I’m trying to be less of a perfectionist when it comes to blogging. I always get so obsessed with the writing and details and whether the post is informative enough or if the photos are pretty enough or if anyone will even be interested. This is why I can never seem to blog in real-time (my mom always complains I’m too slow!). So many of my daily happenings are left unwritten simply because I never deem them “blog worthy” enough. I’m…
First time in Kuala Lumpur: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat
I thought it’s about time I wrote a post like this, now that I’ve been in Kuala Lumpur for almost a year (on and off). Over these months, I’ve had some friends visit, which requires me to brainstorm a list of things to do/eat for them. And some people who happen to find my blog also ask for suggestions. I’m by nooooo means an local expert, but so I don’t have to repeat myself over and over, I figured I’d put…
Travel planning with GPS-guided maps (+ giveaway)
Confession time: I love traveling and exploring new places, but I have always strongly disliked travel planning. It’s always been a tension area for me and my then boyfriend (you knew him as D) ever since we first started traveling. See, I’m the “go with the flow” type. I get to a place and just wander around and see what interesting things we can find. D, on the other hand, was a planner. He had to have all the logistics figured out, as…
[Japan] Autumn colors and naked baths: a Hakone adventure
Sorry for the click-bait title, but it’s pretty much accurate. And I also apologize in advance for this mess of a post. It’s basically just a bunch of pictures and jumbled up thoughts. Having spent my childhood in Beijing and on the US East Coast, I grew up with 4 very distinct seasons: breezy springs, hot summers, colorful autumns, and snowy winters. And then we moved to Southern California, where we pretty much just got warm and slightly less warm….
Budget air travel in Malaysia (+ my Southeast Asian bucketlist)
So in my life update from this recent post, I said that I’m not sure what my next plans are. See, I genuinely do like Kuala Lumpur a lot. I really have fallen in love with it purely as a city. But at the same time, I’m also not sure if this is where I belong anymore. And while the idea of truly solo travel scares me a little still, there are so many other places in the area that I…
4 days in Japan: an overview in photos!
My 81-year old grandmother is now a first-time passport holder. She has never been out of the country and has only flown on a plane ONCE in her life, over 15 years ago, on a short domestic flight to visit her sister in Xi’an. Her health is not too good. She needs to always carry around her insulin shots, and though she looks fine, her legs are often stiff and in discomfort, making it so that she can’t walk long distances. These…
A new decade: on being my own hero
At age 30, one receives strength. – Talmud Today, I woke up in my childhood bedroom in my grandma’s house, which I’ve gotta say is not where I have ever imagined waking up on my 30th birthday. Honestly, I don’t feel much different from being still 29 yesterday, but now I’m officially a 30-something (oh gosh, I hate the sound of that!), which means that I’m expected to have it “together” now. I feel like at the age of 30 is…
Snapshots of life in Beijing (in 20 photos)
After a super wordy last post, we’ll keep it light today with pictures! I imagine that most tourists come to Beijing to see the few big sites – Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden Palace, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall. And maybe in the evenings, they go grab some drinks in the Sanlitun party district. But beyond these must-see attractions lies a Beijing with peaceful, yet lively residential communities. It’s in these communities where all the “life” happens, with…
How to start freelancing on Upwork with no prior experience: real, practical tips
This is a long, lonnnng (3,500+ words) Part 2 to my post The Truth About Being a Freelance Writer. I know a lot of people are thinking of doing this but wondering how to start. This is just my experience and what I did. Freelancing is not easy and the money is not always stable. You have to be very self-motivated. Since I’m just starting, I use Upwork (previously Elance) to find jobs, and this could very frustrating. But I…
Beijing Botanical Garden: A Study of Chrysanthemums
The smog has rolled into Beijing. Day after day, the city is enshrouded in a depressing grey haze and an air of toxicity lingers about. Once in a while, we’d get lucky and there’ll be a hint of sun, a peek of blue skies. Only then do we feel safe to venture outdoors for a much needed stroll without the precautions of an unsightly M3 mask. On these days, I’d go to the community park to use the exercise equipment or…
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