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It's Next New Project (NNP) Time

Next New Project

Almost two years ago, I started blogging about my "personal projects" (refer to my first NNP here). Next new project was born out of my incessant passion for adventure and learning. Some may call it being a serial hobbyist...I call it being a renaissance woman. That's right you read it right. I'm very curious and I like to experience things for myself.

If you would like to refer to my previous NNP posts just type NNP on the search box at the upper left hand corner of this site. These are only 1/4 of the things that I have gone through. Ahhhh, I fondly remember taking dance classes at a gym (I can't remember the name of the gym for the love of me!) in Tokyo almost 7 years ago (I know a gym of all places but they had an awesome dance program). I took beginner ballet, samba or salsa? and reggae! OMG. The reggae class totally rocked. I had a Japanese hippie reggae man complete with dreads as a teacher. Oh and did I mention that all classes were taught in Nihongo? I actually had to drag my co-worker to translate for me when I was signing up for the gym. Needless to say my brain was completely overworked from trying to understand the instructions while I execute the dance moves.

Memories...I, by the way, used to briefly live and work in Japan ages ago. I think my recent NNP has a lot to do with me remembering this story. So without further adieu my next NNP:

ART CLASS! I have been craving for a creative outlet and I was inspired by one of my Facebook friends when she posted a photo of herself in an oil painting class. I used to draw using charcoal back in college and have always wanted to learn watercolor painting. So I searched for classes close to my home and found Mr. John Yato's website (ahem he was born in Japan). For $160 you get four 3 hour sessions of watercolor classes. . I say it is a very good deal especially since the lessons are from a master watercolor painter (he has been doing this for 40 years)!

I started my first class last Saturday at a studio in an industrial park. I arrived 45 minutes before the session started for new student orientation and was immediately greeted by Yato-san. He had a neat little studio with 9 tables and a framing workbench on the side. The walls were filled with his work along with creations and testimonials from his students. I thought that it was authentic as it gets.

After the short exchange of pleasantries and a small chunk of my hard earned cash, Yato proceeded to show me where I was going to create all of my masterpieces (hehehe)- my very own work table =) It had a lamp, a small tray to mix the paint, brushes, buckets, bottles of water and all other materials needed to get me started. Mind you, he went through all of it and even had brief explanations on when I would use each item. This was when I knew that Yato-san is a no frills kind of guy.

My first task was to fill two small buckets with water. I honestly thought it was too much water but what do I know? He then showed me how to stretch the paper so that it would not buckle when I started mixing water and color on it. This consisted of taking a big brush, dunking it in water and stroking the paper softly for two minutes until it becomes soaked. There was this moment as he was teaching me how to move the brush that I suddenly felt like I was in the movie Karate Kid. You know that famous scence where Mr. Miyagi was teaching Daniel-san how to wax in and wax out. LOL! Yes, this may be a slight exaggeration but Yato-san just had this very calm and wise sensei voice that made my imagination wander.

After I finished soaking the paper, I actually had to dry it with a hair blow dryer and then staple it to the piece of plywood. I then had to shift to the next task which was dividing a piece of bond paper into 4. I had to complete 3 different ocean scenes and a series of seagull poses that I had to copy from a cheat sheet (drawing these birds were a pain!). This was to warm me up for the main exercise of the day. It's the finished product below. Basically 4 copies of an ocean scene in one color:


I did not realize watercolor painting was such a process. This looks really simple but it is composed of a series of layers. You can't paint the whole scene at once since the very wet paper will bleed everything in and you will come up with a messy swirl. One must draw and then soak a specific part of the paper before painting the color then dry it before repeating the process for the next layer. By the way, when painting you have to employ controlled brushstrokes that will dictate the shades and the definition of the objects. You can actually see how the paint travels on the soaked parts of the paper- which was fascinating. One can choose to play around with this to create specific effects ex. the foams of the waves above.

As I was working on the painting, I began to observe the other students who started to trickle in. Half of which were kids...and the other half mostly women who looked like they were retirees. Yato-san was very attentive with his students and would constantly walk around the room to help each of us with our painting.

After the class, he showed me-with pride and joy- photos of his student's work on his computer. Most were impressive- which gave me hope. I could truly feel that he was passionate about what he was doing and that says a lot. I obviously want to take more than four sessions but it definitely depends on how I fare during the coming sessions. Or until I find out about another NNP that I can spend my time and well-earned money on. Ha! Seriously, I do want to make art a constant part of my life with or without classes. More to come!

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Pilipinas kay ganda! (Beautiful Philippines)

So I am indeed a go for the Philippines. My boss said yes and I am only waiting to finalize my travel documents. I am so excited! Aside from getting to spend time with family I'll be beach bumming. You have to understand that a trip back home will not be complete without flying off to one of our awesome islands. Case in point Coron, Palawan below:

KAYANGAN LAKE
Borrowed from aquinokc


For those who are not aware, the Philippines is an archipelago made up of 7100 islands. Each very unique not only in how they look but in their flavor and their culture. This is in fact one of the reasons why it was easy for the Spaniards to divide and conquer us (we were a Spanish colony for 300 years). We were geographically spread out and had independent systems of community established in different parts of the region. Speaking of the Spaniards, I might dare say that this latin influence- for better and for worse- is one of the things that make us unique as an Asian country (Americans we are officially located in southeast asia and not some lost Pacific Island). Moreover, as a hub for trading coupled with various foreign invasions the Philippines has a lot of American, Chinese and some (more like a dash) Japanese influence (add to this a tropical climate). Our temperament, customs, behavior, religion and even from of government (democratic) sets us apart from most Asian nations. To be un-PC we feel less "oriental"than our counterparts.

cloudnine01
Now my own photo: Siargao Island, surf capital of the Philippines.

So when I was a lot younger, I could not wait to get out of the country and explore other shores. For some reason, you always think that anywhere else is better than home. As I grow older and become well-traveled, I have no doubt in my mind that the Philippines offers world class landscapes and seascapes that are unparalleled. I always now make it a point to spread the word around when I meet fellow travelers. They most often always skip the Philippines and would rather go off to Thailand for the beaches. I tell them that if they want good food, pristine white beaches and friendly English speaking people that they should go to the Philippines.

Aliwan Fiesta 2009
Borrowed from Sidious Sid's Aliwan Fiesta 2009 set

On the other hand, I am glad we are not as bombarded by flocks of tourists. Less commercialism the better.

For this trip, I plan to go back to Palawan to visit my friend who I previously mentioned moved to the island to quit city life (bravo to you amigo). He now owns a boutique travel company called Discover Amazing Palawan which focuses on unique and personalized tours without putting a hole in your pocket. His wife is also a yoga teacher and entrepreneur. Together with their son they seek to live a sustainable life. I can't wait to catch up with them.

I also plan to swing by one of the other islands for some diving (they have an excellent marine sanctuary). I'm leaning towards Dumaguete Apo Island which has this cool resort seen below:

Resort in Apo Island
Photo already copyrighted

Then there is Apo Reef (I know same name but different places) which is a Unesco World Heritage site. It's one of the top 8 diving spots in the Philippines. I couldn't find a decent underwater photo but I did find this flickr profile with great Philippine photos: http://www.flickr.com/people/landscapist/. Enjoy!

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Home is Calling!

Palawan

2011 and I am gearing up for my biennial pilgrimage back to the motherland as you can see here and here. Of course a trip back home won't be complete without a true island getaway. I have to say the Philippines has one of the best beaches in the whole world!!! I'm actually glad that not a LOT of tourists know about this because I can have it all to myself! Bwahaha!!

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