His name is Rince after Rincewind the Wizzard, a character in the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett. He is Kei’s first doll and the one she always keeps around. First time I met the little one, he was wearing cat ears and even had a tail! He was just standing on her bookcase, smiling, but I can’t event touch him. Rince is a unique, poseable doll that can even stand on one foot and in angles. He’s smaller than the usual dolls of his type and is of the LittleFee line from Doll Fairy Land.  Because of Kei frequently forwarding websites and pictures of the dolls she likes, I’ve come to appreciate them, and understand the dedication that this hobby requires - from the outfits to the eye lashes and makeup - each doll has a character. People who collect them and take care of them are passionate because it’s no simple collection. Well, Kei’s like that and I can see the happiness that these beautiful creatures bring to her that I actually want one now. =)

More pictures of sleeping Rince below:

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Recently, I was able to step on the European continent during Winter, and I finally got to have the first snow fall in my life.

Our footprints in the snow.

We were really enjoying walking in the snow until hail started to fall and we had to ran for cover.

These are taken on the sleepy town of Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.

This is where we usually walk to go to the Town’s Center, the City Plaza - where most shops closed at 6pm except on shopping Thursdays.

Our office Parking lot while snowing.

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Indeed, a comfort food for me. ^_^ (Sorry, I took a bite already)

Try my favorite Okonomiyaki Special at Kagura in Little Tokyo. Makati. They are open Tuesday to Sunday, lunch service at 11:30 am – 3:00 pm and dinner service at 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
(Note: Closed on Mondays).

Kagura Japanese Restaurant
Little Tokyo Unit 2
1227 Chino Roces (formerly Pasong Tamo) Ave.
Makati City, Philippines
Tel. #: +63 2 894-3856
Web : http://www.kagura.ph-co.jp

More pictures here, here and here

Extra victims!! Happy coworkers tasted okonimiyaki for the first time!

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I did some weekend mega cleaning and decided my bookshelf of all things mine needs a little reorganizing. It’s basically on shelf next to my computer where thingsI have clearly shows who I am.

I love books.
I’m a music enthusiast.
I’m studying Japanese and Korean languages.
I happen to like History and Georgraphy.
I move pixels for a living.
I breath to fangirl.

It also reminds me daily how sweet and nice my friends are. ^_^

How’s your shelf?

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These were taken at Lapu-lapu Shrine:

Lapu-lapu, standing tall.

Magellan’s marker.

Plaque commemorating Lapu-lapu as the first Filipino hero.

Plaque commemorating the death of Magellan.

The Philippine flag, flying high.

One of the decorations found at the Shrine. I was told that in a few days’ time, a celebration commemorating Lapu-lapu’s victory over Magellan will be held, thus the decorations.

More decorations, taken at night. I’m not sure what these are meant to represent though.

Finally, no visit to Cebu would be complete without seeing Magellan’s Cross.

This was taken on my last day in Cebu. The original cross that Magellan had erected is said to be enclosed in this cross.

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I recently visited the grave he shares with his Dad, who passed away much later than him. (A father burying his own son - I think is still something that shouldn’t happen to any parent.)

Perhaps this is too gloomy for a summer day post, but there’s a story. After I placed a pot of flowers on their gravestone, I sat under the marble gazebo (I don’t know what else to call it) to rest and get away from the hot sun. The air was warm but the blowing wind gave some relief. It was an odd day to visit the place actually, a hot mid afternoon and the park was silent and still. It was, after all, a cemetery.

I was all alone in a vast plain of grass and dead people - and I actually loved it.

Well it would have been that if it weren’t for a very old man who was there before me, who sat under the shade and then decided to head to a grave some 10 meters away, and lie down on the grass.

I wanted to stay longer, just take in all the rare silence, read a book and rest but as I sat there and watched him lie down on the grass, I felt like I was invading his personal space. I thought I shouldn’t be watching him as it was possible he was lying next to the grave of his beloved wife. It was a private moment, he could have been whispering stories to her, telling her how he misses her.

Why would an old man, still strong enough to travel by himself, stay in a cemetery on an odd, hot day and lie down on the grass next to a grave?

No, I did not take a picture of the old man, as I left just after staying for a few minutes because I really felt like I was invading his personal space.

I should’ve taken a picture, just to be certain he really was there.

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As a woman, I believe we need to make a journey to our inner self. Our role in the scheme of things depends on how well we know oursleves, and how much we love ourselves.

So, this summer, as we go hunting for summer destinations, why don’t we bring a book, an object, or even a person that can help us make that step closer to who we really are.

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As the wind of peace blew my stormy clouds away,
I could see a hint of sunshine peering over the trees,
It swept through the bluest sea and brought happiness to me.

My own sea brushes away your doubts when you touch it,
My own sea washes along your heart and soul,
It creates high tides to protect you and it calms down to sooth you.

My sea is a sea of loyalty and harmony,
My sea is a sea of kindness and honesty,
My sea is a sea of determination and long haunted paths,
A sea of rocky waves and crashing tides,

On shore I hide my secrets and wishes,
But when the red light of summer sun sets behind my turquoised
kingdom,
I could float beneath the blue silent world and explore my own
mystical realm,
A maiden of the waves.

- My Own Sea by Mimi Fakhira

Photos taken by Rjene; 11 April 2009.

Locations:
Seashore;  My Mother’s hometown of Arew, Cabangan, Zambales.
Riviera Pier inside Subic Base in Zambales.

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That is outside Magellan’s Cross. My co-worker and I decided to go around Cebu during the weeks we were there. Not that we got around the city a lot. We tried but we didn’t get to do all the touristy things. After all, we were there for work.

Even so, there were a lot of sights to see. For me, even the mall was a sight to behold because Ayala Terraces looked so open and inviting. At the time I took pictures, we haven’t gone to the beach yet. Oh well. Here is a set of Cebu City pictures that focus on the city and its inhabitants.

A view of the leaf/fan-like structure over their stage. That area acts as a concert stage too. Last Feb 14, my boyfriend and I were serenaded by an orchestra that played lovely music on that stage.

This is a view of one of Ayala Terraces. This is taken from the main mall part. Reminds you of Greenbelt, doesn’t it?

Basilica de Santo Nino. One time we went here, it was so crowded. But not during the time I took this shot. Can you feel how surreal it is? Being in Cebu was surreal to us.

Awesome tasting chicken. The chicken inato was a bit like inasal but not quite. Just try it and you’d understand why.

A trip to Cebu won’t be complete without danggit or dried fish. This was shot in Taboan Market, where the dried fish come in all shapes, sizes and prices. You could buy them by the kilo and have them packed as you wish.

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