See You Later, Lolo.

I was awakened by sad news early this morning. The only grandfather my siblings and I had ever known has just passed away. Lolo Lorenzo was 88. He's survived by my Dad, 3 daughters and grandchildren.

Funeral will be on Sunday, January 2, 2011. It will take place in Pampanga, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, Lola Toyang.

This photo below was taken when my daughter and I came to visit my family in the Philippines in early 2009. It was the first time Lolo met Alyssa and also the last time he and I had spent together.



Thank you for all the wonderful memories, Lolo. I will definitely miss you and your World War II stories but at the same time I am happy that you are back safe in the arms of our Creator. We'll see you later ok? May you rest in peace. And please give our hugs to Lola Toyang, Tito Ric and twin, and Tito Larry.

We love you very much.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

20/365 Soft Light

#DS409: Make a photograph with as soft a light source as you can find or create.

You know what I enjoy the most about this project? It's that I tend to notice the things in our house that I normally wouldn't. Tonight, I found my husband's new books on the floor, right beside the Christmas tree. Ah yes, my Kindle-addicted husband is adding books to our bookshelves again --- which makes me wonder if the Kindle is going to the drawer pretty soon or if these books are going to be dumped in the shelves unread to collect dust (??)

Starting today, I am going to put the EXIF data of my 365 photos (if time permits!) so I can more or less remember how I created them and later figure out how I can improve the shot. I left the books the way they were found as I liked how the Christmas lights and the lampshade sheds such soft light. This photo was shot using a 50mm f/1.4 lens at 1/6sec f/2.5, ISO 800. Used Lightroom 3 for minor edits.

19/365 Brrrrrr!!!

#DS408: Illustrate coldness in a photograph today.

Snow and my all-time favorite drink (Peppermint Java Chip Frapuccino) were the first things that popped in my mind right after reading today's assignment. Luckily, my husband was home so off I went to Starbucks.

Then... This next photo happened when I started the car to go back home.

Ahhh. Why didn't I think of that sooner?? I could have saved some gas. LOL.

18/365 Who's the Fairest of Them All??

It's too cold to go out and do #ds407 today but I made sure to still pick up my camera and shoot something (or someone!)  So here's my favorite "indoor subject" ;)



I heard that a lot of places got hit by the snowstorm yesterday. Have a great time playing out in the snow today but stay safe!

14-17/365 Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I like doing this every year... not an original but I like it ;)

Dec. 23 - #DS403: Make a photograph of something metal or metallic today with an emphasis on how light interacts with the surface.

It's so beautifully wrapped I still have it displayed under our tree. It's the only box of chocolates that have been kept unopened in our house for more than 48 hours :)

Dec. 24 - #DS404: Today's color is red. Make a photograph dominated by the color and post it today.

This is my favorite piece at our backyard.

Dec. 25 - #DS405: Illustrate your idea of peace and harmony--or maybe just peace and quiet--today with a photograph.

This is what I call, "me" time :)

Dec. 26 - #DS406: What fuels your creative process? Illustrate it in a photo today.

13/365 Round

#DS402: Make a photograph of a circular or round object today.


Edited using the Filterstorm app. No flash used, just the halogen lights in my kitchen. Would have been nice if the shadow is just on one side. I enjoyed eating my subject today though! Lol!

9-12/365 Uggghhh! Backlog!!

I know I had been M.I.A. and I apologize. I was not feeling well for a few days. But I still managed to do my assignments, just was not able to upload it on time. :) By the way, it's past 2am now. So these photos were either just edited in Photoshop Express (on the iPad) or high noise jpegs straight out of my camera (SOOC).

Dec 18 - DS#398: Shoot wide open today. Make a creative photo that uses a shallow depth of field to good effect.


It is not easy to have a child on school break and be stuck at home sick. I'm sure all of you parents out there know that. Constantly, I had to think of ways to keep my child entertained while I struggled to even stay sitting up. And THIS is how I kept her preoccupied for most of the day :)

Dec 19 - #DS399: Illustrate one of the meanings of the the word warmth today in a photograph.

The next day, I managed to get up and bake some "Americanized Bibingka" (or what my daughter calls "cheese cupcake"). Once cooked, my daughter and I grabbed a plateful, ran to the couch, tucked ourselves under our throws and watched a Xmas movie. (Dont tell me. I know I should have just taken a picture of us in the livingroom. Just too tired (and sick, remember?) to set up my camera and tripod.

Dec 20 - DS#400: Make a photo of a hallway or passage and post it today.


I am surprised I don't see footprints on this floor.

Dec 21 - DS#401: It's the solstice. Make a photo that captures the day for you wherever you are.

This was where I spent most of my day --- baking and cooking. It's what I do to make up to my family for being so unproductive the past few days. I made some roasted chicken and home-made mac & cheese for dinner, 2 pans of 7-layer brownies (to give as Christmas present), and my birthday girl's giant and regular-sized cupcakes. (At a time like this, I sure wish I have a real island!) And no, we're not having a party tomorrow. We're actually just gonna out to take Alyssa to her first big-screen movie. I just really enjoy cooking... a lot! Just wait til we have a party... ;)