Beat the cold with Christmas

It's December! And you know what that means: Christmas, Christmas and Christmas! Also, not to mention the cold and shorter days. At least the 4pm sunsets make me feel like I'm working until "late night" at the office.

Anyways, the idea for this post came to me when I was struggling to leave the warmth of my blanket burrito and head to work. 'I need like a 7-step plan every morning to motivate me to get to work during winter' I tell myself on those mornings when I'd rather stay snug in bed.
I realised then that I could probably use my love for Christmas to get myself more productive! As I am known to get slightly too festive too soon. Like, doesn't everyone own a reindeer hoodie and (secretly) listens to Christmas music in November?


So, I've taken it upon myself to write up a few things that I do to make me feel merry (and get out of bed):

1. SWEATERS! The snuggliest sweaters you can find. My tip: vintage shops usually have the best ones: oversized, woolly and snuggly. Only get ones that makes you want to wear them outside and show people how dressed you are for the cold! Most of my sweaters are either from thrift shops or the H&M Kids section (aged 12-13 years).

2. SCARVES! No, not the 1990s shoelaces disguised as scarves that all of your favourite pop singers wore on the red carpet but the thick, warm, toasty ones that you wrap round and round your neck till it covers the bottom half of your face. Keeps the face from getting all icy cold as well.

3. SONGS! Say it with me: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear" (Buddy the Elf, 2003). Okay, maybe not sing it out loud, but maybe plug in your headphones and bob your head to Wham!'s Last Christmas or the whole Michael Buble's Christmas deluxe album. Here's my Christmas Jams playlist, feel free to follow and 'shuffle play'. It has everything from Elvis to Buble, Lady Gaga to Zooey Deschanel. Something for you to get in the festive mood, that always cheers me up when the weather is not particularly cheerful.

4. SHOPPING! Okay, not really going out and spending all your cash but I couldn't bring myself to break the pattern of words beginning with S. The Christmas Markets are on! Visit your local one and just marvel at all the decorated huts selling things worthy of being presents for your loved ones. Or, you could make it a thing to visit the best markets around your area but the crowd is definitely not a crowd-favourite (ironic, isn't it?). For me, Bath's Christmas Markets are absolutely a joy to walk through but when the crowd comes in, that's when I'd rather hide indoors with...

5. MOVIES! (I gave up trying to find a suitable S-word) but having a film to look forward to watching every night helps me be extra productive at work, so I don't feel guilty spending 2 hours watching The Holiday again (and again). Christmas films are always fun to watch, except Die Hard. Not sure why that film is always on those 'Top Christmas films to watch' lists, because of that one festive scene?

6. WARM DRINKS! Coffee, hot chocolate or anything mulled. Instead of paying extortionate amount of money for a cup of mulled wine outside, I make my own! Go to the supermarket, buy the spices, an affordable bottle of red wine (any 'oaky' ones, I normally go for whatever is cheap) and an orange. Perfect hand warmers for when the heater in my room just didn't work.

7. GOOD VIBES! I guess nothing beats the cold the warmth of good company. I might not go to many fancy Christmas dinners this time around but making time over the weekend to visit friends/the sister definitely helped me forget about the cold. I'm also planning a little R&R trip on my own, and if that is more you, that's good too! As long as you are toasty on the inside.

Well, there you go. This is how I try to combat my (self-diagnosed) Seasonal Affective Disorder and spread the Christmas spirit. Going to church also helps because advent = singing carols = singing my favourite songs out loud where only God's judgement matters. IMHO, I think He loves my singing, or at least, He hasn't complained.

I do hope where ever you are, whoever you are with, no matter what you do, that your Christmas is as love-filled as the Grinch's heart when he started feeling again. I do love that Christmas is at the end of the year because isn't it the best way to start putting things into perspective and cherish what matters. Despite the stress of preparing the feast or buying Christmas presents, I wish that you all can still have a merry, merry, Christmas.

Here's a photo of me, as a reindeer to end the post:

Liza x

Bad feels, good feels, all the feels.

First of all, thank you to all who sent me encouraging messages and shared their stories with me since I last posted. It was truly heartwarming to see other people be so willing to share their feelings (with me), which made me realise that we don't have conversations like these as often as we should. I don't think that feeling down/not okay should be a taboo conversation, when you are talking to someone you trust and who cares for you. The bad helps us appreciate the good in things, right?

On that note, the recovery process so far has been bumpy, but I know I am progressing. Sometimes I still feel part of me is still quite exhausted from being emotionally shredded but the pain is decreasing (or am I getting numb to it?) Not going to lie, there were days when I find it extremely hard to leave my bed in the morning and start the day. Not sure if it is the sadness or just the sudden drop in temperature (darn you, Arctic Wind), or a little mix of both. Thankfully, I love my placement enough to wake up at 7:45am on most days. Just burying myself in research upon research and seeing where I can piece things together is altogether exhilarating and scary. I'm scared that I'll invest 200% and be a total geek about it: just wanting to tell everybody what I know. Not sure if that is a good thing in a social setting but it keeps my mind busy and life exciting.

 

(whenever people ask me about my research.. is this how academics feel like?!)

 Also, the clock went back an hour recently and we have less sunlight *sarcastic cheer*. One thing I've learned from behavioural psychology is that humans have patterns, our actions/emotions always follow the same sequence (reference needed, don't quote me on this). For example, since I've moved to the UK, when the day gets shorter and colder, I think I get Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, more info here). Quick note: I'm not medically diagnosed with SAD, I saw the list of symptoms and it made sense. Anyways, this would result in me, sobbing uncontrollably on the phone with my mum, crying over the most trivial things. "Why you telling us about this?" you may ask. Frankly, I don't really have a clear reason, maybe I just want to bring to light that this condition is real or probably when I am hard to be around, I hope you'll understand. Hopefully though, it would make you realise we all have to deal with mental health issues at some point in our lives and that we should all try our best to support each other. TALK, people TALK. Here's me advocating mental health awareness because I don't see why it is such a 'hush-hush' thing that people feel uncomfortable talking about. I mean, talking is one way of making your way towards the road of recovery. I mean you scream when you are in physical pain right? So why can't we talk when we are suffering mentally?

Yay, controversial conversations. Let's grab a coffee and chat/debate/argue.


Something that helps me get through SAD is loving Christmas. For whatever reasons, religious or not, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Why? Because despite the lack of sunlight, Christmas lights bring just as much joy (at least, to me). So when I start jamming some Bublé or wearing Christmas jumpers around, just roll your eyes and tell yourself that it is a defense mechanism against falling into the deep pit of darkness. Inner reflections! 

That's all I have to say at the moment regarding the emotional crisis of September 2017. Again, thank you to all who came to talk to me, sending lots of love. 

Can't wait for the Christmas lights to be up! 
Liza x

Ciao bella!

Finally back from my Christmas holiday! I had a blast!
Here are some photos some taken by me and most of them by my sister. (She insisted on being credited)

The first part of my trip was a one week cruise on the ship called Costa Deliziosa,
it's big and long, that's why I can't take the whole ship in one picture.

 

Then we embarked at Savona pier, in Italy.  

 Then we made our way to Naples. On our way there, I finally found out that my Galaxy tab has the panaromic option. I took a few photos with it.

 Cool eh?

This is Mt. Vesuvius, the one that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum and other cities, and it's the only mountain in the world that's sponsored by McDonalds. True fact.

When we reached Naples, we headed out and visited Pompeii, one of the ancient town ruined during the volcanic explosions some 2000 years ago.

 Then, the next part was Malta. A country full of history and culture. Oh, and a Hard Rock Bar.

It was such a peaceful and beautiful country. *terminator voice* I'll be back.

At night they had this Christmas Gala on Christmas Eve and it was very much Italian. They waved their napkins above their heads like a lasso and singing along to a apparently well known Italian song. I liked it!

Then it was cruising at sea the whole day for Christmas. The sea was very rough and I didn't leave my room often, because of the sea sickness.

After that, on boxing day we stopped by at Cagliari, in the Sardinia Island. Had the yummiest cappuccino for only 1euro, which is considered cheap.
The next day it was at Ajaccio, the French Island and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Since the Napoleon tour was fully booked, we had to opt for the tasting one in the high mountain village of Bastimillca.

We got to try out the pork meat, their goat cheese and the coffee mousse! I also had a sip of their wine and according to the tour guide, I "changed color". My skin doesn't take alcohol well.
Then we had another Farewell Gala dinner, when all the cabin staff came to the restaurant for what they call it "Curtain Call" and it was magnificent.
then on the last night, it was Italian themed, yes, another napkin waving moment and more celebrations! 
I just love how the Italian celebrate.


Yup that was roughly how the cruise went. I had fun. Enjoyed eating the food. They serve early breakfast, late breakfast, snack time, lunch, afternoon tea, pizza time, dinner and pizza time. So you can tell I was a very happy girl then.

Their pizza, although plain but it tastes so much better than pizza hut's.

Then it was back to Savona and off to Milan! Shopped till I nearly drop there. Mostly for snacks, gelato and outlet shoes. I bought a few pieces of clothes, but because most of the shops are in the winter season, so there wasn't any point on buying winter clothes and bring it back to sunny Sabah.
When you compare MYR(malaysian currency) to Euro, things will start to look even more expensive. That's why I limited my purchases to "Made In Italy" products or "Only In Italy" products.

Aunty Beat and me with our pizza at a local cafe in the streets of Milan. Delish!!

After that, spent New Years Eve in Singapore with jet lag and did the countdown alone in my hotel room.

So there, I've shared my Christmas trip :) Hope that you'll try going on a cruise too! It's good to go for once.

And I want to wish anyone reading this post a very blessed new year and may the year 2012 bring you many blessings and amazing moments.

Day 12: A picture of something you love.

CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Maybe this post has to do with the fact that Christmas is 13 days away! or maybe I really do love this. 

Christmas movies are timeless classics for me. From Home Alone to The Grinch, I will never get bored of them.
Because to me, Christmas movies are always filled with tearful drama and some of the most amazing endings. Everybody is always happy in the end (yes, even the Grinch ended up happy).
I absolutely love this. I can still watch it in the middle of the year and it won't seem weird at all.

Photo Source:

HelloGiggles

Christmas With Glee

Do They Know It's Christmas? (Glee Version) 

This song is the first song that made me literally cry. This song really explained the true meaning of Christmas.

Giving. Share. Spreading the Love. 

This, is just amazing. Honestly, I am speechless. In a very good way.

Video Source:

musicfromgleeVEVO

My Letter to Santa

Day Eight: A picture that makes you laugh.

I actually have a few photos that makes me laugh, but I'd rather not put them online for the good of everybody. Especially myself. Ha. 

The photo above makes me laugh because everybody was trying to do the "high-waisted nerd look". I think most of us were "half-way there". The moment when we all just agreed to pose like this, silently I laugh.
Trinity (the cute little girl in front) just made this photo that more adorable and funny!!

This was taken after a long night of caroling a year ago, and some of us just decided to let loose and act wild. Good times, good times...

Merry December :)

Yeah, the second day of one of my favourite months of the year, next to January.

Here's 5 things I look forward to this Christmas:

1) Caroling- favourite Christmas event. Get to go to houses and venues to sing wonderful carols!
2) Shopping! Mostly for all my darlings. Presents!
3) Christmas-themed Movies! They only play it once a year, so HOME ALONE MARATHON!
4) Family Reunions! Aunt Mimi and Aunt Ani coming back for the hols this year! Oh the comedic drama that will happen!
5) Christmas Day!! The day I've been looking forward to every year! The presents, the laughter, the food! Can't dislike the food on Christmas!

Thinking about all these things just makes me really happy and giddy inside. I feel like a little kid again :)

Hope you guys are preparing well for the holidays too! Don't forget to write your letters to Santa!

Day Four: A picture of your favourite night.

Too many nights I've spend laughing and having fun. If I were to pick my favourite night, I'll choose this:

It was December 2010, a night of caroling in Rasa Ria Resort in Karambunai. It was a great night because not only did we get to sing carols in front of international guests, we also devoured ourselves in a 5 star dinner, for free!
The picture above is the almost group photo of the "bleh" team. It was one of the rare times when most of us are here for Christmas. Since most of them are already working or studying abroad and chances of coming back to KK for the holidays were really slim.
It was indeed my favourite night, so far.

I'm not kidding about Christmas coming early

Early Christmas

I know it's only November (Happy November by the way!) but it feels like Christmas is in the air already! Especially with this blasting on the speakers:

Michael Buble's Christmas Album

Yeap, exams being all over just placed the holly outside my door! Oh, I can't wait what's coming up for Christmas! Caroling, Bukit Harapan, parties, shopping! Excited!!