A gift for Joanne

I'm an introvert. Many people, specially those close to me, find it difficult to believe. But that's true! Sure I can be very talkative and loud, and I tend to talk fast. But underneath the loud voice, I'm actually a very shy person. I'm not the type who would walk up to a perfect stranger and say "Hi, my name is Alby, and you are...?" Unless that stranger comes up to me first or someone introduces us to each other, we'll remain strangers even if we spend the whole day in the same room. Proof of that is the fact that I've lived in the same condo unit for the last 8 years and I have not managed to get to know a single neighbor, save for two doctors whom I am forced to get acquainted with due to emergencies. Oh, I got to know Gina, the pomeranian who lives a few doors from our unit. I also work better when left alone. Most of my favorite layouts are done in the quiet confines of my scrap corner in Cavite. I've had the chance of scrappping with friends and I managed to come up with decent layouts. But it's never easy.

Joanne Yap, is so unlike me. Sure she is just as chatty. But she can also walk up to a room full of strangers and be friends with them in a blink of an eye. I can't remember the exact moment we met. It was in last year's Scrapfest 2. Before I know it, we've been chatting regularly on the net. She is just as chatty virtually as she is in person. She is so passionate about scrapping and she unselfishly shares her passion with anyone who cares to listen. I guess I am one of those people whose life she touched one way or another. I'm just thankful for the privilege of calling her a friend.

Since she is migrating to Australia in a few days time, some of the local scrappers decided to give her a send-off party last weekend at the Pacific Plaza Condominium in Ayala Ave., Makati. It was a lot of fun - games, great food, and of course, a lot of chit chats with fellow scrappers. As a gift, we made 8x8 layouts compiled in an album, to send Joanne off with love. I made a digital layout which was printed and inserted in the album. Here's the layout I made, using the Michelle Coleman Antique Garden Kit - my first purchased digital kit c/o Diane Mirabilles' RAK (Thanks Diane!). I used a picture taken during last year's MLA Scrap Party, the only one I could find with me and Joanne in it. I hope you like it Joanne!