Mr. Perfect

Sometimes in life we dream of meeting Mr. Perfect. He’s that one guy in our lives who sweeps us off our feet. His smile makes everything disappear, and anything he says just managed to capture our hearts. We have to be honest with ourselves that we’ve always dream of marrying him. Ever since we’re little girls he always was the man in our fantasy. 

Our Prince Charming, our Jason Fielding, our Brad Pitt.

So what happens when this dream guy steps into our lives?

What happens if one day, he shows up?

What will you do if one fateful day, he would decide to love you?

Wouldn't you say that you’re dreams came true?

However meeting the perfect guy and having him say those magic words could seem like a dream, and yes in the dream it would be so magical. Yet, when the time came when the clock strikes 12 or when you decide to wake up from your sleep; you would soon realize that Mr. Perfect is not Mr. Right.

He isn’t the right guy who would hold your hand when things go wrong, or would be the one who would stand by your side when you have to fight your own demons. 

Mr. Right might not know the words to say to sweep you off your feet and he might not even know the words to say to make you have dopey eyes. Even when his romance is a scale of 2 out of 10, remember that he is that one person that will grow old with you. He would be that one person who will still say you’re beautiful as the wrinkles of time become evident. He is that one guy that would do almost everything and anything to make you live happily ever after.

Yes, Mr. Perfect may not always be the guy for you; and it is really okay…

‘Coz the man you’re with now

The one seated on the couch drinking a beer and waving at you,

 Even with all his imperfections is the one…

 Whose Right

Rescued or Caged? : Tiger Temple Thailand

- Photo Owned -

Probably, the most controversial temple in all of Southeast Asia is the Tiger Temple or the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua located in the Saiyok district of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province.

There have been many reports that the tigers living in the monastery are not rescued but caged as a major tourist attraction. Instead of being released to the wild, these tigers have been drugged and sedated as well as being hit from time to time. Reports of abuse and maltreatment have been circulating in the internet. 
In August 2013, blogger and animal rights activist Turner Barr went "undercover" at Tiger Temple as a volunteer for 30 days. He chronicled his time there on a YouTube video that shows what he considered to be molestation, maltreatment and malnutrition of the tigers. He summarized his findings on his blog, Around the World in 80 Jobs, and distilled these down to 7 essential reasons to think twice before visiting Tiger Temple. ( Credits : Wikipedia )

These are heavy allegations on a monastery whose original intention was to be a sanctuary for abandoned tigers since 1999. 

We all have mixed feelings when it comes to the conservation of animals. Just like our reservations when it comes to animals being caged in zoos than to be free in the wild. 

However, before any conclusions will be made, has one seen the devastation man has brought upon the tiger's homes?  If these gentle giants are to go out and be free, will they even survive in the world of industrialization? In a world where people are more worried on WiFi hot spots, new gadgets or new cars than planting trees for our own oxygen consumption. 

Yes, the tiger temple is really controversial. However, aren't all zoos whose caging animals are? 

I have visited the temple last May 2013. I even have a photo with the tigers. Don't get me wrong, fear is forever present; yet, the excitement and amazement overpowers any fears. I even had the opportunity to bottle feed baby cubs. An unbelievable memory that you would cherish for years to come. This is what one would want to experience when they visit the place. An opportunity to be up close and be able touch these giants that we only get to see on National Geographic. Then once we've experience that, we can realize that aside from the humans that roam around the earth; we share it with these animals. We share the planet with the most wonderful of creatures; and maybe just maybe that realization becomes us and we soon create a ripple of change. More than poverty, the conservation of our planet is what's at stake.

I saw no maltreatment or any form of abuse in the temple; but I did see the care of the volunteers have towards these animals. I saw the monks and how they treat the tigers like family.

Polarities from two different perspective regarding the temple will always be there. You just have to see it for yourself to draw up your own conclusion. 

http://tigertemple.org/tigertemple_new/main.php

- photo owned -

Mont-Saint-Michel, France

Mont-Saint Michel Abbey, France

Mont-Saint-Michel

Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany stand the 'Wonder of the West', a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St Michael, and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls. Built between the 11th and 16th centuries, the abbey is a technical and artistic tour de force, having had to adapt to the problems posed by this unique natural site.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/80

I must say that pictures does not grant justice to how breath taking this place is. Towering over the sea stands the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. It is truly spectacular to see the medieval structure surrounded by water. Inside the abbey are winding steps with cobbled stones dating 460 AD. Today, the abbey has been modernized to accommodate tourist from all over the world. However, walking through the rubles and feeling the ocean breeze, you can just immerse yourself to the times where knights used this fortress as a tower for bloodshed and wars.

But what makes the trip to the abbey the most memorable was experiencing for the first time in my life the kindness of people in the most unexpected places. 

Sharing my story would sound unreal and one would even say that it only happens in movies. 

With our huge luggage and carry-on bags, three stooges withstand the sleepless nights to be able to reach Mont Saint-Michel. It is the one place we would not dare missing out while we're in Europe. Combating the cold, lack of sleep and excitement we were able to reach the abbey; and yes, the place surpass our expectations. However, we were so exhausted that when we step out of the van carrying us from the abbey to the town, where our bags were, we didn't notice the time. The last bus departed just five minutes from the time we arrived! Panic rushed through our bodies because if we missed the bus, then we will surely miss our train. Our funds were dwindling and we cannot afford to buy another ticket nor stay in the town.Three minds were racing for ideas, and three hearts were trying to find a level of calmness that simply wasn't there. I was already ready to drop dead naked and wish for a miracle to all the saints I know. Then right on cue, my friend talked to a lady inside the hotel and she was able to also ask help from someone. The man offered to drive us to the train station; and a huge sigh of relief washed all over my body. I felt like crying at the backseat of the car as I cannot contain the feeling of an overwhelming gratitude. He even went above and beyond to make sure that we are on the right train.

This person's name is Jean-Yves Vetele....president of the Hotel that we asked help from. Of all the people we happen to meet, a man in a suit showed us kindness; and he just happens to be the person who runs the hotels in the area!

I can definitively say miracles and angels exist; and to top it all of, this incident happened in the church where my favorite archangel is.

The Three Stooges

Belgian Chocolate

Handmade Chocolate
- Bruuge -

Chocolate

An aphrodisiac that makes all your worries fade away.

I’ve always been a chocoholic and even when I was kid, whenever I see chocolate, my eyes go wide and my mouth would drool. Now that I'm an adult, chocolate has become my best friend on those days when I feel like my world is collapsing. It is also my companion to get me through the insurmountable tasks I have during the day. Chocolate is and will always be our comfort food regardless of what age we are in; what language we speak or even the color of our skin.

During my travels, I was lucky enough to be able to experience hand made Belgian chocolate. So if you're having a European tour, I would suggest not to miss out on this authentic treat.

The rich texture of cocoa in your mouth will make all sense and logic leave your inner being. It is sinfully delicious. However, unlike any other chocolate, Belgian chocolate have a distinct taste that lingers and creates a memory imprint in your brain. What makes it so special is how rich and velvety smooth it truly is. That aroma and taste remains even after you've consumed one single bar. This develops into an insatiable craving for more. It doesn't matter if you get dark chocolate, milk chocolate or even their white chocolate; the sensation is the same.

You would want to devour.

To indulge

To be sinful

Yet, like all things in life, although we want more than what we have, we got to admit that there’s a time to simply enjoy what we just had.

To stop wanting and start appreciating.

Finding the contentment that we get to experience things, and have things that not all people get to enjoy is what I think is most important. So unlike the chubby cheek kid in the Willy Wonka movie, who had the greed of wanting to eat all the chocolate in the factory; I just want to be like Charlie and appreciate a single bar

... and the beauty of being able to experience it.

- Brussels -
Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

"Let Me Be The One"

Artist: Jimmy Bondoc

Somebody told me you were leavin’

I didn’t know

Somebody told me you’re unhappy

But it doesn’t show

Somebody told me that you don’t want me no more

So you’re walkin’ out the door

Nobody told me you’ve been cryin’

Every night

Nobody told me you’d been dyin’

But didn’t want to fight

Nobody told me that you fell out of love from me

So I’m settin’ you free

Let me be the one to break it up

So you won’t have to make excuses

We don’t need to find a set up where

Someone wins and someone loses

We just have to say our love was true

But has now become a lie

So I’m tellin’ you I love you one last time

And goodbye

Somebody told me you still loved me

Don’t know why

Nobody told me that you only

Needed time to fly

Somebody told me that you want to come back when

Our love is real again

Just turn around and walk away

You don’t have to live like this

But if you love me still then stay

Don’t keep me waiting for that final kiss

We can work together through this test

Or we can work through it apart

I just need to get this off my chest

That you will always have my heart

Sometimes in every relationship, we come to a point that goodbyes are the best thing we can do for the one we love. It has become suffocating that the very air you breathe becomes the air that lets your heart die slowly. Funny thing is, it’s not even your heart that's dying but theirs. Letting go of someone will be the hardest thing anyone can do; and especially will be the most difficult if you’re the first person to walk out the door. However, you can’t say that the love you have for each other is lost.

It will always be there.

The only problem is, the love that once was changed to a love unknown. To a point that words of “I love you” becomes words of “goodbye”.

So if you have too…

Be the one to tell her… or be the one…

to fight for her