Give the day a chance to start

Give the day a chance to start http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/ I like to keep things simple. Mon, 19 May 2008 18:16:05 -0000 Sat, 17 May 2008 14:49:20 -0000 Give the day a chance to start http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/logo http://mariellelouise.multiply.com 100 100 Good morning, ladies! They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I had breakfast with my best galpals. First stop was at Heaven and Eggs, then coffee and conversation at Coffee http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/65/Good_morning_ladies Sat, 17 May 2008 14:49:20 -0000 Not so hell-ish week Finally, hell week is over. This past week has been the busiest, most exhausting and emotionally challenging five weekdays I've ever had. Thank God it's Friday and that it's over. Aside from deadlines at work, I was heavily involved in two major company activities. The first big shindig was last Tuesday's Awards night, which is an annual event organized by our department, Human Resources Organizational Development. Although it was a formal evening event, it took a whole work day away from me since we had to be at the venue from the morning onwards. I had to put some office work on hold and push deadlines back in order to accomodate this major event's schedule. During the event, we had to be on our toes as well, so BUSY was an understatement. Bayanihan Day was another huge yearly company acitivity where groups of employees from each of the four main compounds perform to win a grand prize. This event took so much more of our time since we had to rehearse during work hours and even late in... http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/289/Not_so_hell-ish_week Sun, 11 May 2008 14:53:00 -0000 Takaw Day From 1 PM up until 11 PM, all we did was chew food. Bonifacio High Street is officially my favorate pig out place. Delish Lunch at Cafe Xocolat. Tea and Pastry at Starbucks, Fully Booked. Heavy dinner at Friday's. There ain't nothing like food therapy and girly chit http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/64/Takaw_Day Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:12:35 -0000 Food Trip - Macau Volume Food everywhere! Senado Square food vendors: where you can fill your tummy just by munching on free taste tests of almond cookies, dried meat, etc... Cafe e Nata: where you can find authentic egg tarts McDonald's: yes, i craved their fries even in Macau Starbucks: it tastes the same the world over! Angela's Cafe: where the biggest sandwiches known to man are prepared by a very "huggable" chef from New Zealand Ristorante Il Teatro: exquisite Italian restaurant at Wynn Macau Pizza and Company: our servers were all Filipinos! Pizza Hut: "Let's Pizza..... Together..." (barok! haha) And of course, Chinese noodles in various http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/63/Food_Trip_-_Macau_Volume Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:56:19 -0000 Bianca's Bora BIrthday We set up a simple surprise party for the best gal pal in the world. Though Bianca's birthday was two days away, we decided to celebrate it right there on our favorite island. Many thanks to Edouard who set everything up: delicious plated dinner, champagne and sinful chocolate cake. Of course, the balloons and singing staff were great as well. Belated happy birthday again to my sistah, http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/62/Biancas_Bora_BIrthday Wed, 9 Apr 2008 13:31:35 -0000 Boracay Hang Out - Ariel's This is where we spent probably 99% of our http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/61/Boracay_Hang_Out_-_Ariels Fri, 4 Apr 2008 08:21:06 -0000 With My Girls <A href="http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-TnKAoKCiQAADG4Hok1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-TnKAoKCiQAADG4Hok1/valhalla.jpg?et=6jsGZdq6ADckx2YvdhKiGQ&nmid=" border=0></A>I finally get the R&R I've longed for, lacked, and needed for the longest time.    This is my third (and hopefully not final) vacation this summer.  My <A href="http://www.noelledeguzman.com/">sister</A>, <A href="http://thebianxx.multiply.com/">Bianca</A> and I are at Boracay and will be staying here for 4 glorious days.  It's only day one and already, I feel rejuvinated away from the hussle and bustle of the city.    Three more days before going back to reality.  I'd best make the most of it.   Itinerary will include water sports, food tripping, mastering the art of foosball at Ariel's (restaurant at BBC, where we're staying), showing up for the Tunog Kalye Nationwide Launch and getting better at <A href="http://www.philippineultimate.org/bora06/poi.htm/">poi</A> and how could I forget, taking countless photos.    These are but a few photos I've managed to steal from my friend, the designated photographer (poor guy).  Hope to post a lot more these next few days. <A href="http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-TlxgoKCiQAAA8Z4Gw1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-TlxgoKCiQAAA8Z4Gw1/threegirls.jpg?et=oyiMk3fx5azttP1183BeIA&nmid=" border=0></A><A href="http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-UA2QoKCiQAABjeVe81"><IMG class=alignright src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-UA2QoKCiQAABjeVe81/DSC00428.jpg?et=krhdJBODOixsx9gEXXFgYg&nmid=" border=0></A><A href="http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-TnKAoKCiQAADG4Hok1"></A> http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/288/With_My_Girls Thu, 3 Apr 2008 14:08:00 -0000 Vigan Stop <A href="http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R@SVbwoKCiQAAGRoRSM1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@SVbwoKCiQAAGRoRSM1/DSC_2543%5B1%5D.jpg?et=XnmrVUfmEhXeYtHDiXwv%2CA&nmid=" border=0></A>I've never spent so much time on the road. 9 hours on the way to Baguio two days ago and a total of 12 hours to and from Vigan. Here's a shot from our day trip to Vigan. We were jumping for joy and blocking the view of the Lumang Kampana (Old Belfry) in Vigan, Ilocus Sur. I'm having so much fun here in Baguio as well, but I can't wait to come home and post all my photos. My friends and I all went trigger happy with our cameras, but then again, the best souvenirs we can bring home are our memories captured in photographs. http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/287/Vigan_Stop Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:12:00 -0000 13 plus 10 <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R9VsbAoKCiQAAHa2oYc1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R9VsbAoKCiQAAHa2oYc1/13th.jpg?et=ZtZEHT767rYXYIdih2%2Bn%2BA&nmid=&nmid=85693792" border="0"></a>I am now officially 13 years old... plus 10! I'm so grateful to all the people who remembered my birthday. Thank you all! The kind words and greetings truly made my day. This is how I know I have great friends: they didn't object when I lit my birthday candles. "13" Either I look it, act it, or they just cut me some slack since it was MY birthday after all. Seriously though, my only wish is that God fills my life with even more wonderful people. The greetings, the gifts and the simple party were all a reminder that the past 23 years have been enriched by people who have stepped into my life. I feel so blessed that I actually want to hug the world, if that's at all possible! Here's to a great 24th year of existence! http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/286/13_plus_10 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:13:00 -0000 Neyo's After Party Held at E' Bar Edsa Shangrila Hotel March 1 http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/58/Neyos_After_Party Sun, 2 Mar 2008 18:35:48 -0000 29-Feb-08 29th February 2008 It was more than just a "leap day", as some people call it.  <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R8h2zQoKCiQAACjRz@Y1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R8h2zQoKCiQAACjRz@Y1/DSC_1359.JPG?et=ZLW%2BVwDsfhNgW8WPQTlzbw&nmid=" border="0"></a>This day will be remembered as my last in this job I've had for over a year now.  As I said before, the season is over and I'm glad it ended with a bang.  Well, there weren't exactly fireworks, but it was indeed special. I shed a few tears in the earlier hours of my last day at work.  The rest of the time, I just wanted to enjoy my final moments as an official employee and as a part of such a great team of recruiters and IT professionals. Cheers to my fabulous officemates (ex-officemates now) for making it extra special.  I've never been so moved by the kind words they said to me personally, and for sure I know it wasn't just lip service.  It's been quite a ride; no doubt I'll miss the company.  That's why I'll make it a point to keep in touch.  We're such a tight-knit group and without flinching, I can say I've established friendships to last me a lifetime. http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/284/29-Feb-08 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:18:00 -0000 Flickr: Photos from mariellelouise http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/links/item/5/Flickr_Photos_from_mariellelouise Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:46:49 -0000 Olsen and I <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R8B2OAoKCiQAAH3NJVw1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R8B2OAoKCiQAAH3NJVw1/photome.jpg?et=2FlV2V25t%2C1FoAiFcHZM9A&nmid=" border="0"></a>Olsen and I have pretty much bonded in the two months that I've had him. FYI, I gave my dslr a name and decided to give it the male gender. I'm just weird that way. I'm thrilled that I'm not the only one to get bitten by the photography bug. Many of my friends have now purchased (if not in the planning stages) their own cameras; now it's a hobby we can all pursue as a group.It's been years since I handled an SLR, which was the old school Nikon model that ran on film. I've missed photography a great deal and it goes without saying that I've gotten pretty rusty. It's a challenge to relearn the discipline, but one that I'm sure I'll enjoy along the way.I'm starting to post only my favorites <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariellelouise/">here</a>. http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/283/Olsen_and_I Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:29:00 -0000 Ortigas Day Two Nikons One Canon Random trial and error http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/53/Ortigas_Day Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:09:40 -0000 The Season Is Over <A href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R7x2cQoKCiQAAEAZGko1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R7x2cQoKCiQAAEAZGko1/By%20Cokie.jpg?et=7yfv%2CXplneblBRZEdERrug&nmid=&nmid=82909425&nmid=82909425" border=0></A>I'm counting down the days.  Six working days to go since the 25th was just declared a non-working holiday.  I'm going to miss every bit about the job, most especially the people.  I'm going through mixed emotions because I DID enjoy this season of my life while it lasted and I'm more than grateful to the people I have shared this experience with. But more than anything, I'm eager to move on, see what's out there and thrilled that I took this leap of faith is opening new doors for me. Thanks to my awesome friend <A href="http://cokieanbochi.multiply.com/">Cokie</A> who took this photo of me. http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/282/The_Season_Is_Over Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:48:00 -0000 Let's Dance! I LOVE TO DANCE. A lot of my friends, even my closest ones, have never seen this side of me. I strongly feel, however, that I'm at that point in my life where I am absolutely ready to make this part of me known. I was a little hesitant about pursuing this, and quite frankly, I take this path with much trepidation. The heart is stronger than the doubts, though, and that's why I'm diving into this head first. I was even more hyped up about it after having spoken to some of the Stylettos, the fabulous dance group I'll be joining. Since I have no professional dance background whatsoever, I know I'll have to work extra hard just to catch up with them. This goes without saying that I'll probably look a little silly during the first few practice sessions and I'll definitely need to up my efforts a notch higher. I'm all for it, though. This is something I want to do not just for myself, but to<a href="http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R613ygoKCiQAAGPBaH01"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R613ygoKCiQAAGPBaH01/01-27-08%20MallTour%20%28160%29.JPG?et=iP0NL5Mf46BS%2BaAIYOZcwg&nmid=" border="0"></a> glorify God, and with this dance group, I'm absolutely sure I can do the latter. The Stylettos are a g... http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/281/Lets_Dance Sat, 9 Feb 2008 09:49:00 -0000 Tick Tock <img class="alignright" src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R6ds3goKCiQAAErYDtU1/1166012.jpg?et=%2CEHw4XwsYkrNXYVNZysIGg&nmid=" border="0">I am wide awake at this hour despite having had a really tough mentally and emotionally exhausting day. I guess I'm just bothered. Being the people-pleaser that I am, I know I disappointed a number of people today and now I can't but hate myself for it. Sometimes, I wish I were a cold, heartless b... witch. I wonder if they sleep better than I do because quite frankly, I haven't had decent shut-eye in weeks. This is all because I have been so afraid of having important people frown upon my decisions and recent course of actions. So, I know there's nothing more annoying than a vague blog entry such as this, but I promise to elaborate when all this blows over. In the meantime, I must begin counting sheep. http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/280/Tick_Tock Mon, 4 Feb 2008 19:51:00 -0000 Olsen and Lovely Lovely??? Abu should come up with a better name for his camera. These are shots from my Olsen. I wonder when Abu will upload shots from his camera... Cokie and my sister Noelle used their phone cams. And maybe, just maybe, they'll join the DSLR club soon as http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/51/Olsen_and_Lovely Sun, 3 Feb 2008 03:25:47 -0000 "You Give Me Something" This song by <a href="http://www.jamesmorrisonmusic.com/">James Morrison</a> was released some time back and I'd never given it time of day until now.  I'm looking at the lyrics in a whole new light, perhaps because it applies to me right now.So, for cheesiness' sake, here's the lyrics to the song I just can't get out of my head: You Give Me Something by James Morrison You want to stay with me in the morning You only hold me when I sleep, I was meant to tread the water Now I've gotten in too deep, For every piece of me that wants you Another piece backs away.' Cause you give me something That makes me scared, alright, This could be nothing But I'm willing to give it a try, Please give me something 'Cause someday I might know my heart. You already waited up for hours Just to spend a little time alone with me, And I can say I've never bought you flowers I can't work out what the mean, I never thought that I'd love someone, That was someone else's dream. Cause you give me something That makes me scared, alright, This could be nothing But I'm willing to... http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/279/You_Give_Me_Something Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:41:00 -0000 ACTS Mall Series - Starmall I anointed myself the designated photographer for the event. But in truth, I wanted to dance along with them http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/50/ACTS_Mall_Series_-_Starmall Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:36:11 -0000 Fort Night Out A lovely time with lovely people. My sister (Noelle), Bianca, Vanessa, Doji, Drei and http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/49/Fort_Night_Out Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:52:15 -0000 The Year Ahead I'm gonna spend the next couple of days thinking about where I want to go, how I'd like to change, and what God has in store for me this year.  I certainly started it with a bang, having come from a long vacation from work and welcoming the new year with parties left and right.  I've come to realize, though, that that's not exactly how I'd like the rest of my year to turn out: loud, crazy and reckless!  I need to take things slow and be wiser about the decisions I will be making in the next few months.  I feel that this will be a pivotal year for me in almost every aspect of my life. My career the past year started out relatively slow.  By God's grace, it picked up it's pace during the latter part of 2007 and I can only hope to keep the momentum going.  I'm done with a quarter of my life (unless I live up to 300, which I'm aiming for. kidding!), so I feel there's no better time than this.  Make hay while the sun shines! I've also been meeting a lot of ... http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/278/The_Year_Ahead Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:21:00 -0000 What will 2008 bring? <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R5-IEAoKCiQAABM50H81"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.mariellelouise.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R5-IEAoKCiQAABM50H81/DSC_0115.jpg?et=ARobT8%2BqGzI4quBXUObFjQ&nmid=" border="0"></a>My sister, Caelli and me jumping for joy at the stroke of midnight this New Year. We know it's gonna be a good year; at least I do.  For some reason, I have a good feeling about this year.  I hope I'm right.  A woman's intuition is almost always accurate.  :) http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/277/What_will_2008_bring Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:03:00 -0000 Greetings! <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kYZ_5QskXwo/R3J5KgwmXaI/AAAAAAAAANk/6TQxWPranWA/s1600-h/12-24-07+Christmas+Eve+%28129%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kYZ_5QskXwo/R3J5KgwmXaI/AAAAAAAAANk/6TQxWPranWA/s200/12-24-07+Christmas+Eve+%28129%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148310545537326498" border="0" /></a>Hope you all had a Happy Christmas and an even more enjoyable New Year! -From the De Guzman http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/journal/item/276/Greetings Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:38:00 -0000 Christmas Events 2007 Christmas Eve Day Photos from the gym and last-minute shopping at TriNoma. Christmas Eve Photos from dinner to gift giving to Noche Buena. We just kept eating! Christmas Day: Where I went trigger happy with my http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/photos/album/40/Christmas_Events_2007 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:39:09 -0000 Nikon D80 The Nikon D80 DSLR is definitely a worthwhile investment. Now I can finally take photography seriously. It's extremely handy and it seems its functions are limitless. Of course, I will have to familiarize myself with the camera and re-learn the basics of photography. Despite my being "rusty", the camera could still capture so much detail that the photo seems to come alive despite having been taken in an empty restaurant. This is the first photo I'm proud of; though let's admit it's amateur. :) I can say without flinching that this Christmas presie I got for myself is money well-spent. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.nikon-d80.com/">http://www.nikon-d80.com/</a> http://mariellelouise.multiply.com/reviews/item/3 Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:55:27 -0000