Down the Rabbit Hole

Rating: ★★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy I immensely enjoyed watching the film, especially on IMAX. =) The computer generated animation blended seamlessly with the live shots. The story is somewhat similar to Pocahontas... a foreigner entered the forest in search of wealth, and then fell in love with the Chief's daughter and her people. He helped them to save their land from the onslaught of his people. But this is where the stories diverge: in Pocahontas' story, the man went back home; in Avatar, the man became part of the people. The James Cameron film and the Disney cartoon have one message: we have to save the world we live in.

three months after their first photo op... and i don't have names for them yet!

This is the first time I've encountered a bicycle-rider at the drive thru (picture taken at the Jollibee branch near Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Calamba).  Cool! Must try it myself sometime. It beats being stuck in traffic and it reduces the carbon footprint... although the best alternative is really to just dine in. That's because Jollibee has started using washable plates, tumblers, and cutlery for diners. Styrofoam and plastic are now used mainly for take aways.

Malapit na maging December 14th... After the Big Show at IRRI, we trooped to the UPLB gate to have their photo moment by the Christmas tree and the belen. The models were all game even at the late hour. =) That's a wrap, people! Yes, the Jazz was parked behind the gym, but the key was in the office...

Gabi na, pero December 13th pa rin. =) Wally and Jose kept the crowd laughing. IRRI and Laguna talents also graced the stage. But those who waited patiently had a great surprise: Karylle, Christian Bautista, and the Mocha Girls were there, and we had no idea! What a way to kick off IRRI's 50th anniversary.

Still December 13th. Thank goodness the skies put a lid on the rain that drenched the place at lunch time! The campus dried up fast as well.

December 13th. Jugglers, magicians, and stiltmen peppered the IRRI sports grounds as IRRI employees brought their families for this special event.

Hannah's getting bigger everyday =)

A big chunk of the Grain Quality staff received awards this year. The most loyal of the Grain Quality people is Tita Dory, who has accumulated 30 years of service to IRRI and to the rice-eating population of the world. The concerted efforts of this year's awardees mitigated potential food crises around the world for more than three decades. Their work does not stop though, and new blood is pouring in to help improve food security in the face of more challenging environments and climate conditions. =)

December 15, 2009 Photo credits go to Leo Ocampo, Donald Villanueva, and Yuan Custodio

Rehearsals leading to the concert. From the Plant Prep Room in Hemmi to Room C in Umali, to the Havener Auditorium. Photos mainly captured by Ching Habito.

We had a lunch get-together at the Post-harvest office on December 16. The wild rice casserole was great!