If I'd be in Europe, I'd definitely be here

I just remembered this while I was answering an assignment in my Geo-spatial Methods in Natural Resources Management class.

10. Name a place outside the country that you want to visit. (And we have to include a map, its coordinates, and description. Of course, what kind of graduate subject would that be if we'll just fill out slum books! Haha)

So, there! Instantly, I'm in Ireland! Well, at least virtually, and I hope it counts. Hahaha.

These sceneries are really jaw-dropping. I am always fascinated by the magnificence of nature-engineered structures. So much for an environmental science student, huh! :D

But can you blame me?!

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
I am very much aware how my knees become extremely stiff whenever I'm at high places, like when I was at the Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu City having their infamous Sky Walk (so you could imagine how much more when the support shakes). I remember back when I was in Grade 4, I joined a Girl Scout camping. There was a nearby hanging bridge. I almost crawled just to reach the other end. I think this one's a lot scarier, and definitely a lot more beautiful.

Keem Bay, Achill Island

I have a confession. I really love picnics near or in the seashore, especially if it's as serene as shown in the picture. When I was younger (and I mean really younger), my family used to go to the beach just to eat lunch. The memory seemed blurry though. I need a new experience to make it fresher.

Cliffs of Moher
(And this is the specific destination that I have chosen for question #10).
I have been once to a cliff next to the sea, and I fell in love to the landscape right away. It's in Diwata Cave, Carmen, Agusan del Norte. This version in Ireland has a higher elevation, I'm thrilled by the thought of being there. I might me blown away by the wind! XD

County Kerry

Who would ever get drowsy when traveling if this  is the kind of beauty outside the window. I just  know I wouldn't. Just like when we went to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. It wasn't called Little Baguio for nothing (as if I have been to Baguio to attest this :P). The road was winding, the temperature was really cold. And the sceneries along the highway were just awesome it kept me awake during the 3-hour travel!  

Dublin

Of course, I wouldn't miss the capital city! I remember when I went to Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, there's a part of the park which has the same theme as what's in the picture. I almost came running to explore the area with great excitement. I'm not sure though what inspired EK to have that design. 

Thanks to the movie Leap Year, I was introduced to Ireland's beauty. I was equally enthralled by the movie location and the story (and by Matthew Goode! ♥ Who wouldn't fall for the sexy voice and the ACCENT!)

Thank you for virtually coming with me as I wander once again to the place I'd visit first if I have the luxury to travel around Europe. 

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Obviously, I didn't take the pictures. I wish I did. These pictures were downloaded for quite a while now. My bad, I wasn't able to get the sites so I cannot cite the sources appropriately. Credit goes to the owner! 

There goes my ex. ♥

I really fought hard not to write this entry, but the news feeds in my Facebook's home page are not helping. Please forgive me (specially, P, for the next 2-3 minutes). I promise this will be the first and the last blog I'd ever talk about him.

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Despite all the school stuff that should have kept me occupied (data gathering for my first lab activity, reading the handouts given by my Prof, researching on my thesis problem---yeah, so much for a one week class), my mind can't stay with me in my room. 

Geez! If truth be told, I really want to be at SM MOA right now. I have been dreaming for this moment, when he finally visits the Philippines.

No matter how hard I try to keep myself from browsing updates of his tour, I just keep scrolling for more. And the more I do it, the more I'm tortured by the thought of being there.

In fairness to P, he at least asked if I really want to go there (as he can go absent from his work today). Of course, I said NO (then my heart just kept on bleeding).

Cute is an understatement!

And he still looks gorgeous even when making a funny face (though I'm not sure whether this expression was meant to be captured). He's still dashing nevertheless!

I think he'll be out of the country tonight or tomorrow. So, there goes my ex. Hahahaha. Forgive my doubts of revealing my self as an avid fan. I just think I'm too old for this. As I have mentioned, this should be the first and last. But, by any twist of fate, I can come to see him personally, it's gonna be a different story!

After posting this, I might find myself listening to the soundtracks of Boys Over Flower. Yes. I have them in my playlist! It's rather amusing that at one point I (am) have been a part of the Minho craze! ♥

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By the way, had I been there, I should have been one of the dots here. And I'd probably be dragging P with me. Hahaha XD

Reminder..... READ!

I have been trying to mentally scribble the ideas that randomly appear in my head regarding the very thesis that have started to haunt me even before I stepped foot in UP.

These precious ideas are very elusive. They rarely pop up. And when they do, they are just silhouettes. To cut all these dramas short, my efforts are in vain------so far.
I keep on ranting here but I know what I should do. Easy to say, hardest to do. READ.
Instead of reading, I am writing this. It must be the cold weather that makes my mind wander. It must be the thought that I have to wake up early tomorrow that bugs me. It must be my bed which is warmly beckoning me. I know (though I pray hard this ain't gonna happen) one day I'll regret wasting this luxury that I enjoy right now. TIME.
Hopefully after posting this, I can at least read two to three articles. Thanks to UPLB's online journal subscription, article-downloading spree for free has been made possible. Yeah, and I still can't get over it. :D

Also, I'm praying this works. Yes. A TO DO LIST.

• DOWNLOAD GIS-based urban planning articles
• DOWNLOAD articles about identifying geohazard sites
• READ THEM!

So each time I open my blogsite, I sure hope this would remind me to stop browsing for more and begin working on my thesis that still isn't existing.

I know you're (thesis) ruthless. You live your reputation and it has been pretty consistent over the past centuries! You've made your point, so please stop overdoing it. 

Critique Paper I

Critic Paper on Negative Off-site Impacts of Ecological Restoration: Understanding and Addressing the Conflict (Mark Buckley and Elizabeth Crone)

            Efforts in restoring ecosystem have been more extensive now more than ever. Both the government and non-government sectors work on improving the quality of environment through restoration activities such as reforestation. These feats have been deemed necessary considering the various threats that pose harm to the environment, mainly of which are anthropogenic.

            The study of Mark Buckley and Elizabeth Crone on Negative Off-site Impacts of Ecological Restoration: Understanding and Addressing the Conflict becomes a valuable help as it becomes a handy consideration to take in the pursuit of ecological restoration.

            The area of the case study is the Sacramento River Conservation Area (SRCA) in northern California, USA. The restoration project aimed to reestablish the 160-kilometer fragmented forest area in the upper Sacramento river. According to the literature, before the restoration project has begun, 97% of the deforested area was used for agricultural purposes. The primary goal of the said project is to provide habitat that would support migratory birds and salmonid species.

Based on the results of this research, it turns out that restoration of ecosystem with a different land use can be more controversial than protecting a pre-existing forest or habitat for ecological gains. The issue that is likely to arise is the social acceptance. For instance, it was noted that the local farmers were concerned about restoring the forest because it might serve as an refuge and breeding ground for the species they consider as pest, like deer and squirrel. By rehabilitating the area, it is perceived by the locals that there might be economic loss due to the projected population inflation of these species. Because the project went unpopular as time went on, changes were made in order to meet the restorationalists’ and farmers’ interest half way. As a result, the restoration project in SCRA was reduced from 86,000 hectares to 32,000 hectares.

            This research, however, seemed to base solely on secondary data since no part of the paper did it presented any methods or procedures. Although secondary data cannot be disregarded, the gathered information may not be enough to be conclusive. It would have been better if the researchers themselves took the data from the landowners of the private lands surrounding the study site. Some of the citations made were from researches that were conducted 2-3 years ago or so. It would have been best to also include if the arrangements between restorationalists in SRCA and private land owners, especially the farmers, were successful. The feedback on the mechanisms could have helped more future restoration projects basing on this case study.

            It is true that when conflicts occur, it is best to consider the issues raised by the locals so stewardship will be more efficient. Restorationists must also be willing to compromise and validate the legitimacy of the locals’ concern, be it a short-term or long-term. Nevertheless, these possible conflicts will become crucial in the social acceptance of the project. Failure to meet this may lead not only to lack of support by the public, but may even lead to opposition.

            The study recognized the need for inclusion of the negative off-site impacts in ecological restoration. This is something that is most likely overlooked especially that the objective is for ecological gains. Indeed, in order to ensure high chances of success, a holistic approach has to be employed. All aspects should be considered as for every change, there will always be a reaction. Be it something desirable or otherwise, it’s something that should be prepared about.

Moving in to my New Home.....Again

It's official. I'm saying goodbye to gemmagnaye.labratsgonewild.com. I'm at the brink of crying.

I never thought I'd be writing about moving out and moving in again. No offense to blogspot.com but I'm quite at home to my previous blog haven in labratsgonewild.com (thanks to mydearest for the very warm accommodation). Unfortunately, some people just live to pester somebody else's lives, the site got compromised so I decided to move out to lessen what he's supposed to fix. So here I am!

I'll try (again) to bring with 'me' the previous entries that I have written, at least in a stand-alone page. Hopefully, it'll work. ^____^

Back to the arms of my new love

I can still recall how drained I was as the first semester was about to end. I remembered how I can't wait for the break to come. Sembreak happened, and to my surprise, I found myself counting the days until it's over. Certified girl as I am, I must admit I live up to the very definition of fickle-minded.

So far, so good. 

• My grades during the first semester were fine.
• I have now moved to a new place---more conducive and far more likable compared to my previous one (not to mention less expensive rent).
• The Graduate School agreed that I can still enroll without reducing my allowance even if I'll only go for 7 units (as 9 units was the minimum requirement of DOST).
• I am not forced to take SOIL 260 and ENS 296 together.

This is really a good start. I'm looking forward for a better and more fruitful semester. I'm happy to be back in the arms of my new love---UPLB.