| (500D 100mm Macro 1/100 f22 800iso) |
There are just songs that leave an impression, for whatever reason it is. Every time Didik and I would listen to the radio, we would hear songs that would just automatically send thoughts inside our heads. And most of the time, we’re calibrated.
One of the songs that never fails to elicit the same reaction is CRY by Kelly Clarkson. We just adore her, literally left aghast by her voice. Oh Dik, we’re such fans! How about John Mayer’s songs? No comment.
Anyway, if there’s a song that Dik would wish I would not hear, it would be Bizarre Love Triangle by Frente. It’s the song cut short when played on the radio because it just keeps on repeating. And it has such a sleepy feel to it. Every time I hear this song, trust me, it will not leave my mind and I will just keep on singing it. I even requested Dik to study the chords so he can play it on the guitar while I sing. JAMMIN’.
There’s a line in the song that says, “Why can’t we be ourselves like we were yesterday?” People in relationships always find themselves asking the same question at some point in time. They wonder whatever changed in their relationship in the process and what caused these changes to happen. They look back in the past and try to relive how they’ve gotten to know and love their partners and they compare it to how things are at present. Then, the question pops in their head.
I’m guilty of asking this question. I used to look back to how things were in the past and compare it to how things are at present. And I honestly would find myself wishing I was back to where we started. After all, those were glorious days. But recently, I was made to realize that, I’m in a much better place. We are in a much better place.
There is nothing wrong with change- absolutely nothing. There is also nothing unusual with having silent moments because you have nothing else to talk about. Because you’ve spent the first 30 days of your relationship talking on the phone, sharing your life stories with each other- dreams, ambitions, fears, regrets, frustrations, problems, issues- everything to the core. Then you find yourself in the hundredth day of your relationship talking about cats, plants, the sky, radio DJs, blogs and sometimes, even feet. There is nothing wrong with letting loose of all your inhibitions and completely being yourself without trying hard to look good. Because after all, with who can you be most comfortable with aside from your partner? Change always happens. And it sure hits relationships hard.
I don’t ask myself that question anymore. Because I like just the way we are right now. Less talk, more silence. Less phone calls, more chat. Less “trying hard” jokes, more “corny” ones. Less of everything in the past, and more of everything that I’ve always wanted. Change is not bad, change is just plain change. It’s up to you to decide how to handle it. Good thing, I have Dik.
-NIK
I found peace. Peace with myself and peace with my surroundings. Somehow I have come to terms with the fact that nothing matters and I have to rise above everything that happens around me. Be it “work” or be it in relationship, there comes a point in time when you suddenly stop dead in your tracks and ask yourself a question as to what you are doing in this situation or this position and then the truth dawns.
Somewhere life isn’t the way you see it, sometimes people aren’t the way I expect them to and then I realize that it’s me who has to change than anyone else. People come and people go, circumstances reach its peak of drama and die down the next day but my inner peace always stays with me. Stays with me like the undying love of God. Like the faithful kitten that follows me everywhere and then I sit back and smile at the hot sunshine streaming through my window and say a silent prayer to God and thank him for whatever He has given me. I see life with the same amusement as I used to before.
I learned to see the mad dance of the universe unfurling its wonderful radiant colors to me and I smile and lose myself in that oblivion. Even if someone tries to tamper with my heart and soul, I just smile and pat them on their head and pray for their well being. I have stopped pitying such lesser mortals or have stopped trying to understand their ego.
After my realization. Nothing or no one else matters apart from my inner harmony. That’s when I see the light, I smile with the universe for I know that this life doesn’t hold back and it is nothing but bridges to cross. Probably it is long and looks never-ending but it is worth it. The universe looks down on my bed and welcomes me to its beautiful realm where everything is nothing but sparkling light.
As I follow that light throughout my life, I learn to see through things, people and circumstances and I learn that even too much sunshine hurts if you get too much. So I learn the art of balance.
I thank everyone who taught me the good and the bad. I wouldn’t have realized the truth about my life and the world beyond.
I thank NIK for the never ending fountain of understanding.
I especially thank NANAY for having a deep pocket of wealth and wisdom that never fails to shower us.
SALUTE!
Time for the BUKSHISH!
-DIK
Here’s a conversation between a 30-yr old man and a kid.
Stop asking what time we’ll get there. It’s annoying. Just think we’re going to get there. Period.
Stop crying. You don’t get all the toys you want.
Don’t get yourself dirty.
Stay away from dangerous places.
Don’t say mean words.
Pay attention when I speak. I am older. I know more.
I say “You’re not my friend” and “I hate you” simply because I don’t like that child for stealing my toy. You on the other hand, when you’re mad at someone, you say it to other people rather than straight to that person’s face. Which is worse? Expressing and being honest? Or pretending and being someone else?
Literally and figuratively!
We went to our Date Night. We bought our usual movie munchers:
1 Taters white cheddar popcorn, medium size
1 liter of iced tea
1 large NYFD fries, 3 dips
1 bagful of chocolates
Which came after our dinner:
1 Burger with fries meal
Each. By the way.
The movie was undeniably hilarious! A very funny film, and an adventure in silliness. Its a little predictable in the premise, but the predictability didn’t ruin it. else, it made it much funnier. Steamrolled by obnoxious action set pieces and half-baked espionage. All the KILL SHOT! All the Zip your face! We were shitting all over our place. All of a sudden.. well nothing really happened all of a sudden but this. I FELT A RUMBLE INSIDE MY STOMACH. The pain was intense. I told Nik, “IT’S CAN-I-HAVE-YOUR-TISSUE-MOMENT TIME.”
I rushed to the nearest CR. Good thing we chose to sit near the comfort room. It was comforting to be beside Nik. Knowing she’s always lodging a pack of wet ones.
So…
I WENT, I MEAN RUSHED to the CR.
POOF!!!!!! POOF!!!! POOF!!!!
I came back and finished the movie. We kept laughing, entirely unsure if because of the movie or because of my poofing incident. Either way, still the tear-jerker kind of laugh.
Lesson Learned:
DON’T BRING TOO MUCH FOOD IF YOU’RE GOING TO WATCH A FUNNY MOVIE? – NO WAY!
WHAT IVE LEARNED IS
SAME SHIT, DIFFERENT DAY!
-DIK
On a not-so-special night, with the typical beer-gulping contest with pulilans on the side, the “Usuals” take on their battle cry, “For the road… that never ends…”
Of top of the end gadget, the Blueberry
Of Sinigang Express broken dreams
Of 4 empty boxes of Brooklyns
Of forgotten blueberry cheesecakes
Of 1 kilometers runs
Of gold miners spending the money of their sugar daddies
Of singing “Holy Mary Mother of us”
Of watching National Discovery
Of learning abouth chicken fox
Of once in a million trips to the Eiffel Tower of Pizza
Of poof… the magic dragon
Of out of the blues conversations worth laughing about
Kampai! To the simplicities of life.
As Manny Mangilinan said, "As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters." (As borrowed from JK Rowling’s speech [who borrowed from Seneca])
-NIK
Subject: Water
Winner: Icedrop by Didik
Striking effect of water motion
Was shot at home
Exif data:
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
| Exposure: | 0.006 sec (1/160) |
| Aperture: | f/6.3 |
| Focal Length: | 135 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 640 |
Details: No Postprocessing
Chosen through the following criteria as graded by 3 judges:
Creativity in execution and interpretation of theme- 60%
Over-all impact of the image and title- 40%
Icedrop- 8+9.4+9.4= 26.8
Sparkle- 8.4+9+9= 26.4
Photochallenge #1
Subject: iPhone
Winner: iKulay by Nikki
Eye-catching blend of colors
Was shot in Tutoring Club
| Camera: | Canon EOS 500D |
| Exposure: | 0.013 sec (1/80) |
| Aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Focal Length: | 100 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 800 |
Details:
Chosen through a tally of votes, Postprocessing not allowed.
All tied up- 3
Apple User- 6
iBlend- 6
iKulay- 7
In case- 1
iPOP-4
A day-trip to Subic was definitely a dream come true for us animal lovers. Having been to Zoobic last December, Didik could only boast of how amazing the place was, until February 20, 2010, when finally both of us went for a day-long tour of the place. And it sure did not disappoint!
Interacting with animals and at the same time capturing every moment was bliss. Having been able to feed lovebirds and crocodiles, to carry a very long and heavy anaconda, and to top it off, to be able to hug and feed a cub with milk was incredible. Everything was surreal for both us. We wanted to capture as much as we could with our cameras. That’s why we would always end up being left behind by our group! Usually when out on trips, we would realize towards the end that we did not have any picture of ourselves together. But thank heavens for money-making souvenirs! We were able to have 3 pictures of ourselves taken and printed -of course, at a very expensive price- but nonetheless, worth it!
It was definitely an unforgettable and a worth-the-gas-toll fee-entrance fee-picture fee-chicken fee-feed fee-all the possible fees in the world- trip!
-NIK
NIK WITH LOVEBIRDS
PHOTO SHOWCASE
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
| Exposure: | 0.006 sec (1/160) |
| Aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Focal Length: | 95 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 400 |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
| Exposure: | 0.003 sec (1/400) |
| Aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Focal Length: | 85 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 400 |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
| Exposure: | 1/2000 sec |
| Aperture: | f/3.2 |
| Focal Length: | 200 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 200 |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 500D |
| Exposure: | 0.02 sec (1/50) |
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
| Focal Length: | 135 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 200 |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 500D |
| Exposure: | 0.017 sec (1/60) |
| Aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Focal Length: | 135 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 200 |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 500D |
| Exposure: | 0.013 sec (1/80) |
| Aperture: | f/5.0 |
| Focal Length: | 135 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 200 |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 500D |
| Exposure: | 0.002 sec (1/640) |
| Aperture: | f/4.5 |
| Focal Length: | 135 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 200 |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 500D |
| Exposure: | 0.025 sec (1/40) |
| Aperture: | f/2.0 |
| Focal Length: | 135 mm |
| ISO Speed: | 800 |
