Friday, March 23, 2012

ON PRETTY HOT!

What does Pretty Hot mean?


It may literally mean, a pretty hot weather, where our sweat trickles down our face...

But here is the thesaurus equivalent for hot

I would wish I was this, but many might beg to disagree, so let us not force the issue!

Pretty Hot is just important to me because I really felt special when my fifteen-year old son gave this to me as "pasalubong" from HongKong, when he went on vacation with his cousins, who were in their mid twenties (first time abroad without parents!!!).


I was touched that he has grown to be a thoughtful person inspite of a very masculine aura... and with impeccable taste, too!

I guess I should thank his cousins for their excellent influence on him.

By the way, here is a bit about Pretty Hot Eau de Parfum!

http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Elizabeth-Arden/Pretty-Hot-11123.html
Elizabeth Arden launches the new fragrance Pretty Hot in January 2011 as a sequel to the original Pretty perfume from 2009. Pretty Hot, as its predecessor, is signed by Givaudan perfumer Claude Dir, who was utterly inspired by Belle de Nuit, a flower that blooms and develops in hot summer nights under the moonlight. Its fiery petals and captivating aroma are embodied in this mystical, intense, hot and seductive fragrance. Pretty Hot is hypnotic, sexy and feminine just like tropical flowers, juicy red fruits and exotic spices.
The composition opens with red currant, fresh mandarin, blood orange, red apple and freesia. Queen of the night dominates perfume’s heart, followed by peony, pimento blossom and Petalia and Georgywood (cedar and amber) molecules. Long-lasting power and intensity is provided by the base made of amber, white patchouli, tonka bean, sandalwood and musky Cosmone molecule.
The perfume bottle is of the same shape as the Pretty one, painted in fiery pomegranate color with a flat flower – shaped stopper at the top. The box is the same color as the bottle, adorned with attractive floral pattern. Elizabeth ArdenPretty Hot is available as 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.




Nikon Coolpix P300
ISO 400
4.3 mm 
0 EV
f/2.8
1/25

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

ON TOYS FOR THE BIG BOYS

These are some of the toys of my big boys...
even my "baby" is now a big boy, too...
how time flies!

But, how about the toys?
They also seem to grow bigger through the years...

Each person searches for his own happiness...
to each his own.
Never question another person's source of joy and peace...
So he wouldn't question yours.

Because of our individuality, we have different wants, different needs, different ideas and different expressions.
We, sometimes, get exasperated when people do not see the world the way we do.

But, such is life...
Different strokes for different folks...
And it is what makes it interesting...
And it is what makes the world go 'round! 

Nikon Coolpix P300
ISO 160
4.3 mm 
0 EV
f/2.8
1/200

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

ON CUTE BALLOONS


Wherever the place may be,  the presence of  cute balloons is a source of happiness.
Wait 'til the little kids come, and Mr. Baloonman will be so busy.

Baloons have come a long way... from flying baloons to stick baloons... from round to oblong baloons, there are now Hello Kitty and Dora baloons as well as the elaborate baloon art which adorns kids parties and even baloon arches in lavish weddings.
We continue to appreciate the beauty of baloons and the elegance it brings.

Of course, there are safety issues which we have to deal with....


Just outside Jollibee, Ipil, Zamboanga Del Sur

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5
ISO 3200
44 mm 
0 EV
f/11
1/640

ON MIRRORS AND REFLECTIONS


I'm a mirror. If you're cool with me, I'm cool with you, and the exchange starts. What you see is what you reflect. If you don't like what you see, then you've done something. If I'm standoffish, that's because you are.



When the surface is so clean, the reflection we see is so clear.
Let our aura be clean so that what comes out from us is transparent.
We don't need to hide our true self if our true self has a clean conscience.


Murok, Zamboanga City

Monday, March 12, 2012

ON BAMBOOS AND STRENGTH





From Wikipedia: Bamboo has also long been used as scaffolding; the practice has been banned in China for buildings over six storeys but is still in continuous use for skyscrapers in Hong Kong.


I was amazed that bamboo is used as scaffolding in skyscrapers in HongKong. 
Maybe, because of its innate strength, endurance and pliability.

In Chinese cultures, the bamboo is the symbol of the gentleman with features of being upright, with  tenacity and a hollow heart, meaning with an open heart and without arrogance or prejudice.

Integrity, elegance and simplicity are the other characteristics of the bamboo and not necessarily obvious physical strength.

Still with the Chinese tradition, the bamboo bends with the wind and does not break; it represents a man who bends with the adversities of life and endures.

Let us be like the bamboo, simple but elegant,  mentally strong and with an open heart and most of all, upright, perserverant and tenacious. 

Wanchai, HongKong

Nikon D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5
ISO 4000
18 mm 
0 EV
f/6.3
1/60




Sunday, March 11, 2012

ON MUSIC AND EXPERIENCE

I guess I don't have the musical talent... and even more, that I never also tried to develop this!

But some people have the talent .... turned to ability ... and with experience, they perfect this.
Such is my friend, Alice G.

I told her that even when she belted the high notes, her face remained composed with the ethereal smile.

She really knows how to continue how to be beautiful while keeping the power in her voice.



Three Zamboanga musical "icons"  = Dr. Rodel Agbulos, Ms. Alice Gonzales and Mr. Joel Bustamante served as the powerhouse front act and blended with 32-song Concert "How to Remain Young at Heart", with lyrics and libretto by Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo, Cardiologist and artist as well as the Director for this concert.
Music was composed by Zamboanga's own pride, Jeremiah "Jimboy" Calisang!

How to Remain Young at Heart
Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases
Garden Orchid Hotel
Zamboanga City

Nikon D90
AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200 mm
ISO 4000    200mm    0EV     f/5.6   1/60

ON BALLET: FLIGHT AND FORM... AND EDUCATION!

I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
~~~R. Kelly lyrics "I Believe I Can Fly"

Such a fragile-looking lady in a flowing white tunic...
Made us wonder how it can be done.
That's the beauty of Ballet.
That's the power of discipline.

In this instance, the ballet dance even became more beautiful because it was used as an instrument of Lay Education on Heart Diseases.

Words of the 32-song Concert "How to Remain Young at Heart" was penned by Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo, Cardiologist and artist.
Music was composed by Zamboanga's own pride, Jeremiah "Jimboy" Calisang!

How to Remain Young at Heart
Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases
Garden Orchid Hotel
Zamboanga City

Nikon D90
AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200 mm
iso 4000    52mm    0EV     f/10   1/100

ON BALLET: DISCIPLINE AND BEAUTY

I  will forever remember this quote, which we lifted from the Reader's digest. We were in elementary then, and we had to find a meaningful quote for our project and this has stuck since then.

Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability
~~ Roy Smith
I was amazed on the beauty of the dance. 
The smooth flow, flights and twirls mesmerize me!
And it dawned on me... only strong self-discipline can produce such beauty and ability.




How to Remain Young at Heart
Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases
Garden Orchid Hotel
Zamboanga City


Nikon D90
AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200 mm
iso 4000    60mm    0EV     f/6.3   1/100

Saturday, March 10, 2012

HEART


My heart explodes with L♡VE!

As I was appreciating this through the thumbnail, I realized this display has the HEART shape.

So timely, it was taken during the month of Hearts, February!



Third Philippine International Pyromusical Competition
United Kingdom
Feb 18, 2012
SM Mall of Asia