New Books from Booksale
I love going to Booksale. It's like going on an expedition to some historic archaeological site. There is always a new book to be unearthed and discovered.
Over the past few months I have bought some interesting comic books. These are not the usual superhero-type comics, but are more of the alternative type. I don't think I'll ever get to buy these books in the mainstream bookstores or comic shops.
What makes these books so attractive to me are its price (costing less than 150 pesos) and its art work. The stories are engaging and I think the drawings make the characters more interesting. I might do a review of each book in a future post.
Aside from these alternative comic books, I also found some RPG books hidden behind one of the coffee book shelves. Most of them are fourth edition Dungeons and Dragons books. I think the price is reasonable, but I decided not to buy it since our RPG group has abandoned playing 4E.
Updates on the Veggie Garden
The weather has been good to the vegetable plants in our little garden. The hot morning sun and heavy afternoon rains made the seedlings sprout faster, growing several inches over the span of a few days. The best thing is that I don't have to do any more watering since the rain is doing it for me.
It has been almost two years since I bought my first set of seedlings. I remember purchasing one small pot of citrus mint, another pot of citrus basil, and a pot of lagundi seedlings. There was a feeling of excitement and fear when I brought the plants home. I wasn't sure if I was watering them correctly or if I was giving them too much or too little sunlight. Weeks passed and the plants survived. I decided to treat the whole garden project as an experiment, to see how long I can keep the seedlings alive and see how big I can make them grow.
From these three small pots, my plant collection grew to include two calamansi trees, four giant pots filled with ginger and tumeric shoots, several pots of basil herbs, three large cans of bell pepper plants, two peppermint pots, and one lonely cherry tomato plant.
I did encounter some failures with growing potatoes, kamote, garlic, and onion plants. Apparently they don't do well with the soil or I have been watering them the wrong way. I am still hopeful and learning. Good thing we have Google and Youtube to help provide gardening tips and ideas.
Last August my mother-in-law gave us a set of vegetable seeds and we started planting them in small cups. A few weeks later, small seedlings started to sprout and we manage to transplant them into bigger pots. Now the seedlings have grown into young happy plants. These are the new additions to our growing urban garden:
Cucumber plant
Guyabano seedlings
Kalabasa (Squash)
Radish
While on the road home...
I was driving back home yesterday afternoon when I saw three young toddlers squatting side-by-side on the sidewalk. Normally I wouldn't pay them any attention, but since traffic was heavy, I began to notice them. They appeared to be three or four years of age, covered in dust and grime, wearing tattered shirts without any shorts or underwear. The eldest one, a skinny brown girl, looks around self-consciously as she relieves herself on the sewage drain below her. The two smaller boys were laughing with each other, playing their game while taking a dump on top of the same drainage.
I drove my car a few meters forward, passing the kids, wondering why I felt a little troubled by this incident. I've seen a lot of street children around the city -- sniffing rugby, aggressively asking for alms, cursing you if you ignore their pleas. Years of living in Manila had made me both indifferent and angry at the plight of these young beggars. But at that moment, I felt a familiar sense of despair creeping inside me.
As a fresh college graduate, I remembered having a lot more empathy and concern. I truly believed that they were the neglected victims of a cruel society. I was foolish to think that I could have made a difference. Back then I had that desire to help them out, to restore their dignity and fight the system that continuously abuses them. So I did my share of volunteer work at the local church and even joined a few protest movements to speak out against this injustice. But somewhere during that time, I had a change of heart. Maybe it was the idea that poverty was an incurable plague that infected the city or nothing that I did really mattered. Eventually I stopped caring about them, focusing on other things that I can control, like my career and my family.
The car in front of me moved another three or four meters. I quickly pushed all these troubling thoughts to the back of my mind. My car was now beside a half-empty jeepney parked next to the sidewalk. There were two men standing at the back of the jeep, hooting and calling for passengers. One of the barkers kept his eyes on the kids, checking if they were finish with their business. The other man drew out something that looked like a small gun from his baggy pants.
For a moment I panicked, I wasn't sure if the weapon was real or not. The pistol looked authentic from a distance, but it could have been made entirely of plastic. The barker grinned as he held the weapon, as if he was prepping himself up for a fight. I looked at him as he played with the gun, his companion called him, and he quickly pushed the weapon back into his pants.
I took a couple of deep breaths as soon as I drove pass the jeep. I was moving further and further away from these disturbing sights. But I could not push back the faces of the people I had just seen and the feelings that have started to bubble up inside me. It was foolish of me to think that I was totally safe in my car, inside my own little cocoon, protected from the harsh realities of this city.
It would have been easier for me to close my eyes again, pretend not to see the parts of our society that have been crumbling for ages. The bitter truth is that we are only as strong as our weakest members. The children that sleep and shit on the streets today may become the harden criminals or the industrious workers of the future. Their experiences on the urban road have shaped them into the people they are right now, and it will continue to shape them in the years to come.
I am thankful for this experience. It came as a wake up call for me, reminding me of the judgements I have over other people, particularly the less fortunate members of our society. I might not have the answers to poverty nor do I have the dedication to help uplift their lives, but at least I am now awake to face this reality.
I drove my car a few meters forward, passing the kids, wondering why I felt a little troubled by this incident. I've seen a lot of street children around the city -- sniffing rugby, aggressively asking for alms, cursing you if you ignore their pleas. Years of living in Manila had made me both indifferent and angry at the plight of these young beggars. But at that moment, I felt a familiar sense of despair creeping inside me.
As a fresh college graduate, I remembered having a lot more empathy and concern. I truly believed that they were the neglected victims of a cruel society. I was foolish to think that I could have made a difference. Back then I had that desire to help them out, to restore their dignity and fight the system that continuously abuses them. So I did my share of volunteer work at the local church and even joined a few protest movements to speak out against this injustice. But somewhere during that time, I had a change of heart. Maybe it was the idea that poverty was an incurable plague that infected the city or nothing that I did really mattered. Eventually I stopped caring about them, focusing on other things that I can control, like my career and my family.
The car in front of me moved another three or four meters. I quickly pushed all these troubling thoughts to the back of my mind. My car was now beside a half-empty jeepney parked next to the sidewalk. There were two men standing at the back of the jeep, hooting and calling for passengers. One of the barkers kept his eyes on the kids, checking if they were finish with their business. The other man drew out something that looked like a small gun from his baggy pants.
For a moment I panicked, I wasn't sure if the weapon was real or not. The pistol looked authentic from a distance, but it could have been made entirely of plastic. The barker grinned as he held the weapon, as if he was prepping himself up for a fight. I looked at him as he played with the gun, his companion called him, and he quickly pushed the weapon back into his pants.
I took a couple of deep breaths as soon as I drove pass the jeep. I was moving further and further away from these disturbing sights. But I could not push back the faces of the people I had just seen and the feelings that have started to bubble up inside me. It was foolish of me to think that I was totally safe in my car, inside my own little cocoon, protected from the harsh realities of this city.
It would have been easier for me to close my eyes again, pretend not to see the parts of our society that have been crumbling for ages. The bitter truth is that we are only as strong as our weakest members. The children that sleep and shit on the streets today may become the harden criminals or the industrious workers of the future. Their experiences on the urban road have shaped them into the people they are right now, and it will continue to shape them in the years to come.
I am thankful for this experience. It came as a wake up call for me, reminding me of the judgements I have over other people, particularly the less fortunate members of our society. I might not have the answers to poverty nor do I have the dedication to help uplift their lives, but at least I am now awake to face this reality.
Quitting Sugar
Two days ago, I decided to stop consuming sugar. It was something I thought I need to do because I do have a sweet tooth problem. My wife noticed that I have been consuming a lot more sugary stuff over the years - from muffins and donuts to sweeten iced tea and fruit juices.
So I am staying away from these sweet treats for now. I don't know how long I plan to do this, but so far it is working out okay. I thought my body would experience major sugar withdrawal but I am doing fine. I noticed that I have moments of low energy and moments of crankiness because my body was searching for something sweet.
I think my body is still adjusting to the absence of sugar, but it is compensating in other ways. I am drinking a lot more water right now. I think the increased water intake has help offset the sugar craving that I am experiencing. I also feel lighter and more thinner, although I think this is just a psychological feeling and not a physical one yet.
I have read a few articles online discussing positive changes that come from quitting sugar. These include things like losing weight and having more energy. But these changes will take time.
So I am staying away from these sweet treats for now. I don't know how long I plan to do this, but so far it is working out okay. I thought my body would experience major sugar withdrawal but I am doing fine. I noticed that I have moments of low energy and moments of crankiness because my body was searching for something sweet.
I think my body is still adjusting to the absence of sugar, but it is compensating in other ways. I am drinking a lot more water right now. I think the increased water intake has help offset the sugar craving that I am experiencing. I also feel lighter and more thinner, although I think this is just a psychological feeling and not a physical one yet.
I have read a few articles online discussing positive changes that come from quitting sugar. These include things like losing weight and having more energy. But these changes will take time.
Harvesting Tumeric at the Backyard Garden
After eight months I finally got to pull out the Tumeric plant in our backyard garden. I was pleasantly surprised to find clumps of Tumeric inside the pot. This was one of the plants I managed to successfully grow and harvest.
Buying McDdo Adventure Time Happy Meal Toys
Looks like McDonalds is now offering six Adventure Time toys for its Happy Meal product. I initially bought two of the six toys for the kids, but I am now thinking of buying two more.
The kids loved the Bendable Finn and Jake toys. I do like how their arms and legs bend in weird but funny poses. Unfortunately the toy manufacturer seemed to have used cheap paint to color the toys. The white paint on Jake's eyes and Finn's hat have started to chip off after a few hours of playing.
I hope these toys are safe, at least nothing harmful would happen if a young child chews on them.
Investing in Farmon.ph
My good friend introduced me to the company last December. It was supposed to be a real life Farmville game with people investing real money in real agricultural crops and animals. The company had been promoting itself for some time now, with a couple of news articles in the Inquirer and even Facebook.
For those who are curious, Farmon.ph is a virtual application that introduces Filipinos to farming and help bridge the gap between investors (those with money) and famers (those with the skills to produce farm corps and raise livestock.) Here is a video of an interview with the company representative explaining the idea of virtual farming and how it can help farmers in the province.
I thought this was an interesting kind of investment, with a lot of potential for growth and learning. Investors get to choose the kind of vegetable or livestock they want to grow, like eggplant, tomatoes, or chickens. Each plant or animal has a corresponding investment price. Once they placed their investments, Farmon.ph works with the farmers by providing them with the needed seeds/fertilizers to grow the vegetables. Investors can monitor their crops or animals online. When the plants are ready for harvesting, investors have the option of selling the crops to Farmon.ph or pick up the vegetables themselves.
After doing some research, I decided to become a farmon.ph investor. I contacted the company, selected the crops I wanted to invest on, signed the contract, and gave them the money. The entire process can actually be done virtually (except for the payment which you have to go to the bank and deposit the money to their bank account). Skeptical investors (like me) can visit their Manila office and make the payment in person. I did pay a visit to their office in Mandaluyong, just to make sure they are a legit company. It was there that I learned that the company was closing its Manila office and moving its entire operation to the province. I guess it was a perfectly good reason since investors rarely come to their office (I was the first in months) and they needed to transfer to a new location that was closer to the actual farm.
A few weeks later, they activated my account in Facebook and I could now "access" my crops. It is a very simple interface with a lot of sections that are still under development. I tried emailing their customer support, asking questions about their interface, but they haven't responded. I did get an email from them a few days ago, informing me that they took a fifteen second video of my crops.
I think the Facebook app will continue to change and improve, but honestly I was expecting a lot more. I got a faster response when I emailed their contact persons for questions, rather than posting my questions using the Facebook app.
I am still excited about my Farmon.ph investment. It might take a few more months before harvest time, but I am looking forward to investing in other crops on the next farming cycle.
For those who are curious, Farmon.ph is a virtual application that introduces Filipinos to farming and help bridge the gap between investors (those with money) and famers (those with the skills to produce farm corps and raise livestock.) Here is a video of an interview with the company representative explaining the idea of virtual farming and how it can help farmers in the province.
I thought this was an interesting kind of investment, with a lot of potential for growth and learning. Investors get to choose the kind of vegetable or livestock they want to grow, like eggplant, tomatoes, or chickens. Each plant or animal has a corresponding investment price. Once they placed their investments, Farmon.ph works with the farmers by providing them with the needed seeds/fertilizers to grow the vegetables. Investors can monitor their crops or animals online. When the plants are ready for harvesting, investors have the option of selling the crops to Farmon.ph or pick up the vegetables themselves.
After doing some research, I decided to become a farmon.ph investor. I contacted the company, selected the crops I wanted to invest on, signed the contract, and gave them the money. The entire process can actually be done virtually (except for the payment which you have to go to the bank and deposit the money to their bank account). Skeptical investors (like me) can visit their Manila office and make the payment in person. I did pay a visit to their office in Mandaluyong, just to make sure they are a legit company. It was there that I learned that the company was closing its Manila office and moving its entire operation to the province. I guess it was a perfectly good reason since investors rarely come to their office (I was the first in months) and they needed to transfer to a new location that was closer to the actual farm.
A few weeks later, they activated my account in Facebook and I could now "access" my crops. It is a very simple interface with a lot of sections that are still under development. I tried emailing their customer support, asking questions about their interface, but they haven't responded. I did get an email from them a few days ago, informing me that they took a fifteen second video of my crops.
I think the Facebook app will continue to change and improve, but honestly I was expecting a lot more. I got a faster response when I emailed their contact persons for questions, rather than posting my questions using the Facebook app.
I am still excited about my Farmon.ph investment. It might take a few more months before harvest time, but I am looking forward to investing in other crops on the next farming cycle.
Dust and Bones
Oh my darling, we have fallin'
Stuck at the crossroads, skull and cross bones
Sinking down now, down to the bottom
All in the same boat, where only God knows
Everyone around us
Holds on to the promise
Can you hear the sound?
I almost hear it, now.
The world exploding, the final moment, it’s
Life and death, we won’t rest
Til we’re dust and bones
The clock keeps turning, the world keeps burning
It’s life and death, we won’t rest,
Til we’re dust and bones (x2)
All the lonely, lost, misshapen
Praying to be taken
Everyone around us
Holds on to the promise
Can you hear the sound?
I almost hear it, now.
The world exploding, the final moment, it’s
Life and death, we won’t rest
Til we’re dust and bones
The clock keeps turning, the world keeps burning
It’s life and death, we won’t rest
Til we’re dust and bones (x2)
The world exploding, the final moment, it’s
Life and death, we won’t rest
Til we’re dust and bones
The clock keeps turning, the world keeps burning
It's life and death, we won’t rest,
Til we’re dust and bones.
Interesting Find @ Booksale
I found this hardbound comic book for just 170 pesos. The story is set in Cuba 1948, with a young talented piano player falling in love with a beautiful singer with an alluring voice. Their love story brings them to different places like Havana, New York, Paris, and America.
The comic book is adapted from the animated feature of the same name. I have a feeling that the movie is much better than the book, because movies have that audio component that makes the audience listen and appreciate the music and songs. You can't listen to music and songs in a comic book.
Another reason why I bought the book is because I loved the art. Flipping through the pages, I couldn't help but feel attracted to the illustration and the style of drawing. I loved the way the characters are drawn, the sketch of the buildings, the cars, and the simple bright colors really drew me into the book.
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