The Ultimate Sad Girl Playlist

Being sad is never a good feeling unless you’re wanting to feel sad for a reason. Music is the universal language. People have playlists for every single occasion, party dinner, time of day, and mood that you’re in. My Spotify playlist consists of over 30 playlists for the large range of moods that I’m always in. Not exactly sure why I have so many emotions but I guess it’s all part of being human. For the longest time, I’ve always why I’m more drawn to sad music than happy music. After taking a few psychology classes in college, I’ve learnt that we often gravitate towards sad music to improve our moods. When we feel a certain type of way, we form connections through the melody, lyrics, and emotions expressed in the songs. Not only are you able to listen to the music but the songs enable your body to produce dopamine, which greatly benefits you because you feel better and happier.

As I previously mentioned, I have over 30 playlists on my Spotify account and the one I gravitate toward the most is my “Sad Girl Playlist”. This playlist is a mix of extremely sad music and happy sad music. The number one artist on my sad girl playlist has to be Taylor Swift. I’ve been a fan of Taylor Swift for as long as I can remember, and she was one of the artists that inspired me to pick up the guitar. Something about her Fearless album makes me feel like I’ve been transported back to high school, crushing over a boy that doesn’t even notice me. The overall tone and message of this album are to “embrace the challenges of love”. One of my top favourite songs from her has to be “White Horse”, where she talks about falling in love and dreaming about a fairy tale life with this person but after a while realizing that the moment you’ve been waiting for will never happen. Even in my early 20s, I’ve experienced this in my past relationships, there are times you hope for the dream experience but it never comes. My second favourite song is “The Way I Loved You”, which is about being in a relationship with an amazing person who does everything right but constantly thinking about that one person who was complicated, messy, and frustrating. There are phases you go through in life, where the one you need isn’t the one you want because the one you need doesn’t evoke any emotions from you. Sometimes, feeling more is better than not feeling anything, even if those emotions drive you crazy.

The next artist up on the list is Olivia Rodrigo. Olivia’s songs have broken the internet a few times and for good reasons too. The infamous song “Driver’s License”, is a staple in my sad girl playlist. I’m not the type of person who usually listens to the top 40 hits often but after hearing about this song everywhere I go, I knew I had to listen to it. “Driver’s License”, is so overly dramatic that I’m absolutely in love with it. The track is about the typical teenager breakup, where a girl isn’t over her ex because he left her for someone else and it just hits all the right spots. However, the second song that I heard from her album is probably my favourite. “Traitor”, is about a boyfriend lying to her and falling in love with someone else when they were still together. The line in the song that hits me the most is “You talked to her when we were together, You gave me your word but that didn’t matter It took you two weeks to go off and date her, Guess you didn’t cheat, but you’re still a traitor”. Personally, I can’t speak for everyone but that line really hit close to home in most of my past relationships, especially when they bring the person they left you for around as a trophy. These songs are a vibe and they definitely have the “Sad Girl Playlist” background music moment.

Old school Halsey was my favourite Halsey. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love all the music she has put out but Badlands has been and will always be my favourite album of hers. Halsey named this album Badlands as a reference to her state of mind and to give a physical place as a metaphor for the desolate and lonely place that is her thought process. As someone who struggles with long-term anxiety and depression, Halsey’s song “Control” is about her struggle with mental health and how no one is able to understand her. In the song, she speaks out about how children are afraid of her and that they should be, because of her mental health she is unable to control herself and how much it scares her. Causing her to be stuck in a never-ending loop, crying for help but with no one able to help her. Another popular track from Halsey is “Gasoline”, which also talks about mental health issues. In this song, Halsey questions the listener if they’re as deranged as her and if wonder if they recognize themselves in the mirror. The song also discusses if we’re a part of “the machine”, in which we float around in life with no sense of direction or hope.

Last not least, another one of my favourite artists, Melanie Martinez. The album name speaks for itself, Crybaby is quite a sad record. Although the aesthetic is very bright in colour and the tone of the song is very happy, the message, however, gives these songs a happy but sad feel to them. “Playdate” narrates a story about Melanie feeling that she doesn’t matter to her friend and that she spends a lot of time. The song further explains how she wants it to seem as if she doesn’t care about how little he seems to care for her or communicates with her. At the end of the song, she admits that she does care and accepts that her feelings are valid and that it’s perfectly okay to feel this way.

I guess you can say that I’m a little obsessed with sad songs, but it makes me really happy when I listen to them. Most of the time when we feel sad, we often also feel as if no one understands us but music is the universal language. If you’re feeling upset, there’s a song out there for you. Therefore, I highly encouraged you to make your own sad human playlist and sing those songs at the top of your lungs. Trust,me, you’ll feel a million times better afterwards.

Adults can have fun too

As we get older we’re always told that we can’t have fun the way we used to when we were kids. There are some truths to it but there’s still fun in our lives. I know we adults can’t exactly experience the excitement going on the playground as we used to when we were children, but we have something better! We have access to adult money and we can drink as much as we want. To me, that’s definitely a win in my eyes. When I was younger I would dream of growing up so I can finally be an adult and do what I want. However, I’ve come to learn that adulting is properly my least favourite thing to do, and I occasionally considered it a chore. What I’ve come to learn is that time is limited as you get older due to juggling more responsibilities and more than half the time you’re really just going out to dinner as a “night off”. For the longest time, I thought that’s what “adults” were supposed to do when they wanted to have fun, but thanks to friends, I’ve realized that we can have a different type of fun that doesn’t always involve fancy bars and drinks.

During my elementary school years, we would take lots of field trips and my favourite was when we went to mini golf. Something about holding a metal stick and hitting a ball seemed like one of the most fun times you can do. And honestly, it still is. I’ve been to a handful of mini golf places and I have to say with all my heart that, West Coast Mini Putt is my favourite place to go. All mini golf courses are fun but I personally believe that when things are glow-in-the-dark, they’re a hundred times better. This is a great place to take your friends or date too, and unlike most places, you don’t have to book a reservation online to visit. Occasionally it gets really busy on a Friday night but the wait at most is usually around the 15-20 minutes top. One thing you do have to remember is to wear white so you “glow”. Inside West Coast Mini Putt, the courses are all very colourful with adorable little illustrations on the walls. The course gets harder and harder, but at the end, the winner of your group gets to choose a prize from the treasure box. The treasure box is usually filled with gourmet candy and chocolate, along with small little knick-knacks. The last time I went, I got to choose between the treats and ended up getting matcha white chocolate. Whas was extremely delicious but sadly cannot find it anywhere else now. Also, if I’m being completely honest, this is also a great place to take Instagram photos with all the bright colours in the background.

No matter how old I get, arcade games will always be the best games to play. Throughout the lower mainland, The Rec Room, at the amazing Brentwood Mall has to be one of my favourites. The arcade is open all day, however, once it hits 10:00 pm it’s adult only. After a five-year delay, The Rec Room finally made its way to Vancouver in the summer of 2021. The 43,000 sq. feet has three restaurants and over 90 arcade games for you and your friends to play. The best thing about The Rec Room is that all the arcade games are classic games, but they are also brand new, so you won’t have to push so hard on the buttons for your characters to move. My absolute favourite game in the arcade is Dance Dance Revolution because it’s one of the only games I would ever play when I was younger. Sadly, I can’t move as fast as I used to but nevertheless, it’s still a lot a lot of fun and a good work out too. In addition, since it’s adult only from 10:00 pm-midnight, you’re aloud to bring your drinks around with you. If that’s not an awesome aspect, then I don’t know what is.

My other favourite arcade place has to be E-Spot located in Richmond on No. 3 Road. For the past 5 years, E-Spot would be the place where my friends and I would meet up every Friday. Just like The Rec Room, they have over 100 arcade games for you to play and lots over 20 claw machines. Winning a stuffed animal is just so much more satisfying than purchasing one sometimes. Even though it will probably cost you more to win one, it’s all about the excitement. The arcade also has a Net Cafe, meaning that there are over 2 dozen gaming computers that you and your friends can rent hourly or all day. Aside from the claw machine and the Net Cafe, the main reason why I’m constantly at E-Spot is that they have over a dozen pool tables that you can rent for however long you want. Therefore, if you’re a big fan of pool and billiards, then this is the place for you! In addition, you are also allowed to consume alcoholic drinks here which makes it a thousand times better. Playing drunk pool games isn’t exactly the most winnable game but it will definitely be a game that you and your friends can laugh about and reminisce about later on.

Now, do you believe that adults can have fun too? As I previously mentioned, having fun for adults should consist of other things instead of just heading out for drinks with friends. Don’t get me wrong, dressing up for the bars and having fancy cocktails is pretty fun, but sometimes you just need a different type of fun. Sometimes you need to dance to your favourite songs, ride those motorcycles to the finish line, and win those stuffed animals for your loved ones. There are times when you need to let loose and let your inner child out in a game of pool, ping pong, or air hockey. Growing up doesn’t mean the fun should stop, it just means that there are different types of fun that we can experience.

 

Giving Head Pats = Happiness

Furry friends are the best kind of friends. For hundreds of years or many even more, pets have been an essential aspect of an individual’s life. There are multiple health benefits to having a little furry friend in your life. Pets are a great way to help manage loneliness by reducing stress in our lives. Less stress means better overall mental health. Speaking from personal experience, having a pet makes your life significantly better. Not only are our four-legged friends help us by allowing us to gain a sense of responsibility, but they also show us unconditional love and support. So if you’re experiencing a little bit of stress, I highly recommend you give some head pats to the furry friends in your life. However, pets can be extremely expensive and unfortunately, not everyone can afford to have them, luckily, there are a few places in Vancouver that will let you enjoy the company of very cute animals. Vancouver is unfortunately not like Japan where they have multiple animal cafes, such as a dog and cat cafe, hedgehogs cafe, and even a river otter cafe. Luckily, Vancouver is slowly following that trend and there are some animal cafes you can visit.

Who doesn’t love cats and coffee? Located in the International Village Mall on Pender street, Catfe is a coffee shop that features feline-theme drinks and treats. Catfe is the first animal cafe to open in Vancouver. The cafe is partnered with various animal rescues and their goal is to help rescue cats from all over Canada find their furever homes. Catfe also acts as a temporary foster home for rescue cats as well as has a space where cat lovers can visit when they require some animal therapy. Not only will you be able to book appointments online to go hang out with these adorable cats, but you are also supporting the cafe and its rescue mission. All the proceed made from Catfe go back to them for food, litter, transportation, bedding and toys for their furry residents. In addition, if the cats are draining some of your energy, you can order drinks to bring your mood back up. My coffee addiction is pretty bad but it’s even worse if the drinks have cute names. Who wouldn’t want an “Ameowicano” or “Catpuccino”? Don’t even get me started on the sweets, “meowcaron”, “cat nom”, and “cat cupcake”. Who can resist these cute names? Having coffee in your hand with a cat on your lap sounds like a pretty awesome deal if you ask me.

Catfe also has a sister cafe! The creators of Vancouver’s first Catfe also opened up a sister cafe with rabbits. So let me introduce you to The Bunny Cafe, located on Venables street, this cafe was opened during the midst of the pandemic in July 2021. Just like Catfe, this little bunny cafe also has drinks to can sip on while these little critters hop around you. This cafe is an all-vegan cafe, so you have snacks on treats as well. Just like all the animal cafes in Vancouver, you can book appointments to visit these furry friends, and even adopt them if you wish to. If you do book a reservation, you would have an hour to spend time with the hoppers and give them lots of treats and greens such as kale, cilantro, and apples! And of course, you can give them as many head pats as your desire. Trust me, speaking on behalf of the little hoppers, the bunnies won’t mind unlimited head pats and treats all day. The owner of Catfe, Michelle Furbacher, created this cafe to demonstrate how rabbits can make excellent pets and to help these bunnies find their furever home.

“There are so many abandoned domestic rabbits in BC, they need to be adopted out in colonies to really make a difference. People can see what a joy it is to be surrounded by sweet, curious bunnies.”

Last but not least, introducing Catoro Cafelocated on Fraser and Broadway, this is another place where you can give more head pats! Catoro Cafe is different in the way that instead of serving caffeinated drinks, they offer a wide selection of bubble tea. Maybe, I’m a little biased but watching the cats lounge around and play with each other while you wait for your drink order is pretty entertaining. Similar to other animal cafes, you have to book an appointment in advance to visit the cafe. Catoro has had over 48,000 kitty therapy sessions and over 800 cats have been adopted from the cafe. In addition, the cafe also offers pet supplies that you can pick up as a gift or for your little kitty at home. As I previously mentioned, I am a sucker for food and drinks with cute names. I also have a bubble tea addiction and let me tell you that Catoro Cafe’s drinks are pretty delicious. My orders are usually the “Catoro Milk Tea”, “The Foggy Cat” (London Fog), and the “Purr-over Coffee”. Who can resist the adorableness that is this cat cafe and the names of these bubble tea?

Not sure about you but I’m going to be booking reservations at these places again. I believe that animal therapy is the best therapy out there. Sometimes you don’t necessarily need to sit down and talk to someone. Sometimes you just need a four-legged friend next to you. Studies have shown that petting animals cause your brain to release endorphins. Therefore, if you are ever feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, you should see if you can pet the furry friends that you have in your life. Trust me, a few hand pats and some kisses will definitely improve your day.

Sweet and Savory for you taste buds

There are so many restaurants in Vancouver that I don’t think I can even count how many there actually are. Definitely lots of variety and hidden gems all over the lower mainland. I really mean it when I say that my favourite hobbies are drinking and eating. I wouldn’t say that I’m a Vancouver foodie that knows where all the right spots are, but I do know a thing or two when it comes to finding new places to visit.

There are so many different types of food that the lower mainland offers but I would have to say that my favourite type of food has to be Japanese food. Ichiro, in Stevenston Richmond, has to be my favourite Japanese restaurant. It is a little further to get there but the food is worth it, trust me. I’ve been going to Ichiro with my family for the past eight years. It’s an authentic Japanese family-owned restaurant right by the waters. Meaning, that they get their fish and ingredients fresh. I usually prefer to go during lunch times as they have tons of bento lunch sets as a special. I usually get the “Karage and Katsu” set, which comes with chicken karage and pork katsu, with a side of rice, miso soup, and lots of veggies. This box set is to die for and the sockeye salmon sashimi will melt in your mouth like butter. Trust me, when I say that you won’t be disappointed when you visit.

Aside from sushi, my second favourite meal would have to be the classic, steak and mashed potatoes. I mean, who doesn’t love a good classic dinner? I’ve been to a lot of steakhouses and I can safely say that Black and Blue in downtown Vancouver has to be my favourite. It is a little bit on the pricey side, so I only go there once in a while as a treat. As many times as I’ve tried to replicate the meal that I had from here. it will never be the same. I typically order the New York Striploin, medium, with mashed potatoes, and sautee mushroom on the side. The mashed potatoes are so incredibly creamy and the sautee mushrooms with truffle oil are just amazing. The main course is chef’s kiss. If you think I was done, the dessert is also amazing. Their famous dessert is the butter cake, again, I’ve also tried to replicate my own butter cake and it has never tasted anywhere close to Black and Blue’s. If you have a chance to go here, I highly recommend it and if you only have a short amount of time, I would also recommend stopping in quickly for desserts.

I am a sucker when it comes to anything katsu-related. Saku is one of the many restaurants that had opened in the last year. One of the many things I love about this place is that they have a very simple menu. Sometimes when I go to certain restaurants and they have over 50 dishes on their menu, it makes it really tough for me to decide and order. Whenever I’m in the mood for something filling, Saku is one of the top three choices for me. I always get the Pork Cheese Katsu, which is deep-fried breaded aged mozzarella wrapped with thinly sliced pork. Just thinking about that right now is making my mouth water. The portion side might look small, but trust me when I say that it will fill you up quickly. Every time that I’ve gone, I always have leftovers to take home.

Now it’s time for some post-meal treats for those of you who prefer things on the sweeter side. My favourite ice cream for as long as I can remember has been Ernest Ice Cream. This is a family-owned ice cream shop that has been around for almost over a decade now. They have over 20 flavours of ice cream plus seasonal flavours. Recently they have also added vegan recipes to their menu! My favourite flavours are London Fog and Salted Caramel, with a large waffle cone. Not only can you enjoy your ice cream there, but you can also buy yourself a pint to take home. Which is an awesome but dangerous thing since I buy about two everything I go and I finish them within a few days. As you can probably tell, I have an ice cream addiction and it’s never going to ever go away.

Wanna know what else I have an addiction to? Is milk tea. In some places of the world, they’re either called milk tea, bubble tea, or boba. When I say I have an addiction, I mean I “accidentally” spend $80 a month buying bubble tea for a few months straight. You already know that my bank account hated me for those few months. Milk tea originally started in Taiwan, and consists of tapioca pearls (the black chewy balls) and a base of either black tea, green tea, or herbal tea. Nowadays, they ordered a variety of different types of drinks such as slush, smoothies, and fruit tea. Those options are all very tasty but I’m a class milk tea kind of girl, so I usually either get the signature milk tea or a Thai milk tea. Another reason why I love milk tea is that most bubble tea shops here are open till 11:00 pm. Which makes it the perfect late-night snack!

As I mentioned, my hobbies are drinking and eating. I hope I didn’t make your mouth water too much from talking about food. These are just a few of my hidden gem places in the lower mainland but I am constantly on the hunt for more places to visit. Whether it’s sweet or savoury, you can bet that I will be there. I never really considered myself to be a foodie but after talking about this, maybe you say that I’m an inspired Vancouver foodie in the making. Make sure to keep your tummy full and that smile on your face when ordering food.

 

Spooky season is near

Out of all the holidays throughout the year, I can say that Halloween is by far my favourite. Well, if you’re counting the day after Halloween when all the chocolate is on sale, THEN, that’s my favourite day. Chocolate lovers will know exactly what I’m talking about. There’s just something about Halloween that instantly lifts all the spirit in town. Out of all the holidays, I think Halloween is one that you can have the most fun with. Aside from dressing up as your favourite characters, matching outfits with your friends, or attending costume parties. Even prior to the pandemic, most of my October nights are spend indoor, with a bowl of popcorn, a cocktail, and lots of blankets with the company of my little chihuahua. My favourite thing to do during the Halloween season is to watch some spooky movies, with friends of course.

As soon as it hits October, the first movie that goes on my screen is Corpse Bride by the one and only Tim Burton. Honestly, even if it’s not the spooky season, I will still watch Corpse Bride. I don’t think I’ve ever met a single person that dislikes this film. Everything about this is just the chef’s kiss. The stop motion movement, the character design and development are just immaculate. Although this film doesn’t exactly fit into the category of “horror” or “thriller”, the film itself is set in this world where the afterlife exists and all its possibilities. Corpse Bride is one of those films that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and laughter. Definitely, one of my all-time favourite movies to watch, even if it has such a bittersweet ending. I will admit, the ending of the movie always makes me shed a couple of tears. The underlying storyline of Corpse Bride is that love can be found in the most amazing but strange ways. By going through the obstacles, you not only become stronger, but you gain new insights into the world around you. Which, in my personal opinion is one of the most important you can learn in your lifetime.

Halloweentown is the first Halloween movie I saw when I first moved to Canada in 2005. The first Halloweentown movie in the franchise came out in 1998, which is absolutely crazy to even think about since the franchise is still so loved in 2022. This movie was one of the reasons why I fell in love with Halloween. Growing up in Thailand, holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were never celebrated. So, when I moved here, seeing the concept of Halloween and all these mythical characters like vampires, witches, genies, and monsters, was fascinating to me. I felt that I had entered a whole new world, especially when I discovered what Trick-or-Treating was. Halloweentown introduces us to a wide variety of characters, it’s not exactly a scary type of spooky movie, but its take on spooky has a heartwarming and comedic twist to it. Early Gen Z will know that this movie is the definition of the word nostalgia. The film follows Marnie, who comes from a family of witches but isn’t aware that she herself has power. Throughout the film, Marnie discovered that her family is involved in the fight against evil in Halloweentown. With the help of her two younger siblings, they were able to save the town and earn respect from their families.

Before you say anything, I know Jennifer’s Body isn’t exactly listed under the Halloween theme movies, but Jennifer does into a demon, and she does eat people. Therefore, I’m going to be putting this under the horror section. Once again, Jennifer’s Body is more of a comedy teen horror-type film compared to the ones I’ve listed above. When the movie was first released, it didn’t get as much recognition as it should have in my opinion, which makes me extremely happy to know that this movie is getting so much love in 2022. Jennifer’s Body follows two best friends Jennifer and Needy. We have the usual best friend duo of the “popular girl” and the “nerdy girl”. One night they both decided to sneak out of town to attend a local band’s performance. Long story short, the band believed in a higher being and in order to please the being, they would need to sacrifice a virgin and Jennifer ended up being sacrificed. However, since Jennifer didn’t exactly fit the criteria, she then becomes a demon who only eats men. The story seems very out there but I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Jennifer’s Body is extremely witty in terms of dialogue, and interesting character development, and definitely has certain aspects that most teenagers can relate to. Another thing I love about this film is that it explores the deeper meaner of relationships between best friends, sexuality, and female empowerment.

Scary and spooky is the vibe for fall after all. These are just some of my personal favourite films to watch during the month when I’m not getting my usual pumpkin spice latte or complying with a list of Halloween costume ideas. Hopefully, with the pandemic finally dying down, there will be more fun activities to do in the city. Possibly, maybe, even a scary movie drive-in, some nice and tasty Halloween theme cocktails, or a big Halloween costume party hosted at Vancouver Art Gallery. I mean, a girl can dream, right? Cheers to the fall season, the pumpkin flavour drinks, and the carefree feeling of dressing up.

Your mental health needs love too ♡

Taking care of yourself should be the number one priority in your life! There is only one of you in the whole universe and who else can take better care of you, than you? One of the top chronic health implications in Canada is mental health. Anxiety and depression can cause heavily impact your life and your relationship with those around you. The global movement for mental health has come a long way since 2008, and even more so in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, so many people have started the conversation about mental health that helped others realize that everyone struggles with mental health and that they are not alone. As a mental health advocate and as someone who has struggled with anxiety and long-term depression, I want to share some effective tips and activities to improve your mental health.

You’ve probably been told over a hundred times that journaling helps tremendously with your mental health. I’m here to tell you, that they’re not wrong but it’s the type of journaling that you do. For as long as I can remember, I’m constantly writing down my feelings and writing in my journal every night before I head to bed. It can be quite the process and I know that time is the currency that we don’t always have. Therefore, I’ve picked up this journal called “The Five-Minute Journal,” and it has changed my self-care routine. The purpose of this journal is to take some time in the morning and before bedtime to answer a couple of questions. I personally like to write in the top section during my morning coffee. The questions are extremely simple but highly effective. At the top of each day, there is an inspirational quote to help you start your day, for example, my quote for today is “Surround yourself with people that inspire you and you will not only grow, you will soar.”

That quote put me in an incredibly positive mindset before starting my day. The journal starts by asking you to write down three things that you’re grateful for. The second question is “What would make today great?” and the last question is “Daily affirmation.” It is so incredibly simple and so amazing how it can bring so much joy to those three questions. Gratitude helps by promoting more positive emotions and building stronger relationships with yourself and those around you as well. The nighttime section of the entry will ask you about the “highlights of your day.” This is my favourite part of the entry for when I look back at the journal in the future, I can see what I did that day and realize how happy it made me that I wrote it down. Lastly, the entry ends with “What did I learn today.” According to studies, human beings learn three new things every day. For me, yesterday I learned that pumpkins are fruits and not vegetables. Who would’ve known?

Music is the universal language! There’s not a single individual on this planet that doesn’t listen to music. As people know, music can sometimes brings people together, but it can also be an intimate thing as well. It has been said before that songs are the windows to someone’s soul. Speaking from experience, I have specific playlists that I would play at a party, or in the car with my friends. I also have a playlist that would be for my ears, and my ears only. There is a time when the music that I love is very “cringe” among my peers. So, whenever I feel a little bit down, I put on my said cringe playlist and sing my little heart out because there has been a time when the only thing that will cheer me up is the old-school Hannah Montana soundtracks. That, alongside High School Musical and Camp Rock. Might sound a little silly but singing causes your body to release endorphins. Therefore, you just have to say who cares and sing at the top of your lungs. For however long you wish.

You have probably heard this phrase before, but I’m going to say it again. TREAT YO SELF! You deserve it! That goes for anything, it can be new shoes or outfits, some sparkly jewellery, or the new game you’ve been eyeing. Since I am obsessed with food, I try to treat myself to a nice meal or snack twice a month. Sometimes it’s a nice filling hotpot or sushi dinner, or something small like a Thai milk tea. It’s always an important thing to treat yourself, you try your best and you work hard at what you do. Therefore, you deserve to have some TLC here and there. Treating yourself can also help lower the stress in our life as well as lowering the risk of chronic health diseases such as heart diseases, depression, and strokes. As previously mentioned, the only person that’s going to take care of you the best is yourself. It’s easy to feel upset and to put yourself down, but rewarding yourself occasionally can significantly make you feel more energized, cared for, and simply happy.

Mental health is extremely important and needs to be the top priority. In the beginning, putting yourself first can be tough because we’re not taught to be selfish. We are taught to be selfless but by not putting yourself and your mental health first, you are being selfish to yourself. Therefore, you must love yourself. These simple things such as treating yourself, listening and dancing to your favourite tunes, and writing down what you are grateful for can drastically improve your mental health. I truly hope that you try out some of these activities and that you have a blast doing them.

Sweater weather is finally here!

After a very hot summer, fall is finally here! Hopefully, I’m not the only one that’s over the scorching heat this summer. I know it sounds basic but I’m ready for my pumpkin spice latte, my adorable, oversized hoodie, and the sight of beautiful orange leaves. Some people might say that I’m crazy and that fall season here on the lower mainland isn’t as exciting, but I’m here to show you a few of my fall activities that I have planned this year. British Columbia is always known for constantly having various types of events that cater to everyone all year round. For our fall season, the most well-known activity is going to the pumpkin patch with your loved ones and finding a yummy pumpkin you can take home. Which I do enjoy and very much a tradition every fall, I’ve decided to switch it up a little bit this fall.

The Vancouver Aquarium is by far my favourite place to be. For the past four years, I’ve always had a membership at the Vancouver Aquarium and safe to say I would attend all the events that were held. However, there is one event that I always looked over and that is “Nights At The Aquarium”. One reason is that I am a broke college student, I’ve always overlooked this event because of the ticket price. For some reason, dinner at the aquarium just never really intrigued me since I visit the aquarium twice a month anyway. However, one thing I’ve learned in 2022, is that sometimes is all about the experience. Therefore, this year I will be buying two tickets to this lovely dinner. So, what exactly is “Nights At The Aquarium”? According to reviews, it’s Vancouver’s most unique date night experience. The price is $150 per person, to enjoy a three-course meal with beer pairings by Stanley Park Brewing while being surrounded by the beautiful marine animals. I don’t know about you, but that sounds quite amazing to me. I can have a glass of wine in one hand and my date in the other while admiring all that the aquarium has to offer. The most important thing is having unlimited access to wine. If anything, if the event banner started with that, I would’ve been attending years ago.

As I’ve mentioned before, going to the pumpkin patch is a fall tradition for me. This year, I will also be adding to the Harvest Days festival at Vandusen Botanical Garden. Second place to the aquarium, Vandusen Garden is one of my favourite places in the whole city. When I was 15 years old, I started volunteering at the garden for my resume experience and as soon as I entered the garden, I immediately fell in love. Just like the aquarium, I also had a yearly membership to Vandusen Botanical Garden. If you haven’t been to Vandusen, you are missing out! There is so much beauty in the garden, the flowers and plants will never disappoint, and the wildlife there will make you smile. Occasionally, you see a family of Canadian geese by the pond with their young, and a trail of ducklings following their around mom on the path. For the past couple of years, Vandusen has started its own vegetable gardens, which will be incorporated into this year’s Harvest Day Festival. Not only will you be able to see the big, beautiful veggie garden, but there is also a bee farm as well! The garden will be decorated with friendly scarecrows, hay bales, cornstalks, and lots of pumpkins! This festival just screams fall and sweater weather to me, and I cannot wait to spend an evening here. Especially, with live music and my all-time favourite tasty food vendor, the sugared mini donuts. Who doesn’t love some good mini donuts and live entertainment while being surrounded by Canada’s beautiful sugar maple trees?

Finally, the Richmond Night Market is also something that I love attending in the fall time. I can also safely say that the Richmond Night Market is a staple in most people’s lives since it’s been around for 22 years. The night market usually starts in the early summer, but personally, for me, I believe that fall is the perfect time to go. One of the many reasons why I prefer to attend the night market during the fall is because of the cooler environment. Don’t get me wrong, visiting the night market during the summer is great but with the sun and the heat from the food vendors, it can be a little too much humidity for me. Also, the Richmond Night Market in the fall does not get as busy as it would during the summertime. Speaking of food, you will not be disappointed in the selection they have at the night market. If you’re a foodie, this is the place for you! In addition, there are tons of vendors selling various types of products. My favourites are the cute little anime merchandise, and jewelry from small local businesses. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend the famous “Rotato Potato”, some cheesy Taiyaki, and delicious Okonomiyaki. As well as attending the live performances by local dance groups and bands.

Cheers to the upcoming fall season! Personally, I can’t wait for our city to be filled with vibrate orange leaves that looks like real-life paintings, and the upcoming holidays. Who doesn’t love a nice turkey dinner with your loved ones? Or dressing up as your favourite characters for Halloween for the best costume contest? I hope after reading I can convince you to get yourself some pumpkin spice latte and put on your favourite cozy sweater. And hopefully adding some of these events to your list of fall activities. Just remember to always have some sort of pumpkin spice beverage in your hand, a big warm blanket so you can be a burrito and decorate your home with cute little pumpkins! Oh, and you can’t forget about the pumpkin pies and caramel apples!

The Fringe Festival is back and better than ever!

Every September the annual Fringe Festival comes to town to express unique stories through the love and celebration of arts and culture. This festival was created in 1947 by six Scottish and two English companies that staged their own shows in Edinburgh along the top international shows at the time. Ever since then, The Fringe Festival has become the world’s largest arts and media festival in the world. As a fellow lover of arts and theatre, I’ve been attending The Fringe festival every year since the age of 17. Every year there are always new and unique shows that just brings a range of new perspective on certain topics in life.

One thing that I absolutely love about this year’s festival, is that if you’re unable to attend, there is now the option of watching the performance through live streaming. I know what you’re thinking, “is it even the same as watching the show on your phone or laptop?”, and the answer is yes. YES, IT IS! A theatre performance is no different than a Netflix show or an award show such as the Billboard Award, the Grammys, or even the Oscars. If anything, I believe that watching the live streams will be an amazing experience. Not only are you experiencing the show, but you can also listen to the experiences of those attending the live shows.

As expected, there are so many different shows that cater to everyone’s taste. The Fringe festival will be in town from September 8th – 18th, with exactly 10 days to watch all the shows. Which, if you think about it, it’s a great amount of time to enjoy as many if not all the performances being offered. However, since I am a student, time unfortunately is limited to me. But am I going to try to attend as many as I can? You already know the answer to that. After looking at all the shows, I can safely say that’s about a handful that I would be very upset at myself if I didn’t attend.

The first show would be Guys Don’t Journal by Michael Tranmer. Right off the bat as soon as I saw the name of the show, I knew it was something that I must see. Guys Don’t Journal is based on the memoir “satori Ananda” and offers insights into the male perspective following the end of a marriage. I personally find this extremely interesting because we don’t often see things from the male perspective. In addition, there is also a stigma surrounding men and their mental health. In society, just like the name of the performance “men don’t journal”, “men don’t talk about their feelings”, and “men don’t show their feelings”. I believe that Michael Tranmer’s take on this controversial topic will be extremely well done, especially with the storyline of divorce, which a great percentage of the population goes through. I think that the show can bring lots of positivity in terms of helping the viewers understand and view certain situations from different perspectives. As well as bringing happiness by showing what one can overcome after a tough event in their life.

The next show on the list is Discounted Hotpot Center by Anton Kit Chun Lee. Well first off, let me just say that I’m an EXTREMELY huge fan of hotpot. If anything, I go to hot pot at least 3 times a month which makes my stomach very happy but my wallet very sad. Therefore, anything with the word “hot pot” in it, you sure know that I will be reading or eating it. Not only is this show about food but the performer will be making a hot pot right on stage. Wish me luck that they’ll be giving hot pot out after the show. Discounted Hotpot Centre is an immersive culinary experience about a Hong Kong saleswoman struggling to sell her Hotpot package. Another aspect that intrigues me so much is that, as an Asian person who immigrated to Canada. I am a sucker for hearing about other Asian’s experiences in Canada. From the preview of the show, I can tell that it’s going to be a very wholesome and comedic performance that will leave the audience in high spirits and hungry, of course.

One of the last performances on my list is Juliet: A Revenge Comedy. Even since I can remember I’ve always loved Shakespeare; I was that one kid in English class that got excited over the fact that we had to read Shakespeare. And when it came to Bard on The Beach, I was there for every performance that ever came to town. Romeo and Juliet were my favourites out of all the Shakespeare novels. It wasn’t because it was said to be “the greatest, most tragic love story of all time” and “the star-crossed lovers”, by everyone important. The story was my favourite because I was never able to wrap my head around the fact that Juliet committed ‘suicide’ over a boy she had just met. So, the fact that Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, is a show about “What if JULIET doesn’t kill herself?” and follows Juliet on an adventure of recruiting a team of Shakespeare’s most famous female characters to find out why they’ve been forced to die in the stories. Personally, I think the concept of this show is beyond genius, it’s such a simple question that I don’t think people ever really thought about. Because as a Shakespeare lover, I too am quite curious to see how the performance will build up the storyline for that. Also, who doesn’t love women’s empowerment right?

There are always so many events goings on in the city of Vancouver, but The Fringe Festival is one of the best arts and cultures festival on the lower mainland. Every year the shows are always so incredibly creative and well-written. With the addition of each show leaving, you with a glimpse and new insight into certain life situations. And often leaving you will the feeling of joy, laughter, and gratitude.