Some of My Favourite Pictures From Holiday

I don't know whether it's just me, but whenever I see bloggers post something about their holidays, I always get so intrigued.

Some of you may know that I've recently visited the U.K. I was there for a good 15 days and I absolutely had the time of my life. I mentioned in my September highlights post that I got to visit my good friends and family over there. It was just amazing. 

So, I just wanted to share some of my favourite pictures from the trip.

-Architectures and random bits-

-Amazing food and people- 

P/S: I did vlog throughout my stay in the U.K. So, feel free to check my vlogs here.

September Highlights 2017

I know it's a bit late but September was by far the best month for me this year. 

Not only did I achieve all of my September goals, but I also got to enjoy the whole month to the absolute fullest. I've decided to highlight a couple of good memories I've had so that I can look back and relive the moments in the future when I'm feeling nostalgic. 

So, here are 10 of my September highlights:

1. I got to experience one of my closest and dearest friends in a beautiful wedding gown with the man she loves. 

2. I got to visit my little family over in the UK after almost a year.

3. I went for a weekend escape in a retreat with my loved ones.

4. I got to more spend time with my family and friends.

5. I managed to do numerous spontaneous things, one being - getting a tattoo, or two.

6. I got to have afternoon tea several times, which is one of my favourite things in the whole world.

7. I got to meet up with a couple of friends in the UK who were so inspirational.

8. I got to know people who are real to me and people who would be there for me no matter what.

9. I got to do the things I love so much, which are filming and editing videos (subscribe if you haven't already), meeting so many people online who listen to me on national radio, and entertaining so many people.

10. I got to witness so many beautiful things and buildings.

Honestly, September was such a beautiful month for me and I'm going to try my best to live as brightly as I did last month. 

34 MONTHS IN THE UK

Good morning my beautiful people

Today is the day! Today is the day I'm stepping on to a plane and flying over 17 hours back to my home country. Today is the day I say goodbye to Sunderland. Today is the day I say goodbye to the UK. It has been a 34-month roller coaster for me since September 2013 until today, June 2016.

I have decided to write one more post before signing off from the UK.

Today, I want to share 10 THINGS I'VE LEARNED WHILST BEING HERE FOR 34 MONTHS.


1) INDEPENDENT 

I used to think I was independent at the age of 18 - always doing things myself and all. Only to realize that was nothing compared to when you're in a different country without your family around you. It is a fresh yet terrifying feeling. Not going to lie, I've only had my first debit card when I was 21 years old. Oh yes, absolutely ridiculous!

But when you're in another country, no matter how attached you are to your parents, be it financially or non-financially, you learn to be more independent. You handle bills yourself, you cook for yourself, you fight your own battles. In my case, I learned to speak confidently in front of people and I got myself a job which increased my chances of speaking more to people. Bills are always the toughest things, in my opinion. Even until this day, I absolutely HATE handling bills (some kind of accountant I am). It's not that I can't count or do them, it's just that I hate them. But at the end of the day, you know you can only rely on yourself to learn new things.

2) MOVING IS TIRING

I finally know now when people say "I'm so tired. I haven't slept for 4 days since I moved house". Oh yes, I should know. In the 34 months, I've moved house 3 times. THREE TIMES! I used to think it's just one place to another. You move your things from here to there and get sorted within hours. Oh how very wrong was I!

It is a tiring and tedious situation. It takes out all your energy and effort. And to make it feel nice and cozy like a home takes up A LOT of your time. But it's totally worth it in the end.

3) LEARN TO HAVE FUN

I guess this comes as no surprise to most of you. It's the time when you're finally away from your parents and you can do whatever you want. Of course, you have to be wise enough to differentiate the good and the bad.

But the point I'm trying to make here is that you only get one life. If you don't make it fun and enjoyable, then that's completely your loss. I felt like I wasted my first 9 months here because all I did was work and study. Looking back now, I feel like I could have done so much more in those 9 months! So even though you're here to study, learn to relax and have some fun too.

4) MORE OPEN-MINDED

I'm already quite an open-minded person. But there's so much more for me to learn out there. I'm constantly learning new things. EVERY SINGLE DAY. From recipes to directions, from work to other countries. Just be as open-minded as you can and enjoy as you learn. Because you will never ever stop learning.

5) EXERCISING MAKES ME A HAPPY PERSON

The first few months living here was a nightmare. I could not sweat, I could not function properly because all I could think about was exercise. So, I decided to walk 30-45 minutes everyday. Then, I joined the Dance Squad of course. It was such an amazing journey. All the people I've danced with are just amazing. In fact, one of the proudest things I've ever done not just here, but in my entire life, was dancing in front of a crowd and competing in dance competitions.

But yes, exercising will always make me feel happy and relaxed - whether that's carrying heavy things or just walking from home to uni.

6) APPRECIATE YOUR PARENTS MORE

Why do I say this? Because now, whenever I spend my own money that I worked so hard for, my heart aches a little. Sometimes, a lot when I go on a massive shopping spree but let's not get into that. When I first arrived here, I had no intention of getting a job because of the spoiled little brat I am. I spent my parents' money like nobody's business. And one day, when I was about to go broke, I told myself "enough is enough. no more doing stupid shit".

And when you actually get a job and work, you learn the hardships yourself. Therefore, I have been financially stable since 2014. Not sure about the next couple of weeks though since I am now jobless yet again. Haha!

7) APPRECIATE THE LITTLEST THINGS IN LIFE

I would never in a million years thought I would be one to say this because I'm just so caught up with everything. But appreciating the littlest things in life CAN actually make you happy. I learned that here one day when I was taking a nice walk in the park on a cold winter's morning. There's beauty everywhere. The birds chirping, the wind blowing, the squirrels that pop out of no where. These things are small yet beautiful. Learn to appreciate just the tiniest thing that makes you happy :D

8) GOOD FRIENDS ARE HARD TO FIND

It is not often that people want to waste their time to understand your situation or ever try to understand you. Hence, the saying "friends come and go". I've known this since I was growing up. But I really can't compare my teenage situation to my adulthood situation. You learn about lies, betrayal and all those things that make you unhappy and changes you.

But there are good people around that are in the same boat or want to be friends with you. Once you've found the people you can connect with, never ever let them go. Invest your time in good people and good friends and good surroundings.

9) STRUGGLING IS NORMAL

Oh it is so normal to struggle. Just remember, nobody has a perfect life. It's how you cope with your problems and what you decide to do about the situation are what matters. Sometimes, I look around me and see myself struggling more than the people around me. What do I do? Cry?

NO!

Get back up, keep working hard and don't give up.

10) APPRECIATE THE "FAMILY" YOU HAVE HERE

I mean, I've just written a whole post about them last night. It's always important to socialize but once you feel comfortable with the people around you, you know you've found the right people.

I have "brothers" and "sisters" who support the heck out of me. It's nice to know if things ever go wrong, you can always count on them.



These are all the things I've learned in the past 34 months. It has been a long journey, hasn't it? I've really enjoyed my time here but it's time for a little break :)


I will check in with you guys once I have access to Wi-Fi :D


I hope everyone is having a nice week so far and I love you all very much.


Thank you so much for reading.


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FINAL DAYS AT WORK + FAREWELL GIFTS

Good evening my lovely readers

Today's post is just going to be really simple and a little personal.


DAY 18 OF MY LITTLE ADVENTURES: 2 FINAL DAYS AT WORK + FEW THOUGHTFUL FAREWELL GIFTS 

So as most of you know, I handed in my notice 2 weeks ago and yesterday was finally my last day at work. I feel happy and somewhat sad at the same time. I didn't think I would feel this way at all. A month ago, when I had this whole plan to quit both jobs in my head, I felt happy. I felt like I was finally going to be free! Thursday was my last shift as a waitress and yesterday was my last shift as a Project Manager.

Before actually quitting my jobs, I thought no one would give a single shit about me leaving. Because it's not like they can't find someone better than me to do the job or I'm just another employer leaving the company. Until my last days of working, I still felt that way.

So what made me think otherwise?

Let me start off with the waitress job. 

On Thursday, I finally realized how attached I am to the people at work and how much they've changed my life, how much impact they've had on me, and how much my boss actually values me. Set aside the fact that I've been working there for 2 and a half years. 

My boss took me out for coffee while I was on my 3-hour break. And he got personal with me and told me everything. From how he feels about each and every staff, to what happened in the past. I feel somewhat privileged to sit with him while he poured his heart out to me. I mean, I know I'm trustworthy (well, my close friends know it) but I didn't think I would ever be an employee that would earn his trust. It felt good. It was a refreshing feeling.

Meanwhile, the manager of the restaurant gave me a little goodbye speech in private which was very much appreciated. I've never seen him as the type of person that would give two fucks (I'm sorry, I really needed to use that word because that's the only way I can describe his personality) about anyone. He is a good person, don't get me wrong. But he is really quiet when it comes to talking to staffs. It's really good actually because that way. he keeps a safe distance from all the employees so that he won't be bias to anyone. And that's what I like about him. But when I received a little speech from him, not going to lie, I almost shed a tear. To cut it short, he told me I will always be welcomed to go back if I needed a job or anything.

My final shift as a waitress with these lovely people

It's funny how I feel so connected to these people considering they all came in later than me. I guess once you have your gang, you know it yourself. You feel safe with them and you can tell them anything. That's how I feel with them. We don't work together everyday and we don't see each other everyday but there's just the feeling of comfort when I'm with them. And I am forever grateful. I will never ever ever ever forget this moment.

Now, let me get on with my last day as a Project Manager yesterday.

I would never in a million years thought I would get an office job because I just have no confidence in what I do. But the manager was just such a nice man. Not going to lie, he can be a dick at times, but so does all the managers in the world.

He is probably one of the best people I've worked for. He's been nothing but a friend to me. Everytime I work with him in the office, it feels more like a party than work. He's been so encouraging and always supporting me. And honestly, I didn't think he would give a single fuck (again, this word is very much needed) about me leaving because of how he complains about all the previous staffs.

Instead, at 4 p.m., he asked me to home and enjoy the rest of my day. Before I left the office, he even handed me a little gift and a card. This absolutely took me by surprise as he doesn't look like the type of person who buys gifts for people. Haha. But I received a bottle of Jack Daniels and a nice little card with a nice little speech in it. I'm not even joking, I almost cried!

He gave me a nice goodbye speech in person as well. And to cut it short again, he told me the door is always open for me if I come back to Sunderland.

Alcohol and chocolate - PERFECT FAREWELL GIFTS! Haha!

I honestly didn't think I would be welcomed back to work for either of my companies but I'm so happy to hear that from them. I guess I sort of made an impact on their lives too. Haha!!! Who am I kidding! I'm just a simple girl :)

Now that I'm temporary jobless, I feel somewhat naked. Haha. But I feel relaxed too. We'll see what happens next though :D




Hope you're all having a great weekend so far!


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