Reddit Skincare

Building your skincare routine is an ongoing life-long process, with a lot of misses than hits. As we age, our skin condition changes and the first bottle of Ponds you bought when you're 15 might not suffice what your skin needs now you're 25.

I promised myself that at the age of 25, I'll start taking care of my skin (not that I don't clean or moisturize it), probably throw in a Retinol product or an eye cream. The reason about this 25 mark is - well - Advertising. But thanks to my boyfriend who frequents reddit, I stumbled upon:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/ 

https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction

and other Beauty subreddits I frequently go to:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BeautyAddiction

https://www.reddit.com/r/Beauty

And I too, fell into the rabbit hole of information. 

As one said, "The skin you have in your 50s is the skin you inherit in your 30s" and I realized. Why wait till I turn 25 to take care of my skin? Why not now that I'm 22? So I did my extensive online research on reddit and celebrity bloggers on reddit like:

Fiddy of Fifty Shades of Snail

Image courtesy of https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/why-asian-skin-care-works-and-how/my-routine/

She's into Asian Skin care, Asian brands, essence, serums, and gives her readers advice on multi-step skincare routines. Preferring multi-step routines than all-in-one products that don't really do much.

Michelle of Lab Muffin

Image Courtesy of http://www.labmuffin.com/2015/11/how-to-exfoliate-2-all-about-chemical-exfoliants/

Michelle has a PhD in chemistry. She has the most scientific approach on reviewing products, without overwhelming the reader with all the science-y information. She makes these cute illustrations that just helped me understand the chemistry behind products way better than two semesters of Chem!

Cat Cactus or the famed Snow White and the Asian Pear

image courtesy of http://www.snowwhiteandtheasianpear.com/p/spreadsheet.html

I love her spreadsheets! She will humor you and tell you she's been there and done that when it comes to skincare. I give her credit for the "Spreadsheet" approach on skincare, which makes trial and error of beauty products more efficient. She advocates Multi-Step Korean Skincare Routine, and with so many products in the market, knowing what particular product doesn't work for you can save you tons of bucks than throwing the entire 9-Step Skincare Routine you've built/bought.


I read a lot of beauty blogs, stumbling links and links on reddit posts. These are just some of the many bloggers who can help you on your opinions about products. There's an entire list of them here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/wiki/bloggers

And every so often as you go deeper into the rabbit hole, you will pick up more bloggers. Feel free to comment their links and I'll check them!

MOOCs Explained: My access to First World Education from a third world 2mbps Home.

The internet has changed the way we do things yet the Philippine Educational system is so left behind compared to our booming neighbors like Singapore, Korea and Japan. We just integrated to K12 a few years ago and sadly it seems that when the Americans left more than 60 years, our educational systems haven't changed that much. Our textbooks just get thicker and thicker and more programs/ courses are added. 

So in my desire to self study as I prepare for local Law School Exams, I tried deviating from the usual enlisting into a Review Class/ answering Practice Tests (I still am doing them) and instead enlisted myself in different MOOCs or Massive Open Online Courses offered by different Top Universities in the World.

It's a different approach to self studying, it's a dynamic way of learning too. It's like learning in a classroom except you can rewind, pause or forward your instructor if you want to get to a particular topic. There is class interaction (peer to peer review, chatrooms etc.) and frequent testing and small quizzes. And the best thing? Most courses can be paced accordingly to your schedule. Most of them are free too!

Top Providers of MOOCs: (Courses as of 7/18/2015)

1. Coursera (1,059 Courses)

2. edX (589 Courses)

3. Canvas.net (272 Courses)

4. FutureLearn (174 Courses)

5. Udacity (95 Courses)

(Source: List of 51 providers offering MOOCs/ Online Courses | Class Central )

Plus most of them have mobile applications! I've downloaded the Apps from the sites I signed up so I I can study while in bed, on your commute, in the train, in the toilet, wherever, whenever!

The thing about MOOCs is that most of them are free, but you need to purchase a certificate if you want one. Most Courses are priced around $49 to $39 ( around Php 2,156 to Php 1,719 which I think is the Price per unit in most Colleges so it's relatively cheap to get certification).

If you are considering taking MOOCs seriously and is looking for full courses or MBAs, you might want to check individual College/ Universities. I know Stanford and MIT offer, but they will require a fee and you really need to buy course books only available in the US. But it will still be cheaper than taking it in the US (sans the Culture, prestige of being inside one, but I think for Filipinos who value learning but can only afford as much, this is something worth trying).

Gubat Surf Camp Sorsogon

My childhood in Sorsogon is filled with daily trips to Rizal Beach and so I was really surprised to learn that there is actually a surf camp a kilometer away. Buenavista, Gubat Sorsogon has goodbreaks from early morning and would resume around 4pm. Mid day will give you white water but its good enough for someone who wants to learn. The coastline is wide and the waters are shallow. My cousin and I didn't miss the opportunity to try surfing with some fellows who came all the way from Manila.

<3MissCelineous

Bulusan Lake

An hour's drive from the city will lead you to a rainforest with cool climate and rich vegatation. Bulusan Lake is a crater of freshwater at the foot of the famed Bulusan Volcano. You can enjoy and hour's trail by foot, or simply go kayak or canoe and marvel at the majestic view.

Trail aroun the lake

<3MissCelineous

Pilar Sorsogon Sandbars

 It was a luncheon arranged by Governor Raul Lee that brought me and my dad to the Panumbagan Sandbars that the Government with the help of Sir Milo Naval are trying to develop into a new spot for tourist.

 A 30 minute travel from the Port of Pilar will lead you to an isle with floating cabanas designed by Milo Naval. Boasting white sands and shallow calm waters is what this paradise offer

If you are a passing tourist prepare php 800 for the Cabana Hut rent, Snorkling gear and food and water since there are no available restaurants in the island

Enjoy a walk on the Sandbars where waves meet and unwind yourself in this paradise.

<3MissCelineous