As usual, I tried to go back home for CNY and this year I felt the trip gave me deeper aftermath. It was a short 3 weeks but I think I fully utilised my 3 weeks. First 2 weeks, since it's pre CNY and CNY period, it would be a usual family time and I'm glad I managed to spend a lot more time with them.
Every year I came back in a rush and left in a rush. This year, 3 weeks is too short, not too long. Which means when I thought I am feeling comfortable at home.. then I got to go back to Sydney. Usually I will look forward to go back to Sydney, to seek my freedom and easy free life. Maybe it's because when you grew up, you think more and what is better than being together with your family and helping around the family. Knowing that my dad and mum is getting old, I feel guilty for leaving them again. So, I already make my goals duration in hope that I would go back and help them up in their business.
After leaving home for almost 5 years, I know my parents miss us, me and bro. The house is so quiet and big for them and I'm glad my other relatives stay around the same neighbourhood. I miss my dear niece, Ying Ni, the naughty adorable one. I also miss my dear grandma, whom is always looking forward for me to bring back someone.
Thanks for all the friends for meeting up!! :) Following are some photos and there are more on my Facebook. :) Enjoy!!
It's been 23 days since the new year started and what can I say, the journey have not been easy for me.
I'm hoping to get good news and all but it's not really coming smoothly. When you kinda wish things would happen it would kind of disappoint you a bit but delaying the results. So, how to work things then things are getting stuck? Wish me the very best. I believe we are working hard for that something to happen!!!! So, may the good luck comes...
Ironically, when you do not expect things to happen, it just keep coming every round. What happen you may ask? HAHA! I attempted to play texas holdem poker with the guys last night. Usually, I enjoy watching them play and seeing them go pokerfaced with one another and last week, I did mention I would play if they are doing it this week again. I was thinking, why not donate some money and enjoy playing with them and see. So, they were playing a few rounds until I decided to join in with my housemate after playing wii. So, i started playing with $10 first. Then, lost it all in a few rounds. Then, I bought in another $10. Then things started to get a bit freaky. Every round I play, when I thought I no way close, I get good hands. Keep doing it for a lot of rounds. Until my friends left the game, came back in and all, they still did not change the wind of good hands. It's not that I play pokerface or what, I did try some rounds faking it, but still the last card came in just surprised me sometimes. Well, at the end, I won about $33 profit. Yes getting back the initial investment of $20 and also profit!! How freaky is it, I'll let Ming Yow tell you stories.. HAHA!! I just enjoyed seeing their face when my cards came out. Anyway, being a non gambler person, I used the profit for breakfast this morning since we played all night till morning. Yes, crazy!! :) So, when you don't hope for anything big, it just kinda come your way. Conclusion, the guys are not playing poker at our house anymore as they claimed there is jampi in the house that makes both me and joy win respectively. :)
Life is so unpredictable. So, how are we going to know whether things will work our way or not. It's the same with relationships too. Now, at 25.. and turning 26 in 7 months time, I'm feeling pressured. Though my parents did not really pressure me on it, but I know very well time is ticking. Many friends my age are either in a stable relationship or some even got married and had kids. Oh my. Mum even talked to a chinese medium and she concluded saying that I should take my time and don't rush in getting a guy, 26 years old still ok, it's the new generation. Even she knows I am looking. Haha. Well, since what she said, I kinda knew that the Mr Right is not around yet. I just hope I do not be so blind not to see him when he passed by. So, now, I'm doing the same like what I did for poker, do not expect anything.. as maybe it might or might not happen. :) Wish me luck!!
So, the conclusion of this post is with things being unpredictable, somethings will either happen or not, but if you believe in yourself and have faith and hope that something nice would happen, it might just happen when you least expected it to happen. :)
Welcome 2010!! Finally it's the new year and I spent the past few hours waiting for the fireworks and all. But I am so 'SMART' that I packed all the necessary gears and all for the camp of waiting for the fireworks and forgot my DLSR's SD memory card. So smart to start the year. :) So, whatever photos I post here today would be credits to friends. But I did a video shoot and it's not very good condition so, I'll leave that out until I edit it. :)
But I would highly credit Justin Oh, a friend of mine that did his fabulous video shoot and photo shoot. :)
As for photos, thanks to audrey for some really nice shots.. :) I'll just put one up. The rest, check her facebook.. :)
Credit to Audrey Lian
So, there you go a night of fireworks and that is how Sydney welcomed it with a bang. Even mum told me she was going to rush to the phone to ask my aunt to watch it from Astro but she knocked her leg and ended up to watch the whole thing in pain. Aiks...
Basically, we started that morning doing crazier thing like taking shoots of the opera house on the first morning of 2010. We wanted to do the sunrise but because we woke up late and it was rather cloudy, it's hard to see the best sunrise. So, this is my shot of the day, first day of 2010. :)
We carried on going to Pancakes on the Rocks for breakfast and went back home to sleep after that as we are all sleep deprived. Then I managed to get up for lunch with Brian as he was in town visiting with Michael. The rest of the day was pretty simple, spending girl time with Audrey and finally brought her to MAMAK where she was so happy with her meal. :)
That's a nice first day of the year 2010. :) And yes.. I did a change to my blog... just thought to make it more personal.. i should love my smile more.. :) And that's how I'm going to start the journey.. :)
It's just an hour after I did a whole December recap. And I'm supposed to wake up later to go Circular Quay AGAIN for NYE!! This would be my 3rd year watching the fireworks. To to think of it, it had been so long since I'm in Sydney.
So, tomorrow's a new year and to recap back I've done some decent achievements that I've set to do well and there are some.. unfinished ones that I will bring forward to the new year, making sure I fulfill in doing them in the year 2010.
The achievements to-do list that is successfully done:
Get my Permanent Resident Status - Yay!! Got it in June 2009.
Expanding Ivory & Co - Some sort, we had an extra partner and added the delivery services.
Do better in Netball :)
NCG 2009 - in July 2009 and was kind of happy with what I managed to achieved.
M-fest 2009 - I'm most impressed with myself and my team on this. Best ever M-fest reviews.. :)
Improve Photography skills - managed to learn many new skills, but there are more to learn.
So, now.. the new list:
Do another course, be it my passion or master or whatever.
Business Venture
Healthier Lifestyle
Music - Learning the Guitar
Be stronger mentally and more focus in life.
Mini Projects :)
Visit a country :)
That would be the base of all my targets of 2010. May I have a the courage and faith to make sure I reach my success this 2010. I can definitely defeat the the obstacles or so.
Bye 2009, it have been a great year!! Welcome 2010, it will be a greater year!! :) To end the year 2009, I dedicate this remix of Top 25 Songs of 2009 by DJ Earworm. Enjoy!! :)
I meant to blog more this month but still couldn't do it due to my busy social calendar. :)
Anyway, December 2009 is here.. and it's about to come to an end. I bet everyone of you out there would agree, this year passed by like lighting. I would still remember clearly what happened last Christmas party and all and now, it's the same month one year after.
So, just to update a little about what big things happened the past one month, here you go. The month started with a little project I set to make it happen for Ms Vanessa Lim, my dearest housemate. I realised I have not really celebrate her birthday with her since I knew her and with her having her homesick chat with me a week before the big day, I decided to make a little dedication video for her. Thanks to her dear family and friends from Malaysia and Sydney for making it all happen. If you all would like to check it out, watch the following clip:
Obviously, she's happy and surprised. I baked her chocolate cheesecake and it's super sinful!!
To add on to it, we had dinner at Pancakes on the Rocks. :)
After that, more food ventures coming, with Ms Angeline Lew's birthday. We head to I'm Angus Steakhouse and celebrated it with everyone in PURPLE. I just attempted to make the Magnolia Vanilla Cupcakes with simple piping and gummy sweets for her. Well, I bet her best presents besides us celebrating with her, something special finally happened. I will leave it for her to tell people herself. :)
Then, Diane and I organised a surprise for Ms Lynn Lum. Since her birthday had passed and she was not around in Sydney then, we thought would be good to organise something for her. We planned many things but well nothing really turned out as we wanted but finally we just went ahead with dinner plans at Maloney's. I baked her a triple chocolate cheesecake and glad that she loved it. Most importantly, what was supposed to be a MASA gathering, she was indeed surprised that it was meant for her. :)
Right after that day was the Jen-Joy-Jean Xmas Party 2009. It is an annual effort that I tried to maintain, having a christmas party every year and so this year is the 3rd year. With Vanessa joining the host list, we got more friends that we invited and all and my wish that the party did not end so decently early, came true. The night started being abit simple as everyone chatted and catch up with one another and all. Thanks to all who brought food and drinks, we ended up having lots of leftovers. By 11.30pm, many have left and head back home but those who are still at the party, started the dance floor and more drinking sessions continued. It was indeed one of the best night ever and one of the best house parties I've ever hosted. :)
With that, both my housemates left for holidays, leaving me alone for the entire holiday season. Well, I did have relatives around and they went venturing Sydney while I do other stuff. On Xmas Day, Dominic invited us over for Xmas lunch where he baked a big leg ham with veges with smoked salmon and buns.
After lunch, I head over to Junda's house party and to end up drinking shots for being late. I would admit I was abit high after those shots, but I kept myself under controlled. That night, Yien Von, Min Li, Michael and I went to Mamak for dinner. After that, the girls stayed over my place for Boxing Day the next day.
Boxing Day was crazy. This year, the crowd is far bigger than last year as we see people lining up all sorts of stores. Yien Von and I just stay close so that we don't lose each other at sight among the crazy crowd and I am glad I got 2 dresses from Myers for $100. My total damage is about $300 after buying stuff for family. :)
On 27th December, after my relatives left back to Melb, I organised a home dinner, calling a few people and have a nice dinner. Great company, great food. The night ended with watching movie and some of them end up sugarhigh, the house just filled with laughters.
Then, Dominic's birthday came and we went to Iron Chef Restaurant at Cabramatta. I was introduced to some of his other friends and was a great night. :)
(added on 7 Jan 09, credit to Clarrie for photos :) )
Then the next few days are all day trips!! Pek Lynn and Diane suggested going for some road trips but time wasn't on our side so we decided to go short trips to places. We went Palm Beach and Watsons Bay for the 2 days and so we enjoyed ourselves to cam-whoring and the laughters. :)
Yes, I finally experience it.. What? Experience working in a very interesting environment. Yes, I'm working. :)
Some people when I told them I'm working, it's like the world ought to know what kind of job I land myself into. It is a casual job while I'm dealing with the business. So, all I do is actually making decorative stuff for christmas and install them at different places like hotels and pubs and all. It's pretty interesting even though it is uncertain hours and I actually got burnt using glue guns and all, but it's overall a good experience. I'm working for a company which does visual merchandising, decorating and all. What makes me enjoy the job is seeing all the hard work we put in, ended up in nice displays of the hotels and all. I also really salute Megan, the boss. She is very hands on person and I believe the reason she keeps getting called back for jobs from clients is because she make sure everything is perfect and stick to her principles. I definitely would be able to learn a lot from her, if I ever start up my wedding planner job. :)
Table Decorations We Made
Decorations at Marriott Hotel, Circular Quay
I don't dare to put too much out.. just a bit here and there. :) Later my boss saw. :)
Yes, it's actually Spring but the weather is like Summer already. Well, I still prefer cool breeze over hot sun. I wonder how's the summer would be like this year..
Anyway, what have I been doing? Busy with what I would say WORK for me, trying to get a store for our business.. yes you hear it.. well.. have been juggling it with opportunities come and go.. just wishing for the best one to come now... haizz.. who says starting a business is easy? Haha, was having this simple conversation with Bernard yesterday and he, on the other hand complaining who says working for people is easy? So, life is complicated. Things won't fall into place and land on our hands to grab it.. it is our hands that should reach out and grab it. So, I now hope i'm a spider or something that have alot of hands to reach out and get whatever comes along. HOPE FOR THE BEST!!
I think Spring is a nice season, as I realise it's the season for people to reunite or catch up. Recently, I had many chats with old friends and all, catching up and all on MSN and emails. And it makes me miss home. Again, it's like sitting on a fence situation, it's not that I don't like Sydney or don't like Malaysia for any reason but life in both places are going to be different. So, I'll leave for future to tell me which is most suitable.
At the same time, spring is supposed to be a season of love. As Sunny once said, every year after M-fest, someone tend to get hooked up. And yes someone did.. :) While just searching for new songs that are out.. I came across this following song and the lyrics really sound very true.. :) enjoy..
The Rose - Aoi Teshima
Some say love it is a river that drowns the tender reed Some say love it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed Some say love it is a hunger an endless aching need I say love it is a flower and you its only seed
It's a heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give and the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose.
