Staying Safe in Bangkok During the Riots

Recent rioting in Bangkok has caused many travelers to steer away from the city, if not Thailand altogether. But is it really that dangerous? Plenty of tourists are still passing through AND managing to stay out of harm's way. It's all about keeping your wits about you and taking a few precautions. Read on for some tips on how to stay safe.





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What are the riots all about?



First of all, a quick politics lesson. The riots started back in November 2013. A group of protestors, organised and led by former Surat Thani politician Suthep Thaugsuban, decided that the current government should step down. In their view, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her ministers are too corrupt to be leading the nation. They have close ties with previous Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who happens to be Yingluck's brother.





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The demonstrators have been occupying key commercial and business areas in Bangkok and, more recently, have spread to other towns and cities. Shinawatra has responded by defending her right to rule, arguing that she represents democracy in Thailand. Unfortunately, matters have become increasingly violent and eleven people have died as a direct result of the unrest. It's terribly sad, but it is possible to spend time in Bangkok while staying safe.





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Avoid riot areas



Even though the international media has a habit of sensationalising crises, making them appear widespread and bloody, the Bangkok rioting is not as extreme as all that. For the most part, every day operations, such as transport and basic services, have not been hindered. What's more, the protests haven't taken over the entire metropolis. They're pretty much confined to particular zones.



So, before leaving your accommodation, find out where the demonstrators are planning on being that day - and stay out of the area. You'll soon discover that, in most streets in the city, it's business as usual.





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Stay close to public transport links



Find a Bangkok hotel that's near the city's transport systems - either the MRT or the Skytrain. This will help matters in a few ways. First of all, it means that you can avoid walking long distances unnecessarily. Second, it allows you to make a quick getaway - should things become heated in your area all of a sudden. Third, it prevents you being stuck in horrendous traffic. One of the most frustrating aspects of the riots is that they've made the already hectic Bangkok roads even slower and more difficult to navigate than usual. Catching a taxi is likely to take forever.





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Know how to reach your embassy



If you do get into danger of any kind, you're pretty much guaranteed of protection at your embassy. That's partly why they exist. So, before leaving home, work out whereabouts in Bangkok yours is located and figure out the quickest way of getting there. This should give you some peace of mind.



Stay connected



Perhaps the most important thing of all is to stay connected and remain informed. Even though Bangkok is still relatively safe for international travellers who stay away from the centre of the action, that doesn't meant that the situation can't change quickly and unpredictably.





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Get hold of a smartphone and a local SIM card that facilitates internet access. Keep a close eye on twitter accounts and news agencies that provide frequent updates, as well as your government's travel advisory pages. As much as there's no reason to feel terrified or cancel travel plans, it definitely pays to remain wary and alert.

#HIMYM: Barney & Robin's Legendary Wedding

I think I'm going to cry. Not only is How I Met Your Mother ending tomorrow, I got to see the longest pre-wedding in television culminate. My favorite couple, Robin and Barney, just got hitched and the ending to my favorite sitcom (tied with ABC's Castle) feels even more real to me. OH MY GOSH THE FEELS!

So to celebrate / eulogize, I'm going to reminisce on last Monday's episode on The Wedding and How The Mother (still no name) Met Aunt Robin. Excuse me, I have to blow my nose.

Teeth Trends Gain Popularity Thanks to TOWIE Stars

Veneers and teeth whitening are ways to get a bright smile from your dentist. These techniques have gained some popularity over the last couple of years in particular due to some celebrity recognition in England.

The actors of The Only Way Is Essex, a popular British reality soap, are known for their dedication to current health and fashion trends. When their attention turned to their teeth, co-stars Chloe Sims, Joey Essex, and wedding singer James Argent decided to meet with cosmetic dentists to discuss ways to improve the cosmetic quality of their smiles.

Dental Veneers

Also called a dental porcelain laminate, a veneer is a thin shell that has been custom-made to be bonded to the front of a tooth in order to change its length, shape, color, or size for cosmetic reasons. A veneer may be made of porcelain or a resin composite. The porcelain veneer has the advantage of looking more like a natural tooth and resisting stains better. On the other hand, a resin veneer is thinner and the dentist has to remove less of the tooth surface in order to secure it in place. Most dentist recommend only having veneers fitted to upper front teeth, since the process is more likely to disrupt tooth structure and tissue on the lower teeth.

Veneers do not last forever. They require a dentist’s care for the entirety of their life, which is usually about ten years. After this, they must be removed and replaced by a dentist. Since your teeth have to be altered in order for the veneers to be put in place, you can never go back to your original look. For this reason, many dentists recommend considering other methods of tooth correction first. Braces, aligners, or composite bonding are more effective in the long run for straightening teeth; however, from a cosmetic standpoint, veneers are the fastest and most effective way to transform your smile.

After getting veneers, it is important to continue to practice regular oral hygiene. Brush and floss twice daily and visit your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and professional cleanings. Avoid drinks that may stain your new teeth, such as coffee, tea, and wine. It is also important to keep from grinding your teeth or chewing ice or hard candies. Veneers cannot be repaired if they are cracked or chipped.

Chloe Sims and Joey Essex chose to have veneers put in place. Judging by their tweets and the brightness of their smiles, they both found the procedure to be successful. Both stars have been proudly showing off their new teeth in the months since.

Tooth Whitening

James Argent opted for a tooth whitening procedure rather than veneers, and was happy with his results. For fans, tooth whitening may be a more economical option, as it is a much less expensive process. Tooth whitening may be a satisfactory substitute for veneers, since you can do it effectively over the course of a couple of weeks with at-home treatments prepared by the dentist. Dentists also offer laser whitening, which produces results immediately and is very effective. Alternatively, you may choose over-the-counter whitener products that can diminish stains and brighten teeth.

Talk to your dentist about whether you are a good candidate for veneers or tooth whitening processes. Whichever course you choose, always keep in mind that a good oral hygiene routine is critical for maintaining the beautiful smile you and your dentist achieve.

10 Exciting Cebu Food Places

Food is an essential part of travel, probably why travel blogs are almost always bundled as food blogs. While I was in Cebu City, Philippines to visit my sister last week, I had plenty time to waste looking for good restaurants to eat at. Fortunately for me, there were plenty of choices and I've narrowed it down to these ten:

The Benefits of Using a Film Camera

The majority of new cameras sold in the United States today are digital. However, film cameras are still available, and are in fact the preferred method of taking pictures for many photographers. Film SLR cameras are often a little more expensive than comparable digital cameras, but if you are interested in the art of photography then the extra cost might be well worth it to gain a deeper understanding of your chosen hobby. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a film slr camera and accessories over a digital one.

Hands-On Process

Perhaps the biggest advantage of using a film SLR camera is that it allows you to become tech savvy about the photography process. While digital cameras automatically adjust to get you the shot you want, film cameras require manual adjustment to focus and zoom the camera’s lens. This allows you to get a better feel for the elements that make up a good photograph. In addition, film photography allows you the opportunity to develop your own shots in a home darkroom, an experience that many dedicated photographers cherish.

Higher Resolution

The higher resolution available with film cameras is generally most apparent when you make physical prints of photos. Unless the digital camera you are using is of fairly high quality, it simply does not contain enough picture information to make prints as detailed as the ones that come for even low-end models of film camera.

More Ability to Fine Tune Shots

The adjustment dials on film cameras give you more opportunities to make minor corrections to shots and get exactly the picture that you want. This is especially noticeable when you are taking zoomed shots of something far away, or macro shots of a very detailed subject up close.

Better Color Quality

Film cameras also often have better color quality and depth than their digital counterparts. Digital cameras subtly distort color information that is transferred to the camera, but film cameras have more accurate color sensors that allow for truer color when recreated in a photo print. Additionally, film cameras are often better at capturing the dynamic range between light and shadow. In other words, they make lit areas appear brighter, and shady areas darker.

No Shutter Lag

Shutter lag refers to the amount of time that the camera shutter remains open to take the picture. Film camera shutters stay open for only a split second, while digital cameras sometimes take a second or two to focus and record the picture. This can make all the difference when you are photographing a fast-moving object.

Initial Cost

Film cameras cost less to buy than digital cameras of comparable quality. However, keep in mind that buying film will probably make the costs even out over the camera’s lifetime.

Longevity of Images

Properly stored and preserved film photographs will generally last longer than digital prints made on a photo printer. Film prints are more resistant to decoloration and deterioration, and they are less likely to fade or become corrupted over time.

Taking pictures with film SLR cameras is something of a dying art form. However, dedicated photographers around the world are still keeping the tradition alive.

The More You Tell

I have a secret and I've decided to post about it before it eats me alive (yes, secrets have that tendency). It's a big secret but I've promised to not tell anyone about it (don't worry, it's not drugs or anything illegal or even remotely unethical). It's more of a surprise. Oops! Me and my big mouth. Well, unlike the One Republic song, I just can't give all my secrets away. Okay, I just wanted to use that song, lol. I'll blog about it when the surprise is finally here and I'll have no inhibitions talking about it. Meanwhile you'll just have to deal with me and my desperate efforts to guard that secret.

Meanwhile, while we're here to talk about it, how do you feel about keeping secrets?

Don't you just want to scream it at the top of your lungs or probably tell everyone involved? I have that urge sometimes but I try to relax myself and imagine their faces when they finally find out. Of course, I'm talking about Surprise stuff. I'm not talking about the other kind of secret that I normally wouldn't want anyone to know about (personal stuff). With those, I never have that urge to talk to someone about it. Sometimes I even want to forget about it.


Well, that's it for this perfectly random (because I just can't contain it) post. I'll see you tomorrow for a possible Cebu trip journal or a movie review of Divergent (yes, i'm totally procrastinating on writing about Cebu. I still haven't uploaded the pictures!)

10 Cool Gifts for Teenagers

We have all been there. We were all once that dreaded age ourselves. Theoretically, that should help right? No, the fact remains ever-true: teenagers are notoriously hard to buy for. The fads they loved last week they now hate and you can’t seem to keep up with whether it’s Twilight or the Hunger Games that they are talking incessantly about. “Gen Z” will go down in history as being a society of young people where everything is ready at the click of a button, and delivered in seconds. You can see why shopping for them is a total nightmare! But it doesn’t have to be ...  

Home Decor

Teenagers spend what seems like 90% of their lives in bed, so why not at least make it comfy. There are some hilarious bedspreads and couch-cushions available online with the quote “Today Has Been Cancelled, Go Back to Bed” on them. What would be better on a sick day? Or a day playing hooky perhaps?  They come in a stylist monochromatic print, and would look great on your bed or sofa to make your teen smile as they start their day.

DVD Set

While we’re talking about lounging around in bed for days, what would any teen love more than a box-set of their favourite TV show or movies? Very little, is what! If you head into your local music store (yes, they do still exist!) or check out Amazon.com, they are bound to have a wide collection of TV shows and DVDs available to buy in box sets.

Sweet Treats

For those who love baking, cooking or eating: a cupcake making kit, or macaron making set is ideal! They break everything down so its super easy, and the best part is your teen gets to scoff everything they make!

Lomo or Polaroid Camera

That narcissism that people talk about when it comes to teenagers is no better proved than the number of selfies they take. The coolest way to do it now, is on Polaroid film. It’s like Instagram becoming real life: lomography and Polaroid cameras apply their own vintage filtered look, no wonder they are so popular with teenagers. You’ll have the coolest kid on the block given a camera as a gift.

Jewellery

Is your teen getting into stretching and plugs?  Piercing plugs (like the selection available on http://www.spencersonline.com/) come in a range of colours, sizes and materials. If you’re looking into buying them piercing plugs, make sure you know what level or gauge they are at - buying anything too big or small just wouldn’t work!

Personalised iPhone Case

There is probably nothing cooler than having your name on something - or anything. There are some amazing personalised iPhone cases available, that not only have your teens name, but all their favourite things in whatever colours you choose! They can wear their hearts on their iPhone: very cool, and something a little bit different.

Is your teen ridiculously hard to buy for? Do they love Twilight or piercing plugs or their iPhone? Let us know what you think about these gift suggestions.

Internship

 

A high school friend recently got an internship in a firm in Makati City, what for me is the country's most modern, budding metropolis. If there is ever a possibility for the country to be overrun by brain-eating zombies, this is probably where it'll start. Point is, in his field, it's a very good place to get an internship at. I could only imagine being an intern (checking out www.eoncode.com all the time, making appointments, maybe even brewing coffee and sharpening pencils), I don't think I'll like it. Oh wait, I don't have to imagine. I'm a nursing student who's been duty-ing since sophomore year and yes, I don't like it at all. The feeling that you're really going to do this for the rest of your life, that it's so real because you actually experience it. I don't like it. It's scary and invigorating at the same time.

Part Time Job

If you didn't believe me getting more mature this year, just check out my posts! I'm posting alot about jobs after realizing I may need to land one after I finish school (oh reality!) I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but for almost a year now, I've been working as my mother's part-time secretary. It pays okay considering all I need to do is email stuff, file stuff, scan stuff (stuff that she makes me do without a paycheck anyway)

Samples and ARCs

When I first started out blogging, I really wanted to be one of those product reviewing types who get sent free samples monthly. In the beginning, I wanted to make a blog purely dedicated to books and hope that I might attract a publishing house to send me copies for reviews (these are called ARCs, if you're unfamiliar - Advance Reader's Copy). And although I still hope for that now, let's face it. My blog posts are too arbitrary to really classify. Instead, there are many ways to avail of promos and samples online (you can try to get mugs and promos here). At one point, I even tried joining The Sample Room. It's just a matter of patience in looking for stuff.

A Wedding I Missed

In my 25th Silver Anniversary Wedding past last January, I mentioned a trip to Dumaguete to attend yet another wedding. It's the wedding of my ate Lianne and kuya James. They're one of the most adventurous couple I know, always traveling exploring the Philippines and outside the country. As a matter of fact we met because they asked us to show them around Cagayan de Oro. Both of them met while attending Silliman University, the school I went to as a freshman. Anyway, they were already working when we (family) met them and it's been a long time coming (all the traveling probably stalled them, lol), I'm so glad that they finally decided to get married. If only I was able to attend (alas, I had school). My mother did bring some pictures for me to enjoy.

National Breakfast Day

Two days before I left for Cebu, it was National Breakfast Day and I was expecting to see a mass of red when I first opened my eyes. My mother had just changed the curtains the other night (similar to what can be found at this site). For a second, I wondered why my bed was so hard before realizing I was on the floor and that weird drumming was IJ banging the door to the tune of (I forgot the song, lol). I realized I was sleeping over at our next door neighbor's house because IJ and I had plans to go to McDonald's Monday morning. 

Review: Tokyo Bubble Tea CDO

Tokyo Bubble Tea and Restaurant is a Japanese-Western casual Restaurant (originally from Metro Manila) that opened at Ayala Centrio Mall last February.

The Benefits of Ankeny Wedding Suit Rental

Clothing is one of the most essential parts of a wedding.  However, while a bride may be very excited about choosing her dress, the groom tends to leave it to the last minute.  This is a shame as proper planning can result in the groom finding a stylish and well-fitting wedding suit.

Renting a Wedding Suit Vs. Buying a Suit

Those who have never bought a tuxedo or suit before may assume that it is easy to get an affordable outfit for their wedding.  This is simply not the case.  The best suits can cost thousands of dollars.  Instead of spending upwards of $300 buying a suit, men can simply rent one for 1 to 200 dollars.

Hiring a suit is a relatively simple process.  All consumers need to do is go to the store and try on a few different suits.  If they are happy with an option, they can go ahead and book it for the day of the wedding.  Once renters have paid a deposit, they can come by and pick up their suit before their wedding.

The most difficult part of finding a good suit is getting the right fit.  Most rental stores have large boxy styles.  This is because they want to ensure that their suits can fit on almost every body type.  Unfortunately, this means that some people will look as though they are wearing an ill-fitting suit.

This can be avoided by selecting an Ankeny wedding suit rental company that has a wide range of tuxedos and suits.  Companies like Skeffingtons.com have a variety of styles, materials and colors.

Some grooms think they need to make a statement with their wedding suit.  As a result, they select suits in bright colors or unusual fabrics.  Men in this situation should keep in mind that trends can change at anytime.  What looks good in a wedding photo today may not look the same in 10 years.  Therefore, the best choice for most men is a standard black and white suit or tuxedo.

A small amount of brides will ask their partner to find a suit that matches their dress, their bridesmaid dresses and/or the theme of the wedding.  If this happens, the groom should tell the staff at the rental store about guidelines the bride has given to him.

Many suit rental companies have stylists available to assist customers with choosing a suit.  These stylists will bring the customer several suits with approximately the right measurements.  If the consumer is happy with a suit but not the fit, the stylist will arrange for alterations.

In an ideal world, a groom would start searching for his suit a few weeks before the wedding.  The extra time will give grooms the opportunity to try on multiple suits and get alterations if needed.  Everybody wants to look their best on their wedding day that pleasure is not just reserved for the bride alone.  A groom should also take the time and effort required to make his bride and the guests admire his suit at their wedding.

This is a guest post. 
Sam Ellis wrote this article, he is a proud employee of Skeffingtons.com.

Review: JBurger CDO

Picture from Jburger's Facebook Page

JBurger is a flame-broiled gourmet burger place found on Tomasaco-6th Street in Nazareth. After interviewing some of the staff, I found out that the Hollywood-inspired burgeria is owned by Mr. Frederick Go, son of the owner of the famous Kathryn's Bakeshop.

They've been open for a while but I only got to try them 2 weeks ago (yes, it's been two weeks. Forgive me for being slow) and decided to do a little review.

A #Jollybreak with Jollibee's Kit Kat Mix-ins

It's only a few days shy of summer and Jollibee, the Philippines' most beloved fast food chain, has launched a new limited edition variation to their awesomerific dessert, Kit Kat Mix-ins!

My 4 Year Old Cousin

Guys, I'd like you to meet my four year old cousin, Leona Kristina, or better known to many as Kaye. She is quite the mischievous little thing, taking after her ohsome older cousin, me. My aunt, my mom and the people around us say we not only look alike, we react somehow similar too.

Short 400-word Speech for Students

#throwback to a photo of me delivering a speech at my friend Doshia's debut

In my English subject, we're required to write a speech about anything we want. After many a paper scrapped, I finally came up with this. I don't think it's my best (but it's too late to change the subject and outline now)

This is the manuscript to "Death to Death" of 465 words. If you ever use this, please credit to me, Penda Penn, and if possible please mention the URL. Thank You!

7 Things You Can Do On Your 20th Birthday

1. Wake up and thank God for the wonderful two decades of your life!

2. Go finish a requirement that doesn't respect your birthday at all.

It could be school or piano lessons or whatever. For me, my birthday just happened to fall on the day I graduate from my Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program. It was unfortunate that I had to spend most of my birthday hours here, but the consequences of not going are terrible. In the middle of it all though, I had the urge to grab a microphone and belt out the lyrics to 'Don't cha' (yeah, what programs do to me)

3. Collect your birthday benefits of clubs you're members of!

Zalora emailed me with a coupon code days ago, that's really nice of them. Also, World of Fun gives 20 tokens to their members on their birthdays for FREE!

4. Celebrate with your closest friends and family

I don't know about you, but at this point in life, extravagant birthday parties have lost their appeal to me. I'd rather have a small gathering with the people I love and care about most. This should be top priority after thanking God, but since this list is chronological (you always do dinner / lunch with the fam) this comes only at number 4.

5. Reply to the people who pretended to know when your birthday is on social media

Yeah, it's that time of the year.

6. Watch your favorite TV sitcom

Richard Castle and Kate Beckett (a.k.a CasKet), here I come!

7. Get your sleepy butt to bed

After a long day, you can finally get a good night's rest. That's what I'm going to do. Have a good one, blog lurkers!

Blogger's Business Card: Is It Important?

When I was just starting out blogging, business cards have always been my problem. Actually, my lack of business cards was my problem. I would go to events, meet the higher ups (I'm inherently very civilian) and they'd ask for my card. If only they were asking for a birthday card, that would have been easier to access! But no! They mean a calling card and I couldn't find a place who offered overnight print services.

As a blogger, a business card is a very important tool to promote yourself and your blog. Not only can the recipient of the card have the opportunity of contacting you, it also gives off a strong sense of professionalism to what you do.

Benefits of Being A Blogger With A Business Card:

Thanks For The Memories!

Guys, can you believe how fast time flies? I'm turning twenteen (yeah, stubborn denial. I wonder what I'd say when I turn 21) this Saturday and woah, I have a long list of folks that I'd like to thank so, BE YE FOREWARNED!

Blog Design Webfolio

I've been meaning to tell you about this for awhile, but I've taken designing blogs more seriously and compiled some of my recent works in a webfolio. Most of what's in it is my blog designs for the Wordpress and Blogger platforms but I also have some non-blogs in there. I would appreciate it if you guys visit it and tell me what you think :)

Review: Bourbon St. Bistro CDO

So there's this place in town I've been wanting to go to. It's been sitting around for a while, always beckoning me whenever the mom drives through the diversion. It's this attractive resto found at the Great Spot Arcade along JR Borja Extension. It's not new so it may ring a bell for some locals. Yep, I'm talking about Bourbon St. Bistro.

Named after a street in New Orleans, Bourbon St. Bistro, was founded by Chef Drew Mills (New Orleans native) and wife, Chef Nicole Cabrera-Mills. Serving delicious Creole cuisine using fresh, locally-grown ingredients, the restaurant offers guests a dining experience that is delightfully familiar yet truly New Orleans authentic. - Bourbon St. Bistro Facebook Page 

Not my best look, lol

Covers and Cases For Books and Journals

Despite the widespread availability of digital technology, some people still prefer to use traditional methods of enjoying a good old fashioned reading experience. Instead of using electronic book readers, people want to actually hold a hardcover copy of their favorite title and flip through pages that have real printed text and graphics. I have ebooks but my favorites I have in traditional hard bound form as well. In order to protect these books, sometimes special cases are needed. After all, digital gadgets such as tablets are not the only items that need protection with stylish cases.

Let The Reason Be Love (TLW 2014)

Hey, guys! You might've noticed in my previous post that I've been practicing alot recently (and eating twice as much). Practicing for what, you ask? (You didn't really, but I'm going to tell you anyway) Our annual (now on our 11th year) True Love Waits Campaign. It seems like it was only yesterday when I first attended my first TLW concert and TLW seminar. I wouldn't have thought it likely that I would be one of those spearheading the campaign, like, ever. But the thing about life is that you just never know what God puts you up to. I'm so blessed to be able to share this to others. It seems like it was only yesterday when my friend, Ezzy, invited me to a TLW seminar.