Things I've Learnt About Hong Kong Summers So Far

You learn about the local bugs and creatures

Yup, some you knew existed. Others just are like wow, get out of my room, wtf is that, hell no. Newest revelation? Big flying cockroaches. Just wow. It's like God hates us or something. Oh, and they don't die by the way.

You gotta shit quick

Summer's here and boy, that poop better be urgent because you stay in there for more than five minutes, the house is gonna be flooded by your sweat. I'm serious. Unless your bathroom has aircon then good for yooooou.

UK summer clothes vs HK summer clothes
I thought, yes I can wear summer clothes I couldn't wear in UK because it was never hot enough. Oh my god, the weather here is so different. You can't wear tshirts, it has to be either vest tops or nothing. You can't wear certain colours either because sweat will show. 

People stare

So because it's hot, you would think it's appropriate to wear anything short because anything longer you'll end up combusting. People stare like they've never seen an exposed shoulder before, so you can imagine their faces when I walk around with my legs AND my toes out. Jeez. Yes it's summer and yes I am hot, I'm allowed to wear this. Everyone here still wears long sleeves and leggings. I ain't climatised yet fooool.

More sweat equals more spots

Yup, my skin hasn't been happier. Thank goodness - I was worried my skin was getting too clear.

Shower twice a day
I shower at night because I like to be clean before I go to bed. I know some people need it for waking up in the morning or they just somehow transform into something horrendous in the middle of the night or don't shower at night. You really have to shower at night from a day of sweating, and then have a shower in the morning after a night of sweating. Plus new smells have come out since being here. Like ew, what is this. This did not exist back in UK.

Whiter the better

Nearly everyone I see has an umbrella up to prevent sun damage and to preserve their pale skin. And then there's me trying to get a tan. You should see all the whitening products here. 

Speaking of umbrellas

Seriously, whether it's torrential rain or sunny, people with umbrellas up don't give a fuck if they poke your eyeballs out. Nah, it's okay fam, I've got some spare ones back at home. Don't you worry about it. Also, I'm 5ft3 so for the smaller people holding them, I'm the perfect jabbing height.

When it rains, it's pours

UK has signs like drizzling before it definitely plunges down. The UK weather is polite like that. Here, well. The person with the umbrella may have poked you in the eye but you better be besties with them. HK just pours. Oh wait, I guess the ominous clouds is a sign, along with a huge crackle of thunder and then, yeah, good luck mate. It all happens very quickly. What about typhoons? Hahaha, so long buddy.

So you wanna look pretty? Shame
I'm a makeup lover. I love wearing it and experimenting with looks. Since coming here, wow. You need to stock up on humidity resistant products and anything waterproof to protect you from that Level 10 typhoon. Lol, urban decay setting spray to save the day. But seriously, as soon as you step outside for a minute, your makeup will try and run back indoors to cool down. You wanna know what makeup lovers look like in 100% humidity? Check out the matchmaker from Mulan. Shit you not, accurate representation. I'm still gonna pile it on though, I'm persistent.

Mother nature hates your hair

So it'll go two ways, either your hair will go "poooof!" or it'll be dead to the world. Unfortunately, I'm the latter. No amount of hairspray, dry shampoo, grips or backcombing will make my hair look magical in this heat.

Eat things quick or the ants will

So going back to the bugs point, yeah this one is pretty nasty. I don't like bugs and so when ants come into the house, I do not handle it well. I talc the floor and spray everywhere until the bastards suffocate. I really do not like bugs at all even though I know they have an important role in the ecosystem. I just can't. Also if the ants don't, the mould will instead. Eat fast, food sweats too. Oh and I have to use dehumidifying bags too, otherwise my clothes will be the same as the bread.

I don't think I will get used to this summer. One minute I'm in a shop with the aircon blasting, next I'm back out in the 35 degree heat. Then I'm back in another shop and then back out again. My body can't cope.

Would I Be Friends With Myself?

If I had an exact clone of myself (personality wise), would I be friends with it?

Hell yeah.

To give a brief summary of myself:

• I am shy
• Socially awkward - to elaborate, say weird things when I'm nervous or am very quiet bordering on rude or non-existent 
• I like my own company
• I am an ambivert, so not totally introverted because I do like people
• Laid back
• Procrastinator 
• I doubt myself (WAY) too much
• Grumpy
• I love cartoons and playing games

You get the gist.

It's so hard to find someone who gets you. Who doesn't judge or question the way you are - they just know and appreciate your presence. Finding that kind of understanding and patience is like catching a freaking rare Pokemon. 

When you find someone who is similar to you, there's no effort to the friendship - well, sorta. It's easier. You just click and it's a fantastic feeling. It's usually the feeling of relief because making friends can be hard enough, let alone trying to maintain one.

I often see myself as boring, weird or just too damn quiet and I can see it put people off but that's okay. It's part of my character and I think it would be great to be friends with a clone who accepts that. Plus what I personally find boring or weird within myself may be the total opposite to the other person.

So clone, where you at?!

However I will do a post explaining "No" to this question too, just so I can see two sides.

Growing Up In An Asian Family.

Growing up with Asians is quite something. It's a love/hate thing going on. They're family after all but if you want to survive, here are some heads up.

If you're not Asian, this will be an insight.

• Make sure you don't go deaf. Asians may be small, but never underestimate the size of their lungs.

• When you think they're shouting, they're actually speaking on normal volume.

• You will definitely get the "doctor/lawyer" talk. 

• Obey your mother. You do not want to release the angry Asian mother.

• If you don't, you will get disciplined aka The Slipper

• Family will slag you off. 

• Family will insult you in front of your face. Good thing is, it makes you build a thicker skin. Why you so fat? Why you so skinny? Why you so stupid? Why you so ugly?

• Don't have a pencil sharpener? Grandma will use a knife cut away at the ends.

• You will eat rice with EVERYTHING.

• Your family will arrange for you to meet a "potential" partner.

• If you don't have kids or aren't married, you still receive red packets (money).

• Beware when explaining to your family that you want to date someone out of your race e.g. white/black

• You will never get a birthday party until you graduate university. 

• Everyone will get the bowl cut experience.

• Forced to listen to Chinese opera music.

• Forced to watch Cantonese TV drama.

• Forced to watch every cooking show. 

• But you'll love their game shows.

• Made to work in your parent's takeaway as soon as you pop out of the womb.

• You will know every single dish off the takeaway menu in Chinese.

• Learn to use the chopsticks, otherwise you dishonour your cow.

• If you're a girl, you're not a allowed a boyfriend until you get into university.

• Don't want to the typical Asian look? Avoid: fanny packs, white trainers, the peace sign  pose, glasses, carrying a bag of fruit - just never leave the house.

• The home phone will never stop ringing.

• You will have to give your grandparents or any elder in the house back massages. When I say massages, I mean they like punches to the back. Helps them somehow...

• Constant noise of family clearing their throat. Not pleasant.

• DURIAN!!! THAT IS ALL!!!

• Their love is cold, hard love.

• Never walk around the house with shoes on. You will get slapped.

Have any experiences that I haven't mentioned? Comment below!

The Eyebrow Dilemma.

When I was 11, my eyebrows used to be very bushy.

Good bushy because I could shape them, but having facials for over 10 years, it's affected my eyebrows.

They're an odd shape now and I wish I stopped my beauty therapist from waxing anymore but I trusted her to know what shape fitted me. 

Luckily my eyebrows are black but because I'm Chinese, you can see each individual eyebrow hair. They're not perfectly meshed together. My boyfriend has amazing eyebrows - shape and a good amount.

I never dare to colour them in and wear it out because every time I attempt, they look like a pair of slugs and I've even asked my sister to draw them on like she does with hers and nothing looks good. Trust me, it does not look natural. 

BEFORE

 AFTER

I've been trying to let my eyebrows grow again because I don't want to end up with over plucked eyebrows which is what plenty of girls have done to themselves. Because of this, they end up drawing hideous ones that cover most of their forehead. It makes you question where they got their inspiration from.

In the end, I am no professional and my eyebrows cannot be saved. They curve like a bracket, therefore I will never colour them in. 

50 Shades Of Grey Review [Film]

Before you start, I'm not 'one of those women' who bashed the book and the film, without even bloody reading and watching it. These women just kept judging it so stuff them.

I LOVE THE BOOK. Even though a lot of it is grammatically wrong. I am too, so that's okay. 

I love it because of the storyline, not because of the sex scenes and BDSM. The sex bit is meh. I'm a romantic at heart and how their love story develops is sweet.

So I have watched the film now aaaaaannnnnddd...... yeah, I prefer the book. SHOCK.

The film does show most of the book but I'm disappointed with it because it doesn't show the little bits that would have made sense in the film and to those who have not read the book. It was also quite slow moving. I didn't watch it with my parents because I'm in a different city but apparently my dad was falling asleep in it. 

SPOILERS ALERT!!! If you have not seen the film but want to, gooooo awwwwaaaay. 

Little Bits That Sam Taylor-Johnson (director) missed out (not in order either):

• Obviously one (not little) is the actors. Okay acting, but they looked nothing like how I or others imagined them to be. I fancied the pants off Christian Grey in the book. Copper hair that dangled on his face. Chiseled jaw. Straight nose. Very, very buff. The actor that plays him is Jamie Dornan. Yeah, I find him good looking in some angles. When I watched him in the film, I just didn't fancy him. I wanted to but it never happened. He looked nothing like Mr. Grey. As for the girl, she did look like Anastasia Steele but not who I had in my head of course. Also she's meant to have long, curly hair - not straight, greasy hair. Their chemistry was awkward. Actually, there wasn't any chemistry. It didn't feel convincing, it needs to feel real on and off screen (like Mr and Mrs Smith for example, you could feel the lust and bond).

• In the film, Ana drunk calls Christian and he asks her where she is and she hangs up. He calls again seconds later and tells her to stay where she was because he was coming for her. It shows the actress confused, leaves the club and Jose tries to kiss her and Christian suddenly turns up. The film doesn't show how Christian knows where Ana is at all times. In the book, he hires someone called Welch, who investigates in people's background for Christian, which is how he knows where she works, her number, her mother's address in Georgia. He also tracks her down on her phone (GPS) and installs tracking devices in his cars. She can never escape. 

• After Christian and Ana has had sex (using a condom), in the book she gets on the Contraceptive Pill by Christian's doctor, Dr. Greene. When he said it in the film, it was very quiet and I only knew what he just said because of the book. Also, the scene was done differently. In the book when she's on the Pill, she has to wait weeks until they can have sex otherwise she'll get pregnant and that the idea of waiting is what made it good in the book. I guess in the film, they didn't have much time for waiting since the sex scenes is what makes the film sell. 

• Ana's bloody flip phone in the film! In the book, Christian gives her a Blackberry to use but for some reason, Christian has an iPhone and Ana has a flip phone from the year 2005. Seriously? Why couldn't she get an iPhone too, if he can get her a Macbook? The phone is important because they contact each other through email regularly and also using the computer to contact Christian during work gets her into trouble so phone all the way. Hopefully, she'll get one in the second film. Hope it gets better altogether tbh.

• In the film, when Ana and Christian are breaking up (it came so suddenly as well), it just shows them talking in a heated discussion, he takes her to Red Room to show her how bad it can get, he slaps her with the belt, she cries, tells him she loves him, he doesn't say it back, then she packs her things, brings the gifts he bought for her and gives it back, then she gets to the lift, he follows her, she tells him to stop and then gets into the lift and they say, "Christian", "Anastasia". The end. It was such a poor ending. In the book, before he spanks her hard with what is described as a really thick, brown belt (which it wasn't in the film), he plays the piano like usual, and they start playing with each other like children. She runs around a table, like catch me if you can game, he says he'll catch her and punish her for running away. They do show the bit in the film where she says how much she hates being punished, like how he hates being touched. Then when she does say she loves him and he couldn't believe it, she tells him to leave so she can have a shower. The book says that while they were in Georgia visiting Ana's mother, she bought Christian a toy plane as a gift. Before she leaves Christian's apartment, she places the gift on the pillow and walks to the lift. Christian shows more emotion in the book and tells her not to leave. Then there's a scene where she's in the car, with Taylor driving her home, he hands her a handkerchief and she cries into that. And then I think, after, a shot of Christian looking out of the window and over Seattle. The film's ending seemed too abrupt and didn't convey Christian's emotions enough. Also that hanky appears again in the second book. Now, I mention that toy plane because Christian actually treasures Ana's gift to him and displays it as her iPad background (shown in book two), because I think, unless it's in the book, that no other sub or anyone has even given him a gift. Well, because he has everything. 

• When Ana gets spanked by the brown belt near the end (in the film), she cries but she doesn't cry as much as it shows in the book. But I guess if the actress was really balling it out in the film, don't think she would have been able to get her words out properly.

• Also, I'm sure Ana gets a job in the first book and that's where we meet Jack Hyde, because in the beginning of the second book - Ana doesn't eat and only drinks Diet Coke because she's heartbroken. Plus Jack keeps being creepy at work. Also, Jack plays an important factor in piecing Christian Grey together - which is why WELCH is also important because he does some digging on Jack. 

• We also haven't met Elena Lincoln yet. WHERE IS MRS ROBINSON?!

• Also, where is the lovely housekeeper?! UM, CAN'T REMEMBER HER NAME THOUGH.

• Near the beginning when Christian and Ana go for coffee, she says she doesn't like coffee and prefers tea with no milk and sugar. I feel this is important because he cares about her and her likes and dislikes. He remembers everything about her. But then again, he is a control freak. BUT, that symbolism of tea represents Britishness because her major was English Literature, therefore she's a romantic because of the British novels she studied. Sooooo, Christian knows she's a romantic and he learns to be more romantic for her because she likes flowers and stuff. Even though that not his style, mate. 

• Another thing about Ana's character, Christian likes brunettes but he doesn't like girls who are naturally blonde and dyes their hair brunette. For the actress who plays Ana, she's naturally blonde but dyes her hair for a character that's supposed to be naturally brunette. Confusing. I know it's a film so I'll let that one go.

• Christian's little sister, Mia. In the book, she is very tall, hair goes from black to blonde, skinny, white and girly. In the film, they casted Rita Ora. Definitely wrong casting. Mia is meant to be quite young as well, and Rita looks late 20s, early 30s. Some people said she looked like a 'drag queen' when pictures were shown of her as Mia.

• We don't see any willies. Just saying. 

• No mention of our beloved 'Inner Goddess' - then again it would be strange if Ana said she listens to a voice in her head.

• In the film, Christian keeps saying that he doesn't sleep with his 'subs', even though Ana was never one and they only showed him sleeping beside her once. It's a shame they didn't show him sleeping next to her more often because in the book, he doesn't sleep with the subs because he doesn't want that vanilla relationship. But when he accidentally slept next to Ana at her house, the next morning she asks him whether he had slept well, he replied that he did strangely. It's because when he sleeps alone, he has nightmares from his bad childhood but they don't stress this in the film. It just shows Ana complaining that he doesn't sleep in the same bed as her. Grrr. 

• The beginning when he tracks her down and randomly appears in an aisle Ana is about to walk past. Don't like. In the book, he walks into Claytons store and sees Ana at the checkout till, sat down eating a cream cheese bagel. He watches her intently and her movement. It shows him like a predator, tracking her down and going after the prey. She then wipes the cream cheese from the corner of her mouth and sucks her thumb. It then says Christian's er, willy, tingles like a teenager. Basically, it shows how much he fancies her and how much he wants her.

• Obvs, they took out the Tampon scene. That's okay. We can leave that in the book.

• Not enough sex. 

Plans For After University?

I DON'T KNOW!

I don't really believe how quickly it has come around. When I was a first year, I thought, 'Mate, we've got ages yet." WRONG!

I'm going to be graduating this year and I get asked this every single time by a different person.

So, what are your plans for after your degree?

Gulp. *run away*

In all honesty, I don't know. Internships? Jobs? Work abroad? So many choices. My approach is usually see what happens or what comes my way but I know it will not work that way. 

I've been applying but it's still scary. 

My worry is that my degree won't be useful or I won't be in an area that I studied for. It does happen so I'm prepared for it. 

I do wish I was more organised and had something planned out. We're all so concentrated with essays and making the most out of university that we forget about the life after. Or we're in denial. Could be all of it.

Can I just take a nap instead? Plez. 

Tips When Out In Public.

There are some things we do at home, that we tend to avoid out in public but sometimes it cannot be helped. Or we get caught in situations in public that needs rescuing subtly. 
Here are tips if it ever happens.

1) Toilet
Let's face it, we don't like any bathrooms that isn't ours. When a poop needs to come out and you do not have time to run home, go to the cubicle in the deepest end of the toilets (because who walks that far to poop?) or a cubicle near a hand dryer. For those who worry about being "heard", the hand dryer would mask the sound of the plopping. A bonus would be both! Also, would be a good idea to have some perfume on you too. If you don't have any, don't worry - the girls probably saw you walk in and told everyone to evacuate the building. 

2) Pulling A Push Door And Vice Versa
Just walk in like it didn't happen. If anything, they probably never noticed you coming through that door. You're that special. 

3) Opinions
Everyone has one and sometimes they're not useful. It's best to keep the opinions to yourself when out in public if case you end up offending someone. If your friend is being opinionated, get some duct tape and tape that bitch down to the ground and then walk away. They must look like they've been mummified, in order for their punishment to be acceptable. 

4) Farting
It's the 'Who Done It?" game. If you can walk and "talk", let it out slowly and walk away from the fart. 

If you're a lift which is the worst/best place to do it. To do this, let it out slowly and if it smells (trust me it will), give it a second and then cover your hand over your nose - it'll seem like you're blaming it on whoever is in the lift. 

Pull some facial expressions at the same time if you want. They won't suspect it's you. Unless you have a child right next to your bum - then fart on him until they pass out. 

When the lift journey is over, your acting skills would be Oscar worthy. 

5) Dropping Cutlery In A Restaurant
Clumsy moments will happen and when it does, it's dropping a knife or fork and it doesn't happen quietly. When it occurs, blame it on the kid on the next table. 

6) Feeling So Full You Want To Burst
Why does being fancy-pancy restrict us from being who we are? Unbutton that bitch and let that belly flow. 

7) Food In Your Teeth
Do it Asian style, get a toothpick and rummage for the tasty treats lurking in your mouth in front of everybody. Yayyyy.