Mae's Happiness

For my third layout this week, I dedicate it to another June celebrant, and also a good friend from my previous employer - Marichu, este Cherry Mae pala. I can say that Mae is one of those people (from my previous company) who's very easy to get along with. In our circle of friends, she has been a good source of our comic relief. I cannot forget our Potipot getaway - the game of Taboo combined with the crab-inside-the-tent incident with Ara. Definitely, no dull moment when Mae's around.

Dear Mae, belated happy birthday! Wishing you success, happiness, and most importantly l-o-v-e! Mishu girl! :)

Credits for this layout: Spring Fling Kit by Elemental Scraps; Word Art by AgnieskaG; Photo by Shy Arizala.

Joann's Inner Beauty

For my second layout this week, I dedicate it to another good friend from my previous employer, who is incidentally also a June birthday celebrant. I dedicate this second layout to my team lead and good friend, Joann. For a team lead, I can say that Joann has a high level of patience and understanding, especially with a feisty team like ours. She has a way of handling and understanding a bunch of hyperactive and oftentimes feisty team members, especially during those crunch time moments. But outside of work, Joann is definitely a good (and funny) friend. She never fails to give us her level-headed advice, especially when we need those religious feel-good ego-boosts.

To dear Joann, belated happy birthday girl! Mishu! :)

Credits for this layout: Back to Basics Kit by Elemental Scraps; WordArt from Random Thoughts by Linda; Photo taken by Shy Arizala.

Glenda's Smile

Oh my! It's been 2 months since my last post. I've been sooooo busy with work for the past 2 months that I wasn't able to create any digiscrap layouts, and not even my monthly calendar layouts. Sometimes work can really take a toll on my creative, and even my personal life... *sigh*...

Anyway, to make up for the lost time, I have created 3 layouts this weekend. These layouts are all dedicated to my girl friends from my previous work who have celebrated their birthdays last May and a few days back in June.

For my 1st layout, I dedicate this to my good friend Glendz who celebrated her birthday last May. Glendz is one of my close friends from my previous company. We have common interests (with the exception of Glendz's fondness for Black Sabbath), and we usually share the same opinions when it comes to certain topics and concepts. I miss Glendz and our usual morning trips to Starbucks and our afternoon trips to Fruit Magic or that yogurt shop a few meters from our previous office.

To my good friend Glendz, belated happy birthday!! Mishu girl! :)

Credits for this layout: Blooming Friendship Kit by Jady Day Studio. Photo taken by Shy Arizala.

Sofia Eloise

This layout is lovingly dedicated to a very good friend from my previous company - for Glendz. She gave birth last April 15, 2011 to a very healthy (and super cute) baby - Sofia Eloise. Congratulations to the new mom, Glenda, and new dad, Bong. And to Baby Sofia, welcome to the world! Hope to see you soon! :)

Journalling: A Little Angel was born;
"Sofia Eloise" * Greek : personification of wisdom (Sophia) * Old German : famous warrior (Eloise)

Credits for this layout: 12 Janvier 2007 by Lexine Scraps ; Gabrielle WordArt from JoeG Designs; Wikipedia.org and Think Baby Names for the meanings of Sofia and Eloise.

Incredible Apple

Another good friend who is celebrating her birthday this month is Apple. Aside from being a good friend, she was also a colleague from my former company. Apple can be described as a silent and soft-spoken lady. But do not be deceived by her quiet exterior. Being a quality analyst, she is very keen and has a very good eye for details. Programmers whose program codes she review, have to ensure that everything is working well, in order to get pass Apple's eagle-eyes. Aside from this, the fun part begins when you get to know her and become her friend. Apple may not be the loud-type, but her "hirits" and "punchlines", combined with her "ala-eh" accent (this Maria Clara is a genuine Batanguena), can surely make the cut when it comes to the funniest antics in our circle of friends. So Epols (as I fondly call her before), a happy happy birthday to you.. SUFFFRISE!!! :-D

Journalling: Absolutely Incredible

Credits for this layout: Tutti Frutti Kit by Stacey's Scraps; Alpha from Shabby Mommy Kit from Shabby Princess; WordArt from Evening Sphere WordArt by Lien Clickphoto Designs. Photo taken by another friend, Shy Arizala.

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.

Pao & Pup

Before my December layouts turn into an array of Christmas stuff, I would like to post one layout for one of my close buddies in my former office - Pao. Incidentally, Pao is also a December birthday celebrant, and he is also one of the ninongs (i.e. godfather) of my son, Zion. Pao is a level-headed friend whom I consider as a good source of information when it comes to music, film, and photography. He was one of the guys I consulted when I was contemplating which DSLR model to buy. Together with another good friend, Ron, they are the guys whom I talk to / email when I need some male-point-of-view opinions. But I must admit, that tough-looking as he is, this guy hates cockroaches the way I do (especially the flying ones). Once he had this wall post in Facebook that mentioned something about that yucky insect. It really made me laugh, and I can't help but to comment - "Wala talagang lalakeng macho sa lumilipad na ipis" (i.e. No man is macho enough when confronted by a flying cockroach).

For today's layout, I was going through Facebook earlier when I chanced upon Pao's profile picture which I found cute and funny. :-)

Journalling: Happiness is a warm puppy - Charles Schulz

Credits for this layout: Back to Basics Mega Kit available at Elemental Scraps ; Fontmoochers font available at Dafont.com

Divalicious

For my second layout today, I am featuring another friend whose birthmonth is also in November - Ara. Ara was my Quality Analyst when I was doing development/programming work in my previous company. She was a fresh graduate when she joined the company and our team, but over time, I really think she improved a lot. Having seen how she works, I really think she deserves more than what she's having now (i.e. matiisin lang sya talaga... hehehe..). Aside from work, I consider Ara as one of my girl buddies in my circle of friends in that company. She was very fun to be with it, but she definitely has something between her ears. Despite the fact that she is younger than most of us, this lady (lady daw o?!? heheheh...) knows when and how to speak her mind. When I was still with that company, we used to discuss and make okray (i.e. criticize and diss) people, things, and even systems/processes which we think are really out of line. Lastly, I also consider Ara as my "daughter-in-law-na-hilaw" because of her self-professed crush on my 4-year old son, Zion. Goodluck always Ara! Your boypren Zion wishes to extend to you his hugs and kisses! :-)

Credits for this layout: Funny Valentine Kit by Scrap Indonesia; Girls Divas WordArt by Kellie's Kreations.

For Bhel

For my layout today, I would like to feature one of my girl friends - Bhel. Bhel has been my officemate and friend back in Sunlife. Together with two other friends - Ron and Pao - I consider them as my closest buddies back in Sunlife. Incidentally, Bhel is also a November birthday celebrant. Her birthday is just a few days after my birthday. Bhel is definitely one unique lady. She can juggle her work as an IT professional, a pro badminton player, and also an avid fan of Nick Carter and Parokya ni Edgar (a local band here in the Philippines). On her birthday this year, we are planning to celebrate it by watching PNE's gig in one of the nearby music spots. Well.. I hope she gets the chance to have a duet with PNE's lead singer, Chito. Tee hee!! Advance Happy Birthday, Bhel!! :-)

Credits for this layout: Delightful Girl Kit and Love & Like Kit both by Simply Clean Digiscraps; Evening Sphere WordArt by LieN.

October 2K10 Calendar Layout

For my calendar layout for the month of October, I am featuring a former colleague and friend from my former office - Catherine, or Cae as we fondly call her. =D. Cae is one of those friends whom I can describe as sugar and spice rolled into one package. Sugar because she is definitely a good friend to me back in our previous company. She was honest enough to tell me what was wrong with me and what people say behind my back - and I admire people, most especially friends, who are honest inside and out. She is also one helluva spice! =D Cae can make anyone smile and laugh with her antics and pranks. Everyone in our circle of friends had fallen victim to her kakulitan... and even our previous manager was not spared. :-D

To Cae, advance happy happy birthday (for October 11)! Wish you happiness and success in your new work and office! Meron ka na naman bago mabibiktima dun.. Hihihihi! And definitely, I wish that you will not miss your flight after you have rescheduled it. :-P

Journalling: "As we go on.. We remember.. All the times we had together... As our lives change, come whatever.. We will still be friends forever.."

Credits for this layout: Spontaneous Delight Kit by Carrie Stephens available at Shabbyprincess; Pictures taken by another friend Shy Arizala; Journalling taken from The Graduation Song by Vitamin C.

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;

Dare to Explore

For my 2nd layout this week, I would like to feature some more photos from the summer outing I've had with my close friends from my most recent workplace. As I've mentioned in my layout One Last Summer Together, my friends from my last workplace and I went to the pristine island of Potipot in Zambales. In the island, was a big wooden branch that was somewhat strategically placed in one part of the island. It's location was really perfect for picture-taking. We had so much fun taking pictures on the said location. Some of our pics were quite serious, but most of it were definitely wacky.

Journalling: Dare to Explore

Credits for this layout: Jejak Petualang Kit by Jak-ART-a Scrappers available at Aprilisa Designs; Baby Boston Font available at Kevin and Amanda.com; Summer picture with friends from Shy Arizala;

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;

One Last Summer Together

I just had to spill this out.

Last week was not a good one for me. I was informed by my boss that I was included in the list of people who will be retrenched because our job position will already be scrapped out. Though we have a good and somehow generous separation pay, I must admit that it was not really pleasing. The thought that I won't be able to get a new job immediately, scares me, especially that I have a 4-year old son to support makes the situation more difficult. But I guess the second reason why I was saddened because I will surely miss the few people in that office whom I can call my true friends - those people who went out of their way to get to know the real me before passing their judgment, those few people who were true and honest, those few people who stuck by my side when almost everyone thought different of me.

I dedicate this layout to them. The pictures used in this layout were taken during our summer 2010 getaway in the pristine beaches of Potipot Island in Zambales. I will definitely remember and cherish this outing we had (though we were not complete that time) - and will surely miss the people I've been with during that outing. To my office friends - Glenda, Shy, Cae, Ara, Apple, Mae, and Joann - thank you for everything, most especially the friendship and the memories. :-)

Credits for this layout: Spring Dress Kit by Cristy Vanderwall available at Speedscraps.com; Vaguely Repulsive Font available at Dafont.com; Summer picture with friends from Shy Arizala;

Friends For Life

I love my high school girlfriends. If there is one set of friends I would like to keep and stay in touch with all my life, they would definitely top my list. My high school girlfriends and I have actually known each other since we were in the 5th grade. My best friend, Weng, who's part of this high school circle of friends, have been my bestfriend since we were in the first grade. We have, literally and figuratively speaking, seen each other grow and mature. We know or at least have a good idea how one would react given a particular situation. We know each other's trip, likes, and dislikes. We have loved and accepted each other despite the personal differences.

Journalling: We have known each other since our first day in grade school. We have been together for the longest time. We have seen each other roll in laughter. And we cried our hearts out together. We were witnesses to how love made each one go insane. And we were there to bring back one another to reality. We have seen each other grow. We have loved and accepted each other despite the differences. Thank you for always being there... Friends for Life...

Credits for this layout: Cherished Kit by Kat's Creations available at Kreative Kreations Korner; Rai font available at Dafont.com.

Neo & Apple

Last January 2, 2010, my officemate Apple got married to her fiance' Neo. Prior to their wedding, we gave Apple a bridal shower last December. We rented a hotel room in Makati, and connived with Neo so that the bridal shower would be a surprise party for Apple. It was good that Neo was cooperative and was a fast-thinker, because he was able to convince Apple to accompany him to the hotel room. Of course, there was some hesitation and doubt on Apple's part, but Neo assured her that the hotel room they were about to check was for Neo's balikbayan aunt and cousin. When they got to the hotel room, Apple was so surprised when she turned on the lights and a bunch of ladies shouted "SUFRISE!". We deliberately said SUFRISE as a tease or pang-aasar for Apple because she mispronounced this word before. To Apple and Neo, belated congratulations and best wishes!! :-)

Credits for this layout: My Romance Kit by Caroline B. available at Kreative Kreations Korner.

Strike A Pose

Last December, our office had our yearly Christmas Party celebration. This year was held at the SMX Hall near the Mall of Asia here in the Philippines. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the said celebration because of responsibilities here at home. To have an idea of what the party was like, I asked my officemate/friend Shy for some pictures taken during, and even the before-and-after shots. Here's two of the pictures she took before the party. These photos were taken at the lobby of the SMX. I was literally laughing my heart out when I saw these pics. I never realized my friends in the office had that potential (and desire!) to be models. So to Joann, Apple, and Cae, way to go ladies! Strike a pose! ;-)

Credits for this layout: Pistachio Page Kit by Tamsin McAtee Studios at Kreative Kreations Korner. Dreamer One from Dafont.com; Photos from my officemate Shy.

Party and Folly

Here's another layout which is sort of a Part 2 of Apple's bridal shower layout. This layout shows the 10 of us who attended the bridal shower. Well, as I've said in my recent previous layout (Apple's Shower), even though there were only 10 of us who attended Apple's bridal shower, we sure had a LLLLOOOOTTTT of fun. The food was great, the games (and the participants) were hilarious (we were able to "gang up" on our 2 teamleads who attended the shower and joined the games... tee hee!!). And of course, the party became more lively, when the Tequila was opened. Teee heee!!! :-)

Journalling: No Party is any fun without Folly.

Credits for this layout: Funky Scraps Kit by Pouyou Designs; Party On! WordArt from Tina Chambers available at Creating Keepsakes; our friend/officemate Shy for the pictures she took during the bridal shower.

Bhangskie & Chepot

If there is one friend that I miss lately, it would be Bhang. "Lola Bhang" as I fondly call her is not miles away. In fact she is still in Manila. However, due to our busy schedules (she's currently taking up her 2nd college degree), we seldom meet and would only communicate via SMS or if Bhang is online in YM.

Bhang is one of those few friends I have whom I feel very comfortable with. We can talk about anything under the sun - from the safe and mundane to the most sizzling and taboo topics. Bhang is one of those few people to whom I can put down my guard, and be myself, without being afraid of being judged and measured incorrectly. We only met a few years ago (through another close friend Weng), but it seems that we've known each other since kindergarten. Perhaps Lola Bhang's friendly and open-minded nature allowed her to melt and get-through my ice-cold and snooty exterior (yes.. I admit, people always had the first impression that I'm snobbish because I'm not really the outgoing type.. ).

Well, I guess I may have a few friends in this lifetime. But I also think that God was good enough that even if I only have a few friends, He made sure that these few friends are worth my time and worth the space in my heart. I miss you Lola Bhang...

Credits for this layout: Sweet September kit by Lliela & Jannylyn; WordArt by Sueli Colbert Designs; additional font - Rai available at Dafont.com;