Reflection of 2009

I've not been updating for awhile now. Mainly because I have been busy traveling and taking the easy way out by storing all the happenings and memories in a photo album on facebook. People say pictures paint a thousand words. But just a thought I'm throwing out here, how often do we misconstrue pictures with the wrong words?

As we inch closer to the end of 2009, I look back at the year with gratitude. A year ago, I was at the brink of losing my job with the uncertainty of my then company giving way to the world economy crash. Almost a year ago, I gave up on my 5 yr relationship and decided to soldier on alone in 2009. A year ago, I was eating hawker food and maggie mee five days a week as a staple meal, while leaving away from home. A year ago, I was a fresh grad still reeking of the stench of my photocopied university notes. A year ago, dad was living abroad as well, and the family was separated in 3 ways.

I started my 2009 with uncertainties and many worries. Not knowing if this year will be better than the last. But as fate or karma or buddha or kuanyima would have it, my life shifted gear and started picking up again. I am a firm believer now that good things do happen when you least expect it. It is when you relieve yourself of expectations and worry, and put things into action with the hope and faith that you're doing the best you can, things will fall into place. Call it the law of attraction or whatever, the power of optimism works!

I got a job offer from 3 companies in a week, met someone (or rather saw him in a different light) utterly amazing, accepted the job offer with an NGO, fell in love with amazing, dad got a good offer back home, family is still separated in 3 ways but we're good, had a wonderful year traveling both for business and leisure, had a raise and bonus after half a year, learn so much more professionally, enjoyed working with the company, in addition to having so much fun this year.

There's not a thing from my past I would trade as it had brought me to where I am today. So 2009, thank you for providing the space and time for such wonderful memories. I sincerely hope that 2010 will brim even more with happiness, love, joy and success for me and all my loved ones.

In case I do not post anything before that,
Have a Merry Xmas and an even Happier New Year!

Cheers!

I love Novembers as much as I love you

Wow, it’s been almost a month since I wrote something. Did I hear a snort?

Things at work is picking up full speed, my trip to HK was as those of you who had followed me on twitter/fb, very fruitful. Leaving me with a large burnt hole in my pockets in which I can still smell the stench until now.

Last month was the bf’s 25th birthday, and my proudest moment to date was successfully throwing him a surprise party! I roped in his friends, my friends, his sister, booked the venue, made up a cover-story, crossed my fingers and wished for the best.

His friends were quite skeptical of being able to fool him, after all, he is the master of tricks. So I was thinking, “Okay, I’m fine if he finds out prior to the surprise. As long as everyone can get together and celebrate this quarter of a century milestone of his life with him.”

Little did I know that my lovely bf was super trusting. I’m so happy really, that I played a part in making his 25th a memorable one. Too bad no one had a camera to capture his shocked face when he walked into a room full of his friends. Lots of love hon. :)

********

On Monday, the office doorbell rang, I looked up and what do I see? Lo and behold, a vase of beautiful white lilies. Really, where did I find you?
This card came along with the lilies
They have since bloomed into a bunch of wild looking lilies which looked utterly beautiful and smells heavenly!

The only thing left now is Friday - when you return.

I see your true colours

When the Brazillian colleague left for the day, she gave my Exec Dir air kisses on both cheeks, telling us that’s how they say hello and good bye in Brazil while all of us just gave her a wave. And I was just thinking, she must think us Asians as an individualistic bunch, what with us being so anal about keeping our distance and close proximity should only be between people whom you are close to, family, spouse, friends, partners, etc.

Then I thought of how some Malaysians who adopted that way of greeting people – air kisses, wearing all hip hop-py, etc. I don’t know. I’m just a little, okay quite irritated at them, MALAYSIANS, born and bred in Malaysia greeting their fellow Malaysians with air kisses. Hello? You’re in Europe now kah? You’re greeting an European? You’re not Malaysian lah? You know the saying, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So I would understand completely if you are in a place where it’s a norm for people to greet like that or you’re greeting someone who greets others that way. Heck even I have given air kisses to business associates hailing from UK, Aus, etc. But that’s because it’s their common way of greeting.

But come on la, like I said, if you’re from Malaysia, in Malaysia and are greeting people from Malaysia and in Malaysia, greet in the Malaysian way la. Wanna kiss kiss on both cheeks all, especially my BF’s cheeks!! Grr. Slap you ah! What a poser. I was jealous like that. And THAT was what I felt then la. Just like that Malaysian artist – trying to be all hip hop, rapper, with your blingblings etc. Seriously, if you were in Malaysian Idol against the Mat Rock from 2nd season, I would so have voted for the Mat Rock, just because he’s original.

Why should I care about how others want to live their lives right? It is after all their own experiences they are creating for their own lives.

I guess I was once like that too - trying to adopt a foreign lifestyle as my own just because it seems cool to be associated with it. But now that I am much older than I was at that phase and a little bit wiser, why shouldn’t I be proud of my own ‘rojak’ culture?

When I was in SG, I was so glad that I am Malaysian, we are like this special species where we could incorporate 3 different languages/dialects in one sentence during conversations. I am starting to embrace the little quirks that we as Malaysians do. The good ones la of course.

So my whole point is that, why try to be someone else? Are you that insecure in your own skin/culture that you have to adopt someone else’s? Take the time to appreciate the culture you are in, however screwed up it might be at times. At least it’s your own.

This is such a lengthy post stemmed from what happened today and the other day.

I may be biased coming from a jealous angle, but it’s my two cents lah.

Biar Ori, Jangan Copy. (supposed to be ‘Beli ori, jangan copy’ hehe)

TGIF!

I'm excited till I'm anxious!

Excited with the thought of seeing you again
Anxiously looking at the clock ticking away until I can leave to pick you up
Although it'll only be for a few days, we'll have lots of fun house hunting and costume hunting this weekend. And then it'll be back to phone conversations for another week.

It's a busy month ahead.

But no matter, you're coming home in approximately 2 more hours! :)

*****
Was just thinking last night as well. I miss spending girly time with my mom and sis. And also family dinners. Haven't had one of those in a while where previously we'd have one every weekend without fail.

Everyone's so busy.

Nevermind. It's Friday!

071009

Running by the hills
Face caressed by the cool breeze
Skin kissed by the sun rays
Salty air to tease

All the things I love
Of the two places I miss
Thoughts dancing away
You will put me at ease

I'm young, I'm old
I'm up, I'm tired
Would you mind
Really, it just seems right

Catch 22

I hate my curiousity.
It troubles me.

But I like knowing.

:(

What happened in Pangkor #1

I was having a wonderful time in the office toilet and I remembered a particular incident that happened in Pangkor (I do my best thinking in the toilet. Don't we all?)

Like any normal travelers, we bought junk food to be consumed along the way and given that we left at 8am, these were necessities to keep us full and happy. Upon checking in at PLR's jetty office, where we have to leave our bags with them so that they can transport it to the island, bring it to our rooms etc, so I kept the remaining food in my luggage bag - Pringles, sandwiches and water.

All is well, we arrived, checked in, had lunch..

When our bags arrived to our rooms, being wary of all the food with my clothes in the bag, I wanted to separate them asap, lest i attract ants to my panties and bikinis. I opened my bag and the first sight that greeted me was, Pringles everywhere!!!

The cap of the almost full pringles bottle dropped off in the midst of all the movements and spilled 90% of it all over inside my bag.

Naturally, I panicked and squealed like a girl to the bf, "You seeeee!!! My clothes all got crumbs!! It's everywhere!!! Your pringles laaaaaaa!!!!! Help me take it out!!!"

I took my bag to the bathroom section (Bathroom's huge, dont even know what to call it. Picture below!) and started taking the crumbs out. The bf joined in my quest to clear my bag and clothes of the crumbs. So i sat on the floor while he stood, he took out my clothes one by one and dusts the crumbs off them over the bin. Me? I sat there, scooping the crumbs out and putting them into the bin and in my mouth.

The whole scene goes - him, diligently cleaning up my clothes and bag; me, sitting on the floor, eating; It sounds like this:
BF: "LINGGG! Don't eat it!!"
Me: "Hehehehe" Nyam nyam crunch crunch

But to my defence, I did clean ok. Just that I detoured a bit la. It's still edible what, don't waste.

This got me thinking, I guess this somewhat describes each of our personality. When problem arises, he will jump right in and solve it. Me? I sit, take my time and enjoy the crumbs first before putting everything back in order.

Not all the time I'll be like that though. Neither is he. But it's a good glimpse of our complex characteristics.

Here's the picture of our luxurious, spacious bath area. I hope to own a bathroom like this one day.
Nice eh? There's two cupboards on each side opposite both wash basins.

:(

It's the time of the month again.

I'm easily upset and irritated, I'm tired and sleepy all the time. Plus, I feel about as bloated as a hot air balloon.

Not helping is the fact that I have to be in KL at 830am tomorrow. :( Oh my sleep. I'll have to plaster a smile and switch on my PR mode and talk to people twice/triple my age - while acting like I know what the world is going through.

Why haven't you replied me? It's been 2 hours.

And, to think that you'd be gone. Again. :(

:(

Stupid p. Won't you come already! Bring back my sunshine!

Very long one. Because I feel like it.

The bf has been flying to KK for work very often lately. Most recently was last Thursday morning and this time he'll be there for 2 weeks. This is the longest we have ever been apart in the last half a year that we've been a couple. And I do miss him dearly.

People say absence makes the heart grow fonder; they also say out of sight out of mind. I've been in a long distance relationship before and I hated it and would discourage anyone from going through it.

So what did I do to somewhat lessen the blow of the 2 week absence? I flew to KK for the weekend to spend some time with him and at the same time, visit the other side of my country.

We put ourselves up at the Shangri-La Hotel Tanjung Aru. Nice room, great view, but the downer, dirty beaches. Seriously, the beach there is no different than the murky waters in phuket or port dickson. But the company more than made up for it. :)
More pictures can be viewed here .

Oh, I've got a bunch of pictures from a slew of events that happened between the previous picture post and this. So i'm just gonna post the link for reference. Just in case, u know, you're not my friend in fb or something. But i doubt it.

1. In June, I went on a trip to Bali with the BF and his partners. It was really fun to go out of the country for the first time as a couple. Tho, we both were feeling under the weather for most part of the trip - him first then I joined.

More pictures here and here.

2. Then came Hennesy Artistry.

More pictures here.

3. Last month, we just celebrate the half year mark of us being a couple. It has been a wonderful 6 months. I know we always say this to each other, but i'm going to say it again, I never thought that I would find someone like you. Someone who resembles me so much that from being fast friends to where we are now - inseparable. I look forward to where we are heading to. :)

We celebrated belatedly at Tamarind Spring. This time no cake saying "Happy Anniversary Darling" and a diamond ring. Heheh. Quality drop edi ah? Just kidding love. I would be just as contented going for our ritual mango loh or loklok supper. Muah.

***********************
This has been such a mushy post. But what-ever. I am feeling emo and mushy.

I can't wait to go away again. This time what awaits me is the lush and relaxing Pangkor Laut Resort in 1 week's time! :)

No wait, I may be going to Bangkok before that..

Ghost of girlfriends past

For all my relationships, there is something that always comes between it. Something I think is a problem many women face.

Comparing themselves with the other women in their partners' lives - ex girlfriends, childhood friends, colleagues, etc. Do any of you do that yourself? I know I am guilty as charged.

This has created a lot of problems internally within my own thoughts and emotions as well as taken a toll on my relationships. Where I am constantly comparing myself. But then, why the need for that? Why do we girls do this to ourselves and to our partners? Are we not good enough that's why he chose us?

It's ridiculous. The Bf (the sweetheart) has asked before, why should I compare myself to them? Because according to him, I am incomparable. My answer is, I dont know. I think it's this innate curiosity chip built in us that makes us hunger for those information. What does she look like, how does her hair look, how does she dress, damn she has bigger boobs than I, oh crap she looks cute..etc. Then beat our other halves up for being with us. Poor boys.

I was driving on my way to meet Reen when I had this light bulb moment where I commanded myself in my head to "Stop comparing yourself anymore! You're the one he wants, love and is with!"

There really is not one reason for me bring myself down by comparing, but I do it anyways. Maybe just for fun. Maybe because I'm a masochist and I like the drama in my life. No matter what the reason is, it's suffering to keep doing so.

Therefore, to my dear BF, I promise I will do my best to stop comparing and bringing up other girls in our conversations. They are the past and will be kept in the past-vault with the keys buried deep. I cannot promise that their ghosts won't appear every now and then, but I do promise to try and keep them away with all my will power.

Now, how can i make them disappear once and for all in reality?

:p