trying to go traditional

This weekend I studied Steve Smith's Drumset Technique DVD--well, that is, the very first part of the video, which dealt with hand techniques. I tried my hand (literally) at his traditional grip. However, found out soon enough how difficult it was! I practiced for more than an hour but I don't know if I improved at all. In the first place, I wasn't even sure if I was doing it right. I may need a real life teacher for this one.

Jack's back

Started to include the tv series 24 in my watchlist. Since grabbing awards from the latest emmy awards, 24 has gotten my interest again. So last night, I picked up where I left off, and started season 4. I have to say, it was pretty good. I can immediately feel the action and excitement. Go Jack!

swing boy

Last night, I watched my bro Carlo compete in a dance sport event. I have to say he knows his ballroom, specifically cha cha cha, rhumba, and foxtrot. And boy can he get his hips shakin like jello. I wasn't able to compare his dancing with the other competitors because my eyes were glued to my camera, and my camera was focused on him and his partner. But they won first place, so my attention was focused on the right couple after all, hehehe.

swing girl

Finally, I was able to watch Swing Girls last night, a really nice Japanese movie about high school girls forming a jazz band. I have to say thank you to Tid for recommending it because it was very enjoyable and the music was great. I had actually been wanting to watch it for weeks now but no sibling was available to see it with me, and I don't like watching movies alone. Hehe. And also since the movie was about jazz, I was very much wanting to watch it with at least my sister or youngest bro, members of my family who I share the love for creating music.

So later that night, after the movie had already ended, the movie still had me in a jazz mood I just had to play Miles Davis' The Birth of Cool album while having my daily devotion sitting on a cushioned chair with my feet propped up on the bed. It was a cool swingin' evening.

at the city of majestic waterfalls

Third day (08/27) in Cagayan de Oro my family and I visited two beautiful waterfalls in neighboring Iligan City. First one was the super tall Maria Cristina falls, which I heard provides the electricity for Mindanao. It was the highest one that I've seen. But there wasn't much to do at the place except take pictures because the falls was enclosed by a powerplant. Still it was nice to witness water so powerful and so tall!

After a nice lunch by the seaside, we headed to Tinago falls. True to its name, it's a bit "tago" (hidden). It was tucked in a forest which could only be reached by going down this 360-plus steep steps of stairs. But it was one piece of nature that's really worth uncovering. It was lovely! It was pretty tall also, maybe at least 100 feet, but still way shorter than Maria Cristina. And it was wide! And very approachable--anyone with the provided life jacket can ride the available bamboo barge and approach the rushing water, and even enter the caves behind it (though I never got to try them, beause I took pictures instead, hehehe). Then in the middle, catching the charging white water of the main falls and the slower flowing water of the smaller falls surrounding the big one, was a magnificent blue lagoon, a wide circular pool of calm blue water.

Cool places to visit when you happen to be in Northern Mindanao! :)

More pics here.

shot the rapids

Day 2 in CDO (Saturday last week) was the highlight of my vacation--I went white water rafting! Rode a jeep from the heart of the city (where my family and I stayed), and around 30 minutes later, I was at Cagayan de Oro river. Soon after, everyone was putting on their life jackets, helmets, and storing precious stuff at water-proof bags. After a short orientation by one of the guides, we boarded our boats and glided to the river's center. Then not 200 meters from where the paddling started, was already the first of 14 major rapids that we were to encounter in our 3-hour trek down the wide river which divides the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. The trip wasn't straight paddling though. There were ample rest periods to enjoy the wonderful view provided by huge rock faces and lush greenery by the riverside, and very clear weather. And at the river's calmer portions, we got to swim in the cold but refreshing water. There was also a side trip to a cave, which we entered and exited by floating in our life jackets. But riding through the rapids was the most fun. While our two boat guides worked hard to steer our rubber raft of seven people, the rest of us five paddled with all our might to push the boat forward. Of course everyone gets wet in the process. But how great it felt to be carried over rushing water! Add to that avoiding islands of sharp rocks and steering clear of walls. What a rush! T'was an adventure I'd definitely love to do again. :)