Malaysia Beauty Travel and Lifestyle Blog

  When I first decided to try GLP-1 therapy with tirzepatide, I was excited about the promise: better blood sugar control, reduced appetite (not relevant since I am a small eater), and finally a chance to shed stubborn weight (for the sake of my old osteo knee). But let me be real with you....this journey isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Alongside the benefits, I’ve faced some uncomfortable side effects that deserve a candid spotlight.   What Is Tirzepatide? * Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist used for type 2 diabetes and obesity management. * It works by slowing gastric emptying and increasing satiety, which helps with weight loss but can trigger digestive discomfort. Common Side Effects I Experienced Here’s the raw truth of what my body went through: 1. Nausea & Vomiting 2. Reported in 12–30% of patients, especially during dose escalation. 3. Feels like morning sickness that lingers, sometimes manageable, sometimes overwhelming. 4. Dehydration 5. Because o...

On 28 November 2025, I hit my heaviest weight ever ....71.6kg. My knees were screaming in pain, my body felt alien, and my mind was exhausted. The irony? I wasn’t living recklessly. I didn’t overeat, I didn’t neglect exercise. I tried my best to live healthily, yet the numbers on the scale kept climbing. Desperate to understand why my knee still hurt months after arthroscopy, I drove 45 minutes to the clinic for an ultrasound. The scan revealed the harsh truth...stage 4 osteoarthritis in both knees, with bad fluid causing inflammation and swelling, plus a meniscus sticking out of place. No wonder I couldn’t walk properly. The doctor didn’t sugarcoat it. PRP , stem cell or other injections wouldn’t help. My weight was burdening my knees further. Abudeeen! I knew that already, but what could I do? Every attempt at weight loss ended with me gaining more. That’s when she suggested GLP-1 Tirzepatide injections, once a week. Since I’m already at menopause, she explained it could help balance...

  Renmin Park (人民公园), also known as People’s Park, is the oldest public park in Chengdu and a living, breathing example of the city’s famously relaxed lifestyle. Located in the heart of Chengdu, this tranquil escape offers artful landscaping, bonsai gardens, winding streams, and a pond where rowboats and motorboats drift lazily. Whether you're a solo traveler, wellness seeker, or curious wanderer, Renmin Park is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Chengdu. Tea Houses, Chinese Chess & Cappuccino Contrasts Tea culture thrives here. Locals sip jasmine tea, play mahjong, and chat under shaded pavilions. It’s a scene that feels timeless. But if you’re like me....a cappuccino rebel...you’ll find joy in sipping espresso foam while soaking in the serenity. Renmin Park welcomes both tradition and personal quirks. Family-Friendly Fun & Bonsai Beauty - Bonsai Garden: A peaceful corner filled with miniature trees and poetic landscaping. - Kiddie Rides: Small amusement rides a...

  I did it. I survived a 17-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu via China Southern Airlines. Barely. Let me tell you, this trip was not for the faint-hearted...or for anyone with a dodgy knee like mine.  Midnight Flight, Sinking Seat, and Questionable Breakfast My flight from KLIA took off at 3:10am. Yes, you read that right. The kind of hour where your body screams for a warm bed, not a cramped Airbus seat. The man in front of me decided to lean back like he was in a spa. My seat? Shrunk into a sardine tin. With my post-surgery knee acting up and a seat that felt like it was designed by a chiropractor’s nemesis, I spent five hours contorting like a pretzel. Inflight service? Meh. I requested halal food(pre ordered during booking). Stewardess confidently said, “All food on this flight is halal.” Then the guy next to me slurped his pork noodles like it was his last supper. I got an “American breakfast” that looked like it had been rejected by America. Beans, a sad omelett...

  Hello October! I woke up this morning feeling like I wrestled a tiger in my sleep. My back? Stiff like a frozen chicken. My tummy? Acting like I swallowed a balloon. And sleep? What sleep? I counted sheep, cows, and even imaginary alpacas last night. Still wide awake.  If you're in your fabulous 40s or 50s and nodding along, welcome to the club. The menopause misadventures club. No membership card needed! Just a body that suddenly decides to throw curveballs like back pain, indigestion, sleepless nights, and anxiety.  The Sneaky Symptoms Doctors Often Miss Let me tell you something I wish someone told me earlier. These symptoms are real, and they’re often misdiagnosed. I went to the doctor complaining about my back pain. He said, “Maybe you slept wrong.” I said, “I sleep wrong every night then?”  Indigestion? “Try probiotics .” Sleepless nights? “Avoid caffeine.” Anxiety? “You’re just stressed.” Hmm… okay, but what if all these are part of the menopause rollercoast...

  If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you already know how serious I am about sun protection. (Yes, even when it’s cloudy outside! 😜) Well, guess what? One of my long-time favourite sunscreen brands, Sunplay , has just made Malaysian history ...... and yours truly had to share the tea! Sunplay Enters the Malaysia Book of Records   Recently, Sunplay, under Rohto-Mentholatum, officially earned a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records for organizing the Most Participants in a Sunscreen Application Event . How cool is that?  The event took place at Lalaport Bukit Bintang City Centre with the support of Watsons Malaysia, Sunplay’s trusty retail partner. Picture this...  250 participants applying sunscreen together at the same time. Not only did it set a new benchmark in the skincare industry, it also sent a clear message....  daily sunscreen use matters. Why This Event Matters  This wasn’t just about numbers, okay? It was about turning awareness...

  I wasn’t even looking for it. Just one of those days when I was desperately Googling for something...anything..to help me manage this annoying osteoarthritis pain. If you’ve been living with it, you know what I mean. The stiffness. The dull ache. That feeling like your joints are made of rusted metal. Sigh... Then I stumbled upon this thing called FlexiSEQ. Never heard of it before. No fancy packaging. No dramatic claims. Just a gel. I was skeptical. But desperate times call for random purchases. So I clicked “Add to Cart” and waited. When it finally arrived, I didn’t waste time. I opened the box, read the instructions (yes, finally I actually read them this time), and applied it as directed. Once in the morning after shower. Once at night before bed. No cooling sensation. No heat. No tingling. NOTHING. Just a plain gel. I was like, “Eh? Is this even working or just pretending to be helpful?” Hmmmm.... But I kept going. Because I’m stubborn like that. Four days later... I noticed...

It’s been a while since I wrote something this personal. But today, I feel like pouring my heart out. Maybe someone out there needs to read this. Maybe someone is going through the same thing and feels just as lost. Or maybe… this is just for me. To remind myself how far I’ve come. The Beginning of the Unknown I never imagined my body would betray me like this. One day I was fine, and the next… everything changed. It started with stiffness in my joints. My knees, my back, even my fingers felt like they belonged to someone else. I thought maybe I slept wrong. Or maybe I was just tired. But it didn’t go away. Then came the gut issues. Bloating. Constipation. Diarrhea. Sudden food sensitivities. My once-trusty digestive system turned into a moody diva. I had to say goodbye to my favorite spicy food, and even my beloved cappuccino betrayed me.  The Pain That Doesn’t Show Perimenopause crept in like a thief in the night. Silent. Sneaky. Cruel. The hormonal rollercoaster was no joke. One...

  Sometimes, you just need to pack your bag, hop into your car, and drive away from the chaos. That’s exactly what I did. A not spontaneous 2D1N staycation to Kuantan, Pahang with my family. Just to fullfill my Dad's wish a getaway by the beach with all his family. My sisters and I planned it for him. Well, no really planned with rigid itinerary. Just not easy to get all 11 of us together at the same time and the same day. It was an open road journey, eat, sleep and eat again hahaha My role was just as someone who booked the room and make sure everyone get a good room with view. Halfway through the journey, we made a pit stop at the famous Go Bang Maju Patin Tempoyak, right by Tol Temerloh. This place is THE spot for Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak, a Pahang specialty that locals swear by, recommended by my first sister. Now, let me confess! tempoyak is fermented durian, and while I don't really fancy durian in its majestic creamy glory, the fermented version? I will stay away from i...

Mulberries in front of my house It’s been a while since I last updated you on my health journey. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I went through knee arthroscopy a couple of months ago. And oh boy, what a ride it’s been! Not the kind of ride with scenic views and fresh air.....but more like a bumpy rollercoaster with unexpected twists, hormone hurricanes, and a stubborn knee that refuses to cooperate fully. The Knee Drama: Arthroscopy & Beyond Let me start by saying this....I survived! Cue dramatic music and confetti. The surgery itself was smooth, but the recovery? That’s a whole different story. For the past two months, I’ve been diligently attending physiotherapy three times a week. Yes, three times. That’s more commitment than I’ve ever given to a gym membership. Did I ever sign up for one before? The sessions were intense....think squats, stretches, and exercises that made me question my life choices. But my physiotherapist was a gem, always encouraging and never ju...

  LUNA Sonic Toothbrush, not just a toothbrush. It’s a lifestyle upgrade. And yes, I tried it. Here’s my story.   If you’ve been following my wellness journey, you know I’m always on the lookout for products that make self-care effortless yet meaningful. So when I met LUNA Sonic Toothbrush from Sleepy Head Planet, a local brand with a playful, space-themed vibe, I knew I had to try it.   Inspired by the Moon, Designed for You   Engineered in Malaysia, LUNA is more than just sleek aesthetics. This beauty is designed to elevate your brushing routine into a calming moment of care. Think gentle curves, soothing sonic power, and no charging dramas. Here’s what made me go “okay… I’m impressed.”   🦷 Gentle but Mighty Clean :  39,000 vibrations per minute. My teeth felt cleaner, not tortured.   🦷 No Buttons, No Fuss: Twist to turn on. Yes, just twist. No charging docks. Perfect for my travel pouch!  Hoyeahhh‼️ 🦷 Ameba Bumper He...

I was bloated. Acid reflux like some spicy dragon inside. Hormones flipping like pancakes. #PerimenopauseChronicles One bottle of TruHerbs Hawthorn Enzyme King landed in my hands. Skeptical but desperate. After one week? I ordered 2 more bottles. LOL. Budget koyak a bit but my gut now singing love songs to me. Real Talk Benefits This thing helped me: ♥️ Debloat faster than my pants could keep up ♥️ Stop acid reflux from bullying my throat ♥️ Lower cholesterol... I still eat chips, but now I feel less guilty ♥️ Mood stabilizer level: monk-ish calm Especially for us going through peri or menopause hormonal circus, this tiny bottle is a friend. Not boyfriend material, but definitely bestie tier. Why Enzyme Drinks Matter for Gut Health? Gut health not sexy to talk about… but super important. If your gut like sewage system, don’t expect energy or happiness. Enzymes = tiny helpers that make digestion easy-peasy. When your food breaks down properly, you: 💩 poop like a champ 🧠 think clearer...

It's Just a TikTok Stretch, Right? When Ignoring That Aches-Here-and-There Could Cost You More Than You Think You'd be surprised how many of us brush off chronic pain like it's just "aging gracefully" or a "minor annoyance." But when does pain stop being a phase and start being a sign? And what if that physiotherapy session you've been ghosting isn’t just another fancy stretch you can learn on TikTok? Some of us maybe just me have that misconception of physiotherapy is just a body stretch exercise which can be refer in TikTok video. Here the common myths about physiotherapy : 1. Physiotherapy is just for athletes or sports injuries. Nope. It’s for everyone! f rom office workers with stiff necks to seniors managing arthritis. It’s about restoring movement and function, not just post-match recovery. 2. It’s just a fancy massage. While some sessions may include soft tissue work, physiotherapy is a science-backed treatment plan. Think manual the...

Celebrating My 50th Birthday in Eastern China: A Soulful Escape to Hangzhou, Hongchun & Qiandaohu Turning 50 wasn’t just a milestone! It was a whisper from my soul to pause, breathe, and wander somewhere poetic. So last October, I gifted myself a journey to Eastern China, embracing the gentle rhythm of Hangzhou, the timeless charm of Hongchun, and the serene waters of Qiandaohu (Thousand-Island Lake). No rush. No pressure. Just me, my curious heart, and a knee that demanded kindness. My Route: Hangzhou → Hongchun → Qiandaohu → Hangzhou Days 1–4: Hangzhou – Where Heaven Meets Earth They say, “In heaven there is paradise, on earth there is Hangzhou.” I now understand why. Where I Stayed: Nostalgia S Hotel (Hubin Hefang Street)  Strategically located—just a stroll away from Qinghefang Street, West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and the metro. Be careful not to confuse it with the similarly named hotel inside West Lake it’s a bit too chaotic for my taste. What I Did: Qiantang Canal Cruise ...

Struggling to Focus Lately? Here’s My Secret Weapon Against Brain Fog & Burnout I don’t know about you, but some days feel like I’m dragging myself through molasses. The deadlines pile up, my brain checks out, and no amount of kopi o' seems to cut through the mental fog. Whether you're hustling in an office, running a business, or juggling a dozen tabs in your brain like me—staying alert and focused without crashing? That’s the real flex. Recently, I stumbled across something worth sharing—because when something actually works , I think you’d want to know too. Let me introduce you to Leonhart . Not just another caffeine-in-a-cup situation. This one’s different. It’s a high-caffeinated beverage with a twist— 200mg of caffeine paired with Ashwagandha , the apoptogenic herb known for calming nerves and sharpening focus. No more jittery hands or sudden energy crashes. Just clean energy that actually keeps you clear-headed. The story behind Leonhart is just as powerful as its k...