Who is KC Writes Online?

My name is Kristine Camille F. Ocampo, and I was born and raised in the Philippines - a place where almost everyone is bilingual.

All my life I grew up surrounded by bilingual people. Our household was bilingual. We were taught English and Filipino in school. My exposure to both languages made me fall in love with language in general. I love to read, both English and Filipino books. I find both languages beautiful and unique in their own ways.

I loved language so much that I decided to study it further in college and make it my profession. I started my teaching career back in 2010, teaching 4th graders English Language Arts. Not only am I a bilingual myself, I also taught young bilingual students.

Being a teacher taught me a whole new set of skills - from multi-tasking, taking down minutes of the meeting, to learning new ways to integrate the use of technology in my classroom.

Fast forward to 2015, I took a job as an English teacher in an international school here in the Philippines, wherein I was exposed to more types of learners from different countries. I saw how most of them, having very little bilingual education from their home country, struggled so much, and so I looked for ways in which I could somehow communicate with them. Though there was a language barrier, my students were very motivated to learn another language, and was glad to be help them with their English language skills.

Teaching and writing are both my passions. I feel most at ease in front of my students, talking about anything from Shakespeare to anime. On the other hand, writing has always been a way for me to express myself. I enjoy the introspective nature of writing, it's like a way of talking to myself without looking like a crazy lady.

As a writer, I was given the opportunity to write for a book entertainment news website. I wrote a minimum of 3 articles a day. Aside from writing, I was also tasked to come up with interesting topics for the website, as well as researching relevant information for the articles.

Currently, I am neither teaching or writing, as I have discovered a new job - being a mom. I am a hands-on mom to my son who is currently in the thick of the terrible twos. So technically, I am also raising a bilingual child.

Aside from motherhood, I spend my free time reading books (currently reading "The Radium Girls" by Kate Moore), browsing Instagram and Pinterest, and watching Netflix (I am on episode 4 of "Kingdom"; highly-recommended!). I also enjoy cooking for my family and I have recently discovered my love for a good skin care routine.

Being a mom is the most important job that I have taken. But it is my wish to to be able to continue my passions in life.

Of Motherhood and Changes: What Serena Williams can teach us about motherhood

There is no doubt that motherhood is such a life-changing event. We heard it all from our own mother, our aunts, friends, and other women dear to us. We try to prepare for the baby as much as we can -- from taking birthing classes to prepping our hospital bag (more like a suitcase, am I right?) to somehow ease our transition to our new role as a mom. But no matter how much we try to prepare for it, motherhood will surely change us, and no mom is immune to it, not even tennis superstar Serena Williams.

For someone who had lived a healthy and active life, Serena Williams sure did not expect a host of medical issues to come her way as she gave birth to her daughter Olympia in September 1, 2017. Because of her daughter’s complicated birth, Williams had to postpone training for her next tournament. Pre-motherhood Williams would have wanted so bad to go back to training, but Mommy Serena knew that her time off to regain her strength also meant more time with her baby.

While not all of us may have the same experience as Serena Williams, I know we can all relate to how she handled the new phase in her life. Like Williams, many of us had to take a step back and rethink our career goals once the new baby came into the picture. Some of us had to leave the corporate world completely, while there are also moms out there who had to negotiate for fewer hours or workload, and other moms had to take on another job to make ends meet. And yet somehow, at the end of the day, seeing our children happy makes every sacrifice worth it.

Aside from changes in our career, our priorities sure had shifted. Playing professionally since the age of 14, Serena Williams’ knows how to get her priorities straight, and that is tennis. You wouldn’t win 23 Grand Slam titles and rank Number 1 female tennis player in the world if you don’t have priorities in life. For 25 years, her focus was solely on tennis. But all of that changed since she became a mom. Throughout her medical scare and seven-week bed rest, her focus was on Olympia. Ín her cover story with Vogue, Williams admitted that being a mom reminded her of one of her goals in life ‘before tennis took over’ and that is to have her own child.

A change of priorities does not mean we have become less of a person. It just means we are slowly acknowledging the fact that as mothers, we have evolved to stronger and more resilient version of ourselves. For Serena Williams, winning her first tournament for this year is a strong testament to that.

Most of us may not have Serena's Grand Slam titles under belt, but motherhood had us all on equal footing. Just like Serena, who eventually went back to the court and is currently ranked ninth, we will be able to get back on our feet and be the supermoms that we all are, no matter how much our lives had changed post-partum. Because to be honest, motherhood made us tougher and nothing can faze us now.

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency: What to do Before You Trade

Gone are the days when cash is king. With the world heavily relying on electronic payment forms, your cash can no longer take you as far as it did in the past. Undeniably, cryptocurrency is today’s big thing.

What exactly is Cryptocurrency? To put it simply, it is a decentralized virtual currency that one can use online or trade in the cryptocurrency market. 

The overload of information coming from different sources can easily intimidate anyone. However, understanding how cryptocurrencies work is not as daunting as it seems. If one is equipped with the right know-how on the best cryptocurrency to invest in, then there really is nothing to fear.

There are virtually hundred types of cryptocurrencies, also called coin or token, in the market. The best cryptocurrency to invest in is the one that would fit your calculated risks and gains.

The first and arguably the most popular cryptocurrency in the market today is Bitcoin. However, more new coins are gaining traction among users, such as Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and EOS. 

Now that you have a brief background on cryptocurrency, let's talk about how to start investing in coins.

1. Identify the Best Place to Invest

Cryptocurrency can be sold and traded in a specific platform called exchange. There are several exchange platforms in the market, and the best one would really depend on what you value as an investor. You may look at the security of the exchange, as well as its liquidity, fees that you might have to shoulder when you need to buy or sell, the company's history, and the user-friendliness of its interface.

2. Know where to store your coin

Just like you coins and bills, you store your coins in a wallet. But in the Blockchain world, wallets are not made of the leather kind, rather it comes in two forms - Hot or Cold.

Hot wallet - coins are stored in a device that can easily connect to the Internet

Cold wallet - coins are stored in an actual USB device not connected online 

But which one should you choose? That really depends on how you plan to use your coins. A hot wallet makes it easier to buy and sell coins because of its connectivity, while a cold wallet may offer more security.

3. Do Your Research

There is a truth to the old saying "Knowledge is Power”, especially when it comes to identifying the best cryptocurrency to invest in. Arm yourself with knowledge about the background of the coin you plan to invest your money in but also by being up to date with market trends. You may look into the coin's whitepaper or by reading up on reputable cryptocurrency websites.

4. Prepare yourself

Cryptocurrency is notorious for its volatility so prepare yourself with the highs and lows of that will come as you grow your assets. Just like in any type of investment, it is best to take calculated risks before fully immersing yourself in the market.

'Chick Lit’ Label Slammed by Female Novelists

Female novelists have recently expressed their dismay over the term “chick lit”, the label given to most novels written by female authors.

Among those who expressed their disagreement over the word is author Marian Keyes. “It’s definitely a pejorative term. I’m going to quote Gandhi here: ‘First they ignore you, then they mock you, then they fight you,’” Keyes said, according to The Telegraph. The 51-year-old Irish writer, who had sold 30 million copies of her books, said that labelling women’s work as “chick lit” is “one way of keeping women less well paid and having to do more work is to mock them and anything they love.”

Other female novelists agree with Keyes’ sentiments. Speaking to BuzzFeed, author Mhairi McFarlane says that the term “chick lit” is “very ‘back in your box’. Bestselling author Jojo Moyes does not sit well with the term, either. “I wish all commercial fiction by women was not lumped lazily under that same umbrella,” Moyes said.

McFarlane defined chick lit as “anything commercial by a female author”, and she finds this definition “ridiculous”. Keyes, McFarlane, and Moyes have written books that tackle heavy and controversial topics such as suicide, bullying, life issues, and even depression. Keyes’ memoir, “Saved By The Cake” discusses her three-year battle with depression, and she was able to cope with it through baking.

It can get difficult to exactly define chick lit. Many believe that the genre had long existed, tracing its roots to Jane Austen and Emily Bronte. But nonetheless, the use of the term is still widespread. The debate of whether chick lit should be taken seriously or not has also been ongoing, according to an article by Salon. Best-selling authors Jennifer Weiner and Jodi Picoult have also showed their dislike with the label, and says that by labelling female works as chick lit suggests gender inequality. “Women are reviewed less frequently and differently than men and there are fewer female reviewers,” Picoult said in an interview with New York Times Magazine. McFarlane cited the crime novels marketed towards male readers as an example. “Look at the respect accorded to foil-title crime novels or brainless action movies as valid entertainment, by comparison,” McFarlane said.

“I’m not saying this in anger – it’s a simple fact that one way of keeping women shut up is to call the things they love ‘fluff’. It’s a device,” Keyes said. “And I think people probably aren’t even aware that’s what’s going on, but it’s absolutely innate in our society that anything pertaining to women will be treated with less respect and given disrespectful names.”

'The Walking Dead' Season 6 Spoilers: Comic Book Characters We May See in TV Series

With the fifth season of TWD just recently ended, spoilers and much guesswork about season six of the show have already begun sprouting all over the Internet.

Among the most highly-speculated are the possible characters from the comic books that are most likely to make their debut on the AMC series. Here are some of the comic book characters that fans could watch out for in the upcoming season.

1. Derek

Derek is known to the fans of the comic books as the leader of a group called The Scavengers. He is snide and can even be scheming. As the leader of the group, Derek was shown to have complete and total control of his members.He has complete distrust and a serious dislike for the people of Alexandria, and will do whatever it takes to be part of the group, and eventually take over the Alexandria Safe-Zone as well.

Why he should be in the show: Derek can be a good antagonist to the show, and he delivers snarky one-liners that fans would love.

2. Negan

Negan is the head of the group known as The Saviors, and may just well be the villain audiences will love to hate. He is one big tough guy who terrorizes and schemes neighboring communities in exchange for “protection” (hence, the name of their group). His weapon of choice is a barbed-wired baseball bat and does not think twice in using it for the sake of his own.

Why he should be in the show: Because of the next character in the list. And the show could always use another villain.

3. Dwight

Dwight, who is also part of The Saviors, is introduced in the comic books as Negan’s loyal right-hand. But there’s more to Dwight than just being a crossbow-wielding man. Dwight’s backstory has the familiar edge that viewers would love, is the type of character whose past is intriguing enough to sustain the storyline.

Why he should be in the show: His half-burnt face is both visually appealing and horror-inducing at the same time.

4. Jesus

Little is known about the past of the character who goes by the name Jesus. His real name is Paul Monroe, but he is known to many as Jesus (perhaps because of his hair). He is a survivor in many ways, and his experiences honed his combat skills, made him a wise tactician and can perform amazing human feats. In the comic books, Jesus gains Rick’s trust, and uses his intelligence to come up with plans to save the group.

Why he should be in the show: He is both cool and smart, and that hair can be incredibly sexy for female fans.

5. Ezekiel

Ezekiel got his name because he believes that he is the king of his own kingdom, aptly named “The Kingdom”. Though he is not exactly the ideal leader, he strives his best to do what is right for his people. In the comic books, Ezekiel finds himself at odds with the Saviors, and allies with Jesus and Rick.

Why he should be in the show: Ezekiel has a pet tiger, enough said.

Celebrity Books: Female Hollywood Stars Showcase Their Wit in Prose

With the sea of reality stars and endless Instagram models, it is easy for people to mistake that Hollywood actresses are nothing but a bunch of eye candies. But these female celebrities are living testaments that Hollywood can be sexy, beautiful, smart, and funny all wrapped into one feminine package.

1.Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling’s "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns" captures the very essence of her kind of humor - feminine with a twist. The book features Kaling’s collection of autobiographical essays about her life - from growing up with immigrant parents, being an overweight child, to her life in Hollywood. The book is definitely a light and breezy read, kind of like chatting with Mindy in a coffee shop for hours. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns makes us all want to have Kaling as our BFF.

2.Tina Fey

Tina Fey is no newbie in Hollywood. After ending her her decade-long stint on Saturday Night Live, and starring in her own series Thirty Rock, Fey has added another feather to her cap. In her New York Times best-selling autobiography released in 2011, "Bossypants", Fey tells about her life growing up, finding her own voice in Hollywood, and her life as a mom. Told in her usual witty and in-your-face humor, Bossypants both entertains and empowers.

3.Lena Dunham

Dunham burst into the Hollywood scene with her highly-acclaimed HBO series Girls, a show she wrote, directed, and starred herself. Dunham’s "Not That Kind of Girl" tells of her challenges as a twenty-something woman trying to figure out just how it is to navigate adulthood. From falling in love, breakups, hookups, and everything in between, Dunham captures the voice of young women who are caught in the middle of the gossip-hungry, cellphone-wielding, and selfie-snapping twenty-first century world. Not That Kind of Girl is the perfect companion to your quarter-life crisis phase.

4.Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler is funny, there is no doubt about that. Her funny SNL sketches and her portrayal of the optimistic politician in Parks and Recreation prove that she is one talented comedian. But aside from her screen work, Poehler’s highly-anticipated book "Yes Please" further cements her comedian superstar status. Yes Please, Poehlers’ New York Times best-selling debut is more than just a memoir, but more of a tell-all of Poehler’s exploits on working with some of Hollywood’s best comedians, her pot-smoking life, to her dependence to her children’s nannies. Yes Please is the kind of book that makes you laugh out loud while giving insightful life lessons we can all learn from.

5 Young Adult Books That Are Also Must-reads for Adults

Vampires, magic spells, and giggly teens. These are just some of the words that come to mind when an adult comes across a Young Adult, or YA book. While the books are marketed towards teens, there are some YA books are surprisingly interesting reads for adults too, and can strike a familiar chord among grown-ups as well.

1. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is a story of Leo and Stargirl, the eccentric, banjo-playing, boho-skirt-wearing new girl in school. While everyone in the school, including Leo, is dying to fit in the crowd, Stargirl stands out and charms Leo with her uniqueness and the uncanny ability to see the beauty in everyday things.

The book teaches its readers, young and old alike, to embrace our own weirdness and not to lose our individuality for the sake of fitting in.

2. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Peterson

Don’t be fooled by the title, the book does not have anything to do with romantically-charged teenaged girls.

Jacob Have I Loved is the story of Sara Louise, or Wheeze, and her immaculately perfect sister, Caroline. While Caroline is pretty and delicate, Wheeze is the complete opposite, and she struggles everyday to overcome her sister’s shadow. As time goes by, Wheeze realizes that competing against Caroline is useless, and therefore forges her own identity away from home.

To everyone who has a sibling, this book will definitely be relatable in so many angles. It is truly a timeless read.

3. Jessica Darling Series by Megan McCafferty

Jessica Darling is the best friend we wish we all have. In McCafferty’s series, Jessica, the main character, goes through life with her unique sense of humor that we can all relate to, regardless of age.

The Jessica Darling series is like reading your teenage life on paper, only written in a snarkier tone. Watch out for major throwback feels as the books will certainly make you wish you’re back in high school.

4. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Death and the loss of innocence are just some the themes present in this YA classic. For those who are looking for something darker and more powerful, then Lord of the Flies is a definite must-read.

The book starts off with a group of young British boys stranded after their plane crashed on a remote tropical island far from civilization. At first, the boys marvel at the fact that they are now living on their own. But things turn ugly when the boys begin to elect leaders among them. Factions are formed and betrayal became apparent among them.

Sounds familiar? Yes, it's called being an adult.

5. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Forget the movie, and read the book instead.

The Giver is about Jonas’ journey to discovering the truth about the seemingly perfect world that he lives in, where hurt and suffering do not exist. Upon turning twelve, Jonas is given the incredible ability to hold the memory of the world, memories that nobody knows about except for the The Giver himself. When Jonas realizes that these memories are too powerful and beautiful to be hidden from people, he decides to run away and break all the rules.

For all those times when we feel so powerless against society, the book tells us that standing up for what you believe in is worth a shot.