Second-order Stories

Nice, France 9.19.2010 Hello Tumblr! I shall deem this the first of many random musings to come! I created this “space” for many reasons—some of which I cannot tell you as of the moment. But simply, I start this today in an attempt to possibly locate myself in the cloud that I am currently drifting in. I guess it is only normal for anyone to go through this stage at least once in his or her lifetime; although, I believe that mine was compounded by my experience of being pulled into and out of extreme contexts over a brief period of time. So, this “space” serves as a sort of medium where I can encounter myself, a place where I can “meet” myself so that I can, possibly, see myself more clearly. Alright, so my random musings will come in the form of words, photographs, and drawings—all of which composed by me unless I quote someone else. After all, I set this up primarily for me to see myself from a distance while at the same time going through the motions of myself. But hey, if you also happen to look at this “space”, you are most welcome! I’d love to be inspired by you. Because aside from what I’ve mentioned above, I’m also looking for other sources of inspiration. Anyway, that’s it for now. To start off, here is a photo from Nice, France last September with my boyfriend, who is also my best friend, Andoy.
Jan 6

Nice, France 9.19.2010

Hello Tumblr! I shall deem this the first of many random musings to come!

I created this “space” for many reasons—some of which I cannot tell you as of the moment. But simply, I start this today in an attempt to possibly locate myself in the cloud that I am currently drifting in. I guess it is only normal for anyone to go through this stage at least once in his or her lifetime; although, I believe that mine was compounded by my experience of being pulled into and out of extreme contexts over a brief period of time. So, this “space” serves as a sort of medium where I can encounter myself, a place where I can “meet” myself so that I can, possibly, see myself more clearly.

Alright, so my random musings will come in the form of words, photographs, and drawings—all of which composed by me unless I quote someone else. After all, I set this up primarily for me to see myself from a distance while at the same time going through the motions of myself. But hey, if you also happen to look at this “space”, you are most welcome! I’d love to be inspired by you. Because aside from what I’ve mentioned above, I’m also looking for other sources of inspiration.

Anyway, that’s it for now. To start off, here is a photo from Nice, France last September with my boyfriend, who is also my best friend, Andoy.

Paris, France 9.4.2010 One thing I’ve learned: events are more beautiful when being looked back on than when being experienced. Because after the experience itself, you piece together even the most mundane things, growing continuously into something more wonderful.
Jan 7

Paris, France 9.4.2010

One thing I’ve learned: events are more beautiful when being looked back on than when being experienced. Because after the experience itself, you piece together even the most mundane things, growing continuously into something more wonderful.

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris 9.5.2010 I took this shot around a little bit after noon while we were on our way to Champs-Élysées. It’s amazing how these people manage to linger under the sun during the hottest time of the day, either sitting in benches with their noses stuck on books, or having conversations that would go on for hours, or just wandering around until they uncover something that sparks their interest. All this, while they let their children free to sail the seas. 
Jan 7

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris 9.5.2010

I took this shot around a little bit after noon while we were on our way to Champs-Élysées. It’s amazing how these people manage to linger under the sun during the hottest time of the day, either sitting in benches with their noses stuck on books, or having conversations that would go on for hours, or just wandering around until they uncover something that sparks their interest.

All this, while they let their children free to sail the seas. 

Casa Batlló, Barcelona, Spain 11.9.2010 We don’t always have to walk through fixed, linear paths. Antoni Gaudí definitely knew what it meant to take risks.
Jan 7

Casa Batlló, Barcelona, Spain 11.9.2010

We don’t always have to walk through fixed, linear paths. Antoni Gaudí definitely knew what it meant to take risks.

Montmartre, Paris 9.4.2010 I love how this one came out. Initially, I intended to take a photo of the window display of this gallery that we passed by. I never expected for us to be incorporated into it though.  That’s Andoy to my left—and yes, I could say that I do miss him! 
Jan 7

Montmartre, Paris 9.4.2010

I love how this one came out. Initially, I intended to take a photo of the window display of this gallery that we passed by. I never expected for us to be incorporated into it though. 

That’s Andoy to my left—and yes, I could say that I do miss him! 

Ponte Sant’Angelo, Rome 10.26.2010 So I shot this from Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II. Ponte Sant’Angelo is the bridge further in the background, the one with the statues of angels. Further back is St. Peter’s Basilica. I remember how we sat there on the ledge of the bridge just talking. I was thankful that the weather was fair that day, having known that it wasn’t supposed to be when I last checked the internet. We were there because we were waiting for some of our friends to show up. But really, it was also pleasant to just be there. Maybe because it was windy there (like how most bridges are), or the view just had this warm disposition.
Jan 7

Ponte Sant’Angelo, Rome 10.26.2010

So I shot this from Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II. Ponte Sant’Angelo is the bridge further in the background, the one with the statues of angels. Further back is St. Peter’s Basilica.

I remember how we sat there on the ledge of the bridge just talking. I was thankful that the weather was fair that day, having known that it wasn’t supposed to be when I last checked the internet. We were there because we were waiting for some of our friends to show up. But really, it was also pleasant to just be there. Maybe because it was windy there (like how most bridges are), or the view just had this warm disposition.

Avignon, France 10.2.2010 Despite the fact that I was adequately operational with these things, it’s a shame that I never once got out to use them during my stay in Europe.  Never let this happen again.
Jan 9

Avignon, France 10.2.2010

Despite the fact that I was adequately operational with these things, it’s a shame that I never once got out to use them during my stay in Europe. 

Never let this happen again.

Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Paris 9.5.2010 There’s always magic even in the most everyday of things—you just have to look close enough. And among the magical things that day, this was one of them. 
Jan 9

Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Paris 9.5.2010

There’s always magic even in the most everyday of things—you just have to look close enough. And among the magical things that day, this was one of them. 

La Tour Eiffel, Paris 12.23.2010 This was my favorite memory of us in Paris, and the night before you left. I love you and I miss you, but this was all for the best. See you in a month’s time!  Let our love be the one thing you won’t leave behind. - Mae
Jan 9

La Tour Eiffel, Paris 12.23.2010

This was my favorite memory of us in Paris, and the night before you left. I love you and I miss you, but this was all for the best. See you in a month’s time! 

Let our love be the one thing you won’t leave behind. - Mae

Marseille, France 10.3.2010 The sky was clear from any clouds, except seagulls that swooped and darted from the sky to the water—or to the port beset by fishermen. Everything was washed in a monochrome of blue. Unlike most of the people in that boat, we stayed outside, at the forward end. And as we sailed further out into the sea, it didn’t take long for the wind to begin swaying the sea and for the waves to start tossing the boat. Before we knew it, sea water would occasionally splash into our faces and the boat would start throwing us about in the air—causing us to literally fall on our bottoms hard.  They were bold enough to still stay at the very tip of the boat’s bow even if the sea was fooling around that day.
Jan 10

Marseille, France 10.3.2010

The sky was clear from any clouds, except seagulls that swooped and darted from the sky to the water—or to the port beset by fishermen. Everything was washed in a monochrome of blue. Unlike most of the people in that boat, we stayed outside, at the forward end. And as we sailed further out into the sea, it didn’t take long for the wind to begin swaying the sea and for the waves to start tossing the boat. Before we knew it, sea water would occasionally splash into our faces and the boat would start throwing us about in the air—causing us to literally fall on our bottoms hard. 

They were bold enough to still stay at the very tip of the boat’s bow even if the sea was fooling around that day.

Avignon, France 10.2.2010 The vessel starts spinning. He holds on to the hand rail, still hesitant, but at least this time, he already smiles a little. Give it time and he’ll be lifting his hands up in the air, laughing. 
Jan 10

Avignon, France 10.2.2010

The vessel starts spinning. He holds on to the hand rail, still hesitant, but at least this time, he already smiles a little. Give it time and he’ll be lifting his hands up in the air, laughing. 

Prague, Czech Republic 10.16.2010 There’s a sense of eeriness as you walk through the streets of this city. You feel as if all its buildings, statues, and monuments conspire, watching you as they cast drearily their shadows. You feel insecure and intimidated, although you cannot help but recognize its haunting beauty. You wonder what had brought this city to its somber state, and if it has always been that way. But at night, when the lights of the sky dim down, this melancholy of a city cries out its light, flowing its bottled up tears until dawn. 
Jan 11

Prague, Czech Republic 10.16.2010

There’s a sense of eeriness as you walk through the streets of this city. You feel as if all its buildings, statues, and monuments conspire, watching you as they cast drearily their shadows.

You feel insecure and intimidated, although you cannot help but recognize its haunting beauty. You wonder what had brought this city to its somber state, and if it has always been that way.

But at night, when the lights of the sky dim down, this melancholy of a city cries out its light, flowing its bottled up tears until dawn. 

Anfiteatro Flavio, Piazza del Colosseo, Rome These are remnants of an identity past. The whole city emanates grandeur, and in turn summons awe for its greatness. Despite its now collapsed state, it echoes imperiousness, upholding its glorious nature.
Jan 11

Anfiteatro Flavio, Piazza del Colosseo, Rome

These are remnants of an identity past. The whole city emanates grandeur, and in turn summons awe for its greatness. Despite its now collapsed state, it echoes imperiousness, upholding its glorious nature.