Slumber Party by Doodleboogs @ SOTB

Got to play with Slumber Party Kit by Doodleboogs and Daniel Designs at SOTB. Check out the preview below.

It was a pure fun fun fun and got to scrap some old photos of my high school pals. :D
Slumber Party Kit a collaboration by Doodleboogs & Danielle Designs available at SOTB
Arial FontSlumber Party Kit a collaboration by Doodleboogs & Danielle Designs available at SOTB
Arial Font

Happy Father's Day!

First of all, Belated Happy Father's day!!!

I know a lot of my friends are new fathers this year so I'm sure they had a awesome gathering. :)
Excited for this. Registered and all ready to go. It's now planning what to bring is the question. Got too many tools to decide on. Of course it's only 6 hours or less of scrapping but it will surely be awesome!!! I'm counting down the days to July 11

1.) Krazy Mary
2.) My Digital Art Studio (Mari Koegelenberg Creations)

Gotta get crackin'!

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Kit: A Guy Thing
Designer: Deanna Patterson / Shabby Scrap Designs
Alpha: Shabby Princess' Happy Go Lucky Kit
Program: PS CS3
Font: Century Gothic

Metro Weddings: Most Outstanding Weddings in 2008

Some more wedding related news...our wedding was featured at Metro Wedding's Most Stunning Weddings of the Year (Best of 2008). It was truly an honor. The magazine wanted to focus more on the details and the wedding in general than the preparations so I provided more photos on details, decor, etc. It was nice and different. Oh...and my supplier list is a like a mile long. I thought they were going to sift through and decide what would be relevant to the readers and space. I didn't know that they would have it all in there. :P
Check out the article below.
(BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT to N-G who's featured on the 4th page, my wonderful bridesmaid!)

 

There were some typos/mistakes:
1.) exchanging my mom's shoe supplier with mine. I love my shoes and it's by Rene Caovilla.
2.) some of the quotes were either "Joy" and "Cheryl"...both the same person...me!
3.) fyi - the photoshop/edit of the cover photo was odd...I don't remember it being that way. Oh well...

Other featured weddings are:- (*previously at WE's magazine)

• Way-Out-of-Town Weddings
  Nara Sulisto + Orange Aberin (Bali, Indonesia)
  David Jacob + Amanda Griffin (Bali, Indonesia)
  Leo Po +  Marielle Santos (Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia)


• Out-of-Town Weddings
  Raymond Rufino + Anna Palabyab (Tagaytay City)
  Raj Moreno + Kai Prieto (Calatagan, Batangas)
  Joseph Juico + Trisha Chua (Tagaytay City)
  Les Romero + Erika Alba (Baguio City)
  Tonito Gonzalez + Tyra Trebol (Tagaytay City)
  Px Mx + Mx Gx (Tagaytay City)
  Jon + Yacuy Villanueva (Tagaytay City)
  Sig Castro + Rhea Lio (Tagaytay City)*
  Mark Reyes + Karina Garcia (Tagaytay City)
  Hans Montenegro + Marilen Faustino (Cebu City)
  Migs Camacho + Criscy Bautista (Boracay)
  Jojo Silverio + Jenny Serrano (Nasugbu, Batangas)
  Andrew Parker + Julia Abad (Basco, Batanes)*


• In-Town Weddings
  Rob Pengzon + Sunshine Pue
  Noli Legarda + Bledes Fores
  James Chiongbian + Nina Ynares
  RB Roa + Patricia Morato
  RJ Ledesma + Vanessa Pastor
  J Calma + Tricia Bermudez
  Anthony Kierulf + Patty Cojuangco
  Jorge Bocobo + Chi Datu
  Nino Alejandro + Michelle Katigbak
  Nathan Azarcon + Ina Serrano
  Mark Mauricio + Aimee Murillo
  Lesly Bergonia + Miselle Peñalosa
  Miguel Peña + Jerianne Ejercito
  Miguel Silos + Roxanne Ancheta
  Dondon Gelido + Bianca Dinglasan
  Leyton Lozada + Mia Cabawatan
  Ben Colayco + Autumn Cho
  Mike Sinco + Jamie Chun
  Ed Wong + Cheryl Chan*
  Ace Stimeiher + Gela Laurel*

On the home front news, I was able to find our couch (a really striking one) for our living room and I was able to finally get my "dream coffee table", the Naguchi coffee table in black. :) I wish the purchase of our couch was as easy and seamless (in every way) as the coffee table. The couch took forever to arrive compared to an hour for our table upon purchase. I guess it helps a lot if you are near the latter's shop warehouse. :P I'm so loving the living room now...even if there's still tons to go, I'm looking forward to having people over!

With the stress of work, scrapping and keeping sane, I've mustered up the energy and time to start playing golf more regularly again. I need to get some exercise in my regiment since I sit in front a computer most of the time. Slowly...once a week first before I get my feel and then maybe twice a week. I hope to be able to keep this up till maybe summer. I normally play less during the really hot months. So far, decently getting back to the groove. :)

I'd like to promote a fellow blogger friend's site: Mabuhay Project
Crop Dreams aids to promote Filipino culture and talent through digital scrapbooking!
They got a lovely design team this 2008! Keep scrappin'...

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Title: 7 Things
Kit/Designer: Trimming the Tree by Daniel Designs and Doodleboogs
Template: 12x24 Happiness Is by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Herald
**2-paged layout

Catch Up Time!

Work is a loadful since we are reaching 3Q's last stretch. Got a lot of important deadlines to meet before E & I head out for our honeymoon. Correction...it's more like "my dream cruise" since E's letting me decide on everything within reason. :D We'll be visiting the following places:

1. Barcelona, Spain
2. Marseille, France
3. Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
4. Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
5. Naples, Italy
6. Mykonos, Greece
7. Istanbul, Turkey ~ highlight
8. Kusdasi, Turkey
9. Piraeus (Athens), Greece
10. Venice, Italy

We agreed on the land/shore tours and believe me, it's a lot of sights. I hope we have enough memory card to store our pictures!
So excited to see the other side of the world!!!! Time's surely a ticking...

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KIT: Suddenly Friends by Deanna Patterson (Shabby Scrap Designs)
TEMPLATE: 12x12 Template – Simplicity by Doodleboogs(ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
PROGRAM: PS7.0
FONT: Book Antiqua & Amazone BT
JOURNALING: Life’s most fulfilling thing for a parent is to love their little joy.

Features and Tributes

First of all, I would like to thank TeacherCarrie, who featured one of my layouts (Dog Mom) in her blog, Multi-Photo Scrapbook Layout Gallery. Thanks so much! It's truely an honor!

E and I are currently getting ready with our honeymoon to Europe...a Mediterranean cruise.
I'm doing most of the research on which land tours to book since E isn't really familiar of what would be worthwhile sights. I'm so thankful that I have a good background in the arts field since most (if not all) of the locations have important landmarks that brought about great movements in Art History. It's more or less trying to squeeze in as many places to visit as we could in a day.
I hope we decide soon so we can reserve our slots. :)

On a sadder note, gramp's (mom's side) passed away last week. He was in the hospital for three weeks to treat his pneumonia. He was also having problems breathing when he was admitted. We were all hopeful at first since he was active and communicating with us constantly but his body wasn't responding to the various antibiotics given to him to cure the pneumonia and was becoming weaker as the day progressed. He was on a respirator and couldn't eat on his own. There were a few complications in his lungs like having fluids in it like my other grams (dad's side). It was sort of deja vous for me - same hospital, same respirator...same result.
My mom told me that grandpa was unconscious for about two days before succumbing to death Thursday morning. At least, gramps didn't experience too much pain unto his next life.
I'd like to thank everyone who sent their prayers and support. My gramps was laid to rest on Sunday morning. I thank the Lord that the weather was cooperative after the many storms that came our way as of date. Someone was surely watching over us and making sure gramps had a safe and peaceful journey.

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Kit Name: Hush mini kit girl by Doodleboogs
Template: 12x12 Template – Simplicity by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: CK Becky
Journaling: Maxine looked so cute as a flowergirl at a recent wedding. She behaved very well and was able to walk down the aisle without a fuss. She even made some new friends aside from giving daddy a few great solo shots to remember this wonderful day!




Kit Name: Hush mini kit boy by Doodleboogs
Template: 12x12 Template – Simplicity by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Civilian
Journal: Boracay 2008

Furniture Wishlist and more...

Since E and I got our own place, I've been so into furniture/design mags. As an advance bday gift, E got me a year's subscription to Elle Decoration (UK edition) and I've gotten a furniture/design wish list in the works (in my head). Of course, owning the original would like put me back a whole lot but since there are a lot of replicas being done nowadays, access to these timeless and practical pieces are not unachievable. Below are some of what I would hopefully own...as of this date. :D
This is going to be one costly house...good thing I chose one piece and section area at a time!
From left to right: Ray & Carles Eames' LCW (Lounge Chair Wood), Eileen Gray's Chrome Side Table, Isamu Noguchi's Nogochi Table, respectively.



Buon Giorno
Italian
Near Puregold Shaw Blvd
Liberty Center, Mandaluyong City
4/5
~ highly recommend the vegetable risotto...very tasty and cooked to perfection
~ got the spinach lasagna...a bit hard on the bottom side of the lasagna
~ would rather have gotten the pizza
~ beverages are so worth it since they serve is in a big tall mug...got the grape shake!

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Title: Lullaby
Kit: Dainty Delight by Deanna Patterson
Template: Free Sampler by Doodleboogs
Photo Credit: Vivian Chung Photography
Program: PS7.0
Font: Book Antiqua
Journaling (abbreviated):
by John Fuller
Sleep little baby, clean as a nut, Your fingers uncurl and your eyes are shut. Your life was ours, which is with you. Go on your journey. We go too.
Oh be our rest, our hopeful start. Turn your head to my beating heart. Sleep little baby, clean as a nut, Your fingers uncurl and your eyes are shut.

Boracay 2008 Trip

Went to Boracay for a few days during the Holy Week break...before the crowds.
Stayed at Discovery Shores. See pictures below.
Verdict: Highly Recommended
Decor: Greek Islands feel, Buji Layug furnitures all around (awesome stuff), modern chic
Service: full service deluxe for everything and anything you would want to have (all within reason)
Food: free meriendas by the beach and by the pool, cookies & fruits galore, drink freebees
Amenities: free Wi-Fi, DVD player on each room, free DVD rentals, free kiddie toys for the pool, beach and playroom, etc.

GO GO GO GO...save your money and treat yourself to the best! :)

I'm currently back to my couch-potato ways and currently follow the Gossip Girl, Project Runway (Season 4). Speaking of the former show, there seems to be a similar thing happening with a Manila-based blog, http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com/. It's pretty interesting and makes a great reading.

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Kit: Aggregates and Igglitates by Deanna Patterson

Template: 12X12 Template – Corner It by Doodleboogs

Extra: Mess It Up Splatters by Deanna Patteson

Font: Arial and Bernard MT Condensed

Program: PS7.0

Journaling: I savour watching Aidan take his afternoon naps. There is just something about a child’s serene look when they are asleep that is unexplainably fulfilling for a mother. It could most probably be how angels sleep.

Tag Catch-ups

Got some busy catching up on some tags given by my good blogger pals, TiggerLily, The Big Heart Award. Thanks so much TiggerLily! A real wonderful surprise to an anxious week for me.
I would like to award this to the following people:
Malou
Steph
Candy
MizzM
Cayla73
Bethie
Jhen
Valerie

Got tagged by Steph on the below:
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In 8 facts about yourself, you share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. Then at the end you tag at least 8 other bloggers to keep the fun going.
Here are the rules:
* Each blogger must post these rules first.
* Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
* Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
* At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
* Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
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1. i am too trusting.
2. i keep a stash of junk foods at home and at the office.
3. i have a cleanliness obsession.
4. i relax by painting my own nails with &/or without design.
5. i love reading gossip - people &/or entertainment, than the news...though i have to do the latter one for work.
6. i am so lazy to workout...but to power-shop is different issue.
7. i love soup.
8. i enjoy watching the sunset & loungin' (reinforces the lazy personnae).

I will be tagging TiggerLily, Malou, Cayla73, Bethie, Jhen, Candy, MizzM, and Valerie.

I already got one firm offer and is currently waiting for another one to respond soon then I can decide better on what will my future will be. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I choose the "right one" for me. :D

After playing for the "Fed", I decided to slowly start playing golf again once/twice a week again.
I realized that I do need the exercise and get back to seeing my old golfing pals. This is aside from getting back to my old handicap and performing well at the "Fed".
I learned a lot at last Thursday's Fed...
*like being calmer during tournaments;
*getting better focus on the game while tuning out the rest of the world;
*taking chances and believing in myself.

Resto Review:
CAV, Bonifacio Global City
3*/5*
- a bit on the pricey side
- Claim-to-Fame: wines and the wine dispenser/vending machine
- we didn't feel like having wine so opted out though they have wine pairs for their courses: 3 (php850) or 4 (Php1190) courses option.
- the lobster bisque was on the salty side but Ed's pastrami corn soup was decently better
- love the duck dish especially the duck and the mushroom risotto that came with it while Ed enjoyed his "Variations of Lamb"
- Valrhona Souffle was super while Baked Alaska wasn't as eventful
- might come back but maybe further down the road


Title: Affections of the Heart
Kit: Affections of the Heart by Shabby Scrap Designs (Deanna Patterson)
Template: h12x12 Template – Bracket It by Doodleboogs
Font: CloisterBlack BT
Program: PS7.0







Title: A Moment Defined
Kit: Queen Prissy Pink by Deanna Patterson
Template: 12x12 Template - Table of Contents by Doodleboogs
Word Art: Queen Prissy Pink by Deanna Patterson
Program: PS7.0








Title: A Day Started...
Kit: Queen Prissy Pink by Deanna Patterson
Template: 12x12 Template – Bracket It by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: CK Becky
TYFL!

Settling

With regards to the work front, I'm still scouting around and seeing what's available. There are few more options to check-in so I better do that. My brother told me to just be patient and give it some time since it's only recently that I started to look and something like this shouldn't be rushed into.
For now, I'm so lazy to look and send out CVs since I need to still fix-up their place and get "settled". I hope Ed knows how much hassle to look for the "right furnitures" with the "right prices". Each day is about trying to remember what needs to be done for the house/parents/Ed/relatives, meetings to be attended, jobs to be found, etc.

Our Vday dinner was delayed (for now) since we both didn't feel well (read below) so we decided to move the celebration to after my trip to HongKong instead. There are a few more places that we are considering in passing. Hoping this will push through. :)

This entry was inspired by the song of Tara Maclean's "Settling" for this entry. Aside from loving the song, I love the lyrics to it. Settling, to me, used to have a finite/defined/constant time in my head but as I grew to where I am - it doesn't seem to be the case. It's so many questions about yourself and who you are whenever life throws you a "curve-ball" or two, which happens quite often. There will be times that life is just so "wrong" to me but I have to keep moving and striving to get to a moment of peace and contentment so keep me sane for the people who care for me.

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Resto Reviews:
1.) Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante (Italian)
Ground Level, Imperial Palace SuitesTimog-Morato RotondaQuezon City
Tel. No.: 925-9224
- this came highly recommended by my brother. As per him, the Quezon City branch is better than the one in Glorietta 3.
- Cheddar Chunk ~ middle was cold/frozen...might have been the cause of Ed's & my stomach problems right after...might want to avoid the risk of waking up 5am to eat meds.
- Shrimp Pesto Pasta ~ pasta was a bit overcooked as per Ed but as side from that, sauce was great!
- Napoli Pizza ~ so-so. I wish the pasta was bit thinner (it's suppose to be a thin crust pizza), lighter and crispier.
- huge portions; definitely for sharing; be weary and not try anything else but the pasta & pizza; this place gets packed very quickly so plan ahead, if you would like to head there.

2.) Joey Pepperoni (Italian)
G/F RFM Corporate CenterPioneer cor. Sheridan St. Mandaluyong City
Tel. No.: 631-1688
- Pastas ~ Putanesca, Shrimp Gamberi & Pesto Cream...all perfectly done but portion
- Joey Pepperoni Pizza 8"~ nice, crunchy and tasty...just how I like them.
- good & cheap; a lot of corporate events held here often so the both times that Ed & I went, we were seated at the al fresco dining area; note that portions are small for guys.

3.) Cuillier (French)
Unit 1C-06 & 1C-07 Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City
Tel. No.: 916-7394; 856-63325

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Kit: Affections of the Heart by Shabby Scrap Designs (Deanna Patterson)
Template: 12x12 Template - Vertical Split by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Geometr231 BT
Journaling: There’re always two people in ever picture: the photographer and the viewer. In this case, it would be four.

A Taste of the Luxe Life

12 September, Wednesday.
I really forced myself to get some good deals at the Sogo 21st Floor Brand Name Sale. It started today and I wasn't able to go till alittle before lunch. Nonetheless, I was able to get a lot of deals on a lot of good brands. Some range from hkd100 to hkd1k but it's fine since I know if I don't like them or if they won't fit, I can sell them off easily since I got good brand names as a fail-safe approach. Check out my stash below!

L-R (top): Plenty silk dress (hkd100), JustCavalli jersey-like/lycra signature printed dress(hkd500), Plenty felt flowers dress (hkd300), D&G embroidered cardigan (hkd1k) and Nanette Lepore, mom's fav, ribbon skirt (hkd1k++)

The last one is the most expensive purchase but I love it. There are two more articles but those are pretty simple like a clubbing shirt by JustCavalli at hkd450 and a Sunday dress by Plenty at hkd100.
After my successful purchases and promised myself to maintain my figure since a lot of the dresses require me to be in the size I'm already in, if not try to lose "the pouch" in front, I realized that I can go into business with this sort of thing - buy&sell in Manila. We'll see. I don't know if I can part with these lovely items!

15 September, Saturday.
Got up early to run some errands around town plus have some r&r around CWB.

Star-sighting:
Guess who I bumped into at the D-Mop store...Joey Yung, the Canto singer. :P
She was shopping with her assistant. You just see the flock of salespersons that manage to emerge on a sleepy Saturday afternoon right after lunch. She looked bored and was rejecting all the suggestions that the sales people were giving her. I guess it's normal for her. :)

Around the afternoon, I caught two movies today with some friends:
1.) Disturbia: reminds me of the I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream franchise flicks...a lot of teeners in the movie theater. It's a bit more serious than their former predecessors but still a "teen flick" through and through. It's funny since I know the actor, Shia LaBeouf, when he was still in Disney Channel's Even Stevens so it's a good serious acting from a goof-ball character that he started from.
2.) I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry: typical Adam Sandler movie but good and funny. Cute and light-hearted. Just what I need on a weekend. :)

16 September, Sunday.
My old highschool friend, Herman, came to visit. It's great to see old friends from back in the day. Being in HK enables me to get reconnected them since HK is the big hub of every travel itinerary here in Asia. Oh, it does help that

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19 Sept, Wednesday.
Today - they will be announcing the first challenge for the Stand Up & Scrap Contest. It's going to be intense. :)
On a lighter note, checked the image on the left.
I got freebee invites to this party and had the time to do it with my best pal, Swong.
We didn't get there too early but we were still able to get some goodie bags. No luck with the raffle though their prizes are pretty sweet ~ two night's stay at Shangri-La Thailand's special suite as the grand prize.
Maybe next year would be a better year for this. :P
Free drinks and snacks were good enough for us! We were able to catch up on some much need life-updates since she's been busy in the dating front. I'm so happy for her! :) Had some late lunch at Tsui Hua for some fish ball noodles before headed home.

*MUST SEE BMW SHORT FLICKS*
For all you car-chasing, Madonna-loving, Clive Owen-fans out there...
BMW Films.
The short films gave me an even bigger respect for Clive Owen though I love him in the 2004 movie, Closer. There is so much emotion in this man's eyes and words...amazing!

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23 Sept, Sunday
Finally finished my entry for the SUAS Challenge #1. It took a lot of braincell burning but I'm glad that it's done for now. Now, I'm bracing myself for the next challenge, this coming Wednesday (Sept 26) and this time, I'll be doing it in Manila. I hope I get to have time to think about it as much I had for the first challenge.
There are a lot of great entries to this contest ~ have a look here.

Sorry - can't post my layout for this since we post through assigned entry numbers. I'll post them all later after the contest. :)

Heading home for a week this Tuesday so won't be updating this till I get back...around the first week of October or so.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you all!

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Kit Name: Newsletter Freebee - Vintage Dreams - Retro Diva (Little Dreamer Designs) by Lori Barnhurst and Michelle Coleman
Template: 12x12 Template #Fifteen - Getting Comical (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox) by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Rage Italic
Journaling: Thank you for always knowing what to do and what to say. You are my sanity at the end of the day.
~excerpt from My Moon, My Sun, My Star, My Everything
by C. Blanco


Kit Name: Autumn Frolic (available at Scrapbook-Elements) by Mikki Livanos - coming soon!
Template Link: 12x12 Template #14 - Polaroidization by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Rage Italic
Journaling: Make one of your favorite hobbies collecting friends. ~Life's Little Instruction Calendar Volume XI





Kit: Tiny Pilot by Mikki Livanos
Template: 12x12 Template #Fifteen - Getting Comical by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Rage Italic
Journaling: Savour the moments that are warm and special and giggly. ~Sammy Davis Jr.






Kit Name: Autumn Frolic (coming soon) by Mikki Livanos (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Template: September Template Challenge at SBE by Alice Koh
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman and CK Ranch
Journaling: You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. ~Stephen King

PUBLISHED

Thursday, August 29
Took the 6pm PAL flight home for a weekend with family and friends.
I was totally psyched about it since my last trip was around the end of June. There were more people visiting me in July/August that didn't allow me to go home between those months. It didn't bother me that I wouldn't be able to be upgraded since the flight was pretty much "open". Work was good to none since I was already in vacation mode by the time I took the early check-in at Airport Express (Central). This is one of the important conveniences of HK - check-in early in the morning, go to work then take the bullet train to the airport about 1.5 hours before flight time. Wonderful wonderful invention! :)
NOTE: brought back all my winter cloths since I don't think I'll be needing much of them. HK has been having a bad case of the heatwave since last year. My luggage was pretty heavy for just jackets and more jackets...24kg!

Friday, August 30
Got woken up a bit earlier for someone who is on vacation to prepare for a meeting with my entourage dress designer at 9am! Mom said that it's best that I talk to her live since I had brought back the dresses. There were some design changes for my MOH but the rest of the entourage's dresses were shaping up quite well. I'm excited and hope it all turns out okay. It's still a bit too early to really know how things will end up looking on the big day.
Mom and I met the caker (one of our fav suppliers, I might add) at 10.30am. There were some design concerns with some of the layers of the cake and mom wanted me to be there as we discuss how it is. We are also concern on what the overall cake color will be. We didn't want just a plain ivory or white cake. :P Mom brought some of the props that the events stylist will be using and maybe to shed some good ol' inspiration. Love how the meeting ended - discussed the colors, the design, etc...can't wait to see how it would all come together in color, even if it's still going to be just on paper.
My long-awaited massage at home with Tess at 1pm! It's been a very long time since I had my massage at home but it was all so good! Tess was strong but nice. We chatted everything under-the-sun. :) My muscles had a good workout and I was glad that there were no knots with regards to my veins since that would be mean terrible pain. I was fine till when she did my back part, wherein my shoulders were stiffening up and when we were finishing off with some stretches. The latter was the most painful one. I was in the verge of crying but still biting on the pain. :P
Later in the afternoon, Ed got fitted for this tux. We got the cloth already and basically employed a tailor's services. I hope it turns out okay.
We had dinner at Cyma, Edsa Shangri-La Mall. I love their Roka Insalata. Check out my previous postings on this...I'm still dreaming of the tangie sauce and the candied walnuts. :P Ed had some weird pasta but we both didn't really like it since it didn't fit as a pasta dish...more like an entree.
We hungout later at Serendra, Fort (Taguig) since Ed thinks that we wouldn't have anymore time to check out the place on this trip. Better to get it out-of-the-way. I was curious on the new and further development of the place. It's place to have a nice walk after that heavy meal.

Saturday, August 31
Morning meeting with Paul Cabral for mom's dress at 9am yet again. I wonder what's up with all this early morning meetings. It's driving me nuts since I'm suppose to be taking it easier now. We took longer since mom had design and color issues. Hay...we didn't talk to Paul. She wanted me to check out if the colors are okay, etc - basically a 2nd opinion.
I'm lucky to have squeezed in lunch with Jeremy, my nephew. My brother, Jay, got some food from the Salcedo Saturday outdoor market like Aling Neneng's BBQ, some Cebu roast pig (letchon) and baked sole for lunch. Jeremy was being his silly cute self as he ate his soupy rice and veggies. He was mimicing us a lot...from drinking to munching.
Mom bugged me that it was still early before my next appointment so we rushed to PICC for the Wedding Fair. A lot of suppliers but not as impressive as the ones I've been like at the World Trade Center or NBC tent - where Ed and I used to hang out on Sunday afternoons even before we were engaged. :P
The cool thing though was that I got to meet Eddie Boy Escudero's wife, and we got chatting. Too bad though that Eddie Boy was not there because I wanted mom to meet him and see this hilarious photographer of ours. Oh well - next time. :)
Salon appointment came...my hairstylist didn't want to cut my hair shorter than just below my shoulders since he said that my wedding is so close now. He did manage to make it lighter and less "dragging". I love my haircolor though...3 colors! I got so many complements in the office when I got back. Worth every penny and pain I had to go through (sitting down for so long)!
Poor Ed...this is just not his week. By the time I finished my hair cut and color, I had a big bad migrane from all the activities and running around the city.

Sunday, September 01
I got packing then Ed picked me up to check out our would-be new "pad". It was nice though still bear but we see the potential. Ed's all excited with the lounge area in our bedroom. I'm still thinking how my scrapbook items can fit in the small scrapbook room that would double up as storage. Man! I think I will have to be forced to sell a few of them or something.
We headed off for lunch at Cibo, PP and got my cool red grape shake. :) After a harty lunch, we went to a charity bazaar around the area. Nothing interesting but it was somewhere to hang.
I was able to bump into an ex-Citi of mine, Yeye, who is now with Merrill Singapore.
Ed and I had one last meal/snack together - thus it was dessert at Haagen Daaz!
I got my strawberry while Ed got his chocolate cookie dough.
Got home, one last prep and it was off to the airport.

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Wedding Quick Note: Ed and my rings are done! Excited but wasn't able to get photos since I was worried about keeping it safe. Ed's got a plain corded band while mine had some "icies" but definitely vintage-like as per my taste. :)

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STAND UP AND SCRAP Kit is an extremely large collection of digital goods consisting of 7 zipped folders over 100MB each.
This gorgeous kit was created by Amber Clegg, Amy Martin, Ange Barton, Anna Aspnes, Audrey Neal, Christina Renee, Christy Lyle, Eve Recinella, Gina Marie Huff, Gina Miller, Heather Ann Melzer, Heather Roselli, Heidi Williams, Jackie Eckles, Jen Wilson, Julie Mead, Kate Hadfield, Laura Deacetis, Lauren Grier, Lisa Whitney, Lori Barnhurst, MandaBean, Meredith Fenwick, Michelle Coleman, Miriam Lima, Mindy Terasawa, Nancie Rowe Janitz, Robin Carlton, Sara Amarie, Sara Carling, Shabby Miss Jenn, Susan Bartolini, Tiff Brady and Zoe Pearn.
You can read more about the rules and timeline on the official site, Stand Up And Scrap Blog. You can get the kit here.
Make a difference * scrap for a cause...or get a really look mega kit that I'm so drooling over. :)

Dates to Note:
September 1st-16th - Contest Registration at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Wed, September 19th - Challenge #1 Revealed
Tue, September 25th - Challenge #1 Due
Wed, September 26th - Challenge #2 Revealed
Tue, October 2nd - Challenge #2 Due, Challenge #1 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, October 3rd - Challenge #3 Revealed
Tue, October 9th - Challenge #3 Due, Challenge #2 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, Octiber 10th- Challenge #4 Revealed
Tue, October 16th - Challenge #4 Due, Challenge #3 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, October 17th - Challenge #5 Revealed
Tue, October 23rd - Challenge #5 Due, Challenge #4 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, October 24th - Final Challenge Revealed
Tue, October 30th - Final Challenge Due, Challenge #5 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Tue, November 6th - Finale Show on Disc Talk Radio - Grand Prize Winners Announced

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I'm so glad that I don't have to keep this secret anymore. :P
Want to update you that I got PUBLISHED!
Although digitally but it was a great honor indeed.
I contributed an article for My Scrap Works' about shifting from trad scrapping to digi scrapping. I would have to say that this is a pretty surreal experience.
In the first place, why would anyone want to read about a "typical digi-scrapper" like me? I am nothing-out-of-the-ordinary sort of person nor have my works been officially published in traditional and/or digital scrapbook magazines or websites (some "layout of the day" can count but nothing really BIG) ...so why would someone want to read about how I got into digi? I guess there are people who do...as per this article's proof. :P
I didn't realize that I wrote a lot. I suppose most of it is babbling/rambling on thoughts in my head but this article came out so fast and fluid. It was totally not a problem as what I inititally thought.
I appreciate the opportunity, Mabelle! Thanks and always a pleasure! (Anything to that can degress me from work. :P)

On traditional scrapping news...check out what 2Peas just got in.
Metal tags/tabs from Making Memories --> very cool.
It is used with the Tab Curler or simply folded on to your layout.
Wait...I need a Tab Curler as an option?
Man...MM always finds ways to burn my wallet. Before, it was the Tag Maker (had a tag fever at that time), then the Universal/Silent Eyelet Setter (though their normal eyelet setter is quite good with the "special hammer"...can't use an ordinary hammer...tried it), Instant Stamp Setter (win the magnetic stamps from a contest but needed this to use it :P), etc!!!! WWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! No, this time - this will just an eye candy for me. :P

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Kit and Designer: Rotten Tomatoes by Doodleboogs (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Decorative Spiral Notes: Note This by Ronnie McCray (SBE CT Gift)
Alphas: Scrapper's Toolbox by Microferk Designs (SBE CT Gift)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman
Journaling: My Mother's Garden. My Mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart, she planted all the good things that gave my life it's start. She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream, fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem... And when the winds and rain came, she protected me enough-- But not too much because she knew I'd need to stand up strong and tough. Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong-- markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long. I am my Mother's garden. I am her legacy and I hope today she feels the love reflected back from me.
- author unknown
Notes: A two page layout...a first for me. I've been meaning to do a 2-page LO for as long as I could remember. It was a bit daunting in some way since I had to think about merging the two coherently. Thus, this had to be done simultaneously - a lot of flipping through both files.

Remeniscing-Drinking-Singing-Shopping Filled Weekend

August 24.Friday
- had added work due to a few missing people in the office...atleast it was "Casual Friday" so it made the work go by faster.
- went KTV at NeWay (Wan Chai) to celebrate KP's bday and MM's going away party: belted our hearts out and played Wii; Em and I sang a lot of Avril songs...makes you wonder where all this "rage" came from :P
There wasn't much English songs for me so good that we were able to play the Wii game - bowling and boxing. It's quite an exhausting game system. No wonder people get this to workout! My hands were all sore from all the punching and bowling action.

Neway Karaoki Box
3/F, Causeway Bay Plaza Phase 1,
489 Hennesy Road, Causeway Bay
Tel: 852.2559.8989

August 25.Saturday
- had lunch at Cafe Causette after discovering that Central's Grappa's Wine Cellar is under renovation for the rest of the month (!)...bad trip
- picked up EW's ring at J's IFC...very cool! it's really coming together faster than I think
- met up with EW's visiting aunt and cousins (Kirsten & Cameron); we hung out IFC and at H&M; check out Cam goofing off while we waited for his sister and mom try on their "clothing finds"...

- JO's bday dinner at Peking Garden, Central: yummy yummy! Got to meet CW's gf: finally!
- had Sake & drinks at WW's place, got to meet JO's boo and just hang/chill; got home late but it was a very worthwhile Saturday...you can see that the FHM (Phil Edition) magazine is the main attraction :P

H&M
68 Queen's Road (the old Lane Crawford Building)
Central
FYI: if you want to know how the H&M Grand Opening went last March 2007 --> check out Chris Lee's blog - Hong Kong Digital Vision. There are lot of great shots on how it went.

August 26.Sunday
- dimsum with DL and met TC, her new pal who recently just moved to HK at Tao Heung (Windsor House)
- chilled around the area: DL got her jeans shorts while I got a new Agnes b wallet/clutch...so loving it! It's a bit pricey but compared to some shirts that I got there a few days ago, this wallet is a really great deal, which will surely be used more than the shirts. :) It's matte gold! Agnes hardly comes out with wallets in gold - leather and hardware, etc. It almost brought me to tears! I didn't realize how much I do love "gold".
- big freebees day: got an ice cream cup from Da Dulce Gelato (CWB branch) and a MaBelle cellphone charm/freebees from the Diamond Foundation of HK and China's booth at Times Square

Tao Heung Super 88
6/F, Windsor House,
311 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, H.K.
Business Hours: 7:00am - 2:00am
Tel: 2831 9155

Da Dolce Gelato Italiano
Causeway Bay Shop
Shop A, 54 Yun Ping Road,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Tel: 2890 1213
MON-FRI 1130am - 1130pm
SAT-SUN & Holiday, 1130am - 1200mn

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This one of my submissions for the digitalGinger CT application. The rest are old works on my current portfolio.
Kit Name/Designer: Warm Me Up - Fall Sampler by Bevin Dunn (digitalGinger.com)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman, Vivaldi
Journaling: W_S, June 2007. I take you to be my wife from this time onward, to join with you and to share all that is to come, to be your faithful husband, to give and to receive, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond; a commitment made in love, kept in faith, and eternally made new. (weddings.about.com)
Notes: Congratulations, Wins & Tep!

It's been a very long time but I have been checking Digital CT Call postings. I've taken the initiative to apply and be part of another new CT/DT again. I guess I wanted some options to see other designer's work but will not require such rigorous layout submissions since I still want to create for my current designers. There are a lot of great designers out there that I would love to work for/with. The competition for these slots is quite tough. Rejection emails are to be expected. Oh well...atleast I do try and you never know. :)

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To promote the First SAINT JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL'S Alumni Homecoming, the alumni organization is hosting a charity concert by reknown Filipino singer, Gary V to headline this affair. Two free concert passes are up for grabs for the winning SJCS memory...basically, post out what you remember most about SJCS. For more details, you can check this link.

1st SJCS's ALUMNI HOMECOMING
Date: 22 September 2007, Saturday
Time: 4pm (statue unveiling), 5pm (cocktails), 6:30pm (concert proper).
Venue : Saint Jude School Auditorium
Ticket Prices: P1,000, P1,500, P2,000, P2,500 and P3,000
**Proceeds of the ticket sales will go to the (1) Fr. Peter Yang Memorial Fund, to help support the activities of the alumni association such as the Teachers' Retirement Fund and Msgr. Tchou's Medicine Fund; and (2) the Saint Jude Catholic School Building Renovation Project.
Come out to support such a worthy cause...and catch up with old friends. For more information, you can email Bringingthejudeniteshome.

So, as promised to fellow SJCS alumni, Francis, below are some of the things that I remember about being in SJCS, in no particular order.

• Father Chu's eccentric enforcement of the boy's haircut: it was either get a haircut after the first warning at your own barber or have it a la Father Chu's style "hardly there bangs". Crew cuts were the standard or the "Chinese bowl cut" else no sideburns, no long bangs like the ones from F4 (it was the "in" thing to have it done at that time).
• Teacher nail length inspections before entering the classrooms: the nice thing about this is that it's for good hygene. We would have our handkerchiefs over the four fingers and be checked/commented on by our respective advisors about its acceptable/unacceptable length and having a handkerchief. Here's the clincher - sometimes the teather forgot to check both hands' thumbs where a lot would let those nails grow long...it was the cool thing to do at that time. But then again, the teachers got wiser later on since they require us to flip over and show her both thumbs aside from our fingers. If you have been caught more times for not maintaining your nail length, handkerchief, etc - you could be required to stand outside of the classroom...basically our version of the "walk of shame".
• Ms. Salta's doubt that I did my homework on my own: in kindergarden, I was in the morning session. Ms. Salta was my classroom advisor. Penmanship is a very important lesson at that time, and you have to agree, SJCS does take handwriting to another level at times. I submitted a script writing assignment, which she doubt that I did the homework exercise on my exercise book in class. She made me stay after class and miss the school bus because of it. When the maid who was to meet me at the bus stop saw that I wasn't on it and learned that I was retained after class, my mom had to go to school to see what's wrong. (Not sure if my brother told my mom about it or something...) Get this, she was so fuming mad with whatever. When she found me and confronted Ms. Salta, they had a bit if slugging of words, as what I could remember. They made me go a test writing. I remember it was fairly close to the example in the book...I think Ms. Salta claims that I traced the assignment down to the curves and that I didn't not do it. (Fair enough that she would think that because I think there were some assignments in the past that I wasn't able to do but I distinctly remember that I did that particular assignment.) My actual handwriting had a bit of slant that was not on the exercise book but good enough to get me off the hook of tracing and not doing the work on my own. That was one weird experience.
• High school Chinese History combined with two or three classrooms...it was hilarious and cool but I definitely love that Li Shi class for what it's worth. "Daga" and "Kabayo" (sorry - can't remember their Chinese names anymore) were really good at what they do in all fairness. I enjoy their story telling a lot. Their exams are fair...just never liked the pop quizzes we had.
• Grade 6, Wu Lao Shi - making sure we contribute a lot for the SVD Missionary Charity Cause. The class that contributes the most, gets to win a free trip to Puerto Azul (at that time, it was the best)...all expenses paid, of course. She wanted her vacation, we were eager to go on one. :P Those brown evelopes were really deadly with you having to write your amount every day upon submission.
• Saturday Mass: when you are part of the program or even our weekly Saturday mass. It was really a good excuse to be part of the religious organization since you get to leave a bit earlier than everyone else. Everyone wanted to be part of JCE (Judenites Choral Ensemble), CLC, etc. These orgs had the smartest, most popular, etc members...kind of like the "elite crowd". It was cool enough to know the guy/gal who directs the people during communion...or even having their hand on your shoulder during when in the communion line.
  Another one is when the priest would raise the wine/bread chalice (during Consecration) for all to see and normally we would look at it as a sign of respect and bow our heads when it is brought back down...but there would be the weirdo ones (including me at times...just for sheer mischievousness), who would do the other way around - look down when the wine/bread chalice is up and look up when the priest has set down those items on the table. I guess I'm still snickering as I remember this. :P
• Mr. Gelido's classes were great...I think I got it well since I was excused from coming-in on Thursdays. Mr. Gelido's very strict but very supportive at the same time. I was always known in school through my brother, who paved the way for Thursday exemptions - to be replaced by golf training instead. My brother was one of my biggest fan...building me up in front of Mr. Gelido.
• One cool thing I can remember about SJSC was you were treated a celebrity for the day if you came in with make-up or dolled-up for a particular program. You didn't have to say anything, people will just know and find you so "in" and important. :P You were part of the program in school...enough said.
• The dreaded "Conduct C" and standing at the steel bridge for all the school to see...those are the extreme punishments.
• Father Yang's jolly face...he was always the smiling one. It's wonderful to see it on a really bad day in school...during programs.
• Line-up to use the phone at the Administration's Office...because one has forgotten something from home or they need to be picked up from school due to school cancellations or illness.
• Hot beef/chicken noodles or spaghetti at the school canteen. I was one of the lucky ones that runs by tabs since my mom deposited some money with them and I can basically get anything from them and they just deducted the amount from the deposit. I love their fried chicken with banana ketchup.
• Teacher's Day Flowers and Gifts...it's one big flower fest. One would feel really guilty for not having anything for one's teacher. Teachers are the pure celebrities during these times. Another crazy gift giving day was Christmas but that includes other good pals.
• Writing long notes and passing them to classmates/friends in the same or even another class became the style too. I realized how much writing I did and how creative we would fold our papers from rumaging old letters that I've kept all this time.
• Waiting outside of the teacher's office to wait for your teacher to come back from lunch...it's was the only airconditioned place in the whole school at that time, aside from the principal's and administration's office. No, our classrooms were cooled from the two stratigically placed electric fans.

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Going home this weekend...really excited to be back.
This time I got it all planned out for a "Pamper-Me Weekend":
Thursday: facial
Friday: massage
Saturday: haircut/salon
Hopefully all goes well...sometimes even booking them, things happen. I don't want to jinx it. :P
Also, I'll be meeting a few wedding suppliers and checking out the Philippine Wedding Expo (11th edition) at PICC with mom. I miss goingl to these sort of fairs since I'm all the way here...it's quite different from the ones we have here in HK. It's great to be able to make it for this weekend...and PICC - the biggest one before the year ends. :)


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Kit Name/Designer: Five Alarm
(Available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox) by Doodleboogs
Stitch/Designer: Veronica Sprigg's Setiment Kit
Circle Date & Month/Designer: Christine Borgfeld's Dial A Date (SBE's Xmas Gift)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman
Journaling: My first long weekend away from home...at the club hanging and swimming with my whole family!
Notes: my nephew's August 26 weekend away from home...didn't know sleepovers like that started so young!