YOU'RE LOOKING AT MY CHRISTMAS GIFT


And it's from no less than the template wizzard, my dear, dear friend, Ate Sienna. The nicest thing about it is I didn't even know it was in the works. It came as an awesome surprise! I know how busy she is and for her to be able squeeze this in, inspite of all her deadlines, is beyond me. It's cheesy, I know. I still can't help but say it though... she's loving friendship personified.

And I just love this new lay-out. It's classy, and classic, yet warm and cozy. It's everything I am! Oh, alright, everything I want to be. Except for one little, teeny weeny thing.

'Kaya lang Ateng, mukhang mami-miss ko yung doughnut ko.'

'Ay oo nga. Di bale, mas maganda naman ang tasa mo ngayon.'

I love you Ate Sienna. I really do!

And of course, this template wouldn't be running if not for my everdearest, foging, fogi fafa Jay. He really put in a lot of hours on this and I am ever so greatful. All this work, after a weeklong conference overseas without the comfort of a weekend, after a long day's work at the office, and inspite of some very pressing concerns. How can you not love the guy huh? If he so decides, he's all there for you. For this mylab, it's farts galore tonight. (God help me) I love you!

There are several sites I would like to introduce, although for all I know, they probably don't need it.

First is One Question. It's some kind of a community blog moderated by Toni. The concept here is, a question gets posted, ideally one per day, and anyone who has an answer could post it. I like it so much because at One Question, everyone's idea is solicited. The thing is, you can only post a question if you're a member. So if you feel you've got a question, or two, or more, that you'd like to ask, Toni has given me the green lights to send an open invitation to everyone who wants to join the group. The questions don't have to be intellectual, or deep. It just has to be... err... a question... hehe. If you want to join, you can email Toni or leave your name and email address at One Question and she'll get back to you. You could probably do it through me too but anyone who's in the know would attest to how horrible I am with emails. The best I could promise is that I will respond in this lifetime.

Next is AnP and company's PINOYEXPATS. It's an e-zine catering to all Filipinos, but specifically to those living in Europe, although contributors come from all over. They're on their second issue now and soon coming up with their third, the Christmas issue, of course. It's a very interesting read, especially this upcoming one because.... hehehe.

Third is Grand Rounds. Well, I've talked about it on a previous post so if you want to know what this is all about, just scroll down. It's good finger exercise and exercise is always healthy.

Fourth is Christine's Hearts That Care. It's her very own nongovernment charity organization which she organized with family and friends. I want it to have its place here cause we'll never know when somebody might come by, somebody with a heart that cares.

The last, but not the least in the group of course, is CG's creativeXpressions. She makes handmade cards for all occasions and in fact, I've ordered most of my Christmas cards from her this year. She's the got the nicest designs, and because they're so obviously handmade, they actually come out more special. Go and take a peek.

And so we come to a site that is special to me in so many ways. I've always doodled and dawdled in poetry all my life. Of course it comes with the thought that whatever I write will never be good enough for another person to see. But then, I realized that I was just having butterflies in my stomach and once I read that it's alright to have them, just let them fly in formation. The formation I led them to take is through my short stories at first. And then I got a little bolder and came up with di-VERSE-ified.

I have received love, and now I'm paying it forward.

This is my Christmas gift to all of you.