It is so much easier to remain stagnant, so much easier to daydream.

But easier doesn't necessarily mean better.

Lazy ass can't remember

It was past 2am and I can't sleep. Nothing unusual about that.
I thought of a line, a very catchy line.
One to use for a future project?
One to use for the blog?
I can't remember. All I know is it's something you can only probably think of once.
I fought the urge to take note of it out of fear of losing the desire to sleep.
I'll write it down later in the day, I thought to myself, confident I'll be able to remember.
But I can't. I always can't. Hell, I know it even before I decided to just close my eyes and lull myself to sleep.

I regret it every single time.

Today I drank 3.5 mugs of coffee

Because sometimes I like to torture myself like that

Fast eyes are fast!

As I lay on my bed earlier today, I realized that I have quite a handful of unread books in my possession. According to my blog, I've last purchased books last March. That's something to be proud of as I tend to hoard. Thus, my to-be-read pile. So I said to myself that I won't be buying any book anytime soon. Luckily enough, I really don't feel any inclination to visit bookstores lately.

But I guess the universe does not approve. A few hours after my no-book-buying declaration, this came into possession:

I swear I had no plans of buying any book today.

 B idly surveyed the merchandise at a book kiosk at the mall while talking on her mobile phone. I actually found it funny that we stopped there as she's not a book person. And since I'm in a no-book-buying mode, I didn't really pay attention to the books on display. Little did I know, the universe's laughing loudly behind my back. 'Coz you know what? It only took one look, one look... You know what happened next.

I don't regret it though, for it's secondhand. And I don't really see this title in any other bookstore, so yes, there wasn't any room for hesitation. Say hello to your new recruit, TBR pile! Woo-hoo!

Point and Shoot

I've been restless ever since we got back from Ilocos. Having a taste of a mini adventure ticked something inside me. I WANT MORE. It also made me want to get a waterproof camera. I have posted pictures from our trip on my previous entry, but it didn't show any from the underground cave. It's not that my battery ran out or the memory card's full, it's because I was afraid to use my camera there. Which is perfectly sensible.

I have also observed that as time goes by, I'm leaning towards high-quality compact cameras more and more and rethinking why I wanted a DSLR for so long. Sure, it's definitely more versatile and all that, but do I need these extra features? Currently, no. Plus, it's inconvenient to lug around especially when you're traversing a rocky trail (which are slippery more often than not) and walking through streams and such. I want something I could use and carry anywhere and everywhere. So now I'm on a hunt for the perfect companion.

I have actually already found the one. I present to you the Sony Cyber-shot TX20:

Model Highlights: Certified waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, 16.2-megapixel Exmor® R CMOS sensor, Full HD 1080/60i video, dual record of photos and videos, up to 10fps, 3.0" touch screen


Or its pricier brother, the TX200V:

Model Highlights: 18.2 megapixels, certified waterproof and dustproof, 3.3" OLED touch screen, Full HD 1080/60p video, high speed AF, up to 10 fps, Clear Image Zoom, Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode


Would be thrilled to own an orange TX20! I know I won't be needing this until our next vacation (which is probably on December), but I just can't help lusting over it! The only problem is that I don't have the moolah right now. So yes, will be dreaming of you 'til then.

Anybody want to sponsor my purchase? Hee-hee.


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Images and info from Sony website

Back so soon?

We've only returned to Manila this morning and already, we're contemplating on going back to the province. Possible for me, since I have free time.

I have finished the two rolls I brought for the trip and I'm crossing my fingers that they will turn out fine. My sister forgot to take pictures of the windmills on our digital camera, which is very unfortunate. I have taken a few on my SLR, so I'm really excited to see the shots. I have this annoying habit of spending my money down to the last centavo, so I think I'll send 'em rolls to the lab next week. This, even though I'll practically be penniless again in less than a month.

Meanwhile, here are some digital shots from our short but sweet vacation:

Puttot River, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte

Somewhere between Pasuquin and Pagudpud (taken from a moving bus)

Absolutely love the sky!

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

The waves are calling.

To the North

We're finally off to the north today; bus is leaving at 10:30 in the evening. It's hard to imagine it's been more or less six years since my last visit. Actually, we've been planning seriously to go this summer, but we never thought something like this would come up. Our two-week stay would definitely be not enough to make up for lost time, especially because of what happened.

As much as it hurts to think that we're going primarily to attend the wake and burial of my grandma, I can't help but get excited to see my relatives again, albeit one less familiar face. I'm slowly preparing myself for the emotional stress I would be experiencing in the days to come. You see, it's been more than a week, and still I haven't properly mourned. I only cried once, on my way to work, when my sister broke the news to me. I can feel the tears building up inside me, ready to explode at any given time. It sure feels like I lost my mother twice. *sigh*

On a lighter note, I will be bringing my SLR with me, and bought two rolls of film for this trip. Uh-huh, two more rolls to be added to my pile of unprocessed film. According to my exposure log, I last loaded my camera in October of last year. What a loser. Pray I still know how to use my SLR. Hopefully, I'd be able to snap some nice photos.

With my older sister, way back in good 'ol '93

See you soon, Ilocos.

Another goodbye

How does it feel like to lose your mother twice?

Lola, Jonan, Ate, Iyna, Mama, me

Dear Lola,

I wish I could write you a proper tribute. I wish I'm as eloquent as I want to be. I wish I could just pour out my feelings and type what's on my mind. Moreover, I wish we had a proper picture, just you and I.

But I can't. And we don't.

So, let me just say that I love you. And that we would all miss you. I'm glad that, finally, you would be reunited with Mama. Because I know, more than anyone else, it was you who were hurt the most when she died. And Lolo wouldn't need to wait any longer, for he can now hold you in his arms again.

Please watch over us, and continue to guide all of us who love you.

Lola/Nang, you will always be remembered.

Your Apo,
Kat-Kat

Don't judge a gift by its wrapper

Yesterday, I received a gift from B wrapped in newspaper. Exit the newspaper, the gift is wrapped in a brown paper bag. Exit the brown paper bag, the gift is wrapped in another brown paper bag.

Under three layers of wrapper is this (!!!!):

Minus the puppy, of course.

I am a big fan of Inhae Lee's My Milk Toof, along with my sister and B. Just imagine how I reacted upon seeing this! Naturally, I breezed through the pages as soon as I arrived home. So so so...yummy.

And that is all.

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Lately, I've been losing the desire to blog. But this is one thing I certainly must post, regardless of the crappy composition. Hope this week gets better. Please.

I was pretty certain February will end without any new happenings on this part of ze intarwebz but I just have to post this.

You see, I've been re-watching a lot of movies because I'm bored (as always). Yesterday's flicks were The Dark Knight and Batman Begins, among others. In the latter, I was surprised to see a familiar face:

 

Batman Begins was in 2005. That little boy with the cute accent is now this annoying brat I so want to punch in the face and kick in the... yeah.

It just amuses me to see actors (from when they were younger or starting out in the biz) in movies I've previously watched but haven't taken notice of until I saw them in "bigger" roles and remember them, or recognize them when I watch the movie again.

And yes, that is all.