Life Lately

Life Lately 6

8th February 2019 /

What’s going on in the land of Chynna? When I first decided to write another Life Lately post, I wasn’t sure I’d have anything to write about but then I started doing my bullet points (something I usually do when I’m writing blog posts) & I came up with quite a few things!

Life, in general, has actually been really, really good. January 2019 is probably one of the best January’s I’ve ever had. Usually, right after Christmas and New Year, I fall into a deep pit of “OMG, it’s a new year, I MUST project a new me to everyone and let everyone know my goals” but I almost always never get anywhere with that mindset.

This January, I’ve just got on with it. I’ve got for the silent resolutions approach. I’ve found that if I say or write my goals for everyone (and I really just mean social media, haha) to see, then for some reason I feel so much more pressure and I get so in my head about those things, that I end up falling off the bandwagon. Not great, at all.

Of course, this doesn’t work for everyone and I am not here to tell you not to let people know your goals and what you strive to achieve. Who am I, your mother? But personally, this approach has worked so much better for me and gosh, life is a treat right now.

✈️ Travel

My first trip of 2019 is coming up! I’m super excited to be going to Amsterdam for the second time. I really loved Amsterdam the first time I went and you can read all about it here. I’m being my usual nerdy self and coming up with an itinerary – I’m veering more toward doing stuff that I didn’t do the first time I was there, but also being conscious that my friend whom I’m going with has never been before.

It was also a bit touch and go on my trip to Jamaica in July but it looks like it will be happening. I just need to pull my thumb out my arse and reply to people’s messages (sorry, guys!). I’ve also got my annual leave approved for my trip to the Philippines in December, so all’s that left is to book the flights!

I’m also hoping to other little trips here – hopefully, I will see more of the UK.

? Work

Nothing new in this department – I’m really just earning money to save and survive, right now!

?️ Writing

I’m working on a new short story, which I have yet to decide whether to post it on this blog or just leave it on my portfolio or both. I haven’t written anything fiction wise in a long time, so it feels good to flex my fingers again and get my creative juices flowing.

My blogging mojo has also been revived full force and I brainstormed so many post ideas and have come up with a blogging schedule. I’ve managed to stick with it in January, so let’s hope it continues into February and well into the rest of the year. I really want to turn this blog around and I’ve always found it to be my outlet, so I need to take care of it more.

I’ve also started bullet journaling again and OH. MY. GOD. What a way to channel my love for drawing, neatness and creativity. Honestly, I am so obsessed with my journal right now, some may find it a bit ridiculous. Nevertheless, I love the freedom I get with bullet journaling. I have been raving at work all week about the new set of calligraphy pens, coloured fineliners and gel ink pens I recently bought (FYI, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH).

Here are a few pages I’ve made for my journal:

I miscalculated how much space I needed for my ‘Year in Pixels’ page so it only goes up to day 28 ?

? Food

Last month, I went to Cocochan on a best friend date and yes, the food was amazing. My only gripe was the service was not that great.

  • When we arrived and let the server know we had a reservation we were left standing there waiting for our table without being told to follow a lady who just appeared out of nowhere
  • Our waiter didn’t ask us if we’d like to start off with drinks and basically just came up to us, “What do you want?” Every restaurant I’ve visited the waiter asks about drinks and then asks if you’re ready for food, so that took me by surprise
  • We had to wait for ages for the bill and then even longer to actually pay for the food. They really wanted us to do a dine and dash…

I ordered dim sum: chicken gyoza served with Chinese vinegar and prawn & chive dumplings – they were so delicious! For my main I opted for the Kimchee Lamb Cutlets – kimchee marinated, grilled lamb cutlets served with kimchee cabbage. I was going to order a side of rice, as well, but I’m glad I didn’t because the lamb alone was very filling. It was the right amount of spicy, and the lamb was extremely juicy and tender.

I also met with Hamdah and Mutay at Village East in Bermondsey for lunch where I ordered the most delicious roast. Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potato, green beans – all doused in gravy. It was so, so good – I haven’t had a roast like that in a while, so it was definitely needed.

ROAST BEEF – Yorkshire pudding, mashed potato, green beans, gravy

It was so good, on both occasions, to catch up with everyone and bask in everyone’s achievements. Love you lads ?

I also ordered a recipe box from Simply Cook and I’m excited to try out some new recipes. Will have a post up all about it soon! I’ve also upped my meal prep game – it is hella strong, right now.I’ve been meal prepping for a while, but never really varied in my lunches, but thanks to Pinterest, I’ve so many recipes to try and lunch is so much more exciting! My favourite sites at the moment are Budget Bytes and The Girl on Bloor.

? Books

Every year I do the Goodreads Reading Challenge and every year, I fail. I think it’s where I set too high a goal because even do I read a lot, I do it sporadically. There can be weeks, months even, that I don’t read anything. This year, however, I am determined to complete the reading challenge. I’ve already read 5 books out of the 25 I have set myself:

  • A Princess in Theory – Alyssa Cole (read 16 Thoughts Whilst Reading… here)
  • What If It’s Us – Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera
  • A Thousand Perfect Notes – C. G. Drews
  • Star of the North – D. B. John
  • Reflection (Twisted Tales #4) – Elizabeth Lim

I was not prepared for the onslaught of emotions I felt whilst reading A Thousand Perfect Notes. The pain I felt for Beck was unreal. I find it so clever when an author can appeal to your emotions like that – there have been a few books that elicited tears from me. I’m currently experiencing this whilst reading Alice (The Chronicles of Alice #1) by Christina Henry and one particular scene, really made my heart stop. Whew.

Also, I think Star of the North is one of the first books I’ve ever read where the character is of the same heritage as me – Asian and Black. I remember reading the line where this first became apparent to me and wow, it really blew me away. A character that is like me?! It really resolved my need to write more characters that I can relate to. I remember when I was younger and writing stories, my characters were overwhelmingly white. With the majority of books already like this, it’s important for me and others to push forward characters that come from all different backgrounds – read more about #OwnVoices here.

If you have any book suggestions, feel free to message me!

And that’s all for now, folks! What’s going in your land? Let me know in the comments below ⬇️

Chynna has been creating blog posts since 2009. I hope you enjoyed this post! Please feel free to leave a comment below, I love hearing from you all ?

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25 Comments

  • jasonlikestotravel

    8th February 2019 at 9:05 pm Reply

    A great read, your bullet journal looks wonderful! I also had a chuckle at your dine and dash comment, it baffles me how many restaurants places take this approach. You wonder if some of them would ever get paid if the customers weren’t chasing for the bill.

  • Kiarra

    9th February 2019 at 5:49 am Reply

    Hi there! I’m blog hopping tonight. Nice to meet you! I’m Kiarra.

    You’re trips sound fun! I want to go to Jamacia too. It will happen eventually (hopefully). I do hope you enjoy your time! Work is work. lol. I’m so happy to hear that you like to write! SO do I! But my “novels” are a bit on the naughty side. It’s erotica fiction that I get paid to write. But I am penning a romance drama/action novel that I hope to get published. I LOVE your journal entries! I like the “year in pixels” idea. I might try it! I’ll also have to try to read some of those books you read. Have you done any reviews on them? I hope we can be blog buddies!

    Check me out: http://www.kikiifbabii.com

  • Melissa Kacar

    11th February 2019 at 7:04 am Reply

    I love the way you designed your bullet journal! I’m thinking of starting one next month, it sounds like such a fun way to get creative. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    melissakacar.blogspot.com

  • Sydney

    11th February 2019 at 8:33 am Reply

    I love that you’re getting into bullet journaling! It’s great, right? I used to bullet journal a lot, and I have a journal I’m working on now, but lately I’ve just been using it to jot down things I need to get done for school because I’ve been far too busy to sit down and sit with it correctly! It’s a little unfortunate but ah, well. Such is life. At least it helps keep me organized!

    I love the year in pixels idea. I’ve tried it a few times and unfortunately I’m unbelievably inconsistent with it, but I’d like to try it again someday! My favorite planners are Hobonichi Techos, but it was about $60 to order one for 2019 so I’m going to wait until I’m back in Japan.

    Great job on your Goodreads challenge! I think I set my challenge for 20 books? I’m fairly certain that’s about all I can do this year… School is going to overwhelm me! Glad to know your January was so wonderful 🙂

    • Chynna

      11th February 2019 at 8:46 am Reply

      I absolutely love it. I’ve become way more organised and still get to have fun with it, as well. I tried it out last year but the journal I got was too small, so I didn’t have a lot of space to get as creative as I have with this one.

      I did that one a whim after finding the spread on Pinterest! But it only goes up to 28 days cause I miscalculated, haha. If I do it again next year then I’ll do it probably 🙂

      Thank you! I’ve just finished my 10th book, so still on track. Good luck with your challenge 🙂 Hope your January was wonderful, too x

  • awayfromtheblue

    11th February 2019 at 8:39 pm Reply

    Your journal looks so good! It’s wonderful your year is off to a great start and it sounds like it will be an exciting one with all of the trips you have planned! 🙂

    Hope that you are having a lovely start to your week 🙂 I just posted my weekday wear linkup, I’d love you to join! 🙂

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