crumb trails

Where hope's in bloom (watercolor on paper)

A daffodil

For hope,

Faith,

Good fortune,

and new beginnings…

Whenever I try my hand at painting, I’m always partial to watercolor as my medium. It usually occupies my spare time or when I’m in the mood to [try to] create an artwork.

I did one last summer. It’s not as remarkable as a pro’s work, but as I was looking at it the other day, it became clear to me why I chose this particular subject and picked those hues from the box of watercolor tubes, gathered  several paintbrushes, and started working.

Flowing Leaves (9x12 watercolor on paper)

This piece, which I named “Flowing Leaves,” was done almost four months ago, the same time I had to make a major decision. It is now that I realized why I picked those leaves from the garden and painted the watercolor pad in blue: because at that time, I was turning over a new leaf; taking my life in a new direction. I thought that although the water in the stream has a particular destination, I have decided to go against the current and create my own channel.

So far, I’m loving the decision I made. Life is good (and the Almighty’s making it even better). I couldn’t be more grateful.

For several months, I felt like I was suspended in mid-air. I didn’t know if I’m supposed to move up or plunge down. Surely, there would be new discoveries up the ladder. But would it be a worthy climb? On the other hand, letting go is similar to a rapid dive–you don’t know if you would land safely or end up like a bird with a broken wing (and some limbs, too, maybe). Everyday, a storm was raging inside my head. Getting up in the morning was an ordeal. I walked with heavy footsteps, as if boulders were tied to my ankles.

But all I needed was courage and decide what would make me a happier, much better person. I didn’t know I possessed that much bravery until I let go and let fate guide me to a new path.

I should thank the circumstances which led me to chose the dive. Yes, I did, but with some cautions. And as with other storms, it did pass. I’m alright. I feel free, a master of myself. Fear has no room now.

And so, I start another phase of life with a new-found courage and a rekindled passion to strive and hope for better things.

I’m back on track, finally. 

Oh yeah! It’s the first day of September and yes it’s the very first day of the -BER months! And for us Pinoys, it’s the start of the countdown to Christmas.

Christmas is well-celebrated occasion in the Philippines. Preparations for the holidays comes ahead than preparations for the Halloween. Shopping malls will start dressing their display windows and shelves with scenes and themes of Christmas. It’s a funny scene in October, when establishments are decorated with both Christmas and Halloween items; that if you’re not used to it, you would think you walked into another dimension. But that’s how we are. We love to indulge ourselves and really get into the spirit of the Holiday season.

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I’m sure all of us are excited about the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, which will officially open in less than a month(look at the countdown in the sidebar). Wherever we are in the globe, we’d want to take part in this event, right? You must have listened and watched Jackie Chan sing “We Are Ready,” even if you barely understand the lyrics of the song. I am also very sure that you’d like to have a souvenir of the Olympics, no matter how little it is as long as the Beijing 2008 Olympic logo is carved on it.

We’ll, I’ve got mine already, and you can grab one too. Because at McDonald’s – one of the official partners of the Olympics – for only 20 pesos, you can have a Limited Edition Luminarc glass with the Coca-Cola logo on one side and an Olympic event and the Olympic logo on the other. There are five designs (Olympic event) to choose from. All you need to do is buy any of McDonald’s value meals, add 20 pesos to buy one glass or you can buy all five. Me I bought all the five glasses!

My Olympic glasses from McDonal’s

For most of us living in the city, relaxation would mean an out of town trip. With our fast-paced everyday life, we have no time to stop and smell the flowers or appreciate the little things in our surroundings. Fresh air is a luxury. And family bonding means a trip to the mall.

Unknown to many, a nature sanctuary is nestled right in the heart of Quezon City, where one can experience serenity, even for a while. The La Mesa Eco Park has been there for years. It has been rehabilitated a few years ago and is now open to the public again. It is a sanctuary for nature lovers, health buffs and for families who want to spend some quality time with each other.

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A musical tag from hitokirihoshi and shermalou.

Here’s the rule: Answer the questions with song titles (your favorite song or songs that you like to play most of the times). No side comments please. Let the song titles explain your answer.

Here we go:
1.) How am I feeling today?
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing by Leo Sayer/Anne Hathaway

2.) Where/when will I get married?
Moon River by Audrey Hepburn

3.) What is my best friend’s theme song?
If We Hold On Together by Diana Ross

4.) What is/was high school like?
Don’t Get Lost in the Crowd by Ashley Ballard

5.) What is the best thing about me?
Smile by Nat King Cole

6.) How is today going to be?
It’s a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

7.) What is in store for this weekend?
Love by Matt White

8.) What song describes my parents?
Together Forever by Rick Astley

9.) How is my life going?
Purpose from Avenue Q

10.) What song will they play at my funeral?
Sa `yo Lamang by Joey Albert

11.) How does the world see me?
True Colors by Phil Collins

12.) What do my friends really think of me?
I’m Your Angel by Celine Dion and R. Kelly

13) Do people secretly lust after me?
Chances Are by Bob Seger and Martina McBride

14.) How can I make myself happy?
Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

15.) What should I do with my life?
Go the Distance by Michael Bolton

16.) Will I ever have children?
Someday by John Legend

17.) What is some good advice?
Miracles Happen by Myra

18.) What do I think my current theme song is?
Rule The World by Take That

19.) What does everyone else think of my current life?
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious by Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins)

20.) What type of men/women do you like?
True to Your Heart by Raven

21.) Will you get married?
I Can Hear the Bells by Nikki Blonsky (from Hairspray)

22.) What should I do with my love life?
We Can Work It Out by The Beatles

23.) Where will you live?
Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland

24.) What will your dying words be?
I Love You by Celine Dion

I’m passing this on to mommy kengkay, missyel, rhapsody, witchy, nemcy, vera, conrad and mc.

I belong to a family who are mostly (humbly speaking) gifted in the arts. I have an aunt who’d been scrap-booking long before scrapbooks became a fad, makes letter cut-outs without using whatever kind of pattern, creates paper mosaics, and does her own greeting cards. As a young man, my dad worked as an illustrator for Tagalog Komiks, now he’s into photography. My sister showed, at an early age, her artistic talent, hence, she took up fine arts in college. Recently, I discovered that a cousin is starting to make a name in photography in Singapore.

Being surrounded by these people, I’ve learned to appreciate the arts at an early age. I’ve learned to open my eyes and somehow see beyond a picture or painting. Most of all, I got to try my hands at painting/drawing! Here, take a look at some of my pencil drawings:

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Our office barkada was able to go on a mid-week night out last Tuesday, since the next day, July 2, was a special holiday for us people working in Ortigas Center, Pasig. Our stop this time was Pilita’s Restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan. It was also a birthday celebration for one of our officemates.

Pilita’s Restaurant is located at Greenhills Shopping Center, near the movie theaters. This cozy little place is owned by Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corales and her husband Don Carlos. Pilita’s has a very relaxed ambiance, a perfect place to hang-out after a long day at the office. Its walls are filled with numerous memorabilia of the hip-bending singer from her career. One wall serves as a gallery of her photos in black and white. Meanwhile the upper wall behind the stage displays covers of her vinyl records in the past.

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I dropped by SM’s Kultura yesterday, with a goal of buying a pair of comfy local-made slippers. I love handmade/native slippers, being born and raised in Albay – home to numerous abaca handicrafts. Anyway, back to my slipper-hunting activity. There weren’t a lot of choices, so I just wander around the store to look for some interesting items. And I did see some: wedge sandals displayed together with bags made from buri and some from braided abaca fiber. My eyes were actually fixed on a certain item: a pair of wedge sandals with green straps. What really attracted to them are the green straps. The color green.

I have an ever-changing color preference. Depending on my mood. But seeing those green straps, my fascination for purple (supposed to be my current favorite) was slowly slipping away. Immediately, I tried on the sandals, asked for my size, and tried them on again. Satisfied with how it on my feet, I headed for the cashier to make the purchase. I was so excited with my find and planned to wear them the next day at work.

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