Louis Widmer sunscreen- my skin's savior

Today, my friend and I passed by the pharmacy supposedly because she had to buy something for her face (which I have honestly forgotten, what). As she was selecting her facial product, my eyes started wandering around the shelves until I saw Louis Widmer sunscreen! I was reminded about the fact that I love this sunscreen. That same shop gave me a free sample several months ago. It was only just this afternoon that I went to that same shop again. 

This product slashed 25 euros off my wallet. But I don't think I will regret it. This sunscreen is so light, I won't hesitate to apply it on my face everyday. The past 12 months, I haven't been too keen on applying sunscreen. I have reached the point where I don't want to sacrifice comfort anymore for the sake of having a beautiful skin. I consider putting "sunscreen" on as a sacrifice because I really hate dabbing anything on my face other than a thin layer of powder. It just feels "heavy." I hate BB cream  and foundation so much!

As a traveller, I deem it's necessary for me to have the best "shield" against the harmful UV rays to avoid premature aging and development of sunspots. I want to look beautiful both in the pictures and in real life!

Have a beautiful day!

European pastries

The pastries I buy "disappear" before I have the chance to take a photo.
I grabbed this photo here. 

Lately I've been sparing some time in the afternoon just languidly pondering about random thoughts as I slowly sip my coffee and carefully spoon a mouthful of any random European pastry I can get hold of.  Europe is home of the world's best pastries. Most of the so-called best "cakes" in my country can never compete with ordinary pastries sold in popular shops.  What draws a demarcation between the pastries here and there is that, here in Europe, they use the best and finest ingredients, it doesn't matter if it will cost an extra cent.  In the end, it will be so delicious, you won't even bother accounting how much you've spent. Pastries in my country are too sweet, ants will die just to have it. And you will also die of diabetes if you feast on it every single day!

Blue Mountains, New Southwales, Australia

Adoring the mountain.

After a month-long reunion with my family and boyfriend, I'm finally back in my flat in Brussels. The cars' noises in the nearby highway somehow find their way inside my slightly opened window. Maybe my testosterone level is too low to adore the sounds cars make. Or maybe I just enjoy the calm and soothing rattling of leaves in the mountains. 

The Three Sisters (land formation behind me).

Fortunately, I was able to visit one of Australia's most famous mountains: The Blue Mountains. It's a huge stretch of virgin forest erected over one thousand meters above sea level. Unlike the usual mountains where you don't see the bottom when you reach the peak, in here, you will actually see that you're really at the summit. While my knees trembled as I looked down, I smiled upon realizing that  I was literally  "on top of the world." I never once thought I can reach this far.

Blugre- where heavenly coffee is brewed

One of the many habits I have acquired since I started doing graduate studies is drinking coffee. However, unlike many people who are dependent on a cup of coffee to jump-start their beautiful day, I often drink in the afternoon for extra energy to keep myself awake for another six hours. I'm neither dependent nor addicted. I'm simply in love with the bitter and sweet aromas that twirl and grapple in my olfactory nerves.   

A lazy afternoon in Brussels

Fountain in Patrie

 Hi Everyone!

Good news! I didn't flunk nor skip any exam this semester. Unfortunately, I got stripped off from my Straight A sash because I got 2 Bs this semester. I mourned for several days and got over it. I will concentrate all my energy in acquiring straight As next semester. This hyperactive nerd who loves travelling and buying shoes and clothes, does not want to settle for anything less than she deserves.

Mobile waffles

I'm back in my hometown by the way.

Because I might be going to Leuven next year, some time this month, my friend and I decided to spend an afternoon aimlessly walking around Brussels. Our first stop was the tiny park at Patrie. It's so amazing how small communes can have such beautiful parks open to everyone. In my country, beautiful places have entrance fees.

Mediterranean pastry shop

We tried buying waffles from a mobile store. Some months ago, I bought waffles from such a store and it was really delicious despite the fact that it was just plain. No cream. No strawberries. No confectioner's sugar. Just a plain, soft and hot waffle which goes perfectly with ice cream. 

Street performer

We also entered a Mediterranean pastry shop and randomly picked yummy-looking tiny pastries. They were all delicious. Although some may be too sweet, a cup of green tea can quickly neutralize the taste. I like the pistachio pastry the most--but I don't really know what it's called. We also entered a candy store with lots of the popular Belgian candy: the cuberdon (picture not shown). As always, I love the aroma of green apple.

There are numerous unique street performances in Brussels. For instance, that day, I saw an odd-looking guy playing with puppets on strings. I found the performance a bit boring; it's maybe because I wanted a funny puppet show. Nevertheless, it was good way to pass time. When you're walking aimlessly on a lazy Sunday, time is impertinent.

Chocolate and gift shop

I also entered chocolate shops and bought presents for my loving family and beautiful friends. Belgian chocolates are a bit expensive but I should say, they are the best in the world! Regardless of the brand, I think my favorite is the dark chocolate praline. Milk chocolate bar/praline are too sweet. White chocolate bar/praline don't look like chocolates. Plain dark chocolate is too bitter. Dark/white/milk chocolates with nuts are too tedious to eat. Dark chocolate praline is the best! Bitter outside but a bit sweet in the inside. I will soon start doing "reviews" on chocolates when I return. Maybe once a month or once in 2 months is OK. Eating chocolate daily is one of the best and fastest way to die. 

Lace shop

Lace shops are also quite popular in Belgium. I never cared to buy one because I'm not fond of laces. I always end up accidentally "hooking" my clothes up somewhere on uneven surfaces. Wearing lace dresses will only increase the frequency of tearing my clothes apart. I do know of quite a number of women who love laces though. And I really understand why they do. Laces are fragile and intricately-designed. Most women who adore laces are like laces themselves. Beautiful. Fragile. Complex. 

Me walking.

The last four pictures are self-explanatory:  me walking, chocolates, chocolates again, pastries... I will badly miss all these when I move to Leuven next semester. Nevertheless, I know I will be able to unearth new things such that I will never regret moving to a new place. 

This post is long overdue by the way. More about Brussels in the next few posts. 

Chocolate castle

Pastry at Panos

Leaning tower

 Bonjour!

I'm glad to report that I have succeeded taking 8 exams this week. I only have four exams left before I can finally go home, kiss my parents, hug my grandma and run around the house with my dog. Although I'm a bit worried my dog might not recognize me anymore. 

Even though I haven't felt homesick since I got here last year, part of me still wishes I can be with my family again. However, I think being reunited with my siblings and parents is quite challenging. As you know, my siblings and I are very blessed to have received good graces such that we are now on our solo flight in conquering the world. My big brother is in the Philippines. My older sister is in Thailand. My younger is in Japan. I'm here in Belgium. The thought of having a reunion anytime soon isn't achievable. My parents and grandma are at home, preoccupying themselves probably so they wouldn't miss us too much. The other week, I have learned that, since we left, they have started making a "zoo" at home. They have collected numerous animals I really don't know if they are planning to have our zoo open to the public. Almost a year ago, when I  left home, they only had 4 dogs, 1 cat and 1 tarantula. Now, they have 4 dogs, 4 cats, 1 tarantula, 2 chickens, 2 turkeys, 2 fishes and 2 rabbits. My siblings and I are probably so difficult to handle such that, after we have all left, my parents suddenly had the luxury of time to take care of so  many animals. But I'm sure none of the animals are as hyperactive as me. haha

I travel here and there whenever I have time. Last April, I also went to Pisa to see the infamous leaning tower which probably would never have gotten famous if Galileo didn't drop a feather and a stone to demonstrate the effect of gravity. The tower isn't as tall as it looks like in pictures. It's one of those edifice which has gotten "beautiful" because of some historical events. An ordinary Belgian mansion is probably way more beautiful. But then again, the mansion is nothing but a structure. If the mansion crumbles due to an earthquake, after a few years, it will soon be forgotten--unless of course E. L. James was there and she was buried alive. 

Keukenhof, Holland- The Largest Flower Garden in the World

Hi everyone!

Our series of exams commenced this morning. I spent two weeks studying. I think I read my entire immunology book! I never thought I could possibly read an entire non-fiction book. My travelling escapades have temporarily ceased and will resume next month. Definitely! Meanwhile, I need to get through 12 exams so I can move on with my first year of master's degree.

Several weeks ago, my friends and I went to Keukenhof to visit the largest spring garden where 7 million tulips are planted. I think it's the most beautiful place I have seen on earth! 

When I was still in the Philippines, I have always wondered how a tulip looked like. I've heard from quite a number of women that tulips are so majestic. I thought, can any flower be more beautiful than a pink rose (pink roses were my favorites)? 

Roses are so soft and fragile, I can't help but feel weak when I see one. Tulips, on the other hand, are so hard and resilient, it felt like feeling weak when I see one was never an option. 

I think I love tulips more than roses now. Unfortunately, they only bloom in Spring. :-(