Day 149 Sept. 04, 2012

Global Innovative College:

The building in the picture is where Global Innovative College is, and the reason why I'm taking it's picture and talking about it? Simple... looks like I'll be teaching a subject in the premises - at least, for the remainder of the Semester.

Here's how it happened. With my Red Cross training winding down, a friend called me to say he talked to his sister-in-law, who was apparently and suddenly in need of an instructor, so he asked me if I was interested. Being that this was just a Saturday afternoon schedule,  I said 'sure'. Well one call let to another, and here I am today, about to 'talk' to people in Admin about possibly teaching here. To think I did not like teaching because of all the perceived paper-work. But... a class of 4th year students is in trouble, so if I'm willing and able to help, I shall.

Day 148 Sept. 03, 2012

Bo's Big Breakfast!

I've been frequenting this place (Bo's Coffee in Newport City) these days - specially when I feel the need to wait for Barbie while at work (and when I'm free of work, that is). So normally, I would notice changes in the menu.

Well after not having gone here a week (or two), this new menu greets me - apparently, this is their version of a big breakfast, and though it is a bit pricey (I could have gotten cheaper had I chosen just one meat item in conjunction with their scrambled eggs), I found it hard to decide which viand I would like to try... so I opted for their Big version (which basically means 'all items in the menu selection included'. That way, I'd try them all and know which to take next time.

Naturally, I enjoyed this so much I just might make this my staple breakfast, should I return here once again at times closer to Christmas.

Day 147 Sept. 02, 2012

Cinnamon sticks!

Cinnabon is known for their very rich Cinnamon rolls with varying flavors. At times, these rolls can be overwhelming with their richness, and their sweetness, that it becomes easily unappealing to one who doesn't enjoy the sweetness - or richness, for that matter.

I may fall into the sensitivity to too much sweetness - so I don't always jump in to buy these rolls. Lucky for me, there are less rich and sweet options just like these cinnamon sticks. My only concern here is it's still a bit sugary, but the taste is not loathsome to me (note: I use that term to describe 'suya' - of which I am at a loss as to what the English language counterpart is, and this is what my Google search came up with - though I know it does not hit the feeling on the dot). They're not really loathsome - as I do not loath them... just not fond of them after a few bites - possibly losing the enjoyment because the taste can be tiring.

Day 146 Sept. 01, 2012

Wine drinker's delight:

When imbibing red wine, it behooves us (meaning Barbie and I) to share this experience with some pepper salami, aged cheese, and green grapes.

In this particular case, we're drinking a bottle of Merlot (by Tall Horse, a South African vintage). Naturally, in situations like this, the pepperoni, cheese and grapes prove to be a counter to the wine's tangy taste. Needless to say, I enjoyed the food (perhaps a little too much) and ended up not stopping until I nearly finished them all.

Day 145 Aug 31, 2012

Red Velvet:

This is the second time I'm trying Sebastian's ice cream, and this time, Bryce is with Barbie and me - to try out this ice cream. Bryce's choice? The red velvet.

When I asked Bryce how the ice cream tasted, he said that it does taste just like the Red Velvet cake. So chalk one more thing up to Sebastian's for being able to replicate the cake - though in ice cream format.

Meanwhile, I'm stoked to trying other flavors - and it was at this time that I tried the cheese cake flavor. I have to say, that just like the experience of Bryce with the Red Velvet - the Blueberry Cheesecake was a fine semblance of said cheesecake's taste... including the crust!

If only Sebastian's were a whole lot cheaper... after all, with it's ability to simulate certain non-ice cream tastes, this could really be quite a famous brand - well, technically it is a famous brand, but it's price makes it relatively a product targeting the upper class consumers. Oh well... I guess the fact that we can't enjoy it on a daily basis, makes the product keep it's mystery.  

Day 144 Aug 30, 2012

Bernice:

Yes, this can be considered a stolen shot. Others might say it is a candid shot. Either way, it shows Bernice in a pose that is not exactly in a posing moment.

You see, she just arrived from a cheering practice, and proceeded to check her various Social Network accounts - presumably to see if there were new entries by friends... some of which she last saw in said cheering practice.

Why she pulled the rim of her shirt to her lips it something of a mystery - but it does add to the fact that this was most likely an unplanned pose.

Day 143 Aug 29, 2012

Lucky charm:

As part of Chinese Feng Shui, my astrological sign (at least, for this year) was tasked to wear this charm / protection. So, in the infinite wisdom of heeding the Geomancer's advice (from the aspect of 'better to play it safe'), I got this key chain with the protection badge.

Instructions are to always have it on me whenever I leave - it may not stop bullets - but at least it is supposed to be a protection against negative vibes from others. That said, I do wear it - or keep it near me as much as possible. After all, why tempt the fates? Yes, it may run counter to other beliefs or even religion, but like I  would say... better safe than sorry - it's a motto I live by.

Day 142 Aug 28, 2012

Leader's Window class:

It's been a while since I've conducted this... more so with Jingo as a partner - though to tell the truth, our partnership is hardly felt due to the set up of him taking the first half and me taking the second half.

This is a nice set-up, mind you... and I'm not really complaining, as it allows one facilitator to focus on other stuff (sometimes, out of boredom) while the other is focusing on the class - but... I do miss the more natural collaboration that a two-facilitator set-up affords. In fact, the last memorable time I recall doing such a set up is with Naira (which means way back in the Primary Edge days - of course, I could be wrong). Yeah... these days, we still have partners - but the training gets split in half as opposed to divided per module. So the collaboration is less visible.

Day 141 Aug 27, 2012

Bubbles:

Been a while since I've featured Bubbles - most probably because I was looking for a different angle when taking a shot.

Well, here's one that is different. I got this as Bubbles was stretching; hence the uplifted snout and the almost haughty look of this otherwise very docile and even tempered pet.

I just wish there was a way to remove the green eye glare - which is the counterpart to human beings having the red eye glare. I guess that means catching Bubbles in a similar pose - but using an indirect flash. Yeah... I basically know what to do - and I do have the flash to do what I want. It's just a matter of really setting things up for this kind of shot. But really, I'm more a spontaneous photographer (another way of saying "I'm too lazy to set the shot up properly". Ah well... I'm sure the proper opportunity will come.

Day 140 Aug 26, 2012

Suman:

This is a native delight. It's made of sticky rice, usually cooked in it's wrapper - which gives it a bit of taste. Most people can eat it as is... though some prefer adding a little sugar to sweeten the taste.

It's usually a staple for mid-day snacks, but can equally be served cooked (fried a bit or re-steamed) for breakfast. This little snack is usually sold in Antipolo, though these days, anyone who knows how to cook it up can do so, thus we don't really need to travel to Antipolo to buy them - in fact, this particular food is normally sold outside of the Mary the Queen parish. I buy them once in a while for breakfast the next day.