See You Again, Leap Year...

"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different." - C.S Lewis

It's that time of the year again, to reflect and ponder upon the good and challenging days.

For us, the year kickstarted with a bottle pop of Ice Wine that we got from Germany. 

For the traditional Chinese, the year starts with CNY. This year, the whole clan made a trip back to Paddy Land - Kedah. We were tremendously blessed by our aunt who did an extensive renovation to accommodate almost (if not more than) 20 of us in a house.

Being back here is the final touch to our CNY. The wind brings humidity, sweat but also serenity. There's just so much more to embrace and feel like we've nothing to lose unlike the fast paced living in the city.

Grams and their grandchildren, missing Wei Sheng!!

Red packets, courtesy of Kor hehe

February 2016 was also the month I firmed up my decision to bid goodbye to professional practice. Months leading up to this were draining because well, cliche as it is, it was a tough decision to make. From convincing the people I love that I knew what I was doing to assessing supportive comments, ensuring they are not saying things merely for the sake of comforting me.

Every step I take in my career, there are takeaways. PwC was the first step out of my comfort zone. Gaining much more than work experiences to shout about, I brought with me friendships I never knew I could have at work, leadership I could look up to.. and of course the competitive environment that I hope my attempts to excel in were evident :)

Being close to tears on my last day, that's definitely a first despite a short tenure. PwC has given me much more in that span of one year... I wrapped up this chapter feeling very grateful and blessed.

March brought me home, again. My mini "career break", some would call it.

I had my daily dose of home brewed black coffee (爷爷泡的茶), chicken shredded noodles (so much so, grams had to distract me with other breakfast goodies available, all of which were unsuccessful), and met my main objective of coming home...

Under the guidance of 符老师 (aka grams), I made my very first Rice Dumplings! What a feat with the technicality and constant practice grams made me go through days before the actual wrapping.

Confession: I've forgotten how to do it already. Shucks!

***

April 2016 marks an unconventional step in my career.

Unlearning most of what I think I knew and took a bold change into recruitment. As at 31 December 2016, it's 9 complete months in recruitment and I would describe it to be a thrilling, heart wrenching roller coaster ride. Some days are especially so with challenges thrown at you when you least expect it, some days you feel like you're at the top of the world and some days you find yourself striving to stay afloat.

But one thing's for sure, you reap what you sow.

The look of no regrets :)

On top of that, I materialised a secret dream of having my hair colored oddly! An undertone that's bright red. Splurged quite a fair bit for my first time at Number76. Loved how the color turned out to be. Yay!

I also took a flight on my own, for the first time... to Singapore. It was a day of being independent, paranoid and chaos. All for my one and only kor's ROM.

Despite all the drama, I'm glad I made it in time to the venue! With no local contacts available, I bought my own train ticket to the venue, got lost walking around the area and arrived at the venue all sweaty and as soon as I bumped into my kor, hot tears started streaming down my fat cheeks.

It was worth the stress... because my kor and Rebecca (大嫂) looked so good all dressed up. Maybe I cried because I felt like I'm losing my kor hahahaha I kid! :P

***

May 2016 was my birthday month. Here's one with the initial team, including most of my interviewers.

I'm not big on birthdays, as in I do not like going around shouting about it. Trust me when I say it was an awkward way of how my team was informed about my birthday LOL

But most of all, it ended on a simple note with the love of my life. Last birthday as a single lady! :)

This year is a year of poking candles into food. I kept imagining having ramen as my birthday cake days leading up to it, so I got a candle from donowhere and asked my love if he'd play along with my ramen "cake". Hehe~

June 2016 saw the official launch of the LRT extended line into my hood! Nothing like rejoicing for extra 15mins of sleep now that the station is just a 5-minute drive from home haha

July was another month of celebration.

Rekindled my love for concert with complimentary tickets from Uncle whose academy is the official make up for Jolin Tsai, PLAY tour concert stop in Kuala Lumpur! Invited a concert freshie along with us too (this is you, Shuang). haha

Fantastic showmanship despite the weather which also resulted in a minor slip at the start of the concert!

Attempted canvas painting for the first time too! Can't say I'm a pro but I impressed myself even with end product hahahaha #selfpraise

It was meant as a gift for...

My birthday boy!

Similarly, last birthday as a bachelor! hehe and yes, poke candle into sashimi! #wholenewlevel

***

August 2016

The Thailand trip for our Finance team happened! Dodgy~ nuff said...

***

September 2016

Did a couple of short trips with my love. Up north to Ipoh, down South to Malacca and further down South to Singapore!

Colorful HDB at Rochor Rd that will soon be demolished

***

The last quarter of 2016 went by swiftly like the wind because I achieved my first milestone promotion with the Firm (funny how it's still called that)!

I also achieved my teenage dream to have a Mac to call mine! In fact, this post is drafted on it :) Gotta thank my Pappi for instilling in me the habit of "delayed gratification".

Also did my first gelish manicure! I've always not been a fan of my nails but wow... I couldn't believe my nails when the lady was done with it. Didn't know my nails had the potential to be pretty too!

***

Year in year out, we lament to ourselves that time flies. Thing is, what about 2016 flying past too quickly that you have not done enough yet? Let that kickstart your 2017.

2016 for me in summary has taught me that the impossible is doable. It has been a fruitful year of learnings and it's not enough because 2017 is going to be an even more challenging year with our economy, milestones to achieve etc.

Here's wishing you a Blessed New Year!

See yall next year! Toodles~

2015: The Ups and Downs

Today, like a book; we've come to the last page of the year. Page 365 of 365.

Most people do summaries in just a short paragraph on how 2015 has been for them. I'm a wordy being, in case you haven't realised! :D

So, the most commonly said phrased today would be "time flies" and it IS true. But what matters most is to reflect on what happened in the past 12 months. Here's mine...

January 2015

The year started off with a *pop*. I tendered my first resignation in my career. It was a move to enhance my portfolio and also to test how much I could be stretched further.

I was blessed with a smartphone and hence, FINALLY grew out of my ancient half-touchscreen-half-keypad Nokia phone! :)

February 2015

 

It was time to bid farewell to the Firm who has groomed me for the past 3 years. It was a choice made for the better good. Nonetheless, I'm truly grateful for the people, work life, friendships built and moments created. Nothing would ever replace those 3 years of foundation.

In the name of farewell, we did outrageous stuff. I love singing Karaoke, and we sang for 7 frickin' straight hours and left the mall, back to the office at 2am the next day. Have I mentioned that it was quite a memorable piece of my life? :)

To the team who has watched me grow, including those who are not in this photo... youknowwhoyouguysare, Thank You all from the bottom of my heart. Thank You for the time invested, patience, guidance and for being through parts, if not throughout the 3 years of my tenure with the Firm. May CPTX3 continue to remain bonded and grow stronger!

I spent time preparing with Chinese New Year and it was an eye-opener at how much work needs to be done just to ensure that Chinese New Year is the grandest of all occasions throughout the year.

Soon after, I started off my new chapter at the Number 1 Firm in Malaysia. It was a blessing in many forms and I am grateful when it all fell into place.

March 2015

Came the month when 2 of the most important men in my life were at their weakest points. Ken Wooi went from this (refer photo above), to....

This handsome young chap with NO GLASSES, ANYMORE! :D

April 2015

(Photo credits: Mr Ho)

Attended my first ever Company trip throughout my "career" - Away Day @ Avani Sepang Gold Coast.

I was ecstatic because, well, who doesn't like a short weekend getaway!? What's even better? Fully sponsored by the Firm/Bosses! :D

May 2015

It was my month and everything that happened throughout was simply beautiful. A whole green tea cheese cake to call mine (thanks, Love), celebratory meals after meals after meals, rolling pin and a hipster purse as birthday presents, and many other simple moments enough to light up my month.

Thank You, Lord. :)

June 2015

Meeting Marina courtesy of the Firm's Diversity Week. She's such an inspiration and I admire her for her boldness and honesty in her simple speech. No sugar coating, just being who she is.

July 2015

July, being his month; I had tax filings to juggle alongside. It's a feat every single year but we pulled through. Thankful for his understanding and here's his FRIES CAKE!! Last year I gave him a Burger Cake hahahaha :D

August 2015

We lost my paternal grandmother. I'd admit that I felt a tinge of regret but I didn't let it get the better of me because I believe that gramma is in a much better place now, free from worldly sufferings. It was also a "Joyful Departure" because she passed away at the age of 90 (according to the Lunar Calendar).

It was a first for me. Losing someone this closely related to me. It was... not quite a shocker, but I wished we had more time together. We bid farewell without tears for most of the send-off journey. We were told to remove all foot wear, and put on white socks and in the photo above, our socks-clad feet were sizzling on the scorching hot tar road. A symbolic ceremony, they called it. The final departure.

What's new to me was that we were then told to be dressed in RED RED RED RED RED after the send-off as a sign of celebratory of gramma's passing on. Joyful Departure, remember?

I'm still not quite used to gramma having left us. Chinese New Year 2016 would be different, so different without her. I miss her stories of the years during the Japanese occupation and how she would repeat the stories without even realising it. Heh.

I miss her.

September 2015

Hello Kitty-fying his room is my life mission. Nuff said! Then came pillows, plushies and everything else. HEH

October 2015

I know this is the photo yall would be MOST INTERESTED IN hahahahaha

Yes, The Proposal at the Top of Europe - Jungfraujoch.

As we've mentioned, this was indeed a trip of a lifetime! The proposal was a total surprise to me as I didn't see it coming, at all. Despite having friends who kept telling me that he might pop the question, I brushed them all off, because, well... if it's gonna happen, then it will.

Thank You for making me your lucky girl. :)

November 2015

Spent the second last month of the year adjusting back to the usual routine after our trip of a lifetime.

The family gathered in memory of gramma's 100th day since passing on. No tears but gratefulness, that because of gramma, we are gathered together again in Malacca.

I also did impulsive stuff like meeting up with Kor during his 1-hour flight transit time while waiting for the next flight back down South. That's how much I love my Kor :)

December 2015

A celebratory month of Christmas, Winter Solstice and the end to a beautiful year!

It was truly a colorful year of experiences. However, I do have to say that it wasn't the most accomplished year for me ever since coming of age. Nonetheless, I'd say that I've much more to be grateful for than to sulk about. Life is all about the balance and seeking the joy in adversities.

Here's a toast to the colorful year soon to pass, and a fruitful & healthier 2016!

BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU! Thanks for letting me share my year 2015 with you! :D

Close to 6 Months

Can't believe it's been close to 6 months since I last wrote. I started this (new) space on blogosphere in hopes that I could share more about my love for food. And then, I let it all slip away, again.

My drive to work everyday has been filled with prayers. Short. Simple. Sincere ones. I cannot thank Him enough for the open doors, and blessings that He has flourished my life with.

I miss writing.

As I am drafting this out on a Saturday morning, April is coming to an end in the coming week. Can't seem to have any description for such a feeling other than, "time flies".

Life is moving at too fast a pace, that we tend to overlook God's presence in our lives. It may not be applicable to all, but it definitely happened for me. I do not feel happy about it. I do not enjoy being away from Him. Yet, He never draws away. But rather, He'd draw me closer to Him, working in ways that I'd never imagine.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17

As May approaches, I turn a year older. :)

Age is merely a number to call. Age does not define one's maturity. 

This post is a post of random thoughts. You never know who is watching over this space. Waiting for you to mess up. Waiting for you to slip a negative thought that they can hold against you. Cyberspace is a fun place to hang out at, yet, it brings danger beyond great measures that are irreversible. 

In this day and era, accessibility is everything. With Google Glasses, the Internet, Facebook, Twitter and whatevernots, knowledge and harm is just a button's click away. Do you let loose? Do you share your personal life on social media platforms as though it is merely a personal space? Do you share nothing more than what others deserve to know? Or do you share just nothing at all?

I've been on Dayre lately. Only when I am spending time w the BF; because I do not own a smart phone, YET. ;)

One of the Dayre user's post caught my attention. In it, she shared this: "How real is REAL?". In other words, how do you even KNOW that someone real, IS INDEED.... REAL.

It struck me. One can only be as REAL as how REAL he/she wants the world to perceive them. Yes, there may be those who still think that the "real" is not real enough. But, still, some would take the "real"ness as it is. 

I, for one, take people at face value. Show me your sincerity, in return, I will give you in kind. :) But if you choose to hide behind that mask, only because you are building a wall in your heart and mind so high up that you are beyond reachable for me, then the mask I shall return you with.

I believe in the good. I believe also that when you meet bad people or get entangled in bad things/ situations; walk away. FAR AWAY. God put me in the latter situations for a reason. 

... for me to be able to differentiate between bad people/ bad situations from the good ones. Which helps me appreciate the good people/ good situations all the more.

I've been meaning to write in a long long while. Writing is my therapy as how retail shopping is to the female species. I love writing. I miss "verbal" diarrhea on this cyberspace called mine (where eyes could be watching).

This is me. This isn't about anyone else. Take the above as a pinch of salt and apply it to your daily life if it makes perfect sense to you. Otherwise, thank you for reading.

Have a great weekend! xx