03 June 2012

Once Upon A Time



ONCE UPON A TIME...
Every fairy tale I heard, and every fairy tale I shared started with this set of words. Words that find its way to the deepest part on every person's childhood.

These past few days, I was into watching a series suggested by some friends. Once Upon A Time or OUAT (o-wat) as my teacher would call it. It is a deconstructed fairy tale to which pave the way for me to realize something... something I used to believe... something that gave me the inspiration to dream...

OUAT is the kind of series I would want to recommend to all hopeless romantics out there! However, not one episode should be missed to fully appreciate the importance and beauty of each character... I mean, EACH character involved. The story does not just highlight the main characters but it also shares the story of everyone in it. Yes, everyone. Even the story of the "bad" guys like the evil queen. Also, OUAT does not present history in a chronological order. One should be observant enough to be able to appreciate the delicate details incorporated in each episode.

People say that everything happens for a reason. OUAT gives justice to the saying. It was able to share how choices and decisions that were made led to the current situations and state of a person, or a fairy tale character for that matter. In OUAT series, you will be able to know the story of not just the famous princesses, but also of the people around them.

I may have invested a whole lot of time watching the episodes but I was happy to discover that indeed, fairy tales do happen. OUAT showed me that what happens in fairy tales also happens in the real life. It's just that I was not able to realize it because my idea of fairy tales were clouded by tiaras, long gowns, castles, magic, fairies, and prince charmings. The only thing that differs between the real life and fairy tales is that real life does not just end after having a happy ending. The story extends far beyond, even allowing the start of a new fairy tale. Real life cannot be summed up to just one fairy tale; however, it is a colorful combination of fairy tale stories that existed. 

I hope that we will be able to realize our own fairy tale.
And be thankful about it.

I do not know if my once upon a time already started, but I hope and pray to  find my one true love and have a good story to tell... A story wherein life lessons can be learned and love can certainly be felt. And I hope that someday I will have the chance to share my fairy tale to the world, and inspire the world to believe... again.

'til next time!


Fairy tale fan,
Sheba :')



21 May 2012

Surigao Adventure

IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO EXPLORE YOUR COUNTRY.

I started my "official" travel adventures after graduating from college. It has always been a dream to see places and enjoy the perks that it has to offer. Just lately, together with some good friends, we went to Surigao del Sur for a summer-is-ending treat. It was a blast. When I was scanning the photos we took, I realized how lucky I am to be in these wonderful places. Thus, I would like to share the happiness I had with the rest of the world and of course, at the same time, promote our country. 


Indeed, IT IS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES! Though I have not been to other countries YET, I know within myself that the happiness of travel in my own country is sufficient enough to say that I am lucky these places are not that far for me to reach.

SURIGAO TRAVEL
May 2012

01. Enchanted River


Fish feeding along with an enchanting song background.


02. Tinuy-an Falls






03. Island Hopping
(Boslon, Hiyor-Hiyoran, Naked, and Hagonoy Islands)







04. Bogac Spring




05. Sibadan Fish Cage





06. Doll House





07. Lolong (Biggest Salt Crocodile in Captivity)
Agusan Side-Trip




We took a tour offered by Sir John of Bayan ni Juan.

Travel will ALWAYS be fun...
Most especially if you are with a set of wonderful people who knows how to appreciate the good things in life.




Next blog stop, PALAWAN baby!
Surely, I will travel the world big time.


See you there!
Sheba




P.S. Photos are from Mac's cam.

30 April 2012

JUMP-SHOTS


30 April 2012


And because I am in my lab haven...
And because I am connected to the world wide web...
And because I have so much time to spare...
And because my next sampling time is 3am (and it's only 10pm) ...
And because I saw my jump shot pictures...

Thus, this came up. ;)

I realized how much I am a fan of JUMP SHOTS. uh-huh, indeed!
And I guess, It gets better (and better and better) every time.



I'll start off with my super vintage novice-jumpshot:


Poch, Me, Sheila, Cacai at Gumasa, Sarangani Province



And then, here comes the akward ones...



Me. Yep, that's me. Awkward, huh?


Joseph, Aix and Me at UPLB




Me, Owen and Charles at Peak 2, Mt. Makiling, Laguna






The improved ones (definitely hard-earned):


Me, Dimple, Aix, James at Rizal's Home, Calamba, Laguna



Lake Pandin, Laguna with NCPC Family



Glamorous! With cacai at Gumasa, Sarangani Province




After like a thousand tries, the jump was finally captured.
Grand Central Station, EK.

With Dimple at UPLB

Look at those frog-like legs! lol. With Merl and Flo at Maxima, IGACOS


With Poch at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Last and definitely the best, my jump shot at our country's highest point.
No kidding! At an altitude of 9,692 ft. I conquered Mt. Apo, and I AM PROUD OF IT!


And I did it! Just look at the clouds! :D


Til my next jump shot,
Sheba ;)



11 March 2012

The Secrets of Photo 51


This blog can't wait for tomorrow.
I need to write this down.

B form of the DNA

My heart was broken into pieces after watching a documentary called "The Secrets of Photo 51". I was so disappointed with DNA structure "discoverers" James Watson and Francis Crick. Now, I see them as DNA structure data thieves. They have been the pillars of molecular and genetic studies yet, the discovery of the DNA structure was the greatest injustice in the field of science. 

With the documentary, I met a woman named Rosalind Franklin. I have no idea who she was (though she is the one who discovered the structure of a virus). She is the unsung heroine behind the discovery of the DNA structure. 


As a researcher, the painstaking hard work and loooooong hours in the lab is never an issue. I know that it is part of the job if I wanted to contribute to the body of knowledge and hopefully, contribute for the betterment of mankind. Recognition is but a small bonus after the great feeling of fulfillment whenever there is a successful experiment. Much disappointment was felt by me when one colleague actually commented "Great researchers never reveal their sources" after expressing my thoughts regarding this matter.

Please watch and share the documentary to everyone you know.
I do not know why it is taking so long to upload the file...
If you are interested, tweet me @itchieduque and i will be very happy to send you a copy. For real.


Researcher at heart,
Sheba









SAVE HUMANITY


PLEASE watch this video to enlighten oneself to as to what has been happening in Uganda. It may be far from the Philippines but still, we would not want people to suffer injustices. It will only take not more than 30 minutes to know who Joseph Kony is. 




It is sad to know that things like these still happen in order to maintain power. SAD. But I am happy that there are still people who cares. 

I like the way how they used the internet to tell the world that we need to do something. Please share this with people that you know. Share on fb, tweet, post this in tumblr or your blogsite. 

Please help make a difference.
Who are you to end a war? I mean, who are you not to?


It is better to live in this world with a cause. And now I am digging up my heart as to what will be my advocacy. I am and will continue to live by my life's purpose: SERVE and INFLUENCE. 


Press on guys!