Blah blah blah

Since I am in such a crazy and chatty mood today, I can't even think of a proper entry title! I've been meaning to blog since Monday...but I've been distracted every now and then. Talk about suffering from ADD, hehehe. Believe me, this is gonna be a long entry.

So at 6pm today, I sat down and connected to the internet. My mistake is that after I visited Baddicts, I jumped immediately after to the Bebot's forum for the nth time today. And I found this wonderful link on PSCS2 actions...I swear I didn't see it even if it's been sitting there since Friday last week. So I just had to download some of the actions. And of course, I had to try it too! Hehehe. I even remember posting a picture in this entry following a tutorial linked by Flea. With the new actions I dl'd, I get to create a faux IR effect in just one click! How cool is that?!

{On to other things}

Hahaha, I don't even know where to start! Geesh. Okay, okay. I'll write something about me and Ane's 5th anniversary as Sweethearts. There wasn't a big celebration. First, because it was a Thursday and I have work late nights on Thursdays and Ane has Badminton training as well. Second, we are on a really tight budget after we splurged during the Holidays. One good thing about the timing is that I was ovulating that day! I even texted him "wag mag-ubos ng lakas!" Mwehehehe. We're really hoping we nailed it this time, 'coz we can't wait to become three :). And yesterday, I sent him this:

Credits found Here.

I felt sorry that it was a late gift, but hey, I had work to do. Hehehe. I think he liked it, though, because he sent me an SMS saying that he felt the same way about me. Yihee! **insert kilig icon here** :) Oist, wish us luck!

{Work related}

There is no clear work description for me, since this is a Family business. Day in, day out, it's always been the same. Except that for the past month or so, I've been tasked to create marketing materials to boost our sales, only because I am OC and patient and loving the new things I am learning with PSCS2 and IllustratorCS2. But since I procastinate a lot, I've missed the deadlines I imposed on myself (bad habit! and besides, there's no deadline actually, which is worse!). So my brother dear decided to put his foot down and waited (actually watched over my shoulders) on me to finish. Good thing, in the past week, I finished six (6!!) tarpaulin designs for the Diner and Garden (3 or 4 more to go!), 2 Valentine's day tarps for Daddy, and a jersey design for the basketball team we are planning to manage come summer time -- everything burned in CDs and everything printed, yay!

{DigiScrapping}

Is something I really enjoy doing. I am happy that I am able to fit some scrapping time in my very erratic lifestyle. I happily share four of the latest layouts:

Credits here.

This is my entry for the Bebot's February Challenge. It was indeed challenging, coz we had to document our day. I had fun though.

Credits here.

I did this layout using the extraction technique. Of all the LO's I've done, I'd say I am most proud of this one. Although this seems pretty simple, it takes patience and a lot of effort and a steady hand to extract almost perfectly.

Credits here.

Alyanna (Nikki to us) is my Goddaughter. When we received all our wedding pictures in CDs, I noticed that all of our photogs (5 of them) had shots of her :) Nobody can resist that charm, eh?

Credits here.

This is a layout that I finished in January but somehow wasn't able to post here, hehehe. This was my entry for Susan's challenge #41 over at Lifts with a Twist.

{Sunday's treat}

I missed another badminton day last Saturday. So Sunday was my first real day out over the weekend. We woke up a bit later so we missed the 10am mass at MTQ. Thinking that the mass at Promenade is at 11am, we didn't rush, only to find out that the mass started at 1030!! Late again! :( Brothers, Ane and I had lunch, a simple one this time: Eat-all-you-can Siomai and Yangchow Rice at Dimsum and Dumplings. Hay...these eat-all-you-can promos are really not my thing. Rip-off! hehehe Only because I am not a big eater (defense mechanism acting up haha!).

We watched Charlotte's Web at Promenade. It was a nice movie, so cute. Dragging on some parts but stayed true to the book. Worth watching, especially for kids. Anyway, watching the movie previews made us plan to watch more movies this year! There's just so much to look out for...but not enough moolah to do it every week (especially when I prefer to watch only in Powerplant, G4, Greenbelt or Promenade, arte noh?). After the movie, I was able to reserve a copy of Harry Potter 7. Didn't care if there will be more than enough copies come July 21, 2007...Am simply excited to have the next and last book!

After Greenhills, we brought the Brothers home, picked up our things and headed to The Zone in Makati, not to play but to buy Mommy the Havs we promised her. :) And because Fafi Jonas stayed true to his words...that supplies are abundant there...I was able to coerce my darling Husband to buy me a pair of this:

Hay am so happy to have a husband who spoils me once in a while. He said I could make my collection bigger when I only have extra money and I can only purchase once a month. ONCE A MONTH?!?! Sigh. These are the ones that I am drooling for:

Pictures courtesy of Flipflopstyle.com.

{On to other things...again}

I am so happy that the Internet (DSL) connection is already transferred from our receiving room to our office! We've been requesting for the transfer since late last year and boy, I was too happy to see the men working on it when I arrived on Monday. :) More web time from now on, hihihihi...

Yesterday, I brought Keisuke to the Vet to have his deworming shot. He was such a darling and didn't give us a hard time. He was all nice and proper :) He even saw a cat at the doctor's office and just looked! (he barks when he sees a cat when he's at the garden). The doctor announced that our dear puppy is in perfect shape, whew! I think, though, he got stressed riding the car, coz he was sneezing all the time, hehehe.

{Thanksgiving}

We are so thankful to the Lord that the our Tatay's (lolo) 2nd wife's brain surgery went pretty well. There was a large benign lump that had to be taken out. The doctor didn't promise that she would be able to talk again, and there was a scare that she might get paralyzed after the operation. We were having a chat with Tatay this afternoon and gave the news that she is now able to talk again! Although she can't walk yet because her body is still too weak, she is now the same old her -- very talkative! Praise God.

{Prayer}

For the family that I know...

Lord, give them the strength to accept your will. Help them ease the pain and the worries that they are facing right now. Enlighten their hearts and souls that they may go on living as You planned. Give them peace of mind, and of heart, that they may still be able to see and count the other blessing that You continue to bestow upon them. Make them understand that anything is just but temporary and that even if there are rough roads ahead, they will still be able to go through that as long as they stay together.

Amen.

{Closing}

No proper ending. Just that, it's 1047pm and I haven't even started yet with the closing duties at work..heheeh.

Till next! :)

January 2007 Roundup - edited

So these are my answers for this month's round-up. Next task is to actually scrap! Uh-oh! :)

**Ideas and prompts taken from Katie the Scrapbook Lady courtesy of Aggie:

Round Up Questions:
What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Started on Illustrator CS2 for Dummies (learning to draw digitally!), also browsing on Color Harmony Workbook I bought myself and the two books hubby gave me for Christmas (The Scrapbooker’s Color Palette and Digital Scrapbooking in Easy Steps). Reader’s Digest November 2006 and January 2007 issues that arrived late! Am never gonna renew my subscription again, because out of 12 issues, I only received about 6!

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
Little Manhattan, Pingu (animated, gave me so much to laugh at, so shallow!), 3 episodes of Hustle Season 3 all on DVD. I also got addicted to watching Amazing Race Asia over at AXN and Ane & I tried to catch all Star Wars episodes on Star Movies.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Mom’s 52nd Birthday. Visited her in Laguna, a surprise visit. Full kwento in the blog entry. Two days later, went to Mom’s office for her staff’s surprise program. No family dinner this year, can’t seem to fit in the schedule. A week before her birthday, we went on a Farm day with my Mommy Aunt's family to celebrate. Also, there was Robie and Rissa's beautiful Wedding :)

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
We were supposed to give Mom High Havaianas, but stocks have been scarce. Haven’t had the chance to go back to the mall to look again. Gave Rissa and Robie an enveloped gift for their wedding, to be added to their US fund, hehehe. I received GC’s from Powerbooks from Ane, am still deciding which book to buy (novel/s or a scrapping related book, hhmmmmm)

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Allergic Rhinitis that turned into full blown colds, upset stomach for about a week, and headaches that come and go.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
Rissa’s Bridal Shower at Astoria, teeehhheeee! Dibide shopping at Metrowalk with the brothers. Dinner and Coffee at MoA with College friends (Rissa and Robie’s Despedida). Organized a reunion. Watched PBA live at the Araneta.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Cafe Adriatico at MoA, and Bitoy’s in Greenhills. Nothing much to rave about the two reataurants. I tried the new cold/blended coffee flavors at Ysidro’s Café (new offering: Iced Choco Float, Iced Mocha Float and Cereal Lovers). Tried cooking Sotanghon soup, wasn’t perfect but still delicious!

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
The Color Harmony Workbook, I guess.

What were this month's disappointments?
Our wedding video. We got it already, and I’m not gonna say anything more. I wasn’t able to go back to the gym (last time I went for my PT was two weeks before Christmas!!), and play badminton on Saturdays. I also didn’t get pregnant.

What were my accomplishments this month?
Finished at least three digiscrap layouts! Organized my files in the PC. Finished filing papers and bills and receipts at the office.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
On New Year’s day, heard Mass at the Shrine of Jesus officiated by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales with Ane and my in-laws, and then had Lunch at the MoA (first time to go there). Later we met with my family, in the same mall. I can’t believe that the mall, boasting to be the biggest in Manila (probably in Asia, too), can be filled with so many people! We didn’t stay longer coz I was beginning to be nauseous and hating the crowd, hehehe.

Went to UP Manila Registrar to request for Ate’s Transcript and sent it to her to the States thru her friend. Only to be requested to do it all-over again, the week after, because the document should have been sent directly to CGFNS/ICHP in Philadelphia (nope, my Sister isn’t a Nurse but an SP). Funny how they do business there, typical Philippine government atmosphere. It could get really annoying, so I really had to keep my patience.

Mom also spent overnight at our house, her reason? Just because. Hubby slept on the sofa and we girls shared the bed. She wanted to spend some bonding time with us. But had to ask if we use the aircon and if we have a shower heater. Heheh. Demanding! :)

Round Up Task List:

Pictures & layouts:

Back up all digital pictures and layouts to a cd – Check! But only backed-up to two other PC’s aside from my laptop and external hard drive. Does this count?

Print out any digital layouts created during the month and put them in albums. – Pass!

Uploaded all digital pictures to 2 different sites. ( I use Multiply and Yahoophotos) – Didn’t get around to doing so. Mom is already nagging me!!

Send email links to online photo albums to your family or friends who might enjoy them or send a picture cd, or picture attachments. Share your memories! – Ugh!

Get your pictures printed out and put into simple photo sleeve albums. – Uh-oh.

If you use film, be sure you get all your pictures developed and file your negatives in a safe place. If possible, I would suggest you get a picture cd along with your developing. – My Film SLR is sadly sitting in a corner, sigh.

Put finished paper scrapbook layouts in sheet protectors and albums to enjoy. -- NA

For bloggers - print out my blog entries to keep in a binder. My blog(s) really are like a journal and I was thinking that it would be nice to have hard copy to keep. I know some people back up their blog files which is probably a good idea. I copy and paste each entry into a word document, label the document with the month and year and then print it all at once. – My entries are automatically sent to my emailbox. I should remember to print and file them the way I used to (not that my entries are so many).

Scrapbooking Supplies:

For digital scrappers:
download, unzip, and file all kits & fonts purchased. Save a preview image of each kit and keep it in a separate file for easy browsing. Back up all new purchases to cd or dvd in case of computer crash or to maximize your hard drive space. – No new purchases or freebie downloads but I was able to organize all old files and are already backed-up.

For paper scrappers:
put away any new purchases. Do you still have stuff in sacks sitting around? I know some of you do! Put it away in an organized system. -- NA

For all scrappers:

Look through what you have purchased recently and decide what you want to use. At the first of the month set some goals for scrapping (hint – use this same list of ideas as a goal sheet for the next month)

Sort through old supplies that no longer appeal to you. Donate them to a friend who can use them or a charity. My older supplies go to my daughter who happily uses them to create many fun projects. I have also donated some to charity.

Look through what supplies you did use during the month and think about what it is about them that appealed to you. This will help you make smarter purchases in the future.
Clean up your area! Whether that is getting your computer in tip top shape, or clearing off the piles on a table where you can sit and work.

Conversations

{Bothersome}

Woman1: Salamat naman at napagtapos ko na ang apat kong anak. Pahinga na ako.
Woman2: Ang swerte mo naman, wala ka na aalalahanin. Ako isa pa lang sa apat ang tapos eh.
Woman1: Ano naman ang natapos niya?
Woman2: Dentistry, practicing na ngayon. E yung apat mong anak?
Woman1: Ah, high school.
Woman2: ?!?!?!?!


Someone has got to set her priorities straight.

{Funny but frustrating}

Me: I lost weight but I still look fat. Hay.
Him: Maybe you’re losing on the wrong areas.
Me: You think so?
Him: Oo, baka nababawasan ka na ng utak!!! (referring to the fact that I’ve been complaining about not being able to read or write anymore…)
Me: **sapoks him** (just kidding!) I am so gonna write that in my blog!!!!

So there.

Hooray!

Just dropping by to announce that...officially,


I AM NOW BACK TO MY PRE-WEDDING WEIGHT!!!


I haven't been able to go to the gym and I've been too lazy to play Badminton for the last couple of weeks...and yet I lost weight! Got sick and didn't have a good appetite, geesh! Yun lang pala solusyon, hahahah!


:)

Where did time go?

I can't believe the first month of the year is about to end. Time sure flies so fast! And I haven't even written about December and the first few weeks of January. There is just so much to share and journal about, a lot to be thankful for. The year 2006 was truly eventful, both happy and sad. I always tell myself that I can never trust my memory. I should start writing again. It's been a while since I've written anything.

Enough of that nonsense blabber.

One of the reasons I temporarily stopped writing is that I have been in an emotional pit I can't seem to go out of. I've been sad and feeling so lost, without knowing why or how it happened. Or maybe I am in denial. Everybody close to me knows or at least has an idea. But I cannot let this feeling eat me up. And I have my Ane to thank for giving me the balance that I need. Sometimes he doesn't get it but even so, he puts up with me and just shuts up. And it helps that he demands we pray together before we sleep. At least I get to ask Him to take away all my worries and pains.

{On trying}

to get pregnant, I realized it's not as easy as it seemed. We've been married for six months now and I just had my period. The morning it arrived, I was cramping. I was too weak to stand up because I didn't want to face the truth. I cried. The same way I would cry for the last five months. My family and friends have advised me to stop pressuring myself and just relax. Oh well, maybe I am just obsessed with the idea of having my own kids. The waiting game is on again.

{Mommy}

turned 52 yesterday. We planned nothing special because she requested that we not make a big fuss about it. I went to the mall the other day to get the gift but the thing we wanted to give her was out of stock. No luck. Brothers, Ane and I decided to just surprise visit her. We didn't tell Dad because we were quite sure he will spill. Around lunch time, we still didn't know where to go. You see, Mommy has a terrible schedule everyday that even if you set an appointment, it could still change anytime. I texted her and she said she's in Makati with Dad, so great, it's near and we could get there fast. But LBB and Ane were still in school and office respectively so we couldn't just go. Around 4pm, Mom's assistant texted that Mom and Dad arrived in Sta. Rosa already. So we hurriedly left and fetched Ane in Makati. While traversing SLEX, the assistant texted again, saying that the couple left for Tagaytay. Geesh. So we got there before six and waited ‘til 8pm when they returned. She was surprised alright, but we couldn't stay any longer. LBB's got homework to do. I think she appreciated the gesture, though.

Anyway, my Mom is a woman of courage and strength. She's also intelligent and beautiful, looking young for her age. She could get demanding and annoying at times, but that's what she is, eh. I don't think we would all grow up responsible and independent if she's not what she is. It's a package I would lovingly accept over and over again. I should remember to digiscrap about her.

{Reunions}

make me wonder. No, I'm not talking about family reunions (though, the ones with mom's side are always fun!)...but school reunions. I haven't been to one of my own but we recently witnessed a bunch of fifty-something folks get together after 40 years from graduating grade school. Some were so successful, others just weren't lucky enough. While one is now a very rich man looking so young and living in a posh village in Libis, another fends for the family by cleaning and taking trash from a baranggay talipapa, has grey hair & no teeth. Sometimes, life can be so cruel. But I believe that each of us creates our destiny and that we always have a choice. When the time comes, I simply cannot be the seemingly sad individual who looks so old and unaccomplished.




Now this post has become too long, uh? I have lots of catching up to do, but this is all for now. I really wish I could do this regularly from now on. Til next!

just so you know...

Yup I am still alive, noh. As if anyone cares...almost all my blogging friends have stopped updating their blogs as well. Everyone seems busy busy busy...

I've been married for five months now and I guess I haven't been a very ideal wife to hubby. Lots of things to do with so little time! I'm not done yet with our supplier ratings, the house is usually messy and I can't even prepare dinner! Duh!

Am just here to share 2 layouts. The first one I finished last month (took two months to finish!) but was not able to post (Blogger was acting up) and the 2nd one, I just finished today.

Credits: Pictures and Idea by Flea; Words from Mec; Fonts - Vladimir, Myriad.

I was inspired to do this layout because the shots by Flea were really wonderful, and the words are perfect. These are the vows Mec and hubby said to each other on their wedding day. The words say:

"Please hold my hands, palms up, so you can see the gift that they are to you. These are my hands, that hold yours on our wedding day, as I promise to love you all the days of my life. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach when God blesses us with a child, the same hands that will be so gentle when I hold our baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours to earn money for you and our family, and the hands that will care for and discipline our children.These are the hands that will be nicked and bruised from fixing things around the house to make you more comfortable.These are the hands that will caress your body through the years, and will countless times wipe tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief weigh on your mind. These are the hands that will assure you of love and companionship, that someone is a witness to your life.

Please hold my hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, that are holding yours on our wedding day, as I pledge my love and commitment to you all the days of my life. These are the hands that will hold each of our children in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and letting them go when it is time. These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and give you comfort when you are sick, and console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will hold you tight as we struggle through difficult times, the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, and passionately love you and cherish you through the years. These are the hands that will give you support as I encourage you to pursue your dreams. And these are the hands that will assure you of love and companionship, as I choose to be a witness to your life."

This second layout is about Sam, Ditch and Ipe's little princess. Super cute!

Credits: Doodle by Ann Langpap (recolored); paper and alpha by Shabby Princess; fonts used - note this, arial; staple and tag by me.

Journaling reads: "What a joy to see a baby as cuddly and cute as you! No wonder your family is all over you, all the time. We are so grateful that you came out healthy and without complications. See, your Mommy slipped & got hurt about a couple of weeks before you were born. We were all worried. But look at you now! Amazing & such an angel, we cannot get enough of you!"

That's all for now! I'm off to go to an "elite" Christmas party...ehehehe. More kwento's soon!

bebot blogroll

New Tickle Me Elmo

OMG!!! I want this! Video in Youtube posted by compton1979...

:(

You didn't like last night's dinner...
You didn't sleep well the night before...
So I gave you a massage, however tired I was...
But you still didn't get a restful sleep.
This morning, you didn't finish your breakfast...
And left for work...forgetting to wear your band.




Paranoia strikes again.

Yes I am still alive!

Yes, it's been a while since I last updated. So much has happened. I had fun 6 weeks with Joaquin, I got married to my Ane (view our kwento's and pictures here, although I haven't posted that much yet!), one of my layouts was featured here, I've been an efficient housewife, I've cleaned up our place (more like a home now rather than just a box..heheeh), I had a minor foot surgery...and I'm loving every minute of my life now.

I haven't updated because we don't have internet connection at home yet (dang that landline service provider...making us wait for almost three weeks now!!!), my laptop decided to bust on me (still in repair center!) and I just realized I can actually use Ane's old desktop, however slow it is. Not to mention, in almost two months since we moved in, I was stranded at home because of the floods for about a week or so (not continuous tho) without cable, landline and internet. That made me soooo lazy even reading a book bores me! Rants! Rants! Rants! Hahahaha...

Anyway, I'm back and I hope to keep on posting...I photoshopped the picture above using the tut found here. Thanks to Flea for sharing! I posted the original one here in August last year. Ain't that cool? :)

And this is the digiscrap layout that got featured in Susan's blog (yeah yeah, i know there were only two submissions! but still noh?) :



Credits: Papers, metal tags and chain by Rina from her Gone Fishing kit at SBB; Cliplock by Shabby Princess from her Urban Kiwi kit at SB.