Free Layouts!

Free Layouts!




Like promised, here are the layouts I've made. Please leave your comments on it, so I can improve them. And also, if any of you wants to use either one, leave your email and URL (website link) in the comment box below and I will email the code to you.


This one is rather sultry and a little darker.

Click--> Take a Bite.

...While this one is on the lighter, happier side of love.

Click--> Teddy XOXO


Hope you all liked them!

Exchanging Letters

Exchanging Letters



Hummin': My Boo by Usher/Alicia Keys

Yesterday, I found myself sorting through my white drawer of old stationaries, which was under my bed. There were more than a hundred unopened sets; some of them were scented, some had embossed details and some had famous cartoon characters.

As a little girl, I always loved receiving letters. And what better way to ensure that you receive letters than by first sending some to others? My friends and I, even though we saw and talked to each other everyday in school, still wrote to each other once or twice a week. I'm glad that I managed to save about half of them.

Majority of those, as I discovered yesterday, were full of crap (sorry). There were plenty of "how are you's," "KIT-Keep In Touch," "JAPAN-Just Always Pray At Night," "TCCIC=Take Care Coz I Care," and the reassuring "FF-Friends Forever!" at the end. Most of which, I believe, were not even half-meant by giggly elementary girls. But we loved reading them anyway.

As silly as it seems today, I believe that exchanging those letters also had a huge effect on how our friendships were cemented. Oddly enough, those letters that I managed to keep (unintentionally losing others) were from elementary and highschool friends that I remain very close to until this very day. While many of the letters I know I received, but lost, were from other friends who don't care less to what happens to me.

Maybe it was a silly ritual, or just a fad, but writing letters to my girlfriends allowed me to express my gratitude for their friendships. Now that I think about it, each letter I wrote carried a message of "Thank you for being my friend." In return, even if words were unwritten, I believe their letters to me also meant, "You're welcome...and thank you, too."


PS: Due to people asking for help with layouts, I'm making two layouts for girly (Hehe...Sorry guys!) blogs and will be releasing them for FREE early next week. Check back for updates!

Summer Freedom

Summer Freedom



Hummin': Hari ng Sablay by Sugarfree

For the first time in two years, I finally can claim that I have a summer vacation! Whoop-dee-doo!

I actually have three units to take this summer, but I guess I could just (over)load it in my Senior year. After all, after spending 2 of the previous summers inside a stuffy classroom taking notes and listening to teachers drone, I think I deserve a break.

For these upcoming months, I'm planning to spend more time inside the gym and maybe in the swimming pool. (For the fats, y'know.) Then, I'll try scouting around for some graphic design or animation classes. I really love editing photos and making layouts such as this one. Moreover, if I plan to work in the advertising field, I think these skills are huge pluses, if not, prerequisites.

And maybe, if I find one, I'd also like to enroll in a dressmaking class. My mom took one when she was still single and I've always been curious how I can create my own clothes and bags. Maybe I can start a small business in the near future, or if not, I can still use the skills someday as a wife or mom.

Ambitious, huh?

I know that I may be over-challenging myself, but I think that it's better to aim for tougher things than allow yourself to stay mediocre. And if I don't get to do all those I've listed, getting a 2 out of 3 wouldn't be bad either.

I just hope that these two months will not be wasted like the ones I've spent in highschool where all I did was accumulate fats in my body and numb my brain. I hope to be more productive and maybe become more well-rounded so I can find a nice and stable job after college.

Wish me luck! Better yet, include me in your prayers.

Couch Patatas

Couch Patatas



I'm a TV junkie. I can't live without the drama, comedy and reality TV series that make me look forward, very excitedly if I might add, to every week's new episode. So here's a post dedicated entirely to the shows that truly make me a couch potato.

1. MANHUNT, the recently concluded male model contest, where the Jon Jonsson (see little pics above) emerged victorious, despite being a couple of inches shorter than the other guys. I had been rooting for him since the second episode, after seeing so much potential in him. I was overjoyed when he won! Haha!

This was aired here in the Philippines every Tuesday of the past two months in Star World. I will terribly miss this as a MAJOR source of eye-candy. *sniffles*

2. Amazing Race 7. I've always been a fan of this show. It has wonderful settings, adrenaline rushes, and dramatic situations (what more can you ask for?). This new season features the winners of Survivor All-Stars, Rob and Amber! Rob is a very conniving and competitive guy in Survivor, so I think this season's race bears a whole lot of surprises.

3. Outback Jack. It's a mixture of The Bachelor and Survivor. The show picked the girly-girls and then placed them in the outback where there's no electricity and they had to stay in tents. Then they're made to do tasks, where the prizes are dates with the ruggedly handsome, Jack.

I didn't get to watch the start of this show, but when I chanced upon it, I found myself hooked and very amused. LOL!

Last, but definitely not the least, OPRAH.

If I have the time, I will watch all the Oprah shows day in and day out. Some of the shows contain so much life-changing lessons regarding death of loved ones, heartbreaks, child molestation and other issues in our society. Other times, they're really funny when Oprah interviews the biggest stars and gives us the what's up of their lives. Then there are episodes where she gives away her favorite things, and makes me drool like crazy with envy. There are also a lot of episodes where she rewards the good, but poor people with grants, cars, clothes and even houses.

I've only become an avid Oprah viewer late last year, but I'm glad that I am one because this show has enriched a lot of people in the two decades that it has been running. I am one among the millions. If there is a TV personality that truly made a difference in me as a person, I would say it would be Oprah.

PS: Other shows that I follow are CSI, Will and Grace, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Entertainment Tonight, Everybody Loves Raymond and American Idol. But I wouldn't want to bore anyone to death, so I've chosen to just write about my three current favorites.

Oooh, and I've been downloading Desperate Housewives! It's a fantastic series!

The Makings of a Mental Block

The Makings of a Mental Block



Hummin': Kulang na Kulang by Joy and Bevs

The sweltering heat of the upcoming dog days is already letting its presence known. Beads of sweat form on my sensitive nose every minute, even with the aircon blasting warm winds. My wet hair from a recent cold shower drips water down my back, seeping into my old, oversized, green shirt.

I rest my fingers on the keyboard, wondering which one of my mangled thoughts should first be released onto the screen.

My brain elves frantically sort through the rubbish that fills my head, rummaging for anything of worth. They work long hours, you know. Never stopping, never getting more than half-way through before another load comes crashing down on my already mountainous clutter of thoughts.

Imagine Payatas, Smokey Mountain...but worse.

Finally, a little one screams in victory, waving a piece of paper in the air. Another elf, svelte and fast, grabs the paper, jumps through the other piles of mess and reaches the massive network of computers. He hands the paper to an old, tubby, elf with glasses who then starts feeding it into the computer.

Half-way through, the paper crumples, indicating a jam in the feeder. The elder elf places his mouth over the speaker on the desk and says, "Code Red. I repeat, we have a Code Red."

A half dozen other elves come running from all directions and try to pull the paper off of the feeder. Together, they form a line, each one pulling the other, hoping that combined strength will get the paper out. But before they could say, "on the count of three..." the machine finally manage to suck in the crumpled paper.

For a second, my fingers itch to start their daily jogging routine, but then, the urge fades away just as fast. My brain registers a blank.

The elves cut their celebration short. Even before they could complete a quick "hip, hip, hurray" for a job well done, the machine does a quick "bleep," wheezes, gasps and chokes, regurgitating a thousand pieces of what could've been an inspirational masterpiece.

And again, I rest my fingers on the keyboard, wondering which one of my mangled thoughts should first be released onto the screen.

A Promise To Yourself

A Promise To Yourself



Hummin': True by Ryan Cabrera

If ever you find yourself feeling a little low on your self-esteem reservoir, here's a poem that will encourage you to move on.

Promise To...

Be kind to yourself.
Look in the mirror and see
that you are beautiful.
Make three wishes.
Be strong.
Nurture your soul.
Continue your prayers.
Let go of any pain.
Banish any anger.
Take one moment at a time.
Hear music.
Make music.
Seek inspiration.
Learn.
Believe in fairy tales
and in the magic
of your dreams.
Find that dreams do come true.
Hug yourself.
Feel the sun shine.
Believe again.
Smile.
Seek laughter.
Always remember that you have
a guardian angel
watching over you.
Find hope.
Find true love.

By Linda Ann McConnell.

I hope that as you read this, you also felt a little spark of hope rekindling in your soul. And maybe by doing what this poem recommends, you'll also start feeling a little better about yourself and the situation you're in.