Repousse: Art Work on Metal

 

Last Saturday, I went on a plant visit to a couple of suppliers that provide raw materials for our company.  Our group was first ushered to the conference room while we were waiting for the technical manager who would present the company profile and products.  The room was actually newly constructed and quite bare except for the long conference table and chairs.....and a nice artwork on the wall.  I was staring at the metal artwork for quite a long time, taking in the details.  I was also looking for the artist's signature but I couldn't find one. 

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July 26 Earthquake

To be honest, I never knew about the 5.9 (or 6.2) magnitude earthquake that occurred at past 1 am today.  I had my usual morning trip to the clinic at past 6 am and it was only then that I learned from the nurse that there was an earthquake.  Wow, I thank God I lived to hear the news, considering that this was a stronger earthquake than that of the July 16, 1991 quake that was reported to have a more devastating effect.  Those working on night shift and the night owls who were still awake felt it.  So this one occurred while I was sleeping.  Whew!  Maybe it was better that way than being awakened by the shaking as I am on the 3rd floor.  Good Lord!  The 1991 quake at only a magnitude of 4.0 left me feeling a bit dizzy already, what more this one?

For more details, just read it on this news article: 

Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Stikes Parts of NCR, Luzon

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Basking in the Morning Light

morning sunlight, originally uploaded by Ramona.Forcella.

It's probably not a good idea to stare directly into the sun. Still, that did not prevent me from doing so, as I saw sunlight streaming through my window. I just had to look, even for just a few seconds before I closed my eyes, smiling while savoring the warmth of it. It's one of those things I miss doing when I rush through the day. But today, I went to the office earlier than usual. So I got to see a part of nature that I miss most often to beat the clock.

It's still a bit of a cloudy day, and so it is a good thing to see the sun peeking through the clouds. It's like life...you know there will be dark and gloomy days but you also know that the sun is just there, going for a break in the clouds, to spread its light and warmth on all of us.

That kind of gets you the feeling and assurance that everything will be alright...because the sun always shines, no matter what the weather may be. You just need to find time to look for it and appreciate its beauty.

Nature always inspires me. And I just love quiet mornings...I think a cup of coffee would be a great idea now.

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My Table Is Dancing

Pajama, originally uploaded by Ramona.Forcella.

I was sitting quietly and thinking of something to write last night, some time between 6:40-6:45 pm. There's bottled water on top of my side table where I stack up some of my books. I thought I was imagining things as I saw the table sway a bit and the water was moving like something bumped the table but I remember not touching the table at all. I stood up right away, trying to see if I would get dizzy or feel the floor buckle up under my feet. Nothing....but being the paranoid that I am sometimes, I dressed up and readied myself if I needed to make a run for it. Was I in panic? Had the quake been more intense and longer, I probably would have. It just registered an intensity level of 3. I would have felt it more since I was renting a place on the third floor. But since everything is made of cement and stone, I didn't feel the vibration much. Had the floors been made of wood and the foundation not that rigid, I'd feel the shaking even more.

After that, I had a hard time going to sleep and I finally dozed off just before midnight. I was waiting for some aftershock. I also thought of the safest part of the small house where I could go to. I realize, I don't have a sturdy table to go under. I have one that is collapsible and it just might fold up crushing me underneath. The safest place was an inside wall I could get beside to, that is if I can walk over there. If not, my best option is to stay where I am and cover my head and neck with a pillow. There's not much heavy frames that could fall on me. I was a bit afraid that the floor might give way.  I was afraid to fall. But I read also that is is better to fall down than be crushed underneath.

My best bet...and one that made me fall asleep finally....I prayed. Because when my time is up, no matter where I run to, there's no escaping. I prayed also for my family and friends' safety before I closed my eyes.


Well, here I am, alive and writing this. I survived the night. We live one day at a time.

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Thoughts on the Recent Tsunami in Japan

The recent tsunami in Japan made me remember the terrible flood brought about by typhoon Ondoy more than a year ago.  It was a Saturday and rains started coming in before noon.  We waited out hoping the emerging flood would subside but come late afternoon, the flood was still not subsiding.  I was able to go home the following day already and what a terrible time for those living in low lying areas.  I live on the upper floors so no problem with my things.  But those in the lower floors, you could see the anguish and frustration at losing their valuables.  But this experience pales a hundred times over to the tsunamis that hit Southeast Asia in 2004 and just recently, that of Japan.

I don't know how to swim so naturally, I get the jitters when I see plenty of water creeping in at a fast pace.  I wonder how I'd feel if the tsunami hits us instead of Japan.  A country that is so well-equipped is still no match for the fury of nature.  What more for us who are still backwards in terms of infrastructure?  I asked myself if I was ready....not to swim as there is no escaping that...but ready to die. 

I also remember that scene in the movie "Deep Impact."  Father and daughter just went out on the beach, hugged each other and braced themselves as the massive waves struck.  Could I have that sense of calm, that even if the waves engulf me, I will not go scurrying, running, screaming?  These are the questions that go in my mind.

I feel for the Japanese people.  Their anguish I cannot fathom as they try to get on their feet and look around after the devastation.  I could gawk over and over at the videos showing the raging waters and cars and houses being swept away, but the shock is nothing compared to actually being there and seeing things and experiencing the calamity first hand.  It must be surreal as it feels like something from a movie scene, only that you are one of the actors.  As the waves come in, there is also a tremendous wave of panic inside.  I'm sure that is what I would probably feel at first.  After that, I don't know anymore. 

Here is clip of the devastating tsunami in  Japan almost a week ago (March 11).  Question is, are we ready to face such dangers if ever?  But if we have God in us, we can even welcome the waves with open arms.  I suppose, that is the safest place I could think of, to be in His arms.

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Rainy Evening

"Nah!", originally uploaded by Ramona.Forcella.

The sun was so hot all throughout the day. It really feels like summer days are here. I just walked around a while and I could already feel sweat breaking out. I had to go back inside the office as I could not stand for very long under the sun. My hair is dark and I could feel it absorbing all the heat and getting all warmed up instantly. I didn't feel like carrying an umbrella as I do my rounds in the manufacturing area perimeter.

Well, as expected with a very, very hot day, it's now raining heavily early in the evening. It's quite a downpour and it would really be terrible to be caught outside in the rain. I hate getting my feet soaked wet in rainwater. But with this kind of downpour, it won't be just my feet that would get soaked. I think I' ll be drenched like a rag doll. Good thing I decided to go home early. If this rain doesn't stop in the next thirty minutes, I think it will start flooding in low lying areas again. If there's one thing that's worse than getting drenched in rain is having to wade through filthy flood waters.  Ah the perks of living in the polluted city.  Hahaha!

At least, the air is cool now and the ambient temperature is now conducive for relaxing and later, sleeping. Ah yes, sleep. I have been depriving myself of that in the past few days but I'll have to make up now for lost sleep....well at least while I can.

I enjoy the rain so much when I'm just simply at home, safe and warm. Pretty soon, the pitter patter on the roof will lull me to sleep. Yawn...there it is...starting to feel sleepy now.


     

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Dew Drops

Pearly dewdrop roses., originally uploaded by e³°°°.

Dew drops on flowers in full bloom...it's just so refreshing to look at. So pretty. I just love pink and peach roses. When I close my eyes, I could almost smell the roses.

I'm just relaxing here. Nature has that effect on me, even if only in pictures.

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Pink Sunrise

Sunrise in Breckenridge, Colorado, originally uploaded by Lee Coursey.

I often look up in the sky just outside my office window. The sky was a girly pink early this morning as the sun was slowly rising on the horizon. I tried to take some pictures but I just couldn't quite capture the beauty that was slowly fading away. It was such a refreshing sight to behold and I paused a while to marvel in that awesome sight.

There is always something refreshing and a bit magical about a sunrise, more so if it's colored pink! I almost wondered if fairies would suddenly appear hahaha! I love watching how the day unfolds, waking up with a yawn from a deep slumber. Soon, the sunlight would be flooding the day and it's time to go with the daily grind once again...but not without having that fresh cup of coffee first. Ahhhh...that is the way to start the day.

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Full Moon Tonight

full moon and bats, originally uploaded by creepyhalloweenimages.

As I was walking home tonight, I looked up into the clear skies. There I saw the bright full moon. I had my digicam with me but I didn't take it out anymore as I know I won't be able to take a good photo. Need a DSLR for that to come up with something like that on the photo, minus the bats. I didn't see any.

Technically the full moon is still tomorrow night based on our lunar calendar. But to anyone who looks up in the sky, it sure looks like the full moon already. It was kind of a creepy feeling, walking in silence under the moonlight. Up ahead under the dark shadows of the trees, I saw an eerie orange glow of light, like something from a cigarette. I'm not one who gets scared so easily. And no I didn't feel my hair rise on ends. Besides, the tall mythical creature we know as the "kapre" or even the "tikbalang" has its cigarette high up in the trees not down below. So I proceeded walking and I had to laugh at what I saw after wards when I am near enough to the source of that orange glow. It was from a colleague about to go home also and she was texting. She was wearing dark clothes so all I saw at first was that orange glow from her phone. I told her what crossed my mind and we were laughing before we parted ways.

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