Tied bundle of handwritten letters with stamps, fountain pen, ink, and stationery
Coping with Depression, fountain-pen, Health, Homeschooling, Life, Wellness Journey

Snail Mail in the Digital Age: Why Writing Letters Still Matters

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist We live in a time when communicating with someone halfway around the world takes only a few seconds. An email can be sent before your coffee gets cold, and a message through Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or any other messaging app can reach its recipient almost instantly. Social media has… Continue reading Snail Mail in the Digital Age: Why Writing Letters Still Matters

Me and a polarizing light microscope
Coping with Depression, Geology, Geology Data Science, Health, Homeschooling, Life, research

Passing the Microscope Forward

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist For the past three years, I've had the privilege of helping fresh geology graduates prepare for their licensure examinations. It's an invitation I never take lightly. It's an honor, yes—but it's also one born from a bittersweet reason. Four years ago, I lost my very first mentor in mineralogy,… Continue reading Passing the Microscope Forward

Coping with Depression, fountain-pen, Health, Life, Local Travel, reviews, Shopping, Uncategorized

Strawberry and Chocolate in Fountain Pen Form: A Delicious Pairing of BENU Neapolitan Ice Cream and Kobe Chocolate Strawberry Ink

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Some fountain pens I bought because they write beautifully. Others I bought because they were made locally and I love to support local businesses. And then there are the pens I buy simply because they remind me of childhood favorites. For me, that pen has always been a BENU. If… Continue reading Strawberry and Chocolate in Fountain Pen Form: A Delicious Pairing of BENU Neapolitan Ice Cream and Kobe Chocolate Strawberry Ink

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, "I’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 decades—partly because I’m a geologist, and partly because my idea of “relaxing” involves sweating uphill while questioning my life choices. Over the years, I’ve wandered through trails that tourists rarely bother with, and in doing so, I’ve seen nature at her most unfiltered—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, I’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

I’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 invaders—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 I’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