Something to think about

A guy friend once told me that looking good in the outside is definitely the first thing that a guy notices in a girl. Without any disapproval to his statement, I reflected on what I also notice first and it is definitely the guy's physical appearance.

BUT, hey there's more! Beneath those polo shirt, jeans and sneakers, lies a man that is defined to be attractive or not by his character and principles. The shades of lipsticks, eye shadow or blush on may conceal a woman's facial insecurities temporarily but her attitude and outlook in life will reflect her true beauty.

The question now is: Is it?

Do men and women value character more that the physical appearance?

This I will leave for you to think about.

Hello Laos! :)

The road to Vientiane, Laos was roughly a 9 hour travel via Nongkhai Border from Bangkok. I joined a travel agency to make everything easier for me. I actually did this Laos visit for an extension of my stay in Thailand. I applied for a single entry visa that is good for 2 months tourist visa.

What I love about the culture of this country is that the women still wear their national skirt (Sinhs) with pride and honor. You will see them wear it to school, work or just an everyday get-up.

I only got 2 days and 1 night stay in Vientiane so it was not enough to completely savor the beauty of Laos, I was only able to see the night market at Mekong River. Cheap finds there! Lots of hand made bags that are very affordable. Also, you could use thai baht for shopping! :) 1 THB = 250 kip

The following morning, we visited the Patuxai (it's a war monument). It was so fantastic and I fell in love with it. We also visited the morning market then later that afternoon, we were bound to return to Thailand already.

I bought a famous tea brand in Laos but until now I did not try it yet because I'm saving it for a better occasion. If ever I will get the chance to visit back Laos again, I really would like to tour around their famous temples.

Sawadee (สวัสดี) Thailand!

After 13 years, I was able again to travel out of the country. One of the reason I accepted the job offer at my current company is the chance to travel around the world and the main reason is to help industries to minimize waste and to help generate renewable energy.

My first assignment last March was to travel to Uthai Thani, Thailand to have a biological waste water treatment training on a starch plant. I won't talk about technical stuffs here in my blog but I will just run through all the places I had been to while having leisure time.


Upon arrival to Suvernabhumi International Airport via the prestigious Thai Airways, I fell in love right away to the country of Smiles.
Navigating myself throughout Bangkok was made easier by their BTS (Skytrain just like our MRT/LRT). For my stay in BKK, the company always booked us in the Grand Business Inn In Sukhumvit 11 near Nana Station of BTS. I would give the hotel 4 stars for its service, access to public transportation, accommodation and food.

For my stay in Ban Rai, Uthai Thani, Thailand, we rented a villa in Huay Par Pok Resort. The house was nice and clean but during night time I am so scared with the short power interruptions from time to time. Also, we don't have internet access unless we will go to the reception area which I consider very far and unsafe especially during night time. Another problem for our lodging is that there is no means of transportation other than private car, so it was best for me to stock food in case nobody could bring me to the market.

Near the resort that we stayed was this wonderful temple. I was amazed by its beauty and simplicity.

Near the Tham Khao Wong Temple is the Pu Way Cave. It was my first time to enter a cave and I was not prepared since I was just wearing a rubber slipper. The hike to the top was breath taking. I could see the overview of nature's gift. The moment we entered the cave, I was so excited to be able to see those stalactites and stalagmites that once my geology professor were discussing in class back in my college days.
It was an amazing experience worth remembering.

After that, we tried to go to the Avatar Spa near our resort to try the salt streaming and then we had an unlimited time access to their infinity pool. I was so happy savoring the experience of having a business trip with pleasure. :)

I was also fortunate to visit the hundred years market (Samchuk Market) in Suphanburi. I was so happy to see lots of food. Take note, Mercato Central, Soderno or Banchetto are nothing compared to this food haven!  :)

I always associate Thailand to Elephants so I said to myself that I should be able to ride one if ever I will have the opportunity, so I did! :) There is also a saying that once you walk under the belly of a pregnant elephant, you will be lucky with your life.

I was again fortunate to be sent back to Thailand for the start-up of our first solid digester in the company. It was the same client but this time around it is more serious since this is not a training anymore, but I was still lucky to be able to visit a few places on my 2 months stay.


We were able to went back to the Hundred Years Market but this time, we rode a boat to tour the old temple and the museum. It's amazing how Thais are so concern/caring to Animals, I saw a lot of homeless dogs being brought to Temple for shelter. Also, I was so fortunate to see relics of Buddhas and other Thai Tools.

Next stop was a visit to Bungchawak Zoo also in Suphanburi. This zoo was so enormous that it is divided to different parts. I only got to see the oceanic part (it's like a version of our Manila Ocean Park) and the tiger Zoo.

What awed me for my whole stay in Thailand was the visit to Wat Tha Sung Temple in Uthai Thani City. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Last year, when flood hit Thailand, it was one of the places that was badly affected, but it was once again restored.

We also went to another grandeur temple in Uthai Thani. This time, the temple was on top of a hill so the view was superb.

So that was my Thailand adventure. I hope I could still visit some places I haven't been to. On my list are:

1. Ayutthaya - to see the ruin
2. Chiang Mai - for rehabilitation of their old elephants
3. Phuket - Beach baby! :)
4. Bangkok Tour (Wat Po, Wat Arun, Grand Palace via Chao Phraya River Cruising) - need I say more?

Just a tip if you're going shopping in Bangkok, the weekend Chatuchak Market is a good place to head up first thing in the morning since it's an open air market. They sell a wide range of materials from dress to souvenirs to food to even dog accessories! :) Shopping in MBK is also well recommended if you're a gadget lover. If your're a lady and dying to buy dress and accessories head to Platinum Mall. If you're for shopping without any budget in mind, Central World, Siam Paragon and Terminal 21 are the place to be, but if you're really that extravagant in spending money, girlfriend, head to Gaysorn Mall where all shops are branded! :)

Single for the meantime

image source:http://daniellefazeela.wordpress.com

It's been ages since I entered a Romantic Relationship. After experiencing heartbreak thrice, I decided to stay single and just enjoy life. After all, it's just a status. Nobody should be pressured on finding "the one". There is also a saying that "Love finds you the minute you stop looking." So for all those singles out there I could give you a few reasons why it's more awesome to stay single, for now.

- You can somehow save a lot of money (instead of going to dates at a fancy restaurant or buying your honey bunch some special gadgets or a designer shirt)

- You won't have any problems going out randomly with some old friends any time, anywhere. (take in consideration your parents' opinion of course)

- No worries on the urge of informing someone where you are, what you're doing or who you're with (or even to be bothered who she's/he's with, etc.)

- You tend to be more beautiful when you're single. This is simply because you got more time for yourself and you can spend much to pamper yourself.

- You are lesser stressed. (Minus those petty fights, senseless arguments couples usually have just to put some spices in their relationship)

- You are closer to your family and friends. Yes, you spend most of your leisure time with them, resulting to a more fruitful relationship that you will treasure for life. As the saying goes: "Chicks before dicks and Bros before hoes"

- Lesser tendency to be on a bad mood. Since you're single, you don't have to think of somebody that will greatly stress your life. No need to be jealous with some hot, sexy momma out there while strolling the mall.

- Gives you more time to focus on how to improve your life. Long term goals are born from reflecting on what you really want to achieve at a certain timeline.

- Chance to discover more the inner you. This is the opportunity to explore your capabilities and assess how strong you are. You'll eventually learn not to depend for someone special to carry on with your life.

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So to the one destined to me:

I am still having the best time of my life now exploring my skills, personality and goals. I know you are still out there doing exactly the same thing. I know when we are both ready, magic will just happen and we will find each other (or if we already know each other now, love will just bridge us together).

So no pressure, take your time and do things that will define who you are N years from now. We will need all those discoveries and learning to be the better us. I know when the right time comes, we will definitely make each other very happy.

Everyday I pray that when that moment finally arrives, we will be inseparable. We will love each other unconditionally. We will respect each other, and most importantly we will be truthful.

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So I'm staying single, for now. :)