Star-Box-Heart

Thanks to boredom, an addition to my camera accessories was created. I got the idea from this site: http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_create_your_own_bokeh

I changed the design a bit because I want to use different shapes without doing several cardboard hoods. So, I made a slot in front where I can slide a card with the shape cut-out. Thus, mine looked like this:

I am not really good with crafts like this so it didn't turn out to be a neat work. Anyway, as long as it functions properly, I'm happy with it. I made rectangular-, star- and heart-shaped cut-outs for my customized bokeh, and I tried it by using a flashlight as my light source.

(The photo in the first column is taken without the cardboard hood.)

Come nighttime, I tried my cardboard hood outside and took pictures of the surrounding lights. I'm looking forward to trying it out again tomorrow.

(It was a starry night, then I turned it into a hearty one. Haha.)

Reaching goals: One journal at a time

The final major test of pursuing my MS EnE degree is my thesis. With all its meticulous conceptualization, laborious experiments, brain-racking paper writing and terrifying defense, who would say that they are tremendously excited for it? Definitely not me. Yet, I have no choice but to go through these steps if I want to graduate (well, I do!).

First and foremost, I need to find a topic for my thesis. I find this the most difficult part. It's like writing an essay where the appropriate first words always seem to elude us. However, after we've started writing, the next words just flow from us with less effort.

I plan to have nanotechnology as my research topic. What about it, I'm still not sure. I have yet to read loads of journal articles on related researches to better define mine. Just thinking about it already tires me. But, as they say, "No pain, no gain." And, if I want to achieve great things, I need to put extra effort on it. Gotta start now!

A random day

Sembreak is finally here!

My typical day would consist of food, computer, TV, computer, food, more food and sleep. After this break, I'm definite that I would gain something I don't want. 

Today, I bought some stuff at the supermarket and, afterwards, treated myself for some choco-banana shake. When I was about to drive home, I noticed this and I couldn't help but take a picture using my phone (which explains the low-res photo):

I read 7777 km from my odometer. Then, I made a wish. :) Yes, I am that type of person who says a wish whenever I see the clock turning 12:00 midnight or whenever I see 11:11 from a digital clock. Random weird stuff I did since I was child, and reminds me every now and then that I am still a child at heart. 

When I got home, I drank my choco-banana shake until I could no longer sip any. But, I knew something's still there, so I opened the lid, and look what I found:

A chunk of banana! No wonder I couldn't sip it. Well, so much for blended drinks. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Anyway, I'm conditioning myself now to start studying for my thesis. I hope I'll be able to start soon.

On love and parking spaces

One Thursday afternoon, it was so difficult to find a parking space near the College of Engineering that I was only able to park beside the Computer Center - which is quite a distance from the college (relative to where I usually park). While walking, my friend and I saw a free parking space in front of the ChE lab and, wanting to park there, we hurriedly went to the car. As we drove towards that spot, we saw another car already parking on that same space. Sadly, we had to find another and, while we're at it, the love conversation began and went something like this...

"Parang opportunity lang yan eh, dapat grab agad." (on losing our parking space)
"Parang love, minsan walang nakalaan sa'yo." (on no free parking space)
"Emo lang? Hindi, parang love lang yan, 'pag may nakalaan sa'yo, sa'yo talaga."
"Hahaha, tama. 'Pag for you, for you."

Then, as expected, the only free slot was the one where we were parked earlier.

"'Pag sa'yo talaga, dun pa din babalik."
"Kasi naman, meron na ngang nakalaan sa'yo, naghahanap pa ng iba."
"Pag for you nga, for you talaga."

And, we just laughed at the weirdness of our conversation. We parked the car, and did not look for any other free parking space.

A Candle in the Dark

Thank you for being my source of light when everything else is dark and blurry. Thank you for lighting my way when I don't know where to go. Thank you for giving me courage when I'm so scared of what I couldn't see. Thank you for being there when no one else is. And, after all you've given me, I'm really sorry for being so selfish.

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As a side note, I took this photo last night when the electricity was cut due to the typhoon. I was so bored that I took my camera and started taking pictures in the dark. I didn't use the camera flash because I was scared that I may photograph something scary. Haha.

Can we just stop and talk awhile?

Sometimes, life can be just too fast for us. Too fast that we can't even find time to have a decent conversation. Too fast that we can't even get past the usual greetings and well-wishes. Too fast that we don't seem to find any topic interesting enough to talk about. It saddens me that we think we know what's happening in each other's life, but we actually don't. I just hope life slows down a bit for us. That way, we could catch up - with life, and with each other.

Maybe you don't even know how I'm feeling right now.

And, I don't probably have the slightest idea of how you're feeling.

I'm in Hufflepuff!

I've started using Pottermore. This is really addicting!
Anyway, in Pottermore, you'll be able to explore book chapters in an interactive kind of way. You will also be able to buy your own wand and be sorted to your house based on how you answer several questions.


I got the following:

I can't wait to continue exploring Hogwarts, however, I need to go to (my real) school now. :P


To anyone who has a Pottermore account, do add me up (RuneSand208); I would love to duel with you! Haha! :)

That feeling when..

...you FINALLY see this in your e-mail:

And, you EXCITEDLY clicked the link.
And then, you end up with THIS:

T____________T

LET ME EXPLORE POTTERMORE!

You are NOT the king of the road.

I would like to dedicate this post to my growing displeasure on bus drivers - especially those who think that they have the whole road all to themselves.


As far as I can remember, I never liked riding city buses (provincial buses seem better). Before, it was just because too many people ride buses and, owing to my being claustrophobic, I was never comfortable being in one. However, some of my friends find riding buses more convenient than other means of public transportation. Whether due to its size or speed, I am not sure.


Now that I also know how to drive, I just can't understand why bus drivers find it difficult to obey traffic rules and regulations. Why can't they drive within the specified speed limit? Why do they have to swerve without care? Why do they have to speed up and block you when they see you carefully moving to the side? Why do they have to suddenly stop at the middle of the highway? Why do they have to race each other without consideration to other vehicles?


Most of the time, whenever I hear a news on road accidents, a bus is involved. That's another reason why I don't like riding it or even being near it when I'm driving. The increasing number of accidents involving buses is rather alarming. I remember a commercial in one FM station said, "Buses won't move over so it's up to you to yield." I know I have no control on this. If I'm concerned with my safety, it's up to me to avoid the dangers that I'm aware of. However, I'm really hoping that something will be done to control these buses, and that no one will ever again fall victim to their carelessness.

Hell week(s)

It's that time of the semester again when teachers seem to simultaneously think that they want to give an exam. Why do exams have to be scheduled on the same week? I have no idea.

Part of this hell week process is the piling amount of hand-outs and readings (I suddenly remember my professor cruelly emphasizing the difference between the two during my Chem 153. Gahh, bad memories.). Imagine the amount of paper we have to waste for all those photocopies of lectures, sample exams and book chapters which we hardly finish reading. Well, I must admit that I do have my fair share of waste, too.

I find it rather hard not to study from a printed material. For me, there is a difference between studying from a printed lecture and from your computer. I find the latter less effective and more eye straining. I guess we just have to make sure that we only print what we need, and that we maximize the use of everything that we print. Maybe then that'll make the waste all worth it.

Been there. Or not.

(This photo doesn't exactly describe what I'll be talking about. But, hey. Quarter-life crisis. Quarter-life. Quarter. I know you get it.)

I remember a conversation I had with a friend about quarter-life crisis, and how to know if you're experiencing it. She made me read an article* about it which made me wonder if I have already faced this life's conflict. That time, I thought I had.

Before I started my MS degree, I was so frustrated that my life's not coming up to my expectations. I already passed my board exam but, there I was, spending time at home and just waiting (impatiently, I must add) for June to come. I knew that I want to pursue a master's degree, however waiting is never really easy. Seeing my classmates finding a job and earning money made me think, "What on earth am I doing, sitting around here all day?!" Those were the longest 6 months I've ever experienced.

But recently, I realized that I may not exactly had a quarter-life crisis. Learning about my friends' stories about them not liking their jobs or feeling that they don't have the job they want/deserve, I thought that what I experienced before was nothing but a mere case of envy. Envy because they had already entered the real world, and I didn't. Envy because there they were achieving something, while I was just there waiting. But all of these feelings ended when I started my graduate course.

About a year and a half from now, I'll be entering the real world (finally!). And then, I'll find out if I'll be experiencing this quarter-life crisis the same way that some of my friends did. And, if ever I do, I hope I'll be able to surpass it, too - because I know that they definitely will.

*http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20110308-324087/To-be-a-dancing-star

*sniff sniff*

Wherever Ely went, he sees to it that he has smelled everything around him. It made me wonder why...so I googled it. :P

Here's what I found: (http://www.iams.com/dog-article/dog_sniffing_decipher_your_dogs_habits_at_iams.aspx)

"Dogs have a need to know, and smelling is how they learn."

Birthday schmirthday

Thanks to all who greeted! <3

And, thank You for another year! :)

Back to school

The long weekend is now over, and it's time to go back to all the requirements and responsibilities which we tried to forget during the weekend.

As for me, it's back-to-school time.

Study mode is officially ON. >_<"

Experiencing Bohol

Long weekend = Family bonding + Photo ops + Fun in the sun :)

This shot looks more like an "Inuman tayo!" shot rather than the famous Sanduguan (Blood Compact).

We had lunch at the Loboc River Cruise. The food wasn't extraordinary, but the view was spectacular.

Of course, it isn't Bohol without the famous Tarsier and Chocolate Hills.

My first sunrise shot. :)

I love the seaside, and Bohol has one of the best beaches I've ever seen (so far). :)