Last Monday's trip to town to get some burgers with my friend Alison and unintentionally exploring the area because we got lost. Stumbled into a restaurant / bar with the most gorgeous sitting area outside with fountains and of course, a view of the glass house the bar is in. I think I might have an idea where to have my birthday (fingers crossed it wont be full!)

I'm not sure if it was because we were hungry, but literally every burger on the menu sounded so scrumptious. In the end, I had the Bronut and an oreo milkshake, Alison had the El Diablo, and we shared some dirty fries. The El Diablo tasted quite like tacos in a burger, which was really good - but surprisingly really spicy too. The Bronut was a combination of food from the heavens - bacon, peanut butter and jam, glazed donuts, and cheeseburger. It was truly living the dream having all my favourites in one. I wonder why I've never tried to make it.

Burgerfest had the sickest decor and they even had a sega games room and a ping pong dome, which we totally would have tried out if we were not so into catching up. But definitely a place to hang out and be unhealthy (well you could hit a few ping pong balls and burn some calories after I guess).

Wearing shorts and light coats to make full use of autumn, especially those few sunny days.

Dressing up the most basic outfit with structured outerwear.

Blazer and cape from Missguided, Shirt from Gap, 

Shorts from Zara, Belt from Topshop, 

Bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Shoes from Valentino

 x

Amelia

Outfit details: 

x

Amelia

12.10.2015

No Monday Blues

It's been weighing on my mind how change can be good, especially from having one of the best times in life. But I think I'm slowly realising how instead of what is good and bad, things could really just be different. Which is turning out to be one the best things in a weird way. Or maybe in all 20 years of my life, I have finally sprouted a shred of wise-ness.

Finding all sorts of reasons to spend time with you again just mindlessly walking on the streets and having mini conversations about anything at all. People are always saying how you have to look for the right one, who will be there to treasure you and love you for who you are; and if you find them, you are so lucky. Thank you for finding and choosing me, I hope I make you feel lucky and loved because I know I do.

x,

Amelia

Are you a tomorrow person? 

Not like in the show, but rather, do whatever you can to not do what you have to do. Procrastination in short. To be fair, 'It's long from being due, I'll do it tomorrow', 'there's still time' comes out of my mouth more times in a day than I'd care to admit. But as always, tomorrow never comes and no, there is never time left to meet deadlines when you finally realise there is no way you can continue sitting on your ass and getting your soul sucked from watching Netflix. 

Though I do love nothing more than munching on sweet and salty popcorn, mindlessly sitting through hours of TV series on Netflix (Netflix is love, Netflix is life), I seriously underestimated the work load this last year was going to bring. Having a relaxing timetable is honestly so deceiving. That being said, I do need to focus and camp in the library for a few days to get some work done. 

Being a lazy bum, you can only imagine the mess I live in (workable mess, if I might salvage my reputation). Therefore, I shall try to be neater / more organised / more responsible / hardworking ... blah blah blah. So here are some little things that I do / am trying to do to keep my life more in check. Call it my resolution so my future self will thank me.

#1 Make lists:

I love lists. Or rather ticking and crossing things off lists. I practically have lists for everything. Chores that need to be done, groceries and household items I need to get, errands I have to run, you get the gist. It helps such that you wont end up leaving something important out or completely forgetting about it. Unless of course you forget to even put it on the list (to which i have nothing to say). 

#2 Actually get things done:

Yep, the dishes aren't going to do themselves and the laundry is not going to be folded nicely and fly into your closet. Though if there ever is some machine that can do that, TAKE MY MONEYYYY. Getting down to doing it is difficult but you just have to get into it and you will be on a roll soon enough. I try to 'force' myself to get chores done by planning something after or putting it before I go out or go to bed. Almost like a reward system.

#3 Do important things first:

Which brings me back to the lists. Have a colour code or a separate section for things you have to do that are top priority and get to it first thing in the morning or afternoon (i'm not a morning person). Apparently, the brain will be more focused and awake then, so do important things that require the mind first before you drift off and get distracted with anything and everything (trust me, analysing the strands of thread on the carpet can sometimes be more interesting than getting work done). And as the day drags on, involve yourself in the little chores of tidying up, and running errands. 

#4 Check mail:

This is a tough one I have to say. I'm one of those idiots who have hundreds of unread mail. Which is why you'd be better off trying to get me on Facebook or something, just in case. I mean, what is worse than sifting through junk mail right when you get up? Better off scrolling and double tapping (if you know what I mean, high five!) But well, this has been something I have tried to do (who am I kidding) and I guess should try a little harder at doing. I think it will help to make you feel like you are actually doing something important and that you should continue doing important things (like the essay and set of workshop questions - eeep!)

#5 Netflix and chill:

Well, we need to relax once in a while right? And what better way than to really be relaxed and enjoy all your favourite shows without that feeling of doom at the back of your mind (actually that might just be guilt). Anyway, whichever it is, chill first then get scared and do work, or finish everything and chill, have at least a few hours even minutes if you are busy to do something you enjoy. Well I enjoy drawing and stuff but at the end of a long day, Netflix is just the answer. 

Losing my schedule book definitely is not helping my situation but I did make one today (as proven above). And I did fill it out with the things I needed to get done, just saying. But #2 obviously did not happen. So, this post has made me feel like some high level procrastinator. But one small step at a time is better than nothing at all right? Well that is what I tell myself at least, to make me feel better about being such a sloth. I can see now why my friend compares me to Snorlax. Let google educate you if you do not know what that is.

Which technically is a pretty accurate description (lol).


x, Amelia

Im wearing monki blouse and jeans, nike air max, primark cardigan

x, Amelia

1. Stock up on necessities, especially those that are not readily available wherever you'll be, such as medicine and special brands of beauty products. Don't be caught like me in my first year when I had the worst allergy and had to run to town to find medicine. It's terrible when people keep saying hey, you got a lil somethin somethin on your face. Like, dude, that is my face (or at least grew to be part of my face)  

2. Always have emergency numbers and kits ready. Have a first aid kit in your room in case you decide to cook for the first time ever and well, sometimes things don't go as planned. Or if you're a clumsypot like I am, who can crumble even while standing still, you'll be thanking yourself you have supplies. Especially when it's nighttime and there's no 24 hour Mustafa or people to help you. 

3. Carry around a pocket knife or pepper spray when you go travelling. Better safe than sorry. 

4. Always ensure you're aware of your surroundings when you travel and that your bag can be zipped closed. If you have a bag pack, carry it on the front. (I personally try to carry a small sling bag and never let my hand off it) Also, split up your cash so if some get stolen, you're not going to end up broke and crying for help - not so glamourous then huh. 

5. Always stay hydrated. The change in weather means there's a high chance of falling sick. Especially when the weather is colder, you won't feel the need to replenish water because you don't perspire. But the air is a lot dryer so it's easy to catch a cold (starting to sound a lot like a granny)

6. If you're forever hungry like me, always have some noodles or snacks lying around in your room. For when those hunger pangs hit at night and there's no Newton or Prata places to satisfy your supper needs. (Never appreciated 24hour food places until I went overseas - woes of a vampire)

7. Don't be afraid to meet new people and make friends. Everyone is on the same boat so just be nice. Get out of your comfort zone and hang out with friends from other places in the world. Studying abroad gives you the best opportunity to learn more about other cultures, taste food from around the world, and maybe even experience their lifestyles when you travel to visit them. 

8. Try not to take offence when people don't know where you're from. Just google world map and maybe point it out. 

9. Download useful apps before leaving to ensure you can arrive safely to wherever you need to be without getting too lost. It's quite loserly (if that's even a word) but I save images off google of maps, booking confirmations and train lines so i can refer to it when I have no data connection (happens more often than you can imagine, and at times you need it most)

10. If the word "sale" excites you, please don't overpack. If you think you've under brought stuff, chances are, you're still overpacked. Student discounts and next day delivery are literally the key words of shopping heaven. And you don't even have to leave your bed! Plus, you'll be pretty popular in your building by the end of the term because everyone will know your name from all the parcels. (Whoops!) But yeah, point is, when you have to move, that is going to be a major headache. Storage and movers might not come cheap, and shipping has to be planned way in advanced. (Don't want to be stuck having to rush for a flight while movers delay in collecting your boxes)

11. Pack things you're sure you can get over there last. Toiletries such as tooth brush and soaps take up a lot of baggage weight and space. If you're really pushing it, take out clothes and heavier items such as soaps. Pack some travel size ones to last over the few days as you arrive and get stuff ready for school. 

12. There's not much need to be kiasu (afraid to lose) and bring rice cooker, pots, woks and what not. Chances are there will be Asian stores that will sell them. And honestly, it's such a hassle to carry that onto the trains along with your giant bags. (It was such a struggle and I barely managed to make it back with everything) One thing you should be kiasu about if you're fussy is to bring along your bolster. I had no idea it was a Asian thing, and I had the hardest time trying to buy one over in the UK (trust me, there was hardly any - even on Amazon) Most other things are pretty much easy to find. 

Can't wait to start my final year and graduate to be officially unemployed. It's going to be so different. But let's just stay positive. To those just starting their first years, have fun, it's going to be an unforgettable experience. 

X, Amelia 

I never knew that there was a mall near the new stadium until mama lai brought us for dinner there. (My momma more hip than yours) but it's a pretty cool place. There are a number of places to eat and even rock climbing walls. (In the middle of the mall?!) So I guess if you're the active type, it would be fun. Though I much prefer to be as close to the ground as possible and just enjoy my donut from there. I think a sloth would describe me pretty well.