130 Smiles=New Camera!!!

In our last day in Malaysia, we decided to spend the whole day discovering the "whole" beauty of Penang. Well, it is impossible to stroll around the whole island in just one day, but we managed to have a glimpse of the island! I'll discuss this further in a separate post. We decided to go to Gurney Mall in the afternoon since the heat is excruciatingly hard to bear! Inside the mall, right in the middle, there is a small program. Of course, the tendency is to check it out! We later found out that it was Sony promoting its products! Then, the host called upon all people bringing their camera to come up stage for a chance to win a brand new Sony cybershot camera! To cut the story short, I ended joining the contest! The rules were simple; just take as many pictures of people (smiling people) in 15 minutes and in the end, the camera who has the most number of shots will win. (no blurred photos, 1 shot 1 person, no repetitions)

And it started! My hands were shaking uncontrollably! Thankfully, my camera has a built in anti-blur feature to stabilize my shots! I just click and click, running at light speed to click as many faces as possible. I don’t even ask permission, I simply say “SMILE” and take a shot! LOL
In conclusion, I WON!!!! It was really something unexpected especially I went to Malaysia for a conference and ended winning a camera at a mall! It was my first time to win; I am not lucky on draws and alike! I was afraid I will not be able to “outshot” my opponents since I noticed that some of them are armed with SLR’s and other more upgraded versions! Maybe, my advantage was I was not shy in talking to people and taking shots at random strangers! In my mind, I kept thinking that “It’s just OK, since they won’t be seeing me again and I won’t be seeing them also” LOL!

I would like to thank my colleagues who cheered for me! And all the people who let me took pictures of them; the willing ones, the shy ones, the snob type, and the don’t-take-my-picture-covers-face type! And of course God who gave me the chance! Thank you!

Quarantined!

I am currently undergoing the “required” quarantine period of 10 days due to my recent trip to Malaysia. It means no school for me! You may look it a positive thing; extended vacation and time for rest after a hectic week-long conference (half of it was spent on side trips to tourist sites and food trips! LOL). Yet, I still worry about the classes I will be missing (that’s about 2 weeks of discussions, quizzes, etc).

I decided, since worrying won’t do me good, I’d rather enjoy this “vacation”! But for now, I can’t tell my itinerary for my 10 day vacation for some reasons! It’s a mystery! LOL! So far, this pseudoquarantine suits me well! I’m enjoying every bit of it! Goodbye for now!

Alive and Kicking!

Dusting, Sweeping, Polishing... I need to clean up the dust in this blog! LOL I was unable to post updates for more than a week since I attended a conference in Penang, Malaysia. (oh yeah! AASP conference! almost for free! Insert acknowledgments to my Professors and all people who donated) It was a fun, informative and unforgettable experience. As reference with my old post, I was in Malaysia way back in 2007 specifically Kuala Lumpur. This time, I had a chance to visit a more "greenish" part of Malaysia-Penang since KL offers the usual metro. I can describe Penang as a fusion of the western and eastern culture plus a dash of nature! The environment here is so diverse yet there is harmony! I was really astonished by the clean roads, traffic-free streets, human-less sidewalks and the greenery of the place. You can see very very tall buildings, yet, behind these mega structures, lies the green hill! Words are not enough even pictures can't give justice to the beauty of the scenes I've seen in Penang!

P.S. Pictures to be followed, I am still trying to upload all to my multiply account!

EBAY!!!

I am currently into ebay! I'm a certified ebay addict! LOL It started when i was looking for 2000-2003 issues of FHM Philippines. I searched online using Google and arrived at ebay site by a specific seller of these issues. And from then on, I was addicted to ebay, browsing everyday, before going to sleep, for good deals and cheap buys!

And in line with this, I noticed that online shopping is starting to emerge, not only in the Philippines, but worldwide. It is maybe because online shopping provides not just accessibility, but also comfort of browsing through goods in the comfort of you own home! If you go to the mall, you have to endure the traffic, crowded environment, long lines and aching feet! With online shopping, just one click, pay through your PayPal and just wait for it to be delivered at your door step! Easy as 1,2,3!

Even though it is easier doing online shopping, I still recommend Mall shopping since it provides, well, pretty good advantages. First, you can actually SEE and FEEL the product you are purchasing. You can look for flaws, ask attendants for details that are often overlooked in online shops. Second, for clothes, you can see if it fits you perfectly, the size, the feel, etc. (certainly, online shops can't provide this service). Lastly, Outside shopping provides EXERCISE! C'mon! We tend to make things less physically challenging (i.e. cooking). Can we just spare shopping! It can also be a family activity; 2 in 1!

Well, little online shopping won't do harm especially if you are in a very tight schedule and just needing instant splurging. But as much as possible, in general, let us not be technologically dependent! Let us preserve our being human, enjoy life, go out, breathe some fresh air, socialize, meet friends! Our life is a wonderful gift, let us enjoy it!