Repository of my thoughts and images of art, literature, travel, and life.
My students are always fascinated when I point out that Juan Luna’s Spoliarium isn’t his only work, nor academic painting his only style. Two examples currently hang in the Vargas Museum, right inside campus. One is a study of The Trial of Galileo and the other is Picnic in Normandy. If these two painting could talk, … Continue reading Day 7, A conversation between two paintings
My post is a little late today. I prefer writing in the mornings. But there were too many things going on. Sheldon was around today, so we had croissant and coffee breakfast while watching Big Bang Theory episodes. It’s unbelievable that he hasn’t really watched the Big Bang Theory before. He’s seen an episode or … Continue reading Day 6, Big Bang Theory Life
Wer liebe sucht, findet sie nicht. Sie überfällt uns wenn wir es am wenigsten Erwarten. Alles Liebe zu unserem Ersten Jahrestag (Georg Sand) I took a photo and I wondered what Georg Sand is trying to say to me. I knew it was in German, but I had no idea what it’s trying to say. … Continue reading Day 5, A brief love letter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knM7ow5vMPA Loss. Where do we begin when we talk of loss? It's so easy to talk of loss as an ending. But given time, you realise that the loss is just a beginning. It will be more sorrowful in the days, weeks, months, or even years to come. Yet, it will prepare us to who … Continue reading Day 4, Loss at the Cemetry Gates
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76bSvs3OfqI I still feel the cold, dry air that freezes my lungs. The bright, white snow that blinds my eyes. The bare trees… A sense of wonder. This is my memory of Tiergarten in Berlin. I’ve written about this place several times before. I will admit that I am not over it. And I will … Continue reading Day 3, Commitment and Music
I walked around in a cold, darkened room, and there it was—Gustave Courbet’s The Painter’s Studio. I stood in awe for a moment, taking it in. I walked near it to see the details of the paint. I moved back so I can see its entirety once I again. I sat down on the bench … Continue reading Day 2: A Room with a View, Remembering Gustave Courbet’s The Painter’s Studio
I’ve almost forgotten that I signed up for Writing 101. I just wanted to check out what it is. Also, I’ve had trouble writing for the past few years and this feels like it would help me get back out there. I’ve been trying to write lately, some aren’t so good, admittedly. But I really … Continue reading Day 1: Unlock the Mind
I’ve always been idealistic. I think it is the one thing in my life that I really want to maintain. I don’t want to end up jaded in the years to come. I want the belief that things could always get better, even if they’re already pretty great or even when everything seems hopeless. It … Continue reading Performing Romance
We spent Saturday evening celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach’s 330th birthday. It’s been a while since I listened to orchestra music, so I knew I really wanted to go when I found out that there would be a free performance by the Manila Symphony Orchestra at Trinoma Mall. I’m grateful that Ian shared my interest in … Continue reading Bach in the Subways
Portia Placino 