The Akashic Field Chronicle

Pictures while jogging around campus

I remember running around the University of the Philippines Diliman Acad Oval while I was doing my masters (good times) and even joining a short race (thanks to Wilson). Sad to say though, apart from 1 or 2 times when I first arrived at UCLA, I haven’t really ran that much since I got here. Come to think of it, I haven’t done any sort of physical activity .

And I feel it. You know that feeling you get when you’ve been sleeping the entire day after not sleeping the entire night and then having to get up because you’re really really hungry (having skipped all the usual meals)? Sort of like that, but for months. So I decided to try and get back into shape by running around the UCLA campus more regularly. Boy, did it feel good!

Since I was always more of a ‘geek’ than a ‘runner’, I decided to tech it up and make my running route Google Maps style. I dunno why, but making routes that passed through unofficial roads were tough on Google Maps. It’s either roads only, or manual trails only. Good thing they have a great API and some guy was able to make this webapp just for making running maps. Here’s mine:

Around the campus (7km only?!) My apartment is on the DOT

I have to say, this webapp is really nice, especially for guys like me without a GPS device. It gives you km markers (or miles if you want to be English about it). It even gives you calories burned (if you’re interested in that kind of stuff). I was shocked to find that the entire UCLA campus is barely 7km! I’d bet that’s a tiny fraction of the UP campus. Then again, land prices in this part of LA are steep, being so close to Beverly Hills. To compensate, UCLA is building upwards.

What’s different?

So last week was my first time to run this route. Some key differences I noticed compared to running around UP Campus:

• Freezing - I know it’s spring already, but it’s still cold in the afternoon (the only time I can run). I had to wear a jacket wile running. And here I was thinking that Manny Pacquiao was just trying to look cool.
• Tough Terrain - UP is generally flat. UCLA = Hills. So most of the time, you’re either sweating profusely while climbing up a slope or trying to prevent yourself from going downhill too fast.
• Anytime Running - here’s one weird thing I immediately noticed when I got here. People run here anytime of the day. In the Philippines, only the crazy guys run at noon (heat stroke anyone? skin cancer?)

Here’s one similarity though, both campuses look stunning at dusk. Too bad I didn’t have a camera the last time (so un-yuppy-like of me). Hopefully next time, I can snap some photos. My plan is to try a different route every time so that I get to see the entire campus in a few months. Besides, I don’t want to get bored of running the same route every single time. Wish me luck on sticking to my schedule.

Quick-ees:

• I passed Prelims! woohoo! (Quoting the email: We advise you now to concentrate on your research). Hehehe. I guess I have no choice
• Passed the english for teaching exam – will probably be TAing next year.
• Prof. Joel Marciano (UP EEEI) presented our paper entitled: “Combining Parallel Sequence Spread Spectrum (PSSS) with OFDM – Concept and Simulation Results” this week in IEEE WCNC 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

Oh my! Talk about a blogging break. Lots to write about since my last post on August 3, 2009 (Which according to the site stats is currently the most read post in TAFC to date). The short of it is:

1. I’m done with my MS
2. “Fund the Pinoy” was successful beyond my wildest expectations
3. I’m here at UCLA doing my PhD
4. and, I survived my first ever quarter.

Now, for the long version…

Fund the Pinoy

Knock and the door shall be opened to you. When I went to The Interwebs and asked for Php 364,000 (~$8,000), I knew it was a long shot. Never in my wildest dreams, (those who know me well would probably say this isn’t such a hard feat), would I have imagined such an overwhelming response to such a simple call for help. I could honestly say that this has been one of the most amazing surprises/blessings/experiences I have ever had in my entire life.

In the first night alone, a few hours after posting my plea, I was able to raise more than half the amount. In a few weeks time the total pledges have exceeded my target (although eventually I got exactly what I needed). It was simply amazing how ready people were to help. I was even helped by complete strangers (oh the power of social networking).

So I would like to take this opportunity to thank these people who have given me so much. You know who you are (and of course I do too, since I owe you big time), but I won’t ruin it with a list. If you didn’t get my make-shift certificate on your inbox, please inform me at fundthepinoy-at-urriza.net. It is my wish that your kindness will not go unrewarded and that any hopes you might have for this undertaking of mine be satisfied in due time.

UCLA

The place is gorgeous (which is a lot more than I could say for the rest of LA). I have been here for a little over 3 months (1 quarter) and the place is simply amazing. They say a picture paints a thousand words so:

UCLA Powell Library

This is a picture of the undergrad library which I think is stunning on the outside (wait until you see inside). Here’s a picture of where I live:

Weyburn Terrace (Grad Student Housing)

Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of taking that many pictures. Apparently, I also do not have the luxury of blogging for too long . So I will have to cut this one short and continue it some other time. Anyway, I’m staying here for the holidays (sad, I know) so I’m thinking I’ll be able to blog a little more in the next few days.