Well, I grew up in a small town called Kangar. Situated at the most up north side of Malaysia. Border to the the land of fragrance rice, Thailand.

Sawadeekap. 

Back when I was still a high school student, I've been waiting for the day I moved out of my kampung. Everything seem so marvelous for me in the big city. The shopping malls, the people, the way people dress and of course....the boys. They seems much more macho compared to the kampung boys I know. Well, so I thought things were much better in the city.

Then came the day I had to moved to where I am currently now, Penang. I didn't want to move to Kuala Lumpur thinking that it would be much further for me. I want to have the flexibility of going back to my hometown any time I want. So I settled in a state where it only requires 2 hours of drive. And also if I get kicked out by Juan, at least 2 hours of driving is not bad while crying *joking,joking*.

Living in the city for 11 years make me realized how I did not appreciate the things and the people I have around me last time. It also taught me survival skills. A skill that is important when living in an unfamiliar place.

Nowadays paddy field seems so serene to me each time I go back and I noticed the locals are much more friendly as well as my neighborhood. Everyone knows each other and every evening the elderly will seat together at the back alley of my dad's house, while chit chating with each other. Accompanied by the cold breeze. Some of them brought snacks too. These are the things we don't see in the big city. You may for some but it's a dying tradition of living together as neighbors.

In the city, most people shut their doors. So it's no surprise if they don't know their neighbor living next door. For some, you rarely see them at home. Some city people are selfish and harsh. Some are still nice people. I don't deny that.

Although I've been living in the city for 11 years, not long compared to some. I tried to remind myself not to lose the kampung girl spirit I have inside. I try not to be a selfish person instead I offer help to other people if needed and I give money to beggars instead of walking pass them. I don't want the city life consume my good values. I wish to make the world a better place by doing good things even a small one. It could change someone's life or perhaps you'll make a new friend.

Life is much more easier in small city. Cars don't honk at each other, food are rather reasonable, people walking at a slower pace. I miss my old life. My life in a school uniform.

I've never been a coffee lover but Juan is. It started off after we got married that I became so hook up with coffee. In fact now I drink coffee every single day. Even on some weekends. Juan buys packets of coffee for him to bring them to office and some to stock up at home.

I love coffee with more sweetness and milk froth and ever since I have been changing all kinds of brand but none that suits me. Just to find 'the-one'. Until..........I found the new Nescafe Blend and Brew. It was recommended by a colleague of mine. Since then, I'm sooo hooked up with this every morning.

Nescafe Blend and Brew is freshly brewed coffee with milk and natural sugar. It doesn't taste very strong but it sure give you the addiction that one cup is never enough. The taste is slightly different from the old Nescafe 3-in-1. The new Blend and Brew also comes in 3 different flavor ; Original, Mild and Rich. I prefer mine Original. How about you?

You can follow their pages for more exciting updates ; Facebook, Twitter, Homepage and YouTube.

Disclaimer : There was no animal harmed in the making of this post. Only a little terrapine forced into becoming a model :-). Meet Leo.

Lately, we all have been hearing a lot about wife being beaten by the husband, or husband got beaten by his wife (yes, it happens to men too). Worst of all is when a girlfriend is being abused by her partner when both does not even have any legal status. This issue has been out there for the longest time.

The definition of abuse can come in many form and not restricted to only physically.

".......An abusive relationship describes a relationship where one person consistently and constantly uses tactics to psychologically, physically, financially, emotionally, and sexually control and have power over another person."

Wikihow

Regardless of how long you've been in a relationship with that person, that is not a reason for letting yourself fool into continuing that relationship itself. It's about loving and respecting your body and soul. Why do you want to be a person who has no respect at all?

It's not easy nor hard to recognize an abuser. You have to be an observant. Notice the changes in behavior and take the first step before things get worst or before getting into a relationship. 

An abuser is mainly a smooth or sweet talker. They get things done by being nice to you, at first and gradually the behavior starts to change. However, this vary in each individual. An abuser might also been abused during his/her childhood time and this leads to aggressiveness in that person.

There are a few steps that you can take to recognize if you're in an abusive relationships. Do you feel the:

Loneliness

Depression

Powerlessness

Embarrassment

Shame

Anxiety

Suicidal

Fear

Isolated from family and friends

Trapped with no hope of escape

If you feel any of the above or perhaps all, take action and talk to someone. Talk to your family about this.

"...........domestic violence cases have increased 43.6 per cent from January to September this year to the 3673 cases reported, last year."

ASTRO Awani

As you get into an early stage of the relationship with an abuser, notice the communication behavior of that person. Harsh and vulgar sentences are languages used by these group of individual when they're angry and subsequently comes along with threatening sentences.

".........She also said there is an increasing ‘trend’ of men coming forward to report being victims of domestic violence, some even reaching out to her personally via social media."

Observe also how when both of you are having arguments, how will it proceed? Does your partner starts yelling, throwing harsh words at you or calling names? If yes, you are in an abusive relationship. 

".......Particularly, watch for your partner to shut down into a moody, angry sulk, with the only responses to your complaints a terse or angry answer."

Apart from this, notice if you partner is an overly jealous person. He may question you like a private investigator when you speak to an opposite gender. Most importantly, if you being kept away from your family and relatives, it's one of the sign of an abusive relationship.

An abuser is very unpredictable but watch his change in behavior. He could be treating you nicely and maybe one second later he could be intimidating.

This is very important note. Watch how he communicate with his family members.

"........If your partner is rude or dismissive to his own parents or friends, how do you think you'll be treated? Remember that, right now, while your relationship is relatively young, your partner is on good behavior. How will things be when there is no longer any need to impress you?"

".........Notice if your partner treats waiters or waitresses, taxi drivers, concierges or anyone else in the service industry disrespectfully. This is a sign that someone has a mean superiority complex. He divides the world into worthiness and unworthiness and this sense of unworthiness will soon be inflicted on you."

Adopt a zero acceptance policy for violence. If your partner ever becomes physically violent, your relationship needs to be ended immediately. Physical abuse is never "for your own good," and it's never your fault. Don't let manipulative partners bully you into feeling guilty over being hit. It's not okay, and it's most definitely a sign of an abusive relationship, and it will happen again. Get out of this relationship immediately.

End the relationship as soon as possible. Put a plan in place to end your relationship safely. Once you've made your decision, try not to struggle with your complicated feelings. Now's not the time to mourn for your failed relationship or reconsider. Now is the time to make yourself safe.

It has been a while since I receive guest at my house and last weekend was an exceptional one. Ever since I moved to the house that I lived in, I rarely have people visited me and it made me happy knowing that my relatives are coming down to stay over the weekend.

I love having guest over at my place. The feeling of people coming over make me feel contented. I've never host any event at my home but I would like to do that some day. It's nice to have some commotion and noise over at your place. It breaks the silence that only me and Juan who created the noise most of the time

I have a small family circle and my niece and nephew are the 2nd closest people apart from my cousins. I watched them grow up and I would want my kids to be as close as possible with them as how I was with my cousins when we were little. I don't want to see the bond that my dad worked hard to bind lose its grip over the years. I have seen people who lost touch with their relatives and end up living alone therefore I do not want my kids to go through that.

I come to realize that I should be grateful with the family members I have. We came from different background but our veins contain the same blood. I cannot be more thankful to Allah for the people I have by my side. 

Family does not consist parents and siblings, they also consist extended families. they co-related and co-exist. It's important to make sure that your children knows who their uncles, aunties and cousins before our parents no longer around, extended families are the 2nd most important group to make sure that the legacy continues.

So..you've been married for literally 3 months and still in the honeymoon stage when both of you decided to go for a holiday. Travelling with tour where all your programs are taken care of versus backpacking is not the same. Backpacking requires a thorough planning and you're prone to making mistakes too.

You and your partner may get along very well but that doesn't mean you will during travelling. There are conflicts that can occur due to clash of opinions or perhaps plan. I've encountered them during my travel to India back in March. Staying together in one roof and travelling together are 2 different thing.

But, there are a few things you can do to avoid conflict with your partner/spouse:

Planning:

This is a crucial stage and backpacking is not a one man show. It requires everyone's involvement and in this case, your partner. Make sure both of you are in this together to make sure everyone is in the same page. Plan your itinerary TOGETHER.

Financial:

Discuss among both of you on how much can each contribute to your travel money. Be honest. The money should include accommodations, flights, transportation, buying souvenirs (if there's any), shopping and emergency funds too.

Attitude: 

I panic if my plan go wrong while Juan is the chill one even if the situation was bad. We had arguments during our travel and that is something you need to avoid because it shows vulnerability to strangers. When your plan fail, discuss in finding solutions. This has to be done together not one giving instructions to another individual. No point in pin pointing when things already happened.

Communication:

This is the most important element regardless during travelling or when you're at home. Make sure that your spouse/partner knows your plan and agree to it. If not, make amendment to your plan until both are satisfied or else there'll definitely be conflict. Remember that marriage requires 2 not 1.

Bringing another party:
If you think that 2 is not fun enough and you decided to bring along a 3rd party. Yes, you can but only if both sides are okay with it. Sometimes, your partner might not agree to your friend's idea and as someone who is not close to your friend, it's hard to express opinion.

Enjoy:
Enjoy your trip with your partner and don't stress up too much.