Tag: personal

Journal Entry #011

Claire @ Coffee with Claire3 Comments

Thursday, April 4th, 2019

It’s officially autumn in Melbourne! I’m not complaining though because it’s warm enough to go out in a tank and tee but not hot enough to burn your eyeballs. I love the crisp mornings and warm afternoons!

Dan and I are starting the countdown to the end of our Melbourne trip and as each day rolls by, I am getting more and more excited to leave.

I am just sooooo done with living with roommates. Seriously. I think I’m going to write an entry on living with roommates when I get back home.

I particularly don’t enjoy one of my roommates right now and I guess because I know I’m out of here soon, my tolerance for his bs is shrinking and shrinking.

For example, he decided to shave his head in the backyard. Not a problem.

However, when you don’t clean up your hair… that’s disgusting. I mean, I like to eat outside from time to time so seeing blobs of hair is hella disgusting. His logic was “the wind will blow it away”. We’ve had a few windy days and they’re still stuck on the ground!

Since we have limited time left, we decided that every time we go out to eat, we’re going to hit up a new place. Dan and I have the tendency to return to restaurants if we love the food but I’m putting my foot down and told him we’re going to try new restaurants going forward.

  • Lanzhou Beef Noodle Bar in South Yarra.
  • Egg Station in South Yarra. An Asian dessert place.

Oh yeah, I finally managed to buy tickets to Avengers: End Game! Dan wants to catch it in IMAX before we go so I legit – kid you not – spent an hour or so refreshing the website until I successfully managed to get tickets for us. We’re catching it on April 25th!

The more I think about it, the more excited I am for this movie, lol. But seriously, the struggles to purchase tickets online is real.

By the time this post goes live, Dan and I will be on our Great Ocean Road road trip (God bless the scheduling option!) so I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

My Koala Tattoo | A tribute to Australia

Claire @ Coffee with Claire5 Comments

When I was back in Canada, I told myself that I was going to get a koala tattoo at the end of my Australia trip.

And so, I did.

Three weeks ago, I went to Vic Market Tattoo and met with Kane Berry to get my tattoo. I chose to book with Kane because I felt his portfolio matched what I wanted the koala to look like, and it looks like he has done tons of koala tattoos as well.

I already had a maple leaf tattoo (ayeeee, Canada!) and while I do love it, I felt like it was lonely and empty. A few months ago, I thought – hey! Why don’t I make my koala hold the stem of my maple leaf?!

  • Stencil on!

Thank God Kane was able to make that happen! I was worried it wouldn’t work out but he spent about an hour going back and forth with designs to try to make the koala hold the stem. Eventually he did and it looks soooo adorable! I absolutely love it.

I think it took about an hour to finish and the pain wasn’t too bad. If you ever had a tattoo done, the process of wiping excess ink hurts more than the actual tattooing because the paper towel is basically rubbing against an open wound. The shading of the koala started to sting a bit towards the end as well.

I chose to have the maple leaf tattooed because I am proud to be a Canadian. But above all that, it’s a little piece of home I can take with me anywhere in the world. I love travelling (as you can probably tell) and it’s such a comfort to travel thousands of kilometers away from home but still have a piece with you. I thought I would leave Canada and move abroad, but after this experience, I don’t think I can ever leave Canada permanently.

That being said, I chose to have the koala tattooed on me because this is a once in a life time opportunity. It was on my bucket list to be live abroad and I’ve done that. I believe I won’t have an opportunity like this again and I don’t think I can pick up and move across the ocean once I settle down. I can move within Canada but probably not to another country. Australia was home to me for 6 months!

Plus, my maple leaf was lonely.

The end result! Fresh ink, not even healed yet. I love Kane’s idea of colour burst to bring out the koala a bit.

Thanks Australia!

PS: Apologies for the image quality here! I had these photos compressed three weeks ago but wasn’t ready to write this entry yet. I thought everything was okay with the compression as like every other photos I’ve shared but I guess not! I don’t have the original images anymore for me to re-compress and have them in a bigger size.

Last month in Melbourne

Claire @ Coffee with Claire6 Comments

No, this is not an April’s Fool joke.

Sadly, we are saying goodbye to Melbourne and our expected leave date is April 30th.

We don’t have any regrets leaving Melbourne earlier than expected – in fact, we’re happy!

Melbourne has been great and our original plan was to work however long we needed to save the money to travel the world. We ended up having enough money sooner than expected which is why we’re completing our contracts and heading to travel soon.

Plus, after settling down, we ended up missing our friends and family, and the nature. Melbourne is nice, but damn is it flat. We miss the mountain views, and the accessible hikes in Vancouver.

When we first arrived, we struggled finding a job because the Working Holiday Visa has strict limitations. A lot of jobs that I got a call back ended up declining me because they learn that I was on a work visa. In such a competitive market, a lot of companies wants to invest in a long term worker than a contractor. I was lucky enough to score a 6 months contract, but ultimately, Dan and I don’t want to go through that entire process either.

We’re also ready to settle. We want to go back home and focus on our careers and saving for retirement and a down payment for a home.

Moving to Melbourne was a super fun experience. And all in all, we don’t regret it one bit, even if it’s shorter than expected. Our relationship grew a lot, and I learned a lot about myself, personally and professionally. Did I also mention that I learned to cook while over here?! I also learned to live in a suburb and not in the city where everything was lively and always open.

So, what’s next?

This month, we’re hitting The Great Ocean Road and wherever else is left in Melbourne for us to visit.

Later, we’re flying over to New Zealand to visit my best friend, Kendel. I seriously can’t believe my best friend and boyfriend are going to meet live in person! They’ve met over video chats a few time but nothing like the real thing, right?

After that, we plan to visit The Gold Coast and Sydney. I’m debating if I want to try out surfing or not – it’s never been an interest of mine but I also don’t want to leave Surfer’s Paradise without having to try surfing!

Once we’re finally done with Australia, we plan to visit Vietnam, Thailand, Montreal and possibly Toronto.

All in all, it’s about 1.5 months of training and we should arrive back home just before July 1st! I’m super excited to start a new chapter back home.

Got my hair styled and I no longer look like a “single soccer mom”!

Claire @ Coffee with Claire13 Comments

Two weeks ago, I finally redeemed Dan’s Valentine’s Day gift! For those who don’t know, I had a pixie cut last summer. While it was nice, the growing out phase was horrendous! I began to feel very self conscious and unhappy with my hair but I was also very cheap and couldn’t justify spending $100+ at a salon but also didn’t trust the Asians enough to fix what little hair I had grown out.

(I say Asians because they generally offer very cheap haircuts but can be a hit or miss).

So, I spent months and months complaining to Dan (lol) until on Valentine’s Day, he decided to get a gift card to a very fancy salon to finally get my hair fixed!

My appointment was at 12PM at Joey Scandizzo Salon in South Yarra. First impression of the salon? Holy cow, did my self confidence plummet!

EVERYONE HAD VERY BEAUTIFUL HAIR. EVERYONE. EVERYONE!

Behind me were rows and rows of awards this salon has won. They specialize in celebrity hairdos as well. The salon itself was grand and super beautiful and clean – soooo different from the usual Asian salons I go to.

You know it’s a fancy place when they hire dedicated hair washers. I kid you not – I’m so use to the stylist washing my hair before cutting it so I was taken back that they had someone else wash my hair before guiding me to my stylist’s chair.

Unfortunately, I forgot my stylist’s name but he gave me heaps of confidence back. I sat down and told him my life story and why I felt horrible about my hair. I told him I was looking for something that is easy to maintain (aka wake up and brush my hair), and something that I can just grow out without worrying that it would lose its shape again.

He instantly said – “bob”, especially given my hair length as well. He showed me a few styles he think I can pull off but they were waaaay too edgy – also, you know it’s a fancy salon when they do and suggest edgy looks rather than classic, safe styles.

We joked about my hair and be basically said “Your hair makes you look like a single soccer mom from the 80’s.”

Ouch, but also true and here’s why:

LIKE, SERIOUSLY… DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I HATE MY HAIR?!

I basically had a weird mullet thing and when I got to the gym and sweat, it basically warps around my neck. Also, the tiny little ponytail that I do at the gym is ugly af.

For someone that usually goes to cheap salons, holy crap did I noticed the difference in technique when my stylist was saving me. It’s soooo much more different than the usual techniques I see at the cheap salons do – seriously, how is it that they all have the same technique but fancy pants salons each has their own techniques to cutting hair?

All in all, my session took about 1.5 hours to finish and stylized. Leaving the salon, I felt soooo much comfortable having people look at me and just fell in love with my hair again. I no longer fuss about it and I’m no longer sinking in money in products that claims they help promote growth. I’m content enough to wait patiently now.

Journal Entry #010

Claire @ Coffee with Claire7 Comments

Tuesday, February 26th, 2019

Happy Tuesday! Whoop, whoop – I reached my 10th journal entry! I am really loving these journal entries because it allows me to just share my thoughts or share the little things in life when I don’t have events or other posts lined up.

Also, on another blogging related note… I transferred all my Bloglovin blogs onto my WordPress reader because I absolutely love the WP Reader more than Bloglovin!

Dan is currently at the gym right now and I’m trying to squeeze a quick entry in before I have to prep dinner – which is yummy tuna avocado wraps and nachos… mmmm.

I was planning to do a whole post about UFC 234 but it wasn’t flowing whatsoever. You guys ever want to share an event in your life but for whatever reason, it doesn’t flow no matter how many times you’ve edited it?

That was my UFC post so I’ll just quickly dump some photos from that event.

It was my first ever live UFC event which is amazing! I absolutely loved the fights (despite the main title fight was cancelled >.>) and the atmosphere. I’m a bit torn in which sport gives a better live entertainment experience – hockey or UFC?

Today, I tried to redesign my WP blog but gave up after about 20 minutes of dabbling around. I remember back then when I was on Blogger, I’d create a new blog banner every now and then but since moving to WordPress, I couldn’t give two shits anymore, lol. I am sooooo content with just a plain title and don’t bother messing around Photoshop anymore.

Also, I didn’t have work today and I thought The Sims 4 Strangerville was coming out today… I could’ve SWORN that I read it was coming out on Feb 26th but I guess it’s available tomorrow (Australia). I wanted to play the new Game Pack on my day off but I’d hold off until the next long weekend to play.

Anywho, I have about 30 minutes before Dan returns from the gym soooo I guess I better start pitting avocados and cutting some vegs up.

Journal Entry #009

Claire @ Coffee with Claire10 Comments

Saturday, February 16th, 2019

I’m writing this journal with a tummy full of delicious sushi after our late Valentine’s Day dinner that we just returned from.

Can I just say… what a week! It went by tremendously fast and my wallet is begging me to stop spending. The fact that this week consisted of Dan’s birthday and Valentine’s Day didn’t help, and last week was UFC night (which I’ll blog about sometime this week!).

Last weekend, we dropped by Gelato Messina on Chapel Street after watching the Alita movie (which was somewhat decent… about a 7/10). It was recommended by Charlotte and Sophie at work and we were in Windsor so we mind as well check it out.

The gelato is probably the best I’ve had so far in Melbourne! The place is dark (like a nightclub to be honest) and there’s no lineup or ticketing system. It’s pretty much like ordering at the bar where you just have to catch the shop associate’s attention if you want to order.

Do you see Robert Brownie Jnr? Hilarious isn’t it?!

On Wednesday, it was Dan’s birthday! He turned the ripe ol’ age of 29… lol.

As a gift, I got him the Huawei P20 phone. He hasn’t owned a quality smartphone since his Galaxy Note died so I thought it would make a nice gift, especially since we’re travelling and he has mentioned a few times that he wished he had a better smartphone to take better pictures. I’m honestly blown away by how far phone cameras have come to be!

That day I also left work early to hit the CBD to pick up another surprise and his Valentine’s Day gift as well.

I picked up Uncle Tetsu (his favourite dessert) and a pack of Corona beers.

Cheese tarts!
Matcha Madeleines.

It turned out that his work finished at 3pm and they took him out for some drinks until 5:30pm so when he came back home, he was a little tipsy.

We ordered Chinese food as his birthday dinner and our Greek roommate poured him some very strong Greek vodka so, by the end of the night, he was a goner.

This drunken photo of Dan is going into our scrapbook because it’s the only photo I have of him on his birthday!

The next day was Valentine’s Day! Happy belated Valentine’s Day to all my readers!

This year, we decided to keep it super simple with a budget of $50. After work, we ordered mediocre sushi and watched some Parks and Rec.

I got him two of his favourite League of Legends Funko Pops. He has a third one back at home that his best friend got him for his birthday so it added well to his collection.

For my Valentine’s Day gift, Dan got me a gift card to a fancy salon to get my hair styled properly. Ever since I started growing out my pixie cut from the summer, I became very self-conscious because I believed the barber didn’t know how to cut and style pixies properly so it has left me with an ugly shape and blob. I have it scheduled for March 2nd so I’m super excited to get my hair fixed!

Also, while we’re on the topic of V-Day, please visit my blogging friend, Hunida’s post on 5 years of Valentine’s Day dates! It’s by far my favourite V-Day related post and it’s just soooooo adorable!

Today, we slept in until 11am and had a very late brunch, followed by a late gym session (my legs and glutes are soooo sore!). We decided to hit up our favourite sushi place again and while it’s supposed to be Dan’s late birthday dinner, he changed it to be our late Valentine’s Day dinner so that was very nice!

Since I got him those two Funko Pops, I caved and went back to EB Games to grab my two Golden Knight boys 😛

Anyways, it’s getting late so I’d end this post with a funny picture of our third roommate, Charlii.

Claiming my Confidence Back

Claire @ Coffee with Claire8 Comments

If you know me in real life, you’ll probably laugh and couldn’t believe that I was once often described as outgoing, fierce, confident, and even intimidating.

Shit, I can’t believe my peers used to describe as that as well!

Now, I’m often told I’m quiet. And you know, I wasn’t born loud and confident either. I was born a quiet and shy person and only started to come out of my shell when I got a job at Best Buy as a sales associate shortly after high school. Ever since that job, I felt like a different person but since turning 24, I sort of fell back to my old ways.

I’m quiet. I’m shy. I care about what people think. I don’t speak with my true voice. I hide my thoughts and opinions. I look down at the sidewalk when I walk. I don’t take as many selfies as I used to, or post videos. I get self-conscious and confused.

That’s not who I am. That was who I was back in high school.

A few months ago, shit hit the fan with Dan and our mutual friends group. I felt really betrayed by everyone in our group and I had enough of that “it wasn’t my place to tell you” bullshit.

During my recovery process, I felt like I needed an answer to the final question from this one girl in our group. I have put it off for nearly a month because I was afraid of her. I was afraid of what she would think about the whole situation. I was afraid of any potential clap back she might give me. I was afraid that she’ll talk behind my back and tell everyone how stupid she thinks I am.

But, I did it anyways and even when she was telling me the answer that I needed to move on and heal, I was still afraid of what she thought and felt about me and the whole situation.

During the recovery process, I also deleted my Facebook and Instagram, and even then I was still afraid and worried about what she would think of my actions. And it’s not just her, I was also afraid of another person in the group. I was scared that they’ll call me out for my actions, calling me immature and dumb. I was prepared to apologize for “going rogue” if I ever decide to log back into FB and Insta.

A few days ago, I saw this quote on Reddit and it hit home.

Why did I care so damn much about what this girl thinks of me? Why did I feel like I needed her approval in my life? If I wanted to delete my social media profiles, I shouldn’t have to explain or apologize why I did it. If she wants to tell people how much drama I am causing in the group, then go be it. I just didn’t know why I cared and worried over that. And it’s not just her but everyone. I don’t want to seek approval from anyone anymore.

After seeing that post, I told myself that I am going to reclaim my confidence. I want to be described as intimidating, confidence, and outgoing. Yeah, I’m quiet because I don’t have much to say but that doesn’t mean I want to lack confidence. People can be quiet and still give a strong aura.

An old friend told me that when you turn 25 and hit the “quarter-life crisis” you start to doubt everything and the confidence starts to wither away but it picks back up later.

I’m ready to pick up my confidence and erase my doubts. I’m tired of trying to please everyone and seek other people’s validating when just two years ago I was a firecracker. I’m tired of being afraid to live my life. I’m tired of being afraid to tell people my thoughts and feelings in fear of what they might think of me.

I’m ready to be my self again, and I’m reading to take a shit ton of videos and selfies.