And now I find myself, enjoying the solitude of tranquility as I sit at my desk staring into the empty office and the steady drone of the A/C unit as my music.

People start to file in just as the 9AM mandatory log-in time approaches and I start to pound away at my keyboard eager to get this blog post pressed and released before I start my morning tasks. The packs of coffee in my drawer beckon to be made.

How did I get to this point?

Last Saturday, I was able to run 10kms. A few months ago, 10kms seemed like forever. But today, 10kms took less than an hour and a half. Thanks to Wil and Ginie. This new passion for running and staying fit and healthy is somewhat new to me. I used to run. I got lost. Now I found the trail again. More than anything else, I love the feeling. I maybe be packing the distances and times under my belt but at one point I quit measuring altogether. As long as I could still move, I ran. Coupled with an epic nap as soon as I got home, my Saturday rest day was one of the best so far this year. I’ve always enjoyed the company of people and last Saturday I mixed both the quality time I spend with friends as well as the all-important “me” time that I have recently come to enjoy.

Having some down time allowed me to play with my new strobe kits. Deciding to make sushi and take pictures of it was one of the highlights of the weekend. In a non-pressure environment, I was able to play with the angles, control the amount of light, but I have so much to learn. Next pay check I will buy the Food Photography book I saw at Fully Booked. That is a promise.

Home Made Sushi

I’ve also decided to dabble into portraiture. Those amazing pictures that you see online or on magazines are not really the ones I’m after but rather I love the play of light and shadow. How light illuminates only certain accents on the face and how shadows add that touch of elegance and beauty that silhouettes  and quietly traces the curves of the human anatomy. I am in love with this kind of photography. It demands an entirely new way of looking at things, of seeing things, of seeing light and dark. Dark pictures are not necessarily bad. Sometimes they are even more beautiful.

Zel

Xena

As you can see we have a new Husky. Her name is Xena. I decided to make her the model for my shoot. The play of the drak on the lightness of her fur and her wide-eyed expression that is only captured at such a young age is priceless. I used to post about Latte and how he was so playful. (He still is!) But he’s growing really fast and really big. He’s a very big boy now.

Latte

Latte

And much like a proud parent, I am proud of how Latte has grown. Still playful as ever and stronger too, yet never lost his curiosity. He sits there with a goofy look on his face ready to be let loose. And to think he’s only 8 months!

You see, I have very little things that I am truly proud of. My ability to continuously learn and develop my skills in a chosen field is something I am truly proud of. My photography has improved by leaps and bounds and I really am thankful for the people who have continually inspired me, taught me, and gave me words of encouragement as well as advice, but most of all to those who have given me opportunities more than anything else. Opportunities to allow me to grow and to learn but more than anything else gain some experience.

I am also proud to have found a suitable balance between Work and Life. Weekends are, now more than ever, sacred to me. Not only for the running and photoshoots, but also because of the ALONE time I now enjoy so much. I get to do my passion and enjoy what I am passionate about.

And to think, this was just one half of my self-tastic weekend. (yes I said Selftastic) I’ll post the other later on!

Since Mom was leaving for Bataan at the same time, there was actually food on the table for breakfast, and so I ate before I ran. (For the first time) During the run itself, I felt really strong despite the longer intervals for running. I got so excited I ran for 8.5k last saturday. The longest ever distance I’ve ran so far. I was so happy. Now I get why Wil jumps around after running a long distance after! We had breakfast at Sweet Inspiration and my fellow KA-BAMmers enjoyed playing around with my coffee. They liked mixing in the creamer and sugar. I had 2 cups of coffee. One tasted like milk with a hint of bitterness, the second cup was a bit more to my liking since I was the one who mixed it. Thank you KA-BAMmers for the gifts! I love the gifts!

Wil, thanks for inspiring me to get back in shape and being so nice about everything. I am so glad that you are my neighbor! From the information you share about running and the stuff you want BAM to do; really thank you for everything! Thank you for the GC. I will definitely use it, but we gotta set a time when I’ll cook for BAM!

Wil and Ginie's Gift to me!

Ginie, thank you for continuing to be my friend despite me being a bad friend over the past 3 years. It was like we just picked up where we left off at the ACMG room back in 3rd year. Thank you for making it seem like there was nothing lost and it was just the other day that we were hanging out in the ACMG room. Thank you for the bread/stress reliever. It’ll be used a lot!

What do I call you? Stress Bread?

Embs, thank you for the sound advice and being like a big sister. Remember that incident at the LRT almost 6 years ago? You changed my life and outlook then, and today you continue to change my life. You have no idea how thankful I am for a great friend like you. Ms. Ng you are like a big sister to me and I do cherish your friendship more than you know. Congratulations on your recent engagement and I really do hope you and Alvin all the happiness in the world. If there is anything you need help with consider me signed up.

After a quick nap and haircut at GH we headed over to to Ken’s place in Sucat for an xbox night with the fab5. Surprisingly everyone agreed to go even Mr.Abela who is so busy with medschool. It was my chance also to meet Charm. (Nice to meet you Charm! Please do take care of Leo! Hope I get to know you more!)  It was a night full of fun and laughter. It was great to see my good friends. Rockband is love. Great food, great company, Great Night! Ok Ken, I really want your TV! I will find a way to get myself that!

Some photos of the night!

Marvie The Rocker

Rockband Party!

Marvie and Charm

Rockband Love?

Rockband Love!

They even want to make this a weekly or monthly thing! I’m game guys just make sure let’s start early! I went to bed at around 2am because I was running at 6am later. The gang turned in at 4 or 5am I think. Luigi and Ben came late. Ben and I had a good long talk. I miss that guy. 3 and 1/2 years left till you become a real doctor dude. We’ll hang out after.

Thank you to the Fab 5. Luigi, Leo, Ken and Ben. You guys are awesome. I was gone for awhile as well. I missed a lot of trips, gmiks, but I am now more than ever trying to make up for it. I am sorry for my bluntness sometimes but I know you guys are real and true friends. We’ve been some thick times and I always find myself with you guys and being a better person. Thank you.

I have a part two to this post and will upload it maybe tom!

But that was just selfish of me. What about the people outside who have to work? I’ve had my fair share of having to go to work in the strong monsoon rains and believe you me, it wasn’t pretty. Or what about the countless number of people who don’t have proper shelter and have to fend off being damp and at the same time not having enough bodily nutrients to keep them from getting sick? In the words of Happy Slip: “Disaster! tsk tsk tsk”

I guess what brought about this concern of mine was the non-stop rain and the endless number of people ranting about how wasted the weekend is because of it. I know this is not the place to be all high and mighty, but it just made me think.

Maybe I’ll just curl up in bed and nap for the rest of the day!

edit:

Ok now its much more serious than I thought. Some people are stranded. Other are leaving their homes. Here’s a video by Abe Olandres outside of his house in Makati!

Here are the two pairs I am considering.

Also, I took this picture while I was fixing my settings for last nights talk with Congressman Ruffy Biazon. It is of Judd. It reminded me of Twilight for some reason. Probably because of the blue hue.

Today was an ok day. I got to rest the whole morning. (Sneaking in a quick nap after lunch as well) Pat went shopping with her parents so we couldn’t go out. I had basketball planned in the afternoon as well. I asked if Judd wanted to come along and he showed up a few mins late. hehe…

Since my car is out of commission. (will post pics tom) I had to use public transportation. I don’t have anything against it, but I haven’t used this route for about 2-3 years. I got my car in 3rd year college. I still like it though. But I’ve grown accustomed to my car.

Basketball was fun as always. We had a lot of guest players for this week and so the game turned a little bit too intense for my taste. I enjoyed sitting down most of the time and talking to the other people waiting their turn.

We had dinner at Honduraw. Its at Burgendy towers along Katipunan. Right under Robinsons bank and near Bo’s Coffee. I decided to treat Randy, Gino, and Imman to orders of Mojos. Imman treated us to an order of chicken strips. And we all chipped in for the pizza.

Imman decided to take a few photos using my camera. Here are some of his shots.

They dropped me off at the LRT station to go home thinking that the LRT was open until 10PM. It was 9:21 PM. But lo-and-behold, it was closed already. I waited for 30-40 mins before I got to flag down a cab. (btw it was pouring!)

The cab driver was nice and polite. We started talking about Ateneo. Apparently, he was a former cook at the Loyola House of Study. He cooked for Fr. Snyder, Fr. Roach, Fr. Dacanay. He even had a ton of little stories about him.

Interesting day.