Hi everyone. Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm a 24 year-old Physical Therapist from Manila, Philippines.

My interest in fountain pens has been an on-and-off thing since I was given my first one in 3rd grade, a small pink Parker Birdie that belonged to an aunt. I've lost track of it, but I'm sure it's still in storage somewhere, along with my dad's old Parker 61. One of these days I will brave the cardboard boxes in the attic to find them!

I currently own (and use) an 11+ year old Parker Frontier and a Rotring Newton Lava (which I just LOVE). I also have an unidentified Sheaffer, another gift from an aunt.

I am more utilitarian in my fountain pen outlook; I don't like the heavy old pens with gold and jewels. I prefer pens that are 'workhorses' and am currently hunting for an Inoxcrom to add to my stable (the Frontier is contemplating retirement)

On non-fountain pen related stuff, I am a Linux user (Ubuntu), a cat lover (3 cats) and all-around geek. I enjoy art as well (http://eilu1183.deviantart.com)

Welcome to FPN.

Welcome aboard Eilu.

Neil

Hi, welcome.. I has a Parker Frontier too... Its a smooth writer. I love dog..

Welcome to the forums!

Welcome to the FPN. LAMY Safari's are good "work horses" and if you stil want to look into vintage then Esterbrook would fit the bill. The pens are lite with very little "bling". A working man's/women's pen.

Hello and welcome to FPN!!

Hi and congratulations!
If you really need a workhorse, then you're interested in "the right way".

Glad to have you aboard.

Mike

Welcome to FPN!

Oooh, I want to be a PT, unfortunately in the U.S., getting into a top PT school is almost as hard as getting into medical school. In addition to my major, many PT schools will want to see in the undergraduate coursework: 1 year general bio, 1 semester human anatomy, 1 semester human physiology, 1 semester vertebrate histology, 1 semester neuroscience (preferably 2), 1 year general physics, 1 year general chem, 1 semester organic chem, 1 semester developmental psychology, 1 semester abnormal psychology, 1 semester stats, and a few semesters of kinesiology. And then the schools also want to see 50+ hours of work experience in a PT office, and want one recommendation from a practicing PT. I have three years to graduation though so I have time to plan things. So, wish me luck!

Oooh, I'd like to add a few Inoxcroms to my collection. I know some people who are going to Manila -- which stationary stores do you recommend for finding pink or otherwise funky Inoxcrom pens?

Welcome to the FPN

PT is very hard; even here there is competition to get into the good schools. I had to repeat a couple of courses before I graduated (but did pretty well in the end- I got exempted from the oral examinations). The only advice I can give you is be sure you are into it 100%. Specially when you go into internship- what you do (or don't do) may be all that's between a patient's full recovery or lack of it. It's hard, but worth it.

Inoxcroms in Manila- National Bookstore has a good selection; their prices are pretty good but not every branch will have it on stock (you can look at their website: http://www.nationalbookstore.com.ph/shop/c...ct=1&page=5 but not everything is listed there) The branch in SM Megamall has a good variety. Fully Booked is another; it's a specialty bookstore that also stocks moleskines and similar fine notebooks, collectibles and lomography equipent. The one in the Promenade was where I found a few good ones. They have bigger branches in Rockwell and in Bonifacio, but haven't been there.

Manila is a fairly easy city to navigate for tourists- any taxi driver will know these places, and pretty much everyone knows English.

Hello and welcome to FPN.

hello and welcome to FPN. Take a look around there is lots to see.

Kurt