Of Shutters and Memories

Go for Gold, Philippines!

2009-05-19T01:02:00.000-07:00

SM Cup Grand National Finals @ SM North Edsa Bowling Center

The SM Cup National Finals ended last sunday, I ended up being at 9th place, only 3 fxckng pins to qualify for the step ladder round. Oh well, if it's not meant to be, surely it's not. But I did learn a lesson from the experience. Here are some of them:

Never miss a spare. Yeah, that's why I lost, one fxcking spare. =))
Concentrate and never lose your focus. Everyone was shouting, hell, you really must concentrate 5x more.
Drink plenty of water and eat a lot of energy food. Banana and chocolates will help.
Ask God for guidance. Never ask for you to win, everybody prays for that.
Stretch before a big game. Hell, my leg hurt because I didn't stretch.
Be sure to fix your equipment before a big game.
Never lose your temper, just smile and relax.
Listen to your coach.
Have a lucky charm with you. ;)
Take your time.
Think Positive!
Go for Gold. :)

Oh well, there will always be a next year. Time to practice harder. Congratulations to the winners and to the finalists!

~º~

So tomorrow, we'll be leaving for HongKong to join the Asian Schools Tournament. Every youth representatives from all over Asia will be there, this one's the biggest tournament that our team was waiting all year around. Please pray for us. Our success will not only reflect to the team, but also to our beloved country. Nah, I won't be playing, I will be there to support the team, and to take some pictures too. ;) But my sister will be playing, and all my other teammates.

My Sister, practicing @ SM North Edsa Bowling Center

In a few days, I'll be hearing again the shouts and cheers, the battle cries and everything. I'm kinda excited, but mostly, I'm excited about the whole experience.

Let us support Team Prima, and cheer for our country. Ayos?

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Mabuhay ang Prima!

Of Ice Creams and Handkerchiefs

2009-05-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

Dairy Queen Chocolate / Strawberry Waffle Ice cream. Yum!

I was walking along SM Fairview, my camera hanging on my neck, the other day, just to find an inspiration for a blog post. Actually, walking alone on a mall really helped me. It made me reminisce on all the events happened to me this past few months of being away from blogging.

Yes, a lot had happened. I mean, a lot. But one memory stood out, it was the one when I met a certain someone. While walking along the crowded mall, I happened to pass by an Ice Cream stand somewhere in the Annex. I stopped walking for a while, I smiled then I immediately purchased a waffle cone double dutch Ice cream worth 20php. I smiled as I thanked the saleslady, and thought of an idea while I went on my way.

"Happy Birthday!", that was the word of the day the first time I talked to her. Yes, it was my birthday. For me, it was just an another ordinary day. Nothing special, bowling by day, dinner at night with family and without guests. Every year, it was just the same. But that day happened.

Droplets of sweat from my forehead touched the blue floor of the bowling center as I was fixing and cleaning my bowling balls after playing 8 games for 2 hours. I wiped my forehead with an extra clean towel I found in my bowling bag. I closed my eyes for a bit and sat on the ground, just to catch my breath. Then, suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder, saying "Balita ko, birthday mo ah? Happy Birthday!", I just smiled and said yes. I looked around the place and noticed that there were only a few people around. I finished fixing my things then stood up, looking for someone to talk to.

I looked at each table one by one. Some orcs filled the table on the side near a smoothie stand. They were debating on what movie they should watch. Their voices were pretty loud that I could hear what they were saying. Some lovers were near the pasta stand, holding hands, doing their usual PDA while exchanging sweet nothings. It made me laugh inside, but also, it made me kinda sad as well. I missed those sweet nothings; I missed holding someone's hand. But I thought that, being sad was the last thing I need to feel that day.

The next table caught my eye. She had a simple, but small smile on her face, with her long hair touching her cheek. She wore a black hoodie, and was curling her arms. She must be feeling kinda cold, for the place was really cold if you're not playing. She sat there alone, watching every bowler play, but I could feel that she was feeling bored. I wanted to keep her company, but this hindrance inside me won again. Yes, I felt shy. Damn it.

I smiled at her, and looked away. Then I went to some bowlers on the other side of the place. They had just finished playing, and they were resting for a bit. I had nothing to do so I talked to them for a while. After a few minutes, this girl sat near a bowler, holding a cup of coffee, then placed it on a table. Then, she listened to their conversation as well. She was really quiet, she spoke soft words, I couldn't even hear some of them. Then, a bowler asked me, "Magkakilala na ba kayo ng anak ko?", then she pointed at her. Oh, yes, I could see the resemblance. Anak pala niya yun. "Ah, hindi pa po eh, naglalaro din po ba siya?". She said no, and made a face. It was kinda cute, and I was blushing slightly. I asked her why, she said "Naglaro na ako noon, pero lagi akong gutter. Haha!". I laughed as well. Oh yes, that was our very first conversation, and it wasn't our last.

Everytime I see her, I talked to her. I even added her on my messenger list. I found out about her username from some weird person that we don't really know. But somehow, I'm thankful that she did. Hours, turned into days, days turned into months. I got to know her a lot more. I felt happier and happier everytime we talk, and I hoped that she was too. One day, I got the chance to take her out, asking her parents for permission was the hardest thing I ever did. Haha! We walked around and around the mall, just to let the time pass and to talk some more. She was still quiet that time, but I didn't mind. I liked that about her.

After a while, we went to the annex for some Ice Cream. She insisted on paying, but I said it was my treat. She shyly smiled and said thank you. I just smiled and went on our way. The weather was kinda hot, and it was felt even inside the mall. My ice cream slowly melted and droplets touched my hand. I was about to wipe it with my hand when she said, "O, eto, panyo ko." I declined, saying that it was okay. She insisted with a slightly mad look on her face, and wiped off the ice cream in my hand. I felt that I was already blushing, and said, "Ay, thank you. Sorry sa panyo mo." She just smiled and asked "Hindi ka ba nagpapanyo?". I felt kinda embarassed, and said, no. She let out a soft giggle as we went on our way.

I slowly finished my ice cream, and realized that, it was the same ice cream I bought that day. I smiled, thought of her for a while as I walked down the crowded corridor. Yes, that was our first "date", maybe not for her, but for me, it was. And I'm kinda glad that it happened. :) Thank you for the memory.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Canon 50mm f1.8 II

Location: Dairy Queen, SM North Edsa, The Annex

Just Another Blog Post

2009-05-13T01:25:00.000-07:00

Just another day in front of the computer

So, yeah, I'm back again. Haha!

First of all, let me introduce myself for those people who don't know me anymore.

I’m Icarus, I was a former story blogger who stopped writing stories 2 years ago, and yeah, I think it’s because of a very long term writer’s block. Haha! But I’ll be keeping my old blog for chronological purposes. I don’t want to delete those stories, for they were a part of my life before. So yeah, I’ll be posting here from now on.

As you can see, I’m into photography now. I was first exposed to photography when I received my first DSLR last September 2008, and I’ve been taking pictures ever since. I’m kinda addicted to it already. Haha! I’ve been wasting my bowling money just to buy stuff for my camera, and I’m pretty much broke already. But, for me, it was all worth it.

So, yeah, welcome to my photoblog, and welcome me back. Hopefully, I’d be posting more often than before, if not, it’s because of my super busy schedule. For now, I just want to maintain this one. Do enjoy, and C&C’s are very welcome. But do not steal, please. Okay?