London in Film
January 13, 2020
Happy New Year!!!
I can hardly believe I've been away for over three months. This is by far the longest I've ever been away from this little corner of cyberspace. Hello strangers!
I can't say I regret it, though. Boy, I've had a very, very, very busy 2019, almost to a breaking point, and I badly needed to recenter and refocus myself towards the end of the year. But you know what, it was all for good. The year 2019 was a year of significant growth for me as a person and in my career. Despite the ups and downs, moving and living between cities, sacrificing a few important things, and wearing multiple hats, I wouldn't have had it any other way. It's definitely a year to top and looking forward to doing just that this year! In fact, 2020 is already looking so much better because Pierre has moved to Kuala Lumpur, right here, with me! I know, I know, so much has happened since my last entry, but I'll find some time to tell you all about it in the coming days. For now, though, I'd like to share visual flashbacks of what you might have missed while I was being a busy bee.
So, London.
While on the hunt for souvenirs and such, I came across this old man who was selling film cameras in really good condition, and I got myself one at a bargain. Made for the best purchase that day as I didn't need to buy any other souvenirs, save for extra film rolls. It's what I used to take these dreamy, retro-looking photos, certainly beating my perfectly curated and edited Instagram images.
I wouldn't share much about what I did work-wise, but all the time in between, I was able to run around the city and revisit some of the places Pierre and I went to last time we were there. Portobello Market in Notting Hill was, of course, one of the list of places to sneak out to, and luckily, my friend-turned-colleague Clark and I got to visit on our last day before flying back to Kuala Lumpur.
Funny that I wasn't the only one into old knick-knacks. Clark was pulled away by all these vintage stamps that she apparently collects. I was quite surprised upon realising that there are still people who collect stamps. But then again, there are still people selling them, like there are still film rolls readily available. I guess some things will never fade, no matter how old. Makes me happy to think so.
Then, of course, we struck a pose in front of this famous bookstore around the corner... can you guess which movie this was featured in? It's a no-brainer, really. I don't usually fall for tourist traps, but while I try to hide it, deep inside I'm a hopeless romantic, and I thought the movie was romantic, so you know, I just had to.
Now, I admit that I get to enjoy traveling for work and the perks that come with it, but I can't tell you enough just how exhausting it can get, too. Don't believe so much that what you see on my socials is everything there is to my travels because, like everyone else, I generally only share the good side of things and not necessarily the bad side. It's not that I don't want to, it's just human nature - we tend to show only the good and hide the bad. It ticks me off when I try to explain my side of things to people who only want to see what they want to see. But anyway, I'm done with that. Here's to sharing what's real. Just like this mirror selfie of how I really look like running around for work, jeans and hoodie clad, make-up free, with glasses on. This is the other side of me, ya'll. 2020, let's bring it!