2016 was filled with a bunch of "firsts". 

Some of the major ones included a funeral and wedding. So yes ... this year was quite the rollercoaster ride. I've also had my first experience going paintballing, doing shisha, rock pool swimming/jumping (freaking freezing), travelling without a tour guide (nub life), going to a concert (FLUME!), going to a water theme park (Wet n' Wild) and getting my hair dyed (wine red).

R & B's Wedding

Flume Concert in Brissy

Me & S matey

This year I just did so many things I've never done before. So just 'accomplishing' these firsts, whether significant or trivial, I feel like it's been a pretty productive year .. even if some of these first-timers weren't necessarily a positive encounter.

Regarding other major firsts (that I won't specifically mention), it's just a reminder that life goes on no matter what. Even though the incidents are commonly viewed as depressing or upsetting events attached with a connotation of negativity, I learn from it. In an earlier post I wrote about wanting to becoming a better person, I think I fulfilled this by gathering insight due to those occurrences. It may have been very upsetting but ya know, shit happens. At least I think these new experiences significantly reduced my struggle to grasp the harsh reality of life. So yeah, it's been a hectic year and I'm anxious/eager to see if 2017 will top '16. 

I'm no make up guru or fanatic. 

Yet every now and then, I binge watch make up tutorials or read reviews, blog posts and so on. It's funny because I get all hyped up about it even though I don't even apply proper make up myself. It's just so satisfying watching someone put on make up because the transformation is so fascinating. 

Usually, the only make up that I continue to "upgrade" are lip balms/tints, BB creams or some sort of blemish-removal product to cover up my horrible dark circles. Thus, I discovered Etude House. 

I've always heard how Etude House is known for its amazing and cute make up - like their Precious Mineral BB Compact and Dear My Jelly Lips-Talk. So eventually I finally decided to try some of their products myself. Since I'm lazy and this is supposed to be a sweet and short post, this is my mini review on the following items I purchased: 

Super Bubbly Christmas Edition Packaging

My Absolute Fave - FREEEBIES~~!!

MORE FREEEEBIEEESS~!!! 

Okay heree is finally something that I actually purchased and isn't a freebie. As I mentioned, this is the famous Dear My Jelly Lips-Talk (JPK003) and let me tell you now, this did not disappoint me at all. It turned out just the way the reviews said it would - moisturising, sheer and absolutely just a gorgeous colour with a lovely cherry scent. I've gotten 3 of these since I bought this one (this is a really overdue post). It's just the perfect lip product that I was looking for where it acts like a lip balm + natural tint at the same time. It's amazing. 

This is ANOTHER famous Etude House product I bought - le Beauty Shot Face Blur. This is yet another product that lives right up to its proposed standards: smoothing, pore hiding and tone up. While people are absolutely CRAZY about Face Blur, I personally found it a bit too much for my every day make up. It certainly executes its performance as a blemish/tone up product very well but it's also a super big life-saver on covering up not just pores but any sunspots, freckles or what not. Honestly, I thin I just found the colour didn't match skin too well and it was a tad too bright. Regardless, you can really see the difference in photos and I guess that's a given considering "Beauty Shot". So yes this is also another amazing gem that I adore.

Last but definitely not least, my Precious Mineral BB Cream Blooming Fit~! This omg IS TRULY MAGICAL. This works like a charm. That's really all I can say. It also executes its performance beautifully and it DOES blooming fit everything. It covers up my dark circles, sunspots and blends in so well that you'll think my brightened skin tone is natural. It's just so nice and creamy and SMOOTH as well. I love it. I would rate this a 10/10 - other than the fact it can get pretty dry if you don't apply lotion/primer beforehand.

So as a whole, my first impression on Etude House turned out to be absolutely fantastic. Like I said, don't take my opinions in as professional reviews but I would definitely recommend you to try these products out yourselves. I can almost 100% guarantee you that you will not be disappointed and you will fall in love with Etude House just as I have. Hope you enjoyed reading and have fun exploring if you haven't acquainted yourself with these brand yet. ^___^

Links :
Dear My Jelly Lips

Beauty Shot Face Blur

Blooming Fit Precious Mineral BB Cream

Next year, I want to be a better person - an improved and improvised me. I will be a harder working student, a greater passionate lover and a kinder girl towards people. 


Last year, I was filled with anticipation and thrill since I knew the transition from 2014 to 2015 was very significant. For example, two massive changes include: No school and turning 18. 


This year, I've already completed a year of uni and I've already turned 18. Next year, from the education aspect, it's the same. Age aspect, 19 ain't a big deal. Therefore there will be no big transition from 2015 to 2016 and I feel quite "meh" about the coming year. That's not to say that I'm not looking forward to a new year though. I'm excited for a fresh start as always but I just don't think I will be expecting too much activity and buzz happening as it occurred this year. 

Photo of Me on Last Day of 2014

I also want to fulfil my New Year's Resolution(s) for once, which I will probably update in a later post when and IF I do complete it!! :)

Catch up soon again heeheh :D 

Anyways, this pretty much briefly sums up my quick thoughts on the soon arriving 2016! I'm excited to write up my New Year's Resolution(s) ASAP and finalise my reflection on 2015 and post it up here quickly~! 

IT'S been 2 days since I finished my first year of university studies. 

I can definitely say I am very surprised that this year flew past even faster than my last year of high school. It's a very strange and unique feeling, knowing that I already completed a year of uni. It's almost kind of a "surreal" sort of feel. Although I reflect on how fast and bizarre time goes towards the end of each year, this year has been somewhat the same yet completely different at the same time. 

I know it's a bit early to reflect on the year in early November but for me, the year ends when studying does. Uni and school are very similar in the sense that you study, you stress and you do assignments and sit exams. However, nearly every other element of uni and school is different or altered in some way. Classes aren't every day, making friends is the same yet with a completely different approach, grades holds heavier weight than it did back in school (but depends on each individuals' preference) and generally, going to uni really highlights your independence. 

I still have a super long way to go before I regard myself as fully independent but uni really does force you to step out of your comfort zone. Nonetheless, I am grateful to have this opportunity in education and also a little guilty that my family is willing to support me to such a significant extent. My friends are also major contributing factor who makes my life easier every day. I can confidently and honestly say that this year went by so smoothly and fast (despite a slightly bumpy road) thanks to my family and friends for fuelling my determination to get through a foreign yet thrilling 2015. 

So this topic has been lingering about my mind for a while. . .

Gwu - Ant - Miss Ting Chen - Man - Fart - Banana - Emiri - Monkey

By the title, you already know this might be heading towards a pretty cliche post. You're probably expecting all the "I'm so grateful for my friends", "I can't survive without my friends" or the "my friends are the best!!" kind of post. But just hear me out.

The truth is socialising hasn't always been my forte and it actually took me a while until I gained enough confidence to step out of my comfort zone. In other words, making friends hasn't always been a piece of cake for me. I've made wonderful friends at school and I've had best friend(s) before but there's a difference between making friends you can genuinely connect with and making friends who've become your 'friends' simply by acting like 'friends'. 

Miss Ting Chen - @http://misstingchen.blogspot.com.au/

Emiri - @http://emiri-desu.blogspot.com.au/

I guess my point is people become 'friends' way too easily these days. The term is used too broadly and people deem one to be their friend way too simply. To put the case in point, I've witnessed (quite a few times) people qualifying a stranger as their friend after meeting them ONCE through mutual friends or whatnot. Another case in point- what is up with people using Facebook as a tool to account another as a friend through the acceptance of the 'Add Friend' button?! Okay, fine. I guess the words itself 'Add Friend' is probably a dead giveaway but honestly... the world scares me a little if the universe believes the 'Add Friend' button is the simple and standard qualification of establishing friendships. NO. Just no. 

This post is starting to get longer than I intended so I'm going to cut it short without leaving any significant message I want to send here. 

"J" BB

I discovered the true definition of 'friends' the hard way. I won't go into details because it's all in the past but this is the message I enlightened on: True friends stand up for you when the whole world is against you. True friends aren't afraid to hurt you when you need a "wake-up call". True friendships come naturally without you needing to go through any 'Are-You-My -Friend Checklist'. 

These couple of years I've never been happier because I genuinely think I've found my real friends - groups both from school and outside of school. The photos in this post are some of the people I'm super grateful for (sorry for the cliche). So from the bottom of my heart, to those who have made my days a little brighter and little happier, thank you and I love you! <3 

Note: The captions will reveal nicknames instead of real names in order to protect privacy concerns. I'm also missing a few others but I don't have their photos atm - they know who they are anyways haha. ]

Edit: I removed some pictures to protect others' privacy. 

Hello!

My room is very messy - yes, I know haha! 

I don't know who I am saying hi to but to whoever who does stumble across my blog (for whatever strange reason that you would do so - unless you are my friend), I want to let you know that this is going to be a blog deriving from my own personal interests and thoughts (hence the title)  and therefore I am not going to blog to try and 'impress' or 'entertain' others.

To those who do end up discovering that they can easily relate to my thought bubbles and enjoy reading my posts, welcome and let's get to know each other! :D 

And of course if no body does end up paying much attention - which is pretty  likely - then that's okay because this blog is my semi-personal platform where I can release my feelings/thoughts, hence my head can become clearer and my thoughts can become more organised. 

Anyways, so there's my little introduction/welcoming to my little blogging world! hehe :) 

P.S. A few facts about me, just so there's a bit of background idea:

1. My real name is not Hicky
2. My favourite colour is pink 
3. Respectfully speaking, Chinese and Taiwanese people are NOT THE SAME (why else would they have different names??)

Alright! So there it is for my first blog post. 

See you next post!?! x)