a girl and her camera.

a girl and her camera. http://swikey.multiply.com/ I'm not much for grand welcomes, so... feel free to sift through the documentation of my world. Much of the content here is public, so if you are re-posting anything (especially my photos), please do let me know and please credit. It's the polite thing to do. (Credits to <a href="http://fiamette.multiply.com">http://fiamette.multiply.com</a> and <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/foto_decadent">http://community.livejournal.com/foto_decadent</a> for the layout. I absolutely adore it.)  <a href="http://s30.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?site=s30lalunaloca" target="_top"> <img src="http://s30.sitemeter.com/meter.asp?site=s30lalunaloca" alt="Site Meter" border="0"></a>  Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:09:18 -0000 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:10:42 -0000 a girl and her camera. http://images.swikey.multiply.com/logo http://swikey.multiply.com 100 100 Recognized. <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/recognized.jpg" border="0">(Image from <a href="http://postsecret.blogspot.com/">PostSecret</a>) Here's something to make you smile. I remember seeing the postcard that this particular postcard was referring to quite a long time ago. While it was shrouded in anonymity, I considered it an act of bravery. Anyone who's ever felt strongly for anyone else would know what it feels like, as well as the kind of courage it entails. Nobody will ever truly know if these are the same people that the first postcard talked about. All we can really conclude is that little acts of courage and bravery can indeed bring miracles. It may not be your story now, or it may be too fantastic to believe, but who knows? With a little faith, a dash of belief, a miracle will unfold at the right time. http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/216/Recognized. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:10:42 -0000 Tubby Breakdancing ...or trying http://swikey.multiply.com/video/item/57/Tubby_Breakdancing Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:08:08 -0000 Tubby, the Purple Elephant, Crocs, and Her New "Bike" August 12, 2008 Title explains it http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/260/Tubby_the_Purple_Elephant_Crocs_and_Her_New_Bike Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:01:44 -0000 Tsoko.Nut August 2, 2008 Tsoko.Nut, SM Makati Rewarding ourselves after a successful hunt at the Powerbooks Warehouse http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/258/Tsoko.Nut Sat, 2 Aug 2008 14:27:21 -0000 Sushi King August 1, 2008 Sushi King Magallanes, Makati The closest I can find to my ideal sushi place here in Manila. (My idea still being On Broadway in downtown San Diego. Then again, all these can change when the opportunity to fly to Japan should present http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/257/Sushi_King Fri, 1 Aug 2008 14:35:47 -0000 LA's Pre-Birthday, Pre-London Dinner July 30, 2008 Tiananmen, Makati Avenue Lourdes Angela is turning 24 in five days and is leaving for the land of tea, royalty, and Topshop in two days to... well, work. Haha. Have fun in London, LA! Don't forget to do some serious culture-soaking and shopping! http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/256/LAs_Pre-Birthday_Pre-London_Dinner Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:37:38 -0000 The Value of the UP Experience This is something I stumbled upon while hopping through several blogs. I'm re-posting it because I feel it succinctly captures what the University is all about. To those who have the luxury of relating, I'm pretty sure you will nod your head in agreement. The Value of the UP Experience by Maya Baltazar Herrera (First published 6 July 2008 in the Manila Standard Today) There are no children here. This week, I went to a meeting at the UP School of Economics and I came away with renewed belief in the value of the UP experience. If you speak to anyone from UP – student, professor, alumnus - you will get no Latin slogans or apologies about how the school teaches values in spite of its outward materialism. This is not a student population that thinks about basketball games or memorizes school songs. This is not a school that chooses one statement to drill into the minds of its students. This is not, of course, to say that UP does not care about values. It is that UP, in its own inimitable way, beli... http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/207/The_Value_of_the_UP_Experience Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:30:19 -0000 Casa Armas July 13, 2008 Casa Armas, Greenbelt 3 It was Tintin's 11th birthday party. Prior to devouring the food, we had several mean games of basketball, Daytona racing, and air hockey at Timezone. Anyone can win over Miss Betty. http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/254/Casa_Armas Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:43:32 -0000 Determined Realist (creepily spot-on) <a href="http://www.ipersonic.com/type/DR.html" target="blank" title="My personality type: the determined realist. Take the free iPersonic personality test!"><img src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/ipersonic/DR.png" alt="My personality type: the determined realist. Take the free iPersonic personality test!" border="0"></a> Determined Realists like to bear responsibility and welcome challenges. They are stable, reliable persons. External contacts are very important to them; they mix well and are very active. They are excellent organisers and are very happy when things are done correctly and punctually; they can quickly react impatiently if others are not as conscientious, orderly and dutiful as they are. They prefer structured work which produces visible results quickly to abstract, long-drawn-out processes. Determined Realists have no problem with routine as long as it serves efficiency. However, they very much dislike unexpected and unpredictable occurrences which mess up their careful plans. Once they have committed themselves to a cause they do this with dedication and are willing to make considerable sacrifices for it. Determined Realists do not avoid conflicts and criticism but face up to them and look for solutions. As they have a keen eye for the errors and shortcomings of others and are often quic... http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/202/Determined_Realist_creepily_spot-on Sat, 5 Jul 2008 13:16:10 -0000 Holganized! <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/7574zi5.jpg" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/7378tj6.jpg" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/4242lv2.jpg" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/2577xr3.jpg" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/2130uf8.jpg" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/1369bf7.jpg" border="0"> Bagong pampalipas oras: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.holganizer.net">HolgaNizer.Net</a>. To give camwhorage an old skool vibe. Nifty! http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/201/Holganized Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:44:06 -0000 Baga't Hangin Musikahan Battle of the Bands June 29, 2008 SM North This is probably the first time I've been to an environmental battle of the bands. Very interesting---especially the ones that fused tribal music with modern-day sensibilities. Oh, and had a few minutes onstage with Quintin to talk about Renewable Energy (I hope we did get the message across). At least, the people were into the Renewables NOW! baller IDs we were giving away. :D Oh, and this marked the launch of the Clean Air Youth Alliance! This was something that I helped start nearly three years ago. (Yes, we need more people, especially the youth, to take on an active role in addressing environmental http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/253/Bagat_Hangin_Musikahan_Battle_of_the_Bands Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:29:46 -0000 Turning 24 (a.k.a. A Rather Glam "Lola" Night) June 28, 2008 Zao and Chelsea, Serendra Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Bonifacio High Street It always rains on my birthday. This is how I've come to associate rain with blessings. I consider rain on my birthday a shower of blessings. So when it didn't rain last June 25, I had a strange feeling that it wasn't going to be the best of days---and that sort of came true, unless I really set myself up for a lot of anger and disappointment. In any case, it finally rained on the day I decided to celebrate---and celebrate with a few people who I consider to be some of my greatest treasures, the ones that have kept my sanity intact, especially this year. Never mind if the downpour cramped our style, got our feet literally wet, and chilled us to the bone---I consider that the blessing I've been asking for these past few days. It was a great night---the kind marked with R-rated jokes, food that vanishes within five minutes, love poetry (are you guys telling me something?), and extended tea ses... http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/252/Turning_24_a.k.a._A_Rather_Glam_Lola_Night Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:11:59 -0000 Random Everyday Greatness June 26, 2008 One of the things I love about what I'm doing now (even if it's just a short stint) is that I'm inspired everyday---by words I read, by pictures I see, by words I hear. That in itself makes the hard work worth its http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/250/Random_Everyday_Greatness Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:50:39 -0000 Schadenfreude! GARY COLEMAN: Right now you are down and out and feeling really crappy NICKY: I'll say. GARY COLEMAN: And when I see how sad you are It sort of makes me... Happy! NICKY: Happy?! GARY COLEMAN: Sorry, Nicky, human nature- Nothing I can do! It's... Schadenfreude! Making me feel glad that I'm not you. NICKY: Well that's not very nice, Gary! GARY COLEMAN: I didn't say it was nice! But everybody does it! D'ja ever clap when a waitress falls and drops a tray of glasses? NICKY: Yeah... GARY COLEMAN: And ain't it fun to watch figure skaters falling on their asses? NICKY: Sure! GARY COLEMAN: And don'tcha feel all warm and cozy, Watching people out in the rain! NICKY: You bet! GARY COLEMAN: That's... GARY AND NICKY: Schadenfreude! GARY COLEMAN: People taking pleasure in your pain! NICKY: Oh, Schadenfreude, huh? What's that, some kinda Nazi word? GARY COLEMAN: Yup! It's German for "happiness at the misfortune of others!" NICKY: "Happiness at the misfortune of others." That is Ger... http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/197/Schadenfreude Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:43:51 -0000 Back in Bangkok: The Mob Experience June 8-9, 2008 Bangkok, Thailand As if Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In weren't enough to wear us down, Mom and I went back to Central World where we unwittingly found ourselves in a mob situation over TVXQ (err... a group of Korean singers, whose faces, unfortunately, I cannot distinguish). These are just my last bits of images of Bangkok. Crazy stuff, awesome http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/249/Back_in_Bangkok_The_Mob_Experience Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:43:57 -0000 Bang Pa-In Palace June 8, 2008 Bang Pa-In, Thailand Bang Pa-In Palace is approximately a half-hour drive from Ayutthaya, and it is the summer residence of the Royal Family. The style of the palace reflects the eclectic tastes of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn. In one area, you think you're in Europe (with the manicured lawns, sculptures, and whatnot), and in the next, in China (with the blazing red imperial palace-like structure). A golf cart to drive around these paths would be a very good idea, given the http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/248/Bang_Pa-In_Palace Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:34:22 -0000 Awesome Ayutthaya June 8, 2008 Ayutthaya, Thailand I felt it was necessary to devote an entire album to Ayutthaya alone, if only for the sheer magnificence of the ruins. This was actually my main agenda on this trip, and the place did not disappoint. (Many thanks to Tita Kit and Khun Samet who accompanied us!) Ayutthaya was once the capital of Thailand. The Burmese invaded the city sometime around the 1700s and burned it down. Many of the Buddha images have also been decapitated. We were able to go to three sites around the city (the noontime heat was scorching!): Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Mahathat. These places once housed Thai royalty, and now they've been reduced to a beautiful decay of brick red. These count as some of the most awesome sights I've ever seen. Oh, I got some close encounters of the elephant kind once again! http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/247/Awesome_Ayutthaya Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:17:18 -0000 Bangkok Lovin': Wat Traimit, Wat Pho, and a Whole Slew of Malls June 7, 2008 Bangkok, Thailand Mom and I went on a whole-day city tour of Bangkok. The first part involved the half-day temple tour that came with the package I won. We went to two: Wat Traimit and Wat Pho. Wat Traimit houses the Golden Buddha, which has a rather interesting history. The image was built around the 13th century and sometime later was then cast in plaster to protect it from thieves. When the image was being moved to its present destination, portions of the plaster gave away and revealed a beautiful gold figure inside. Wat Pho, meanwhile, houses one of the largest reclining Buddhas in the world. It's as amazing as I remember it to be, when I first visited the temple complex over a year ago. (All that gold!) The latter part of the day was spent combing through six malls. Don't ask how much that dented my pockets. http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/246/Bangkok_Lovin_Wat_Traimit_Wat_Pho_and_a_Whole_Slew_of_Malls Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:00:08 -0000 Back in Bangkok: First Day, First Rally! June 6, 2008 Bangkok, Thailand Not much action and sights in this album, since I had to do some work-related stuff first. The most interesting part about this day was that there was a political demonstration going on near the United Nations building, so the area had to be barricaded (but believe me, these things appear to be infinitely more peaceful than the rallies in Manila). The number of street food vendors also appears to be directly proportional to the number of demonstrators. (We stayed at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel and got upgraded to a Junior Suite. Oh http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/245/Back_in_Bangkok_First_Day_First_Rally Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:32:28 -0000 Pass the RE Bill. Save the World. (Yes, Rina, the title is in reference to your favorite show, which, unfortunately, I have not gotten around to watching yet.) Towards the end of 2007, I wrote <a href="http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/137/Remind_me_again_why_I_love_my_job.">a post that reminded me of why I loved my (former) job</a>. One of the things that I loved about my past life was that it allowed me to do something that has meaning --- one that would help others, one that could change this society. Lofty as those sound, it still rings true for anyone who wants to see real change and for anyone who helps contribute to actual change. I write it as if it's an easy feat to accomplish --- it sure hell isn't. Change-makers always have to have dogged determination and bucketloads of patience. Take for example the Renewable Energy Bill. It has been pending in Congress for nearly 19 years now, and still, it continues to be in danger of being lost in the shuffle of congressional investigations and the sheer backlog of other priority bills (and still we keep singing along to Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come... http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/190/Pass_the_RE_Bill._Save_the_World. Wed, 4 Jun 2008 12:19:02 -0000 Sex and the City: The Movie "After years of living in the city, I assumed that if my friends and I ever got our fairy tale endings that would be the end of the story. But real life -- always has a twist." -Carrie Bradshaw That perhaps best captures what Sex and the City: The Movie is all about. It picks up where the series ended in 2004, when Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha seemingly got their fairy tale endings. Of course, if it was all about fairy tale endings, then we wouldn't have an emotional rollercoaster of a movie. I honestly thought that the movie was an extension of the series, quite like watching five episodes straight... and more. The movie makes us laugh louder, gush at men who give the perfect walk-in closets, tear up more at the heartbreaks, and smile wider at the semblance of fairy tale endings. (To top it all off, the fashion in the movie is quite a visual feast. My favorites have got to be Carrie's Vogue photo shoot and the shoes! The pictures would just have to speak for themselves.) <a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/?action=view&current=sex-and-the-city-the-new-girls.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/sex-and-the-city-the-new-girls.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0"></a> <a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/?action=view&current=sex-and-the-city-the-movie-20071023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/sex-and-the-city-the-movie-20071023.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0"></a> <a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/?action=view&current=large_sexandthecity.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/large_sexandthecity.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0"></a> <a href="http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/?action=view&current=full_60496.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/swikey02/full_60496.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0"></a> Wh... http://swikey.multiply.com/journal/item/189/Sex_and_the_City_The_Movie Sun, 1 Jun 2008 08:00:02 -0000 The Stuff of Awesome May 24, 2008 I stitched together a few video clips I took during the World Pyrolympics show last http://swikey.multiply.com/video/item/53/The_Stuff_of_Awesome Wed, 28 May 2008 00:41:35 -0000 Fireworks by the Bay May 24, 2008 Gram's Diner, SM Mall of Asia Caught the last weekend of the World Pyrolympics. Awesome stuff. We'd be like the kids staring straight to the sky, with jaws hanging wide open. (LA, I keep trying to upload our pictures, but every time I try to upload that particular set, the uploader just acts up... and I have no earthly explanation for such http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/243/Fireworks_by_the_Bay Sat, 24 May 2008 16:09:04 -0000 The Cu Chi Tunnels and City Snapshots of HCMC May 19, 2008 Cu Chi and HCMC, Vietnam The Cu Chi Tunnels are the famous underground networks that the Viet Cong built that served as refuge and headquarters during the Vietnam War (or American War as it's called in Vietnam). What used to be a field of blood has now been turned into a tourist attraction in the area. It's a good idea though to read up on your history of the war first, since facts have been mixed with propaganda when you visit the place (it just goes to show how history is largely subjective, and not as objective as we thought it to be). I also tried making my way into the a portion of the tunnels. Definitely not for the claustrophobic http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/241/The_Cu_Chi_Tunnels_and_City_Snapshots_of_HCMC Tue, 20 May 2008 06:46:50 -0000 Mekong River Cruise May 18, 2008 Along the Mekong River, Vietnam (with stops in the cities of My Tho and Ben Tre) History books cannot repeat it enough that the Mekong River is one of the most important bodies of water for the peoples of Indochina. It originates from Tibet and flows along the countries of Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and 50 million people benefit from the river. We took a cruise along the mighty river's brown waters, via motorboat and paddle boat, giving us a glimpse of the simple life in the country side (fruit parties, anyone?). Things definitely got exciting when the rain began to pour as we were on the last two stops of the cruise. Now talk about cruising in the rain! (Getting raincoats worth 6,000 VND was a good idea. We were soaked to the bone with the heavy rains and the splashes from the fishy-smelling Mekong http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/240/Mekong_River_Cruise Tue, 20 May 2008 06:19:56 -0000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam May 17, 2008 Out and about Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam My first day at HCMC (don't you think the city's old name, Saigon, sounds more elegant?) was spent walking around at the city center (District 1), visiting some places of interest and eating around. The highlight of the day was visiting the Reunification Palace, which is also known as "Independence Palace." It was where South Vietnam's presidents resided prior to the fall of South Vietnam to North Vietnam (Have you seen Miss Saigon? It's the backdrop). I love how they were able to retain much of the 1960's mod feel in the place. Walking along the streets of HCMC is quite a treat---never mind the heat of the sun. Much of the city's buildings retained their old world, French colonial charm, and it's unlike anything you've seen in any other big Asian city. Don't get too swept away by the charms though, since crossing the streets is quite tricky! Other than the sights, the best thing about HCMC is the food. There are so many... http://swikey.multiply.com/photos/album/239/Ho_Chi_Minh_City_Vietnam Tue, 20 May 2008 05:41:01 -0000