Thanks.

Dear Whom It May Concern, 

I just want to say thanks- in a small unobtrusive uncharacteristically nice-ish post as I don't say it enough. 

Thanks for everything you help me with then nonchalantly shrug it off like its the norm. 
Thanks for being a silly sausage and joining me in the crazy stuff i do
Thanks for filling my gallery with special moments and allowing me to drag you to places. 
Thanks for overcoming my strategising heart and mind that plans its latest demise 
Thanks for allowing me to soak every top with tears- I'm doing you a favour and washing it tbh
Thanks for being patient 
Thanks for staying by side when I was at my loneliest 
Thanks for calling me beautiful

You have accepted me wholly, for that I am grateful.

Travel | The One Day That I Was In The Louvre

It was truly a beautiful day to be in Paris.

I was in Paris for one day- exactly one day- so I had to compact everything that I wanted to do into the constraints.

Once in Paris, everything had its own flawless quirk. Traveller's chasing the famous Parisian lifestyle that they had dreamed about and has an entire interest board to represent and immerse themselves.
Minute flaws seem to dwarf itself against the beautiful attractions where each individual is mentally ticking things off on their 'to see list' and documenting their time.

Things That Make Me Happy #1

There's too much negativity in the world. Here are a few small things that make me happy and to remind you to find happiness in unexpected places. 

1). Unexpected beauty 
2) Surpassing expectations whether it be in others or yourself. 
3) The perfect cuppa tea where the fine balance of tea and milk is harmonised. 
4) Potatoes. I am here to announce that potatoes are underrated and need more appreciation for the work they do. 
5) Experiences with friends. 
6) Buildings which are aesthetically pleasing. 
7) Trying on something that fits you so perfectly that it instantly spikes your confidence. 
8) Stroking random dogs whilst on a walk. 
9)When my foundations melts seamlessly into my face. 
10) Memes thrown unexpectedly into conversation .
11) A hot meal for dinner.                                  

An Investment into My Future Career

When we talk about investment, the 2 critical words is whether we are making a profit or a loss. Are we making an investment in the short term or the long term? What's the level of certainty that we'll get a return? 

At 20, I am experience first-hand how daunting planning and strategising on how I am going to achieve my dream career. It has made me realise that careers are a tricky investment, there are peaks, lows, risks and opportunities. Where you as an individual, will influence how it pans out in the future. At times, certain risks like agreeing to a job that may need you to sacrifice time or money which can be seen as a loss, may lead to another profit like connections in life in the long term. Over this summer, I had to debate whether to prioritise experience or money- and I would say the latter. After obtaining several work experiences and a job, it has demonstrated that it is an interconnected cycle where one directly feeds another. 

So the question is, are all losses unprofitable? 

Exploring Kowloon City

On my recent trip to Hong Kong, I got to explore Kowloon City. Unlike Mong Kok and Central, this place will not impress you with it's trendiness or with any high fashion shops that Hong Kong is famous for. Instead, Kowloon City entrances visitors with it's aged personality where hints of Thailand ribbons it's way through the street.

The unbearing humidity beckoned by the passing showers and the heat made exploring harder but it becomes the norm. This shop encapsulates the essence of Hong Kong life in the 1970s (according to my mum who is a native) before the introduction of supermarket chains. Loyal customers keep breathing life into this shop desiring a truly authentic shopping experience where rows upon rows of stacked sauces tower of each individuals head. The natural movement of tiptoeing on the balls of the feet to reach for the desired sauce which adorns that nights dinner. As you shuffle through the aisles, your lasting footprints enriches the visible wear of the floor where the past and the present merge into one.

As the days come and go, these authentic supermarkets are becoming more and more scarce. If the opportunity presents itself, instead of withdrawing back from the aged and messy clutter- go in to find the hidden gems of the past.

Your distant close friend.

'You okay?'
'No- I'm struggling to come to terms on being independent and spending time on my own. I feel like you're forgetting me and I'm having a hard time coping with that. Yes I'm cool lol'

University is a time where you may really struggle with mental health and emotions that brew within the mysterious mind- and it may hit a time when the concoction turns sour.

Mine finally spoilt.

Unlike the times when the overwhelming stress of finishing a deadline in the last few days before the assignment is due, I become the unsuspecting victim suffocating in the tsunami of loneliness.

The funny thing is that physically all my main friendship groups are the closest they have ever been but also, the furthest that I have felt from them. For a couple of months, I was prioritising work and summer placements, I was slaving endless hours scouring the internet for my entry into the world of work. Was sacrificing socialising for productivity worth it in my futile placement search? S l o w l y but surely, I was being left behind- forgotten, a distant friend.

The bus journey.

It's been rough. 

The exhaust of the bus shakily breathes. 

In unison, I shakily breathe. 

It was approaching midnight,

the darkness drowned out the noise where my crystal clear reflection stared back.

A single tear- slowly traced the length of my face. 

Eyes swelled, face hardened and the reflection distorted

I cannot recognise the sad girl who entered 2019. 

It was 1am in Hong Kong- walking and taking in the foreign country where no one knows who I am,

yet a place so familiar

The tears broke, the hard steel wall broke.