Productivity

2nd month of MCO has just passed. Well, not the whole 2nd month. But as at 30th of April, it has been a 44 days of MCO.

Throughout this 44 days, what have I done?

Basically thanks to my nature of job, and my boss of course, there’s no excuse for me to stop whatever I’m doing. First of all, we can always work from home, especially when we don’t have appointments. Second of all, my boss is 24/7 available to push us to keep going and never slow down.

In the beginning we were all excited to have “holidays”, so when we need to attend 2 meetings a day (book session in the afternoon daily including weekends and case studies at night, yes at night!) we struggled so much. After a month, we have gotten used to the habit.

But just one Sunday of no book session, our habits fall all over the place again haha.

Looking back, even though it’s MCO, but I’ve learnt a lot. From learning to cold call customers (we usually cold call property agents, hardly customers), to learning how to create videos with InVideo, analysing books and studying Douyin videos (books are not meant to be read, but analyse and apply on your own situation, while Douyin videos are all about business models that the Chinese are using), to training our brains on how to think and not focusing on doing only.

Not to mention, on what you will do, if companies around are closing down, and even the banking sector might not be able to survive, at least not our mortgage segment. So many things to learn, which are not foreseen by most of us. Our parents say that even the 513 incident is not even close to what’s going on right now.

For myself, I spent most of my me time reading. I’ve read The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story, and currently reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. First book is based on true story of a North Korean girl who had to change names several times to escape North Korea. You can’t imagine an 18 year old girl having to face so many challenges ahead. Her journey to freedom is so risky it can just take her life and her family’s lives anytime, but again and again, she met someone who’s kind enough to assist her. Now that she had finally achieved her freedom in USA. And she’s not the only one who escaped from North Korea. 

The 2nd book though not a real story, was said to be aspired by the true story of Elizabeth Taylor. It brings you to understand what a glamorous life that a Hollywood actress is living. And many of the true stories are not surfaced to the public. So it’s quite an interesting read, even though it’s fiction. Though I believe it does happens to a lot of celebrities in real life. 

Of course other than reading during me-time, I also read Christian books and books related to my job. Mostly on sales. It’s interesting to apply the Christian ways on my career. Sometimes I feel what I’ve read or what I’ve taught is towards the extreme way whereby life is not always, and not all about money and being successful. So I need to relate back the Christian way to make it balance back.

Other than reading, I also tried to make mango smoothie and scrambled egg! Mango smoothie was ok, but the scrambled egg, hmm, something weird but couldn’t figure out what’s weird. Hahaha.

Also I wanna try to learn more in shares investment, but seeing the ups and downs candles, so technical I just couldn’t understand how they really function. And those free seminars in FB.. I also couldn’t analyses who is really professional or only know how to blowwwww. Haha.

If one day MCO is really lifted up for good, I’ll be lazy to drive out already. From being ok staying at home, to the phase where I think I can go crazy, until now, getting lazy to go out. What’s the new norm? Everyone can stay at home because not everyone can fly already. 😅

I’m considered very blessed that I still have a job, and companies are still finding for ways to keep business running. Even if one day, come to worse, banking sector has huge changes that stop us from finding sales, I believe that with the skills we have learnt, we still can survive. But for those whose companies are considering shutting down, or even already closed down, I really do not know how are they are going to survive without income, now that demand is more than supply in terms of employment.

But no matter what happens..we always have hope everyday.

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

MCO

This MCO has been 2 weeks. What started as just another normal flu became a worldly disease and is on the way to start recession.

After an increase of new cases in Malaysia, the government declares a Movement Control Order. It is not a lockdown, rather more to a partial lockdown where one still can go out to buy essentials.

When it started, a lot people are not getting used to it. ESPECIALLY THE UNCLES AND AUNTIES.

To me, it doesn't affect me much because first of all, due to my nature of work, sometimes when I don't need to go for appointments and nobody wants to meet up, my home is my office. So on and off I already was working from home. Second of all, I appreciate having some time to read HAHAHAHA.

A lot people are taking it casually, taking the 2 weeks time off to have a lot of me-time, ie cooking, reading (THAT'S ME), working out, chasing dramas episode after episode, etc etc. But what they don't realise is, outside their comfort home, there are so many things happening. The frontliners, the medical officers/nurses/paramedics, the polices/armies, the delivery drivers, and many more, they are all still working, doing their part during this difficult times. And the smaller businesses are facing difficulties getting profit because they cannot operate, and the employees, they are facing retrenchment. But all of these seems to be not noticed by certain people as they continue their comfort in their house, and the only things that seems troubling them (and us too) is what to eat.

After 1 week, extension of MCO was announced. Not a surprise, I guess it's more to a relief. With the cases increasing at least 100 per day, there's no way we're allowed to go out, it's not safe yet. It's like we're a bunch of people being caged in a place and lions are outside waiting to pound upon us when the door is opened. Yikes.

Even my parents say that the situation now is far more worse than the recession times in 1997/1998. Wow, must be such a historical moment for us to witness and be able to go through this phrase.

Nevertheless, it's a worldwide thing now, and we all are going to get through it.

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Mental Health

During my stay in Husky’s hometown, I’ve plenty of time. Other than reading books, I also watch dramas and movies.

 The drama that I watched is The World Between Us (我们与恶的距离), a Taiwanese drama recommended by a colleague. It came to our conversation when we were discussing about the  Joker movie. 

Thank God The World Between Us is only 10 episodes. I don’t know how others manage to “chase drama” which has at least 25 episodes, watching 2 episodes straight already made me feel tired haha! #gettingold

Summary of the drama: What is it to be like to be a family member of a mass shooting murderer? When victim’s family members have the rights to be angry, upset, and remorseful about what had happened to their love ones, what bout the family members of the murderer? How frustrated they are when the blame is on them just because the family somehow “produced” a murderer? They don’t have the rights to complain that they are rejected and discriminated by the society, and they don’t have the rights to continue their life and be happy, just because their family member had cause a heartache to the society.

I remember very clearly when the mother of the murderer said this sentence: “ You all think that I’ve wasted 20 years of my life just to raise a murderer?!”

A lot of mass shooting murderers have the same trait worldwide: that prior to the shootings, they behave like normal, not a bit of bitterness even. And they are good kids and nobody would have thought that they would do something like this.

And thus, even though the murderer is sentenced to death, the lawyer keeps on insisting on knowing what’s the reason behind the mass shooting. If only we can find out the core reason, instead of pressuring the government to sentence the murderers to death, we might be able to stop even more mass shootings from happening. Which I do agreed, because a person won’t just wake up one day and decide that oh I’m going to murder people today. No they don’t, but it must be something that happened to them in the past which accumulates and triggers them to “do something big”. It can be feeling inferior, or being told negative words over and over again. That can spark someone to want to prove to others that no, I’m not who you say I am. And I’m going to do something to proof you wrong, in a wrong way.

And the media industry has also been diverted to wrong direction these years, especially with social media. What you see, might not be the whole truth. And people just like to comment based on what they see. If only we can stop judging, stop misinterpret what we know, we wouldn’t have caused so many suicidal cases.

But I must also admit one thing which is humans’ hearts nowadays seem to be more fragile then ever. Back then our grandparents and parents era, they seem to be able to do whatever they want, and ask ways have the bravery to face the world and accept new challenges. But now it seems that we’re unable to face any negativity that’s thrown to us. We’ve lose the courage to live, so we choose to avoid life and face death. 

And then I watched Joker.

This is a movie that I’ve avoided watching because it was depressing. Or so I heard. And perhaps I’ve been watching The World Around Us, so it wasn’t that depressed when I watch Joker. And also maybe I was sleepy when I watched it, I thought it was kinda draggy and was hoping that Joker can stop laughing. It was of the same theme as The World Around Us, being bullied and discriminated. One fine line distinguishes a person from being bullied to bullying people back or to ignore the naysayers and be a stronger person. Just one fine line, will lead to so many incidents afterward. 

But surprisingly Joker doesn’t touch my heart the way The World Around Us touched mine. Maybe the latter involves more on families and I got to learn different perspective, be it family members of mass shooting murderer, family members of victims of mass shooting, family members of mental health issues patients, and also how the society perceive these people. So it covers more on a wide range of perceptions. 


But life’s exciting, isn’t it? If only we put down our fragile hearts and judgmental eyes , and use our lives to help those who need us. 

BKK Company Trip

Basically, this is my 3rd company trip. But 1st for 3rd company. So, the conclusion is, I've went to 1 company trip for the previous 2 jobs. Feel so old because this is my 3rd job already.

HOPEFULLY I'M NOT CHANGING JOB ANYTIME SOON.

But compared with the 1st two trips, this is much much fun. Because for the 1st, not much colleagues on the same level. 2nd one is because I only know me and my mentor from same branch, the rest are all from different branches and different regions.

This time though, is actually similar condition. Most of my colleagues are seniors whom I'm not very familiar with. But we can click more, and even though more than half of them smoke and drink beer, I don't feel the pressure to do the same, unlike in my 2nd job. Where I was told that to build more relationships, you should do this and that blah blah.

Of course this was one of my concerns when I first joined. But what they told me was, we're discouraged to drink to build relationships. That's not sincere at all. But when they drink, it's merely to chill. No pressure at all.

Same industry, different culture.


It was indeed a fun trip with them, from adding police-drug addicts captions to photos we took, and ate After You twice (they said they are now looking for Before You -.-), to being questioned some sensitive relationship questions (so Husky are you a cat 😸?), and the highlight of the trip is, whenever they see me with food, they will ask me eh Jasmine you eating ah? and when I'm not eating, eh Jasmine why you not eating one? or eh Jasmine you want to eat ah?

😒

As if you guys never eat.

😒


Oh, I need to mention that I felt nostalgic because some places reminded me of the times when me and my parents came to BKK. Still remember where we went, what we ate and what we bought. There are a lot new places of course, as my colleagues are quite familiar with the good food places where if you ask me to be tour guide I'll certainly forgot where I went. Because my job was just to follow everywhere they go. Hahahaha.

So, 3 countries in half a year. Time to start engine back for 2nd half of the year!!

😉

2018_2019

After weeks and weeks of dumping my blog, I'm finally back. :D

If I were to use one word to describe 2018, there's no doubt other than: C H A L L E N G I N G

May I add another word in front: V E R Y  C H A L L E N G I N G

My 2018 started off with a bang, having celebrate New Year in Guangzhou, going to China again on end of January, this time to Zhang Jia Jie, company trip as I had hit the target. Actually I also hit another incentive trip, which is to Osaka in July. But things got sour, and depressed. Everyday going to work oh-so early, thought of doing extra work to improve myself, end up having fear at 9.30am daily when walk-ins began to come in, and relief when it was 4pm as the shutter was pulled down.

Relief, but stressed too, as we submit daily report into the WhatsApp chatgroup, waiting for managers to shoot us for poor sales figure.

So I made another career jump. A risky jump as this current job has no basic at all and I was just struggling to survive, flexible timing yet too flexible and time is easily wasted without proper planning.

Disagreement between parents and I, just add salt to my wound. Hurt so badly, different type of stress, but can't figure which one is worse. Struggling to grow up, wanted to be independent so badly, but the string keeps holding me back.

There was a happy ending towards end of 2018, but not too long ago things just back to square one.

Even Husky was affected, and I was deeply guilty for it.

Other than all these challenging moments, I went to church camp once again (missed out 2017 one as it clashed with my Taiwan trip), and went to mission trip again. Not to forget, the long awaiting Europe trip. My parents had always planned for it once my dad has longer break due to retirement, finally it has arrived. Just feel that time passed too fast.

Missed out blogging so many weeks, promised myself to blog every week but always had something coming up so I just ignore it.Wanted to be slim, once again failed. Wanted to put braces, wanted to wear Cheongsam, wanted to own my own car, wanted to learn brush lettering and modern calligraphy, all these things are just not happening.

What's the use of writing out goals and resolutions when you just can't fulfill them all?!

Am I a failure for not being able to just grasp what I want to do? To fight for what I want?

Am I living my life, or am I just trying to keep peace and fulfilling my mum's expectation of what my life should be? Having the path being set ahead smoothly is just too ordinary, and realising that I've been behaving too good following my mum's directions till... I have no direction of life at all. Husky said I have too many directions, just not sure which to choose.

Which just end up same conclusion: I don't know what I want to do in life. Instead I was led blindly, following instructions, at the same time losing myself bit by bit each day.

At the age of 25, I just hope that I'll be able to find my purpose in life.

2019 Resolution: To be Fu Guai Po HAHAHAHAHA! Just kiddiiinngggg :D

Have not been taking a lot pictures last year. Hope to take more pictures this year!

Bye 2017!

2017 was a normal year, until October when I changed my job, it just turned my whole world upside down.

Tears and laughters were the main characters during the last 3 months of 2017, trying to cope with pressure but felt excitement too.

Me and Husky on the hand, we are so low profile until friends actually asked me whether we are still together or not. See la, never post pictures of me, I also lazy post your picture already hmph.

But we did venture different types of food, and did ice skating on our 1st anniversary, which wasn't that good because a cute kid flew towards my directions forgotten to brake and made me fall flat on my butt. OUCH.

Nevertheless, yeah we are still together thank you very much. Hahahahaha.


Ohhh and did I mention that he actually did his homework for the very FIRST TIME and brought me somewhere nice for Christmas dinner! Wow the wood is becoming better material each year! 😍😍😍

And I went to Taiwan and currently in Guangzhou (no doubt I'm writing this post in 2018 backdated in 2017 ahahahaha) but the culture is so much different.

My goals for 2018? To focus on my career. No doubt the pressure is there, but in a way I feel so alive and fulfilling. Unlike the retiree life in my previous job, nothing can compare the difference.

Also to grow closer to God, because a lot of times I neglect spending time with Him with the pressure of my work.

I can conclude that 2017 was a great great year, and may my 2018 be even better!

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Christmas Day: UNFORGOTTEN

Last year Christmas we missed out the production Mary's Boy in Bethany church as we were away to Ipoh.

This year is actually the first year that we celebrated Christmas in Bethany and since a month ago the church has been decorated in such gorgeous decorations that make me feel awwwwwwww and keep telling Husky that I want my future house to look like this EVERYDAY.

And he just stared at me like I'm some sort of crazy girl. Okay so actually he never thinks that I'm ever normal before so that doesn't make much difference. 😒

The production this year is called as Unforgotten: Pursue by a Relentless Love, a story about this husband who is a non-believer learned about forgiveness and also giving his heart to God after his wife who was a Christian died in an accident.

The ending got everybody teared up, I overheard people commenting about it even in the washroom hahahaha.



Lately I've been having serious dilemma in workplace, not knowing which road to take, to gain recognition in the workplace but might need to do something that God doesn't approve or to forgo the recognition and make peace with God.

I do not feel peace at all if I were to pursue after the recognition, maybe part of me just doesn't want higher pressure from the management but nevertheless, after talking to 2 Christians who came to settle their banking stuff, I felt so much better and had peace.

In the end it's not about getting success in life, but it's about doing things that we have peace in our hearts. I seriously agree that money, fame, success, positions do not give us peace. We can have the whole world to ourselves, but we do know that deep inside our heart nothing can replace the peacefulness that we need.

I do hope that 2018 will be a year that I can grow closer to God, and that I do not need to think twice before making decisions or find myself in serious dilemma. We know very clearly what we ought to do, but sometimes it is of our flesh that we greed for something that we know we do not need.

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? - Matthew 16:26

Blessed Christmas everybody! ♱ = ♡

Merdeka

After watching Wolf Warrior 2 and The Battleship island, and also watching news about typhoons that took away thousands of lives in HK-Macau and the U.S.A, I felt even blessed that I'm born in Malaysia.

We are at a geographical point where the major disasters don't affect us the way they affect other countries. We are also at a place and timing where wars do not happen, as opposed to what happened in the history.

At least we have a nationality, we are MALAYSIANS, rather than UNKNOWN, or SEARCHING FOR ONE.

People always say grass is greener at the other side, it's true that we see the good things when we travel or study abroad, but I've come to a point where I realised at the end Malaysia is still the best.

True, there are weaknesses in our country, be it the education system or the politics. But as contrary to other countries, many times we are so much better than them.

Working abroad to work and earn more money, well, I find that our country is not that bad until we couldn't survive. We can still earn RM, and buy a house(s), if we are hardworking enough. Unlike in HK, maaaannn, I can't imaging living there permanently for the rest of my lives. Japan is nice when it comes to travelling, but staying there as a resident, well, I feel not quite right. The USA on the other hand, has too many guns. Haha.

Jokes aside.

I begin to appreciate our country more as I grow up. A country is like humans, we all have strengths and weaknesses. In some perspective, yes, there are many countries that are much better than Malaysia, but likewise, Malaysia is better than many countries as well.

You can't just select the strengths of some countries, eliminate their weaknesses and create a perfect country. There is no such thing, unless you are perfect, and you create a country where the only citizen is you.

60 years of being independent, I really can't picture what will it be like, if we are to face wars, just like the stories in Wolf Warrior 2 and The Battleship Island. Our lives are at risks, every second you are filled with horror, will I be the next person to be gunned down? That is really horrible. Survivals of wars are still disturbed by what happened those days, and sometimes it's better to die than to survive with images haunting them for the rest of their lives.


Selamat Hari Merdeka Malaysia. :)

Church Wedding

Believe it or not, this is my first time attending a church wedding!

It was held in Luther Centre PJ, and before I forget, it's Pr Daryl and Melanie's big day!!

Pr Eric talked about what marriage is and that couples should not ever ever give up on each other. All of us have strengths and weaknesses, and that we need to learn to accept and forgive each other.

Me with the bride! 💖

I almost teared up during the bride-entered-hall-with-daddy process. Starting with 2 xiao mei mei throwing flowers to the audience, and a boy holding a pair of rings (have no idea got this part!), 2 bridesmaids and finally Melanie with her father. So touched!

Then they exchange vows and tadaaaa, they are officially husband and wife! *tears of joy*

Next we went to Elite Seafood Restaurant for 9-course luncheon. This is my first time attend a luncheon too!

Everything was so pretty and I can say that the whole event went very smooth, all thanks to God's grace! :)

:D

Feel so blessed to be able to attend this wedding. At the same time I realise that quite a number of my seniors are getting married too! I'm still waiting for my close friends to get married so that I can be a bridesmaid. Why is everyone not married yet?!

Hope

The world just keeps on disappointing us, doesn't it?

Betrayals, selfishness, cruelty, discouragement, so on and so forth.

It's scary, to know that people who we know betrayed their partners, the most common story is that they became close to their colleagues and ka-boom. Sparks fly.

'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down
Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile.

And you think, it's happening everywhere, it's like, it's abnormal to not be cheated on. 

It gives you goosebumps, and make you wonder when will be your turn, which of course you wouldn't want it to happen to you.

Moreover nowadays the world is changing. It's not about guys cheating on girls anymore, it's the other way round. And they do it boldly. 

Girls are supposed to support each other, not break each other.

Doubts, insecurity, fear.

What if we focus on the positive side instead of the negative?

What if we just love ourselves more, in a way that we don't try hard to become somebody we're not? 

I admire those girls who are gentle in nature. The way they bring themselves, the way they present themselves, oh my, I have no idea how to be like them because I can shout very easily. And Husky said his first impression on me is cheeky/naughty kind of girl. -.- Because he saw me shouting at somebody, probably he thinks I'm noisy too. -.-

I like Matthew 6:25 a lot.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

The truth is, worrying means not trusting God. Instead of wanting to be a girl that the world accepts more (more sexy, more feminine, more plastic surgeries lol), I realise that I need to be a Godly woman more than a worldly woman. 

I've seen girls out there doing all sorts of things trying to get the love and attention that they want but end up wounded badly. I truly believe that God created us in a way that we are unique individually, and not to clone ourselves to be somebody else.

Of course, we being humans still can't run away from the negative emotions, but we can be different by having comfort and peace with God's Words.

I'm a writer in nature (not the write and publish books type of writer), and I can't persuade myself to stop worrying just by telling myself in the head. I need to read, and write (in this case, type/blog) it all out. I feel so much better by doing this.

How to be a Godly woman?

1. SEEK GOD FIRST: Reject the lie that anything or anyone else can satisfy you.

2. SPEAK FAITHFULLY: Love others with Godly wisdom, boldness, and kindness as a faithful completer of others.

3. SHOW TRUE BEAUTY: Bodies deteriorate, persons develop. Invest in that which lasts.

4. STAY HUMBLE: Be constantly aware of pride and selfishness. Don’t think less of yourself but think of yourself less.

5. SERVE THE LORD: Set your mind on eternal things, serve the eternal King, live to please only Him.

Such a great reminder to improve myself as a Christian girl. Change will take place if I open my heart to improve myself, it's not a bad thing because I'm not trying to clone myself or please anyone, but it's a natural thing to happen within the heart. 

It's so comforting finding peace and hope through the words of God, so much that it can't be compared with a thousand words that other people speak to me. 

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:33-34

June'17

So it's June now!!!!!!!! 5 months have passed!

Back then if you ask me what I've done for the past few months, I probably answer you I don't know. Time just got wasted as it is.

BUT! Now yes I can tell you what I've done!

1. Meesu 25

I'm currently selling couple/family/siblings/besties shirts! It's okay if you're single, just don't let the couple shirts title bring you down because I've got a feedback that she feels sad when I ask her whether she's interested in couple shirts or not. Like, okayyyyyy are you interested in single shirt? Hahaha just kidding.

Feel free to visit my FB page Meesu 25 (which is pronounced as Miss You 25) by clicking here! After quitting selling chokers, I've found a better business to try out. Hahahaha. And I can tell you that I've learned sooooooo much from it! There are the ups and downs, feeling of joy when someone says yes to buying the shirts, feeling of excitement when someone conveys their interests on the shirts, feeling of awkwardness when I had to PM them again just to confirm their interest on the shirts (don't wanna feel desperate but I just need to do follow up), and feeling of mild disappointments when someone says no to the shirts.

Despite all those ups and downs, I can just feel excitement whenever I'm doing something (or even just purely thinking and planning) related to business. Sometimes I do feel this is my calling from God. HAHAHAHAHA. Because it's basically the only thing that is still burning in my heart since long time ago. Other stuff, I'm very half basket water one haha!

2. Italian

I'm also learning Italian! Thanks to Duolingo which I found out from some articles, it makes it easier to learn another language! Also I chose Italian because it's the very first foreign language that I learned through learning piano. I'm still confused with the singular and plural words though. It makes me think of how I learn English back then, and how challenging it is when my colleague asks me what's the difference of him, he and his. Or things like that.

I'll probably learn Japanese next! Because I really really love travelling to Japan and also due to my Dad who works in a Japanese related company. He spent months in Japan for training when he was much younger. So yeah, got some influence from him la.

3. Taiwan

Besides these two, I've also traveled to Taiwan! I would definitely go back there if my goal is just to take my own sweet time visiting places and trying out the food there. It's quite a slow-pace country, so you can just enjoy your every bit of time without rushing. I don't like it when it comes to involving tours. We need to change hotels every 1 or 2 days, wait for others to board on the bus, some bus-mates got lost somewhere and forgot the time to come back, but it's good when it comes to sight-seeing. Because places like these are hard to reach when you're on your own.

4. Drawing/Colouring

Fourth of all, I've started drawing once again! Growing up going to those colouring competitions make me miss drawing/colouring/crayoning/painting. So I've make it a habit to colour again! Just can't leave my crayons/colour pencils/watercolours inside my cupboard untouched for the rest of my life. Though now I'm just focusing on using watercolours only. Pinterest is definitely my source of inspiration! Nah I'm just kidding. I'm using it to copy and paste only. Hehehe. Still trying to improve!

5. Calligraphy

Besides that, I'm also trying to self-learn calligraphy. Again, I'm using Pinterest to guide me. I'm so amazed with the typographies out there and it seems that I'm still no where compared to them! I've tried using pencil, pen, nib-set, even with a brush! The best I can do is to fake the design. -.- But I'm still trying! Hopefully one day I can write it flawlessly. :D

6. Videos

There are few types of YouTube videos that I'm watching lately. First is The Bible Project. I watched it to learn more about the Bible. It's created in a way that we can understand the Word of God in an easier way (especially the Old Testament) as the author conveys the messages through illustrations. Every video explains every Book in the Bible, so it's like there's a video for Psalms, a video for Job, a video for Genesis and so forth. I watch a video per day and I can say that I've grown my understanding about the Bible through these videos.

Then there is this Clothes Encounters by Jenn Im, a Korean American. She's just so so so so so so so pretty (still pretty when she doesn't wear any makeup!) and she has such a sweet smile! She does videos of makeups and outfits, so I do watch her videos every now and then for some inspirations even though I hardly makeup. Bahahaha.

Next is this Jubilee Media, a very meaningful place for you to find humanity in. They shoot videos that will make you touched and in these very negative world, you get to find back a sense of love and compassion in it.

7. Ted Ed & LinkedIn Pulse

I'm trying to fully utilise my lunch hours by watching Ted Ed videos and reading articles from LinkedIn Pulse. Ted Ed is about inspirations and LinkedIn is more on Entrepreneurship, Finance and Leadership. There are apps that can be downloaded for free and I really really benefit a lot from them.

10. Blog

Yeah I'm still blogging! Hahahaha! Just cannot abandon it la. So many memories inside. :')


Wow! Look at that! It has been so long since I'm so cheong hei! xD But I'm very proud that I'm wasting lesser time on social media but using more time on productivity and self-improvement. I know that with my current day job only I can have so much time to do so many things and sometimes I do feel that if I change job I'll just end up coming home wanting to sleep. But till then, I'll try to improve my time management and improve myself more! :D

10 Things About Taiwan

1. They are super duper friendly. I hardly see a black face whenever I ask directions from Taiwaneses. In fact, if the person doesn't know which direction, the person standing nearby will pop out and give you the correct directions!

2. They super duper pamper their dogs. Either they hug their dogs while walking, or they place their dogs in prams. Their dogs don't need to move an inch!

3. Their life-pace is quite slow. Don't compare with fast-pace countries like Singapore and Japan, even the escalators in One Utama seems faster than those in the Taiwan MRTs!

4. Don't expect to buy a lot of clothes in their night markets. You will end up eating a lot you can't even fit into any clothes!

5. When they say it's going to rain, it won't. Their weather is not as honest as in Malaysia.

6. They expect their people to be honest, though You can see the hawker stalls placing trays of coins on top of their tables, even expecting customers to take their own change!

7. The stuff (clothes and food) are not as cheap as I'd expected. Even before we multiply the currency with a 0.15, it's relatively high compare with Malaysia.

8. Do not be cheated by the old exterior of their buildings! Our hotel is located at the 8th and 9th floor of a residential building, which looks very old and messy from the outside, but it was super neat and tidy when you enter their hotel room.

9. Their garbage trucks play beautiful music to announce their arrival! We heard similar sound in Shanghai before, but it wasn't until in Taiwan where we found out it was actually the arrival of garbage trucks. It wasn't the messy sound that you expect, in fact I find it suitable as a lullaby!

10. Last but not least, there are super duper many scooters!!

Freed

I bought a book with the title 99 Months: The Case Of The Sydney Double Murders by Ram Tiwary last year about a true story telling the horrific life of a Singaporean who studied in Australia for being accused murdering his two friends.

Sometimes I do wonder whether a guilty man will have the energy to go through all these appeals and even write a book about it. Only the innocent who is convicted will have the motivation to do so? Is he really innocent?

His book brings you to explore the prison life, when you're having the status of a double murderer.

After 99 months, finally when he's freed, his whole perspective of things had changed.

"I had never enjoyed being stuck in a traffic jam, or gazing at lane upon lane of stationary cars as I did that day. I actually remember thinking as I watched a traffic report in 2005 of an especially bad traffic jam that the drivers didn't know how lucky they were to have the privilege of being stuck in one." - Ram Tiwary

Weird huh? We all complain about traffic jams, but he thinks that being able to be stuck in a traffic jam is a lucky thing. Because compared with him living in a small prison cell and having roller-coaster feelings, stuck in a jam seems to be a better thing to do.

God does not need to please everybody. Many times people were disappointed due to what happened to them and blame God. When the sun shines brightly, those who need their clothes to be dried and those who have planned for an outdoor trip will be very grateful, but to those who badly need rain will not be happy. Same goes to the situation when it rains, farmers will be very happy, those who long for a cool weather will appreciate the rain, but to those who are planning for a marathon will be disappointed.

So it's not up to us to change the situation, but to change our reaction upon the situation.

Like for Ram, he changed his perspective towards the world. If you tell a KL lang that he should appreciate being stuck in jam he'll probably hit you with a Siao ah you! But really, it's an infinite times better than stuck in a prison cell.


Lately I've been feeling the same too. Usually people hate it when they sneeze a lot, because they need to have a lot of tissue to wrap wanton hahahaha. But now because my nose is blocked, and I was just diagnosed that I have sinus (bad headache at the forehead and eye parts), I badly need to sneeze so that there won't be any traffic jam in my nose anymore. I even Googled How to Make Myself Sneeze, no joke!

It's the small little things that make me try to be grateful, especially during unpleasant times. I know that there will be trials and challenges to come, but I do hope that by the time I meet them, I'll have a stable foundation and to know that with God, I can go through the tough times.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. - Galatians 1:10 -

小孩

之前跟哈士奇去吃晚餐时，看到邻桌有个妈妈在考验孩子的英文spelling，看起来是小学的年纪，样子可怜兮兮的，然后还有个婴孩，之前也不懂发生什么，眼睛肿肿鼻子红红的，一定是哭的稀里哗啦的。

读不好书真的是父母唯一担忧吗？还是只是要比较，谁的孩子最厉害？

恐怕孩子们以后除了读书，还是读书！😩😩😩

01.01.17

No last emo post for the last day of 2016.

No excited post for the first day of 2017.

Because all I feel is...contented.

Contented of what I'm having, even though I still argue with my Mum a lot, even though I still don't have much to talk with my Dad, even though my bf is not the tallest, richest and handsomest bf in the universe, even though my Nek is still thinner than me, even though my job doesn't give me the highest salary in the world, even though I'm still waiting for God to answer my some of my prayers.

But I know my Mum protects me, I know my Dad loves me, I know my bf cares for me, I know my Nek gets fatter already, I know I had learned so much in my company, and I know that I will get answers from God someday, just as I always have.


Turning from 21 to 22 is not a big deal because I still had exams in January back then, it doesn't change much as my status was still a student.

But then turning from 22 to 23 is a whole lot of big deal.

My status doesn't change, from an employee to... still an employee. Just a not so newbie employee anymore.

Usually they call those who are in their early 20s as young adult. And in few more years time, the 'young' word will be stripped off, no more young anymore. Officially adult. Getting-old adult.

*Cries*

Where did my youth go? Cannot la, must achieve more things when I'm still a young adult! But I always find myself standing at the same circle, going nowhere than where I'm always been.

Need to start achieving goals instead of making them. How to make new resolutions if the old ones are still stuck underneath somewhere?

Starting by using time well. I've made a planner to avoid myself from browsing too much FB or Instagram. :D

The key to success is to fully utilize our time and create more productivity. 

- Quote by Jasmine Ng -

Remember to jot it down and make it your life mantra. ;)


By the way, there wasn't much fireworks when the time reached 00:00. Spending too much in 2016, eh?

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6 -

Science Has Found Evidence Of God!?

I don't know whether this video is real because I'm a Christian and I believe in the existence of God, or that it's real because it's really the truth. Non-believers will not believe everything that is said in this video, but for me, it just tells the fact that there's a Creator in this Universe.

Even though it's a bit lengthy (around 25 minutes), but if you're curious about life, do spend some time watching it! :D

Derailed

When the news appeared, I was shocked. I believe a lot of people are shocked too.

Being one of the most admired and respectful badminton player in the world, we don't expect to have such glimpse from his personal side. All the while we focus on his best form, his competition with Dato Lee Chong Wei, and his story with sweet heart of 12 years.

They said that the only thing he lacks of is a child, as his competitor has already 2 kids, while that time he had none.

And now his child was born, but the news of him having affair broke through, too.

We as badminton fans (or even non-badminton fans) were shocked, upset, angry, disappointed.

If we already feel such way, how about his wife? I believe she feels worse. Especially when their kid just born, she needs to handle a lot of stuff, just handling their kid alone takes so much time and effort. Being first time parents, she'll be frustrated enough just to wonder how to take care of their kid.

But with this news broke out, it's easy to be depressed. A child is a blessing, but when situation like this happen, somehow it became a curse.


Critics are all over everywhere, I would be lying if I say that I didn't feel disappointed with his behaviour.

Then I saw a short article that tells about the story about the adulteress and was condemned by the crowd who wanted to stone her to death. Jesus said let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone, and slowly one by one the accusers slipped away, because they all have sinned, and they have no rights to condemn the adulteress.

A lot of us knew this story, but we often forget about it whenever other people committed mistakes.

Before reading this article I even told myself that I'll never watch his competitions anymore. But really, it was just me judging his personal life with his professional career.

Though I'm pretty sure that his wife doesn't care about his success and fame and the number of games he had won, all she cares is his heart loyal to her.

It's brave for him to stood out and apologise the moment the news broke instead of giving tons of excuses, but it doesn't matter how we see him as a public figure. It's his wife whose heart matters the most. Forgive him or not is really up to her.

"Do yourself and your spouse a favor. Give him or her a gift that can continue to bless both of you for a lifetime
—the gift of honor.”

Responsibility

There's this latest news where a man and his two kids were dead, where the two kids were murdered by their father and then the father committed suicide.

It seems that the father and his wife have been unemployed for years and relied on neighbors to give them money.

It makes me think of the responsibilities that we all have when we're alive.

Parents who give birth to their children have responsibilities to provide them basic needs that includes food, shelter education etc and shower them with love.

Typical families have husbands going out to work to provide money and wives at home taking care of children, cook, do the housework etc.

Modern ones on the other hand, both spouses work together to earn money and take care of their children and home.

Children go to school and study, help out at home.

The wife in the news as mentioned above is said to elope with her husband, practically means they don't have blessings from her family.

It's her responsibility too, for choosing the man. And also for not reporting to the police when her husband murdered her two kids.


I think that every decision that we make comes responsibilities.

The partner we choose, the job we choose, even small minor things like the food we choose to eat.

If we want to go to Point A to Point B, ask ourselves do we try our very best to find out how to go instead of not trying at all and relying on other people?

Are we responsible enough to face the consequences of our choices?


Ultimately I think that love is the reason why we bear the responsibilities. Whether we are children of our parents, friends of our friends, partners of our partners, parents to our future children, we love them, that's why we're willing to bear the responsibilities.

He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. - 1 Corinthians 3:8 -

Sydney #4

21.06.16 - Day 6

Our second last day in Sydney, which is a free and easy day.

We wanted to go to the Fish Market which we had to pass by Chinatown and saw this restaurant:

Malaysian Mamak lea!

Look at the price, haven't convert already so the expensive. *wipe sweat*

I had a dream, which is to go to Australia and sell roti canai *LOOK AT THE PRICE AGAIN*

We went to the Paddy's Market to board onto a tram to Fish Market, the world's third largest fish market.

This stork stole my food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We bought our lunch and headed to outside to eat but it was a mistake. The wind was blowing and our lunch soon turned into cold dishes. Plus the fact that the birds are lingering outside waiting to pounce on your food, which resulted in me losing my fish. -.-

It was a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day!

After the lunch we headed back and walked along Pitt Street.

At night we went for our dinner and my Dad said he still had some coins left. Then he saw people passing the restaurant that we were eating holding ice cream and wondered where did they buy the ice cream. Sure enough, the bakery beside the restaurant sells ice cream too. So we bought the black sesame one. They have matcha too but I thought my parents weren't too keen on matcha so I chose black sesame. Who knows, after that I whispered to my Dad whether we can buy another ice cream which is matcha flavour and he said yes WOOHOO! And we purposely went back to the bakery to buy, thank God it haven't closed yet. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Me with Black Sesame ice cream 

Black Sesame ice cream alone

Me with Matcha ice cream

Matcha ice cream alone

Before I forget, Australia is a place with many kangaroos which are also the symbol of Australia but I'm not sure whether it is over supply or what, they do sell food products of kangaroos and also souvenirs.

 Scary scary. >.<

Oh I saw this and it looks very cute!

HAHAHA!!

Overall, other than buying souvenirs, I bought a pair of red lace pants from Forever 21. I couldn't believe that the items sold in Chinatown are so much expensive than branded outlets like Forever 21. 

I like the fact that people can just walk around the streets without fear, and because of the weather this month it's quite comfortable to go to a place by walking, can save money if you're working here. High cost of living, that's for sure. 

I used to think of coming to Australia to work or study, but it's terrifying if you don't have enough money to even survive here. 

They say that the grass is always greener than the other side, but temporary I don't mind if I would just stuck in Malaysia hahahahahaha.

22.06.16 - Day 7

Boarded the plane back to Malaysia, again feeling hotter than ever haha! A baby couldn't stopped crying in the plane. As passengers we would like to spend our time reading or catching some sleep and it's normal if we feel annoyed, but at the same time the mother feels worse because she doesn't know what happened to her baby and she just cried non-stop. I said a silent prayer, hoping the baby can just calm down and get some sleep, and within minutes she began to doze off, leaving her parents some peace. 

Honestly saying, I don't feel that good this trip. I feel like since I'm already working but I still couldn't afford to bring my parents for a holiday instead and wonder when this day can arrive. Of course it was a great experience, but deep down inside my heart I was just pondering when is the day that my parents can really sit back and relax. Sigh.