I'm Busy.

I'm Busy. The only reason I can think of why I am not writing often anymore is because I am busy, and my creative mentality is preoccupied by a lot of stuff--studies, chores, stuff, more stuff...

I now go to school and I always have tons of homework, that's another reason.

But since I found free time--or free time found me--and I miss writing; here I am, writing something about what I have been up to.

Reading . . . 

 I have read three books since new year came: Fablehaven Book II, Liesl & Po (I super recommend it!) and my most recent read, The Dopple Ganger Chronicles Book III--I've anticipated for DG Chronicles III for quite some time and I'm glad it didn't disappoint! 

Listening . . . 

There's this one song I heard from idol . . . it's called Stars!

Eating . . .

Anything on the fridge, and occasionally: McDonald's fries with extra salt (My favorite!)

Wanting . . .

A lot! I want an iPad mini, flashes, backdrops, a camera with an 85mm lens--basically, photography studio stuff! I am kinda enjoying studio photography more than nature, etc . . .

I will be posting--I don't know when--an article about me not using the AutoMode!

Anticipating . . .

I am anticipating for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire official trailer! Also . . . I am anticipating for the movie itself! 

Trying . . .

a lot! I am trying to perfect my camera's settings--aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc . . . I'm kind of getting it but it would take me minutes!

Plans . . .

The teacher asked me and the other students to write an essay about EDSA I and I'm planning to post it here! Also, as I have written earlier, I will be posting an article about me not using the AutoMode anymore. And lastly, I'll write My Thoughts about the Dopple Ganger Chronicles III: The Great Mogul Diamond!

I'm glad because the silence on this little kingdom has been broken! Good bye for now!  

My Thoughts: Liesl & Po

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.      

That same night, an alchemist’s apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.  

This book is the most extraordinary children's book I've ever read!

The Good: I am completely astonished by this book. Because the author has this imagination that's beyond anyone's capacity—she thought of places outside the earth universe; she also explained what being in infinity, being soulless, body less, etc...is like!—and that itself made me astonished. The author also explained feelings, feelings you'll be having a hard time explaining.

The Bad: The book includes spiritual beings and worlds, etc . . . Some kids are probably used to reading books with this type of theme . . . But it's better to be sure!

My Thoughts: I think the book took place at the time when there were only a few middle class, most were rich or poor (1800s - 1900s).

As I have said the author amazed me because her ability to write such things—no normal person I think would be able to think such . . . unattainable stuff!


Writing about where the dead go and how to get there; a place called the “other side”; a place as big as the whole universe, it's not under the earth but it's also not anywhere nor everywhere, all I know is it's somewhere . . . I'm having a hard time understanding what I'm writing. *laughs*

(Read the book and you'll probably understand what I'm saying.)

So many characters to watch out for but still, the author managed to tell the story very well. I didn't get confused because the characters were easy to remember. Especially when there are wonderful illustrations included!

The book's fast-paced (I like fast paced books), it will also take you to a lot of places, the characters are easy to remember, the story's well thought—in short, there are a lot of things to like about this book!

The Ending: I absolutely love the ending for the reason that all the characters meet and they all are connected, and not a single character is left un-linked. And I just like it, not a single word you'll read will go to waste!

My Rating: 4.9 (★★★★ 9/10)

P.S. The author wrote the book when she lost her friend, her creative mentality then imagined all the unimaginable things on the book—the ghosts, the places where they go, etc . . .

iPod-o-graphy: Phoster

Hi!

Today, I will show you photographs taken from my iPod. As much as possible I would like my iPodographs to be edited only on apps available for my iPod and not on desktop (so I can still completely say that they're iPodographs). The photos I'm about to show you are edited using Phoster one of my most-used-editing/photography-apps! 

Phoster has soooo many templates to choose from, from wedding magazines, to cook books, to photography magazines, to fashion magazines and some more random templates  . . . !

Photographed this while the light was striking the pool beautifully, I then positioned my iPod in front of the sun and slightly blurred the lens and there ya have it! (right)

The Blur and The City! (left)

Since the iPod takes noisy photos when it's dark, what I did was I applied a dusty-like effect that eliminates the noise at the same time creates something dramatic. (right)

The flower's originally white, I just scrolled the saturation to the maximum level to make it pink! (left)

If you really can't remove the noise . . .  just embrace it! (right)

Belated Happy New Year!

There you have it my iPodographs. I have a lot more but I still don't know what portfolio to put them.

All of the images are taken otherwise made by Dan Galman. Copyright.

My thoughts: Fablehaven II: Rise of the Evening Star

At the end of the school year, Kendra and her brother Seth find themselves racing back to Fablehaven, a refuge for mythical and magical creatures. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists to help protect the property from the Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal a hidden artifact of great power. Time is running out. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possibly the world. 

I know I don't have an article written about the first book of the Fablehaven Series, but I just want to share my thoughts about this…intense, action packed, humorous, action packed (I just have to say it again!) adventure, kid's book.

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The Good: There're a few things I really liked: (1) the author described the characters, their actions, the places, things, etc nicely—not too vague but also not too substantial. (2) The words the author used are rich and colorful don't get me wrong, though, you still don't have to read the book beside a dictionary.

The Bad: the start was a bit slow for me; while I was reading the first few chapters I was thinking that the first book was definitely better…well, I was wrong.

My Thoughts: Fablehaven II is one of the most thrilling children's book I've ever read. Both in book I and II Fablehaven will be in danger; I was thinking that we're going to start all over again; Fablehaven will be in danger, it will be saved. . .blah blah—like what the other series do—well, I was wrong, again.

The second book for me was more intense, heart stopping and action packed compared to the first; I don't know why but my guess is it's because the stakes were much higher, they were dealing with stronger enemies and Fablehaven wasn't completely saved and all that.

A lot of people got sick some almost died, a lot of secrets were exposed, you don't know who the rebels are . . . in short, there are a lot of twists to keep you reading.

When I was just starting to read I only read one chapter a day because like what I said: the start was kind of boring—for me at least—but when the climax was peaking that was when my two sleepless nights started. In return I got a headache. Although I wouldn't say that it was worth it—because I don't like having headaches—I was glad that I finished the book.

The Ending: A big cliffhanger you'll definitely want to read the third book!

My Rating: 4.5 (★★★★ ½)

P.S. Fablehaven II: Rise of the Evening Star was a pleasure reading! 

P.P.S. This is my first book review this year, and after a while . . .

It's A New Year For Me Again!

I just want to break the silence!

More than a month ago I posted an article about my fourteenth year here on earth. Just days ago I also posted an article about this little kingdom reaching its first year! And now, here I am, again, writing something about this upcoming change of year. 

This is going to be the third time I'll be posting an article about "New year" so forgive me if I'm being redundant! *Laughs*

I already have reminisced some of my unforgettable experiences this year and I have decided not to do it again. So that being said I just made a drawing for this new year. Hope you like it! 

I haven't been posting a lot lately for the reason that I am busy and I can't think of anything worthy to post.

It's December 5

(You're probably thinking what's with this day)

My Photography. My blog was meant only for my photographs to be exposed, but seeing my old personal notebook filled with short stories and meeting other bloggers . . . I told myself that I should write. Stuff.

I created a different blog so I can write all the things that I want to, there, but ended up writing everything here (in my main blog).

I've been a period addict, a comma addict, a semi-colon addict and the most recent . . . an em-dash addict.

Besides the photography related posts, I posted articles to inspire at the beginning of my blogging journey, but alas I ran out of motivational articles to write. However, my adventure didn't stop there; after hunting for ideas for a couple of days . . . I found a new one—Book Reviewing! My reviewing of books went well but I realized that I wasn't ready to review books or even write (!) so I stopped.

But just a few days after I stopped writing I wrote a personal article. Since then, the articles I only post are only relating to my photography and some of my unforgettable experiences here on earth.

I still posted few book reviews and some inspirational articles and will probably post some more but in the mean time I will only post those articles I am comfortable with and not the ones beyond my capacity *Haha* because a lot of times I posted articles without sense and with a lot of mistakes—my mistakes won't fit into this article if I break it down.

Ah, I had so many moments here that I won't forget; most were wonderful but numerous of them were embarrassing. But either way I'm still thankful for this blog—that it has been part of my bio.

Thanks to everyone who tirelessly read every article I posted from those without sense and with a lot of typos and to the ones with sense. Thanks to the other bloggers whom I shared my blogging related questions, thoughts and worries and for answering them!

Happyto us! *Cheers*

P.S. I know I haven't been posting lately and it's because I haven't gone outside. And outside is where I get most of my ideas.

Award, award! pt. 2

Yay! Thank you Jodie and ms. Styleaholic for giving me an award! It's not often for me to get one so . . . kudos to you and me!

I got a Liebster Award! 

The Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It is a way to acknowledge each other and say “You’re doing a great job." It is for blogs with 200 or less followers, so it’s also a great way to spread the word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers!

When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the person(s) who nominated you. You pass the Award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!) and ask them 11 questions. You’re not allowed to nominate the blog(s) who nominated you!

11 Random facts about me:

1. Lalalala! I'm random
2. I'm Dan
3. I have a twitter account: @thedangalman! Follow me! 
4. I just started insgramming daily! @thedangalman
5. I blog (obviously)
6. I blog 
7. I'm redundant
8. I'm currently typing with one hand cause I'm eating potato chips
9. I like potatoes! Fries, chips, mojos, etc...
10. ten
11. I can spell "ten"

11 Answers:

 1. If you had to live on one kind of cuisine (e.g. Chinese, Mexican, Italian, etc.) for the rest of your life, which one would it be? Italian!

 2. Would you prefer to live in the city or in the country? City!

 3. Hot chocolate, tea, or coffee? Hot Tea!

 4. What is the story behind your blog's name? There's no story, sorry.

 5. Who is your favorite Avenger (from the Marvel movie)? Why? Iron Man, of course! Why? Because he's full of humor!

 6. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night.

 7. What animal/insect do you dislike the most? Mice and cats!

 8. Which place would you go to for your dream vacation?  

 9. What is your favorite month and why? November cause it's my birth month!

10. What is one thing you never leave the house without? iPod/Phone/Money.

11. Do prefer eating the main meal or the dessert? Dessert!

I can't think of 11 questions, sorry! 

I challenge everyone as long as you are interested!

Happy Bonifacio Day!

New Year

Happy new year to everyone . . . that has the same birthday as I do! This year, for me, is one of the best for the reason that, various superb things happened to me.

But before a new year starts for me, I'm going to reminisce a few of the wonderful things that befell on me.

Last year I did a countdown when it was a week before my birthday, and now, I'm doing it again! Tara! Let's go back to yestermonths!

I discovered that Hunger Games was going to be a movie early this year, so I read the first book and got totally hooked in the whole series!

It's the blogger logo but I changed the "B" to "3" so it'll fit the whole countdown theme! I created a blog December last year, blogging has been part of my life since then.

Another memorable thing that occurred to me this year was when I learnt how to drive a bicycle! Ah, that night was truly memorable! Click here & here if you want to read my biking experiences!

Go to: Apple's Website

The photo's blurred (in a good way) but it's a photo I excitedly took while I was inside an airplane while waiting for take-off four or five months ago! It was only my second time to ride a plane that's why I still got excited!
 

Thank you Father for giving me a wonderful and an unforgettable year. Though some days this year it was hard to thank You we must recite 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and just trust in You, and Your plans for I know that Your plans are what is best for us!

That's all! Hope you had a nice time reading my looking backs! 

P.S. This isn't my new year article! I mean it is, but not my new year for all article!

My Photography: Candles/Mga Kandila

November 1, the day when streets will be filled with candles . . .

When I went out of our house (on November 1) and saw the candles I immediately took my camera out and started taking pictures, because in my 11 months of being a "photographer" I realized that I haven't photographed a single image of a lighted candle (Well now I have! What an achievement, I know!)

So now, I present to you . . . candles! 

This one's my favorite! (up)

 

At Tanay

Weeks ago, I went to Tanay with my dad; Tanay Adventure Camp to be exact. And of course, as always, I again took pictures.

I will say no more and just let you see the photos I've taken. Hopefully you can see the mesmerizing sceneries I saw!

Panorama

A peculiar tree that I saw! 

The tree has weird leaves!

Some random girl zip line-ing! 

The next time I go back, I will definitely try the zip line!

Took this random picture while waiting for lunch!

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After eating lunch, my dad did his work and I, just took pictures!

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When my dad was done with his work, it was time for us to go home.

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The next few pictures you'll see are blurry, for the reason that I took the photos inside a fast car.

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Sunset again!

Bye Mr. Sun!

This image is my favorite among the rest because it just looks dramatic! (left)

Going to Tanay was worth it! The hours of sitting definitely paid off!