TheJeffreyG|p r o j e c t

FINALLY!!! After waiting for more than a year, I finally have Dad’s  old Canon 500D! *woot woot* 

I have always been interested in photography particularly, fashion/portrait photography, street photography and conceptual photography. I really admire the eccentric vision of the photographers who take these kinds of pictures.

It’s amazing how knowledgable fashion photographers are especially, when it comes to studio lighting. Basically, the strict rules of photography techniques.

The shots of street photographers are really breathtaking! They have this gift of cheating time and capturing perfect moments. They freeze ordinary street life and turn it into something powerful, something that tells a story.From buildings to signs, people and other places, they preserve the (sometimes most of the time,unseen) magic of everyday living.

Conceptual photographers are the out-of-this-world artists! Oh dear God. I really think that their motto in life is “If you can’t capture it, create it!” If street photographers capture the soul of photography, conceptual photographers capture the fun spirit of photography! I think they have the most unusual and creative ways of feeding visual creativity to the noodles of people.

Anyway, I can’t wait to explore the world of photographers and see the world in the way they do. I can’t wait to click the shutter butt(on) and to begin telling visual tales.

Till the next post!

@TheJeffreyG

05-08-13

Here are some of my first shots:

Sure, macaroni and cheese seems okay for some pasta quick fix. But, baked macaroni seems more interesting, right? I personally think it’s easier and cheaper to make. 

Snacks. Lazy Dinner fix. Whatever. 

Who doesn’t love a creamy and cheesy baked macaroni? Imagine the melted cheese on top mixing with the creamy sauce and the al dente macaroni, plus the savory smoky and spicy kick of pimiento.

Ah, well imagine no more! Here’s my own recipe for Baked Macaroni.

I made this about 2 weeks ago when mom asked me to be the one to cook dinner (She always does. Well she asks me to cook dinner most of the time, especially now that it’s Christmas break) I decided to make baked macaroni because it’s the first thing that came into my mind when I checked out the available ingredients in the cupboard.

Anyway, the INGREDIENTS: 

• Elbow Macaroni (about 750g)-I boiled the 1Kg of pasta but I didn’t get to use all
• Cheddar Cheese (grated, amount: up to you)-I used about 1 cup. [You can use the “quickmelt” kind too. Or, if you’re feeling a bit extra fancy (and generous) why not use Mozzarella Cheese?]
• Pimiento (diced)- I used the canned one, about 2 pimientos, you can use fresh if you want. 
• Corned Beef (canned,I used the medium size)- ground pork/beef can be used as substitute
• Parmesan Cheese (grated, amount: up to you)-I used this for the sauce
• Spaghetti Sauce (about 1 and a half cup)-you can make one from scratch if you want
• Beef Broth (1 cube)- I used broth cubes and not the powdered or liquid form
• Garlic (5 cloves, crushed, roughly chopped)
• Onion (white, large, diced)
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)-I used black pepper
• Hot Sauce (to taste)- I used my dad’s homemade hotsauce
• All-Purpose Cream (1 cup)- used for the topping before baking in the oven

PROCEDURE: 

1. Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package
2. For the sauce, start by drizzling about 2 tbsp. of Olive Oil around the pan.
3. Sauté the garlic and onion.
4. Once the onion is translucent, add the pimiento and corned beef. Continue sautéing.
5.  Add the Spaghetti Sauce and stir.
6. Add the broth and grated parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 mins.
7. Taste the sauce so that you’ll know how much hot sauce, salt and papper to add.
8. Stir and simmer for 2 mins.
9. Once the pasta is done cooking, add it to the sauce pan little by little. Mix the pasta and the sauce carefully. (Make sure the the pasta is not too dry)
10. Transfer the mixed pasta and sauce  in an oven-safe dish.
11. For the cream topping: In a sauce pan (low fire), add the all-purpose cream. Flavor with hot sauce and pepper. Once stirred and heated, pour over the pasta.
12. Top with grated cheese. (Go crazy. The more cheese, the better!!)
13. Pop it in the oven for 10 mins at 170-200C (or until the cheese has browned a little-don’t burn it though!)

*I like my pasta spicy so I added a pinch of Cayenne pepper plus extra hot sauce

ENJOY! You might want to serve this for Christmas. ;)

Till the next post!

@TheJeffreyG

12-18-12

photo by: me :)

Last Novemeber 16, during the SSE  (School of Science and Engineering) Week in UA&P, several people were invited to give a talk. I was able to attend 2 talks, even if I’m not under the SSE. haha!

For the first talk, we were actually required by our Environmental Science Professor. It was about the mining industry in the Philippines. When we entered the hall, the talk had already started. It was quiet interesting to know that our country is very rich in minerals. Unfortunately though, we do not have the machines and factories to refine all these. Ergo, our country sells the raw minerals to countries like China and Japan at very low prices. What’s worse than selling these minerals at low prices? Well, illegal mining of course! These small leeches do not only steal, but they also destroy our environment.

What’s your say on this issue, PNoy?

Good news: there are actually NGOs that rehabilitate abandoned illegal mining pits. I think it would be better though if there will be laws that would help protect and standardize the mining in our country which includes the affected environment as well.

Anyway after the first talk, some of my EnSci-mates left. Here’s a simple equation why I didn’t leave the hall:

Hot day, cold hall+1.5 hours of break+ interesting 2nd talk= Perfect.

The title of the second talk was captivating.

Inspiration Today for our Tomorrow: A Challenge for the Leaders of the Philippines

HEAVY-gat, mehn! I was in the right place, at the right time! The talk was given by Mr. Earl Martin Valencia (@earlvalencia). He’s the President and Co-founder of IdeaSpace Foundation (Click here for their website). He’s also the Head of Strategy in Smart Communications. A Stanford graduate, a good speaker and a Filipino Youth advocate.

The GDP of the Philippines, despite its recent 7.1% growth,  is still less than the combined income of the 6 companies: Apple, Intel, HP, Circo, Google and Oracle. Mr. Valencia then asked us something that goes like, “Why don’t we come up with our own company in the Philippines?” Good question.  I was thinking, he could’ve asked ” Why CAN’T we…” Then I realized, obviously WE CAN, we just don’t act on our potential. He discussed that since the population in the Philippines is more on the younger generation, we have the advantage on the digital workforce. The Philippines just needs to be educated, inspired and motivated to act on a vision that leads to progress. We just need to change that idea that we are nation of employers, instead we should be a nation of creativity, innovation and leadership- a nation of business-minded fellows.

It’s a matter of coming up with an idea and acting on it.  Don’t know how? Here’s the 5 Filter Question Mr. Valencia shared to us:

1. What’s the need or pain point of the situation/client?
2. What makes your idea unique?
3. Is is executable?
4. Does it require unique technology?
5. Who’s your potential market?

Key to success is the BFA attitude. BFA- Biased for Action. Because, he told us that a vision without action is just hallucination.

A quote that Mr. Valencia used during his presentation that really inspired me.

• “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” 
  Michael Jordan 

It was indeed an afternoon of insight and inspiration. I’m glad I stayed. I hope that whoever reads this will be inspired to start a change and be the change in our country. 

So if you have an idea that could change the way we live, join the contest of IdeaSpace. Send your entries until January 7 and get up to 2.5 Million pesos if you are one of the 10 teams chosen! Hurry! Turn that idea into reality. Click here for more details on how to be the change.

                          “One life to live to help change the world.”- @earlvalencia

Til the next post!
@TheJeffreyG

Something I learned last November 2 after googling DIY blah blahs. haha. I’m starting to think that boredom is the root of productivity and creativity! Ironic, I know.

T’was another boring day for me last November 1 so I decided to give my cork board a new look. Perfect for the beginning of my second semester. 

This past 2 weeks of my sembreak, my fascination for the urban culture was resurrected. I’ve been reading blogs on youth, urban designs, street fashion and pop culture. Mostly visual. So those knick-knacks of colorful vibes inspired me to come up with an urban/street design for my cork board.

Got pages from old magazines, used papers and other scrap materials.

Basically the whole background design of my cork board.

My board is divided into different parts.

For the right side: Weekly plan (top), Reminders (bottom)

Left side: Motivation pad where you can pin things that will keep you motivated(duh) and inspired (top), Memo/paper holder (middle-the one with the hand), To-Do list for the day/during study time (bottom)

Here’s a sample functional cork board:

For some people, this design won’t work because it actually looks disorganized even with the divided sections. It really depends on the person’s style, taste and interest. 

But for me, having a cork board that looks like this is already a motivation for me to USE IT WELL. I really need to maximize the use of my cork board because I tend to forget things easily. HAHA. So by having this in my bed room, I can easily make quick notes and reminders for myself and keep track of all the things I need to do. I guess all I need now are FOCUS, DISCIPLINE and FAITH! :)

Dream, Believe, Inspire.

@TheJeffreyG

[October 29,2012: Arrived at the Parañaque COMELEC Office around 8AM]

We were told by Ms. Angie, the lady in the COMELEC booth, to line up “there” so we can put our names on the logbook and be counted for the October 31 registration. Well, “there” was difficult to find since we really do not have any idea where “there” is. Pfffft. 

Robbin and I asked some people where the line for the logbook is. The people were pointing us to different directions, so we decided to ask a COMELEC representative who was patrolling the area. 

(Me): Boss, san po yung pila para—-

(Random different COMELEC person): HOYYY! Ano yan?!? Dito kayo!! 

(Me): *insert WTF face here, goes to Mr. Random COMELEC person*

Apparently, Mr. RC person thought we were trying to cut the line. (-_-)

LO AND BEHOLD! The long line of a hundred people on the street! There was no time for happy-dippity-stroll. Rob, Isa and I were literally rushing to get to the end of line despite the cars and tricycle  in our way. Dare Devil mode? Nah, we just want to go home early!

Early never happened. We waited in line for 3 hours under the scorching heat of the sun! We consider ourselves lucky though since we were part of the 200 slots for October 31.

[October 31, 2012: Rob and I arrived at the place before 6AM. Isa came a few minutes later]

If you think going there before 6 in the morning was too early, THINK AGAIN. There were two loooong lines already (One line for the scheduled registrants who signed in the logbook, the other line was for the first 100 walk-in registrants). Robbin, Isa and I talked about different topics while we were waiting for 7 hours….outside the building. Another hour was spent waiting inside the building and the actual office of the COMELEC! 

Uh-huh, the things we went through just to exercise our right as voters of this country.

Here are some of the things we did, encountered and observed:

• An ate who was courageous enough to shout at people who are trying to cut in line during our Day 1.
• The smell of street food is extra tempting to people who are waiting in line for a long time. Robs and I gave in to the tempting smell, and it was not a mistake at all. I haven’t eaten street food in a very long time.
• An annoying candidate’s fans club. I highly doubt their intentions for registering. (I will write about it some other time).
• A guard who was quiet an entertainer. He’s very friendly and he likes to make jokes, corny jokes. (-_-)
• Robbin talked about the Filipino’s Fear of Voids. It was interesting. We came up with theories why Filipinos dislike empty spaces and gaps. (Perhaps another entry for this)
• Robbin, Isa and I talked about  random stuff like political issues, halloween, trick or treating, college life, college professors, classmates, etc. I think we ended up gossiping. HAHA! 

After waiting for almost 11 hours, we were finally able to submit our forms and register for the HALALAN 2013! 

The Happy Faces of first time voters: Me, Isa and Robbin

#AkoAngSimula: Here’s to one voice than can make a BIG difference!

Realization from my chat with Robbin (@RDagle):

• I shall be brave and courageous enough to defend myself.
• There will be chances, but there will be no assurance.
• It’s true that I cannot give something I do not have.
• Take risks. 
• I will never know if I will never try.
• When I do things, I shall do it for myself. NOT for other people.
• If I want things to be better, I will start with myself. 
• There are no right choices.I just have to stand up to the consequences of my choice.
• As long as I have pure intentions in my actions, I must not let anyone discourage me from doing what I am doing. 
• NEVER LOSE FAITH. Tough tides, but I must hold on. TIGHT.

Another lazy day for me, but this time it’s worse. I was basically in bed the whole day. Boo.

Since my brain cells are not in the mood for some artsy fartsy stuff, I will share to you some quick foodie ideas to make your food or beverage a bit more different than usual by simply adding cinnamon. :)

Cinnamon has a unique flavor that’s sweet and spicy at the same time which makes it perfect for both sweet and savory foods. It gives the food a warm and woody scent and flavor. Personally, I haven’t really tried using cinnamon as an ingredient to savory dishes. I found this site which has 7 exciting savory recipes that uses cinnamon as an ingredient. Perhaps I shall try some next time. :)

Here are some of my favorite cinnamon tricks:

1. CHAMPORADO

 I posted here my  yesterday’s afternoon snack. I added cinnamon and cayenne pepper to give my choco porridge some kick and heat! The heat of the cayenne pepper and sweet smell of cinnamon made the perfect combo for the chilly afternoon.

2. COFFEE

  The cinnamon makes the coffee even more aromatic, plus a flavor that contrasts the bitterness or sweetness of the hot drink.

3. BROWNIES or whatever pastry.

  Well, duh. 

  Here’s my own quick fix that I did some nights ago that I posted on my Instagram. Ordinary dry brownies are boring, so I decided to pimp it up a bit.

I call it The Peanut Butter Brownie (Obviously!) haha! Take an ordinary brownie (the one sold in the groceries), put some peanut butter on top (I used the creamy peanut butter, but if you want some texture, you can use the one with peanut chunks or rice crispies), add some cinnamon powder and powdered sugar on top. Voila! Instant yummy brownie!

4. PIXIE DUST

It’s just what my little sister and I call it. Mix some powdered sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle it on top of a toasted buttered bread or warm fluffy pancakes. InstaYUM! Believe me, works like magic!

Oh yeah! Didn’t you know cinnamon has amazing health benefits? Click here.

So there you go. Try it out and let me know what you think! Till the next post!

@TheJeffreyG

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Ho! Such a lame entry title. haha!

*Afternoon “doodle”: Mons in Tux*-Mons, short for Monster. haha

Anyway, I woke up to dark gray clouds and it was definitely a chilly morning. The weather just made me lazier and sluggish. Since yesterday, I was trying to google different things to do when bored-no kidding! Actually saw a lot of out-of-this-world activities, but nothing really interested me so, I continued my search this morning after I took a bath.

Since I tried hand-painted shirts already, today I tried to do bleaching. I have this robo-doodle idea in mind, but it was a total flop. Pffft. I guess I used all of my creative juices yesterday leaving me with nothing for today.

Lousy rainy weather= 0% Creativity. Ah, talk about perfect timing! (-_-)

I was really frustrated that it didn’t work out. It annoyed the hell out of me! ( I BLAME THE WEATHER! ) haha! I ended up splatting bleach randomly on the shirt. Insane huh? Well the way I pictured it, it was more insane but  nevertheless, creative. It was as if I was exorcising the shirt. gad, freaky. LOL. Originally, that was a shirt but my madness urged me to turn it into a tank top. It was damaged already, so there. It was sort of my trial already.

What to do with the cut sleeves? Check this out.

Pimped yesterday’s shirt! Not really. I just placed the cut sleeves on top. haha. 

Before and After pictures. For comparison. :) Which is better? Let me know!

The weather didn’t get any better in the afternoon, so I decided to take advantage of the bed weather. Perfect. I woke up at around 3PM and saw Ate Ann, our helper, making her delicious CHAMPORADO. Even more perfect! There was no doubt that her signature champorado made my day. 

/CHAM-PO-RA-DO/: choco porridge of pure sweet and sticky goodness! Usually served for breakfast with dilis or tuyo (dried fish) for a contrast in flavor (sweet and salty) or texture (sticky and crunchy (for dilis). Sometimes it is eaten during merienda or dessert.

Personally, I like my hot champorado with some heat and kick! Add a dash of cayenne pepper and/or cinnamon for a more dynamic twist. 

Want to try this awesome Filipino food? Found this easy recipe from the net. Click here.

Hoping for a better and more productive day tomorrow! Till the next post!

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