Thursday at the Manila Diamond Hotel

Yesterday (Thursday, 21 March 2013), my brother and I went to the Manila Diamond Hotel for the launch of Mega Sardines - Mega Creations. The invitation stated it will start at 9am, and because we live far from the heart of the Metro, we had to leave very early so we won't be late. We arrived very early, though, and because we were already at the Pisces Hall of the hotel and I saw this view as we exited the elevators, I told brother I'd take the time to photograph the pretty decor.

That instinct to photograph the decor allowed me to see such magnificent view from the blinds:


View from the 27th floor. Uh-ma-zing! I took quite a lot of pictures... zooming here and there, until I remember my camera has the "miniature effect" setting, so I started playing with it and produced these pictures:


So cute, right? The cars and the people look like toys from way up!


These self portraits came out as a surprise. I went closer to the wall decoration and saw my reflection. Remembering this week's prompt at Photo Art Friday, I took these pictures. It really is so nice when life presents a lot of blessings and surprises.

Happy weekends, shutterbugs!

Skywatch Friday

Friday Favorite Things | Favorite Photo Friday | Photo Art Friday 

On Exercise Mode

Day two of the 30 Day Challenge is about "What I Wore Today." While editing my picture, I found out Foto Friday's prompt is about "Machines," so this will be a two-in-one post.


Even if I work out at home, I still try to wear something I would wear if I am in a gym because I read in a magazine that part of the success of working out at home is to act as if you're in a public gym - no answering the phone if it rings, not letting noises around distract you (unless of course it's something urgent or emergency), and wearing gym clothes. I personally would like to wear something small because I do perspire a lot when working out, and I don't want to end up having soaking wet clothes - I prefer wiping myself with a soft, fluffy towel.

Normally, I wear my pair of running shoes, but today I decided to wear my purple Tretorn shoes, because it has been gathering dust for the longest time. I bought it many years ago when I decided to join mom's aerobics class, but the day I bought it, it wasn't my first choice. I was eyeing for a pair of red Hush Puppies rubber shoes because it was comfortable and light, but mom thought it was very expensive. I just started working as a telemarketer that time and mom thought I should save as much of my salary as possible. When we saw that Tretorn was having a sale, mom suggested I should just go for it, since it was a dream pair of shoes while I was in high school. Purple is our favorite color, so mom chose this particular pair for me to buy. It saved me 700 pesos, but I didn't get to wear the shoes that long because the soles were too thick and tough. I still wear it from time to time, but not during a workout, but whenever I will go out for a stroll.

This image wasn't wonderfully shot because my brother's room was locked, hence I couldn't get the tripod. I just placed my camera on the bookshelf and timed it. Original picture was in landscape orientation, but there were still way too many clutters in my room, so I had to edit the image.

Of course, after taking this one shot (I didn't dare take another one as my camera was tilting a bit - it might fall should I try and set the time again), I completed 3 1/2 minutes at the Elliptical Machine. I am happy that on the sixth day of using it, I can now sustain three and a half minutes of continuous work out... when I first started using this, I couldn't barely finish one minute. Hahaha. Well, at least there's an improvement.

30 Day Challenge | Day 1: Self Portrait

Thanks to my friend Nathalie, I got to learn about this Photo Challenge. Even if I am joining different blog memes, whenever a new one comes out, I just couldn't resist not joining it, especially if it's good, like this one.

Today is my Day 01, and the prompt is "Self Portrait."

I am always taking pictures - I have at least one picture everyday - but since I stopped doing the 52 Weeks of Me challenge, I have stopped taking pictures of myself as well. I guess I have lost interest in having my pictures taken, to the point that even if I am out traveling, I still rarely ask my friends or family to have my picture taken using my camera. Of course, when they ask me to pose for them for a quick photo, I'd be glad to smile for them.




This morning, I was surprised to see my Facebook wall flooded with Steve Jobs related posts. Knowing he just passed away sure made people worldwide mourn, but from the messages I read, most were filled with happy memories, that even if they (well okay, we) don't know the person personally, his hunger and his foolishness (I am deriving that from his famous quote, "Stay hungry, stay foolish.") were just two things that connected us to one another.

The iPod Nano is the only Apple product I own. I may possibly not have the financial capability to buy an iPad, iPhone, and iMac, but having this iPod Nano made me part of Steve Jobs' vision and innovation. Thank you, Steve Jobs... for sharing your talent. You may be gone, but your name will be immortal.

Foto Friday | Books

I ought to take new pictures for this prompt, but I got so busy, so I decided to check the vaults again...


I took this last January as part of my Project 52, which I wasn't able to continue when I hit a prompt that I couldn't do. I am planning to continue or may re-do it next year. Anyway, the prompt was "Books," and I just gathered some books I have to take this picture.

I first posted this picture on my personal blog, I am Janujennifer. Like what I said there, I wasn't really a bookworm as my parents didn't cultivate the habit of us reading books (other than our school books) - because times were rough and we didn't have money to spare for books, which were (and still are) quite expensive (there weren't thrift shops back then that we knew of). Aside from that, our house was way too far from most establishments.

I may not a be a bookworm, but I do have some books, books that I was able to buy and acquired. Currently, I am reading "The Best Life Diet" by Bob Greene, but what I am reading is the e-book version, because the book itself was way too expensive here in the Philippines.


I took quite a lot of pictures that day, so I decided to turn it into a digital scrapbook layout, using a pre-made template I download off the Internet. I forgot who created this, but the template's name is "Freshly Squeezed."

Have a great weekend ahead!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 091911

Late post for me this week, and because I didn't have the chance to go out and shoot, 4 of the images were taken during my out of town trip.

01 - Street Photography

I took this outside the Magellan's Cross in Cebu City. The old woman (in color) is one of the many prayer warriors in the area, they offer prayer help to the tourists in exchange of some donations. Most tourists would not even give them a glance, but because Cebu City is one of the religious places I have visited (Catholic Churches here are close to each other yet most of them will be full whenever a mass is celebrated), there were a few tourists who would sought their help.

02 - From a Distance

That's the Busay Falls along Loboc River in Bohol. We had our lunch in one of the floating restaurants in Loboc, and it was one of the most unique restaurants because it would sail along the Loboc River, giving tourists a great view of Mother Nature's beauty. Unfortunately, the boat didn't come near the falls, so I just maxed out the zoom function of my camera to frame this one good.

03 - Sunday

As a Catholic, you would normally see me inside the church every Sundays, but I admit since the big debate on RH Bill came out, I suddenly didn't feel the enthusiasm to hear mass anymore because the priests would concentrate on their own opinions about it rather than focus on the gospel. I respect them for what they stand up for, but every Sundays had been about their personal opinions, I got a little fed up with it. I still am a firm believer of the church, that is why whenever I have the chance, I'd visit a Catholic church to say my personal prayers.

04 - Liquid

They say soup is liquid comfort, so when we celebrated mom's birthday last Tuesday, we went to go for soup to comfort us while waiting for pizza to be served.

05 - Behind

I don't have a picture that literally depicts this prompt, but while re-reading "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne, one of the pages stated that one reason why people are fat is because they think and feel "fat thoughts." I am a person who wanted to be slim, healthy, and yes... sexy, so aside from watching what I eat and exercise at least 30 minutes (two times a day) for most days of the week, I also watch over my thoughts and feelings. I can now say that "fat thoughts" are behind me now... and I am now embracing the thoughts that I am sexy in my own unique and special way.