It's almost the end of April, but as I have said before, it still continues to be a month-long celebration!

Guess what was waiting for me when I got back to my parents' home yesterday?

It's a card that came all the way from Canada! Thank you sooo much, Kym! What a sweet gesture ♥ I love you and I can't wait to hang out with you again!

And then last night, I went to see my closest friends from high school again! I haven't seen them since our Tagaytay weekend last month, so I was really excited to catch up with them. We planned to have dinner at Chef Carlos, an eat-all-you-can restaurant owned by one of our other classmates, and I asked them to pick me up so we can all go together. Next thing I know they were all calling me, asking where I was! They all forgot to pick me up!!! But that's fine, I just went there by myself and then we had a sumptuous meal consisting of different kinds of Chinese dishes :)

(",)

Turns out these guys had something for me...

A birthday cake! Awwww ♥ They also surprised me with a big birthday card that they have all signed :)

Aaand Ric said he couldn't resist smothering my face with icing haha.

This takes me back to when I celebrated my 15th birthday. We were all in Bulacan then for our bi-annual weekend out of town, and it coincided with my birthday. When the clock struck 12 midnight of April 6, none of them were talking to me and went back to Aiza's house (where we stayed at the time) ahead of me! When I finally got there, they were all waiting at the village's basketball court, surrounded with candles and santan flowers as a surprise for me :) I am blessed with the sweetest friends, really :)

Going back to the present, we went to 7-11 to buy some spirits after dinner.

We mixed the GSM Blue with Sprite. That Mardi Gras mango-orange Vodka Schnapps? It smelled and tasted so good ;)

We then headed back to Dianne's house where we spent the night talking, drinking, eating, and laughing. They also played some card games but I couldn't, for the life of me, understand the rules so I just sat slept there ;D

Sooo much better to spend my Friday night with people who really want me to be there and won't lie to me about it!

Now I wonder what's the best way to cap this super amazing month. I think I want a whole-body massage :)

PS: Today is also my sweet and pretty friend Ava's birthday. Why don't you hop on over to her blog and leave a few sweet words? ♥

Because all good things always come to an end, this dreaded message appeared when I tried to access my favorite photo editing tool:

I've been expecting it, really, after they first announced the imminent closure back in January. But seeing the site has closed, for real, hit me with such a blow that left me feeling quite empty. And I know I sound like I'm over-reacting here, but this is Picnik we're talking about, people.

I have spent countless hours with Picnik - what we have is special, what we have is wonderful. Aside from prettifying my pictures and making them blog post-worthy, Picnik also helped me exercise my creativity. I admit I was trigger-happy with the photo effects during the first few months of using it, but I know my "techniques" became better through time. It's fast, easy, and reliable, plus it connects without a hitch with other sites like Facebook and Picasa, which always helps when I'm using the computers at our office diner. I even bought myself a Premium account so I can use the cute stickers and experiment with curves! I've recommended the site to my friends and they've also got nothing bad to say about it. Now that my camera is not working properly, I need it more than ever to make my photos sharper and clearer so I'm absolutely gutted to see it go.

Here are some of my favorite Picnik-ed photos:

Sigh.

It's sad to see you go, Picnik. I don't know if I'll ever find a photo editing tool that would make everything easy for me as you did. All the same, I wish you the best and I am happy that I got to discover you and your awesomeness before you left the interwebs ♥

Two years ago, I shared with you this wonderful love story of Justin and Arlene. Even though my friend Justin and I belong in different departments at the office now, I still consider him one of my closest friends and I have nothing but good words to say about him. We rarely get the chance to talk and catch up, but when we do I am always left amazed. He has this light that radiates from within, and I am blessed he is my friend. I knew him even before he met Arlene, and I can honestly say that she has made him an even better person. He smiles more now, he has mellowed a bit, and he has become generally happier. I know that as with other relationships, they've been through some rocky roads as well, but I've always known they will soldier on. 

And that's why I am very glad to announce that they are now happily married and I am honored to be one of the selected guests invited to grace the occasion.

The ceremony was held at the Sto. Domingo Church last April 14, exactly two years after I wrote this (click the link if you haven't yet, I promise you their story will make you swoon ♥) It was a beautiful wedding and they were surrounded by people who love them.

I wore a cream-colored lace dress. In the photo: gold purse from Accessorize, turquoise and gold nails, and gold "Mockingjay" ring from Anagon Collection

Here is a short video from the day itself:

And here are their personal vows:

"Abay, you are a gift I don't deserve. A precious gem like you - I don't have anything that would match your value. When you came into my life, I was overwhelmed. When you came into my life, I was shaken from my life of meaninglessness. Your mystery unraveled detailed intricacies dispelling my seemingly perennial doubt. When you came into my life, I was reaffirmed the existence of a Good God. You are the clearest mystery of all. In you I found my peace.

I am rambling, trembling and babbling. There are no words to fully give justice as my vow for you. But let me take you back to Davao when you gave me your "I'm yours," I said, "I'll cherish." And when later you said, "I do," I say, "I WILL." Even when there seems to be no future, I WILL. Even when passion dies down and familiarity sinks in, I WILL. Even when there are no reasons anymore, I WILL. I WILl remain faithful. I WILL for God and His Church raise a family serving the Lord and His Church. For you, I will. With you, I will.

Mahal na mahal kita Abay. Sa hinaba-haba nito, mahal na mahal kita. Ito'y hindi lamang pakiramdam kundi isang desisyon. Habambuhay kitang iibigin."

- Justin

"Justin, what can I say to you that I haven't already said. Since we have been together, you have provided me with strength, security and confidence, honesty and love. When I have questions, you answer them and ease my doubts. When I'm scared, you make me feel safe. You always tell everyone, "Walang kahit sino ang pwedeng magpaiyak kay Arlene, kasi lagot kayo kay Justin." And so now, I tell you, Justin, how much I love you. 

I know we have some tough times together but I know we enjoy the journey more than anything else. 

You're the only other half that makes me whole. I changed a lot and I can proudly say I'm a better person now, because of you. 

I promise to love and care for you and I will try in every way to be worthy of your love. I will always be honest with you, kind, patient and forgiving. But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal wife to you. I love you."

- Arlene

Photo from their pre-nup shoot

What a wonderful thing to witness :) They are now in Bali, Indonesia now enjoying their honeymoon, and I couldn't be happier for them :)

I've been swamped with a lot of things lately (mostly good, but some of them bad) and I'm way behind on my posts. But that's good, right? Because it means I'm making the most of my time seeing the world instead of cooped up in my house in front of the computer, right? Hehe this is just a quick post about an exciting contest I'd like to share with you guys. In a few minutes I'll be out and about again, so catch up with all of you later? ;)

The text is too small, so here are the mechanics for easy reference:

1. Shop at any Regatta store from April 12 - May 6, 2012.

2. For every P1,000 single receipt purchase from Regatta, you can join Regatta’s Escape to Luxury Promo on Facebook.

3. Like Regatta on Facebook and click the promo app icon on the upper right part under the cover photo.

4. Enter the requested information:

 Name

 Link to FB profile page

 Names of 2 people you would like to have as getaway company

 Address

 Email address

 Mobile number

 Regatta branch where purchase was made

 Transaction number (from purchase receipt)

5. Each fan can submit as many entries as s/he wants and have different friends in the list of Escape to Luxury company provided that the fan inputs different transaction numbers in the promo form depending on how many P1,000 single receipt purchase s/he has made. Each submission is equivalent to one raffle entry.

6. Deadline of entry submissions is on May 6, 2012. Twenty two (22) lucky winners will be drawn via automated raffle on May 7, 2012 at Golden ABC Inc. office.

7. Two (2) lucky winners along with his/her two company will be treated to an Escape to Luxury trip* to Shangri-la Mactan and will also receive P5, 000 worth of gift certificate from Regatta. The remaining 20 winners will win P2, 000 worth of GC.

8. A customer can only win once. If a name is drawn more that once he/she gets the prize of higher value.

9. Prizes are transferable and not convertible to cash.

10. All winners will be notified on or before May 8, 2012 by an authorized Regatta representative through email, phone and registered mail. Redemption period is until May 18, 2012.

11. Winner can redeem their prize from the Regatta branch where they made the purchase that qualified them for the raffle promo.

12. Winners must present the receipt used during registration and 2 valid I.D.s (government issued: Drivers license, Passport, SSS, TIN, Professional license, etc) when claiming his/her prize.

13. Employees of Golden ABC, and their affliates, their spouses and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from joining this promo.

Sounds easy enough, yes? Good luck! :)

I've said this more than a dozen times already: I love Italian food. I got a taste of Italian perfection when I attended Aria Cucina Italiana's press luncheon two months ago, and I've been itching to go back since then! Especially since I didn't get to have dessert that day :(

Towards the end March, I was able to visit the restaurant again with my friend Ana, and I really hope you're not feeling hungry at the moment because I'll show you photos of all the delicious dishes we ate!

Our total bill came up to a little over P2,200. It might be a little too grand for just a simple lunch-date out, so maybe eating here is best reserved for special occasions, like romantic dates with your amore or birthday dinners. Or if you're like me who loves Italian food that much, I think it's okay to indulge yourself sometimes ;)

For all you food aficionados, Aria Cucina has something special for you! Would you like to win Aria Cucina Italiana gift certificates worth P3,000? You can buy a lot from that already! Here are the mechanics:

I haven't even begun to blog about the epic night my awesome blogger-friends and I had last week, and now another(!!!) epic "adventure" happened last night! Can't wait to show you the hilarious videos we took HAHAHA.

On second thought, maybe it's best not to corrupt the interwebs with those :D

Anyway, here's an invite to an event most of you girls might be interested in!