You will probably/should click this because I shall type Batanes in this title.
It all started with the train ride and the girl with the pink toes.
This was last week. I have just settled myself on the train seat, furiously sending all my negative energies to the infamous bag inspector, and while I was straightening the crease on my office blouse and unfolding the helm of my slacks (I didn't know why it folded on its own), I saw this lady's feet and then immediately checked mine which was in its usual unladylike and flaky dry state. I swore I would have a foot spa this weekend.
And so I did.
(DISCLAIMER: This has no direct connection with what I really want to share with this post.)
The unlucky Ate who was tasked to handle my feet was preparing the foot spa machine when I rummaged through the magazine and newspaper stacks. I don't usually read newspapers but when I do, I'm almost always blessed with a good read. This time, the article I stumbled upon was about an "Ivatan gypsy artist" whose life was anything but boring.
Meet Pacita Abad:
Pacita Abad (1946-2004)
Stories about artists and their exemplary works are really not hot new topics but I sincerely believe that this one is worth sharing. I admit that I started to read the article because the title mentioned "House of art atop a Batanes Hill" (thus, this entry's title hehe) but I didn't know that I will discover the life of one Filipina artist who had an extraordinary passion in her art.
The article started with describing Pacita's internationally-known "Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge" which was built atop a hill in Batanes to commemorate her creations. Eventually, it provided a glimpse on who Pacita Abad was.
I'm a terrible paraphraser so I suggest that you read the said article for a brief overview of her life or check out her site instead. What I would just like to/can share here is just how AWESOME it was that she painted on Singapore's FIRST "Art Bridge" which is the 55-meter long Alkaff Bridge. This artistic endeavour was done on January 2004 and I'm sincerely embarrassed that I have known this just this afternoon. This dumbstruck feeling is seven years too late. Tsk.
Singapore's First "Art Bridge" -- Photo taken by muzikbug
You might be surprised that this is not the "punchline" here. Aside from the fact that the bridge was so beautifully designed, Pacita painted this bridge while diagnosed with lung cancer. According to the article, her cancer has already spread to her brain and spinal canal but this did not stop her from pushing through with her art. What really hit me was that while she was working on this bridge, she goes to the hospital every morning for her radiotherapy as an outpatient and then continues with painting the bridge afterwards. Talk about dedication.
I am so tempted in proclaiming (as based on this video) that this is the first and only art bridge in the world, but since it's already past four o'clock in the morning, I don't have the energy anymore to scour the internet to confirm this claim. I don't really care if it is indeed tagged as "first and only" art bridge, what I'm really up to is make everyone feel inspired with what Pacita has undergone. And of course, I would like to instill the feeling of pride that another Filipino has made a mark in the whole wide universe.
Go to Batanes and Singapore. These, I will do. Okay, I'm already sleep-typing now. Zzzzzzzzz. . .
[I must] Add New Post
The thing is. I have nothing interesting to write about that will somewhat uplift souls or dramatically change a life. I hate writing posts that are useless. Just like this one. But I would try my best to make this post worth reading. Even for just a minute.
TODAY I LEARNED THAT TENNESSEE WILLIAMS DIED OF CHOKING FROM AN EYEDROP BOTTLE CAP.
A photo by Irving Penn
I also learned that I still have this huge infatuation over Blackberry phones particularly the Blackberry Bold 9780. I don't aim high with phones. I just want the features. This phone for me is perfect. For work (not that I'm an executive of some sort but I think it'll be very useful in the future) and for self (writing). The word perfect is an exaggeration.
"Business as usual."
Today, I also did not go to work to reorganize myself specifically my scattered thoughts. I don't think a day is enough. But I would have to compromise. Otherwise, I'll be stuck here.
Dadadada.
Sometimes being content is unhealthy. But being overly unsatisfied is not good just the same. I have wished for this and yet there's still something missing. It's no longer the roles I think. The antagonist is already the self.
TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF ENROLLMENT.
Unfortunately, I would have to let the day pass as financially speaking, studying is out of the picture. I just wouldn't make it like this. Plus, I don't have all the requirements yet. Oh, and I have work tomorrow.
Please, please help me get my bearings back. I think I need some form of catharsis.
The Daily Commuter Entry 1
They ought to replace the sign:
BAWAL TUMAWID. MAY NAMATAY NA DITO
with:
BILISAN TUMAWID NANG DI MAMATAY.
We all know the word BAWAL has never been effective in the history of the Filipino people. Reverse psychology and human execution are the only effective means of rule-implementation.
Yes.
THIS IS STILL ALIVE.
This is just to inform everyone that this blog is still up and running. This is to ward off the spams my e-mail has been receiving. I've installed Spam Free already. I'll install Akismet later when I get home. The free version.
This is just a quick post because I'm at the office now and my shift starts in two minutes. I'm not taking calls anymore but I just don't feel right when my browsers are open and they aren't work-related. This is sincere!
See you again in a month. LOLJK.
Hiatus: 1 Month and 17 Days
"So... I am seeing here that you are unemployed for about a month already. Tell me what you have been up to lately."
Hmm.
I haven't actually encountered this question yet from a job interview so far, but I often ponder about what I would answer to this question. Whenever I do concentrate on preparing for the script in my head, I always find myself weighing the pros and cons of giving the truthful answer to the said question.
What I have been up to lately? Honestly?
1. Waking up [ridiculously] early for someone not reporting to any employer of any sort. This is to buy hot pandesal and make sure that my favorite lomi (or pansit or champorado) is still hot from the pot. This is also for me to take my early morning walk. I’m like a manang like that.
- It is only during these past few weeks that I realized that I really love to wake up in the morning to start the day. I have been treating the evening as the start of my day for two years already and there really is a huge difference between waking up in the morning to smell the coffee and waking up in the evening to smell the beer. Heh.
This was while walking home after buying pandesal from the bakery. c:
2. Reading crime fiction novels specifically those written by Stieg Larsson.
- This is a first. I haven't read any crime novels before and I am already on my third novel of Stieg Larsson's Salander trilogy. I am currently reading the one titled "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" which I have bought just last Monday and I really feel accomplished, having already finished the first two books ("The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "The Girl Who Played with Fire"). I never had the chance to read a lot in a really looong time since I have started working and it really feels good to find time to read again. Lately, I have been snuggling with the pillows while reading the day away. When I am done with all the chores, that is.
Naw. Mine are just paperback editions. Hehe.
3. Bonding and [really] taking good care of our dogs and cats.
- During the last two years, the only real time that I get to "bond" with the dogs and cats is during Sundays. The entire work week is composed of eat-sleep-work and all of my Saturdays are for meeting up with friends or going out with the boyfriend. Sunday is family day. It is also the time for me to go cuddly with the dogs (Apollo and Snowball) and cats (Prudence, Bulaw, Dakko,Gooti and Panda). Well, we have 7 new kittens but they’re not capable of any form of human interaction yet (so to speak) so there really is no cuddly time with them yet. Hehe. So now that I am [hopefully just temporarily] available for just about anything, I am the dog and cat lady at home. :3
With Dakko c:
4. Eating out with the boyfriend. Or… for this to sound better… Being a quasi-foodie with the beau. WATTUP!!! LOLJK.
- I love food. We love food. We love the anticipation of trying out new dishes from newly-discovered food joints from just about anywhere. Recently though, our main area of “food research” is just at Maginhawa Street since there is already a wide range of food joints to choose from in this area. Besides, we both live just a couple of minutes away from this infamous street so whenever we are feeling ravenous and the urge to eat good food has to be satiated, we just literally walk and decide where to eat, on the spot. 
Our latest discovery was Ted P’s where we had a late-merienda/early-dinner just last Monday. This is located at Maginhawa Street as well. Here are some of the photos that I’ve taken.
Hungry Me, Chili Shrimp in Pomodoro Sauce, The boyfriend and Real Brewed Iced Tea. Oh, and it was our 10th month of being together. Yay. c:
5. Being a part-time kasambahay
- When I submitted that resignation letter, I had a lot of plans in mind. Take a foreign language class, volunteer as a Research Assistant and all that. But then again, there are just circumstances that would not agree with all that you have in mind, so yes, I am also a part-time kasambahay at home while I while away with items #1-4.
My other group of friends.
6. NEW!!! Coming up with an advertising plan for the 7 kittens for adoption!
- I have already semi-endorsed these kittens for adoption in my previous blog entry. About 80% of the human populace is more enticed on advertisements with visuals. This being said, I believe that if I get to capture dramatic photos of the 7 kittens, I would be able to grab the attention of 7 potential foster parents for these kittens. I have already asked help from my kuya for a photo shoot for these kittens hehe. These photos should already be out with a blog entry by next week! Heh heh c:
Buuuttt... I want to show y'all the first ever photo of the two cats with their kittens.
Gooti (left) just gave birth to her 3 kittens a few hours before I took this picture. Panda (right) seemed to be semi-posing with her 4 kittens. Hehe. c:
Sooo there. A slightly comprehensive list of how I have been justifying my existence for the last 47 days. Now, having said the above “facts” of what I have been up to and you are my potential employer, will you be hiring me?
Please be kind. :)
Why, hello there stranger.
I am a fellow Homo Sapien. more commonly known as Luane.
1. I am an avid fan of colorful, swervy visual arts
2. I am into 90's music, jazz and world music.
3. My right brain is more active than the left one. c:
4. I adore photographs that give off silence and nostalgia.
4. I love cats and dogs (In fact I have 4 and 2 of them, respectively.) 5. We have this love-and-hate relationship, me and writing. So this blog is an attempt to settle our differences.
Blabbering Life Away.
- You will probably/should click this because I shall type Batanes in this title.
- [I must] Add New Post
- The Daily Commuter Entry 1
- THIS IS STILL ALIVE.
- Hiatus: 1 Month and 17 Days
- Adopting Kittens = AWESOME.
- One Hot Tagaytay Day: There Must Be A Title Revision For This Entry One Day Soon
- WRITE EVERYDAY.
- HEY HEY HEY
- JAPANESE FOOD IS THE SHIZ.
Blogroll
- choco-nut.com
- In The Hole
- lentech na bata
- Reverie
- Songs of the Salamander
- Starcraft II and everything in between.
- strangelove addictions
- The Marocharim Experiment
Check these out!
Archives
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