2012 Bday!

H A P P Y  B D A Y! ;-)

Dear Time

It suddenly hit me.  When faced with the query, what four factors affect bacterial growth, my mind began the process of elimination: select what I think the best answers are.  The difficult part is to decide on which amongst the roster belong to the topmost four.  It’s like an American Idol episode of whose out and I have to expel my Skylar Laines¹.

According to Campbell, bacterial growth is generally affected by temperature (heat), moisture (O₂ levels), pH (acidity), salt concentration, source of nutrients among others.  There was no mention of time.  At least for that Campbell (book page) that I got a quick peek. But nevertheless, time is a universal factor.  It is something automatic. Say default.  And it shall belong to that pedestal.

 I backtracked.  From what I can remember, almost all exams where I am tasked to enumerate the factor(s) affecting something (algal bloom, osmotic rate, growth, decline, etc), time is one mechanical answer that never fails to render me a point. 

I just had this thought how powerful time can be that its continuum somehow (or strongly) dictates the fate of things—living or non-living, tangible or intangible ones, like emotions: love and hatred. 

Time heals, literally, figuratively. 

It heals wounds.  It heals souls.

Define irony for time can also break hearts and signal death.

Through time, cells divide and grow then eventually die. 

Flowers bloom and wither.

People love then expire. 

Bacteria multiply exponentially but through time will lag because of unavailability of space. 

According to Malthus, come the time when population rapidly increase and food becomes scarce, existence is countered by diseases and drought.  Demise.

Time. Time.  Time.

Time either grows something or depletes it. In between, it is so powerful that it can also impose dormancy.

Remember Timberlake’s movie when people have to buy time just to survive. Everyone competes hoping to spare some decency to the remaining days of survival.

Time, says an adage, is a great equalizer.

 For me, time (or the lack thereof) is but one great dimension we will forever be enslaved in. 

Time lost is time you will never ever get back. Never.  Ever.

 'But if you're lost, you can look and you will find me, time after time.' 2
 

_¹ Skylar Laine, American Idol 11, eliminated during the vie for the top four posts.

2  A famous 80's song.

Quickie Commuter’s Guide: Galera 101

Yey. It’s Summer. And for the South people, the quickest route off for some steamy treat to the beach is Galera. Puerto Galera has been a staple summer escape and yes, the island still boasts a good fix.

For those backpackers who would like to thrive for a trip treat, here’s a simple commuters’ guide:

1) Ride a southbound bus and drop off to Turbina (a channel-like terminal point connecting Laguna, Batangas and routes to Lucena/ Quezon).

2) Buses going to Batangas Ports abound there. Fare approximates at 100Ps or less.

3) In the port, one can actually choose from boatride-to-Galera packages (Ps500, 2-way, open ticket). You just have to add Ps80 for the one-time-pay terminal fee.

2Go also offers big boat trips to Caticlan/ Kalibo if you want a detour to Bora (Ps 499, one-way, not bad) and other not-so-neighboring coasts!

Note1: Don’t buy items from the terminal for they are way too costly (e.g., 5Gallon Water Ps200). Hardsellers would try to convince you that drinking water (and other foodstuff) in the island is scarce and therefore, expensive. So not true. Everything you want is available there and is relatively affordable. You just have to scan the array of kiosks for better value. There are a lot of food stalls, too, including yes, an in-store, Shakeeeey’s!

Note2: During the ride, mints can really be great buddies to ease motion sickness. It’s a 1.5hr boat travel. The waves can really be naggers at times. For the not-so-tolerant ones, bring in some barf bags. ;-/

4) Upon arrival to the island, just confirm with the agent when is your boatride back so as to save the spots.

You can choose from a roster of accommodations. Just coordinate/ book in advance to assure a seamless stay. I recommend ‘Summer Connections’, located at the relatively right-rear-side part to those who prefer a ‘calm-less-crowded-minus-the-party-rock’ mood.

Trivia: Sunblocks are major must-haves. We are very familiar that sunblocks are tagged with Sun Protection Factor or SPF. Let’s do some math. If the label brags a 60-SPF, just multiply it by 10 (you get 600). This means, you have an approximate 600 minutes (or 10 hours) to sulk under the scorching heat before one needs to re-apply. I would assume one application of SPF60 would be enough for a whole-day sun date.

5) Activities like snorkeling, island hops, banana boat rides, scuba dives, sand massages among others are offered left and right. Just choose what fits you best.

6) Have fun under the sun in the morn or at night time, you can lie under the moonlit sky and traverse your eyes with the infinite universe. Chos!

--hakuna matata--

c'est la vie: galera 2012

HOLY WEEKENDER + eLBi Friends = SERENITY :D

Life is of the ESSENCE

" I will never give in to peer pressure!" :-)

jerri, favor: dont mind us, the elders.

Quarter Life: Sa Likod ng Lib

*UPLB Main Library*

It never fails. 

Therapeutic  ang effect ng LB Lib(rary) sa akin.  Nope, not the indoors (though minsan parang addictive din ang amoy ng lumang mga book pages doon).  Yung part ng lib sa likod kung saan tumatambay ang mga estudyante para magpalipas ng oras.  Ito yung part kung saan visually mae-entice ka lang pagmasdan ang kabuuan ng Makiling habang umaakyat ang mga dyip pa-forestry.

Just imagining, parang naamoy ko na ang mga dahon sa ELBI.  Soothing.  Naririnig ko ang mga ibon.  Music to the ears. Nare-refresh ang mata ko sa greenery. Eye-candy!

Hindi ba masarap alalahanin ang panahon kung kailan ang role(s) lang natin sa buhay ay mag-cram para sa mga exams, tipirin ang baon para meron pang maipang-gimik at magreklamo over demonic profs?

After eight years, much have changed.  Hindi na pwede basta tumakbo sa likod ng lib para tumambay at mag-destress.  In this real world kung saan we are very much entwined, ang bilis ng phasing.  Nakakalula.  Kung babagal-bagal ka, surely maiiwan ka.

To my dear lib, you will forever be one of my comfort blankets.  Just my memory of you is enough to lift my spirit.  

Tumatanda na nga yata ako, emo stuff and all.  Must be...The Quarter Life.

OF SAND GRAINS AND VALENTINE

I removed the slippers embracing my feet, my feet that seemed so exhausted because of the hours of walking. And at the moment those feet felt the sands again, I sensed coldness- the coldness brought about by the sea winds—caressing me and my entirety. Odd as it was as it soothed me- grateful though as if the wind has the ability to heal, heal something that was incrementally wearing me during those times.

Purposely I sat down facing the sun. I devoured on its warmth. The monsoon breeze blending with the sun’s heat will be perpetually perfect for my senses. My hands commenced to amuse themselves with the grains--fondly playing with their softness. I attempted to confine them in my palms; I confined them so tightly and got marveled by the thought that the grains, regardless of how firmly I grasp on them, still manage to escape. Perhaps, the grains do not like me. Or just maybe, the grains do not belong to me. Again, my struggling fists tried to imprison them, and over again all my attempts failed-- for the grains were able to flee again, flee back to the place where they ought to belong.

xmas 2011

me shoutouts a merry christmas. lesson learned: when making a pic post like this one, you should write the texts in their mirror images. otherwise, you'll get a post readable only by dyslexics. happpppy holidaaaays! :D