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Mark This Day

It was yesterday, actually. Christmas came early. I can't contain my excitement! I have the camera of my dreams! I'm a proud owner of a Canon 5D Mark II! And this wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of my parents. Thank you very very much, Mama and Papa!  :)  

I am truly blessed. I never imagined I'd get my hands on a great camera this soon!

The first few shots I took affirmed that I made the right choice. I forgot all about the new features of the Canon 7D. The pictures are so clear and sharp! Very far from the pictures shot using my Canon 400D. Noise level delivered as promised. Very minimal. Even at high ISO levels I never thought I could use, pictures are usable still. With my 400D, I stop at ISO 800. But now, I can go as high as ISO 3200! I attached my Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L lens and I am just impressed! Now I know the full frame difference. Simply breathtaking! The video recording capability is amazing too! I like how I can easily focus and defocus on subjects when shooting videos.

Canon 5D Mark II mounted with Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L Lens

I can't wait to take pictures! I'll be using my new camera this coming halloween when my nephews and nieces go trick or treating. You have to watch for their costumes lovingly made by my sister. I'm also doing the prenuptial photo shoot of a friend who's getting married very soon. I'm definitely bringing this camera.

But wait, there's more! As a freebie with the camera, I received this small box and look what's inside...

You'd think it's just miniature model of the 5D Mark II, but better, it's a USB drive! Cute!

Pictures taken with Canon 400D mounted with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens. 

Bow,

The Nokia E71 It Is!

I gave in to temptation twenty-one days after professing my desire, and it's the Nokia E71 that completely won my heart. The decision was made easy by my father who obliged to cover half of the cost.  It was clearly a deal I cannot resist.

It was a surprise I got from my parents yesterday. They told me they were going to Robinson's Place Manila, but I only thought they were only getting Emily a book.  I didn't have the slightest idea that they were buying it already!

I'm just so happy I am now a proud owner of the Nokia E71.  Now I have to think of name for my new friend. Suggestions, anyone?

Bow,

Eeny Meeny Miny Mo

This is exactly the reason why I resist window shopping.  At a time like this when I know I have to be prudent in spending, all these tempting gadgets show up, charming me into bringing them home.

Continue reading to see the items vying for my attention (and cash!)

Christmas Shopping for Myself

I went to SM MegaMall with my parents today to check out some photography stuff - lenses in particular.  They might get me the top item in my wish list this Christmas!  Hehehehe!  After settling for the lens type (picked the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens), I still looked around to check out other things I could buy.  I finally found the Manfrotto tripod and ballhead!  I just couldn't buy it right away because, as expected, it's expensive.  I ended up buying the RC-5 remote and polarizing filter for my kit lens.  I almost forgot, I also got these candleholders:

Hahahahaha!

Now I'm thinking of getting the Manfrotto tripod and ballhead for myself this Christmas instead of the Kenneth Cole watch.

Hmmm.  What do you think?

Starting to Like Espadrilles

The plan was to go to the mall after our morning check-up.  My brother was buying shoes he needed for work and I did not plan on buying anything (honest!).

First casualty, white polo shirt with wide gray stripes.  I think I'm done with plain colored shirts, so I picked it out at Folded and Hung.

While waiting for my brother try on shoes, I looked around and saw that Happy Feet has something for guys.  This rack of pseudo-espadrilles (they have rubber soles instead of the fiber ones that traditional espadrilles have) caught my eye, but I've always dismissed the thought that I could pull it off with this footwear.  My mother gave me the nudge to try it on and to my surprise, it did look good on me.  Please forgive my conceit.  Hehehe!

Photography Books and Creepy Dolls

I'm feeling a bit better now after two days of slight fever and colds.  I went out with my family to do some pre-Christmas shopping.  We also visited the small Macau exhibit at the Podium since we're planning to go out-of-the-country hopefully toward the end of this month.

Since I don't have the luxury of time to enroll myself in photography classes, I invest on some reading materials in the mean time.  I bought three books on photography - The Digital Photographer's Notebook by Kevin Ames, The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby and Photos: Style Recipes by David Matheson et al.  I just realized that I got a good set.  They all serve as manuals for the different stages of imaging.  I have one for the shooting, for the post-production, and finally for making the photographs pieces of art.  I can't wait to get my hands on them and start gaining those photography knowledge.

Disclaimer: If you have a colorful imagination or find morbid thoughts offensive, I suggest that you do not, I repeat, DO NOT CONTINUE READING THIS ENTRY.  Don't tell me I didn't warn you.  :)

Shopping for Black Shoes

Because my old pair of black shoes wore out again after an attempt to have it repaired the first time, I finally decided to get a new pair.  I've always been a fan of the shoe store that goes by the name of Traffic.  Their designs are classy and the shoes are durable.  Not the typical men's shoes.  Though relatively expensive, I don't mind shelling out extra since they don't give me a hard time when it comes to size.  Luckily, my timing was right.  They were on sale.  I was financially prepared to buy only a pair, but since the shoes were 50% off, I bought two - both labeled Frank.  By the way, if you happen to know where Frank originated, I'd appreciate it if you give me a buzz.

I badly needed black shoes for work, I bought an oxford and a plain one.

I'm eyeing another pair, but it wasn't on sale.  I'll wait until they go on sale with that one.

Neckties!

I woke up at 2:30 pm, again!  It looks like waking up too late is becoming a vacation leave habit.  Anyway, Mama and I went to SM Cubao (Yes, Cubao!) to do some shopping.  We've got some gift cheques to burn!  Woohoo!  Since the Cubao branch of the Philippines' national department store is under renovation, we weren't able to look around that much.  But after buying stocks of toiletries, I was able to spot some neckties!  If I didn't tell you, you won't know they're from SM Department Store!  The ties look imported from one of the world's fashion capitals.  I didn't think twice in buying them.  I got three and I'm looking forward to buying more.

Shopping Big Time

Just want to share my shopping experience today.  I've never shopped this much!  Earlier today, I went to Greenhills with my parents.  The original plan was to go with them to get some pearls.  I never thought of going home with two pairs of shorts, a jacket and four tops - two polo shirts and two polos.  Honestly, I only paid for the gray long sleeved polo that was even on sale!  Hehehe!  Thanks to my father for shouldering the rest.  I saw a bag at Memo and I'm planning to get it tomorrow.  Hahahaha!  Talk about trigger happy.