Thursday, February 21, 2008

Outburst of Ink

The first time I stepped in my kindergarten class marked the beginning of my history in writing. It began with writing the alphabet. My teacher was a petite lady, well-known for her patience. We were a perfect match as I took twice as long as my classmates just to write A-Z. She would take up all of the papers and then slowly turn around. Then came the stare; a stare I came to know very well. I would look back at her with an exaggerated innocence and quietly ask, "How does my paper look?" I knew even at that tender age that my letters looked better than everyone else’s. At this early stage, I developed enthusiasm that has lasted throughout the years. I would finish a writing task and when I finished it, which is more often than not, it would take a special and qualified person to truly appreciate it.

During my elementary years, from grades one through six produced nothing more than a long and dormant period of writing. I was just like Bermuda grass that turns brown all winter long and then greens up in the spring. I finally came out of dormancy in my first year in high school when again I met my grandma, who took a flight from Australia. In my eyes, she was halfway to perfection. But it was just about her wits. She was about five feet tall with large, soft, black eyes and short hair. I was just 2 inches shorter but that didn’t matter.

Every time I saw her, a tingling feeling would start in my stomach similar to the sensation of racing around that sharp, fast turn on a giant roller-coaster at the amusement park. Not only was she physically aggressive, she was also a vibrant human-being with strong personality. Right then when I realized that I want to be like her, a woman of wits. She has a career of various interests, a journalist in the Philippines (during Marcos’ regime) and in Australia, a terror professor, a lawyer, a pianist and an interior designer. I look up to her as a versatile career woman and as a mother. I was her favorite grandchild, and we would sit together and talk about everything. Much to my surprise she never tired of my constant attention. One remarkable tribute was her ability to express meaning as well as describe people she had encountered or objects she had seen. I always listened intently. Throughout her stay here in the Philippines, I went out of my way to learn more from her about things that will help me be inspired in reaching my goals, which is becoming a journalist tops my list. That was before when I was kinda innocent…

My experience during my high school was in some way profound. It wasn’t so much the fact that I thought my stay in high school was so spectacular. What was amazing was the emotional response that my achievement could summon from some members in my clan. All year long, I had seemed somewhat friendly. I have earned the care and love from my friends in the class and even from other class sections. Perhaps they had little time for sentimental thoughts of the finer things we had (wink!)

It appeared that our friendship had somehow transformed as least temporarily when we enter college, where we traverse separate tracks towards our future career. But I know that is just temporarily like what a friend of mine has told me, "That’s all right, Tel. She then gave a somewhat less-than-thunderous slap on my shoulder. Not very soft, but it was an improvement. This gave me a comfortable feeling.

Well, after high school I embarked another level of thinking. My writing habit has begun to absorb inks of my pens. I even joined the publication to somehow dream that I am at least on my first step in becoming like my grandma, a journalist (sigh!Attention and congratulations from people around me have become a part of my college years as well. I was completely captivated with writing and speaking which required a unique combination of flexibility, strength, grace and poise. I slowly improved my skills.

But at this point, I now realized that true wits is often hidden and concealed. The skills utilized during my activities still manifest itself in my own character. (To be continued hahaha!)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The wait was a no joke, swear! Paypal pissed me off since the start of February of 2008. The withdrawal process was pending for about two weeks. And I never read any mail from them explaining why and when it will be resolved. They emailed me but it was too late. I was already irritated of their service and seemed to lose hope, since I do not know whether I will still be able to get my money or it will just be a T.Y.

But somehow I felt relieved when my withdrawal status changed to complete. Yipeee! Does it call for a celebration? Hmmm...Le'mme think of that first. The thrifty gal, alright!

As always, the fruit of labor was spent to something worthy. Yea, I shared it to some peeps close to me and I always feel good whenever I do that. And as what I have promised myself-an investment for every pay-out, be it small or big, I still wanna see the fruit of labor I have worked for every time.

And for my 4th pay-out...




The Best Feature I love about this phone...
"FACE WARP"


The Best Artist
(sinetch itetch?)


Hmmm...sinetch itetch, ulit? lolz!

I don't mind spending too much for this. As long as it satisfies my taste (simple yet classy) and interest, the thrifty gal will still give in, lolz! I really can't resist this sleek clamshell that is clearly eye-catcher and features a mirror effect that makes the external display visible only when it is lit up.

Get ready peeps, I'm on for PHOTO HUNT hahaha!

Who will be the next model of the year?

FEATURES:

Size
  • 94 x 49 x 20 mm
  • 3.7 x 1.9 x 0.8 inches
Weight
  • 110 g
  • 3.9 oz
Screen
  • 262,144-colour TFD
  • 176x220 pixel
External screen
  • 128x36
  • OLED display
Memory
  • 16 MB* memory
  • Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support (up to 2 GB)

In My Dreams

I was just a little girl then when I witnessed how artistic my clan was. I've looked up to my grandfather (the late Arch. Raul Atos Corral) - this post is dedicated to you my dear lolo. At young age, I told myself that I want to be an architect. I admired him so much by merely looking at him, sitting in front of his large table with different kinds of pen, coloring materials, triangle, a very long ruler, and also a large white paper where he did the light but fast strokes. As you look over the drawing, you'll see series of lines that can't be understand by a young girl like me, or even those who aren't fond of drawing. Until my dad came and told me not to disturb my lolo.

My dad and I went to the sala, and there he told me some ideas about what my Lolo's career was. I asked him a lot of questions so he decided to teach me the basic strokes in drafting a house. My dad was also an architect for me though he wasn't able to finish it in college. We started outlining the floor plan, then we moved on to the "perspective". I was really amazed when I saw the outcome of our drawing. It was just an ordinary house, but what amazed me was the fact that we only started it with series of lines which you may not think it'll become a "house". Since then, I kept myself locked in my room, doing several floor plans and simple perspectives, which were already a masterpiece for a little girl.

Years later, my loving lolo died. It hurts us so much. But just the thought of his kindness (as his first grandchild) uplifts my heart. One thing that instills in my mind and heart is the way he inspired me. Yes, I was really inspired to be an architect. I may not have a degree in architecture, but I know deep in my heart, I am longing to be like one.

I am continuously inspired when it comes to architecture because of my dad. He followed the career path of my grandfather. It feels good whenever I see my lolo's green book which is a compilation of all his blue prints, his masterpieces. My dad is also compiling his own since I was a kid, and I'm his critic.

I also shared my ideas on interior designs. Yes, aside from architecture, I'm also fond of interior designs. I think I'll pursue the latter since my dad doesn't want me to be an architect. But whatever happens, dreaming will always be a part of me...

Friday, February 8, 2008

I'm climbing my mountain, step-by-step

I'm Climbing my mountain, day-by-day

I'm climbing my mountain, all-the-way

I'm climbing my mountain... I'm gonna make it!

Take one step at a time, one step at a time...

I'm climbing my mountain, "ONE STEP AT A TIME!"


This is something I really need to find in my life-balance in every step I make. I'm usually good and doing all the things I need to for others, but I'm not always good and squeezing in the things I want to do. Through the Holy Spirit, I know that I can make it too. It may not be so soon, but at least I'm confident that it will come.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Feast 101

Appetizer

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest) how much do you enjoy watching sports on television?

---> I'm not into sports so I guess 1 will do since I was only given a scale of 1 to 10 option (if zero is included, it'll be my answer with no second thought hehe!). I don't even change the channel just to watch any sports on TV.

Soup

If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?

--->The Mount of Monte Cristo, errr...I dunno if I could storytell the whole story, but the gist, hmmm yea, sure! The story is really a superb fiction! I actually have written an ending to the story, as requested by our Lit. prof. way back in college.

Salad

What is your favorite breakfast food?

---> Breakfast is no longer a part of my daily meal scheme (sigh!). I have to rush myself so I won't be late in the office. But I do sip a cup of coffee as soon as I arrived here (That is, if there's a stock of coffee and sugar at the pantry, woooaaahhh!)

Main Course

Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.

---> $10? errr...well, it's good enough for a sunday treat with my loving hubby and 'lil prince bendyk. If we'll convert it to Philippine Peso, $10 is somewhat equivalent to P450. Perhaps, we'll just be eating at Jollibee, and the excess will be for our transpo. fare hehehe!

Dessert

How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?

--->after 8 hours of staring at the PC, and watching the entire Primetime programs on T.V. (usually ends at 11:30 p.m.), the next thing could happen is dozing off automatically while holding a remote control. ZzzzzZZZzzzzz!!!