3 Weeks' Round-up

It's been a very long time. Scrapping and packing for the "Big Move" are taking up most of my time. This is aside from wedding details that still needs to be ironed out. I'll try to keep this as short and as concise as I can. :)

Last Week of September 2007.
- got to meet so many suppliers: caker, stylist (finally met him in-person), designer, venue/reception, printers, etc.
- hung out with my cutie nephew as I learn more cool things about him like his fear of crossing his house's doorstep (the "threshold") to go outside without holding an adult's hand. So adorable on how he would look at us with his "puppy dog eyes"...kids are always so cute!
- played the "mid-autumn dice game" with old high school friends before I left the next day to head back to HK.
- went house furnishings shopping with Ed to shortlist some choices or options that we shall need at our new place, which is still a work in progress.
- was also able to attend my extended family's weekly Sunday dinners this time around since I left Monday (Oct 01). It was good seeing the relatives but I didn't feel like much socializing. Oh, Ed went with me too. :)
- scrapping like crazy for a contest...5 more challenges to go.

1st week of October 2007.
- good friend, AJ came for a short visit. It was great remeniscing about old times and catching up on what people are doing.
- company bonding night: I played babysitting babies and little girls as I would check out the gambling table on who was up or down :)
- Swong and I hit the town for some fall fashion...nothing interesting...yet :P
- this week's layout came quick and fast, just how I like them to be. 4 more challenges to go.

2nd week of October 2007.
- training a few people at work...
- scrapped a bit for a swap then for the contest. I believe I'm getting the hang of scrapping underpressure. :P My last two entries came a lot faster than I expected. I hope this streak continues.
- will be having hairy crab (HK winter delicacy) on the weekend aside from trying to pack like crazy. I want to get my scrapstuff home first so as to clear up space for more boxes in the coming weeks. Wish me luck!

Big shoutout for my gal pal, TAM ~ Happy Happy Birthday!
I will see you really really soon!

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On some other news, I got into the CT that I recently applied for - digitalGinger. :)
I posted a new layout for the kit that I previously worked with. The site's up already. Make sure you come and check out the ever-growing kits available.

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Title: Cherish
Supplies: all by digitalGinger (original illustrations & designs by Bevin Dunn)
Kit Name: Marigold - Vintage Notebook
Stamp: Marigold - Vintage Frames
Buttons: Marigold Collection
Font: Simsun
Journaling: To cherish the love you have, cherish the life you live.
Program: PS7.0



Template: Birthdaylicious Mega Kit (Doodleboogs' contribution)
Doodle: Rhonna Farrer's Blue Title from Color My World Kit (2Peas)
Ribbons: Deanna Patterson's Tilly Kit (DigizinesDigitalDen)

Alpha "5" paper: Deanna Patterson's Tilly Kit (DigizinesDigitalDen)

Alpha "5": Jeri Ingall's Monogram with Numbers (Scrapper's Toolbox Kit - SBE's CT Xmas 2006 giveaway)
Font: Gungsuh
Program: PS7.0

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

Ed's September Visit

Thursday, August 29
A good friend of mine, LS, had a short business trip to HK and we hooked up to have dinner at Ricepaper (CWB).
This resto used to just be located across the island, Kowloon side, but I was happy to have learned that it branched out to CWB's World Trade. At last...
Food is contemporary Vietnamese but doesn't scrimp on taste. Decor is very clean and neat - white furnitures and quite roomy, for a CWB resto.
The resto is a Maxim's Group concept that gave us The Square (Exchange Square) and Lian (IFC), etc. A lot of the good noteable restos in HK are run by this restaurant group.
Recommedables: Softshell Crab Handroll and their Curries! Leave room for their really great desserts. Also, if you like hot apple cider...their version is quite neat!
Better book ahead since this place gets packed up so quickly due to the price, location and the good food. :)

Rice Paper
P413-418 Podium 4
World Trade Centre
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Tel 2890 3975

Ed arriving HK late that evening. We weren't able to hooked up till the following day.

Friday, August 30
I took day-off to fix some gov't paper work and bank stuff with Ed. It was basically "work". :)
We were done (thank goodness) by around lunch time and hooked up with Ed's brother, CW, to grab a bit at Bonheur near CW's workplace...so nice! Those lambchops were well-done and the soup (pumpkin and tomato soup) was just perfect.
Bonheur
6/F, The Pemberton
22 Bonham Strand,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel: 2544.6333

The afternoon was spent hunging out with Ed and checking out his car parts around my area. Who knew that one of the Toyota parts dealership in HK is just behind my condo?!?
We had dinner at MOS Burger, Tai Koo branch...AWESOME!
This was a great highlight to Ed's visit...I'm still dreaming for these burgers!
They have so many kinds - chicken terriyaki, seafood, fish, tofu, etc

L-R: Cheese Burger with their sauce; Seafood Burger on Rice Patty
Mos Burger
Shop A1-A2 G/F
2 Hong On Street
Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong
Tel (852) 2568 1313

Saturday, August 31
CW, Ed and I had lunch at Crystal Jade as per Ed's request.
Ed love their chili dumplings there. :) I had to have only two before saying "no" since it was already numbing my tongue. :P
Around mid-afternoon, Ed and I picked-up the remaining car parts that Ed ordered yesterday from the car parts dealership.
Ed and I had dinner at Whampoa (Maxim's Group resto) with some friends then Hagen Daz around the area before splitting with the gang to hung out at LKF (Lam Kwai Fung), Ed got his Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey while we checked out the Saturday night scene
Our next aim: dinner at La Mer at LKF Hotel
La Mer Brasserie
1/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2523 0200

Rare that I need to boycott and announce something not worth your money so here it is....AVOID ATOMIC PATTY at LKF: if you are picky with your burgers and great fries...won't bother giving you the addy.
Just look at the sloppy looking curry fries that I think is made from instant-curries you get from supermarkets. If that's the case, why bother having one outside when you can get it inside?!?


Sunday, September 01
I went with Ed to checked himself in through Airport Express HK.
While waiting for Ed to finish, I was at the Starbucks stall next door and go to try the Blueberry Green Tea Frap...super yummy! (...and to think, I'm not big fan of fraps)
We then went to lunch with CW at Lawry's Prime Rib at Lee Gardens. Quite nice!
Lawry's The Prime Rib
4/F, The Lee Gardens,
33 Hysan Avenue,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2907 2218

After lunch, all three of us hung out a bit at CWB. Ed and his brother, CW, went to BMW to gawk at more cars before heading to IFC, Central.
It was still fairly early so Ed and I went for some afternoon snack (since we didn't have any more dessert at Lawry's). I had French macaroons at the below.
Le Goûter Bernardaud
Shop 2028-29
International Finance Center
Central, Hong Kong

I was lazy to think about cooking dinner after Ed went in through immigration so I had dinner alone at Spaghetti House, airport branch, as I wait for Ed's plane to fly off and before I head home. This is sort of the tradition that we go through...since we would talk on the phone as he waited to board his plane.

Monday, September 02
I had a craving for burgers...after MOS burger.
Thus, I proposed to my coworkers about Shake 'En Buns. They took the bait!
Food as simple but filling! I got Arizona peach tea...a rare American indulgence over here. :)
All 8 thumbs up from me and my friends who checked it out! :)

Shake 'En Buns
Causeway Bay Shop,
G/F, 5 Hoi Ping Road,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

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Kit: Mondays with Dah (available at Digizines Digital Den)
Designer: Deanne Patterson (Shabby Scrap Designs)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Engravers MT, Bernard MT Condensed, Freestyle Script
Journaling: Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends. (Author:ThinkExist.com Quotations. “Loyalty quotes”. ThinkExist.com)

Kit : Mondays with Dah (available at Digizines Digital Den)
Designer: Deanne Patterson (Shabby Scrap Designs)
Program: PS7.0
Font: CK Becky Higgins
Journaling: Endless Stories of old friends / Yot's visit.05
Notes: an old photo of an old high school gathering from way back.

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!

Blast From The Past & Some

Friday to Monday...August 17 - 20
Last weekend...was the absolute most tiring yet really interesting day that I've ever encountered. Two of my good friends visited me...ironically, I met them through different groups but they know each other through school! Small world indeed.

It was a weekend of shopping, shopping, shopping for them! Food was squeezed in the middle as it was getting to the malls, shops, stalls, etc as fast as our feet can take us. It was very very crazy and it entailed a lot of MTR rides (costed me a fortune...on fares since I didn't have the 3-days unlimited MTR rides), bargain-hunting and late late night shopping.

Let's just say ...money, time, feet and luggage were an issue.
I believe I should just enumerate the places and restos that we've been/gone to to make this entry easier for me. The below was all done in the span of 2.5 days or so, including breakfast dimsums that I didn't include anymore.

- Airport Express: pick-up
- Star Restaurant: dimsum
- Windsor House: Toys 'R Us, 2.5hrs

- Airport Express: pick-up
- Jumbo SOGO: department store and groceries
- Island Shopping Centre: cloths & other novelty items
- Food Stall outside of Times Square
- Milan Station: 2nd hand name-brand/vintage shop
- G.O.D. (store site): households and unique novelties; check out the in-famous shirt that put the store's founder's name in HK's fashion and household map.

- Crystal Jade: dinner
- H&M: cloths shopping
- Lian, IFC: dinner with my good friend and aunt in town...got Agnes b office shirt at the mall
- Mongkok: nightmarket
- McDonald's: breakfast
- Metropole: dimsum with another SJCS grad (Jocson) to have some sort of gathering. Unknowingly - bumped into a few Citi & x-Citi people there - Chloe, Sonny & Peter...good thing I brought my cam! (Everyone's here for the long weekend in Manila.)

- IKEA & Sogo
- Pacific Place: shopping center
- CityGate Plaza: outlet mall
- KFC: dinner
- CityFlyer Bus Station
- Check-in Airport Express
**Deal Alert: Pedder Building (1/F): not Shanghai Tang's store but above it...amazing deals that if given the time, you'd bargains of brand name labels right here in Central. HK99 for jeans or HK250 track suit by Juicy...amazing! Of course, there are the 700 dresses but quite good since it's a Chloe! ~credit goes to Sten for finding this

- Fortress: digi-cam
- Airport Express: running with me helping; good that she's checked-in already & have her boarding pass

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Gown Auction Alert.
Being an eBay fan, it was hard to ignore this add that I recently got in the mail. I won't be getting it since this item is so "out-of-my-league". :P
Kompolt's we TV joins the world in marking the tenth anniversary of Princess Diana’s death by auctioning one of her favorite gowns to benefit charity.
All proceeds from this sale will go to charity America’s Promise Alliance, an organization aiding disadvantaged youth and a cause close to Diana.
For more detailed shots - a slideshow of the auctioned gown can be seen here.
Very Diana...the gown reminds me of a wedding gown - flowing, white and easy to carry. I wouldn't be surprised if purchaser is a bride since it's a piece of history and has wedding theme-like purpose. :)

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Rediscovering the Past...
Been discovering more and more people through the web most recently...a good few are from my SJCS days while another was from Jungolf.

SJCS: WeNg & Franklyn through Friendster. WeNg's married and looking so lovely and radiant! It didn't really show her age at all. Lovely, just lovely.

MSW: Osang & Robrina, close family friends, are good friends with another trad/digi-scrapper, Mabel! I bumped into this connection when Mabel posted an album of Robrina & her new family at MSW's blog. How small the world is!
Mabel and Osang knew each other through trad-scrap in Manila.

Jungolf: Donbi S., who recently got married to his gf of 10 years (wow!) in Batangas. Lovely photos by Mimi & Karl. Donbi used to be part of the Jungolf Federation founded by Mrs. Montecillo - who paved the way for competitive golf and friendship to flourish in the Philippines. Through her, there are the likes of Ramon Brobio, Casius Casas, Gerard & Jennifer Rosales, Dorothy Delasin, etc.
Donbi beated out so many guys in his age bracket in the latter part of the 9o's. I always thought that he will end up being part of the Philippine Team and joining the Asian Tour like the rest of the group of guys he's beaten. He and I were not in the same group/age bracket - he was a bit older...plus I was in the ladies division. I'm always so thankful of the latter reason. :P

I guess I will not really know where and what he's doing now. I'm glad to see him well and good...happy and married. :) Mimi & Karl did a lot of justice to the couple with the shots posted on their blog. I especially love the wedding photo posted above!

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Kit Name: Five Alarm (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox.com) by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman
Journaling: Where did the time all go? It has only been alittle over a year and yet, you seem to have already conquered the whole world!
Extra: Christine Borgfeld's Dial A Date (SBE's Xmas Gift)

**Got 14 comments on this layout at SOTB...really happy about it and how the whole layout turned out.

HMV CD Spree

Friday, August 10:
Typhoon #8.
My dinner appointment with Swong got canceled.
Stayed at home only and had a much needed rest and R&R with my hot tea while it was pouring outside. Perfect - if you ask me. :P

Saturday, August 11:
Had dimsum lunch with Swong at Man Ho...shopped around PP then was to head out to KC's place to maybe have an early start to playing "Big 2" though unexpectedly, Swong's car had a flat on her front left tire when we pulled out of the car park! This is already the 2nd incident in the span of three days.
Swong thus had to call the garage since she already used the spare to fix the most recent flat, back right tire. We waited for the "rescue team" to come at Citibank Tower, Garden Plaza.
When the service man came with the spare, he adviced Swong to change her whole tire set since she wouldn't be able to drive so far with the two spares. With Swong's important out-of-town appointment early tomorrow morning there was no way to ignore this heed. We then had to go Happy Valley, to the garage and have it changed. The garage only needed an hour to do the job. (Kindly note that during the flat, the first thing we did was to call for the Merc emergency hotline and do you know what they said? They can't bring a spare tire to us because they don't have but if we drive up there and leave it there, they can have one done in a few days. !!! How can we drive there when we already have a really bad flat...like the rims are already touching the street/ground?!? Plus, they don't have a spare to send to us?!? They are Merc - they have tons of cars...high priced ones for the matter and yet they can't give you any reasonable service. What do you call that?!?
While waiting for the tire change, Swong and I got a massage at Happy Foot (no, not the movie) around the area. She got a foot massage while I got a back massage, which was very much needed. The attendant that assisted me was quite good and helpful.
After we have been "relaxed" and picked up the car, we had dinner at Nanbantei-like resto near the area. It was very very good or maybe because I was so hungry - grilled Japanese food in a stick. Yum!
After dinner, we headed to KC's place to play Big 2 - a bit of a traffic jam when we reached Central since there were some protests along Wan Chai that was clogging the roads.
Ok - getting to KC's place...the games started after a few chit-chats. Note that KC and his wife are serious husslers...oooopppssss...players. I had to strategize well - I always learn to have a 5 card hand ready for release else I'd be stuck and never get to place my cards. stakes are high - fish ball noodle soup (late supper). It was all in good fun and it had been a long time since I played "Big 2" especially with these people...the last time was in 1999 with my brother still single and in HK. Oh, the snacks provided were nice- cheese & pate, crackers, fruit platter, wine...the good stuff! Man...been eating too much these days...really bad. :P
Man Ho is located at Level 3, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong. Tel: 852.2841.3853/3938
Happy Foot in Happy Valley is at 1/F, Elegance Court, 2-4 Tsoi Tak Street, Happy Valley. (They also have branches in Central and Lan Kwai Fong - the center of business in HK. :P)
Tel: 852.2573.3438

Sunday, August 12:
Brunch/lunch at Café Causette, MOH. I had a big craving for pizza so off I went...though not wanting to go off to far due to the rains. I had my Asam tea and read my papers/magazines till around 3pm or past that since I didn't want to walk around too long.
After lunch, I walked around Central - Prince Building, Alexandra House then Landmark. I met up with Swong at HMV while she told me her day watching the Olympic horse on parade at the club house. :)

HMV rocks...yet again though - I bought too much. I think it's a sign that I've been HMV deprived. The last purchase I remember was early this year only. :P
My purchases goes...
Murder She Wrote DVD, 6th season (TV Series): big must since I have the collection!
Feist's The Reminder (CD): after giving this CD another try...I came to find other songs that were worth listening like My Moon, My Man...very nice! I really love her so gotta give her the chance she deserves. :)
Rachel Yamagata's Happenstance (CD): lovin' the album title...can anyone small blog title? :P I love everything about Rachael - from the wispy voice to the deep lyrics. It's amazing! I asked my brother to search it in Manila...and would you believe that no one has heard of it or have it on their system? The weird part is that I got to know her through a local Manila station! Man...so sad indeed.
Amel Larrieux's Lovely Standards (CD): great way to chill with a great powerful yet mystic voice, singing the standards. Oh, did I tell you that she's a fellow Canadian? Viva Canadien!
Missy Higgins' On A Clear Night (CD) : love the first and third songs upon first listening to this - Where I Stood & Steer, respectively. I also got her first CD, Sound of White - love Unbroken & Scar on that cd. :)
Six Feet Under Sdtk (CD): a chillout recommendation from Radio Beat IO...free radio that I used to listen to because now it's been cut off the air most recently. :(
Early dinner at HK Yacht Club (or Yachty) c/o Swong...since she was very hungry, even if she's totally sleep deprived! We had crispy chicken and some steamed fish and two bowls of rice. For the first time, Swong finished her white rice faster earlier than me. :P It was a really good dinner with a great pal/friend of mine here.
The HMV I went to is at Central Building, Suite 101, 1/F Central Building, 1-3 Pedder Street, Central. Tel:852.2739.0268 Store Hours: Mon - Sun 09:00 - 22:00

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Visitors News Front this weekend:
1.) Good friend, Otie & her mom are in-town. I was able to talk to them on a short trip to try on my ring mold just earlier this week. Have lunch with them a LIAN @ IFC - will tell you all about it on the next entry.

2.) Cha, Sten & friend are coming. Cha and friend are today, Friday - August 17 while Sten's coming tomorrow. Cha is my schoolmate from back the day - SJCS days. Sten & her friend are friends with Cha since Cha moved schools after elementary. While Sten's dad and my dad are good friends - really close - and we got to know each other better through there. Small small world indeed! They are all staying till Monday. It will be tons of shopping and eating galore! :P
Definitely to dimsum this Sunday...a must. :)

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Kit Name: Morning Room Page Kit by Mikki Livanos
Program: PS7.0
Font: Brush Script MT
Journaling: "a labor of love...by my sweet loving mother" August 2007
Notes: A hair trial done by my mom for a family affair that I went to recently. It's somewhat a good preview to see if I look good in an up-do. My mom isn't a professional hairdresser so all this was done because she loves me (there's not doubt of that) and she wanted me to look good for my relatives here in HK. :) I wanted to highlight the hairdo and the accessories that my mom got. She was awesome! That day felt so much like a rehearsal to the big day. I even got a flower bouquet prop also to see what it could be! I felt so much a bride that day. :D
Review: love the kit - got my creative juices flowing as fast and I can crank this out...the QP helped a lot. Thanks, Mikki!

Kit Name: Secret Garden by Mikki Livanos
Tags, Heart, Journaling Note: Betty Jo's Scrappers Toolbox Contribution (Scrapbook-Elements.com)
Font: Monotype Corsiva and ITC Garamond
Program: PS7.0
Journaling at top - complete quote: You were born to be together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in your silent memory. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heaven dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bondage of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup, but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread, but eat not of the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping, For only the hand of life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together, For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in shadow. - taken from Elegantvows.com