Baby, when the lights go out…
We hit the beach! WARNING: Post with lotsa pictures.
Okay, so basically you know that every Sunday, there is always that 50% chance that Dumaguete will have its “regular” blackout. I could be wrong, but I do not think that there is a month that goes by without a single blackout. Still, despite the initial dismay of yesterday’s blackout, some good came out of it.
Since there really was nothing we could do from 8 am to 5 pm (usual Sunday blackout duration), D’s grandma suggested that we take the kids off to the beach because the house was just too damn hot to stay in. Initially, it was just us with D’s siblings and cousins. Surprise, surprise, D’s grandfolks decided to join us as well! So off we went to the beach bringing meager lunch and snacks. We brought a change of clothes, some towels, and I even bought the kids some uber cheap floatation devices just for kicks. Then we were off.
Now, I hope you recall that post I did a few months back about how nice Dumaguete is because you can hit the beach without doing much damage to your pocket? I believe this post will prove it to be true. See, we did not hit the pricier resorts in Negros Oriental like Bahura, Sea Forest, El Oriente, or wherever. We went to Felipa Beach (not the private one) or “Talisay” to locals. There, we had our stuff set up, and spent just Php. 300.00 for the big “cottage” and enjoyed the whole day. Here is a quick tour around the place:
Love affair with the camera
Over the past few months, I have been taking shots like crazy. Well, maybe not crazy-crazy, but you rarely find me without a camera. Remember, I bought that rather affordable Samsung digital camera? Yeah? Well, it somehow made its way into my bags so I happen to lug it around often. Not all the time okay?
One of my recent shots (can be viewed at my Flickr account)
Some people think that I developed this interest in photography due to my friend, Zeee, who is a pretty good photographer. She has awesome cameras and takes really cool shots, so yeah, in a way, she does inspire to make better shots. Plus, she shares some of the knowledge she has gained through experience and through her photography classes with me, so I do not have to spend for photography tutorials huh? She does me a huge favor and critiques my shots and offers some points which I can improve on, and I am totally grateful. Unfortunately, my love affair with cameras did not exactly start this year.
Updating thoughts
Image from sarah_sarcasm
It used to be that I could blog about anything and anything in the world. Now, I have a hard time finding the words to type into these blank pages because as much as I want to unload all my feelings, I HAVE to keep them in.
Miss Feyoh says I write much better if it is all from the heart, yet I have to wonder why I even as I type these words, I feel guilty for typing it here. See, earlier during the year, I got into trouble because somebody did not understand my habit of hiding people under other names and dressing up situations into something that I feel I was the only one I could understand, especially when it came to talks about my home and whatever crazy situations I get into.
See, covering or masking situations works for me because somehow those who truly know me would be the only people who would fully understand the situations or stories that I have shared. I know now that sometimes that does not work, huh. Unfortunately, it has already “tarnished” my writing in this blog, because the “attack” of that person has caused me to raise my walls to kingdom come. It has forced me to talk about things that happened but really in another approach or maybe just through blah blah blahs. I no longer feel as though I am totally sharing stuff with you.
Typing in the Dark
This is my first post using Q10. Q10 is this writing tool that can be used when writing blog entries or doing other “writing” activities you may be doing. What it does is it engulfs your computer screen in black, and just gives you your cursor and the whole space to type your thoughts. You do not need to turn off all other processes because you can always access them again with a quick Alt + Tab.
The Q10 Environment
The ultimate goal of this tool is to provide you with a clear space without being easily distracted by possible popouts or alerts from YM, Twitter, or Gtalk. I know I get easily distracted when people IM me or something. Of course, I have not yet tried this when somebody IMs me, but at least it keeps me from moving from tab to tab. Truly a great tool especially if you want things to be done as fast as you can without much distractions. This can totally work if you are trying to make your own unique blogs to convey your thoughts. I am not so sure for writing assignments that require you to do much research, but I have found that it makes concentrating easy because you have no other thingies that are cluttering your view.
I think the best thing about Q10 is that you can customize the font, color, and all other details by just changing the .ini file. This is a definite good thing for me especially since I prefer certain typefaces because these are easier on my eyes.
Bound to be a busy week
Okay folks, gird your loins! Next week is bound to be an uber busy week. Some people tend to wonder how I manage things, but its okay really. I mean, I have lots of fun everyday, and I love it. You know, it’s a typical week really, which is often busy, but I would not have it any other way.
Next week, however, I am going to be extra busy. Why? Midterms are on Saturday, and I have to study. To those who know me since high school, I know their reaction would be, “huh?! Lurchie? Study?? Really??” Yes, really. I have this reputation with my friends and my family that I have a habit of not studying. That’s why I often face problems when I encounter theory exams such as identification portions or enumeration tests. LOL True or False are easier, coz if it ain’t true, then it’s obviously false! Right? Right. Now if you give me computations or programming exams, those parts I can handle. I actually love math, problem solving, and programming. Then there’s essay writing, which I also love. 
Except for this one time where I had a teacher who had us take essay exams but it turned out that she wanted our essays and examples cited in the essays to be word for word from the notes we were given. LOL How’s that for essay writing huh? LOL Anyway, if it were the real deal essay writing, I think I would have a bit of a chance to pass. But that’s just me.
So next week, I have my real office work to do (which just got added some more stuff to do). Then there’s my OTHER work, which I refuse to stop working on. Next, there are these few sort of “tasks” that I need to do – at least for extra income. Of course, the kids and the hub, and the cleaning, and the bathing, and the meals. Then I have to study, and pay the bills, and of course, watch movies, eat popcorn, and blog! Teehee.. Oh oh oh oh, I also have to find time to do a photoshoot because Pareng Dan invited me to join Beyond Art’s Sake (what can I say, some people like my shots! yipee!), and I have to to email it to him before August 12. Then I have to get updates from those in Dumaguete who want to join in. Whew! Hooboy! Wish me luck?? 
