Train stories and Food trips: Diverse Asian Races that’s in Malaysia

What I like most about Malaysia is that Indians, Muslims, Chinese and Malays can ride the train altogether and not create a fuss about it. Malaysia holds a mélange of cultures and beliefs, yet people have room for respect to what makes each race unique.

Our trip to Kuala Lumpur is extra special as it was the post-birthday celebration of my mom, and it’s Elise’ first trip out of the country. Our four-day trip involved on-the-day planning and tiresome walks because we have a baby with us.

It’s both fun and challenging to discover ways on how to get to your destination without the help of a tour guide. From airport, we took the KLIA Ekspres that took us more or less thirty minutes to KL Sentral, hub of all train lines in Kuala Lumpur.  From there we rented a car to take us to Titiwangsa where our condo is.

On our second day after we went to Genting Highlands, we visited Bukit Bintang and went to Jalan Alor. You could take a cab or ride the train to get there and to leave the place. Jalan Alor is a long stretch of busy street offering Malaysian street food and delicacies. It was my favorite part of the trip honestly. Nothing beats going into a non-urban street and try local food. What you may see as something smoked-filled and noisy is actually a food heaven. Locals, tourists of every nation and even cars keep the street busy and crowded. But it makes it the street more fun and alive. 

We tried Restoran Yan for lack of time to visit more stalls. The place didn’t fail me. Their satay, mee goreng and tea tarik are just superb. It’s just the right blend of spicy and sweet. 

Chicken Satay that comes with peanut sauce

Oh, the place is ideal for kids too. They have highchairs available and smoke from their grill is far from their tables. We would’ve stayed longer if we are not tired and if we still have time.

Elise is feeling comfy in her high chair

My mom and sister enjoying every bite

You can find almost everything in Jalan Alor. There are a few stalls for souvenirs you can take home. We make it a point to buy ref magnets of every place we’ve been to. It’s like a map of all the places we’ve visited. 

Malaysia did well in keeping up with the fast paced urbanization while protecting and keeping its culture. Malaysia’s rich culture and fine taste for food is evident in Kuala Lumpur. Now I’m planning to visit more Asian countries for the next years. It definitely paved way for me to explore other countries close to my own. 

Holiday Shoe Gift Ideas

Shoe love by kielsey featuring combat boots

Hollister Co. shoes, 2,210 PHP / Zara low heel shoes, 3,980 PHP / Nature Breeze combat boots / Miz Mooz oxford flat, 4,425 PHP / Oxford wingtip shoes, 1,770 PHP / Ancient Greek Sandals open toe flat, 8,185 PHP / Dr. Martens black shoes, 4,425 PHP / White slip on shoes, 2,920 PHP / Vans lace up shoes, 2,435 PHP

Yes, I won't mind receiving any of these :)

sweet street by kielsey featuring short skirts

Cashmere sweater, 5,220 PHP / Short skirt, 1,080 PHP / Lace-up boots, 2,520 PHP / 3 1 Phillip Lim backpacks bag, 48,675 PHP / Wet Seal statement necklace, 555 PHP / Wildfox Couture sunglasses, 7,480 PHP

when all else fails: for the Filipino people

The storm that passed broke the hearts, spirits and souls of many Filipinos. Realizations, regrets and frustrations overflow. Nevertheless, the ‘what-we-could-have-done’ thoughts are present - playing in and haunting our minds continuously. Despite days of advise from the government, from PAGASA, from our family and friends, things happen, whether we like it or not. Whether we expect it or not. And there could never be enough room and preparation when calamity comes.

But it happens.

And when it does, when questions arise as to where we could start and how could we pick up pieces and rebuild the broken fragments of our homes – the destructed mass of earth, steel and wood, we all look at the painful junk art the typhoon has created from sea, mud and chaos. Everything is a total wreck.

The typhoon obliterated not just our lands, but our hearts, wherever we are. Our hearts bleed. People lost their loved ones tragically. My heartache could never compare to those who lost more than their homes and properties.

People, including our own, may find ways to bring Filipinos down. Yes, we are poor. We lack rescuing equipment; we failed to construct enough and adequate relief and evacuation centers. Victims desperate for help and comfort resort to looting and thievery. We have people to blame and persons to point. But nonetheless, we can never go back.  We can only move forward.

But I trust the Filipino spirit. I believe in the now famous “where I’m from everyone’s a hero” statement. I trust in the Filipino spirit, - to the Filipinos who survived three foreign supremacies four centuries ago. Though many a cynic with imperial corruption, though others might try to horde and take what’s not theirs, I trust in the Filipino spirit.

This is a battle fought by millions of people, and this would still be a battle for all Filipinos with compassionate impetus to help.  Over and over again, from piles of corpses to cries of those who were left, we will stand still. 

sweater weather

sweater weather by kielsey featuring roxy handbags

mix and match

mix n' match by kielsey featuring a winter white skirt

print and print by kielsey featuring a lip stick