Melbourne Adventures

Hey guys! Sorry for the 2 week hiatus. My two week semester break just ended and I've been caught up with uni assignments and group meetings and I guess I loss track of time.

One of the reasons that I haven't posted in a bit is because I took a little trip to Melbourne for a week with my housemate and good friend, Yong Zhin. It was an incredible trip full of laughter, great memories, exploring of the city, and definitely way too much food. Here are some of my favourite memories from the trip.

 Hardware Société was our first stop. We caught an early flight an arrived in Melbourne at 8 in the morning. Hardware's ambience was cozy and lovely, but the food was excellent. Perfect way to kick off the journey. 

Green tea soft serve's at Rice Workshop.

THIS was probably one of the best meals. Nasi Lemak and Maggi Goreng at Mamak on Lonsdale Street.
Did I mention we ate here two nights in a row?

Reunited with Jesse :) Was good to be a trio again, so much so that it didn't even feel like we were
in a foreign city. 

 Sitting by the Yarra river, talking about everything with the girls, watching the world go by its business. Office workers in their suits and heels rushing from point A to point B. Dog's of all shapes and sizes being walked by their owners. Little children running around the park. Sometime's its nice to just sit, reflect, and take the city in. No words necessary.

Breakfast was on point at MART130. 

Did I also mention that we bumped into Malaysian YouTuber Jinnyboy at St. Ali?
What were the odds? Sometimes the world is too small.
Still waiting to 'casually' bump into Ed Sheeran.

Soft shell crab burger at Top Paddock was EXCEPTIONALLY incredible. So so good. Typing this and staring at it is making my hunger pangs quite extravagant. Sigh. 

The famous graffiti lane

Tesselaar Tulip Festival up in Mount Dandenong

Peonies

All around it was an amazing trip. Felt good to get away for a week, but it felt even better coming back from the trip, refreshed, and ready for the last 5 weeks of the semester. It hasn't been an easy semester but taking some time to reflect on everything that I have been provided with has made me stop and realise how incredibly blessed I truly am. I am surrounded by people who love me; life isn't too bad. Just a reminder that sometimes when things get too much, pause, and take it easy. Whatever you're going through right now, you're going to make it. 

 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.  The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

-Deutoronomy 31:8

Have a little faith. Everything's going to be just fine. I promise.

Be blessed

Sarah

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"If you allow your self worth to be based on what other people think of you, it's the beginning of the end"

Before you do anything else and if you haven't already, watch this really inspirational video by Tyrese Gibson talking about self love and self worth.

Facebook link to the video

"The day that you start living your life according to everyone else's opinion, is the beginning of the end."

There is truth in Tyrese's words. How many of us go through life with that view? We dress well because we're afraid that people will judge us if we don't. We talk with an accent or use words that we don't even understand because we think that it'll make us sound better, more classy, or smarter.

But the truth? None of that matters. 

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."-Dr. Seuss

Have you ever looked at someone who was confident with themselves and thought,"I wish I could be as confident as her/him"? The truth is: you can.
We are our biggest enemy. We see ourselves a certain way, most times with disgust and disappointment because we think that the way we look isn't the way that society deems "acceptable." Newsflash: beautiful hair, being skinny, having the latest clothes and the newest iPhone 6 does not make you better than the person next to you. That's just what the materialistic world is trying to convince you but don't buy into it.

You are worth something. You are beautiful. You are strong. And you are valuable.

Just because someone says you're not doesn't make it so. Don't make those negative comments speak over your life. If you think you're cool and you're awesome, then you are. If someone says that you're not, that's just their opinion. Don't let it tear your own view of yourself down.

And for all you singles out there? If you don't love yourself first, how can you expect to love another? The day that you start loving yourself and being who you truly want to be, they'll find you. Stop chasing after that girl/guy in hopes that they can fill that empty void that you feel. Because what happens if it doesn't work out? You'll feel empty again. Invest in yourself. Become the person that you were meant to be. Fill that void with God, with love, with things that make you who you are. No one can take your happiness away from you if you don't let them because you are responsible for your own happiness.

How many of us have been sucked into the social media whirlpools? Where we base popularity and coolness on how many likes you get on a photo or how many "friends" and followers you have. Put down the phones, turn off the computers. Pick up a book, go outside, explore the world that it out there. Don't feed this frenzy that is coming to plague our generation. Is this all there is left to life? What life are we living if we're all "living" it online. Don't waste your life.

And for those of you that are lost, don't fret. It's not over yet, you can't give up right now. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life. I believe that He has a plan for every single one of us and no matter the wrongs you have done and the mistakes you have made, He still loves you and He will always love you, no matter what. Unconditional, selfless love.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.-Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Today, I challenge you. I challenge you to put down the views of this world that you have adopted that say that you should dress a certain way or be who you're not.  I challenge you to seek God. I challenge you to go after your dreams, to speak your mind and to be heard. But most of all, I challenge you to start loving yourself every single day and to never forget that you are precious. 

The world needs change, but it starts with you.

Today, everything changes.

Start now.

Be blessed,
Sarah
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