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

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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

one weekend date

ready to travel

travel by kielsey featuring deer shirts

owwwwl

nudes by kielsey featuring chanel lipstick

a silver platter of strong hopes

My friends and I were doing this serious talk like someone's gathered us for FGD; and the topics revolved much about how 2012 was like and what are each and everyone's plans and struggles. Being the introvert that I am, I just couldn't open up and tell them how corny we are. But kidding aside, I have had realizations which I keep to myself, pretending I am not paying much attention as I am looking through what songs would fit the discussion. So while I am playing DJ during the talk, it came to me that my set of problems for 2012 which appear to be gravely scary for a lot, and the home situation of another, are just the same. We are given sets of problems. Placed in unruly predicaments that come alongside hate and pain. But our realities and struggles are merely the same. Not in terms of quantity or graveness. The way we deal with things depends on how our realities are served and presented to us.

Year 2012 was one of, if it's not, the toughest years I lived in. And through all the challenges I had to face, I proved myself strong. Oh yeah! It's always as simple as holding on and never giving up. Shine bright like a diamond! Haha But yeah, it makes me proud of every one who deals with their problems with hopes and spirits.

Pretending 2012 as an entity, here is my tribute to the year that served me courses of different emotions, witnessed me laugh and cry, and brought me into a different perspective. You rocked the shiznit out of me, 2012. I love you.

black and white

classy and smart by kielsey featuring a diamond pearl necklace

Saying a big hello with a smile to 2013

feeling the holidays

Christmas Sweaters by kielsey featuring christmas tops

mix for the holidays

Kitty for holidays by kielsey featuring a bow sweater

Untitled #21 by kielsey featuring a pattern dress

a cup of coffee and pan de sal for Filipinos

I never liked the MRT train that we have here. For one, it's crowded and filthy.  It would cause claustrophobia for anyone who is never really claustrophobic. Likewise, it manifests the third world predicament we have.

Last Tuesday proved truth to my statement. I had no choice but to take the MRT train to Cubao. First thing I noticed was the staircase to the station. Aside from it being incredibly steep and long, it was really dirty it stinks. Upon paying for a ticket, I had to line up for checking that took the queue up to the exit/entrance staircase. Once I got to the platform, there's a line that leaves a small space between passing people and the train rail. There's actually a danger for anyone to fall off the platform into the railings. But that's not it, I got inside the train after thoroughly squishing myself and my bags in. As the train door closed, I realized everyone else inside the train is completely immobile.

The Filipino idiom "di mahulugan ng karayom" unfolded right into my eyes. Best part, I was part of the canned sardines. All the minutes I spent trying to move my arm just so my bag wouldn't fall off my shoulder, I was playing images from the life I witnessed during my event which ended just this Monday. My four-day event includes having to be in a place where money doesn't seem like a big deal; where people could afford buying a bag worth 25,000php and not feel the loss of money.

I've been in a place where people don't even realize what's outside their doorsteps. We are in a place where people could buy expensive cars but others had to take the dirty train. We are in a situation where some people could afford a meal for a thousand bucks while others don't even know how foods exist. Technically, we are in a place where some people live rich when the truth is, we are not. We are a country filled with people pretending to be rich. And that thought bugged me for what felt like an eternity though I only spent minutes inside the train. The way others are living out their lives while others have to endure this type of situation everyday doesn't just seem fit.

Maybe it's because we're used to it. With making out with what we have. With the "pwede na yan konting tiis lang makakaraos din" line. But what are we doing?

I, myself, am guilty of indulging with material things and even living way beyond what I should have. Maybe we should just go to the basics. Maybe we should just relish the prospect that in time, things might change. That's a possibility. But still, I am hoping for it.

Realization is a pre-requisite for mobilization. In our own little ways we could reach out to those little less than us. Let's do this for the present and the future.

In time, things would be a lot different. What others had forgotten: dreams for the Philippines buried down with the rest of reformists and heroes who died, will be realized. And everyone will be mobilized to change despite the hypnosis brought about by capitalism and the media. Let's do this for those who have gone, for us and for the next generations to come.

We will go back to the morning routine of kape and pan de sal when we wake up with the sun rising. The trains will be better. The roads will be smoother. The Filipino dreams will be bought back to life.
Because clearly, every morning that comes is a chance to make things better. And we will definitely make our country better. You hold a chance in you.

Wake up, dear kababayan.

here's a treat

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This is open to everyone. Non-likers of our Facebook page will be disqualified. 

Duration: Sept. 7 - Se

pt. 21, 2012 (11:59pm)

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