Greetings

Being a stylist I have to deal with meeting many new people to collaborate. In this era of excessive technology, all the deals are done behind the screen - blind date, sort of, except, acquainting more than one at once. Then on the shooting day, everyone finally get to meet each other face to face. There comes the often-awkward-moment of gesture to introduce yourself. 

My culture's way to introduce yourself is by shaking hand. From my time studying in the states, it is by hugging. Then in London,it gets complicated.

Complicated, I say, because London is full of people from different country and culture. I often find myself trapped in a situation where we just don't know which way to comfortably introduce ourself to each other without awkwardly trying to hold your hand out, or throwing yourself to hug the other person without making the impression of being overly friendly or invading their space. I mean, it's just awkward. People always draw conclusion of you by the first impression, truth to be said, and everyone wants tp be looked as a nice person - no matter how careless of a person you are. 

Overtime I learn. English tend to shake hand as an introduction, some does cheek-to-cheek kiss in case of girl and girl. Some does just a wave and a "nice to meet you". And Spanish they always do cheek-to-cheek. Others mostly do hand shake. 

Now that I know, I always go for a hand shake just to be "safe". XD

xo, 

N

Travelogue: Belfast, Northern Ireland

For Valentine's day, my boyfriend and I went for a weekend getaway to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

We both were ill so we didn't do much but eat and sleep. Quality time, though! 

Arrived at 9am and it was pouring! Check in time was still 6 hours later. Sleep-deprived we walked around the town for a bit before heading to the hotel and pass out until dinner time. 

For dinner, we went to Toni Roma's. 

Back when I was a kid, Toni Roma's used to be one of those splurge restaurants my parents would take me to, once in a while when we visit Jakarta. I haven't had it for years now then we found one near our hotel so we went ahead, obviously! 

Mixed platter: Spinach dip, onion ring and boneless crispy chicken. When we ordered this (and three other mains), the waiter was like, "Have you been to Toni Roma's before? This platter is usually is for 3-4 person." - And we were like, "Yeah." lol 

Full rack of baby back ribs. I mean, you can never go wrong with pork and ribs, you know? 

Classic chicken caesar salad

All of these for 2. Yup, pigs.. lol

The next day, we went to St. George's market and the Titanic museum. 

The market was voted as the best indoor market in the UK. Both of us loveee going to market and try different food. I was too hungry I didn't take any picture :(

Titanic Experience was an exhibition about the birth of Titanic until it collapsed 1930s. I found it quite fascinating and horrifying at the same time. The history of how people in the early 1900s could build something gigantic and majestic like that, yet it had to come to a tragic end with many victims..

For dinner we went to Meat in a Bap

Honestly though, this gets me so excited to visit Belfast when I did my research! Haha 

The Nutella Shake, though! I'm craving for it now, I swear! 

Overall, Belfast is a nice quiet city. Might not be visiting it for the second time (cus there are many more places due!) but we'll see!

xo,

N