This trip couldn't have come at a better time. There are a lot of changes in my life recently, and while I am not given to melodrama, I still need to figure out a few things. What's that line from Frozen? "It's funny how some distance makes everything so small." I think that our problems are all small, once we look at them from a fresh perspective. Traveling or doing something as mundane as reading a book gives me a set of new eyes. What does it for you?

Anyway! Nivea launched a new product, as you know, and invited press and celebs over to one of the best resorts in the country: El Nido in Lagen Island, Palawan. I feel lucky to be able to stay in such a beautiful place! Here's a photo diary of what went down on my first day there.

We rode a small, 16-seater (I think) plane to Palawan. It's the smallest plane I've been in! Not as scary as it looks.

The clouds look like they're sitting on top of a mirror

The port in Palawan

Ready for the sea!

Mikki and Martha

Julia looking like a cute kid

Marj and Ana. I love that I'm traveling with my blogger friends! First time I went to a Nivea junket (about four years ago I think), I didn't know anyone. It was so awkward at first! I was just starting out as a blogger then. Now it's different - I'm with a group of friends, plus I'm also acquainted with lots of people outside my blogger circle. It's certainly more fun this time around!

I've always believed that when robots or artificial intelligence evolve beyond human capabilities, they would not go Terminator on us. They would most likely be either benign, even altruistic towards humans, or would simply leave us and move on to the next plane of existence. Another possibility just occured to me: they can combine their capabilities with our species, becoming a hybrid of organic and metal/plastic/silicone etc. (My thinking is distinctly Asimovian.)

This is what was running through my head after watching Her. It's a movie about a man falling in love with his operating system. Did I get teary eyed? A little bit. But their love story didn't interest me so much as the moral and practical implications of the premise. Why are letter writers rich in the future? What makes a human, human? Is romantic love less real when shared with 641 other people? Where did the OSs go? 

In any case, watch Her. It's a good film.

Moving along! I want to quickly show you what's inside the January-February BDJ Box. I got this last Thursday! I like how it contains a LOT of stuff that I can actually use. My favorites would be the Ellana Lip & Cheek Gel (of course, lol), Beauty Bright Soap (reviewed it and loved it!), the free Brow Construction from Browhaus (my HG brow salon), and the Revlon nail art polish. 

Hmm, I just realized, I like the stuff I've already tried. I should probably be more adventurous and go for the other samples/vouchers! Check 'em out here.