Eagles and storms

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come.

When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them. Happy Sunday!

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Eye of the hurricane

This early morning post is inspired by a conversation that I had with someone last night at McDonald's. I spent some time thinking about moods -- that is, the tendency of people to let their dispositions be dictated by the events in their lives.

"What a peculiar thing," I thought to myself. But then I remembered a not-so-distant time in my life where I thought to myself as a powerless passenger on some great figurative and emotional roller coaster called life, going up with the hills and down with the valleys.

Over the years, I have learned that we don't need to let the events in our life determine or influence our mood. Failing a test, getting fired from a job or losing a loved one can only get us down in the dumps if we allow it to do so. When something goes awry in our lives, the event must first ask for our consent to make us angry, sad or piss-prone. So many of us hand over that consent unconsciously. And so many of us then use our negative mood as a weapon against the people we love.

Bitter moods and attacks on loved ones don't serve our personal evolution.

Someone once shared with me the analogy of the eye of a hurricane. It's being calm among the chaos. No matter what happens around us, good or bad, we can center ourselves on the constant hum of love that pervades the universe.

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List of 83rd annual Academy Award nominations

Here is the complete list of 83rd Annual Academy Award nominations, which were announced Tuesday:

1. Best Picture: "Black Swan," ''The Fighter," ''Inception," ''The Kids Are All Right," ''The King's Speech," ''127 Hours," ''The Social Network," ''Toy Story 3," ''True Grit," ''Winter's Bone."

2. Actor: Javier Bardem, "Biutiful"; Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"; Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"; Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"; James Franco, "127 Hours."

3. Actress: Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"; Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"; Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"; Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"; Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine."

4. Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, "The Fighter"; John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"; Jeremy Renner, "The Town"; Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"; Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech."

5. Supporting Actress: Amy Adams, "The Fighter"; Helena Bonham Carter, "The King's Speech"; Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"; Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"; Jacki Weaver, "Animal Kingdom."

6. Directing: Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"; David O. Russell, "The Fighter"; Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech"; David Fincher, "The Social Network"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "True Grit."

7. Foreign Language Film: "Biutiful," Mexico; "Dogtooth," Greece; "In a Better World," Denmark; "Incendies," Canada; "Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)," Algeria.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy, "127 Hours"; Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network"; Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, "Toy Story 3"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "True Grit"; Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, "Winter's Bone."

9. Original Screenplay: Mike Leigh, "Another Year"; Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson and Keith Dorrington, "The Fighter"; Christopher Nolan, "Inception"; Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, "The Kids Are All Right"; David Seidler, "The King's Speech."

10. Animated Feature Film: "How to Train Your Dragon," ''The Illusionist," ''Toy Story 3."

11. Art Direction: "Alice in Wonderland," ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," ''Inception," ''The King's Speech," ''True Grit."

12. Cinematography: "Black Swan," ''Inception," ''The King's Speech," ''The Social Network," ''True Grit."

13. Sound Mixing: "Inception," ''The King's Speech," ''Salt," ''The Social Network," ''True Grit."

14. Sound Editing: "Inception," ''Toy Story 3," ''Tron: Legacy," ''True Grit," ''Unstoppable."

15. Original Score: "How to Train Your Dragon," John Powell; "Inception," Hans Zimmer; "The King's Speech," Alexandre Desplat; "127 Hours," A.R. Rahman; "The Social Network," Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

16. Original Song: "Coming Home" from "Country Strong," Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey; "I See the Light" from "Tangled," Alan Menken and Glenn Slater; "If I Rise" from "127 Hours," A.R. Rahman, Dido and Rollo Armstrong; "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3," Randy Newman.

17. Costume: "Alice in Wonderland," ''I Am Love," ''The King's Speech," ''The Tempest," ''True Grit."

18. Documentary Feature: "Exit through the Gift Shop," ''Gasland," ''Inside Job," ''Restrepo," ''Waste Land."

19. Documentary (short subject): "Killing in the Name," ''Poster Girl," ''Strangers No More," ''Sun Come Up," ''The Warriors of Qiugang."

20. Film Editing: "Black Swan," ''The Fighter," ''The King's Speech," ''127 Hours," ''The Social Network."

21. Makeup: "Barney's Version," ''The Way Back," ''The Wolfman."

22. Animated Short Film: "Day and Night," ''The Gruffalo," ''Let's Pollute," ''The Lost Thing," ''Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)."

23. Live Action Short Film: "The Confession," ''The Crush," ''God of Love," ''Na Wewe," ''Wish 143."

24. Visual Effects: "Alice in Wonderland," ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," ''Hereafter," ''Inception," ''Iron Man 2."

—AP

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Two photography projects for 2011

And below are the two things I am willing to invest with this year. Talk about leveling up in photography! But of course, I still have a lot to learn especially the basic ones. An in-depth learning of the exposure triangle would be awesome. Anyone willing to share their expertise? :)

AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR

70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

1. High-power 4.3x Telephoto Zoom-Nikkor lens approximates the picture angle performance of a

105-450mm lens on 35mm SLR.

2. Two Nikon Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements deliver superior optical performance for both digital and 35mm photography. ED glass minimizes chromatic aberrations, contributing to superb contrast and resolution performance.

3. Focus as close as 4.9 ft throughout entire zoom range.

4. A Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables fast and quiet auto focusing, along with quick switching between auto focus and manual operation (M/A and M).

7. 67mm filter attachment size.

8. Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization

Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture.

8. Internal Focus (IF) provides fast and quiet auto focusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining subject-working distance through the focus range.

9. Non-rotating front element provides for convenient use of circular polarizing filters and the Nikon Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System.

10. A nine-blade rounded diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural.

SB 900 AF Speedlight

1. Powerful, Versatile Speedlight Unit

Atop the Nikon Creative Lighting System, the SB-900 is an indispensable portable light source providing effective solutions to lighting challenges.

2. Complete Flash Head Positioning Freedom

Bounce 90°up and 7°down with 360° rotation elevates creative lighting freedom.

3. Renowned Dedicated Wireless Flash Control

Wireless Commander Mode offers wireless control at the master Speedlight position, controlling up to 3 remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights. Four wireless channel options help manage wireless conflicts in multi-photographer environments.

4. Choose From 3 Light Distribution Patterns

Optimize light quality by selecting Standard for general illumination, Center-weighted for portraits or Even, for groups or interiors.

5. Color Gel Filter Identification

Automatically identifies mounted color gel filters and adjusts camera white-balance.* *With select Nikon digital SLRs

6. Automatic Format Identification

Automatically senses the FX or DX-format camera in use and optimizes light distribution.

7. Firmware Updating

Allows uploading of performance enhancement developments.*

*With select Nikon digital SLRs

8. Nikon’s Precision i-TTL Flash Control

Delivers precise flash exposures and seamless fill-flash performance—even in challenging lighting situations.

9. Hot Shoe and Wireless Operation

Use on-camera, as a wireless Master Commander or as a wireless remote light source.

10. Expanded Auto Power Zoom Coverage

Smoothly covers lenses as wide as 17mm and up to 200mm in FX-format and as wide as 12mm and up to 200mm in DX-format use.

11. Streamlined Controls and Menus

Convenient Rotary Select Dial sets key functions quickly and a prominent Master and Remote control switch simplifies wireless operation.

12. Flash Tube Overheat Protection

An added measure of safety is provided for sustained high-speed bursts.

13. Flash Value (FV) Lock

Locks in a specific flash output on the main subject, regardless of aperture, composition or the lens’ zoom position.*

*With select Nikon digital SLRs

14. Drip-Proof Mounting Foot Cover (Water Guard)*

Provides enhanced moisture protection.

*Optional

Please note that the images and specs are from the Nikon website.

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2011: International Year of Chemistry

The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind. Under the unifying theme “Chemistry—our life, our future,” IYC 2011 will offer a range of interactive, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages. The Year of Chemistry is intended to reach across the globe, with opportunities for public participation at the local, regional, and national level.

The goals of IYC2011 are to increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs, to encourage interest in chemistry among young people, and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry. The year 2011 will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Madame Marie Curie—an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to science. The year will also be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies, providing a chance to highlight the benefits of international scientific collaboration.

IYC 2011 events will emphasize that chemistry is a creative science essential for sustainability and improvements to our way of life. Activities, such as lectures, exhibits, and hands-on experiments, will explore how chemical research is critical for solving our most vexing global problems involving food, water, health, energy, transportation, and more.

In addition, the Year of Chemistry will help enhance international cooperation by serving as a focal point or information source for activities by national chemical societies, educational institutions, industry, governmental, and non-governmental organizations.

The idea for an international year was first discussed in 2006, during the April meeting of IUPAC Executive Committee. Following that meeting, an IUPAC task group developed a plan to secure the designation by UNESCO of an International Year of Chemistry. That project (IUPAC project 2007-011-1-050) was successfully completed when in April 2008, and the Executive Board of UNESCO, endorsed the proposal for proclamation by the United Nations of 2011 as an International Year of Chemistry (IYC).

Source: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

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Sinulog 2011

Three days passed and I can still smell the fresh occurrences of the Sinulog Festival. An estimated 3.2 million people from all walks of life witnessed the festivity to honor the Santo Nino, or the child Jesus, who used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu (since in the Catholic faith Jesus is not a saint, but God). The main festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January and as a devotee, I feel I am obligated to take part of the event. Year after year, I always make sure I'd blow something up (naughty or otherwise) just to make it as memorable as it could. And this year by far is the most unforgettable.

We all know what kind of mayhem ensues during this festival, so my friends and I decided to grab entry tickets to the Sports Complex. It was 8:30 in the morning when we got to the place and to my surprise, the seats were almost full! Luckily, we managed to go pass the crowd and fnd a comfortable spot just enough to compensate our 360-degree geometric sight.

Crowd Control at post

We were just in time for the mass and it was the new archbishop who staged the ceremony. Shortly, the whole place was filled with excitement when the emcee foretold the arrival of President Noynoy Aquino. A few minutes passed and a swank of motorcars caught everyone's attentions. Everyone was waving their hands as the president went to the stage with his PSGs and delivered a message to the Cebuanos. Little did I know he can speak Bisaya with fluency. Not bad, Mr President. :)

After the short speech, I went out of the complex and flew my way to the streets where the parade of costumes and smiles took place. Of course, I wouldn't want to miss the chance to try my newly bought Nikon DSLR. So I took photos and walked a distance of 2 kilometers alone notwithstanding the drizzling weather and the burden of carrying 2 bags. (All photos in this entry are mine unless otherwise specified)

Festival Queen of Inayawan - Tribu Basurero

Festival Queen 2 - (forgot the tribu name)

Higante Category. First place -

The rain went havoc an hour later but that didn't stop me from seeing the giant statues and the different contingents in their street dancing. After taking 500 shots, my camera battery drained so I decided to go back to the complex. I was totally disported upon noticing how the participants, young and old, showed their unique style that spoke volumes of their personalities.

(Sleepy...) This is about it for now.

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Cartoons and childhood superheroes

Ever since I was a kid, my only source of entertainment without having to lift a finger was watching cartoons on television. Alone in the house, you’d catch me sitting in the couch all day just watching Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai X, Cooking Master Boy and the list goes on. Contrary to when my parents were around who kept telling me to do this and do that and read and learn how to cook and stuff. My mom even joked that I looked like a cartoon character with huge eyes and a body twice smaller than its head which I kinda like the idea. LOL

I remember the cool characters from DC and Marvel Comics, they were the greatest! (and still are) Among the shows that made me jump with excitement was Justice League. Earth's seven mightiest heroes unite against the threat of outside entities and an alien invasion and decide to remain together to defend Earth against attacking aliens, sorcerers, super-villains, and any other threat that might arise.

Among their number are Superman, the super-powered last survivor of the planet Krypton; Batman, the Dark Knight Detective; Green Lantern, wielder of an alien Power Ring; The Flash, the Fastest Man Alive; Hawkgirl, Winged Wonder and policewoman from the planet Thanagar; Wonder Woman, Princess of the Amazons, and Martian Manhunter, last survivor of Mars.

The whole series is available thru torrent (it doesn’t take that long to download given that your internet speed is over 2Mbps) and starting with the third season, the show was retitled "Justice League Unlimited" and now the core members, under the guidance of the Martian Manhunter, command teams of specialist heroes brought together to deal with specific crises they are best suited to handling.

Meanwhile, another cartoon superheroes from Marvel Comics also dominated the televisions not so long ago. The X-Men: Evolution brought the fan favorite comic book title onto the TV screen. The series loosely follows the main stories of the original comic. The main cast has been turned into kids (with the exception of Wolverine, Prof. X, and a few select others). Most of the fan favorites are accounted for, including Wolverine, Cyclops, and Storm.

X-Men: Evolution follows the lives of six mutants (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, ShadowCat, Rouge, and a new original named Spyke) who attend Xavier's Institute for the Gifted. There they learn how to control their powers and use it for good.

These are just two of the 100 cartoon shows that I used to kill my time on. Although, I have to admit that some people are cynical about watching cartoons due to false sense of reality and children at a young age can’t tell the difference between cartoons and reality. How come, at a young age, I was able to tell the difference? (smirk)

Moreover, I read from a certain article online that children who watch too much cartoons on television are more likely to have mental and emotional problems, along with brain and eye injuries and unexpectedly the risk of certain physical problems.

I went to Manila 7 years ago to attend an ANAK TV conference where they showcased the effects of television on the general population especially on children and was able to ask some adults about their views. They claimed that it had become a problem because too many children are watching too much television and the shows that they are watching have become violent and addictive.

Well, it's a good thing my mom was so strict that if she caught me watching these shows for more than 3 hours I wind up kneeling in my room with salt all over my knee caps. :P

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