SummerdayStudio

CreateCreateCreate

2010-03-04T19:39:00.003+08:00

It has been quite some time again since I posted. Life has been catching up. Back to doing creative work "almost" full time. Currently working on an interior design project for a cafe/retail store, various graphic design work and retouching.

So happy for sure. But my husband has been needing some attention since when I work on creative stuff, I tend to get lost in it and I let it consume me. Definitely something I have to work on. Will be posting stuff soon. Just getting my bearings straight.

Unconditional Love

2010-01-30T02:47:00.001+08:00

There is nothing in this world that cannot be changed by love.

It is true for our passions and for our relationships with the people around us. It is not a "quick fix" but a long term commitment. It takes a whole lifetime to take effect.

Patience is the major requirement in using the "love solution". Every step of the way is peppered with doubt, hopelessness, dissapointment, self-pity and an occasional case of the "blues". But it is also filled with sprinklings of joy, laughter, little victories, precious memories and moments of enlightenment.

To be human is a gift. And love is what you find when you open it.

Love and everything Like It

2010-01-03T04:57:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year everyone.

Currently reading Dare to Journey with Henry Nouwen.

It had been quite a year, and I am looking forward to this one. I pray I may be a better wife and mother, and to be able to master that above all things.

Thank you for everything.

Python in the backyard

2009-12-31T02:01:00.002+08:00

The largest python was caught in the ranch on the morning of December 28th.

The cowboys were on fencing duty when they heard squeals from a wild boar in the distance. Following the sound, they saw a most bizarre occurence!

They saw 3 wild boars attacking a giant python that had already swallowed 1 wild boar!!!! They ran in fright calling for back-up.

This giant is now in the ranch compund whilst we contemplate on what to do with it. The other boars gave him a huge gash on his side and he is now being treated. It is 18 ft. long, and judging from the size of the boar inside his tummy, he can easily eat a person, worst, a child.

Can you imagine he grew to that size in the wilderness of the ranch? In this day and age, in a place where we are now sorrounded by so many people.

This ranch has to be preserved!!! Can you hear me Department of Environment & Natural Resources?

This giant comes at a very trying time as we are fighting not to loose this ranch to squatters and many other factors without much assistance from the DENR. We stand our ground, and may all the giants of the wild come out and say their piece.

Although whatever happens, it has been a most wonderful and exciting life living here. The only home me and the giant has ever known.

Peace. Love. But oh! Please dream you beautiful world. Goodnight.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T04:55:00.005+08:00

I know it's late, but the other half of the world is still enjoying Christmas. I spent the whole day in bed, sleeping and watching Pooh and Friends with Dear Husband and Begotten Son. So peaceful.

We lost a friend this Christmas, and we continue to pray for her that justice may be given her for the unusual circumstances of her death. Gone too soon. She will be missed.

Work has been challenging and picking up pace, but I still choose not to blog about such matters. Maybe that's why I didn't blog for many months since I could talk about nothing but work. And that's a no-no on this blog. Yes, it is still top-secret as we go on to 2010.

The kids have grown and I am older. But oh how exciting life is.

Peace. Love. Dream. Merry Christmas beautiful world.

I can be quite a cheesecake

2009-08-09T16:26:00.002+08:00

Although I have been longing for a freer,more creative, bohemian-like existence of late, I do love what what I am currently working on, and the life I long for can be achieved in little snippets from the hustle of it all.

Like spending an afternoon and creating blueberry cheesecake. Just say "blueberry" out loud and it seems to take you away to a cute and lovely place in the woods, dotted with moss and cool like a pebble on your cheek. Where I want to be, with all the merry creatures in my head. Hahaha. Really, I am quite normal.

If you must bake, make it adorable. hahaha. Life becomes so bearable then. And Dear Husband and Older Brother loved this too. I hope it made their lives bearable. Then that would just be the perfect cheesecake. Blueberry. Blueberry. Blueberry. (it doesn't even grow here hahha, It came from a can in the woods.)

My first birthday

2009-07-24T00:57:00.007+08:00

Okay, this is quite late (last month), but I have fast internet now, so might as well post these.

The spawn turned 1, and we just had to give him a party. Of course I was telling Dear Husband that this will be the last time we are doing something like this. Something like hiring clowns and the like, that is. Something like staying up all night creating cupcakes Martha Stewart (or Jackson Pollock) would approve off, that is.

The little "guests" from the farm came in full force, and albeit not in the photos, but the parents came too. For on the onslaught of his birthday talk, the ranch residents all had one request (unanimous at that): a clown. For as it so goes, they have only heard of these humorous beings, and would really love to behold one up close.

I cannot even begin to describe how hard it was for us to produce these living things in the realms of something called "our budget". But as fairy tales often go, a fairy godmother, or in this case a fairy godMother-in-law, gave the customary lechon as birthday gift. We also got cakes from his godmother and (surprise) one from the ranch crew (made by the Executive Assistant Yvette's brother, using icing that I loooove). That left us with a few extra gold shillings to spend as we so desire.

And a success it was for little Spawn! Who also got his first hair-shave that day.

My sister-in-laws got him a little truck to ride around in too, which made the day of his little guests.

The clowns (there were two of them by the way, for the price of one mind you) performed magic tricks as well, and the ranch is still buzzing up to now about rabbits that come out of hats. Those that had witnessed the clowns arriving and getting ready are all sure they did not see a rabbit anywhere amongst their belongings. Crazy it may sound, I know it's a trick, but I too did not see any rabbits on their persons, coming or going.

*sigh* How wonderful it is to be a mother, and to totally have the power of fairy dust in your fingertips and create magic. Thank you, Up Above. For this. All of this.

The Masochism Tango

2009-07-18T00:12:00.003+08:00

It has been a long time since I've done Illustration Friday. And just as long since I wrote an entry! LOL.

Well, it's the weekend and I LOVE WEEKENDS. It is when the banks are closed, and my creativity surges out of the roof like a sunbeam hitting a crack in a barn-wall.

And twenty years later, I am still a frustrated illustrator. My characters have been so devoid of grace and emotion for so long that I am quite afraid they will not do anything by the time I hit the twilight of my non-existent career. Yet, we (yes, me, and them) toil on day by day, trying to create a world where charming, flowing movement is the name of the game and pirouettes are baby stuff. Apparently, my characters do not like this moving world idea of mine. They prefer to be stiff as boards and constantly making a mockery of my tireless imagination.

Sigh.

Did you ever wonder...

2009-05-28T14:59:00.001+08:00

What can a sand dollar buy?

It can buy you a ride...

And your own special island..

And a heavenly burger...

And it can buy you time...

And do you believe, at the end of a day, a sand dollar can get you all this... but you still have some change in your hands.

And you wonder..... what can tiny seashells buy?

Economics should be this simple.

Peace. Love. Dream. Goodnight our lovely world.

(i spent some part of my childhood near this place, and i am currently here visiting my aunts and uncles, whilst bringing my son to his first dip in the sea. such happy memories. for me. now him.)

Natural-Neutral

2009-04-26T15:04:00.005+08:00

By no means am I overly obsessed with neutral! ;-) But these past months I have bathed in it. First, I made the after-party wedding dress for my amazing friend Bam who got married 2 weeks ago amidst everything that is natural. A lovely farm wedding filled with friends we love so dear. Might I add, it was a double-wedding with her younger brother, so double the fun!

I spent a weekend in Cagayan, literally draping this dress on her body. Friends would show up at midnight and bring some beers. When I got back to the ranch, I was EXHAUSTED.

And this past week was spent updating mom's company's product portfolio. Sorry, I cannot show the real photos due to our clients, but here's in idea: it's natural, and it's neutral. LOL.

So this week I am looking forward to COLOR. Lots of it. PLEASE.

But I am stuck with paperwork for the next few weeks :-( and those only come in neutral shades. UGGGGHHHHHH. Save me from a pale world.

Design Again

2009-04-01T15:33:00.004+08:00

This is the sketch I made for the logo design for King Louis flowers. I am blogging about it cause I can't work on it right now. My ever trusted Wacom tablet that has been such a part of my life (thank you forever Basil), is at the "doctor". Dear husband decided to take it to someone who can do something about it. You see, the wire is hanging on by a dear thread to the tablet and I have been on the verge of tears every time I try to use it for the connection comes and goes! I think their putting a spring on it, to act like a splint. Poor, poor wacom love. But I think I shall never be able to part with it.

I am designing again :-) Yey for me!! And excellent timing too! I just found out this weekend that SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) is opening a campus in Hong Kong in 2010!!! Hehehe school again?! Just dreaming. This school is so great though, wanted to go there so bad after FIDM. Well, who knows what destiny will bring. Won't hurt to update my portfolio this year with some stuff. Really, it wouldn't hurt. Specially if its on a scholarship for academic/creative excellence.

Hahahahha.

Happy April Fools!

Book dogworm

2009-02-26T23:09:00.003+08:00

The obsession for books does not stop at the books themselves it seems. How can I resist? I ♥ bookmarks! Speciall a DogWorm Bookmark! Wehee!

I saw my cousins' bookmark a few weeks ago at our little fam reunion and fell in love with the whole magnet thing. So I dug out the magnets from my stack of "just in case" materials and went about making one for myself.

The little doggieworm I gave my mother. And I made a ballerina one for my aunt who was going home back to the States (which I just cannot upload cause the net is super slow.again.).

Life goes on in the boondocks and we are looking forward to watching the Rodeo at the Kaamulan this weekend! We loooove rodeos.

And p.s. last night we won as a champion in another town on a 3-"fowl" derby! HootHoot! Everybody happy!

Oh dreams how I love thee

2009-02-23T02:29:00.003+08:00

Apple tree bed by Attila Design

When I see something like this.... The more I want to LIVE.

I have just been spending hours looking for inspiration on Flickr, and as usual, it always makes me wanna daydream...

Of our future little house... of owning a little deli.... of planting heirloom vegetables... of creating tiny things... of kissing dear husband every minute... of being a mommy begotten son will remember fondly... of writing stories... of baking apple pies... of rainy weather and cuddling my little family... of all the joys that a simple life will bring...

I am in the midst of stressful things with work, and this is the last night of my weekend. Dear husband is feeling a little under the weather, but we managed to go to mass this afternoon. Tomorrow another week begins. Tomorrow the 5-year plan continues.

Five years is the maximum amount of time I give myself to complete anything. I have found it is realistic for me, and achievable without going nuts. LOL. Right now I am in the starting stage of completing a 5 year goal for my work. That ever mysterious word in the premise of this blog.

But lets talk about daydreams.... My daydreams, are always about the time after the 5 years is done :-) Every time I get to caught up in everything, I stop and daydream. I lie down. Breathe. And dream. Then suddenly, everything is just something that has to be done... to get to next part.

And the funny part? After 5 years, my daydreams become work, and I sit and stare and dream about the next...

Crazy isn't it... I live in the future.

Peace. Love. DREAM of a beautiful world.

Back back Back

2009-02-11T22:44:00.002+08:00

And we are back to the normal scheme of things :-) back with begotten son, craft materials galore, bills, ranch life and certainly back into my pajamas and rubber boots.

Peace. Love. Dream.Thank you world.

Road Trip day 3: Dauin Derby

2009-02-07T01:30:00.002+08:00

So the highlight of our trip has come and passed. The team we came to cheer for didn't do so well, but it was a great experience. We got to see our gamefowl (i have decided not to use c***k anymore for fear of search engines!!! didn't occur to me before) superstars and saw their fowls in action. Amazing!

A lot of fast fights and mishaps. A lot of the veterans had terrible scores which is what makes this sport so crazy because no matter how hard you breed and condition, their is still that element of PURE LUCK. When you love this sport, you really love this sport :-)

Next on our list is definitely the ultimate, The World Slasher Cup! Where the bets are in the millions and the superstars and egos are just as large.

Road Trip day2: Dumaguete

2009-02-05T15:34:00.008+08:00

Finally here!!!! My dear hubby, brother, cousins and friends have finally reached our destination! After being on 2 boat rides and endless hours on the road.

The trip from Cebu to Liloan was breathtaking. Winding roads and limestone cliffs, dotted with old churches along the way. The water is always a wonderful shade of blue in the Islands of the Visayas :-) .

The boat ride from Liloan to Dumaguete was short, and the seas were pretty calm. A lovely day to go for a ride, thank heavens.

I am now happily blogging away after a wonderful lunch of fresh catch. Ahh so wonderful to be near the sea when you come from the mountains :-)

Peace.Love.Dream.Take a vacation.

Road Trip day1: On the boat

2009-02-05T08:00:00.000+08:00

Wohooo!!! We are on a mini-break to Dumaguete! Well, we are actually going to go watch a cock fighting derby, and that counts as a vacation in all counts hehe. I have never been to Dumaguete so I am so excited.

Last night we were on the overnight boat trip from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu. It was pretty nice and I got so drunk and started doing a karaoke mini-concert hahaha. Dear husband had the hardest time waking me up this morning when we arrived at 6:30 am!

And on to catch the early bus to Liloan. I heard that's another 3-4 hours of travel.

P.S. I will miss my little begotten son :-( my in-laws have him for the week and I know he will make them very happy. Sigh. Motherhood.

Happy Anniversary Champion

2009-02-02T20:00:00.001+08:00

Today is our first wedding anniversary :-) And the team won the championships! Yay to everyone!

Dear hubby got a pig for the lechon, and it was sooo cute! I didn't wanna let him go :-(

And such was cuties' fate :-(.

Day 2: Basketball

2009-02-01T20:30:00.000+08:00

On to day 2 of the basketball game, and it poured! The game didn't happen and we ended up drinking and eating. It was desperas (the day before a fiesta) at that barrio and some of our companions had relatives there that offered us something to make polutan (appetizers).

Day 1: Basketball and Home Service Pedicure

2009-01-31T14:31:00.000+08:00

Saturdays are for... getting a pedicure! hehe I have super dirty feet from wearing slippers all the time. So this nice lady comes over and does the pedicures around here. I got french tips. It'll be nice and clean for the weekend at least haha. All my sisters had their pedicures done too.

My youngest brother has a basketball team now, and they had a game in a neighboring barrio. It was a beautiful day and they won the game! Dear Husband plays for the team too.

And he crafts

2009-01-30T17:26:00.007+08:00

Dear Husband often drops by my craftroom/office/room-with-a-shared-bathroom-as-our-room. And sometimes he likes to tinker with what I have lying around. I was a bit surprised a couple days ago to find some fresh cuttings of my linoblock on the desk.

And the culprit was finally captured! hahaha. Too cute. He was making a little heart stamp.

When we were still dating, I brought him on a craft mission in the city to find some stamp carving blocks. We knew they existed here cause there are a lot of artisans on the side of the road who make stamps. He asked one of them where we could score some, and he gladly told us. I (of course) wanted to buy a huge block, but he told me to try a little first for I was used to carving erasers and this seemed way thicker and harder than that!

Well...he was right. What the artisans were using (and I had now bought), was not a linoblock, but the material used for making soles of shoes!! My carving tools were just slipping and sliding the whole time! No progress at all. Hats down and applause to all our local artisans.

Eventually I did get some real blocks in Manila (the BIG City). But that material-for-the-sole-of-shoes is still there in his room in his parents house. A constant reminder of an impulsive crafter wife.

Stitch swap stitch

2009-01-27T17:38:00.010+08:00

Nothing thrills me more than getting stuff in the mail :-). When I was studying and living with my grandparents in a small seaside town a long time ago, we (kids) were not allowed to go out except to go to school. So I spent most of my youth in the house, which probably can be credited for my love of creating useless things.

In the school, there was a black board in the hallway that was used as a bulletin board. On the side they also wrote the student mail list. A lot of students had penpals and had their letters addressed to the school. My classmate/friend Eugel Mae had a penpal from Pennsylvania and started me on the road of getting my own mail. Since that time, I have been sending little useless things all over hehe. Not useless all the time.

When I was living in California, I joined some swaps on-line, at that time the site that you could go to was Nervousness.Org. It focused on art swaps and I had fun. Some times I didn't get any back. There was one swap I joined in Xanga that happened while I was moving between apartments (including one month living in a friends' place), and I got my package in the mail, but never got to mail mine back. And it keeps haunting me, but I cannot find her address anymore for I lost so much of my stuff with all the moving. But I will find her one of these days and send her something and say sorry.

Then, SWAP-BOT came along. While pregnant with begotten son, I discovered swap-bot on one of my nights surfing the net. It was a playground for crafter-swappers :-). And since that time, I have once again gone back to that time long-ago, staying up all night, filling up a package/envelope with little wonderful gifts to send far away.

Some of the stuff I have made and sent for swap-bot swaps:

And there is always something wonderful waiting for me in the mail too.

Peace.Love.Dream. Swap.

Lazy Sunday

2009-01-25T22:30:00.012+08:00

Our friends and cousins were over for the weekend, and we had a lazy afternoon. I spent the day taking photos and playing Farm Frenzy hehe.

Home-grown, home-brewed coffee....and I must add that the sugar is made at the mill next door. That's what these guys need. (They decided on beers though, after waking up.)

P.S. It takes me approximately an hour to write a post with photos. That is how slow the net is. Sigh.

Sublime Stitching

2009-01-24T15:29:00.005+08:00

The winner for the Mini Monogram Challenge at Sublime Stitching has been announced! No, I did not win it :-) BUT, this little "A" made it to the customer gallery!!! Yey!! Do check it out!

28th

2009-01-21T22:41:00.006+08:00

Yesterday, January 20th, I turned 28. And it was a lovely day. Dear husband surprised me with cake and lechon. It was really a happy, happy, birthday.

He wanted to surprise me with a sewing machine cake :-) but our baker friend didn't have time, so it was a plain cake that looked like it had a piece of fabric on top! Lovely and super yummy.

Sigh. Thank You. For a wonderful life, filled with wonderful people and everything else!

Peace. Love. Dream. Our beautiful world.

Teeny Tiny Monogram

2009-01-16T17:57:00.006+08:00

I have just been surfing the net the past few days. The joys of a fast connection when I'm in hubby's town. At the craftzine blog, I found out that Sublime Stitching was hosting a Micro Monogram Challenge. FUN!

I picked up one of the monograms from this site, and luckily I had some supplies here. My craftroom-in-a-plastic-tub that I left the last time we were here. I found the green and pink polyester threads in my bag (apparently it had fallen there when I got out my huge plastic bag of threads before coming here).

Everytime I have to do super fine stitching, and specially if I did not put any backing to my fabric, I use a beading needle so the fabric won't tear. I ♥ beading needles.

Now the fun part isn't over yet, because this has to be turned into a teeny tiny pillow!! Hehe. It's getting dark though, so I'll finish this tomorrow. The deadline is on the 20th of this month, which happens to be my birthday!

The monogram measures a mere 2.5 x 2.5 cm.. Micro-love for sure! So fun! I am not sure I can wait till tomorrow to finish this... I'm so happy to have time to craft again. This year, I will make time. Now, that is a resolution.

Faking it

2009-01-16T14:29:00.004+08:00

Hehe. I was a bit bored a few months back and decided to make my own Fake 'ittons. It's a bit sad really how there is so much fake designer stuff here in the Philippines, and you can find them in stores in the malls too even though it is illegal.

So, it got me thinking. If (you must) fake it, it might as well be a one-of-a-kind Fake 'itton. Then no one else is going to have one, not even the real 'ittons. Hehehe. So out with the carving tools and let's get this over with.

This really all started out when I started doing the 'itton pattern by hand on fabric. I grew quite tired doing repeats by hand, so I thought maybe the stamps would make it faster. As of this point, they have already all be mounted on wood and ready to create that pattern on ANYTHING.

This is for personal use of course. OF COURSE.

Rainy Days and T-shirts

2009-01-15T13:12:00.007+08:00

It has been raining...and raining...and raining...and I have just been catching up on Threadless news and voting for my fave tee of the year. Here are some of my faves from Threadless 2008:

Enkel Dika's Flowing Inspiration (winner of ♥'s Drawing Challenge)

Arctic Spa by Matthijs Smit

Hide and Seek by Cheok Siew Yen

Ignorance is Bliss by Leon Ryan

Race by Fawn Fruits

Such a Great Height by Budi Satria Kwan

The Great Escape by Wenceslao Almazan

A Rustic Hat Rack by Michael Blaine Myers Jr.

A Voyage to Lilliput by Patric Schade

Threadless is just such a wonderful site! And I do wish to own one of the shirts someday hehe. I'm still summoning the courage to submit at this point. I tried to make one for the Drawing challenge but never submitted it:

This needs more work. It was an old sketch from 5 years ago or so. One thing great I see on Threadless is that so many people really use a lot of visual perception techniques. Reminds me of the plates we had to do in Freshman year. I miss school hehehe. I would love to do Fine Arts all over again. Just the classes though! Hahaha

Wow it's raining hard...

Of blessings and the perfect Apple Pie

2009-01-14T13:38:00.006+08:00

A few years back I made my first apple pie, and my late father (always the final and most important tester) deemed it tooooo sweet to be edible (not exact verdict, but you get the gist). Since that time, I have ventured in finding the perfect recipes for food that I love to eat. I can now make a mean Peking Duck. And I have memorized the recipe for Siomai. Eclairs are a breeze now and so are Churros.

Even before working on my resolutions, I decided it is about time I tried making the elusive apple pie. And there is nowhere else to begin but with Martha. I get my Martha Stewart Living magazines from BookSale, which can be found in malls all over the Philippines. Their back issues cost around 75.00 pesos. A steal considering all the eye candy you get inside!

I decided on the cheapest apple I could find at the market, which costs around 15.00-25.00 pesos a piece. I modified the recipe from Martha Stewart Living Nov. 2007 for Spiced Apple Pie with Fluted Round Cut-outs and adapted it to ingredients that I could easily obtain in the ranch and the market. I ended up using 6 apples which is roughly 1000 g and substituting the lemons with the local calamansi (albeit making it less for our calamansi is stronger in tanginess).

The crust recipe I stuck by the real deal called Pate Brisee from the same issue. Crusts are always a tricky thing and I was keeping my fingers crossed. Did not wanna mess with Martha on this one for sure! I used margarine (brand was Buttercup, a fairly cheap margarine stick that can be found easily even in small towns here) instead of butter.

Not having a food processor around, I used the classic trick of two knives to cut in the butter into the flour. I did try using a pastry cutter, but I wasn't making much progress on that one. As much as I did not really know how to make a crust, I understood from pie crust recipes that the butter should be cut in for that is what makes it puffy. So judging from the looks of butter obviously dotting the dough, I was feeling better about myself haha.

I made the pie crust cover but making holes into the rolled dough using the apple corer. I did not have the fluted cutter of Martha. This was pretty tricky since I had to work fast since the dough melts the more you handle it. Thus the lack of photos for this part of the process. After the apples were tossed I piled in on the pie plate, making sure to mound it in the middle part as instructed.

All the rounds that were cut-out were then used to dot the rim, joining the two doughs. A quick brushing of egg yolks diluted with a little water (Martha said to use cream, but I had none) sealed it all in. I popped it all back to fridge for an hour before baking.

And tadah!!!! The best Apple Pie ever!!! I held my breath for the tasting (a job which my mother has now inherited), and the verdict was: PERFECT. And my husband cannot get enough of it. I made another one (to be sure I really nailed it) to bring to my in-laws, and they love it too! Thank you Martha!!!

Now I can go back to writing down my resolutions for 2009. The year has started out so wonderfully! Dear husband just harvested our corn crop, and the earnings was beyond our wildest expectations. We celebrated last night with cousins at the local restaurant here in hubby's hometown with some beers and listening to a wonderful acoustic set.

Checking my e-mail also brought some good news for I got an email asking me to join this new site called UsTrendy which features fashion designers. Apparently the lady found me interesting from my flickr set with that "Puffer Bride" DIY wedding gown I designed almost 2 years ago which I had blogged about here. How totally unexpected! And really lovely.

Peace.Love.Dream.Thank you world!

Happy New Year Deer

2009-01-03T04:08:00.008+08:00

Almost a year ago, I got married to my "deer". And it has been quite a ride, in such fast a time.

From the very moment...

We made that promise...

And got hitched...

To the arrival of begotten son...

And being there for Papa on his last days...

No matter how hard the times... there was always something to look forward to...

Like riding out to catch the sunset...

Watching a movie after a long day...

Engaging in the art of the cocks...(fighting cocks people)...

Catching a moon rise...

Fixing the house...

Doing new endeavors...

Dinner with the family...

Watching him make a face...

Hanging out at night in the ranch...

Paying respects...

Living with a wife that hardly sleeps...

Picnics at Papa's resting place...

Driving with rainbows...

Living with a wife that hardly sleeps...

Having Good times...

Loving & protecting your grandfather's land...

And in all this...Being a married man....

Deerest of Deers...you made my 2008. I am forever grateful.

Peace.Love.Dream. Happy New Year beautiful world.

A Ranch Christmas

2008-12-26T17:40:00.004+08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

photo of Bobby Montalvan by Lori Tan taken December 2007

The 8th Morning

2008-12-23T00:35:00.004+08:00

We are on "Christmas Break" and staying with the in-laws. Begotten son spends his time with them and I just catch snippets of him throughout the day. Which is really quite ironic if you've been following my post regarding begotten son and snippets. I love this little guy to pieces. Like all mothers since time in memorial.

Later, at 4 a.m., hubby and I will go to Misa de Gallo, and it will be my 8th morning. It is believed that if you finish 9 mornings (the complete novena for Christmas), you will have a blessed year. And that is motivation to make it to church at the crack of dawn everyday. Regardless of the night before. And it has been quite an adventure. I've had to brave Christmas parties and working late, and on my 6th morning I was actually just in the car outside the church cause I really couldn't make it inside without falling flat on my face. Christmas party. Forgive me.
Now, since I started going to the very first morning, weird things have been happening. Like really bizarre "unfoldings". Some of which are little bad karmas from something I've done this year, and some of which that have totally nothing to do with me. Not to mention the strange feeling of knowing you have to wake up at 4 am everyday and go to church. There is so much anticipation. I use to wait for Santa.
In the past few days, begotten son caught a stomach bug and has been in so much discomfort. Mother-in-law has been so worried and had him brought to the doctor. He is just suffering from "babyhood". Still, my heartstrings have played a melancholy melody for the boy. He is currently on the way to recovery (from being a baby).
This is going to be the first Christmas without our dear Papa. And a few days ago, we got news that our long-time friend Heidi passed away. She was just in her mid-twenties, loved Gwen Stefani, the ultimate party host and thoughtful-little-gifts-giver. Her and Papa both had lung cancer. This Christmas, and forever, they are surely in a better place. But still, they will be missed in this place.
Peace. Love. Dream. Goodnight beautiful world.

Knock-out

2008-12-09T21:22:00.002+08:00

The internet is really terribly slow, thus the lack of any posts.

♥ In the meantime I dream of owning copies of all the zines on etsy, and a house full of Macs.

Whew

2008-11-17T20:52:00.006+08:00

Good Morning!!!!!

Yesterday was Sunday. And I was up bright and early in the morning to pop the croissants in the oven (I had slaved the whole night making the dough). Before getting ready for mass, begotten son and I enjoyed some quality time together while dear husband took this shot.

And even though the croissants came out heavier and tasted like french bread (because I used bread flour, instead of pastry flour), I am not deterred from trying this again. And although I cannot find any pastry on this side of france, I shall try a suggestion from Julia Child to mix 2 parts cake flour to 1 part bread flour. Or was it equal parts? Will check later.

A lovely Sunday.

Today was a Monday. Probably still is a Monday. And I have been in and out of sessions with the august body of Sangguniang Barangay the whole day. Well, the afternoon was actually with the Sannguniang Bayan on a joint hearing with the Committee on Landed Estate as we are in a boundary battle with another barangay. The only thing agreed on was the wait for the date of the ocular inspection that will have all parties present and initiated by the Committee. I will for sure post photos of that.

I also found out that I have to attend a 3-days seminar in another city conducted by the Commission on Audit. This will be about Barangay Accounting Systems, and attended by all Barangay Captains, Treasurers, Record Keepers and Committee on Appropriations Chairmen (that would be me). And that it starts the day after tomorrow.

So tomorrow night, hubby, begotten son and I will pack our bags for the trip to civilization. We never leave home without the baby, and we also look forward to seeing some city lights. And the malls are not that bad. But really, hubby loves going to the city so we can catch a movie at the movie theaters. For really, there is none in this whole province. We are 3-4 hours away from every movie house.

Small pleasures are pleasures just the same.

Peace. Love. Dream. Goodnight.

Pins and Needles

2008-11-05T00:21:00.014+08:00

This was the very first pincushion that I made while I was still living in NoHo. It has been with me for 3 years or so. It has been ever so reliable. And I really cannot imagine a life without a pincushion!

That is why I love the idea of The Pincushion Challenge. Every month the theme changes, and a pincushion is made accordingly. After which all creations are posted on the Flickr group page and you can enjoy seeing all the amazing pincushions! Just lovely. Specially if you are me haha.

I have never posted, but did try making one challenge once. So today, I decided, another shot is in order. (That and I do need a new one, a deeper one this time since all my pins are going thru the cushion with my old one)

This month's theme is "Monogram".

I finally had some use for all the free clip-art I subscribed to from Dover. And luckily enough, I had a sample of monograms with the letter "G". I mean, it would have been better if it were "L" to represent my name, but no freebie on that hehe. And anyway, dear husband is "G" so this can work. So now I will have a pincushion with his monogram on it. Not bad.

Once again I whipped out my ever reliable linen fabric (that I bought way too much off and have made so many wonderful things with but still so plenty left). I have never really done a monogram in my life, but I have seen some. It don't make me an expert, but sure does have some idea to start with! I had forgotten to put my interfacing when I was doing the satin stitch on the letter, but I put in on after cause it would have been so hard to do all those back-stitches. I am pretty sure that the outlines should be done in outline stitch, but I am not very fond of that stitch in small-scale pieces. I love backstitch. Must be the doodler in me hehehe

So for now, I am nearly done with some of it, but I have to go to bed and snuggle next to the begotten son. Work is a whole day event tomorrow and I do need some sleep. Even though it is ooohhhh so hard when there are so many fun things to make at night.

Hubby had gone home to his parents last night and I spent the whole night reading P.G. Woodhouse's "Uneasy Money". Just wonderful!! I finished the whole e-book in one sitting (lying down really with the computer by my side). I am voracious reader. And it was my first time to read a whole book from a computer. How wonderfullll!!! Just wonderful. The letters are big. I don't need the light on. I cannot get over it just as yet. (And when begotten son woke up, he just lied down there beside me quietly looking at the screen).

But I will always love the good 'old fashioned book :-)

Peace.Love.Dream. Goodnight beautiful world.

HOW TO - Make an ear of corn bookmark

2008-11-01T00:01:00.010+08:00

An "ear of corn" bookmark is a fun project to make and give. It is a perfect bookmark for those that have to mark a few succeding pages since the paper clip base is flexible can be adjusted. A great gift to give to students and teachers!

This is my first Tutorial so bear with me. Feel free to leave comments on how I can make my tutorials better. Thank you.

Happy Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T21:06:00.004+08:00

Nearly couldn't wake up on time to make the trip to hubby's house for the trick-or-treating. But still managed to get some work done on the way. I wish it were a week-end everyday so I don't have to work. Hehehe but why should I complain? Is it not enough that Everyday is a Summerday!

Only begotten son and baby sister catch up on MY sleep...take note...bumble bee hanging

Fairy and Jasmine's waiting for a ride....

Tadaaaa!!!!!!!! My bumble bee!!!!!! (hehehe he wants to buzz out of that stroller)

Lil party girls...

And you always need the force with you when trick-or-treatin' with Batman

And this lil witch nearly missed them all

Where else will you find a bumblee bee sorrounded by pretty ladies

While this witch prepares to fly out with that pole

And the mother of the year award goes to.....

So my first halloween as a mom has come and gone. And with just some lack of sleep, it was well worth it :-). I should take some pointers from my sister-in-law who came with costumes galore that she made herself for her two daughters. Hehe mommy work is fun. And the kids are now all in the living room, getting ready for their sleep-over. Begotten son is safely with his grandparents. Hubby is asleep beside me, after having quite a few to drink. And here I am blogging away.

Tomorrow morning we make the trip back to the ranch and be with our family friends who are spending the weekend.

Hayyyyy.... Lovely. Always.

Bumbled Out

2008-10-31T02:47:00.003+08:00

I do have a day job. A highly stressful one given the circumstances (which I won't give). My time with my only begotten son is snatches here and there, and same goes for my husband. I love them both dearly and my husband and I know that one day it will be just us and we don't have to work so hard all the time. But for now, I have to compete for the mother of the year award in the most bizarre manner.

Like spending the whole night (it is now nearly 3 am) making a bumble bee costume for begotten son's halloween trick-or-treating tomorrow. More like later today.

I pretty much had all the materials on hand (the joys of being a craft material hoarder), 'cept for yellow fabric. So I sweetly asked the hubby if I could have one of his yellow shirts. He must have thought I was stark raving mad. An ambitious project this one. But he obliged me after a few comments here and there. The only problem was he was only willing to let me cut the sleeves.

Oh well, begotten son is not that big. Sleeves will do fine.

I'm done with the main outfit, my problem now is the wings and antennae. That is why I am online to look for an idea what to do. And just drop a post while I'm at it hehehe.

P.S. the son had woken up about an hour ago, and I just had to let him fit the costume. hahahaha

I really better get back to making that costume.

P.S. Thanks for the comments! (and suggestion) :-)

Smokin' Kebobs

2008-10-28T01:50:00.000+08:00

Tonight my youngest brother made some really smokey kebobs. It was yummy. But smokey. Yummy nonetheless. And my older brother said that kebobs have all these vegetables for "decoration", and he said it was smokey caused my brother used cheap wood. Nuts. But probably true nonetheless.

Up in smokebobs!

Peeling coffee beans is a good way to past the time in the mountains. And you can help the job along by pounding it to release tension. Yes, yours. Not the beans'.

And while he sleeps...

My mother sends me the Warrior of the Light....and I make a bookmark...

...to mark his (not mine) words.

My older brother dropped off this book at my room after dinner, and I read it whilst feeding the only begotten son. As soon as he (the son) dozed off, I remembered that I had to finish my bookmarks for my bookmark swap. And whilst I was preparing for my crafting night, I remembered I hadn't submitted a tutorial yet to crafttutorials. So I did both at the same time. Funny how One Book can change everything. Good book this one.

And on that note, I will end with a passage from John Bunyan that the book quotes:

Although I have been through all that I have, I do not regret the many hardships I met, because it was they who brought me to the place I wished to reach. Now all I have is a sword and I give it to whoever wishes to continue his pilgrimage. I carry with me the marks and scars of battles - they are the witnesses of what I have suffered and the rewards of what I have conquered.
These are the beloved marks and scars that will open the gates of Paradise to me. There was a time when I used to listen to tales of bravery. There was a time when I lived only because I needed to live. But now I live because I am a Warrior and because I wish one day to be in the company of Him for whom I have fought so hard.

Peace. Love. Dream. Goodnight.

Planting rice is very nice

2008-10-26T15:32:00.000+08:00

We have just harvested rice and now in the process of planting again. It is so picturesque at the paddy, and the lighting of the scene is always just about right. It is no wonder then why it is a favorite theme for Filipino painters.

Don't let the rain catch you Manong Boy!

Yummy mud pie!

And on hindsight....

I wonder if there's any mud under my nails....

Relax......

I'm one step away from joining you Mr. 'Bao.

This is me Now

2008-10-25T22:03:00.000+08:00

Oh 2008. It has been quite a ride. And the vehicle is still moving. I am happy to start blogging again, writing again, creating again. I am older now. But still curious. And very much in love.

For now, I am:

A wife.

A mother.

A councilwoman.

And forever a cowgirl.

Peace.Love.Dream.Goodnight.

2007-07-31T23:43:00.000+08:00

THIS BLOG IS UNDERGOING RENOVATION!!!!

I shall be posting here.

thanks ya'll.

Love and shot of Gatorade

2007-06-29T18:59:00.000+08:00

I got a job. I have a job. I am in the city. And all it took was a day for spunky, chatty farm girl to become a second-rate, ghetto Amanda Priestly. All polished to claw, hustle and flow. Yes. I am a Marketing Manager. Yes, first week of work. And working it like its hot.

Boss wanted momentum. Boss scared of Marketing managers that loose momentum. Boss thinks me eccentric. Not weird. Not crazy. Eccentric.

ec·cen·tric

ADJECTIVE:
Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern. See Synonyms at strange.
Deviating from a circular form or path, as in an elliptical orbit.
Not situated at or in the geometric center.
Having the axis located elsewhere than at the geometric center. <---found this funny. me wants to draw it.
NOUN:
One that deviates markedly from an established norm, especially a person of odd or unconventional behavior.
Physics A disk or wheel having its axis of revolution displaced from its center so that it is capable of imparting reciprocating motion.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English eccentrik, planetary orbit of which the earth is not at the center, from Medieval Latin eccentricus, not having the same center, from Greek ekkentros : ek-, out of ; see ecto- + kentron, center (from kentein, to prick; see kent- in Indo-European roots)
OTHER FORMS: ec·centri·cal·ly (Adverb)

Me knows work will be fun. Work will be exciting. Work will be challenging. Work will be learning. Work will not be work because me loves it.
Need to write again. Here. Anywhere. On the walls. On my pants. No thrift stores. No craft stores. Me is missing a little shack in NoHo. Me missing fighting cocks and Sunday cockfights. Me missing California sunshine and bus rides in an empty bus. Me missing rough and bumpy roads. Me missing 24-hours grocery stores. Me missing loud and buzzling mercados. Me missing miso soup with mushrooms and yakitori with ice cold Asahi. Me missing culled chicken halang-halang with Tanduay on the rocks. Me missing writing songs. Me missing planting seeds.

Me is Bipolar?

Me prays. Me works hard now. Me wants to be a good person. Me wants to learn to balance elliptical surges of personality.

You miss happy smiles and ringing laughter. You miss summerdays. You miss winternights. You miss late night cruisings. You miss good movies with popcorn. You miss watching a good fight. You miss finding the perfect shirt. You miss the simple life. You miss coming home to a hug. You miss phonecalls every hour. You miss being broke and stuck at home. You miss 6-hours chismis. You miss Perezhilton.com. You miss holding hands. You miss random I Love You's. You miss being the strong one. You miss road trips. You miss the jokes. You miss being the only one.

You pray. You work hard. You are the kindest person. You don't think of you. You know what LOVE means everytime you say it. You spend every moment showing it. You never loose patience. You never loose your mind. You don't think of you. You give all. All. In exchange for a smile and bellows of laughter. You give all just to make someone else happy.

Unconditional love. We strive to be worthy. But we find that the more of it we recieve, the more unworthy we feel. We get scared. We don't know what to do. It's too perfect. It's too wonderful. We loose momentum. We wanna get back on the train. But its gone. So we stay. We pray. We are human. Humbled by Love.

Momentum. Boss likes momentum. Boss is right.

What a Cock

2007-02-08T22:10:00.000+08:00

dearest one and all.

oh what a life it is. to be back.

Tomorrow I attend my first Derby with an entry, on behalf of my father. I shall be right smack in front, as excited as a nominee for Artist of the Year in the Grammy's. But this is way better. And there's blood and blades involved. Wayyyyy more exciting.

I wish the internet was faster so I can upload photos of this thrill-seeking life in the mountains.

Yep. Even the internet is laid back.

Loosing my Connection

2006-12-13T08:54:00.000+08:00

Dear one and all...sorry, have no more internet at home.

My flight home is on December 24 and yes, I am meeting Christmas halfway. I cannot wait for this occurence, I have always wondered what it would be like to meet Christmas.

To mamaraens: THIS IS IT!!!! hehehehehe. I am going straight to Bukidnon and I am not sure yet when I will be in Manila, but I shall shall shall let you know. There's some wonderful cookbooks pasalubong for you hahaha (ang daya ko! para ako yong kakain ng mga experiments mo hehehe). Can't wait!!!

To ATomikai: madam lets do the dinner dinner chamanenamae! is your number still the same? i will text you as soon as this week is over kasi finals men.

To MK: see you soon kring.

To Rolyn: Dai!!!! salamat gyud sa imong tabang nako, one day, I will be able to return the favor. I'll see you in the Philippines. Love you!

Home

2006-12-03T05:37:00.000+08:00

Hhhhahahaha

2006-12-03T04:11:00.000+08:00

And I thought I was nuts.

Check this out. You have got to read this girl's "The Semi-Communist Republic of Me". It is intelligently humorous (with a point). My favorite is her SCRRT (Semi-Communist Republic Railway Transit) Line. There is hope after all.

Good morning, this is news from your world

2006-12-03T02:17:00.000+08:00

photo from Philippine Inquirer website

Another typhoon is wrecking havouc again in the Philippines. I pray for all those areas that are greatly affected at this time. Weather is beyond human power :-( but I pray.

The weather is really getting scarier and scarier now. If you have not watched Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth", maybe it'd be a good idea if you check it out. I insist. I know it is already in the Philippines because Greenpeace had a screening of it last November 22 in SM Megamall.

The purpose of this movie is really to get laws passed that focus on environmental protection, as there seems to be a problem with that here in the US. On December 11, 1997 Al Gore signed the Kyoto protocol, but this is the position of the US for now. The United States (the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases) and Australia have signed but have not ratified up to this day. Russia finally ratified last 2004.

I applaud France's prime minister for proposing to tax imports from non-signers of the Kyoto plan.

As for us in the Philippines, in fairness to our legislators, have been trying to do what we can to ease global warming. We signed the protocol on April 15, 1998 and ratified on November 20, 2003. The Biofuels Act , as of last Wednesday, has been ratified by the HOUSE and by evening was ratified by the Senate. Please read it. If the implementation will go as planned, it will change so much of our everday lives. And in even more "in fairness", the main author of this bill is Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Miguel Zubiri.

I am also very proud that the Environmental champion in the House is Bukidnon 1st District Rep. Neric Acosta. He authored the The Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999 and tirelessly addresses environmental issues. He is also against the dividing of Bukidnon into two provinces, butting heads with Gov. Jose Zubiri, who ironically is the father of Miguel. Miguel was the one who passed the bill for the division in Congress. The wonderful ironies of Philippine politics. Let's just say I am happy that Bukidnon Representatives have authored important environmental policies and leave it at that. For 'nao.

And that is it for early morning news. Go now and check out "An Inconvenient Truth" and may you have a new lease on life.

Mi cutey bebe

2006-12-02T14:48:00.000+08:00

I love him!!!! Hhahahah. I designed this adorable little thing for a toy design competition online two months ago. They announced the winners today :-( and cutie bebe and me didn't win. It's okay :-) I love him!!!
They gave a story to work on in coming up with the design, and its suppose to be an alien baby found under the ocean and he was suppose to be beyond cuteness. :-) Ryan thinks mine was the cutest (hahaha but he is partial ofcourse!) and really fit the story. But I guess not what they were looking for (or found) under the ocean.
Their having another competition for another baby in their line...Their called Starbys by the way. I'll join again. It's free anyway. For all its worth, it is quite fun to create cute alien babies :-)

Vote Selling

2006-12-02T14:03:00.000+08:00

It's elections in the Philippines again next year. I think this time we should make a change.

VOTE BUYING is so outdated.

this time:

VOTE SELLING.

Yeah. Isn't it about time Filipinos realize that their vote is so important that politicians want to buy it? Raise your price people! Have some pride! Sure, sell it! They are so willing to buy it.

Yeah. Ask for a scholarship for your children! Ask for free lunch in public schools for the whole year! Ask for a trip to see the sea. Ask for a trip to Jollibee for your whole clan. Raise your price! Advertise what your selling your vote for! Place signs outside your house! Write it on your shirt when you go meet a politician. Yeah! Be honest! Let's all be honest! So even if there is whatever anomaly, no one will complain it was a dishonest election!

And be smart. You know how politicians won't give you the money for your vote unless their local mole in your purok has proven (thru carbon voting, or whatever crazy means) that you did vote for them? Well, don't even go to the polls until you see a contract of some sort for what was promised. Carbon copied, filed a hundred times and signed ten times.

Yeah. If you must buy. Then allow the people to sell.

It's a free market in May. Come one. Come all.

Speaking of Harvard

2006-11-30T20:01:00.000+08:00

Does it break my heart?

10 years ago, I dreamt of Harvard. Back in the ranch you will find a box of college catalogues from 1997 and 1998 from various ivy league schools in the US. Yeah, ambisyosa. heheh. But for whatever it was worth, those catalogues would put me to sleep at night. My first bedroom in Loyola Heights during my first year in college (I would ofcourse be doing my first year in college 3 more times after that hahahha), was filled with my future plans. This included posting the Georgetown University poster on my wall. It was the first thing I saw when I woke up.

I never worried I wasn't smart enough for these schools (the key word in acceptance is: DIVERSITY), I just knew that if I do get accepted, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Once again, in that box you will find a letters to the Financial Services of each school, written by a hopeful 16 year old me. Never mailed. Never had the money for the application fee for any of those schools.

But those catalogues were free :-) and they were beautiful. Somehow, I felt, that was enough.

Ah Harvard.

Last night I went to the website of Harvard. The first time in nearly 8 years. And I found out their rules had changed. You know longer need to worry about financing your Harvard Education, even as an international student. Listen to this:

---------------------------------------------------------
Harvard Financial Aid Initiative
"Our doors have long been open to talented students regardless of financial need but many students simply do not know or believe this. We are determined to change both the perception and the reality."- President L.H. Summers

The Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI), announced by university President Lawrence Summers in March 2004, aims to reduce economic barriers to attending Harvard College by significantly expanding financial aid benefits to low and moderate income families. Students have long been admitted to Harvard regardless of their family's financial circumstances. They are chosen on the basis of their outstanding academics extracurricular, and personal qualities, with the hope that they will bring to Harvard the widest possible diversity of life experiences and intellectual perspectives.
Beginning in 2006, parents in families with incomes of less than $60,000 will no longer be expected to contribute to the cost of attending Harvard for their children including room and board. In addition, Harvard will reduce the contributions expected of families with incomes between $60,000 and $80,000.
There is no separate application process for the HFAI. Interested students, including transfers and international students, should instead apply to Harvard through the regular application process by the established deadlines, filling out all applicable financial aid forms. While there is an application fee, waivers are easily available upon request. Harvard College considers students for admission without regard to their ability to pay, guaranteeing to meet the full financial need of every student who qualifies for aid. Accepted students who qualify under the new initiative will therefore automatically benefit should they choose to attend Harvard. Further information on applying to Harvard College can be found at the admissions office website. "
---------------------------------------------

I almost peed in my pants. Really. And excitedly checked out if I qualified to apply. And with much research, it is highlt possible I don't because of my Associates degree that I will be earning in 2 weeks. But even with that I still went out to check how much it would cost me and the schedules for the SAT and SAT II's. Just in case. :-)

Had I known about this on my first year....If I had just tried reaching for the moon, instead of believing I was already on it.

Ambisyosa. :-) Maybe in a few years. Which reminds me...maybe I should drop by Georgetown University again :-) Who knows? Opportunities change. The doors that were closed before to one dream have been opened. I should not have given hope all those years. Lesson learned. :-) Things change...

If not me, then whoever you are reading this that qualifies...GO FOR IT!!

As for me, I am just happy to go to my DECEMBER GRAD Luncheon today hahahah. Whatever that means.

Politica

2006-11-29T16:17:00.000+08:00

And the speech was delivered today. Aside from not having the required survey and missed 2.5 points, I am very happy with the results.
I did take a stand, and it was against Amnesty as a solution to the illegal immigration issue. I know, personally, I should not take that stand because I know a lot of people who can benefit from an Amnesty ruling. But this is not about me and my friends. This is Critical Thinking class. And even though I did start out with the hopes of proving that Amnesty is the best solution, my research proved otherwise. I shall not dwell on facts that will bore you because this a personal, fun blog after all :-), but that was the conclusion that I came to with my research on both sides of the fence. The gist of it all is this: Amnesty has been done before in the Reagan administration: 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act. It apparently did not solve the situation, for 20 years after, here we are again with the same problem.
And this project has taught me a valuable lesson in reading as much research as I can before making a stand. I just couldn't go about this backwards, could I? Build a case to back the result that I wanted? Oh no Princess Lia, that is not how it works. I learn. Everyday I learn and it is humbling.
But personally I think illegal immigration is just hard to solve :-) Why? It's the human factor. Figure it out.

Peace.Love. Dream. Try your mighty best to follow the law. Goodnight.

PostScript: The way I blab about issues and such, it sounds like I am going to school in Harvard or something, when the truth is, I am in a fashion school for crying out loud. Man, must I be so darn serious? Let's just look cute! Lets.

BIGGER FAMILY = MORE LAUGHTER

2006-11-28T20:12:00.000+08:00

Once again I should be asleep already, but have been chatting with my brother-in-law Carl and he showed me the photos of their trip to Bukidnon. Always fun chatting with Carl, he is going to be legally my brother-in-law on January 27!!!! Yes, my sistah and him have finally set a date and I just have to announce it to my side of the spectrum ahhaha. I cannot wait! I am so excited for the wedding!!!! Our family is getting bigger!!! Yay!!! We love Carl, because he has always been like another brother to us, he has a sense of humor, he loves our sister, he is hard-working, and he loves FAMILY.

This is the first wedding in our family and we have no idea what to expect! Hhahaha. Thank you God for family moments such as these!

Here are some photos from Papa Carl:

Papa Carl, Laika and the men of the ranch enjoy some Manny Pacquiao!!!! (i love the fact that at the very same time I was screaming my lungs out at Tep's, they too were watching back home!)

Laika engulfed by her two aunties hehehehe.Our baby girls!!!!! Amaya and Laika hanging out in the montalVAN.

Angela and Laika in front of The House of Dreams (and Papa's Love Birds ahhaha).

I miss all my sisters and baby Laika. My pride is bursting all over the room as presiding Ate over such a funny, witty bunch of Little Women. Truly. And I laugh just thinking of them hehehe.

And I shall end this post with a video of my favorite Philippine artist singing a song close to my heart (thank you to my brother Emman for this link):

'Wag mong itigil ang Laban.

Illegal Immigration and the International Student

2006-11-28T17:16:00.000+08:00

I am up all night and ready to finish off tomorrow morning my final forum speech for Critical Thinking class. Princess Lia is going to take a stand on immigration reform and still deciding up to this time whether to focus on the side of The Mc Cain-Kennedy Bill or The Cornyn-Kyl Bill. Ahhh I hope tomorrow it shall be clearer. Sleeping on an issue is sometimes a good thing. Either way, I know the greatest problem on reform is implementation. Tsk. Tsk. And how do I answer that critical question? It would be so easy to say,

"And that my dear audience, is beyond my power and we can only leave it in the hands of God."

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh. It may just be a class, but boy is it learning.

ATOMIKAI: I am done with school in a few weeks and I leave sometime in January :-) Excitement. heheheh. Magpakita ka naman oy!
TERESA: hi dai! will call you ugma, need some information for my next project. I need to know how much an accountant costs for a business hehehe your specialty. And will get your Joey wallet ready for when I see you. Hope work is fun now that you're back!

2006-11-25T12:21:00.000+08:00

Click here for photos from The Art and Sound Bazaar

We actually made some sales!! So happy ofcourse because it has been a labor of love to make all these things. Thank you so much to all who supported us (and bought our stuff!).
The event was a great success and it was a wonderful way to kick-off the Thanksgiving weekend. The music, the food, the people...it all came together. CoughSyrupSociety still knows how to spread the love vibes. I am going to miss everyone in the collective for sure.

Thank you.

Come one Come All!!!

2006-11-23T06:16:00.001+08:00

If I were....

2006-11-23T05:03:00.000+08:00

If I were a BOTANIST:

I would find a way to turn our garbage and "smoky mountains" into a new rainforest.
I would find ways to let plants evolve in such a way that it can grow in a non-biodegradable environment. I would begin by studying underwater plants and creatures that grow on man-made reefs. I would practice with my own garbage. I will experiment if a balete tree can "eat-up" (or engulf in its rooting system) a pile of trash.I will cross-breed different plant species. I will envision a plan with my army of plants to take over trash. I will work with leading oligochaetologists to breed the ultimate earthworm: one that can consume plastic and turn it into degradable castings (I would love to have it in the form of soil, please Mr. Worm). I will pay close attention that these plants and worms do not take over the world. Hhahahhahahaha.

I will dream.

Oh I know, one day, this will be true.
-----------
Botanist: a scientist who studies botany.
Botany: Botany is the scientific study of plant life. As a branch of biology, it is also sometimes referred to as plant science(s) or plant biology. Botany covers a wide range of scientific disciplines that study the growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, diseases, and evolution of plants.
Oligochaetologists: people who study earthworms

Crony capitalism

2006-11-23T04:40:00.000+08:00

So I finally learned the word to use in describing our economy.

I asked my teacher a question today that he actually wanted to give me an answer to, but couldn't (although I sense he will try to find out since it greatly disturbed him that he didn't know of specific cases in history. He started mumbling words to himself, looking up at the ceiling...mentioning a REVOLUTION, no...that didn't necessarily work he said...hmmm he'll have to think some more...but no, he had no answer):

"Is there a cure for extreme corruption?"

No, I was not trying to be a smart ass by asking that question.

I asked that because I WANTED TO KNOW. And I was sad. None of my classmates know I am from the Philippines. They probably think, "Oh my God, she's so like, like into this class and shit." Hahhahahahha. And I am back exactly at square 1.

I'm afraid I shall loose my mind trying to find cures for ailments that is not in my control. The world will turn. Everything happens for a reason. But Oh! the joys of finding an ANSWER. Any answer! I shall never stop.
--------------------
Crony capitalism: Used to describe a capitalist economy in which government or corporate officials and insiders provide lucrative opportunities for their friends and relatives.

All crafted out

2006-11-22T17:06:00.000+08:00

The show is tomorrow. I'm all crafted out. Fun but super burn-out na. I have 5 joeys for sale only, because I would really rather make them made-to-order. I will post photos tomorrow, as soon as I get them all pretty set-up. Ryan did the set-up tonight, and it looks nice. We didn't see Steve so we are not sure about the product stand so we are just making do with what we have. It's crazy, back in the day, my mother could fill up a whole booth hhahahah. I am struggling to fill up a little basket. But my greatest excuse is a good one: I have school :-) As soon as I graduate I think I can fill up a booth with Summerday goodies heheheh. Right. Hay naku. I hope people order some stuff. I pray.
Hope everyone is doing well, wherever you are.
Peace.Love. Dream.Goodnight.

Monday with Marie

2006-11-21T15:35:00.001+08:00

I'am at Marie's.

Oh Mr. Rockwell

2006-11-20T18:31:00.000+08:00

"I paint life as I would like it to be. If there was sadness in this creative world of mine, it was a pleasant sadness. If there were problems, they were humorous problems."

-Norman Rockwell

Manny makes my heart go boom boom

2006-11-20T15:32:00.000+08:00

Yeah!!!! Manny Pacquiao makes me so proud. Thanks to TepTep for inviting the whole gang over for her dad's birthday and catching the fight too. There's nothing like being in a room and watching a boxing match with all your friends and screaming at the top of your lungs with every punch by our PacMan.

And then spend the rest of the night dancing away to the music of Tep's dad's band, "The Old Reliables" :-) Such a beautiful night.

To end the night, we headed off to the Valiente house at which we had way too much Tequila. That's what happens when you don't see friends for a long time :-) So today I woke up so sick and asking Ryan, "I had fun last night, right? This is all worth it." Crazy Lia, getting older.

Click here to see Tep's photos from last night.

And today I got to see the people I love on webcam, live from Burgos Street.

Peace. Love. Dream. Goodnight world.

To our friend Osvaldo, may you rest in peace.

I know I know

2006-11-17T19:16:00.000+08:00

I know I was suppose to go to bed already, but I couldn't help go thru my photos from when I went home last March and post these (since tomorrow I will forget what I wanted to do right now. Thus, why I blog):

Ompong and me. Hhahaha I love my Filipino Roman god.
Emman and Boboi getting ready for a nightcap in 711. (I love Boi's tee! It says Medicine & Nursing! ahhahaha love it).

Mike and Arvin with Manny Pacquiao hahahahhaha.

Emman, Diego and Dos (yeah, move that sign why don't you! I dunno why he did that! Well, Emman and Diego seem so engrossed that they do look like they would just have continued walkign right thru that sign. Yay for Dos!)

"Hello dai? Abrihi sa palihug." Hi-tech doorbell system.

Meeeeeenn! We may be older, but we sure haven't changed that much.

Haaaayy

2006-11-17T18:40:00.000+08:00

Thanksgiving weekend coming up and I am looking forward to that. I dunno why. But I am. Was suppose to go camping with Marie but since I am below low budget right now, can't make it. So it's most likely Thanksgiving with Ryan's family. We were there last year and I had a wonderful time. Their pastor does some readings from the bible and it's really quite beautiful, so I'm looking forward to that.

I am definitely looking forward to not having Thursday night class. Hooray for me. I love the class, but now that it gets dark so quick over here, it's a nice break.

It's 2:43 a.m. and I am calling it an early night. I've been a good girl today. I got home from class and heated up my soup, watched the news (somebody got stabbed in NoHo today, and then tonight somebody got shot to death) and then watched some "Married with Children" while cutting up cloth pieces for my "Joey" wallets that I shall stitch tomorrow. Then I had a beer and made 4 of our "Take your Pick" pick holders (with Ryan cutting up the pieces and putting on the snaps). The show is on Wednesday already, and so far I have finished my brown-bag packaging, one-of-a-kind buttons (finished a LOOOONG TIME ago) and the button cards. It's like gradeschool all over again around here! I haven't seen Steve so I don't know how my stand is progressing. But all in all I feel confident I shall be ready on time. Designing products and patterns is one thing, making them OVER and OVER again is a whole different ball game. Man, I wish I was back home and just have someone else sew them all!!! Hahhaha. So it's a whole weekend of sewing for LiaLai. And some beers. And a lot of soup.

We live. We learn. We have fun. (And occassionaly loose our marbles).

Peace. Love. Dream. Goodnight ya'll.

Sanosee Family

2006-11-17T13:41:00.000+08:00

Title: SanoseeSong

Artists: Badiday and Digidong

Directed By: Iso M.

This was done early this year when my family was over the first time. And this was done in complete sobriety. How it happened, who knows! But my mom really is great at directing whacked-out videos. Nuts. We are nuts. Heheheheh. Enjoy!

Seaching for the Holy Grail

2006-11-16T06:48:00.000+08:00

If I were President of the Philippines:

I would go back to school.

Hahhahahahahha. Trully.

My favorite class is American Political and Economic History. Very interesting. It's a great insight if you are from the Philippines. After all, our country is an American experiment on democracy. So, if we want to know where we are going, we have to study and comprehend where we came from. It makes sense now.

I have noticed that every new president we get, their first order of business is to create a slogan for their presidency. Let's see: Cory was definitely an off-shoot of "People Power", Ramos' was "Philippines 2000" (assisted with Flavier's "Let's DOH It!"), Erap was "Erap para sa Mahirap" and Gloria...well...she has quite a few, the most notable one that sticks in my head was the more recent "Million Jobs" campaign with then DA Secretary Luisito Lorenzo. The purpose of all this is ofcourse to grab our [short] attention and garner support to make their presidency THE PRESIDENCY that will bring us to the next [maxhimuhm] level in the economic stage.

Aside from the quintessential slogan, their is an outpour of mga programang pang-gobyerno sprouting out of our ears with each appointment and electoral result. All very good programs I might add, if only we all knew about them. I mean, we do know about them (right?), but do we apply it to ourselves? Do we go out of our way to discover the jobs, assistance, welfare and medicare that is available to us as citizens of the Philippines? Do we know our benefits for simply being a Filipino citizen? [On a different note, do you, as a Filipino even know your rights?]

My memory needs to be refreshed. Have I grown up so jaded with politics that all I can remember people doing was complain about the hardships of living in our country? Of having no job? Of having no money?

Our poverty rate as of a study by AusAid is moving at a fast rate, increasing from 27 million to 31 million people living with less than $1.00/day. According to their reports, we also have the highest level of income inequality in Asia, with the poorest 20% of the population accounting for only 5% of the total income or consumption. The Philippines National Statistics Office reports our unemployment at 8% as of July 2006. Not that bad right? Pretty workable. But what do you do with the UNDERemployed population that comprises 23.5%? Sure they have jobs, but are they getting paid enough to help the economy?

Our Exports are at $4.160Billion as of September 2006. Good for us! We make amazing products, and the world thinks so too. So can you explain why our IMPORTS are at $4.886Billion? You mean we buy more than we sell? What? I admit, economics is still very unchartered territory in my brain, but if I use my logic: I know that I cannot buy more than I sell, right? Oh well, it's economics after all! We have to spend, spend, spend and spend some more if our economy is not doing well.

So let me break down some more, so I will get this. What are we importing exactly? Once again, with the help of the NSO, I find out our top ten imports are:

Metalliferous Ores and Metal Scrap
Transport Equipment
Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials
Organic and Inorganic Chemicals
Electronic Products
Plastics in Primary and Non-Primary Forms
Cereals and Cereal Preparations (<----i was surprised!!!)
Iron and Steel
Industrial Machinery and Equipment
Textile Yarn, Fabrics, Made-Up Articles and Related Products

And what country do we mostly pay the bill to? The USA takes up 15.3% of our Import bill. We must still be really obsessed with "Imported".

Our balance of trade is in no surprise in the negative ofcourse. I dunno, I'm a normal Indai, is this okay? Man, should we cut down on the Cereal imports? I dunno! Maybe the Organic and Ingorganic Chemicals? Should we slow down on the Industrial Machinery and Equipment? I dunno, you know just in case it might displace workers and our unemployment rates get higher. I dunno, just wondering.

What kind of economic strategy does the Philippines follow anyway? I never knew. Now I want to know. Forgive me for my ignorance and taking so long to get this. Are we a capitalist? Or a socialist? Hahhaha I know we are not communist!?!

All countries they say are run/should be run on the laws of economics. Yes, economics makes our world go round, regardless of what they taught you in grade school. The law of supply and demand is what puts food on our tables, what guarantees our jobs and dictates our life. Sad. Top that with natural forces that surprises us like a punk, what are we mere mortals suppose to do? We have no choice but to put our faith in our governments; in these super mortals who make decisions for the good of all.

If you care to follow my journey in understanding the "why" to know the "how", you can start off with reports such as this and this. This site is also interesting for me as how the Americans dealt with The Great Depression greatly interests me, specially FDR's "The New Deal" solution. An idealistic, socially-conscious plan that is so appealing (with the benefit of already knowing it's weaknesses). How can you go wrong when you implement it along with the motto, "We have nothing to fear, except fear itself." Such hopeful words in such a trying time.

If you know of any other sites that would be help me on my quest, I would really appreciate it.

I choose to not even dive into issues such as graft and corruption or the peace & order situation of my lovely Mindanao. Your Mindanao. OUR Mindanao. Not 'Nao. Maybe later. Hhahahahah

google me beta

2006-11-16T05:08:00.000+08:00

Man I love Google. Can I just say that a hundred times? On-line domination man oh man. I love the new beta features (organization to the next level), and being able to log-in using my google account. I love google tabs, google desktop, google widgets, google You Tube and my favorite Google Labs.

Call me Google Eyed. I am impressed.

And can I just add that until I shifted to Beta, I had no idea that people were leaving comments on my posts! Thanks everybody.

weddings and friends

2006-11-15T18:39:00.000+08:00

Click here or on photo for Jay and Rolyn's online album

Congratulations to Rolyn!!! I cannot believe she is really, really, really married ahhaha. You look so beautiful dai, and the gown fits you so perfectly :-). And I loved your make-up, and the cake, and the photos, and the church, and everything!!! Believe gyud ko nimo. Period.

grabbed this photo from Rolyn's Friendster account (L-R): Jannie, Ruvy, Rolyn, Kristine, Maya and Dottie in front

I just had to grab this photo because the girls in the photo are our friends from way back in the day of Stella Maris (to thee we pledge our loyalty) and the Oroquieta life. My memories of them all really make me laugh and cry at the same time hahaha. Love these girls. I have not seen some of them in a long time, and yet when I saw this photo, it was comforting that they all still have the same smiles. I take that as a good sign of a life that has been kind to us all. (Now I can't wait to go home and dig up our old photos hahaha).

All my love to you Rolzy-Rolz and may you have a trippy and wonderful married life! Mwah!

Peace.Love. Dream. Goodnight.

WHattawhatta

2006-11-11T14:39:00.000+08:00

I spent an hour the other night chatting with Arvin, a super friend from Fine Arts. It was so great catching up and talking about what everyone else is up to. I super super miss them all. Another thing to look forward to in going home (that and eating meals at mamaRaens pretty home!).

So glad that Saturday classes are over. I need the extra time. It's weird, three years flew by fast and these last months seem like forever. Trully beautiful. Cannot wait!!! Gotta keep the momentum up hahha. The plan is to get a job (oh yes!) and then see what happens from there. Being based in Manila for work is fine, like Ben said, career muna and then hometown dreams. Well said from someone who knows.

On other news, if you know anyone who is near the L.A. area, please tell them to go to our CSS show at the Tribal Cafe on Nov. 22! I will be selling my crafty creations for the first time so I would really appreciate the support! Will be posting more info later on as the date closes in. Fun!

Steve-o, my ever reliable talented neighbor is making my product stand :-) I am quite excited as to how it will come out. He came over tonight and I showed him my products and my requirements and he kept nodding and mentioning specs so I pressume he got what I wanted. Hahha Steve always gets it, no matter how vague I can be.

I am so blessed with such amazing people around me!!! Ang galing-galing!!!

On that note, goodnight. Peace. Love. Dream.

Day 1: Pilates

2006-11-09T11:42:00.000+08:00

So yeah. I have finally opened my Pilates DVD. After 6 months I think hahahah. I did my first work-out tonight and can proudly say I finished the whole thing. I was sweating like a jock and breathless like a debutante. Day 1. THis time it has to last :-)

Last time I tried any form of working out was doing yoga years ago after I was going to therapy for my slip disc. One notable thing of that stint was doing yoga with Paola drunk of our asses. It was very relaxing and nauseating at the same time. Figure that out. Ah I miss 21-F Burgandy. The whole few months stint did result in some form of flexibility.

I have been interested in Pilates for quite awhile because when my back problems were bad years ago, my mom's friend gave me this whole copy of a Pilates work-out book. It's still probably in one of my boxes. Then I saw my aunt last Christmas and she was looking great as a result of Pilates. Then I saw my brother's photos from a beach trip and one of his friends has this amazing body as a result of Pilates once again. So many real results. Time to see for myself.

Heheheh so hope this works. I am not getting any younger, or healthier, and gravity seems to be working overtime I notice. The race is on.

Mother and Child

2006-11-05T15:17:00.000+08:00

Just got back from having dinner and some beers at Mark and Teray's lovely home. I couldn't resist taking a papparazi shot of the sleeping mother and child. Baby Vaughn is now all grown up and so cuddly as cuddly can get. And as much as I was controlling not to make "baby talk", I couldn't really help myself. No photo will ever do justice to a baby. Honestly.
Thank you so much to Mark and Teray (and Gary who has taken my place as their first child) for the wonderful barbecued ribs dinner.

Math makes me giddy

2006-11-05T05:12:00.000+08:00

I just got home from my final exam in Merchandise Planning & Control. Pages and pages of numbers to solve!!! It took me 3.5 hours to finish the whole thing. I could not believe it. But now I can breathe and celebrating by drinking ginger ale and watching "The Royal Tenembaums."

School Bukol

2006-11-04T11:38:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow is my last day of Saturday class!!!!! Yes, that is worth blogging about hahaha. I am so glad to have my weekends back. And there is now internet in the ranch!!! woot woot!!!

El dolor es la cosa que lastima

2006-10-31T04:41:00.000+08:00

The most painful day of my life was the day my grandmother died.

I was 10 when I first moved in with her along with my siblings. Little did I know that I would live there for the next 5 years of my life. 5 years is a long time for a little girl. It's forever. Five years of being stuck inside the house, only going out for school, mass or approved trips. Five years of living in one room with 2 brothers and a sister. Five years of only being allowed to watch cartoons, or Shirly Temple or musicals-turned-movies. Five years of not being allowed to talk on the phone, unless it was important or our parents. Five years is a long time ago.

She was my first female figure. She was strict, but she was just and fair. She was there. Shw was always there. She kept me on the ground, but never stopped me from being me. She gave me confidence. That house was my life. Following her was my life. She never stopped me from wanting to leave. I use to sit and just talk while she sat in her corner of the house playing solitaire. Talking about wanting to live in America. Telling her stories of my grandparents here. She would just listen. And often she would tell me maybe it was my other grandparents turn with me, then maybe I can come here. SHe use to have Hola magazine sent to her by my cousin or aunts, and I use to point to the Prince of Spain and tell her that I was gonna marry him someday and be in Hola. She never thought it ridiculous, and always said yes I probably will. I use to make her handmade cards and write my message in Spanish (with the help of the dictionary in school). She use to scold me, but she never got mad at me. She was aware of everything that happened in that household. She was 91 years old when we moved in. Her mind was sharper than mine now. She sent us to the doctor at the smallest sign of anything. She never took anything we said lightly. She handled us like a competent manager. The very first objective person I met in my life when it came to discipline. And that trait would forever make its mark on me for the rest of my life. She had aged so gracefully, so beautifully.

And then I left. And I got lost. And she would call, and I would not be home most of the time. Or I couldn't talk long cause I was rushing off to meet my friends. She probably didn't approve of how I was now living. So young at 15 and so far-away from her discipline. But she never scolded me when I wasn't under her roof anymore. Instead she would call a couple times a week and ask how I was doing, a message for my parents or updates on my siblings who were still with her. I was having the time of my life. Finally I could see and talk to friends anytime I want, I could go places, I could watch t.v. anytime I want, I didn't have to pray the rosary everynight, I could wear whatever I wanted. Yes, suddenly at 15 I was free.

In my senior year in highschool my grandfather died. I was in Oroquieta before lunchtime, leaving Cagayan at dawn, an hour after I got the call. They had not taken the body yet when I arrived, and I was so exhausted I just lied down beside him and rested. When they finally came to take him away, I went to see my grandmother in her room and lied down beside her. She was in bad mood because she was mad that he went and died before she did. I was too tired.

I wasn't even a week back in school after the burial that I got the call. I recieved the phone call in schools' guard house, and got the news that my grandmother had passed away.

My heart was so painful. I couldn't see. I got dizzy. But there were no tears. The tears didn't come till it was time to say goodbye to her in church and watching the caskett being put in. I cried. And I cried. The kind of crying that borders on a scream. I didn't know a life withour her there. The very first person who treated me like a person and not a child. The person who knew how to handle my tantrums without being physical. The person who could calm me down with her firm voice. The person who would explain why you are being scolded at or why you couldn't watch certain things.

And now I think of her. I wonder what she would have taught me in being a woman. Would she really be against everything I have become? Would she not approve? She knew me so well, she wouldn't be surprised. And I would probably be back in the seat across her and tell her stories of my dreams. And tell her that some of them have come true. But the best ones are still reserved just for her to imagine. And when all that is done, she can let me kneel in front of the Sagrado Corazon and scold me.

To my abuelita, gracias por tomar el cuidado de nosotros, por la disciplina, por el alimento, por los rezos y por amarnos. Mi corazón todavía duele, pero sé su justo porque lo estás abrazando firmemente. Te amo.

Happy Halloween Ya'll

2006-10-30T21:35:00.000+08:00

click here for photos from the Crazy Costume Party Night!

What a weekend. The party at Zamakibo was fun fun fun and everyone came out in full force. Such a trip! I did finish my dress, although the skirt was a size too big (but nothing that a bunch of pins couldn't solve). The guys all played wonderful and DieRockersDie was extremely a blast to hear! I'm just so glad it wasn't as chilly this year as it was last year (hence the oppurtunity to wear a strapless outfit haha).

Then Blair and Joe spent the rest of the weekend with us in the little house of summerdays which was a nice ending to a hectic week. We got Joe's photos done without much hitch and I even got to shoot Blair wearing my costume hahha.I shall be posting those in the new blog since I believe that it does fall in the creative category. This half and half blogging is too fun. I feel quite organized already (Oh and I got a phone call from Angela at 4 am which I am not quite sure what I was saying cause I was half-asleep! Hope you guys figured out the Tilapia situation.) .

On other news, the Cagayan de Oro gang is partying it up in Manila right now and I have been so happy that brother is posting photos. Haaaah, they make me excited to go home. And on that note I leave you a photo of my favorite Divas and founding members of 'Nao Style.

And with much pride in my former divalette who has proven time and time again this year why Divadom has now been conquered and well understood by Rita, Queen Diva 'o6 as La Lohan:

i cannot cannot get over this hahahahahah

Peace. Love Dream. Goodnight Beautiful World.

A busy busy day!

2006-10-28T02:45:00.000+08:00

I was up at 7 am today (and slept early last night too) because it is going to be a looong day. As of this very moment, I have only managed to get one thing done from my list of a gazillion things to do! The moving of the site took longer than anticipated (haha it's almost like moving apartments!) and I am so happy it is working properly. In the next few days I shall tweak it some more, but for now I am just happy that it works in all browsers and is in perfect 3-column format (spent a whole hour just fixing that problem). What a geek.

Next up is finishing Ryan's costume for his Haloween gig tonight, clean the house and make my costume if there is still time. Yes, my priorities have changed a bit, hahah clean the house before my costume? C'mon Lia! I don't have a choice cause tomorrow I have a scheduled shoot here in the house followed by a dinner to be cooked by Joe (and Blair hahah!). Really excited about that.

A day is not enough! A lifetime is not enough! Busy is good.

On other news, I just looked at my brother Emman's photos and saw that the Cagayan gang is in Manila. Shhyyyyeeeettt I wanna be there too hahahha! I miss you all.

Back to work for now.

And a different corner of the web we go!

2006-10-28T02:01:00.000+08:00

Hello all! This is going to be Summerday's new home. After a wonderful 3 years with Xanga, I decided to make the change. I started that blog to document my whole experience of coming to California, and now that this trip is almost over, it will also be a new chapter in the book of summerdays. Thanks to everyone who have been so kind as to indulge in my blog and leaving comments thru the years, it has really been a great help in this process of growing up and what-nots :-) Salamat.