Financial Advise, Homeschooling, Life

How Decluttering Set the Tone for My Year – A Glacial Pace Attempt at Minimalistic Living

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist I started this year by doing something I had been postponing for a long time: de-stashing and decluttering our home. Not in a dramatic, overnight transformation kind of wayโ€”but slowly, intentionally, and with a lot of honesty and patience. A glacial pace, if I'm being geologic about. ๐Ÿ˜‰ For… Continue reading How Decluttering Set the Tone for My Year – A Glacial Pace Attempt at Minimalistic Living

Financial Advise, Geology Data Science, Health, Homeschooling, Life, My Creations

2025: The Year of Beginnings, Professional Growth, and Financial and Physical Wellness

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself looking back not only at the big milestones, but at the small, intentional choices that quietly shaped the year. In many ways, this was a transformational season for meโ€”the year I earned my Masterโ€™s degree, stepped into a new job… Continue reading 2025: The Year of Beginnings, Professional Growth, and Financial and Physical Wellness

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

Life, reviews

Before the Coffee Gets Cold – A Book Review and Some Reflections

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Spoiler Alert: This review contains key plot points from Before the Coffee Gets Cold. If you prefer to experience the storyโ€™s surprises and tender moments on your own, you may want to pause here and come back after reading the book. Reading Before the Coffee Gets Cold evoked the experience… Continue reading Before the Coffee Gets Cold – A Book Review and Some Reflections

fountain-pen, Life, reviews, Shopping

Sailor TUZU Adjust Fountain Pen: A Beginner-Friendly Pen with Clever Engineering

Disclaimer: I was not paid or sponsored by Sailor or any retailer to write this review. I purchased these pens myself, and everything Iโ€™ve shared reflects my own honest experience and personal opinions. I do not earn any commission from any purchases made based on this review. Please buy at your own discretion and assess… Continue reading Sailor TUZU Adjust Fountain Pen: A Beginner-Friendly Pen with Clever Engineering

fountain-pen, Geology, Geology Data Science, Health, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, My Creations, My Life in Watercolor, research, travel blog

Writing Like a Geologist: Field Notes, Maps, and the Fountain Pen Tradition

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Before GPS and tablets, every strike and dip was inked by hand by geologists. It is a ritual of observation and artistry. There is a certain romance in geology that isnโ€™t always captured by equations, satellite images, or the neat layers of a GIS map. Long before digital mapping… Continue reading Writing Like a Geologist: Field Notes, Maps, and the Fountain Pen Tradition

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

Fashion, Geology, Health, Life, My Creations, Wearable Art

Earth, Beauty, and Empowerment: Why Buying Local Makeup Supports More Than Skin Deep

by Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist This morning, I reached for my favorite Colourette lip tint and powder blush as I get ready for work. The small tube of color and compact blush brighten my face and my day. These two are more than makeup for me. They're a symbol of creativity, courage, and… Continue reading Earth, Beauty, and Empowerment: Why Buying Local Makeup Supports More Than Skin Deep

Geology, Homeschooling, Life

Painting Earthโ€™s Layers: What Watercolor Teaches Us About Geology

by Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Thereโ€™s a quiet magic that happens when water touches pigment. As the color spreads, merges, and settles into soft gradients, it reminds me of something far grander, the slow artistry of Earth itself. Every brushstroke and every wash feels like a miniature reenactment of the processes our planet… Continue reading Painting Earthโ€™s Layers: What Watercolor Teaches Us About Geology