Lovely Summer!

After 10 months of gruelling schoolwork (at least that's how my 2 boys seem to look at it), what's next???

In this endless summer
We will be together
And i dont want this feeling to ever end

- Ashlee Simpson

Here are the first few shots of vacation!!!

A Milestone Passed - On Matt's Graduation Day

"There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning."-- Orrin Hatch

Matt, with his Grade School diploma...

Here we are, looking proud to pin on Matt his 2nd medal (the 1st is his academic gold medal) for being 9th overall besting 200+ graduates.

We've always believed in you and in your capacity to excel in everything that you set your heart on.
Happy Graduation Day!
We love you!
Thank you for making us truly proud!

Just Sharing With You

A moment of "La Dolce Vita" at Trevi, Rome, Italy.

I found a nifty little application for my Mac that makes framing of pics really quick without using the more complicated Photoshop. Yes, I still find Photoshop a bit difficult to use... or I'm just being lazy to try... sometimes.... Heehee.

So for those who are Mac users and into scrapbooking or those who might be interested to try the software that did that fuzzy border on the pic, go click this link >> Easy Frame.



Just sharing with you that small application and a pic from our travels...

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If you noticed the new look on my blog, this is courtesy of my host Tin who has painstakingly updated (and continues to update)  our (her hostees') sites. Thanks a lot Tin! Mwah-mwah!

Contemplating the Big Move

Flashback to 1999, during the 7th year of our marriage, we had a 6 year-old schoolboy and a 3 year old toddler. We didn't have the savings and our total monthly family income then, working as employees, was nowhere near the 6-digit figure, in pesos. Hehehe, that was barely enough for school, baby and household expenses.

After 7 years of harmoniously living in with my in-laws from the time we got married up to the time we brought forth 2 boys into this world, Jerry and I took our biggest leap of faith. We decided to move out of Mommy's house to live on our own. Yeah right... My skin crawls just thinking about how we managed to even pull things together to meet all our obligations.

It was at the same time when most businesses were on the throes of collapse due to the effects of the Asian crisis. Interest rates were unfavorably high and prices of commodities were uncontrollably increasing. It wasn't a good time to part away with hard-earned salary, if you ask me.

Yet, we did. After carefully calculating our finances, we thought it was time to purchase a 2-bedroom condo in an exclusive part of Guadalupe. The deal was sweet with 30% of the total property cost payable in 18 months interest free.

Now, at seven years of living on our own, Jerry and I find ourselves again in the same situation as in 1999. With a growing family, our cute abode is now getting cramped. This, plus the fact that the boys' school is transferring from Cebu City to a remote part of Mandaue is really making us consider the big move. Factoring in the travel time and the fuel cost due to the doubled distance, I wasn't too sure we could work out a convenient arrangement. And if we stay put, there is something that's bound to give - our budget, our health or our wits.

So now, with a few more months before we celebrate our 8th year in our condo, we are putting it up for sale... And while we are waiting for a serious buyer, we have started looking for a new place that's nearer to school, our place of work and my in-laws. So far, we have our eyes set on this 3-bedroom townhouse in an exclusive subdivision in the city...














Oh, we still don't have the savings... And my skin still crawls thinking of how we'd manage to pull this move and meet our obligations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUNNIE!

These shots were taken using the iSight webcam while waiting for Junnie to answer the VOIP call at 5:30 am Canadian time. Hehehe...




These two are screenshots taken on the last few minutes of Junnie's birthday while engaged in a Skype conference call.

clockwise: Mitzi, Junnie, Paparazzi, May, moi...


clockwise: Mitzi, Junnie, Mamarazzi, moi...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY "LIL BRO", JUNNIE!

*** We had a fun time doing a free conference call over the internet with loved ones from Manila and Canada to greet Junnie on his birthday. Nothing beats talking to each other for free (except of course, being with each other in person). Skype rocks!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY JAKE!

Jake at birth, at 1 year old and at 2 years old...

Warm hugs and loving kisses to you, our precious one...

Learning One Trick at a Time

Before Photoshop


After Photoshop

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I've been a Photoshop user for quite a time now but only to crop, resize, sharpen, brighten, or darken digital pictures. I know there's a lot more tricks to discover with Photoshop other than these common editing tools I mentioned, so I tried finding out more. That trick above is what I've learned so far. Hehehe... Talk about learning curve... Anyway... I'll read more tutorials, that's for sure.

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Jerry took that photo of me and Jake at the bleachers. Two weeks ago, we were all at the Cebu City Sports Complex for the boys' school sportsfest. We watched Kyle perform together with the whole Grade 3 level students. They all wore red and had giant golden hands that glittered under the sun while they moved. Quite a sight really!



Kyle and the Grade 3 students' field demo


Me, Jake and my friend and kumare, Ann. We go a long way since DLSU and SGV days.


Matt competed in the running games where he placed second to his co-track team buddy to win the silver medals. I guess he slowed down a bit due to lack of practice. He's been absent from his basketball and track practices due to his final quarter exams. He'll be graduating from Grade School on the 25th of this month.

In a few more weeks, the much awaited 2-month summer vacation will officially start. Yey!

A New Interest

Looking at my blog friends' sites showing samples of beautiful layouts coupled with lovely journals and pictures aroused my interest. I want to try digital scrapbooking!

I would really really really appreciate any tips you could throw my way, such as softwares to use with macintosh, etc......

Meanwhile, check out the invitation I designed for Jake's upcoming 2nd birthday... using powerpoint and the little talent that I have. Heeheehee...