Through Foreign Eyes

Lakaw is a journey is a step is a move. I love to travel around the world and this is my travel and travel gadget site. Welcome and Enjoy!

McCrory Gardens in summer

0 comments | Sunday, August 31, 2008

Brookings McCrory Gardens in winter and McCrory Gardens in summer!

If you happen to be in Brookings, South Dakota during summer time, don't miss to see the flowers at the McCrory Gardens. The flowers usually bloom in full around July.

It was my second time to visit the whole garden. Enjoy these few photos.

See more of Brookings. There are other links on the leftmost sidebar.

Labels: Brookings Photos

posted by talk

at 8/31/2008 08:16:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Fog + Freezing Temperature = Icy Winter

1 comments | Sunday, December 16, 2007

Last night the city of Brookings was almost covered with fog.

I wasn't able to sleep until 3AM because my eyes simply refused to. To make the hours worthwhile, I turned off the TV and started a little project - a Christmas lantern. Wohooo! It was the first lantern I've made for my new home here in the USA. Didn't I tell you that I used to participate in my hometown's (Argao) annual Lantern Making Contest way, way, way, back then when I didn't care of just getting 20 pesos as a prize? Anyway, I had fun. Had there been a Hall of Fame award, I could have gotten it for winning the first prize three years in a row.

Back to Brookings. On my way to church this morning, I had my camera tagged with me. With a bit of sunshine and the snow covering the ground, each site I laid my eyes on was spectacular.

The snow-flaky twigs of the bushes amazed me as much as the evergreens that stayed green amidst the snowy conditions.

This collection of snow pictures in Brookings is the best so far in my very-amateur photographer's portfolio.

See the photos in my gallery.

Labels: Brookings Photos, Winter Season

posted by talk

at 12/16/2007 01:39:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Hobo Day, Black Friday, Birthday -- all in one post!

1 comments | Sunday, December 02, 2007

Multiply.com is awesome! Downloading photos is as fast as a lighting bolt. Imagine, I have already uploaded loads of photos (not even resized ones) and created albums, but I still have to receive a warning/note that the account has reached the allowed capacity for my account. Or maybe there is no limit to uploads...amazing!

I am giving up my flicker account. Flicker sucks in download speed and storage capacity limit. From now on, a salute to multiply.com!

Photo updates:

HOBO DAY party and parade 07 - See album here.

Thankgiving Party 07 - See album here.

Black Friday and Birthday Photos 07 - See album here.

Labels: Brookings Photos

posted by talk

at 12/02/2007 09:58:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

International Night part 2

2 comments | Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Read my previous post.

My friend just sent me the photos taken last SDSU international night. I am still waiting for the other batch from another friend. As of now, enjoy this set.

Labels: Brookings Photos

posted by talk

at 11/20/2007 07:30:00 PM Permalink

| 2 comments

Larson Ice Skating Center

1 comments | Sunday, January 21, 2007

You don't have to say it. I admit that I am beginning to be addicted to skating. Not because I am good at it. It's all because of the fun I derived from it. You see, I've been at the Larson Ice Skating rink for only 4 times. Those 4 times were learning experiences. I find it very fulfilling to see myself improving on the ice.

It wasn't good at the beginning, believe me. The moment you put your feet on the frozen ice, you feel like you're gonna slide up to the other end, and you could only wish the ice were rough. But that cannot happen, you know that.

So you'd just be contented on the sides and just wait for your guts to rise beyond your head for you to brave the center of the rink, which are dominated by professional skaters. One more thing: once you are in the middle, pray that nobody bumps on you. Otherwise, it can be very painful.

Expect also that you'd fall -- one, two or maybe many times, on your tries to balance. Part of the learning process ladies and gentlemen.

Today, I have improved a lot. I also noticed that I can skate better if I sing while I skate. There is truth to that. Really.

I prepared a video, of course.

More pictures from the snowy Brookings:

Labels: Blogging, Brooking Fun, Brookings Photos, Snow

posted by talk

at 1/21/2007 08:08:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

The snow blinds me

0 comments | Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Thought of the day: There could only be one snowy day.

See. It snowed last night. Not that much accumulation though, but it snowed last night in Brookings. That is what's important. I posted yesterday that today could be a 'white' day. Indeed it was!

I would have liked to take pictures in the middle of the field - me, running around or throwing snow balls on trees or forming castles on the 'whites'. But I was alone. A friend just said no when I threw that little request of a short picture-taking. You know, he'd be the photographer and I would be the happy bee hopping and smiling for the shots.

I went out myself and took photos. Here they are:

Labels: Brookings Photos, Snow, Winter Season

posted by talk

at 1/09/2007 11:28:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Welcome to my room

0 comments | Saturday, January 06, 2007

Thought of the day: There is always a room for "room" thoughts.

I never liked my room. But since it is the only one I've got, I just have to accept it with open arms. Otherwise, I will die in cold.

I said that I don't like it since it is too small for me. It isn't comparable in size and design to what I used to occupy when I was in Europe. This one, nah, you just have to close your eyes once you enter the door so you won't be disappointed. HAHAHA.

True. The heater amazingly works even if you turn it off. Weird dial. The TV wall port is too far from the fixed desk and just below the sink -- where would you suppose to place your TV, hello!?, under the sink? There are also a lot of drawers. If you are like Imelda Marcos, you'll never get into problems finding a space for your shoes. What is really annoying is the noise the chairs create against the floor when you pull or move them. At first, I thought some aliens have landed in the room above mine when I heard those sharp, irritating scraping sounds. The occupant in that room might have played with his chair and realized that the sounds were music to his ears and whoever has gotten annoyed will just have to die in annoyance.

Poor me.

Anyway, here are pictures I took inside my room. I didn't care to beautify it. Not now. I posted few of my published articles from the Collegian newspaper on the wall. Few cards too.

Labels: Brookings Photos, Home, Inns Accomodations

posted by talk

at 1/06/2007 03:14:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Scenes after the snow

0 comments | Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Thought of the day: Do not believe in the meteorologist.

How many times have I heard in daily radio weather forecast, by a certain meteorologist named Paul, that a snow storm is coming or a snow fall is happening in the evening or a freezing rain is gonna hit Brookings? How many times have I anticipated a heavy snow fall yet, most of the times, failed because of a very inaccurate forecast.

I know it is a forecast and an estimate of the day's weather. But such an estimate seems to be fooling lots of people. If people can't expect a heavy snow fall, when these forecasters say there will be one coming, at least, they will expect a slight snow to occur -- if we talk about variance in prediction.

However, when weather forecasters say "we would expect a snow as we head towards mid-day", it actually means, "we would expect sunshine and snow will be tomorrow".

Do not trust these meteorologists!

Labels: Brookings Photos, Snow, Winter Season

posted by talk

at 12/27/2006 08:57:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

The Longest Post Ever!

0 comments | Saturday, December 23, 2006

Thought of the day: Doing the laundry can be oh-so fun.

What would you do in a boring Saturday morning? You do not want to go out because it is freezing cold. You do not want to work because you think you have overworked yourself for the last days and you just need to be away from your PC for a while.

I woke up thinking about friends who have left for home this Christmas season. Mark is surely enjoying his stay in Germany, Marcela in Czech Republic and Adam in St. Louis. I am missing people whom I never fail to see and have conversation with everyday.

Since blogging seems to be part of my daily routine, I thought of coming up with a photo blog, just for this BORING morning - to get rid of this world-weariness that has been hovering over me lately.

Looking at my laundry slowly heaping, I was sure I had to wash them all -- today. So, welcome to the tale of a guy trying to kill boredom through photo blogging his morning tasks. The story goes like this:

I gathered my dirty clothes. I had to make sure I won't leave anything unwashed. Down the basement, I went, from the second floor. There was a long hallway before arriving to the washing room. I heard nothing aside from a machine somewhere inside one of the rooms in the basement that could be controlling the power of the building.

I checked each of the washing machine just to make sure I won't be picking something that would stop in the middle of the spinning process, get my clothes stuck in it and I would be left without any underwear for the weekend. After few minutes, I opted for two machines -- one for my whites, the other for the colored. With $0.75 per machine, it wasn't bad at all. Pressed a couple of buttons and there they went spinning and were timed to be finished in 26 minutes.

26 minutes at the basement is awfully long if you don't tinker on anything. Glad that I brought with me a book I bought at the Student Union for only 2 dollars. And so I read.

I read about 5 pages only and decided to check out some areas at the basement which I haven't done in the past months for two reasons: 1) students crowd the area 2) students just crowd the area. I found out that there is a study area in one end of the hallway. It's spacious and couches may look old but they still work fine -- for sitting and sleeping. Great! There's a place for table tennis too!

Further, I went. I headed to the lobby. You know, I seldom pass through the building's entrance door. Since my department office is just a stone's throw away from the back door, I normally take that door for entrances and exits. Thus, I wasn't really able to see what the lobby has to offer. Excited. So, I ventured.

Benches are provided along the short hallway that leads to the stairs. At the main entertainment area, I was impressed at the amenities existing for student's free use. It has a big-screen TV, a pool table and a soccer game table (I only see this in Time Zones at home).

Aside from that, it has few more pleasantries, surely, students would enjoy. A photo-copying machine, a microwave oven (warm anything you like), a wireless connection (oh, I need my laptop) and a comfy couches to sleep on.

At the lobby are the mailboxes. Look where my letter goes in...

Pause. Take a sip of water.

I also checked the advisory boards. Everything was about the holidays, the break, the fun. Oh, yeah, the FUN! Can i just shake this vending machine?!

Time ran so fast. I went back to the washing room, took the wet clothes out and put them in the dryer. Another $0.50 for drying them! And 40 minutes of waiting!

I could do lots of things in 40 minutes, so I thought. I went upstairs to my room. Well, I had to pee first...hahaha.

I looked at the wall clock.

Pondered on few things while staring at something afar.

Then, decided to cook something for lunch. Yes, I can cook. I know how to cook. I wanted a rice and chicken for a meal. Rice, check! Ran to the freezer: chicken breast, check!

Cooking time. Here in Brookings, cooking is as easy as ABC. Everything is only a push of a button. Or am I just so lazy to cook it in a regular way?! I took the chicken breast strips (already cooked, by the way) and placed them in the microwave oven. Set the timer to 3 minutes and wait for the beep. Done. The rice required a lot of patience, though. I had to adjust the heater every now and then to make sure I'd get the perfectly cooked rice, just like at home. Unfortunately, I think I forgot few learnings from Mom, I burned it, well, a bit.

I ate. Yes, this is the only photo of me eating. You don't want to see how hungry I was, do you?

An hour passed. I almost forgot I still have a laundry to check. Went quickly downstairs and, yehey, drying was done. Took all the clothes out and smelled them one by one (I don't know why I did that). Even when I was still in the Philippines, I always smell freshly dry clothes. The thought probably that it is clean is what makes me do it. I folded them, neatly and properly.

And off I went up smiling...

That's how my morning ended. Boring still? Yes, at some point. I thought of a fairy that would appear in front of me that time and would give me a wish.

Then I would have wished the holidays to be over and all of my friends to come back!

Labels: Blogging, Brookings Photos, Home, USA Blogging

posted by talk

at 12/23/2006 03:58:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments