Back from vacation

To celebrate our third year wedding anniversary, the husband and I went on a short vacation. We spent four marvelous days in Bohol. It was our first time to see the scenic chocolate hills and the hypnotic eyes of a tarsier. It was during the countryside tour that the husband confessed that since he’d learned about chocolate hills in grade school, he longed to see it. At such a young mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought he could take a bite out of it, seeing as how he loves chocolates.

We spent half a day at the Panglao Island Nature Resort and vowed we’d visit it again soon. The clear blue ocean and the white sand was exquisite. The husband and I were so enthralled by the beauty of the beach that we almost didn’t notice our skin baking in the sun. Sure, we ended up with our backs slightly sunburnt but it was a small price to pay for a wonderful experience.

On our trip back to Cebu, I couldn’t help but notice just how clear the waters were even at the pier. I had the strong urge to stop and take pictures but my SLR was already safely packed in my bag. Besides, I had a nagging feeling that the people lined up behind me would be mad if I were I held them up any longer than was needed. So, I just took out my trusty 2-megapixel cellphone cam instead and took this itty-bitty photo. Too bad I can’t enlarge this one, though.

In any case, that’s not the last Bohol has seen of me and the husband. I’m pretty sure we’ll be back there soon, seeing as how easy it was going there and getting around. Hopefully, the waters will stay clear, the sand untarnished and the people as warm as ever.

Hottie in the City

Where were you when I was single? Answer? Probably minding your own hot self withouth even knowing I exist.

Akihiro Sato, a half-Brazilian, half-Japanese, half-hunk, major hottie who’s trying to make his way into showbiz. He’s appeared in numerous TV commercials and soon to become a TV host. He has yet to learn the national language: Tagalog. Which is probably why he appeals to so many women. (Teehee!)

Here’s another guy the girls will be wringing their undies for. =P

*Photo courtesy of Philstar.com and Yahoo! news

Of boredom and black-outs

I was perusing through blogs the other day and happened to come upon G___’s site. I knew him from when I was still laboring in school, carrying heavy books and making my butt mark in the library sometime not too long ago. G was one of my classmates who, until now, refuses to come out of the closet despite his flagrant actions. But that’s not really the reason why I’m ranting here.

Anyway, so I was looking around his site and realized he’d been bitten by the photography bug. While didn’t mention he’s using a DSLR, I could only assume he was when he used the words “looking like a pro” in describing his photography escapade. I looked at his photos and… I suppose they look alright to me. Of course, compared to the other photos in flickr, I’m sure he’d be the first to admit his aren’t really that much up to par. Neither are mine, anyway.

I realized then that I had been neglecting my beloved (and still unpaid) Canon DSLR. I had just bought it last year when I thought I had fallen head over heels in love with photography. It’s so expensive, it almost cost me my husband — good thing he’s understanding. I mean, after all, I don’t get to spend that much in this sleepy town. I’m justified, right? (not really.)

It so happened that last night, there was a black out. It was only for several minutes. Since there was nothing else to do, I whipped out my Canon and started shooting at the candle that was keeping me company in the dark.

Here’s one that came out good.

Wanting. Dreaming. Needing.

For last month or so, I’ve suddenly found myself obsessing about this DSLR. I first saw it at the mall. They were selling Nikon D40 for PhP 35,500.00 or so. Since then I’ve had that camera stuck in my head. I’ve been thinking of it day and night. I’ve downloaded the brochure and read everything about it. All signs point to “Buy the damn thing!” But to this day, I still haven’t got the courage.

Maybe it’s because of the thought that I still have a good working digital camera. It’s a 5MP Sony DSC-P100. I mean, it is my very first cam. Plus, its casing is colored red, one of my favorite colors. I suppose I feel like I’m betraying it by buying another cam.

And then there’s the fact that great photography rests not on the camera but on who’s taking the shots. Although I have yet to produce spectacular shots, I could say that my photos aren’t that bad. I’ve been raking in a modest amount of comments in my flickr site. It could only mean that by buying another camera, it won’t affect my performance unless I change. I mean, the change should come from me instead of the camera.

Of course, the fact that my husband would still have to approve it shouldn’t be discounted. After all, it’s not just my money I’m spending. Legally speaking, everything I earn is divided between the two of us. And even though our current savings divided by two could still afford that precious DSLR, it would be in good taste to consider my husband’s opinion first. And on this matter, he has clearly manifested that we have other things to prioritize. I guess, in layman’s language, that means that the damn cam is much too pricey. I could disregard him and buy it anyway. I mean, half of our money is mine. But who wants to live with a disgruntled man who wouldn’t talk to you for a couple of months? It wouldn’t have mattered if we were living separately. But that, unfortunately, is not the case. (hehe)

Despite, however, the obvious reasons why I should not want the Nikon D40, I am still in the fervent throes of desire. I suppose it doesn’t help that I keep looking at it in the net and thinking of all the nice shots I could take. Every once in a while, I am seized by the urge to drive to the mall and buy that lone stock of DSLR just to pacify my soul and just run away. That would be convenient, except I think my husband would have the authorities running after me. Plus the fact that the camera would probably suck at cuddling during the night. So I guess that’s another reason why I shouldn’t be run by impulse. God put our heads on top of our bodies for a reason: so that it could run our bodies. That is why I’m struggling to stay logical. “You don’t need another camera.” I keep telling myself that. In time, I hope I’ll start believing it.

Unless, the Nikon D40 suddenly comes in a red body. I’d probably go mad by then.

I dream in color…

If dreams were signs of things that you desire, then I must be in trouble. Last night, I dreamed of having a quite expensive DSLR camera, which I then broke after an hour due to over-use. Just my luck!

I guess I should blame all those magazines I’ve bought but I can’t help it. Photography is something I’m really interested in – although I’m not sure I’m very good at it. Although I’m sure that with the right tutorial, seminars, books, etc. and a lot of patience and practice, I might get somewhere. For now, however, I have to content myself with my Sony DSC-P100 (the first ever camera which I bought) and all the stuff I can read on the internet. I don’t really want to be a world renowned photographer. I just want to be somebody who can take really good pictures that I can proudly display.

I’ve got art in me, I know it!