Reminders

It's been a looooong time since I wrote something here in my blog. Just that for the last couple of months I had been too busy with a lot of things. Not that I am complaining; we all know getting busy is the best cure to a single heart. But because I was suddenly flooded with chores and there were just too many events I could not say no to (thus most times I would just end up in bed as soon as I arrive home), I have unfortunately neglected writing altogether. In fact even my non-digital diary is suffering from blank pages so I guess I'll have to find a way to spend time alone to rethink the recent past and to put them on paper.

Just why the obsession to accumulate records, you might ask. This is actually a project I have taken, a personal project supposedly, but which I don't mind sharing with strangers on the net. The reason being there is a huge chance that I'll end up a single woman and I hope that if that happens I can look back and see what I've done here on earth. It's just to somehow cushion the harsh blows of reality and see in my old age that at the very least, I tried to live a fruitful life despite the immanent chaos and the lack of meaning. It's a record of struggles and happy times, of different experiences which helped make life bearable, which somehow pushes me to live again tomorrow, and the day after....

In short, this blog is a reminder of things done and of things yet to be done.

For instance, some of the things I should have written about are:
1. My first ever time to join a group of strangers in a trek to a waterfalls in Laguna. At first, I was scared alright but before the day ended, I felt as if I have known some of them for a long time already.

2. My trip to HK where I got to hang out with my cousins whom I haven't seen for soooo long. I think it's been almost 20 years! And I got to know our other relatives there. Big plus includes getting to hike twice in that place known for shopping and Disneyland. And how can I forget the four museums that I visited??? Never mind the fact that my itinerary was ruined because of visits to relatives but oh well, we never see each other that often. I just wished I was able to prepare something really uniquely Filipino like for example cloth from Ilocos and the like as gifts for them.

View of Hong Kong from the Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsui

3. Chino's violin recital last month where I was left utterly impressed. There just is something in him now that is sooo attractive. Well it helps that he decided to do away with the moustache hehe. I also discovered that he's soft-spoken. (I wonder if he'll be annoyed at me if he were to know me better since I'm too boyish and too well, too unladylike, in a word.)

4. The books I have finished reading but which I did not have time to write reviews. Oh well, it's not as if I was able to read many books these days given my ultra hectic schedule.

5. The conference I attended last month where I presented my paper. On second thought I might not write about it since there really wasn't much to say except that I was extra happy to have received free books for being a presentor. The books are in Filipino and are composed of essays on Philippine literature. Welcome addition to my already gigantic book collection. (reminder to suggest to the parents that I NEED big bookshelves in our room. I hope the sisters do not mind.)

6. The advanced Christmas wishlist. Doesn't matter if year after year I do not get the things I truly wish for but what the heck, making one is fun JUST BECAUSE. (never mind that nobody reads it or takes note of it. LOL!)

So there. Backlogs again so I'm not writing about my recent food trips except of course Ganeeza in Fisher Mall since I think I knew what 'love at first sight'... I mean, BITE. I now know where I can find some comfort when depression kicks in. And oh yeah, I prefer to shop there than say SM. SM is just too damn crowded I'm always eager to get out the moment I enter.

So anyway, this post just ended up with a few reminders (or things my readers can expect in the days to come).

Note: I can't believe I just blogged using my tablet. Maybe I ought to do this more often so I can blog anytime anywhere.

MUNI Biyaheng Lokal Quiz Night 04112014

In my student days, I was an avid fan of quizbees. It all started in grade school when I was suddenly selected to participate in Battle of the Brains and after winning we were rewarded with a cash prize. It opened me to the idea of winning money through general trivia and putting to good use my knowledge of many facts gained from reading the encyclopedia and fiction.

Last night was the first time in many years that I joined again a quizbee. This time, it's all about travel since I've taken up the hobby two years ago after quitting school and gaining a full time job. Since I travel to know more about the culture, history, and the health of environment of the places I visit and since I also consider myself an environmentalist, I wanted to take this opportunity to get to know like-minded people who care about social enterprise, free trade, responsible travel, and sustainable tourism. Another goal is to win awesome prizes, too, since according to their Facebook fan page, tour package prizes are also up for grabs. Now this is perfect since I'm itching to travel soon but my financial situation hasn't improved yet.

And I'm more than happy to have attended the event last night. Never mind that the venue was in Katipunan (friends know I hate going there because it's hard to commute), all I thought about was perhaps there's something I could learn by just being there. Indeed, I discovered there are very active groups out there which have been on the move to make this country a better place. I was like, WOW! More than inspired, I'm dared to move!

see that? My name tag says "A1"... coz I was the very first one to arrive at the scene (I was that excited!)

The event was not possible without the following generous sponsors:
Route +63
Trail adventours
TriboCo. Kultura Kamp
Brownman Surf
Culture Shock PH
Lagu
Gouache
TALA LUNA
Moonleaf Tea Shop
RuMe Philippines
Kawil Tours (The Culion-Coron Palawan Expeditions)
Brown Belly
Jertie's Kitchen and Brown Sugar Pastries

But of course, thanks to MUNI PH for organizing this wonderful event. Hoping for more to come.

07232012: Día del Español

This is another late post about the Día del Español, an annual event celebrating the Spanish language as one of the widely used languages of the world with approximately 500 million speakers. In addition, the event hopes to promote Spanish culture through live music, food, and games.

This year, said event was held in Shangrila Mall in Mandaluyong City last June 23. Yours truly participated in the event and got four awesome books as prizes. How cool is that???

"Bum"

So I have been out of job for a little over a month now and I have been job-hunting ever since I left the city to join archaeological excavations last April. Sometimes I feel that doing so has been one of the worst decisions I have made in my life. Or rather, my having enrolled in the discipline.

Being more of the optimistic type who prefers to see the good rather than the bad, I took time to reflect on what I had gotten out of archaeology. For one, I do know that I have levelled up in terms of dealing with people. I became more understanding, tolerant, and patient especially when dealing with self-centered, egoistic, selfish, manipulative--- difficult people in short. Second, I was introduced to many theories which do not cease to fascinate me as I see more of their applications not limited to the study of archaeology. Third, I found new reasons to love myself and the importance of saying NO most especially to people who deserve it. In short I have grown wiser, more confident, more thoughtful, and more responsible.

I almost gave in to depression after listening to my family talk about archaeology being a useless course because I myself see it even before that one cannot make a lucrative career out of it Though the stubborn rebel inside of me was of so idealistic and passionate about learning and finding answers to questions that bothered her since her childhood days. Yes I knew that money is hard to come by in the discipline, and that creating a niche for one's self is doubly difficult as it requires various experiences and of course, a thoroughly diligent effort to be expended unto research, excavations, and publications. And now that I am having a great difficulty in finding a job, I can hear them tell me in my head, "We told you so!"

Photo Credit: wizardswardrobe.blogly.net

Then again, I really shouldn't blame it on my choice of course, but rather to my highly idealistic view of everything. I just couldn't settle for less. I wanted to have a job that has it all--- great benefits, great people, a progressive learning opportunity, great working environment, the likes. Don't get me wrong. I do not ask for huge monetary benefits. It's just that I want just enough salary to cover my everyday living expenses AND something that will allow me to save a lot for future use, i.e. travels. The most important thing is that I land a job where I get to be introduced to new things as this will keep me challenged and therefore happy.

As of the present, I am having no luck in finding a job. Maybe I am too idealistic. Then again from the many interviews I have been to, I have realized I should get myself grounded to reality. It feels like I have flying on the realms of fantasy for too long and it's bad. I admit I hate going to malls nowadays because there's just a lot of things that I want to buy and yet I have to scrimp and save at the moment due to  my unemployed status. For instance, everytime I walk into a bookstore and see a really cool book with a hefty price tag, I just can't help but feel depressed. If only I had an income...


Then again, at least I have time (well, too much time actually) to go to events and do things I like. For example, I was able to watch two films during the French Film Festival in Shangrila Mall this month. I was also able to visit museums and exhibit galleries. I was able to attend El dia de espanol, an event I have yet to experience before. I have picked up some of my books and have begun reading my own books again instead of having them collect dust. I have turned to my DVD collection when in need of cinematographic inspiration. I also resumed my Japanese Language self-study program and am rekindling a passion for their beautiful script combined with kanji characters. Most days I just stay at home to read, watch films, and study.

Then again, I don't consider myself a bum. Having graduated from college with honors, I expect myself to be at least sensible. Since I stay at home most of the time, I help wash clothes, clean the room, wash dishes, cook, and do other house chores. Sometimes I go to our office and help my mom do some office work. The idea is to be of help to whomever needs it since I practically have the time and the means to do so anyway, instead of just staring at the computer monitor for hours trying to find a decent job on Jobstreet. And I must say that I am duly rewarded for my efforts. I have levelled up a lot in cooking. Let it be known that I rarely cook because I am a disaster in the kitchen. But since I don't want to feel like a useless bum at home, I would volunteer to cook and to show them that hey, this girl is no longer afraid to saute garlic and onions. The best times are when they tell me I did a good job and of course, them knowing that I can be relied upon when it comes to preparing food. Being appreciated is a reward in itself.

Lani Maestro at the Met Museum

June 23, 2012 - 3:00pm

Venue: Tall Gallery IV

Lani Maestro (Canadian, b in Manila, Philippines, 1957)

Lani Maestro’s art works have consistently pursued links between the concerns of Minimalist art and philosophic traditions associated with silence, emptiness or absence. She received a BFA from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in 1977 and pursued graduate studies in Fine Arts at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Canada in 1988.

Maestro’s recent exhibitions include site-specific projects in Canada; her rain at Centre A, Vancouver International Center for Contemporary Asian Art, Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, and The Forgetting of Air at the Darling Foundry in Montreal, Canada (2010-2011). Her work has been shown internationally and has been represented in the 9thSharjah Biennale (2009), Tempo au tempo at the MARCO, Vigo, Spain (2007) Shanghai Biennial in China (2000), 11th Biennale of Sydney, Australia (1998), 5th International Istanbul Biennial, Turkey (1997), Asia Pacific Triennial in Brisbane, Australia (1997) and Crossings at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa (1998).

Maestro’s expanded art practice also includes engagement in art publishing, teaching and running an exhibition space in Montreal. In 1990, she began a collaborative project with artist-writer Stephen Horne and together, they founded Harbour Magazine of Art and Everyday Life, a journal of artworks and writings by artists, critics and theorists. This project expanded intoGalerie Burning, an itinerant exhibition space in Montreal and later initiated Burning Editions, which continues to publish artist’s books. For ten years, she conducted graduate seminars in the MFA program at Concordia University in Montreal and taught studio courses at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax and The University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada.

Lani Maestro has been a recipient of numerous art awards including the CCP Thirteen Awards in 1977 and the SegundaBienaldela Habana Prize in Cuba in 1985. She lives and works in France and Canada.

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This is a repost from www.metmuseum.ph.