From Man-child to Man, Child

Happy birthday, bai.

My brother, Jonas, and I strayed from the well-beaten path (What path?!) early in our lives. Thankfully, we were able to forge on and make our way to our current 'ground states'.

It seems to me that a lot of people expect a certain level of ‘maturity’ to suddenly develop when one reaches a certain age. It is as if one is metamorphosed from a slacker to a go-getter overnight. A lot of people may disagree with me, but I've always believed that growing up didn't mean changing our flawed parts for good ones, but rather choosing to hear the almost inaudible voice of good over the deafening din of the bad.

You've come a long way, Jon. I'm proud of you.

In Profile: The Women of USC Chem

Rachel

Beauty and intelligence in the same person is a rare compound. Rarer still is to find it existing in a solution of confidence and humility. And yet these are qualities that you will readily find in Rachel. She is in her third year of the B.S. Chemistry program and is currently trying to make it through the gauntlet of unknowns and derivations that comes with it.

Rachel further disproves the notion that all chemists (or in this case, chemists-to-be) are frumpy wear white coats.

More pictures of Rachel after the jump …

Distilled Moments: Life in Wax

At first spark, we all are
Tiny, wavering creatures —
Needing hands cupped over
Our beginning fragile glow.

In our youth we blaze on
Carefree, shining in unison
With companions and loves;
Defying the winds that blow.

As the tallow shortens,
We bear the load of purpose
To brighten the path,
The dark, the cold — what lies yon.

As the wick is consumed,
We gleam brightly one last time;
Rekindling not the fire,
But, instead passing it on.

__________

My mother turned 67 another year older yesterday. This poem is meant to remind her of the many lives she has touched with her light. Happy birthday, Ma.

The Women of USC Chem — The Amara Update

Ailenn

 

Click me! — Ailenn’s Profile, The Amara Update on Flickr

More to come…

Watching the World Go By

Shades of Blue. There is an obscure gradation that separates the recluse from the lonely. The lonely yearn for arms to embrace them. The recluse fans the embers of anticipation, waiting for the day when he is back in the arms of those whom he loves.

The Women of USC Chem — The Amara Update

Sharajen

Click me! — Sharajen’s Profile, The Amara Update on Flickr 

More to come...

Lessons in Pop Culture

A sampling of life lessons I learned from Jesus, my father (and not one of the divine persons of the Trinity):

1. It takes a lot of growing up to be able to play again.
2. Character is not defined by one’s successes, but by one’s flaws and the conviction by which we overcome them every day.
3. Don’t poke the bear by cutting in front of him on the road.

Happy Father’s Day, Pops!

The Women of USC Chem — The Amara Update

This series of picture sets are an update to the original ‘In Profile’ articles written for select women in the USC Chemistry Department.

Maricel

Click me! — Maricel’s Profile, The Amara Update on Flickr

Thanks yous:

Location: Amara Clubhouse (Thanks to Cathy for the access)
MUA: Queenie, Face Painter
Voice-activated Light stand/Boom: Queenie, Wielder of the Light

More to come…

Park Life

The rains have slaked the dry and parched earth. And flora, in celebration, have shown up in their verdant garb. Although the wet season is not as sensual as summer, it is equally alluring. Its brooding skies and fickle rains cover the world in an invigorating sheen of rebirth.

On a day when the sun played hide and seek behind the clouds, I had the privilege of making these pictures of Marlyn. To me, her fresh-faced innocence ensconced in the bosom of nature was in many ways metaphoric — to be old (and here I am referring more to the number of years on this earth) and yet appear ageless.

As always, I am grateful to Marlyn for being a graceful and gracious subject. And, of course, to my good friend Queenie for not only being the arm that wields the light, but for offering her valued insights and ideas as well.

More pictures and a link to the set after the jump…

Watching the World Go By

Finding Picturesque. On the most ordinary of days, I stumbled upon a scene that looked too arranged to be found. It brought me back to my days in kindergarten when arts and crafts consisted mainly of drawing and eating paste coloring. When asked to draw a rural scene, more often than not, nearly everyone would have some version of a bahay kubo on their sketch pad, complete with the requisite sunrise in the background. Well, maybe except for the kid who insisted on drawing a blue duck.