Life as A Working Student

So what really inspires me to write a blog about life as a working student? It is based on my struggles and life challenges in between personal life, school and work. 

Marketing audiences

Drafting my literature review for Every Inch Swimwear

I have been a working student since late 2012. Why am I working student? The answer is quite rational. I want to be independent and be able to support myself with my college fees. I wanted a better future for myself and I just have to fight for it in order for me to get a degree. 

Me working in Abercrombie & Fitch as full time Overnight, scrunching all the sleeves. I am the scrunching queen!

Me working as a part time server during the Rugby Sevens

Me working as a Lead Stylist in Abercrombie & Fitch, tweening with the mannequin

Life as a working student is not easy but could also be fun and challenging. I like facing challenges, it makes me smarter and stronger. I'd like to talk about the negative side of being a working student first then to the positive side. 

Tiring but it's all worth it

I had a lot of hardships and I have also gone through depression and never-ending stress. To be honest, I didn't really have a proper social life, I don't see my friends that often and there are many events that I have to missed when I had to work overnight in one of the awesome work place that I used to work for, Abercrombie & Fitch. The first 2 years of my college life was bearable and I still have a little social life. But my final year was the biggest hit in my life. I didn't have any choice but to say no to my friends and somehow I felt that I may have drifted apart from them. Although I know this is very normal but I was feeling really depressed and I felt lonely. The only thing I do is work, studies, do projects and little time for myself or to anyone. Basically I am living like a running headless chicken everyday. I was caught up in many things but I didn't regret any of it. A great sacrifice comes with a good price. 

Working in a team to paint this beauty in Color Theory in Fashion class

A Katy Perry inspired fashion doll house for my Contemporary for Fashion and Trends class

My platform inspired shoes design for my Product Development class

I present to you Ritika Gajwani, the model for my accessories brand for my E-Fashion class

A report on Toms for my Market Research Technique class

Presenting my Final Marketing 2 project, ZARA

Presenting my Major Studio Project "Every Inch Swimwear"

Despite of my busy life, I still manage to do some fun. Such as, I have organised an amazing junk boat during the summer with my hectic schedule at that time, I still manage to squeeze in some time to deal with all the junk boat event. I also managed to work full-time with 0 absence from work.  

Manage to find time to do some hiking with my boyfriend Ryan

I did bunny jumping in Macau Tower

Managed to organise my birthday party inviting all of my friends over

Celebrated Halloween with friends 

Finding time to meet awesome people

Squeeze in some time to attend Beatship

Organized a successful boat party

The 1st junk me and Ryan organised

BBQ gathering with friends

The good thing about being a working student is that I learned to be more independent and responsible in life. This gave me an opportunity to face different challenges and lessons that I need to learn. 

Doing what I do best

Working hard on the styling for my Every Inch project

At work, being a stylist

Working on the window display in College campus

I never thought I could survive this but I did it and I am more than proud of myself. This is by far the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life and I know that I will be facing even more difficult challenges as I grow. 

Honestly speaking, I like researching and writing reports

Working on my financial statement for one of my projects

I actually wrote 6664 words!

Now that I'm graduating soon, I feel very excited and one day I will be able to share this story to my children and to my grand-children. A story that someday could inspire others.

My portfolio after my 2nd year in college

I got photography skills!

Briefing during my photoshoot for my Every Inch project

Yours Sincerely, 

Michelle Chan

Hike To Po Pin Chau (Sai Kung)

Since i got Sunday off, I have decided to invite my boyfriend and a friend of mine, Kenny and his friend Haley to go on a hiking adventure. At first we thought of hiking the Sharp Peak but it will be too difficult for us, since we haven't gone hiking for months. Instead we decided to hike Po Pin Chau located in Sai Kung. 

We took a cab from Sai Kung main area to the High Reservior Dam. The taxi cost around HK$120 but you can also choose to walk up the mountain, which will take around 2-3 hours to reach the dam. After reaching the dam, we start off the hike in a bunch of tree branches for about 30 minutes. Be careful with the branches, as some of it are very sharp. After 1 hour, we finally reach the famous view of Po Pin Chau and let me tell you honestly that I actually thought i am not in Hong Kong at all. I couldn't believe what I saw. It's stunning. 

High Reservior Dam

View from the Dam

We're almost there!

Finally, Po Pin Chau

This is the real adventure !

View after the hike

After the hike, we went back to the dam by taking a short cut. After reaching where the taxi stand is. There were a lot of people waiting for taxi. We tried to call for cab but none of them wants to come to our location. We decided to walk down the mountain instead. We were told that it is only 2 hours but it actually took 3 hours to get to the first bus stop. The bus took us back to Sai Kung main area. We were so exhausted from walking and hungry too. We went to eat Thai food and it was so delicious. 

Overall, It was a nice hiking adventure and I cannot wait for the next one!

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Cebu Trip Video

As promised, here is the video of our anniversary trip to Cebu. Ryan took all the video and he edit it by himself. I am pretty impressed by his video editing skills and take note, this is his first time making a video. I got to give him a big credit for making an amazing video for our anniversary trip.

PS: He did not took any lessons or nobody taught him how to take video or even editing videos. He was born to be good at videography.  

Enjoy watching the video. 

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Cebu Trip (Malapascua - Kalanggaman - Dalaguete)

So i finally get to go on trip after a stressful straight 6 months. Me and my boyfriend, Ryan went on an adventure to Cebu (Malapascua Island) to celebrate our anniversary and as part of our 'traditional trip' every anniversary. This is our 3rd Anniversary by the way. Time has flew very fast, indeed! 

Goofing around inside the plane

We left Hong Kong on September 22, 2015 and we catch the earliest flight to Cebu at 9:40am. It takes about 3 hours to reach Cebu City,

The first thing we did after we landed was to have a quick lunch at Mang Inasal. After the quick lunch, we went straight to North bus terminal to take a bus that will bring us to Maya port (also known as Daanbantayan). We took a different bus ride that cost P160 per head, I would describe it as taking a jeepney ride where it will stop by many different location and it took us nearly 6 hours to get to the port, in which it was already night time. We reached the port by 8:30pm and of course it is risky to travel by boat. So I would highly suggest to take the CERES bus service. It is a lot faster and should only take around 3-4 hours TOPS! Anyways, we had a mini non-aircomditoned bus adventure for 6 hours. We met a motorcycle driver and he suggested us to stay over in the closest inn called "KEKOYS". We paid P1,200 for an air-conditioned room for 1 night (it includes breakfast in bed). 

The next morning, we took off by 8am but unfortunately the boat does not leave until 12noon or until it gets full. So we didn't wanna wait any longer so we agreed to rent the whole boat for P1,500. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Malapascua Island.

View outside our veranda

We finally reach the beautiful island of Malapascua Island. We were greeted warmly by the locals. We stayed in Kokay's Maldito Dive Resort and Richelle, a staff from the resort assisted us to our room. I personally picked Room #7 located in the 2nd floor, as it has the best view and we have our own veranda. The room smells very nice. I felt at home with this place. 

Long legged bed. Nicely decorated

Cheers!

His new toy

After exploring our room and unpacking our stuff, we went to inquire for scuba diving. We went to our resort diving shop, DIVE SOCIETY. We spoke to this guy called John and he have arranged us to Try-scuba for P3,500 per head. He also helped us prepare for the equipment and suits that we will need to use for the following day. We left the place feeling extremely excited. 

On our second day in Malapascua Island, we woke up very early to have a good breakfast and to ready ourselves for the scuba diving. We met our dive master, Bryan and he quickly brief us with some information about scuba diving and taught us the signs that we need to learn to be able to communicate with each other underwater. After the brief we need to get change. I swear it was really hard to wear the suit, we need to wet our body in order for us to wear it, 

Healthy breakfast

ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT

We went to a nearby beach area, where the water was calm and good for starters. We took about 30 minutes to learn how to breathe properly, communicate, and some other useful things that we need to do underwater. After the lesson, our dive master started to bring us deeper. We get to see small but fat fishes and some small corals. There is actually some moment that I actually forgot to breathe and it is hard to think underwater, Bryan needs to remind me to release my ear pressure from time to time. It was an awesome experience and I am actually glad that I did try this and now it is out of my bucket list. I would really consider taking the 5-6 days diving course that will reward me with a diving licence. Well, maybe I will do it next year.

On our third day, we went on an island hopping trip to Kalanggaman Island. It is a 2 hours boat ride. Kalanggaman Island is located nearby Leyte and it is in the middle of the ocean (I would say in the middle of nowhere). We paid P1,500 per head for the whole trip. This island definitely took my breathe away. It is divided into 2 different part, a calm and a wilder water side. The water was just amazing. Never seen anything like this in my life. I am speechless and felt fortunate to have been able to see this beauty through my own eyes.

Kalanggaman Island

Divided into 2 sides.

Right: The wild water side

Left: The calm water side (Beware not to swim far as the wind will drive you away from the shore)

While waiting for our lunch to be ready, I took around an hour to sun tan while chatting with my boyfriend and we took some time to walk around the beach and take some pictures and videos of course. We also tried to get in to the wild water side and we almost fell as the water was too strong. I tried to go in the calm water side but only to realize that the sands are too soft and i nearly fell. No wonder they put on a sign that it is restricted to swim in the calm water side as the wind will push you away from the shore and will be unable to return. It sounds quite scary. Anyways for lunch we had grilled chicken and grilled fish. It was delicious and we also get to socialise with the people who are with us in the tour. It was a very nice day. 

Sunbathing while waiting for our lunch

Picture Picture

This is life!

Leaving Kalanggaman Island

So It is our time to say goodbye to Malapascua Island. We both feel very welcome and have felt at home in Kokay's. The hospitality of the staff are really warm and i will surely come back to this place. 

Last breakfast in Kokay's. Filipino breakfast (TAPA)

One last view of Kokay's

After taking another long bus ride back to the city, we went directly to my boyfriend's grandma house in Lahug to pick up his 2 brothers and cousin to proceed on to our next trip to Dalaguete. We took Ceres bus service this time and it only took us 3 hours to get to Dalaguete and we stayed in a nearby inn and took the night off.

The next morning we woke up early to hike the Osmena Peak (known as the highest mountain in Cebu). We took a motorcycle ride to take us to the starting point of the trail. I love riding motorcycle. It is refreshing yet dangerous but FUN. 

So the hike started and I am the only one who came prepared for a muddy, windy, wet hike. Thank God i wore shoes while the others are on their slippers. They had to walk bare feet, as the slippers are making it more slippery. We somehow had to step on the grass just for us not to fall. It was very hilarious watching them struggle, While hiking up, we saw many vegetables planted on the soils and I find this amusing as I don't see this everyday in my life. 

Cabbages

So we finally reach the top of the mountain. Although it was foggy but we can still see some view and the fogs does go away for a few seconds and then another one comes then gone and so on. It was rainy at that time when we reach on top but it was amazing to be up there.

On top of Osmena Peak

On top of Osmena Peak

The windy look of mine

After the hike, we continue on to another area in Dalaguete, to my boyfriend grandma's sister home. He showed me around and showed me the rice field where he used to play around as a child. We had our lunch over there and for first time i tried drinking Coconut wine. It was weird at first but i got the hang of the taste later. Overall, It was a nice day. Since i have lived in a city my whole life, I really do appreciate being out of the city and see nothing but nature. 

Rice field in Dalaguete

So we finally came back to Hong Kong on September 29, 2015. It was very sad that our trip is over but this only means that we had an awesome trip for us to feel sad. But this is not the end of our travel journey. We will be traveling more in the next few months, for sure!

Here are some of the best food that we ate during the trip. They're all delicious. 

From top left: Sizzling Fish, Pancit Canton (very big portion), Kinlaw, Sinigang Shrimp, Pasta Parmigiana, Mango Float, Mussels with Cheese, Carpaccio and Michelle's Soup (Broccoli Soup)

Ryan has made a video of the whole trip. It will be uploaded in my next blog.

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Favorite Spot in Hong Kong

I'm finally back to one of my favorite spot in Hong Kong, Pirata located in Wanchai. 

First, I start off with a glass of white wine, Tenuta delle terre nere etna bianco made from Italy. This wine contains volcanic soil from the erruption in Pompei. Sounds nasty but it does taste good!

Drinking one of the finest wine in a perfect place to be

I took Tomato Bruschetta as my starters, which i chose to pick something very light and It was delicious. 

Fresh garden Tomato bruschetta

I also took Octopus salad, it includes lemon oil, parsley, cherry tomato, olives and potato. Sorry i didn't got the chance to take a picture, I was too hungry to even take a picture ✌

For main course i ordered Risotto (it is the best Risotto i ever tasted, i'm not even kidding) . It was creamy and tasty. The rice is not so hard and not so soft either. It was just in the right texture. 

Very creamy and yummy Risotto

I took the Tiramisu for dessert. It was very delicious and it is one of the best tiramisu i ever tasted. I would highly recommend you to try it. You won't regret it. 

Tiramisu deasert placed in a jar

My simple dinner has turn into an ooomazing night. Filled with yummy food, drinking a fine wine in a place where I feel relaxed. 

Yours truly,

Michelle Chan