Since the age of five, I have had this wildest thought revolving around my head. The thought scared me, made me shiver. It is an idea many have dreamed of, yet few have actually pursued.

The thought of traveling, walking across globe, taking on the world.

What are nine reasons to explore the Earth?

1. The universe outside the world you are used to.

European explorers were so lucky. Back then, they never knew where they were heading, or what awaited them on the other side. That gave them a sense of pure curiosity and an overload of excitement.
That is the thing about the term "wanderlust". It's a desire to travel, because travelling brings you to a different dimension, to a realm you never thought existed. Seeing things you never see in your daily life, inhaling a different kind of breeze, feeling an unfamiliar ambiance. It just feels right, perfect.

2. The chance of falling in love.

Michelle Phan, Youtube's greatest make up guru has the hottest boyfriend on the face of the Earth. Do you know where she met him? In Paris.
They say there are so many fishes in the sea. What if your fish is from another ocean? The Atlantic Ocean, perhaps? Travelling gives you the chance to open your book to many kinds of people, the chance to open your heart and fall in the crazy but magical hands of love.

3. The adventure that awaits you.

Adventure. That is the very tempting word that lurks behind every traveller's heart. Going to the jungles of Australia? Clubbing in Las Vegas? It's all about the different adventures you get yourself into.

4. The language for your tongue. The knowledge for your mind

The most multilingual people are travellers. Why? Wait. Do you really need to ask why? Of course it's because of the different countries they've gone to visit. Well, that is something you won't learn in any of your language classes. Because real education is in the field. And the world is your field.

5. The FOOD, duh!

From the most sophisticated French and Italian cuisines to the street foods in Macau, you can't miss anything out. The exotic foods you taste on your travels will be some of your best memories.

6. The freedom you want to experience.

Being out in the world is like being a little fish swimming the depths of the open ocean. You know it is dangerous, but at least, you are free. As the wind paces towards your face, you can raise your hands up and move with the beat of life. You are free.

7. The break you deserve.

It doesn't matter how your boss held you behind for so long, it doesn't matter how long you worked so hard in class. You can finally leave all your work for a moment, forget all your problems and pain as you walk across the globe. Why? Because the skies are your deadlines right now, that's why.

8. The inspiration that you will meet,

Travelling the world means opening your eyes to a whole new set up. It gives you a different perspective. But what's more important is the inspiration your heart will create as soon as you've stepped out of your comfort zone. Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to find it.

9. The memories that will stay forever.

Happy memories. The visions that we never get tired of playing over and over again. Looking back, reminiscing,  gives you this absolutely beautiful feeling because memories are spells bound to stay in your heart forever.
Also, do not forget to take pictures and videos. Lots of 'em. As Nicholas Sparks said in Safe Haven, "You'll take a lot of pictures and only regret the ones that you didn't take."


-Guest Barista Czarina-

Image: Dave C Read more »

*MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT*

“That’s the thing about pain. It demands to be felt.”

Life may seem hopeless, worthless or unfair sometimes. But if we live in a world where happiness is the only option, where would that bring us? That is not life. That is a dream come true. After all, the world is not a wish granting factory.

John Green wonderfully explains how life works in The Fault In Our Stars. But the characters were different. They have a kind of disease you would probably curse yourself, others or even God just by knowing you have it. Cancer. The worst kind. It literally displays the word “death” to you. No person could definitely want this. And here comes the story of Hazel Grace who has lung cancer (terminal, if you might ask) and Augustus Waters, who happens to have one prosthetic leg, has Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumour, though he seems to have mostly recovered.

Claiming both themselves as the side effects of cancer, or even death itself, Hazel and Augustus begins to develop feelings for each other. It all starts one day in Hazel’s support group. A normal day, with people with their own types of cancer. Terminal or not, they settle there in a circle in the literal heart of Jesus where they meet every Wednesday in the basement of a stone-walled Episcopal church shaped like a cross. They all sit in a circle right in the middle of the cross, where the two boards meet, where the heart of Jesus would have been. Then all of a sudden, there is Augustus -–a very appealing 17-year old teenager who makes Hazel’s simple life extraordinary.

It goes good, well, for people with cancer at least. They have time together with Isaac, who lost his girlfriend as soon as he lost his eyes, in Amsterdam to see a famous author: Peter Van Houten. All is okay. All is going fine. Then one afternoon in Amsterdam, Augustus brings news like a grenade blast. BOOM! It spreads like a wildfire like the cancer spreading to his entire body. Just when we thought Hazel was the person who has little time in the world, here comes Augustus. Again. Surprising us. We have never been so wrong, and we have never shouted at a book that loud.

We hated John Green for a second. He did not play it fair. Through this book, he had a shot gun that aimed right exactly at that very sensitive part of our hearts. Why, of all people, does it have to be Augustus? Augustus was the one and only boy next door kind of guy who was remarkably intellectual and loaded with words and thoughts that apparently can be compared to stars. Our peace of mind suffered shorty after Augustus’ death. The Fault In Our Stars had done something bizarre to us. This book, though the plot was not really that powerful and didn’t keep us on the edge of our seats, focused on something more important to its readers.

The lives of Hazel and Augustus gave us a hint on what life truly means. Life cannot be seen deeper into its soul than a sighted person ever could. Meaning, life will always have its way, whether it is in your favour or not. Life is benevolent yet omnipotent. Because of Green’s depth of thoughts, readers will have a new and immense perspective on life and death.

I would definitely recommend this book--junkies and to all. This might just make a grown man cry because all of us will definitely know that life indeed does not give you everything you’d ever hoped for. Pain is simply there to give you experience that would fill you up in your lifetime. Pain is the thing that makes you who you are.

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings." --Caesar


-Guest Barista Czarina-

Image: TFIOS cover (Dutton Books) Read more »

The world carries nearly seven billion people as of 2013. Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, the Internet’s hash tag selfie has gained 57,754,658 photos on Instagram this very minute. There are photos of people’s oily faces, people while sitting on the toilet, people sticking their tongues out, which are all absurd. This has to stop, pronto. Therefore, fear not! Here are better ways to make a selfie worth the space online.

Follow the light

Ever wonder why models from magazines look so flawless, even- toned and perfect? Well, behind every photographer, are blazing lights focusing angrily on the model. Pictures loathe shadows, so we must kill yours.
To have a brighter face, turn towards the main light source. Never, ever turn your camera against it. You don’t need studio lights, the window can work its magic, too!

Find Your Angle

Hold your camera and extend your arm and extend your arm out. The farther the camera is, the more you’ll reduce that old sweaty- big- pored pace effect. It can be a little tricky.
Turn your head and find the best angle you have. (Unless you have perfectly sculpted jaws, you really need to search for it.) You never see your “bestest” if you haven’t seen yourself in all angles.

Have Fun Making Statements

Your phone is all yours and you have every right to look stupid in every way you can possibly make. There are thousands of poses, the wink, the thumbs up sign (my best friend’s signature pose), the peace sign (ah, the good old days.), the mirror selfie and the like.
And innocent plea: Do not make duck faces, ever again! They can give me nightmares.

Filters, FTW!

There’s this application called Camera 360. And it has been doing a pretty good job at hiding dark spots, pimples and a lot of imperfections. Plus, the filters are everywhere. They can give you any ambience your please. Camera 360 has made its way through every selfie- er’s heart and it will stay there, forever. Oh please, it has a “Sexy Lips” filter for crying out loud. Need I say more?

When all else fails,

Just smile. It is the best accessory there is. Don’t be like every grumpy woman in every movie ticket booth. Making unlimited versions of yourself is one of the perks of living in the 21st century. So why waste the power, right?


-Guest Barista Czarina-

Image: Sodanie Chea Read more »