Just an update

It’s nice to be back haha. My Internet connection is blameworthy of my absence during the last few days. I lost connection without knowing what really the problem is. I phoned the operators to resolve it but to my dismay, they were of no help. They answered the same old scripted lines I grew tired of hearing every time my connection is interrupted. Sigh. Though they have plenty of subscribers, their service haven't improved yet.

Instead of ranting all day, I made use of my time. =) Out of boredom, I made buttons linked to the blogs I usually visit through Photoshop. Originally, I got the idea from Tack. I asked her if I can imitate them. It wasn't a big deal for her and she told me I should not have asked. hehe Blogrolling has been down for quite a long time now so I settled for the option.

I am not yet done with all the buttons. Just tell me if you want one. The links can be seen at the sidebar in random order. How do you like them?=)

New Template (Again?)

Have you thought you arrived at the wrong blog? Oooops. That’s a big NO. =) Of course you didn’t. If you are a constant visitor of my blog, you may have notice the change. I got my blog a new template last night. I love tweaking and changing templates because I easily get bored of seeing the same colors every time. I had my previous template running for more than a couple months so I decided to have another.

What motivated me more to change my template is the fact that I cannot incorporate the leaderboard and large rectangle ads of Nuffnang on my previous template. I have tried a quite few number of templates but none of them fitted. With a deep sense of gratification, I found this template. Yey! Finally I was able to put three Nuffnang ad units. =)

I modified some of this template’s original codes, changed its background and made my own header through Photoshop (which is just temporary because I will be soon replacing it with a gif header). I also put a back-to-top icon at the bottom. =) I am getting used to these html codes stuff. I am loving my new template. It may not be the grandest in the blogosphere but I am a tad proud I customized it.

Thank you Pastilan and Lainy for welcoming my blog’s new look. It just shows you have been visiting my blog often enough to notice the difference.

How was your Valentines Day?

Mine was uneventful. I stayed at home the whole day. Adrian came from school and dropped by the house. He surprised me with a bouquet of flowers and a “Confessions of a Shopaholic book.” I was just as happy even I expected that he has something to give because he compensates for not texting during the morning.hehe I already knew he was up to something. He’s waiting for me to storm off and at the end of the day, flatter me through his surprise.

We did not go out for a date. Malls will surely be packed with couples celebrating the love day. We decided to push through ours some other time since we have enough time.

For now I’ll start reading my new book. I hope you all had a great Valentines!

My Shopaholic Confession

Hi! My name is Riel and I'm a shopaholic!

What could be the best way to alleviate stress and reward efforts? Nothing beats shopping as the greatest therapy and treat. Way back college, I and my friends were constant mall hoppers finding the latest fashion trends and breaking free from toilsome school work. We kept ourselves updated with every mall-wide sales. A week never passes without a single addition to our closets.

Back then, as a student, I have no enough money to spare. I also have no credit card to swipe my bills on. I have limited resources to satisfy the craving shopaholic in me. Without the means, I would just tell myself that there is always the “next time” to buy the clothes I am fascinated of. I tried to hoard a certain portion of my allowance to afford the price but I always end up buying the not-much-of-my-type outfit because what I have settled for was bought already. With my just-enough-for-food-and-project-allowance, saving took me almost forever. I came from a middle-class family so I never dared to ask a higher allowance. My simple technique, save, save and save more until mall price-off events to cater to my shopping needs.

A month before our college graduation, I was given a refund. It was half of the amount I paid in my tuition for three semesters. I was qualified as a Dean’s Lister. What a reward! I thought our school administrators were shopping gods who answered my prayers. Armed with the unexpected moola I got, I rushed to the mall excitedly and had my ultimate shopping experience. I raided the boutiques for fashion goodies. I bought myself a digicam for my advance graduation gift. I am not that techie but I needed it to capture my graduation moments. I also bought few blouses and jeans for my wardrobe. I also bought Adrian his PSP for his late Christmas gift. Retail therapy has never been that easy considering that I was a student. It was very rewarding experience indeed, having almost anything I wanted. If shopping were a crime, I might have been behind bars then. I went home with a handful of shopping bags, my feet aching, my stash almost drained but it was incomparable to the different swell of fulfillment I felt.=)

The must-see movie for every shopaholic, "Confessions of a Shopaholic will be hitting the theaters soon. Catch “Confessions of a Shopaholic” in Cinemas on February 18, 2009!