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| I went to Paris for the premiere vision in September, and I took this picture while I was there. |
Hello everybody,
Merry belated Christmas!! I went back home for two weeks and then spent Christmas with my in-laws. I'll have to admit the three days of food indulgence really put me into a position of having to go to the gym. But hey, it's okay.
Anyway. Today, I am writing a post to remind myself about the lessons I learned along the years. In case you don't know (I am sure no one is interested), I am about to be 25 in January. I reckon I could use this opportunity to reflect on myself and continue to be positive (hopefully) in life.
I wanted to think of 10 lessons but unfortunately I do not have that many. Perhaps at the age of 30 I can squeeze my little mighty brain and come up with more. Now I would have to stick to 7 small lessons. Here we go.
1. Deal with your emotions before dealing with your problems.
There is no secret that we are all humans and we all have emotions, I think it is absolutely normal - perhaps sometimes healthy - when we all let our emotions rant out a little. Often, emotions come with an event, or a problem behind them which triggered our emotions. For instance, I was angry at something someone did to me. But here is one thing that really help me. Before I jump to dealing with the problems, I try (at least give it a go) to deal with my mood first.
Frustration, anger, or betrayal. Maybe a mixture of all. I let myself to sit through the feelings and let them all come out. Especially anger, I do not want to say anything relentlessly just because I am furious. It's irresponsible. It is more okay if it's just frustration and sorrow. But whatever it is, let it come out.
After I calm down from my rage or sorrow. Then I can deal with the problem itself with a more matured mind and hopefully the problem would become less complicated when I am calmed down.
Admittedly, this is very hard to do. I often regret not doing it enough. But everything is a learning curve, and we will get there someday.
2. Don't make a decision when you are angry. Don't make a promise when you are happy.
Kind of continue the previous point about emotions. It is very helpful to not make a decision when you are angry. We often see people yell at each other and say something they thereafter regret. I do that sometimes, on a minor scale. We all hope we don't accidentally hurt people with things we say without thinking. On the contrary, do not make a promise when you are extremely happy. After you calm down from that emotional rollercoaster, you might regret it. It is quite harmless if it's just an impulse shopping, but sometimes people would promise big things they can't even cash them in.
3. Don't get defeated easily.
I think this is a bit of cliche and everyone knows about it. However, it can be quite hard to achieve. I've once read about the Learned helplessness theory, which is (wikipedia) behavior typical of a human or an animal and occurs where the subject endures repeatedly painful or otherwise aversive stimuli which it is unable to escape or avoid. After such experience, the organism often fails to learn or accept "escape" or "avoidance" in new situations where such behavior would likely be effective. In other words, the organism learned that it is helpless in situations where there is a presence of aversive stimuli, has accepted that it has lost control, and thus gives up trying.
I sometimes feel quite down because of things I couldn't achieve or things I hoped I could do better. And because failure is so painful I tend to avoid it or be really passive. But in my mind, I know that is part of my body mechanism and instincts. I can courage myself to give it another try. If I do my absolute best but can't reach it, then at least I have no regret. I can give myself a pad on my back knowing I am proud of myself.
I don't want to be cheesy but life really is a journey of choices and hoping we learned from our mistakes. In the next five years I will not get defeated easily.
4. Find the easiest thing to start with.
There are some underlying goals I want to reach in life besides my career. One of them is passing B2 French Test by the age 30. Why the age 30? Because I want to learn another new language after that. I have learned French for a couple months and since then I am only doing some reading at home. I tell myself one hour of the week I am going to study French.
It is not efficient, it is very slow, but I am going to do it. It is very hard to motivate myself at home with all the possible entertainment I can do. But I told myself to sit in front of the desk and find one thing that is the easiest I can do during the one hour. I am not aiming high, just the easiest.
In a couple of weeks, I find myself very familiar with French numbers, or how to introduce myself. That might seem dirt progress at all, and it will not take me to the B2 test. But I know I would have done nothing instead. So this method really helped me to at least build up a habit and make very small progress. And from the small start, it will hopefully set me off a good place and slowly getting better.
5. The more you do, the more you can do.
This was said by Anna Wintour, one of the my ultimate role models. The more you do, the more you can do. It encourages me to explore more in life. For example, I always have been studying fashion but you probably don't know I am also a certified Madarin Chinese teacher with a handful of certifications. I do not teach Mandarin as a full time job but I do freelance translation sometimes. I also learned the piano for over 10 years as well as being in a professional choir for 10 years.
At some point in life, maybe I will want to learn how to fly a plane or play the violin. Maybe learning some new languages will help me advance my career somehow, but learning more things is always good.
6. The world is so big and my problems are so small.
Human whines about almost everything. I do too. But sometimes, when I am so into all the complaints I've done. I would step back and think about not wasting my time at being angry to the world when I am blessed to live another day. Okay maybe it doesn't help much, but it is always good to think about how lucky I am and how I should appreciate what I have.
Grass is greener on the other side, technically there is only one person living 'better' out of the rest 7 billion people. And when I realise how lucky I am. I would want to help others and be more grateful for what I have.
7. Luck is the meeting of preparation and opportunities.
There is a say (I think?) of lucky people make their own luck. Maybe it's because lucky people see a lot of things as opportunities and they do not stop improving themselves. I have known many people who really are lucky to live with wealthy lives with literal zero effort in life. But I also truly believes that happiness can't be given, it can only be earned or found. Some people are lucky because they were born with privilege. But people who work hard and find their own luck are truly admirable.
Alright, that is everything I can remember for now. This might not be helpful to some of you. But if you find it helpful, then I am happy that I helped someone today.
Until next time,
I will see you soon.
Giselle
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大家好～～～好久不見
我在十二月初前回台灣兩週，之後回倫敦過聖誕節。
回到正題，今天寫這篇是要來分享進入20後半的人生中，一些看似不是非常重要，卻一路上伴隨著我，且雕塑著我的人格的一些價值觀。藉著寫下這篇文章，當作對自己的一個反省，且在接下來的日子裡，謙虛地繼續往前走。
本來想要想出十個，但是我實在是想不出來那麼多個 （真不可取）。我看看我奔三的時候寫不寫得出來哈哈。
以下七個 Small life lessons 來跟大家分享
一， 在處理問題之前，先處理情緒。
凡是人都有情緒，有脾氣，有眉眉角角。這些負面的情緒也可能隨時都會找上我們。適時的舒壓解放心靈也不外乎為古今中外凡人的健康行為。
往往在情緒來的時候，也伴隨著某種事件，或是某種問題。這個事件是“壓垮駱駝的最後一根稻草“，然後情緒排山倒海的淹沒理智。
在這種情況裡，有一個方法真的幫助我很多。就是在解決問題之前，先把情緒解決完，尤其是氣憤的情緒。在生氣的時候，千萬不能急著把問題解決，在情緒高漲的時候，很有可能會說出自己後悔的話，可能會影響自己的判斷力。
先讓不滿的感覺都散發完，可以哭，可以沮喪，可以狼狽。讓情緒稍微收拾一下，再來討論問題的所在。用冷靜的大腦，成熟的判斷，可以大幅減低問題的複雜度，也不會在事後後悔自己的言行。
但是，若要每次都能完美的做到，是有滿高的難度的。我們很常在受傷難過生氣的時候，就很急的想要解釋自己，想要一股腦地狂說。所以我也覺得這點要做到不容易。不過每件事都有必經的學習曲線，每一次有比上一次做得更好，就是進步了。
二。別在生氣的時候做決定，別再開心的時候給承諾。
接續上一點，我們在生氣的時候，做出來的決定可能是一時衝動的後果，比如一生氣就跟男友說要分手。在我們極度開心的時候，也不要亂給別人承諾，以免自己在事後兌不了現，這樣不僅打破了約定，還讓人感受不佳。
三。別輕易被擊垮。
好這點真的太老調重彈，你可能已經翻白眼了。但是這點真的很難做到，每天一大堆想放棄的事情，一大堆妥協跟選擇。。
心理學中常提到的：習得的無助。我們的大腦會再重複的挫折中選擇放棄，快的話，只需要六分鐘就能讓你放棄。如果一直告訴大家永不放棄的話，可能太過神化人性了，但是要如何去辨別何時該改變策略，何時該堅持下去，且不在下次嘗試的時候不被前一次的表現影響，是很重要的。
我有時候被沮喪淹沒，不相信自己的能力。挫折感很強烈，逃避是最簡單的，又可以拒絕面對現實。
我會在很想放棄的時候，再嘗試最後一次，如果真的做不到的話，那麼至少我沒有後悔。我也可以拍拍自己的肩膀，告訴自己盡力了，且為自已的勇氣驕傲。
雖然不想講的很噁心但是人生不外乎就是一連串的選擇。我們也都希望自己在這條路上多做了一些正確的決定，接下來五年我也會繼續的在這條路上小心奕奕的前進。
四。從最簡單的開始
今年我要去健身房，今年我要讀十本書，今年我要學日文，今年我要這樣，今年我要那樣。
在這些林林總總的年度目標之中，你我都明白執行率可以說是世紀低。
對我來說，我想要在三十歲之前考到一定程度的法檢，然後三十之後可以學個日文這類的。但是要在忙碌的生活中坐下來讀語言，是很困難的。所以我會從最簡單的開始。我現在能做的最簡單的是什麼，可能是第一課。那麼我就看第一課。
十天後我第一課可能看了十次，有什麼收穫嗎？或許沒有。但是我比十天前又往前一點點了。 這樣就夠了，這就是滴水成河，積沙成塔。
不論妳最後離目標有多遠，都比完全沒開始還要近得多了。
五。你做得越多，你能做的也越多
這句話是美國版的風尚雜誌總編輯安娜。溫圖說的。跟上一點有一點點的關聯性。
這個信條給我了很多的鼓勵，也覺得很多事情我應該想做就去做。
舉例來說，我在大三的時候用了空檔的時間考了商業華語教學的證照，還考了普通話。在上大學之前我還在專業的合唱團唱了十年。
也許在人生的某個階段，我會想學開飛機，或許我會想學小提琴。不論是什麼，多做多嘗試多學習，都是很好的事。
六。這世界太大，我的問題太小。
我們常常聽到有人怨天尤人，每一件大事小事芝麻雞毛綠豆都可以靠腰。我也不例外，出門在外只要一不順心，馬上打電話給姊妹抱怨，在訂燒肉餐廳吃到飽，邊吃邊抱怨。
但是我有時候會往後一坐，想想自己多麽的幸運，餐餐溫飽，頭上有個屋頂，沒有什麼真正的危機。
別人的生活都會看起來比你好，你有的煩惱別人也有。過日子，如果什麼都要比，會很難過的，比上不足，比下有餘。知足常樂，我有愛的人，也有人愛我。就很心滿意足了。
七。幸運是準備與機會的相遇。
有此一說（我覺得啦）幸運的人會為自己創造幸運。我深深的相信這一點，也有很深刻的體悟。可能是因為幸運地會把很多機會當做轉機且大展身手，幸運的事情會隨之而來。
我也認識很多人完全就是金湯匙，富二三代，這輩子沒工作過，自我中心，天真無邪。但是我真心相信快樂是不能被給予的，要自己尋找，自己獲得。有些人資質平庸卻一輩子穿金戴銀開直昇機。能讓人真心敬佩的卻是用自己的努力，創造自己的幸運的那群菁英。
以上大約七點可能不乏老調重彈，可能對你毫無幫助，但有一件事情你可以相信我。就是你在努力的時候，我也在，大家都在。
那我們下次見！
下一篇來寫倫敦工作紀錄！終於脫離學校開始上班了！！
Giselle
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| Early 2017 at Green park |
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”- Oscar Wilde. You must come across some variety of this “be yourself” tagline in articles and on social media every once in a while. The advice contained in these articles is deemed to be enlightening and remind us how unique and amazing each individual is or how we should disregard other people’s opinions and do whatever we wish —Because everything will be fine if you just “be yourself”.
There is nothing wrong with being yourself.
But what if someone doesn’t like themselves? What if someone is unhappy with their status quo? Or what if someone does not like how they look?
Are their thoughts and feelings not as valid as those blissfully happy with their situation? Should they feel ashamed because they would be labelled as people who don’t “love themselves”?
Often, people who dispense the advice encouraging people to “embracing themselves” are often people who have very little to concerns about their own lives. They are a barometer of success, they’re confident, good looking, perhaps wealthy people. It is very hard to imagine these successful people reach where they are by simply “being themselves”. If this “perfect and successful” person was to walk up to you, and reassure you your life was on the right track, to just be brave and “be yourself”, you’d no doubt appreciate this almost refreshing and reassuring advice. Clearly being yourself will lead to you becoming this person you have admiration for!
However now imagine, a person who does not meet the traditional standards of success deemed by society tells you to ‘be yourself’. You would no doubt feel somewhat uncomfortable about the advice, being yourself must now be a road to ruin. Essentially, the advice is consistent, but the reaction becomes wildly different.
Our subconscious reflects the person giving the advice onto the word ‘yourself’, essentially flipping the meaning from advice to ‘be yourself’ to advice to help you ‘be like me’.
The overwhelming trumpeting on the internet about “embracing yourself” has become yet another instance of aspiring to be like others, stopping people from actually focusing their efforts on achieving something new. Merely listening to successful people talking about how they are being themselves ignores that successful people may honestly be naturally driven, hungry and talented as ‘themselves’, but I hate to break the news: you may not be.
For a totally honest version of somebody being themselves, look no further than me. My first honest action as ‘myself’ would be to yell at my boyfriend for the third time in a week to do the laundry. Secondly, I’ll wear that one big hoodie I own with no bra and no trousers to do my grocery shopping. Finally, I’ll tell my parents I actually won’t attend their planned family reunion to pretend I care about some distant relatives I haven’t seen since I could walk.
Does it feel good? Certainly. Does it get me any closer to the aspirational lives of the wealthy and beautiful people who share the sentiment online? Absolutely not.Because this world doesn’t revolve around you and acting purely in self-interest, or the interest of always ‘being yourself’ without a plan to achieve, achieves nothing. Every day there are things you will not be happy about, but simply ignoring them in a quest to always speak truth to yourself stops you from ever taking action to change any of them.
Everything in life requires balance. We are at liberty to be ourselves as much as we wish, but JUST being ourselves simply will not get us very far.
As one example, the topic of physiques: What if someone doesn't like their appearance? Are they not allowed to feel insecure about it? Is being themselves staying exactly the way they are, or is being themselves listening to their displeasure and changing their life? Simply saying ‘Just be happy with yourself’ denies people the very human right to feel sad, to feel negative, and to feel anxious about themselves.
Instead of just being yourself and settling for the present, a healthier lifestyle is to not treat negative thoughts as something wrong that needs to be fixed. Instead, treat the thoughts and feelings as a fuel to improve yourself and become closer to the person you want to be. When people take ownership of their actions, they become more genuinely authentic as a person and never stop learning.
The notion to “just be yourself” encourages complacency, where we are told stop making changes and taking risks, or told to attempt a change is a betrayal of your ‘true self’, but is that really the best way to think?
Next time you see an article suggesting “just be yourself”, maybe keep in mind that you don’t need to ‘be yourself’ if you don’t want to… What’s the harm in wanting to be Emma Watson, after all?
See you guys later xx
Giselle
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為什麼你不需要“做自己”
網路上時常充斥著一堆所謂建設性文章，告訴這個世界上所有迷惘的青年少女：做 自 己。
別去理會別人的意見，別去理會反對的聲音，別去理會社會對人們所要求的行為。只要做自己，一切都會變得很好，你會過得開心很多。
做自己沒什麼不好的。
但是如果今天我就是不喜歡自己，就是不滿意自己的外表，就是什麼都不滿意那要怎麼辦。
許多給這種“做自己”建議的人，往往在人生裡已經沒有太多的“普通人的煩惱”，可能這群建議者已經是人生勝利組。意氣風發，滿懷自信，相貌堂堂，可能還口袋滿滿。我無法輕易地同意說，這群人是單單靠著做自己而走到他們所擁有的位置的。
舉例來說，如果有一位形象“成功且完美”的人跟你說：別擔心，你只需要真實的做你自己，這樣一切問題都會迎刃而解。過度的小心翼翼這樣人生會很辛苦的...(以下省略)。 你可能會想說喔好吧也是。但是如果今天有一位形象與社會所刻板要求的形象相差甚遠，所謂的魯蛇告訴你：做你自己就好啦。你的反應可能會相差很多，或許有些人還會想說：做什麼自己，照鏡子看看你的處境，笑死人了。但其實，這兩個人說的建議，是一模一樣的。
第一個人讓你的潛意識反映出人人羨慕地那種傲視群雄又唯有獨尊的形象，好像“我這麼做我也能跟你一樣”，但是第二個人你可能會心生反感想說：別把我跟你比。
就是因為有這種傾向，我認為網路上大量的做自己文章都錯失了能幫主閱讀者能在人生中前進的機會，這類型的文章內容也就喪失其價值。因為聽成功人士說他們怎麼做自己只會誤導讀者認為自己只要做自己也可以變得成功。但是這種情狀不會發生，不論目標是什麼，只做自己是不夠的。
如果我來分享我會怎麼“真的做自己”的話，首先我先跟男友大吼叫他去給我洗那坨衣服，看到就氣；再來穿超大件起球連帽上衣，裡面什麼也不穿褲子也不用穿的去路口買個菜；再來叫餐桌上滿嘴八卦的八婆閉嘴；再打電話給爸媽說自己不去家族聚會了，那些遠房親戚一天到晚只會探人隱私口沒遮攔管東管西，什麼面子也不用做了。老實說，以上這些事情，我偶爾也會做。
但是呢，大部分的情況下我不會做這種事。因為這個地球不是為我轉的，我也不是世界的中心，沒有每件事都要以我為優先。先撇去社會對人們的成就有多少的標準，就基本而言，有些標準是深刻在這個體制下的，比如基本禮貌，比如尊重，這些都是一個社會所運行一部分。每個人多多少少都得去改變，去迎合。不開心的事情可能很多，但是大家都得付出犧牲。因為這就是人生，生活就是這樣，小至你愛的餐廳關門，大到你男友掏光戶頭遠走高飛。
我相信這世上也有例外，但是就一般而言，大部分的人都沒有辦法在人生中“只做自己”。
當然這是一個如何找到平衡的過程。別讓擔憂影響你的生活，下定決心的話也別輕言放棄，仔細聽自己的聲音等等，這些都很好。作為自己的主人你想怎麼做自己都是你的決定。但是要是你“只”做你自己的話，那可能前面路途遙遠。
網路上關於做自己的正面與鼓勵算是接近排山倒海的程度了，只是大部分的這類文章，沒有辦法真正的幫助有需要的人，反而傳達了相當片面且不適用於每個人的建議。
如果撇開社會面來說，談談更膚淺一點的，如果一個人對自己的外表不滿意，難道一個人不能被允許對自己的外表有不安全感嗎？
比起做自己，我更傾向於了解自己的短處且試圖增進自己，不管是個性還是外表，理解自己想要改變的地方，進而去用自己的步調慢慢行動，對我的個性來說，更有良好的影響。透過理解自己的不足之處而變成更好的人，我認為這才是能長久有正面效果的作法。
當然我也很歡迎不同意這些看法的人，畢竟你的人生只有你才能作主，只要清楚的知道說所有的決定也會帶來相對應的結果即可。
希望我有清楚的提出一點關於網路上充斥著做自己文章的看法，你要不要做自己或是要怎麼做自己，端看個人。
感謝收看～我們下次見～～（揮手下降）
Giselle
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| submitting me and my friend's dissertations. |
If I need to recall a moment of my life that I am the most happy and relieved at the same time, it would have to be the time I submitted my 17,000-word dissertation on the 22nd of September, 2017. I remembered how blue the sky was, and how free I felt, I wanted to scream almost. I could not say how much I was struggling in the past three months, and how much I appreciate the help and love I received in hindsight. In a nutshell, I am very happy about how it turned out at the end, and I could not ask for more then I ever had.
There were times where I doubted my choice and questioning my reasoning to let this continue, there were also times where I got so much help and eventually I was able to compose a research I am very proud of. In case you are wondering what my dissertation was about, it was an "Exploratory study on ethical labour practices of international manufacturers in the global apparel value chain". I know, it sounds complicated, I hated myself for making this the title so many times, it was very difficult, but at the end, I managed.
During the time I was writing my dissertation, many things changed in my life, I gained something, and I lost something too. I do not want to go through too much detail, because I am sure that any student is able to relate my feelings. What is important now, is that the time that we thought there was no end, finally finished. And we are able to move on to a new page in life and face more challenges.
On that day, the thing I looked forward the most, was to get a USB and throw everything related to school in that USB and toss that USB into the bottom of my drawer. And sell all the books I had to buy in this year, sell all of them on eBay and have a great feast with that money.
If you are struggling something in life now, just remember, everything will only become better and you will become stronger than you can ever imagine.
Giselle x
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如果細細回想起人生中最開心，也最解脫的那一刻，那就是繳交我的一萬七千字，超過一百頁的研究論文。抱著這麼重的一大本，心中的解脫感有如三個月便秘的屎終於拉出來了一樣的爽。天空看起來特別的藍，胸口鼓動的感覺，讓我想大笑三聲哇哈哈。順便回家把學校的所有資料扔到某一個隨身碟裡面，然後把那個隨身碟扔到衣櫃的深處，再把學校叫我買的所有的書都賣掉，用那筆錢大吃一頓。除了好爽兩個字，我說不出其他的情緒。
所有的研究生都很脆弱的，自我懷疑，沮喪想哭，皮膚變差，覺得未來一片黯淡，都是很正常的。常常覺得自己為什麼要這樣整自己，為什麼要標準這麼高，為什麼選一個這麼難寫的題目等等等。(題目是：國際成衣製造商在全球服裝價值鏈中的倫理與道德實踐之探索式研究) 題目不太好翻譯，但是大概是這樣 （有人在意嗎哈哈）。題目很複雜，我寫得很痛苦，若問我為什麼要寫這麼煩躁的題目，那個理由我可以講十分鐘。簡單來說，就是針對西方學術對於國際成衣製造現象的臆測去研究分析且批判的一篇論文。寫得批判性很突出，挑戰了一個很重要的學術理論，雖然很難寫，但是我寫到結論的時候心情很好。有可能惹到學者得低分哈哈哈。
我相信所有的研究生都經歷過情緒的大起大落，需要很多心力才能press on，但是一切結束後，實在是太開心了。沒有人可以阻止研究生畢業 （雙手握拳兩眼冒火）。可惜的是我們學校並沒有碩士生的畢業典禮，只能等到隔年七月再去參加，到時候再考慮要不要去，因為我們學校是出了名的愛坑錢呢～參加畢業典禮會被噱一筆。
每個人都有覺得日子過得很累，感覺看不到盡頭的時候，那個時候你得告訴自己，一切只會變得更好，而你也會變得比你能想像的更加堅強。
所有的研究生，一起加油。我們下次見（揮手下降）
Giselle
Hi guys~ Yes I am aware, it's been so long since I last posted. It's June and I only wrote one post this year? God I couldn't believe it. The reasons why (I know it sounded like more of an excuse) is ... master degree is hard and I am here to share about some of my thoughts.
Recently, my study has got to a time I think I would share a little bit of my thouhgts on pursuing further education and if this is the right choice for you.
Before we start, I am going to give you some background for you so it's easier to refer back later on. I am currently studying MA fashion design management in ual in London. I have a bachelors degree
in fashion marketing. Here we go, started with some common questions:
Is studying a master degree worth it?
There is no one cookie cutter for everyone. It totally depends on your career planning. First of all, it's a master degree, so chances are, it's a research degree. A research degree is a self-learning and self-motivating journey. You will need you plan your time far ahead and it's to research about something which attempt to contribute to the knowledge. If you want to learn something 'new', then I think you should check if the course is right for you.
Sometimes, people would think studying a master degree will help you get a better job. In this case, you need to think about what kind of job you want. There are jobs where degrees are irrelevant, more experience oriented, you just need to get in and work. Some jobs requires more education, for example: medicine or law. Knowing what kind of talent your job requires can send you off a good start. I will go a little bit more details in the later questions.
How long does it take to study a master degree?
A: Depending on the country and your major, but generally, master degree in the UK takes one year, and it takes 2 years in the US. I don't know much about other countries but in the UK, some courses takes longer (Such as RCA) and some takes one year. So you need to think about how long do you want to spend on education, and of course your budget.
How to choose a school?
If possible, visit the school in advance during the opening tour time, you would be able to see the school and feel the environment. If you aren't able to visit the school in advance, you can research for some reviews of the school or the ranking of the school. How satisfied are the students and how's the facility. You can also join some online forum to discuss your concerns with other people.
How much does it cost to study a master degree?
If you are studying in a foreign country, it is very expensive. As an international student, the tuition fees I paid for my MA in 2016 was £17, 560. And for sure I know it raises every year. So keep an eye on the fees. Besides the tuition, you also need to consider the maintenance fees such as living, rent, commuting. For example, a monthly travel card for the tube is around £125. The rent varies from place to place, but when you are a student, renting can be challenging. So make sure you do your research.
Other general advice:
1. Considering a part time job if budget is an issue. Make sure how many hours per week you can work. And apply your NI number asap.
2. Utilise the student discount with an NUS card or unidays account to cut some spending. If you are under 25, you can also get some rail card discount, trains in the UK is very expensive.
3. Make the best of your time any way you want- everyone will tell you to go out, mingle and network. That would be great if you like it. But really, just be yourself and enjoy your time.
Studying a master degree isn't going to be easy, and probably in some most unexpected ways. As I am doing my dissertation now, I will share some more of my thoughts after I finish my course, hopefully this will give you a little help.
I will talk to you guys soon. x
G
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嗨呀，距離上次寫文已經是半年前嗎！真的很久，忙是很忙，但是更花時間的是思考未來，年紀大了好像做什麼事情都會特別謹慎，三兩天就憂鬱，哎。Anyway, 最近因為開始寫論文了，我想說來簡單分享一些我的經驗給想念研究所的人當作參考。我的學士文憑是輔大的織品服飾行銷然後研究所念的是倫敦藝術大學的時尚設計管理。在這裡我整理一些比較常見的疑問然後不專業的來回答一下，哈哈。
首先，唸研究所值得嗎？
其實呢，我覺得問得人心中其實比誰都清楚。為什麼想念研究所，每個人都有不同的原因，有些人的產業跟學歷可能有很大的關係，有些人只是想要逃避現實。對自己的未來規劃要有一個底，才去考慮要不要念研究所，如果你連自己以後要做什麼都不知道，那麼念研究所只是浪費時間浪費錢，我相信大部分的人都不是用自己的錢去留學的，父母賺錢很辛苦，一定要三思，這筆投資你有辦法在未來賺回來嗎？這個答案只有你自己知道。 我建議拿一張紙分成兩邊，把去或不去的優缺點分開寫出來，然後仔細的評估一下再下決定吧。
另一方面，如果你是想在研究所學東西的話，那可能這不適合你，因為研究所大部分不是教你新的東西，而是引導你去研究出你想知道的主題，並且可以對這個學術領域有貢獻，所以這個對研究所的期待可能需要清楚一些，才不會發現自己做了不適合自己的決定。
最後，不論一個人在人生中做了什麼決定，這個決定所帶來的後果，不論事後想起喜歡與否，都得概括承受。這個決定可能很沈重，可能很掙扎，但是世上沒有最好的決定，只有當時最適合你的。唸研究所這件事，說大很大，說小也小，理性審慎的評估後再做出決定吧！
研究所要唸多久？
大部分英國的學校是一年，美國的學校是兩年，歐洲大陸的其他國家要依科系而定，不同的學校對語言程度的要求也不同，最簡單的是找代辦諮詢，一般來說大部分的學校的資料都很公開，上網找一下就有了。以我的科系來說，申請的時候除了研究計畫，自傳以外還要交 2000字的小論文，雅思要7分（各科不低於6）。大部分的學校應該不需要寫小論文，雅思也都落在 6 到6.5左右。如果找留學代辦，他們都很樂意幫你，如果你只是想要多接受資訊的話，可以去留學展看一下有沒有適合的。
怎麼選擇學校？
每間學校有不同的優勢，你可以上網查排名，學生滿意度或是就業的比例高不高。這些簡單的評分可能可以給你一些參考。你也可以加入一些學生論壇，然後在裡面爬個文發問一下。雖然排名可以給你一個參考，但是我認為沒有最好的學校，只有最適合你的學校。
研究所要花多少錢？
國際學生的學費是眾所皆知的高到天花板，大概一年都會落在80萬台幣左右，有些更貴，有些比較便宜。一方面要看你是唸多久，一方面也要看學校在哪裡。有些學校會有獎學金制度，舉例來說當年我申請了其他學校，就有獎學金可以減免學費。如果你想來倫敦的話，那麼生活費跟交通費也會比很多城市來得高，在申請之前先把自己的預算評估好。學費建議是經常去學校網站查，因為每年都會調漲，所以要留意一下。一個小提醒，就是大部分的人會申請超過一間學校，如果申請的時間分隔太開的話，可能要考慮先繳訂金來保留入學許可，但是最後決定不去某間學校的話，這筆錢會浪費掉。所以建議多所學校申請時間不要隔太長，以免繳了訂金後來發現想去別間，稍微集中申請的話，可以某種程度上的避免這個情形。
其他建議：
1. 如果想要增加收入的話記得確認自己簽證允許的工作時數，然後一入境就趕快申請NI number，這是報稅用的，如果打算freelance的話，也需要申請，這樣才能開商業發票喔。
2. 善用學生折扣，英國有很多學生可以折扣的優惠，像是加入uni days或是申請NUS卡都可以幫你省。地鐵跟火車也有學生的折扣方案，請上網查。
3. 善用時間，做你想做的事。一定會有很多人跟你說可以出去玩，去社交，去拓展人脈。如果那是你喜歡的事情，就去吧！但是我一般來說還是會建議，跟著你的心，想做什麼就做什麼（別犯法哈）如果你已經決定要來了，那就好好享受。
研究所並不簡單，而且困難的往往來自無法預料的事情。因為我論文還沒寫完，所以不能廢話太多，等我念完再來分享我的經驗，掰～～～最後送上一張冬天的Green park.
下次見
G
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| Coppa club near tower bridge |
Hello it's been a while... and it's time for my monthly update. (2 months actually.) After this post I will write another one just for Christmas oh yes here we go.
Anyone lives in London fancying ramen? shoryu is the place to go, it's not the best ramen I've ever had in my life, but it's definitely a really good one in London. I've been there 3 times I think, and I love it. It's got some decent bamboo shoots and braised pork. The soup is really thick, and flavoursome. I recommend the pork bun, because it's reminds me home and tasted really nice.
I also went to The Ivy for anniversary with Mr. Ou. we had brunch there and it was really good and not too pricey, the service there was spot-on. Don't forget to reserve a table if you plan to go there.
After a brunch at The Ivy we went to see a movie and ate some fish and chips!
A couple days after a friend of mine came from Paris and last time I saw him was 3 years ago, so we had a nice day at a Chinese restaurant called four season. It was quite pricy but the food was pretty good.
I always want to watch the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child but I heard you need to book the tickets 16 months before hand, and that is just crazy, so I think I will wait a little bit and maybe book the tickets...
The next picture is a healthy dinner I made- salmon, eggs, avocado and salad, I was pretty happy about it. The last picture is a Thai restaurant I went (can't remember the name), it was really good, I can never have enough green curry.
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住在倫敦又愛吃拉麵的人一定要去試試看這家昇龍拉麵，當然要是你的拉麵大師也可以不用去啦，我覺得很好吃但是也沒有到超好吃哈哈，就是想家的時候可以吃一下，喝碗大熱湯，他的掛包我覺得還可以，麵皮的部分還不錯。
題外話最近很想來做一些包子水餃，要是有哪些推薦食譜快跟我說，好想吃亞洲菜喔天阿
之後是我們的週年所以我們去吃了一家The Ivy吃了個早午餐，服務很好也不會到超級貴，記得要提前訂位。吃完早午餐我們去看了電影，看完再吃個炸魚薯條（過個節日一推藉口到底要吃多少哈哈）
過幾天後跟一個三年沒見的朋友在中國城的文興酒家吃飯，有點貴但是食物很好吃，一定要點他們的叉燒或燒臘類型的菜，要是人多可以點條魚。
我一直很想去看哈利波特得舞台劇，聽說很優秀但是我問了一下，票要等16個月，太久了吧，我已不是當年的少女，不可能記得訂明年的票哈哈～～～所以就先作罷，之後再來考慮要不要看。
下一張照片是我某天在家裡做的健康晚餐，有鮭魚，酪梨，但跟沙拉，覺得好吃！
最後一張是跟朋友去吃泰國菜，超好吃，雖然我忘了店名，但是真的很優，超愛吃綠咖哩的！
#1 is one of the dinner I had with a friend, spicy hot pot is a thing I've been craving for so long, and I love it! #2 is a new-ish restaurant I found near where I live, and it's got some decent Japanese food. #3 is a new book I got, though I haven't finished it, I really like it. #5 is a gift from mum - a Dyson vacuum, hoop hoop, oh my god it is such a good vacuum. It can pick up the smallest, finest dusts - easy to use, easy to clean, just lovely. #6, 7, 8, 9 were from bonfire night, it was freezing.
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前陣子跟朋友吃了麻辣鍋，實在好爽啊～～～雖然肉質不是很好，但是對留學生是很好的慰藉，第二張照片是我搬家後附近看到的一間日本料理，以倫敦的標準來說超好吃，當然跟日本或是台灣不能比，但是人在他鄉每次經過還是會想吃！ 最後幾張照片是bonfire night的煙火，剛好幸運的拿到的幾張票，就出們去看煙火了，不知道為什麼那天那麼冷，大家看完煙火馬上衝刺回家。
I've never lived in a proper wintery country before, and it's getting colder and I am excited about it. #1 was one of the night I had spicy hot pot with a friend at China town, it wasn't very good but I think it's alright. It seems like ever since I moved here none of any Asian restaurant I went was amazing, but it's a good choice if you are missing some homey flavour.
#2 was one of my friends bringing some Taiwanese food for me oh yes so lucky. #3 was one of the Thai restaurant I went and I really like the fish and soft shell crabs. Let me know if you have any recommendation of some Asian restaurant in London. #4,5,6 was the new lego store in London, I went there a couple times because it was amazing, I am a big lego fan and I love it there, it was always crammed with people but the service in the shop was always lovely.
And I went to watch the fantastic beasts and where to find them, I loved it! I am really glad that it was executed so well even when it's not happening in England. The last 2 pictures weren't very important I think it was me trying out some new restaurants near my new flat.
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我之前沒有在緯度比較高的過加過冬天，最近覺得挺冷的，而且我很期待，因為我皮膚過敏很嚴重所以冷一點的地方比較不會悶熱。對冬天就是很期待！但是其實倫敦不會冷，除了在一月下了一次雪之後就沒了哈哈。
之後又跟朋友去吃泰國菜，我真的每兩天就要吃一次泰國菜好愛吃酸酸辣辣的泰國菜，沒辦法我外公是四川人我很愛吃辣。
中間三張圖是前陣子新開的樂高旗艦店，哇哈呼～～我好喜歡樂高，人再多我都還是去了好幾次，裡面人真的很多。店員的服務態度很好排隊也不會很久，如果有人來倫敦我推薦快點去！
之後剛好有個機會去看怪獸與牠們的產地，不花錢的電影最好看哈哈，好啦說真的他的主題真的很棒，我超喜歡魔法類題材的，而且聽說羅琳已經開始寫以美國的魔法學校為主的新的系列，我的童年又回來了，希望是個內容榮豐富的故事，覺得會擔心的點是很怕故事只是為了可以賺更多錢而寫，但是我很愛羅琳對他有信心❤️。
最後兩張照片不怎麼重要，只是在家裡附近的餐廳吃吃飯，看好不好吃而已，好了不囉唆我們跳下一張。
okay, finally the last one, it was winter wonderland ! It was so crowded and full of people, very expensive and you need to use cash most of the time, but I loved it 👍🏻 I like the Christmas Market and the rides and stuff, it was also really crowded but all fun. #5 picture was me making some braised eggs and chicken wings, yum 😋 #7 was me and Mr. Ou decided we were gonna have some early roasted chicken for dinner and it was really good and really juicy. #8 was a cafe I went to with a friend, and oh my god the hot chocolate was blimey! so good. it was basically drinking melted chocolate. The last picture was me doing some theraputic colouring one night before bed.
That is the end of this 2 months long photo updates, and the next post is gonna be about Christmas ~~ I will see you guys soon xx
Giselle x
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終於來到最後一張照片實在是寫得好累啊（明明是自己好吃懶做還敢說累）前五張照片是在海德公園的winter wonderland, 裡面有吃有玩，遊樂設施都很貴，食物也很貴，很多都要用現金，人也非常的多，但是我覺得很直得，因為聖誕節就是好玩嘛，盡量找一個不是假日的時間去會好一點，晚上的時候照片拍起來很美，去之前最好先查一下交通路線，有時候海德公園那站會很塞，可能要在前一站或別站先下車用走的，要是你有用推特的話，可以訊息地鐵的帳號問他們一下交通他們很快就會tweet回來啦 很方便
第六張照片是我前陣子做滷雞翅跟魯蛋，因為太想吃了！第七張是我心血來潮準備烤雞當晚餐。之後是我跟朋友去soho喝咖啡去了一家熱可可很有名超濃郁到只能喝小杯的咖啡店，要是你很愛超濃熱可可我推薦你去這家！ 最後一張照片是我睡前的簡單舒壓著色時光。
兩個月的超臭長圖片小故事就到此告一個段落，下一篇來說說我聖誕節做了什麼大部分就是重感冒而且到現在還沒好實在是好痛苦。
謝謝你們我們下次見～～
Giselle x
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| over the thames |
WARNING: This is a very long post, be prepared!
I have to make three months into one post, though I am so lazy and kinda want to skip the photo update, but I think I will really regret it when I am older and forgot what I did. So here I am, with my photo update.
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| Things I bought to bring to the UK |
I bought some bath bombs, I think one is honey, two of them are flower based. I haven't used them yet because I don't have a tub yet, but that's about to change because I am moving soon!!! I also bought some eye masks that will give you a steamy, warm kind of feeling when you use it. It's amazing, it has a nice smell and it can sooth your eyes.
There're some eye patches that can moisturise your under eye area; some eye drop that I heard it's great but I haven't used it yet; loads of masks for moisturising, some feet masks too. I also bought another bottle of Banila co's clean it zero makeup remover, I really like it and this is my second bottle.
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離開台灣之前，我去了日本藥妝店買了很多東西想說囤著到英國可以慢慢用，莫名買了超多的哈哈。有一些入浴劑，一個是蜂蜜口味，另外兩個是好像是櫻花還是甚麼的，我還沒用，因為我下禮拜要搬家，搬完家之後就會有浴缸了！！！超愛泡澡的～
還有一些眼膜，面膜，足膜，有些沒用過，想說試試看的心態就買了，最後買了卸妝霜，這是我的第二罐，我覺得非常好用！
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離開前跟好友們一起做了荷蘭鬆餅跟crepe，超好吃的，我們還去抓寶貝抓到晚上十點！ 然後我吃了我最後一頓派克雞排，媽呀要瘋了好想吃雞排跟豬血糕還有百頁豆腐～～嗚嗚嗚嗚 我哭～
下一張是我離開前妮妮來說掰掰，她真的好乖我好想她。後來是我運氣很好的挑到第一排的座位，因為我真的很不喜歡搭飛機，我很難睡，搭長途都覺得很討厭，所以第一排可以把腳伸長又可以晚上飛機早下來。還有杜拜機場可愛的小榛果醬！
After I arrived in London, I ate my all time favourite cheeky nando's, god I love it. I went to a ramen restaurant called Shoryu, I think it's alright, not bad. Sometimes I really want some got soup and shoryu will be my remedy. I also had the steak and udon in wagamama, it's also not bad.
There's a Korean restaurant called Kimchee literally at the opposite side of my school. their rice cake is good and I love it!!
The last two pictures were the rustic, simple food I made when I sometimes cook at home, something simple. quick and taste nice.
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一到倫敦馬上去吃nando's 烤雞，還有看到滿多人推薦的昇龍拉麵，還有在學校附近的kim chee，如果你愛吃年糕的話一定要去試試看! 我覺得 KimChee的米沒有wasabi好吃，因為我很在乎米有沒有粒粒分明又彈牙，我覺得kimchee的米不夠好吃。
最後兩張照片是我有時候會自己煮飯來吃的小記錄，我會買日本米，加一些配料簡單做個炒飯，或是快速的主個湯麵。希望之後時間會多一些我有辦變出一些比較讚的食物。如果大家有什麼推薦的食譜就快來丟給我!
最後兩張照片是我有時候會自己煮飯來吃的小記錄，我會買日本米，加一些配料簡單做個炒飯，或是快速的主個湯麵。希望之後時間會多一些我有辦變出一些比較讚的食物。如果大家有什麼推薦的食譜就快來丟給我!
I tried to make some semi-dried tomatoes with my oven, I wasn't sure if that's the flavour I like though... haha. Then I enrolled in UAL, officially a grad student! The #4,5 was be hanging out with a friend from Taiwan, that day was so great! The last pictures were me going to pie minister for lunch, I really like traditional British pies, and pie minister is on of my favourite place to go to. Let me know if you have other places considered as a great place for pies!
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第一張照片是我想說用烤箱試試看做半乾的番茄，但是我覺得我找的那個食譜沒有很好吃，之後再試試別的食譜。第三張照片是註冊日，正式成為研究生~
然後跟大學朋友Andie在倫敦吃吃走走，好爽! 最後三張是我某天中午跟歐先生一起吃午餐，我最愛的派店，我還滿愛鹹的派的，如果有什麼好吃的派店快跟我說! 我想試試!!!
The first 4 pictures were in Briton, I think we went there a little bit late, so we didn't see much in Briton. But Briton is always nice~ The other five pictures were me going to sky garden, it's really pretty there, but don't forget to book for an appointment - It's free - but you have to book it in advance. The view from sky garden is really really nice, though the sky was a little bit grim, but it's London, it's always grim. The food there was a little bit pricey, I am sure you guys can imagine that anyway. There is also a restaurant in Sky Garden. Overall, it's free to go up there, so if you are in London, you should take a look!
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我跟大學好友一起約了在Briton逛逛，我們那天去的時候有點晚了，有些店都沒開，不過只要有朋友在，去哪裡都不重要 <3
後面五張照片是在Sky Garden，雖然倫敦的天空總是灰灰的，上面的風景還是很不錯，居高處看河岸的風景，很享受。記得去之前要上網預約，上電梯前也要安全檢查喔。
上面還有一間餐廳，也是要定位的，食物很貴，就像101上面食物很貴一樣。上去參觀不用錢，所以如果你在倫敦的話，可以去看看!
Hoo, finally the last 9 pictures~ The first 2 pictures were from a restaurant shuang shuang, it's in China Town, it's like a hot pot restaurant mixed with a bit of sushi train. I think the soup there was alright, the food was okay. But I am not sure if I will go there again.
Then little Peter was born!!! It's my Mr. Ou's sister's first son, he is so adorable, we brought some gifts to them. Everyone was excited! Can't wait to see him again on Christmas.
A couple of days after I went to Bounce and had a great time playing ping pong.
I think that is everything about this update. That was a LOT and I hope it's not too long or boring to read. Alright guys, I will see you guys soon.
Until next time x
Giselle xx
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終於到了最後九張，寫得好累~ 前兩張是在中國城的一家火鍋店叫做爽爽，有點像是旋轉壽司加上火鍋的感覺，所有的料都在轉來轉去的，你可以自己拿。口味來說我覺得沒有特別出色，選轉的部分我覺得好像也沒有特別必要，不難吃，但是我可能不會再去。
接下來是可愛的小彼得出生了，我朋友的第一個兒子，好可愛。期待聖誕節再次相遇!
之後我去了一間可以打乒乓球的酒吧 Bounce，我覺得很讚，可以一邊聊天一邊打球，如果下午去的話不會太吵，那裏的食物非常好吃，是很好的消遣。
以上就是這次的update，非常的冗長，希望各位還是覺得不無聊。
感謝你們的閱讀 我們下次見~~~
Giselle
Anyway, I went to Kew Garden a while ago, it was just warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities. It was really pretty, you get to see many different plants from all kinds of climate. I had a nice walk with a friend from school. I also saw the hive, which was a temporary art installation in kew garden at that time. There was also a Japanese garden area and I really like it. Kew Garden is massive, there's a lot of walking involved so make sure you are wearing trainers or something comfortable. I want to go there again next summer so the sky is blue and I can possibly take some good pictures.
By the way, kew garden is on the district line, it's easy to get on the wrong train so make sure you double check the destination of the train you are taking !
Okay enough of rambling, let's get to some pictures x
By the way, kew garden is on the district line, it's easy to get on the wrong train so make sure you double check the destination of the train you are taking !
Okay enough of rambling, let's get to some pictures x
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| A pond in one of the conservatory, I am too lazy to look up the name if this plants. |
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| I love this cactus area. so cool and a bit gross |
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| This bit is really cute I love it |
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| very small stairs for you to walk up and view the area from above |
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| EWWWWWW haha (it's a cactus) |
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| bumped into this dude, hello mate |
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| This bit is really moist and frankly it's quite uncomfortable XD |
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| More cactus, I heard that they only bloom every 15 years or something |
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| This is one of my favourite picture, ombre tomatoes |
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| spotted a tiny pineapple |
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| the hive |
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| never enough cactus |
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| feeling a bit tropical |
I really enjoy Kew Garden and the whole atmosphere, I saw loads of parents because I bet it's amazing for kids to run around and they can finally have a break. If you want a relaxing day and walking around to feel some nature this is definitely the place to go.
Okay I need to go back to my research for my study proposal....
See you guys next time !!!
Giselle xx
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| My dog Nini, she is 15 years old and I love her so much |
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哈溜大家好，我又錯過每個月的更新了，OK好這次是兩個月，因為我真的很忙嘛~~我是有原因的! 我必須要排一下先後順序，跑了很多銀行，偶爾要運動一下什麼的! 不過呢，好消息是我要念研所了 ，面試的時候很幸運地拿到無條件式入學許可。接下來就是各種忙碌，還要寫稿，真的很忙。很想趕快念完研究所馬上工作。
下面就是我五六月的IG照片跟生活札記
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看似吃了不少東西，前陣子很常吃酪梨鮮蝦加胡麻醬， 爽口輕鬆無負擔，之前有研究各種鮭魚的吃法，除了檸檬紙包鮭魚，蔥燒鮭魚，一般煎法以外，要更複雜的我全都不考慮。
還有前陣子會吃看起來很貴的益生菌，不知道有沒有用呢~~
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聽說絲瓜在國外不是特別常見的食材，除了拿來刷背以外不會拿來食用，怎麼會呢~~絲瓜這麼好吃，我常常買絲瓜回來切薄片放在保鮮盒裡面，想煮麵的時候加一些，又便宜又好吃。隔壁的照片是水菜，之前看到日式火鍋有水菜，吃起來有點像芝麻葉的感覺，怎麼說呢，有點胡椒風味的爽脆感，我個人很喜歡。
跟摯友艾粒找了一天耍廢在家吃吃喝喝，做了抹茶口味的千層蛋糕，步驟比較多但是不需要高深技巧且免烤箱的蛋糕，很適合一邊喝香檳一邊玩樂一邊製作。覺得人生要是沒有姊妹要跟誰抱怨枕邊人啊!
最後三張是我最愛吃的阿官火鍋~ 阿官的雞肉鍋是我的最愛，每次吃阿官都飽到不行，加上番茄湯底跟大量的沾醬，超滿足。
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It's June! (oops it's actually July...) I've done quite a lot in June I think. Let's see... my dog Nini she is my favourite thing in the world. My dad finished his PhD degree from the central police uni in his 50 something, very impressive. He actually has a picture with the president if you want to see that you can go to my Instagram @gisellewlee . One thing about my dad is that he loves learning so much, after his graduation, he grabbed some English and Japanese grammar books and said he wants to study more so he can use the language when he retires. That gives me no excuse to no learning more languages. In fact, I plan to achieve a certain level of French in the next couple of years and then I will learn Korean or Japanese I think... Learning a language is not difficult but it takes time and practice, you've got to stick with it. I've never really got much education in learning English, but I speak English just fine with a decent accent. I can talk about worm holes in English no problem, but I am still learning the language everyday.
The rest of the pictures are just a bunch of food I had. the blue / purple drink is a sweet pea tea, looks amazing, tastes amazing too.
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挖呼~ 六月時光 (好啦 其實已經七月了) 我六月也做了不少事情，要是沒拍照我真的記不起來。第一張是我最愛的15歲老狗妮妮。第二張是我爸五十幾歲然後在警大念完博士班的照片，我覺得很敬佩他，怎麼有辦法如此的活到老學到老，他那天搬書回家，還從書櫃上拿了一些英文跟日文的書打算繼續念，說他以後退休可以用。我真的覺得我爸已經年過半百，還可以如此的充滿熱誠的學習，讓我也不能找藉口的繼續學習語言。我覺得學語言不難，但是他要花上許多時間跟練習，如此而已，想要一天就達成那你作夢，多看多聽多使用，即使很多人覺得沒有環境很難達成，但是我告訴你! 我在去過任何的英語系國家之前就可以用英文談論蟲洞還可以辯論政治了，我認為過生活，想變得更好，努力是應該的。 我個人很不喜歡在社群網站上長篇感謝文說謝謝東謝謝西說歐~~要不是你們我沒有今天。 我比較賤比較犬儒我覺得努力是應該的，炫耀自己的努力很不必要，除非得獎不然我每次看到這種東西都只覺得 你 哪 位 阿! 只是大學畢業有必要這樣嗎!
接下來幾張照片就是我吃的東西哈哈，後面的藍色飲料是最近的流行，蝶豆花茶，不只好喝也好看。
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See you soon~
Giselle x
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六月的後半部我也是在忙碌中度過，我帶了我弟跟我妹去了機場，他們今年都在美國打工，跟我大一的時候一樣，我的部落格有紀載部分的內容，有興趣可以去看我之前的文章~
今天就說道這邊我們下次見~ *揮手*
Giselle x
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| I am Pilgrim |
Last week, I had dinner with some friends and decided to go to the book store after over fed myself. Then I got some new books! Voila! The first one is I am pilgrim, the other one is the marriage. My sister Paris is reading the marriage now so I started to read a bit of I am pilgrim. The reason that I picked this one is simply my love to mystery material, I've read a couple of chapters, and it's something I'd love to read. I will let you know more thoughts after finishing it.
The second book is the marriage, I've got more and more friends getting married and having children. It's really brave because a lot of them don't have money or a proper job to support a family. I admire their courage and determination to take on challenges, but it is just something I wouldn't do. So hopefully this book will give me a little bit more insight from other angles.
I can't wait to read them all.
Okay, then, after the talking about books, I also want to share some of my recent feelings. I found myself being quite a different person from 2 years ago. I've become to think more when I see things, and my actual friend circle is indeed smaller. I now prefer smaller dinners, something less than 7 or 8 people, so I can actually listen to something they want to talk about, something not on their Facebook.
A feeling I get is that the friends I have from high school, even though we are as close as always, we meet less because of many reasons, when you know that 'Oh I will have a dinner with them in 2 weeks', you tend to not talk to them until the dinner night. After a few years of doing this, you don't talk to them other than that dinner, your friends are half strangers because you don't talk to each other randomly.
It's bothering me a little bit and I haven't figured out a way to solve it perfectly and quietly.
Another feeling I get is about (in Taiwan )people brag so much on small things, I don't like it, people brag about they get a job interview, people brag about they get an offer. I think working hard is something everyone do, and if your hard work pay off, then that's good, I just don't know why there are so many people making a big deal about every little thing. Things like that appear so much on social media, and I don't see the purpose of it.
Anyway, it's my recent feeling about what I saw and remind myself becoming better.
Hope to talk to you guys soon about the books!
See you next time.
Giselle x
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| The marriage |
上周跟朋友去吃晚餐，吃完後因為太飽就去書店晃晃，挑了兩本書，朝聖者跟結婚這場戲，因為熱愛懸疑類的劇情，想說讓自己一頭栽入感覺一定很爽；結婚這場戲感覺提供一些有趣的視角，最近身邊結婚生小孩的人越來越多，比起該有的祝福我更替他們擔憂，在沒錢又工作不穩定的情況下，要是我死都不敢生小孩啊，我既佩服他們的勇氣跟對未來挑戰的心，又很擔心這個一出生就毫無籌碼的孩子。我妹巴黎正在看結婚這場戲，我已經開始看朝聖者了，目前看了幾章，很和我胃口，愛看懸疑類型的讀者一定也會喜歡的。
來說說最近的心情好了
最近漸漸地發現自己跟兩年前的自己差距頗大，同時掙扎同時接受那種轉變。跟以前相比，我的朋友圈小的多，但是我很了解每一個圈子裏面的人，我不跟朋友客套了，小人數的聚餐很好，我可以照顧每個人，多人數的聚餐也很好，因為我只要好好演戲，跟每個人都講類似表面的話即可，但是那種七八個人的聚餐，對我來說就沒有實際的意義，大家距離太近，又沒有盡到可以讓我跟大家好好聊天，就結果來說，就是沒效能的聚會吧。所以我都會把約會切開，一次少一點人，我不想聽她們臉書上看到的，我想傾聽他們真正想說的東西。
一些自身的體悟像是: 因為覺得對自己的每一個部分都很不滿，如果硬是要具象化地去形容，感覺就像被關在一個滿是鏡子的狹小空間，怎麼轉身都是自己的身影，怎麼看怎麼不舒服。
另一方面是對於身邊的人的種種現象有超乎自己預期的情緒，如果硬要去具像化地形容，感覺就像明明知道遠方有個隱密的城堡，那個城堡裡有各式美酒佳餚，卻還是會被滿地的糖果餅乾吸引 - 就在眼前，只要伸手就拿得到，但是拿了之後，就再也去不了城堡 - 這種矛盾跟慾望只能透過幻想城堡的美好，握緊動搖的心，咬牙前進。
對於這兩種情緒的接收，倘若舉出生活中的幾個例子，大概會是這種樣子:
1. 在彼此年少的時候認識的制服時期的朋友，因為大學或畢業後的差異，即使跟對方在要好也無法成為每天見面的角色，卻因為知道下個月就會跟對方吃飯，而把生活中的事情留到那個時候說，幾年下來，除了見面的時候，平日可愛的訊息，也越來越少，彼此漸漸地踏入一種曖昧不明的分類，是好友，也是半個陌生人。
我覺得我生活中有這個現象，還沒想到一個可以不造成他人困擾的解決辦法，這種感覺很不舒服啊，畢竟友情的本質上沒有什麼錯誤，明明沒什麼需要改變的，所以很難解決。
2. 可能是文化使然，或是小確幸氾濫(我個人很討厭小確幸) ，總覺得身邊到處都看得到許多炫耀努力的文，像是工作或是學業有什麼進展，一定要大肆寫一篇，讓人可以點讚捧你，或是抱怨生活，要大家安慰你。 總覺得，真正成功的人，沒時間在臉書上炫耀，沒時間討拍，因為他們很忙的。 最重要的事情是，努力不是應該的嗎? 為什麼要目光淺短的炫耀自己的努力呢?
也可能是我所追求的事業上的大人物，往往都低調到不行，不會大小事情都拿出來講，顯得他們氣度很大方，而且眼界很寬闊。即使我可能這輩子都不會跟我崇拜的那些人一樣有成就，我也想先學習起他們的優點，把目光放遠點，不要過度放大生活的情緒。 這點還有許多可以努力的空間，要好好警惕自己。
以上，有點黑暗，有點難相處，但是覺得這總是忽略那些小糖果小餅乾，前往城堡的唯一途徑。
感謝你們的閱讀，我們下次見，希望可以讀完這兩本書，再來跟你們說我的讀後感。
*揮手下降*
Giselle x
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| A failed attempt to look like the dancer on the poster |
Hiya people, it's Giselle,first, I am sorry that I am so late for my April Update, it's May already and Taiwan has been crazily hot, I have my A/C on all day and night.
This is one of the pictures I laughed so much, I remember my back hurt quite a lot after taking this picture; I love attempting some posture on things and it normally work out but it was a total failure on this one. Too bad.
The weather is making me a little bit nervous because it has been quite a few years since last time I spent a whole summer in Taiwan, and I am determined to not go out before 5 pm or I am gonna burn.
So~ What did I do in April?
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嗨溜大家好，睡衣少女回籠! 這個月真的挺心不在焉的，照片更新竟然拖了一個月我真是丟臉，但是台灣天氣真的最近好瘋，我的冷氣還會滴水，滴水後遙控器壞掉，真是夠了~
上面的照片是我有天在地鐵站看到，想說來模仿一下，因為我很愛模仿照片或是雕像拍照，而且我大部分都拍得很好，但是這張根本大失敗哈哈哈，而且拍完背好痛。
上次我整個夏天都在台灣是有一陣子了，今年都會待在這我有點招架不住這個熱度，我決定傍晚五點前都不要出門 (要不然我就開車) ，不然我到車站前就被烤乾。
那麼~~ 我四月到底做了啥? (大部分是吃)
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#1 was me having my favourite brunch in Taipei with my friend Sweeney and her boyfriend, she has an internship in a museum in London for the summer, hope I can see her in London before she leaves!
#2 was a really nice Japanese grilled fish, I love fish so much, yum.
#3 was me having sukiyaki with my friend Ellie and Pete (Ellie is the friend appeared on my 'I love someone for their body' article).
#4 was me having my favourite fried pork restaurant with my sister Paris, I am a very old school person, once I decided which restaurant is my favourite I stick with it until I die.
#5 was a box of really nice biscuits from Hong Kong, I was so nice that I need to find the recipe and make it someday!
#6 I spent some money on this holy grail palette that I've been targeting for a while, and I am loving every colour of it, not regretting.
#7 and #8 were a late night date with my BFF Zoe, some really top notch salmon sashimi and grilled fish (again) there.
#9 It was a crylic glass lamp with the shape of an elk. it was so pretty. I am the worst person because I broke it after 10 minutes I put it on my bed.
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#1 跟小羊還有她男友小周在樂子的午餐，最愛樂子，每次吃美式都只吃樂子。 小羊跟小周是我看過兩個人長最好看又是真正文青做藝術的人，我已經認好要當乾媽了。小羊六月要去倫敦的博物館實習，希望我可以在她離開前跟她在倫敦碰個面。
#2 我家附近的百八於敞開了很久我前陣子第一次吃，有夠好吃有夠便宜已經不能沒有百八因為我最愛吃便宜的食物。
#3 跟艾粒還有她先生吃摸摸天堂，每次見面都是摸摸天堂已經是我們的傳統，行之有四年!
#4 跟我妹巴黎去吃杏子豬排，在吃過每一家日式豬排，我最愛的就是杏子，因為我是世紀老派無聊之人，每次都是吃這幾家請見諒。
#5 我爸朋友去香港帶回來的小桃酥，怎麼這~麼~好~吃~，我真是孤陋寡聞沒吃過這家。好想學喔~~
#6 我趁著周年慶拿著爸爸的禮券買了一堆東西哈哈，其中一個就是我觀望跟蹤已久的15色眼影盤，每一個顏色我都用過也很喜歡，絕對值得投資，不像大部分眼影盤總會有幾個沒用到，這個眼影盤個個重要啊!
#7 跟 #8 是我跟我的摯友Zoe (我們一起去德國做志工還去了法國跟英國的好姊妹) 有天晚上約會在內湖的一家居酒屋 (店名很簡單但是我忘了我掌嘴) 吃到好好吃的鮭魚生魚片跟烤魚 (我不愛鮪魚超愛鮭魚)
#9 是Zoe 送我的透明切割雄鹿形狀的燈飾，我放床頭十分鐘摔斷了。(是裝飾品終結者)
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#1, #2 and #3 were a dinner with the family, some squash and seafood risotto, squid salad with watercress and stuffed fried aubergine, really really good.
#4, #5 and #6 were a Japanese tempura restaurant, it was speechlessly good, they don't have appointments though, you'd need to queue up for it, I went there at 3 pm and waited for a solid 40 minutes. It was worth it, give it a try if you like Japanese food.
#7, #8 and #9 were the cake for the Mother's day, we went for cherry blossom cheese cake with mochi in the middle, and matcha cheese cake with mochi and red bean paste. I've never tasted anything like them before.
Most of my update are about food, I am aware. I will share some more things in the future when things are more settled. So far, I am living like a big, hope you enjoy, feel free to ask me for more info of anything I mentioned.
I will see you guys soon. xx
Giselle x
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#1, #2 跟 #3 是跟家人一起去吃金色三麥，除了一些大家都會點的經典菜品之外，我們還點了海鮮南瓜燉飯，涼拌墨魚沙拉，炸小茄子片鑲肉。有夠好吃的，他們的啤酒當然也是必點，另外金色三麥的月亮蝦餅是世紀厚，追求燙口噴汁的人一定要點點看。
#4, #5 跟 #6 金子半之助，金子半之助，金子半之助! 太好吃先念三遍，我跟巴黎找了個理當人少的下午三點去，依舊排了紮實的四十分鐘，好好吃啊!! 吃完再喝華達奶茶加珍珠，That's right 肥豬就是我。
#7, #8 跟 #9 屏東名店心之和的起司蛋糕，當作母親節的蛋糕，以前沒吃過，櫻花是限量口味，還有一定要試試的宇治金時，裡面有包麻糬 because why not! 覺得很神奇的味道，我身為最俗台北人覺得很新奇。
雖然大部分的內容都是跟食物有關，但是我想說其他的事情等我比較有空跟比較有底以後再來陸續分享。如果上面有哪間想知道可以再問我，我這個不專業仙子下凡來解答~
今天的文章到這邊，我們下次見 xx *揮手下降*
Giselle x
