I can’t write

By: Alsie Penaranda

And I envy those who can.

I’ve always wanted to write my whole life. My father is a writer and a journalist in the oldest running news paper in the country. He was already an editor even before he got his Journalism degree in Lyceum of the Philippines. He’s got two government books to his name and countless magazines and newspaper articles. My great grandfather, Carlos Bulosan, was a writer too. He wrote during the post world war 1 era in the United States. Now, his writings are included in the curriculum of high school and college students in the States. Whew! What an achievement!

When I was a child, I would often write about just about everything. I knew then that my grasp in grammar and other technical things in writing are above average. I would always come up with working titles that stir the minds and imaginations of my siblings (one in particular who cried several times when she read my short stories about love and romance) and classmates. Unfortunately, computers, usb’s and hard drives were not yet invented then to save my manuscripts from being lost in my pile of books, papers, toys and who knows what else. Organization is not one of my strongest points.

Now that I’ve grown older or as some people (mostly women) would prefer, matured enough to write a lot more things in life, that’s when I began to experience what they call a “writer’s block”. I can’t seem to finish a draft even if my titles and thesis were concrete. Oh sure from time to time I would be able to come-up with a good introductory letter for job applications or a short story here and there, but “real” writing is far from my accomplishment.

Sometimes, when I am in that state of consciousness and sleep, I would begin to think about a good working title; topic sentences for the body of the paragraph and all. But I would be too sleepy or too lazy to get up and write it down in a notebook or journal. Besides, I know myself all too well to realize that I wouldn’t be able to get back to that notebook or journal again to even start writing the introduction. Most of the time, when I’m driving or waiting in line in a supermarket or atm machines, I would try and think about why I haven’t been successful in writing a true to form essay or short story. Is it because I can’t write? Or was I just too lazy to think and compose? It is a good thing that I listened to my father when he told me to take up nursing course instead of Journalism. (And that didn’t work to)

But why, I ask myself, do I feel the need to write? Why do I love it so much when I can’t really write something good? Why do I keep thinking about it? Is it because I am from a long line of writers? (I haven’t mentioned my Uncle, my father’s younger brother, who’s also a journalist; but his character is what you might describe as “dark and doubted”). But what is it really? Until I write something that makes sense, something that would impact a lot of people in the way they think or feel about something, until then, I know I can’t write; and would continue to envy those who can.

I'm Starting My Life Again

Although I know I am not getting visitors and readers, I'd like to pretend that I do so I'm going to start this post by saying...I know it's been awhile and you may be wondering what happened to me. It's a very long story but it's safe to say now that I'm starting my life again and I'm happy that I am.

I've been busy with a lot of things. I am glad to be going back to writing. I want to learn more and I want to perfect my craft. I know I have so many things to say and even more things to ask and learn. So, here goes nothing.

Been awhile

Yes, I am aware that it's been awhile since I posted a sensible post in this blog. Just to give everyone an update, Pauline (who is actually the muse of this blog) has turned 6 and is now in first grade. She has grown a lot over the past year; her feet especially. She has also learned so many things: good and not so good habits and things. As early as September, she was already given a warning by her teacher because of accumulated absences. She, like me, is not a great fan of conventional classroom and traditional way of learning. I certainly can understand that. But because I should be a "good" mom, I shouldn't tolerate that kind of behavior. What I should be doing, based on society's dictates, is to encourage her to attend class and be nice to everyone. (I'll probably influence her on my idea of what education should be later on in life).

Metamorphosis

A girl once thought that butterflies where always beautiful. She longed to be one. She always regarded herself as someone who’s somewhat unattractive. She has brown hair and brown eyes and a face with ordinary features; nothing striking. She was always shy and distant; keeping only to herself and her books. She loves to draw the little creatures. She’s got her bedroom walls covered with doodles and paintings of pretty colorful butterflies. It is where she escapes when she’s sad or self-conscious.

One day she saw a cocoon. She’s never seen one before. It was brown and dried up. It got her interest because it was moving. She looked at it closer this time. And then out came the prettiest butterfly she’s ever seen; blue and pink and orange and red. She stared at it in awe. Her eyes were full of wonder; full of hope. She smiled. She went home and drew it. Placed her perfect drawing above her bed and stared at it for a while. Still smiling, she went to her closet and picked out her lilac dress. Her mom bought it for her but she was too embarrassed to wear it. She puts it on, combs her hair and puts a ribbon of the same shade. “I’m coming out now” she said to herself in the mirror. “I’m coming out”.  

Philpost - - Determined to claim heritage amidst Modernization

The Philippine Postal System (Philpost), the oldest postal services in Asia recently celebrated its 227^th Anniversary. With its heritage dating back to the 1700’s, Philpost is proud and determined to rise above the ashes of extinction. “We are trying to modernize the mailing system in the Philippines. We have started lining up projects and created partnerships with various private organizations and other government agencies as well”, Chairman of the Board Fred Gabot said in an interview.  He also mentioned about e-bill, e-cards, online shopping, e-signatures and e-postage services are some of the big projects Philpost is set to pursue in the next seven years.  

The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), an agency of the government created primarily to promote, develop and regulate integrated ICT systems recognizes the challenges Philpost is currently facing with the advent of modern communications and technology. CICT Chairman

Ivan John Enrile Uy cited a number of projects for Philpost that will boost not only its revenues but also claim its place in the electronic world. He proposed to develop and convert into modern post offices the almost three-hectare Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in the Airport Zone, the 1.4-hectare Quezon City Post Office in the Government Center and the Baguio Post Office. The said properties will also serve as e-community education and business centers.

 “A new top level domain name, .post, recently assigned by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), in sponsorship with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), will enable the postal sector to establish a solid base in cyberspace for developing secure and trusted e-postal service” the Chairman also added.

During the time when stamps and envelops were the main tools for sending letters and other communication, statistics show that Philpost was processing more than 800 million to about one billion letters per year. Now, it dropped to only 30 million letters per year gravely affecting the revenues being generated by the Philpost.

“To address some of the most immediate problems Philpost is currently facing, we have already launched the e-center which will give the Filipinos online information about our postal system and other products and services available to our fellow Filipinos which before were only being offered by banks and other private remittance companies” Post-Master General Atty. Antonio de Guzman said. He also noted that for hundreds of years Filipinos trusted the integrity of the Philippine Postal System. The transformation and innovation projects will not only maintain that trust but also establish the reliability of their services for individuals and businesses alike.

Adobe Photoshop Classes: Time to Learn

Since its introduction in the world of graphics and desktop publishing, Adobe Photoshop has been the “best friend” of graphic artists, photographers and designers. Its contemporary software, Corel is also used widely but because it is more on vectors, the easy to use tools and techniques of Adobe Photoshop is the preferred many.

It’s the time for Learning      

A lot of people have proven that knowledge and expertise in the usage of not only of Adobe Photoshop but some or all of the software in the Adobe Family can be very rewarding. A person can start his or her own business at home. It is actually a promising career today.

·         Web Design

·         Poster making

·         Online Banner

·         Adding Graphic designs to videos

·         Digital photo editing

·         Desktop publication (Business cards, flyers, etc.)

The list is actually endless. Because of the visual enhancement requirements in a lot of the industries today, Adobe Photoshop is worth learning.

How to study Photoshop?

Recognizing the global need to service the thousands of Adobe Photoshop users, adobe.com offers online trainings and seminars to suit the needs of professionals and first time users. They are offering an online classroom atmosphere without leaving the comforts of your own desk. They also have online exams to gauge the user’s level of expertise and its score certification is recognized in over 75 countries.

Aside from virtual classes, Adobe professionals are also conducting corporate classes or onsite classes upon request of companies for their adobe users. For those who want to learn Adobe Photoshop and packages, there are also classes, trainings and seminars being conducted, free of charge, in communities and Universities. Books are also available for reference and self-study.

Aside from adobe.com, professionals are also offering their expertise to teach Adobe Package. A Singaporean company in particular, Informatics, offer a one to two-month training course for first time user, refresher course for those who have already used Adobe Photoshop but would want to upgrade and Adobe Level Testing for those who’d want to officially know their level of expertise.

What are the choices?    

There is now what is called Photoshop Family; an array of software to choose from depending on a person’s preference or expertise.

·         Photoshop CS5 – after the success of CS3 and CS4, CS5 gives the user a more refined, accurate and detailed image enhancing and editing

·         Photoshop CS5 Extended – basically the same advanced digital imaging, editing and compositing as CS5 but with the capabilities of creating and editing 3D and motion based content

·         Photoshop Lightroom 3 – is for photographers and photo editors; helps in managing portfolio of hundreds of photos and also helps in creating elegant print lay-outs for presentations and slide shows.

·         Photoshop Elements 9 – is specially designed for consumer based photo and digital imaging.

Whatever needs an individual may have, Adobe Photoshop Family offers ultimate digital graphic and design experience. Trainings and seminars are available online and onsite, whichever type of classroom one prefers. The important thing today is to be equipped with the necessary tools that would bring additional marketable value to a person’s skills and expertise.

Let's start!

I'd like to welcome everyone to this blog site. I've been wanting to create a blog for the longest time but just didn't know what to write about. There are so many wonderful things to tell you folks and choosing a particular topic is difficult. Then it suddenly hit me! My muse is just under my nose! What would be more perfect to write about than the little princess who came to my life unexpectedly. A stubborn little bundle who refused to come out into the world despite my already 24-hour labor. The little girl who, when finally came out, had the oddest expression on her face! As if saying, "and you dragged me from my mother's warm and comfortable womb for this??!!". If only I wasn't so groggy at that time to take a picture of that frowning, pouting face to share to everyone. She has taught me a lot of things, changed my life and made me the woman I am today.

I hope you'll follow with me as I share to you the curiosities and mischiefs of my princess, Eisla Pauline Eliah. Welcome to Pauline's world!