Category Archives: Blog

Blog, Travel

Reality check

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I took probably over a thousand photos during my recent trip to the Philippines, and you bet many of them were shots of the sunset, the beach, my family, and tons of food. But there are a handful of photos taken while riding with my cousin to their office deep in the city that make me stop in my tracks and get serious for a moment.

I think they’re beautiful shots. They’re not pretty like sunsets and flowers, but their beauty lies in their stark honesty and the fact that they remind me of the reality of things here. They remind me that not everything lovely is pristine, and that life here is not all private resorts, daily massages, and endless restaurant meals.

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Blog, Travel

Dinner party, part 1

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My cousin has the coolest friends. They’re funny, they’re divers, and they’re foodies. Need I say more?

One of them is an amazing chef, among other things. Some time ago, this chef named Boy hosted a dinner party at his house. And I got invited.

(Yes, I realize I said the chef was named Boy. That’s not my lame attempt at anonymity. That’s actually his nickname. Now, if you’re not from the Philippines, that may seem strange. But trust me. You’ll get over it soon enough.)

The first thing that struck me when we reached there was how beautifully designed his house was.

See that tall candle sitting under the frame? He made that.

See those horns? He didn’t make those. But I’m pretty sure he could if he wanted to.

I wish I took more photos of his place, because it was really beautifully done. Except, I didn’t want to embarrass my cousin by bringing my camera inside, say, the powder room. After all, the smells coming from the kitchen told me that I’d be hoping for a repeat invite.

So for now, these photos of the lovely decorative touches around his house will have to suffice.

Next up, the absolutely fabulous dinner. Brace yourselves for the gastronomic onslaught.

(I have no idea what that meant. Just ignore me. I’ve been looking at the food photos and the hunger pangs are making me light-headed.)

Blog, Randomness, Travel

Symmetry in diving

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One of my quirks is that I always lean towards symmetry. I like to straighten things and make them equidistant to each other. I like things perfectly parallel, or perpendicular to each other. If I have to, I’ll settle for 45 degree angles. Maybe 30 or 60 in a pinch.

I’m also most likely to be that annoying person who, in the middle of your sentence, gets up to make sure the frames hanging on the wall are all properly aligned.

It’s a sickness, I’m telling you.


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Blog

Old habits die hard

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Yes, I’m still taking pictures from inside moving vehicles. Usually while being the one in control of said moving vehicle. Among my dear friends at Shrew’s place, it’s a stunt referred to as “pulling an Ivoryhut.”

Manila is known for many things. Among those are the horrendous traffic, ridiculously stressful driving, and gorgeous sunsets. Put them all together, then plop Ivoryhut in the middle of it all, and you get this.

Wonderful sunset taken from a car seat. Pretty, yes? I really couldn’t resist.

But don’t worry. Someone else was driving. Did I mention the ridiculously stressful driving here? No way I’m taking my eyes off the road for one instant, let alone take a hand off the steering wheel.

I haven’t gone that crazy. Yet.