Art and Earth Science by Grass
With Christmas just around the corner, handmade gifts are the ultimate expression of thoughtfulness. You’re giving not just an item, but a moment, a creative spark, a personal touch, with the person in mind. This year, instead of heading to the mall, why not gift something crafted with love—whether it’s a scented candle, a watercolor… Continue reading Simple and Affordable Handmade Christmas Gifts Ideas
For the past few weeks, I’ve shifted from booking Grab rides to commuting via public utility jeepneys (PUJs). At first, it was purely a financial decision. But over time, I realized that this simple shift gave me not just savings, but also lessons, habits, and experiences worth keeping. 1. A Huge Difference in Cost A… Continue reading From Grab to Jeepney: How I Save ₱7,500 a Month and Gain More
What Is Polaroid Film? Polaroid film, or instant film, is a type of film that develops a picture within minutes after it's taken. It has layers with light-sensitive chemicals. When you take a photo, light exposes the film like in traditional photography. As the photo comes out, rollers apply a chemical that develops the image.… Continue reading Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo (Brown Body) — My July Project’s New Star
Earlier this month, a fellow MS in Geology graduate who now works with the UP Resilience Institute and I discussed a bold, forward-looking idea: what if Metro Manila could reimagine itself not as a flood-prone metropolis struggling to cope with yearly inundations, but as a “sponge city", an urban landscape designed to live with water rather than fight… Continue reading How Sponge Cities Can Mitigate Metro Manila’s Flood Issues
Yesterday was no ordinary day at work. Instead of reports and meetings, my colleague and I rolled up our sleeves, tied on aprons, and stepped into the makeshift office kitchen spotlight to represent our department in this year’s Master Chef Challenge—and guess what? We won! The task sounded simple (but wasn’t): prepare healthy snacks in under 30 minutes using a surprise… Continue reading Teamwork, Avocados & a Surprise Win at the Master Chef Contest in the Office
I'm currently taking Stanford Education's Code in Place (CIP) online course, which I applied for while I was unemployed. This might surprise some people since I've used Python a lot in my Master's research in Geology. So, why am I taking a basic coding course? But here’s the thing: I’m really glad I did. CIP… Continue reading Why You Don’t Need to Understand Everything Under the Hood to Be a Good Python Coder
Happy Mother’s Day, dear fellow mommies! Today, I want to send a warm embrace to each of you who drop by this little space—especially to fellow homeschooling families and all the incredible moms balancing home, work, and everything in between. A Tribute to Your Everyday Heroism To the moms who teach lessons in pajamas, patch… Continue reading Quality Family Time: How We Celebrated Mother’s Day
Hello, everyone! I took advantage of the Easter break to slow down and recharge — spending some much-needed time with my potted and hydroponic plants, and finally picking up my watercolor brushes again. It’s a hobby I’ve missed dearly but had to set aside due to work, which I’ve shared more about in the blog… Continue reading Exploring UMAE Watercolor Paper Block: A Review and My Watercolor Sketches Using the Block
Hi everyone! I know I haven’t blogged here in a while—life has just been so busy these past two weeks! But I’m still here. As I’ve shared before, my kids and I have recently developed a love for nature walks, where we observe birds and try to identify different trees wherever we go. Luckily, the… Continue reading Balik Tanaw: Returning to Nature at UP Diliman
Working as a geologist in the industry has given me access to places in the Philippines that most people will never set foot in—areas classified as "red zones," off-limits to tourists, and often overlooked on maps. For nearly five years, I was stationed in Mindanao, where some of the most remote and geologically hazardous sites… Continue reading A Geologist’s Journey into the Red Zone
The Fabulous Scientist 