tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71659253149694976332024-02-07T13:48:36.394+08:00Carla reads the world.from beginning to end, again and again.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-37900884274518121182015-09-13T13:24:00.001+08:002015-09-13T13:24:17.472+08:00Moving On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypWwGkYPiCThME1aoCjq4s_gvCGtWH-4jua40kug9ZQ6I_kipaRpszlIJlYxYBZ3Zak2mXhIOlY4T3Zip9tYOo-vSX2O_Qgq_QdHtHm58TzgjAt4Q4KkYMOS1bkkH4-YJ1GSbt-qPtPP6/s1600/3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypWwGkYPiCThME1aoCjq4s_gvCGtWH-4jua40kug9ZQ6I_kipaRpszlIJlYxYBZ3Zak2mXhIOlY4T3Zip9tYOo-vSX2O_Qgq_QdHtHm58TzgjAt4Q4KkYMOS1bkkH4-YJ1GSbt-qPtPP6/s400/3a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm moving. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I thought I'd start all over again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Find me at:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://carlareadstheworld.wordpress.com/">http://carlareadstheworld.wordpress.com</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
See you :)</div>
<br />Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-29631481768355647932014-04-20T20:52:00.001+08:002014-04-20T20:52:34.254+08:00Old Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL8pPN5z_VVX3lYzw7LFKrHnDJm5Gn_sh6wXfIfIHPQrd9xZmjXXynOoNWZA-XeOLg_vadP10VFZU2WhBiISx5kpODS4N1G6FyQ5t2tRrG7qLJWtOQ4f5tCBp8BvYFOyEj1Wdf3iFy2VK/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL8pPN5z_VVX3lYzw7LFKrHnDJm5Gn_sh6wXfIfIHPQrd9xZmjXXynOoNWZA-XeOLg_vadP10VFZU2WhBiISx5kpODS4N1G6FyQ5t2tRrG7qLJWtOQ4f5tCBp8BvYFOyEj1Wdf3iFy2VK/s1600/1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4HtRaaEjS3iYia55qvCQlHrpIa1V4i2h0oryuAPVIdMPBO7AZm4oSo4uEV0coQLQ3e7zFT2HP_9Adu1W18lJ0YeMwe8pOBs99CxtDjWzMjOpzJsXeonFLtRK1kBcb77bNQKJOwMgTUIM/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4HtRaaEjS3iYia55qvCQlHrpIa1V4i2h0oryuAPVIdMPBO7AZm4oSo4uEV0coQLQ3e7zFT2HP_9Adu1W18lJ0YeMwe8pOBs99CxtDjWzMjOpzJsXeonFLtRK1kBcb77bNQKJOwMgTUIM/s1600/2.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JW4gOJ8gAMdMuUrtLIc6dH3bu88oBcEJfzprlZcas1MasEJAt7gPf1UpmqBZlgPRaBpFC1dVeHo6LO2N2Iy5xVC9BOXNhTpga6vxIKdDBOVLWvZWBXUQxgBX-lxypieJbbiT3mAUMsi5/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JW4gOJ8gAMdMuUrtLIc6dH3bu88oBcEJfzprlZcas1MasEJAt7gPf1UpmqBZlgPRaBpFC1dVeHo6LO2N2Iy5xVC9BOXNhTpga6vxIKdDBOVLWvZWBXUQxgBX-lxypieJbbiT3mAUMsi5/s1600/3.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBa5kfEPIYbYOQukRF6rMt-GMGLgRsv2GJCkj4Kxz0Ses0F2CBakkCHFgy-y9822NMs791qgp2VFZlr1BPvkjSgyFSS3IyLIE6_wkHIr4VLZu9EovkHvsN9mnG3Q040OUJG5E-3Q10AJx/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBa5kfEPIYbYOQukRF6rMt-GMGLgRsv2GJCkj4Kxz0Ses0F2CBakkCHFgy-y9822NMs791qgp2VFZlr1BPvkjSgyFSS3IyLIE6_wkHIr4VLZu9EovkHvsN9mnG3Q040OUJG5E-3Q10AJx/s1600/4.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8igou33bVmO8mNWJZlRNFrT8dRr3kK2KBCNHGXTU9ytzRypi31YASayFgcBOLhwYAaAJqxc2_L_oAYC2eACUMhJ6H0NNl_zxy3zwg6Dd08G5dRdg4iHcXk_VNidRuhqMpakVf0vKVQLMw/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8igou33bVmO8mNWJZlRNFrT8dRr3kK2KBCNHGXTU9ytzRypi31YASayFgcBOLhwYAaAJqxc2_L_oAYC2eACUMhJ6H0NNl_zxy3zwg6Dd08G5dRdg4iHcXk_VNidRuhqMpakVf0vKVQLMw/s1600/5.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiZw2raFB9C59iY5CRghk38F6q2xs9Xn8kLNo_Gb_iivftoLEKRfsZq9AKutsD-MYeHDxkqgIQ41e514kULdvIWTkVzDS1RdVqrW363IkVS9rzCciGhI5iqxHNe4tWtQ8HYbJqSvhsNGc/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiZw2raFB9C59iY5CRghk38F6q2xs9Xn8kLNo_Gb_iivftoLEKRfsZq9AKutsD-MYeHDxkqgIQ41e514kULdvIWTkVzDS1RdVqrW363IkVS9rzCciGhI5iqxHNe4tWtQ8HYbJqSvhsNGc/s1600/6.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhv_oLhiigbR90S_KC-Qfsp3j2gYPHq-8o9Jqz7jxDZoc8Dj8ue81WoXzdrqmINgu02dXzkVdhf7VuJrjmgW19rzkBA3MlByhQ5HDF5CWMiqOo4lVyCjpbjTeZYgeUMNX8Mv_eeaUYR-S/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhv_oLhiigbR90S_KC-Qfsp3j2gYPHq-8o9Jqz7jxDZoc8Dj8ue81WoXzdrqmINgu02dXzkVdhf7VuJrjmgW19rzkBA3MlByhQ5HDF5CWMiqOo4lVyCjpbjTeZYgeUMNX8Mv_eeaUYR-S/s1600/7.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kyoto in the spring // Kyoto in the winter // Kyoto in the summer</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can only imagine that no matter the season, it remains as beautiful and authentic as I'd seen it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kyoto // Japan </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Inari Shrine / Arashiyama Bamboo Grove // Paper cranes origami // a random Kyoto cafe by the train tracks // Golden Pavilion </i></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-1517176448540958232014-04-18T17:27:00.001+08:002014-04-18T17:28:01.637+08:00Watching the Sunrise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXX9wZ5ajoqJZmGfBTDpgIXBgGBpF66u5jB1RIu1z2MkIxFgY-IuHVc7L361ofCDY-gdDXsXQ7CJDv9NKzZ_Pbt6cWAdah9NxGkDxx5sIBji36gwCtC-_r_qqX0DZ3nAvIXv_lW_C-RMX/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXX9wZ5ajoqJZmGfBTDpgIXBgGBpF66u5jB1RIu1z2MkIxFgY-IuHVc7L361ofCDY-gdDXsXQ7CJDv9NKzZ_Pbt6cWAdah9NxGkDxx5sIBji36gwCtC-_r_qqX0DZ3nAvIXv_lW_C-RMX/s1600/2.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdtO-n9HBpZ4YCeV655eep7gWBl3EX1_ji-ySfl2qEFt2vyCq5KHcwUPObWhMcsF8awWZhN1dSMicQRY1teXT_lZAyiOhXf29c5AUTmZTZH0z_8vkjwuFpdhHzmuIMtw3BVcl4enRR14p/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdtO-n9HBpZ4YCeV655eep7gWBl3EX1_ji-ySfl2qEFt2vyCq5KHcwUPObWhMcsF8awWZhN1dSMicQRY1teXT_lZAyiOhXf29c5AUTmZTZH0z_8vkjwuFpdhHzmuIMtw3BVcl4enRR14p/s1600/1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is something about watching the last sunrise of your twenty-fourth year, standing atop an ancient temple. Its stones have seen the same sun rise and set a thousand times in the past; it will stand guard for another hundred or so years, watching our star move across the sky. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Yogyakarta // Indonesia </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Borobodur </i></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-62846609718978009202013-09-22T10:20:00.001+08:002013-09-22T10:20:48.275+08:00Water for Elephants<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZGU7kEiRTIX8Bl3ccW9Rucb_gNBBgk_UNYu0eMpuVjMcSq2CMTeSrdoIsvcgkdys1AMh4zY4G1dfxUThjnG3vxk9xtAZu3EbvwWg3hmyHo_bqbmfGWkNscAn6TEama58VFJQ6GvdJoSv/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZGU7kEiRTIX8Bl3ccW9Rucb_gNBBgk_UNYu0eMpuVjMcSq2CMTeSrdoIsvcgkdys1AMh4zY4G1dfxUThjnG3vxk9xtAZu3EbvwWg3hmyHo_bqbmfGWkNscAn6TEama58VFJQ6GvdJoSv/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" width="750" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant bathing - Kanchanaburi, Thailand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The name of my elephant that day was Mayura, and she was particularly fond of stopping every so often to forage for food on the way to the riverside. I went ahead and sat on her head for the most part of the afternoon, and I had to keep apologizing to her for having to climb over her face every so often. I patted her on the back and stroked her trunk as best I could to let her know I liked her very much indeed.<br />
<br />
There's a lot to love about these gentle giants. You can sit on the apex of its head and it won't swat you away the way we swat away flies. You can hold onto its trunk, and it won't send you flying off to the side. You can stare straight into its eyes and be confident that you've at least made a good friend out of a wild animal--something to cross off the bucket list, I daresay!Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-16729420894737354602013-07-27T15:55:00.000+08:002013-07-27T15:55:08.575+08:00A Bit of Bangkok<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here are some snapshots of Bangkok's <i>wat</i>s in film from my May trip. There are many more things to write about from that trip, much to do with bathing with elephants and playing with baby tigers outside the city, along with a great spa discovery and cheap but excellent shrimp paste rice. Ah, Bangkok! What a lovely, lovely Asian city!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbP1cFyF6osqRZKTcqLG0wY3Vd_5Yez5aay-B-04TXFtkZ-JVMaLC3pVc-M74v-3e7PJY6Y4p9ZtkxXdRLiT6-0TUHHSCrWlKqU9BirRpzVqTHi2i0EeaC6ztGiZBhzLezlJkQBsVgXBi/s1600/000043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbP1cFyF6osqRZKTcqLG0wY3Vd_5Yez5aay-B-04TXFtkZ-JVMaLC3pVc-M74v-3e7PJY6Y4p9ZtkxXdRLiT6-0TUHHSCrWlKqU9BirRpzVqTHi2i0EeaC6ztGiZBhzLezlJkQBsVgXBi/s1600/000043.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQgcKgTSAZXgjcc6rm4rXSPpDo4pi5HvQLmLMZh3-191CE0ott5HZOJ2Y9nEcYN972woharTtLdDfHkb19CcsIjPfmb9fKErRtwO4u-fv73op20D-mMLT8AFXi4mA71ntv2RxmNEGUHDh/s1600/000034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQgcKgTSAZXgjcc6rm4rXSPpDo4pi5HvQLmLMZh3-191CE0ott5HZOJ2Y9nEcYN972woharTtLdDfHkb19CcsIjPfmb9fKErRtwO4u-fv73op20D-mMLT8AFXi4mA71ntv2RxmNEGUHDh/s1600/000034.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNvOPG3Pesj5gYOpRPZIpinrrCI0r9YY5cttglN0wiG03lERX_dt_6dgmw3p776LbSc1v6ImbyuJpP9oV40n0Xd-kA5y2CazCFsglt2aoJ8SYlVuJ49Infk7A65ncm7n-riT8UAevAgDg/s1600/000048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNvOPG3Pesj5gYOpRPZIpinrrCI0r9YY5cttglN0wiG03lERX_dt_6dgmw3p776LbSc1v6ImbyuJpP9oV40n0Xd-kA5y2CazCFsglt2aoJ8SYlVuJ49Infk7A65ncm7n-riT8UAevAgDg/s1600/000048.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyEdWh0w0hXjDimsVAQQRfnKp9X6dCvogz5GCWL1LkskXeWL1kl7f-4KpAhEbtHHIchlrzLm7qc37JE4KWLuUl1Ov4VVnVqE3QuOA64P-cfCBcj7l__kWX960xt8RnZzhAQVXdqPveA0z/s1600/000030_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyEdWh0w0hXjDimsVAQQRfnKp9X6dCvogz5GCWL1LkskXeWL1kl7f-4KpAhEbtHHIchlrzLm7qc37JE4KWLuUl1Ov4VVnVqE3QuOA64P-cfCBcj7l__kWX960xt8RnZzhAQVXdqPveA0z/s1600/000030_a.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<br />Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-44375704933414974802013-06-07T21:46:00.003+08:002013-06-07T22:20:10.512+08:00Dreamy Stills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of wild grass and a view of the ridge;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
some of blurry stills taken in moving cars and dark highways. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RxxEusIWAFApNiusDiiOZsjmPfYsJHw9jKFcochj44gl9-TNTlJM-7vp_LaOExrFVeHQmZuxURUMeWC6l4hPISSkfCyfWzDHpkgnmIsSWgPHrqX-1t74V5t4IqMc8zfImLbbnRbKdudx/s1600/000001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RxxEusIWAFApNiusDiiOZsjmPfYsJHw9jKFcochj44gl9-TNTlJM-7vp_LaOExrFVeHQmZuxURUMeWC6l4hPISSkfCyfWzDHpkgnmIsSWgPHrqX-1t74V5t4IqMc8zfImLbbnRbKdudx/s1600/000001.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q_M8V0bLXDmn2wvZ_dLXmgv4rmfRvTwrJzF5tQBFC6DZrSlL5NVed-neelOEzXwb3UWEv-Ihc8ltL0eeTIPkfgOHXnZ-TXlzmmto6fQAm5tjGWhmvqbAlvSfKe6p8YnG6iMSnnQg5SnA/s1600/000012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q_M8V0bLXDmn2wvZ_dLXmgv4rmfRvTwrJzF5tQBFC6DZrSlL5NVed-neelOEzXwb3UWEv-Ihc8ltL0eeTIPkfgOHXnZ-TXlzmmto6fQAm5tjGWhmvqbAlvSfKe6p8YnG6iMSnnQg5SnA/s1600/000012.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRFzt_Uwse6v7si10LN1NCK7-S7XoDBOhd3BzVliDoqpezwrMqXY5M5Jm87d4Q-sLyji0XYG9PoD82o9J5XmqfKPYobAzxXxCkMA8OVBUbuhahHjEfR-iLBbkk8RgJ5BaVhKrm1Ftod4Y/s1600/000013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRFzt_Uwse6v7si10LN1NCK7-S7XoDBOhd3BzVliDoqpezwrMqXY5M5Jm87d4Q-sLyji0XYG9PoD82o9J5XmqfKPYobAzxXxCkMA8OVBUbuhahHjEfR-iLBbkk8RgJ5BaVhKrm1Ftod4Y/s1600/000013.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSHcIj_H36iMjc4PlXHUF5ez38Sw3aQvJP-CwZK3_kTAYvRQIc_SBAHMq8mXJWuLe2T43hkxEmRHesH9V4L0RZxXBwxrjU4PBOh2vrQ9xTK7qmsM-_k8f3KvuRiMQklxgH7KLGnx9wES6/s1600/000036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSHcIj_H36iMjc4PlXHUF5ez38Sw3aQvJP-CwZK3_kTAYvRQIc_SBAHMq8mXJWuLe2T43hkxEmRHesH9V4L0RZxXBwxrjU4PBOh2vrQ9xTK7qmsM-_k8f3KvuRiMQklxgH7KLGnx9wES6/s1600/000036.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm sound tripping on a Friday night to match the mood of these photos.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds6aU9lfrPM">Matt Tilli - A Drug</a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ds6aU9lfrPM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-47255075459767960562013-05-27T22:47:00.001+08:002013-05-27T22:47:31.694+08:00Bangkok 2013: Don Mueang International Airport to Hua Lamphong<div style="text-align: justify;">
I felt the need to share the short but exhilarating solo trip I had from Don Mueang International Airport to Hua Lamphong MRT Station before meeting my friends in the hostel we were staying at. Scouring the internet for tips and train maps to get to the main city before the trip proved very helpful, but it took hours to do - so here's a shorter, more concise version. No one online seemed to have written anything comprehensive, so here I am!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While it might be a bit more of a hassle to get to the city center from <i>this </i>airport rather than from Suvarnabhumi International Airport (that's the one with the new Airport Link), it was still more efficient than, let's say, being a first-time tourist in Manila and your only decent option is to take a cab to your destination.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are two ways to get from Don Mueang Airport to Hua Lamphong, at least, train-wise:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(1) Take a diesel train from Don Mueang Railway Station (right across the airport) all the way to Hua Lamphong Railway Station. This was my initial option, but as I've researched online, many travelers didn't recommend this route because the train arrival was erratic and it takes more or less an hour to finally get to Hua Lamphong. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(2) Take the newest A1/A2 airport bus (operating since the early part of 2013), get down at Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak Market MRT, then ride all the way until Hua Lamphong MRT Station (conveniently connected as well to Hua Lamphong Railway). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
(2) is what I did. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm429/th_jung/bus_donmeung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm429/th_jung/bus_donmeung.jpg" width="354" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/583608-shuttle-service-don-mueang-suvarnabhumi-airports-starts-oct-1/?p=6238475">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
It's 30 baht a ride, and both of these routes like I said can take you to Mo Chit Station BTS/MRT station, the nearest BTS/MRT to the airport. It's quite useless to look for specific signs pointing you to where you're supposed to wait for the A1 or A2 buses, but follow the signs that say 'Shuttle' anyway and it'll eventually lead you to numerous exit doors that lead to the taxi bay and the main road.<br />
<br />
I luckily found an A1 bus waiting at the exit near an airport security counter. It's an orange bus with A1 clearly readable by its door, and just to make sure, you can ask the nice security people that, indeed, A1 passes by Mo Chit BTS. I can't say for sure how often A1 and A2 buses come and go, but internet searches say that they frequent the terminal more than ten times. If you're unfortunate, you may have to wait up to an hour before the next one comes. It isn't a jam-packed ride, fortunately, and it takes about 30 minutes or so to reach Mo Chit BTS/Chatuchak MRT.<br />
<br />
When the conductor finally tells you that you've reached your stop, walk down the sidewalk still in the direction of the bus route towards the pedestrian overpass, past some vendors and you'll eventually see the escalators leading down to Chatuchak Market MRT. It shouldn't be too hard to find!<br />
<br />
Getting back to Don Mueang Airport is supposed to be easy as well (you basically do everything in reverse and wait at the opposite side of the road to catch an A1/A2 bus to the airport), but I took a cab instead for about 250-300 baht from Hua Lamphong MRT Exit 1 (using the meter, and including the toll fees).<br />
<br />
I have no pictures, unfortunately, to guide you step by step, but hopefully this post helped anyway! :)</div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-8374309418824252692013-05-18T19:51:00.001+08:002013-05-18T19:52:23.379+08:00People Watching <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eATOtKwTAOld4uxDByWllKL2UfS3G4ldlbYxIuh0M-USI8WkmqwI4e_E5PYTe2mXR0sm21h3shQzJ3IAG6Oi6zZ_Y6X7HItHWEgVF0GpMxOSUO1K18d0dS2QnpxltfaEEXSwm4ZSPPq3/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eATOtKwTAOld4uxDByWllKL2UfS3G4ldlbYxIuh0M-USI8WkmqwI4e_E5PYTe2mXR0sm21h3shQzJ3IAG6Oi6zZ_Y6X7HItHWEgVF0GpMxOSUO1K18d0dS2QnpxltfaEEXSwm4ZSPPq3/s1600/a.jpg" width="750PX" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The thing about tourists is that they'll never stay put. One day they're sitting right across you, capturing pictures of themselves and taking in the hardscapes and the softscapes, and on the next day, they're gone. New ones take their place. It's a new couple, a new group of friends, a new baby in the stroller; a different language, a different shade of hair, slightly wider eyes that try to make sense of the place. The crowd changes, every hour, every day, and I sit in the same spot, watching.</div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-67358330496441880252013-04-13T19:08:00.000+08:002013-04-13T20:36:56.948+08:00City Adventure: Waves in the Air<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Easter Sunday, I decided to take Duccio with me and go on a mini-adventure out in the city. The original plan was to check out the beaches of Sentosa (coming from a country that was used to beach vacations at least twice a year made me miss the sea, ehehehehe), but I ended up doing a mini-hike instead.<br />
<br />
...And I arrived up there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2aXIkIxxVpeXxQqjT2bm5iY8dnB3mjbGUfDDLAxCTpTsSyLhmiwOVVWSGl3E5k5bqVcDAD0aGjk4_OR-vrT1cYBbJXdvvh0z94K1SkrWzrRT-bCvGspwguhrdnAlZqK3B84yXA_ADqO_/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2aXIkIxxVpeXxQqjT2bm5iY8dnB3mjbGUfDDLAxCTpTsSyLhmiwOVVWSGl3E5k5bqVcDAD0aGjk4_OR-vrT1cYBbJXdvvh0z94K1SkrWzrRT-bCvGspwguhrdnAlZqK3B84yXA_ADqO_/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture I took with my phone the moment I got down the bus and my mouth fell when I saw how high up it was! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Yup, that right there is the highest pedestrian bridge in this tiny country of Singapore. It connects two nature parks, namely Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park, and is 36 meters high up in the air. It's called the Henderson Waves, a modern-day wooden bridge that is just gorgeous and fortunately empty of people at midday. If it weren't so hot and if I weren't feeling hungry for lunch at the time, I might have stayed longer, read a book and enjoyed the general quiet and ambience that the bridge has when you're there. You see rising, crazy-formed condominium developments in the distance, and maybe a little bit of the sea, and lots and lots of green from both parks. It's quite nice, really, and if it just wasn't so far from where I live, I would have made it a habit to go up every weekend or so.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxO1T9qegjmlSWAZO-iU0cQA-wVlG2YJoWFb3mYMt38rfWlolEIF9QThjnEtNuKi2nqDy_5il35rT_0EaBczUku0tZODyu9Te89v_3-8TUS8O7lLGun7nABIodERwj-oAkTCHbab9S7Ac/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxO1T9qegjmlSWAZO-iU0cQA-wVlG2YJoWFb3mYMt38rfWlolEIF9QThjnEtNuKi2nqDy_5il35rT_0EaBczUku0tZODyu9Te89v_3-8TUS8O7lLGun7nABIodERwj-oAkTCHbab9S7Ac/s1600/1.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEiLIhzNZNIfdoACvxiCEU4EDwymBPiMfK0I_l9hyphenhyphenratqQA6DIEn4ki8F-C0mqno3crUbDKIGRDEWu0A4DmxrGCsQs5qnQnsYKjmKtBAI72CBgvCJ4_T3rBIzzcq4ecgvj5Y3pWNoKWfz/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEiLIhzNZNIfdoACvxiCEU4EDwymBPiMfK0I_l9hyphenhyphenratqQA6DIEn4ki8F-C0mqno3crUbDKIGRDEWu0A4DmxrGCsQs5qnQnsYKjmKtBAI72CBgvCJ4_T3rBIzzcq4ecgvj5Y3pWNoKWfz/s1600/3.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6-IEd9NU1-clZgCbnRbs3MmLhqiKTys_qBllzXfeTtEQe9XYzxuMBKW_C5dNtynOcyPXj2wmdR5rItmWEgJeR1gyRo8HkbfUGgIg_P7ySupRvgeoloQoopA92QVZArlQOMQM3Nz3vPd3/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6-IEd9NU1-clZgCbnRbs3MmLhqiKTys_qBllzXfeTtEQe9XYzxuMBKW_C5dNtynOcyPXj2wmdR5rItmWEgJeR1gyRo8HkbfUGgIg_P7ySupRvgeoloQoopA92QVZArlQOMQM3Nz3vPd3/s1600/2.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The walk isn't too bad going up, to be honest, but I suppose it took me by surprise that it was just <i>there, </i>hanging high up over the road where the bus stop was, seemingly impossible to reach because there was no arrow pointing to where the entrance to the park was. All it took was blind faith and lots of self-convincing to forge ahead. I'm glad I didn't turn back!<br />
<br />
Next time, though, I'm bringing a water bottle on all my mini adventures. Note to self: be prepared!</div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-82195789481582756692013-03-24T16:33:00.000+08:002013-03-24T16:33:05.056+08:00Seventeen Postcards and Counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Snail mail will never get old. From Moscow, Barcelona, Kyiv, Zagreb, Oulo, Minsk, Szczecinek, Chisinau, Brussels, Taipei, Gironde, Nokia, Schwabach, Bremen and Leipzig - some vaguely familiar, some completely new to me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0wEhO-asWNHMc8mr1UUbg1vEIXMPl9P4kC8Z30EK1qq9kLAD4TeAG4JnIOSn0j9gYKDZVTgKSdC-Uf9z1BCvz2dQt5EXYZ_NmXdqDTx_Bup6DKo-wE1huZAReH3RA_rcHAlqh1CR676A/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0wEhO-asWNHMc8mr1UUbg1vEIXMPl9P4kC8Z30EK1qq9kLAD4TeAG4JnIOSn0j9gYKDZVTgKSdC-Uf9z1BCvz2dQt5EXYZ_NmXdqDTx_Bup6DKo-wE1huZAReH3RA_rcHAlqh1CR676A/s1600/10.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreYLqDtdF4szq4SHhiBARqncsz4j5Ce-aBj6eUI4ttLo0l_xX1osEd5W-F8AqP30PFjNcrVKqolLWeVQ5lpU8y5hzk3ugTGnacjwJVuV4-HG5eFBmcBhg1qKRhku8WtcjZS7bpiqnE6RX/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreYLqDtdF4szq4SHhiBARqncsz4j5Ce-aBj6eUI4ttLo0l_xX1osEd5W-F8AqP30PFjNcrVKqolLWeVQ5lpU8y5hzk3ugTGnacjwJVuV4-HG5eFBmcBhg1qKRhku8WtcjZS7bpiqnE6RX/s1600/5.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CrmXcYPkltfjScmzq_6GmZQ6uSuftfML1iBSr_l__P2qkF0NOYh9j7s_gYr-2yQFLzkojZ5VA6aPsIFAfQA_4A7RHnSTQFyXdIGhdEZdtE4cmrne1GLhe3vDckDy-XqfVrG2GisIMMiU/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CrmXcYPkltfjScmzq_6GmZQ6uSuftfML1iBSr_l__P2qkF0NOYh9j7s_gYr-2yQFLzkojZ5VA6aPsIFAfQA_4A7RHnSTQFyXdIGhdEZdtE4cmrne1GLhe3vDckDy-XqfVrG2GisIMMiU/s1600/6.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8yLQBPA6sIFhIA9qMZJSVuFFWv5EjqPpXqh_hlNEmkQQ0IJZXthkwPnMJQjSCA5Rz3Agj9DjeKvL97ea0R_ckR9Rb3Geknv7Cya1s50WxwHwLoWdN3C2hAY00AIUmkYDq_5n8LHQUd2C/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8yLQBPA6sIFhIA9qMZJSVuFFWv5EjqPpXqh_hlNEmkQQ0IJZXthkwPnMJQjSCA5Rz3Agj9DjeKvL97ea0R_ckR9Rb3Geknv7Cya1s50WxwHwLoWdN3C2hAY00AIUmkYDq_5n8LHQUd2C/s1600/8.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ00eH4yX1kW4HstkhvVOo4U7JZbXyuVm_ZwxQl4lft72nnERk3Tf3TfEuaJ1qXR-6FWKSbmaX_SpV-M-G55oNGy60QgLJ2EHxku4MXwFUOnHD4dp0eUaiC0B-oTijY6m_jXoqdlyti9_/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ00eH4yX1kW4HstkhvVOo4U7JZbXyuVm_ZwxQl4lft72nnERk3Tf3TfEuaJ1qXR-6FWKSbmaX_SpV-M-G55oNGy60QgLJ2EHxku4MXwFUOnHD4dp0eUaiC0B-oTijY6m_jXoqdlyti9_/s1600/7.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcODy_FiSHqcDpYCyZ9O8iTaMkSvjrFKzMwlQ3IHDAvkz6HNWvDgEcHNpghPhad3F7zAwYj_VlDbRUXkPMXcbDc9R_fVCS7V04QGfI0iBoC78IDJTv1_UfAw_2KEDD_zZtc_XJfq3ESxK/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcODy_FiSHqcDpYCyZ9O8iTaMkSvjrFKzMwlQ3IHDAvkz6HNWvDgEcHNpghPhad3F7zAwYj_VlDbRUXkPMXcbDc9R_fVCS7V04QGfI0iBoC78IDJTv1_UfAw_2KEDD_zZtc_XJfq3ESxK/s1600/9.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From these exchanges I learned Nokia is not only a famous Finnish cellphone brand but an actual place; <i>martisor </i>is a Romanian festival in celebration of spring; that it can go down to about -25 degrees Celsius in Finland; that Croatia is quite an interesting country to go to besides the fact that Mario Ancic is from there, etc. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I joined Postcrossing for the mere curiosity and thrill of receiving snail mail, but now I'm even more invested in it because of the tidbits of new things I learn from so many people living across the world. I may not be actually sitting on a plane heading to these exotic places, but through these cards I get to enjoy the best thing about travel - new people, new cultures, new places to learn and dream of! </div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-74437250771530365012013-03-24T14:55:00.003+08:002013-03-24T14:55:51.229+08:00On Postcards and Postcrossing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've recently gotten into the hobby of collecting postcards and sending them out to random people living all over the world. It's a wonderful means to make simple connections with other people doing the same thing, writing them random thoughts or tidbits of information about the city I live in, or explaining why I chose a certain postcard for them to receive. I've sent some out to Belarus, Russia, China and Poland, and in return I've gotten beautiful postcards from Finland, Spain, Ukraine and Germany. Now every time I go collect mail from the mailbox, there's always the wonderful possibility of receiving another postcard from a country. It's made the simple task of mail collecting exciting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Some postcards I've sent out have come from this wonderful collection from one of my favorite local photographers, <a href="http://aleyncomprendio.com/">Aleyn</a>, who's called this set of photo postcards "Windswept Letters". This beautiful package came in the mail by the time I arrived in Manila, and unwrapping it was such a delight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fD76QjQZzkNUpvNpnVlGMNOtVNrhpORTmSGKPzMAwsAp4G4IDeNNZL8PNe06Z4aEeRd1dUHdGOrkfONHlOq_59h1LDA3uBfVzlEgvek0AIZPywHF2e85_Zxr8XL6JDenWMJ333eQDmgk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fD76QjQZzkNUpvNpnVlGMNOtVNrhpORTmSGKPzMAwsAp4G4IDeNNZL8PNe06Z4aEeRd1dUHdGOrkfONHlOq_59h1LDA3uBfVzlEgvek0AIZPywHF2e85_Zxr8XL6JDenWMJ333eQDmgk/s1600/3.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhaXvEX3o_4EzhIOPizQ5ux86AbSQ5w4eXGlpM5-1c4y_5Q8XnRVsUOB3fURqBebQQ62ygacw_0PXNJ1tVJB7iZqQWvbCRluhIymrV8UBIPDH1E9U_ifKAFj1PRFqcEkTeHez57evl7Le/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhaXvEX3o_4EzhIOPizQ5ux86AbSQ5w4eXGlpM5-1c4y_5Q8XnRVsUOB3fURqBebQQ62ygacw_0PXNJ1tVJB7iZqQWvbCRluhIymrV8UBIPDH1E9U_ifKAFj1PRFqcEkTeHez57evl7Le/s1600/1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH7bcCyQeL47BDMHl_lSzQpsvsZzy0hibm9-d0QmrSZUnMqtTu1vn3s_1QwV3O3AEaUj-b_7ZP5W30rCmOWu8CsEGCfv37zlZnhsceJTt99KdIJnMHUFLw2zprMK43c3ZUgVULIqLw3pE/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH7bcCyQeL47BDMHl_lSzQpsvsZzy0hibm9-d0QmrSZUnMqtTu1vn3s_1QwV3O3AEaUj-b_7ZP5W30rCmOWu8CsEGCfv37zlZnhsceJTt99KdIJnMHUFLw2zprMK43c3ZUgVULIqLw3pE/s1600/2.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LMrOwijIipjIFzcmJ68cXncwVXQlxNKDEdfWJ_iIYymYQqKR2vX5hVZ5e4Ju3yuzoccGvc3YS_y8ysdwBNRexE95CUqt3GAbjnC1yUj-Xtt56TTBd4mYCJbI3op6NiKKH-kChycz_OMK/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LMrOwijIipjIFzcmJ68cXncwVXQlxNKDEdfWJ_iIYymYQqKR2vX5hVZ5e4Ju3yuzoccGvc3YS_y8ysdwBNRexE95CUqt3GAbjnC1yUj-Xtt56TTBd4mYCJbI3op6NiKKH-kChycz_OMK/s1600/4.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Most if not all of these postcards have found themselves in far-flung parts of Europe, and now I have about one or two to keep for myself, if I don't intend to send them out in the future. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In any case, my postcard collection has grown to seventeen beautiful postcards! Soon I'll post some snapshots of them, some gorgeous, some quirky, some with very cool stamps and more. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>Windswept Letters can be purchased from <a href="http://aleyncomprendio.bigcartel.com/product/windswept-letters-postcard-set">Aleyn Comprendio</a>. </i></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-90137178271416404452013-03-09T13:00:00.000+08:002013-03-09T13:06:30.578+08:00A 14 Four Cafe Valentine<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>A very much delayed post-Valentine post. Teehee. :)</i><br />
<br />
I love quirky places. They're heartfelt, personal, warm spaces of someone else's creativity and passion, but instead of feeling intrusive, you feel so welcome and so happy to have chanced upon such a unique little spot in the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj6QA8USzExpFB_-SydhJXYLUzAoP4iI1WIAp0Zt4h2Mh3UNf1xyLVL-SwdMxp0LSpIB6aZEl3RkY2vJfCuchmNDRtK6RBeTs_iuwS7uQg3wWL5VCcrKZbHJiz9Kz0fom-kjceyYEe-Tr/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj6QA8USzExpFB_-SydhJXYLUzAoP4iI1WIAp0Zt4h2Mh3UNf1xyLVL-SwdMxp0LSpIB6aZEl3RkY2vJfCuchmNDRtK6RBeTs_iuwS7uQg3wWL5VCcrKZbHJiz9Kz0fom-kjceyYEe-Tr/s1600/1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My boyfriend brought me to 14 Four Cafe in Taytay, Rizal for a post-Valentine's and pre-anniversary treat this year. Admittedly, I was whining the whole time that it was just so far away from my comfort zone (Taytay, all the way from Alabang!), but by the time we got there, the birdnest-like gate of this house-turned-cafe-and-showroom was enough to perk my interest. And, ah! What a lovely, lovely surprise this turned out to be! I really should have brought Duccio home along, because all I have to show for this awesome date are pictures from my phone!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFWI1ZyVVrKopyp8dLf905BsKEFuMxUJh-N9Q95l6rVzmYqFfwW8jwwkXMVpSuDwup29rL0BBh2UXvIt0ekZL2YK74qlFmzPTpmPnqwJvqgn22nHi1uI3t0fjfYhUl7-Ugix560cR9_Nv/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFWI1ZyVVrKopyp8dLf905BsKEFuMxUJh-N9Q95l6rVzmYqFfwW8jwwkXMVpSuDwup29rL0BBh2UXvIt0ekZL2YK74qlFmzPTpmPnqwJvqgn22nHi1uI3t0fjfYhUl7-Ugix560cR9_Nv/s1600/2.jpg width=" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDvjqLwXi05_Yj-qaS_2YRbQffgdqf4rfH3SkrVforgEVPGgkqZHziDakJ5oM2JBd9SZ-yhxOLjFUKEQgQwjtg2ligLXzSzFxo5L5mxBPAsn2vuLspZgZ-IzZb2F20UKXsgeDa9uuFOqv/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDvjqLwXi05_Yj-qaS_2YRbQffgdqf4rfH3SkrVforgEVPGgkqZHziDakJ5oM2JBd9SZ-yhxOLjFUKEQgQwjtg2ligLXzSzFxo5L5mxBPAsn2vuLspZgZ-IzZb2F20UKXsgeDa9uuFOqv/s1600/4.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY72OTqoP65wEqZFaWFB7Mk_89r4VU4UVXSWLyMNzWygu6T9bIB8w9QVOZYIn3gsl1iLAydrRv_AU-fPuIt8lZgQs5Tw6GLg2izLwET24t2eDxhnDl8xT4uHOVjQSRwX0mOTgLqK_VFur/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY72OTqoP65wEqZFaWFB7Mk_89r4VU4UVXSWLyMNzWygu6T9bIB8w9QVOZYIn3gsl1iLAydrRv_AU-fPuIt8lZgQs5Tw6GLg2izLwET24t2eDxhnDl8xT4uHOVjQSRwX0mOTgLqK_VFur/s1600/3.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<br />
While the food was just so-so, I suppose I'd go back just for the really nice ambience of the place. It's one of the reasons why cafes are my favorite spots to hang out in instead of bars; cafes are relaxed and laid back, and you can people-watch in peace over tea and good conversation. The furniture differed per table and bulbs hung exposed from trees and the lamps were beautifully mismatched. And because it was a Valentine's weekend when we went, they had a whole gig where they took an Instax photo of us and stuck it inside this adorable card with washi and fabric tapes and a cute animal paper clip -- my kind of thing! Suffice it to say that my boyfriend did well in bringing me to a place he knew I'd love! :D<br />
<br />
Do visit for the experience, if you're one of those quirky old souls who love eclectic things, furniture and generally unique cafes. You'll probably love it as much as I did!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.14fourcafe.com/" target="_blank">14 Four Cafe</a> is located in </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>144 Magnolia Lane, Barangay San Isidro,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Gregoria Heights Subdivision,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Taytay, Rizal, Philippines 1920</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Fridays and Saturdays 10am-10pm</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sundays 10am-9pm</i></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-20820539364495676732013-02-13T23:58:00.000+08:002013-02-13T23:58:03.608+08:00Little Tokyo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Let's just say that this is the best precursor to a real Tokyo visit. Heh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Little Tokyo's quite the institution in Makati, having been there probably even longer than when my parents started working in the city, and is still the most authentic place to go to when you want <i>real </i>Japanese food in Manila. Based on other blogs, it's most alive at night, but when we went there, we came for lunch, and while most restaurants and stalls were closed at that time (maybe that day being New Year's Eve was to blame), there were still some that remained open to customers dropping by. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_a3Z0ItcHHlO9wtV_zALYnGiZx1d_EoEaSj4esHwnEzXtAY6884-QxajV2z-8mPjpLSSls7oI5sFYWfvG_9dtNDZqw2V1gZwXv-r_DbSQpwJnPOQgabL4PIIEWahukfNIwK31by88gWn/s1600/000016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_a3Z0ItcHHlO9wtV_zALYnGiZx1d_EoEaSj4esHwnEzXtAY6884-QxajV2z-8mPjpLSSls7oI5sFYWfvG_9dtNDZqw2V1gZwXv-r_DbSQpwJnPOQgabL4PIIEWahukfNIwK31by88gWn/s1600/000016.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nPbG_Y5wXY5MrMeakpqR3rkrnLpMk7uVlv3y0jzEaIAzSwIhKXo68zG5XfqlxqvtGSQCNnXIlVpxERKncgzHEru-UrbO6_0i5sGlzKELLTuSs_5aLQhG7PST6z4z8L8n7HC1SUadLG6h/s1600/000018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nPbG_Y5wXY5MrMeakpqR3rkrnLpMk7uVlv3y0jzEaIAzSwIhKXo68zG5XfqlxqvtGSQCNnXIlVpxERKncgzHEru-UrbO6_0i5sGlzKELLTuSs_5aLQhG7PST6z4z8L8n7HC1SUadLG6h/s1600/000018.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfwZnFM0aZh2GAjNfoXRThmW9xqyGGK9aNmrEzPz_QrB8XjMZL4zlbko0wqiA40LzljBkOlPK06yVVth0DsEM6n5WED_CnVIPkMWPx4IUDGKdXAeyhJES1hOKSJKeC-0EgVeHVgqzLDc9/s1600/000017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfwZnFM0aZh2GAjNfoXRThmW9xqyGGK9aNmrEzPz_QrB8XjMZL4zlbko0wqiA40LzljBkOlPK06yVVth0DsEM6n5WED_CnVIPkMWPx4IUDGKdXAeyhJES1hOKSJKeC-0EgVeHVgqzLDc9/s1600/000017.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2-uAl2GmcCX-ZoGiALNSK5kK1EggEw8KGfI2tTSsD_zXxAVtDDJ8hx_CIQ1cf2foHmWEoFhZHgU5QexF97OUOoyzFGxG27WNhQwdvjN6lYoxCj-wEQhjwgVZSpea5D65-yUPhGRfP4RN/s1600/000021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2-uAl2GmcCX-ZoGiALNSK5kK1EggEw8KGfI2tTSsD_zXxAVtDDJ8hx_CIQ1cf2foHmWEoFhZHgU5QexF97OUOoyzFGxG27WNhQwdvjN6lYoxCj-wEQhjwgVZSpea5D65-yUPhGRfP4RN/s1600/000021.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZaTvVx4OW5ns8rKDQ_GwiKqd0RTIi0dDiSW9wVfPcUom9ryymZdQOK9QzKKbP5uIdcQj2FquugVJRRr_yOzmnWLMfptEaAfc9ouGyMr7iJQyy81rM5wGA7D3SmkthmaGtB6CArpB1Ikp/s1600/000024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZaTvVx4OW5ns8rKDQ_GwiKqd0RTIi0dDiSW9wVfPcUom9ryymZdQOK9QzKKbP5uIdcQj2FquugVJRRr_yOzmnWLMfptEaAfc9ouGyMr7iJQyy81rM5wGA7D3SmkthmaGtB6CArpB1Ikp/s1600/000024.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWttO2xYFeFRdFMFCnZA5EKQP__fk8WlGRBkF8GNDbMOwN5jtEqrzlrjpsqaQOi1MlwV6UPKQT94ejd_WAWp9_SbO7YCT0OE0aGms42hOjAwaZPfIOemIGyl2ZIQtMogMK-8RNre4FeXM/s1600/000025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWttO2xYFeFRdFMFCnZA5EKQP__fk8WlGRBkF8GNDbMOwN5jtEqrzlrjpsqaQOi1MlwV6UPKQT94ejd_WAWp9_SbO7YCT0OE0aGms42hOjAwaZPfIOemIGyl2ZIQtMogMK-8RNre4FeXM/s1600/000025.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw_Uw_1sILnjSFbqDTcPDznMUUU6jDtYQWIW2hbZlmN1H-26lJ0NH4Cd7DCG7LM7F-1e0U1n6OZJLwemdA_fbAaOmApVFHT8EXszjPR13edx3JIPDdrh2rQlUR00R0CfutTnKDDSyDHCX/s1600/000027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw_Uw_1sILnjSFbqDTcPDznMUUU6jDtYQWIW2hbZlmN1H-26lJ0NH4Cd7DCG7LM7F-1e0U1n6OZJLwemdA_fbAaOmApVFHT8EXszjPR13edx3JIPDdrh2rQlUR00R0CfutTnKDDSyDHCX/s1600/000027.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's not just the food that you have to go there for, I think, but the quaint charm that the whole alleyway has. It's got the red paper lanterns with kanji in black ink, plastic <i>sakura</i>, the old street-like features that make me think of <i>Rurouni Kenshin</i>, the tininess of the restaurant and wooden sliding doors, the <i>bonsai </i>and the <i>zen </i>gardens, and, well, the fact that so many Japanese people frequent that place that probably remind them most of home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Little Tokyo is located in Pasong Tamo, Makati City. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>You can't miss it; it's got this imperial arch in red with embossed silver letters that say </i>Little Tokyo<i>. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Heh. Worth a visit indeed!</i></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-66620470820500611982013-01-20T22:21:00.000+08:002013-01-20T22:31:01.992+08:00Rainy Sunday Indoors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwxLbCG-d54zmvYjyuU2AWrKuG7uWkcWAnI_tv8hmteY9ydK11-ZtWw1aU-jBMuMYXwZGI6h0LEHHc4hzFDFtwAtZVL8GRze1neBpd0L1r1jdF0Zss150F3iFYUrNeNwZKet7vyRw9bGf/s1600/IMG_0636_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwxLbCG-d54zmvYjyuU2AWrKuG7uWkcWAnI_tv8hmteY9ydK11-ZtWw1aU-jBMuMYXwZGI6h0LEHHc4hzFDFtwAtZVL8GRze1neBpd0L1r1jdF0Zss150F3iFYUrNeNwZKet7vyRw9bGf/s1600/IMG_0636_1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwON6aVIvIhm4e5PRvP7OQryH-Yn4Iu1SozunOMzetOywTirn5O7czYPUIH20ifQN7HHt_wwAIi0F37Rf_NWKFjz7AsVo0ByrbuTPXROTzosIW4SmJUuJToRZMG_HbVYzY-46yVyEnf36/s1600/IMG_0634_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwON6aVIvIhm4e5PRvP7OQryH-Yn4Iu1SozunOMzetOywTirn5O7czYPUIH20ifQN7HHt_wwAIi0F37Rf_NWKFjz7AsVo0ByrbuTPXROTzosIW4SmJUuJToRZMG_HbVYzY-46yVyEnf36/s1600/IMG_0634_1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybDL3w8tPtG34BQxkCDozMjCxNvadcRbWvP0hLjbo56SZ_UrkrcezlqqyfxWmfMZovoY7MbschHtq-iNUy1ITvTqy4x50QAlPftvC4Hf9Pf1q2CGqiSF7PvqqGkKbQ3cYf5hz8Tb4ehGG/s1600/IMG_0639_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybDL3w8tPtG34BQxkCDozMjCxNvadcRbWvP0hLjbo56SZ_UrkrcezlqqyfxWmfMZovoY7MbschHtq-iNUy1ITvTqy4x50QAlPftvC4Hf9Pf1q2CGqiSF7PvqqGkKbQ3cYf5hz8Tb4ehGG/s1600/IMG_0639_1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSk-ytTk1pA9Ab2OTjlbjrMM3V3Wu0IyHDpUxeYG6wEVAWMqqoKW7ZelGLuj1OOCtSPxGY5fc9tbCVrqU9V1MMP44dVJ6rBPsjPjBzy71_nwuoHpgbr_avOF4jNvFE11OG7k7kaEUblfm/s1600/IMG_0635_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSk-ytTk1pA9Ab2OTjlbjrMM3V3Wu0IyHDpUxeYG6wEVAWMqqoKW7ZelGLuj1OOCtSPxGY5fc9tbCVrqU9V1MMP44dVJ6rBPsjPjBzy71_nwuoHpgbr_avOF4jNvFE11OG7k7kaEUblfm/s1600/IMG_0635_1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AmCgU4U_P-H_1uVipc6OHNVBXQu7wPwSwlclHjtartqoJAij08qfzBUCXrQuh4m7xVP22it04NTUhStZM8I58p7uWH09s8mJKBCzqH4KUoLq5y2W7QgoSOu3quBR91PoSJGj5_nzkBIh/s1600/IMG_0637_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AmCgU4U_P-H_1uVipc6OHNVBXQu7wPwSwlclHjtartqoJAij08qfzBUCXrQuh4m7xVP22it04NTUhStZM8I58p7uWH09s8mJKBCzqH4KUoLq5y2W7QgoSOu3quBR91PoSJGj5_nzkBIh/s1600/IMG_0637_1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Weekends have never been more blessed until I started working. Much like any normal person, I look forward to the comfortable lull of Saturday and Sunday and the happy art of taking my time with the things I do. On a regular sunny weekend, I'd make sure not to waste the weather and head on to a new place to explore in the city, but this recent weekend has been spent indoors, watching the rain fall and feeling conflicted as to whether or not I should go out despite the dreary and incredibly lazy weather. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So this Sunday I took pictures of my little space and our humble room, not even bothering to whip out Duccio in such lazy weather and relying instead on my phone. I've been sifting through the latest issue of <b><a href="http://frankie.com.au/" target="_blank">frankie</a></b>, a magazine frequently mentioned by some blogs I follow, and which I decided to buy. It's a quaint magazine, so neatly designed and so fresh that I'm quite determined to buy all the next issues this year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Today I wrote out lists on what to do when I visit Manila in February - much to do with developing film rolls and compiling a photo book of recent happenings - and whiled the afternoon away listening to Up Dharma Down's <i>Capacities </i>album, the perfect sort of music to be playing on a rainy day. Days like these are absolute love. J'adore!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>*The books by my bed, and Freya the French bunny, but came all the way from Korea</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>*The picture that hangs by my bed</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>*One of the articles in <b>frankie</b>, which suits my mood and the state of my bed</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>*Shoes and Duccio</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>*The snapshots that are stuck to the wall above my roommate's bed</i></div>
<!--3-->Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-64919980095278113892013-01-12T20:45:00.000+08:002013-01-12T23:58:21.565+08:00From Korea With Love, 2/2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPMk6lElVkVRw26aB_WrnLrl4fHzibtj9mQZUSfsmc6s8lFB75h2DOYGsBs4inkV4g-t7Gte2Mh-pTvl0EsgtvERUlyA8iXFizObEFLLqx4x5t0W5-LiRPtJwhl3XcDA1dqSb4g2xpRFD/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPMk6lElVkVRw26aB_WrnLrl4fHzibtj9mQZUSfsmc6s8lFB75h2DOYGsBs4inkV4g-t7Gte2Mh-pTvl0EsgtvERUlyA8iXFizObEFLLqx4x5t0W5-LiRPtJwhl3XcDA1dqSb4g2xpRFD/s1600/9.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://aseaofquotes.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdpu3d5jPH1r46fnpo1_500.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82c9JHh4DIwPmHi_wFlclPwnSSVZtDl29KgHYC3T3QGwDELsIugqjz5WDrpdi_0mRkckhoqeTL_VoZqBo3kG2cslhdgrMKkgZJ3VIX2IU3eoqNmcCYYxRYuB5hae3gx7W3bFcj-Uz2-eR/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82c9JHh4DIwPmHi_wFlclPwnSSVZtDl29KgHYC3T3QGwDELsIugqjz5WDrpdi_0mRkckhoqeTL_VoZqBo3kG2cslhdgrMKkgZJ3VIX2IU3eoqNmcCYYxRYuB5hae3gx7W3bFcj-Uz2-eR/s1600/10.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLmpBJKZ2O_YVbqXY_p4D5qOwtGR0sOnlVwY_xpKC2JqQ4LFGoXBBYkZMDNUj0rZowSIi2PX3sg8wvhQiRSIFYEqqByyEozDV9wcycYjqm8jjM4ZftlZ3oi6W5aPrfHqENIQqrmomMtQt/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLmpBJKZ2O_YVbqXY_p4D5qOwtGR0sOnlVwY_xpKC2JqQ4LFGoXBBYkZMDNUj0rZowSIi2PX3sg8wvhQiRSIFYEqqByyEozDV9wcycYjqm8jjM4ZftlZ3oi6W5aPrfHqENIQqrmomMtQt/s1600/2.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4R_D8imTZinAlnDzvEWuzc3lIRkAtT7ki5v_IP7ITZml7hc4p35AlNRa8hP65K0_09L0ENDNyNu8CyefH3_fHPwF7fA9I71LL1KcaQSMw6cRyaZMlbe-l3fl_IPfAG-qEXKtkaiDw3RCC/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4R_D8imTZinAlnDzvEWuzc3lIRkAtT7ki5v_IP7ITZml7hc4p35AlNRa8hP65K0_09L0ENDNyNu8CyefH3_fHPwF7fA9I71LL1KcaQSMw6cRyaZMlbe-l3fl_IPfAG-qEXKtkaiDw3RCC/s1600/1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETo6eqwQOt4SMZZLh5FtGL6L9eassrkk-US9gwh1tcwcxSpDtSAPJpSUQi6KRaZL1TUDcTSXahAd4h0lRhyCBY42HAt07ZbUSsiF5F8QLWZytdRGF8WF_FD1v46h5gKDmhrVx1US6uX0j/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETo6eqwQOt4SMZZLh5FtGL6L9eassrkk-US9gwh1tcwcxSpDtSAPJpSUQi6KRaZL1TUDcTSXahAd4h0lRhyCBY42HAt07ZbUSsiF5F8QLWZytdRGF8WF_FD1v46h5gKDmhrVx1US6uX0j/s1600/3.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">A late happy new year to you, reader! I hope 2013 started off well for you and will sustain its awesomeness for the next twelve months. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">As a girl from the tropics, never having grown up experiencing winter, one can only imagine the effect snow has upon me and the rest of us who only knew perpetual summers and monsoons. It's absolute </span><i style="text-align: justify;">magic</i><span style="text-align: justify;">. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">These were taken in Nami Island, made most famous by <i>that </i>famous Korean drama, <i>Winter Sonata</i>. Hee. It's supposed to be beautiful no matter what season it is - which isn't too hard to believe because it looked amazing in that drama and to think that they first shot scenes in the autumn! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In any case, I still can't believe I got to go to this beautiful country last December. Now it's January and I'm too immersed yet again in a charming drama so much so that I'm thinking of going back to Korea much sooner than I originally intended. Ehehehe. I thought I escaped it, but I suppose I'll always be riding this <i>hallyu </i>/ Korean wave no matter what. </div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com0South Korea35.907757 127.7669220000000229.324028999999996 117.43977350000003 42.491485 138.09407050000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-71069835520559334612012-12-25T15:03:00.001+08:002012-12-27T12:20:35.029+08:00From Korea With Love 1/2<div style="text-align: justify;">
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope the twenty-fourth of December for you was as awesome as mine was. Personally, Christmas Eve is the best part of this season in my family, and I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to come home for Christmas this year! There's nothing like Christmas in Manila! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm glad to be able to write a new post just when 2012 - a wonderfully blessed year - is just days away from ending. A lot of travel-y dreams have been fulfilled, surprisingly, in the last twelve months, and I only hope 2013 is just as kind. Today, I look back on a great weekend in Seoul, in the land of k-dramas and winter sonatas, k-pop and G-Dragon's face on LED billboards. What is there to see in Seoul in just two-point-five days? Not much, really, because it's a city full of tons of things to see, impossible to cover in that short span of time. But what you do see is beautiful anyway, and most if not everything you take a picture of looks like a darn postcard. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SpAHjtaTEu2VIZsjO1p9KIFf9NOB6LSV3g_ETupEUwru5zEcKT4yO0BcnDcDMheI00gcYUiiVp8T-_Mwq-M1IwI16tvByfym3ZoZFzmvAqleal2Xeb6X-KVxoXyCMGnHLlmizOqXEzIW/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SpAHjtaTEu2VIZsjO1p9KIFf9NOB6LSV3g_ETupEUwru5zEcKT4yO0BcnDcDMheI00gcYUiiVp8T-_Mwq-M1IwI16tvByfym3ZoZFzmvAqleal2Xeb6X-KVxoXyCMGnHLlmizOqXEzIW/s1600/1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here I stand beneath a door way in the servants' quarters of Changdeokgung Palace (for history buffs, a UNESCO heritage site; for k-drama aficionados, a setting for many scenes of <i>Jewel in the Palace</i>), looking quite delighted to finally be in Seoul. It may look like it's just autumn, but it's very much winter already! Because I was there only for a weekend, I didn't get to see <i>Rooftop Prince</i>'s palace or <i>Lotte World </i>where <i>Stairway to Heaven </i>was filmed, but no regrets there, I suppose, as it only means I have to return to this awesome country to set out on a <i>koreanovela </i>tour of sorts and maybe even spend a few hours outside of KBS or SBS in hopes of seeing one or two stars. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUkS8M-ABlQp36IgZ1uzvnRUZ-Z-YugRG_M7SoGfIvzTmUAoVQVRrgQ7JplNUcMsbdjb4vcoolUwZCGZDn8PTq1zcbInHB9zNm4n1jepkFO5lMarcQSmgAj9z3U0er7vA4fmWQ0-ezNA7/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUkS8M-ABlQp36IgZ1uzvnRUZ-Z-YugRG_M7SoGfIvzTmUAoVQVRrgQ7JplNUcMsbdjb4vcoolUwZCGZDn8PTq1zcbInHB9zNm4n1jepkFO5lMarcQSmgAj9z3U0er7vA4fmWQ0-ezNA7/s1600/2.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZMr9rUbCrp7QCfxbp2DVSB2pKVTyvZFdMnwac5OUvc4hH9_yIm5PZmml-4d-cUnH09d-rrm6WI-P9swa3qgVJ8JSBXAgYVAwh5JhVTY6A2v0vX0xJWV0WgKH6z1Qm57iX5m8Hc5f_V5c/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZMr9rUbCrp7QCfxbp2DVSB2pKVTyvZFdMnwac5OUvc4hH9_yIm5PZmml-4d-cUnH09d-rrm6WI-P9swa3qgVJ8JSBXAgYVAwh5JhVTY6A2v0vX0xJWV0WgKH6z1Qm57iX5m8Hc5f_V5c/s1600/3.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwe0iG_vFPvZC-XKAOn4F7dtFQq4SWonRjAfgD5I3dhiipVecOFUEYDDiHJVE8srEGpXrc2Kl7WI2j9rx1db3KswJ7e-evZoiMAWNKd5dhMsN-TdC2M2cfdapYKGed7Mg-TvtQaH7WhGj/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwe0iG_vFPvZC-XKAOn4F7dtFQq4SWonRjAfgD5I3dhiipVecOFUEYDDiHJVE8srEGpXrc2Kl7WI2j9rx1db3KswJ7e-evZoiMAWNKd5dhMsN-TdC2M2cfdapYKGed7Mg-TvtQaH7WhGj/s1600/4.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNljKGr_byFTzSorL5qB2QVsI55uG7bs0DtQWgRfbaa3DqxSr3AzFwLj8-wmCh8m-DglADRzA0DTzAKH-UtjUoF47ktcLP7B-gGlNHYYgaZIBdBgyEgwvm8V3Ik7wbQ5Q1VKYM-gIqhVh/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNljKGr_byFTzSorL5qB2QVsI55uG7bs0DtQWgRfbaa3DqxSr3AzFwLj8-wmCh8m-DglADRzA0DTzAKH-UtjUoF47ktcLP7B-gGlNHYYgaZIBdBgyEgwvm8V3Ik7wbQ5Q1VKYM-gIqhVh/s1600/7.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1UhFoza-ERSHxvSZVphTdg0QFSBqgtpk8cVDeXFTQhVqBRlpnNyizxVELrboh_0SrYIsNoMkFRqjk1qYBvSUjKqoRx2vyKJrwiGSQqX0tqAL_sB5z05BPPClXPWNHJSlyAeAoG5I0TyE/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1UhFoza-ERSHxvSZVphTdg0QFSBqgtpk8cVDeXFTQhVqBRlpnNyizxVELrboh_0SrYIsNoMkFRqjk1qYBvSUjKqoRx2vyKJrwiGSQqX0tqAL_sB5z05BPPClXPWNHJSlyAeAoG5I0TyE/s1600/5.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Near the new city hall, there was a huge ice skating rink that opened at around two in the afternoon into which kids and adults alike poured. I kind of regret never having learned as a kid to skate or rollerblade, because it looked mighty fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OQXROG5TKvq5H4fnnwV38FmbMssnzGTpS1b7oC2Vy2NXY9CVRF5Z7d3ePnD_-JLrIkE9pN5BlTgBe8tvLb4D3Qs4uWb2mdgRL6wQkNkwBqbUoJ8ekhUhqIrKq-KrHnDgDdLUeO38rxsz/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OQXROG5TKvq5H4fnnwV38FmbMssnzGTpS1b7oC2Vy2NXY9CVRF5Z7d3ePnD_-JLrIkE9pN5BlTgBe8tvLb4D3Qs4uWb2mdgRL6wQkNkwBqbUoJ8ekhUhqIrKq-KrHnDgDdLUeO38rxsz/s1600/6.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is Myeongdong, one of Seoul's famous shopping areas, jam packed with people in the middle of the day, but unfortunately isn't a twenty-four hour joint as the vendors begin packing up by nine pm. Still, you could come here to get a really nice woolen scarf for ten thousand won or <i>le gasp! </i>a pig rabbit keychain made famous by that k-drama <i>You're Beautiful </i>which I regret not stopping for and buying. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vy0kcsx6xoMLzYZGu_bZGUuSgfR2btjng8jz61fObsLvGhRvjUtBHuuLwi1hrgVlHwV7J4KDbZt3YcSlFMKkgD87uda9DcEGuoMuwAJC6S4OZiq9AB3nGycF9HSzpPQW1cSkPD6-sEDc/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vy0kcsx6xoMLzYZGu_bZGUuSgfR2btjng8jz61fObsLvGhRvjUtBHuuLwi1hrgVlHwV7J4KDbZt3YcSlFMKkgD87uda9DcEGuoMuwAJC6S4OZiq9AB3nGycF9HSzpPQW1cSkPD6-sEDc/s1600/8.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The real star of this picture is GD, really, because he is just super cool. I actually had a Big Bang/G-Dragon phase back in college that I went so far as to order his solo album online! Hence the soft spot I have for him and this picture of his ad in Myeongdong (just one of the many, many markets of Seoul and the only one I was able to see). Technically I only had one-point-five days in Seoul, as the second day was mostly spent outside of the city, which, unsurprisingly, is just so beautiful! Oh, Korea. Oh, Korea, Korea, Korea.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Come back to see more wintry shots: this time in Nami Island (aka best known for <i>Winter Sonata, </i>hihihi!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And again, MERRY CHRISTMAS! God bless!</div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-55540078522788361052012-11-18T00:46:00.002+08:002012-11-18T00:47:40.394+08:00Life So FarHappy November, everyone!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
October's been a pretty hectic month, and much of November is shaping up to be the same crazy month. While I was able to go home for the last long weekend of October - such a <i>fine </i>weekend that turned out to be, and Manila will always be the coziest spot in the world for me - I have many travel-y things to look forward to: a wintry trip to Seoul, Christmas back home, and the grandeur of Borobodur and Prambanan on my next birthday weekend (YAY for promo fares!). I'm so happy that though much of my travels plans for 2012 drastically changed in the last six months, it's brought on so many new adventures!<br />
<br />
Today there was a bookstore expo sale, and in my effort to solidly and seriously invest in near-future travels, I bought five travel guide books. Now you know where I'm planning to go in the next year or so! :D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdSQ3riIyL2KoriCo9jgz6FZSAnkZnenctJj8U1_zisTmtE77067k0tHI6E6L1xi5u865OM3TczX102IlllYUXkh5PRYEoe0Y8mChSYiAhC_445YxG0CwMkbWdOx8hKd-ZuVPZpjNyuOq/s1600/blog_jpg-1395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdSQ3riIyL2KoriCo9jgz6FZSAnkZnenctJj8U1_zisTmtE77067k0tHI6E6L1xi5u865OM3TczX102IlllYUXkh5PRYEoe0Y8mChSYiAhC_445YxG0CwMkbWdOx8hKd-ZuVPZpjNyuOq/s1600/blog_jpg-1395.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<br />
And just because the <i>going there </i>is as essential as the <i>being there</i>, here's a lovely quote from the Travel section of my new <i>Quotations for Occasions </i>book:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZRDXXSa0F7MW2MzxI4oiM5lNHGH7KSAIFy4ZyYXaHSXucS-d3zgcjerRxCsXDzlefHKPpfDgGofQm_yPyr1ajKnyFSAqRkdeGRLTSKReXGHlEatu76gtekVQz8rkUC3NiAb_Ge7wZPvx/s1600/blog_jpg-1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZRDXXSa0F7MW2MzxI4oiM5lNHGH7KSAIFy4ZyYXaHSXucS-d3zgcjerRxCsXDzlefHKPpfDgGofQm_yPyr1ajKnyFSAqRkdeGRLTSKReXGHlEatu76gtekVQz8rkUC3NiAb_Ge7wZPvx/s1600/blog_jpg-1396.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
<br />
Cheers!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-438265459014242012-10-11T22:53:00.001+08:002012-10-11T22:53:23.085+08:00To the Zoo We Go!Good evening, world!<br />
<br />
Le awesome birthday month has just passed, and the awesome-est weekend I've ever had in so long has been over for two weeks now. My family came over for four days, and my boyfriend too!<br />
<br />
On the 29th of September, I spent the morning and half of the afternoon celebrating a super wild birthday at the Singapore Zoo. My undergraduate thesis was a zoo if you remember, so finally visiting one of the best zoos in the world was such a special treat! (Tip: if you happen to go on the day of your birthday, you get in for free <i>and </i>you receive complimentary ice cream! Just show proof of your birth date and you get a pin like I have below!) I got to see a kangaroo, a leopard, baboon, ibex, emu, lion, zebra, anaconda, seal, manatee, really huge tortoises, white tiger, jaguar, orangutans, and <i>sooooooo </i>many more animals you wouldn't get to see back home. I got to feed a huge seventy year old tortoise apples and carrots to a giraffe!<br />
<br />
I had about three cameras with me, and halfway through the zoo, I decided to forego Duccio and stick to Coco (le new phone, teehee!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3rRLsxQqSU2YEGw8KABJ-A9prnRfxW4CLo607xayI9nxSP9G0NnSOuFKaTutCf4qhr9-speWlP8mcZwF25N5XTXXHDSjo8X4kffA4WDWDkGnH6lF_mHIEL-zbd0rDt6Cgyk7w58hUbCX/s1600/jpg-1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3rRLsxQqSU2YEGw8KABJ-A9prnRfxW4CLo607xayI9nxSP9G0NnSOuFKaTutCf4qhr9-speWlP8mcZwF25N5XTXXHDSjo8X4kffA4WDWDkGnH6lF_mHIEL-zbd0rDt6Cgyk7w58hUbCX/s1600/jpg-1301.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDDvUxtuKqU6Y-Odycpn-ZePMXvuZEMHFsUEezaNOrhBg1KaYvN1UUxm72jsgDhLkKK-uyS8FYrROX2gh9zWS9HpqAczmY1TvMm440FwxY2F5mgEDjlcodfofPa52c6TOMgr9LMAFVF5Z/s1600/jpg-1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDDvUxtuKqU6Y-Odycpn-ZePMXvuZEMHFsUEezaNOrhBg1KaYvN1UUxm72jsgDhLkKK-uyS8FYrROX2gh9zWS9HpqAczmY1TvMm440FwxY2F5mgEDjlcodfofPa52c6TOMgr9LMAFVF5Z/s1600/jpg-1302.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-viKhyphenhyphenbWAKE58s7tSXg4lhwHqA9pciicdafVc-I4pyaXw6h-63hrQJZQAf3-z45I8Aj64CKc0h_Ihkrd9bCidbpIl4SHbyXPwAW8HiUXCi4Ve04FZQpcF6JcP0L0d2KUOAzdZ_g-kEh3/s1600/jpg-1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-viKhyphenhyphenbWAKE58s7tSXg4lhwHqA9pciicdafVc-I4pyaXw6h-63hrQJZQAf3-z45I8Aj64CKc0h_Ihkrd9bCidbpIl4SHbyXPwAW8HiUXCi4Ve04FZQpcF6JcP0L0d2KUOAzdZ_g-kEh3/s1600/jpg-1336.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92Krjxs3s5Q8SmRUzFERzBxzcH00vNnhMn-RUS5YZfWIAuzjNUsl7qzibLFHwy2oDMJGuj0RKinaOnN7rkSmHr16GqcN8isJrSuDQCatlsz2U50GCYUrqxVlPenO5_qM0UeIOuJ5nHpiy/s1600/jpg-1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92Krjxs3s5Q8SmRUzFERzBxzcH00vNnhMn-RUS5YZfWIAuzjNUsl7qzibLFHwy2oDMJGuj0RKinaOnN7rkSmHr16GqcN8isJrSuDQCatlsz2U50GCYUrqxVlPenO5_qM0UeIOuJ5nHpiy/s1600/jpg-1321.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvUDZUe4rnbQbgaf07abhohJ8sVpSkrsTZKPCGCRcAC2P1E1_kXhnfwUya45ynLwKV7vCsSDkATyjREPIeKMyNLWUqVR0qYzNWGchNS4Vk-SlGELLdLsLmA7786Oa2TqluyMShAoRP60m/s1600/jpg-1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvUDZUe4rnbQbgaf07abhohJ8sVpSkrsTZKPCGCRcAC2P1E1_kXhnfwUya45ynLwKV7vCsSDkATyjREPIeKMyNLWUqVR0qYzNWGchNS4Vk-SlGELLdLsLmA7786Oa2TqluyMShAoRP60m/s1600/jpg-1349.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mf55BdqEk3iNbK_8bXABMhze5Y21p-DVMnbHhDqSd3dd_ZPgbWvJQYfAnaMvwHeRkBfx3ZnnAPABmvNDSYy4ZS_OlboblYpOI9vatrcMsnnwhCyFCEytgWzEwPDqUy-WFPMcNR-l9_xN/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mf55BdqEk3iNbK_8bXABMhze5Y21p-DVMnbHhDqSd3dd_ZPgbWvJQYfAnaMvwHeRkBfx3ZnnAPABmvNDSYy4ZS_OlboblYpOI9vatrcMsnnwhCyFCEytgWzEwPDqUy-WFPMcNR-l9_xN/s1600/108.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN5vibIU_8_3wD0UfR4bMpsGNHrnyWBDBNS9h5dWXwi9-ypVzgJA_qXOSR9l2snqJWa64_qaVUpLIFl3DlIEr7jPr07-JERLu_TfuH9tr7HAFrHa8d3vqYiqe6tnYHyeU_9YKkLMBZFEd/s1600/143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN5vibIU_8_3wD0UfR4bMpsGNHrnyWBDBNS9h5dWXwi9-ypVzgJA_qXOSR9l2snqJWa64_qaVUpLIFl3DlIEr7jPr07-JERLu_TfuH9tr7HAFrHa8d3vqYiqe6tnYHyeU_9YKkLMBZFEd/s1600/143.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'd post more pictures if I could, but ah, well. These should be enough. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You would think that a zoo is typically marketed towards children, but do treat your inner child and visit Singapore Zoo - it's worth it and fun, really, even for grown-ups! ;)</div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-66080020601574794772012-09-02T20:37:00.001+08:002012-09-03T07:47:01.022+08:00Home Away from Home<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to my little corner here in this part of the world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWHKNe5uvLKLY-m1xTv_-yQIWTscn92nARSDfxBo3C2EniPIrIkfmhAC8t9hKiMpUMjfisGIaJrbak3PLXMbIeJePimXUVAYzCO3LRBABDXavW_dgBUg9hc2v4BQVs0dxJ5iWpXvHsc-g/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWHKNe5uvLKLY-m1xTv_-yQIWTscn92nARSDfxBo3C2EniPIrIkfmhAC8t9hKiMpUMjfisGIaJrbak3PLXMbIeJePimXUVAYzCO3LRBABDXavW_dgBUg9hc2v4BQVs0dxJ5iWpXvHsc-g/s1600/1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDc9YBtAHm7dbhtMMH2SUHOW1JtNIN2YnFC5zHrOezdaE3w6NbyKtX6bFDeWGjdeUwMv7T4jACe3a8febu3cqi1nAaYB6PjE4OdL69oXUpKZ9gbcaNwJXOI9lCuhxWt19ShQPwiXCmkg8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDc9YBtAHm7dbhtMMH2SUHOW1JtNIN2YnFC5zHrOezdaE3w6NbyKtX6bFDeWGjdeUwMv7T4jACe3a8febu3cqi1nAaYB6PjE4OdL69oXUpKZ9gbcaNwJXOI9lCuhxWt19ShQPwiXCmkg8/s1600/3.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwka2kMVpwwlcmmjEPtFyUdIysmAlxhqXGbprFnqpfjXH2c48J14WMkePb8zpgEWb6f_N3lf3uuFfFbFHnfXx2KbdZSE2xbc5rzOVLB42y7l-J_ezLI6_CMmhBG4XYDTFrsYlGEVoDNj8/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwka2kMVpwwlcmmjEPtFyUdIysmAlxhqXGbprFnqpfjXH2c48J14WMkePb8zpgEWb6f_N3lf3uuFfFbFHnfXx2KbdZSE2xbc5rzOVLB42y7l-J_ezLI6_CMmhBG4XYDTFrsYlGEVoDNj8/s1600/2.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxakC8IP8vDJc65B5_FKEKDUHR9p8Ys9dvvzoiGUvvGh58RQYjzdO90QRjN3FTAfReEZJEkxw9vheFyDRLp4dMeVALSVRtgpxERuHCIignW7EpRM7Gy5wjrajtlQvWcMDdkjoVfJXhntK/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxakC8IP8vDJc65B5_FKEKDUHR9p8Ys9dvvzoiGUvvGh58RQYjzdO90QRjN3FTAfReEZJEkxw9vheFyDRLp4dMeVALSVRtgpxERuHCIignW7EpRM7Gy5wjrajtlQvWcMDdkjoVfJXhntK/s1600/4.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've yet to buy picture frames and other things to make it a little cozier, but so far it's comfy and filled with scraps of things that remind me of home. My books keep me company when they can and bring me into the comfortable lull of their fantasies. And yes, for the record and just because I want to proclaim it, I love Ikea. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy September, everybody!</div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-50139493726515835522012-08-26T22:00:00.002+08:002012-08-26T22:00:39.629+08:00Weekend in Melaka 2/2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This batch was taken in film. I really should have brought another roll! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I had a whole bunch of ideas for this second-part Melaka post, but I'm feeling a bit lazy tonight, so I'll let the pictures tell the words. Suffice it to say that it was a wonderful weekend altogether, and to live life as a tourist is the dream. C'est la vie!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gNPVPq6nsFjoNiqxFHMhu6pUFnTTMYsJhRlR_uHaH5wLxUzJ7i5Xfieh6ISUAV0HwOVY8yXujg9TLWjbonWcQKbleiEiWWkTGN_1ZeoeqAro-QlLETmPex9TB-pi2QwObvYY6y3_l5jG/s1600/80480003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gNPVPq6nsFjoNiqxFHMhu6pUFnTTMYsJhRlR_uHaH5wLxUzJ7i5Xfieh6ISUAV0HwOVY8yXujg9TLWjbonWcQKbleiEiWWkTGN_1ZeoeqAro-QlLETmPex9TB-pi2QwObvYY6y3_l5jG/s1600/80480003.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauuoGdkPn1ZPDmDiIOviowU1BTA1lK6KB_XGkpQNBEYF0jC1NSaZ4E4Kf-7m_GZ3zRN1lKHdm0qn1se5nv_REu3bc_gv0cY2n95JMeWPsedaPzyKbDonZZbI4OV8GXC4GFgyV0qR3-7w1/s1600/80480004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauuoGdkPn1ZPDmDiIOviowU1BTA1lK6KB_XGkpQNBEYF0jC1NSaZ4E4Kf-7m_GZ3zRN1lKHdm0qn1se5nv_REu3bc_gv0cY2n95JMeWPsedaPzyKbDonZZbI4OV8GXC4GFgyV0qR3-7w1/s1600/80480004.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gQZj3gKieNKkn_OXbnFnModaNhGYGc78bVc_vToHgCUDoYx4Eh3tUAdXEwpkt7Ht72ze2jeuLyt4Rsykm2qv6s_oxidMaiwyUoGx0yvlC_hD1Wtssc99XHZcO_PpjEfC0quYaxQd9Ohx/s1600/80480008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gQZj3gKieNKkn_OXbnFnModaNhGYGc78bVc_vToHgCUDoYx4Eh3tUAdXEwpkt7Ht72ze2jeuLyt4Rsykm2qv6s_oxidMaiwyUoGx0yvlC_hD1Wtssc99XHZcO_PpjEfC0quYaxQd9Ohx/s1600/80480008.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTsflSh-ZBoM4OvwEO8YOKMVlAclm_f734WHxS_0JnyaYkrxhdGZBYZqt9K51yDZAtopkPQ-XYAfITklcr8eq5HyjfAyIE4yPnOwiaXTt8PKZXvlxoQ-ppTKLIsStrNInPBAJw0toQOBE/s1600/80480009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTsflSh-ZBoM4OvwEO8YOKMVlAclm_f734WHxS_0JnyaYkrxhdGZBYZqt9K51yDZAtopkPQ-XYAfITklcr8eq5HyjfAyIE4yPnOwiaXTt8PKZXvlxoQ-ppTKLIsStrNInPBAJw0toQOBE/s1600/80480009.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GpLNShvSTFmpjMr0my1bcAO5Xwk_Z9oYsupbYtbkIRMDHVwEwZzD2ly_DsUS54r82bbeCWds3PMabowkhA9njgyeQlXrLUaW0s1w26eQsGEfZB3pMoEZxFlEPfdsFBQxrVEfpr0-941u/s1600/80480010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GpLNShvSTFmpjMr0my1bcAO5Xwk_Z9oYsupbYtbkIRMDHVwEwZzD2ly_DsUS54r82bbeCWds3PMabowkhA9njgyeQlXrLUaW0s1w26eQsGEfZB3pMoEZxFlEPfdsFBQxrVEfpr0-941u/s1600/80480010.JPG" width="750px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oddly enough, Melaka wakes up very late in the morning. This was one of the only two or three cafes open for business at 9:00AM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR931FkhdoGNLuvPvXZQGn1fYdwyMnLwJkkFlWhHJCXwsXNBOmfXZsuBy0q63kpnVmI9pjASjOw3yjhFMmB-PgyrsWxuNUH0k1HgGW91CVQNd6egeu5J77MLobhEI_6FVe0hN4-JNSO8M/s1600/80480018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR931FkhdoGNLuvPvXZQGn1fYdwyMnLwJkkFlWhHJCXwsXNBOmfXZsuBy0q63kpnVmI9pjASjOw3yjhFMmB-PgyrsWxuNUH0k1HgGW91CVQNd6egeu5J77MLobhEI_6FVe0hN4-JNSO8M/s1600/80480018.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKIt9wYiIAJlrBGRI-7guZSKHwdpgfANwIo8eHe9pTbOLjVhVtHo_3z_FxQzro_PUyayKboyUQRl0CUb5rf4nnLnL1HWZaQI58gUV15iUUxeipbNJLAbgONjYsL_-CI-ZvBDE4fk_WFUS/s1600/80480021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKIt9wYiIAJlrBGRI-7guZSKHwdpgfANwIo8eHe9pTbOLjVhVtHo_3z_FxQzro_PUyayKboyUQRl0CUb5rf4nnLnL1HWZaQI58gUV15iUUxeipbNJLAbgONjYsL_-CI-ZvBDE4fk_WFUS/s1600/80480021.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUAKAEGJsYiHuwnb7oQwd06Fp2PJUEw-MTOD_aVQpme34XmAC5Q4b0oJ1FfPWxAVa2z7yApghZFck9g-75IG7aYw6YPQkWx3S49bSuLPKNrp27PLqNAtyO6a6zN50zcAza0G2jsj4L1fZ/s1600/80480022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUAKAEGJsYiHuwnb7oQwd06Fp2PJUEw-MTOD_aVQpme34XmAC5Q4b0oJ1FfPWxAVa2z7yApghZFck9g-75IG7aYw6YPQkWx3S49bSuLPKNrp27PLqNAtyO6a6zN50zcAza0G2jsj4L1fZ/s1600/80480022.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bjTVfKoV0zek69dynemzcvOh6b7bMcXbhK_qrsFiG08zv6zbzXqtgio6Dgk-P_lmZiOBN6hcdZZH_ioHWIMFfBIwJfnoc5oQWnypfVKQ0CGmxbYxya4DdlyIjRlhGY8PZTuCJAB298gr/s1600/80480024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bjTVfKoV0zek69dynemzcvOh6b7bMcXbhK_qrsFiG08zv6zbzXqtgio6Dgk-P_lmZiOBN6hcdZZH_ioHWIMFfBIwJfnoc5oQWnypfVKQ0CGmxbYxya4DdlyIjRlhGY8PZTuCJAB298gr/s1600/80480024.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNXhTJeYwWu_XuoxB1q-dZaV0w8QBYLs9ZZrrUqPNU6rJMh2gDuDZRPfOPkxO0Gra2xW1ToEfjw72AxM3HOErRnq8x3JvYygwXqf-_65BLUu78uXlZYHXq65-p4PyaDQyZGvBq1Jy1eqo/s1600/80480026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNXhTJeYwWu_XuoxB1q-dZaV0w8QBYLs9ZZrrUqPNU6rJMh2gDuDZRPfOPkxO0Gra2xW1ToEfjw72AxM3HOErRnq8x3JvYygwXqf-_65BLUu78uXlZYHXq65-p4PyaDQyZGvBq1Jy1eqo/s1600/80480026.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2FEf7gEzRW1NQCIkkZGp5fllj7LKQMG4PGfq_-KgCXPksZTxEp4ZEpQICx9E3iHKu_HyvgqsXbVpRuJYttarTIr9QIXVZfYFw90ExmZvQlBZ4alGaESccSJJFELpE25S0nysYYJ12Ov/s1600/80480028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2FEf7gEzRW1NQCIkkZGp5fllj7LKQMG4PGfq_-KgCXPksZTxEp4ZEpQICx9E3iHKu_HyvgqsXbVpRuJYttarTIr9QIXVZfYFw90ExmZvQlBZ4alGaESccSJJFELpE25S0nysYYJ12Ov/s1600/80480028.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwGXzm8nWTTo73wm-TqEkwjJTyNWeILVoqSm3Gy6O-rDGgJbXhono9ra2Knc7HehMAzv8U9q-JAV3AVdaEv4PS0retoxNJFs22JXJbgKImdtPW47BV-cMOSWAYpmZl_a6PEed35naNwDq/s1600/80480035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwGXzm8nWTTo73wm-TqEkwjJTyNWeILVoqSm3Gy6O-rDGgJbXhono9ra2Knc7HehMAzv8U9q-JAV3AVdaEv4PS0retoxNJFs22JXJbgKImdtPW47BV-cMOSWAYpmZl_a6PEed35naNwDq/s1600/80480035.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp7xImZHNq0Os17dolx89vXe4SxAH7CniQoPaktEbRxDcj9EAi5twtGoZYd4_z6Vt1zYXdYrMp5tSV3FJACPZYz_PQueuAs7W5Bc-sj0Y6FWVQb7fMKeYzvP9WfBq07FatBGlnUzto5F9/s1600/80480037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp7xImZHNq0Os17dolx89vXe4SxAH7CniQoPaktEbRxDcj9EAi5twtGoZYd4_z6Vt1zYXdYrMp5tSV3FJACPZYz_PQueuAs7W5Bc-sj0Y6FWVQb7fMKeYzvP9WfBq07FatBGlnUzto5F9/s1600/80480037.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYcS2ONJ4O_9Zy2hSbzPXI09nexSBlw24s1cJ3aWcY-mvxzzTD3RGH0XcqeCiuUuoyXly_IuR9wRbtVPiL3LzJPAgMXjyJylMI5lZ5IkFJ8Vg_85huUcg5JL1iW1LGjaqbQVM7DDaPSGF/s1600/80480039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYcS2ONJ4O_9Zy2hSbzPXI09nexSBlw24s1cJ3aWcY-mvxzzTD3RGH0XcqeCiuUuoyXly_IuR9wRbtVPiL3LzJPAgMXjyJylMI5lZ5IkFJ8Vg_85huUcg5JL1iW1LGjaqbQVM7DDaPSGF/s1600/80480039.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjud-Tx2WFgCypp9ICL0KoGQofqmUw031i6A8i3eCxkMVxNRmy2tkqY7pUqyfO7A-ReU9lXuXL2hyarO62MxjQ_PZfItTOl3yMgluM4xc00PMAzED8AMCmhUXxnYbQDXKxvrBYj9eItMUlF/s1600/80480040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjud-Tx2WFgCypp9ICL0KoGQofqmUw031i6A8i3eCxkMVxNRmy2tkqY7pUqyfO7A-ReU9lXuXL2hyarO62MxjQ_PZfItTOl3yMgluM4xc00PMAzED8AMCmhUXxnYbQDXKxvrBYj9eItMUlF/s1600/80480040.JPG" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNlT9y9AtsJ6EkhTqnrxGQW0BEyE3Rxhw-xsVdujtTTwjnZgajvhnyN_sVWeZS9d4hWI-r87vqwd7z5bgY69O9TPoISvpiWtUsVqDN9nnrjtUQiJFqQrzSj7iRutVZXx2tAmm7a7ZUIhI/s1600/80480033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNlT9y9AtsJ6EkhTqnrxGQW0BEyE3Rxhw-xsVdujtTTwjnZgajvhnyN_sVWeZS9d4hWI-r87vqwd7z5bgY69O9TPoISvpiWtUsVqDN9nnrjtUQiJFqQrzSj7iRutVZXx2tAmm7a7ZUIhI/s640/80480033.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-35206182133368438542012-08-20T20:53:00.002+08:002012-08-20T21:10:55.562+08:00The Rainy Day Giveaway Winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Thankfully the worst (I hope) is over, and the weather back home should hopefully be sunny and lovely for as long as it can be. I hope everyone is alright! It made my heart feel fuzzy and proud when people from all over were reaching out and lending a hand and basically utilizing technology to spread the word for aid, food and other donations. Pinoys can be the darndest, nicest, most selfless people during a calamity. I wish I could have been back there to volunteer. ;_;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In any case, I hope this tidbit of news brings a bright ray of sunshine to one lucky girl despite the grueling week of monsoon rain and flood.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
First off, I would like to thank Madz of Izzo Shop for considering me and my humble blog as a medium for her shop. It's such an honor to host a giveaway for such a wonderful shop! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Second, while I could only choose one winner for this giveaway, I do hope you keep on supporting <a href="http://www.facebook.com/izzoshop" target="_blank">Izzo Shop</a> and browsing through its products! If you need a passport keeper, camera bag, a school bag, a laptop tote, a media case or whatnot, do consider this online shop as one of your options! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And without further ado, the results:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-KIfzk4c8hmIvl66OQRDEH8AeuXm_QmA2BcyX7A-uBH97vdgTca1ebTPkGcY3YBlit6DFLk_1A7198Pzio2hf3_TuILMCqEimoLiDuwqX5Ccz7CL2rhHfkU6GTTgNssg3FSUKDgLs7oY/s1600/winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-KIfzk4c8hmIvl66OQRDEH8AeuXm_QmA2BcyX7A-uBH97vdgTca1ebTPkGcY3YBlit6DFLk_1A7198Pzio2hf3_TuILMCqEimoLiDuwqX5Ccz7CL2rhHfkU6GTTgNssg3FSUKDgLs7oY/s1600/winner.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Congratulations, Maricar! Please do send me your address via email or DM in Twitter. :D</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-73560593504149334552012-08-11T19:28:00.002+08:002012-08-11T19:51:52.804+08:00Weekend in Melaka 1/2<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the last weekend of July, I tagged along with two friends to spend the weekend in Melaka, Malaysia. It was one of the most budget-friendly inter-country trips I've ever gone on, considering I only spent a total of SGD92 dollars (approximately PHP3000) inclusive of lodging, transport costs, food and souvenir(s)! So it's a treat to get yourself to Melaka even on a day trip when you find yourself staying quite a bit long in Singapore! It's only a four-hour bus ride away, and I now appreciate the pros of living in a peninsula country as compared to living in an archipelago (but I do love our 7,107 islands so! Which reminds me -- given what has just happened, do help out if you can and check out how and where you can help <a href="http://t.co/ksghwEUO" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
<br />
There are quite the number of buses going in and out of Singapore to get to Malaysia. We got on the <a href="http://www.707-travel.com.sg/" target="_blank">707 Bus</a> (SGD27 due to peak time, but it does go as low as SGD21) at around 8:00AM and reached Melaka at around 1:00PM. The bus does stop for immigration checkpoints and a thirty-minute brunch break at some rest point, so worry not about getting hungry along the way! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnHPdF3sRuCeSKgM4bKAhiyxG9r0XflwaectCkVcoUWHsT7VquUWFnsMhR6UB1JpUKOmA-8kdmvtYu2zWCgq81fED9yfrs82Z5-dUXL6DfBhkzH7h5JfdbcDIeHAiPbmXnfzZwmLn3QS8/s1600/jpg-1223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnHPdF3sRuCeSKgM4bKAhiyxG9r0XflwaectCkVcoUWHsT7VquUWFnsMhR6UB1JpUKOmA-8kdmvtYu2zWCgq81fED9yfrs82Z5-dUXL6DfBhkzH7h5JfdbcDIeHAiPbmXnfzZwmLn3QS8/s1600/jpg-1223.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw0Erq-ZfKyqrGAd4qISGSe8oaMGQS3U6KLCQK9iFqqLr3ey3gpBKSfLz20SlZOqmcG1L0M1uKXO3CwTFf0KASSat9dILvMqJ1q8yPse7EyNV32ACYlQBFvsvHqHoUujsosnnZat-XN5N/s1600/jpg-1158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw0Erq-ZfKyqrGAd4qISGSe8oaMGQS3U6KLCQK9iFqqLr3ey3gpBKSfLz20SlZOqmcG1L0M1uKXO3CwTFf0KASSat9dILvMqJ1q8yPse7EyNV32ACYlQBFvsvHqHoUujsosnnZat-XN5N/s1600/jpg-1158.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
This is what greets you when you reach the heritage town of Melaka and you're dropped off in the plaza nearby the watch tower - tricycles adorned with so many colorful flowers and blasting party music all over as it rushes past you. Depending on where you're staying, the bus does drop you off right at your hotel or at the landmark nearest where your accommodations are. My friend booked us a room in <a href="http://www.sayangsayang.com.my/" target="_blank">Sayang Sayang Youth Hostel</a>, a neat little place right by the riverside. Very quiet, very clean and accessible to the tourist areas, and cheap! A night cost SGD30 or so split among the three of us, so that was about SGD10 each.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFufsUflCX-qG8Yod9zt1hy-r_2y1O4X4wuhf0M2vUIobSPUZrxdVJhEyvpsgPrHsg9OPofQdLFlrv9ES00zcZtGJ3PEOfN3OUwtkGeBmjpK9-N_4dROtRdauW1cSKWHhfgY15sbiNdKp2/s1600/jpg-1196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFufsUflCX-qG8Yod9zt1hy-r_2y1O4X4wuhf0M2vUIobSPUZrxdVJhEyvpsgPrHsg9OPofQdLFlrv9ES00zcZtGJ3PEOfN3OUwtkGeBmjpK9-N_4dROtRdauW1cSKWHhfgY15sbiNdKp2/s1600/jpg-1196.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9xfpFWCs_fC5XU58aV2k0Gr2ADIQJoOhTdIxR_g-QNp_YTi0wUMJ7q__bzA4zBISIfeVMgUJ4yXi9SCCrTIZVHU8qP0U4MMOeMROha_gZfuZwX5Xr-i0Pk6mYU3nM9fsv2cRUapgGXPm/s1600/jpg-1198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9xfpFWCs_fC5XU58aV2k0Gr2ADIQJoOhTdIxR_g-QNp_YTi0wUMJ7q__bzA4zBISIfeVMgUJ4yXi9SCCrTIZVHU8qP0U4MMOeMROha_gZfuZwX5Xr-i0Pk6mYU3nM9fsv2cRUapgGXPm/s1600/jpg-1198.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
That weekend made me scorn Duccio's lens' limitations - my only working lens at the moment is a portrait lens and therefore has no capacity to zoom out or zoom in - because there was so much to capture in this lovely Malaysian town. Good thing I brought my film camera, and I've just picked up the film rolls! It was all about the street culture and, as my friend puts it, the very fact that Melaka is a living heritage. It's no wonder that it makes UNESCO's list of heritage sites; it's a rather well-preserved town, and we only wished that we could do the same to so many cities and towns back in the Philippines.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY3WzRw4h3ZFRkkHd4Fwt4HjE_5CIFGobf34Eo24b0gsQdE9LS72sS0aj_c-03e2HOURqA6Dy8Do2jTntATV8rlCxCrAnpjSZILcgSt_0TXRjarOLdNpT3eFk9l1xL-3z4-fHiUWT8zEk/s1600/2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY3WzRw4h3ZFRkkHd4Fwt4HjE_5CIFGobf34Eo24b0gsQdE9LS72sS0aj_c-03e2HOURqA6Dy8Do2jTntATV8rlCxCrAnpjSZILcgSt_0TXRjarOLdNpT3eFk9l1xL-3z4-fHiUWT8zEk/s1600/2-3.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHlpzZy6M98ZJILYM6ZkpuIWOoO-moOavcyrSU-vn1VXCSBNvUzvPcnIOw2xlnWBntUsZzFl8fwCh_iplgQveEgu88DKuHTVyCLQzpYZRHHdE1LW8BGECQYAjVJu188oSUo2Pv5hlwdh1/s1600/jpg-1229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHlpzZy6M98ZJILYM6ZkpuIWOoO-moOavcyrSU-vn1VXCSBNvUzvPcnIOw2xlnWBntUsZzFl8fwCh_iplgQveEgu88DKuHTVyCLQzpYZRHHdE1LW8BGECQYAjVJu188oSUo2Pv5hlwdh1/s1600/jpg-1229.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCFAHlpZSK4cI_1jCA50Y6oYfQD0bc_UYYu0n8FwyBYIUI30xcFPq_Sr2UMIQKsincWoES6TVjJvVb1i0YnKPgB5-zxlDp-QCL3B-egvyICIhAHUmo12GPkckncodJRl4JKizTwJed8sk/s1600/2-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCFAHlpZSK4cI_1jCA50Y6oYfQD0bc_UYYu0n8FwyBYIUI30xcFPq_Sr2UMIQKsincWoES6TVjJvVb1i0YnKPgB5-zxlDp-QCL3B-egvyICIhAHUmo12GPkckncodJRl4JKizTwJed8sk/s1600/2-6.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimi0DzBCDP1-D1vu4e_xRRS9NH9DCqWnob0zVL8fzr5zvKaFKHyz8XLEQheyh1-Lo8umS4vprKMJWjin4ZMWtS6AwP0EpitAUsqBFa9dBitcMJSw1IrICsA5L58PvVVYdYZ6aPDaG3F-kN/s1600/2-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimi0DzBCDP1-D1vu4e_xRRS9NH9DCqWnob0zVL8fzr5zvKaFKHyz8XLEQheyh1-Lo8umS4vprKMJWjin4ZMWtS6AwP0EpitAUsqBFa9dBitcMJSw1IrICsA5L58PvVVYdYZ6aPDaG3F-kN/s1600/2-5.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of the key things to do in Melaka is to go to Jonker Street, especially in the evening. The street takes on a totally new form at night, because vendors begin setting their tables up by 6PM and by 8PM, the night market is alive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOmqmxDm0vsXEK1Yk6shpdEQrR-8hSw4Hwx0sEfSg4_BytDbc7Q9QTAK__rfCbDKWXbmqbRcmD2Zyw-seVLN-yt_1-miG9u-vfkoT1MA_RBGmvJdB1FoqcKqZQlGm7kcZ1BGlDG0Ie3aI/s1600/2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOmqmxDm0vsXEK1Yk6shpdEQrR-8hSw4Hwx0sEfSg4_BytDbc7Q9QTAK__rfCbDKWXbmqbRcmD2Zyw-seVLN-yt_1-miG9u-vfkoT1MA_RBGmvJdB1FoqcKqZQlGm7kcZ1BGlDG0Ie3aI/s1600/2-1.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i6o-9tubjH1Ii-4A8f8aIk3lPhgMYo6sI5SMXByTayhJ1Bph2SPmkwMD-t0gqKEI4iWFKDmpplTYwm3kLvW_w9goJLI-KeG4obI9p437ZMK2_rcLg8oLbrEqf2BH7I7c_QEdf2CwFRPm/s1600/jpg-1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i6o-9tubjH1Ii-4A8f8aIk3lPhgMYo6sI5SMXByTayhJ1Bph2SPmkwMD-t0gqKEI4iWFKDmpplTYwm3kLvW_w9goJLI-KeG4obI9p437ZMK2_rcLg8oLbrEqf2BH7I7c_QEdf2CwFRPm/s1600/jpg-1255.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The street is just <i>packed </i>with people, so do remember to take a breather once in a while when you feel suffocated. There are stalls selling tea and fruit shakes, frozen grapes and ice cream, <i>dodol </i>(durian, we realized) here and there and a lot of other things. You can buy imitation bags and shirts, antiques and more food! The locals are rather nice, and they can spot a Filipino immediately by our accent. One vendor knew we were from the Philippines right away, and it was nice of him to explain the health benefits of the fruit shake I ordered - complete with a complementary sour plum. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
By the end of the night, we were tired from walking in such a full street, and retired to the hostel. We walked a bit around the river, enjoyed the peace and quiet, admired the simplicity in the ways that Melaka transformed its riverside at night, drank to chill music and finally found sleep. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>to be continued!</i></div>
</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-23235455257528047672012-07-18T22:01:00.001+08:002012-07-18T22:01:36.169+08:00Hello, hello!On one of our touristy days, we caught the opening of the Gardens by the Bay. This project is so close to my heart, particularly because it was such a huge help for my related literature for thesis and the feasibility of my own project proposal. I remember watching and rewatching the promotional video rendering of the whole development (<a href="http://carlareadstheworld.blogspot.sg/2011/09/destination-singapore-garden-city.html" target="_blank">here</a>), basically just thinking how amazing it was all gonna be once it was completed.<br />
<br />
And it's beautiful! It's not even complete <i>yet, </i>but it's a sight to behold.<br />
<br />
Sorry for this architecture-y set of photos, but mehhhh, I <i>did </i>graduate from architecture school. Heh. To experience such architecture is just inspiring, really, and I wish with all my heart that the Philippine government would actually contribute to investing on green spaces in every city we have, just as SG did in this mega development!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh89A-P5_1c08f2qDL5y8HrAUVFevi4pJFeJ0m0eZOwnpIN_D0t_0GnbTjb6_f8J9SOK0UAHxxqH-9BfL4kChLgGt-khUM_BO766oaIufGXOSyu5Il97N7VGtlxAlINWeBCkbHNowU7DZ_/s1600/jpg-1082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh89A-P5_1c08f2qDL5y8HrAUVFevi4pJFeJ0m0eZOwnpIN_D0t_0GnbTjb6_f8J9SOK0UAHxxqH-9BfL4kChLgGt-khUM_BO766oaIufGXOSyu5Il97N7VGtlxAlINWeBCkbHNowU7DZ_/s1600/jpg-1082.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUIPtJWWq1kBVSDj9RjAhiKGDd5Pe5gGy0SvJbJR9PRwKNG_p0JCFzFq1Jd4HzyZtrGgpZ2fmWKVh-eqWHQuovc1iovolzkpkN1RvfSA-kr_fuPY93mlA9b3-mxi_M3NAHXQYIkTnVNP_/s1600/jpg-1073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUIPtJWWq1kBVSDj9RjAhiKGDd5Pe5gGy0SvJbJR9PRwKNG_p0JCFzFq1Jd4HzyZtrGgpZ2fmWKVh-eqWHQuovc1iovolzkpkN1RvfSA-kr_fuPY93mlA9b3-mxi_M3NAHXQYIkTnVNP_/s1600/jpg-1073.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLx5YLB47ctxPevV_kZoRTwfZL8mDnvisH2TzX5My-NwzjICkTSj4KM6HckEah56bwoBpNoAuCnAxxu5DpWe7FQVSNkNXbGnNLQtcEKuUl2fi-b64gBRUUoiN7OMtovmKhjwapJCl0aZM/s1600/jpg-1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" width="750px"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLx5YLB47ctxPevV_kZoRTwfZL8mDnvisH2TzX5My-NwzjICkTSj4KM6HckEah56bwoBpNoAuCnAxxu5DpWe7FQVSNkNXbGnNLQtcEKuUl2fi-b64gBRUUoiN7OMtovmKhjwapJCl0aZM/s1600/jpg-1078.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmws-xZ8Cfk5HPL_7i3Qv1JDFtR-C8J1rqkwXgyIyYURPMwQ6VqVrstqLglHWO6m-EyKmMSOmR3YcvaKoMpmLEVXnRh_E9P7Moa8nHIDJxlfydAuIZikzjzU4WX3kj0z2roYQ8hc3-Qfgj/s1600/jpg-1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" width="750px"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmws-xZ8Cfk5HPL_7i3Qv1JDFtR-C8J1rqkwXgyIyYURPMwQ6VqVrstqLglHWO6m-EyKmMSOmR3YcvaKoMpmLEVXnRh_E9P7Moa8nHIDJxlfydAuIZikzjzU4WX3kj0z2roYQ8hc3-Qfgj/s1600/jpg-1083.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykHnJN_wiQAr2ZnL36hsuZfNlYwww7r9UmHg0hb957_9F-erhutJJOMnB570IaJYUrTtvVMAihhZeSZvpsceMRsWNcIO91qHYpNi-WlzUxTCe4WOeZiVJYzZbrkqz9de38kTmd5licqq2/s1600/jpg-1104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" width="750px"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykHnJN_wiQAr2ZnL36hsuZfNlYwww7r9UmHg0hb957_9F-erhutJJOMnB570IaJYUrTtvVMAihhZeSZvpsceMRsWNcIO91qHYpNi-WlzUxTCe4WOeZiVJYzZbrkqz9de38kTmd5licqq2/s1600/jpg-1104.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXIxJS9hLLCF5hyphenhyphen116POpi-vpJtXo_BOuJSCSyDipLYnJibqc99MxTpZJ5RVJEfLm-ouiF7UAnQPavxHgTrYbKVJJNUthvjCb85gr72QqtdC6tVBaoIkkQ6qVhAC65pTQp5tYuTRJmkhR/s1600/jpg-1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" width="750px"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXIxJS9hLLCF5hyphenhyphen116POpi-vpJtXo_BOuJSCSyDipLYnJibqc99MxTpZJ5RVJEfLm-ouiF7UAnQPavxHgTrYbKVJJNUthvjCb85gr72QqtdC6tVBaoIkkQ6qVhAC65pTQp5tYuTRJmkhR/s1600/jpg-1103.jpg" width="750px" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've yet to enter the conservatories, but do have a visit of the gardens for free when you find yourself here in the Garden City. :)</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-46200200748100146002012-07-15T16:53:00.001+08:002012-08-06T07:35:36.796+08:00A rainy day giveaway! [CLOSED]<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good evening, world! Blogging all the way from Singapore, <i>lah</i>! I hope the weather isn't so bad back in Manila, and I hope it hasn't cast upon you quite the dreary mood that monsoon season brings! Cheer up, because I'm giving away a pretty work tote from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Izzoshop" target="_blank">Izzo Shop</a> this July! Yay!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let's summarize things: I love Izzo Shop. My camera bag for Duccio is from Izzo Shop. I gave my friend a camera bag from Izzo Shop for her birthday last year. My boyfriend got me a laptop tote from Izzo Shop for <i>my </i>birthday last year. My coin purse is from Izzo Shop. If I were still in school, I would probably have bought a new school bag from Izzo Shop. Thanks to Izzo Shop, I've got my first yellow tote (seriously, I've been eyeing yellow bags since foreverrrrrr!). And again, I love Izzo Shop. And thanks to Madz, one of you lucky readers is going to win a lovely bag from Izzo Shop!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTD1nyC7vxgEmvAXu6snrftD-Hu4BryRadx1zGjKonfao2kVEHocQaJx3MGC0wF7Zb0dWxNKWSERBSsuutNnfZ1sXUQiHPDFgPOSIrDc86CiGBalz54n5oD8QL_On1kuVNr-K-zpNUtQI6/s1600/555950_462474033770370_1183149625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTD1nyC7vxgEmvAXu6snrftD-Hu4BryRadx1zGjKonfao2kVEHocQaJx3MGC0wF7Zb0dWxNKWSERBSsuutNnfZ1sXUQiHPDFgPOSIrDc86CiGBalz54n5oD8QL_On1kuVNr-K-zpNUtQI6/s1600/555950_462474033770370_1183149625_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
YES! You can win this pretty <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.462473637103743.114829.148941975123579&type=1" target="_blank">pink Anne work tote</a> that you can use everyday! It comes with a matching purse for your accessories or for your laptop's charger (yes, it can fit your 14" laptop!), and it's got this really, really cute patterned lining in the interior that I just love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hf2EYXcHjWl3TouNPp63hFGT1yL1MYbTWVm8S7cTJLpYbErq_XSdQppcekwRS3EF1iaKCfpWJX8yJNHp5Uuzb6hxqBrskTWkaxUQf8Ihcf6VCS9SUIRKMmMTEp2YF2z2cBYOMhx-Th88/s1600/320447_462474923770281_1689796578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hf2EYXcHjWl3TouNPp63hFGT1yL1MYbTWVm8S7cTJLpYbErq_XSdQppcekwRS3EF1iaKCfpWJX8yJNHp5Uuzb6hxqBrskTWkaxUQf8Ihcf6VCS9SUIRKMmMTEp2YF2z2cBYOMhx-Th88/s1600/320447_462474923770281_1689796578_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTFhkxx_o0PoZsqhLd1_8_n3LKksj-frUWxmE9m_PozMMxaYZToQEd6GboqoJ7J3CkrkpE3HZHGrNbHNIgZx8k_RsPCgsOapl0HGrmMRoB7MU1M_BAVUhg9FXjBZrTNvy32IOsrw31RVe/s1600/529614_462475077103599_984107418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTFhkxx_o0PoZsqhLd1_8_n3LKksj-frUWxmE9m_PozMMxaYZToQEd6GboqoJ7J3CkrkpE3HZHGrNbHNIgZx8k_RsPCgsOapl0HGrmMRoB7MU1M_BAVUhg9FXjBZrTNvy32IOsrw31RVe/s1600/529614_462475077103599_984107418_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VTOLhsAPwZEF5AvXjSualwQdLorlLTv8mxVfHXkyzTgCgZrOZJvSFTToc_5x3x_0kXbL0rMOkdC5Y-LDgevm1W5_kJ3MVGYnoHlJ1ixZCRNukIqr2jA6cKDrfoypdPZqlcpCKuruco66/s1600/599901_462475030436937_215974069_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VTOLhsAPwZEF5AvXjSualwQdLorlLTv8mxVfHXkyzTgCgZrOZJvSFTToc_5x3x_0kXbL0rMOkdC5Y-LDgevm1W5_kJ3MVGYnoHlJ1ixZCRNukIqr2jA6cKDrfoypdPZqlcpCKuruco66/s1600/599901_462475030436937_215974069_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nDwRMTjtPH36DQ5hI8y8C1XC64j85_Gm9ZMNwy8pk9ccPPhbnGqA_RKIkC96L0oWO2yGayOs4x65EuP5OXDT0u2ATItAYF-Nct_rWCCthrU5KV9xutMKuzrn2iDhrMMr4y_8JMOSgAzz/s1600/600314_462475243770249_2097687150_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nDwRMTjtPH36DQ5hI8y8C1XC64j85_Gm9ZMNwy8pk9ccPPhbnGqA_RKIkC96L0oWO2yGayOs4x65EuP5OXDT0u2ATItAYF-Nct_rWCCthrU5KV9xutMKuzrn2iDhrMMr4y_8JMOSgAzz/s1600/600314_462475243770249_2097687150_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mechanics</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Add this blog via bloglovin and/or follow via Google Friend Connect.<br />
Leave your Facebook name, twitter handle and email in the comment box below.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like Izzo Shop on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Izzoshop" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.<br />
Follow Izzoshop on <a href="https://twitter.com/Izzoshop" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<br />
If you've got Instagram, add Izzo Shop on <a href="http://instagram.com/p/NAq70hMElL/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tweet the following: "I want to win this lovely @izzoshop tote from @carlalovestea's blog! http://bit.ly/LSewGu"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Extra one point for blogging about this giveaway or posting it on Facebook! Leave your link with your comment.<br />
<br />
<strike>Contest ends July 31, 2012.</strike><br />
<strike>The winner will be announced on August 4, 2012. </strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike><br />
<strike>EXTENDED UNTIL AUGUST 5! :D</strike><br />
<strike>Keep the entries coming!</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike><br />
CLOSED. Winners to be announced by the end of the week!</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165925314969497633.post-29849071782568747162012-06-20T21:47:00.001+08:002012-06-20T22:10:37.908+08:00Saving Up: Tips for the Future<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let's just say today was a day of money-thinking - of planning and looking into the possibilities of investing and saving up for a rainy day and for the hopes of self-financed future travels. :D</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier this wonderful Wednesday, someone on Twitter linked me to Solitary Wanderer's post on <a href="http://www.solitarywanderer.com/2012/06/ways-to-build-your-travel-fund/#axzz1yIUsqzzW" target="_blank">building up one's own travel fund</a>, which led me to thinking financially, so to speak, of the future and what to do once I begin earning. This then made me remember an article in the October 2011 issue of <i>Reader's Digest </i>that was entitled, "Investing 101", which aided me to seriously consider my financial plans when I get my hands on hard-earned moolah. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And what did I learn? Seven things. Such helpful articles to fire up this desire in me to save and invest! (Hoho, I sometimes wonder why I didn't push through with taking economics, what with the way I'm engrossed in money matters, hoho!)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5htQdVaOQuDI311KwvlBQCLnGuAbr5KdBOQv7c7FZ4zzxTxD8owE5f0sDVknLLHPGMiN2EIs2WOkfZd7EuC96_fpYAgnrThShuCDrewPKYzwTcKoAVi_GTBYJJfDCsk6rkVIpcOvtJWuv/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5htQdVaOQuDI311KwvlBQCLnGuAbr5KdBOQv7c7FZ4zzxTxD8owE5f0sDVknLLHPGMiN2EIs2WOkfZd7EuC96_fpYAgnrThShuCDrewPKYzwTcKoAVi_GTBYJJfDCsk6rkVIpcOvtJWuv/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I suppose that, just like one is supposed to efficiently manage time to avoid cramming, one is also supposed to learn the works of efficient money management. This one quote is pretty powerful and inspiring, giving hope to my generation that, yes, nothing is impossible if you only know how to handle what you start with and if you've got a plan! If children learned this bit of advice early on, I think the world would be a teeny bit better. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEy25Kp5WsKWWOOJXIOgMtClTU4tfEg7EfuYVHD4NQ1uTLPES6nfGP3cYmy6DNiFuEfUPlWBJODARAo-DeVEgRqmlD-MMEdtobKkI3eTxvhHUfWoCHH-TLnhqHscTymBvU-jBUEZhWnrp/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEy25Kp5WsKWWOOJXIOgMtClTU4tfEg7EfuYVHD4NQ1uTLPES6nfGP3cYmy6DNiFuEfUPlWBJODARAo-DeVEgRqmlD-MMEdtobKkI3eTxvhHUfWoCHH-TLnhqHscTymBvU-jBUEZhWnrp/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Simply put, your net worth is equal to your assets minus your liabilities, which helps you to gauge where you stand, financially-speaking. I learned that ideally, your personal net worth should have a positive outcome; if it comes out negative, your first step is to work to make your net worth a plus sign. Lessen your debts, your spending, increase your assets and whatnot. Once that's done and over with, you can start thinking about where to put your money, how many savings accounts to open and when you can do it, in a very concrete time frame. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY0NscstXQqCrqVm9ISDjJAPqL7-BuD6ZZAOh4MLJ92cQw9_DdHJZLBH5xiTiKodQgX_Q6Oj4ZoTCbYpZc7WlgsadIPWCS31vJDhbGl-uWuRWeRxDsL2T4ZM1CZlhF6XBd_1wRFNBKdFH/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY0NscstXQqCrqVm9ISDjJAPqL7-BuD6ZZAOh4MLJ92cQw9_DdHJZLBH5xiTiKodQgX_Q6Oj4ZoTCbYpZc7WlgsadIPWCS31vJDhbGl-uWuRWeRxDsL2T4ZM1CZlhF6XBd_1wRFNBKdFH/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's always good to have a back-up. Set up a rainy day fund or an emergency fund besides your salary/monthly expenses account, and make sure to always set aside a portion of your salary for this fund. Make it grow, forget that you have it, and to be on the safe side, reach a figure that's at least six times that of your monthly expenses. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8SDkuJlC_pcv-M7od_y1gTlKYfuRNzdhzGsLH0cNK_4uPmqoGJQq_P8FyNneQ0lpxLcNV7E9Be_SjKwBtytNMYaqujZ3C6t3SUTevUz4F9tFwmeYQZx1lB3UwouugH7jfz5Sge41YU-K/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8SDkuJlC_pcv-M7od_y1gTlKYfuRNzdhzGsLH0cNK_4uPmqoGJQq_P8FyNneQ0lpxLcNV7E9Be_SjKwBtytNMYaqujZ3C6t3SUTevUz4F9tFwmeYQZx1lB3UwouugH7jfz5Sge41YU-K/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Take up the habit of saving early on, and you're good to go. "The younger you are when you begin, the more time you have to make your money grow." (Fogarty, 2011) There's nothing to lose - start now and read up on investing.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfSxGvo3onvWUMLPu0vQd187X3G0lD58kLBHCI6wRG3eYp1_CyGyKcXM3RYCEFfEbRrv9A2JulYMALTaRWujDjslhnTxEpZwIFg6tMo-DSQV3f5IdGrE32qiRS17rCIyxYnbTIYix6amP/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfSxGvo3onvWUMLPu0vQd187X3G0lD58kLBHCI6wRG3eYp1_CyGyKcXM3RYCEFfEbRrv9A2JulYMALTaRWujDjslhnTxEpZwIFg6tMo-DSQV3f5IdGrE32qiRS17rCIyxYnbTIYix6amP/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Start with knowing what you want to invest <i>for, </i>not what you want to invest <i>in</i>, says Mister Efren Cruz, so that you can establish your investment goals early on, when you want to accomplish them and know your action plan! :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy13xTPDFCShSwwYgQG1ZrW4KBQKW2Y5d1pPal7Bc8lxNljHCW1X_pGZjzsAA82JtjkP8cvtrJL3UOxD3rcUA_ZJsh4JzaF77tsZgwUYql67HZd7mauDsC0dCi3b6t32FhXa9BjXSRIPNu/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy13xTPDFCShSwwYgQG1ZrW4KBQKW2Y5d1pPal7Bc8lxNljHCW1X_pGZjzsAA82JtjkP8cvtrJL3UOxD3rcUA_ZJsh4JzaF77tsZgwUYql67HZd7mauDsC0dCi3b6t32FhXa9BjXSRIPNu/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Knowledge is power. Knowledge is key. Gabriel Yap of <i>Money Savvy </i>says so. Learn the ropes of investing, and understand what you're getting into. "It helps you understand how much risk you are willing to take with your investment as well as identify opportunities." (Fogarty, 2011) Search the net, read up on company profiles and whatnot. Don't be too greedy or too afraid, but be careful and never go for leverage (i.e., according to Yap: when investors borrow money to make investments).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV23nXgqZA8DTsCNAQ2_oUhRQjcctiQZtqm9TogacMxYCZ9rcuKkx4ENMjrBMj11jF6tjTn5aHj9dMdLvU3n1LY6CM48uAzR-J30_kN6_NAY3tA7yTfaRlhFjHihjJVCSMUFrPIabiOAL/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV23nXgqZA8DTsCNAQ2_oUhRQjcctiQZtqm9TogacMxYCZ9rcuKkx4ENMjrBMj11jF6tjTn5aHj9dMdLvU3n1LY6CM48uAzR-J30_kN6_NAY3tA7yTfaRlhFjHihjJVCSMUFrPIabiOAL/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And last but not the least, save up. It's the most basic thing to begin with. Sacrifice a little, forego fancy restaurants and frequent nights out, as <a href="http://solitarywanderer.com/" target="_blank">Solitary Wanderer</a> puts it, and you'll be surprised with the turnout! And as Mark Twain also wisely says, "The secret to getting ahead is getting started." So get started.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ww.dailypositivequotes.com/quotes/make-it-happen" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://ww.dailypositivequotes.com/quotes-images/make-it-happen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168487116094861178noreply@blogger.com1