Love Out Loud Asia #3: 5 reasons to date a Leo (man)

This is a guest post I've written for Love Out Loud Asia. You can also check out the post over HERE.


Do you believe in horoscopes? I do. I'm a Gemini and possibly every single trait of that zodiac describes myself perfectly - even the negative ones haha. I'm currently in a relationship with a Leo and I must say Leos are really one of the best signs to date. Here are some reasons why:


1. They are 99% fun and 100% romantic
There is never a dull moment with a Leo. Because they are creative and open-minded, you can always expect crazy ideas, conversations and activities on your date, and they are usually 'game' on accepting wild challenges or dares.
They are also the most romantic partners ever. They believe in expressing their love very frequently, be it saying "I love you" every single day or surprising you with balloons and flowers now and then because you like them. They also don't mind writing cheesy love letters, or making up their own love poem or video for you as long as it expresses their affection towards you.




2. They make loyal partners
When a Leo says he loves you, he truly means it from the bottom of his heart - and it will stay that way for as long as you are faithful to him. You never have to worry that he would cheat because staying loyal to you is #1 on his list. You can be sure that when a Leo gives, he gives every bit of his mind, body and soul.


3. They are the most patient and understanding creatures ever
Patience is another virtue of a Leo, and this I can see it clearly in my relationship. He went after me for more than a year (!!!) and even after multiple rejections from me because I wasn't ready, he persisted and stayed by my side and waited till I was.
He has also been tolerating my temper for the longest time, and accompanying me to cafes/events that he might not necessary like. He is willing to take hundreds of OOTD shots for me without complaining - well, most of the times - too.




4. They are optimistic
A Leo is never one to be defeated or disheartened by setbacks, he gets back on his feet fast whenever something bad happens. He tends to see the brighter side of things and this is really useful if the other party is always pessimistic (like me hahaha). I love optimistic people.


5. They are very generous and big-hearted
A Leo is never stingy, be it emotionally or materially. He is willing to spend what he can afford to make sure the date is a successful one, and that both parties are happy at the end of the day. He will also readily give a lot to the relationship without asking much in return, and ensure that you quickly become part of his life.
What makes Leos so well-liked is that they are not only kind towards their partner, but also towards their family members and friends, sometimes even aiding needy strangers :')
(Though sometimes it can be worrying when he treats others too well that I don't feel special anymore hahaha.)




Well of course Leos have their negative traits as well, such being very stubborn/headstrong, bad-tempered and domineering and it can be frustrating at times. But if they are so big-hearted and loving towards us 90% of the time, I don't see why these negative traits have to get in the way :)

Love Out Loud Asia #2: 7 Things Women Really Want in a Relationship

This is a guest post I've written for Love Out Loud Asia. You can also check out the post over HERE.


I'm sure most of you have heard of the 5 Love Languages - Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Acts of Service and Receiving Gifts. Everyone has different love languages, we crave for different elements in our relationships and we value each one differently. What love language does your partner speak? I scored the highest on Quality Time, followed by Physical Touch.

Besides these 'love languages' that apply to both sexes, women do have a set of things they want in a relationship as well. Here is a list of 7 things that most women desire:


1. Quality Time
Most couples spend a lot of time together especially during the 1st few months of getting together, a.k.a the Honeymoon Period - but how much of it can be considered quality time? It really isn't quality time just by being physically present beside each other. Quality time is time set aside to pay undivided attention to each other or doing things together that both of you love without any distractions or interruptions - yes that includes putting your phones and other less immediate tasks aside.


2. Spontaneity / Surprises
These are what keep the relationship fresh and exciting every now and then, and it can really make women look forward to having more dates with you. Surprise her with an impromptu getaway for the weekend; hide sweet little notes in her bag; turn up with flowers when there isn't any special occasion to do so; tell her to get dressed immediately because you have just booked a table at her favourite restaurant. Such sweet gestures can make women feel really appreciated and keep her excited.




3. To be understood - in our language
Men and women tend to speak in same same but different languages, and this can get really frustrating when the actual message doesn't come across to the other party. For example, when a woman says she's fine while forcing a smile, 90% of the time she really isn't, so the last thing a man should do is to take this literally thinking your woman is really feeling fine - you'd end up having one of the worst days of your life.


(from Google images)
I read this on Twitter recently as well, which I'm guilty of committing: 'When a girl says "Lol have fun", do not have fun. Abort mission. I repeat. Abort mission.'. It takes a lot of patience and bad experiences though, in order for most men to understand the hidden meanings in women's language, oops. But I assure you they will definitely pay off.


4. To be praised / To feel beautiful
Not every woman is born physically attractive, and even those who are, tend to feel inferior at some point of time because "there are always prettier girls out there" and because of societal standards of beauty. We all know inner beauty should be the focus instead of physical appearances, but let's face it, humans are all visual creatures - people tend to feel better when they think they look good (even though they may not necessarily do in reality). So let your woman know she's beautiful in your eyes no matter what state she is in; tell her she looks gorgeous with or without makeup on; compliment her on new haircut; tell her how perfect she looks when she laughs. This also shows how much attention you pay to the little details in her life, and no, I am not asking you to lie because beauty should be in the eye of the beholder shouldn't it? ;)




5. To be heard
When your woman rants to you it does not always mean she is complaining/whining about the nitty gritty stuff in life, and she does not need you to reinforce that by shutting her off or challenging her into an argument. She is probably already feeling very vulnerable and the last thing she wants is to be misunderstood. All she requires you to do is to acknowledge what she says and respond according to her emotions. Sometimes there's no need for you to even talk.


6. To be your princess, to feel special
All men strive to be their women's hero, likewise women would love to be treated as your princesses. This doesn't always mean showering her with expensive gifts or giving in to her whenever she throws a tantrum - it's about treating her knowing she's the only one you've got, making her feel like she's exclusively 'yours'. Give her pet names; show her off in front of your friends because you are proud of her; do things for her and only for her; draw the line clearly with your female friends so she feels secured.




7. Consistency
Consistency breeds trust and reliability in a relationship. Know why you fell in love with her in the first place. Was it the way she looked? Was it something she did that touched you? Treat her the exact way you did when you went after her and when you started dating her. Women usually feel that the other party has changed because he stopped showing certain gestures that he used to always show (e.g buying her flowers, sending her home, saying "I love you" everyday) just because he has 'gotten' her. She probably fell in love with you because of such acts of kindness, and when you stop doing them, she starts to feel something missing in the relationship. So don't ever start behavioural patterns that you can't maintain or commit to because you'll only be setting expectations for the future.

Love Out Loud Asia: 10 Tips for Taking a Girl to the Movies

This is a guest post I've written for Love Out Loud Asia. You can also check out the post over HERE.


Movie theatres are comfortable and enjoyable places where you get to watch your favourite shows on comfy cushiony chairs. However, for people going on their first dates together, the cinema can appear to be pretty intimate and intimidating because of its dark and probably-a-little-too-cosy setting. A girl may be reluctant to go to the movies with you especially if you have just met each other for the first few times.

But fret not! This does not mean it can never happen! There are definitely a couple (no pun intended) within the hundreds of audience who are there on their 1st dates. So how do they do that? Here are some tips to ask a girl to the movies! :)
Disclaimer: This does not work for every single girl!

1. Know the kind of movie she likes
This is probably the most important step. Find out first by casually asking her of movies she's seen before, or whether she has any favourite actors/actresses. Mention certain genres of movies and see if she gets excited or cringes at the sound of it. This will be the stepping stone to knowing what kind of movies to invite her to.





2. A suitable genre still matters
Having said that, I don't suggest going for movies that involve too much romance or makeout scenes, even if it's in one of her list of 'likes' - you won't want to give the girl the wrong idea on your 1st few dates. No, no Sci-Fis or Documentaries either, unless those are the only stuff she is into (which is rare for a girl). Probably a light-hearted comedy-romance would be more suitable at this stage. If she isn't a fan of such genres, go for action or thrillers first.



3. Surprise, surprise!
By turning up at her doorstep or while out with her with a pair of movie tickets in your hands shows how much consideration you've put into the date, and how much you really want to catch the movie with her. Also, this lowers the chance of her rejecting your offer.
However, note that this may scare some girls off because they may be taken aback by your straightforwardness/forcefulness, so... definitely not for the faint-hearted (both parties included)!



4. Confidence is key
Be confident and casual at the same time when asking her out, and also make sure she knows you are being serious about going on a date with her. Girls don't like guys who seem unsure of themselves or appear too nervous and indecisive (well, some may think they are cute but honestly no, most girls don't).



5. Be straightforward and quick
In addition, if you are already out with her and you feel like catching an impromptu movie, be straightforward. Chances are, if you asked her what she wants to do she'd probably think you didn't give this date a thought, or she'd likely say "I don't know!" / "Anything's fine!" or worse, "How about we head home now?"

6. Pickup Lines??
If you know she is a movie fanatic, how about trying some pickup lines from movies she likes? ;) This will show how much interest you display in knowing what she likes, and also the effort you take to memorise and act them out.



7. Be prepared/ Do your research!
If the above point actually happens, she'd probably think that the two of you have similar tastes in movies and could go on about the storyline. So make sure you know what to say to keep the conversation going! This may also make her feel closer to you because you have something (else) in common.

8. Proximity matters
Try to head to a cinema that is close to her house, especially if you are catching a night show and (I hope you are) sending her home. This can reduce the chances of her rejecting you because she is 'too lazy to travel' especially if you are planning on taking the public transport.

9. How about a group outing first?
If you sense that she is shy or uncomfortable spending time alone with you at this stage, ask if she wants to invite her friends along. You can also suggest a group outing to the cinema instead. This can help lighten the atmosphere and make her feel more at ease. However if she seems perpetually a lot more keen on this idea........ I'm afraid she probably isn't that into you :/

10. Pressurising is a no-no!
Do not pressure her at all costs if she is reluctant to head to the movies with you. Chances are she won't even give it a second thought if you are too persistent with it. You can probably suggest a less intimate date like a casual dinner at a cafe, and then try asking her again the next time. If it happens again, find out the reason for the constant rejection.

Asking a girl out to the movies really isn't as hard as it sounds, especially in today's context where everyone is more open. So just take a deep breath, gather your courage and GOOD LUCK! ;D




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