Highlights of 2020 for Forever-Hibernating

 A worldwide pandemic? Couldn't have predicted that!

There's no escaping covid-19 news. The new norm of face masks, social distancing and an abundance of hand sanitisers has made 2020 a year of practicing strict levels of hygiene. It would be a strange and memorable time to reflect back on in 20 years time- unless we are hit by another pandemic.

Lockdown has presented itself as a challenge for various aspects of life from wellbeing to mental health, from careers to education. Yet- there are a couple of things that deserve a notable mention. I feel like the dynamic of society has unconsciously shifted where people have become more caring and making that extra effort. The transition to working from home has pushed the concept of flexible working a reality. It has built a society more resilient to change, adapt and mindful of others. 

 1st Class graduate

A personal success of 2020 is that I have graduated with a 1st class Marketing Management degree from the University of Lincoln. It's weird, I cannot pinpoint when my education journey ended- it was a random Wednesday. Graduation ceremony still pending. 

Mac Loud and Clear Highlighter in Hot Damn-Oiselle D'avignon

 I was lusting for this highlighter for ages because of the unique simplistic packaging as well as the gorgeous warm peachy hue.

Project Pan during a PAN-demic

Another uneventful return to the blogging world whilst trying new things. The gif shown above was a little experiment that I had  undertaken during the lockdown period where I vowed to learn new things. Who would have thought that 2020 would be the perfect year for a Project Pan pun. 

Ironically, there are very few empty makeup pans from my initial post. I realised that with the directed method of project pan it restricts me too much which causes an avoid response. Now I celebrate every pan that I hit regardless on whether it was in my project pan list. 

Healthy Balance Powder | Bourjois 
Over this period, I have been foregoing foundation and been using concealer and this powder. I used to think that this powder was excellent at doing it's job and that the shine glistening on my forehead is from my base makeup etc. Imagine my surprise when I used my Innisfree Powder on a recent trip and I was completely matte with the same base makeup. This has made me come to a conclusion; it's good but not that good.  

Project Pan 2020- Mindful Buying

We're back!

This blog is seeing another project pan in 2020, I think it is a great way to use up makeup and skincare whilst promoting mindful spending.

As consumers, we are experiencing a marketing overload encouraging us to buy new products because they feature the latest technology, nicer packaging or a one-off special edition. It creates a need with urgency leading to many impulse purchases and many other things being neglected in my collection.

Travel | Visit to Wat Arun

This post has been sitting in my drafts for a while, it would be a shame to let the image of the beautiful place to go to waste.

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. 

LIFE | Happy Belated 20th Birthday to Carmen

I may be more than a couple of weeks late to my birthday post which should have been posted on the 28th September but let's just pretend I did.

It's weird to think I have already reached another milestone in life. The vehicle of life that I am riding is accelerating at rates unfathomable to myself with times of gentle lulling, unexpected traffic jams and uncontrollable diverted roads. 

Recently, a cauldron of emotions have been brewing inside my head. A sprinkle of stress, a dashing of university and a whole lot of growing up. I have a feeling you will be seeing me more on here.

Entering my 20's was very intimidating and daunting. This is the phase in life where things can change the most drastically. Big changes occur and transitions will cement the paths that will be taken and decisions upon whether the you actually progress on that road is a mystery. The lifestyle stage between being in your early 20s where your are in education and trying to find a job would progress to the expectation, that you would be in a stable job, saving up to buy a house and that you are somewhat in control of your life. 

I am still trying to find what is truly me. Some individuals have settled into themselves as soon as they start university, but i'm still struggling to determine who 'Carmen' is. There are still many moments where the awkward teen with no social skills peek out into the world; would I miss her if she goes completely? 

I guess... I am scared. 

Travel | Meet Me At The Cascada Monumental

The best way to start posting about my holiday adventure is to start off with my favourite picture that I took after 6 weeks of travelling.

This picture was taken in Barcelona, a city overflowing with beautiful sculptures and landscapes, rightly so because its the birthplace of the famous architect Gauldi. It was designed by a Catailan architect Josep Fontserè with contributions from young Gauldi, it is located at the Ciutadella Park.

The picture above, was taken at the top of the fountain where the cascading waters start its descent. Unlike the front of the monument, I wouldn't say that with one look it would leave you awestruck but it gives a sense of rawness with the sharp edges that juts out in all different directions and appreciate the level of care that was put into this beautiful fountain. The shadows casted from the sculpture created a beautiful dynamic between the warmth of the sun and the material.

Travel | Hitchin Lavender Farm

These images of my friend always makes me go uwu. 

Hitchin Lavender Farm costs £6 to enter the lavender fields where they provide you with an adequate sized brown paper bag and a pair of scissors so you can fill up the bag. A majority of the fields are made up of  purple lavender but there is a very very small patch of white lavender at the far end of the fields- keep an eye out for them. Beyond the lavender fields, there are sunflowers patches which can be picked at a price of 50p per a stem. Even on busy days, the fields don't feel crowded because the site is so vast that there are many spots where you can take the perfect Instagram. 

Travel | 5 things to know before going to Hong Kong

 (sorry for the awkwardly long image, I'm experimenting with sizes and layouts)

1. Octopus Cards are your best friends
If you're travelling in Hong Kong for a few days where you would be using public transport regularly, I would definitely recommend you to nip to the closest MTR station service desk to buy one of these nifty cards. To use this card, there would be a sum of money which would be deducted with every purchase from public transports (except taxis), stores and restaurants. To top the octopus card up, you can go to any convenience store like Seven Eleven and Circle K where you can ask for a top up.When you purchase the card, you would need to pay a deposit and upon return, there would be a refund a sum of money.

2. Tissues, tissues, tissues
Did I stress that you need tissues enough? Some of you may not know the importance of having a packet of tissues or a napkin from the meal that you had yesterday. Unless you are going to the toilet in large shopping centres, be prepared to use your own precious stash of tissues. So always bring some tissue with you to the toilet regardless because we don't want emergencies like pleadingly asking for anyone to pass you some tissues. If you want to be extra fancy and try something new, Tempo Tissues are scented with a variety of flavours from mint to peach.

Travel | Cats of Thailand

'Cats' and 'Thailand' are two separate nouns that I have never thought would be worthy of a blog post but here I am, making the unlikely happen.

Review | Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream

I'm a Innisfree skincare advocate. They have many skincare lines which target different problem areas and concerns whilstusing natural ingredients sounds like a winner for me. 

From the pictures above, you can already seen how much I've used and I am loving every little bit of it. Innisfree claims that the Jeju orchids are packed with anti-oxidents and neutrilising agents which will combat the negative effects that daily life has on the skin- mainly targeting anti-ageing.

Travel | A New York Fairytale

Long overdue travel post of my not-so recent trip to New York with my business studies class for an 'educational' trip- that's what they always say. 

Days were fully packed and schedule so we used our time most efficiently so there was little time to truly explore since we were there for education however, here are a few touristy pics that I was able to snap up.  

Jetlag, excitement and awe was experienced at this moment. We arrived at night so we could hardly appreciate the concrete jungle but after a night of resting, I was eager to open the curtains for New York to welcome us so I scrambled to the window with my camera in hand- waiting for this moment. Even though this photo isn't the most beautifully taken or the best quality or has the best composition, it is one of my favourite image from the trip because of this moment. 

Photo Diary | The Golden Hours That Caresses Tsim Sha Tui

This is the first post in this new series of photo diary posts that I am going to write in the future. I have been finding it very hard to sit down to compose any literate piece of writing, and if i do- it lacks sincerity. 

Yesterday, I captured a few photos at Tsim Sa Tui when I spent a few hours just listening to music then had a realisation that it would be perfect to create a mini series highlighting special moments in the beauty of life. 

So let's set sail to a new era of Forever-Hibernating!