Loving Someone doesn't make you wrong.

喜歡一個人會做很多傻事, 不過未必是錯事。

Guess, I'll just have to remember this when the time comes around to admitting that I like you. Admitting that I should stop trying to conceal how I feel, admitting that I was wrong and unfair to treat you how I have because really all I'm trying to do is convince myself that I see you as nothing more than just a friend. 

Need to stop lying to myself... lying to you... lying about us.

New Year, New Friends. iLy!

Nothing beats getting the chance to get out of Oxford and spending some quality time with your girls. Although we haven't known each other for all that long - I hold you all very close to my heart. 

Some people call it naive, some call it stupid - I call it being human. We make mistakes, we forgive those that do not deserve to be forgiven, we make excuses for those we refuse to stop believing in - I no longer want any of this to be complicated - simplify it. 

You know where I am, my phone is on 24 hrs a day - I'm at your service. haha. 

Let's have a year, that we will not forget. Let's make as many memories as we can - share all the laughter, share the tears.

Let's just have fun, forget everything else - because being with you guys is when I'm happiest. 

Let the adventures begin...

Hi 2nd Year. [Happy Birthday Meidy]

Woop, finally back to reality & starting off my 2nd year at Uni. It's nice to come home to 3 familiar faces & getting to spend my entire year with them. I love our house & having the opportunity to make it our home.

Let's get it started!

SCCAG Reunion

Haven't had the chance to reunite with the very people that I spent my childhood dancing with. It was such a good night girls, I'm so glad we finally did it. Although everyone has changed in terms of just growing up, looking different, thinking different - new people have enter our lives - boyfriends, friends etc etc. It was just good to all be in the same place at the same time - putting everything aside for one night to re-live a moment of the past with the people you shared so many memories with.

Only 5 of us ended showing up - although there were more of us we were only missing two other members - Carmen Ngai & Zoe Lee. It still turned out to be a perfect night. Starting off by having a beautiful dinner, then drinks [Omg cannot believe we're doing this casually, cannot believe we're even of legal age to do this. I knew you guys when we were all kids] Then ending the night at Jinty's, didn't even leave each other until 6AM. What a BRILLIANT night girls. 

I love you guys, no matter the distance, no matter how long we haven't seen or spoken. I will always be Annabel, always. Growing up, doesn't mean growing apart.

Bye Bye Asia.

Getting on the VS200 and then returning on the VS201 alone just feels like such a lonely experience. Coming out of the gates of HK International Airport is a completely different feeling to boarding a plane at the same airport. 

Come on, getting teary after spending your entire summer in your own country - obviously I was going to have this reaction. Haha.

THE SUMMER OF MY LIFE!

Next Stop - Singapore.

After Melaka, the final stop - Singapore!!!

O - M - G Annabel LOVES SINGAPORE!!!

I cannot tell you how fast I fell in love with this place. Never really thought about a future in any other Asian City but Hong Kong. But wow - Singapore definitely made it's mark. I met a lot of scholars in Singapore, emails were exchanged, and business cards were excepted. Perhaps the first time in my life that my networking skills came into play.

Felt so at home here, nearly 80% of the population are Chinese. Everyone spoke either Cantonese or English - it came as a complete surprise to me how beautiful this place was. Everything is so clean, people are generally really friendly - but it's got to be said everything is quite expensive in comparison to other Asian cities.

I've been told that's better to go by yourself as oppose to going with a tour guide - which is probably true. I cannot wait to re-visit this place with a group of friends!

Hello Kuala Lumpur.

So here's my fast-track trip from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka (Malaysia in other words) - Omg, all I can say is HOT, HOT, HOT... HEAT!!!!!!!!!

Went to a couple of major shopping centers & perhaps the most profound is KLCC (Twin-Towers of Malaysia) 

First night was spent in Kuala Lumpur's Intercontinental. Having the entire room to yourself isn't always as great as it sounds especially when you're spending it somewhere that you're not familiar with. So that night as you can guess, all the lights remained on & I probably sky-rocketed the hotel bill. Ah well, never mind haha. 

I love going to tourist attractions & posing like a complete idiot - it just makes sense. What's the point in standing there & smiling for the camera - a million people go to the same location & do that - let's just be original haha. What do you guys think?

Shiftly moving on - my tour bus' next stop was of course - Melaka. We stayed at the Gentings Hotel which is at the top of a massive hill & the only way to get there is either a long drive by a hotel bus or cable car. So of course I opted for the cable car as it cut the journey time from 40 minutes to 20. 

Omg, it was amazing! Everything you ever needed on top of a great big hill. The hotel was like it's own little town. Casinos, restaurants, high street shops - EVERYTHING! Maybe being British & looking slightly more mature they let me into the Casinos (Oops :P - Oh come on, don't tell me you wouldn't have done the same thing) - The legal age to enter a casino in Malaysia is 21 so I'm only 8 months off... haha. Never mind.

In love with Kuala Lumpur!!!

Mission Hills - Dongguan

So my final day in China after 3 months of my summer was spent in Dongguan - which is approx 20 minutes away from Zhangmutou. A whole day of golfing and being wined & dined by my auntie [God, I miss her] - couldn't have picked a better way to end it. Tomorrow I will be on my way to Hong Kong getting ready to venture to Kuala Lumpur & Singapore before jetting back to the UK.

Mission Hills was beautiful, a decent golf course & all the requirements needed for a luxurious stay. Damn, I love hotels. 

Gift for the Traveller.

I love travelling from Hotel to Hotel, living a life that means I won't always be at home. I'm saying this now because I'm young - obviously in time this will change.

Thank you Intercontinential for the free weekend stay :)

Venturing to Shunde

So during my summer I went to visit my good friend Melissa in Shunde. Baring in mind I haven't seen her months - not much had changed. We enjoy each other's company & that's all there is to it. Though the journey to Shunde from Zhangmutou could have been a little smoother than I had made it. There was a direct bus from Zhangmutou but I decided (intelligently) that I would take the train to Shenzhen & catch the bus from there... Yes I know (Intelligent) ...

We decided before we get old [As 20+ is considered old in our books haha] - that we would take some professional photographs to remember what we look like during our prime years. What do you guys think?

Just us saturating ourselves in complete & utter vanity. But hey girls love this sort of thing. We later when to a beautiful Thai restaurant to have dinner. I loved every moment of it :)

Love you Mel <3

China's Paradise - Hainan

Perhaps the most beautiful destination of my summer was Hainan.

It has been said that Hainan is China's Paradise, so believe me when I say - it lived up to it's reputation. Beautiful weather, stunning stretches of golden beaches & breathtaking views.

I remember the moment I was sitting underneath this straw umbrella enjoying the gusts of wind that brushed gently from the waves. & that moment, I felt nothing, nothing but contentment. I don't remember the last time I felt so at ease, at ease with the world, at ease with myself. Everything just seemed to come together. & for the duration of the time I was sitting there, I just listened as the waves crashed against the shore. It was a picture of beauty, a feeling of serenity. The world just seemed to make sense ... It sounds strange, but it felt like I found myself again. Like the world was at my feet and I was ready for flight. 

I spent a long weekend in Hainan, and for the time I was there I stayed at Hainan's BEST hotel. 

Le Méridien! Many of you may have heard of it, as it's an international hotel brand. Being a traveller, I have stayed at some of the best hotels - but maybe due to it's location & the experiences I had there - this hotel just ticked every box from room service to views. The picture above was taken from the Hotel Lobby.

Being Chinese I do believe that Feng Shui brings an element of luck. The front of the hotel faces the ocean, and the back is carried by the hills. (Meaning it faces the world of opportunities & has a stable/reliable source to back it up) 

It was a beautiful get away & I would highly recommend it for people who just want time alone, to get away, or just to think. This place is also PERFECT for lovers, a gentle scroll along the beach would sweep anyone off their feet. 

Gel Nails

I've never been a girl who enjoyed getting her nails done. But the gel nails looked & felt so real that I could not resist myself. I got them done 3 times as they last for a long time. 

People have asked me a number of questions on these so here are your questions & my answers.

1. Do the gems fall off easily? - No, so long as you don't deliberately try to damage them then they will stay on until you go & have them redone.
2. How long do they last? - Depending on how fast your nails grow. With me after about 3 weeks it was noticeable that they were fake.
3. Can you put your contacts in with those nails? - Yes of course, & you can type on your iPhone's too. I actually found it easier once I got used to them. 
4. How much were they? - I got mine done in Mainland China, the price varies according to quality. The gems were 1RMB each. The first time I got them done it was 200RMB. The red ones above were 190RMB & the ones below were slightly more expensive because of the amount of gems 250RMB. So on average about £20?!... not bad for 3 weeks of perfect nails :)

If you have anymore questions then please feel free to ask me in the comment box & I will answer them once I get the chance. :) Enjoy!

Ocean Park

I PASSED FIRST YEAR OF UNI!!!

So after getting the best news this summer that I passed my first year of University with GREAT grades I thought it was time to treat myself and where better to go than to Ocean Park with a couple of friends. Though I venture to China every year I've never found the time to visit Ocean Park. It was DEFINITELY worth the visit. Though by the end of it we were all hot & exhausted.

The aquarium was beautiful! I could have stayed there forever. I would recommend going with a partner but avoid going in the summer when the kids are off.

*S*M*I*L*E*

I think the one thing that makes me feel really happy is when I know I've done something good for somebody else.

Those who are closest to me, or have known me the longest know how important it is to me to keep the people around me happy - even if I don't always say it they know in the end that I'll do it. One of my relatives have been having a pretty hard time with a pretty harsh break-up, so even though I was exhausted after work I travelled from Central Hong Kong to Mei Foo, then back to Kowloon Bay I hope she knows where my heart is, cos it'll always be with you guys.

BlueBerry Cheesecake - Starbucks

K.B.Chau & Co Solicitors & Notaries

Normally when I go back to China I try to avoid the busy rushes of Hong Kong by taking refuge in Zhangmutou, Guangdong. However, this time it was different. As many of you know I study Law at University, therefore I thought I would make the most of my summers by seeking work experience in the field I hope to pursue once my academic life seizes.

This year I was fortunate enough to work aboard to gain international experience. In addition to that I had found a placement within the most corporate area of Central, Hong Kong.

Reception

My internship encompassed many experiences that I will not list in this blog as it will bore many of my readers. But it taught me many invaluable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my career. But it must be said the volume of work that is ahead of me excites me. My very first day, my desk could not be seen due to the amount of documents placed on it.

我是他的代表律師 - I cannot wait to say this line.

Bell & JY Reunion in Shenzhen!

One of my favourite places in the world - Mainland China. Mostly due to the lifestyle and the fact that the majority of my extended family are situated within close proximity to one another in Guangdong Province.

Hotel Daytime & Night Time View

Shenzhen is located 20 minutes away from my hometown Zhangmutou and is easily accessible to Hong Kong Residents as Lowu is just an MTR ride away. So it only made sense that I would meet my sister Jessica there. She'd been on exchange in Ningbo for the year so I was nervous to see her, see how much she'd changed, see whether or not she'd be the Jessica I've always known. But as soon as I saw her, the nerves faded away at 'Hello' and I could embrace my sister again (I really have missed her) ... & to my surprise we became closer than we've ever been. I wouldn't trade those two days for anything else. 

Although our sisters Melissa & Zoe couldn't join us ... we couldn't help ourselves but keep them at heart. Every memory we made we tried to involve them by vlogging our events. Let's hope they enjoyed our efforts!

Medicated.

I had taken careful precautions before and during the time I was away. Drinking plenty of water on the plane, staying hydrated due to the humid weather conditions, avoiding cold drinks & opting with hot ones. But I still managed to get ill. 

Five different medications due to a stomach infection! Asian people do like their western medication. I on the other hand had tried to avoid the doctors like a plague. Healthcare over in Hong Kong & Mainland China is ridiculous $270HKD (£21.56) for a stomach infection 360RMB (£35.10) for an ear infection. Costs more to be ill than it is to be healthy!!! Now I am truly grateful for the NHS. 

3D Sex & Zen - First 3D Erotic Film!

I made history!

I witnessed the first 3D Erotic Film to be aired at cinemas just two days after I landed in Hong Kong. I must admit I'd been eager to see this, I mean who wouldn't be intrigued about the first ever 3D pornographic film to be aired at their local cinema. I did not have high hopes for this film due to the excessive amount of criticism on the internet, and just like the critics said the film was 'not what you expect it to be'. Less pornography and more flying daggers. I won't give too much away since it's due to be released in England and I'd hate to be the spoiler of good fun.  But it has to be said - It was pretty painful sitting through this film. 

But never mind, at least it gave me a chance to venture to Time Squares at Causeway Bay and experience the exuberance of Hong Kong night life for the first time this year. It was so refreshing to be somewhere other than England.

Hong Kong International Airport!

On 26th May 2011 I landed safely on the runway of Hong Kong International Airport to begin my 3 month trip in Asia. Here we go!!!!!!!!!!

No Motivation!

For the past 3 months, I've found it harder and harder to write. Maybe it's because I haven't found the time, maybe I've lost my ability to write or maybe I have too much to write about. Whatever it is, I plan to get over it.

Today, I've decided that this blog is purely going to be about the experiences I encounter. The events that unfold in MY life. The fact that I have broadcasted these events on the web, I welcome you to join me. Be patient, I'll get there. 

A Must-Have for the Summer.

I rarely do these 'beauty' posts, but this product is just too good to keep to myself. Summer in the UK is never really a problem for my skin, but summer in HK on the other-hand can be a completely different story - generally consisting of HOT, humid and dry weather it is important to keep our skin on tip-top condition (as best we can)... I wouldn't normally recommend mixing products as I have been told that this can be difficult for skin to adapt to... but going against my normal skin care routine I thought I'd add a little Clinique into the mix and MY GOD... it's worked wonders :)

This can be worn underneath make up and just provides a protective shield against the harmful UV rays which can damage and age skin. I have chosen the SPF 40 Super City Block, but it also comes in SPF 25 - depending on which you prefer. Make sure you get it - trust me!

Don't Mistaken Kindness for Weakness

For those of you that have my FaceBook - you will recognize that this line was taken from a previous status update. I guess the quote calls for a little elaboration...

In last month, I think I've finally woken up! 

Perhaps I should really thank a few people but... this a post about me, and not for me to gun for anybody else - if anything I should not have been stupid enough to allow it to happen. But being young, at times naive, overly optimistic and tend to wear my heart on my sleeves... it enables the vultures of this world to taint parts of my world that I allowed them into. Not saying I'm pessimistic about friendship or anything - but sometimes you really should go with your gut instinct about a person. 

Only allow them total access when the time is right - and not just going with what you THINK you should do. Sometimes it really just doesn't work out that way. There are people out there that feed on your kindness because it enables them to take advantage of your goodwill... I guess what I'm trying to say is 'just be careful'.

Delete Button.

With our generation saturating themselves in social networking sites I wanted to dedicate my blog to just that. 

Yes, I am guilty for over-using FaceBook and I'm sure many of you reading this are too, so it naturally becomes second nature for us to turn on our computers, open our browers and then log onto FaceBook to connect us to the world we're so eager to be involved in. 

But after years of experience, of watching people update countless statuses, participating in pointless conversations, updating numerous photos, I know that every single one of us think, feel, see the same things. When we see the 'delete; unfriend' button we sit here and wished that sometimes it would be a hell of a lot easier if the virtual world was a reflection of the real world where we can just press the delete button and just annihilate these people from our life, pretend they never existed, or that we actually ever cared... but it's never that easy. When deep down you can't help but care.

Then I think again, and I never thought I'd be able to admit this, to post it on a blog that hundreds of people will read ... but these social networking sites... it's a world of false cowards & yes I admit I can be one them. Updating statuses that I'm too afraid to say to the person directly, or reading conversations that I think are about me. Let's face it, we all do it... but today, today I think I hurt someone that I really care about. So just be careful... Because it may to too late for you to realise how important they were to you, or exactly how much you may have considered them to be a big part of your life Never play fire with fire.... cos you'll just get burnt. & today... I got burnt.

Peace.

So in the mist of writing my assignment I thought I'd take a well deserved break and write a post on why I have chosen Yiruma's River Flows in You as my blog music.

I first came across this piece on my friend's YouTube channel and it made me feel - so emotional. The magic of music - it can tap into our subconscious mind and ignite with our souls. I would describe myself as a 'generic' music lover, someone who listens more to the lyrics in a song than the actual music itself. But this piece - this piece really did touch me. 

I don't know whether or not it was how I felt on the day, or maybe the things I was going through at the time. But now every time I replay this song - it makes me feel exactly the same way as it did the first time I heard it. Maybe I should thank my friend Zoe for that - for playing it so beautifully in the above clip.

It's always hard to articulate how you feel - but the flow of the music, the notes of the piece does take you to a peaceful place in your mind. The flow of river - the flow of life. No matter how many ripples that the river has, no matter how many obstacles life can bring, there's always an entity that catches up with us. Almost like a guardian angel... is this just ourselves? - The control we have over how we feel? Or over certain situations? Or is it really - just an entity, a spirit within our souls that lifts us - the human mind can overcome so many different things - over every situation we still live, we still carry on with our everyday lives. So how do we really do it without mentally hitting rock bottom - the bottom of the river. Maybe it is the hope we all have within our souls to just carry on...

See you at the top, cos that's where I'm heading!

So with the exam season fast approaching - I hope the majority of you have your heads in the books, or at least are planning to at some point SOON. I know many of us tend to put our exams as our number one priority (I'm guilty for this too) - but remember to stay healthy and give yourself a break once in a while just to prevent your brain from clogging up.

So here's a checklist on what to remember during the stressful exam season:

• Take regular breaks
• Sleep properly
• Eat properly
• Be happy! Enjoy it! (Or at least try to)

To my fellow asians - 加油 ah!!!

Hot Chocolate + Late Night Studying

Major Prep Work

Let's succeed together!!! :)

A New Life

With the academic year coming to an end - I wanted to do a post for all those that will be joining the world of University life this coming September. A lot of people have asked me - Were you scared? - Did you miss home? - Did you like your flatmates straight away? - How was the process of Student Finance? etc. etc. So I thought I'd create a post on my first year of University. 

So in September 2010 I moved to Oxford to study as a full-time student. As much as I know that this was what I had been aiming for my entire academic life I was nervous... very nervous. I mean who wouldn't be - first time moving away permanently. Having a new life away from home - was everything going to change? Was I walking into a whole new life? What was I in for? How was this city going to change my life?

Oxford in October :)

Oxford in January :)

After 6 months here - this has become my life. I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!... Did I mention I LOVE IT?! ... Moving away from home was daunting - YES! But coming to University hasn't made me lose my old life, but create an extension for a new one. When I go home, I appreciate far more than I do when I was there all the time. My family are always happy to see me when I'm home, and eager to know about all that's happened at Uni. Yes, the workload is heavy but this is my first step to becoming an adult. With conflicting personalities, people you may not necessarily get on with - it has become a training experience. A training experience for our futures. We meet people we may never have if we would have stayed in our hometowns. You have to trust your instincts and use your initiative a lot of time and not be afraid to make your own decisions. 

My Beautiful Best Friend

Coming here - Oxford has just become a part of me. Defining me. I have meet some of the most amazing people. I have a new family here.

I <3 my new family.

Once the initial nerves go away, you'll become a part of something bigger than you could have ever imagined.

My Skin-Care Routine

I've been asked to do a blog about the skincare products that I use. Being a former acne-sufferer I think it's important that I share my secret with the world. A daily skincare routine really has helped revamp my skin.

I used to be self conscious about acne as well as the marks they left behind so I masked my entire face, day in, day out with A LOT of MAC make up. Which does work, but is not always the way forward. As much as make up can help hide our exterior self, it does nothing for our self esteem once the make up removers come out.

Last summer, I went on a complete detox (from make up) and let my skin breathe for the first time. Take in some sun rays and changed my entire skincare range. I used to think it was perfectly fine to just use a make up wipes and remove all the make up from my face! Believe me that's not the case at all, maybe we can't see it but the make up is still there.

However I am guilty for not drinking enough water. But I compensate with overdose on sleep. Sleep naturally helps regenerate our skin so make sure you do get plenty of it. But also a day to day reliable skincare range is important. My secret - Dermalogica. It really did help save my skin!

Dermalogica Microfoliant 

Dermalogica microfoliant - I use this in the morning as soon as I wake up. It's in a powder form which you blend with water and massage over your face for about a minute. It helped brighten my skin, and evenmy skin tone from all those dark marks created from acne.

Dermalogica Active Moisturiser

Because I still wear make up I need to make sure that the make up comes off fully before I go to bed and that I've cleansed, toned and used the right products to prevent my break outs.

Dermalogica Precleanse

Dermalogica Precleanse - to remove all the make up from my face. Just put some of this onto a cotton pad and wipe all the make up from your face before cleansing.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel - I <3 this stuff! I have the biggest bottle in my bathroom & it has lasted me for ages. Just squeeze some onto your hand and massage it onto your face then rinse with warm water.

Dermalogica Multi Active Toner

Then just tone and moisturise again.

Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel

Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel - Because I'm prone to break outs. A small dose of this on my spots or spots that are about to appear just prevents/helps get rid of it that much quicker :) it's a miracle! 

I hope you guys enjoy this. Test it. Have a go. :) Let me know how you get on.

With and Without :)