Geology, Health, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, photography, research, reviews, Shopping, travel blog, Wellness Journey

The Camera I Almost Bought: How ChatGPT Saved Me ₱12,000

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist I almost bought another camera. There. I said it. For someone who already owns a Fujifilm X-T20 and an Insta360 GO Ultra, not to mention two smartphones (never mind that one of them is old), this probably sounds like the beginning of a very familiar story among photographers: "I… Continue reading The Camera I Almost Bought: How ChatGPT Saved Me ₱12,000

Geology, Health, Life, Local Travel, photography, travel blog

Quick Photowalk Along the 18th Century Taal Heritage Town

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist When you hear about Taal, one thing that probably pops into your mind is the famous active volcano sitting within a lake in Batangas. At least, that's the first thing I would think of—being a geologist and all. Put the words Taal and Batangas together and my brain immediately goes into volcano… Continue reading Quick Photowalk Along the 18th Century Taal Heritage Town

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

Insta360 Go Ultra white
Health, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, My Creations, My Life in Watercolor, photography, reviews, Shopping, travel blog

Insta360 GO Ultra: My Outdoor Filming Companion

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist If you had told me a few years ago that I'd be a vlogger, filming my adventures, and documenting everyday life, I probably would've laughed. I've never been someone who enjoys being in front of a camera. In fact, I once enrolled in a six-week theater workshop just to… Continue reading Insta360 GO Ultra: My Outdoor Filming Companion

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

Emergency survival kit with first aid supplies, water, tools, gloves, food bars, radio, and other essentials
Geology, Health, Homeschooling, Life

Earthquake Everyday Carry Kit to Help You Survive

The earthquakes that have been happening lately in Mindanao, Venezuela, Japan, and the US had me in constant unease. After reading the news about the Mindanao and Venezuela earthquakes, the social media algorithm has me seeing a lot of posts about buildings and houses that collapsed on people. Venezuela in particular is now reporting more… Continue reading Earthquake Everyday Carry Kit to Help You Survive

fossil hunting in La Union
Foodie, Geology, Health, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, photography, Shopping, travel blog, Wellness Journey

Fossil Hunting in La Union

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist The best part of being a geologist is being out in the great outdoors — whether along the shore, out at sea, high in the mountains, or even simply by the roadside when a freshly exposed rock face appears after a road cut. Sadly, my current work happens mostly… Continue reading Fossil Hunting in La Union

Foodie, Geology, Health, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, photography, research, reviews, Shopping, travel blog, Wellness Journey

The Painting I Couldn’t Leave Behind: An Unexpected Art Purchase in La Union

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist One of the most dangerous assumptions you can make while traveling is thinking you'll only come home with photographs. Sometimes you come home with a painting. That happened to me during a recent trip to La Union. After spending the morning hunting for leaf fossils in Sto. Tomas, La… Continue reading The Painting I Couldn’t Leave Behind: An Unexpected Art Purchase in La Union

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

Health, Life, Local Travel, research, travel blog

Discover the Rare JC’s Vine: A Hidden Gem in Philippine Flora

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Hey, everyone! If you’ve been hanging around this blog for a while, you probably already know I’m a full-on dendrophile—a person who gets unreasonably excited about trees and plants. One of my favorite things to do during my fitness walks (whether in UP Diliman or wherever I happen to… Continue reading Discover the Rare JC’s Vine: A Hidden Gem in Philippine Flora