New Year. New Life.

It has been a year since I arrived here in Europe, specifically in Germany. And I can say that after a year, I just find the right courage to blog my experience. After all the rigorous administrative procedure for my residence permit,  application for my studies, moving from one region to another and most especially, the cultural integration, I'm really glad that I survive 2014. No matter how hard and challenging it is, I definitely make it!

Now, as this is the first day of the year, I would like to share some tips for those people who want to take risk and get the opportunity that they dream of, overseas.
 Reason or Goals

-Actually there's no right or wrong reasons or goals, but it's the question of:  What is that one goal that will keep you sane and go fighting when everything fails? Well, it's really hard to live abroad. Hard is just an understatement. You need to find the right motivation to keep going since not all journey are smooth sailing.

Budget

- Money. Money. Money. It's all about the money. This is not a luxury but a real necessity. So before you decide to go abroad, make sure that you have the right savings to pay  your accommodation, daily needs, transportation, insurance and other expenses. Aside from that, it is also important to keep an emergency fund because  you'll never know what can happen. You can also tap different institutions for scholarship (if you want to go there as a student) or it would be more practical if you are already hired from your home country so that when you arrive on the country of your destination you have  a company to support you with a salary and to help you as well in finding a place to stay etc.

Am I emotionally ready?

- Some people go abroad as an escape, hoping for new life. new environment and greener pasture but the thing here is: You will still be the same person wherever you go. Going in a different place wouldn't assure you big time that the change that you want to see will happen in a snap. I think it would be really helpful, if one can just ask him/herself if this is the journey that he/she  wants and needs to take. After all, there will be no family or friends that you can turn to  (except if your family has migrated there or you have an immediate family/friends near you). There are still some fights that you need to deal with on your own.

Do your research!

- At this time, we are very lucky to have internet. We can just get  all the information that we need with just a click. So let's not waste this privilege. Let's research as much as we can- possible opportunities that you can apply to, experiences of the various people, who went and settle there on that  country, requirements and other paper works.

Prepare all the Paper works

- It's always a rigorous process to apply for a visa as well as to get your residence permit. Rules may vary and it also depends on your nationality, your professional/academic experience and your purpose, why you would want to go to that specific country. We can not always compare what the others experience previously since there might be some changes that can occur through time. Although, it's noteworthy to use it as a reference ;)

Have Patience

- Planning to go abroad is not just a piece of cake, it is far more than that. You need a lot of patience  because you'll be waiting for your documents to be processed in the embassy, school or company. It definitely takes time. 

Create a Timeline

- Since it takes time to plan, wait, prepare and go, it's better to create a possible and practical timeline. When it's backed-up by good research, I think it would be definitely feasible. One thing that you have to take note is that you can't wait forever. Money come and go.

Have a second, third, fourth, fifth…… options

- Noting that going to another country is indeed challenging, it's safe to have alternative options. As many people say, there will be many other ways to reach your goals.  Since this new country is not your comfort zone, having a calculated risk is somehow recommended.

Pray. Spend time with your family and friends.

- You need to have all the spiritual, social and emotional support that you can get. Collect them and when the time comes abroad that you're feeling low, recall these memories with your friends and somehow you'll find a way to get back. 

Enjoy every moment

- No matter how easy or tough life gets. Be in the moment!

Movie Review: About Time

About Time
Director: Richard Curtis
Actors:  Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

What if you regret something that you've done, and you have the  power to go back in the past, to correct it?
Will you do it?
Or will you just move on and concentrate in the present?


About Time is a comic but heartfelt movie about family, love and being in the moment.

It stars, the charismatic,  Domhnall Gleeson as Tim. His father, Bill Nighy, told him that they have this power to go back in time. Though they can't go to Helen of Troy or Hitler's time, they can just go back to the places and situation that they've been to. Using this power, he searched for a love life immediately! After some tries, he  met the very lovely, Rachel McAdams as Mary.They have a happy relationship from courting to getting married and having a family of their own.

I thought the film will just end that way, but it didn't.

 Tim's sister has a problem with her guy.Even if he wants to help and undo her sister's  road accident after her huge fight with her guy. He can but he may not since changing the past of his sister might affect his own present , then he realized to let everything happen on its own course. Her sister experienced the accident and realized that she needed to move on and  eventually find someone better.

Even if they have this power to go back in time, he can not ever changed the inevitable, his Father's death. His father's wish was not to let Tim change something they had from the past and that is, their memories together when he was just a little kid with his father, running in the beach and playing with each other.

In the end, he left the audience saying that he has this power to do things in the present and do it again with much appreciation. Later on, he just let the imperfect things happen and live every day as if it's the last time that he will live it.

The film goes beyond your typical love and super-power story. It uses humor and heart felt moral lesson to convey the truth that most of us forget. Time is indeed important and we should live every day to the fullest. Sounds cliché,  but with all our work , responsibility and  other life's pressure, can you say that you are really living in the moment?

Rating: 5 stars

For me, I love the acting since it's very natural and a little bit weird-like there's something to discover out of the characters, may it be supporting or lead. The film's soundtrack is really touching as well as all the songs that they've used in the film. It's like travelling back in time because the songs that you sing back then are relive in this movie. Production design and cinematography wise, I think the film is effective enough to integrate these elements to capture the audience attention.

Here are some quotes from the film:
Tim:For me, it was  always to be all about love

Tim:Some days you want to relive forever. Some days you only want to live once.

Tim:I never said you can fix everything, not without consequences.

Tim: What do I do

Father: You have to use it but make your life the way you wanted it to be

Tim: I never know what the future holds, just like everyone else


Note: Special Thanks to About Time The Movie Facebook Page  for the photos.

Er ist Pepe

Er ist Pepe.


Er kommt von den Philippinen.

Er ist anders aber trotzdem besonders für die PHILIPPINOS
Er war ein Junge, der einen größeren Kopf als andere Kinder hatte

Seit er 8 Jahre alt war, schrieb er tausende Gedichte

Er SPRACH Deutsch, Arabisch, Malaiisch, Hebräisch, Holländisch. Japanisch, Italienisch, Portugiesisch, Schwedisch, Russisch, Französisch, Spanisch und Philippinisch.



Er war unter anderem Arzt, Maler, Bildhauer, Philosoph, Propagandist, Musiker, Botaniker, Schauspieler, Anthropologen unter anderem.

Er war auch ein Frauenschwarm, denn er hatte 8 Freundinnen aus verschiedenen Ländern rund um den Globus.

Er war ein wunderbarer Mann und wäre heute 152 Jahre alt, aber er starb auf seiner Hinrichtung am 30. Dezember 1986.

Was ihn so wunderbar machte ist, dass er für die Philippinen starb. Er kämpfte gegen die Spanier, die das Land kolonalisierten, indem er RomanE wie "Noli me tangere und El Filibusterismo" schrieb.

Dieser Mann weckt den nationalistischen Geist der Filipinos. Sie schätzen ihre Freiheit heute sehr.

Er ist der Nationalheld der Philippinen.

He is Pepe, from the Philippines.

He is different but nevertheless special for the Filipinos.

When he was a boy, you may notice that he has a larger head than other children.

Since he was 8 years old, he wrote thousands of poems.

He spoke German, Arabic, Malay, Hebrew. Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Russian, French, Spanish and Filipino.

He was also a doctor, painter, sculptor, philosopher, propagandist, musician, botanist, actor, anthropologists, among others.

He was also a womanizer, for he had 8 girlfriends from different countries around the globe.

He was a wonderful man and he would now be 152 years old.... but he died on his execution on December 30 1986.

What made ​​him great is the fact that he died for the Philippines. He fought against the Spaniards, who colonized the country as stated in his novels such as "Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo."

This man push the nationalistic spirit out of each Filipinos, that's why we value our freedom today.

He is the national hero of the Philippines.

Hong Kong: Lights. Weather. View.

If you want to shop like you're in Thailand, visit Mickey and the rest of the gang in Disneyland or enjoy mouthwatering dishes then Hong Kong should be definitely your next adventure.

It's ideal to be in Hong Kong around December to February since you will really enjoy the cold weather especially if you're living in a tropical country here in South East Asia. 

How do we get there?

There are numerous airlines that offer affordable flights to Hong Kong. You don't need to apply for a visa if you're just planning to have a one week holiday (Though, it's still best to check their embassy for any updates regarding their tourist visa).

For the transportation, we never took a cab when we were there since they have a good  train system as well as there are also buses from the airport to the city. Just make sure that you purchase an Octopus Card upon your arrival in the airport. You can use this card in their public transportation.

Do you want a cozy and affordable  place for accommodation?

Please do note that any accommodation in Hong Kong is really costly. We are fortunate to know Ms Rainbow from OiSuen Guesthouse.  The rooms are quite affordable as well as their good service(room cleaning, assistance etc). She offered a lot of tips on how to reach various tourist destinations and how to deal with locals especially if you want to shop in the night markets. Discounted tickets may also be purchased in the hostel. When we went there, it seemed like we were visiting a friend. After a tiring day, we would talk to Ms Rainbow about our experiences and she also shared some unforgettable  memories of  other tourists. Indeed staying there is an enriching experience.

Here are the top 5 places that you shouldn't miss:

1. Ocean Park

You can do a lot of things here, that's for sure. You can go to there magnificent aquarium, visit other animal sanctuaries, try their park rides, play games, shop for souvenirs  or  watch shows. I really like here because your ticket is really worth it!

2. Disneyland

If you're a child at heart then  you  really belong in this place.When I saw Mickey Mouse or just even the Palace, the magic and  excitement  just came back to me. Indeed, Disneyland will bring you back to the time when you believe that fairies and happy ever after do exist.

3. Avenue of Stars/ Symphony of Lights
When we watched the Symphony of Lights, our first reaction was "how did they do that?" Synchronizing the lights of every building is quite tough but then they pulled it off. After the show, we  strolled  in the Avenue of Stars where you can discover Hong Kong's film history and stars.

4. Big Buddha
When we went to the Big Buddha, we rode this Crystal Cable Car (If you are adventurous, then try this!) It has a glass flooring which let you see the scenery. For the Big Buddha, I felt  peace while we were there on the top. You can also visit the temples nearby if you want to commune with nature and reflect.

5. Night Markets (Ladies Market)

Just a tip, try to bargain  for the lowest price then if  they can't give your demands then look for another stall which has the same product that you want. You can see a lot of merchandise along the streets and  a good way to get the most affordable price is to look around first then bargain :)

Sidetrip:

Once you are in Hong Kong, You can also take a short day trip to Macau. There you can see Saint Paul Ruins, Casinos and the heavenly, egg tarts.

Kuala Lumpur: Your Next Destination?

Kuala Lumpur is one of the "must- see" cities in South East Asia. At first, I thought Petronas Tower is the only tourist spot worth visiting there. However after our visit last December, we realized that four days were not really enough to discover everything that this city has to offer.


How did we get there?

If you will be coming from Singapore; then you have a choice to take a plane or a bus. Since travelling by land is much cheaper , we booked Star Mart Air Asia bus online. For a 5 hour bus ride, 63 SGD was not that bad for a round trip ticket right?

On the day of your trip, you just need to go to Golden Mile Complex terminal in SG and the bus will take you to Berjaya Times Square. The transportation in KL is not that difficult because like SG, they have good train services. It's very tourist friendly, as well as, there are also free bus rides which travel within the city; or if you are really lost, then call a cab!

Do you want to have a cozy party place for accommodation?

If you are the type of person who wants to have fun, party and dance your heart out after a long tiring day then Reggae Guesthouse is the place to be! We booked a twin room for 88 SGD-meaning, I only paid 44 SGD for my three night accommodation and free breakfast. Reggae Guesthouse 2 has a Reggae bar downstairs if you want to chill and meet other tourists. As a guest, you are also welcome to party in Reggae Mansion's rooftop where you can enjoy three complimentary drinks. The hostel also offers discounted tickets to some tourist destinations in KL.

So what are the "must see's" in the city?

Here are the top 5 places you shouldn't miss when you go there:

1 Petronas Tower
Enduring the long queue to see the city from the top of Petronas Tower is definitely worth it!

2. Batu Cave
Knowing the Malays through their religion while appreciating the magnificence of nature is such an enriching experience!

3. KL Bird Park
Walking side by side with  birds  is an adventure that you wouldn't want to miss!

4. National Museum
Discovering their heritage opens a realization that they are not really different from us. Even their language is quite similar with our own native tongue (Filipino).

5. China town and market place.
I know that you will not leave KL without a souvenir in your hand so you can just go to these places for affordable products.

That's it for now~ Until our next adventure!

All Brand New

In just a few days, January will be over so how's your 2013 so far?

As we celebrate another new year this coming month, let's reflect on our everyday what to do's. It will really help if we'll just stop, relax and think about the things, persons, attitudes or actions that keep us actively moving. 

Here's my list!

1. Smile and Stay Positive

-Say No-No to gossipy-finding-faults people and  instead find the good side in every situation. No matter how bad it is (or a person is) there's still something good. 

2. Read a book / Watch a Movie or Play

-This is an immediate escape- a very fast way to get out of the stressful world that you're living at. After this, somehow you'll have a fresh or a new perspective out of life- well maybe.

3. Be Open and Let it out!

-Reconnect with your true friends and share  your journey to them (whether good or bad, happy or sad, even if it's non-sense) just talk to them and be more interpersonal. Life is really sad of you don't have someone  to share it with.

4. Eat Good Food

-As we grow older, yeah right we become conscious of our diet but hey don't starve yourself! Nothing beats the satisfaction of eating good food!

5. Travel

-As long as you're young, do travel! Explore the other world, learn new language, interact with new people and fall in love in a whole new place.

6. Shut down- don't think just SLEEP

There will always be a time when you'll just think and think and thinkkkkkkkkkk of all

 your problems but sometimes it doesn't help, so please give yourself a break, sleep and dream in neverland!

7. Get Physical

Run, Jog, Swim or do any action that can make you sweat! Burn your fats baby. It's better to have a sexy body today than to suffer any fatty disease tomorrow.

8. Love Love Love

Well, what can I say it's the most bitter sweet feeling that you'll ever have in your life. It's not just made of rainbows and  candies but loving and being loved is the most satisfying and comforting feeling on earth!

9.  Me time, just that silent time for yourself

Meditate, go over  and check if you're still ok! Ask yourself about what are the things that you've done, your achievement, your goals and dreams! This is  important to keep you going!

10. Take Risk and Move!

After all the conditioning and pampering,  move! If you want to grow and achieve more or to make your life better, move! Move while you can.

Dreams Are Made Of...

Bring me all of your dreams,

You dreamer,

Bring me all your

Heart melodies

That I may wrap them

In a blue cloud-cloth

Away from the too-rough fingers

Of the world

-The Dream Keeper by Langston Hughes

I know that everyone of us has a dream.

No matter what age, stature or circumstances maybe, at some point in our lives we all want and strive for something, someone or some kinda place.

This dream maybe considered as the epitome of our existence.When life bugs us with different circumstances,problems and what ifs this dream becomes our focus, a reference point or the very thing that gives us that direction.

As we grow older, I was astonished by the fact, that living your dream might be a little harder than we think.Though the act of dreaming is free,living it might demand a price- that we all have to pay.

As we graduate in different universities, as we line up and receive our very own diploma (which is like the key to the real world) we are empowered to make something happen.

To achieve the very thing that we want to do.

Have you ask yourself about what's the thing, situation or person that makes you happy?

Well, if you're quite uncertain then join me in this blog as we explore life and its never ending surprises. :)

I'll document everything that's worth to share- from food, travel, arts, culture or any moral booster that will help us find our DREAM.

Come on, take the ride!