217/365 - Sisterette

05 August 2010

Since my sister's shift at the restaurant no longer requires her to leave the house very early,
I asked if she would want to jog with me. She didn't want to, but when I got back home after a making a few steps, I kind of forced her to come with me because there was a stray dog in the street. She had no choice but to walk with me to the plaza, but she just sat there while I jog around the basketball court.

It's been a long time since I last took a picture of my sister. Hopefully in the days to come I could take more pictures of her.

*** Jenn ***

191/365 - Jam Jam Bee

10 July 2010

From the time my friend Charmy got pregnant with her first child, I was already privileged to take a picture of her with the baby bump. Now that the baby celebrated his 1st birthday, of course I was there to be part of the celebration as well.

The party was held at Jollibee (Philippines' leading fast food chain), and maybe because it was Jolli - "bee" that they decided to put on a bumble bee costume for the little one. It was really cute seeing him like that... and what's best was that this kid was so used to people that we can just carry him around and he won't cry. Thanks to the bee butt, I was able to let him sit on the table by himself as I took pictures, but the decorations in the ceiling, the big tarpaulin and the cake next to the table just distracted him so much it was difficult to let him just look at the camera. Still, I am happy to be able to take this shot.

Happy birthday, bumblebee! May you grow up to be a fine man.

*** Jenn ***

164/365 - Father and Son

13 June 2010

Day 164 was very hectic for me. Even if my lower back was aching a lot, I still went out to meet my friend Halie. We met at the Lung Center of the Philippines' weekend market, then to La Mesa Eco Park, and going to UP-Ayala Land Techno Hub. My back sure hurt a lot, but taking a tablet of Naproxen Sodium helped me in a way. I was really thankful that Halie understood my plight that time and I was thankful that I still was able to enjoy a weekend out despite the pain.

Thinking of what to put up as the photo for the day was quite a difficult task. I took quite a lot of pictures that day, but in the end I chose this. I know it would be a week more before Fathers' Day, but I just like the look of a father carrying his son. Somehow it made me miss my father, but looking at it on a bright side, I am happy that this boy was able to enjoy a day out with his father. Some people think that kids might not remember the moments once they grow up, but I don't think so. There are some moments from childhood that will be forever etched in memory. I hope this child would remember this day until he would be old enough to be a father.

*** Jenn ***

159/365 - In Company of Friends

08 June 2010

When I was a kid, quite a lot of kids were living in the neighborhood, and I have always liked playing street games with them. After a while, when most of us were growing up, the streets have quieted a lot, and at times I would miss the noises.

Now that the people in my age bracket have really grown up, some of them had kids of their own, while some were new neighbors. This summer was indeed a noisy one as far as the street is concerned, for these kids would really enjoy their days out of school by playing games. Finally, the street had some life again.

On Day 159, I opened our gate because mom just got home, and I saw the kids playing outside. Since there were a few steps leading to our gate, the stairs have become the kids' headquarters - a place for them to talk and play games as well. I just liked the way they looked - some kids were playing while these two (Lyza and Kyla) were listening to some music stored in Lyza's cell phone. It was so nice to journey back in time - I truly saw myself in them, back when I was their age.

*** Jenn ***

149/365 - It's the Climb

29 May 2010

On Day 149, us family together with our neighbors went to Loreland Farm Resort in Antipolo City, Rizal for our annual neighbors summer outing. It was a bit sad that it was mainly our family and the Raboys who went out, but still, all of us got to enjoy a day out. Now that classes are about to open and that summer is officially coming to its end, we feel blessed that we were able to come together.

For this trip, I didn't take much photos because I stayed in the pool most of the time. I had my share of trips for this summer, but this was the only time that I went in the water, so I really did soak up the sun.

Late in the afternoon, my brother and I went to walk around the resort and checked out the different pools. I took my camera with me so I can also take pictures, and somewhere in the resort, brother saw this wall and asked me if I could cheat the shot and make it look as if he was really climbing. This was my attempt.

When I showed it to mom, she asked me, "Do they have wall climbing activity place here? I thought they only had the zipline..." I guess I was able to cheat out the shot. :)

*** Jenn ***

128/365 - Hanson Fans United

08 May 2010

When I started loving the band Hanson, it gave me the chance to meet other fans. I exchange phone calls, letters, e-mails, and merchandize with them, and do get-togethers with them once in a while. Because we are all grown ups now, meeting personally wasn't an easy thing to organize, but because it was a celebration of the 13th year of us being Hanson fans, we were all eager to meet up once again.

It's great to see a bond this strong.

(right to left - Anne, Yne, *me*, Bingkoi, Mia, Dhanah, Joe, Skye, and Jam. The last two people in the row weren't Hanson fans. Hehehe)

*** Jenn ***

127/365 - A Mother in Need

07 May 2010

Morning of Day 127, my mom asked me to go to the bank and deposit some money in my brother's account. The bank errand was easy-breezy, and since I was already outside and that I was getting a little lazy to cook my lunch, I went to the streets of Lagro to look for food places where I can buy cooked meals. There was this little food stand that sells different kinds of viands, but the stall was closed, maybe it was still a bit early. Thinking where else to check, I saw this beggar.

I pity this mother because I knew she would want a good life (I think all of us want that) not just for herself, but for her kid as well, but because of life's circumstances she ended up in the streets, begging for money just to live. Life isn't always fair, yes... but I just hope life will be well for them.

*** Jenn ***

119/365 - Collecting Sea Shells

29 April 2010

Another "supposed to be a rest day" for Day 119, but there was a power interruption, and having a chit-chat with Aunt Jo and Cousin Dang somehow made its way to us talking about Cousin Dang's boyfriend. Next thing I know my cousin was asking me, "Would you like us to visit him in his work place?" Questions like that you don't have to ask me, because I will seriously agree to it. Us three (cousin Dang, niece Grace, and I) immediately geared up for another walkathon (a term I use for long walks).

After a little rest following lunch at a hut by the sea side, we decided to walk back home. Since my cousin has gathered some sea shells, her boyfriend decided to guide us to a different route home. We walked along the sea side (never minding if we got wet) to the other side of the mountain where we saw a family busy collecting sea shells. These sea shells they will either eat for dinner or sell to have some money. Seeing this old woman gather sea shells by digging into the wet sand caught my eye and I just took pictures of her. She knows I was taking pictures of her, but she didn't mind. I guess my cousin telling them I'm a "travel writer" just gave me the license to shoot their pictures.

...or maybe they weren't just used to having their pictures taken that they just liked the idea of them being photographed. :)

*** Jenn ***