Lucky 24...and counting (maybe?)

24 - Yep...that's currently my lucky number. :)
It's always amazing to discover other scrapper's comments...remember my previous postings about Garden Girl comments? It's amazing to discover those...though a bit too late now since a few might have forgotten what they commented on in the first place. :P Now, I try to do regular checks or just check up on fairly recent postings to still keep track and answer questions that some might have on some of my supplies/materials. Currently, I found one layout of mine that 24 comments...24 comments - currently my record! It's amazing and does give me some validation that my layouts are still "interesting" to be looked at by other scrappers than me and my family or subjects. Hahaha!
http://www.sotbox.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32952&cat=500&ppuser=3565

Got Tagged by MizzM (*HUGS*) to do 7 Random Things...here goes
#1: I don't like chocolates...never grew to like them and don't believe I will like them.

#2: I have an emotional side that comes out more these days than before. I normally try to show that I'm always in-control and have inner strength. It's when faced with the death of a love one that you really do see one's humanity.

#3: I'm a big fan of 80's cartoons...I still love Jem & the Holograms, the Care Bears, My Little Pony and still keep an on-going Kerroppi collection that I started in the early 90's.

#4: I love music and art. I wanted to be in the art industry when I graduated from high school...even took art history courses to see if I can find a job in that industry. In my head, I always thought I would either end up in the art or music industry OR be a chemist. :P I told myself I would never work for a bank...lo and behold - my first real job in the end was in a bank!

#5: I'm closer to my mom than anyone thought...she and I would talk every single night...especially since I moved here through Skype. It amazes everyone over here since I feel that something's missing if I don't speak to her each night. This is unless there is something going on that evening like dinner plans or anything else there is no excuse not to talk and update mom with what's going on with my day ~ even if it's a short chat only.

#6: Whenever I scrap digitally, I normally have the embellishments, papers out and create from there then think of an appropriate photo for the layout; while for traditional scrapping, I normally have a photo than decide on its layout before I choose my pattern papers (pp) and embellishments.

#7: I think and feel "old" these days...(oh crapper!)

7 pep to tag...man...don't know if I have 7 who would do this but I'm going to be tagging -

• Wonderful Witty,
• Sensational Steph & Joel (fellow W@W B2B)
• Divine Diana (Dbird)
• Caring Cayla(Cayla73)
• Marvelous Malou,
• Hot Mamma Dawn (Crafty Girl),
• Limber Lammer
• Vivacious Val (Mrs. MaGoo)
• Slimming Rick (DJ Rick Rude)

New Banner Up
I got a bit tired of my old banner and wanted something different...something that wouldn't for some odd reason mimic "dots". I didn't realize that as I was doing it that still picked a lot of "dots" or "polka dots" designs/embellishments - no matter how hard I try! Wacky...oh well.
Suppliers: Mikki Livanos' Cosmo Digital Kit available at Scrapbook-Elements.com ~great kit!
http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=81&products_id=6122

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Kit Name: Homespun Harmony (available at Digizines Digital Den)
Kit Designer: ShabbyScrapDesigns (Deanna Patterson)
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/zstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=60
Font: Times New Roman
Program: PS7.0
Journaling: Grams...as per my definition...mother to 7 children, 21 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren...- an amazing cook..."Five Generations Mother" ~ very rare as per tradition...Iron Lady of the Chan Clan...a wise adviser...MY GUARDIAN forever...enough said
Notes: This is a tribute to my grams, who passed away just last month. No amount of words can describe how much she means to me and all of my family...even if we hardly say it out loud...and often.


Title: Parents
Kit Name/Designer: Floral Fantastico by Mikki Livanos (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Kit Site: http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=81&products_id=9564
Template Name/Designer: 12x12 Template No. Eleven - Asian Flair by Doodleboogs (available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Template Site: http://www.scrapoutsidethebox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5074
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman
Journaling: We never know the love of our parents for us until we have become parents ourselves. (by Henry Ward Beecher)
Notes: This a photo-opt during my extended trip back to MNL of my brother and his whole family. What a great sight and definitely a great backdrop. Ironically, it's at my grandma's funeral wake - venue is very country-club like...very surreal to be honest. It's not a typical funeral parlor that we used to go - country-club setting, garden with a man-made stream in front, patio seating in front, buffet dinners to friends and family everyday and tons of great company each evening. People were in better spirits since we were told that grams is a very lucky to have gone through a very fruitful life. This is a happy funeral than a sad one as per Chinese tradition. All this made everything somehow less painful and everyone seems to look forward than backward.

Swinging Back To Reality

I finally got one layout done this week. I requested for this kit due to its awesome papers. I wanted to use them all at the same time and this was my way of getting it all out. It was a tricky one since i had to pick elements that I wanted and had to change some colors of some papers to balance it all out else the colors would really start conflicting. This layout was 3/4th done about a month ago till "the news" (see below for further details - "Short Update") came out and things got too crazy. I was having problems finding the right quote for this. I believe I was forcing it that evening. It's good to step back a bit and reflect on what I wanted to do now than be in such a state before. I can't get enough of this nephew of mine.
I'm sure that scrapping will help remember the good to great times of family. :) Gotta start cranking things out like I used to!

Thanks to all the designers that helped and emailed me during those hard times...especially when assignments were already past due. I appreciate all your love and support on this.

Kit Name: Homespun Harmony (available at Digizines Digital Den)
Kit Designer: ShabbyScrapDesigns (Deanna Patterson)
Kit Location: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/zstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=60

Font: Footlight MT Light
Program: PS7.0
Journaling: "Never did I think that I became family entertainment." ~ Jimmy Buffet
Notes: I was inspired by the colors and the quote. My nephew is the family's first grandson by my folks so everything and anything that he does is entertainment for all members of my family. With a face like, who could resist to indulge him with whatever "colorful ways" we can think of. :)

Short Update

Sorry for the long absence. I had to go home on some urgent family matters for about three weeks.

Grams passed away.
(I don't want to go all emotional here so I will keep it short.)

I could say that grams (or "ama") and I were pretty close especially after coming back from Canada. She was a staple in my life and with every Sunday to her place for dinner...it was not a surprise that there was a bond that we both shared. Grams was the listener and would give advices. She would invoke concern when she sees something coming up.

Grams love traveling and seeing the world. She would invite anyone who can go to go with her on various tours when she was able and unhindered by her leg pains. She and I would go take trips back in 2000.

Grams was pure inspiration for me...even if some of her teachings are pretty old school like a girl's place at the end of the day is at home with the kids --> though very true in the end. No one askes a housewife for her CV and her work experience years don't really count in the end when you have kids. It's the path and growth of your kids that people do see at the end of the day. Grams was the one important person who supported and allowed me to come work in HK at the end since my father was totally against the whole moving out of Manila when I had a good stable life and job. Grams' word is law in our family thus I was able to come and experience life away from my parents and relatives before getting married.

Grams last visit to HK was nice but short. She and I had our differences but I know that she loved and cared for all of her grandchildren in her own way. She was cranky in the latter part of her year because of her pains and health problems and I learned to be a lot patient in everything. I still feel a bit guilty that we did have a fight on the way back to Manila on that leg.

Grams really fell sick early this year that resulted to her having to stay in the hospital almost all three months. Even after all the pains, tests, examinations, there was no peep of complaint or word of question by grams to the doctors and their actions or treatments. She did was she was told with no arguements and contradictions. She took it all in stride and without uttering any pain. The doctors had operated her so many many times. It was one problem after another. It was basically grams' body giving up on her than her mind. She was as sharp as 20/30 years ago. She would be wise-cracking and all till the end of her days drew closer.

On my last visit and grams was conscious and in the hospital, it really pains me to see her all tubed and hooked up to machines...someone who used to hike various caves/temples/scenic sites with me in Vietnam/China or check out the Kunming Flower Festival in 1999.

Then the dreaded news...
(**note that I always believe that grams would pull it off in the end since she always seems to have done it in the past...she was going to come back to HK and get her dress made for my wedding. Never in my whole life would I have counted what I got.)

My mom's SMS text to me:
"Ama's heart stopped during the night. She was
resucited and is now on artificial respirator."
- sent 16 March 2007,
3:38am

I was rushing to work to have read it with the correct frame of mine. It wasn't until my mom called me up at the office that things started to sink in and I basically broke down and couldn't control my emotions. There was a moment of denial for me since I was told the night before that grams was in good spirits and that the treatment was turning out well. She was laughing and joking around. It was alike a big party in her room...then to crash like this.
Mom said that maybe it's was grams' way of giving it "one last horay" to remember by.

As per what I was told, grams woke up with violent coughing and was helped by an aunt and the attending nurse in her room. Her heart rate was low and when the nurse was going to find a doctor to help, grams held the nurse back telling her that the doctors aren't of any use. While the nurse still went out to look for the doctor, grams' heart stopped at past 12am, March 16. She was then revived a few minutes later by some residents/doctor but grams was already unconscious for while and it was believed that her brain has been affected. Grams never work up from this incident.

My father initially told me to just come for the funeral. My mom wanted me to get there as soon as possible instead since it would still mean that grams is still breathing...though not on her own anymore...but still to see her alive than in a coffin is what mom believes to be more meaningful. Mom said that the sons and daughters might be deciding on grams' that weekend. I took the earliest flight I could take upon my parents confirmation that I come back. The rest was a whole lots of emotional ups and downs that I would rather not venture else I wouldn't be able to finish this short update.

The Buddhist monks told our family that grams is very fortunate to have lived a fruitful and colorful life. Grieving a lot might give grams a heavy-heart in leaving us and moving on to her next life...with grampa.

"
Don't worry about us, Ama. We will be fine. You can now keep grampa company since he's been waiting for you all 30 years of his life. We have had you for so long...it's now his turn to have you. I'm sure he missed you a lot too. Hope that you are finally happy to see and experience so much in life. I am very happy that you now do not feel any pain anymore. You and grampa are very much invited to be with me and Ed on our wedding day and have as many changes as you want like a typical Chinese bride (though I won't be changing anymore...just you, if you want) . I'm sure that I will always feel both your presence in my life from here on out. I will miss you a lot.
~Cheryl (瓊儀)
--> never knew that you were the one who picked my names after all...one of the hardest Chinese characters to write
"

Chan Hoan Tee (1921-2007)
* lived through five (5) generations, no #4 for Chinese
* given birth to five (5) sons, two (2) daughters
* generation continues with twenty-one (21) grandchildren and three (3) great grandchildren
* photo circa 2006 January

One Layout Out

Was only able to finish this before I had gone home for some family emergency. Details to follow.


Kit Name: City Love Kit and Sticker Note Tears #One (both from ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Kit Designer: Doodleboogs
Kit Link: http://www.scrapoutsidethebox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4526
http://www.scrapoutsidethebox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4941
Font: Gill Sans MT Condensed
Program: PS7.0
Journaling: Friends change and friendships evolve, but they never truly end, for they are the journey of a lifetime.
Notes: Some group bondings on my last trip to Manila. Very cool to see most of them complete...or as complete as we can come. :) Kakai - we miss you!TYFL!

This Week: Color Palettes and Newsletter Feature

If you got some time to surf a bit, do check out found Wendy Gibson's blog below...an accidental coincidence since I was looking for ways and means to coordinate colors well in my layouts. The color palette site that she provided on her blog was quite informative and useful for my future scrap needs...especially if I'm bogged down with color matchings. :)
http://www.doodlelicious.com/
I found one of her entries pretty interesting about the website below:
http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/
You enter the url of your photo and it will generate a color palette for you that you can use on scrap pages. It seems so like Pantone Colors - so coded for online and HTML use. :)

Found out that Malou, a fellow online scrapper in the US, will be visiting the Philippines around the time that I'd be back for Easter break. Very excited with the thought that we could possibly meet up! I gave her some scrapbook store locations since she told me will be doing some scrapbook materials hunting.
See you soon, Malou! :)

I got featured in this week's Monday News from Digizines Digital Den Newsletter...It's the layout titled "Girl", last row, 2nd photo. Very cool that I just had to post it up here since not all will know about this unless you're subscribed to the weekly updates of Digizines Digital Den (http://www.digizinesdigitalden.com) :)


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Title: A Baby Girl...
Kit Name: Subtle Skies (Part 2) available at DigizinesDigitalDen Kit Designer: Deborah Vessels
Program: PS7.0
Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/zstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17&zenid=070eeff31bf4ce52d93a19c9621a4d09
Font: Footlight MT Light
Journaling: A baby girl...one of the most beautiful miracles in life, one of the greatest joys we can ever know, and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness in our world today.
Notes: A good friend's photo of her new baby and her...so cute and always ready for her next photo-opt. :) Thanks for sharing your photos, Ellen!


Title: 24/7 Love
Kit Name: Tiny Pilot Page Set (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Kit Designer: Mikki Livanos
Kit Link: http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=81&products_id=8160
Journaling: 24/7 Love / just a typical day of JJ Jr... one of my daily visits to my nephew during my trip back in Jan 2007
Word Art: included in kit
Program: PS7.0
Font: Eras Demi ITC and Gill Sans MT Condensed
Notes: A cute photos of my nephew, JJ Jr - growing up by the minute so gotta have these sort of photos before it's too late. JJ Jr loves this area of their house - at the living room couch - since he gets to check out his father at work and the latest things on bloomberg...aside from play around with the stuff within his reach. :) I just adore this little guy...you can so see me be the "doting aunt". :)

Tired tired...very dead tired (can't think of any good title)

Week was busy...yet again. Work will never ever stop...only people stop.

Literally just got home from dinner and bar hopping with friends. Realized early on that I really want to just crawl into bed after dinner...I should have just opted for that. The fact that I was yawning and all...that should have been a sign. I love staying in bed and thinking of what to scrap or ever just think of possible LOs or checking online blogs of friends. Those are what get me all happy and relax. I guess you can say that I'm getting really old. There were days of long ago that I'd party like there's no tomorrow. Now...my body and brains couldn't cope with that. It's not my thing anymore. I'd rather be in a coffeeshop and talking with friends more than having to yell to the person beside me.

I'm tired...so tired...I'm thankful that the weekend is here. I really meant to just sleep in and relax from the last two weeks of vacationing. I need a vacation from my vacation. Hahahaa! :D

Wedding plans are moving along. Still trying to decide a motiff and coordinating with the suppliers on this. I have to see if what I envision is doable or feasible with the suppliers that I've already booked. Now this the tricky part.
I will be scouting around for some ideas and props for the wedding this week as what my mom told me to check out first. :D I hope to get some good ideas else I'd just stay at a Starbucks or Agnes B Cafe, lounging/reading the newspaper...as I think up some inspirations to scrap. :)

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Title: Lil' Cutie
Kit Name/Designer: Doodleboogs for 12x12 Templates # Six (available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox) and Mikki Livanos for Tiny Pilot Page Set (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Journaling: JJ Junior / Lil' Cutie / February 2007Program: PS7.0
Font: Tw Cen MT Condensed
TYFL!

Template Link: http://www.scrapoutsidethebox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4726
Digital Kit Link: http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=81&products_id=8160


Title: I Can't Swear
Kit Name/Designer: Deborah Vessels for Subtle Skies Scrapkit (available at Scrapbook-Elements) and Doodleboogs for 12x12 Templates # Six (available at ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Journaling: I can't swear that I'll be here for the rest of your life but I swear I'll love you... For The Rest Of Mine. (Author:Trace Adkins)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Eras Medium ITC (title) and Arial Rounded MT Bold (journaling)
TYFL!
Template Link: http://www.scrapoutsidethebox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4726
Digital Kit Link: http://digizinesdigitalden.com/zstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17

This Girl...LO by MizzM (super honored)

Check this out! My gal pal, online-scrapbook friend, Michelle, did a LO of me!
This is a real honor. I've never been scrapped by someone else. :) She did it late last year but was not able to show me or post this up since she used this for a contest entry.
I love the flower that framed the photo and definitely the journaling technique of being circular. Very very cool!
Definitely a nice surprise when I opened my email from her around CNY. :)
BIG SHOUT OUT &"RAISE THE ROOF" TO MizzM!

Got back from Vday and CNY vacation. It was a great vacation and definitely interesting. Hardly rested since it was constant supplier meetings, contracts signing, wedding idea scouting, dates with Ed, dinner with friends, late night off-site work on the computer (all I can say...thank goodness for the Internet) and the highlight every late afternoon - taking my nephew to his daily park adventures & meeting his cute friends!

Work is pretty loaded even if I got to work off-site but I guess that's just it...work will never stop, even if everyone in China/Asia is out for CNY. There's always another person in other parts of who are working their butt-off for "the next big thing".

Just got word too that Deborah Vessels will be published in the next issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine so better watch it out! I'm so proud to be discovered by her and to be part of her and Teri's Creative Team. :)
You can check out Deb's other digi kits at http://www.digizinesdigitalden.com
BIG SHOUT OUT & "RAISE THE ROOF" TO DEB VESSELS!