The Dating Diaries | Are Cities Like Dating Buffets?

As you all know there are two things that I love to talk about,food and dating AKA bad dating stories. Well I have a theory for you today that involves a bit of over indulging in some bad food. 

I'm pretty sure you are well aware of what a buffet is, but if you've been living in a hole most of your life here's a summary: They are a place where you can eat as much food as you like in a certain period of time and there is usually a huge selection of different types and cuisine's. But the catch is that it's more about quantity than quality. So you stuff yourself on everything there is to offer because, well you paid for it..

Since being back In Hong Kong for exactly 8 months, i've been thinking about how dating in such a condensed city can be so difficult. Here is why I believe it's similar to a buffet: 

• There is a huge variety, all different nationalities and styles. 

• No one wants to commit, why choose thing when you can pile your plate high? 

• The quality is lacking, so you make do with what's in front of you.

• Since everyone is invited to this buffet, there's always gonna be something/someone else. 

• You never know what course you are, are you a main dish or just a side?  

• It's easy to overindulge and find yourself in a bit of trouble later. 

Maybe it's time for a new restaurant to come to town 

xx

How To | Be A Girl Boss

Being put down for whatever reason Is horrible, especially If It's something you can't control. But as long as you stay confident and take control of your life, you can be the ultimate #girlboss. Here's a little bit of advice I have for being a woman in a world of men. 


Schedule People Around You 

Cancelling or changing your own plans and routines for someone else's benefit never leaves you with a good feeling. You will either feel like you've wasted your time or the person you cancelled for will assume you'll do it every time. In order to be successful you have to put yourself first.

Contacts are key 

It's easy to cut someone off if you don't like them or got in a bit of a fight, but sometimes keeping people sweet can get you what you want in the future. I'm not saying be friends with everyone, just try to avoid making enemies. 


Go Out Solo 

Since my job involves travelling around and eating out, I can't always rely on someone to accompany me each time. Although it's uncomfortable at first, I've now started to enjoy it. Yes, people give you a funny look when you say "table for 1" but you'll get over that. If you find yourself missing out on certain places you wanted to go to or things you want to do, because you can't find someone to go with, just take yourself out.



Stand By Your Decisions 

Whether this is with a toxic friend, family member or partner, it's important to stand you ground. Don't feel like going out? Don't go. Don't think you're being treated fairly? tell them. The sooner you take control and show them what you stand for the more respect you'll earn. 


Brand Yourself Not Your Relationship 

There are very few relationships I make public, especially online. Damage control is never pretty and it's easy to spot someone desperately hiding a heartbreak if that relationship as been so public, it effects future prospects and you own self esteem. Yes allow some pictures of you together if you want to but don't make your relationship your identity. 

Celebrate Achievements 

Finishing a book, getting more work done than you planned or even coming up with a blogpost idea after being in a creative funk (cough cough) are all achievements in their own little way. If anything gives you a sense of gratitude then hold onto it for a bit because you just did something to make yourself happy. It's these moments that help make your confidence grow. 

Happy International Women's Day  xx

Goodbye 2016.

It's time to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to the new and exciting 2017. 

As I was doing my yearly clear out and putting away my decorations, I began thinking about how important it is to have a mind clear out as well. I'm not talking about permanently removing memories from your mind, although sometimes I really wish I could.  What I mean is reflecting on the previous year and allowing yourself to make piece with everything and collect all the memories, put them in a file and store it away. 


2016 was a big year of growth for me. Some years are more of a work in progress while others offer you some serious insight into who you are and where you want to go. So i've categorised all the highlights from my year.  


University

2016 was my final year as a student in university. From writing essays until my fingers felt numb to producing an entire magazine about Hong Kong as my dissertation, I pushed myself over the final hurdles of my studies and graduated in July, which was something I never believed I could achieve. 

Travel 

I was lucky enough to get a good amount of traveling done, which I hope to continue in 2017. Firstly trips to and from UK and HK over the holidays. Some crazy partying in Malia with my best friends. I then moved back to Hong Kong at the end of the summer, ventured to Macau for my 21st and finally snuck in a trip to Vietnam with my family after Christmas. 

Work 

Getting started on the career ladder has been extremely eyeopening, I've learnt what kind of path I would like to go down, as well as boost my confidence in both my writing and myself. You can check out my articles on http://magazine.foodpanda.hk

People 

Every year you get to say hello to a selection of new people, some who merely just pass by while others grow to become main characters in your life. But with hello's also come goodbye's, which my year had a lot of. 

Obviously no year is perfect and sometimes sad moments are going to come, but I would rather keep them private. 

So here's to an exciting, successful and happy 2017, thank you for your support! 

xx 

Boys To Avoid | The Dating Diaries

Dating can be a little bit like conducting a science experiment. You put two chemicals (or people) together usually at a random pairing and either it blows up or nothing really happens. 

You all know by now I love sharing my personal life with you, and you seem to love it too! so from my own personal dating diary I'll guide you through the types of guys to avoid.

(As much as I would LOVE to name and shame, I've called them by their nicknames instead cuz i'm classy like that) 

Mr Can't Commit

You'll go on dates, call and text all the time and when you think it's all sunshine and roses, it comes crashing down just as quickly as it started. They'll say something like "my last relationship was so bad" or "it's just really not the right time" but in all honestly their just keeping their options open and so should you.


Mr Controlling

You're going out again? What time will you be back? Who are you going with? The constant accusing and nagging from this one will have you wanting to tear your eyes out or theirs. It may seem like he's being cute worrying about you, but you'll get tired of it verrry quickly.

Mr Jock 

This guy spends more time, money and everything else he has to offer in the gym. At first it's hot, but when all he can talk about is the gym it can get very boring. If you have to listen to him going on about protein shakes one more time you might just put him in that nutrabullet. 


Mr Moody 

There's always something mysteriously attractive about quiet, moody guys. It triggers your emotions and makes you want to fix them. But the more you try to meddle, the more you'll get punished for it. Before you know it they've sucked you into that blackhole of moodiness with them. 


Mr Fake 

This guy wins you over almost straight away with his happy and charming energy. But there's just something not quite right and you can't seem to get to the bottom of it. After spending a sufficient amount of time with them you'll come to realise there is nothing genuine about them and you've pretty much been dating a ghost.  

Mr Lazy  

It's all fine chilling out once in a while but it'll turn stale very quickly and when it gets to the point where you have to drag them to come out and do something other then sit at home.

 Unlucky for me I've had to deal with some of these lovelyyy humans, but hopefully you don't have to! xx