at the junction of 2011 and 2012..

I realised I didn't touch this blog since April. Since April, too many things happened and now that we are hitting the end of 2011, let me quickly highlight some of the happenings of my life since then that I think I can conclude that 2011 was good and fulfilling.

First, a brief photo montage of my Europe Trip beginning of the year.

After that trip and my stay back home in Malaysia, it was the journey of job searching. And I was so lucky that I got a job and started my journey with Colonial First State as a Financial Service Administrator on April 18, 2011.

From then, life was about work and settling down with it well. I've learnt so much from different people in the company and I'm truly glad to be where I am. I'm glad to even made great friends besides working with one of my bestie in the same company. Thanks to her hubby for referring me the job. I still owe him one. :)

In August, I followed my parents on a trip back to the roots, China where I discover the history. A trip of 12 people, I flew to China via Singapore and went for the trip that I believe was meaningful. We revisited the ancestral house and the place where my great grandparents were laid to rest. There were so much to discover from traditional looking furniture to the relatives who are staying there. One interesting fact, I'm the only female of generation of my family. High pressure! The culture and food is the other thing that enlighten me. :)

After the trip, I was in Singapore and Malaysia for a short trip before heading back to Sydney. I managed to catch up with family and friends. I managed to see Calvin & Moon's baby Ainsley and that girl is a tough girl.. just like her mummy. :)

Back to Sydney it was work, CPA exams and my one of my besties wedding of her life that is keeping me busy. Work is still great and challenging. I experienced my first company Xmas party, that was awesome!! CPA? I failed the first semester of the year but managed to pass the 2nd semester. Thank god!!

My bestie's wedding? Turned out great and I think it's telling me that I might have prospect in this wedding planning line. :) Who knows..

And as I'm writing now, I am trying to finish this short recap before the clock hit 12 to welcome 2012 in my new Melbourne home (my brother's place) which I'm sure would welcome me to Melbourne more. I am grateful for whatever happened in 2011 and I sincerely hope that 2012 would be a better year for everyone. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR and WELCOME 2012!! :)

it's been awhile.. 4th month in 2011

I just realised I have left this blog empty and untouched since September last year. And, I forgot to shout Happy Birthday on that post to my lovely mum. I was writing that post, while I was in Melbourne visiting my bro while my parents were there. It's been a great family trip all together.

Previous blog post was quite emo. I am still missing my dearest grandma but I know she is in a better place. She will always remain in my heart, that will never change.

So, what have I been doing since then? I have been working in the same place but I was back and forth to Malaysia so many times. Once in November for prayers for my grandma and another time in conjunction of a family / work trip to Europe in January/ February and stayed for Chinese New Year. Yes, it was a long break.

Before the Europe trip, I was back in time for my grandpa's prayers too. My grandpa's burial place is kinda old and cracking and so, the family decided to rebuild it. So, I managed to go back to Kuala Pilah, my dad's hometown this time to take a look. It's been close to 6 years since I was back for Cheng Meng. What a big difference to my grandpa's place. It was big and spacious in comparison to my grandma's place. This is the difference between two different place and different times. 40 odd years ago, the hills are not as commercialised and yet the land is big. Now, commercialised memorial places is limited to that piece of land you buy. Anyway, it was a good reunion as our relatives of my granduncle were around and went to my grandma's place to pay her respect on the way back to KL.

I'll do another post particularly for the Europe Trip. In short, it was fulfilling despite being working partially.

I was back in time for CNY but well, not celebrating it as we were mourning for 3 years (according to the Hokkien traditions), things were a lot easier on my mum. So, we just chilled at home and still went back to my mum's hometown, Raub as we were celebrating Uncle Yap Ah Loy's 61st Birthday. I baked some lemon cupcakes as his cake and glad that everyone loved it.

My best achievement was during my stay, my dad suggested that we walked out from our place to the city centre to eat breakfast. I initially thought, "Are you sure, dad? " In disbelief and doubt of whether I can last the walk, I still followed my dad to take the challenge. For a person like me who participated City2Surf of 14km, you guys out there would think, I shouldn't have any problem. But walking in Malaysia, it's totally different. I would actually sweat more and what is more challenging is that the roads in Raub do not have pedestrian paths. You have to beware of cars and uneven roads. Dad did some calculating before, our journey would be about 2km +/-. I usually can do it if we were at our housing area in Bukit Rimau with not much traffic.

Anyway, I did it and enjoyed fantasic nasi lemak and roti canai with dad at Ratha, the famous mamak in town. Trust me the curry is different. We packed some food back for our family and relatives and they were amazed when we said we walked out and walked back. :)

Anyway, the rest of the days in Malaysia was either spent with family and relatives or with my friends in Malaysia. I had so many different gathering with all of them and was happy to have spent time with them. I practically changed and postponed my flight back just to spend more time and it was kinda a bad choice to do it as the stay gets longer, the more reluctant I want to come back to Sydney. Good news, my favourite niece is more adorable and close to me than ever and the baby nephew is so cute!! :)

As I was leaving back to Sydney, I got another great news from Derek that his baby boy Cayden is out in the world. :) I can't wait to go back to see him. :)

Since I came back to Sydney, I decided to move on from what I was supposed to do. Now, it's either I land myself a job soon or I would wait for my opportunity with my dad's side. This coming week is going to be so hectic as I am studying for my CPA before my exam in a month's time and I got an interview which I hope I would fare well. Bless me please....

That's all for now..:)

and it changes my life...

It's been about 3 months since I wrote anything. I wanted to update this blog in July after my birthday but have been procrastinating. Yes I turned 26 and is very much looking forward to really push myself to work my dreams, work my ways towards things. Just as I was in the gear, my life when to a big pause.

It all happened with a phone call from Mum at about 4.30am Aussie time, that woke me up. I remember I was so tired from work and I dozed off, sleeping early, forgotten to switch off the lights to sleep. Then, I was waken up by a call. When I was about to pick it up, it turned into a miss call from an unknown caller. I suspected it could be someone from home, so I sms-ed my mum, " Mum, did you call me?" Then the phone rang again, in a crying voice, Mum said, " Inn, Ah Ma left already." In the midst of half-awake mode, I immediately broke into tears, in disbelief. Mum continued to ask me to arrange my way back home while my tears keep flowing down my cheek and when we hang up, I cried. I still had to contain myself to call my bro and cousins in Melb to send the bad news and arrange for all of us to rush back home. That morning onwards, my whole heart just sunk.

My dearest grandma left us on 27th August 2010 at 2pm, Malaysian Time at Pantai Cheras Hospital. She was admitted to the hospital on the 8th August 2010 and had been having ups and downs conditions that make it so unpredictable that she would leave us. I had instinct that I should have been back but I didn't make that move. I was waiting for my parents to tell me either she's getting better or come back now to see her but, I did not get to say my last goodbye..

When I walked in to her funeral parlour, seeing her in her casket, I cannot believe that the last time I saw her was my last time. I still could remember that I came back for my friend's wedding and made time to go and visit her as often as I could. She would make sure Suthi, the maid cook my favourite meehoon soup for me. She would chat with me about everything from getting a boyfriend to where I want to travel. She would hold my hands and tell me about her old stories of when she first came to Malaya and all. And now, she is lying peacefully and I will never get to hear her speak again.

Throughout the funeral ceremony and prayers, flashbacks of her keep replaying in my head, I keep hearing her call my name. Every time I think of her, my tears starts rolling down my cheek. The once very strong girl that never really break down in front of others, actually was very weak at this very same time. I keep going to the casket to see her face and I wanted to talk to her, want her to respond to me but I know she's gone for good.

The hardest part was when they are closing the casket, the point that you know you would not see her face, body and the whole of her as a person anymore. I witnessed even my dad, teared as I believe it is hard to accept that his mum is leaving him forever too.

It's been 3 weeks since she left and every time anyone mentioned about her, I would sit there silently again. On the 7th day after her death, as Chinese believed that her spirit would return to visit, I was hoping she would appear in my dream. In fact, I think I felt her presence next to me just like how I used to sleep next to her when I was young.

After so much thoughts and chats with dad and mum, I realised that I have been the closest grandchildren to her. In fact, I think I was the only one she took care of for the longest time and the only one that she caned before. I was the only one that seen her cry as she talked about her difficult times.

So, in her remembrance, I would gather all her stories together and hopefully able to tell her stories to my children. I would always remember her and will always look up to her as my role model for life.

Ah Ma, I really missed you and I will love you forever. May you rest in peace and is happily with Grandpa now.

Concert and Shows... anyone??

Yes... I heard AJ Rafael is coming to Sydney this August!! The Youtube music sensation is coming down under and I believe you would agree with me that he is really good with music. I like his music passion that I heard that he have the same passion as his father who was also a great musician too.

So, who's with me?? Ticket is $35 presale and $45 at the door. :)

As I was surfing on Youtube.. I finally found the song I think I found the perfect wedding song for me. Haha. Love the song, Love the lyrics and this rendition by AJ Rafael and his mates, perfect.

AND.... I saw that BON JOVI is coming in December too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

of photo gadgets and wonderful photos..

Yes. I love taking pictures, as a passion. With me now, I have a Nikon D60, a very amateur camera. I got it since end of 2008 and since then, I have been deciding on which lenses or any other camera I want. Well, we can't get everything we want so here's to saving up for it!! :)

Olympus Pen EP1 DSLR

Lumix GF-1

I read the review and all, it seems quite interesting and relatively small for a DLSR. The Olympus one, I kinda read it on Xiaxue's blog and the Lumix one, a friend of mine uses it. :)

Thanks to Audrey, as she borrowed me her Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm before and after using it, love it. Nice portrait photos taken on my trial with it.

At the same time would love to grab a flashgun to go along my Nikon for some nice lighting pictures. :)

I've always look up to photographers that are really good be it in sceneries or portrait or wedding photography, it require skills. My favorites?? Wedding Photographers like Justin Oh, Jenny Sun, Jon Low, those from Axioo and many more.

Here's a link to this very touching photos of Katie Kirkpatrick. She was bride that was battling with cancer for 3 years. She married her highschool sweetheart Nick Goodwin in 2005 and died 5 days after the wedding. Her photos shows how strong she was to go through the process of wedding planning and no matter how unwell she is, she still smile all the way. The following photos are by Romain Blanquart and story taken from http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/katie/.

Katie Kirkpatrick and her fiance, Nick, rest prior to their wedding. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick waits while she finishes one of the sessions.

Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie took care of every single wedding plan. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to her constant weight loss.

An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. Nick's parents look on.

Katie, in a wheelchair, listening to her husband and friends serenading her.

In the middle of the party Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain doesn't allow her to stand for long periods of time.

This is what they mean by photos draw a thousand words. This is one of the reason why I am so keen into wedding planning. If there is anyone out there who is like Katie, sick yet strong and strive towards life and want to plan a wedding, I would do it for free. Why? Because I believe everyone have a dream to achieve and if I can help to make a wedding as the dream, why not? In fact, don't say wedding, if I know I can lend a helping hand to help anyone in need, within my ability and capacity, I will do anything for that person.

My love for design :)

I do not know where I get my inspiration or ideas from. Maybe it runs in the family or so, as my brother is into multimedia designs; he loves drawing anime manga characters and all, and my other cousin brother is good in fine arts and doing multimedia drawings too now. Me on the other hand, have a creative mind of decorations, making crafts and even doing food, I hope the food is in pretty looks and of course taste good.

When I was a lot younger, maybe 15 when I have not decided what I really want to do, I used to ask my dad for advices on career options. Trust me, back in those days, Accounting was not my thing as I have not touch accounting subject yet. I was inspired by those students doing architecture and design. So, I asked my dad about it and the moment he told me 7 years to be in the industry, I knew I couldn't do it. From young, I am not those who get straight A's and therefore, I knew my ability. So, I asked my dad again, so if I am into design, which is the 2nd option after architecture? He said interior design which he had to deal with a lot in his industry. I was then really interested in it. Thanks to mum, quoted from her, 'You will not do well in design industry unless people know you.' So, that's why accounting was now what I studied.

I know I never really put interior design behind, so I did my short course on Interior Design. I often check out websites like Apartment Therapy and other designs sites and make trips to Kinokuniya to check out interesting books that I have no money to buy. If I print money, my apartment should have no place for books to put. :) If you really like interior design like i do or even if you want to work in this kind of environment.. i want this book badly...

Well, whether or not I get to use these little creative mind of mine.. shall see.. :) I want to use it on my house first but well no money, how to decorate, right? So, earn money and then shall see.. :)

At this moment, Germany is leading 4-1 against England.. :( haizz if Ferdinand and Beckham were in the team. :(

towards end of June...

It's been 3 months since I last blogged. A lot of time have passed, a lot of things happened and I feel I'm still quite stagnant where I am. And now, one week before I turn old again, I really need to buck up my life and achieve more than now.

Anyway, enough of ranting. Here comes a bit of updates. What happened since the last I blogged. Too many but I would say the highlight is my dear friends' wedding, Moon Sin & Calvin. Thanks for inviting me and I am really happy for them and glad I could make it. Yes, means I went back twice this year. Here are some photos I picked, to show the reunion of friends, the purple-dressed-ji muis and pink ties'-heng tais and the happiness of the wedding couple.

Now, with World Cup in the season, there are a lot of sleepless nights and I am currently working casual at Papparoti Kogarah under Junda and his boys while pushing for my shop. I am starting my CPA soon.(HINT*PEK LYNN) At the same time, I have one big decision to make, that could combine my expertise into many areas. DECISIONS....

One question was always asked and I always do not have answer for it.
'Jenny, what would you like for birthday?'

My answer, as long as you remember my birthday, it's the best birthday present. Presents are just additional stuff to it. I feel having people to remember it, makes a whole lot difference. :) If you really want me to say it, haha..a simple cake with candles would make a good present. :) I remember my 21st birthday, I had 3 cakes. I've years that I didn't get to blow candles at all. That means, no wishes made. :(

more hints? if you know what I like, what I like to do.. shouldn't be too hard. haha..

till next week.. :)I'm going to watch Germany vs England soon. I don't know who to support. But if I'm loyal enough, England is the team. :)