I see people posting throwbacks of their previous year and also their new year resolutions for the new year. Makes perfect sense to do those since it's the year's end, and we should always hope for good things to happen in future. But this is when I realize, I have live long enough, to stop listing weight loss and save money as new year resolutions, but instead there's only one thing I wish, live happily. Very general I know, but I suppose in life, it is usually the things out of the list that makes life more colorful. 2016 was a pretty good example in my case haha.
Well in summary, this is a year of learning things that you can't find on textbooks, a year of realizing who stays and who goes, a year of transition from student to working-adult-to-be. The year began with me saying Goodbye to my precious memories and friendships in Taiwan. Coming back to my most loved family and friends, the distance does make the heart grow fonder. Then there's mundane classes, complicated with the stressful search for internship. And this year, I started working part time in school, thought my bank balance will go up but I'm just a total failure in saving money haha. End of the semester, bid farewell to some of my closest seniors, who have been very kind to me. Internship was definitely the best thing that happened this year, no regrets. Initially I felt like a fish out of the water, but I got to explore the earth's ecosystem at least, I guess I went back to the sea with better gills and fins? I'm grateful of the mistakes I've made, and the people who corrected me. Then there's the beginning of final academic year. Not as hectic, still get to meet up with friends every now and then, and our conversations weren't about school or CCA, but were always centered around the word "future". I had many doubts and fears about that as well, but God has been kind to me. Continued to learn Korean, joined a case challenge for the first time as well. And there's FYP, which I kinda dread at first, but it has been a very fun experience, thanks to my two zai teammates. Thanks for guiding the blur-blur me, and I really appreciate our chit-chat sessions. FYP is something to look forward to thanks to you two!
And this year, I'm grateful that I get to meet up more with my maternal grandma, feels good to be with family. Feeling extremely grateful whenever I can go to JB to visit my cousins, aunty and uncles. Anyways, most importantly, I'm grateful of such a fruitful year, while my family stays healthy :) Thank God!!
Happy New Year people! Appreciate and be happy!
Ok I admit, I've transformed from 自恋 to super 自恋 this year :P
Hey readers, sorry for the MIA, been busy despite exams are over. And before I knew it, Christmas is already over. Anyway, feels good to be back to blogging, and I have so much to share!!! But as usual....gotta update my JB Cafes list and this time, a visit to bunnyland...
The Hare by Sugar On Top @ Mount Austin
Classic Churros -- RM12.90
Personally, I prefer this over their much raved signature waffles. It's crunchy, yet fluffy on the inside, with a burst of the sweet vanilla taste. Very addictive flavor to me.
SOT Signature Charcoal Waffles -- RM17.90
If you're looking for something healthy and instagrammable, this has to be it. The waffles were nicely cooked, but I'm not sure how the charcoal makes it more special than normal waffles, healthier maybe? The fruits does make me feel less guilty about eating this dessert haha. Blueberry ice cream was delicious!
Iced Americano -- RM7.90
I became a fan of Americano these days, thanks to 2 days 1 night haha.
Green Tea Milk -- RM9.90
with the sis
Life is good when you have two ladies delighting in sinful desserts haha
Personally think The Hare is a great place for an afternoon dessert, love its bright and homey interior, white walls, with plenty of sunlight in. The outdoor area has a garden concept which compliments its name "The Hare".
With an opposite vibe against the Hare, is The Workshop Cafe and Bar by Gran Fiesta in Mount Austin as well. The dimly lit interior with metal chairs, kinda like some secret society meeting ground haha. Forgive me, I forgot the name of what I ordered. But I would love to recommend this place if you love burgers and always find other shops offering too small of a portion.
I forgot the exact name but this is a Grilled Chicken Burger. and this is no ordinary chicken burger, more like Chicken Chop with Buns and Wedges. They pretty much put a chicken chop in a burger! Result: Super Full Belly
My cousin's burger with nacho cheese.
Americano again hehe, though I was abit shocked by the presentation, but I guess it serves the "workshop" theme.
Will visit again, especially when I have a very empty stomach haha.
Another semester gone and it's my final winter break :( Back at home sweet home now and it kills me to think that I wouldn't be able to come back as frequent as I wish. #hardtruthsofworkinginaforeignsoil To you people who are staying with your parents, be grateful and treasure your precious moments together.
On Christmas Day, I went to visit my granma who suffered a stroke recently. Saw her small figure, lying on the white bed, with tubes attached to her nostrils. She can be heard but none of us can understand her. But she still smiled when I look into her eyes. And at that moment, there was an instant surge of sorrow mixed with joy that made me almost teared up. Part of me feels sad for her condition, lying on a bed facing four walls and no one to talk to most of the time. Especially for a woman who has been so vocal all her life. There was nothing I can do for her. But at the same time I just feel grateful that she's still alive and smiling at me, she's been so brave and strong, and she's been making good progress in recovery. Just hope she will be able to recover asap and return home for CNY. We may not have one of those super-close granma-granchildren relationship, but she's still my dad's mother, without her, there's no me, can't wait to hear her calling my name again. But at the end of the day, all I could think of is to Thank God for His blessings, how He's been looking after my family despite me being away from them. Thank you and Thank you. :)
Christmas is the season to feel awesome about buying stuffs with cute packaging hahahahah eyhhh in my defense, they are not for me k, most of them are gifts :D
Dedicating this post to the people who made my 23rd Birthday special.
Well I never think that friendship is only real when that person celebrates your birthday, but if they do, you do know that these people do care about you :)
To be plain honest, after four years, you kind of know who stays and who don't. I know it very well that I'm not a very nice person to deal with haha, so wasn't expecting much. On the other hand, I dread birthdays coz my parents will be asking me if there's anyone to celebrate with me and I always had a set of lies in my head to tell them or else it kills me when they start the "it's okay, you still have us" kind of talk. Grateful that I don't have to lie to them coz there's still people who do wanna make my day special woohoo. And many thanks to people who wished me even though I did not put my birth date on FB.
Living on earth for 23 years, not sure if there's any meaning to celebrate but it's a time where I really feel I've grown up. Not sure by how much, but I feel like I can finally accept the fact that I'm an independent adult. Last 2 years, I'm still like a whiney little kid, enjoying college life, outing till late night, join this join that, trying to live a happening and fulfilling life but beneath those was a fear of growing up, fear of the realistic world, fear of a life with uncertainties and the fact that I am going to be alone to face all these. But in the past year, I'm grateful that God has given me so much strength, showed me to awesome people, giving me great experiences. Of course it wasn't all smooth sailing, I've cried a few times, but the falls really do make me stronger and ultimately reminds you that nothing is too bad that you can't live with it. And to add on, I have a loving family who supports me, friends who sends their kind words and give you help when you need it. It's the last birthday in Uni, and graduation is coming soon, if there's any reason to be sad, I guess it will be saying goodbye to this bunch of friends T T Not sure if we're still gonna be as close as we are now, but I'll always treasure the memories we had, every joy you guys gave to me hehe... Thanks people!!
Early Birthday Dinner with the Wonder Girls @The East Bureau, will be doing a review with more photos soon. Great night out with the girls with Real Talk haha.
It was a joint celebration with our prettiest mummy, who we both have the same birth month. Had a delicious Matcha Tiramisu Cake by Ma Mere Boulangarie@Marina Square. (Can't help but to notice I'm so bald)
In case you didn't notice, it's Off Shoulder kinda day.
Few days later, this bunch surprised me again on my birthday. Thanks for spending the time to treat me coffee and cakes! Simple things to make me happy. This bunch has been with me for every birthday I had in NTU, feeling grateful to spend the last one with them too. Love you all long time.
Followed by surprise visit from The Brow, I swear I really didn't expect you all to come (and hence the cui face). You guys must be so busy at this period. and they brought gift summore omgggg...Really appreciate it :) Great doing a short catch up with the bunch. Finals and Job Hunt jiayou arrr!!!!
The must-do, but we're missing Yeucian here :(
Also, special thanks to ShiYien and Kahhoe for the early surprise! Really got heart ler, thanks for taking the time :) Btw it's a MoonBall this year, a continuation from last two year's Pokedex Birthday Card haha. Moon Ball is for Jigglypuff LOL Kinda suit me don't you think, round and loves to sing :)
Once again, thanks to the bunch and also people who wished me. Not sure what I can do for you guys, but I'm always hoping the best for you all. To my Uni friends especially, hope everyone prepare well for Finals and for the ones on job hunt, I really pray that everyone finds the perfect door to the future! To my granma, uncle, aunties and cousins in JB! Didn't forget you all lar, thanks for providing me a second home whenever I wanna escape Pulau NTU. Thanks for letting me Eat, Play, Sleep so well at your place haha. Really means a lot to a person who can't go home often :(
And to my mom, it's your 受难日, thanks for tolerating this evil kid who always make you cry for 23 years. My dad, I know you don't say it, but thanks for pouring so much love and treating me like a princess through your actions. My brother, thanks for taking care of dad and mum while I'm away from home, and being the silently supportive figure on many little things, hope you realize your dreams soon! Just hope you three continue to stay healthy and be happy!
Haizzz now wan see 背影 oso difficult...
Oh yeah, my way of celebrating 23rd hehe, uploaded a cover video for the first time! Can't say it's really a cover though, coz it's not a song that I can sing well haha, but more like just to use this song to share some motivational message to people around me. It's a song by Soda Green 苏打绿 named 你在烦恼什么 What's Trobuling You? Every line of the lyrics gave me so much motivation. I guess at 23, we are all entering a phase with lots of frustrations and challenges in life, just hope my friends can stay positive and live life with joy!
From the song: 时间从来不回答，生命从来不喧哗, 就算只有片刻我也不害怕。
(Time passes without turning back, Life goes by without a sound. So do not fear if there's only one moment left.)
*Wrote this long time ago, but didn't have the time to compile the photos.Here it is, everything from the past academic year.*
Seldom blog about my university days coz I was too caught up on trying to record down all my travels in Taiwan and Korea. Well my life is not just about traveling of course, just feel like my blog has too much of travel post, as if travel is the only thing I care about (okay I admit almost all the time it is haha). Hope you readers don't get the wrong idea that I'm just constantly traveling. I have a life you know haha, and it's actually quite an ordinary one but please bear with me :D
Guess I shall start off with last year's FOC!
It's the third time, and as usual it's still a bucketful of exhaustion but truckload of happiness! Still part of the main comm and it's great to be working with all the passionate people. Well though things aren't smooth sailing and there's some conflicts here and there, I guess the success is still the most important and fulfilling thing. Got to spend more time with my OG, but I guess I still act like a freshie haha, kinda shy to talk to everyone. Glad that most of the freshies are fun and friendly.
with the Maincomm Family
My OG Talos
Oh BTW!!! Did I tell you I was in a short film??
OMG now that I think of it, I just gave my Youtube debut to Tan Tek Wui, walaooooo!!!
I'm not the main character la of course, but it was still quite a fun experience, working with a bunch of friends. But I must say, filming a short clip is harder than i expected. It's tiring seriously, gotta apologize to my friends and the crew coz I was showing my tired and impatient face most of the time. Seriously salute actors now, it's really no easy job. The film is called Dream Catcher.
Then there's Earthlink camp again, where we went to Pulau Ubin. I guess it's one of the most kampung place in Singapore that you can find. Really looks like granpa's house :D Didn't get to explore the island though, hope I could be back again soon.
Few weeks later, decided to head back to SG again for two important events. First would be NTU Fest! My campaign from Earthlink was featured as one of the NTU projects to be showcased to all the public. Felt kinda proud tbh haha...though it's not some ultra-awesome campaign. There was music, food, games and the location was at The Promontory. Good times indeed.
My Campaign was featured as one of the NTU student projects!
Went to SG Night Fest as well.
Second event was MSA's Merdeka Night. Well I guess it will be the last MSA event for me since I'm going into OFF mode already. I figured I might as well attend and enjoy with most of my friends around. :D
and then...I'm off to Taiwan!!
Well I guess I don't have to reiterate how much fun I had in Taiwan. But I guess I was just posting the travel part, and left out the actual LIFE over there. Well in short, the four months was one hell of a roller coaster ride. There were moments of joy, times of helplessness, days of fun and minutes of anger. I'm thinking of writing a post about Taiwan's life anyway. So just in short, it's the unfavorable times that made me truly treasure the happy memories made and the kind people that I've met from the bottom of my heart.
Back in NTU for Semester 2! Lemme post the photos first...
Catching up with the darlings after leaving them for 4 months.
OMG can't believe we were champions for MSD's Dodgeball
Thanks for the awesome teamwork guys!!
The long awaited FOC Maincomm retreat
great to be hanging out with the bunch again
Level 3 for Korean! Damnn it's not easy but we had a daebak sunsaengnim
Unnis and Dongsaengs from the class
with less CCA commitments, I thought life was gonna be easier. But damnnnnnnn.....reality kicks in and I found myself dreading over the word INTERNSHIP. Allow me to whine abit here T T I know there are many out there who are also facing this problem, and some of you might think I'm just being a cry baby. But hey, I just wanna say, it sucks when you just can't get what you want no matter who that person is. Everyone deserves to feel terrible about not getting what they want pls! And yep that's me :( I've been going to many interviews and damnnn there's just no offer given to me. Don't bother telling me why I didn't succeed, I know it well. But the feeling just feels terrible and you can't help but to doubt yourself. And I would be very honest, I genuinely believe that certain people are luckier. Btw I wanna apologize to some friends for saying that they are lucky. Now that I reflect on it, I think it's actually offensive. If you are one of them, hear me out hehe, I said you're lucky because I feel that I'm unlucky, but never have I felt that you guys don't deserve what you receive. So please don't feel offended. I'm truly happy for the opportunities you guys earned. I know my luck sucks, but never would I view your opportunities as being cheap, worthless or disrespectful. And to those who think I'm being whiny, well just let me whine la haha, I know I'm not the worst but still....just let me behsong haha...
Well I don't stand any chance at big corporates but was lucky enough to attend assessment center at LEGO. Awesome office and great experience in case solving.
Anyways the time came to start my internship. Turns out it's not as smooth sailing as I thought it will be, but I'm glad I landed safely and the best part was definitely the journey. For those who think you can't learn much from an internship: No, even if it's not an internship you wanted, you will definitely still take away something that will definitely help you in the future. Tbh I wasn't expecting much from my internship, but now that I look back, there are definitely things that you can't experience or can't visualise through your textbook.
Awesome bunch at e27, rocking our world-class tech conference.
Fellow Interns weeeee
haiz I have so much to whine when it comes to the real world. Lots of frustration, but I guess you just have to accept it anyway. I know I can't get everything in my way in life, but it just sucks when 75% of it are not in your way. if it's just 50%, I would have felt much better righttttt...
I have a theory: when it comes to bad feelings, or Dis-Utility, The marginal Dis-Utility is increasing, unlike the usual rule of diminishing marginal returns. There's no upper limit of feeling terrible, really. (Unlike joy, you get what you want, but one person, can be only THAT happy.) Okay la I guess sure got people figured this out haha. Guess I'm too late to really experience this.
Anyways...I guess living life is also learning to accept rejection and failures. I'm over with the acceptance part, but now it puts me into another struggle...what can I do next? I swear year 3 is really a year of continuous cycle of encouraging yourself to dream big and doubting yourself the next moment.
Oh my....it's like a sharp stab into my rib every time I realize I have one more year in university. The past year was.... I wouldn't say perfectly awesome... but rather a very life-defining kinda year. It's like a year where someone just strongly smack you on the back and you had to suddenly grow up and act like an adult. Many things happened, many people passed by. Sometimes things are just so unacceptable that it's like I'm fighting with myself more than I'm disagreeing with others. Doubting myself is the worse part, but in the end, I guess I discovered more and learn to appreciate that everyone is essentially different, and so am I.
Anyways, (switches to the optimistic self) year 3 was still one hell of an awesome year. Still a happy girl with a bunch of memories :D
During our tour on Day 1, the ocean at Kending is just so nice and we couldn't wait to have our legs dipped in it. Really was looking forward to our Day 2 in Kending with water activities and just enjoying the sun (and get totally burnt)
For Day 2, we spent the whole day at 南湾 South Bay which is the main beach for water activities.
Loads of people over there and the waves at South Bay was really high and strong. Screamed a lot during the water activities haha. We bought a combo package that costs 450TWD which consists of 3 water activities, including JetSki Ride, Banana Boat and a ride which I don't know its name haha. But it's something similar to banana boat but scarier as the waves will throw u up floating in mid air, while it dashes across the ocean at high speed. All I did was shouted all the way haha....
We spent the rest of the afternoon just chilling at the beach and battling with the waves haha
Breakfast at Panini 帕尼尼
Owhhh yeahhhhh, here we come!
A jump shot is a must
Forgive my belly fat haha...
At sunset.
South bay was in gold :D
For Day 3, we visited a few more attractions and we were lucky to have a kind taxi driver who showed us more places than we intended to. Really enjoyed all the sights. Well there are some places where I did not take photo of. I'll tell you why later in this post haha
1. 船帆石 Chunfan Rock
A place known for its fine sand. But the sand are actually protected and thus restricted from entering. It's another shade of blue sea over here.
The rock has a Pinocchio nose heh
2. 最南点 Southernmost Point
Well most people might have thought Eluanbi was the southernmost point of Taiwan but the truth us, this is the real southern point. Loving the deep blue sea and rocky grassland over here.
3. 风吹沙 Fengchuisha (Direct translates to Wind Blow Sand)
Similar to LongPan Park, it's a small area for great sight of the ocean, except that the wind here is so much more stronger and sand really got into my eyes! If you love colors of the wind, this might be the place haha
No way for a face shot coz the wind would just send my hair flying like seaweed.
4. 佳樂水 Jialeshui
A scenic spot designated for tourists to observe natural rocks formed into different colors, shapes and patterns. There's a guided bus tour where the guide will explain and point out exquisite rock forms and shapes. Some in the shape of a frog, one in the shape of Taiwan map etc etc
See that face?
Forgive my Cui face
After Jialeshui,
垦丁出火 Chu Huo -- A Place to see eternal flames on the ground due to natural gas that seeps out of the rocks. It's recommended to come at night so the flames are much more obvious.
飛來石 at 關山 Guan Shan
And that's all the places we went in Kending!! It's truly a great place if you love nature and enjoy taking down photos of beautiful scenery. The beach was also a great for young people to get your dose of adrenaline pumping excitement. To be honest, I think I spent a little too much over there, so would like to suggest a few places while you can skip the rest and save money.
Baisha Bay, Cape Eluanbi, Maobitou, LongPan Park, Southernmost Point and Kending Road
Actually, that's not all the story...
1. Losing my phone
Yes, the trip sounds quite fun and perfect but still I managed to ruin my day (and others') with stupid mistakes. At Day 2, while we were playing at the beach and taking photos, I dropped my phone without noticing it at all... Yep where did I drop it? Yes right at the beach and God knows how many times the waves splashed on it. Thought I lost my phone but some part of me remain hopeful, hoping that someone actually picked it up and the phone is alright, my photos will still be inside, no need for a new phone. And miraculously, the staff at the beach really picked it up!!!!
But DAMNNNNN, the phone was spoiled already :(
Felt really sad and totally hated myself, why am I always this careless :(
As if I hadn't wasted enough money, now I just have to overbudget again haizzzzz
So yea people, take good care of your phone or just lock your phone at d locker if you r going to the beach. Or buy a waterproof case.
2. Getting drunk and Hangover
On our 2nd night in Kending, we actually went to a club for drinks. Well it's not really a dance club la, it's more like a pub with live music, and there weren't many people. So I suppose that means I'm quite safe with my friends. I'm not sure whether it's because losing my phone ruined my mood or some circuit in my brain tripped, I thought it was perfectly fine to get drunk haha...and so I drank quite a few rounds of cocktail. For the first time, I know how it's feel like to get drunk LOL! I actually welcomed that haha coz YOLO maaaa.... My head was heavy, cant feel my legs well...walking all wobbly. Did quite some embarrassing stuffs including swaying like a fish and spilling drinks and of course threw up a lot. I felt kinda proud of this memory to be honest. But little did I know the effects will be so strong till it extends to the next day.
While we were sightseeing on Day 3, I threw up most of the time. Couldn't really enjoy all the sights at all. Felt kinda bad for my friends as they have to look out for me and I wasn't able to join them and help them take photos. (I didn't get to eat the yummy dumpling they had for lunch as well) Threw up all day and wondered when will it stop. Thank God it stopped at night and things gt back to normal.
Anyways still think it's quite an experience haha, coz I was always curious about what happens in our head when we're drunk LOL. Finally understand and it's not that bad of an experience actually, except the hangover part :( So yea, I guess I shall conclude that I will not get drunk anymore, one time is enough haha...
