2018: 8 Significances...and More!

It's the time of the year where it's almost illegal not to do a recap of how your year has been. I'm switching it up a lil bit this year by documenting 8 most significant milestones / moments 2018 has brought me.

All in all, I'm grateful for a fairly mundane year it has been (read: The 2017 Ride). Life is a matter of relativity and I've applied what 2017 has taught me, i.e. mundane is not a bad thing and not every eventful year is superb. Some of it brings life lessons to keep you moving on in life.

In no chronological order, here are what spiked up my graph of life events for the past 364 days. Easily summarised with family, love, work, nation, travel and personal hobbies.

CNY Wooi Style

The Lunar New Year is one occasion where we go big or go home. It is my first CNY spent as a Wooi and I must say, what an interesting experience of dressing up as part of the family, extravagant family mealtimes especially the ones homecooked by Mama Wooi and giving out angpows for the very first time as a couple.

Look ma, we even prepared our own lou sang! From slicing up vegetables and ingredients to decorating it with photos as guide. We did this for two lunches during CNY! The first one was badddd, thankfully when the extended family came for lunch, we brushed up our decorative skills soon enough with Jean and Jenn leading it this time lol!

Travels

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer" - Anonymous

Frankly, we started off the year with one trip in anticipation - Club Med Kani, Maldives. 

As an individual, I had a getaway with the Daisies to Bangkok. Shameless to say, it was my first time setting foot in Bangkok in my 28 years of living on this planet. It is said to be every girl's shopping heaven / Achilles Heel and yes, I did go crazy with my purchases so much so that the cash I brought thinking it was sufficient ran out! It was an eventful trip all in all!

Back to Maldives, we planned it to coincide with my birthday in May 2018. Lucky me! :) A bucket list destination ticked and it was a trip we never knew would do us so much good. Ken is typically a hardcore planner on our trips. For Maldives, he practically chilled and the only plan was which food section to go to at the international buffet spread (he goes to the same ones EVERY MEAL) and what activities to go for according to the schedule given by the resort.

Todate, this trip stands as the most expensive one if we were to average the price paid per day per pax. That said, to have Ken truly have a holiday on a holiday is priceless.

Here's a video recap of our Maldives trip.

As we approached Q3, Mama Wooi suggested for a trip to Vietnam! We held back the decision for a bit as Vietnam was a destination Ken wasn't too keen with because of how underdeveloped it is and that there'd be language barrier. He's very much a City Boy :) With the idea that we'll be on tour, we took up Mama Wooi's generous offer and decided to explore beyond our comfort zone.

This trip exposed us to the mountains and beaches of Da Lat and Nha Trang respectively. Reminded us very much of a higher altitude Cameron Highlands (Da Lat) where we also learned about the differences in coffee beans plantation and Vietnamese Avocados. It wasn't a trip that opened up our horizons on how poor the population is, but rather, how hardworking this part of the nation is yet laid back at the same time. Our tour guide, Xuyen shared stories of how working in HCM (or the locals call it Saigon *cues Vietnamese accent) is too hectic for him coupled with the high cost of living eroded by the influx of expatriates. Bringing up a family is better in the countryside. He also shared about how he leads different but same kinda tours - via bus and even a cycling tour! Imagine cycling 200km up the mountains...

Here's a video recap of our Vietnam trip.


We also headed down south to Singapore, a country I'd describe with so much familiarity and family but we so often take for granted. It's always a rushed trip and I'd almost always regret planning it that way. Then again, for the currency I pay, I might as well spend it somewhere further like Australia ya? :) Ken was there for work, so I took the opportunity to tag along.

Spent a couple of days working out of the Singapore office and spent weekday evenings with family and friends. Auntie Flora brought us to Beauty in a Pot, which we enjoyed very much! Think hotpot with collagen, mmmm~ 

Also bunked in at Kor's place for the weekend. I miss spending time being seated next to him, getting him to talk to me while his eyes are fixated on the computer. That's how we roll!

Making My Mark for Malaysia

The title of this part speaks volume. I voted for the very first time, missed the earlier one as we had a trip planned to Seoul. Refreshing my memory from May 9, 2018 gives me goosebumps. Six decades of legacy gave way to a reformation that Malaysia needed, badly. It was also a time where we saw the beauty of unity and the ugly judgement passed by Malaysians. The former brought victory to justice and the latter to those who did not vote & jumping the gun / being over sensitive to what our newly elected politicians have said and done.

I can go on and on hoping to get my point across of "not judging Malaysians who did not/ could not vote". But that's going to remain as my personal argument. With victory in our hands, Malaysians has a lot of growing up to do. We are not there yet, my friends. Malaysia is bruised, over capitalised from the core, and I'm not just making financial health references but the state of the Rakyat.

Deep down, I have a passion to stand up for what I believe in. People closest to me would jokingly say that not being a politician is truly a waste of my passion. I've said it. I'll also let God make a way. Perhaps, one day...

All-in-One Gift

Ken has always been talking about getting me a new purse. It stems from the thought of wanting me to be teased lesser by society arising from my (selective) frugality. Giving me the liberty of time and budget to choose what I wanted but I just couldn't bring myself to go shopping. Shopping gives me headache. #funfact

It took us easily more than a year to spot what I wanted. Joke is, I didn't get it right away and then we went scrambling over FIVE (5) malls only to find one mall back in our hood that has stock.

So yes, this is my generous husband with my Christmas-ROM Anniversary-Dating Anniversary-Birthday gift all in one!

If you were one of those who beh tahan my free wallet which I've been striding around in pride, the day I got this was the day y'all should rejoice for me. Haha!

Hello Kitty

When what you've always wanted meets what you love = Converse x Hello Kitty. Nuff said.

Embracing my love for Hello Kitty, my colleagues gave me a surprise birthday party @ McDonald's which came with some Hello Kitty elements! It was too cute and I loved every bit that allowed us to relive our childhood. For the record, I've never had a birthday party at McDonald's. I don't recall bugging my parents to have a birthday party at McD, maybe I'm just good with Daddy's delayed gratification life lessons :)

As if I'm slowly coming out of my closet with my love for Hello Kitty, I was thrilled to know that was an Our Sanrio Times exhibition going on in Kuala Lumpur! The power of a working adult is that I'm an independent woman who is perfectly capable of purchasing entrance tickets and convince my husband to come along while at it. :P Containing my excitement wasn't part of the plan and we went on the first day of the exhibition!

#LifeAtPage: MP Represent

Taking pride in what I do is best expressed when I'm given the opportunity to represent the Company. This year, I got two of such opportunity!

Being part of our very first Client Appreciation Lunch Event was refreshing an experience as we got to mingle with Clients whom we've personally worked with, putting a face to the name because it does get too busy for us to schedule a meet up but everyone has to eat lunch right?! The session was held over lunch and we invited a distinguished speaker from Leaderonomics, Caroline Ong who shared insights on the next generation of recruits.

The second opportunity came in the form of speaking to TARC students. It was nostalgic for me as we stepped foot into TARC, had breakfast at their cafeteria (where food was "student price") and walking around campus being the best form of workout. The audience were a mix of first years to final year students. Partnering with my fellow Daisy, Patricia for this experience was the icing on the cake! I loved how we complemented each other as our content for this single session was seamlessly combined. Truly the perfect expression of our passion for what we do!

Photo taken 2 years apart

I also took up an offer from my colleague to help manage our Company's social media account. Talk about combining the social media addict in me with work? Puuurrrfect!

#LifeAtPage: Promotion

With a roaring drive at the start of the year, I've finally achieved my next level of promotion in February 2018. It was an arduous climb worth every failure, sweat and tears leading up to it. #drama

Grateful for the team who has supported me in one way or another, not forgetting the #DeliciousDaisies who've been the anchor along the way.

#LifeAtPage: MVP Award

Culturally, Page had lots to catch up as we didn't exactly set off on the right foot for 2018. The management introduced an award where every month, there'll be an individual from the floor as "Most Valuable Pager" (MVP).

Well, when I first joined, they told me I can be anything. So, I became an MVP. #jokes

Extremely grateful for this token of recognition and assurance, whilst savouring my passion on the job. I've always strived to stay out of the limelight, hence, this is a testimony that recognition at Page goes beyond a popularity contest. Thank You to all those who believe(d) in me. God is good!

As I share with you the career highlights of 2018, I've subconsciously ranked work at the bottom of my list. I must say that amidst these highlights that are extremely minute to many at work and probably doesn't weigh the slightest, I'd bluntly describe the year to be an overwhelming one. Not in the best way, if I may add.

I wouldn't go into details but suffice to say, with change comes discomfort and I will continue to pray that this shall pass soon enough.

As always, time flies and here's a wrap for 2018! May 2019 be better and will time please slow down already?

The 2017 Ride

Phew! What a year it has been! Yes, yet another blog post looking back on the past 365 days.

In summary, 2017 marks some of the highest points in our lives but it has also marked the lowest points in our lives (read: our). I'm a married woman now, mind you. :)

All those who know me would know I hold these dearly - Family, Friendships, Food. I've had quite a fair bit of learnings so here they are -

Giving back to Daddy Mummy, my then Fiancé and I started off with an all expense paid trip to Phuket. It was also the first time he drove on a foreign land after much convincing cus I felt it would be help make us more mobile and be able to explore the island better.

Weather was fantastic and we only have the Good Lord to thank!

With the promotion in October 2016, came a rewarding experience @ Nobu. It was a dining experience I've read only on Timothy Tiah's blog, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself taking lifts after lifts (the size of the lifts gets bigger each time haha) to the 56th floor of Menara 3 Petronas.

Thank you, bosses!

The view to help with digestion...

Chinese New Year came sooner than expected and it was a rather heavy hearted one. It was my last one back home as Miss Foo. I look forward to spending it the Wooi's way but there will always be a tug in my heart missing the FooLeeQuah clan and spending time chilling around with my one and only sister.

The favourite three faces I will miss so dearly on the eve and first day of Chinese New Year. To think of it on the bright side, Daddy Mummy will now have a new daughter, my sister in law hehe :)

Second trip of the year was to Melbourne and it was the best decision made. Thank you, Mama Wooi! The plan was the help board Ken's sister who will be on a semester abroad programme. Side plan was then to do some site seeing and take some "pre wedding photos". We didn't hire any professional photographers because look how well the photos were taken by Mama Wooi and Jenn! Photos all taken with the Huawei P9.

February was an exceptionally short month, duh... and we made time pass by even faster with jam packed arrangements. Upon our return and freshly sun tanned, we had our Registry of Marriage the next day!

Legally married, signed and sealed on paper.

10 days later... I got a call from Ken in the late afternoon. I was told awhile ago he was walking into a meeting with one of the management's representatives.

The voice on the other line carried defeat, “Guess what? You were right”. His whole team were laid off in under 2 hours notice where all company’s proprietary had to be surrendered before 6pm.

It was one of those odd circumstances where it sucked being right.

For an individual who has aspired to deliver only the best, he who emphasises on making friends and allies than having enemies, the one who tries to approach difficult stakeholders even when told otherwise…

He was never once angry but rather, disappointed. When you think you’ve done your best to resolve the tension amongst parties, yet you are an inevitable element to the masterplan - A Convenient Dismissal. I guess that was what hit him.

There were many flaws of injustice in this situation, e.g. what offences have they committed that no warning letter(s) were due; was it a crime that 24 hours notice was too much to ask for; how could this happen to such a stable industry (read: Education); most importantly, is this in accordance to Labour Law or the Employment Act?

He could’ve done all that, yet, he chose to retreat, reflect and refresh.

You may say this is the most interesting bit of the entire post. I'm sure you're right. Everyone likes dwelling in negativity. But not my husband.

It was an eye opening experience for this 29 y/o man I'm proud to call mine. He even comforted and reassured me everyday that he is fine when I know deep down, he was so crushed. He is an individual with a high level of self awareness despite being a free thinker. We said our prayers and trusted in God to provide. He was always there to be the Amen to my prayers even if he only knew the God faintly through me.

18 days later, #LynnOnKen happened. We were ceremoniously married! :) I've a draft blog post but never got around to posting it because it is half baked. Perhaps I should sit down and get it done by our first anniversary.

Here is a typical look my husband gives when I set off on one of my cheeky adventures hehe

Clearly our favourite shot from our Garden Wedding

This for us, was the greatest highlight (positive one la) for us. Being married to my best friend, the one whom I love holding hands with, stare at while he drives and shoulders I want to rest on my whole life.

He was jobless, as dramatic as it sounds - kicked out of his job. Not the best circumstance to get married but we are grateful for the support and kind words extended to him especially during the darkest days of 2017. Me being at work sucked, because I was constantly worried if he was alright, how he felt waking up that morning, losing his source of income - a job he took pride in.

His vow to me was FIVE things he desired of me - to S M I L E (it's an abbreviation), while mine to him was K E N.

#LynnOnKen was perfect. It was exactly what we wanted and more that we didn't knew we wanted. I had a fairytale wedding in mind - Santorini, Greece. None of that materialised and at the end of the day, I'm glad we chose this wedding weekend we had in Ipoh.

Closest of family and friends who really mattered made so much effort to be there for us. Sure, the wedding banquet was mostly Papa Wooi's friends but it was simply so much fun to see all those who mattered enjoyed themselves. Ken and I were barely tired out at the end of the day. Our hearts were so so so full from the love extended to us. The hugs and words blessed upon our union as one... with Basetime Production capturing us so well. Till today, we still watch our wedding video (thank God for internet haha) and find it simply us!



Big thank you to my dearest sister for being such great help throughout the wedding. I know I am not the easiest person to deal with, but thank you for your patience and never once complained. Is it maybe because I brought you to the best foodie joints in Ipoh? Haha! Jokes aside, love you very much and you'll always be on my mind even if we miss each other at grams' place :) you're truly a gem in my life.

Our third trip for 2017 was for our honeymoon - back to our favourite place on earth.

We extended beyond London and explored more of the Northern side - Manchester, Edinburgh and Isle of Skye. They were each magical.

This was at Fairy Pools in Skye. Have I mentioned that the Good Lord was extra kind to have blessed us with perfect weather throughout our 2 weeks honeymoon? Edin and Skye are infamously known for its gloominess. LOL

Him being a kid on the Manchester United stadium tour. We even scored ourselves match tickets hehe

I also chopped off a HUGE tonne of my locks post #LynnOnKen.

Here's my husband being a goof as usual. hehe I think I married a clown.

Two of my closest friends also tied the knot this year!

A close college buddy married her best friend at a beach side wedding. Such a beautiful moment to witness their love coming together as one.

The lovebirds who have dated for 13 years, since we were in Form 2... I can only say, FINALLY!!!! hahaha

At her bridal shower

Most of all, my first of all best friends ceremoniously found a soulmate who would love him in good and bad times. Kor & 大嫂, wishing the both of you a blissful marriage ahead!

With every chance of friendship, comes the time to part. 2017 saw two farewells at work that was for the better.

Nuff said. 2018 leaves me uncertain, but a reminder to self that I have seen more back in my professional practice days. To stay steadfast in my goals, that is what I will march towards! :)

I also owe a great deal to my team at work who has been ever so supportive and more so, to a boss who aspires to inspire and relate to each of us. It is not easy being a boss like that because it drains you sometimes more than the rewards reaped.

Wayne, you inspire me for what I can be in the future.
Eugene, your drive for success is admirable.
Vanessa, your genuine warmth fuels me.

Here's a photo to prove that unfit people like me can survive the Extreme Skytrex Challenge! Haha Of course, not without my fair share of screams that echoes through the park.

That very much sums up 2017 for me.

2018 remains a land of unknown and I shall welcome it with open arms, gratitude, tolerance and to never lose faith in humanity.

Thank you for going through your toughest times with me, Bii.
No more you and me, just us. I love you.
To SMILE while we KEN for the rest of our lives together.

To read Ken's 2017: Out of Job, Tied the Knot, and Whatnot

Till then, XOXO.