, and I'm glad I was able to take a few shots of my nieces, cousins, aunts, and of course, Sophia, my wanderlust muse.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoLt87qdwqA/TbjpMYmWuKI/AAAAAAAAA1U/ccq1lnOxJBE/s1600/010e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoLt87qdwqA/TbjpMYmWuKI/AAAAAAAAA1U/ccq1lnOxJBE/s400/010e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Sebastian Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItCG6QAFHJ8/TbjpPZ2JahI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/iJx6-gw2hkg/s1600/012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItCG6QAFHJ8/TbjpPZ2JahI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/iJx6-gw2hkg/s640/012.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n787F3V9MeA/TbjpUDdyrbI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ZUBQ22m9cVg/s1600/016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n787F3V9MeA/TbjpUDdyrbI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ZUBQ22m9cVg/s400/016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1h44drQq03c/TbjpHbqKYoI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/y0ZtMpc5d-g/s1600/006e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1h44drQq03c/TbjpHbqKYoI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/y0ZtMpc5d-g/s400/006e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for a taste of authentic ilonggo--manokan country and batchoy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YshMqk2ht94/TbjRbl2VP1I/AAAAAAAAAyo/TIFh8mRxwdU/s1600/119e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YshMqk2ht94/TbjRbl2VP1I/AAAAAAAAAyo/TIFh8mRxwdU/s400/119e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7oHr0bkvek/TbjQQEcv75I/AAAAAAAAAxg/I7anTInDiEQ/s1600/042e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7oHr0bkvek/TbjQQEcv75I/AAAAAAAAAxg/I7anTInDiEQ/s640/042e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">preparing the Angus at a workshed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-WZ36ztub4/TbjQZUh-gxI/AAAAAAAAAxo/EzMjK9E0kFs/s1600/046e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-WZ36ztub4/TbjQZUh-gxI/AAAAAAAAAxo/EzMjK9E0kFs/s640/046e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmnV4y-K-fc/Tbj1nd58X4I/AAAAAAAAA10/ZQNy6eznyMs/s1600/064ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmnV4y-K-fc/Tbj1nd58X4I/AAAAAAAAA10/ZQNy6eznyMs/s640/064ee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first cousins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjZl-GqGB1E/TbjQUS5UqlI/AAAAAAAAAxk/GXvJ-vReJ3U/s1600/043e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjZl-GqGB1E/TbjQUS5UqlI/AAAAAAAAAxk/GXvJ-vReJ3U/s400/043e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nieces from Davao</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHD7MWhHuGg/TbjQF1j2abI/AAAAAAAAAxY/lA22_PCCN-0/s1600/036ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHD7MWhHuGg/TbjQF1j2abI/AAAAAAAAAxY/lA22_PCCN-0/s400/036ee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousins of varying degrees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Procession of Saints--Sum-ag Parish Church</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WnovrsrjlLM/TbjQh7arzpI/AAAAAAAAAxw/wrEwCoJiWvQ/s1600/058e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WnovrsrjlLM/TbjQh7arzpI/AAAAAAAAAxw/wrEwCoJiWvQ/s400/058e.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cP5rvybmKE/TbjQkEhAJKI/AAAAAAAAAx0/1mS_mUBFWLU/s1600/070ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cP5rvybmKE/TbjQkEhAJKI/AAAAAAAAAx0/1mS_mUBFWLU/s400/070ee.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-vZ1N7zicQ/TbjQ4Tq1hHI/AAAAAAAAAyE/TLXnCz8FWDM/s1600/092e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-vZ1N7zicQ/TbjQ4Tq1hHI/AAAAAAAAAyE/TLXnCz8FWDM/s400/092e.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3pGoWjpZIk/TbjQ7ULhGrI/AAAAAAAAAyI/qE-lrocx5zU/s1600/094e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3pGoWjpZIk/TbjQ7ULhGrI/AAAAAAAAAyI/qE-lrocx5zU/s400/094e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYNj3RJe2p0/TbjRCoxuqmI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/yImxPs97QP8/s1600/100e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYNj3RJe2p0/TbjRCoxuqmI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/yImxPs97QP8/s400/100e.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCwz5mQsxX0/TbjRJmTp3zI/AAAAAAAAAyY/2XxXeG1W3tQ/s1600/102e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCwz5mQsxX0/TbjRJmTp3zI/AAAAAAAAAyY/2XxXeG1W3tQ/s400/102e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jbW5368Q2Y/TbjQqPx9qgI/AAAAAAAAAx4/oLIPL6KVDOQ/s1600/077e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jbW5368Q2Y/TbjQqPx9qgI/AAAAAAAAAx4/oLIPL6KVDOQ/s640/077e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sum-ag Parish Church where I attended Sunday mass as a kid. Across the street is my old elementary school.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jCZLnCjiX4/TbjQ1n9I7fI/AAAAAAAAAyA/7EDXFLO9fls/s1600/085ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jCZLnCjiX4/TbjQ1n9I7fI/AAAAAAAAAyA/7EDXFLO9fls/s400/085ee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">titas and cousins again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1XVaKPlRWU/TbjQwQr6inI/AAAAAAAAAx8/PCxAJ3L0acI/s1600/080ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1XVaKPlRWU/TbjQwQr6inI/AAAAAAAAAx8/PCxAJ3L0acI/s400/080ee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yrz7J1V_qQ/TbjROVvof3I/AAAAAAAAAyc/B9357AhRaRM/s1600/105e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yrz7J1V_qQ/TbjROVvof3I/AAAAAAAAAyc/B9357AhRaRM/s640/105e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FdPDGrP-70/TbjRTCcigDI/AAAAAAAAAyg/ROkqWqO_HNk/s1600/106e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FdPDGrP-70/TbjRTCcigDI/AAAAAAAAAyg/ROkqWqO_HNk/s640/106e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jSeX53rfHU/Tbj1qBiTRHI/AAAAAAAAA14/cR_Hi-QcwNk/s1600/108e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jSeX53rfHU/Tbj1qBiTRHI/AAAAAAAAA14/cR_Hi-QcwNk/s640/108e.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking part in the two-hour procession</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBAPo1DkO9w/TbjRXD2qPMI/AAAAAAAAAyk/g_30KAiA9jw/s1600/116e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBAPo1DkO9w/TbjRXD2qPMI/AAAAAAAAAyk/g_30KAiA9jw/s400/116e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paying a quick visit to my second cuz and bestfriend Lorena</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hf47qJF7K50/TbjRgyxXDbI/AAAAAAAAAys/OIoPjGLtb00/s1600/127e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hf47qJF7K50/TbjRgyxXDbI/AAAAAAAAAys/OIoPjGLtb00/s400/127e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Salvador Benedicto- hidden paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2aP7XymVzII/TbjR9paInxI/AAAAAAAAAzY/ZkVplHOdFAI/s1600/254e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2aP7XymVzII/TbjR9paInxI/AAAAAAAAAzY/ZkVplHOdFAI/s400/254e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p66a4m1LGmA/TbjSBiDGDrI/AAAAAAAAAzc/UFX7jkxNln0/s1600/255e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p66a4m1LGmA/TbjSBiDGDrI/AAAAAAAAAzc/UFX7jkxNln0/s400/255e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynKUSMEYrFQ/TbjRs7XXnDI/AAAAAAAAAzA/a-0RCKzvfaM/s1600/202e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynKUSMEYrFQ/TbjRs7XXnDI/AAAAAAAAAzA/a-0RCKzvfaM/s640/202e3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Photos taken at <a href="http://www.donsalvadorbenedicto.gov.ph/">Don Salvador Benedicto</a>, a municipality in the more remote parts of Negros. The first ever appointed mayor is Tito Nene, mother's cousin. He owns a very beautiful home here and oversees the place as a Board Member, while his son serves as the incumbent Mayor. Had we the privelege of another night's stay, we could have trekked the mountains and enjoyed the waterfalls, but as it was, we only took mementos of that charming and seemingly unbridled agricultural life back there through several photos. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEci1JXN9ME/TbjRpXj5-yI/AAAAAAAAAy8/sFFvvxTk2DA/s1600/201e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEci1JXN9ME/TbjRpXj5-yI/AAAAAAAAAy8/sFFvvxTk2DA/s400/201e.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDe7N_djHFo/TbjRjsnqKeI/AAAAAAAAAyw/EmriosPdVtg/s1600/184e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDe7N_djHFo/TbjRjsnqKeI/AAAAAAAAAyw/EmriosPdVtg/s400/184e9.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RKBbVIIt0M/TbjRvOurZRI/AAAAAAAAAzE/gag2M7j74is/s1600/205e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RKBbVIIt0M/TbjRvOurZRI/AAAAAAAAAzE/gag2M7j74is/s400/205e.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F71YZcutwt8/TbjRnZcNIzI/AAAAAAAAAy4/GwePgykB9Zo/s1600/198e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F71YZcutwt8/TbjRnZcNIzI/AAAAAAAAAy4/GwePgykB9Zo/s400/198e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdU--ZcvBF4/TbjRlInv2GI/AAAAAAAAAy0/8ST930gN1ic/s1600/197e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdU--ZcvBF4/TbjRlInv2GI/AAAAAAAAAy0/8ST930gN1ic/s400/197e3.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESNdlvpl93Q/TbjRwpWaM2I/AAAAAAAAAzI/EFKUYxsyy10/s1600/207e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESNdlvpl93Q/TbjRwpWaM2I/AAAAAAAAAzI/EFKUYxsyy10/s400/207e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TV4pZP7w58Y/TbjRzfDTvCI/AAAAAAAAAzM/foCI_EkBM58/s1600/212e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TV4pZP7w58Y/TbjRzfDTvCI/AAAAAAAAAzM/foCI_EkBM58/s400/212e.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99NohT6nclo/TbjR2CkCvYI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Z3OTQb0H3o4/s1600/215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99NohT6nclo/TbjR2CkCvYI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Z3OTQb0H3o4/s400/215.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DnugAwJBCM/TbjTryE8TtI/AAAAAAAAA0M/5KJUoxX1K9M/s1600/287e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DnugAwJBCM/TbjTryE8TtI/AAAAAAAAA0M/5KJUoxX1K9M/s640/287e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laJ3xPOnNLc/TbjR5UGO0-I/AAAAAAAAAzU/qQHiYo7TWJM/s1600/228e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laJ3xPOnNLc/TbjR5UGO0-I/AAAAAAAAAzU/qQHiYo7TWJM/s640/228e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWjzP4PC2_8/TbjTnUjefrI/AAAAAAAAA0E/ZhFFiW0_dL0/s1600/277e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWjzP4PC2_8/TbjTnUjefrI/AAAAAAAAA0E/ZhFFiW0_dL0/s400/277e.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYRjqnmjJHo/TbjSPVt8n_I/AAAAAAAAAzw/jvVLfnpBhEs/s1600/263e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYRjqnmjJHo/TbjSPVt8n_I/AAAAAAAAAzw/jvVLfnpBhEs/s400/263e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdkGFh7jqRc/TbjSHx4FvEI/AAAAAAAAAzk/KuXnDzkeaH4/s1600/258e4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdkGFh7jqRc/TbjSHx4FvEI/AAAAAAAAAzk/KuXnDzkeaH4/s400/258e4.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GYnMtYQ8mg/TbjTcnsv44I/AAAAAAAAAz0/8O3OYf7aR7s/s1600/268e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GYnMtYQ8mg/TbjTcnsv44I/AAAAAAAAAz0/8O3OYf7aR7s/s400/268e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymfcm_5wdRo/TbjTiRaL6RI/AAAAAAAAAz8/yTzPMt0P6wE/s1600/270e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymfcm_5wdRo/TbjTiRaL6RI/AAAAAAAAAz8/yTzPMt0P6wE/s400/270e.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArBYqOQGZ-w/TbjTf3SfLVI/AAAAAAAAAz4/duTu3Ho7W8M/s1600/269e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArBYqOQGZ-w/TbjTf3SfLVI/AAAAAAAAAz4/duTu3Ho7W8M/s400/269e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvmMlTQfIBk/TbjTpkvblRI/AAAAAAAAA0I/pj4wRqSNw9Q/s1600/282e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvmMlTQfIBk/TbjTpkvblRI/AAAAAAAAA0I/pj4wRqSNw9Q/s400/282e.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3Euk3MtU9c/TbjyLKNzbjI/AAAAAAAAA1s/WKSB0W9mMu0/s1600/183e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3Euk3MtU9c/TbjyLKNzbjI/AAAAAAAAA1s/WKSB0W9mMu0/s400/183e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5R09UnKEovg/Tbjv3HrNX9I/AAAAAAAAA1k/cjia8K2aYII/s1600/172e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5R09UnKEovg/Tbjv3HrNX9I/AAAAAAAAA1k/cjia8K2aYII/s640/172e9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yPWCzOetNA/TbjTvwsXZqI/AAAAAAAAA0U/SvdY2TofM78/s1600/294e4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yPWCzOetNA/TbjTvwsXZqI/AAAAAAAAA0U/SvdY2TofM78/s640/294e4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oZOgULwSxHI/TbjTxg6adjI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/i-2cuhH_DV8/s1600/296e7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oZOgULwSxHI/TbjTxg6adjI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/i-2cuhH_DV8/s640/296e7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9lGXAksCJ4/TbjyRaCGK9I/AAAAAAAAA1w/FCLjy6opsdo/s1600/280e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9lGXAksCJ4/TbjyRaCGK9I/AAAAAAAAA1w/FCLjy6opsdo/s640/280e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Tito Nene (in blue shirt)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOHxZqKrFeE/TbjUB5kHD_I/AAAAAAAAA0o/yYtxZd1908Q/s1600/302e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOHxZqKrFeE/TbjUB5kHD_I/AAAAAAAAA0o/yYtxZd1908Q/s400/302e3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APWwThbw2ko/TbjUE_gfH2I/AAAAAAAAA0s/qFMUf8rlU7c/s1600/303ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APWwThbw2ko/TbjUE_gfH2I/AAAAAAAAA0s/qFMUf8rlU7c/s640/303ee.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msI94xcixlY/TbjUOx6uUrI/AAAAAAAAA00/5S7yLN0i54M/s1600/313e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msI94xcixlY/TbjUOx6uUrI/AAAAAAAAA00/5S7yLN0i54M/s640/313e3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuuOFaWiSPA/TbjUUJneIuI/AAAAAAAAA04/bSwTNWfOLFo/s1600/317e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuuOFaWiSPA/TbjUUJneIuI/AAAAAAAAA04/bSwTNWfOLFo/s640/317e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sgpzvNXSaw/TbjUZCjyWBI/AAAAAAAAA08/0jgaU-fiyoE/s1600/320e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sgpzvNXSaw/TbjUZCjyWBI/AAAAAAAAA08/0jgaU-fiyoE/s640/320e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZajSqfOiALM/TbjUjFUVpmI/AAAAAAAAA1E/JUqIkZ5caGU/s1600/328e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZajSqfOiALM/TbjUjFUVpmI/AAAAAAAAA1E/JUqIkZ5caGU/s400/328e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flying back to Manila</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHEhqN_jlgA/TbjUmVO6oAI/AAAAAAAAA1I/mE9PnChUvDY/s1600/329e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHEhqN_jlgA/TbjUmVO6oAI/AAAAAAAAA1I/mE9PnChUvDY/s400/329e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y59gK635UsY/TbjUoaD4_1I/AAAAAAAAA1M/LBJtxsNhc00/s1600/339e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y59gK635UsY/TbjUoaD4_1I/AAAAAAAAA1M/LBJtxsNhc00/s640/339e.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophia going back home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-41572523823392757482011-03-22T17:43:00.010+08:002011-03-23T16:53:19.982+08:00Updates-March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I honestly have no idea what to write today, given that many unfortunate events have taken place in the recent weeks, reminding us so palpably of our fragility in the face of nature and man's wrath. It is no consolation either that my country sits above the earthquake belt, and there seems to be no safety net at all for the possibilities of some such disasters. There is a certain amount of trepidation that I feel, pretty much like having a hangman's noose around my neck, that at any infinitesimal moment I can be swept from under and that noose will most certainly tighten and strangle me to death. But I have to be sensible, don't I? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Last week had been crazy around the household, as our help has gone away for good, and I am left with the power to save my little domestic world from pandemonium. I kind of exaggerate, but as they say, with power comes responsibility, and I cannot even begin to describe what kind of responsibility has suddenly fallen on my lap and has presented itself in quite a self-aggrandizing fashion. I have to be a cleaner, laundrywoman, nurse (Sophia got bitten by a stray cat), tutor, iron woman if you may, and above all, peace keeper. All that on top of my being an office woman. I should cut my husband some slack as well, he's been doing more than his fair share of cooking and soldiering in the home front. So, I think I may have just to stay on tangent and do my job as quietly and as efficiently as possible. I cannot wait for April to get here and have someone help us out in this mayhem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">But although I may sound like I have been ravaged by my domestic woes, I surprisingly found time to take some photos of Sophia outside the yard this weekend. And here, I have managed to do some PS tricks to put some angel wings on her. It makes her giddy with excitement at the sight of her sporting some nifty fairytale stuff , and you bet it makes for an opportunity to photograph her again without fuss. Let's just say, I am getting a bit more enterprising at this. So yeah, this is unintelligible mumbling at its best, but I'm glad to talk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BvBWL-obNw4/TYiruDxR0cI/AAAAAAAAAtc/2M_w5zzlz7o/s1600/flowrsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BvBWL-obNw4/TYiruDxR0cI/AAAAAAAAAtc/2M_w5zzlz7o/s400/flowrsmall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dCmdooMmUnI/TYmyCcOK2iI/AAAAAAAAAts/gfEhQZmMKcQ/s1600/flowers2small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dCmdooMmUnI/TYmyCcOK2iI/AAAAAAAAAts/gfEhQZmMKcQ/s1600/flowers2small.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i5WCT2V27Zg/TYikqAWihtI/AAAAAAAAAtA/DwfseqUHons/s1600/015small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i5WCT2V27Zg/TYikqAWihtI/AAAAAAAAAtA/DwfseqUHons/s1600/015small.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ro-2curX4Mw/TYhhvEtHofI/AAAAAAAAAss/Oznk6b-sCsw/s1600/096ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ro-2curX4Mw/TYhhvEtHofI/AAAAAAAAAss/Oznk6b-sCsw/s640/096ss.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers and prayers for the displaced. and the disenfranchised.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UN5milcrWS0/TYhhpzNAD6I/AAAAAAAAAsk/ZwQig0FiKXI/s1600/024s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UN5milcrWS0/TYhhpzNAD6I/AAAAAAAAAsk/ZwQig0FiKXI/s1600/024s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-311nWRZWLwU/TYmx-xsJuVI/AAAAAAAAAto/e68qvLyTEC4/s1600/dance2small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-311nWRZWLwU/TYmx-xsJuVI/AAAAAAAAAto/e68qvLyTEC4/s1600/dance2small.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EAWd7vOR31o/TYmx9MXfIMI/AAAAAAAAAtk/njFnI9NiuxA/s1600/126s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EAWd7vOR31o/TYmx9MXfIMI/AAAAAAAAAtk/njFnI9NiuxA/s1600/126s.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TgN-Dvhgyss/TYirryTN-II/AAAAAAAAAtY/SLxV3IYJL04/s1600/dancesmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TgN-Dvhgyss/TYirryTN-II/AAAAAAAAAtY/SLxV3IYJL04/s1600/dancesmall.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pirouette.she dreams of doing a perfect arabesque someday...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Incidentally, I am uploading a few photos of my brother Nikkos, taken by his friend, from his trip to Melbourne a few weeks ago. I've never been to Oz, but I have heard much of its strange beauty from erstwhile Aussie friends. Needless to say, I believe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gzFcAE17ZhU/TYhfudcLnfI/AAAAAAAAAsU/SsTf2cRb6vc/s1600/IMG_7451s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gzFcAE17ZhU/TYhfudcLnfI/AAAAAAAAAsU/SsTf2cRb6vc/s640/IMG_7451s.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">downtown Melbourne</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9_By_updscw/TYhhkaqDg5I/AAAAAAAAAsc/ESZXoFw7qfw/s1600/IMG_9965e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9_By_updscw/TYhhkaqDg5I/AAAAAAAAAsc/ESZXoFw7qfw/s400/IMG_9965e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brighton Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T7SBmczqvsE/TYhfmi-KrwI/AAAAAAAAAsM/4Vnh7SQ0N-0/s1600/IMG_7577s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T7SBmczqvsE/TYhfmi-KrwI/AAAAAAAAAsM/4Vnh7SQ0N-0/s400/IMG_7577s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philip Island </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KFTgKqmH6Bo/TYhhiKN48wI/AAAAAAAAAsY/yXkq08tOJ84/s1600/IMG_7593e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KFTgKqmH6Bo/TYhhiKN48wI/AAAAAAAAAsY/yXkq08tOJ84/s400/IMG_7593e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vBsFK_6HWZY/TYhfqcZWrfI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/DencBT6Ccxo/s1600/IMG_7511s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vBsFK_6HWZY/TYhfqcZWrfI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/DencBT6Ccxo/s400/IMG_7511s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">feeding the joeys</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AQu3ZdMzmQ8/TYhfjaVV23I/AAAAAAAAAsI/4oe61tbzb3s/s1600/IMG_0112s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AQu3ZdMzmQ8/TYhfjaVV23I/AAAAAAAAAsI/4oe61tbzb3s/s640/IMG_0112s.jpg" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Patrick Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-86542061249022269012011-02-27T22:06:00.005+08:002011-02-27T22:27:30.526+08:00Grateful Project No. 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Flowers, though of ephemeral lives, are truly some of the most eternally memorable things to touch and behold. They can take the place of our human emotion, when there are not enough words to say it, when there is not enough courage to admit it. Flowers soothe our frayed souls, rebuild our faith, rekindle our friendships. They remind us of the simple things in nature that we ought not take for granted, and should be always grateful of. And indeed, I am. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vW5uld9efOs/TWpMvZGz5NI/AAAAAAAAAqM/1pf3h2k2Ics/s1600/068s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vW5uld9efOs/TWpMvZGz5NI/AAAAAAAAAqM/1pf3h2k2Ics/s400/068s.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nBxMs66IMgI/TWpMsc0I35I/AAAAAAAAAqI/V_f8VIfiHSg/s1600/241s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nBxMs66IMgI/TWpMsc0I35I/AAAAAAAAAqI/V_f8VIfiHSg/s400/241s.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nY58UWcgopM/TWpMAXuvIZI/AAAAAAAAApU/iiuJG4ZaRg0/s1600/231s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nY58UWcgopM/TWpMAXuvIZI/AAAAAAAAApU/iiuJG4ZaRg0/s400/231s.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cazjcOB8WIY/TWpMXQaQUSI/AAAAAAAAApw/FsDm4aSFvLs/s1600/070s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cazjcOB8WIY/TWpMXQaQUSI/AAAAAAAAApw/FsDm4aSFvLs/s400/070s.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3Gj2wSmoo_A/TWpMc0tszpI/AAAAAAAAAp4/QU5xqWYzEuU/s1600/181s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3Gj2wSmoo_A/TWpMc0tszpI/AAAAAAAAAp4/QU5xqWYzEuU/s640/181s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7Pnprier4iM/TWpMOkS4trI/AAAAAAAAApk/w3biKDrzL90/s1600/110s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7Pnprier4iM/TWpMOkS4trI/AAAAAAAAApk/w3biKDrzL90/s640/110s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dVd1DhZV0m8/TWpMhiI7w-I/AAAAAAAAAp8/SoshfFHWhQY/s1600/286s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dVd1DhZV0m8/TWpMhiI7w-I/AAAAAAAAAp8/SoshfFHWhQY/s400/286s.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HSmvO1kn_to/TWpL4pJ_qJI/AAAAAAAAApM/lLJdJ1uPJNo/s1600/061s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HSmvO1kn_to/TWpL4pJ_qJI/AAAAAAAAApM/lLJdJ1uPJNo/s400/061s.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v81darPOrmU/TWpMMOI6kfI/AAAAAAAAApg/9YWqfrBWIpM/s1600/045s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v81darPOrmU/TWpMMOI6kfI/AAAAAAAAApg/9YWqfrBWIpM/s640/045s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0DG9pEUPfJY/TWpMJN5VSNI/AAAAAAAAApc/RHTrDCzYe20/s1600/107s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0DG9pEUPfJY/TWpMJN5VSNI/AAAAAAAAApc/RHTrDCzYe20/s640/107s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-THJB26Rx-Y0/TWpMRf8DLpI/AAAAAAAAApo/tcFBumpoBbA/s1600/006s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-THJB26Rx-Y0/TWpMRf8DLpI/AAAAAAAAApo/tcFBumpoBbA/s400/006s.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--q3xImI4Gb4/TWpMpH0L77I/AAAAAAAAAqE/fWcSgZ7VmIA/s1600/247s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--q3xImI4Gb4/TWpMpH0L77I/AAAAAAAAAqE/fWcSgZ7VmIA/s400/247s.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HZAZgGFHs9c/TWpMyeLltRI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/YVAx4ELjsAc/s1600/050s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HZAZgGFHs9c/TWpMyeLltRI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/YVAx4ELjsAc/s400/050s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uZp31XAaUvM/TWpMFmLBSKI/AAAAAAAAApY/tUEJRCAZH2Y/s1600/053s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uZp31XAaUvM/TWpMFmLBSKI/AAAAAAAAApY/tUEJRCAZH2Y/s400/053s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438335.post-17267890968239846242011-02-21T18:41:00.002+08:002011-02-28T01:32:26.581+08:00Sunken Garden<div style="text-align: justify;">Spent early Sunday morning with our neighbor-friend Anna at the Sunken Garden for some photos. There were kids having a dip in the muddy river, and a couple of them went up to me to ask for a photo op. Sunken Garden is a scenic hillside with some war artifacts, and a riverbank, all situated within the prison compound in Muntinlupa. It's a little jagged and under-developed, but it's ironically a beautiful, peaceful place to go to and unwind. The breeze is a welcome change from the stifling heat of the city, and the sun is often just gorgeous. There are a lot of bikers and joggers especially on the weekends, and a few stay-out prisoners doing the gardening and maintenance of the place.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFySnRmNFL8/TWIsrDDzbcI/AAAAAAAAAow/Qne6Q5tVSeA/s1600/121e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFySnRmNFL8/TWIsrDDzbcI/AAAAAAAAAow/Qne6Q5tVSeA/s640/121e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_eH3Ur4658/TWIsEuBIyYI/AAAAAAAAAoI/0AcHS5RS628/s1600/105e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_eH3Ur4658/TWIsEuBIyYI/AAAAAAAAAoI/0AcHS5RS628/s400/105e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY1MpIvoxoo/TWIqfh6k7wI/AAAAAAAAAmo/8FOTOaXp-rU/s1600/028e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY1MpIvoxoo/TWIqfh6k7wI/AAAAAAAAAmo/8FOTOaXp-rU/s640/028e.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken by Oliver</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8k5ktIRQ5lo/TWIsuE2sNfI/AAAAAAAAAo0/LQXxW39jl1s/s1600/119e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8k5ktIRQ5lo/TWIsuE2sNfI/AAAAAAAAAo0/LQXxW39jl1s/s320/119e.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRMOtD77lMY/TWI54ZbhbQI/AAAAAAAAApE/j_E_q2uBg7w/s1600/018e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRMOtD77lMY/TWI54ZbhbQI/AAAAAAAAApE/j_E_q2uBg7w/s320/018e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAlrz0l9cXc/TWIsK0fKWcI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/9L7ItcAY1cI/s1600/049e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAlrz0l9cXc/TWIsK0fKWcI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/9L7ItcAY1cI/s320/049e.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlSbZV8pRW8/TWIsHtnFCTI/AAAAAAAAAoM/_uMIksFDXeM/s1600/053e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlSbZV8pRW8/TWIsHtnFCTI/AAAAAAAAAoM/_uMIksFDXeM/s320/053e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_mLmbdZpzE/TWIqa1GTZcI/AAAAAAAAAmk/CCvvHPdplTM/s1600/022e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_mLmbdZpzE/TWIqa1GTZcI/AAAAAAAAAmk/CCvvHPdplTM/s400/022e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhF7pNaE8uk/TWIrLWRcFgI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Og8fp7x4QpQ/s1600/217e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhF7pNaE8uk/TWIrLWRcFgI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Og8fp7x4QpQ/s640/217e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndqj5owOQjQ/TWIrAOSkCtI/AAAAAAAAAms/sQFeCk6obaA/s1600/335e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndqj5owOQjQ/TWIrAOSkCtI/AAAAAAAAAms/sQFeCk6obaA/s320/335e.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2DTEmGd948/TWIrDkUADhI/AAAAAAAAAmw/aV695XeBtUU/s1600/265e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2DTEmGd948/TWIrDkUADhI/AAAAAAAAAmw/aV695XeBtUU/s320/265e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7e85RONw98c/TWIrHAdIchI/AAAAAAAAAm0/lK4Yo2zVYfI/s1600/261e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7e85RONw98c/TWIrHAdIchI/AAAAAAAAAm0/lK4Yo2zVYfI/s640/261e.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gkoxq5hVXns/TWIrblGKObI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/09cKiT7dFKc/s1600/256ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gkoxq5hVXns/TWIrblGKObI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/09cKiT7dFKc/s320/256ee.jpg" width="204" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftw5R9eH60Y/TWIre8SwOkI/AAAAAAAAAnU/KUzTxQIBFdg/s1600/251e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftw5R9eH60Y/TWIre8SwOkI/AAAAAAAAAnU/KUzTxQIBFdg/s320/251e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyjCnB-hZV0/TWIrhigFDOI/AAAAAAAAAnY/CDzC4l_D-iQ/s1600/270ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyjCnB-hZV0/TWIrhigFDOI/AAAAAAAAAnY/CDzC4l_D-iQ/s320/270ee.jpg" width="208" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otsKdFutV4M/TWIrZAA9TFI/AAAAAAAAAnM/ExSVbFQ4MuY/s1600/228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otsKdFutV4M/TWIrZAA9TFI/AAAAAAAAAnM/ExSVbFQ4MuY/s320/228.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1TFV4RMGA0/TWIryEdoOPI/AAAAAAAAAnw/a-0X4Koj9l8/s1600/328e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1TFV4RMGA0/TWIryEdoOPI/AAAAAAAAAnw/a-0X4Koj9l8/s640/328e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnY1cau9JUw/TWIr6TX55XI/AAAAAAAAAn8/nAw_phqSU2U/s1600/346e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnY1cau9JUw/TWIr6TX55XI/AAAAAAAAAn8/nAw_phqSU2U/s320/346e.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALHqQS537iE/TWIr0Xri-QI/AAAAAAAAAn0/H4_NKHW4Ois/s1600/330e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALHqQS537iE/TWIr0Xri-QI/AAAAAAAAAn0/H4_NKHW4Ois/s320/330e.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkS_R_K-TAs/TWIr360tRVI/AAAAAAAAAn4/MUSSPnWlG1g/s1600/340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkS_R_K-TAs/TWIr360tRVI/AAAAAAAAAn4/MUSSPnWlG1g/s400/340.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh4IhktoRKQ/TWIr9ZmShvI/AAAAAAAAAoA/J0d0wFL6fc8/s1600/349e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh4IhktoRKQ/TWIr9ZmShvI/AAAAAAAAAoA/J0d0wFL6fc8/s320/349e.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-797lS8eNzUE/TWIsVeoXJhI/AAAAAAAAAoc/sInsGUnOgHk/s1600/334e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-797lS8eNzUE/TWIsVeoXJhI/AAAAAAAAAoc/sInsGUnOgHk/s320/334e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6gFyg-RWT0/TWIsA365xFI/AAAAAAAAAoE/osSxWHcKRmY/s1600/146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6gFyg-RWT0/TWIsA365xFI/AAAAAAAAAoE/osSxWHcKRmY/s400/146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3bJRSD3zCM/TWIsST5n6NI/AAAAAAAAAoY/SItD3l8JtFI/s1600/243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3bJRSD3zCM/TWIsST5n6NI/AAAAAAAAAoY/SItD3l8JtFI/s320/243.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YajtQr95yYA/TWIrPJOLbUI/AAAAAAAAAm8/MQLXOVSoO6Y/s1600/210e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YajtQr95yYA/TWIrPJOLbUI/AAAAAAAAAm8/MQLXOVSoO6Y/s320/210e.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQg8pANGhGE/TWIrRQsmXnI/AAAAAAAAAnA/oICkfZi9Xss/s1600/166e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQg8pANGhGE/TWIrRQsmXnI/AAAAAAAAAnA/oICkfZi9Xss/s320/166e.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q-QWd0DH2I/TWIrWgwBhgI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pkKI1dLCLFc/s1600/149e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q-QWd0DH2I/TWIrWgwBhgI/AAAAAAAAAnI/pkKI1dLCLFc/s320/149e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMsZAbhCfhA/TWIrUAz9c8I/AAAAAAAAAnE/ogDe3o2gMTo/s1600/152e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMsZAbhCfhA/TWIrUAz9c8I/AAAAAAAAAnE/ogDe3o2gMTo/s640/152e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JId1Yh4eUJ8/TWIrngyGR3I/AAAAAAAAAng/enoMH6PNvzM/s1600/296e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JId1Yh4eUJ8/TWIrngyGR3I/AAAAAAAAAng/enoMH6PNvzM/s640/296e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOW0G4QM4qU/TWIru4XRDvI/AAAAAAAAAns/kuYm_nxmpg0/s1600/321e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOW0G4QM4qU/TWIru4XRDvI/AAAAAAAAAns/kuYm_nxmpg0/s320/321e.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCZQegR01RU/TWIsYMOML5I/AAAAAAAAAog/qTPaxxugYFM/s1600/196e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCZQegR01RU/TWIsYMOML5I/AAAAAAAAAog/qTPaxxugYFM/s320/196e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBFqEmsfr8Q/TWIs5O_FwvI/AAAAAAAAApA/Bupn7jtNtPo/s1600/067e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBFqEmsfr8Q/TWIs5O_FwvI/AAAAAAAAApA/Bupn7jtNtPo/s320/067e.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVrsm4hqO9w/TWIscb99lXI/AAAAAAAAAok/QcGiJR7ziUk/s1600/193e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVrsm4hqO9w/TWIscb99lXI/AAAAAAAAAok/QcGiJR7ziUk/s320/193e.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>shazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01400217525749267830noreply@blogger.com