Mind Moving

12 April 2012

Our friend Joan is moving back to her hometown of Davao City right after graduation. This is round one of her so-called "despidida"

We went to the Mind Museum, because:

 a. Manila Ocean Park is too expensive for us

b. The museum has discounts for public college students... and we're about to graduate.

 

We liked the exhibits and experiments inside, but I liked the Science Park best.

I have a lot of pictures of Gelmer. Either everyone lese was camera-shy or she deliberately makes herself available to photograph.

Badass Aileen testing the Mobius strip slidey-thing.

A lot of things happened after. We had a jaunt under the Trees of Burgos Circle with small dogs and their yayas, we went to the other parks of BGC, and stole the patintero court from little kids in a playground.

We talked a lot about the things we're going to do after graduation. It's funny because even though I haven't graduated yet, I already feel like I'm drifting into a world where there are less rules and more things can happen. It excites and scares me at the same time.

Playing in the Mind Museum and the BGC made me feel like saying goodbye to part of my life that's more relaxed. It's like the world was telling me to enjoy things while I can.

I plan to do exactly that.

Lantern Parade 2012

15 December 2012

Last night was UP Diliman's Lantern Parade, which we do every year to start off our Christmas vacation. This is (hopefully) the last lantern parade I'd be able to experience as a student, and it's also the last legit Christmas vacation for me...

I arrived very late. The Arki party was nearly finished with its route once I arrived in UP.

People were already starting to flock the ampitheater.

I eventually caught up with the parade and met some friends...

People from UP Optics cheerfully delaying the delegates to take pictures.

Let's go UP!!!

Wordlessly volunteered to take TFA's picture.

To the stage

We found out why lanterns had supposed height limits. Hello Galvanized Iron Man!

Our delegation was composed of buildings and landmarks.

Faculty Follies was cancelled this year (wtf right?) so our professors had performing withdrawals.

Of course Justin Guiab had to be Galvanized Iron Man.

Hung out with some friends at the amphitheater after our lantern passed by. It would have been better if the stage faced the larger group in the amphi instead of the ones in Quezon Hall.

Joan was late. :P

We went to the Arki party afterwards. There was free booze, pizza and brownies.

Thesis? What thesis?

Writing on the freedom floor of the National Architecture Week.

I didn't take any pictures once we left Arki. Hazel, Joan, and I went to the AS parking lot to eat. We ended up staying there, just talking. We talked about art for art's sake, street children, Philippine movies, Karl Marx, pornography... and life in general. We watched the fireworks and then stayed at the steps until about 10pm, when Joan was picked up by a male "friend" so they could go stargazing at the PAGASA observatory (hahahaha, latter not true btw). 

It was a great night. Even though I felt like a loser for getting dizzy due to San Mig Apple and a tiny cup of Red Horse, it was a night spent with friends. 

And so I leave you with Pilosopotato and friends. 

Greenbelt

An aunt gave me tickets to Repertory Philippines' "The Wizard of Oz". Since none of my cousins and siblings wanted to come with me due to weekend activities, I took the high school bestie, John, with me.

It's weird. I don't have any pictures of him. What I have pictures of is fabulous Greenbelt. 

Surprisingly, the koi were not as rabid as they are in Nuvali. I hope Ayala learns that lesson. 

The girls were daring each other to jump

I don't usually go to Greenbelt because it's out of the way (and MRT Ayala is one of the most stressful train stations), and I feel like I can never go there without spending a lot of money.

But John is always here because he lives a few tamblings away. Ikaw na sosyal!

Anyway, I arrived early and he was still changing (he asked if he needed to wear smart casual... he was serious). So I roamed around Greenbelt 5 for a while and took pictures.

Foreigners love dining al fresco here, while the locals dash for aircon. I think the heat is a novelty for them.

*wants to live here*

*or here*

So this is how you "beam" a curved plan

I couldn't help but take a closer picture

While roaming around the place, it got me thinking that so much money is spent on place like this beautiful shopping mall, but a very limited number of people can enjoy it to the fullest. The green areas were surrounded by labels like Banana Republic, Cartier, Zara, etc. It's obvious that the space was created for luxury. I just wish we had more green spaces that are open to the public. 

Anyway, we watched the play, but they took away my camera (boo), so I had to make do with iTouch pictures during intermission.

There was a celebrity here. I'm not sure whether it's Jenni Epperson or Angel Jacob. They're both tall and skinny and have short hair. Oh well.

The play was nice. It was made for kids but we enjoyed it anyway. It's a perfect starter for John, who has never seen an play performed by an actual company before. We must watch plays more often.

After that we went to MOA to meet some friends whom I haven't seen in a long time (FREE Dinner!!!! Thanks, JC). Then I got home at past 10pm. I got scolded by the grandparents and had a fight with my mother over it. 

I don't want to sound like a bad daughter, but they have to get over these late nights. I don't like commuting in the dark either, but it's necessary. I've done this so many times and they've scolded me just as much as they had before. You see, I'm trying to potty train them into getting used to me having to ride public transportation after dusk. Architects have deadly deadlines after all, and nights spent in the office are not unheard of.