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in Almost Diplomatic on Print, Diplomatic Incidents, Uncategorized

Column: How did I even get here? And other questions I often ask myself

If you’ve been following me on my social media channels like Instagram, you prolly already know that I started a column with The Manila BulletinIt’s one of the major broadsheets in the country and I’m so happy to have space in their Lifestyle Section every Saturday. So if I haven’t been writing here much, you know where to find me. 😉 Here’s an excerpt from the first column I wrote for the paper – an introduction to Almost Diplomatic and how I ended up here. 

A diplomat’s wife and her stories from this world of envoys and their spouses or their dogs

“This fork is for your salad course, this one’s for dessert,” I found myself telling a woman not much younger than I was at one of Kuala Lumpur’s swanky restaurants. We were invited to have afternoon tea and the waitstaff were kind enough to bring out more cutlery than necessary when we asked for them. Their sole purpose was to enrich our discussion. It was 2016 and I’d been abroad for two years as a diplomat’s wife. My companion, a fellow freelance journalist, was interested in things that I should know for my said role. It’s how our conversation on proper dining started. She looked at me inquisitively. “How do you know all these? Do you eat like this at home? Do they teach you these in school?”

At home in Berlin with Juancho (@juanchothecorgi)

I admitted that I merely picked them up along the way, that I only brought out all manner of cutlery when we would host people at home and that no–they didn’t teach you these things in journ school.

While protocol and etiquette have always been interesting, they’re things you have to either learn extensively or pick up along the way. Goodness knows I only learned the difference between wine glasses three years prior to that conversation. I studied to be a journalist and while learning the difference between writing for print and broadcast, cutlery for formal dinners was never mentioned. Not all students end up in the diplomatic beat, after all.

Having a beer in one of Prague’s monasteries.

I grew up middle class and attended university to become a journalist. It’s all I ever wanted to be while growing up, watching TV with a hairbrush in my hand as my microphone, imitating Christiane Amanpour. “I’ll be her but with better hair,” eight-year-old me once said. I wasn’t brought up to be overly polite, you see. I was brought up to be competitive and do well in the career I would eventually choose. Classic Asian-tiger parenting.

I’ve been lucky to meet people from all walks of life and learn from them as a journalist, as a diplomat’s wife, and even as just a woman with her dog, waiting for the train from Charlottenburg to Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin.

A year after graduating, I found myself covering foreign affairs for a local English news channel. I’d interview diplomats about their time and work here as well as senior foreign ministry officials, usually about our country’s maritime and territorial disputes—hot topics during that time. At night, I attended diplomatic events with my fellow reporters where I learned through observation. Things like the difference between appetizers and hors d’oeuvres, why I shouldn’t have offered my hand to the Iranian ambassador, and the acceptable volume of one’s laugh. Spoiler alert: Mine went way over than what was pleasant to the ears.
8 Myths About the Life of a Diplomatic Spouse

There are fun events but that’s NOT the ONLY thing we do.

A former foreign minister loved to tell me to take the Foreign Service Officers’ (FSO) exam and his deputies often echoed his sentiments. I did toy with the idea but never got around to it, knowing that leaving journalism would be rather heartbreaking for me. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t. Goodness knows how much trouble I’d cause as I had this terrible habit of not knowing when to stop talking. Thank goodness that’s under control now.

Continue reading Almost Diplomatic over at The Manila Bulletin

in Expat Life, Manila, Manila What to Do, Uncategorized

Recycling in Manila: From Single Use Plastic to the Victims of Decluttering

By now, almost everyone has heard of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report on climate change. If you haven’t, click here to watch a quick summary. Long story short, we’re the problem. And, there’s just too many of us. For a while now, I’ve been quietly looking for and learning ways to help out by lessening my emissions. I also have some mentors who have been so helpful in this journey of sustainably lowering my carbon footprint without sacrificing too much of the lifestyle I enjoy or making it too inconvenient.

Recycling and cutting down on our plastic waste is one of the most straightforward ways to lower our emissions. While I do try to avoid single-use plastic, there are some establishments both here and abroad, that still use them for their packaging. At the same time, it’s quite difficult to give up on the convenience it brings. Let’s be honest here.

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11 Things You Should Know About Having a Dog in Berlin, Germany - Almost Diplomatic - Corgi - Juancho the Corgi - Dogs of Berlin - Pet Owners - Owning a Dog - Pet - Haustier
in Berlin, Expat Life, Pets in Berlin, Uncategorized, Video

VIDEO: 11 Things You Should Know About Having a Dog in Germany

Finally coming out with this one! I’ve been wanting to put together a video about having a dog in Germany and now it’s finally here. It’s so different from how we do it in Asia and the rest of the world so I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who was surprised when they heard about these things the first time. There are rules, taxes, and even insurance!

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in Personal Musings, Uncategorized

That Extremely Late Year Ender

When it comes to year ender posts, this has got to be one of the last that will come out. However, I still wanted to do it for reasons that are quite sentimental.

The past year was indeed something a lot of people would like to forget. I admit that there were some things that did leave me feel gutted despite being physically (and somehow even figuratively) detached from them. Like the deaths of Carrie Fisher and Alan Rickman as well as news of violence all over the world and of course, there’s politics – but I wouldn’t go into that anymore.

Despite all of those things, 2016 ended up being good year for me personally. It was a year that brought me a lot of good things. From my career to my relationships, it’s been pretty great and I’m nothing short of thankful.

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in Beauty & Fashion, Expat Life, KL What to Do, KL Where to Go, Uncategorized

Kuala Lumpur’s Perfect Zen Hideaway: EOS Wellness (Discount code inside!)

If you know me personally, you must have seen how stressed I have been the past couple of weeks.

Events, write-ups for news sites I work for, marketing work, some freelance work with the United Nations (which I finished today, yay!), diplomat’s wife duties, and there’s also The Binge. 😉  Of course, I’m not complaining. My career is on a pretty good roll, and I’ve never been this fit. Alvin has been constantly reminding me to slow down though since I’m quite overworked. He is kinda right.

My eye bags looked more like luggage and I’ve been experiencing some back pain despite my regular workouts. 😭  My brain is constantly on overdrive that sometimes I even dream of work! I truly needed a moment of relaxation as my husband suggested!

EOS Wellness invited me over just in time and I swear, I made the right choice to squeeze it into my already-packed schedule. A lot of times, we just need to hit the pause button and just relax. I needed a full on reboot and I got it that day in the couple of hours that I spent there.

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in Diplomatic Incidents, Personal Musings, Uncategorized

Expat Life: On Making Friends and the Struggle for Something of My Own

It’s always a lot harder to do this when you’re older, no? But let me back track a little.

When I first moved to KL with my husband, I would have to admit that while I was looking forward to our new adventure, I found myself feeling sad during the first few months. This is probably the first time I am ever talking about this. But I guess, it’s time.

I was in a different country with no friends, no job to keep me occupied, and nothing to do for the first few months except scour the internet for interior design inspirations and trying to nail down a ‘look’ for our new home. A job that I was even sharing with my husband who also has a passion for interior design and homeware. (A post on this later, I promise)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCDPy3eiqeV/

I won’t say I was homesick as I have always been very capable of adapting to a new place. I didn’t get the urge to hop on a plane back to Manila and I was hell bent on making it through whatever it was that I was feeling.

It’s the first few weeks or months where you have nothing to keep you busy that are the hardest. I was on my phone a lot – a lot more than usual – bugging my closest friends from home and egging them on to tell me about what’s been happening back home. I was in the mall a lot during office hours, window shopping by myself and thinking to myself – for the first time ever – that it would be nice to have a friend around.

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Carrera Y Carrera, Jewellery, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Starhill Gallery, Spanish,
in Expat Life, KL Shopping, Kuala Lumpur, Uncategorized

Art + Jewellery: Carrera Y Carrera’s Exquisite Pieces

 

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I know a lot of you out there are on the hunt for the perfect gift for your long-time special someone and I think I have just the right suggestions.

I actually have this gift-giving philosophy that I just want to share since we’re on the topic of romantic gifts. Personally, I don’t believe in giving extravagant presents at the start of a new relationship. (That’s why I said ‘long-time’ special someone earlier)

Gifts, I believe, should get better in time because they symbolise all the work and effort you’ve been putting in your relationship. During the beginning, it’s always sunshine and rainbows but as the years go by and once you get married, you will definitely encounter challenges making life harder and being together a challenge.

A friend of mine, who has been married a long time, recently said something along the lines of “People nowadays gush over hardships after one year anniversaries. I want to hear what they have to say on their 15th.”

To me, gifts aren’t about the price tag as well. It’s about what you can afford without breaking the bank and veering away from your priority expenses as well as the meaning that it comes with. BUT for long-time couples who can afford to splurge or for those that are celebrating special milestones this year, I think my recent visit to the Carrera Y Carrera store in Starhill Gallery might be interesting.

I was invited to check out their current collections. The Spanish jewellery brand has been here in Malaysia for a while now providing beautiful, handmade pieces.

img_2845-1_zpszfxpmxsv

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Paris, Travel, France, Versailles, Chateau de Versailles, Marie Antoinette, Europe, 2015, Summer, Paris during summer, Summer Versailles,
in Uncategorized

Travel: Château de Versailles

We reserved the first half of our last day in France for a short trip to Château de Versailles. Seems fitting doesn’t it? Also, considering the itinerary my husband drew up for our Paris trip, it seemed better to venture out of the city on our last day.

I’ve always been fascinated by this place – even before the public’s whole Marie Antoinette obsession that followed the release of Sofia Coppola’s movie. Side note: Didn’t like the movie. It lacked character development. Great shots and soundtrack though. Also, Kirsten Dunst was perfect for the role.

There’s just something so intriguing about this palace. From its grandeur, the lavish lifestyle of its former inhabitants, and for it being the setting of their downfall as well. It actually makes you want to wish that the walls can talk.

To this day, the château remains to be a symbol of France’s absolute monarchy or what they call the ‘old regime’.

Paris, Travel, France, Versailles, Chateau de Versailles, Marie Antoinette, Europe, 2015, Summer, Paris during summer, Summer Versailles,

Getting there:

The easiest way is by taking the RER train (not the Metro) to the Versailles Rive Gauche station. From there, the palace is only a short walk. There will be maps all over the station.

Tickets:

It’s best to book your tickets online as lines outside the palace are horrendous. Especially if you’re visiting in the summer. We were lucky that it was starting to get cold during our visit so we didn’t end up sweating and burning under the sun while we waited to get inside, tickets in hand. We stood in line for about 15 minutes which isn’t so bad though. But of course, on warmer days, the wait will definitely be longer. A ticket that will take you through the palace and the gardens is at 15 Euros. This price also includes the audio guide. If you want to enter the Trianon estates, there will be extra fees.

The château

Located about 20 kilometres from Paris, Versailles used to be a sleepy village but nowadays, its a bit of a posh suburb. Louis XIII had a hunting lodge built in this area but it was later on expanded and renovated by the Kings that followed him: Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.

Paris, Travel, France, Versailles, Chateau de Versailles, Marie Antoinette, Europe, 2015, Summer, Paris during summer, Summer Versailles,

Paris, Travel, France, Versailles, Chateau de Versailles, Marie Antoinette, Europe, 2015, Summer, Paris during summer, Summer Versailles,

Paris, Travel, France, Versailles, Chateau de Versailles, Marie Antoinette, Europe, 2015, Summer, Paris during summer, Summer Versailles,

Paris, Travel, France, Versailles, Chateau de Versailles, Marie Antoinette, Europe, 2015, Summer, Paris during summer, Summer Versailles,

The château has indeed come a long way from its stone and brick hunting lodge days. It’s the epitome of grandeur – with art and gold leafing in almost every corner, painted ceilings, intricate sculptures, and lavish furniture. It can be overwhelming.

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in Uncategorized

Travel: Paris Streets and Shops, Notre Dame Cathedral, Shakespeare & Co., Sacré Cœur, Montmartre (Paris Day 3)

One of the things I love about Paris is the abundance of interesting stores and cafés that can be found in its various streets and alleys. They’re like little surprises.

France, Travel, Paris, Europe, Holiday, Summer, Paris Streets, Paris Shops,

France, Travel, Paris, Europe, Holiday, Summer, Paris Streets, Paris Shops,

Caught window shopping by the husband. 😉

If you’re a fan of luxury bags, there are a LOT of stores selling pre-loved ones all over Paris. Lili Rose Luxury in Rue Dauphine actually offers pretty good deals. However, if you’re from Asia, I’d say the shops in Tokyo still offer better prices. 😉

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France, Travel, Paris, Europe, Holiday, Summer, Paris Streets, Paris Shops, River Seine,

France, Travel, Paris, Europe, Holiday, Summer, Paris Streets

France, Travel, Paris, Europe, Holiday, Summer, Paris Streets, Paris Shops, Paris Streets, Love Locks, Love Locks Paris, Pont des Artes,

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