Author

Carol RHM

in Beauty & Fashion, Fashion Tips

Fashion: Golden Globes 2015 Faves

January 13, 2015

A bit late to the party and admittedly, I wasn’t able to watch it live. Thank goodness for replays and the internet! And of course, I won’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t make a post on my favourite looks. Honestly, I watch award shows not just to find out who wins what but for the fashion as well. Nothing too spectacular about that. All I’m saying is I’m like every other girl who catches the replays and checks out the best/worst dressed lists so I can go ‘oooh’ and ‘aaah’ and ‘eeew’ at people. Pretty normal.

So without further yapping (I should try to be less verbose, right? But really, that just won’t be me.), here are my favourite, favourite looks from the last Golden Globes (cos T&A won’t be hosting next year – and really – who can ever replace those two?!):

1. Emma Stone

Emma Stone, Golden Globes, 2015, Lanvin

Photo from MTV

Surprise! Not. Everyone who knows me personally knows how much I love this girl the moment I saw her on Superbad (Loved her more in Easy A). She is fun, she is quirky, and she has great taste. A couple of friends have told me for years how much I remind them of her cos of the humungous eyes and the quirky personality (in reel and real life) and I’ve always had one reaction to it: I’ll take it! Haha! That’s how much I love this girl. But really, my love (read: bias) for her is not really playing a huge part on her being my number one. Just look at that outfit.

I mean, really. Look at that Lanvin number on her! I practically drooled when I saw it. It’s classy and elegant with just the right amount of oomph to it. It’s crisp and sleek and shiny but not too loud. It’s so many things rolled into one. Damn, girl. I want that on me.

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in Asia

Berjaya Hills: Christmas Getaway Pt 2

January 10, 2015

On Christmas day itself, Alvin and I drove around Berjaya Hills, the complex where the hotel we were staying in – Colmar Tropicale – was located.

I love, love, love the weather in Berjaya Hills! A bit cloudy with just the right amount of chill. Enough for a light jacket or a bit of layering right in the middle of December. And with that kind of weather, it’s so much fun to do some walking/exploring (as opposed to the extremely humid weather in the tropics paired with extra bright sunlight).

We took the car instead of opting for the transport the complex provides as they come in different intervals and will surely take much of our time. We also noticed that the lines waiting for them were pretty long. Holiday = More people.

Japanese Garden

When Alvin told me that we can actually participate in a Japanese tea ceremony near the hotel, I was over the moon. I’m crazy over Japanese history and culture so it was only natural for us to give it a go. 😀

Colmar Tropicale, Hotel, Bukit Tinggi, Berjaya Hills, Japanese Village

Before all that, #OOTD! 🙂 Jacket is from Balmain (a gift), white cami from Forever 21, jeans from Next Jeans (Brand in the Philippines for teens – yes, I can shop still in teens and kids’ sections. Haha!), and sandals from Forever 21. 🙂

The garden was stunning. Not perfectly manicured but that’s what makes it seem natural – real.

Colmar Tropicale, Hotel, Bukit Tinggi, Berjaya Hills, Japanese Garden

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in Diplomatic Incidents, Personal Musings

An Unpopular Opinion on Charlie Hebdo

January 9, 2015

Thought long and hard about this. And as someone who worked for the news, I admit that yesterday, I felt extreme fear and anger over the incident in Paris. So much so that it won’t go away until I wrote down my two cents: Murder is never the answer. An insult also deserves an insult, not a violent retaliation. An eye for an eye.

Meanwhile, freedom of speech – a privilege we enjoy – should be used as a tool to inform, to criticize (constructively), and to inspire change where it is needed. Humor is welcome. To poke fun at some things we find different from what we are used to is a mainstream reaction. But as journalists, we all have the responsibility to use freedom of speech to bridge gaps by giving information rather than widening them. To inspire change where it is needed and not force it on people.

To give laughs (satire) every now and then but know when to stop. Know when it is doing more damage than good. Not just for the muslims but for any other religious or racial group.

This doesn’t mean we’re scared or that we’re ‘toning it down’ for a senseless reason. We must speak the truth and point out what’s wrong. Always. And that should be the number one reason for a report or a cartoon – not to illicit ridicule or to make others feel inferior over one’s values (whatever they may be) that he/she find superior over others.

Bringing together people through understanding how different they are from each other and promoting respect between them is important. Freedom doesn’t mean you can go around insulting everyone just for the sake of it. It means you have the right to an opinion. A constructive one. To go way beyond that and to hide behind this freedom as an excuse for being mean is an abuse of the freedom of speech we enjoy.

Giving constructive criticism is different from promoting ridicule and being mean. You can always argue that to you, it’s valid. You like racist jokes? Go ahead and laugh but keep it to yourself and your friends. If you publish it – for thousands or millions of people to consume, a journalist must ask himself whether what he is sharing to a huge number of people is a responsible piece of journalism or something that will just promote hate and misunderstanding.

Having the freedom of speech doesn’t mean you can go around publishing irresponsible and mean pieces of journalism just cos you are free to do it. If it ain’t helping to share information or promote understanding of an issue (negatively/positively/whatever) – trash it.

By all means, poke fun at the things and people that need to be given a taste of satirical medicine. But will a naked prophet on a compromising position get your point across to someone who you decide to insult (in the most extreme way for them possible)? Or maybe a different funny drawing – one that would not fan the flames of an ongoing problem – could have done it better? Maybe something else that can represent the problem you see in them clearer rather than their prophet in a scandalous position. You insult, enrage, then expect them to understand you. How will they listen to you when you’ve already made them so angry that they are now blind and deaf to what you’re saying? There are other ways to be effective in one’s job. And as journalists we must call a spade for what it is. Those cartoons were made with the intention to enrage some, to illicit condescending laughs, and to sell copies – to inform was just secondary. And this may seem like being too much of an idealist but maybe we should all remember what journalism is all about. While selling more copies is great, shouldn’t your responsibility to the society have more weight?

It’s time we value freedom of speech more. It’s time we put a higher premium on journalism. Do it responsibly. A pen is mightier than a sword (or a gun). Use your might properly.

I entered journ school not to become famous or to be rich (it will and should never happen in journalism!) but with the mindset that maybe my stories can start a small change in the world and inspire a bigger change in the future. Sounds like a boatload of cheese, I know. But Im sure other journalists felt the same way. So we should stick to that. Don’t let yourself be disillusioned by what you see other journos are doing. Be that change.

Once again, murder is never the answer. I hope the gunmen are captured and brought to justice. Murder is an act that is most vile and my heart is broken that these people had to die for their craft and their ideas even though I disagree with them to some extent.

This incident should not dampen the spirits of those who seek to report true and unbiased stories. Journalism is a vocation. The truth can sometimes be expensive – some journalists had to pay for it with their lives. But it’s the life we chose and if we stand for the truth and everything else that matters like peace and the freedom of expression and practicing one’s own religion, then we may be seeing a better world in a nearer future.

I look forward to a world where it is normal for Atheists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and any other religious group to coexist by letting each one do his own thing. “You believe that? That’s weird. But that’s all cool. I believe this. You find me weird. I’m ok with that too. Let’s agree to disagree.” Sounds better, don’t you think? Heck, I want my future kids to live in that kind of world. Too idealist? One can dream. ‪#‎NoToViolence‬ ‪#‎CharlieHebdo‬

P.S. And just so its clear: I have my own opinions about religion and politics. I’m no saint. And I have bias too. But to let your bias make its way to your journalism is irresponsible.

in Asia

Colmar Tropicale: Christmas Getaway Pt. 1

January 7, 2015

For Christmas, Alvin and I took a short drive outside the city to a place called Bukit Tinggi in Pahang, Malaysia. It’s a place en route to the Genting Highlands and is known for a couple of hotels and family-friendly attractions. We stayed there for two nights – one of which was Christmas Eve. We stayed in Colmar Tropicale, a French themed resort-hotel and explored other attractions in the area during our short trip.

Our trip to Colmar Tropicale was the result of my husband’s tireless research for places near the city where we can spend Christmas eve as it was our first away from family and friends. He was able to book the place long before invitations from our friends here in KL to join their families on Christmas Eve. So sweet of them! So we promised them we’ll come join them next year. 🙂

The drive took about an hour from KLCC. It is quite easy to get to with the help of our car’s GPS and Waze. Getting there is also far from boring as the drive can be quite scenic with lots of mountains and lush greenery.

French-themed resort hotel

Located 2,700 feet above sea level and surrounded by acres and acres of trees, the place is definitely cooler than KL and its surrounding areas. At night, it can even be chilly enough for a sweater or a light jacket.

The hotel’s complex is a replica of Colmar, a 16th-century town in France preserved to look the same up to this day. It’s not a perfect replica, of course. But stepping into Colmar Tropicale does feel like going back in time to a small European village where a Disney princess is expected to just come out and belt out a song at any time of day.

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in Diplomatic Incidents, Personal Musings

2015 in Resolutions

January 5, 2015

Ah, that time of the year again when I make promises that intend to keep yet somehow don’t. But still, year after year, I make such a list of things so that I will have something to look back to come the 31st of December and how I fared in life.

The year has started off pretty well for me and I couldn’t be happier.  We had guests over whom Alvin and I love to bits and we were able to see more of Malaysia in the first few days – thanks to my husband’s driving skills and eagerness to find new places we can explore. Such a travel geek, he is and wanderlust me just loves reaping the benefits.

Anyhoo. Resolutions. Here we go.

1. Healthier Carol 2015

I am skinny girl. Always have. Despite junk food being the longest relationship I have ever been in, I have always been an XS, 5’6 and a half girl. Too tall, too skinny. While I used that to my advantage in my earlier years and did a bit of modelling, I realised that health is something I should be working on now that I’m getting older. At 25, I still eat a lot of junk, I sleep pretty late, and I’m still pretty much sedentary despite the once-in-a-while workouts.

So, I plan (like last year) to turn everything around this 2015. I plan to eat healthier – maybe not give up junk entirely because it’s too good for that – more often. Since we moved to Malaysia, Alvin and I have been enjoying MSG free meals. I don’t even cook with it unlike his mom and my grandma in the Philippines (it’s a thing back home). I also promise to choose organic ingredients whenever I cook and introduce more veggies into our diet.

Come to think of it, I’ve already started getting healthier in 2014. I have graduated from a size XS to an S and I actually look and feel better about myself. But this year, it’s time to up the ante.

One more thing is that I promise to go to the gym – Impulse Studio in particular – regularly. Skinny and firm won’t last forever unless I work on it. I’m aiming for a toned body with a stronger core. So watch out for that here on the blog. I will be writing more about my road to fitness soon! 🙂

2. Write more

Ah, the resolution that has been written down over and over for the last decade. I do write. Not a day goes by without a couple of sentences written down as writing is my life. But with a blog, 3 book ideas in the pipeline, and the occasional “Hmm, should I write this for Rappler?” Or “Should I send this over to (insert name of international magazine/newspaper here)?”, sometimes, time just gets the best of me.

There’s too much to write that my fingers can’t keep up with my thoughts and sometimes, with the busy schedule here in KL, there’s just no time to grab my laptop, sit in a quiet corner, and start typing. Yes, I am one of those writers who can’t write when it’s noisy. Ok, scratch that. I can write under any circumstance but of course, it won’t be as good as I hope it to be (I am my worst critic). I value my output and would rather not go for templated, advertorial sounding articles, thank you very much. Be it just here in my blog or in any publication.

So this year, I – once again – am planning to work harder in making some sweet time for my writing.

3. Best Wife Ever Year 2

We all enter marriages as different people. In fact, I believe that there’s not one single couple out there that is entirely perfect for each other. Alvin and I are polar opposites and I admit that between the two of us, I am the stubborn/loud/hard-headed/sungit/taray/bitchy one. Hihi. He admits that he finds it endearing and who would really want to end up with someone who just nods and says yes to everything that you say anyways?

And no, I do not plan to change that side of me ever. After all, that’s what makes Carol, Carol. Opinionated, passionate, stubborn. So my resolution that’s in relation to this is to be more patient and open to accepting that not all people are alike. I think I’m doing pretty well in this department already but still, it hasn’t reached second nature level to me yet.

Alvin is logical and pragmatic while I am emotional and creative. Come to think of it, we make a perfect team by complementing each other. Growing up as ‘technically’ an only child, I have a hard time accepting when things are not done my way. But this 2014, I realised that there are a lot of things I need help with. Yes, I do see myself as a strong woman and I’m definitely a feminist but it’s nice to have help and your husband’s opinion especially if he sees things differently – it makes you see things and solutions at a whole new perspective. Then you two can weigh things and pick (or combine) the solution for certain challenges in life. (Ours include usually home improvement and decorating discussions)

I am glad to report, however, that my husband and I should win model couple of the year. 😉 Instead of fighting over petty and even big things that we don’t agree on, we are so good at talking it out. A is what he wants, B is what I want, we do C which is a combo of A and B because we realise it’s better. I gush at how often the phrase “better together” comes to mind. But of course there are times when we have to do it his way or my way – depending on the situation and whose idea fits the situation better. Our discussions do take a while and arguments and evidence are usually presented (married to a lawyer, ladies and gentlemen) but everything is ironed out in the end, we even realise how mentally stimulating it is even if it’s a topic that’s more on the emotional side.

4. Get (even) better at cooking and baking

Ah, cooking. My husband has been very happy with my cooking so far and I only intend to get better. I’m also planning to focus more on cooking Filipino dishes and making sure that they look nice on a plate – which can be a challenge. Our cuisine is mostly brown and murky on the outside (but heaven in your mouth, trust me!) so presenting it to people who are not familiar with them can be quite a challenge. I’ll let you know how it goes. 😉

Oh and my baking is definitely going uphill. When a friend once told me that I might find baking hard to do, that scared me. But no. Really! You just read instructions and follow them! Once you get the theory and if you use common sense in what tastes good with what, then you’re bound to be stellar at it. Really. So yes, my neighbours should expect more sweet goodies from me.

5. Learn to drive

While I already got the basics (I can drive a manual car and do turns now!) thanks to my husband who taught me how before leaving for KL, I’m gonna have to take formal lessons so I can get a license here and start driving myself around.

While I do love being driven around by my husband when do some exploring in and out of the city, it would be nice if I can be his sub during long drives. That way, we can go further from KL and see more of Malaysia! Also, it would be nice if I can drive myself to the gym instead of taking a cab. 😀

6. Learn to swim

Ah, a dream since childhood that never came to be as time was always elusive. I was always doing something else during the summer. Different activities when I was a child, partying when I was in high school and college. I love the beach and the water so it’s time we try to get in tune with each other. (It rhymes!)

My neighbour Karen, who’s the wife of one of Alvin’s colleagues, plans to take the lessons with me this summer! Yay!

7. Learn to tone it down

I am passionate. About a lot of things. When I dislike something or someone, I go all out. In fact, I never do anything half-assed. However, when it comes to negativity, I should learn to disengage myself. When someone does one of my friends wrong, I should offer support but not lash out. There have been times when I was even angrier than the person who was wronged. Lol. I should start calling this blog Undiplomatic rather than Almost Diplomatic.

My best friend even calls me her “attack dog”. You see, I just can’t take it when people hurt or say mean things to and about the people I love. Especially when they themselves are not the ones who are more likely to fight back. So, to keep the peace on earth, I will now just offer support and not get too involved in the negativity other people experience. I am flattered that people often seek my advice when they face challenges in love or even conflict. But from now on, I will just give advice and not let the negative vibes get to me. I will also increase my intake on positive vibes. Come to think of it, I am now a very happy person (contrary to the chronic resting bitch face I’ve always had up until 2010). I smile a lot and I am extremely friendly. I plan to stick to that while making sure I don’t let the negativity that sometimes makes it way to my mood get to me.

So now that this has been documented, let’s see how I’ll be doing in the next 11 months.

More later!

Love,

Carol

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in Diplomatic Incidents, Personal Musings

Thank You, 2014!

December 31, 2014

It’s just a few hours before we bid goodbye to 2014. My, my. How fast time flies.

The past year has been very good to Alvin and I. It was a year of firsts, adventures, and (good) changes that will affect our lives forever. And we couldn’t be any more thankful for all the blessings we got this year.

I am thankful for family. This year, I feel that even though Alvin and I moved to a different country, our families remain to be closer than ever. His parents visited us and my side of the family will also be visiting in the first quarter of 2015. We are happy to spend time with them here in KL – our ‘home’ for the next couple of years.

I am thankful for old friends and how technology makes distance irrelevant. Despite leaving Manila last June, I remain very close to my good friends. I see photos of my godchildren on Facebook so I won’t feel that they grew up too fast. My friends keep me in the loop of what’s happening to them and are always ready to hear about my day. I am also thankful that friends are actually willing to spend just to see us and make sure I don’t miss them too much. Right now, we have one of our favourite couples from Manila spending the New Year here and more of our friends are planning to come see us by mid-2015! Yay!

http://instagram.com/p/xRW2OkCqQi/

I am thankful for the new friends we have made and look forward to making more this year!

I am thankful for opportunities that came my way and I am so excited for the things that will be coming this 2015. 😀 Some are already ironed out, while there are more on the pipeline. 🙂 There was a time when I thought that I might feel unproductive without an everyday, regular job. But really, that hasn’t happened the past 6 months and it looks like I will only get even busier. No complaints here! 😀

I am thankful that the powers that be have been good to us during our move and adjustments here in Malaysia. So far the posting has been nothing but pleasant and everybody at the embassy and the people we’ve met here have been nice to us. Finding a home, a car, and anything we needed here has been a breeze.

I am thankful for my husband for being the best he could be. Sweet (in his own, adorkable way), responsible, usually patient with my whims and crazy moments, and always caring. He always thinks of how to keep me smiling and comes up with trips and things to do (within the city and out) to keep my wanderlust in its A-game. Thank you for making me your priority and making me feel like a princess. Keep at it. This 2015 and the rest of all your years! Lol.

And lastly, I am thankful for you. Thank you for reading this blog of mine. I hope you get something out of my musing and the things that I share with you. I am loving every minute of writing here and I hope you’ll stay with me longer.

And with that, I shall end this quick blog post to go and celebrate with my husband and our friends. I hope you guys have a wonderful New Year!

More later.

Love, Carol

in Diplomatic Incidents, Events

Events: Embassy Christmas Party

December 23, 2014

Our first embassy Christmas party at post and we loved every bit of it. Personally, I love the embassy events where we all get together and become one big family – eating together, sharing stories. In fact, I always feel that way whenever I drop by the embassy on a normal work day. Everybody is so welcoming and nice.

I love how in this embassy, ranks don’t really matter too much. You don’t hear officers belittling their staff or making them feel inferior – in person, in social media, and everywhere else. And there are no complaints from the staff about their bosses. Everybody works well with each other and whatever professional differences they encounter on a day-to-day basis, at the end of the day, people chalk it up to work experience and do not take it personally. It really is like a being in a big family where you find comfort despite being far away from home. We have each other to talk to, laugh with, and even share homesickness.

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in Diplomatic Incidents, Expat Life, Home, KL Shopping, KL Tips

Expat Life: First Christmas in Malaysia (Christmas Trees & Holiday Shopping Tips)

December 19, 2014

It’s 6 days before Christmas! And while I think I’ve sort of outgrown Christmas (unlike my husband who is so adorably excited for this season), I must admit that it still brings a lot of happy memories from my childhood.

But come to think of it, it’s actually pretty weird to be in a country where not every corner is lit up with Christmas lights. Not hearing Christmas songs from your neighbours’ place is also a bit disconcerting. I find myself even forgetting that it’s just a few days till Christmas. 😛

So being the Catholic Filipinos that we are, we got ourselves a plastic tree as soon as Halloween was over. No, we’re not cuckoo. In the Philippines, Christmas trees are up as early as September – I kid you not. And when people go and live abroad, we do try to make sure we settle in just fine. One of the ways to adapt to a new country is to make your new home actually feel like ‘home’. Not really a replica of your home country but you just bring in traditions and little things that remind you of where you really are from.

Where to get your Christmas Tree

At that time, my husband was sort of frantic – asking people where we can get a tree. He was so determined to bring Christmas cheer into our new home, he was asking people from the embassy who have been here in Kuala Lumpur longer where we can get our own Christmas tree as early as October. So just in case people haven’t gotten their trees until now, and for future reference to those who will be looking, these were the answers that we got:

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Asia Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz, Stylo, 2014
in Beauty & Fashion, Diplomatic Incidents, Events, Fashion

Events + Fashion: Mercedes Benz Stylo Asia Fashion Week Favourites

December 18, 2014

Last October – yes, October! This post is so late! – I attended the Mercedes Benz Stylo Asia Fashion Week here in Kuala Lumpur with some of my husband’s colleagues from the embassy. Our Consul General, my friend Johann who’s a Vice Consul just like my husband, and Ms Gigi who’s the embassy’s trade attache. No, my husband wasn’t with us as the seats allotted for the embassy were limited – and let’s face it. I’m of more use at a fashion show than he is. And he knows that. So he willingly stayed at home for some guy/alone time. Who says the wife is just an accessory to the diplomat? Hmm? 😉

Just to warn you, this is going to be a picture heavy post. I’d keep the text down to a minimum and just share photos of my favourite pieces from each collection that we saw. And a bit of side stories here and there. Cos really – would you want me yapping about cuts and silhouettes and colours and patterns instead of just checking out the photos? 😛

 ALBERT ANDRADA (Philippines)

(Related: Albert Andrada wins ‘Most Connected Designer’ award at Asia Fashion Week)

Albert Andrada, Asia Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz, Stylo, 2014

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in Diplomatic Incidents, Events

Events: Filipino Community Gathering in Sitiawan, Perak

December 10, 2014

Skipping some of the events I had to write about (I’m so late! Some of them happened weeks and weeks ago!) to write a shortie something about what happened just last Friday. Something very heart warming.

A good percentage of the Filipino population work abroad. Almost everyone in the Philippines has at least one relative who left the country for what they often call as ‘better opportunities’. Admittedly, our people have yet to feel the tangible effects of our growing economy and it makes me hopeful that this would be the start of Filipinos abroad going home without fear whether they will be earning enough for their families if they took a job in their home country.

It might take a couple of years more. But really, I’m looking forward to it. I’ve seen enough families torn apart by the diaspora. Children growing up without their mothers who had to go abroad to take care of the children of other people so she can earn money for her kids’ education back at home. I had a friend whose father never made it to any of her graduations as he was working as an engineer in the Middle East. They had money to send her all the way to college and to finish her Master’s Degree but alas, he was old when he got home and he died a few years later. The times they spent apart was something they can never bring back.

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