30/365 - Coron Sisters

30 January 2010

October last year, my online friends and I traveled to Coron, Palawan. Spending 4 days with them was one of the highlights of my year - never thought that I could meet great people online and travel with them.

Although us kept in touch, it was just on Day 30 that we were able to reunite again, nearly four months after our trip. It was Kei's birthday, and she invited us for a dinner at her place. At first I thought I couldn't attend because I was lacking some sleep and I was nursing an aching head, but I didn't want the day to pass without seeing them again, so I went. Glad I did a good decision.

Sad that Erick and Ryan weren't at the party, but hopefully us six will go out of town again. I am lucky to have them as my friends.

*** Jenn ***

29/365 - Ayala Tunnel

29 January 2010

Following my visit to the Photoworld Asia 2010 booths in Glorietta Mall (Makati City), I met up with a friend, who asked me out on a date. We ate and drank at a bistro, then after, he drove me around so we could have more time together. When he asked me where he could drop me off, I just told him to drop me off along EDSA, so I could easily get a bus ride home.

When we reached the Ayala Tunnel, I just liked how it looked so I took off my camera to take a shot. Quite blurry because of my unsteady hands and the shake inside the car, but I somehow like this shot. Thanks for the great time, my dear. See ya again soon!

*** Jenn ***

28/365 - Up on a Tree

28 January 2010

Whenever I would go to the garden to water the plants, the cats would oftentimes go there, too, just to see what's going on. Sometimes, they would think I was playing with them, and they would rub their bodies on my legs. On Day 28, Kitty Oreo was with me the whole time I was watering the plants, and to prevent him from getting wet, I placed him on our macopa tree.

Since cats have a difficult time figuring out how to get down once they're up, the cat stayed there while I was doing my chore. Seeing him looking so cute, I went to grab my camera, and he became my model for the day.

It was already late in the afternoon, so taking pictures was a bit difficult - given the low light situation. I was thankful that although most pictures were blurred, I was still able to take some decent shots of the cat.

*** Jenn ***

27/365 - Minus the Eyeglasses

27 January 2010

I wasn't really prepared to make a self portrait on Day 27... I guess part of it was because I spent most times in front of the PC doing stuffs, and I also cooked dinner. It was already past 10PM when I realized that I have to take a self portrait. I had no image in mind to do - I am not really good in making poses and since my siblings were home, I cannot set up the tripod to experiment on poses. Somehow, I still am very conscious about doing things. Yeah, I really have to learn how to let loose and just do what I want.

Anyway, it's a known fact that I have been wearing eyeglasses for a long time now. In high school, whenever there's a photo op, I would always take out my eyeglasses because the flash and/or the glare would block my eyes and it would look as if I was blind. When my optometrist suggested I get lenses that would prevent that, I stopped taking off my eyeglasses for pictures, and just let it a part of my appearance.

My eyeglasses are my security blanket. I don't have pretty eyes - my eyelids are very fat, making my eyes small, and since I cannot put on mascara despite the long lashes, I didn't really care much about my face - as long as I smile on pictures, I think it's already okay.

My self portrait this week was a very simple one; no dramatic or symbolic whatever to emphasize, but me taking off the eyeglasses was a big leap for me. Should I take off my glasses whenever a picture is taken? That I don't know yet. I still hold on to my blanket. :)

*** Jenn ***

26/365 - The Center of the Heart

26 January 2010

In a forum I belong to, I put up a thread with a niche in photography, and to make it different from the photography threads, I decided to make it a photo hunt, with different themes every week. This week's theme is "leading lines," and because I cannot access my 0ld files (2007 - early 2009) because our PC cannot read the DVD ROM drive, I am running out of pictures to post that go with the theme. I don't want to skip a day, so for Day 26, I thought of taking a picture that depicted the theme of the week.

I struggled a bit with how to do a "leading lines" photo, but seeing these bunch of pencils we got for free when we did the grocery shopping, I knew I just had to use it. Letting the points of the pencils meet up in circular mode was a bit cliche, many people have done it already, so I thought of putting something in the middle to emphasize the leading line in the image. For this, I used a metallic heart eyelet, which is something used in scrapbook layouts.

*** Jenn ***

25/365 - An Invitation

25 January 2010

Our neighbor just handed us his wedding invitation, and we were very happy for him that this wedding will finally push through. Mom will be one of the principal sponsors, and the whole family was invited for the event on 06 February.

The wedding invitation was inside a tubular container made from anahaw leaves - the same leaves used in making banig. The invitation was very simple - printed on just a sheet of paper, but the container was really unique. If only they made the invation looking like a scroll, then it would be much dramatic. But of course, I do know it's not about the invitation and it's not about the wedding itself - it's about the life they will build together.

Amid all the trials, the would be couple proved they're meant for each other, and we wish them all the best. Now, I need to think what to wear for the event...

*** Jenn ***

24/365 - Cosplayers in Black and White

24 January 2010

On Day 24, I went to the Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall to attend the Otaku Expo 2010. I wasn't able to attend any cosplays in 2009, so this year, I wanted to attend more of this kind of event. I am supposed to meet my shutterbug friend Halie, but she didn't attend (maybe she went to Makati City for the Caracol Festival). Good thing my very dear friend Dandy was there. I had a great time taking pictures of the cosplayers, and although I wasn't able to take good pictures during the presentation, I was able to enjoy it.

Of all the cosplayers, these two had the most pictures in my camera, so I chose their picture as my picture of the day. 'Til the next cosplay!

*** Jenn ***

23/365 - Apples

23 January 2010

On Day 23, mom, brother, and I went to do grocery shopping because we are already running out of stocks. We decided to just do it at the regular SM Supermarket, and although mom and brother were rushing me, I am happy that I was able to bring my cell phone. Whenever we do grocery shopping, we try to pass by the fruit / vegetable section, just to feed our eyes with the colorful display. And because I have my cell phone in my hands, I took a picture by the section. I love how the Granny Smith apples look like, but I don't really like the taste of it as it's way too sour for me. Even without the digital camera, I was happy I was able to take a picture for the day.

*** Jenn ***

22/365 - Arosep Salad

22 January 2010

When I was much younger, I always call this "sea grapes." Arosep is an edible seaweed that is very much part of the Ilocano cuisine, often served with tomatoes and onions, sprinkled with salt or sometimes bagoong (fermented fish paste). It's often eaten as a side dish to fried or grilled meats and fish, and on Day 22, mom decided to make it part of our dinner.

It has been a while since I last had the salad, and although this variety wasn't spicy compared to its bigger counterpart, eating it with the squid adobo from last night tasted really good. We are now thinking of buying more arosep in a few days.

*** Jenn ***