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

The Camera I Almost Bought: How ChatGPT Saved Me โ‚ฑ12,000

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 โ‚ฑ12,000

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 ofโ€”being a geologist and all. Put the wordsย Taalย andย Batangas together and my brain immediately goes into volcano… Continue reading Quick Photowalk Along the 18th Century Taal Heritage Town

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 aย BENU. If… Continue reading Strawberry and Chocolate in Fountain Pen Form: A Delicious Pairing of BENU Neapolitan Ice Cream and Kobe Chocolate Strawberry Ink

Geology, Geology Data Science, Homeschooling, Life, Local Travel, research, travel blog

Energy Museum at the Department of Energy – Something to Look Forward to in BGC, Philippines

A few months ago, I reached out to one of our company's Community Relations officer with a simple idea: would it be possible to donate oil and rock samples to my former institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman? The National Institute of Geological Sciences houses a humble but fascinating geology museum filled with… Continue reading Energy Museum at the Department of Energy – Something to Look Forward to in BGC, Philippines

Group of people examining and discussing fountain pens around a table
fountain-pen, Life, Local Travel, reviews, Shopping, travel blog

If I could bring just five pens on a pen meet, which ones would make the cut?

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist If you asked me a year ago whether I could attend a pen meet with only five fountain pens, I would have laughed nervously while quietly stuffing fifteen pens into my bag "just in case." Yet here I am. I'm attending a local pen meet later this month and,… Continue reading If I could bring just five pens on a pen meet, which ones would make the cut?

fountain-pen, Geology, Geology Data Science, Homeschooling, Local Travel, My Creations, research, travel blog

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

Pip: The Fabulous Scientist is where geology and fountain pens share a field notebook, and somehow that makes complete sense.Mara: Today we're covering a piece from fabulousgrass that sits right at the intersection of scientific practice and craft โ€” how geologists have always written, sketched, and mapped by hand, and why that tradition still matters.Pip:… Continue reading Podcast Episode: Writing Like a Geologist: Field Notes, Maps, and the Fountain Pen Tradition

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 โ€” 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

Alodapic Limestone
Geology, Life, Local Travel, travel blog

Exploring The Alodapic Limestone in Agoo, La Union: A Field Geology Experience

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist As geologists, we love the interesting stories rocks tell. Some remind us of the deep and peaceful oceans, while others history of exciting tectonic events. For instance, alodapic limestone may look like it comes from a coral reef, but it actually formed elsewhere through a journey we call sediment… Continue reading Exploring The Alodapic Limestone in Agoo, La Union: A Field Geology Experience