Man operating lathe machine in workshop beside table with laptop showing code
Coping with Depression, Life, research, reviews

Why Mentoring Works Better for Me Than Watching YouTube Tutorials

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist We live in an age where you can learn almost anything from YouTube. Want to bake sourdough? There's a video for that. Want to repair a fountain pen? Someone has probably filmed a 47-minute tutorial complete with dramatic background music. Want to learn Muay Thai, play the ukulele, or… Continue reading Why Mentoring Works Better for Me Than Watching YouTube Tutorials

Desk with camera, notebook, pen, coffee cup, plants, books, and candle by window
Coping with Depression, photography, Shopping

So I Bought an 8-Year-Old Camera and Somehow Feel Good About It

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Sometimes, an old hobby gently beckons you and says, "Iโ€™m here waiting for you to enjoy me again!" For me, that hobby is photography. Now, before anyone points out that I've been taking photos for years, let me clarify: I've mostly been a visual storyteller armed with nothing more… Continue reading So I Bought an 8-Year-Old Camera and Somehow Feel Good About It

Coping with Depression, fountain-pen, reviews, Shopping, Wellness Journey

The Majohn P139 Endurance: The Luxurious Pen for People on the Budget

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist There are fountain pens that whisper sophistication. Then there are fountain pens that stride confidently into the room wearing a tailored suit, gold cufflinks, and enough presence to make your other pens question their life choices. The Majohn P139 Endurance belongs firmly to the second category. At first glance,… Continue reading The Majohn P139 Endurance: The Luxurious Pen for People on the Budget

Our normal trekking shoes
Coping with Depression, Health, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, travel blog

Easy Family Nature Trekking in Baguio: Exploring the Forest Bathing Trail at Camp John Hay

Trekking has been a constant in my life for over two decadesโ€”partly because Iโ€™m a geologist, and partly because my idea of โ€œrelaxingโ€ involves sweating uphill while questioning my life choices. Over the years, Iโ€™ve wandered through trails that tourists rarely bother with, and in doing so, Iโ€™ve seen nature at her most unfilteredโ€”and met… Continue reading Easy Family Nature Trekking in Baguio: Exploring the Forest Bathing Trail at Camp John Hay

Coping with Depression, Health, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, travel blog

Sun, Steps, and Serendipity: Why We Love Walking at UP Diliman Campus

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist If you told me more than a year ago that my favorite weekend ritual would involve sensible shoes and early morning sunlight, I would have laughed politely and gone back to my coffee and book. And yet here we are. Since last year, Iโ€™ve been regularly walking around University of… Continue reading Sun, Steps, and Serendipity: Why We Love Walking at UP Diliman Campus

Coping with Depression, fountain-pen, Life

Iโ€™m Destashing My Fountain Pens – Please Send Help (or Ink)!

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Just over two weeks ago, I proudly declared that I was decluttering our home, starting with the obvious space invadersโ€”furniture, storage boxes, unused art materials and other large items that had quietly claimed permanent residency in our living space. Friends generously adopted many of them, and I felt victorious.… Continue reading Iโ€™m Destashing My Fountain Pens – Please Send Help (or Ink)!

Coping with Depression, Life

Leaves: A Reflection on Family, Forgiveness, and Growing Together

I'm learning to play the ukulele at my son's music school. I can now play 4 songs thanks to my patient teacher. Two weeks ago, I asked my teacher to teach me "Leaves" by Ben&Ben, a popular local band from the Philippines. They've been my favorite for 2 years, especially their songs "Leaves" and "Bibingka."… Continue reading Leaves: A Reflection on Family, Forgiveness, and Growing Together

Coping with Depression, fountain-pen, Health, Homeschooling, Life, reviews, Shopping, Weight Loss, Wellness Journey

Best Lifestyle Purchases of 2025: My Top Picks

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist As 2025 comes to a close, I like to look back at the things Iโ€™ve added to my lifestyle โ€” those that didnโ€™t just sit on a shelf, but that got real use, day in and day out. This year, a handful of purchases stood out for their practicality,… Continue reading Best Lifestyle Purchases of 2025: My Top Picks

Coping with Depression, Fashion, Health, Homeschooling, Life, research, Wearable Art, Weight Loss, Wellness Journey

Finding My Way Back to Bellydancing for Fitness

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist I first discovered bellydancing back in 2006, during my days as a geologist in Mindanao. I had gained weight and was searching for a fitness routine that felt less like a chore and more like something I could genuinely enjoy. Thatโ€™s when I walked into a local gym and… Continue reading Finding My Way Back to Bellydancing for Fitness

Coping with Depression, Life, Local Travel, travel blog, Wellness Journey

My Unexpected 5K Journey at Garmin Run 2025

The journey to theย Garmin Run 2025ย began, not with focused training, but with a deeply regretted 3:00 AM alarm. My inner debate was fierce:ย Should I stay in my warm bed, or honor theย corporate obligationย that paid for this slot months ago?ย After preparing breakfast for my eldest son, I was on my way. I arrived at the venue… Continue reading My Unexpected 5K Journey at Garmin Run 2025