Unique Looking Washington D.C. Metro Station

I have written in the past that one benchmark for me to consider visiting and exploring a place or spot on the planet is the availability and complexity of its metro or subway system.  The subway or metro train has always been my preferred mode of transportation when discovering a metropolis.  It is quick, cheap and convenient. 

Also, for me, an urban zone’s train transit system is a suggestive representation of that place’s culture, social conduct, and communal conventions.  Riding the subway train is like being one with the locals.

When I was in Washington D.C., its metro train system was my most used mode of transportation known as the Metrorail. And what is so distinct and captivating about the Metrorail is its exceptional look, motif and pattern.  Its design is like a weird fusion of retro and space-age at the same time.  Being at the station creates the feeling of being in a futuristic movie set in which such movie was created sometime in the 60’s.

It is weird but I also often felt like being inside a thermos bottle!  And it also felt like some strange alien is about to pop out at the end of the stunning tunnel.

Even the lighting of the stations were something unique.  It’s not bright like the usual and distinctly dim which adds up to a whole lot of character as compared to other typical subway stations of other urban zones!  Being at such an uncommon looking-station adds up to the unique Washington D.C. experience.  The Metrorail stations are also photo-friendly.  It’s actually Instagramable!

And through my readings, I have learned that Washington D.C.’s metro stations were voted and included in the list of America’s Favorite Architecture.  After reading such, I seem to not be so surprised by this recognition.  Metrorail is hip, cool and totally dumbfounding.

Sakay Na!

Stupendous Artechouse

When I was in Washington D.C. I tried searching for the quintessential place, piece or circumstance that I can share in my social media account (particularly in my unpopular Instagram) that would ultimately launch and make it in-style, so-prevalent and too-widespread.

I then found Artechouse.  It is some sort of like a seasonal museum and an art pop-up project with huge multiple projectors all over the wall.   On the time of my visit, the exhibit’s theme was fittingly about Cherry Blossoms since it is cherry blossoms season in D.C.  Artechouse named it “In Peak Bloom”

Here’s what I got and hope you click and check it out!

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A post shared by neil langit (@neillangit)

Artechouse’s stupendous #inpeakbloom exhibit brought something that is difficult to describe.  It is some sort of a contemporary art that seem to have been mixed with theater, music, film and technology that is interactive in nature.

Unluckily and as usual, this post only garnered few likes in my Instagram and it didn’t made me popular.  Though my Instagram remained unpopular and bleakly received I realize that this failure didn’t made me less of a person.  But In Peak Bloom exhibit, I guess brought in me some colorful peace with bundles and bundles of joy and gladness. I was stupendously pleased to have seen and experienced it! 

Ang hindi mag-click ng Instagram post ko na yan, Panget! Hahaha!

The Oculus in Lower Manhattan

When I was in NY four years ago, there was one structure at the Lower Manhattan that was still being built.  It was a bummer of a sight then because it was construction noisy, construction dusty and construction ugly.

But now that I am back in NYC, I have nothing but special words for the new architectural landmark in Lower Manhattan on the very site that I am taking about.  It is called the Oculus and it is such a cool place to visit!  It is completely unique and is definitely different from the other buildings around the area.

Its beauty though comes with such a hefty price because according to google, it costs 3.9 billion US dollars to make!  That is just a massive amount of money!

Oculus, aside from being shopping center is also a transportation hub.  It is I suppose now the main train station in Lower Manhattan.  I know that Grand Central station is really classic, beautiful and un-comparable but I really really like this station.

The distinctive design of the building obviously seem to imply a bird’s wings that is ready to take off! The Oculus I guess is a symbolism of being like a Phoenix that has risen from the death and destruction in that area.

this blog post will not be complete without my proof of being there. striking a pose!

It is an awe-inspiring representation of giving hope and confidence to the whole New York that it is time to take off again after the sad events of 9/11 whose actual site of the tragedy is actually a few steps away.   But what I really love about this building is how it looks from the inside!  It’s matchless!

The Oculus is definitely one gorgeous structure!

Ganda! Grabeh!

Ibis Styles Mexico Zona Rosa and the Internet

How did people travel before the Internet?  This question I guess would be too much to ponder about.    Imagine trying to simply pick out a restaurant where you want to dine simply in random.  Or booking for an airplane ticket without the assurance that you will be seated along the aisle. What about packing for your travel?  Without the internet, how would you know what sets of clothes to pack when you would have no idea on the upcoming weather forecast in your travel destination?  Pinoy travelers in the past (being from the tropics) I suppose suffered from hypothermia when they do travel at the northern and southern temperate zones of the planet. 

Imagine going to a place that has long been written in your bucket list without a hotel accommodation reservation?  How can a traveler budget a travel expense without the internet? Planning for a trip before the advent of an Internet would I guess been so difficult that you would rather stay home. It must have been some sort of a nightmare then. 

Thanks to internet, travelling to a different country nowadays has been so easy.  And thanks to internet, I found Ibis Styles Mexico Zona Rosa, the hotel where I stayed while I was in Mexico. 

clean and colorful lobby

bar & dining area 

instagramable clock inside the room.  this is so mexico!

dining area

 I initially found Ibis Styles Mexico Zona Rosa through AccorHotels.com since I am an Accor card holder.  My membership gives me the privilege of being offered a discounted member’s rate.  But I did not booked my stay in Ibis Style via this website because surprisingly Booking.com (which I am a member also) offers a much reasonable price inclusive of breakfast.  I opted of course to the website that offers cheaper pricing. Who would not want a bargain?!

Ibis group of hotels has always been a reliable group of hotel brand that I have stayed at.  Though it’s not grand nor luxurious, this hotel simply provides what I need in terms of facilities, services and security.  Ibis Styles Mexico Zona Rosa is no different because I enjoyed my stay in this hip hotel.  It is clean, quiet and comfortable. 

clean, quiet & comfy

super hip! i love the colors and the modern set-up 

will definitely not feature this hotel if i was not impressed

Aside from being in such an excellent location in Zona Rosa area of the city, I particularly love the aesthetics of this hotel.  It is young, it is vibrant, it is happy! 

Without the internet, how in the world would I know and enjoyed staying this hotel?  Thanks internet!

Komportabol!

Pokemon Go is like LIFE

One observation that I realized while playing Pokemon Go is that there are two categories of players.  One category are those who are simply lucky while the second category are those players who needs lots of perseverance so as to level up in the game.

Those I consider fortunate are the ones whose place of stay are within the range of a Pokemon Stop or Pokemon Gym.  While those who has to struggle by walking or driving around to locate a Pokemon stop or gym are the ones who were not blessed enough by the heavens of Pokemon gods.  It can therefore be deduced that playing Pokemon Go is simply like L.I.F.E.

Some were sanctified with the divine providence and need not endure the labors and struggles of life. These are the same as the Pokemon Go players who seem bored with the game for it posts very simple challenges because Pokemon Stop or Pokemon Go ranges are placed right above their roof.

slowly but surely

wow! that was a long walk

On the other hand, others needs to battle it out with life’s circumstances so as to achieve fortune, prosperity or even simple joys that life has to offer.  These as the same Pokemon Go players who needs endurance to walk around and be exposed to various environmental elements so as to locate a Pokeon Stop or Pokemon Gym.  And I guess, these are the same players who cherish every Pokemon characters that they find so as to add up to their Pokedex.

It’s unfortunate though that in both domain – that is the Pokemon world and the real world – I am ill-fated to fall in the second category.  I live in a place where I have to walk far so as to reach a Pokemon Stop or a Pokemon Gym.  And I am part of the world’s population who has to scuffle, battle and tussle with life’s circumstances so as to achieve what I need to achieve.

This makes me realize that in the category that I belong, playing Pokemon Go is difficult but finding a Pokemon and levelling up in the game is definitely sweeter.  And just like in my real world and in the true game of life, my achieving and winning if compared to those who were born richer and wealthier is definitely sweeter!

Hay buhay!

Three Immediate Benefits of Playing Pokemon Go

It is official!  I am part of the world’s population who has been bitten by the Pokemon Go bug.  And my avatar is aptly called Nengkoy (of course!).

It’s my third day of playing this massively popular game.  And at this early point in time, I can already identify three major benefits of playing Pokemon Go.

stylish pokemon go avatar… appropriately named NENGKOY

First, playing Pokemon Go entails lots and lots of walking.  Thus, I will be consuming lots and lots of unwanted body fats and calories so as to search around for those lots and lots of elusive monster Pokemons.  As a matter of fact, according to my Samsung S Health isometric app, I was able to achieve my walking goals on the first 2 days of my joining and playing this game.

a PIDGEY found inside my unit trying to fit my Marc Jacobs slippers…

Second, playing Pokemon Go requires the use of mobile phone’s Global Positioning System (GPS) as well as the aptitude in reading maps.  Aside from, being able to appreciate the architectural, historical or cultural value and significance of sites chosen as PokeStop, my poor navigational skills will have no choice but to improve and be sharpened so as to search for those hard-to-pin-down Pokemons.

Lastly, it’s fun!  This I guess need not be explained.  Pokemon Go will not be explosively popular worldwide if it ain’t fun at all!

Magtago na kayo! Let da geym begin…

Xender: The Factotum

my samsung note 5 xender app

The modern world of mobile operating system has been at a war status for quite some time now.  The debate, debacle and competition has been so steep, it has actually divided human existence on the planet.  It is either you are an Android enthusiast or an iOS devotee.

Techies and interface experts around the world devote heaps of time and brain cells to improve their respective operating system. These techies are out to outsmart their competitor.

With all these rivalry, society has remained divided.  Thus, a bridge, an emissary or an arbitrator that can cross and convey impressions from one side to the other is needed so as to keep this world a safer and peaceful place to live in.

A mediator, a go-between, a factotum.  That is how I would generally describe Xender, a cross-platform file transfer and sharing app. This amazing app enables Android files to be accepted and recognized in an iOS and vice versa.

xender is one of the first few apps i downloaded in my new ipad air

I have been an Android user for quite some time now but has been an iOS user prior to it.  Now that I have a new Apple iPad Air (which I received as a gift this recent Christmas season), I am no longer worried of not being able to intermingle my files between these pugnacious operating systems.  And what is more amazing is that its free!  Using the Xender app, is like enjoy the amazing features of both Android and iOS worlds.

Dawnlowd na…

The Seabin Project

Being an archipelago, most of the parts of my country is surrounded by water.  It is however dismaying to know that considerable portions of these waters are now dirty and polluted.  An immediate solution to this pressing problem needs to be addressed.

Aside from developing a heart for the environment and massive change in discipline, the invention by Australian surfers Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski is exactly what my country needs to keep its sea, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water clean. 

It’s called ‘seabin’, a trash bin that floats in the water.  A water pump maintains constant water flow into the bin, bringing with it floating garbage and debris.  These refuse items are then caught in a strainer-like net bag.  The water is then sucked through the bottom of the bin, into a water pump and then pumped back into the sea.

It is a simple yet brilliant ocean cleaning system that could easily be implemented in seaports and harbors around the country.  The inventors have Indiegogo Campaign site that has been set up to collect funding so that they can carry out large scale production and commence with cleaning bodies of water.

Visit seabinproject.com for more details or go to  www.indiegogo.com if you would like to donate.

Ilang Sibins kaya ang kailangan sa Manila Bey?

Life is Like Clash of Clans

Life is like Clash of Clans

…sometimes you win, sometimes you lose

…you donate to your mate before a war ensues

 Life is like Clash of Clans

…some will join you, others will leave you

…goodluck on the offense, stay strong with the defense

 Life is like Clash of Clans

…it takes time to get wealthy but a split second to be needy

…your strategies are your choices with the hope for rejoices

 Life is like Clash of Clans

…you take a pause and feel like crap

…you play the game, you level up

 

Obyus ba na adik na ‘ko?

A Museum On My Mobile Phone

the first piece of art that appeared on my device

“It feels like having a new mobile phone every day!”

This is what I generally feel every time I am surprised by the daily changes that happens to my phone’s wallpaper. Thanks to the mobile app Muzei (a Russian word meaning museum).  Every day my phone home screen is automatically refreshed with works of art.

I really love the app’s classy concept.  It’s so simple yet so unique.  It’s the coolest way if you happen to be dealing with mobile-phone-homescreen-fatigue.

I am so happy and amazed by this clever app, I even bragged and announced this app to my co-workers during one of my lectures.   This well done app can also optionally educate you.  If you wish to know about the description of the featured art piece you simply click on the title.  Then you will be directed to a wiki entry on the internet for the information.

 

refreshing!

winner!

he was a popular russian opera singer…

I have always believed that pieces of great works of art are the food for the people’s soul.  Thus, this awesome app simply does that for me.  Besides, you don’t want your “ulam” (viand) to be the same “ulam” every day. Right?

This is easily the best wallpaper you can put on your device!

Hayli rekomended!