Just Frayin'.

If there's one band I could listen to over and over for the next hundred years (without the consequences of suffering a brain damage), it has got to be "The Fray". This four-man rock band has the most amazing vocals! They're like a breath of fresh air, like cold water post marathon, or pizza after fasting for days. And I would need a stronger word than 'addicted' to articulately describe how much I'm into them.

I absolutely adore all of their songs, but these 5 are my favorites:


*Never Say Never


*Look After You


*How To Save A Life


*You Found Me


*Over My Head

40 Grilling Questions.

1. What are you wearing right now?
* Sweatpants and a gray shirt.

2. What colour are your eyes?
* Light brown similar to toffee.

3. Where would you like to vacation?
* Prague or somewhere in Caribbean.

4. Ever been in an accident?
* Twice.. I broke my leg and suffered a concussion as a result.

5. What would you change about yourself if you could?
* I'm very impulsive so I wanna have a bit of self-control.

6. What is one thing in your life you would do over or differently?
* When I was 17, I got a tattoo and I regretted it so much. I just wish I had been a little less crazy back then.

7. What would your 3 wishes be ?
* Just one.. a long and healthy life for my family.

8. What is one thing you do that you know is bad but won't stop?
* Occasional smoking. I wish I could permanently stop.

9. If you had a power what would it be ?
* Mind-reading. I could have everything I want with that power.

10. Favorite fast food place?
* Taco Bell.

11. Favorite cartoon if you still watch them?
* Simpson.

12. All time best book
* The Alchemist - Paul Coelho.

13. Whats the most outrageous thing you thought about doing?
* Coloring my hair blond.

14. Do you like your name?
* Yes, I couldn't think of another name that'll suit me.

15. What age would you like to be right now?
* Teens.. Everything's so easy and simple back then.

16. How many best friends do you have?
* Two.

17. What's your favorite color and why?
* Pink and Black. Cause it's both flirty and mysterious.

18. Do You Like To Go Shopping?
* No.

19. Are you into sports?
* No, but I do try.

20. What's your favorite hobby?
* I wanna say cleaning the house but it doesn't really count as a hobby, so I'm just gonna say reading books and doing my nails.

21. What do you do when you are mad?
* I'm usually quiet because I'd like to remain polite.

22. What word do you catch yourself saying a lot?
* Like, kinda.

23. Summer Or Winter?
* Winter.. hands down.

24. Are You Nice To Everyone?
* I'm generally a nice person.

25. Do you like swimming?
* Hate it.

26. What country would you like to go to?
* New Zealand.

27. What kind of ice cream do you like most?
* Anything from Coldstone.

28. Do you play video games?
* A lot.

29. What do you do for fun?
* I travel or hang out with my friends.

30. Do you like going outdoors?
* Yes.

31. Do you like rainy days?
* Yes, as long as it stops after two or three hours.

32. Do you have a favorite restaurant?
* Yes.. Il Mare.

33. Were you a difficult child?
* Yes.. I had a lot of issues and unnecessary angst when I was younger.

34. What's your best childhood memory?
* When I was 14 and I rode the jet-ski for the first time. It felt incredible.

35.What/Who makes you happy?
* Lots of things, even little things make me happy.

36. Do you cry a lot?
* Yes. I'm Judy Tear Jerky.

37. Explain yourself in one word.
* kooky~

38. What song are you listening to right now?
* Wait It Out - Imogen Heap.

39. What's your idea of a perfect date?
* A nice dinner, champagne, and the sweetest good night kiss.

40. With the opposite sex, which do you prefer? Looks, wit or sense of humor?
* Looks.. ^^;

Crossroads... The Countdown Begins.

Sis broke the news today about her coming departure to Australia. It's official. She and her husband are leaving in two months, and seeing their one-way tickets to Australia made me realize the true enormity of the situation, our separation that is. Mom is scheduled to follow a few months after that. This marks a complete psychic shift in me, and it triggered a sense that time is running out.

For the longest time, I was up in the air about my family's imminent migration to Australia, still wary whether it is the rightful path we should all take, and still unsure if all the processes would yield to what we were all yearning for. I've been busy juggling so many things; taking on responsibilities my late father had left us, my pursuit of higher education, living my personal life, and love in between all of that. The fact that I've been busy and everything remained a conundrum somewhat shielded me from the pain of the coming separation. I can't even begin to imagine a life without the people I love the most, and the whole situation is hard to absorb, even absurdly painful, but it's happening nonetheless.

I had my reasons for choosing to stay behind. Partly because our finances couldn't cover all the migration fees and the cost for everyone to start a new life all at once. I do have other reasons, bigger reasons actually. But I choose not to write it here because I feel it rightfully deserves to be written in a different post. For now, let's just say I wasn't ready to give EVERYTHING up.

Sis isn't just family bound by blood, shared genes, and striking resemblance. She's also my best friend, and the one who knows me inside out. Although she's younger, her insights is equivalent to a phalanx of psychologists combined. We've been through a lot together. And honestly I don't think I can get through all that without her. She has been there through all my stupidity and tear jerking episodes, comforting me with her sarcasms which at times get under my skin. She's the most grounded person I've ever known. Always crediting luck instead of savoring the accolades she got from First Grade to Graduation. And when my father died and so much financial uncertainty is in the air, she wrestled with the responsibility of taking care of it all, especially during my absence.

To show how thankful I am for everything, I'm giving her a sending-away present. I can't really decide between these two: a scrapbook I'm gonna make using her old and new pictures or Escada Sentiment - her favorite fragrance. Whatever it is that I choose, I hope she'll like it, and remind her that she is loved and will be greatly missed.

At Incheon Airport.

When you visit Korea, the exciting experience begins as you cross the threshold of the porthole, and the sight of Incheon International Airport in all it's intricacy is the first thing that'll greet you. It is bound to leave it's mark on any jet-settin', travelholic soul. Unlike it's many quintessential counterparts, Incheon Airport's design sensibility evokes an air of ease and comfort - a feeling you don't normally get in a place that receives and discharges thousands of passengers daily.

The dominance of glass and dome-shaped ceiling are simply impossible to disregard. It's sheer space and dimension floored me the first time. But more than that, it's how modern and well-organized that gave the lasting impression. This airport is no stranger to fame - ranking 1st and 2nd in Best Airport Category by the Airports Council International.

I've only been to 5 countries in total, so my experiences with airports are still very limited. But amongst all I've seen, I'd say Incheon Airport is the best when it comes to service and modern facilities. I read from Wiki that this place has many unique luxury features such as golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, and casinos. I don't have the money to splurge so I haven't gotten even remotely close to trying those out, so it still is a mystery to me if such things really exist there. But the other facilities like cultural museum, observatory deck, gardens, lounges, shops, and restaurants are there to 'wow' us all. The airport is located on Yeongjong Island West of Incheon. Looking at the view by the bridge at sunset and the city's skyline at night will top off your amazing airport journey!

And if after everything I said you're still not convinced, just read my old "Christmas Day" post, and you'll know why I love this place so much!


Here are some pics taken at the airport.

Skin Care Tips For Trouble Skin.

I had a long and tedious bout with acne before, so I experimented a lot with skin care products hoping to find some that might actually work. It's exceptionally hard since Korea is like the skin care capital of the world, where every street is spruced up with shops selling so many product that promises ageless beauty, clear skin, and perfect complexion all at your fingertips. Well mostly, those are just empty motherhood statements, and they really don't get the job done. Then I found Neutrogena, and it was love at first use. After years of searching, I'm so glad to have found a product that actually works for my troubled skin and zapped those zits away. I've been using this product for more than two years now.



I'm particularly happy with how it works on my face. But given that it goes head-to-head with sleepless nights, alcohol-infused night outs, or a peanut butter and jelly binge, it might still need some serious reinforcement. And by reinforcement I don't mean some fancy product that costs an arm an a leg, but a sure fire zit-zappin' concoction that surely helps keep those nasty breakouts at bay. I tried-and-tested everything and it works wonders so I'm sharing it with everyone.


*Green Tea Splash

Mix one cup of green tea, two aspirin tablets, and ten drops of tea tree oil until thoroughly incorporated. After washing your face, apply this mixture with a cotton ball. It will have a soothing, cooling effect that your skin will love!

*Soothing Baking Soda Paste

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and just enough water to make a paste. Apply to your face and let sit until dry. Rinse it with warm water and cloth. Your face should feel smooth and soft. Baking soda will help neutralize the PH level of your skin and help your pores resist acne.

*Whipped Mask

Eggs contain vitamins and nutrients that help heal and regenerate. Try whipping up egg whites until frothy and apply as a mask.