My Year 2010

I didn't travel as much as year 2009 in year 2010. But still, I think I had a good year :)

The last two days of year 2010, let me recall what I did over the entire year.

1. Spent my 2010 new year countdown in Taipei with my family & some of my extended family (3 cousins & my Er Yi). We had lots of fun and laughter, one of my best new year countdown ever.
2. Went to Cameron Highlands with Yee Hau :)
3. Started a daily photo blog from April till July, until I found myself lost of inspiration. But it's really interesting, because I found myself appreciate my daily life even more than ever.
4. Took part in Singapore Blog Award 2010, and unexpectedly got myself into top 3 (based on votes). I didn't win the award, but it was really a great experience that I never regretted for what I did.
5. Got my first very "mempersiasuikan" video interview for Singapore Blog Award 2010!
6. Watched Yo-Yo Ma & Silk Road Ensemble live! Got myself teary, the heart melted when the feelings from the pieces filled the room.
7. Got myself new idol after Silk Road Ensemble concert, Wu Tong. His incredible voice gave me goosebumps!
8. Watch "The Love Violin Concerto" by Tan Dun premier, but what a shame, it wasn't conducted by Tan Dun himself.
9. Went to SiChuan snow mountain in September and teared when I stood under the snow mountain.
10. Realized I need Yee Hau in my life, because he's my "regulator". The two weeks without him, I had a very chaotic life.
11. Went to a coffee tasting class in Starbucks, had 3 cups of coffee in 2 hours and love it!
12. Went to wine tasting class, had 6 glasses red, white and champagne in 2 hours!
13. Made very important decision of my lifetime, and ever since then, I decided to be more spontaneous when I still have the chance.
14. Had a couple of small and warm parties in our messy little flat, love it, and want to have more.
15. Had a couple of glasses of red wine, stayed up whole night to chit chat, and decided to continue the crazy night with a morning jog! At the very same evening, went to Wala Wala for a drink again... A record!
16. Woke up at 10.10am, on my birthday 101010. (not planned)
17. Got an iPhone (my first canggih phone) as birthday gift from Yee Hau :)
18. Learned how to brew fresh coffee because I got a coffee maker set as birthday gift from Da Jie :)
19. One year anniversary for my braces.
20. Ran my Standard Chartered half marathon, not the timing that I wanted, but it's better than my first half marathon and I didn't get knee ache this time. Good enough.
21. For the first time in my life, I got shooed out from airport because of "pest control". Spent two hours sitting on my luggage trolley outside the airport, using free airport Wifi to chat with Yee Hau on iPhone. And that, made my iPhone the best birthday gift ever!
22. Went to Shanghai to spend my Christmas with Kia Hooi. It's a shame we got cheated by weather forecast, there's no white Christmas.
23. Took bullet train for the first time in my life. Travelled 169km from Hangzhou to Shanghai, took me 45minutes only. Top speed 350km/hr. Impressed!
24. Feel sick at Ningbo, and for the first time of my travelling history, I spent most of the time sleeping in the city rather than touring.
25. For the first time of my life, I wanted to go home so badly during a trip. It's most likely due to cold and sickness. Spent a lot of money SMS-ing Yee Hau & my mom during that period of time. Aww...

I think I did a lot more than the above 25 items, but I don't think I can recall them one by one.

I made mistakes along the way. Learned from mistakes and really appreciate the loving people around me (family, Yee Hau, true friends) who pointed out to me.

At age 27, I tell myself I'm still young and should still continue the enthusiasm to learn and enjoy life with full passion. And at age 27, I realized it's so important to know what I really want so that I can work and strive. It's still not too late to realize, I hope.

But most of all, I really want to thank the people around me who make my life so interesting! My family & extended families, Yee Hau, my friends (in real and virtual world) and my colleagues!

Year 2010 had been great, and I believe year 2011 will be better!

Happy New Year everybody!

Off to a Holiday!

I'll not be updating the blog probably, till next year.

I'll be spending some time in Shanghai, Ningbo & also HOME!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

芯荟，安息吧。

We wake up every morning to fight with our alarm clock.
She woke up everyday, fought for her life.

We complain when we're having minor flu and cough.
She suffered from multiple seizures since she was a few months old.

She's a fighter, she fought for her life with an unimaginable spirit. She survived one after another hospital visits, but fate still took her away.

Maybe it's a relief for her, to end her sufferings.

May she rest in peace.

Her life may be short, one and a half year, but she taught us how to love.

芯荟，安息。

December, is to have FUN!

I love December.

We don't get to have white Christmas, but it doesn't mean we can't have fun. I love Christmas trees, I love snowman, and I love all the Christmas goodies!

Two years back, we had a Christmas party at home in Penang. Last year however, we had the most disappointing Christmas in Taipei City, unexpected eh? This year, I have all the big and small parties coming before Christmas!!!

Our cozy (or messy) little flat will hold a small party this coming Friday. We will not have time to prepare the Christmasy food, so we decided to go for Shabu Shabu. But no worries, we'll get log cake and maybe ham to make it as Christmas as possible.

FA team has a yearly Christmas lunch, where the engineers and manager give the technicians and operators a treat, as appreciation for the one year contribution. The team will have gift exchange at the end of the lunch party every year. So, that'll happen on next Monday.

I'll be celebrating romantic Christmas with Kia Hooi in Shanghai this year. And I'll be joining her for a party on Boxing day with her colleagues. Sounds GREAT!

Due to my trip to Shanghai, I'll miss my Wu Yi's Christmas party in Penang. I chatted with her last Sunday, she promised I can request for food, and she will specially prepare for me! To make up the Christmas party that I will miss! I'd like to request for a Jamie Oliver X'mas!!!

That, will sum up for the parties that I will have for the next 3 weeks before we step into 2011.

>.<

Fairy Tales. Too Much.

I'm running away with the sword.
To kill the metal beast!

(Inspired by Prince Edward in Enchanted)

It's a bit....

I was running in the gym this evening after work. I planned to run at least 1.5hr today, and rest for the whole week till the actual Standard Chartered marathon.

Anyway, when I was at my last half an hour, the machine started to act weird. I wasn't holding the heart beat sensor at all, I never had the habit. But out of nowhere, the heart beat was 90. And it went pretty stable throughout the half an hour, from 88-91.

It's kinda freaky!

Luckily there were a lot of people in the gym, I didn't freak out. But I was trying to tell the machine, whispering in my heart, "Let me finish ok? It's just half an hour more."

:P

－－

留在空中没说出来的话，不代表不存在。

说出来的话，也不代表真实。

什么才是真相？

长大后⋯⋯

长大后，要做什么？

小时候，父母亲都很喜欢如此问。望子成龙，望女成凤，每个父母都逃不了这样希望。我不知道小时候我怎么回答，不过我知道有好些“长大后，要做⋯⋯”的事，都自己偷偷希望。

小时候，总会为了一些很奇怪的事情，开始崇拜。

不知道几岁的时候，我想成为消防员。原因？无他，就为了接到通紧急通知时，从钢铁上滑下来很酷！

又不知道几岁的时候，我想成为摩托赛车手。原因？无他，就为了转弯处膝盖碰地，不会跌倒，亦不会受伤，很酷！

也曾经希望成为鼓手，在台上挥着鼓棒，很酷的样子。偷偷告诉你，至今听歌，配乐里让人鼓舞的鼓声，还是让我蠢蠢欲动，想成为酷酷的鼓手。

想当的，还有很多很多⋯⋯

为什么都没有当上？

是我太懦弱？还是我只维持三分钟的热忱？

我想，我应该写封信给以前的我，道歉。
然后，再写封信给现在的我，鼓励。
接着，再写封信给以后的我，确定一切，我已经做了，没有懊悔。

已经没有“长大后⋯⋯”的资本了。

Something to Look Forward, Again :)

I've caught up with the Air Asia X promotion on Monday, to purchase a pair of return ticket to HangZhou. But HZ isn't really my destination, I'm actually heading to Shanghai and Ningbo.

I'm never a fan of big city like Shanghai, the only reason I'm visiting this place, is my best friend, Kia Hooi. Since she's working in Ningbo, not too far from Shanghai (when you're looking in China context, far and near need some re-definition), I've been wanting to pay her a visit. I kept thinking and looking for a chance.

Now, here we go :)

I am looking forward, very much. I went to Kinokuniya on Friday after work, to get myself a good and quick guide. I was flipping through while I was waiting for Yee Hau, and I thought, I might like Shanghai after all.

Shanghai wasn't my cup of tea, back in year 2005. During my 3rd year in University, I was so determined, that I must get out of Singapore. I knew I couldn't afford an exchange programme, so when GIP was introduced, I was SO determined I MUST go for it. The first batch of seniors who came back from GIP China shared their experiences.

The one and only thing that I can remember from the sharing was, a senior who came back from internship from Shanghai, he said "Shanghai was great! It's like Singapore!" I was so sure, I'm not going to Shanghai.

So, at that time, all my applications went to Beijing, without even concerning what are the companies doing, I only wanted to get myself to Beijing. And I never regretted the decision, and I still very much missing the wonderful place.

Anyway, right now, after doing some tiny bits of research here and there, I think I may like Shanghai after all. And of course, Ningbo too!

♥

Happy Anniversary!

To my dear braces...

19th November 2009, I had my braces on. One year from then, I'm still having them with me. I'm not hoping to celebrate this anniversary more than 2 years.

Anyway, I told my colleagues over the lunch, that it's my braces anniversary today. So he asked me, "How would you want to celebrate? Eat porridge?"

...

Speechless, but come to think of it, it's kinda true :P