**Disclaimer:** These are pictures from last week. I am recovering well.

In recent months, I have gone through symptoms of exhaustion and stress that caused me Gastroesophageal reflux and persistent nerve problems. While I spare you the details, I want to share how a visit from my friend, a servant of God, unshackled my perspective.

I became consumed by my current struggles and the themes of my first published book, which felt suffocating amidst the facts, real characters, and its relevance today. This fixation affected me deeply, especially as I received messages from people sharing similar hardships. I was overwhelmed by tragedy and negative news.

During her visit, while I was hospitalized, my friend Tracy, a servant of God,  said something that struck me: "We often talk about our ten percent tithe, but what about dedicating ten percent of our time to God through prayer, reading, watching uplifting movies, and spending time with supportive friends?" 

I realized I had been investing my energy and time in worldly pursuits. 

While some of these activities seemed beneficial, I questioned how reading a single Bible passage on my way out the door would impact my growth. What kind of growth could I expect, and how could I find the strength and fuel to keep going and fulfill my purpose?

So here I am. As I improve my physical health, I am also starting to make changes with my "tithe" of time dedicated to God. I trust that He has ordered my steps.

PS: Thank you, Tracy, for your time and words. My husband for standing by my side through my ups and downs. Also to my bestfriend, Yosefine, thank you for being there ALL THE WAY. 

How has your diet changed the past... eeerrr year?

Years of training for marathons have blessed me with quite a good metabolism. But, like most things in 2020, diet and lifestyle are having some major unfavourable shifts. Eeks!

I am not bothered with a slight weight gain, I know that slowly I can shed if off. So many people are struggling for their lives now so adding that as a reason to be depressed seems ungrateful. One time, I heard my friend talking on the phone saying this to her sister "If we survived this pandemic with some extra weight, it means we are one of the lucky ones." 

ps: Here's a relatable illustration for us to smile about. But of course, try to hit the road, yoga mat, or tennis court every other day. 

It will keep our emotional state in balance.

by Grace Farris

Three's a Charm; Three Easy Tips

We all know that health (physical and mental) is key to absolute happiness. But honestly it took me years to realize it!

Therefore, as someone who is determined to continue learning, I am sharing a few fun facts/tips that may be useful for others to read.

But first, need I remind you that this is nothing like a fashion blogger post. Because judging from my pose here... I cannot be one.

How to Look Chic

"Forget following the trend and stick with what is working for you." is the oldest trick in the book. And I love to obey. But throwing a little bit of trend here and there wont hurt. As long as  know how to carry yourself with it. If you do not have the body for a high-waist jeans and not sure if you can wear them, do not bother trying. BUT, if you want to wear them anyway, be confident about it. The way you stand will reflect in how comfortable you are and that should result in how chic you look. Or not. My friend Judith Kirana does not have that "Ideal size 10" but boy was she a stunner at all times!

At a photo shoot and being used for lighting test.

Three's a Charm: On Panties, Make up, and PMS

A reader emailed me suggesting lighter and more feminine, personal topics for my posts. I thought about it for a while and let my draft hanging before discussing it with a dear friend. 

Loving the discussion, I then come up with the three topics below. 

Let's talk girly!

On Panties:

I love... ahem... lingerie shopping. When I am dating someone, the pleasure might kick up a notch but the main reason is simply because wearing cute, pretty, matching underwear makes me feel sexy, feminine and playful. Yes, funny for me saying this for I have renowned as a straight-face-b*tch. Thongs by far is my fave, as VPL is a no-no for ladies. And they make you look really good from... well, behind. Lacey is pretty too, especially if you wear matching bra, or bralette. And no, you do not have to have Alessandra Ambrosio's bod to rock that pink leopard g-string.

I have no personal memory with any of my collections but having heard of my friends' experience, most of them will throw away any lingerie that holds memory of one particular man the second they broke up. 

On a less sexier note, there's this one type of panties that most ladies would try to avoid (but maybe secretly swear by its comfort). That is... the cursed-you-better-not-be-seen-by-your-man-wearing-them period (a.k.a grandma) panties! Yes, the cotton made ,very supportive panties that gives such comfort to your bloated belly by hugging them just right during that time of the month.

I do not have any advice on what to do to historic underwear. But, here's a solution to avoid feeling horribly not sexy when you have to wear period panties: get cute prints!

What's your yay and nay on underwear? Any lingerie that's so memorable for you because of its conquest with someone? Do you talk about this with your partner?

On Make up:

Because I am nothing like any cover girl that looks adorable in their #Iwokeuplikethis instagram post, I wear make up everyday. The must items are just the basic moisturized and light BB cream by L'OCCITANE (note: always go one tone darker), dark brown eye liner, eye brow pencil, and lipstick; this pop pink peony for day time and two ton tomato red for evening wear. I only apply blush on and mascara when I feel the need to dress up, which explains why my Tarte cheek -Amazonian clay (only 26USD!) and mascara can last for about a year... bad or good?! I barely put eye-shadow as I always feel like my face is a painter's palette when I do. Any advice?

For daily routine, I just wash my face with soap. And by soap, I mean any kind of soap. And even though I keep trying to discipline myself to apply night cream before going to bed... I keep forgetting the ritual. This, is the reason why I have 3 jars of night cream in my dresser. But I drink tons of water everyday, and I do not smoke as I can see how much it will add years to your skin. So I think I am not that bad anyway.

Will I ever respond to the calling of botox when I get older? Well I hope not, but maybe I would try putting some neck cream every now and then from now on. 

On PMS.

Oh boy. How many times have you heard someone saying "Oh, it must be that time of the month." when you snap, or putting on a long face or when you're unleashing the inner monster in you. Period is just a sign of women' s body doing its function, and it involves hormones talking (sometimes raging). But girlfriends, let us stop making this as an excuse. "I am PMSing, so do not mess with me." or "I am in shark mode, so understand if I am rude."

There are certain diets and or exercise that we can practice to minimize the pain, and to make us feel less cranky, bloated and shark-like. I praise on painkillers when the cramp is unbearably bad. But let's face it, women from many generations before us did not make this as an excuse to not discover radium, or to not becoming a legendary writer (think Harper Lee who just announced her 2nd book at the age of 88). I also doubt that female astronauts whine about period cramps. And let us not mention Margaret Thatcher. 

The only time that we can make PMS as an excuse is when we want to order two desserts *wink.

It may be a wishful thinking to hope that one day no one will ever say that annoying line, but at least, for me... If I am being a b*tch to you, it's because I do not like you. Does not matter if I am shedding blood down there or not. 
Period.

Read this 7 years ago and will re read this year.

Women's Ideal Body Types Throughout History

Apple bosom, pear shape, or skinny legs. Curvy, hour glass, flat chested, slim waist.

You are beautiful.

Three's a Charm; On woman's body, sexual orientation and career

Remember this Three's A Charm feature I used to diligently post?
Good to be back now, today, with three random stuffs I hope you can leisurely read.

On my very own body.

Truth be told. I used to feel bad about my not so toned belly, chubby cheeks, and my somewhat flat a$$. Yep, I typed them. Thanks to countless of bottoms up G&T (try count the calories!) and nasi padang and late-night peanut butter sandwiches (sometimes, just sometimes, with Nutella).

Now, I do not care that much. I am healthy, have a good appetite and can actually eat almost anything I want. I do not have Gisele Bündchen's legs but I kick 5km of asphalt every morning, and I can still sport my bikini. 
And let's be honest...no one... no one is really paying attention to you at the beach (you are not Kate Upton). So why the fuss?

So... It saddens me how women today can still be so obsessed about the type of body they have and forgetting to have fun, enjoy their families, explore friendships, read, have opinions on stuff that really matters (like how to whistle, your next president, whatever happened to Amelia Earhart ...). 
"Are you an apple bottom or a pear?" a friend asked me when I rave about that new GAP jeans I have been eyeing. "Oh, I like neither..." But wait, are we talking about fruits here?
"I am a banana kinda girl." I say. Not sure she's getting that I suddenly am thinking about breakfast.

Put my friend aside. Do we not know that other than being a bikini model (which I admire too at some point) we can also be an amazing Mama, a kick-ass leader, a marine biologist, (a marine!), Astronauts, a cartoonist, or at least, pretend that you are that kinda girl that reads Huffington Post every morning? 
Do you know that ranting "Ugh, I have had too much to eat today" as a caption to your photo of a dish is not going to make you any healthier? (And, it was a picture of a dish with a chunk of foies gras, the reason why I am re thinking of my friendship with you. Animal cruelty is not cool, really.)

I just read this article and am now more inspired than ever in loving my imperfections... 
Well said, girlfriend.

On sexual orientation.

I have more and more gay friends every year now. From both lanes. Some been in long-time relationships, some are still in the closet when it comes to parents. But they are my friends. They are there to laugh and cry with me. Most of my gay friends are a far more of a gentleman than any pick-up-liner I met at parties and or clubs (surprise, surprise?). They offer me seats, hold the door for me, pay me movie tickets instead of treating me cheap beers. My lesbian friends can be so honest you will be afraid asking them for their opinions. But they are there. No offense to my heterosexual buddies here.
They can be confused, they can feel rejected, but in the midst of it, they can always call me for a chat, joke, rants and what not... and suddenly, you do not  really remember anymore about them being straight or gay. It matters not.

And hear this. My gay best friend on “gay relationship” : “We shy away from awkwardness, we are hopeless when we fall in love, our heart breaks to pieces when love crash and burn, we gossip, we nag, we demand, we ask for labels or we resist them. We fight, make up and go on dates.” 
Sounds like every heterosexual relationships we know, yes?         

So, my dear friend... The answer is NO, it does  not change the way I see you. It does not make me love you less. For I am more leaned in to your orientation about yourself, your goals and your approach in everyday life than whatever is happening in your bedroom. 

On Career.

I am not a CEO of a Fortune 500 company. I am not a brain surgeon. I am not in search of cure for cancer. No one is going to die if I do not scroll down my emails every 30 minutes. I can enjoy meals without my smart phone on the table.

The only medical act I have successfully performed was fixing a broken wing of a little bird, with the help of my orthopedic surgeon uncle (guess we all know who did the work there).

Sure one can always justify countless of long hours night at work, or brag about them! If that makes you happy, I am cheering for you. But once you started questioning yourself about whether or not this is how you want to be remembered of you when you die... maybe, a change is needed. 
Time frame, the company, the industry, your position, your route to and from work, or your pen holder on the table. Any change, but a change.

One beautiful mind once said “Do not let your legacy die behind corporate desk.” And it got into me... deep. I have been raving (to myself) about this one dream of mine. And no one is going to do it for me. I have to make the move, the changes, going through the headaches (new kind of migraines) and sleepless nights to make this happen.

And it is taking its remarkably slow but obvious steps... :) 

Have you been there?

Refinery 29

Oh Sugar sugar

Tho I may not be one of those sweet tooth girls,  I have to limit my urge in drinking a can of soda when I am having a sugar crash.
This picture should support my mission to drink less of them. 

ps: Mountain Dew, are you kidding me?
 

Pinterest

1 Kings 20:5

This verse is very soothing for me... My healing process is making me realize how precious our health is and how no matter how strong you think you are, it is always good to know that you are allowed to nestle under God's healing arms whenever you need to.

Thank you God. 

Health is the greatest possesion

I am laying on my bed now, day 5. I have been sick and now trying to kill this boredom by blogging. Thinking positive things... I need to get better soon. 

ps: Do you think we often take our health for granted?

Veggie or Fruity?

Not very often that I jot a posting about health. I read this on Reader’s Digest and want to share with you all. Which do you crave more: fruits or vegetables? These categories, easily spotted by whether you prefer savory or sweet. Which one are you? If in doubt, you can take the quiz . I am a big time savory eater, means I fall into the vegetable category and the test says so.

Best servings of fruit and veggies

Vegetable lovers Like: Bitter flavors and are more likely to try new things. Habits: Veggie lovers would take a glass of red wine over dessert. Interesting qualities: These people like to entertain and try new things. They are more likely to have dinner parties and cook nutritious meals.

Fruit lovers Like: Sweeter foods. Habits: They are more likely to take a look at the dessert menu. Interesting qualities: Fruit types tend to eat foods that take less time to prepare. They could actually have more sensitive taste receptors that make them detect a stronger bitterness in broccoli.

Either of these preferences is healthy overall since vegetables and fruits contain many of the same vitamins and minerals. However, cruciferous vegetables from the cabbage and broccoli family contain anti-cancer compounds that both types need. Well, friends of fruit lovers , you have to eat your vegetables too!

Go green much?

I had a one shot of wheat-grass juice this morning. Don't ask me about the taste- though I now know what it is like to be a herbivore ( I guess). My dear... How "expensive" that is to start on a healthy lifestyle. As an individual, I practice a more environmental friendly life style in my day to day chores. Minimize the use of plastic bag, bottled water, etc. But to apply that on my diet ? Err...
Wheat-grass contains up of 70% chlorophyll which is the component that makes plants green. The most expected effect from the green drink is ; blood purification, digestion improvement, aid in prevention of cancer (due to its carcinogen and toxin neutralizing abilities) and also; detox! A nice to know fact: a 2 ounce of fresh juice equals 3 pounds of organic vegetables in vitamins and minerals.

I eat pretty much whatever I like, red meat? Yes. Carbo? Yes. Sugar? Darn it, yes. So, I am not sure if I can start consuming this so called healthy beverage everyday. I really don't. The after taste is just too strong.

But I do want to be healthy tho' so if anyone can help with a simple beverage recipe thus I can mix it up with an orange or something less grassy?

find the benefits of consuming wheat-grass

My Cup of Tea

Apparently the blocked nose has decided to get worse, bringing this strong headache, aching body and a very repetitive sneeze. Not good. I hate being sick and I refuse to get sick... And since I am not a big fan of drugs- I am counting on the traditional cajuput oil and a cup of hot hot tea for a true remedy. I already had a chicken broth for dinner. So this should work. Fingers crossed. Namaste.

looks a bit too dark. but i love it.