Project Life: Travel Album {with Shondas}

I wanted to engage myself in the current buzz about Project Life. Though I can’t commit 100% to do 365 days, I’m thinking to do it in every travel or seasonal activities I will be having this year and onwards. I’m also in the dilemma of limited resources for this project in our area, so I thought about doing it in digital. Maybe easier for me to prepare, mix and match with my current supplies and most importantly it will take a little less damage  from my account.

On the other hand, what makes me more excited with digital projects is I can readily share these projects among friends and here in my blog. I’m really sorry for those who have been checking here and found the same old post I had.

Just a little trivia in case someone wondered why all of a sudden I’m doing digital this time. Actually, it has been my long time passion doing digital scrapbook layouts, in fact my first scrapbook was digital. I do it for my friend’s baby album. I’m so inspired how cute her baby was and add few mementos in it to add texture on my simple gift. She shared it among friends and one day I got tied with my time and I was never able to do it anymore. And I realized I have not been documenting my own stories. I felt empty, what has happen in between those years, so I start grabbing those stock photos of myself and andy and my loveones. Then I tried printing those papers kinda doing the hybrid, then it progress to whole new pages. It’s when I feel in love with traditional scrapbook where its more personalized and its really worthy of a lifetime keepsake.

So for 2013, my goal is to make all project life-digital version of all travel, adventures and activities with my friends. But I will also do my own project life traditional version about me, for andy and other love ones. Of course, I won’t discard the traditional scrapbook layouts that is really therapeutic for me.

And here are my first 5 layouts out of target 20. I wanted to have this photobook printed though.

My girlfriends, we call ourselves “Shonda” went to baguio as part of RnR. So instead of posting and flooding my facebook wall with individual photos which by the way we have 500++ already selected, I thought I will do the project life layout. Also to add some of my thoughts and story that has happen during our trip.

I hope you will all love this….

Day One: and First stop...

Next stop is Bencab Musuem:

Head to Cafe Isabel at Bencab Museum

Portraits with Sabel Painting:



Faces of Shondas



I still have 15 more layouts to do.  Yes, I will post it here.  I hope to see you often here and if its okay with you let me know you drop by,  I might think of something to give in return.  Let's see when I'm done this Project Life digital.  I target to finish this project in 2 weeks.

lots of love....

Where I've been?

Hmmm.... so excited to show where in the island i stepped into.  just that proud for having been to beautiful places......  like...



My Lakbayan grade is C+!How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.

Photography:Project 52

Im following "My Four Hens Photography" project 52.  As part of my goal this year to have more time with my first love, I hop in.  Here's first two weeks is themed with Time and Fresh.  I missed to view for updates so I will just post here my first 2 entry.

You can also view her blog here for spectacular photos, I'm sure those photos chosen will inspire you.

These are my take:
1/52: Time

I love the caption of this notebook...

2/52: Fresh

Morning After the rain along our pathway.

More to come...

2013: a brand NEW year...

A year that was: 2012 - It was one of the best year…because I finally moved on…. and nothing makes more happier than ever…beyond what I thought it will be.


With moving on… I had couple of travels around the country and cap it off with beautiful and enchanting El Nido Palawan - a place where I want to spend my retirement.


before that, this 2013:
A year of NEW…

1. Life

2. Directions

3. Learnings

4. Friends

5. And more…


My first love was taken back seat and for this year as part of new year planning

1. 52 week challenge – for Photography, scrapbooking

2. 12 visits outside my home place

3. 24 meals to enjoy

4. 5-day gym visits

5. Weekend with Andy

6. A day with myself

7. An hour with the Lord

And for today...plan...plan...    :)


here's a glimpse of El Nido...

Pinagbuyutan Island, El Nido, Palawan Philippines

Heritage Tour: Bataan

It's long holidays in our country because of the holy week and Araw ng Kagitingan (which is today).

So we went road trip and go back in time for world war ii history and trip to old houses of great Filipino from 19th centuries.

BATAAN is our destination.

We go straight to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Old houses from other places, like Binondo Manila, Lubao Pampanga and many other famous filipinos in 19th centuries were rebuilt and preserve here in the compound of Acuzar Family.

The place is 400 hectares big but this time only 5 hectares were occupied. some of the old houses is still under construction.

Said from our guide the goal of the project is to showcase past, present and future houses. That excites me to wait for more.

We only have day tour so we can peek on houses rebuilt for viewing.

Then we head to Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt Samat.


We proceed to starting point of death march.

next stop is to conquer mountains...

Adventure: Cagbalete Island

It has been march already and updates in my blog has taken back seat. I really appeal for your patience, with all those ups and downs, emotional turmoil I took so much time for myself.

I exercise a lot and currently I'm doing boxing for almost 2 months already. I joined gold's gym zumba. I thought these activities will really give enough endorphins to lift myself into happy stage.

I didnt really get those abs yet that I worked hard to show this summer. but you know eating is also my buddy during those times and i dont want to force myself too much on diets.

Oh well, aside from self healing through exercise I have been exploring our country's beauty (Philippines with 7107 islands). I went to places and beaches, for this tropical country we are really rich with islands.

Just to update you, here's my pic from latest adventure.

This is an island near Quezon Province, Mauban. Electricity is only at night using generator set from Resort Owner's (Pansacola). The island is fairly beautiful. You can enjoy the shores especially during lowtides - no fear of drowning for not learning how to swim.

We have not explored actually the whole island since we were with the group of mountaineers having summer fun. We joined Let's Unite all Climbers in the Philippines first grand family day. I had so much fun from our way to quezon, bangka, all night kantahan and sayawan.

But most of all that adventure was all dedicated for Au Nobleza - Happy birthday Au...it was indeed a memorable celebration at Pansacola Resort, Cagbalete Island, Mauban Quezon.

Here she is:

Thanks for love and continuous understanding.....
mwahhhhh...hugs and kisses...

~Being Free : Thank God~

This LO is for Paper thrills challenge #30 and 35...

I'm late, I know. and I had been MIA with my blog post... I got tied with my day job - work has been taking a lot of my time, add to that is I'm deeply troubled with personal growth and I'm glad I'm through with it.

I thought everyday is a battle for me to get through.... but going through those moments is also the most rewarding self-growth to remind me that my self is still the best thing to consider first.

Letting go is the most difficult thing to do, forgetting the best and worst times of the past is equally painful to do. and I thank GOD for giving me all the strength to do it all in a short period of time.

Anyways.... here's my layout:

After all those difficult times: here's my layout for THANKSGIVING....

Thanks for dropping by....

Crafty Sketches: October Sketch

I love this sketch from Narelle Riley. Very gorgeous, ain't it?

Please also visit Crafty Sketches blog, my DT created inspiring LO's too.

Heres my layout:

I got this from stast supposedly for the class of Iris. But you know my mojo just came this time.

Title: 10 y.o - this is just a comparison of my photo taken in the same spot. Oh my, I would say I'm proud how I aged gracefully. Im sorry I flatter myself on this one, but I searched for this portrait that Im so proud to share with you. Younger me was so naive and 10 years later is another cute smile preciously captured by My dereast hubby who really witnessed this transformation.

Photo taken at Botanical Garden - Singapore : June 2001 and May 2011

Thanks for peeking.

Paper Thrills : Challenge #22

is to make a Layout inspired by a Movie title or any line in the movie. Im even inspired to do more layouts in this theme.

I choose "Love and Other Drugs". I thought love is one of the strongest drugs of all. others may call it medication and will make you alive as long as you are on it or the other way. I thought for me it is the best drug I've ever taken especially in my most downest moment. So its gives me extra amount of energy that keeps me alive.


And now i think this drugs is wearing off slowly...and i dont want to happen sooner. If i can just buy it from any drug store i would really spend millions buying it everyday...


Here's my Layout. photo take from Ilocandia and Blue Lagoon, Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte. One of the best moments love gives me.

Thanks for dropping by.

Paper Thrills : Challenge #20

Its Palette challenge this time. I super love it. the colors excite me to come up with such shabby LO that I really wanted to do since.

Its inspired from a barbecue photo. Its monsoon time here in Philippine Island, but still a tropical country like ours summer is such our first love...especially me.

here's the palette:My Layout:
hope you like it.