A look into 2009

Gosh, time flies so quickly. It seems like just 3 months ago when I saw the fireworks at the countdown in Sunway. And now, its time for another countdown. Did time fly past because I was too busy doing stuff rather than enjoying life? Or did it just whiz by because I was living in my own land.

But whatever it is, I realized that I wasted a big part of the year feeling miserable. I was down but I know that I need to put in an effort to pick my self up. And I did put in lots of heart space into pampering my self and making 2009 yet another year to remember!

Just like all newspapers have their most memorable events of the year, here are mine too. In no specific order.

1. Going to Japan. Something I dreamed of and somewhere I could only watch on TV. But
touching down in Japan was the happiest moment of 2009. The lovely memories. I will
be back in Japan again!!

2. Seeing snow for the first time in Japan. It doesn't snow in Tokyo but somehow, a
few flakes fell and it was just stunningly beautiful. Nature is so perfect and
magical.

3. Completing my diploma in Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore in Clinical Hypnosis.
It is something that will lead me to a good future and at least, my wish for
studying abroad was sort of fulfilled.

4. Meeting good friends. Some became my mentors, some my confidantes, some my guardian
angels and some who are just wonderful to be around with.

5. Climbing up Gunung Batur. The volcano on Bali. Never would I have thought I could
achieve that feat ... its a great challenge and it proves that when you want to do
it, you can do it!

6. Great outings with friends and families, the dinners, movies, parties, chit- chats
that will always be appreciated.

7. Zorbing, ab-sailing ...... little thrills that I would never forget.

8. A trip to Hong Kong. Though hot and I ended in a HK police station and came back in
a wheel chair .... it was truly an long needed break.

9. Being a chee- mui for Sue Yee and joining her entourage to Sandakan. It was fun ...
planning the games to trash the boys and I got my little share of sight- seeing too!

10. Having a milestone challenge at the end of 2009. It gives me the drive, toughens
me up and braces me for the big big world out there.

11. A lovely break with friends in Genting. It was raining and oh so cold. I really
enjoyed the chat with a friend as we shiverred outdoors. Crazy but serene.

12. Having a road trip and bbq by Port Dickson. Catching la-la and playing on the
pebbly beach. We just never get tired of outings with friends.

13. A 10 year anniversary since my highschool graduation. We still keep in touch and
meet up for drinks .. but boy, how time flies and we are all different and grown
up.

14. Falling in love with music, my friends, my family, puppies and over grown puppies,
food, fun, exploration.

My pick me ups!

When I am down and out, it doesn't take much to make me happy again. We sometimes need a good cry and sometimes, perhaps to binge on a tub of ice cream (gosh, is that why I am growing so fat lately?).

But at my lowest and darkest moments, my friends have been there to pick me up. A short phone call or a cute picture brightens me up. A sms or a nudge on msn does wonders to my otherwise dreadful day at work.

I couldn't be more than grateful for my friends and family who have done so much for me .... I guess you guys are what that kept me sane! Thanks a bunch!

And the latest boost that I received on one of those down days .... (drumrolls!!) ... Instant snow all the way from Sweden!! Thanks Johan!!

And happy belated Christmas everyone!!

Random thought #3

I need a holiday and I need a break. I want to go somewhere different and not care about the things going on around me. I don't want familiarity but I am worried about security. I want to do something memorable and not regret my decision.

I want to jet off to somewhere far away and be amazed by the culture. I want to see things that I have only watched on TV. I want to taste cuising from the most authentic kitchen and I want to hear words that I can't pronounce.

I want to be alone yet I want to be with close friends. I want silence yet I need music. I am confused and I am trapped. I want to open up and see the world. I want to explore .... any takers?

Is there ever an escape?

Looks like however positive I try to be, the energy just gets sucked right out. What ever I do to help my self right now, it will be rudely interrupted. There is only one thing I can do now ... drop my bag and run !! But I can't do it now .... but the bag is getting heavier and heavier, its becoming a burden both mentally and physically.

When I decide to pamper my self and get away, when I do what ever it takes to take leave, I still get rudely harrassed. What does it mean that 'it is alright that you go on holiday but the rest of the world is working and you have to pick up your phone?' How ridiculous can that comment get? How much longer can I take this nonsense. Yet, for other reasons, I have to struggle on.

How else can I keep myself happy? How else can I stay afloat and not let it affect my life?

Ways to pamper yourself

We always think of spas, distant vacations, buying a new gadget or indulging in some 5 star dessert. I know I've always said this but never really got to doing it.

I checked into Westin KL. Yup, I became a tourist in my own home city. The year has been rough for me and stress has been piling up as well. So now, seeing that its the festive season, I need to bring cheer into my own life and pamper myself too. No one is more precious than ME! If I don't treat myself well, then no one would.

So off I went to KL. Did some shopping in Lot 10, Sg Wang area ... something which I have not done in ages. Then checked into the hotel. Did some 'oohing' and 'ah-ing' in my hotel room and went for a swim. The water was super salty, but I suspect that the water was treated as my skin felt so smooth after that. Then soon after, it was dinner time back in KL with friends (sigh, the traveling), and finally back to the hotel for some beauty snooze .. Well, Westin is famous for their 'heavenly bed'!

The next morning, I went for another dip in the pool ... and came out silky smooth (hmm, I must bathe in salt water). Time really flew ..though I did not have enough of the 5 star luxury, I had to check out. Went for lunch with my folks in Saisaki Jap buffet across the street. Yum yum, first I pampered my mind and body, then I pampered my tummy.

I would seriously recommend this kind of retreats to anyone.

Who do I believe?

You know at times, some people say Vanilla ice cream is good for you. But sometimes chocolate flavour will make you feel happier. Yet your stomach craves for mint flavoured ice- cream. So which flavour would you take.

Trust me, those who asks you to take vanilla or chocolate would not harm you and give you bad advice. But you trully know that ice-cream makes you fat. Yet your mind is considering whether to take a scoop to satisfy the cravings or whether to trash it down the bin and waste the hard researched for Baskin Robin's secret recipe. People around might be putting in laxative, wishing to trap you .... eesh eesh eesh, life is indeed scary.

Yes, there really are so many decisions in life to make. Important ones. Take one wrong bite and your future might be messed up. Ones that will either make you or break you. Unless of course you want to live the life of an ice- cream vendor just happily ringing his bell as he rides his bell through the neighbourhood.

10 years on ...

In 1999, I can still hear the final bells of school at 3.15pm. Finally done with high school. And at that time while I was dressed in my pinafore with white shoes, grey tie and shiny name tag, I thought I was all grown up and ready to face the world.

Now 10 years later, here I am thinking, wow! ... time flies. In a blink of an eye and it has been a decade. I am really grown up? Am I really free? So much has happened in between. Shit happens, and so has joy and pride. I had my braces done, had wonderful vacations, had my first job, had a few accidents and had unforgettable moments with friends. So can I say it was a 10 year period well spent? Well .... I am not sure but I know I did learn a lot.

In 1999, I still remember all of us in school uniform in Form 5 at the corner classroom on the 3rd floor all looking down from the balcony and taking a group photo. And here we are now, gathered in a wedding dinner of one of the 'gang', acting like excited little children again, REUNITED. It isn't as if we dont meet up occasionally or it isn't as if FB was never invented. But it was a lovely occasion with our form teacher present too! Thanks Zhi Yang!

Though only about half the class was present, it felt like 1999 again. I can't wait for our Get-together in February !


Yup, it was late and only a few crazy people like us stayed behind and chatted away till the cleaners sort of 'chased' us off.