Me Gusta!

I travel like Rolf Potts !
You are a travel legend in the making, with a sense of adventure that will lead to hundreds of fascinating stories. Locals all over the world will give you special nicknames, and almost all of them will be complimentary.
What type of traveler are you? Take BootsnAll's Travel Quiz to find out.

Instagram Photos 1.0

It's been a while and I've been busy. And the truth is, I've discovered a new love. Instagram. Here's a few photos to look at while I get my next post ready.

The Lonely Piano @KLPac

Langkawi <3

Pantai Cenang 

Time To Go Rasta!

                                                             

Book Review: Shakespeare's Mistress

Shakespeare's Mistress by Karen Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anne Whateley takes centre stage in this book, as friend and lover of famous playwright William Shakespeare.

Going through happy and tumultuous times, the two fall in love and eventually marry in secret. However, soon after their wedding, Will is persuaded to marry Anne Hathaway, a woman he insists he is not in love with, but who is pregnant with his child.

Nobody knows about Anne Whateley is his legal wife and she in turn is devastated at his betrayal. Then her father dies and she leaves her home at Temple Grafton and lives with friends in London.

Life has other plans for Anne Whateley and William Shakespeare, as their paths cross and lives intertwine; as the playwright writes his
masterpieces and their relationship carries on until his death.

Well researched, detailed and interesting, it is a good book for historical fiction fans, particular in the Tudor period.

View all my reviews

My Little Universal Flower

Welcome to the world...Juhi Emma Joel.

While I had nine months to prepare for this little angel, it was only on February 7, 2012 at when I realised that life will no longer be the same for me. At long last, my sister got that baby that she always wanted. And two days after she was born, I was already a little bit less selfish. I am cutting down my Internet time, I don't feel the need to go out that much. And now any money that I earn would not only just be for me, but also for Baby Juhi.

Fair or not, I already have a few dreams for Juhi. I imagine that when she is 19 or 20, she would want to see a bit of the world. And when that happens, I will help her out with the money I saved for her for that particular reason. Or if she wanted to continue her studies and needs a little extra moolah, I would be able to help her out with it, even if it is just a little bit. It's going to be her money, so she can do whatever she wants with it.

In the meantime, I am going to focus on being the coolest aunty ever. I look forward to sharing new moments with you, Juhi. <3

Gracias Universo

Inspired by my friend Sri's thank you post to the Universe  here is my little tribute to the Universe for the past year.

The year started off on a quiet note, with me trying to move on after my dad passed on in late 2010. It wasn't easy but with the help of family, friends and work, I managed to get to a better place.

I took solace in travelling, a passion I inherited from my father. I decided to go to one new place - Hong Kong, which proved to be a interesting city to visit. Then my mom decided that she wanted to fulfill my dad's wish of taking me to see the Taj Mahal, so we ended up visiting Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Shimla in early August.

A sudden but not unexpected career detour in September allowed me to make my dream of going to Spain come true. My first solo trip for a month was completed successfully and with lots of stories to remember by.

By the end of the year, I decided to chill out for a bit before working with my friend on writing projectswhile looking for freelancing jobs... and here we are...reaching the end of January.

So thank you Universe for allowing me so much travel last year. I truly appreciate it. And for giving me lots of support in the form of family friends, good books and awesome music. Thank you for letting me to take the plunge out of my 'stable' job and putting my faith to something a little different and new. Also for allowing me to love a little, to take a risk and for letting me take my time to get over it when things came tumbling down.

This year, please continue to be with me as I continue to learn to be a better daughter, sister, grand daughter, niece, aunty, friend. I hope you will give me more opportunities for me to go beyond my comfort zone and watch me love the experience. Help me continue taking risks and tell me when to draw the line. While I'm on a quest to love, learn and find happiness within me, I hope you give me good times, delightful memories and little sweet surprises.

Thanking you in advance. Anu.

Book Review: Manana Manana

Title: Manana Manana - A Mallorcan Summer
Author: Peter Kerr
Publisher: Summersdale
Rating 7/10

Manana Manana (Manana meaning tomorrow in Spanish) is a perfect book to read to find out what life is Spain is like. Although set in a quiet town in Mallorca with a farm and a Scottish family as its protagonist, it is easy for anyone who has visited Spain to get into the story, especially when Kerr explains the relaxed, chilled 'tranqilo' culture of Spaniards. With flashes of humour and an array of misadventures that include brushes with the local police, the unfortunate outcome of a drinking session and the sense of community shared by their neighbours, there is plenty to laugh about. For most parts, it was an interesting book and reminded me of my own recent trip to Spain. I really enjoyed reading the author's reflections of Spanish life and culture.