April 2K11 Calendar Layout

There is an old Filipino adage that says "Huli man daw at magaling, maihahabol pa rin". Very roughly translating it, would come as "Better late than never" (my apologies to my readers who are experts in both the English and Filipino language), and this is what exactly this post says. I know it's almost the end of April. And it is only now I have created and posted my April 2011 calendar layout. The end of March until now has been a very busy (and physically, emotionally draining) time for me, especially at work. But I couldn't just let April pass without rendering my calendar layout for this month. Most especially because April is my son's, Zion, birthmonth. And since I've featured almost all my family members, and girl buddies in digiscrap layouts, I would not let April pass without featuring my son in his own layout.

The picture was taken during Zion's moving up activity last March. He "graduated" from Nursery, and the family celebrated the occassion by eating out and going to nearby Subic.

Journalling : You make me smile.

Credits for this layout: Escape Kit by Jayedid Designs; Miss Mint 2011 Calendar Stamps available at Peppermint Creative; Music To Scrap WordArt from Melanie's Digital Creations.

March 2K11 Calendar Layout

I know I've been missing out on my digiscrap layouts lately. I've been busy these past weeks, with work/training, and with the preparations for my Dad's 60th birthday (Iam hoping that my Dad would not surf the web and visit my blogs.. tee hee!). Despite of all these, I still managed to create a calendar layout for the month of March.

For this month, I am featuring another very good friend from my previous company - Shy. In our circle of friends back in my old company, she is the official photographer. During our yearly summer outings, she patiently works with a bunch of camwhores (us!! hehehe!) who are all eager to pose in front of the camera. As a friend, I can say that Shy is a very level headed girl, be it in our circle of friends and even among the people in the office. Negative things are thrown at her, but she still manages to retain her cool, instead of raising hell (as all of us in the team would normally do.. in varying degrees of course). I surely miss having her as one of my lunch buddies, and most importantly, one of the few close friends I've had in my previous work.

To Shy, advance happy happy birthday (March 28)! God bless you always. Hope to see you soon! :-)

Journalling: "Count on me through thick and thin, a friendship that will never end. When you are weak, I will be strong, helping you to carry on. Call on me, I will be there. Don't be afraid. Please believe me when I say, Count on..."

Credits for this layout: Back to Basics Kit by ElementalScraps; Urban Kiwi Collection by Shabbyprincess ; Everday Moments Kit by Designs by Amanda; Calendar Template by Miss Mint from Pepppermint Creative ; Count on Me Lyrics sung by Whitney Houston.

February 2K11 Calendar Layout

I was asking my brother if he could spare me a picture of him and his current girlfriend for my February calendar layout. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get the picture from his girlfriend. I thought of using a picture of my parents. However, since they will be celebrating their anniversary this coming March, I just decided to use their picture on my upcoming layouts on March. So, this left me thinking what picture I could use for my calendar layout. I scanned through the pictures in my computer to check if I could find any. I chanced upon a picture of me and my son Zion. Hmmm.. the month of February is indeed the month of love. But I guess, Love is not limited to the romantic kind. A mother's love for her son can be considered one of the most beautiful and most priceless kind of love. ♥♥♥

Credits for this layout: Strawberry Nirvana Kit by Maurine Stettler; WordArt by Word Art World;
Calendar Template from Miss Mint 2011 Calendar Stamps .

January 2K11 Calendar Layout

HaPpY NeW YeAr!!! HaPpY NeW DeCaDe!! :-)

It's the first day of the year 2011. And it's also nice to know that we're starting a new decade. I can say that the year 2010 has been a year of sorts for me. I was able to travel to a lot of places in 2010. I got retrenched from my previous work in mid-2010. Incidentally, it was a blessing a disguise, because I was able to join a much-better company after my retrenchment. I gained new friends in this new company, without necessarily, losing my friends from my previous company. It was also a blessing because one of my closest friends from elementary/high school has also joined this new company. Well, my love life hasn't improved in the year 2010, but I guess the other good things that happened in 2010 outweighed my still-zero lovelife. :-)

On the other hand, I always believe that one of the best things God has given me has and will always be my family. It is one of the enduring things in my life. Jobs, just like money, come and go. Friends may not always be there, when needed. Pictures of travels fade in time. But the bond and love brought about by family, always endures.

So for my opening layout salvo for the year 2011, I am featuring my own family - my Dad, my mom, my brother Philip (whose butt is the only thing visible in the pictures.. :-) ), my dear cousin Josie, our beloved nanny Yaya Linda, and my precious son Zion. We may not be a perfect family, as we are not perfect individually. But the support, respect, acceptance, and love, this family has are the things that keep it together.

To my family, friends, and to the readers of this blog, I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year. May this new year and this new decade bring about winds of prosperity, abundance, and of course the fundamentals - hope, peace, joy, and love (i.e. a new love life please for me! :-)).

Credits for this layout: Simple Scrap Kit and Remember the Past Kit both from Nathan Design. WordArt from Bethany's Elegant WordArt. Miss Mint 2011 Calendar Stamps available at Peppermint Creative.

December 2K10 Calendar Layout

How fast time flies! It was only today that I realized that it is already the month of December. No wonder my parents are busy cleaning the house and have started setting up the Christmas decors. And as of my last check, it is only 21 or 22 days before the Big Day called Christmas!

For my calendar layout this month, I featured my son, Zion. Why Zion? They say that kids are the usual people who are happy during Christmas, because they receive an assortment of gifts from almost everybody - their parents, their siblings, godparents, and of course, who can ever forget Santa Clause?!? The pictures in this layout were taken during our short weekend vacation in Vista Marina Hotel in Subic, Zambales. The hotel had put up their Christmas decors early, so our entire family (especially Zion) had a fun time taking pictures with those Christmas decors.

Journalling: Because this is your season, dear child.. Enjoy every moment of it...

Credits for this layout: Home for the Holidays Kit by DK Designs

November 2K10 Calendar Layout

It's 2 days before the first day of my favorite month of the year - November. I will not say why I like this month. :-) But since it is my favorite month of the year, I will post my monthly calendar layout a little earlier. :-)

For my calendar layout this month, I feature myself. :-D. Well, I enjoy taking pictures of my family and friends, but seldom do I enjoy being in those pictures. There are only those rare occassions wherein I want to have my own pictures taken. It's not that I don't want to be with family and friends. It's just I feel self-conscious when I know I am being photographed. This is the reason behind the picture in this layout.

The picture was taken in Ugo Bigyan's Pottery in the town of San Pablo in Laguna. The place was one of the venues included in the Viaje del Sol trip (check TravelFactor.org). Within the compound of Mr. Ugo Bigyan, is a corner where a simple wooden chair is located. I surely love this spot within the compound. It may feel eerie at the start, but it definitely registered well with the camera, and relaxing on the chair somehow brings a feeling of serenity. I sat there, shut my eyes, my ears, and even my mind. And even for a few seconds, I felt peace within.

Journalling: "Simplicity ... Minsan gusto mo na lang huminto, pumikit, maging bulag at bingi sa lahat ng ingay ng mundo... " (i.e. There are times when one just wants to pause, close his eyes, and be blind and deaf to all the distractions in this world.)

Credits for this layout: Simplicity Kit by Little Angel Designs; Photomask by Bouille; Veteran Typewritter font by Dafont.com;

Septemeber 2K10 Calendar Layout

I know I lagged again in updating this blog with more digital scrapbook layouts. *sigh*. Again, I was busy adjusting at work. Have this high productivity number of hours to meet. Plus, I was being asked to do some additional admin. tasks which sometimes eats even my time at home and with my son. Oh well.. proby guys can't complain that much... *sigh*... Hopefully all this effort at work will earn me my regularization come January 2011 or hopefully earlier.

Anyway, having my girl friends Weng and Bhang here at home about a few weeks ago was a very good respite from my work-from-home weekends. It has been 2 years since Weng and I have seen each other because she was working in Dubai (UAE). It has been several months since Bhang and I have seen each other since she was studying hard for her 2nd college degree which was Nursing. The weekend together was a great time to bond and catch up on each other's lives. It was also a great time since my son Zion was able to play with Bhang's son (my godson), Enzo. The two boys had a blast playing Plants vs. Zombies, while my girlfriends and I shared stories and updates while munching on pizzas and soda. I hope there will be a repeat of this the next time Weng comes home for a vacation. :-)

Credits for this layout: Plentiful Kit by Shabbyprincess; WordArt from Bethany's Elegant WordArt.

August 2010 Calendar Layout

I apologize for not being able to do some digiscrapping for almost a month. I was quite busy job-hunting and responding to job interviews for the past weeks. But I guess, all the time lost in digiscrapping allowed me to find a new job, in one of the very reputable I.T. companies, not only here in Manila, but also in the world (sorry but I can't mention it here in my blog). It was definitely a God-given blessing-in-disguise. :-) Well, now that I've finally submitted most of the job on-boarding requirements, I am hoping that I could do some digiscrap layouts again.

I also know that we are already in the middle of the month of August. Nevertheless, I would like to share my August calendar layout with everyone. For this month's calendar layout, I featured another good friend, Geraldine. Gepotz, as I fondly call her, will be celebrating her birthday this month. She is a very good friend since we were back in the 6th grade. We were classmates again in high school, we eventually went to the same university, and we also took the same college degree. Gepotz is a very well-grounded lady whom I have always counted on for her objective opinions and level-headed advice. Similar to my mom (they have the same birthdays), she has a practical outlook on things, but she always has this soft spot for people close to her like her family and friends. To my very good friend Gepotz, happy happy birthday (on the 29th)!! God bless! Stay cool! *hugz* :-)

Credits for this layout: Doux Bruissements Kit by Au coin de l' Objectif; Evening Sphere WordArt available at Lien Clickphoto;

July 2K10 Calendar Layout

For my calendar layout this month of July, I feature my best friend Weng. She will be celebrating her birthday this coming July 12. My best friend Weng and I were friends since we were in the first grade. We have been together in our elemenatary and high school years. And although we went to different universities when we reached our college years, the friendship never faded. I can consider Weng as my (older.. hehehe) sister. We have seen each other in our best and worst fits, and we were able to accept each other's good and bad sides. God may not have given me a sister, but with Weng as my best friend, who needs one?

Happy happy happy birthday Bespren Weng! May God bless you always! :-)

Credits for this layout: Frisson Kit by Petit Moineaux; Evening Sphere WordART by LieN Clickphoto Designs;

June 2K10 Calendar Layout

The month of June marks the end of summer here in the Philippines. Rains have started pouring in, and parents start to prepare their kids for the start of another school year. June is also Father's Day month, and incidentally, it is also the birthmonth of my grandfather Lolo Pilo. So for my calendar layout this month, I am featuring my grandfather - Lolo Pilo. Lolo Pilo is my Dad's father and he used to be a farmer in our province in Quezon. After my grandmother, Lola Azon, died, my Dad convinced him to stay with us here in Manila so that he could officially "retire" from being a farmer, and to prevent him from having drinking sessions with our other relatives in the province.

Lolo Pilo has a great reputation for being close and loving to his grandchildren (including me!). I remember our trip to Quezon when I was about 5 years old. I wanted to go hiking with my Dad, my uncles, cousins, and my grandparents. However, the hike was difficult given the muddy and slippery mountain roads. Since I wanted to join the hike (and I was already throwing tantrums), Lolo Pilo carried me during the entire hike and on our way down the mountain. He also killed and cooked one of his pet chickens, when we were there, because he knows that I am not fond of seafoods when I was still a kid. My grandfather would always have a special place in my heart. Let this layout be a small token of my gratitude and appreciation of all the things Lolo Pilo has done for me.

Credits for this Layout: Daddy Number 1 Kit from Jaelop Designs; Miss Mint 2010 Caledar Templates from Peppermint Creative;

May 2K10 Calendar Layout

How fast time flies. My one-and-a-half weeks vacation has come to an end. Back to work. Back to reality. Nevertheless, I can say that I had a great time during that short respite from work. I was able to process and obtain my Solo Parent ID (yehey for additional 7-days paid leave from work!!), was able to have a foot spa, was able to watch Ironman2, was able to travel up north to Ilocos (one of the northern provinces here in the Philippines), and most importantly, I was able to have some quality time with my family and my son, Zion.

Now back to my digital scrapping world. :-) The month of May is usually devoted to one of the most important women in our lives - our mother. Today, March 9, is Mother's Day. For this reason, I chose my Mom as my model for my May 2010 calendar layout. My mom went with me during my trip to Ilocos last April 30. Despite having a hard time walking, she managed to take care of her 2 children (my brother and I) during that loooong travel to Ilocos. One of the first places we've visited was the Bantay Bell Tower in Ilocos Sur. It was really a landmark that should never be missed when one visits the said province. More Ilocos pictures to come in my next layouts!! :-)

Credits for this layout: Family Ties Collab Kit by Jak-ART-a Scrappers; Love WordArt by Thaty Borges Designs; Calendar Template by Peppermint Creative;

April 2K10 Calendar Layout

For my April Calendar layout, I chose my son Zion (nicknamed Zeegyboi) to be featured in the calendar layout. Aside from April being his birth month, Zion always watches whenever I create my digiscrap layouts. When I feature other people in my layouts, he would tug at me, and say "Mommy, lagay Zion picture!" (Mommy, put Zion's picture). So this time, I called him while I was creating my April calendar layout, and asked him whose picture is on the layout? He gleefully answered, "ZION!!". So to my dear son, it's your time to shine in this month's calendar layout. Advance happy birthday!! :-)

Journalling: it's your time to shine... Zeegyboi

Credits for this layout: New Beginnings Collab Kit by Jak-Art-A Scrappers

March 2K10 Calendar Layout

For my March 2K10 calendar layout, I am featuring my Dad. He'll be celebrating his 59th birthday on Tuesday (March 9). When I was growing up, I used to be a Daddy's girl. Whenever my Mom and I are having fights, my Dad would oftentimes intervene, to my delight and to my Mom's fury. Yet despite my being a Daddy's girl, I have a great respect (and fear) of my Dad because he is also a disciplinarian. He uses sort of a "carrot-and-stick" approach when I was growing up. He knows when to "spoil me" but he doesn't hesitate to spank me with his dreaded leather "sinturon" (i.e. belt) whenever I misbehave. He has set the bar when it comes to my grades in school by providing incentives (such as 100 pesos for every 87 and above grade on my report card) for me study harder. And now that I am a grown-up, I am thankful to my Dad for instilling that discipline in me. I may have failed in some aspects in my life but I guess because of the discipline and determination that my father has inculcated in me, I am still able to face and overcome most of the challenges life throws upon me. And for this reason, I am thankful to my Dad. Advance Happy Birthday Daddy! May God continue to bless you with long life, good health, and happiness always. I love you!

Journalling: A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.

Credits for this layout: Choco Comfort Collab Kit available at Aprilisa Designs. WordArt by Tina Chambers available at Digital Scrapbook Place

February 2K10 Calendar Layout

It's just a few days away before February - the month of Valentines, the month of love (so cheeeeesy!!!). So to give tribute to the month of love, I am featuring my brother Philip together with his girlfrined Nella in my February calendar layout.

Just a side note. My brother and his girlfriend Nella will be celebrating their first year anniversary as a couple (boyfriend-girlfriend) this coming April. Of course I will be creating a separate layout for them when April comes. I just hope that Nella will be more patient and tolerant of my brother's short temper and his being uber jealous. Tee hee!! :-)

Credits for this layout: Love and Hope Kit by Jaelop Designs; Calendar template from Miss Mint 2010 Calendar templates from Peppermint Creative;

January 2K10 Calendar Layout

Happy New Year!!!! I would like to greet everyone a happy and prosperous new year. I hope that as the year 2009 leaves, it would take with it all the unhappy memories the past year brought. And as 2010 enters, I wish that this year would be a much better one than last year.

As another year begins, I would like to feature a quite-funny calendar layout for January 2K10. This layout features my son Zion when he was just about 2 years old. He was staring at something at his side. But the funny thing was how he stared at whatever object he's looking at. When I showed this shot to everyone here at home, they were laughing because Zion looked very "mataray" (i.e. Tagalog word from snooty, or snobbish) in this pose.

Journalling: Look, do I look like I care??

Credits for this layout: Why Don't We Kit available at Sweet Digi Scraps; Spring Mini Kit from KevinAndAmanda.com; WordArt from WordArtWorld; Miss Mint 2010 Calendar Stamps from Peppermint Creative

December Calendar Layout

I know it's already December and my calendar layout for this month may be a few days late. But hey, we're still on the first week of the month so I guess it's not yet too late to create and post my calendar layout for this month.

Definitely one can say that it is already December and the Christmas breeze is slowly making its way. Christmas is said to be the happiest time of the year. Children enjoy this season because of the gift giving and of course the long vacation that comes with it. In addition, Christmas is said to be the season where the spirit of love, joy, and compassion is felt at its best. People tend to be happier, more loving, and more charitable and generous.

In the spirit of giving and charity, I am featuring the children of Cottolengo Filipino Bahay Para Sa May Kapansanan. It was my Mom (and her high school batchmates) who visited this charitable institution last October. She came home with a bunch of pictures and a brochure showing these abandoned mentally handicapped children. As a mother myself, I felt a mixuture of feelings when I saw the pictures - sadness because I can't imagine how some parents/mothers can abandon their own kids; and a feeling of hope because somehow there are still people out there who are genuinely concerned about these kids.

Below is a copy of the brochure my mom took home from their trip.

Credits for this layout: Christmas Cheer Kit from Connie Prince avalaible at Gottapixel; Segoe font from Dafont.com

November Calendar Layout

Of all the months in the year, I love November the most. Perhaps, because the anticipation for Christmas builds up during this time, as radio stations and malls play Christmas carols more often. Another reason would be the 13th month pay which is usually given towards the end of the month. But most important reason of all would be, November is my birth month. I won't tell when exactly is my birthday, but I am one proud Scorpio - embodying the strengths and weaknesses of that quiet arachnid. ;-)

Journalling: I am me. In all the world there is no one else like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it - I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself. I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears. I own my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes... I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do. I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me. I own me, and therefore, I can engineer me. I am Me, and I am Okay. - Virginia Satir.

Credits for this Layout: Serenity Kit by Stephinette and Gwenipooh; November calendar template from Miss Mint 2009 Calendar Stamps from Peppermint Creative;

October Calendar Layout

For my October calendar layout, I chose my cousin Josie as my "model". The reason is that she will be celebrating her 28th birthday this October 15. Credit must be given to this cousin of mine. She was my brother's caretaker since my brother was 5 or 6 years old. Now that my brother is in his teen years, my cousin Josie is his official project-manager (i.e. taga-gawa ng mga art and design projects ng kapatid ko). This cousin of mine has her artistic side and the dexterity of her fingers proves to be useful in helping my mom with her choco-lollipops and balloon-making sideline. Incidentally, she is also one of Zion's godmothers. So I do hope, Zion inherits her artistic side and her patience in doing school projects.

Journalling: Be Happy for this moment... this moment if your Life.

Credits for this layout: Serendipity Kit by MandyMystiques; Yuyu Memories Kit by Armina Designs; AboutLove Wordart from Elisja Designs;

September Calendar Layout

September is one of the months in the year wherein there are no birthdays or anniversaries being celebrated in my family. It's sort of a rest month after 2 birthdays being celebrated last August, and in preparation of the upcoming birthdays of my cousin and grandmother in October. Since there are no celebrants in my family for September, and it's unfortunate that I don't have a picture of one of my "kumares" who will be celebrating her birthday come Sept. 12 (advance happy birthday Candz!), I just created a simple layout for my calendar this September. My calendar layout this month featured my mom with a bunch of flowers as her background. She loves flowers sooo much that she would love to take pictures having these as her background.

Credits for this layout: Oopsie Daisies Kit from BonScrapatit Designs. MissMint 2009 Calendars from Peppermint Creative.

August Calendar Layout

For my August calendar layout, I chose 3 people who will be celebrating their birthdays on the same date this August - my Mom, my close friend Ge, and of course the-late-great Michael Jackson. All three has a common birthday - August 29. All three are under the zodiac sign of Virgo. I'm not sure with Michael Jackson, but with my Mom and my friend Ge, I guess both of them are typical Virgos - very practical in their approach to things, very orderly, and have close ties to their families anfd friends.

Journalling: Virgo - A mutable earth sign, ruled by Mercury. As the 6th sign of the zodiac, and the only sign represented by a woman, the Virgo individual is reliable, industrious, intelligent, and practical, adhering to standards that are quite high in virtually all aspect of their lives.

Credits for this layout: Yuyu Memories Kit by Armina Designs; Miss Mint 2009 Classic Calendar stamps from Peppermint Creative.