Cuzzin'

When I was young, I said I want to have many kids so my kids can give me many grandchildren, and my grandchildren will have many cousins.

I want to share with you how wonderful and everlasting my relationship is with my cousins. They are all my best-est friends, the only real people I can turn to when life is throwing me with challenges I cannot face alone, on my own.

As kids, we were not allowed to play outside the compound, not even allowed to play with kids outside. But of course our parents explained us that we have our cousins as friends and playmates to share our toys with. We didn't complain. In fact, 100% of my childhood was made of fun and laughter filled with the most cherishing memories because of my cousins. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am now. 

Us, through the years.

And though some of us are already living outside the Philippines, we make sure our communication never gets rusted. I'm very thankful that our parents raised us so well that nothing can ever come between us and that we will have each other forever. :)

♥,

Marianne

Butterfly Kisses

This is the song I'd love to play and listen to for the rest of my life. Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle.

There's two things I know for sure
She was sent here from heaven
And she's daddy's little girl
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank God for all of the joy in my life
Oh but most of all

For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
Walk beside the pony daddy it's my first ride
I know the cake looks funny daddy but I sure tried

Oh with all that I've done wrong
I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every mornin'
And butterfly kisses at night

Sweet 16 today
She's lookin' like her mama a little more every day
One part woman the other part girl
To perfume and make up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world
But I remember

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
You know how much I love you daddy
But if you don't mind
I'm only gonna kiss you on the check this time

Oh with all that I've done wrong
I must have done something right
To deserve her love every mornin'
And butterfly kisses at night

All the precious time
Like the wind the years go by
Precious butterfly
Spread your wings and fly

She'll change her name today
She'll make a promise and I'll give her aways
Standing in the bride room just staring at her
She asked me what I'm thinkin'
And I said I'm not sure
I just feel like I'm loosin' my baby girl
And she leaned over

Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
Walk me down the isle daddy
It's just about time
Does my wedding gown look pretty daddy?
Daddy's don't cry

Oh with all that I've done wrong
I must have done something right
To deserve her love every mornin'
And butterfly kisses

I couldn't ask God for more than this is what love is
I know I've got to let her go but I'll always remember
Every hug in the mornin' and butterfly kisses

♥,

Marianne

Happy Birthday, Ming Ming!

Today is my sister's 22nd birthday! Can't wait to celebrate it with the whole family tomorrow. Happy birthday, Ming Ming! Meow! X

For the mean time, here are our old photos! So cutie, so kitty!

And my super favorite:

Happy birthday, kitty cat! Thanks for taking care of me (and eating my food supplies) when I was in the hospital!

♥,

Marianne

Hospital Boom Boom

I stopped blogging for a while due to some legit reasons:

1. My teammates and I attended a team building/planning session/storm camp a couple of weeks ago at Mimosa in Clark. We were given limited Internet access and did non-stop activities from 9AM to 11PM. Straight. 

2. Right towards the end of our 2-day camp, I noticed rashes growing all over my arms and thought they were just insect bites. They weren't itchy at all, but I started feeling dizzy and my dizziness eventually turned into severe headache.

3. When I got home late night Thursday (almost Friday midnight), I immediately sent myself to sleep. At about 3AM, I started vomiting. And vomiting. And vomiting. 

4. I stopped eating for a while, frightened because everything I eat becomes a vomit. Sorry.

5. I tried walking at home but my world just seemed to move around. I couldn't move. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't even tweet. I almost died. I was helpless.

6. We finally consulted a doctor on a Tuesday afternoon, the same day I decided to go back to work. My nose bled, and I was diagnosed with german measles. 

7. Two days have passed since I saw a doctor, my vomiting went back to its severe case. I threw up for not less than six times a day until my blood pressure dropped, my platelets and potassium decreased and my body did not stop shivering. 

8. They rushed me to the nearest hospital last Thursday night and stayed there until Tuesday night. I finished 12 bottles of IV, took antibiotics and skipped bath for five long days.

I'm trying to get my feet back to grooving. Thank you to to those who went to the hospital to see me, brought me food and sent their warmest regards and prayers via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SMS. 

Maraming salamat! :)

♥,

Marianne

Gift Art

I've always wanted to have a vector, and it all started during the peak of Multiply days. There were days when I do nothing but search for online vector applications or Photoshop tutorials but in the end, the works looked comical. 

Five years has passed, I never thought I'd be surprised with a beautiful, perfectly made vector by a former schoolmate. Nelle, a graphic designer and vector artist granted me her first ever "Gift Art". What a sweet expert! :)

Below are samples of her works --

Very intricate, the emotions in these photos are properly expressed. Nelle also knows how to use colors.  Ang galing lang talaga.

She also made some celebrity vectors --

Adele

Angelina Jolie

And because I feel so special being the first recipient of her Gift Art, I'm so happy to show you what mine looks like --

Nelle also surprised me with an extra intended for my blog. I'll be using this as my default Blogger picture --

"Fun in creating is the fun in living." Like Nelle's page on Facebook and see more of her works. I swear, you'll be more than amazed like me. :) [PS: Extra hype on her logo/profile pic. Love it!]

♥,

Marianne

Tatamaan Ka!

TV5 launched its newest superhero series during the Cosplay Mania 2012 event last week at SMX Convention Center.

Kidlat will electrify your nights soon, watch out for it!

Kidlat is starred by the season's most-sought after leading man.. WHO IS HE?

It's no less than the ONLY man of all the other women...

DEREK RAMSAY! <3 <3 <3

I never saw Derek since he joined our network last April until the Kidlat press launch last week. Now I know why girls of all ages go gaga over him. He's the epitome of a "handsome" man any other woman could ever dream of.

Sorry, Popoy. Malaki ang katawan nya.. :P

Monica and I chuckled backstage as Jeff Fernando of Showbiz Aksyon interviewed Derek.

And here I am pretending to be his non-showbiz girlfriend enjoying the limelight brought by paparazzi. (But my ID lace ruined it.)

With my Kapatids Mama Belle, David, Rissa and Mother JoAnn :)

With BB Gandanghari who came prepared for the Cosplay. Catch her on Enchanted Garden, M-F at 6:30 PM only on TV5. :)

Mother Divine!!!

And my BFF Monica :)

Have a happy weekend!

♥,

Marianne

LBD, Neon and Denim

My addiction to denim is slowly coming back, blame it to my all-time favorite Hollywood star, Leighton Meester, who's recently caught sporting denim dresses, button-downs and tops. You know how much I adore her and that she's the ultimate inspiration of my entire wardrobe. :)

So this is what I wore last week during the Cosplay Mania 2012:

And I'm so happy that Monica knows how to take photos valid for OOTD posts. I miss fashion styling. I need to find time for this.

Whenever I feel a bit lazy to dress up, I always put on a dress. And an LBD is the safest way to conceal that laziness. You can always wear something on top of it, pair it with any kind of shoes and accessories.

Of course I didn't want to look boring in a world where Sailormoon and Cardcaptor Sakura exists. And since I'm loving neon, I decided to put two basics together (denim and LBD) and finished them with a pop of color. 

My Japanese blood runs through my... legs! SAKANG. 

I Superlove my super spiky neon necklace! <3

LBD: Betty from SM GTW | Denim vest: Dorothy Perkins | 

Snakeskin shoulder bag: Parisian | Black flats: H&M 

Until my next fashion-feeler blog post!

♥,

Marianne

The Big Four

The last week of September was a bittersweet moment for me and my friends. We were all crazily busy for TV5's participation in Cosplay Mania 2012 and Aga Muhlach's Pinoy Explorer Club launch.

Our sponsor sent us samples of its wig products. :) 

With Mother JoAnn and Reich , who sported the Black Widow vavavoom hair!

Monica , Jay , Nico and I capped the night with a feast of beer. You know they say good food should always be accompanied by a good company. 

The Big Four.

We tried Grillery, the new bar-resto located in Greenhills Town Center. It's just a few meters away from our Broadway office. We loved the food, especially the cheesy dynamite! You know I'm not a fan of spicy food but this is a big exemption. Yuuuum!

That night was also the night when Nico sang for us and we realized that he sings well! He really sings and I believe that someday he'll be a very famous stage performer/theater actor!

With Nico, the great performer!

Papa Jay and his puppy eyes! :)

A night like this will never happen again until Monica comes back! The three of us will surely miss her, the way we miss our girls from the south--Iya and Minna . I'm so looking forward to have the six of us having happy moments one more time!

 ♥,

Marianne