My Side of the Bed...

Digi Layouts

2008-11-02T20:21:00.000-08:00

More! More! More practice! :D

It Came The Other Day

2008-11-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

My package from sizzix came the other day. The excitement almost killed me. Well, it's an exaggeration... hahaha...

Anyhow, even if the sidekick is here, I still won't be able to scrap because my stash is in my SIL's house in NY and I am here in PA (4hrs away). I will pick them all up this weekend when I visit.

Here are a couple of pictures of what came...

[Latest] Scrap Pages

2008-10-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are the traditional layouts I made. Still lacking journals though...

And here are the 2 digi pages I was able to create...

Some Updates

2008-10-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since I posted something here. That's because for the past seven months I have only made 4 scrap pages, 1 a few weeks after I got here and 3 just a few weeks ago... huhuhu... Let's just say I was on rehab for my scrap addiction - partially that is. Though I have only made 4 LOs, I have not really stopped my "addiction" to scrap stuff. Whenever I pass by a Michael's or Joann's store, I would definitely stop and look (and eventually buy!) some of the items they have on sale which are mostly printed papers and tools.

Part of my scrapping materials were left in a box in my mom's home, collecting dust, waiting to be shipped here. I was not able to bring all of them - with the baggage weight limit and all. What's sad is, the stuff that I left were the heavy ones - scissors, bigkick, dies, papers, paints... This is not an excuse not to scrap though. Anyhow, last Friday, Sizzix had a two-day sale. They offered further discounts on already marked down items. This made my head roll and good ol' self control lost her power (again!). I bought their pink sidekick and some dies. Sixty dollars poorer but 100% happy!

Why I haven't had time to scrap? Well, I was on a project until the end of August in Harrisburg, PA. This is 3 hours away by car from New York (where my hubby and son are staying). About 4.5 hours by train and 6.5 hours by bus - if there are no delays. I go home to NY every weekend leaving Harrisburg on Friday nights and coming back Sunday nights. I spend the almost-2 days bonding with family, making up for the week that I was away. I just take a glimpse of my scrap stuff to make sure my son didn't play with them but never made any LO. Now that I am on bench, I am a hands-on mom... no yaya here :'( This gives me very little time for scrapping.

I recently bought a book on digital scrapbooking. I figured this is a good alternative for me since I couldn't bring along all my stuff when I travel. I have made my first scrap page. It was fun but I still have a lot to learn. As of now I still enjoy traditional scrapbooking more.

I'll post the pictures of the pages I have created and some of the stuff I bought on my next post. I still have to move them to the computer. Till next update...

Work at Last!

2008-06-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

Finally, after more than three months of waiting, I have work at last! Yes, you read that right! Finally, after so many resume reviews, submissions, vendor calls and a handful of client interviews, I got an assignment. Thanks to my friend Anne, who "forced" her team lead to consider me. I am now in Harrisburg, PA working on a project for the Department of State. Though it's just a short-term (3-month) assignment, I am still so happy I got it. I just hope I'll be able to perform well, for them to keep me for the next three months - and not boot me out of the project or have me shipped back to the 385 guesthouse in NJ, which I dread the most. :)

My first day was a bit boring and a little frustrating. I guess, maybe because I was just reading through stored procedures. But every bit of that feeling changed on my second day. I got my first task - well, technically, it was a list of tasks. I was going to make dynamic stored procedures for the application's reports. I completed this task an hour before we left the office this afternoon. I know tomorrow won't be dragging because they're giving me a new task. A task more challenging than the first one.

Well, can't wait for friday to come. I'm so excited to go back to my family in New York and spend the weekend with them. And tell them how my first week was at work.

Reason for Living

2008-04-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you felt there is no reason for living? Question sounds scary huh? This must have been what's inside a person's head when he's contemplating on ending his life, or when he feels all alone, depressed and lonely, or when his life is all messed up and can't find a way to make it better, or when he's drowning in pain - physically or emotionally.

This thought popped into my head this morning... not that I wanted to end my life or anything - don't read me wrong here. Maybe I just had too much time to myself that I was thinking of so many things. Things I wanted to do with and in my life but just couldn't... miss my family... having no work... insecurities... blah blah blah.

Ok, back to the question/topic... Why would a man think there is no reason for living? Aren't our families reason enough? Or our friends? Or the man we love? I have always wanted to ask people who tried ending there lives why they did it. Is it a mental thing or an emotional disturbance or just plain weakness?

I remember a friend from high school who took her life by hanging herself from the beam of their house. They said it was because of insecurity. It was tragic so to speak, but no one knew the reason. I couldn't say it was because of that - she did good in school, she was athletic, she had lots of friends, her family was well off and I think was a cool family. Why did she do it?

I also know of someone who had tendencies but I never had the guts to ask what triggers them or what's in his mind. I know there are scientific/medical explanations but what I wanted to know is what's on the minds of these people? What makes them do it?

I know I had reached a point where I thought I had no reason for living but then I think of my son and the poeple I love and the thought just slips by... I know I can always think of a reason and there'll always be one. I guess the desire to live is what drives me to move on. I just hope that desire doesn't wear off and if it does.......

Two Fave Songs

2008-04-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

I just felt like posting the lyrics of two of my favorite songs. Songs that I have been keeping in my playlist for the longest time...

I'll Be by Edwin McCain

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be your love suicide
and I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be your love suicide
and I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, Remembered the things that you said

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be your love suicide
and I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

And I'd give up forever to touch you
cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that ill ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me
cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And you cant fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive

And I don't want the world to see me
cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And I don't want the world to see me
cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And I don't want the world to see me
cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Packing Time

2008-02-06T20:05:00.001-08:00

"It's packing time!" That's the latest line you'll most probably hear often in the Bruan houshold. I will be leaving for the US on February 22 and we have a couple of weeks to pack all the stuff I want to bring and the stuff that my hubby and son should ship before they follow me in a few months. Plus the stuff that needs to be given away or sent to my parent's and in-law's house. We have to do this while I'm still here or else hubby will send all our stuff to in-law's house hehehe.

It'll be a very busy month for us, I know. And scrapping won't be done until I get to the US. :( I have packed my scrapping stuff already... 1 box with a weight almost 2x the allowed baggage limit of the airline. Now, that's a huge problem! I have to sort out what's coming with me and what's going to be shipped before hubby asks me to leave them here...

See you again sometime...

2008-02-06T19:50:00.000-08:00

On February 5, 2008, I bade my office friends goodbye... Deltek has been my second home for the last five years and the people I worked with I have considered family for half a decade.

It was my last day at work. Being an emotional person, I had to psych myself a couple of weeks to fight back tears. I resigned from work because I will be leaving the country soon. I promised myself I won't let tears fall on my last day - I want to remember only happy faces and sweet smiles.

I will surely miss everyone at the office especially my friends. But as I said in the farewell note I sent them... "this isn't goodbye... it's just see you again sometime..."

Inspirations

2007-12-30T05:28:00.001-08:00

A few months back, I promised some friends that I would share some of the layouts I have made (not necessary completed ;)). Some of these are not 100% complete becuase some doesn't have journalling yet. I won't be able to list down the materials I used because I was not able to write them down when I made these los. Here goes...

Details of some of the layouts:

The "Congrats" LO was a gift for my sister when she graduated from college in March 2007.

"Two-gether" was a page I made to celebrate my relationship with my hubby... I used the qoute from the very first birthday card he gave me in Dec 1996... "I hope you feel as good about our relationship as I do. It just seems to get better all the time... When we first got together, I knew we hat the makings of something special... and the more we get to know each other, the more I'm sure of it. You have the kind of personality that I really enjoy... the kind of sensitivity that I appreciate so much. We seem to be headed in a happy direction and I'm hoping that we just keep growing closer."

For the Handzzzzz lo, I used my son's hand as stamp. I wiped a generous amount of paint on his hands and asked him to just place them on the cs. What I remember from this lo is that my son actually enjoyed doing this and from then on, he wants to join me whenever I do some scrapbooking. I guess this lo kicked-off his enthusiasm and bacame my scrapbooking buddy.

The lo with the W was actually a re-arranged/re-designed lo of the very first layout I did during the 2-hour seminar with Master Iris Uy... the seminar that "started it all"! I did not throw anything from the original lo, I just re-arranged the pictures and added more embellies. The cs was given by Iris so I have something to brag to friends that I have something from THE Master hehehe...

There you go... I hope you had fun viewing my scrap pages...

US Trip Layouts

2007-12-30T04:55:00.001-08:00

My first out of the country trip was in January of 2007 and it was about that time when I started making 12x12 layouts. You can say that it was the perfect timing. So I kept all "scraps" that I can take hold of... tickets, labels, maps, flyers, stubs, even luggage tags and boarding passes. But the greatest "things" that I took home with me were memories preserved in beautiful (?) photos. These also left me a big challenge to give "justice" to these photos by making layouts that will further preserve the memories.

Here are some of the layouts I made.

SE-PS Joint Christmas Party

2007-12-16T01:28:00.000-08:00

I had a great time at the first Scrapbooks Exchange - Pinoy Scrapbookers joint christmas party. There was a long table of delicious food, loads of raffle goodies, fun games and all the stores were there so, SCRAP SHOPPING! I only wish I had endless supply of mulah so I can buy all the stamps, flowers and my dream Endless Love alpha dies... Oh, all those eye candies! I was able to buy just a few since I promised myself before going to the party that I would only spend a little and not damage my wallet too much.

Here's what I got from the raffle (overlay) and the exchange gift (UHU, bottle of buttons and fabric from Jeannie)

and the contents of my shopping basket...

It's my first EB with the members of SE but most of them I met already at the Scrappin' Moms Scrapfest. There I met the very creative Candy Lagazon and Rachelle Tolentino. They were our seatmates. And then there was Liaa whom we had a short cab ride with. (Thanks for the wonderful company ladies!)

I came to the party with my little boy Wax who, I felt, had a great time too. He was my shopping partner :D and I can see that he will be my future scrapping buddy too. He chose the frog papers I got from Mitch of Visual Creations and asked me to by the corner punch from Jane of Rekindled Moments.

It was too bad we had to go ahead of the others (and missed to group photo-op). Wax wanted to leave and see his daddy who as Wax puts it "is already waiting for us at home". I hope to attend another party or EB soon!

RAK our World!

2007-11-27T08:43:00.001-08:00

Initially, when Lee announced that a very generous scrapper is brewing up a RAK for PS, I was really excited to join. But when scrappers started sending out invites to take a peek into their scrapping stash - I got intimidated. All the while I thought I have a lot... Everyone seemed to have a whole room filled with juicy eye candies, while I on the other hand, have but a single plastic case to stack all my stuff. Nahiya talaga ako!

But anyway, here is a sneak peek of my scrapping stash... For those who shared pictures of their stuff, thank you! I enjoyed viewing all your "abubots" and I now know what I have to save up for! And to Marj, you are one very generous lady... THANK YOU VERY MUCH for RAKing up our world!

What a productive weekend!

2007-11-27T07:59:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I was ranting about not having been able to finish any LO for a looong time. Last weekend I was able to make time for scrapping!!! and I was able to finish 2 1/2 LOs. That half still needs a title and journalling but then it's still an accomplishment. I have yet to take pictures of the LOs and post it here - I'll work on that this coming weekend, promise!

How I Wish!

2007-11-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

I haven't had the chance to finish a layout for a couple of months now, not even touch my stuff! This is what happens when (1) you leave late for work thus arrive home late (2) you don't have your own space to scrap where you can leave everything "as is where is" (3) when you have a household to run (4) you have a very hyper, persistent 3 yo son who wants your full attention and (5) you have a husband who wants you to do something else than scrap.

When I look at all the LOs of other scrapbook designers, i almost literally droooooool with envy! Well, at least I have my office breaks to browse through some designers' blogs and feast my eyes on very lovely LOs. With that I can say I am not really out of the circulation! At least I get a dose of updates about the scrapping world everyday.

By the way, I finally have alpha dies for my bigkick. I got 2 from April - Sizzlits Original Font and the Cuttlebug Harmony. I also bought 2 sets of alpha foam stamps from Ria - MM Gabby and Mixed Fonts. I seem to be buying stuff every now and then but haven't found the time to use them. Talk about hoarding!

Well, my only wish it to be able to use them soooooon! This weekend maybe? Oh, God only knows!

11th Year

2007-10-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

Last October 21st marked our 11th year of being together. We don't celebrate it like we used to. Actually, we don't celebrate it at all. I just reminded him of the date, we greated each other with "Happy Anniversary" and gave a small sweet smack.

Oh, how I miss the "old days"... having to eat a hearty meal, watch a movie and just spend the day together. Times have changed indeed... spend the day at home and think of it as an ordinary day. When I think about it, it actually doesn't matter that much if we do celebrate it or not. What matters most is we were able to spend another year of triuphms and failures, health and sickness, laughters and tears TOGETHER.

There are things that I am certain that didn't change. Our love and respect for each other. But come to think of it, it does have some changes too. Our love is stronger and more intense and the respect grew more. Plus the bond that ties us together, i believe, is greater than ever.

To Jimmy, I would like to let you know that no matter how we spend our anniversary, my love and respect for you will never fade. And as long as we are together, nothing and no one can ever change how I feel about you and our relationship. No words could express how thankful I am that God chose me to be with you. I love you and will always will!

Hope

2007-10-21T00:15:00.000-07:00

I think I am about to give up hope... on losing weight, that is. Jim and I started going to the gym in September (thanks to my sister's corp acct). and after a couple of weeks, I gained instead of lost. Bakit kaya? Tinanong ko pa, e, alam ko naman ang sagot! Discipline. Yes, discipline. I lack it. and I lack it big time! I have to watch what I eat. I have to get enough sleep. I have to drink a lot of water. What else? Hmmmm...

Starting today, I will try to stay away from temptations. I will try to commit to just eating a cup of rice, drink at least 8 glasses of water and sleep early. I know these are not enough to lose some weight. But this is a great way to jump start the process.

Oh and one more thing, I will have to believe that I can do it, even if it takes a couple of years.

The Sweetest Kiss

2007-10-21T00:11:00.000-07:00

What is the sweetest kiss?

Lately, my little boy got the habit of kissing me on my chin. I am just wondering, with my big, o big, face, why the chin? Is it because I have a couple of layers of it? But anywhere he plants it, as long as he does, I will be toooo happy to recieve that sweetest kiss....

Scrapbook Pages

2007-08-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

In my first entry, I wrote about the new hobby I am very much into - scrapbooking. I already have 3 albums of finished pages. The first scrapbook album I made was of our little boy's pictures. The next was of my first travel outside of the country and the other one are random pictures I want to preserve.

I would like to share a couple of the random scrapbook pages I have made for the past couple of months. (1) Man of the House (2) Little Big Boy (3) Run with the Wave (4) Cobra Team (the team that I belong to at work)...

That Darn Dream!

2007-07-13T00:16:00.000-07:00

Most of us must have heard of this from our not so young elders - having a dream that a tooth falls off is really bad, a sign (daw!) that someone you love - a relative or friend - will die... Well, this really is giving me the creeps and it didn't help that today is Friday the 13th! I'm not saying that I believe this.

You know, a few days before my grandfather died, I had a dream that two of my teeth broke. I believe that was just a coinsidence. So just to see if there are other meanings to this dream, I looked it up in the internet. Here is what it says in:

1. (http://petrix.com/dreams/body.html)
Teeth
Normally an unfavorable sign in a dream. It signifies displeasure and also shows that you are afraid of losing someone dear to you.

2. (http://www.anael.org/english/dreams/meaningofdream4.htm)
Teeth, falling out: Spiritual tragedy, diseases.

3. (http://www.maljonicsdreams.com/Dream_Dictionary/dreams/Teeth.html)
Teeth Dreams
Dreaming about teeth is very common in all cultures and age groups. Most dreams about teeth leave people feeling uneasy and anxious. Consider the overall content and context of the dream and note if you are having dental problems before making interpretation. Teeth usually symbolise power and/or control. Animals use their teeth for defence and nourishment and show their teeth when they are angry. Humans often display similar behaviours. Look and see if you are losing or abusing power and control in any area of your life (especially if you are losing teeth in your dream). Old dream interpretations say that dreaming about teeth is a bad omen that suggests financial difficulties.

The common meaning I found from my "research" is all about difficulties (financial and spiritual) and tragedy. That last thing makes me feel uncomfortable... I don't like that word - very negative!

Well guys, (and I am telling this to myself too...), the best thing to do is to pray to God that nothing bad will happen... and that this dream is just that - a dream.

Sexy Mama Dream

2007-06-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

This is the scrapbook layout I submitted for the scrappin' moms May challenge. It was a hit (though I didn't win) I can say becuase most of the people I met during the scrapfest called me Chay - the sexy mama. hahaha

These are pictures Sabrina (my office friend) took of me posing at shop windows with sexy stuff... I would like to think she loved it so much she took so many pictures of me posing and making funny faces!

So much to do, so little time... but then...

2007-06-08T03:50:00.000-07:00

There are a thousand things i'd love to do... cook, bake, learn to drive and swim, take singing and dancing lessons, work on my beading (accessories) and scrapbooking (until my eyes and hands hurt), go to the gym, play badminton regularly, try to home-school my little big boy... oh, that's just to name a few!

Reality? I have to spend my time on a day job, bond with Wax when I get home (till i tuck him to bed) and then catch up with the "other" man in my life (till I tuck him to bed too!). You see, I have my hands full already... but I am not going to complain.

...One time I passed by the old man digging the foul-smelling trash for food, little children begging for some spare change, and a lady sleeping on the pavement... I just couldn't stop thanking God that I have a day job that would keep me from digging in the trash for food and that I have a home where my hubby and son are waiting for me.
This IS the perferct life for me (not counting in the financial aspect of course). And if ever I get to do some of the things I wrote above, let's just say it's a big big bonus.

10 Things I Want to Do before I turn 40

2007-06-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

There are still a lot of things I'd like to do before I turn 30. but since that would be just a few months from now - 6 months to be exact, I thought of just making a list of the things I want to do before I turn 40.
Here they are...

1. Learn how to drive (my own car - a Hummer perhaps?)
2. Honeymoon in Dakak
3. Learn how to swim
4. Relax in Boracay
5. See the reefs in Batangas or Dumaguete
6. Create a winning scrapbook layout
7. Vacation in Paris
8. Live in the US
9. Take a cruise around Asia
10. Have another baby (girl)

Seriously Now

2007-05-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

I am on a diet...

Yes! You read it right. Well, actually, I am trying to. For those of you who know me or at least have seen me... you might be asking - "why only now?". Me, too! I have been asking myself that question for a couple of days now and honestly, I don't know how or what to answer...

Reasons? Uhmmm... it'll probably be better to list them down...

1. The heel of my right foot is really getting painful... screaming at me that I am soooo heavy! hahaha

2. I am tired of going (a hundred times) around the plus size section of department stores and still not find anything that fits me well.

3. My tummy is bigger that my upper-bumpers! waaaahhh...

4. Bigger clothes are expensive.

5. 90% of the clothes from bazaars are not for me - let me know if you find a store that sells XXL blouses...

6. I'd like to wear (at least) a tank top when at the beach

7. I'd love to wear shorts when doing my grocery shopping... (I still don't have the guts to do this)

8. It would be great to hear my son say "mommy, you're sexy!"

9. I want Jimmy to be more proud of me

and last...

10. I want the dream of being a true SEXY MAMA be a reality! :D

Me and my "crafts"

2007-05-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have been into a lot of crafts and collections. You name it, i must have, in one way or another, tried it.

Elementary was stationery and stickers stage. I can still remember those days I would ask my Mom to buy me statio from the bookstore or specialty store. The regular swap days with friends was something I look forward to every week.

High school was for coins/bills and stamps. I was into this for a short time only and had to give the coins to my Dad when I found out how expensive the old coins were. I used to check each coin I get from store change or from my daily "baon" to see if I have that coin in my collection already. Today I sill have a handful of those big and heavy one peso coin, a two-peso bill, the green bagong lipunan five peso bill and the ten peso bill.

College was cross stitch years. The first pattern I completed was a coaster sized candy cane design. I have done a couple of religious figures, a ballerina and a huge princess-like lady design. Graduation year forced me to stop in mid design an angel pattern called Angel of Hope. Up until now the angel hasn't given up hope that some day I find time to complete her and hang her in a beautiful frame in my small apartment.

A few years back was beading and accessory-making. This was the best craft I got into until I accidentally dropped by the scrapbooking world! This was the craft that was a hobby and a business all-in-one thing. My hubby and I was able to buy our (then-dream) Pioneer home theater system! I started designing for family as gifts and for personal use but when my MIL saw what I had created, she asked me to make a few bracelets so she could try offering to fellow teachers. I have to thank my aunt who taught me how to clamp the ends and the difference between a crab lock and lobster lock. I also have my MIL and SIL to thank for, for they are my "retailers". My MIL sold to teachers in the province and my SIL to customers in the pharmacy she's working for. Beading might not be the best for me but it certainly is my most loved craft.

And just last year I started scrapbooking. My current flame! This is something of an accidental craft... The building where our office is located held regular bazaars during holiday season. While going around the bazaar, at the far end of the site was a small nook filled with scrapping materials. I was just looking at the cute embellies and the lady named Iris (Yes! It's Iris of Scrapbukan!) showed me her layouts... I was smitten by her designs but turned off by the expensive materials that were in front of me. So I shrugged of the thought of trying the craft. After a few weeks the building offered a 2-hour session for scrapbooking. And guess who the facilitator was... yes! it's Iris again. She's really one artistic (and beautiful) lady. After that session let's just say the rest is history....

Well that's my craft story... I am just wondering what's the next craft I'll get into...