Good morning 2011

This what happens when my Mom is not around. hehehehe pure unadulterated chaos!

It's a new year. Another beginning. For me it's like a new page to a fresh new sketchbook. While last year was a messy unfinished sketchbook (lots of unresolved issues) I will aim that this year will be a fine year. I know that most has already made their new year's resolution list. I on the other have fixated on just one word.

MORE

From what I have achieved last year I am demanding myself to do more. Last year was a year of changes for me. Even up to last days of year I was faced with lots of changes. All I did was try to adapt and survive the year. I know it was not the best year but it was not also the worst. Stress have been my constant companion with the last few months, I know stress will not abandon me now. Instead of looking stress as fiend I will look at her as mentor. Yes it has already dawned to me that I am already an adult. Yikes! I have been living in this illusion that I am still a kid. Responsibilities a bitch I tell you!

This year I must achieve more. Things are changing for me. I think the days living in my comfort zone is over. God has sent me all this challenges not to pull be down but to make me do more in my life. So now I just tell myself "Bring it on!"

Good morning 2011

Thank God for small things

First things first, I want to greet everyone a merry Christmas!

Christmas for me this year is kinda sad and lonely. Most of my family is in Australia. I didn't celebrate Noche Buena alone but still I do miss celebrating it with my family. On the lighter side it made appreciate the small things. Yesterday I attended mass alone. It was somehow comforting to see people with their families. The church was packed. I arrived 15 minutes early but still I could not get a seat. I didn't mind standing as long as I get to attend mass. I was already at the outside part of the church. A few minutes into the mass it started to drizzle. I didn't want to get wet so I went inside the church. It was not an easy feat. The entrance was full and the thought running in my mind, hope there is no stampede. After I worm my in I found a spot. After standing for awhile someone tapped at my back. A woman offered a seat. She said that the one who sat there went outside. It might be temporary but a break to my feet sounded nice. It was a small act but somehow made my Christmas a little bit better.

Small things but still God have ways to tap me in the shoulder and say, Hey I'm still here.

Before I get sentimental here I will share another small thing that I am thankful for.

The print ad I designed is already out full paged and full color!

28

Yup I'm that old. Two years to go and I'll be in my thirties. Yuck! hehehehe

Lelit's Orange Dragon Gift

For my friend Lelit's gift I gave her Steig Larsson's Millennium trilogy. It's actually a shared gift from my bf and I. I wanted to make the gift wrap inspired by the books.

Key elements dragon, bold letters and neon colors

I could not find a gift wrapper with dragon in it so instead I wrapped the gift in an orange cartolina and used temporary tatoos to place the dragon design. I accented the gift with a neon green ribbon.

I had no time to print out a card so with my rusty hand I tried to write the card in bold letters.

Jorel and Karen's personalized wedding Gift

For my Cousin Jor-el's Gift I wanted to do something personal.

So I made two illustrations and placed it into two different frames.

The wedding was held in Manila so there is traveling involved so bubble wrap is key!

After securing it with bubble wrap I lined the box with Japanese paper.

I bought this gift box from Chimes where you can get cute boxes there in different size. The Gift box can be reused and also adds charm to the gift. This how the gift box looks like with a cover.

Finished Gift with Ribbon. My Friend Monica did the ribbon.

Jessie's Black and Red gift

I love giving gifts. I really love looking for the right gift for the person. I also love wrapping gifts. Last November 25 was Jessica's birthday. When I saw this cute book from booksale, I knew Jessie would love this.

Aside from the book I got a miniature Absolute Kurant and a Drambuie

I got my red and black inspiration from the book cover

Wrapped them separate with red japanese paper

Here is the gift. Fully wrapped and ready for giving!

P.S. The gift was a hit. Not only Jessie loved the gift even my other friends liked it.

My guilty pleasures

After reading Steig Larsson's Millennium trilogy. I am just enjoying some light read. I have discovered Mtv books. It's basically just young adult novels.

Thanks to booksale got these book at only P 20, P45 and P 75.

Besides my mtv books I also got new books (I know I promised myself not to buy new books....) Digital Fortress, Stepford Wives, Totto-chan and The girls guide to hunting and fishing.

To anyone who shares my addiction, happy reading!

Sleep Blogging

It's 1 a.m. in the morning and my mind is still working like crazy.

I went to Lelit's to see Manny Pacquiao's fight. I'm not really a boxing fan but I like hanging out at my friend's house and watch everyone enjoy the fight. I tried to drag my bf but the day before we had a Big Bang Marathon and the day before that we also hang out. He is the type who can't go out many nights in row. He has to recharge. So while he is recharging I have my bonding time with Lelit, Don, Jessie, Dennis, Linda, Lara and Patchik.

Here are pictures from early this day...

Jessie, Me and Lelit

Meet Jessie's Baby Liam!

Meet Lelit's baby Chewy! hehehe

And this is Don's baby

Linda and Dennis

Me and Linda

All photos are from my bf's ipod. He left his ipod the other night. I am secretly wishing his ipod could mate with mine so they can have small ipod nano babies! hehehehe

On another note before I started this entry I made a quick logo for a personal project. Ever since I have been sending postcards to my sister I fell in love with snail mail again. I know it really DOES take long before my sister gets my postcard but the wait worth it. Nothing beats a tangible postcard rather than just a text, or an email. So I am collecting addresses and planning sending nice soon.

Here is the quick logo I made.

I will update you when I finally get to start on this small project of mine.

My eyes are getting heavy and I really think I should get some shut eye.

Leather and Lace Ball in the Edge

Look at the top most left corner thats a picture of Lelit, Linda, Jessie and me. (Click the picture to enlarge)

Leather and Lace Ball

I didn't post this in the recap because I feel this event DEMANDS a blog post. It's rare that you will see in make up. Those who knows me well that I went through a Goth phase. When I heard about this party I was really excited. It's been a long time since I don black clothes and put on make-up.

The Leather and Lace Ball is a fundraising and awareness event aimed at informing everyone about HIV/AIDS while still having fun. Everyone is invited and there is no cover charge at the door although donations are welcome. All proceeds of this event will fund the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign

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I went with the girls!

(From the Left: Lelit, Linda, Me and Jessie *Photo Kenneth Irving Ong)

*Photo Kenneth Irving Ong

Lelit Loving it!

(other photos are courtesy of Lelit. My photos sucked. I really need a nicer camera!!!)

I really fun...until next year!

Walang Magawa sa Buhay

I miss doing this... senseless photo manipulations of my pictures!

Two Words

It's one of those days when my cravings are heightened. I definitely want to sink my teeth into DARK chocolate or eat slices of cheese! Yum!

Briday Party

It was my first time to host party at my house (with out the parental supervision). It was at first a surprise party for my friend Rochella. It was double celebration. It was her birthday/ bridal shower. Honey and I planned and schemed what could we do to make Rochella's party memorable.

It was not really a bridal party because Michael was present but we still have fun. Rochella was really surprised...well she knew about the party. She was surprised with the quick AVP we made for her. Days before I contacted friends, classmates, family and co-workers of Rochella to give her a message. Thank God Honey was a master with Windows Movie maker and compiled everything. I also got a customized cake for Rochella. Honey cooked and I researched on how to make jello shots.

I'm glad my first party to host was a success!

ReCap- Missed events

Empire State of Poverty

The past month I have been on a shopping rampage. Last time I reviewed the collateral damage. After adding and subtracting I discover in order to balance my finances I have to take out a huge chuck of my measly savings. Oh well...Lesson learned don't let your hormones take charge of the shopping.

Since I am a rehabbed pessimist I will view this predicament as a fresh start for my LX5 fund.

My Birthday is a month away and I don't feel like celebrating. First I don't have the funds, second my whole family is in Australia and third I feel old. In a month I will 28. Ack! I'm already in my late twenties. In 2 years time its going to be the big 30.

Right now I have no choice but to cramp my style and do fun things with out spending a dime. Thus leads me to this motto:

Translation: Wala akong pera. hehehe

Can anyone give me suggestions on fun things to without a budget?