My first ever country that I have visited is Malaysia.  Why? Because it's truly Asia? hahaha.  True indeed.  Since I have no point of comparison I wouldn't comment much about that.  What I could say is that I really saw how much of a melting pot Malaysia was.  Every time I walk down the street, I always see people from different cultures, and it's always a fascinating sight.

Makes you want to stop from walking and just do people watching instead.  It's really amazing to see how people from different countries live peacefully together.  And yes, it is possible.  

My travel to Malaysia first started with me being emotionally and legally ready for the trip.  I guess that time, I was more concerned on the latter.  My friend who travelled to Hongkong experienced a lot of stress, probably due to her lack of papers and proofs that the immigration was asking of her.  Luckily I tried to get my papers completed.  But when you're lining up for immigration, I think a lot of you would agree that it's still nerve-racking, despite knowing that you don't have any bad intentions and you're nothing but legal.  Documents that they will be asking of you are your passport, reservations of your hotel, air ticket to and fro, sometimes they'll ask you for the cc used to purchase the tickets and even your id's.  Do bring 1K ringgit with you, that's the allowable amount of ringgits you could bring to Malaysia and you could take home, the rest you could deposit in your ATM (through EON) or have traveller's checks.  

It's wise to plan ahead, but seriously when you're there already at times you couldn't follow your plan.  When you check on google map landmarks in Malaysia appear to be very far but don't be fooled.  It's not as far as you think, especially the Petronas towers, the Suria KLCC, KLCC park and the Aquaria.  All these are connected by an underground or over pass way.  

The best way to travel around the city is through the monorail.  Your hotel usually have helpful maps and receptionists are also there to suggest good places or directions.  If in case you have trouble finding your way, you could ask some locals.  Not everyone there though could speak English, so choose whom to ask.  If you have to take taxi, try to take the ones away from landmarks.  There are only few honest taxi drivers.  A lot of them will bribe you telling you that the place is far and it's traffic.  So as much as possible don't take taxis. Monorails there are intertwined, so you could get to almost everywhere, you just have to walk to the station. 

The food is very diverse.  They have food from almost all around the world.  Not to mention it's cheap.  Simple restaurants would range from 3-8 ringgits, while more expensive ones would go up to 12-30 ringgits.  Hotels are also cheap and really convenient. 

We had book ours in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, really close to China Town, called Petaling Market.  It's where you could buy fake bags and souvenirs. Street food is also amazing and cheap.   There are a lot of backpackers around this area because everything is relatively cheap.  If you want something more high-end, try to go to Pavilion.  You could spot real branded items there.  Just nearby is Aquaria that showcases different species of fishes, even forest animals, and insects could be seen there.  Suria KLCC is just around the corner.  It is where you could find the Petronas Towers.

Petaling Market

Pavilion

                                                                   Petronas Towers

If you wish to go all-out shopping with convenience I suggest you go south  to Berjaya Times Square, one of the biggest malls in KL.  They have Cosmo World Theme Park, and they have the longest roller coaster called Super Sonic Odyssey, that's 800m long.  It costs around 35-45 ringgit for a ride. 

Berjaya Times Square

SkyBar

They said that the best view of the Petronas towers is in the bar of Trader's Hotel 33rd floor called SkyBar.  You have to reserve in advance for  the cabanas on the side of the pool.  It is where you could have the best view of the city, not to mention the towers.   Drinks and food are expensive here so try to bring extra cash.  We bought our drinks for 20plus ringgits for each.

Please don't leave Malaysia without tasting Nasi lemak and chicken satay.  These 2 are traditional malaysian food.

Chicken Satay

                                                                       Nasi Lemak

The best place to eat street food is Jalan Alor and Imbi Market.  The food is very diverse and cheap.  Very good for backpackers like us.

Don't dare to miss street performance of street Roda, usually every night at Bukit Bintang.  This is a group of people practicing capoeira.  Aside from doing their own stunt they also do lovely percussion and chants that will get you going.

Street Roda

As a tip for first time travellers, you should have at least a general itinerary for the day and each places are strategically visited so you could get to experience more.  Also make sure to have a map of the city with you so you won't get to ask people always.  As I've said earlier maps are usually available in the hotels or inns that you're staying.  Also try to wake up early.  I know night life in KL is fun but then you'll be missing out on a lot of stuff during the day. 

Also since Malaysia is an Islamic country, try to dress up decently.  Usually when you want to visit temples, you're asked to cover yourself.  And always bring your passport with you at all times.

It's ok if you haven't covered everything, what is more important is that you have get to experience the culture that is truly Malaysia. 

I'll tell you why.

I'm a local. I was born here and lived here for 20-something years already and I'll try to to make this article bias-free, as possible.  But what the heck.  I'll tell you what I know about my place of birth.  If you ask me if you should come over Davao, I would think... hmmm... where should I take you?  If you are that city person and you want something different, then come over.  If you want to go here to party then it's not the place for you.  

You see, Davao is a quaint city.  Although its the biggest city in the Philippines in terms of land area, we are still way behind development.  But I must say investors are coming in to shell out some money.  There are a lot of malls and buildings that are being erected in the last few years.  That should be a good sign that Davao is indeed getting better.  We might be behind development but we have plenty of other things to boast.  

For one, we have been dubbed by the WHO to have the cleanest water in the world.   Aside from having clean waters, our streets are generally clean too.  I've remembered our city was featured on national tv.  The reporter tried to ambush the streets to prove the claims and went around the city with his camera on.  And we didn't fail him.  It was indeed garbage-free.

I think much of the improvements in the city are due to the fact that we are under a very good governance by our very infamous mayor.  The Dutertes are known to be very strict and are very aggressive in implementing laws.  He would even go out of his way to make sure the laws are followed.  One time he went out in his car to this busy party street, and brought out his megaphone and shouted at the party goers and bar owners to shut down the place.  It was past 2am and bars should be closed by then.  After the incident, the bars were forced to close in 2 weeks until they could process papers to pass the criteria for operation.  And ever since then, all bars close until 2am.  We have Smoking Ban here so smokers are only allowed to smoke in certain places.  Fire works are also not allowed during Christmas and New Year.  What we do to make a lot of rattle is just blow our horns, strike our pans and shout.  After that, we either eat or  sleep.  hahaha.  But I guess it's the safest way to greet the year.  And it's true.

There's really much to say about the Dutertes but I'll have to save that for another post.

Typhoon has hit Philippines again.  True, but in Davao we don't experience typhoon.  They said that's because Mt. Apo is shielding us, but I'm not really sure of that.  Usually typhoons really don't pass by here for some weird reason.  We've got an almost predictable weather here.  According to my boss from Manila, it's summer everyday in Davao.  Well yeah, that's because even on rainy season, it's still sunny during the day, but the only difference is, it rains at night.  This usually happens during the ber months.

We are the only city in the Philippines that has 911.  I heard that one foreigner didn't believe it so he tried calling 911, after someone from 911 responded, he became a believer.  Truly, we don't only have people to respond to our emergency needs but they are also well equipped with up-to-date facilities and medical paraphernalias.  I had been once inside the 911 emergency van and my-god it was big and new.  And by the looks of it, it's expensive.

We are home to at least 10 indigenous tribes and expats and tourists go over here as well.  And more and more tourists are coming over as time goes by.

It's basically the most liveable place in the country.  We have very cheap food. Being in an island that thrives mostly on agriculture and being bordered by the oceans we are teeming with natural resources.  Buildings after buildings are slowly being erected in the city proper. And tourism is on great speed now.  I think Davao is really getting better than ever. 

If you were in our city, what's really great to visit here are recreational Parks, Museums, nature parks and zoos.  We also have a lot of activities for people who loves adventure.  We have scuba diving, island hopping, wake boarding  and white water rafting.  The longest zipline in the philippines is found here as well, stretching up to 850meters, along with it is tree rappelling. You can also try climbing the highest peak in the Philippines, Mt. Apo, towering at 10,311 feet.

We've got the biggest bird and it's also a home to the national fruit which is durian.  I could really go on and on here.  Bottom line is, you go to Davao if you have the heart for adventure, fascination for nature, interest for indigenous tribes, appetite for fruits and have enough time to enjoy all these. 

I couldn't really remember when I had my stretchmarks.  I probably had them since highschool or college.  I really have no recollection.  What I do know is I got really conscious about mine when my friends would invite me to go to the beach or pool, or in any activities that would have me stripped down.  In my attempt to rid my stretchmarks, I then did my research.  It really pays to know that you are not alone.  I was shocked that girls as young as 12years old can have it.  They said that 8 out of 10 ladies have stretchmarks and just recently I just learned that Shakira has one.  

Seriously!? 

Yes. Just knowing that makes me feel really good.  As they say, misery loves company.  

Now there are different causes of stretchmarks.  There's hormones, abrupt gain and lost of weight, and there's pregnancy.  I guess mine was due to those reasons except for being prego.  

Stretchmarks are atually torn dermis, which is found in the middle layer of our skin.  As far as I know, it is difficult to remove, but definitely not impossible.

Here are the following things that I know could help you minimize or get rid of them.

1. Exfoliate.  Rubbing the affected area in a circular motion stimulates your skin to produce more skin, thereby replacing the ruined layer with a newer one.  Although results of which will not be immediate at least you are doing something to minimize it. You could also exfoliate by using sea salt, baking soda and oil (olive, sunflower, baby oil).  But best result is through microdermabrasion.  However you have to shell out more money for that.

2. Apply anything that will help rejuvinate skin cells.  Many people say that Vitamin E, cocoa butter, citric acid work well.  This is especially true for the initial stage of stretchmark when it is still colored pink, red or brown.  But when it has gone to a later stage which is white or silvery, these are less effective already because these just only affect the top layer and not the middle layer of skin which was really the torn out portion.  So it is better to use glycolic acid but then using 30% of it is already considered hazardous.  Only 10% below is safe but do not have any effect on the skin.  

3. Hide it.  You can do that instantly by a concealer that matches your skin or you could tan your skin so it would hide the scars a bit.  

You can do a combination of these methods.  It's a trial and error thing so you would have to experiment which of these things work better for you.   Also since it could involve a lot of steps, there is a great tendency that you would feel lazy to continue it.  Consistency is the key here.  Doing it on a regular basis would increase your chances for success.

Good luck!

I'm already twenty-something and I still feel that I'm still trying to get to know myself.  And the more I get older, the more pressured I am to get to know me.  Yeah, I do have a lot of interests.  True.  But which of these should I follow?  Each interest has a track of its own.  Now as someone who has a lot of interests each pointing on different paths, it's quite a bit hard to choose.  Obviously you wouldn't be making a career of each.  You only get to choose one direction in which these paths are leading to.  At times, passions don't even have to go in the same direction.  It' ok. 

For most of us, we're still trying to make sense of everything.  And in most times, we get easily overwhelmed with a lot of options and opportunities that are laid in front of us.  Blessed are those people who know themselves well or who know what they want to be.  This brings me back to my childhood days.  I was asked by my teacher what I would like to be when I grow up.  I told her pediatrician, because I like kids, and I want to help.  Simple as that.  But somehow, along that path of my adulthood, something changed.  I no longer like to be a doctor.  I even announced to my family over lunch that I don't wish to be amongst the sick day in and day out.  Being an emotional person, I know that I could easily be affected by people.  And being careless, I know I could get infected too.  Now here I am 20 years after.  A nurse by profession, but is  not professional.  So what now. Like most people my age, I feel stuck, actually for a long time now, roughly 2 years.  

I think what made it difficult to figure out what to do is due to the state that I am in.  I am anxious.  I'm so impatient to know my direction that I end up not knowing.  But I believe that I have the answer in me.  It's just that my anxiety was like dark clouds in my mind.  I've listened to the speech of Steve Jobs and he said that I should be foolish.  That I should go try a lot of things and never ever settle unless I found what I wanted.  I think  huge part of me is just hesitant to make that big mistake again.  You see, I have 2 courses, 1 is biology and the 2nd is nursing.  None of which I have used as my career.  And so I vowed, next move will be for good. 

From Thandie Newton's speech, I learned that I should be on free fall.  Just stop thinking and just let it all go, because we will all gravitate to our destiny.  To our passions.  To our purpose.  That made a lot of sense to me. 

You know what, I figured both life lessons shared by these 2 people I mentioned have 1 common denominator and that is to just do what your heart tells you to do and not to think too much.  And I think I'll just start with that. 

In one of our usual morning talk, I said good morning, he said good morning back. Another normal morning conversation.  And then he said, 

Hey I watched Hachiko, last night, and I said, Hachi who? He then explained that it's a story of a dog who waited for his dead master.  I said ok.  Sad.  And then he said the unthinkable, he cried on that movie.  My brain exploded, and my eyes, mouth wide open.  I was in shock, thinking, my boyfriend hasn't admitted crying for me, but now he's saying that he cried over a dog? I say that's bullcrap! Let's start World War 3!!! Bring it on! 

Kidding aside, I got really intrigued by this movie.  Knowing that Richard Gere is in it, I got interested to watch it more. 

So I saw it already, thanks to free livestreaming! 

The plot was the same as I've expected.  The dog meets man, man loves dog, dog loves man, man dies, dog waits, (we cried) dog died (we cried more), the end.  But the beauty I guess was the relationship of the dog and his master.  It's already a cliche that dog is a man's bestfriend but this movie sheds a different light on that.  It highlights those playful moments, those pleasant understanding, amusing plays, and strong bond.  It makes you think that dogs really are intelligent creatures and they understand and empathize with you.  And it's really very fascinating to see such emotions and behavior elicit by anything that is not human.  To see all these happening to a cute furry hairball is indeed interesting.

This movie was actually taken from a real-life story about a dog in Japan named Hachiko which is an Akita anu breed.  He was taken cared by Professor Eisabruno Ueno a teacher under the Department of Agriculture at the Imperial University. When he died, Hachiko continued waiting for him at Shibuya Station for 9years and 10months, until his death.

A bronze statue was made in honor of the Loyal Dog.

It makes you love your pets more.  So after watching it, I hugged my dog and started calling her Hachi. Of course my dog doesn't respond to me.  She's smart like that. ;)

I'm not a good cook.  My mom says I am, but she's my mom, her comment doesn't count.  Occasions on occasions I have been asked to make food.  And a lot of times I messed up but on rare times I succeeded.  And just so recently I found myself making macaroni on these occasions, hmmm... I wonder why.  Truly I haven't noticed much, until my boyfriend pointed it out, saying MACARONI AGAIN?, a usual preceding statement every time he asked me what I'm making.  Now, since he's into restaurant business he found my habit a bit disgusting, but out of love he makes it sound cute. 

I've thought about my macaroni madness and I thought I just lack creativity and resourcefulness on looking up on different menu.  And I guess that confirms that I'm just plain lazy. :) 

Just yesterday, it was my brother's birthday, and again, he asked, and I responded and he reacted, but I defended myself, saying this time it's not tomato base, it's cream base!  I said that chin up and with a bit of pride.

But yeah, this got to stop, I'll try penne next time. hehehehe

What comes to mind when you say red?  Sexy... Alive... Raw... Bright... Attractive.  All that you can get just with a splash of red on your face, using this new found friend of mine called lipstick.  I'm 26 yet I could say that I'm a late bloomer for guys, life, and lipsticks.  I mean, I love to dress up and all and I drool on guys at times(and since this god-forsaken davao city isn't blessed with worthy guys to drool on, the 'at times' there means 'nadaahh' with someone from here), but it never dawned on me that I need to put lipstick on.  What for?  I have my lipbalm, or I can bite my lips for instant redness. Well my friend, after years of doing that I discovered that what you put on instant will be gone in an instant. But not my red lipstick.  Somehow it leaves a read tint on my lips after letting it be for few hours.  

I've discovered my affair with red lipsticks just recently.  One day, I was to meet my friend.  I've dressed up already,  and looked at myself in the mirror, blast it!  I still haven't put concealer and mascara on.  No time for that now.  So I took my red lipstick which I bought a year ago (and haven't used much), and just out of desperation to put color on my oh-so-pale face, smothered my lips with a thick coat.  And as I looked at myself in the mirror again, this time with a bit of fascination. And my, my, my.  My face was glowing.  Danngg! Instant make over!

And now my friend, I'll have to buy another one of you because I know you'll be running out soon.  ;)

As soon as I saw this ad on facebook, I knew that I got to have it.  So I asked my sister to send me some strips which she did(thanks girl!).  I got mine for P1500, that's 10 strips, but in the states they sell this for about $40-$50 for 28 strips. 

And so when I got it from the mail, I tried it immediately!  The strips come in this plastic packet, which you have to rip off to get this transparent plastic with 2 strips pasted on there.  

The top one is longer and narrower, and the bottom is smaller but stouter.  I usually put the longer one on my upper teeth and the shorter on my lower, since the upper teeth is where I want to do the whiting more because it's what other people see more often.  I'm not sure if that's the proper way, but it's really up to you I guess. It's just my preference to put the longer strip on my upper teeth.  

So put the strip as shown above, press it good and leave it for 30minutes.  I left mine for more than that(45mins.-1hr)  thinking that it will be more effective.  Some reviews said that they don't like the taste that this strip has.  Actually the taste is a bit unnoticeable, although at times you taste a bit of mild bleach, but nothing that's really bothersome.  You can actually speak while having the strips on, but you will have a lisp. ;)  Expect salivation from you because for some reason you don't want to swallow your saliva much, well at least for me.  If you observe the strip, you could see bubbles appearing in between the teeth and teeth to strip.   

For some people, they had their results on their 3rd strip, I had mine on my 4th strip.  I have to say that this thing works.  I've tried whitening toothpastes before but they just failed me.  Not this one.  My teeth got 3 shades whiter, although I'm aiming for really white teeth, I'm still satisfied with the effect. I wasn't able to finish all 10 strips, since I had to share 3 strips with my mother.  When she tried her first strip, her teeth that was obviously yellow, became obviously whiter.  Insane!!!

10x POINTS! horraaaah!