Give the Day a Chance to Start

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Point and click

I came accross this photograph I'd taken in Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay. We went there so many months ago that I'd already forgotten about the whole trip, much less this snapshot. Seeing the photo, though, made me remember my passion for photography. What used to be a hobby has sadly turned into one of my many frustrations.

It wasn't so many years back that I frequently took photographs of almost anything and everything. Back in high school, I surprisingly even won awards for categories such as Photojournalism, Still Life, and Character Portrait. Black and white photography was what I did best, too. I took lessons from Raymund Lauchengco, knew all about the proper aperture and shutter speed, and best of all, captured priceless moments with a legit SLR.

Now I ask myself: Whatever came of that hobby? Was it just a pastime? I don't think so because I never got tired of it. I never lost interest. I always loved, and still love, pointing and clicking. It's sad to think that maybe I just "got too busy"--lame excuse as that is. But I can't pinpoint not pursuing that passion further to any other cause. Now that I'm reminded of how much photography meant to me, I'm reluctant about getting started again for fear that I've already lost it... you know, the ability to capture. Not to mention the fact that photography is one time-consuming and expensive hobby!

If I had the time and the resources, would I even be any good? Did I really have potential back in the day? I can only wonder at this point.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Lewis never disappoints

I finally finished a book I started reading eons ago--Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis (who is, by the way, my favorite author). I cannot believe I put off reading it for so long! It's without doubt, one of the most enthralling works of fiction I have ever read.

In it, Lewis yet again captures the depth, value, and essence of human existence and even more importantly, the extent to which we have fallen, in no less than a science-fiction trilogy. Of course, I have yet to read the other two parts of the series (Perelandra and That Hideous Strength) before offering my opinions on them. The first, though, is definitely a must-read. I'm not even a fan of sci-fi. Believe me, I'd rather do nothing and die of sheer boredom than watch five minutes of Star Trek (sorry to all fans of that show. it's just a matter of taste!). But for reasons made possible only by an author such as Lewis, this particular book appealed to me. It goes beyond literary taste, I guess. It's message was one which I'd been familiar with all my life. To have read it conveyed in such an interesting and unique new way, though, was quite refreshing for me. I can't wait to start on the other two books! So, after the longest hiatus, I'm putting my bookworm cap back on.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Nourishment

Ever since I started working, I'd been having difficulty finding time for myself, more so, time spent with God. I haven't even opened my Bible in months. Considering how I'd consistently read and study God's word everyday when I was younger, that really spells Spiritual starvation. The moment my alarm clock rings every morning, I get up, slap myself awake, and start my day in a rush. The minute I lie on my bed at night, I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow. I must admit that I haven't quite been the same since I inadvertently started neglecting the most important time of the day. I still need my Spiritual nourishment. No wonder I've been feeling weak and inequipped to face the challenges of each day.

Thank goodness for the internet. I can now take even just a few minutes off any hectic day, click away, and get my daily dose of enlightenment. How wonderful to have the Daily Bread available on the net. I was actually looking for an online Campus Journal, but then I realized that I'm no longer a student. Hahaha... Here's the link. Daily Bread

Check it out. It keeps me grounded and sane even in the craziest of crazy work days.