Art and Earth Science by Grass
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. That’s when I walked into a local gym and… Continue reading Finding My Way Back to Bellydancing for Fitness
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
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
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
A friend invited me on a road trip to Pagbilao, Quezon, to buy Philippine native trees—part of a project to green our institute’s grounds and introduce students to local tree species. I immediately said yes, not just for the cause but also because I wanted to browse for indoor plants and, if I was lucky, find some moss for our terrariums. At first,… Continue reading Road Trip Adventures: Native Trees and Pottery in Quezon
Terrariums are miniature gardens enclosed in glass containers, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that mirrors a tropical rainforest in a jar. During the pandemic lockdowns, my husband, who has a natural green thumb, made three terrariums to help ease the anxiety. Missing the outdoors, we’d occasionally open a terrarium and take a deep breath. The earthy… Continue reading Terrariums: A Fun and Educational Experiment for Homeschooling Kids
Betta fish, scientifically known as Betta splendens, are one of the most beloved freshwater species in the world, celebrated for their vivid colors, flowing fins, and fascinating personalities. Native to Southeast Asia, these fish thrive in warm, shallow waters such as rice paddies, ponds, and slow-moving streams across Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They are uniquely equipped… Continue reading Current Science Experiment and Hobby with Ian for Homeschooling: Raising Betta Fish with Plants
Last December of 2024 I started a system inspired by the book, Atomic Habits, which is to reward myself every time I do an activity that helps me achieve my goals this year. This year, I have set clear and ambitious goals for myself: to master data science techniques through self-study, webinars, and hackathons; to… Continue reading My Rewards System Inspired by Atomic Habits Works!
A few years ago, I picked up Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury. It was a transitional period in my life. This was right before the pandemic. I had just left my corporate job. I was exploring ways to supplement our household income. At the time, I had no plans to pursue… Continue reading My Recommended Book for Writers: “Zen in the Art of Writing” by Ray Bradbury
