Death of an online friend

My heart is breaking as I write this post.

I have mentioned a game in DST that I participated in a few months ago where I gained a few friends from different parts of the world. I have "met" wonderful and talented girls and one of them is Belladonne.

Belladonne was an old soul. She loves vintage and anything in the Victorian era, hence her kit designs. She saw to it that she'd be gracious to those who give props to her creations and have always been appreciative of things. It is just very devastating to hear about her death.

Belladonne, I would like to think that you just had to let us know about your accident before you finally left this world. I am consoled by the fact that you have spiritual prepared yourself to meet your Maker. I pray that in His own time, He shall also turn our mourning into dancing for you are now in a much better place. Now that you have gone ahead of us, I am almost sure that there will be somebody who would watch over us and intercede for us in heaven. So long, dear Bella, we all love you and I know we will all finally be scrapping our ass as we meet again someday.

My Teacher, My Hero

It is the World Teachers' Month once again and for this month I am planning to write letters to the memorable teachers I've had when I was still in school. I have always wanted to pay tribute to them but never found a chance so I am going to write about them in the coming days.

Last week, our school launched the Teachers' Month and a pupil from Grade 3 gave a speech about his previous advisers which included me. That pupil belonged to the very first batch of kids I have handled and the first is always memorable. It was my first time to be commended by  a pupil and I was overwhelmed with what he had said. Now I think it is time for me to give back to my teachers, and if you remember your first teachers, previous math teachers, or any teacher you remember, why not write them a  letter, blog about them, or if you're not the wordy type of person, give them a gift?

Our teachers molded us to become what we are now. We have spent more hours in school than at home and we're always in the hands of our teachers - it is now time to give back and pay them with adulation that they deserve.

Diva's Jeans - A HUGE Collab!

Oh hello Friday! It's that day of week where we get to see refreshing kits at DSB. For today, I am introducing a very huge and beautiful collab kit made by the DSB gang named Diva's Jeans. Now this kit has 70 richly textured papers (plain and decorated), 159 different elements, 2 alphabets with letters and numbers, and 1 layout template.

I have to tell you that this kit is beautiful and is perfect for your little diva's photos! Here is a preview of the kits' elements.

And here is a page I made.

And if you are like me who loves hitting two birds in one stone, this kit is absolutely FREE when you purchase products at DSB worth $10! I tell you, that's an amazing offer. So what are you waiting for? Rush in at the DSB store!

Photobook Overload

I am the type who stacks photos and I believe that I speak in behalf of other people. I love taking photos, and keeping them to the extent that I sometimes forget about the photos until such time when I decide to clean up my drive. Artscow is a breath of fresh air to memory enthusiasts like me. They provide cheap services for a very good quality photo printing products. I vow with their photobooks because they are the cheapest photobook maker in town. Plus there are ready made templates created by other members that you can use for an instant processing. All you have to do is drag and drop your photos, type some notes, and voila! Instant photobook for you!  They not only provide photobook/photo printing, they also create bags, magnets, mugs, coasters, and more more more!

Artscow is a Hong Kong based company but the shipping fees for their products are reasonably priced. You might want to check out their site and start printing your memories.

Friday: New Releases at DSB!

It's Friday once again and it means NEW RELEASES are out at Digiscrappers Brasil! Enjoy your 20% Off on new kits and packs where one of which is this cute and fun collab by Pink Reptile Designs and Find Your Bliss Designs. Clicking on the image below will lead you directly to the page link.

And here's what I came up using this kit! You can click on the image for a larger image and if you can, please do leave some love.

The page wouldn't be successful without the ingenuity of the template guru herself, Studio Basic Designs! For this page, I used a template from her Give Me Some SPACE I Vol. I which is a fabulous collection.

So what are you waiting for? Grab those awesome kits and templates at Digiscrappers Brasil now!

Going Template Gaga

Crisp, edgy, unique, and out of this world. These are the immediate words I can think of to describe Studio Basic Designs' style. They're classy too!

I love templates and if you have read my raves about them, you'll realize that I get crazy obsessed with them because I don't have the kind of imagination other scrappers have. I rely on templates and thank God I have found Studio Basic Designs! Take a closer look at some of her creations.

I always say that I am a clean and simple type of scrapper, and I think I still am, but now I have learned to experiment and modify my taste. That's what the inspiration is for right? So anyway, I love Studio Basic Designs and if you want to add more spunk with your pages, you have to take a look at her creations and die with pleasure. That I guarantee!

Belladonne Digitals CT CALL

My good friend Belladonne is having her first CT Call! If you're a lover of the Victorian Era and likes to create vintage pages, then this team is for you. Here are the CT Requirements.

So what are you waiting for? Send in your applications now! :)

Ju Kneipp is Hilarious!

I am a fan of Juliana aka Ju Kneipp Designs from CatScrap. I attempted to apply for her CT but got rejected and that's alright since I had a chance to interact with her (and gave me freebies). To see Juliana's creations, click on her ad below.

So why do I think Juliana's hilarious? See, some 7 months ago, when she rejected my CT application, I sent her a question in twitter whether she's having a sale or not. I was mesmerized with her kits and the spendthrift in me tells me to wait until there's a big sale. Juliana didn't reply -until this morning.

After 7 long months, I was flabbergasted to see this on my twitter notification on my email.

Isn't that hilarious?! I don't even remember what I asked her but thankfully, twitter has a way to make me remember. So anyway, Ju Kneipp Designs has a SALE! She's having 20% OFF on her selected kits at CatScrap. I suggest you go raid now for this chance may not be given in the future. Like in the next 7 months again? Hahaha! I love Ju Kneipp!

Is August the Ghost Month?

In Chinese Feng Shui, the month of August is considered to be the ghost month thus no major house construction should be made because it will bring bad luck. However, I think of it as baseless. I think it actually depends on what you believe in. Like me, I don't really consider August to be a ghost month because good things come my way during the month of August. I personally think that July is my ghost month because I always lose money every month of July. I always get robbed. =(

Anyway, I have a new baby. I have always wanted to buy a domain but since this blog is already established in a sense that I actually have followers (LOL), I bought a new domain with an ambitious niche. Hope you'll be able to visit and say hi to my new baby too. ;) Pretty please?

Call me MISS WISE.

Digiscrapping Templates

Hello everyone! I know I have been out for the longest time because of countless seminars that I had to attend to. The seminars were great as they were funded by the UNICEF. I gained a lot of new knowledge and was also able to refresh some old ones.

Scrapping wise though, I know that I have been MIA. I filed for my leave of absence to my CT explaining my situation and I am glad that they were able to understand my ordeal. I totally miss photoshop and the relaxation that scrapping gives me. However, I seem to have lost my mojo from the long break! Haha! So I am here once again cramming myself to get back that mojo and do some scrapping. I am glad for the presence of templates because if not for them, people with the "scrapblock" cannot get back to their knees and that's a serious matter in digiworld.

So for my favorite template maker Studio Basic Design, here are some templates from her.

So if you're into a mental scrapblock, try out the templates from SBD of DSB and modify to add your personal touch.

And God made Vettel....

Seriously, I am meaning to make this blog exclusively for my memes and digital scrapbook stuffs but I just can't resist with this feeling of elation that Sebastian Vettel won in the F1 race in Sepang, Malaysia earlier today.

So I was not an original fan of Grand Prix and I honestly thought of it a boring. But I do know Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen while I was growing up, but that was it.

Until this young and vibrant driver from Germany named Sebastian Vettel, I am so impressed with his record and the way he downplays his winnings. I like a humble guy of course. And the fact that he keeps his private life private (read: he doesn't bring his girl to his competitions) which makes the women swoon and drool. LOL.

So I am happy with Vettel's win today and I am rooting for him to their next race in Shanghai. Go Red Bull!

Eating Fondue in a Sunshine

Summer time is here once again and summer means a good excuse to eat ice cream! So for this week at DSB, join us as we celebrate the sunny season with kits of various themes. I personally like My Sweet Life by Rita Massela. This kit has delicious elements that are perfect for your photos of those sweet treats! Here is the kit preview.

And here is the page that I created using the kit. I used the photo I took when my mother treated us for an ice cream fondue while lounging at a mall during our recent trip to Singapore. Of course, you can never go wrong with a Haagen Dazs!

Another feature kit at DSB is this awesome collab from Elker W. and Sugary Fancy named Flourish Morning. The kit has a fresh appeal and would be great for photos of your summer activities or even those smiles that brightens up your world. This is a bundled kit and I have to tell you, you will not regret buying this one! It's full of elements and there are tons of papers to choose from for your spring photos. But of course, you can buy the Economic Pack (i.e. papers only or ribbons only) but you can save a lot of $$$ when you buy this bundle. And it's on a 40% OFF Sale this week so you really might want to grab this one now!

And here is my page using this kit. The photo shows of my daughter and her sunshine-y smile.

So what are you waiting for? Go to Digiscrappers Brasil for your own digital scrapping fix.

The Bloggers Exchange Episode 2

Here are the links for The Bloggers Exchange for the month of April.

I like the way they organize the link exchange thing and the way they control the number of sites that they publish and I am lucky to have made the cut. Anyway, these blogs are fabulous in their own merit, you may want to check them out.

@ STEP UP!
1 TWELVE ST.
BEAUTY AND FASHION DIVA
BROWN PINAY
CORBITONESS
DASHING SMILES
EAT,DRINK AND BE HEALTHY
EL OWEINI’S LIFE
EXOTIC PHILIPPINES
EXPERIENCE OF A SUPER MOMMY
FASHION AND PASSION ONLINE
FROM WALA TO OKAY
GENEFAITH’S HOME
HAPPY HOME WORKING
HAPPY MEALS
HERE…THERE..& EVERYWHERE….
HOBBIES AND EVERYTHING
I LOVE DARLY!
I LOVE HUES
I’M ONLY SLEEPING
I AM BUT… GAGAY.
JARED’S LITTLE CORNER
JE’S ANATOMY
JEN’S JOYFUL LIFE
JOY’S FLAIR
FAB MOMMA
KAYCE’S ONLINE DIARY
KERO’S CELEBRATION
KNITS READS AND REVIEWS
LEVYousa
LIFE ACCORDING TO ME
LIFE AS A WAHM
LIVE.LAUGH.LOVE
LOUE’S JOURNAL
LYZA’S LANE
MAKE MORE MONEY ONLINE
ME AND MY MESTIZAS
MIRAGE
MOM DAUGHTER REVIEWS
MOM’S SPECIAL DIARY
MOM’S UPS AND DOWNS
MOMMA HELPS
MOMMY SURVIVAL
MOMMY’S JOY RIDE!
MONEY,MAGIC AND MAYHEM
MUM WRITES AGAIN
MY BRIC-A-BRAC
MY CRAFT AND OTHER INTERESTS
MY CRAFTING DEN
MY DAILY MUMBLES
MY JOURNEY BEING A MOMMY
MY LITTLE LIFE
MY RANDOM BEST
MY RENDEZVOUS
MY THOUGHTS IN LETTERS
MY TOTS EXACTLY
MY TRAVEL FOLIO
MY WEB BLOG DOT COM
NATHAN STEPPING STONES
NEW HOME SWEET HOME
NSHIMA SERVINGS
OCCASIONS OF JOY
OUR HOMESCHOOL ROOM
OUR VILLAGE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT
PAGASPAS FAMILY BLOG
PINAY MOM’S MUSING
PINAY MOMMY A DREAMER
PINAYMUM-MOMMY’S LIFE AROUND…
POP UPS OF MY MIND
POSTCARD PERFECT
PRETTY OPINIONATED
PURE THOUGHTS
QUIRKS OF A DELUSIONAL MIND
SCRAP TEACH RANT
SEPTEMBERCHARM
SHAHZ MUSING
SO THE MORAL OF THE STORY…
TAGA DAVAO AKO
TEACHER MOMMA DOT COM
THE ALL-AROUND MOM
THE BLOGGERS JOURNAL
THE BLOGGING QUEEN
THE BLOGGING TRAVELLER
THE FILIPINA WAHM
THE KNIW WIT BY SHAIR
THE MISIS CHRONICLES
THE PEPPERRIFIC LIFE
THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH
THE TOTTERING MAMA
THESE AND THOSE
TRANSPLANTED THOUGHTS
TRAVELHOLIC’S EXPRESSIONS
TWEN TEEN MOM
UNWRITTEN CHRONICLES
VERNS DAILY
VIVA TRIPS & TIPS
WHIMS AND VIEWS
ZOWANDERER

The Vacation: Singapore

Okay where should I start? Singapore. Oh Singapore is a small place. I never thought I’d like it there. We hired a private van for the duration of our trip so transportation is not a least bit of a hassle on our part. And since I was the one assigned on the itinerary and accommodation, I researched a lot about the city. Before we went to the hotel, I briefed my cousins about the do’s and don’ts and their expectations. I knew that orientation was kinda boring but at least I have to tell them that.

In comparison to Hong Kong, Singapore is not congested and the landscape is way much better. You can see trees and flowers and there were pink bougainvilleas that almost looked like cherry blossoms. The landscape was a sight to behold. Our hotel was even nicer than my expectations because we were greeted by Filipino bellboys so we felt already at home. We chose Peninsula Excelsior to be our place to stay because from the reviews I have read, it is near everywhere. As in you can reach the spots just by walking, and the reviews were right! Plus we also get free breakfast and a high speed internet connection also for free at 10MBps.

Peninsula Excelsior at Coleman Street

On our first day at Singapore, we had to wait for my mother and cousin to arrive and when they did, that’s when we started to explore. We walked. And walked. And walked. We walked a lot and we didn’t mind, everything’s an eye candy. I particularly like the tunnels and the flowers. There were practically botanical plants wherever we go.

With fellow walking tourists from UK at the Supreme Court

So the Singapore sun rises late and sets late. 7:30 in the evening still looks like this.

The view of the bay

And here is Singapore skyline by night.

The Singapore Flyer. Taken at the top of Marina Bay Sands

Our second day was spent at Sentosa Island. As usual, we had long walks and contrary to our first day's weather which was fair, our Sentosa day was hot. Scorching hot.

Sentosa is an activity haven. If you like beach and sports, you should definitely go there. Plus you get tons of look at sexy women too.

But everything has a price. And they are pricey if I may say. We just tried on the 3D and 4D attractions and the Luge which we all really enjoyed. Plus of course, the must see Songs of the Sea presentation. We should have seen the 7:40PM show because we were all tired from all that walking that we didn't bother to go out to eat when we arrived at the hotel that night. However, the sunset is gorgeous!

Sunset at Siloso Beach

Songs of the Sea

We went to Universal Studios on our third day and before we left the hotel, we all made a pact that all of us should ride the roller coasters. Luckily, when we entered USS, we saw Frankenstein and he agreed to pose for a photo with us. Only us! He left the Hollywood Street after we had our picture taken.

We went to see Lights, Camera, Action! first and we had a great time. We were watching the special effects in front so we got splashed a little. And after that, I couldn't believe my eyes, I saw the Streetboys perform!

Streetboys Rockafellas

I knew the Streetboys are regular performers at USS but I totally forgot about them as my mind's straight on the roller coaster rides. Okay for the information of my non Filipino readers, they're a dance group in the Philippines and they used to be BIG and my high school classmates are all ga-ga over them.

So after their show, we went to ride the heart stopping Battlestar Galactica in Cylon. Including my mom of course. And then after the ride, all of them were traumatized so my cousin and I tricked them into riding Revenge of The Mummy (which is an indoor roller coaster) and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. We told them that the Revenge of the Mummy was just a train ride to see the artifacts and the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure was just a boat ride to see the dinosaur exhibit. They were stupefied and we laughed at them with so much gusto! But of course they had fun. We were all drenched after the Rapids ride though.

Drenched!

And we also got to watch the Waterworld attraction which we did not regret. It was like watching a real movie shooting.

I have to say that I can post hundreds of pictures but I just put them into a minimum for obvious reasons. We did a lot of things there too like shopping. haha! So there goes my Singapore visit.

The Vacation: Part Undecided

So our vacation is over and I do not know how to sum it up in an entry or two, or probably three that's why the title has the "undecided" tag line. Anyway, as I have said (or did I ever?) my mom left ahead of us because she has to attend a seminar in Manila. The day before our departure was my pupils' graduation and so are the paperworks that I have to get done. I got everything alright, but that also meant me being stressed out plus the fact that my aunt and uncle wanted me to follow up on their Shengen visa application as they will be going on a cruise this May. Yep, that's me, everybody's secretary, though I am not complaining.

So the day of our departure was full of excitement, my aunt and uncle drove all of us at the airport, paid for our tax fees and made sure we had plenty of food and chips to bring to the flight. We were good. Until there was an announcement that our flight is going to be delayed. Doomed. So my cousins and I brought out all our chips and gobbled them all up before we even boarded in the plane. A cousin of mine, not at all contented with the food, went out to eat at a nearby eatery. So what? We eat a lot! We consumed all the food that we brought (there were two duffel bags of food more but those were already in the checked in baggages) and we have nothing left to consume once we're in Manila.

So our flight was supposed to be at 1:45 but it turned out to be at 3:00, we arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 at around 4PM met another cousin who will be coming with us but comes from a different city, and then met my mom. We are all fine and dandy until I helped my mother check in. It was kind of a shock because apparently there were some glitches in her tickets and that could not be re-booked or refunded. Another doom. After almost fighting with the airline staff about their incompetencies and absurd fare conditions, my mom said that she will back out of the trip. I, then calculated all the costs that we will be losing as against to the cost of purchasing another ticket in a skyrocketed price plus the fact that I wouldn't want to experience Singapore without her. I closed my eyes, took out my wallet and counted my money. I paid more than 12 thousand pesos for my mother's flight from Manila-Singapore but what the heck, one should never ever count money when it comes to your parents right? When I paid, I saw my mom look at me in disbelief and kept saying, "No. No. No." and "Are you sure?" I shrugged her off and told her it's just money and I am going to earn that again. However, it turned out that my mother cannot be with us in our flight because it is all fully booked so we opted for her to catch the first flight for the next day and told her to go to my brother's girlfriend to rest and prepare for her flight. We were settled.

And so there we were, lining up at the immigration in order for us to board the plane. We all had coffee, had our little chitchats, ate again, and took a quick visit at the loo. Until it was 30 minutes before our flight, my cousin realized that his passport was missing. We were all so dumbfounded. We searched for his passport, my other cousins went to the paging counter while the others went to the xray section to check if he left his passport there. All to no avail. And the plane's about to leave! We were in panic. My cousin told us to go and board the plane and his brother accompanied him in looking for the passport. While we were lining up at the boarding section, we called our aunt and she was in panic too. My cousin went to the security and requested to have a look at the CCTV camera just to check whether someone picked his passport or he left it somewhere. The airport security told them that they can show the footages only after a desired time. So my cousin, who accompanied the one whose passport is missing decided to board the plane with us instead of paying thousands of pesos more if they both miss the flight.

When we arrived at Singapore, we contacted our aunt who told us that my cousin's passport was found. Apparently, some idiot guy flying to Ho Chi Min picked up my cousin's passport by mistake at the xray section of the airport. He only noticed it when he's about to board the plane and the ground crew found out about it. We never knew the guy's name but I sure hope he'll suffer from diarrhea. He caused us stress and not to mention another plane ticket! On the brighter side though, at least my mom has someone to accompany her on her flight the next day as the two of them are on the same flight as well.

So that's how dramatic our trip was. AND WE HAVEN'T LEFT THE PHILIPPINES YET!