Posts Tagged ‘Dan Brown

14
Mar
11

SOME THINGS TO ABSORB

Have you ever thought of spending at least an hour of your week with no worries even a bit; and just be child-like again? Thinking about it almost seemed like a luxury already but I did. I already did. :D

Five weeks ago, I decided to pursue my frustration want of learning to play the violin.  I know I am a beginner and I will not have to be defensive in stating that it’s never too late to learn anything because it’s damn true. If you must know, every hour of my theoretical and practical violin sessions with my 21-year-old (read : I’ll be turning 35 on September) Chinese teacher, who has been a violinist and a pianist for 5 years and counting and a very patient and passionate at her work (she does other jobs too), I never think of any worries and do nothing but enjoy the moment. It’s always fun to be child-like again!

I always look forward to my Wednesday dates with Amanda (my violin). Browsing and reading music scores from these kiddie-beginner’s books accompanied by CD, however difficult (to coordinate my hand with my eyes) is always fun for I like what I’m doing . Aren’t they cute? haha! :P

It’s hard to learn violin when you don’t have any background in playing the piano, worse, in reading the notes. But there’s nothing difficult for someone who perseveres!

haha! :D

FYI, I’m done with more or less, 10 practice songs with bowing and open hand and just started learning to play the violin with the songs using 1 finger (After 10 or more songs, then we’ll proceed with 2nd finger, 3rd finger and lastly the 4th with variations on notes of course).

I also dared myself to learn a bit of taking photos (some called it photography) last month and began to look at everything as a photo-opportunity. :D   Everything is almost picturesque with Alfonso (my Nikon D7000).

One of my senior colleagues, who happens to know photography since I’m 2 years old, have been generous in sharing some of his tips and whatnot about the hobby. He advised me and another fellow to buy and read some photography books and magazines because, according to him, it is only through it and by practice that we will learn. I couldn’t agree more.

One afternoon at Popular Bookstore in George Town, Penang, he suggested a book which I bought the next day. It’s by 2 Asian authors with title, A Billion Shots.

The book is beautiful. The photos are fantastic. I am considering sharing it to my few readers, by buying a new one and have it as one of the prizes to my upcoming blog anniversary contest (This humble site will turn 4 on May 8 and the small-time-blogger-from-Penang, ehem, that’s me! hehe, is thinking of throwing another contest for his tribe or cult(?) (that’s you!) next month).

Other than those books, I also took the word from my senior colleague to buy affordable photo-magazine that features D7000 and tricks on how to capture gorgeous pictures.

Time is all I need to browse and absorb them all.

What have you been busy browsing?

It’s fun to forget about work. forget about hassles. forget about monthly bills. forget about homesickness. forget about people who don’t value you. even for just an hour. The moment is priceless!

————————–o

PS : I used to read few of Dan Brown books and would like to continue on more titles when i find time. I’d like to continue reading paperbacks soon… And you?

06
Nov
10

MUCH ADO ABOUT LONG WEEKEND

Dear boredom and homesickness,

I hate you both.

I’m sick and tired of entertaining you.

always,

-docgelo. :D

FYI, long weekend in Penang started last Thursday night for Hindus’ Deepavali or Festivities of Lights was celebrated yesterday, Friday. Of course, our work resumes Monday so it follows I need not to spoil the 3-day-break.

Initially, my friends and I planned to go to Singapore and explore the Lion City via train from Penang;  don’t ask me why but it didn’t push through. :(

Then one of us suggested to just stay within Malaysia and experience the island of Langkawi; too bad all ferry trips and hotel accomodations were fully booked. :(

Worst,  3 of my housemates were all out –two of them went home to Manila; one of them chose to spend his birthday alone in an undisclosed place for the duration of our break, and the other one came home late at past 1AM 2 days ago after he attended a medical mission facilitated by our company.

Needless to say, I was absolutely bound to be home alone last Thursday evening.

After 6 years of being with my wife+kid  physically every single night and day before I became an expat, it dawned on me that I find it difficult to be alone.  Perhaps, I may be able to tolerate such in due time.

So after work last Thursday, I decided to go straight to Penang Island; went  to Queensbay Mall (the largest and the most welcoming mall in Penang) and did little shopping…

  • bought some non-Halal supplies : ham, bacon and Spam lite for baon next week
  • a baseball cap from GAP winked at me so I gave in. :)
  • A 360-thread count King-sized bed sheet set in black from AKEMIuchi on sale with 70% discount
  • 2 shirts on sale from a certain boutique
  • and of course, phone calls to Tina and Gabby comforted my lonely evening.
  • I also bought something to remind me of my most favorite holiday…

The kid in me kicks in and I put him beside my other pillows…

Now, Santa and Woody serve as my company whenever Tina+Gabby end call in Skype. :D

Friday came and docRonnie (my housemate who came home late from Med Mission) and I went again to where else but Queensbay Mall. With our backpacks & laptops in tow, we spent the entire afternoon at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Two more colleagues came to join us–docJhoram & docAnna.

Before I savored CBTL’s Cafe Americano, chicken pie and yogurt parfait, I thought of resuming my old forgotten on-and-off habit of reading paperbacks.  So I went to the basement of the mall and at a bookstore called Popular, I purchased Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol.

After reading Angels and Demons and Da Vinci Code long before they were shown on screen, it’s only now that I am following again Robert Langdon’s adventures.

It’s Saturday and we’re here again at the same coffee shop of our favorite mall, doing the same thing we did yesterday but certainly I am neither bored nor that homesicked.

I’d like to think it’s only mind over matter, is it not?

———————————————–o

15
May
09

ANGELS & DEMONS

                         Presentation1  2927170004_f0221e7c9e

I don’t know with you but although I don’t idolize Dan Brown, I like his books that I’ve read way back 2004.   I have enjoyed the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons in paperbacks long before I’ve watched their movie adaptations. 

With the newly released Angels and Demons movie, to quote Tom Hanks in one of his interviews, is truly “a trip to the renaissance!”

Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini's scultpture the Ecstasy of St. Theresa.  REUTERS/Chris Helgren (ITALY ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini's scultpture the Ecstasy of St. Theresa. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (ITALY ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

I have been waiting for this day - the opening of Angels and Demons movie.  It’s the prequel of Da Vinci Code story.  My wife Tina and I were not disappointed when we watched the new collaboration from Tom Hanks, Dan Brown and Director Ron Howard.  We watched it at Gateway Cinema 5 on Dolby Digital surround.  It’s better that I’ve read the book, been familiar with the story that made me more entertained while watching it on screen.  

The story was about alleged ”resurfacing” of the secret anti-church society Illuminati, the main reason why Robert Langdon, a symbologist, (which was played again by Tom Hanks to a tee after his movie with the same character in Da Vinci Code)  was flown from Harvard to the Holy City to solve the puzzle behind the Pope’s death and to uncover the plot to annihilate Vatican City using a destructive antimater which was stolen from CERN, a laboratory in Geneva, by members of Illuminati.

                 3206820325_292cae5a44   r3222521012

It’s amazing how Hollywood people behind this movie’s production had created a replica of Vatican City and almost Rome’s entirety. 

Armin Mueller-Stahl (L), & Ewan McGregor in a scene from “Angels & Demons.” (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures/Sony, Zade Rosenthal)

 

So will you go see it ?

Have you read Dan Brown books ?

Do you think it’s blasphemous ?

I say they’re only books and movies. 

If you’re faith, regardless of religion, is of a rock, then why worry?

27
Dec
08

fanatic

 

                                                angels_and_demons_may

I read the book a couple of years ago and now Dan Brown & Tom Hanks had collaborated again after Da Vinci Code in another gripping tale of twists and turns with Angels & Demons’ movie adaptation.  At this early I am so damn excited to see it.




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