here comes 26!

A year just went by in a blink. Like really. Celebrating my 25th birthday with the CEM ladies didn’t feel that far away. The beautiful rainbow cake, the 2 adorable Elmos and the laughter. Ahhh…memories indeed (:

25th! A year ago (:

Much has happened since then. Year 25 was nothing short of eventful and a year of reflection where I took time off to slow down. Well, that’s a nice way of putting it ;p But to put it blatantly, I am unemployed.

BUT YES!

After much tears and struggle, I decided to leave the Maybank family. Hardest decision ever. But before that happened, I managed to organised the first every Savings Day and pulled together Glitz (and the first ever internal service award). I’m really proud of those two events (:

I went back to Korea in late April with the oldest friend too! That’s the 3rd time I have been to Korea in Spring (in case you are wondering). Hehe. Yes, I plan to go back there ONE more time before I explore the rest of the world. But that ONE more time takes a bit of planning so…wish me luck!

I obtained my TOPIK Level 2! (: HOORAY! I think that’s what I wanted to do last year (will know when the letter I wrote to myself comes in later).  I only attended 3 K-Pop concert this year! That’s significantly lower than last year ;p Phew! Think that’s what I set out to do last year too!

I also went for Scoot air stewardess interview back in June (: I was shortlisted and offered but decided that it was not for me in the end. But that’s another huge what-if cancelled!

During this period of unemployment, I sat down and think. What I wanted to do, where am I in my life, what is that one thing I want to for myself. And I think I have come to a conclusion. It’s a selfish thing (well, in my own view it is) to do but I think I have to do it. Keeping the fingers crossed. And ironically, I realised being in the banking industry seems to suit me. No, not doing the financial stuff. But maybe comms, service and the more right-brained stuff seems to suit me more. Of course, I didn’t forget about my childhood dream of teaching. I can feel that the time to teach is drawing nearer (: I will be ready soon!

Sometimes, I do regret quitting from Maybank. And that’s a huge thing to say. I have done many stupid things in the past but I’ve never regretted it. So yeah. But it was the right move for me at that point in time, DONE! Right now, I am looking forward to what I am going to do in the future!

Occasionally, I feel sorry towards my parents because they are already so old and here I am, unemployed. Unable to provide them with the additional source of income. Yes, I am not taking money from them but I am 26 already. I should be able to do more than that. But like what Jie En says, “do what you have to do. make up to them later. they will understand.” I just have to repeat that to myself right? (:

Somewhere in October/November, I retracted back into my shell cos I had a culture shock. Let’s just say…I have a different perspectives on stuff I see online now.

But during that time…I am glad. I am glad I have friends like Victor, Shuyun, Jian Lin, Calvin, Prof Lee and so many others. They stepped forward and helped me asked around for job vacancies. And for friends like Lucian, who I can talk to about the culture shock to.

And also, friends like Daniel who lend me his Note 2 when my phone broke down. Or DK and Jerrick who offered to lend me theirs. What else? Oh! And Chin Wah for stepping up to tell a certain someone that calling me names is wrong.

I think these past month or two weeks can be summarised in 1 hashtag – #faithinhumanityrestored

I am now abit less skeptical due to these people (: Thank you thank you!

Year 26! I will hereby call you…”Year of Chasing Dreams”. 追梦之年! Jiayou lah!

AJA AJA!

P/S: Learnt something from watching Okto. Won’t tell you the purpose of this though ;p

quicky edit.

happy birthday, mum (:

happy birthday! (:

And so another year has past (: Several ups and downs, left and right. Just want to thank you for always being there for me!

In the past year, thank you for..

For worrying about me on days where I lock myself in the room and cry. For standing by me. For supporting me. For nagging at me.
For always scooping extra rice into my bowl so that after I scoop out, I will still be eating a decent amount.
For always coming up with new dishes for me.

For everything (:

I know I am not the easiest person to get along with these past year (especially these 2 weeks) but thank you for tolerating all my nonsense! For never losing your patience with me.

The past year was not easy. Especially with the 2 health scare. But you stayed strong ! I’m so proud of you!!

May the coming year be smooth-sailing for you (especially your health)! And hopefully our birthday present to you will help to elevate the pain you feel on your feet.

I love you, Mummy! 😀

P/S: Stop worrying about me! I’ll find a job soon (: Promise!

the age is a secret! 😀

my 21st(:

A lot of things to blog about! Like the photoshoot on Monday and heading to town with ber on Tuesday! But my birthday comes first (:

The Meepok Part

When the clock strikes 12, the whole family came to my room and sang birthday song for me! *grins* Here’s some of the pictures –

with the parents(:

the family in pajamas!

After the cake blowing, I tried to seperate the cake. FAIL! I didn’t cut it through and through-.- HAHAHAHA! But ohwells! The sister kept grilling and asking me what I want for my birthday. But like I said, I really don’t know! So I told to her wait and see what the rest bought me today.

Woke up with a sore throat and fever 😦 Was quite upset because of that. I was so afraid that I can’t attend the birthday gathering the gang have organized for me. I went to the kitchen and sajiao-ed to my mum (Note: I don’t do sajiao! This is pretty rare!). Gulped down a cup of milk, medicine, vitamin C and back to bed. Felt a gazillion times better afterwards! Repeated the cycle and woke up at 7pm to change and head out (:

Sivan came up with a really lousy excuse to get me to go the block opposite Deyi 😛 I was kind of afraid that I am alittle overdress but my mum told me to just go!

And, when I reached the place….SURPRISE!!

Me acting surprised!

Fact: It is very VERY hard to surprise me! Many have tried and failed! You are welcome to take up the challenge!

Some of the juniors were there! Joshua, Allan, Wei Shun and Roxanne! Jerold couldn’t make it 😦 Sigh. But whees~

the juniors(:

I didn’t know Joshua was sick until I saw him taking his medicine after dinner. He had to eat like 4 different kind of medicine, I think! Poor guy. And like I said on Plurk, heart pain! Get well soon, dude! (:

the 2 sickies - joshua and me! (special mention!)

Here’s my darling council board! The one I missed so so so so so much!

Deyi Student Council! loves~

These are the people who have seen me work under stress, gone without sleep for 3 days (major hyperactivity) and do plenty of bimbotic things(: We went through camps and investitures together. Excluding the juniors, my committee members and I called our batch, “The Horny Dynasty”. WAHAHAHA! And I think it’s my fault >.<

Anyways, I didn’t expect Kesin to come! She’s my PSL (Peer Support Leader) alumni!

Kesin and me(:

She’s still the same! Really nice and motherly (: I miss her. Note to Sivan! We must call the alumnis out for dinner or something! Okay, maybe not all of them! But at least Kesin and Ming Lun! I haven’t seen them in eons! Misses!

Ling, Juan, Michelle and the juniors got me muffins !! Kelvin insisted on taking a picture because he came up with the idea of placing them into the number 21. Seriously, this guy is turning more bimbotic! He was rolling his eyes while we were waiting for our seats! HILARIOUS!

me and kelvin -.-

Since everyone had work/school/sick and stuff, we left after taking some group pictures outside (:

the girls (:

the guys(: (excluding the juniors whom I chased home!)

the collage (all pictures koped from my FB)

I didn’t know they got me a $50 Epicenter gift card! I was about to throw the carrier away until I realised that there’s something heavy in it! >.< HAHAHA!

YEAH! So I told my sister that they can chip in to the $50 and I will top up the rest and get myself a new iPod! (Hmm..Or maybe iTouch). But ohwells!

OH YEAH!

MUST WATCH!

Find out why I collapsed! By watching the video here! Plurk people, I will most probably have posted link there (or I already did)!

fainted!

More pictures from the following links –

Gayathri’s camera

Sivan’s camera

Allan’s camera

Year 20 in conclusion – The Reflective Part

I don’t remember much about being 20. Just that it passed by really quickly. Watching all my friends turning 21 before me and eagerly anticipating my own. Not sure whether I want to celebrate it in a bang or just let it go. Because to me, I don’t like to fuss over my birthday! It’s just another day of the year! Just that yours truly (and a lots more kids) were born!

But I’m glad I celebrated the way I did. Thanks alot, everyone!

Since 21 seems to be a major milestone and what not, I came up with a list of things I wanted to complete before my birthday! And I’m happy to say that I’ve completed 4 out of 5 ! Even though the photo shoot thing was by chance! Take a look at the list here!

August was pretty tough for me this year. The dad finally sold his shop and started working at my aunt’s shop. We had to get used to the sudden increase in expenditure because ever since I was born, we never had to spent a cent to get groceries and snacks. We just kind of get our food from the shop as and when we want. So yups. Some problems came up here and there but we are surviving (: The family bond is stronger! And the parents actually have time to go “dating” again!

Of course, also in August, my mum went for brain surgery. I remembered almost bursting into tears when my sister called me while I was at work. Millions of thoughts running through my head and constantly telling myself to remain positive. I guess we were kind of lucky that we got the best neuro surgeon in TTSH – Dr Ivan Ng. He explained stuff to us very matter-of-factly(:

Went through some shit because as usual, the siblings and parents were relying on me to take care of the paperwork from the hospital and insurance and what not. I had to plan my timetable in a way so that I can be home most of the time. I had to skip classes to bring my mum back for her post-op check-up. Listening to all the medical terms, trying to dig up all the ancient biology knowledge, trying to understand and then having to translate them to Mandarin was tough. I had to deal with questions from a)myself, b)the parents and c) the siblings. I also had to comfort the parents who looked so lost and scared that I don’t even know what to say and my heart just aches (if I am allowed to be drama).

But we pulled through! The mum is okay now(: The tumor is benign! Her hair looks FUNKY! Hahah. Special thanks to Sivan and bestie! I think I called both of them pretty much during that period, sobbing over the phone and outright refusing to answer their calls cause I was down. They were pretty worried! Loves~

On the social front, I met quite a few people from Plurk! Had lots of fun! Especially after the Bloggers Calendar 2009 photoshoot! And I hope to be able to continue to kajiao them with my bimbotic antics(: Because, you never know! Online friendships are tricky. One false interpretations and it’s ADIOS!

Still single! 21 years and counting! Not that I am actively seeking to be attached. The idea of that still irks me quite abit. I think friends-with-benefits or flings are still the way to go for me. Why? I think I will explain in another post (I think). My conversation with Cynthia on Wednesday just kinda made it clearer to me.

Graduating next July (technically, I am free after April). Still have no idea what I want to be. But I know I most definitely do not want to go into the banking/finance industry. I know, I know. Ironic! Cause I am majoring that. *shrugs* I want to be around people! People who are motivated and charged with energy! Or maybe go into teaching (childhood ambition) or nursing (teenager ambition). Or maybe I will dabble into the hospitality/marketing industry (JC ambition).

All I know is that I want something challenging ! Something with interactions! Something that requires paying attention to details!

21 !! I don’t know what I want to achieve but hey! I just want to be myself! Stop holding myself back so much. Because that’s pretty much what I have been doing this whole year.

The past 2 weeks leading up to my birthday has been nice. I got to let go and saw part of my original personality (: And it shows! Bestie told me that I looked different today. Like how I was in secondary school. YAY! (:

Whatever it is, GET READY WORLD! I AM COMING!