Welcoming 2015 with open arms

Happy 2015! It's the dawn of a new year again & it's time to reflect what 2014 had meant to me. I found a job early this year & although it may not be the ideal job environment (again), I'm proud to say that I resisted the urge to move on too soon. It's probably because I had more pressing issues to focus on - my skin problem.

Never in my life I would've ended up as a sufferer of acne problems. I documented about the my journey not too long ago & felt glad that my persistence paid off. Having acne is not exactly life threatening but it was indeed a life changing experience. Seeing myself almost falling into a reclusive state because I was too embarrassed about how I looked & how others would see me; really left a deep scar on my self-esteem.

Thankfully, I got involved in other passion to keep me busy & alive. That's none other than signing up for a short patisserie course. During intensive 3-months course, I felt exhausted but very much happy & alive. I never knew baking can be so therapeutic. Surprisingly, I discovered more about myself that I never knew existed - my full commitment to pursue & achieve my dreams. With this task crossed out off my resolution list, I'm one step closer to building my dream business.

I'm definitely a much happier person in 2014 & I intend to keep it that way in 2015. Now that WL seems to be committed to lose weight, I can safely announce that my 2014 resolution is quite complete. Maybe there's no need to prepare a resolution list in this new year. I'll tell myself to stay true to my chosen path & strive for it. For a hundred-foot journey starts with a single step I made last year.

May 2015 be a kinder year for me & all of you out there. Happy New Year!

It's 2014!

2013 was indeed an eventful year that passed by without any hints of pity nor empathy. Like an age-old ritual, everyone scrambles to put down a new set of resolutions to be accomplished by end of 2014. I was referring back & forth to last year's post while composing this piece & came to a painful realization that my current situation is not any better than last year. I did managed to be more optimistic last year, however, I failed miserably in achieving the last 2 resolutions. Due to work commitments, I sacrificed all my other interests. As for WL, it was never easy to instill change to begin with.

While Grandpa had left us to be with God not too long after my New Year post, I left my job again to seek for a short break. Am I feeling the same demotivation I felt last year? Yes, indeed. Which is why I'm feeling anxious about finding a new job as soon as possible. On a positive note, I have laid down plans to pursue a pastry arts course. Shocking as it may sound, I'm eager to sharpen my baking & patisserie as part of my preparation to start my own business in the future. Lets just say that I'm determined to go through a career change when the time is right.

By then, I hope I'll be able to put my marketing experience to good use for the business. Naysayers beware! There is no obligatory reason for me to prove to you that I can do it. Instead, I choose to prove myself that I'm able to overcome this challenge. Therefore, I have made up my mind on what I intend to achieve this year.

1. Continue to spare time for my passion - especially baking
2. Persuade WL to lose weight - doesn't matter how much, as long as he does it
3. Stay healthy & happy

Those of you who have yet to set resolutions. it's still not too late to do so. Just be realistic about your goals. Happy New Year!

Welcome 2013!

Happy New Year! That's the first word I can think of while typing this post. I have survived the end of the world...duh! Do you even believe the world is coming to an end? I, for once, never believed in that prediction from the beginning. 21 Dec was just another last weekday before the much anticipated long Christmas weekend.

So, has 2012 been kind to you? It wasn't for my case. I was left with no choice but to leave a job I enjoyed due to political unrest within the organisation. Then, I was in between jobs for 2 months & experienced slight depression because I was getting weary of not securing one soonest while seeing my savings slowly deplete day by day. Just a week ago, I was feeling devastated hearing news that Grandpa will not survived any longer & was being put on a life support machine in ICU. Can you imagine so many things happening as I blog now?

Now that I've found a stable job that pays decent, I thought I would be a much happier person as the last 6 months had been one hell of a ride. After my last year's resolution was only a simple one - to stay happy & try to be positive. Seems like I failed miserably because I got irritated with everything & everyone around me; the fact that many things didn't turn out the way I expected it to be.

Grandpa has passed the critical stage & he's being moved to HDU, breathing well on his own. He's alert & energetic which I breathed a sigh of relief. I'd must admit he's a great fighter. He has taught me a good lesson - never give up & keep on fighting. Then, you will reap the benefits for all the effort you've contributed. Hence, I've giving myself another chance to fulfill my new year resolutions.

1. Be optimistic even when times are extremely tough
2. Spare time to pursue my passions - blogging, culinary & photography
3. Get WL to slim down by 10kg - difficult but possible XD

Last but not least, cherish your loved ones - be it families or friends. This won't be merely in my 2013 resolution, it's something I'll be doing in years to come so as long as my loved ones are around; alive & healthy. Happy New Year!

2012 is not end of the world

Another year came & gone by sooner than we expected. Here I am sitting down in front of my humble lappie (again), recollecting all the memories (both good & bad) that happened the entire 2011. I wouldn't be doing a year in review like how it was published in the mainstream media. Or else you'll be bored as hell cuz you probably read it many times.

What I'm gonna put down here is more on a personal level. My biggest event for 2011 would be...accepting WL's marriage proposal & had been engaged ever since. It was both thrilling & scary after making such a huge decision - even more significant than when I turned 21 - cuz it felt like I'm no longer a young adult. I'm transforming to become a fine lady & soon-to-be someone's wife. Although we haven't decided a date nor laid down any plans yet, we're targeting to register by year end. Whatever it is, getting engaged is a milestone achievement for me.

Somehow for the first time, I managed to fulfill some of the resolutions I made last December. Just to recap on what I hope to achieve a year ago:

1. Get a new job
   I quit my first job & moved on to another company in a different industry. Pay was in a way better but the unfortunate thing is joining at the wrong timing.
2. Save more money
   Indeed my savings have increased after a job change. Of course, it would be great if there's a pay rise.
3. Tidy up my junk
   I did some spring cleaning & managed to clear up a lot. But it's still work in progress. =P

With so many things happening around me, I resort to one resolution for this new year - to stay happy & try to be positive. There's no better medicine than be cheerful & optimistic each day. Of course, having good financial prospects would make a happy me but I guess I can't be too greedy, right?

So, is 2012 the end of the world? The Mayans could be wrong as there's no calamity so far. It's only January so lots of things could change in a couple of months. We shall see...meanwhile, here's wishing all of you a very Happy New Year!

New year, new resolution and...new toy?!

The new year came & passed by so quickly. Have you all set your new year resolutions? For the first time in my life, I actually thought carefully & listed out my new year resolutions. Not much, only 3 as I'm trying to avoid being too ambitious. Being realistic means at least giving me some form of assurance that my goals are achievable. That way, it makes this year a more meaningful one. =)

My 2011 resolution would be:

1. Get a new job.
2. Save more money.
3. Tidy up my junk.

Out of the 3, I have successfully achieved the first resolution for the year. Yippee! I've found a new job but I shall be keeping mum for now until everything's firmed up. =P Moving on the 2nd resolution, saving money is indeed a long term effort. I think I did ok in this aspect though there is definitely room for improvement. What's more, I think I have failed miserably. Why? Cuz I just splashed almost 3k for a brand new toy. XD I supposed the pics speak for itself.

Still not getting the idea? Then this should work.

That's riighhhttt!! I'm now the proud owner of an iPhone 4, powered by DiGi.

It wasn't a rash decision as I've been thinking of getting one but not so soon. I was using the Nokia Xpress 5800 previously owned by WL. Initially, I quite liked the phone for its good audio. Somehow the phone started to irritate me a lot cuz the OS hangs easily & its Wifi doesn't switch of even after we have manually did so. Its MSN was a nuisance cuz it doesn't receive new IMs by itself unless refreshed manually. What's more, the earpiece started going wonky as there were so many incidents when I had to receive urgent calls & I just couldn't hear the person on the other line. How frustrating!

Come New Year's Eve, me & WL were hanging out with our colleague when we came across the DiGi roadshow at the Golden Oval, 1U. I was tempted but contemplated much cuz I was supposed to only purchase it probably after CNY. And so I've decided to sign up the MNP, waited 24 hours for my network to switch from Maxis to DiGi before I went back to the roadshow to collect my phone. Thank God for the amazingly fast service. I would've died if the network is not ready & I couldn't collect it from 1U on the last day of the roadshow. Where on earth am I gonna collect my iPhone if I missed it & had to arrange a collection with the dude who services me but his office based in Kajang??

When it was my turn to collect, I was unfortunate to encounter some issues with credit card limits. It was sorted out quickly & yes, the phone is finally in my hands. Seeing the packaging somehow makes me feel both exhilarating & amazed at how slim & sleek it can be in order to store the phone.

Inside the box, there is a simplified version of the operation manual. For the complete version, you will need to download them from the net. What a smart way to save cost.

Due to the slim body & intricacies of the phone, a micro SIM is required to power the network. In order to insert/remove the SIM, a metal pin is provided to aid the process.

Every iPhone set comes with a USB cable cum charger & a handsfree earphones. Can't imagine such a compact box could fit so many items.

There you have it, a simple review about what's inside an iPhone 4 box. I'm still in the midst of getting used to typing text messages on its Qwerty keyboard & downloading the essential apps. Oh boy, I was supposed to be talking about resolutions. How far I've strayed away from the original topic. Let's get back on track. Speaking of resolutions, my 3rd resolution is to tidy up. That's err...a long-term commitment. Especially when it requires full cooperation from my roommate aka my little sis. Much of the stuff piling up high - important or trash - are basically hers. *sighs* Let's hope she'll do something about that.

As you can see, my progress in achieving my resolutions are not going too well. Haha! XD At least I've found a new job that pays higher, which eventually leads to higher chances of saving money (hopefully =P). Things should be better when I start my new job after CNY. =)

Celebrate New Year's Day, Viennese Style

My 2nd time watching an orchestra performance is more meaningful in a sense that it was meant to welcome a new year. A 2 hour show to be filled with Austrian or more specifically, Viennese waltzes to mesmerise the ever supportive audience. With the two tickets I bought last year...

...my sis & I trotted off to Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) witness the annual performance which has become a Viennese tradition for centuries. When we arrived, the programme books were sold out. Yes, the book is not FOC but we somehow managed to grab a photocopy of the booklet for our own reference. Honestly, we had no idea what the orchestra was playing before the intermission. The waltz & polka seem so familiar. Anyways, which classical music doesn't sound similar? *sighs*

Upon flipping through the pages, I was so esctatic to see my all-time favourite song listed in the playlist.

My heart skipped a beat; my stomach flipped as I was nervous & excited about the MPO's performance of Johann Strauss II's By The Beautiful Blue Danube unfolding before my very eyes. Watching Andrew Rieu & the Viennese Opera Symphony dazzling the audience on TV was more than enough to move me to tears. A grand finale would probably drive me to stand & applaud like a mad woman; screaming "Bravo! Bravo!" at the top of my lungs. XD

Well...? The show was fantastically superb which also featured a soprano with an amazingly good voice & a jolly, fun conductor that lightens the atmosphere. Four additional encores were granted by the conductor as a gratitude to our thunderous applause. I'd have to say...the last piece, Radetzky March really got the crowd going. What better way to cook up the atmosphere than to entice the audience to perform clap along with the orchestra. Definitely a good way to start the year.

Our tired but satisfied face show it all~

Hola 2009!

What a year it has been! Here we are, ushering another new year once again just like before. 2008 has been a sensational year for me - breakups, cramming for final year exam, plunging into the depths of depression & falling dangerously ill, graduating, getting a job, meeting new people & finally hooking up with a bloke that I fancy very much. How can the 22nd year of my life is of less interest to me after countless things that has happened?

I ain't got much resolution to make this year. Most importantly, I'm hoping for a healthier life (putting on weight is one of them XD) & a salary increment. Perhaps a job promotion too if all goes well. Not to forget a long-lasting relationship. Or striking a 30 million dollar lottery, if that's not too greedy XD. Here's to good fortune & a prosperous year ahead for the both of us & everyone else dear to me. Happy 2009, peeps! ^^

Christmas at 1 Utama & Happy 2008!

Yes, this is late. But who cares? HAPPY NEW YEAR! Forgive me for the lack of updates during the past few days. I was still working till New Year's Eve & then I was busy preparing for uni. It's the start of the new semester again -_-. Gosh, I'm so lazy to go back to class. Anyways, it's my final year in uni so the journey would be a rough one. For this year's resolution, I certainly hope to graduate with flying colours. Hopefully a First Class Honours though I highly doubt I'm capable of achieving it. Nothing is impossible but I'd better not be too confident nor over-ambitious with my goals. Lets just hope for the best.

So, there's a last set of Christmas pics taken on New Year's Day that I'd to share with you guys. They were taken at New Wing, 1 Utama Shopping Centre. I deliberately went there cuz I wanted to buy a new pair of sneakers. Didn't wanna go to Mid Valley Megamall as I went there several times in December. Since Christmas had just passed not long ago, I reckoned the Christmas decors are still around. So I took chances by bringing along my trusty digicam ^^. The pics turned good as usual so that's not surprising anymore. Here they are...

The Oval (New Wing, 1 Utama) at first glance.

How come I never good look in pics?? :(

I own 'zis tree, muahahahaha!

Hello, nutcracker soldiers~ ^^

Aerial view of The Oval.

I think I bought the hat half an hr ago XD.

Taken at Old Wing, 1 Utama. Love those trees! ^^

It's another new year again. So we should be good girls/guys & work hard to achieve our goals XD. Hopefully we'll get to see some fruitful outcome at the end of the year ^^.

-Picture of the month-

January 2008