Shey's Bundle of Joy

A new baby is like the beginning of all things

-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
~ * ~ Eda J. Le Shan ~ * ~

CREDITS:

TEMPLATE by Katie Pertiet
PAPER from Baby o Baby Kit by Lpand3dogs Designs
FONT Goudy Stout

Cheers to Shey for giving birth to a cutee batootee baby boy!!! I haven't talked to her though, got the news thru Friendster.

Now that Shey is finally a MOM... the pressure is now down to MADZ and ME (and Kakel!), hahaha!

Not Your Ordinary MOMents

My Mama turned 59 today and we celebrated it with a simple dinner treat at Gerry's Grill. While waiting for our orders to be served, we spotted Jon in one of the tables outside. Hehe, small world talaga! We even had a souvenir photo taken... naks.. SHOWBIZ!

CREDITS:
PAINTED EDGE from Starbursts Kit by K Lewis

Hmmn... parang mas masaya sya kanina nung kasama si Jon

CREDITS:
FRAME from Strolling Down Kit by Raspberry Road Designs
FRAME from Rose Tendre Kit by Kawouette

We had a simple and intimate dinner.

CREDITS:
FRAME from Lilac Kit by MyAngel236
NOTE PAD from Lilac Kit by Sharon Kenealy (ksharonk)
FLOWER from Olivia Kit by Kiki Halbert
STAPLE from Groovy Girl Kit by Raspberry Road Designs

Just when Mama thought the party is already over, the Staffs brought in the cake while singing their own version of a "Happy Birthday" song. All tables turned to us, singing along while clapping. I know Mama was really surprised because this is a first time for her. She was teary eyed pero buti din she didn't actually cry. Sayang lang Chris was not able to take a photo of the singing staffs.

CREDITS:
FRAME by Hannah
PAPER by Amanda Laborde

All we wanted was to make her happy today Rating from the smile on her face, I think we did a great job! Don't yah think so!?!


CREDITS:
FRAME by Lindsay Jane Designs
PAPER from Chocolate Kit by Helena Monteiro
TORN PAPER from Sweet Kit by AmelieScrap
FONT BuffaloStance


It was a night of LIVING. LEARNING. LOVING. MOMents.

Love Down Under with a Drover

It was a typical Friday afternoon, I was wondering what to do when the phone rang, with Jackee on the other end of the line. She's inviting me for another movie night out and of course I said yes without batting an eyelash. We had a hard time going to Megamall because it was raining and it almost ruined our mood. We thought we'd be stranded in the MRT station. After a quick dinner at McDo (have you seen their latest TVad? sweeeeet!), we went straight to the Cinema and patiently lined up, occasionally bugged by the scalpers around. I really can't believe there are a lot of people who'd casually approach you asking for extra tickets. It was awkward. So I was really relieved when we got inside. Anyway, the tickets says advance screening will start at 7:30PM. I munched my McDo fries while waiting. I've never seen the trailer before so I don't know what to expect. All I know is that it's an epic film. I even dread that it would bore me. But I was wrong.

Australia is Baz Luhrmann's (Director of Moulin Rouge!) film which is a romantic-adventure movie. It's the story of Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), an English, aristocratic woman who leaves England to follow her husband to Australia because she believes he is having an affair there. The husband is in Australia however, with the intention of selling his cattle station, a big property in the north of Australia. No confrontation happened. Instead, Lady Ashley embarked on a new type of journey, accompanied by a rough, hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman). Ultimately, Lady Ashley finds herself inheriting the cattle station and, in order to save it, she and the drover must undertake an epic cattle drive of 2000 cattles from Faraway Station to Darwin. In the course of that journey, she is transformed by the country and by love, for both the "Drover" and the indigenous child, Nullah (Brandon Walters). She realises that her life is not over, and there’s always a new life to be had. This film - which is at times heartbreaking and confronting, is also action packed as the characters were also caught in the bombing of Darwin in 1942, Australia’s only World War II battle fought on home soil. Just when you thought the movie is over... another conflict arises. It's quite long, It's almost 11PM when we left the movie house. But I'd say it's worth watching... I even shed some tears. I am really becoming too sentimental lately... tsk... tsk. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is still ringing in my head. Go watch it and be awed by the Aboriginal culture (look out for "King George"), fiery sunsets, epic journeys, romance (take note of Hugh Jackman's HOTness in his shower scene), dancing in a love tree, outback adventures, the dramatic landscapes (feels like The Land Before Time), and the story of the stolen generation.

Speaking of adventure, I'm afraid the "Anawangin trip" that Mels and I are cooking up will be shelved. I really wanted to go but it will be too costly if it will just be the two of us. Actually, Chie and Pol are willing to join but their Pinatubo trip falls on the same date (Jan31-Feb1). They wanted it moved to next next weekend. Mels wanted to go before she goes back to the corporate world on Feb2. I wanted a cheap trip. CONFLICTS. I know Mels spent hours browsing the net to research and plan this trip so it must be really disappointing for her. I know she really wanted this trip. But the month is coming to an end once again and my face will be slammed with a lot of bills so... I will have to convince myself again that there will still be a right time for Anawangin.


Melissa... I hope you understand

Ms. MY's One Night Only

A good friend had a stopover in Manila (from Singapore) for a quickie.

CREDITS:
PAPER from Soft Color Kit by ArtScraps
PAPER by Adriane Richardson (scrappingaddiction.blogspot.com)
PAPER (used for frames) from Colorful Kit by Claudi Designs
TEMPLATE by Amy Lee (starwarsgirl06)

I mean... quick shopping, quick early dinner and quick catching up with Mels and me. Melissa picked them (Ms. My, Papa ken and BJ) up at the airport. Then I met up with Ms. My and Mels at Glorietta. We had an early dinner and non-stop chikahan at Cibo, while the two boys had their own bonding session. Favorite talaga ni Ms. My ang Cibo.

CREDITS:
PAPER FLOWER RIBBONS from Sugarplumpaperie
STITCHES from Origami Kit by Akiloune
PAPER from Love Traces Kit by Sunfire
PAPER from Starburst Kit by K Lewis

A lot of catching ups since we had so little time attending to the "GFriends SPAM mails" lately. Ako na naman ang "hotseat". Hmmn.. pero I'm sure sanay na sila sa kwento ko.

After dinner, we went around Glorietta looking for swimwears. Wala kasi kaming maisip gawin so we thought of lounging in the hotel pool na lang. Sad to say, walang cheap na swimwear kahit off season pa. Nakakahinayang bumili, sana pala nagdala ako ng 1 box, hahaha! So we brushed off the idea and just went straight to their hotel room and watched TV. Telenovela marathon na ito!!!

But BJ wanted to swim. Papa Ken bought him a new pair of shorts kasi when he learned that we will go swimming. Sayang naman ang shorts! So we took BJ to the pool area, only after taking a good photo of the 3 of us. Hahaha, wala kaming patawad sa bata... I think mga more than seven takes before we gave him the thumbs up sign.

CREDITS:
PAPER by Digitreats
FRAME from You and I Kit by Fryske
JOURNAL PAPER by Manu70
BUTTON from Button Obsession Packt by AC
FLOWER from Love Traces Kit by Sunfire



CREDITS:
PAPER from Sea Kit by Happy-Scrap
FRAME by Rainbow Gimscrap
ALPHAS by Dirty Feet Designs aka Heather Benson

We went back to the room and watched some more TV. The bed is so comfy and really inviting. Zzzzzzz Mode . Papa Ken suggested that we go out for coffee and some more female bonding. He's in a good mood ha. Starbucks na 'to!!!

CREDITS:
PAPER from Happy Birthday Harmony Kit by Melanie Ann Designs
TEMPLATE by Isa
FONT Hand Of Sean

Arnold joined us in Starbucks. Ms. My was talking to him over the phone for chika updates, and next minute he was already there. We didn't believe kasi that he'd really meet up with us. Mas gusto nya for sure magkwento ng live! Bidang-bida pa din... walang kupas sa bargasan!

We still have a lot of things to talk about but the store hours is already over. Sayang! Anyway, it's already past midnight so we already called it a night. Ms. My and her family also have a 7AM flight (to CDO) to catch. Kitakits na lang ulit sa next STOPOVER!

Ms. My... enjoy your vacation!!!

Mels, thanks sa gifts!

Arnold, I'll wait for the Skinny Jeans!

Makes Me Wanna Shake My Head and Walk Away

Simple things sometimes go out of hand...

If I were a boy

I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man

I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

~ * ~ Beyonce ~ * ~

Pit Senor!

The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City. It is one of the grandest, most distinguished and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. The festival honors the child Jesus, known as the Santo Nino (Holy Child), patron of the city of Cebu. It is fundamentally a dance ritual that commemorates the Cebuano people's pagan origin, and their recognition and acceptance of Christianity.

Personally, I was able to experience this festivity in 2007. It was an exciting experience I must say. Though the sun is up and shining brightly and there's a really huge crowd in the streets, you can't help but be amazed with all the colorful costumes and chantings filled with energy.

CREDITS:
FRAME from Learning to Fly Kit by mgl Scraps (Monica Guerra Leiria)
FLOWER TRIM by {Kasia} designs
FONT Buffalo Stance

I was able to experience Sinulog because I took a short vacation in Cebu that year with some friends. Mels, Lala and I stayed with Ms. My's family. This year, from Singapore, Ms. My and family will take another vacation but this time they will stay in Cagayan de Oro. We were invited again to join them but we already checked the plane fare and it is quite high so it's a NO Maybe next time.

Anyway, here are some Wiki Trivia. Did you know that:

~ * ~ The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which is "like water current movement," which describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums.

~ * ~ The Sinulog celebration traditionally lasts for nine days, culminating on the final day with the Sinulog Grand Parade.

~ * ~ The festival features a procession, a street parade and dancing competition with participants in bright-colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums and native songs, and a fluvial procession. Participants occasionally chants "Pit Senor!" during the celebration.

~ * ~ Though the dance ritual is already being done for ages, the first Sinulog parade was held only in 1980, organized by Dávid Odilao, then Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports, and Youth Development.

Going back to the last trivia, I think Dávid Odilao is the same person that we call "Daddy Dave". If I am not mistaken, he is the nephew of my Mama Nene. I have to double check on this! Nonetheless, reading his name is already making me proud that he is part of the Sinulog history.

As the Cebuano's put it, Pit Senor!!!

Mangio - Vergara Nuptials

It was a last minute decision to finally attend. I've been wanting to, of course! But I had problems with my DL recently (read previous posts) so I wasn't sure if I can make it to their wedding day. So when the bride informed me that I will be reading the "Prayers of the Faithful" during the ceremony, I had to decline. I didn't want to add to their stress level if I suddenly don't show up. Besides... I have stage fright, hahaha! I'm shyness remember!?!

Anyway, today I attended the wedding of two friends I met in Grade School. Yes, I met them when I was in Grade II... believe it or not. Dex and Ferdz are my classmates in San Antonio Elementary School until our last year. Ferdz is one of my guy friends and my biggest "crushie" back then, wahaha!!! And Dex and I are inseparable. We were also classmates in High School (Quesci) and remained to be friends until now though we got separated in College. I lost contact with Ferdz but I had a chance to meet him again in College. Just hi and hello type when we'd see each other in the school grounds. If I remember it right, their paths crossed again after college years, when Dex got back from Iloilo and they had a reunion of sort (which I was not able to attend) with our batchmates from grade school. Their friendship blossomed, they became an official couple for years and they eventually decided to be husband and wife in 2003 with a Civil wedding.

And what a grander way to celebrate their 6th Wedding Anniversary and renew their vows, than with a Church wedding... with their daughter Orange and son Franz (and the little boy in Dex's tummy) as part of the entourage.


CREDITS:
TEMPLATE by Yin of Yin Designs
PAPER by Amy Watson of Amy W. Designs


CREDITS:
FRAME by Sara of Sweet Blossom Designs


CREDITS:
TEMPLATE by Irene O'Neill
PAPER from Casual Wear Kit by Monica "Sunshine" Evan or Sunshine Digi Scraps


CREDITS:
FRAME by Manu70
FONT James Fajardo

This wedding also gave me a rare opportunity to be reunited with Grade School and High School buddies. In this photo: the Maid of Honor (with BF), Rissa and Pong (from SAES) and Lanie (from QCSHS with Hubby).


CREDITS:
FRAME from Seasons Change Kit by Ellie Lash

Come Pick Me Up I'm Down

I tried to face the morning as positive as I could though I had a not so good Tuesday. I wanted to turn around the vibe, and even changed my YM status message to, "It's the most wonderful time of the year". I was aiming for a happier mood then comes Jackee's news. My staff at Jordan didn't report for work again. And didn't even bothered to let me know why. This staff was already absent yesterday, thus my irritated mood yesterday. And she did it again. And I had enough...

I terminated her, officially. A decision I should have made a long time ago.

I forgave that staff in the past and gave a lot (by "a lot", I really mean a lot!) of chances hoping that things will eventually get better. But I was so damn wrong!!! Oh f*#&%!!!

I was chatting with a friend and we were discussing business matters... blah... blah... blahs. He was trying to make me feel a little better and convincing me not to lose hope. At the same time opening up a good news that they are now planning to put up a restaurant. Wow! He then shared with me a recent learning. Something he picked up from his boss' lecture which goes something like:

"There is no bad or poor Business,
only bad or poor Management"
~ * ~ BHL ~ * ~

I've been getting a lot of stress from 1 of my DL's and the staff involved. To the point of getting really... really pissed, mad and angry (as in!). Honestly, to the point of wanting to shutdown operation and just concentrate in one shop. But contracts are limiting me to do so, particularly that of PLDT. There were a lot of wrong things going on in that DL. But now I'm starting to blame myself more

Huhuhu...

Where Do We Go From Here?

I am bored so I took the Lakbayan Quiz. Look, I got a grade of C. I hope this year I'd be able to visit more places and get a chance to travel more. If time and budget permits, I'd love to go out of the country again. It's been two years since my trip to Singapore. This time, I want to go to Hong Kong and experience Disneyland, or to Macau perhaps. But my ultimate dream is to visit and shop 'till I drop with Ate Aps in Canada. Hell yeah... I hear you say dream on!!!

I was looking at old photos last night, and I saw a photo of my visit to the Cagsaua Ruins, with the majestic Mayon Volcano at the back of course! Wow!!! That photo was taken way back in 2001, I think. I hope I can visit it again, armed with a more acceptable fashion sense

Included in my travel wishlist are the likes of Davao, Sagada, Zamboanga, Camiguin, and Camarines Sur. Taking the quiz made me realize that I've never been to any part of Mindanao. Boo...

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

"The world is a book, and those
who do not travel read only a page."
~ * ~ Saint Augustine ~ * ~

How much of a traveler are you?