Pencil Sketch

by: Christian R. Duran


paying attention to shading now.. :-)

Pencil Sketch

by: Christian R. Duran

Sketching has been one of my hobbies since I was a child but I haven't really paid attention to shading. Thanks to my younger brother who's also fond of drawing, I've started to practice shading techniques..

This is my first attempt paying attention to shading. Hopefully, as I continue to sketch, my skill will improve. :-)

It's More Fun in Siquijor

by: Christian Duran

I spent my 2-day vacation leave with my family touring around Siquijor.


Siquijor is a small island. As a matter of fact, it is the 3rd smallest island in the Philippines; you can go around the island in just 4 hours.


But unlike other places where tourist attractions are just one stop spot, Siquijor is literally surrounded by white sandy beaches, waterfalls, natural springs, caves, etc. You can hardly pick which tourist spots you want to visit first.


If you're a nature lover, what more can you ask?


The pictures I have only show about 30% of what the island offers. I haven't explored Siquijor's caves, mountain peaks, mangrove sanctuaries, and all other tourist attractions yet.


Salagdoong Beach - Maria Siquijor

Cambugahay Falls - Lazi, Siquijor

Capilay Spring Park - San Juan, Siquijor

Enchanted Balete Tree with natural spring - Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor

Kawayan Holiday Resort - San Juan, Siquijor

Lazi Convent - the biggest and oldest convent in Asia

Siquijor Bell Tower - Siquijor, Siquijor

Siquijor Port - One of the cleanest ports you'll ever see. The first thing you'll notice when you arrive in Siquijor is that even the port looks like a beach resort.

Heartfelt Lines

1. "I promise with all my heart that come what may, in my own little way, I'll make you smile each and every single day." - Christian Duran


2. "If time is gold, I'm willing to spend all my gold to be with you." - Christian Duran


3. "I love the way her eyes cheerfully glisten and how she gracefully sways her hand when she says “hi” and oh, her smile is just a breath taking sight, leaving me stunned with a deep sigh." - Christian Duran


4. "Seeing you from a distance, feeling your presence, knowing that you are there is more than enough for me to be happy. How much more if I see your smile?" - Christian Duran


5. "I was a part of Robin and his friends(Teen Titans).. been with Captain Nemo and his team (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). And I've realized the depressing truth that wherever I go, no matter what things I do, you're just too good for me. I can't reach you no matter how hard I try.. and even if join Superman and the Justice League, the sad reality won't change.. you're still out of my league." - Christian Duran


6. "I'm the type of guy who cries over love stories. A guy who's afraid of injection and thinks of running away from it. But I tell you what.. I may be weak and lame but for whatever reason that you need someone, you can always call my name."- Christian Duran


7. "You know what sucks? It's the idea that you're trying your best to avoid someone hoping that she would somehow miss you when you know the fact that she doesn't even recognized that you're gone and doesn't care at all." - Christian Duran


8. "I wish that I could have the chance to be with you even for just a moment and have the sweetest sound that I long to hear... the sound of your laughter." - Christian Duran


9. "If I could add something in this lonely night, I would put twinkling snowflakes in the sky to dance with shooting stars and brighten your lovely eyes" - Christian Duran


10. "I want to fly like the wind and take you with me in my journey towards the glistening moon. While the world is calmly sleeping, we will be playing with the stars. I want to fly like the wind and make this dream come true. Nothing else would then matter but me and you." - Christian Duran


11. "Do you know the similarities between a leech and vying for your attention? They both feel uncomfortable and they both suck." - Christian Duran


12. "Whenever I look in the sky, I realize that we are still in one roof no matter how far we are from each other." - Christian Duran


13. "Cupid may be closing his eyes or using a blindfold every time he shoots those arrows for him not to see people's faces but listen to their hearts for him to find and hit the perfect match." - Christian Duran


14. Kung madali kang mawalan ng gana at basta na lang sumuko ang tawag sa’yo ay “quitter.” Pero pa’no naman kung di ka nawawalan ng pag-asa at handing maghintay? Tama ba kung ang itawag sa’yo ay “waiter”? - Christian Duran


15. "I want to stroll and relax.. to feel the cool wind touching my soul.. and under the cozy shade of a tree, I’ll watch the lovely sunset.. but it will be much nicer if you’re with me watching this heart-warming sight for me to see your heart-melting smile." - Christian Duran


16. "I want to enjoy a long quite sleep at night thinking of sweet dreams and happy thoughts But it will be much nicer if you’re at my side as I close my eyes and I can smell your hair as I hug you tight" - Christian Duran


17. "I want to wake up in the morning full of life as the warm sun greets me with a smile. But it will much nicer if I wake up and see your face to be greeted by your warm sweet embrace" - Christian Duran


18. They say jokes are half meant.. with that in mind, how I wish that the idea of you and me together will be a joke.. it would be much better.. at least it would be half meant.. compared to what it is right now.. totally not meant to be.." - Christian Duran


19. "Women are men's kryptonite." - Christian Duran


20. "Let me be a janitor.. give me a broom an the first thiing that I would do is to sweep you off your feet. " - Christian Duran


21. Love is like a chewing gum. Sobrang tamis sa umpisa.. nguya ka nang nguya.. pa-bubble2x pa.. ngunit later on, mapapagod rin ang 'yong dila.. sweetness will be gone and maba-badtrip ka matapos pumutok ang bubble sa'yong mukha and you'll decide na ito'y iluwa.." - Christian Duran


22. "Tuwing tine-text kita ng "hi", ang gusto ko sanang sabihin ay "miss kita". Pag tine-text kita ng "anong ginagawa mo?", gusto ko sanang sabihin na, "puede ba kitang yayaing lumabas?" at pag nagtext ako ng "ingat ka", ang gusto ko sanang sabihin ay "mahal kita." Pasensya ka na, wala pa akong lakas ng loob para masabi sa'yo ang mga ito." - Christian Duran


23. I will never be the best man for you and I won't even try. I mean, why would I, when I can be the groom." - Christian Duran


24. "Some men will say that if ever they see a woman cry, they will wipe the tears away. Well, I don't belong to them. What I will do rather is to make her smile and laugh so that the tears of sorrow becomes tears of joy" - Christian Duran


25. "I don't want to be the man of your dreams. I would rather prefer to be the man of your realities. " - Christian Duran


26. It's sad to fall for a tantalizer. Whatever I do, I will never have you. No matter how hard I try, things always end with a sigh. My emotion's for real.. but you're surreal. - Mystery


27. "I'm not really thinking of you.. it's just that you're the only person inside my heart.. leaving me no choice." - Christian Duran


28. If I can save Metro City, can I be the hero of your reality? -Mystery (inspired by Megamind)


29. "Infatuation oftentimes receives infinite misinterpretations. We call it just like that when the truth is, it's premature love. Yes, premature but the thing is, it' still love. The reason why it doesn't fully blossom into mature love is because we are so damn trapped with the the idea that it's only infatuation. Only infatuation, nothing more nothing less leaving it's potential to self extinction" - Christian Duran


30. "People are like yo-yos. Better not push them away too hard for the string might be detached and they might never come back." - Christian Duran


31. You're like chess.. You're not only giving me a hard time analyzing you. You're also giving me "chess pain." - Christian Duran


32. "It's okay if you lie.. as long as you lie next to me." - Christian Duran


33. "Even if I'll become the richest man on Earth, there will always be one thing I can never afford. I can never afford losing you." - Christian Duran


34. If there's one thing that will never be extinct here on Earth, then that would be LOVE for even the word EVOLution has LOVE on it." - Christian Duran


35. "Don't dwell on failures, keep things light but always put a good fight." - Christian Duran


36. "Love is strange and we are all strangers." - Christian Duran


37. "Be calm; that's one ingredient for you to be what you want to become." - Christian Duran


38. "My dream is not impossible but highly improbable. Will it come true? No one can tell. I've always been dreaming that you'll dream of me as well." - Christian Duran


39. "More than plans being fulfilled, it's the thought of reaching out that should be given enough yield. Random act of kindness, so it is.. touching the hearts of people much like getting what you've wished." - Christian Duran


40. "Doing the things you love becomes even more lovelier if you're doing it for the one you love." - Christian Duran


41. '"It's time that I shrug off all the rust and feel the rush." - Mystery


42. ‎"You got to move and you got to act. In short, you should make it happen. That's why it's called happiness." - Christian Duran


43. In life, you need to make choices. You shouldn't limit yourself and remain stagnant. Take risks. You literally need to hop; In short, be "hoppy" to become happy." -Christian Duran


44. "It's okay even if you don't know how to find the sum, product, or quotient as long as know how to make a difference." - Christian Duran


45. "I will name my son "Sir"so that whatever profession he takes and whomever he speaks, people will always address him properly." - Christian Duran

46. "Those short-lived moments when you meet a total stranger who made your heart beats faster but left you hopeless forever." - Christian Duran

‎47. "What's the brightest thing your eyes have ever set upon? Many people would say, it's the sun. But for me, it's your smile 'cause even during rainy days, it stays; and the magical glow of your smile makes everything all worthwhile." - Christian Duran


48. "Your tears should be his kryptonite. If it doesn't make him weak, then he's not your superman." - Christian Duran

The Vow – Taking The Pain, Fighting For Love: How Far Can You Go?

by: Christian Duran

Introduction Phase/Interlude

(You can skip this part, not really that important; just want to set the mood. lol.)
So, there I was lying on bed at 5:00 pm. I had work last night from 2:00 am until 11:00 am. (was it last night or yesterday? Crap. It's really hard to remember time and dates if you are on a graveyard shift.) One thing’s for sure though; I should have been asleep at around 1 pm to get some energy for another working shift but my body was not cooperative. I have this tendency to spend at least an hour jut lying down and thinking of whatever goes into my mind before I actually fall to asleep. There are some days that I couldn't sleep at all even if I badly want to; today was one of them.


When my younger brother, Ivan arrived from school, he immediately asked me to eat. I told him that we'll go to McDonalds for him to get his haircut in the nearby salon afterwards. But the moment we're ready to go, it was already past 6pm. (Wow, time really flies fast. Is this also an effect of global warming? lol.) We then decided to change plans. Since I need to sleep but I can't, I thought perhaps going to the cinemas might help. Never mind the sound and the noise from the big screen; for me, the cozy atmosphere and the dim-lighted room makes up for it. I was also planning to watch The Vow so I thought it might as well be today.


So off to Robinsons we went. At first we take out 4 slices of pizzas and this noodle thing'' Ivan found (the noodle was freshly cooked with spices, and all. the smell was enticing.)


The cinema room where the movie was played had quite a few people. Mostly by pairs. This is a couple's movie after all. But I don't care; I like these kinds of movies. I don't know about my younger brother but it appears like he also learned to love such kind of movies after I've urged him to watch My Sassy Girl. I can still remember how he tried to hide his tears while watching that movie. But in the end, he just can't keep it and tears flowed. hahaha. I teased him about that from time to time.


Realization

(Now here’s the part where I discuss what I thought about the movie. Hehe)
At first, I really thought that The Movie will have a story similar to The Notebook since it has Rachel McAdams on it. Perhaps a combination of The Notebook and Dear John having Channing Tatum as the leading man. But The Vow was special in its own unique way.


Paige (Rachel McAdam's character, is brave lady). I admire her courage and openness. It's difficult to wake up one day and not to remember what you have done for the past few years and who you have become. The way that she cooperates with Leo, how she says yes to all of those weird things she never thought she used to do with her husband was cool. I can't blame her if she has some mood swings because anyone in her shoes will really have a tough time figuring this out. But overall she displayed strength, confidence and positive attitude.

Leo (Channing Tatum’s character) is a good guy. I was moved with the way how he desperately thinks of ways on how to get his wife's memory back but calmly acts while on Paige's presence. That calm, cool, and charming demeanor is special. I can't imagine any other man having the same attitude in real life (well, except me.. hahaha) It made me smile knowing the fact that the movie was based on a real life. It means that genuine love still exists. “If there's one thing that will never be extinct here on Earth, then that would be LOVE for even the word EVOLution has LOVE on it." - By the way that's one of my own quotes (source: http://christianrduran.blogspot.com/search/label/Personal%20Quotes number 34. Hahaha) and it Leo certainly lives up to that phrase.

I thought of comparing the way I tried to win my ex back to the situation Leo faced but on a deeper analysis, having your wife fall in love with you again the way Paige's love involuntarily faded, is way too much tougher than what I have gone through. To be the odd man and be out of place in every occasion is quite embarrassing. Having your wife's family not on your side and haven’t meet you before in the first place is completely awkward. Having your wife's ex fiancé sticking around poses further complications and heartaches. But Leo took those challenges in.


The fact that he hasn't told Paige about what Paige's father did showed mind control over emotions and deep sense of maturity. How he handled all hose pain is so admirable. (aw, by the way, check the part where Leo tickled Paige as what Leo’s friend advised, and see his reaction afterwards.)


We often hear the cliché phrase, “If you love someone, you got to set him/her free. "Leo’s case is a perfect example of that situation. He signed the divorce paper not because he doesn't love Paige anymore. It’s the complete opposite. Letting Paige figure things out all by herself.


Giving her the time and space she needs is like suicide. What if Paige will choose to stick to her old life and will ultimately forget everything or choose to forget everything beyond what she can recall for that matter? What Leo did was such a risky move because of love. It seemingly fits that Leo was singing along the song “I will do anything for love “at the first part of the movie and of course it seemingly fits why the movie has The Vow as its title in the first place.


"You have figured things out before, you can do it again.” I love the way how Leo delivered that line. You can definitely feel the sincerity, pain and love behind those words.


Overall, I was happy i did not sleep for the last 24 hours and watched The Vow. I don't want to spoil all the movie's details. You must figure it yourself. hahaha. But as I said, the movie is special. The idea that it was inspired by a real story makes it more heart-warming.

P.S. I can't find the exact monologue Leo delivered during the course of the movie. It was something about “Moments of Impact." You should listen to it carefully for you to learn some heartfelt thoughts. Also, during the end of the movie, check out what happened to the real life couple where the story was based. ;-)

My Parents'Silver Wedding Anniversary

by: Christian Duran

My parents Silver Wedding Anniversary was held on January 28, 2012 at Dumaguete City. I traveled from Iloilo (where I am currently staying) to Dumaguete on January 27, 2012 at around 1:30 pm. My two younger brothers and our guest, Richie were a little behind since they still have classes.

Travel time from Iloilo to Dumaguete is roughly 8 hours (an hour ferry ride from Iloilo to Bacolod then 7-hour bus ride from Bacolod to Dumaguete). The 1 hour ferry ride was a rough experience. I was drained. My seasickness got the best of me. The 7-hour bus ride from Bacolod to Iloilo was not much of a convenience either.

When I arrived in Dumaguete Grand Pensionne Plaza Hotel where my family was staying, it was past midnght and I still had work from 2am to 6 am. God bless me. After work, I tried to sleep to be able to regain strength before the wedding. But sleep was not friendly to me that day. I really felt like a walking zombie.

But things changed when we started dressing up and prepared going to church. It was an overwhelming feeling seeing relatives and family friends you haven't meet for some time and gain new acquaintances along the way.

Pictures speak a thousand words so I'll let these pictures tell the story.

Weddings are always cool and to be married with the same person twice is way much cooler. 25 years of marriage is a remarkable feat. It is a testament of trust, loyalty, and love. :-)

- Christian R. Duran