Blog
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Long, luxurious weekend in Beijing with the kids.
Beijing, formerly known as Peking, is the capital of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and just a short 3 plus hour flight from Hong Kong. Even though we currently live in Hong Kong, I had never been to the “mainland” (my husband has been numerous times for business), so we decided to pop over during the recent holidays for a quick getaway with our two kids. Top in my list for this trip was doing a bit of sightseeing comfortably and safely (I’ve learned less is more when traveling with very young ones), and staying in a beautiful and centrally located hotel. Just a short background in case you…
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One year in Hong Kong!
I’m a few months late writing this post as we just added a new member to our growing family, our beautiful daughter Grace Adeline. I wanted to share a few thoughts about my journey as an expat, wife and mum living in Hong Kong. There is a bit of a learning curve and adjustment period that anyone who lives in a foreign country goes through, ranging from feeling isolated and/or depressed, and wanting to run back to where you used to live, to surprising themselves, when they realize one day that they’re genuinely having some fun, and constructed somewhat of a life here now. One year later I’m still trying to…
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Welcome Miss Grace Adeline!
Our baby girl Grace Adeline is here! I am so thankful that she arrived safely and in good health. Thank you to the wonderful doctors, nurses, aides and supporting staff at Stony Brook University Hospital, and to my wonderful husband, parents, family and friends who helped me during the final few months of my pregnancy. Thank you to my wonderful son Hunter who was mummy’s best friend and giver of endless cuddles even with my huge belly. I also feel like I should also apologise to these same people for being short-tempered, tired and forgetful; basically everything that goes along with being pregnant, ha! I’m going to take some time…
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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of #LovingDay!
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Loving Day, when the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Loving v Virginia, which legalised interracial marriage across the United States. My husband like to tease me and asks me occasionally if I would ever have imagined being married to an Australian man and living in Hong Kong. I always sheepishly smile back and say never in my wildest dreams! That is truly the beauty of love and fate/destiny. You can try to plan and organise your life a certain way, and then poof, fate will come and knock you off your feet and bring you someone even better than you can have ever…
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No matter how long you have traveled..
No matter how long you have traveled in the wrong direction, you can always turn around.” It’s never too late to reinvent yourself, and live the life you have always imagined. Have a great week! XOXO, Helen
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Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums out there! It’s our day, and I hope you were able to celebrate it surrounded by your children and loved ones. This is my second Mother’s Day, my first last year was just over a month after our Hunter was born. I was still adjusting to life as a new mum. I was excited, anxious, full of raging hormones and suffering from lack of sleep like every new mum. Although there are so many beautiful pictures of what motherhood looks like, we all know it’s not always unicorns and rainbows, especially those first few days after giving birth. No matter how much help and support…
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There’s Magic in the Maldives!
Disclosure: Please not that compensation was provided partially in the form of accommodations for this post, with the expressed knowledge that I would be sharing my honest opinion afterwards. I travel with my family, and could only sleep at night comfortably if I recommended properties to other families that I would personally go back to visit. Hello friends! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted because to be quite honest, motherhood and pregnancy are kicking my behind! We are still traveling every 1-2 months on top of that, so just when I’ve crossed a few things on my “to-do” list, and few more get piled on at the same time, ah!…
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Happy 6 month anniversary!
It’s not the journey or the destination, it’s who you are traveling with. Happy 6 month anniversary to the love of my life; my soulmate, traveling partner, and the best husband and father ever. I love you! Xoxo, Helen
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5 Great Travel Quotes For Travel Inspiration
I have been blissfully traveling the world for most of my life, but even more so now with my love and our son Hunter, who at 6 months of age has already been on 6 international flights!! Here are 5 quotes to light the fire under your arse and motivate you to get out and explore the world. “The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.” – Anna Quindlen “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain “Maybe the best moment of your life will be on…
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In the September/October issue of Daisy Magazine!
Hello friends! I am so happy to let you know that my article, “How To Reinvent Yourself After A Setback” is in the September/October issue of Daisy Magazine!
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First Time Using Swimava Baby Ring!
My sweet Hunter is four months old already, can you believe it!! He is cooing, rolling, and stealing our hearts every time he gives us one of his big toothless grins. The other day my fiancé and I were looking for some new toys to keep him active, and we stumbled upon the swimava. We both love to swim, so we knew we wanted to get Hunter in the water as soon as possible. I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive at first, as I’m so used to seeing kids with the huge floaties on, so I was nervous as to how this little inflatable ring around his neck would…
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Three Beauty Pageant Tricks Every Woman Should Know!
I often get asked for some beauty tricks or tips that I have learned from my days as a beauty queen. While some things I learned are strictly for the pageant world (hello putting duck tape on your body), there are many tricks that the everyday woman can use to help boost her confidence a bit. Here are three of my favourite tricks I think every woman should know!
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The importance of setting goals!
Setting goals is the first step into turning the invisible into the visible. – Tony Robbins Whether you’re striving to lose weight, or maintain your current weight and improve your health, you’ll need to start by setting short-term and long-term goals. Your short-term goals (STG) vary from about a week to three months in length. They help you build slowly towards your long-term goals (LTG), which are goals you wish to accomplish in three or more months into the future.
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Ready to jump?
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. today, and here is a quote that resonated with me:
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Happy Birthday to me!
Today I am thankful for another year of health, happiness and peace of mind. This year I will be welcoming my first child with the love of my life, which is probably the best gift that I could ever receive in my life. Thank you so much for all of your birthday wishes, I have read and appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to reach out to me in person or online. Sending you all lots of love and good health! XOXO, Helen
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Embracing Closed Doors.
How many times have you wanted something or somebody so bad that you made a million promises in your head on what you would do once you received it. Only to be devastated when it just didn’t happen. Sometimes not getting what you want, is just as important for your growth and journey as getting it. Sometimes the timing is off. You may not want to hear this, but it might also be because it’s just not right for you. And while what may be better for us might not appear right away, you have to remain open enough to allow what’s better to come into your life by closing…
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3 Ways to Make Monday Great!
This morning as my alarm went off, I slowly started to remember all the things that I had to do today. That mental list in my head started getting longer and longer until I realized I was clogging this day with tasks instead of appreciating my life this very moment.
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I’m nominated for best Latino Health Blogger!
Can I just tell you how amazing it was to find out that I was nominated by Latinos In Tech Innovation and Social Media (LATISM) for “Best Latino(a) Health Blogger.” I have been blogging for a few years now, first as a way to share what was going on with my life, and that evolved as I saw a need to talk about health and health disparities particularly with women and minority communities. It’s not always easy to write a post. I try to make them personal, because that is what resonates with me. You may leave yourself open to people critiquing your writing style, judging your lifestyle and so…
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Not everything you lose is a loss.
Not everything you lose is a loss. In addition to eating well and saying fit, don’t forget to take care of your emotional health too! Be open to letting go of people, things and situations that no longer fit. XOXO, Helen
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Date Someone Worthy Of Your Love. #ReinventYou
Date someone who is interested in you. I don’t mean someone who thinks you’re cute or funny. I mean someone who wants to know every insignificant detail about you. Someone who wants to read every word you write. Someone who wants to hear every note of your favorite song, and watch every scene of your favorite movie. Someone who wants to find every scar upon your body, and learn where each one came from. Someone who wants to know your favorite brand of toothpaste, and which quotes resonate deep inside your bones when you hear them. There is a difference between attraction and interest. Find the person who wants to…
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Your time as a caterpillar has expired.
I want every day to be a fresh start on expanding what it possible. -Oprah Winfrey
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Hong Kong 101: 10 Mandarin words and phrases you need to know.
Stop by every Tuesday and Thursday when I’ll share a new tip or some of my favourite things in Hong Kong! Hong Kong is such a wonderful international city where English is spoken widely, but you will run into locals and taxi drivers who do not speak English. You are after all, in Asia and I always thought it’s nice to learn a few key words and phrases of the local language. Even if you end up butchering the language, it shows you’re trying and showing a bit of respect and acknowledgement that you’re in their country. Here are 10 Mandarin words and phrases that I think every visitor to…
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Hong Kong 101: Don’t even think about renting a car.
Stop by every Tuesday and Thursday when I’ll share a new tip or some of my favourite things in Hong Kong! Plain and simple, driving in Hong Kong should be left to the taxi drivers. If you are visiting and normally rent a car wherever you go, please don’t do it here. Parking is ridiculously limited, parking garages are expensive, and traffic can be difficult to deal with if you’re not a local. As someone who has driven fearlessly in New York City, throwing my finger up in the air (the official New York salutation), and easily weaving in and out with the stop and go traffic, I wouldn’t dare…
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Hong Kong 101: Review of Cecconi’s Italian
Stop by every Tuesday and Thursday when I’ll share a new tip or some of my favourite things in Hong Kong! The first time I went to Cecconi’s Italian was by pure chance. My beautiful girlfriend Amps who is pregnant with that gorgeous glow one has when expecting, suggested lunch at her favourite Italian place to catch up. I was a bit under the weather, but it had been awhile since I had last seen her, so I went to enjoy her company and watched her enjoy her meal, all the while making a mental note that I needed to return and enjoy the full experience with my love another time, which…
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Hong Kong 101: A visit to the highest bar in the world.
Stop by every Tuesday and Thursday when I’ll share a new tip or some of my favourite things in Hong Kong! You could have a drink and a bite to eat at a different place everyday in Hong Kong, but one place you should not miss is Ozone. Located on top of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) building on the 118th floor, Ozone touts itself as the highest sky bar and lounge in the world and is also part of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. I loved that it’s an indoor-outdoor terrace and lounge that lets you sit right at the edge giving you the most beautiful view of Hong Kong, but also allows…
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Hong Kong 101: Review of Craftsteak
Stop by every Tuesday and Thursday when I’ll share a new tip or some of my favourite things in Hong Kong! Having been in Hong Kong for a few weeks now this second time around, I’ve had my fair share of steaks & one of my favorite places is definitely Craftsteak! Craftsteak distinguishes itself by offering open fire cooking on a custom made charcoal grill, offers a nice selection of wonderful sauces, and creates a intimate and fine-dining experience with its lighting and selection of meats and wines from all over the world. This particular Monday, I had the filet mignon & my love had the ribeye. Both of our…
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Feature in the Hong Kong Economic Journal!
So excited to share that I’m featured in today’s Hong Kong Economic Journal!! I was born a U.S. citizen, so I’ve never had to deal with some of the issues that my parents had to when they left their respective country and commonwealth to come to the U.S., like not knowing the language, not having family support, and feeling overwhelmed by any and everything. These past few weeks, I think I’ve felt some of what my parents and many others before me arriving in a new place must have. It’s exciting and terrifying all at once. It’s because of this, that being in this paper means so much. It’s putting…
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Hong Kong 101: The Central Mid-Levels Escalator System
Stop by every Tuesday and Thursday when I’ll share a new tip or some of my favorite things in Hong Kong! This is SO Hong Kong, and one of the things that I saw (and got on) when I first arrived. The Central Mid-Levels escalator system is the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system. It’s about 800 meters long and about 135 meters above in the air. It runs from Queens Center Road to Conduit Road in the Mid-Levels. There are several points in the escalator system when you can get on and off (about 14). It runs downhill towards the business center from approximately 6-10 am when everyone is…
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Ebony Magazine ad with Family Dollar and Cantu Beauty!
Hello friends! So excited to let you know that I’m the June 2016 issue of Ebony Magazine!! You can find me in the Family Dollar Fabulous ad sharing my hair care tips using Cantu beauty products. As a Latina, it’s definitely been a lifelong struggle trying to control my curls. Thankfully, I have come a long way from the days of looking like I stuck my finger in an electric socket and I owe it to a select few products, including those from Cantu. XOXO, Helen
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Do you know your birth control is free?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made great strides since it was signed into law in 2010 to ensure that basic preventative services like well-woman visits and contraception recommended by their doctor, are now covered and require no co-pays, nor out of pocket expenses. This is so important because as we all know, the sooner a potential illness is discovered, the quicker is can hopefully be treated successfully.