Things That Make You Go Oooooo (March 2017)

Summer has come to Thailand and it is ridiculously hot here, so hot I haven't hardly wanted to do anything! I'll be going back to Bangkok for a couple weeks soon to celebrate Thai New Year with the family so I'm looking forward to that although the weather will undoubtedly be even hotter there so I better keep myself hydrated. Whatever the weather is where you are I hope you stay happy, healthy and hydrated to.

♥ East vs. West: Major Cultural Differences That Impact Our Happiness

♥ Why You Lose Motivation And What To Do About It

♥ 3 Things To Do When You're Suffering From Blogger's Block

♥ Does Quitting Sugar Help Heal Anxiety?

♥ Why Your Dog's Personality Is a lot Like Yours

♥ 6 Things To Do When You Crave Change

♥ An Imperfect Mind

♥ Beating The Social Media Blues

♥ 3 Causes Of Self-Doubt And How To Conquer It For Good

♥ 10 Things I've Let Go And How This Has Set Me Free

♥ How To Take Care of Yourself When You're Too Tired To Think

♥ Be Patient With That One Friends Who Always Cancels

♥ Love Yourself

♥ The More Your Swear The More Honest You Are

♥ 40 Fun Things To Do This Weekend

♥ 10 Signs You Were Once Obsessed With Livejournal

♥ Jessica Jones Has Her Own Knitting Kit

♥ How To Cheaply Add Geek Style To Your Closet

♥ The ABCs of Skin Care Ingredients: A Complete Glossary

♥ How To Wake Up Feeling Confident, Relaxed, And Productive

Love & Udon

Cate

xoxo

5 Fandom Friday: Favourite Droids

Happy Fandom Friday!! This week's topic suggested by Ravalation I just had to write about. I've always been fascinated by robots and artificial intelligence ever since I was a kid and it's one of my favourite subjects to watch but I wanted to challenge myself a little for this prompt and try and be a little diverse as I probably could have gone the obvious route and listed 5 droids from Star Wars alone so I tried to include some slightly unusual choices from a few different genres just to keep it fresh this time. If you still have no idea what 5 Fandom Friday is then head on over to the Geek Girl Bloggers group or visit creator The Nerdy Girlie's blog to see what it's all about and join in.

Wall-E

I love Wall-E so much, it doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie it always makes me smile. I know I've mentioned Wall-E so many times in my past 5 Fandom Friday posts but he's just so cute and sweet, whenever I'm feeling a little bit down I always turn to Wall-E to make me smile he's just the best little robot ever!

Roy Batty

Blade Runner is my favourite movie and every time I watch it I always see something new, although there are so many different cuts of the movie there's always something new to see but it always seems to surprise me or make me think in different ways. The last speech of Roy Batty is just so iconic and so beautiful, I can't help but want to learn more about him as he's such an interesting character who has experienced and feels so much, he really makes you question what it means to be human.

Dorian 

Almost Human was such a good series and even though it was cancelled after just one series I still really miss it. Dorian was one of my favourite characters and I found his developing story to be quite interesting even though it was very short lived. I also loved his humour and his relationship with Kennex (Karl Urban), they had such amazing chemistry together and made a great team. If you haven't watched Almost Human yet then I totally recommend it it's such a good series and a novel take on the "buddy cop" genre.

Genos

So technically Genos is a cyborg BUT it's kinda up for debate as he seems to be more robot than actual human and he also acts that way to which is what I really like about him. I can't believe it took me so long to watch One Punch Man but I love the series so much and while I think Saitama is pretty damn awesome Genos is probably my fave but part of that is because of his strange yet adorable relationship with Saitama, I totally want me a Genos he seems like such an awesome friend.

Samantha

I'm really pushing the definition of "droid" with this one but I had to include it because I thought it was so different. Her is one of my absolute favourite movies and I thought I was a really interesting concept about the developing relationships between humans technology in not just practical ways but emotional ways to. Although "Samantha" has no physical body she has a fully developed personality and growing emotions to which I found really unique because the love that develops between the characters although completely "synthetic" with no physical base seems more pure and genuine than some human relationships. Samantha also helps Theodore grow as a character giving him confidence and teaching him how to be a happier person and I just think that is so beautiful.

Be sure to let me know your favourite androids in the comments!

Love & Robots

Cate

xoxo

Tips on Learning a New Language

It's been a year since I decided to move to Thailand and learn Thai and it has been the best experience ever. Although I am half Thai and I've visited family here almost every year my language skills were not the best but now it's much better and now I sometimes feel that my Thai is much better than my English! Learning a new language can be very daunting and you often don't know where to start so here are a few things I've learned on my quest to become multi-lingual.

Take Lessons

Learning a new language at home on your own is entirely possible but I would always recommend you take at least a few formal lessons as having an outsider to correct your pronunciation or grammar will help you become more confident and fluent.

Make foreign friends

There's only so much you can learn from books so the best way to learn a language is to make a friend in that language as they can teach you how to sound more like a native and correct your mistakes. Making foreign friends can be hard but there are all sorts or websites and apps now that can connect you to others who want to learn your language so make that connection.

 

Music, TV, Books and Movies

One of the best ways I've found to pick up a language is to watch a lot of foreign TV! Most of my Japanese and Korean I picked-up from watching anime and drama and it's a good entertaining alternative to lessons, I find if I'm enjoying something I'm more likely to learn and want to learn more and it's a great feeling to be watching or listening to something and actually understand it rather than relying on subtitles and you also learn little things about the culture of that language to.

Immerse yourself!

Probably the best way to become fluent in a language is to completely immerse yourself in that language and culture, finding yourself completely surrounded in a foreign culture will quickly help you pick it the language and get understood. I know it may not be possible for everyone to just pack their bags and move abroad to study but there are ways you can do that at home such as the tips I've discussed above, TV, books, movies and foreign friends are always a big help as long as you have a some exposure to the language you'll definitely learn something new.

Do a little bit everyday

If you really want to get fluent practice is key so don't slack off do a little bit everyday whether it be learning a single word or letter, watching a short lesson video on YouTube or listening to a podcast as long as you're consistent things will begin to sink in faster than you know it.

Love & Mochi

Cate

xoxo

Anime Series I'm Watching and Loving!

During my stay in the UK I made the most of my time indoors hiding away from the cold weather by catching up on anime. There are so many series on my to watch list I don't know when or even if I'll ever catch up to the latest season but nevermind at least I'll never be short of new things to watch. I've watch quite a lot of series but I've just listed five of my favourites be sure to let me know if you've watched them and what your thoughts were on them.

One Punch Man 

ワンパンマン

One Punch Man is totally worth the hype! I have to admit when I first heard about this anime I thought it was just another sports anime but I happened to catch the series finale on TV whilst I was in Japan and it was not at all what I expected but in the most amazing way. If you're bored of the usual hero fights villains, hero saves the day stories then you need to watch this because it pokes fun at all those tropes in a really amusing way. I absolutely adore Saitama and Genos (they have the best friendship) and I love all the other heroes and their hilarious hero names, I definitely want to be a saikyou hero!!

Yuri on Ice

ユーリ!!! on ICE

It seems like everyone is obsessed with this anime so I had to give it a watch even though sports anime series aren't really my fave but I am an ice skating fan and it's probably the only sport I really watch so I gave it ago and although I'm not in love with it like many people I did think it was sweet and I enjoyed it although I would have loved to have seen more about the other skaters but I suppose the series is called Yuri on Ice, obviously I'm a fan of the Thai skater Phichit not just because he's Thai but he happens to train in a mall in Bangkok which is right next to my house and I've known my whole life... maybe I'll have to go skating there soon!

Sailor Moon Crystal

美少女戦士セーラームーンクリスタル

Sailor Moon was probably the first anime I was obsessed with even before I knew what anime was and now it's back and there's so much amazing merchandise (especially the make-up line) I could not be happier. I'll admit it has taken me forever and a day to get round to watching the anime remake but I finally did and I love it because it brings back such fond memories of the original series and my childhood, I hope they make a new series soon!

Bananya

ばなにゃ

I love cats and I love bananas so a series all about cute little cats that live inside bananas and want to become choco-bananas is definitely something I'm into. I've been seeing these plushies around Thailand a lot lately and thought it was the latest San-X offering (kinda like Nyan Nyanko) but after some random googling I found out it's an anime and it's SO KAWAII and ridiculous but I love it, it kinda reminds me of the Gudetama and Kogepan cartoons they used to make, short but extremely cute.

Cheer Boys!!

チア男子!!

If you're a Yuri on Ice fan or a cheerleader fan then definitely check this anime out. I admit I actually liked this one a lot more than Yuri on Ice because it wasn't as gratuitously "fan servicey" (which I found kinda cringe) and the relationships between the characters seemed more sincere and developed although the actual sports in this "sports anime" seems to be more of a side note, I think more screen time is given to them eating tonkatsu than cheerleading, but it's a very feel good anime about how each characters uses cheerleading as a way to overcome their past insecurities so if you're looking for a pick me up then check this one out.

What anime are you watching now?

Love & Onigiri

Cate

xoxo

Korean Beauty Haul & Review Part 1 (Etude House)

Since moving to Thailand I've become even more obsessed with Korean beauty products! There are lot's of places in Thailand that you can find Korean beauty products for sale from small market stalls to flagship stores in gigantic shopping malls. Etude House is one of my favourite brands and opened their flagship store last June in Siam Square's Digital Gateway in the center of Bangkok and I am a regular visitor there so I thought I would film a video showing some of the things that I've bought there and all the amazing freebies I got to.

I've listed all the products I've mentioned below and linked to where you can buy them where possible, some of the links are affiliated so if you click on them and by them I get a small commission. Also here's one of the sources I found about Etude House and their animal testing policies and if their products contain harsh chemicals or not which I briefly touched on in the video because I want to make an effort to use more natural based and cruelty free products and I like that Etude House are making an effort to be cruelty free and animal friendly.

♥ Products Mentioned ♥

*Eye & Lip Remover - http://amzn.to/2kwfR7H 

*Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Cream - http://amzn.to/2kwendF

*Baking Power B.B Deep Cleansing Foam - http://amzn.to/2kRGzv9

*AC Clean Up Cleansing Water - http://amzn.to/2kwgtu1

*AC Clean Up Gel Lotion - http://amzn.to/2kwqcAr

*Bamboo Sheet Mask - http://amzn.to/2kRZ8PJ

*Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask - http://amzn.to/2kIKsQB

*Tea Tree Sheet Mask - http://amzn.to/2kw7nh6

*AC Clean Up Cushion - http://amzn.to/2kwlySZ

*Face Blur - http://amzn.to/2lP1JYe

*Tint My Brows Gel - http://amzn.to/2lPn9Ve

*Drawing Eye Brow - http://amzn.to/2kIVvsV

*Lash Perm Volume Mascara - http://amzn.to/2lJIcMK

*Curl Fix! Mascara - http://amzn.to/2kwxfcp

*Dear My Blooming Lips-talk - http://amzn.to/2kIY4uV

*Sweet Recipe Candy Stick - http://amzn.to/2kp3jUC

*Big Cover Cushion Concealer - http://amzn.to/2kIUFMB

Play 101 Stick #10 - http://bit.ly/2kwk9Mo

Play 101 Stick Color Contour Duo - http://bit.ly/2lirqmY

*Snowy Dessert Ginger Cookie Contour Maker  - http://amzn.to/2lJM5lb

My Little Nut Colorful Scent Perfume Hand Cream Set - http://bit.ly/2lP9E7Q

My Little Nut Kissful Lip Care Set - http://bit.ly/2lPbcPd

*Toning White C - http://amzn.to/2lJKxrd

*Moistfull Collagen - http://amzn.to/2kp3i35

*Zero Sebum Drying Powder - http://amzn.to/2kwpi7l

Gold Darling +Absolute Cream  - http://bit.ly/2lP6OzG

(*Contains affiliate links)

Thanks for watching & be sure to stay tuned for part 2 of my haul

Love & Lipstick

Cate

xoxo