Salamin [sa mata]/ Eyeglasses

@ mirandablue

Nakaka-inggit ang mga taong malinaw ang paningin.  Sa totoo lang, pinagwalang-halaga ko ng aking 20/20 vision hanggang isang araw sinabihan ako ng doktor na kailangan ko na mag salamin.  Meron daw akong hyperopia o farsightedness---malinaw kapag malayo, malabo kapag malapit. Karaniwang problema ito ng mga nagkaka-edad...kaso trentaydos lang ako noon, at mas malabo pa ang mata ko sa aking nanay.  Sa tulad kong mahilig magbasa, malaking ginhawa ang reading glasses.  At kapag wala akong salamin, kahit menu di ko mabasa kaya ipapabasa ko na lang sa waiter.  At kalimutan na natin ang texting, di kaya ng powers pag walang salamin.:p

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Lucky are those who have good eyesight.  Truth be told, I took for granted my 20/20 vision until the day the doctor told me I need to be fitted with prescription glasses.  My vision defect is called hyperopia, also known as farsightedness---this causes difficulty  focusing on near objects, a clearer vision on distant objects.  It's a common problem that comes with aging but I was only 32, and my mom had better eyesight.  For somebody who loves to read, reading glasses really improved my life---it reduced my headaches and squinting.  And when I forget my glasses?  I couldn't even read the menu, I had to ask the waiter to read it for me.  And forget texting!  If I don't text back, it means my reading glasses are somewhere else!:p

@ mirandablue

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to answer and join:


1.  When was the last time you had your eyes checked?

• My last eye check-up was in November last year. I usually have my eyes checked a few weeks after my birthday.  The doctor suggested progressive lenses but I'm not ready for it, psychologically.:p  So he prescribed another pair of glasses for driving.

2.  Do you think eyeglasses affect your looks, your lifestyle?

• Yes and yes.  I think I look "older" with glasses...people started calling me "ma'am", it used to be "miss".:p  A girlfriend gets excited while we're in a restaurant and I couldn't even see clearly what or who she's excited about!  Imagine all those sexy, good-looking guys walking by and I missed them!  My sister just told me that I look like an old woman when texting without my glasses on.  Who would want to read at the beach wearing a pair of reading glasses? *LOL*

Punta Bulata: El Tzino Resort

@ mirandablue
Anhawan Island

To continue the Punta Bulata series, I am sharing with you some morning and afternoon shots taken from the resort where we stayed.  We arrived at El Tzino around 10 am, it's not a fancy place and has the basic necessities to make our stay comfortable.  We laid down our bags, had some cold drinks, and I went to explore the beach.  I was happy to see that there was no one here except us---we had the place to ourselves! Facing the bay, to my left was a group of islands, the biggest island is called Anhawan and Danjugan Island to my right, a marine reserve and and wildlife sanctuary.

@ mirandablue
Danjugan Island

Uneasy of the peace and quiet here, my cousin Mark put on his headsets as he settled in a chair facing the sea. Oh, and check out these lounging chairs---they're made from old tires, and they're quite comfy, too. Talk about ingenuity!

@ mirandablue

Did I say we had the place to ourselves?  I spoke too soon---we shared the resort and the beach with 8 canines.  This  guy was part of the pack.  He followed but kept his distance as I walked to the water's edge waiting for the sunset.

@ mirandablue

Spotted these fishermen while they were getting ready to go off-shore. Fishing and farming provide livelihood for most folks around here.

@ mirandablue

Life here was rustic and laid-back.  Walking along the beach that afternoon, I was  amazed how everything here seemed to move in silence.  There was gentle stillness in the rustle of the leaves, even the waves and breezes refused to be hurried.  A perfect place for solitude and meditation.

@ mirandablue

A golden moment---before sunset, looking north at Danjugan Island and Pulo Gamay (literally, small island).

To reach El Tzino Resort, take a 154-kilometer road trip to Cartagena near the boundary of Cauayan and Sipalay, then turn right to a dirt road, 4 kilometers down until you reach Brgy. Elihan.  Ceres buses going to Hinoba-an pass Cartagena.  It's approximately 4 hours south of Bacolod City. 

Posted for My World - Tuesday
Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Caged animals [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

This caged tiger looks sad, perhaps slowly going insane in this small confined space. A white tiger constantly paced in his cage---everywhere it turned, there is a tourist... curious, taunting eyes all around.  

@ mirandablue

I didn't  hear this cougar make a sound, it just stared sleepily at his cage.  Probably sick and tired of hoping to be free again.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Photo Hunt hosted by TN Chick

Punta Bulata: Cloudy afternoon [SWF]

@ mirandablue

A cloudy afternoon at Punta Bulata.  It was actually a blessing as we were able to explore the long stretch of beach without the harsh afternoon sun.

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.

- Rabindranath Tagore

@ mirandablue

Punta Bulata, March 3, 2011

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Parmesan-crusted Fish

@ mirandablue

I love this light and delectable fish dish at Texas Roadhouse Grill---it's Parmesan-crusted fish with Texas rice and steamed vegetables, served on a bed of Alfredo sauce. 

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Itim [Black]

@ mirandablue

Isa sa walong aso sa resort sa Punta Bulata si Magic.  Masaya lahat ang mga aso na sumalubong sa amin pero itong si Magic ang napansin ko.  Panay ang lapit sa akin, parang friends na kami.  Makinis ang itim nitong balahibo at tulad ng alaga ko, enjoy din si Magic habang kinakamot sa ulo. Malambing si Magic at di ko man lang narinig kumahol.  Sabi pa ng caretaker ng resort, mahilig daw itong maligo sa dagat.  Nakabantay s'ya lagi sa dining area, pero pagkatapos ng tanghalian, di ko na s'ya napansin.  At alam mo ba kung nasaan si Magic?

Heto...nagpa-power nap.  Ang sarap ng buhay!

Sali na sa Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

Magic is one of the 8 dogs at the resort in Punta Bulata.  All 8 dogs happily greeted us when we arrived but it was Magic who caught my eye.  He was very friendly, constantly rubbing his nose on my leg as if we were long-time friends.  I loved his smooth black fur and he loved being scratched---just like my baby.  The resort caretaker told me that Magic loves to take a swim at the sea.  He's usually lounging at the dining area but after lunch, I didn't see him again.  I wondered where he was.  Well, I found him napping at this recliner, facing the sea.  What a great life he has!

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to answer and join.

• What do you think of dogs?

A dog is indeed (wo)man's best-friend.  Dogs love unconditionally. You tell your dog the nastiest things about you, and he loves you anyway.  They're uncomplicated, warm and sweet and would do anything for a little affection.

• If you have a dog(s), tell me about him/her.

This is Fritz, a 4-year old Japanese spitz half-breed.  My nephew calls him half spitz, half bisaya, to which he answers with a roar.  Fritz is gentle and good-natured, he loves kids and very popular in the neighborhood, in the mall, and everywhere we go. He has a crush on our neighbor's dog, Kimchu. When I'm home, he wants me to sit beside him at feeding time, and sometimes prefers to be spoon-feed by nobody else but me.  He loves to drink water straight from the fridge--he would wait for cold water being poured into his bowl before drinking.  He walks straight to the bathroom when you tell him it's bath time.  Fritz "talks" with his paws when he needs to pee or poop--he always does his business outside.  He waits for me to come home every night, restless until I arrive.  And seems to understand when I leave the house with luggage---he doesn't wait up and sleeps early.  Oh, I can go on and on and on...I guess you can never really understand the love between a (wo)man and a dog unless you have one.

@ mirandablue

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.  

Man and the sea [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

@ mirandablue

Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel? She is kind and very beautiful. But she can be so cruel and it comes so suddenly and such birds that fly, dipping and hunting, with their small sad voices are made too delicately for the sea.

- from The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Linked to Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Hot air balloons [Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

At the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta last February in Clark Field.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Old and new [Sunday Bridges]

@ mirandablue

Two-in-one drive-by shot during our road trip more than two weeks ago--a new bridge and an old one still standing.  Again, I don't have a clue what this river or bridge is called.  This was after Binalbagan bridge, so this must be near the boundary of Himamaylan City. Himamaylan is about 83 kilometers south of Bacolod City, the provincial capital.

More bridges at Sunday Bridges

License Plate [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

Planes don't have license plates but they do have international registration numbers painted on the tail. This unique alphanumeric combination is never repeated.  So I suppose, this is like a license plate.:p 

Below is the current license plate for private vehicles---a combination of green-coded 6 alphanumeric symbols on a white background.  On newer vehicles, the first letter usually indicates the region where vehicle is registered.  The earliest license plates were introduced around 1912.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Photo Hunt

Punta Bulata sunset

@ mirandablue

A mellow sunset at Punta Bulata in Negros Occidental province.  Lounging from a hammock, I breathed in the cool breezes, listened to the gentle lapping waves of a quiet bay, feasted my eyes at the golden horizon---a perfect end to a wonderful day.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Pla Rad Prik

@ mirandablue

It's nothing fancy, really.  Pla Rad Prik is Jatujak's deep-fried whole fish with garlic chili sauce.  Amazed how this pla-pla was filleted with the bones intact.  The sauce, as usual, was excellent.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Kulay rosas [Pink]

@ mirandablue

Sa mga kulay sa color chart, pink ang hindi ko masyadong gusto.  Nagkakaroon lang ako ng kulay rosas na damit kung ito'y ireregalo sa akin.  Sa kalikasan ko lang nagugustuhan ang pink---sa mga bulaklak at halaman, prutas, ibon at kulay ng langit.  Pero ako'y nabighani sa nag-aagaw na kulay rosas, lila at ginto sa dingding ng gusaling ito sa Seattle.  Ito ang Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum na dinesenyo ni Frank O. Gehry.  Gawa sa fabricated steel frame na binalot ng shotcrete at sheet metal panels, ang gusali ay inihandog sa ala-ala ng music icon na si Jimi Hendrix.

@ mirandablue

From all the colors in the color chart, pink is my least favorite color.  I usually enjoy the pink colors in nature---the flowers and fruits, birds and pink skies.  But I was mesmerized at the walls of this unique building in Seattle, with its varying shades of pink, purple and gold.  This is the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum designed by architect Frank O. Gehry.  Built from fabricated steel frame and clad with shotcrete and shell metal panels, this structure is dedicated to the music icon, Jimi Hendrix.

"In 1969 a screaming, reverberating rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Jimi Hendrix seemed to herald an end to innocence. His resonant lyric "Are you experienced?" is now recalled in the name of software billionaire Paul G. Allen's Experience Music Project. Hendrix would have appreciated the design approach to Seattle's new museum of pop music.

"Architect Frank O. Gehry has made a career out of bending vertical and horizontal lines of building construction into something defiant and sometimes poetic. With Seattle's EMP, opened just over a week before the Fourth of July, he has met his perfect client in Allen and his metaphorical match in rock-'n'-roll. The resulting architecture is a unique performance and a new landmark on the edge of the Seattle Center." Source:  GreatBuildings Page

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1)  What kind of music moves you?

•  Music moves me in ways I seldom realize.  It can be an opera, jazz, classic rock, blues. I remember listening to Andrea Boccelli's Romanza cd for the first time...I didn't understand a word but I had goosebumps and almost cried in front of a sales clerk.   Pink Floyd takes me to another place.  Flamenco music, Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton bring out the rhythm in me.  Otis Redding, John Lee Hooker, Nora Jones for my moody soul.

2)  How does color affect your mood?

• More often than not, I am unaware that a certain color affects my mood.  But in many ways, I use colors to show my feelings. I wear bright red lipstick when I'm feeling crappy.  I prefer black when I don't want to get noticed.  Red and orange boost my confidence, yellow when I need a favor.:p  I love waking up to clear blue skies, green growing things make me happy.  Grey mornings get me down, i'm a bit intimidated and curious at anything purple. Sunsets, full moons and fireworks make me emotional---I think it has something to do with colors, too.

Stopover: Punta Sojoton

@ mirandablue

In early March, we took a road trip that I have been dreaming for years---a road trip to the southern part of Negros Occidental, my home province.  The trip was something special, too, because it was the first time that I traveled with my siblings, all 4 of us, plus cousins, nephews and a niece, and an uncle. In short, it was the whole barangay, as my friend would call it.:p  At first, the boys were not keen on the idea of travelling with us, my sister and I.  But when our cousins and uncle told them stories of how beautiful the south is, over bottles of beer, of course, my two brothers warmed up to the trip.

@ mirandablue

I've heard of Punta Sojoton when I was a child. My father visited this place with his friends and had showed us photos of the islets.  But the roads in these parts were not concreted decades ago, and to me, Punta Sojoton could have been another planet.  

Punta Sojoton is located in Cauayan town, about 130 kilometers south of the capital, Bacolod City.  This is the part of Negros Occidental where the mountains rise from Lina-on Bay, overlooking the Sulu  Sea  in the southwest and Panay Gulf in the north.

The Punta Sojoton view deck provides a scenic view of the Cauayan coastline.  We stopped here for a quick trip the restroom, then we spotted the lighthouse and some structures that could be developed into cottages.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

Highway in Cauayan

@ mirandablue

the tres hermanos---kids I spotted along the highway

@ mirandablue

The Lina-on Bay viewed from Punta Sojoton view deck.  At the horizon is Punta Bulata, our destination.  The whole Negros Island is accessible by land from Bacolod or Silay City or Dumaguete, where the airports are.  The roads are excellent, and Ceres buses ply this route daily.

@ mirandablue

Lina-on Bay

Linked to My World Tuesday and Watery Wednesday