Double Bass, Music and Friendship

Double Bass photo from Wikipedia


At times confused with acoustic bass guitar, double bass otherwise known as bass violin is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the violin family. It is played with a bow or plucking strings. The bassists either stands or sits when playing the instrument leaning it against his body to better reach the strings.  Music lovers all over the world would terribly enjoy listening to a symphony orchestra where a combination of musical instruments merge in a masterpiece that soothes the soul.

Battered Woman Syndrome: How To Recognize The Signs

        Love is the most powerful of emotions. It could either make you or break you. Women tend to be easily swept off their feet when a man proposes with promises of heaven and Earth and everything else in between. We are genetically predisposed to respond to men's luring. As women we have to learn to protect ourselves from being stuck in disastrous relationships and end up being beaten by the man we thought would love us for all eternity. Thank God not all men are bad and there are many out there who truly know how to take care of a woman.

photo link 

What is Battered Woman Syndrome or Battered Wife Syndrome?     

The Art of Preserving Memories

A photograph is a moment in time, a fraction of a second that will never be replaced in our lives. When we are feeling unwell, friends would jokingly say "hey, take lots of photos of yourself so we will have something to remember you by," I must admit I am one of those people who are fond of taking photos of themselves. There is something therapeutic about seeing our own smile, that sparkle in our eyes that tell us how much we matter. Lately I have been searching for online local printer  because I have been meaning to have a business card for my writing and photography side-line and to have some of my works printed. Sometimes I can't believe how hooked I have become to sharing my thoughts and and the art of preserving memories, photography that is. I love looking for photo subjects who could stand-out and show to the world how beautiful it is to be simply alive.

Meet Ariana Luz Garcia, the obedient, sweet daughter of a nurse-friend. I just love her innocent be-dimpled smile. The following photos were not 

captured by me though but borrowed from her social networking profile. 

 

What makes a photo perfect? It is not just the beauty of the subject but the emotions conveyed in each memorable shot. 

One Sunset with Beth at MA-CHO TEMPLE...

MA-CHO TEMPLE's Welcome Arch

   
      One of the tourists attractions in my province is MA-CHO TEMPLE. The place is dear to my heart as it was built the same year I was born- 1975. No wonder it has been there for as long as I can remember. It was built by the Chinese community in San Fernando City under the leadership of Jose D. Aspiras and Mr. Dy Keh Hio. I remember passing by this welcome arch all the days of my childhood life as we lived just nearby and being curious just what was up there. It took me years before I finally got to see the place and I have been re-visiting ever since because of the inner peace I feel each time I am there.

      

a Walk Through The Past

   
     The following shots were taken at the Heritage Village in Vigan, Ilocos Sur sometime in May two years ago.
   

     As I walked pass the antique shops, found old rocking chairs, native bags,  wooden furniture and old wooden cases of cigars  I felt a certain longing to connect with the past; to somehow be there and talk to my ancestors. How was it like during their time? To spend the night without electricity and to relay messages without the use of phones and the internet. Would I have wanted to live in such an era?

The Best Snack: Toothy Fruity

       
     I must admit I am such a foodie! I love eating and I have such a sweet-tooth! Candies, chocolates in all shapes and color entices my brain. However, getting a bit older and having my share of sleepless nights suffering from toothaches, dizziness and feeling sluggish because of too much sugar I have slowly overcome my craving for the bad sources of energy.  So these days instead on snacking on chips and chocolates and cake I indulge in the vivid colors of health!

Why Wake Up Early?

Sunrise photo by my cousin Rio Martinez

     I must admit I used to be one of those women who would curl up in bed on my work-free days even after the alarm clock has rung. I'd grab my blanket and hug my pillow closer, shut my eyes tight and force my mind back to dreamland. All that changed when I became a photo enthusiast which eventually turned me into some kind of a health buff. The magic word has been "health," because while we could list a hundred and one excuses for eating more than what our body needs and refusing to pull our lazy butts out of bed early it is a fact that such a habit is detrimental to our well-being. 

    So for the past weeks I have been merrily heeding the call of my soul for bonding with nature at the best time of the day which is early morning. Jogging towards the seashore is an ultimate stress-buster for me and my family.

Beating The Summer Heat at Morning Seven Resort Hotel

   

     Summer is almost over! Today it is raining again, a sign that soon vacation will be over for the kiddos. In the coming months they will be so busy working on school stuff and us moms will have our hands full shuffling household chores and career. For those of you looking for a place to spend the last days of summer in La Union, you might want to visit MORNING SEVEN RESORT HOTEL in Luna.

     My family and I spent one Saturday at the said resort swimming, eating and just enjoying the breeze and life's precious lazy moments courtesy of one of my generous, handsome uncles "wink."

Missing Home Sweet Home Philippines? Here is A Virtual Tour Back Home

     I grew up walking along rice paddies, hearing birds chirping and playing with mud, dragonflies, flowers, climbing guava trees and listening to folk songs and humming them too.

Sampaguita

My late grandpa loved to sing! Oh how he loved to sing those "Ilocano" songs of his time. We'd be pulling peanuts in the field and he'd go "Dungdungwenkanto, unay uunay" (I will love you oh so much) and my grandma would chuckle and beg him to stop. The rest of us would be merrily laughing at them while continuing with our task. I must admit at times I actually loathed going to the farm to help out with farm chores because as a child all I wanted was to play! Back then there were no computers, no cellular phones, just nature and the beauty of it all was getting the benefit of exposure to good sunshine and fresh air! Had there been these kind of technology back then I am most certain my dear grandpa who loved to sing and tell stories would have posted a video of him in youtube or perhaps a gardening and even a cigar blog ; he lived to be around eighty years of age and I wonder whether I will have the chance to reach that age too. 

Philippines, Whereto?

It's done. The people have spoken through their votes. As a Filipino, how do you feel? Have you done your part? Was it enough? Do we keep blaming each other or shall we start working and supporting the leaders the majority chose?

Ours is a nation that could find its way to progress if and only if we all do our part. Ours is a beautiful country and no matter what, I will always be one of those who believe that one day, we will find a pot of gold beneath the rainbow.

   

 That treasure is called "unity,"- the challenge is set upon each of us to work hand-in-hand. The bad news is with the way things are going, we may have a long shot to go before the nations' problems are solved. The good news is, we each can be a part of the solution.

we are blessed with such a beautiful home under the sky and may we not let everything our ancestors worked for go to waste....

rise up my countrymen and let us show the world....

that we are a nation....

..not just of hopes and dreams but action, integrity and compassion...

from my humble world to yours....

`a sequel to my post- MAKING OUR VOTES COUNT '