My side of the story

This post should have been published sometime late August. But I suck.

August 26, 2013

So, I just came back from a trip to Indonesia. Solo trip. This isn’t my solo trip, I’ve been hopping on planes by myself for quite a while now. (I am hoping, though, that this should be my last solo trip.)

It took me 40-something hours to fly there and 30-something hours to fly back (transits included). It definitely was tiring, especially that I was only there for a little over two weeks.

There are certain helpful things I picked up along the way in regards to traveling, some might be general knowledge…some might not be so general.

1. Always bring a travel pillow

It’s never convenient to wake up with a stiff neck. I was given one by my aunt a couple of years ago, and it’s been my traveling companion. Mine has beads inside, I find it more comfortable than the inflatable ones. Some of the newer ones out there can be attached to your backpack easily.

2. Aspirin

Long haul flights are the worst. Really. You get crammed in a very small space for 10-12 hours. Yuck. Christmas of 2010 I flew from Edmonton-San Fransisco-Incheon-Singapore-Surabaya, with a travel time over 40 hours. Yes, it was the worst flight decision that I made. I tried to stretch, go to the washroom as frequently as possible… Later when I landed in Surabaya, I was fine for the whole morning. Then the afternoon came, I started to feel a sharp pain in my right calf. It was horrible to stand up, it was horrible when I sat down. I couldn’t really sleep. It went away the next day. Later on, I learned that the sharp pain that I felt was caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is blood clot formation, primarily in your legs, and may be caused when you are stuck in long periods of immobility (stasis). Well. Sitting on a plane for 12 hours definitely count. I never wanted to feel that pain ever again, so I always travel with aspirin. I take the aspirin 30 minutes into the flight, when they start handing out snacks and beverages. I generally take an aspirin every 15-20 hours of my travel.

3. Try to not bring your laptop

Some of us can’t NOT bring our laptop, primarily for business reasons. If you do have to bring a laptop, put it in a carry-on suitcase. I learned the hard way that carrying a laptop in your backpack, however convenient, is hard on your back. If you don’t really need a laptop, don’t bring it. You can always access your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, e-mail account(s), etc through a tablet or smartphone (or a notebook, I guess).

4. Bring something good to read

In case you don’t feel like watching in-flight movies. I would recommend bringing a maximum of 2 books, unless you are super ambitious.

5. Invest in a good portable charger

Some flights offer USB charger(s) in your seat. It would be a hassle trying to track down electrical plugs in the airport you are transiting in. That said, make sure your portable charger is full before you travel. With airports everywhere offering free wifi, you could spend your transit hours chatting on your phone or playing some games to kill time!

It’s been a while since my last post. I’ve said this a million times before, I’m sure. I don’t know – I just feel like not writing. I’ve been writing scientific reviews, I guess that took the fun out of writing for me.

Soooooooo…updates…

I have a job. That relates to the field I’m studying. Finally. Hah. I work in a hospital laboratory as a laboratory assistant, and my main duty is to collect blood from patients. I go to school to become a laboratory technologist, but since I haven’t graduated yet, this job is the closest thing to it. I’ve worked there for almost 2 months now, and I love my job. YAY.

Another thing is…I just went to Vancouver with my boyfriend to visit my fam-jam and have some fun. Too bad my parents weren’t there, but I’ll see them in a month when I come home to Indonesia for the first time in 2 years and 8 months.

More travel plans: In December my boyfriend and I will travel through 4 cities in roughly 2 weeks – and we’ll get to finally meet each other’s parents. AAAH!

The next couple of months will fly by fast, with my job, the travel plans, going back to school for my LAST year, etc. Excited. Anxious.

I figure I should write some more. I kinda want to write some more. Let’s hope I write some more.

I’ve learned a valuable lesson today…, aside from plenty of info regarding how the computers in the clinical labs would work.

Gluten-free Italian sausages do not taste good, regardless of being cheaper (it was on sale, ok?!) and healthier (I don’t really know for sure, but I’ve heard gluten-free products are supposed to be better for the digestive system. PFSH.)
They taste…dry…and salty… Plus they look pink, regardless of the cooking time. They won’t turn brown, and that freaks me out a bit.
I’m never buying that again. Ever. I’ll stick to good ol’ regular spicy Italian (pork) sausage. Maybe one of these days I’ll try the turkey sausage. But yeah…NEVER EVER will I go buy another case of the gluten-free ones. Yuck.
I’m so fussy, I know.

EHRMERGERD I’m actually following through my word on the previous post. I mentioned that I would do a review of my spring/summer favorites. AND GUESS WHAT?! I’m about to do it!

So here’s the thing about the spring and summer weather in Edmonton, AB. During the time it’s supposed to be spring (March-June-ish), we can still find snow. And a hell lot of slushie. Occasionally the weather gets better, and nicer, and flowers bloom. During the time it’s supposed to be summer (NOW), it rains and rains and rains and thunderstorms and rains. Occasionally the sun shines through, and then we get crazy heat wave. You just can’t win. Rarely, though, you get a nice 20 degree day…and it’s just perfect.

Enough for the prelude, here are my favorites!

1. Mint Green

I just can’t resist this color. I just can’t. I bought a hi-lo dress in this color, I have yet to figure out when I should wear it to. No one is holding a formal party. Bummer. Look, look…the dress is so pretty!

I’ve also bought a couple tops on sale at H&M in this color. I bought a super cheap nail polish from Essence in this color too. I was also tempted to get gym shorts in this color earlier today. I think I have a problem. I don’t need help.

Oh, oh, oh! If you hover around the title of each post, it turns into the mint green color too! I did that on purpose, btw. Seriously, I think I have a problem.

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner in Perversion

Purrrrrr-fect cat eyes (teehee, geddit?). Doesn’t smudge. Nuff said.

3. Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer

I love bronzers. I love how they make me look sun-kissed and fake an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. And they sculpt my face. Even better. I got this one on sale, in a box that also contains a mini mascara and mini foundation.

4. Bath & Body Works Night-Blooming Jasmine

I bought 4 bottles of the shower gel, 2 of the body lotion, and 2 of the body splash. Why, you may ask? BECAUSE IT SMELLS SO DARN GOOD. And it was on sale.

5. Volleyball

It’s a rather passive team sport. Doesn’t require me to run around too often. My kind of sport. Although now I have farmer’s tan from the under-the-sun weekly practices.

6. DailyGrace on Youtube.

I think all of you should start watching her videos.

I saw this giveaway contest held by a dear friend of mine, Gogo. You have to submit an entry where you share a sneak peak of your life. As she said, “easy peasy lemon squeezy” (which I think is the cutest line ever!). Great idea, right?

Some of you might wonder, what goes on in a day of MY life. In that 24 hours, what goes down? Some of you might just not care, and that’s totally cool with me too.

So for you curious souls, I’m gonna show you what’s it like in my side of the world. Mind you, every day is different, but this is kind of the generic thing going on during the weekday. (I’m totally writing this for fun and not for contest reasons, although it has inspired me to post something on this blog. And if you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know I suck at maintaining a good frequency of writing.)

6.50 AM

My alarm rings. I’m somehow a light sleeper (despite being able to fall asleep so easily), so it didn’t take me too long to reach my phone and turn it off. I check my email, toss and turn for a while, and finally gather an ounce of strength to stand up and drink a glass of water. I tumble down towards the washroom where I wash my face, brush my teeth, comb my hair, prop in my contact lenses, you know…the usual.

7.10 AM

Looked presentable at the very least. Go on the internet and start surfing. Or study, if I have an exam later that day. Or make lunch.

7.30 AM

Leave my residence to grab breakfast. Now this varies depending on my mood and whether I’m still sleepy. Usually I’m still sleepy. Coffee it is.

7.50 AM

Got to the first class of the day. Try to not spill coffee while writing (trust me, it had happened before).

11.50 AM

Finally, done lectures. Off to lunch.

1.00 PM

Clinical rotations. It’s different every week. I had completed my Phlebotomy rotation. Got stuck in Microbiology Media Preparation and QC this week. Sometimes it’s interesting, sometimes it’s just plain blahhh and I wish I could just go home and take a nap. Clinical rotation ends at 5 PM (or earlier, depending on the supervisor).

5.30 PM

Home at last, after a solid 9 hours of school. Now what goes on next totally depends on what’s going on the next day or if I have consecutive exams coming up. Choices include: studying, blogwalking, stalking people on facebook or twitter, or watch a movie, or catch up with a TV show.

11 PM

Get ready for bed. Sleep.

Now that I think of it, my weekday schedule is pretty repetitive. All the fun goes in Friday afternoons and the weekends. I would go hang out with friends, or clean my room (this is not the fun part), or go snowboarding!

Study hard, play hard. I guess.

A small voice in my head is telling me that I should include pictures in this post. But mehhh…too lazy (for now). I’ll (try to) document my life better next time.

P.S. What do I go to school for (as in what I’m studying)? I’m training to be a Medical Laboratory Technologist. It’s a 3-year professional program where I get a Canadian and/or American certification to practice as well as a Bachelor’s degree, and I’ll be done in approximately 2 years and 1 month from now. I’ll start my full-year training this July. And then I’ll go back to school again for my last year to do advanced courses and research projects. I’m somewhat excited for what lies ahead. It’s a busy, busy, busy program but no pain, no gain.

P.P.S. Can’t believe it’s MARCH already!

Went through makeupalley.com and some other fashion sites, and I read tons of posts and reviews. People kept on mentioning HG this, HG that. So after searching what HG meant on google (such a n00b), I found out it stands for Holy Grail. It’s usually a product that one can’t live without or uses all of the time.

You see, I’m not the kind of girl who dresses up or puts on make up most of the time. I only do it for special occasions…or if I have the time to spare in the morning. 20-35% of the time, maybe? However, like a lot of girls, I do have (beauty) products that I use religiously and keep on repurchasing when they’re out.

Ergo…

1. HG deep conditioner: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle

Just like it’s name…a miracle indeed. It’s less than 4 bucks, and it makes my dry hair with split ends look so much healthier. Leave it on your hair for 5 minutes after shampooing, and you’ll get out of the shower with tangle-free, smooth, silky hair!

2. HG tinted moisturizer/BB cream: Skin79 Super+ BB Cream Pink Label

So what makes me love this product? EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. The pump (although a lot of people have been saying how annoying it gets not being able to see how much you’ve been using etc…I love it), the sweet subtle scent, the way it blends in my face, the fact that it doesn’t cause my skin to break out like other tinted moisturizers (I’m talking to you, Laura Mercier). The SPF 25 is a great selling point too. Got it for CAD 16 (including shipping) from a trusted seller in ebay, I made sure it’s the real deal!

3. HG eye product: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

I love…love…LOVE UD’s eye primer potions. The best ever. I prefer the “SIN” one (the one in the bottom), basically it has this golden-bronzey flush to it… I wear it even when I’m not wearing any eye shadow (which is the purpose of wearing primer in the first place). Makes my eyes look more alive, a good thing especially when I’m running low on sleep. This and mascara (I honestly don’t have an HG mascara yet, guys. None of em have captured my heart). I purchased mine from Sephora for 20-something bucks. I know, I know, it’s a bit on the pricey end, considering that you only get that one small tube. But trust me, it’s a good investment! A little goes a long way. I’m pretty sure the tube’s still at least half full, even after a year of abuse. Hah!

4. HG lip product: Liplicious’ lip gloss

Got mine for CAD 5 at Bath and Body Works (it was on sale, regular price would’ve been 8 or 9). Other than the fact that it keeps my lips plump and juicy, it tastes delicious. The one I got has the coconut-passionfruit flavour. Can’t stop licking my lips. Doing it now.

OK, I think 4 is enough. I have to stop writing this and start doing something school-related. So unmotivated.

So tell me guys, what products are your HGs? What products do you hoard?

P.S. I’m no beauty writer/reviewer and I do not intend to make this blog anything but a glimpse of my life. These products happen to be a major part of my life.

…indeed. HOLY BATMAN, it’s been 3 months since I last posted. I’ve always wanted to me more active here, but it somehow always ends with me blogwalking and not minding my own blog.

Happy belated New Year, everyone. It’s been 1 month and 4 days, how was your NY resolutions? Did they kick in? Did you do anything on your list? Or, like me, did you say “f**k that s**t” and never bothered to make a list in the first place?

Hope y’all are having a good day.

It’s the 4th of November already. Can’t believe time flies by so fast. My midterms are almost done. Last one will be in 10 days. After that? Lab exams will start, followed by final exams too. Oh crap. Haha!

But we’re back in that time of year again! 2 days to my boo’s 22nd birthday. 29 days to my 20th. We’re both finally in that 2o-something boat together.

I’m excited…less then a month till I say goodbye to being a teenager.

Oh, oh, oh! Yes! Christmas season is upon us! Is it to early for me to start listening to Christmas songs? I love those tunes.

I saw this topic pop up in my wordpress dashboard.

I’m the happiest…

– (usually) on a Thursday. Why? Hmmm… I can’t really say. Maybe it’s the excitement that Friday is approaching soon. And after Friday comes the weekend!

– when I get good grades. Duh.

– after a good phone call with the parents back home.

– when I get the chance to hangout with my favourite people.

– when Will plays the guitar and I get to sing along.

– when I find good items for cheap price.

– when I get to eat good food. Or good drinks?

– when I don’t have any tests or assignments on the next 1-2 days.

– when I sip a good cup of cafe mocha or green tea latte.

– when it’s raining outside and I could just stay in bed.

– when I get long weekends.

– when I can crack a case study/diagnostic without having to dig through my notes.

– when I get to cook something and people like it.

I actually have more on the list. It’s pretty hard to pull it out. I’ll add them on as I go, I guess.

It’s these things that you gotta remember to empower you to overcome any of the obstacles life gives.

These little things.