A Comic Strip

For the longest time I have been wanting to make a comic strip, but I always end up doing nothing. I don't even know the elements of comics. Hence, when my friends told me to try my luck on a Bible comic, I hesitated.

Still, I have long resolved to be a "yes girl" and not to be someone full of excuses, so I tried. Well, I'm really not expecting much. I just did it to prove to myself that I can also draw for comics (hopefully not the first and last).

Here's my drawing. (I was told to make an anime/manga version of a comic strip, so I did.) Hope you like it.

page to be drawn

My version. I hope it looks legit enough. :]

How to go to Eastwood from Taguig - Makati - Pasig

Going to Eastwood is not really that hard if you happen to live in Makati and Taguig area near or along C-5. City link buses offer rides from NewPort City Taguig to Eastwood and vice versa via Mc Kinley Hill-C5.

They do have certain stops and scheduled time so you have to be careful estimating the time. Here are some of the stop overs: Blueboz - Market market - Buting  in  Makati-Taguig Area. They also pass along Pasig but I'm not sure of the names since I'm not a Pasigueña. I'm just pretty sure they have a stop at SM Center Pasig and Vargas.

City link buses have schedule trip every 30 minutes. It takes about 10 minutes from the terminal to Blueboz (Makati-Taguig), so just do the Math on when you should expect it. Let me just say that it's better to be early than sorry, right? Expect a fare of P21.00 up depending on your location.

Arriving to Eastwood, the bus has a drop off area at the Citibank, and then they will travel round to the terminal at Orchard road.

Here's a copy of the bus schedule, hope this helps.

BGC Arts

Bonifacio Global City (BGC) never fails to amuse the public with their arts. They have themed parks which caters different concepts every year. In fact, all throughout the BGC one can find art.

When I see this tarp, I often wonder what they have this year, as I can't really find the arts, apart from the ones in the parks.

Love art? Then explore BGC.

Lucky me, I chanced upon two of them while having a walk.

I love this. These flowers are not just decorations, they spin in the wind too!

Wacom pen and touch CTH-470

I finally got a drawing tablet! Yey!

After a long battle with my mind as to what brand to choose and what model to buy, I finally settled with a Wacom Bamboo.

Why I chose this tablet:
First off, it's established. Wacom, by far is the most reliable brand when it comes to graphic tablets.
I actually wanted to give Genius a try, given that its price is more affordable. Imagine you can buy two genius worth of tablets, with the price of one wacom. (The level entry, that is.)

What's inside?

This is it! The tablet, pen with eraser,the drivers, and usb cable 4 extra nibs and a nib remover.

The Tablet and Pen
This is a pen and touch tablet, so basically, you can also use this as an alternative to mouse, while you are drawing.

See those white marks? That's the margin for the active area. You can only draw within those marks. The space within these marks represent exactly your monitor. When I first used it, it was confusing, but you'll get used to it.

This tablet has four hot keys. You can also adjust them. How I love the brilliant idea of the creases in those hot keys!

The pen has a built-in eraser, and also has two shortcut keys within the pen's body. You can adjust them too. Here's what I just noticed though, the luster of the eraser's body gets scratched as you erase it. So for me, I actually opted not to use it. Instead, I assigned the eraser to one of the shortcut keys. [I just don't want my pen to look old and scratched. :P  ]

Did I mention that this tablet is wifi ready? There's an allotted compartment for wifi and battery, it's sold separately though.

Oh la la!
Wacom bamboo eraser and pressure sensitivity doesn't work
The first time I used the eraser, it was a horror that the eraser not working. I thought it was supposed to be by default, but it doesn't work in SAI or Adobe photoshop.

Wacom pen and touch is made to be pressure sensitive. It's the function that makes a line thicker or thinner depending on how much pressure you apply to the tablet using the pen. It should function by default.

The first time I tried my pen, I totally forgot about the pressure thing. The next time I tried it, again, it's not working, and I was in panicky mode again.

The solution for the drawing tablet's pressure sensitivity  and eraser to work: pressing the CTRL,ALT,SHIFT altogether while the application is starting. It will reset your application's settings. It should make the eraser and pressure sensitivity work. If not, then you have another problem.

FREE SAI DOWNLOAD
Easy paint tool SAI is just like Adobe Photoshop, but as the name says, it's easy. With layman's terms and uncluttered interface, it's a very helpful tools for novice, and professionals too.

Now, most of the people who use graphic tablets use this program. So, my dilemma was where to download SAI free? (Sorry I don't have lots of bucks to shell out for the original:[ ) Anyway, I found it at last. If you just keep on looking, you'll eventually find something.

So I'm sharing this very helpful site I found.
Be sure to check the 'description'. ;)

I have tried it and it worked for me. I hope it will for you too.

I've just started planting

I have been greatly fascinated by the beauty of flowers. They are simply elegant. They are not like the grand trees that are so noticeable, yet, even in their simple little form, they present their own beauty.

And so, one of my all-time dream is to have my own flower garden. The problem is... I hate soil. Ok, not really the soil but the slimy creatures that creeps in it- the wormies. Arrrhhhggg!

 Actually, I can buy some flower plant and just take care of them, but another wish that I have is to really witness a seed grow into a plant, and then bloom, all under my care. I just don't know when it will happen. I like plants ok, but I don't like the dirty work. :P

THE START
So, just to be mature enough to really shake that phobia off, and to finally start this project, I made it a point to buy some seeds, soil, and other things needed for planting. I've been putting this off for over a year, and I know that I have to break the habit of putting things off, so I started it with this planting project.

This Monday, I was finally able to plant the snapdragon seeds I bought.

THE WAIT
Today is Friday, five days have passed since the planting. And five days have passed since my wait, to see tiny little leaves, but there's none. Ok, I'm exaggerating, I'm not really waiting, according to my research it takes about 2 weeks for the seeds to germinate, so I'm not reallyexpecting something this early.

But you know, everyday of watering the plant, and seeing nothing gives me an unpleasant feeling. It's like the feeling when you're not sure whether your effort will be worth it, whether you'll really see something grow from those dot-sized seeds. Sometimes I feel like I'm putting something into nothing.

So, it strikes me, that farmers and gardeners must be really patient people. Imagine how long they care and wait, to see the seed develop from a tiny grain into some plant, vegetable or flower.

They must be faithful too. I think it takes a lot of faith to believe in something that you can't see. Yes you can see the seed when you plant it, but the process that transforms that lifeless grain into a new life is invisible. You water the seed and does everything you need to do with it, but it takes faith too,the belief that your efforts and preparations will result in something- something that you've been hoping to see.

SO NOW...
So now I'm still on the process of waiting. I don't want to fret or anything if they would come sprouting or not. I guess, the only thing for me to do now is do my part, care for it and patiently wait.

Places in Baguio City

There are a lot of things to go to and visit in Baguio, but we didn't have all the time in the world. These are just some of the other places we visited.

Bell house
This is big, I wonder how it must have felt to really live here... and thought about the occupants. Anyway, I really love the flowers in their amphitheater.

The bell house

The bell house library

I so love their ampitheater lined with flowers!

Hi there morning glory!

I rarely see a white santan, this is sweet!

The cemetery of negativism

Well, the title of the tombs were creative enough, I enjoyed looking around. This place is small though, you can see it 360 depending on how fast you read.

Boss, y s dat? (Taken by ybeth)

Mt. Cloud

This bookstore has a homey ambiance, like it's a personal library and you can just sit there, grab a coffee and enjoy your favorite book.

With this second floor, this is really a cutesy little bookstore! (Taken by Rozan)

The mansion

So this is where the president of the Philippines stay in his/her vacation in Baguio City. What I can say is, the gates where grand and elegant; the lawn was wide; but I can't quite remember if the mansion was beautiful or what, because it's far, and all I remember where the words 'THE MANSION' in front of it, plus we had photo galore. ^^"

Grand! (Taken by Chris)

Mine's View Park

This is a steep one. You'll go through a spiral staircase. Since I'm acrophobic, I really didn't dare go through the farthest part and look down. @_@ And I don't have many pics of this place...

Because I love flowers, I took this while going down the stairs.

Visco's Strawberry shortcake

We had this for dessert on Sunday. This is the first time I ever see lots of strawberries on top. Well, we're in Baguio, what would I expect. The cake is delicious. The icing is not so sweet, the chiffon is soft and with more strawberry surprises inside! I'd love to have that again.^^

An anime cake come to life!~

See these layers, so yummy!

Tam-awan village in Baguio City

According to the place Tam-awan is a garden in the sky. I really didn't know what to expect here.

Upon paying the entrance fee of P50.00, we were given a map of the path we should take. We started following it, in the map there were sketches of Nipa hut, and names of places and people. So we started following the path.

mga anito... or mga wind chimes...

Looking good...

We were looking for the dreamcatcher on the map. We went up, down, further up... wherever that narrow path uphill leads, little did I know that we were still so far from the top.

Overlooking while hiking...

 I don't know how many turns it took us, or how far or near we were to the top, but we stopped, because one of my friends said she went to Baguio to have a break from mountain climbing, why is she doing it then? I think she has a point.

They stopped there, my bud and I went just one more curve higher.

I think going down is a bit more dangerous at some point. Some of the soil were eroded and you have a good chance of slipping. Some of the wood bridges were either broken or deteriorated, you can't trust them completely. Anyway, it was a good try, and my first ever hiking trip. ;]

My sun glow shot at Tam-awan

After that tedious hike, we went to their restaurant to refresh. Since we just had lunch at 50's diner, we were still full,we just ordered soft drink and french fries.

Look at the art in that sauce, cute ne! (Taken by Chris M.)

what a cozy place!

The restaurant is mosty is walled with paintings of their local artists, (but I don't have pics since there was a notice not to take picture) and they have real flowers on each table's vases. Cool! 

50's Diner in Baguio City

On the second day in Baguio we ate lunch here, which was a good thing. Why? We didn't get the memo that the food served there is american sized, especially for the sandwiches! I said it was a good thing since we would still burn the calories in another set of siteseeing (and hiking)

Their counter.

Upon arriving, we had to wait because the place was jam-packed. I guess this is really a popular place there. Good thing the waitress is accomodating. She does her job. The food is affordable and the serving is big.
Take a look at what we had:

Look at that burger!

Breaded porkchop

This is really big!

Spicy Chicken

Drinks

I ordered this breaded chicken with ham and cheese and the inside. Yum. Just one thing though, the iced mint tea I got is not as tasty as I expected... well, maybe it's just me. :{


Anyway, one must really include 50's Diner in their itinerary in Baguio, you wouldn't want to miss this, especially the gigantic sandwiches! :]

Some photos were taken by:Chris M.^^

Hillstation in Baguio City

After a long day of sightseeing (actually walking) in camp John Hay, we headed out to Hillstation, The food is a bit pricy, but good. I just don't know but my friend's brother was not satisfied with their serving of laing. He said it the serving was very small.

I think this is the close up version of that small laing ;p

 As for me, I'm solved with my burger. I also really liked their fruitshake- that four seasons blend was just so refreshing.

this is one heck of a leafy burget ;p

My friends took these.

Beef pasta

flan  

Soup

Photos taken by: Chris M. 

My first visit to Baguio

Last year my brother and sister had their own trips to Baguio, how I really wished I would have my chance. Now is my year. Just this month, I was finally able to feel Baguio's breeze, walk on its streets, and visit its beautiful places.

Food Galore
We went to a lot of places and needed to walk a great deal,so we went hungry big time, but it's good, because we had an excuse to eat to our heart's content! ;]

And in the three days I felt I've packed more pounds. But the heck, how can you refuse if the food's just too good?!

Choco-late de Batirol

In the heart of Camp John Hay lies Choco-late de Batirol, a humble shack decorated with flowers and plants outside, you might think it's an ordinary place, but wait until you actually come in. It is lined with local paintings and extraordinary woodwork. The place is open, so one can feel the breeze. They wood tables and chairs makes it even cozier–just like those traditional filipino houses.

And as you can guess by their name, they serve chocolates, yey! But it's not just any chocolate you know.

They serve the traditional chocolate drink. One sip and I knew the taste, it's the one made of cocoa! (Just kidding I knew it because of the cocoa beans displayed there^^) I love their chocolate! I tried the choco mallow- it's kind of sweet, the mallows melt in the hot chocolate, therefore altering the original taste, not what I expected but well, who cares, as long as it tastes good, right?

traditional hot chocolate, yum!

Aside from that, we also had traditional filipino meriendas like bibingka and turon.

Bibingka

Turon

(Since there's a lot to talk about these places, I'll post them separately.Next stop will be posted on the next post ;] )

approaching the place....

Coffee Break French

It all started one lazy evening. I'm done with my work and just waiting for the end of my shift.I was searching for everything and nothing at the same time. I then thought, might as well find something useful, so I searched for the things I can learn free and found this site.

As you know I'm currently on the process of adding another language to my 'can do ' list, so it was such a delight to find a link related to languages. I was totally ecstatic to find the link to Coffee Break French- free lessons and podcasts for learning French. Just exactly what I need!

Prior to this I was actually thinking where on Earth I could find some audio materials for learning as I really suck at pronunciation, and listening to French makes me cringe.

As I started listening to Mark and Anna's lessons I started to feel more comfortable hearing the language. I think theirs is such a brilliant work and help for learners like me. So far I'm on the 48th lesson of their 300 plus compilation. I still have a long way to go hmmm...

Anyway, I'll try to practice and say something en français. I can't think of anything at the moment so this one's short. :P
So here goes:
Bonjour tout le monde! Je m'appelle Joja et c'est mon blog. Aujoud'hui  je vais te raconter quelque chose que j'aime. J'aime dessiner. Je dessine animés. Aussi, J'aime les fleurs. J'aime prendre les photos des fleurs. C'est tout pour maintenant, à la prochaine!

My first Packages!

Since I was a kid, until now, it has been my wish to receive a 'package'. It might have been a result of my childhood nostalgic moments when my family used to receive my aunt's packages from Australia.

But years go by, things changes, some things happen, some things don't. And for me, receiving a package has been a simple wish that I still hasn't come true. (Unless I'd be desperate enough to send myself a package :P) I still treasure my wish in my heart but I don't know when it will come to pass.

But lo and behold, really, everything has it's time! Just this Wednesday, a day after my birthday, I received not one, but two packages from my students! 

I was like "oh my gosh" "oh my gosh" . Of course I know the contents, they told me before what they are sending, one will be a cd of my favorite Korean band, Bigbang; my other student would send a pair of watch and a wallet.

Even if I know what I will receive, the sudden rush of joy can't help but overflow in me. (imagine how long I have waited for this simple dream lol) My sister even said I went nuts because I've uttered "Oh my gosh" like a pirated cd.

I guess it's the feeling, it's the experience that makes you treasure it more. I really love pleasant surprises. Hopefully more chances like this would come. :)

Great buys in National Bookstore

I love books, but I’m not the type who would go loco over book sales and patiently take time to find titles in those piles of unsorted books.

I am learning foreign language at the moment, and need some reference materials. I know buying those books could cause and arm and a leg, so I actually included it in my Christmas wish list. :P

And then I saw this sale by the National bookstore, and thought I’d try my luck. 

I went over few shelves scanning the titles, hoping to chance upon some references for my language study. Nothing here. I moved on to the ones on the tables where people keep tossing and turning the unpiled books. Skim, skim, skim. Nothing again.

I was ready to give up, as I was thinking “isn’t there something for me here?!’ As I turned to leave, my eyes caught a glimpse of that little book with a red spine. I couldn’t believe my eyes as I read the title, ‘Chambers French Verbs’ it’s as if it was there waiting for me!

I quickly glance over some shelves and found some similar books. I raided the place and found several language materials, other fun readable books, and imagine, I just spent about $10. It was my lucky day!

Now, I think my perception of book sales has changed. You’ll definitely find something; you just have to be patient on your quest to find it. ;)

A Pleasant Surprise!

Surprises really awaken that special feeling within me, from the most extravagant to the most simple ones. It makes me feel like I have something more than I have imagined.

We had a Kris-kringle in the workplace, as part of the Christmas season. One of the categories is ‘something delicious.’ Being a certified brownie lover, I put it on my wish list. I originally thought of asking one from Brownies Unlimited, but since the amount of the gift should only cost about $1, I thought it wouldn't be practical. So I just asked for a brownie at KFC, since it was more affordable compared to Brownies Unlimited.

But lo and behold! When I received my gift it wasn't from KFC, but from that particular brownie brand I was craving for. That simple surprise made me smile from ear to ear, not to mention filling my tummy with the delicious treats.

So I'm a layout artist now?!

I don't know why some people really have a lot of confidence in me.
You know, like when they count on you to do things for them.

Sometimes I wonder if they really believe I can do it, or they can't just find someone who will? Anyway, I would just like to think it's the first.

I'm no savvy in Photoshop or graphics design to be honest. But one of my friends in the office asked me to design a greeting card for her giveaways. I said I would try. She said I can. And so I tried.

Well, this is the result. It's simple, but I think it's decent enough. ;P
I hope she likes it.

Whachasay?

The English language is tricky, and we all know it.

Now if you're the type of person who likes skipping or sleeping in English classes, then this one might be for you. Here are reasons why you should really be paying attention to verbs, prepositions and vocabulary.

As an esl teacher, I have heard a lot of times  expressions gone bad and stirred out the imagination in me, just because what the student mean to say in his mind, didn't really go well with his sentence.

So now, I'm going to share a compilation of few bloopers they made. I have no intention to belittle anyone who doesn't have good English skills, I'm just writing this for fun ;)
@@@

• The storm has passed away. (Should I say r.i.p or should I jump for joy? :P)
• I suffered from hard work  (Is hard work an illness now? /parang sakit lang ang hard work.. hehe)
• I had a dinner with Korean galbi. (ok, you're the kind of person who dates with food :P /Oh sige ikaw na ang may ka-date na pagkain.)
• I'm breaking now  (Humpty dumpty is that you?!   O.o )
• My high blood pressure is normal.(Just what? /Ano raw?! O.o)
• My company send Japan for me(Oh your company is rich!/Ang yaman ng company nyo ah..)
• I was drinking together with my colleagues in the tree (Are you tree spirits?/Mga engkanto ba kayo? o.0)
• I ate my friends. (Did you eat them alive?! x.x)

@@@
So that ends the list. I'll try to keep tabs if I ever encounter one again, but I think it'll take long, since my students are already on their way to improvement. ;P

Must watch: 3 Idiots

I've just finished watching the Indian movie 3 Idiots.
The film is really awesome I don't think my words could be able to explain it, you just have to check it out yourself.

It's comedy, romance, drama, and a lot more all rolled into one.!
Of course, a good film wouldn't end without quotable quotes and heart-gripping soundtracks.
So let's have some:


-The heart gets easily scared, you have to trick it. However big the problem is, tell your heart "All is well".  


-First year or fourth year, it's knowledge. Just grab it.


-Study to be accomplished, not to be affluent.


-Follow excellence and success will chase you down.


-For once dump your fears, or someday on your deathbed, you're going to regret it.


Here's an excerpt from one of the soundtracks:
In this journey of a few strides
On the path called life
Don't quit just celebrate the ride.


Listen please to those who love you
Every dark night is followed by sunlight
Don't shut those who love you. 

(not the so-energetic All is well soundtrack, but I like this too coz of the melody. Let's hear it.^^)