My current desktop. A picture of All Souls College's courtyard.

Inside Brasenose

Last Saturday, Nash (3rd from left) gave us a tour of Brasenose College. Brasenose is located at Radcliffe Square, where the current Harry Potter crew is filming the next Potter film (HPotter and the Goblet of Fire). It was also the first time I met Assad (1st from left), an MPhil in Economics student. Nash is doing a PhD in nano-biotech who defected from Cambridge University. Lorraine is a feisty Education PhD student who will be doing fieldwork in Malaysia next month.

Kill Bill Director's Blog?!

Quentin Tarantino's blog. It might be fake, but who knows.
visit it here

This is Tarantino's reply over the fake blog report.
QT's reply

Second Home

Most of the books in this library are unfortunately outdated. I just stay in the library because there's no access to a bed nor food.. which helps me concentrate on my work better.

This is where I spend most of my time after dinner. It's a reclusive environment which allows you to study or fall asleep. I stay here most week nights until the College Porter chases me out of my chair on library closing time.

Oxford in Bloom

Walking back home from a short day trip.

Elevated View of the City

Sharing you the "first class" view from my seat inside the bus: overlooking Magdalen Tower still on High Street. The moving view of the city is wonderful from an elevated perspective so I had to take this picture.

There was practically no one inside the bus for some reason. It seems, everyone's out walking.

Bus Trip

Yesterday's weather inspired me to get out of my room and take a short bus trip around Oxford. Here I am, waiting for my double-decker to arrive.

I took a bus to Headington (another collegiate town). I did not take this tourist bus, although I wish I did. The bus fare for this red Oxford bus is probably 5 times more expensive than your normal rate as it takes you around Oxford with a tour guide. Maybe I'll ride on one of those with my parents when they come over next year for graduation. That's another item on my to-do list.

Seafood Market Trip

One quiet Friday afternoon, my neighbor knocked on my door and invited me to go to the seafood open market. It was a 30 minute walk from High Street where we both live. There was an abundant supply of fresh lobsters, shrimps and all sorts of fishes at the seafood market. The friendly fish monger happily disclosed that the lobsters were imported from Canada. Supposedly, the less-valuable canadian lobsters are cheaper than the english blue lobsters during this time. I didn't buy any lobsters, but instead happily settled for a 2kg bag of shrimps and a salmon head. My neighbor and I got a free ride back home from the fish monger's van (luckily, the vehicle didn't have the fishy aroma) because the rain made it impossible for us to walk back home.

Passing by the ancient-looking Ashmolean Museum on my way to the seafood open market. This landmark in cosmopolitan Oxford looks majestic at night. The picture looks less dull when viewed full-size by clicking on the image.

One of my all-time favorite - Crepe with vanilla ice cream.

Bistro Je T'aime serves nice looking desserts but unfortunately too small for my whetting appetite. This restaurant is a 2 minute walk from where I live.

English BBQ: Meat + Muffins + Croquet?

BBQ with the Chemistry Group at Oxford on a sunny Saturday afternoon. James took care of the grilling while Ben (guy on right) provided access to St Hugh's, a College with massive recreational grounds. The venue is a 20 minute walk from the Oxford City Centre. We played tennis before the BBQ. I sucked.

Croquet, What?

The croquet game turned out to be not as boring as I initially thought. James (guy on left) said, the English BBQ at Oxford is not complete without a game of croquet. Still playing but the croquet balls are barely visible during this time.

Intense croquet game going on. The Brit(all white) & Australian(gray shorts) team V.S. French(blue shirt, girl in skyblue shorts). The more experienced Brit & Australian tandem won. I played the next game, but my team lost against another formidable English and Australian pair.

Good Bye. On to the next chapter in life.

I first met Rosty at our flat's kitchen one evening while he was entertaining some friends. He immediately invited me to join the fruit-fest. Up till this afternoon, Rosty is the first cheerful person I always see when I visit the kitchen every day.

He likes to talk about politics. He knows everything about history and current events of any given country. He eats a platter of freshly sliced fruits everyday and would share it to me. He prepares two mugs of peppermint tea before lunch, and would always offer me one. Rosty keeps at least 5 varities of tea in his cupboard.

He studies hard in his room. He keeps a framed picture of his dad on his table. He doesn't drink much, but when he prepares one, it's surely hardcore.

He left Oxford today.

Good bye, my friend. The next chapter in life is surely bright.

Landmarks on High Street

Looking at the Queen's College on High Street. On my way to the supermarket for some nibbles and yogurts. The red double deckers (smoke belchers) are the moving landmarks here in Oxford.

Yesterday's weather was a complete contrast from today, it was even foggy at one point. I walked past the Magdalen Bridge on High Street where tens of punt boats were lined up. I'm very tempted to get on one of these, but fear that they are as ancient as the University, probably neglected and not maintained.

Who says you're not rewarded when you work hard? England weather can't be any better today. I also had a wonderful time dining in a Morrocan restaurant (just 15 minutes from home) that brings you away from Oxford and into a relaxing ambiance. Thought I'd share the fantastic experience with you through a photo collage.

24 hours is simply not enough

why do work pour in the same time, all the time? i'm terribly behind schedule with school work and my own work. i feel like i'm not doing enough things in a day. have you ever felt this feeling of being constantly inefficient?

I feel refreshed and recharged but a little home sick after talking to a friend and my family over the phone today.

I think I am visiting the Philippines soon. It's been 2 years(this October) since I've been to Asia. The last trip back to Manila was for a solemn reason. The next time I visit, I'll make sure to:

• Visit the lovely sub-urban city of Tagaytay.
• Go to at least one new restaurant everyday.
• Get together and meet with at least 10 friends.
• Spend more time with my grandmothers.
• Enjoy the bustling traffic.
• Stop to appreciate the hospitality of the common Filipino.
• Walk on the sugary white sand beaches and swim in the azure blue waters.
• Go out at night (without having to worry about any curfews).

Oxford weather

I wish that..

• It rains in the next few days, so I can work the whole day instead of spending time outside of my room.
• I have more hours in a day, so I can work longer and complete my Wednesday deadline.
• I don't have to eat and still stay focused, so I can work longer hours without taking a break.
• I have more fingers and two brains, so I can type and program faster.
• I have a tall glass of mango smoothie on my desk.
• It's not as humid, better yet, Oxford starts snowing tonight.

Outside the graduation theatre. The Sheldonian Theatre is the principal assembly room of the University, where all public ceremonies of the University are held inside. The theatre was erected in 1667 sponsored by the Archibishop of Canterbury, Gilber Sheldon, and so gave his name to the building.

Graduands in front of the Vice-Chancellor inside the Sheldonian Theatre.

Inside the Sheldonian Theatre showcasing the musical pipes on the upper most level.

Graduation Lunch