2012

23 days into 2013, and I finally have time to sit down and write this reflection post! *pats self on back

Writing and updating this space of mine has been a thing I’ve been procrastinating since... forever. You see, I’d try my very best to minimise screen time when I’m off work. Minimising screen time = No incentive to blog. Hoho, the 101 excuses I create for myself.

But I shall make it a point to blog more in 2013, because re-reading them sometime in the future would bring back all the good memories of the past. So, here’s post #1 for 2013, a flashback of my 2012 highlights! 

#1 Happy shopping days at Chatuchak market 

Made my first ever trip to what most Malaysians acclaimed as “shopping haven”, and it has lived up to its name! Picking out nice pieces of tops, dresses, accessories etc can be so therapeutic! Best part of it is the price tag that comes with it, prices that you’ll never dream of getting in Malaysia. So much win!!

Ok, I do admit, I was quite irked with the weather.

At 35° we had to be pacified by the infamous coconut ice cream!, orange juices and cheap Chang beer.

We also had lunch at one of the stalls and they serve the best Pad Thai everrrrrrrrrrr.

#2  Stoned with the stones at Angkor Wat 

 

After my crazy peak period at work, Esther and I packed up our backpacks for a 10-day trip to Cambodia. Cambodia was all kind of awesome.

We rode horses across the countryside.

Sipped 1 buck beer all day long.

Tried 10 kinds of BBQ meat. Hated crocodile and snake meat. Eww.

Ate happy pizza with beer for dinner, and boy we were giggling and laughing at everything.

Didn’t know the after effect would last till the next day, and we literally stoned with the stones at Angkor Wat.

Man, writing this down really makes me miss strolling down the dusty streets of Cambodia, with a crazy adventure buddy. We need a new adventure, pronto! 

#3 Climbed a step up the corporate ladder 

2012 marks a milestone for me both academically and career wise. God does bless abundantly in His timing. Well worth the sweat and tears working those crazy hours, and burning the midnight oil for CPA papers.

WHEEE, no more CPA papers from now on! Exam woes are gone! Bring on ze champagne and celebratory parties! *cues Madagascar theme song lol

In 2013, the corporate ladder still remains a daunting one to climb since there’s still one heck of a journey to go. But when there are strong waves and crazy undercurrent, I will chant to myself, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming” and remember that I have a big God to rely on. (:  

#4 Laughed till I cried at Redang 

All girls trip to Redang. Most epic trip ever.  

Even before the trip started, epic things were already happening.

It started off in KL. We missed the bus to Terengganu because we were laughing and joking so much in the bus station. Good job! On our defense the announcements were really noisy and unclear. C’mon, don’t shout into a mic! So yeap, long story cut short, we saw the bus left helplessly.

Then Esther said the funniest thing that left Piaree dumbfounded. After we decided that Piaree would drive us all up to Terengganu, Esther quipped, “Well, at least we only wasted RM40 since we can still take the bus back!”

-_________-

Piaree then replied, “OK Esther, you can take the bus back to KL while we drive ok?”

HAHAHAHAH.

So many other epic things happened, but I guess these are the things make the trip more memorable. You girls are crazy, thank you for bringing so much joy into my life. :p 

#5 Joined a gym!

Halfway through 2012 I was constantly depressed with the weight I gain thanks to a desk job plus the many occasionally binge eating and drinking. So I rant and rant about how unflattering my body was turning out to be when I was supposed to be in my prime. Not to also mention my dead looking skin. SOOOOO FINALLYYY I decided to stop complaining since it wasn’t getting me anywhere. Like the saying goes how you should “if you don’t like something, change it”, I made a change by JOINING A FRIGGIN’ GYM.

BEST.DECISION.MADE.IN.2012.

I love how exercising and sweating it out makes you feel as a whole. I feel lighter, happier, fitter, more confident, and less depressed. Group classes are really fun and motivating! Also, getting yourself surrounded with people who live a healthy lifestyle is good for the soul.

Oh right, another perk of exercising regularly is getting to binge on food I crave without feeling guilty!!!

Now the challenge for 2013 would be to stay committed. Bring it on! 

#6 Kindled!

I love reading. I especially love reading in bed.

And you should know that reading hard copy books on bed are very cumbersome, especially when they are thick and heavy. They just wouldn’t stay on your hand the way you want it and my fingers get tired trying to pry the book open.

So, as a working adult with purchasing power (which is probably the best thing about working, if you were to compare to life as a student), I bought me and Z a kindle each from the US, and the meaning of reading on bed has been redefined.

The kindle is SO light!!! SO slim! SO convenient!!! I get to read on bed at any angle I want without tiring my fingers, and flipping a page is as simple as pressing a button. If I feel like reading a new book at 3am I can immediately buy it from my kindle and read it within seconds! Boy, I love technological advancement.

Speaking of books, I am hooked reading 1Q84. I’m halfway through, and it’s getting very very interesting!

All I want to do is to lie in bed and read all day. *wishful thinking 

#7 Watched Train Live!

“Oh I swear to you, I’ll be there for you

This is not a drr-iiiivvv-eee by….”

“Now that the wait is over

And love has finally shower her my way

Marry me, today and everyday

Marry me, if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this café

Say you will, say you will…”

Totally swept me off my feet. <3 o:p="">

Nuff said.

#8 Ran a marathon!   

Excuse my groggy face at 7am in the morning. Not a morning person, you can tell.

In efforts of living a healthier lifestyle, I joined a few marathons this year! I used to think running was boring. Until my first marathon. Running with many others across the city on a Sunday morning can give you a very liberating feeling. The fresh air, the sights, the exhilaration. More runs in 2013? 

#9 Fiji 

My trusty family dog passed away mid 2012.

We cried, and cried, and cried till we could cry no more. He has brought us so much joy over the 9 years, and he was family. A brother I never had, a baby our family dearly loved. Till now I still miss him dearly, and occasionally memories of him would flash by. Miss his welcome bark greeting me when I’m home. Miss his singing to his favourite piano tunes. Miss cuddling him in my arms. He was indeed a great dog.

Now you’re in a better place! One day I will see you again, Fiji.

You live in my heart forever.

#10 Scaled the highest mountain in South Korea, Mt Hallasan 

19.2km both ways, with an altitude of 1,950m.

Zi and I scaled it through the snowy trail!

WHOOP WHOOP *does the happy jig!

Will find the time to write about our journey up and down soonnnn!  

TADAAA, first post of the year done!! 

Urbanscapes '12

Last weekend was jam packed with stuff. YCMS on Saturday morning, and it was Urbanscapes all night. followed by church, Body Step then Urbanscapes. As tiring as it may sound, it was so much fun!! Urbanscapes was such a muddy affair, but it was also an array of colorful creativity splattered around a field, funky dressing, hippy music and good shopping!  

happily buying Sigur Rós official t-shirt. 

straight away proceed to Bee Garden for chilled can beers + finger food. mMm. 

DJ Goldilocks was rocking it when we sipped our beer.

love the creativity and effort all Urbanscapes vendors put in to decorate their booth. bas sekolah selling burgers, colorful umbrellas etc. so trippy!

at dusk. extremely muddy muddy field.

Phyllis!

Z + YB.

macaroons and nutella chocolate chip cookie. yummy stuffff.

Urbanscapes, at night.

tryna' win some loafers.

Yuna sang so well! Love her crisp, beautiful voice. got my heart fluttered.

2nd day at Urbanscapes! Brought a bagful of happy stuff. 

(((((((:

the "to me love is..." black box.

so many cute quirky ways of describing love.

he wrote: "to me love is.. all you need."

on the other hand, all i wrote was "♥♯♪"

the last polka! was craving for cola cherry potong instead. 

says.com! thanks to them we had our umbrellas which came in handy when it started pouring late evening.

Levi's Go Forth was there too. and this was some colorful backdrop painted by some artsy peeps.

the most anticipated moment for Z. thanks to Urbanscapes, Z managed to tick off one of his bucket list item: to watch Sigur Ros live with loved one. ((((((: 

Jonsi singing is mezmerizing.

amazing amazing sounds. fancy playing an electric guitar with a violin bow.

Hoppipola!

we also won a pair of AA tics to Krabi! all we did was build this sandcastle and instagram it. yay! looking forward to a beach escapade soon!! (;

here's to more first with you.

came home from Urbanscapes with mud filled shoes, tired sore feet, colorful funky pictures... and a contented smile. Yes, I think I'm starting to find my life fulfilling.

Fiji, my family's 'Hachiko'

born a champion breed, he was a rare tri-colored Shih Tzu, paired with adorable big eyes, pinkest tongue and the picture perfect puppy face that would melt a million hearts. 

he was with us for 9 years, and we watched him grow from an awkward somewhat ugly dog into what I would deem as the most handsome dog. i wanted to write a post dedicated to him since ages, but through the numbness of my heart, it was tough to gather all the various flashbacks of memories into a decent post, or simply, i wasn't ready to accept the fact. today, on a rainy evening, he floods my mind. 

you know the saying goes: "dogs are a man's best friend"? it is such a true saying, and i'm sure all passionate dog owners would agree wholeheartedly. Fiji brought endless joy to the Koo family. he used to rush to the door once door bell rings to welcome us back. sing at the top of his lungs to our piano playing, and would end up barking frantically when we try to outshine his singing. when he was younger, we used to play hide and seek with him, and he would spend a lot of time trying to find us, but he got smarter over the years and got bored. when we sang in a very high pitch tone, he would tilt his head and give us a very puzzled look, and we would laugh at his innocence. and there are times when i feel down and depressed, i would instantaneously feel better just holding him in my arms and hugging him tight. he would do all possible stunts he's ever learned just to get the biscuit from our hands. 

of course he wasn't all charming and dandy. scared as hell of thunder and rain, he would wake the whole house up in the middle of the night scratching all the room doors. hide under the bed when it's time for his shower. refuse to eat his 'spensive dog food but would gobble down his inexpensive favorite food consisting of white rice and sweet potato (heck, he even likes durian). when he's upset about us leaving him home alone, a mess is expected as a greeting upon reaching home. speak about being revengeful much. but he would knowingly show his innocent i-beg-for-forgiveness face when he knows he's in the wrong, and c'mon, no one has the heart to stay angry with him for long. 

his soft spot as one of his dominant character is one that i find very humbling. once we adopted a scrawny little kitten from a storm, and placed the kitten in our house for the night. he went ecstatic whenever the kitten meowed, searching high and low for the kitten. he's also a dog that gets along well with strangers, very willing to let others pet him and spoil him. he was... so many things I could remember. he was our charming furry little dog. 

in the summer of 2012, he has gone to be with the Lord on a rainy morning.

9 amazing years, he gave to us. his silly antics has brought so much light into our lives, and unknowingly he has blessed so many others. Although he is no longer physically here, he lives in my heart, our family's heart forever.

thank you Fiji, for being a part of my life. 

it has been an incredible chapter with you around. 

you will forever be etched in my heart.

❤

Yesterday was the time of our lives

Just a couple of days ago, i came across an article about how Facebook makes people miserable. Skeptical, I took a quick glance, absorbed the key facts and left it aside, considering the fact that i do not spend that much time on Facebook to start with. Today, I relate to the article. 

Sometimes you stumble upon things you don't want to see, or know. Years ago it wasn't possible to do such a comprehensive virtual stalk on a real life person, nope, not even with the existence of friendster. Sigh, you could tell how deeply affected I am tonight, by the little things that you 'accidentally' stumbled upon. Small, yet impactful. Truth be told, the person who quoted 'sometimes it doesn't hurt not to know' is probably the greatest genius alive.

Right.

I haven't been putting thoughts in words for the longest time ever. and this little spider has also found a home in this dusty abandoned space of mine. Thing is, adulthood really changes your perspective in life. From those minute little details, to the larger than life ones. Ultimately, we're the ones who complicate our own life. But leaving it entangled a little too long, and you'd probably find yourself suffocating trying to solve a huge big maze you created.

Reflections.

5 more days to Christmas. Time flew like the speed of light this year, yes, I'd admit, I had my fun, making a mark on different parts of the world this year, but there are so many rough patches this year. Survived my excruciating pain from appendicitis. Went through my first ever peak period at work, and spend those nights camping away in office, wondering if the efforts were really worth it. Broke many hearts, and at the same time, broke my own each and every time. Learning that I can't have all the toys in the shop. Pushing my limits. Understood what 'loneliness' really meant. and watch a few friendships wither at the account of building a few tight ones...

I'm learning through it all. Toughening up, but at the same time, finding the old self back. That sweet little girl, who gave her genuine all to people. Might not be as simple as merely saying, but constant reminders to self would do the trick. "The world may be harsh and cynic, but you don't have to be one of them. You could shine, and make that little bit of difference..."

10 more days to wrap up 2011. Not gonna let anything crush me down now. Gotta keep my head high. Gotta have another happy blog post reminding me how 2011 has put so many smiles on my face. Gonna have to build that old self back once more. Gotta learn how to smile genuinely, and love genuinely.

For now, let's bask in the joy of Christmas season, and be reminded of how great God is, in any circumstances possible.

What I fear most

Fear of height? No.
Fear of wild animals? No.
Fear of the dark? No.
Fear of physical pain? No.
Fear of public speaking? No, ok, maybe slightly.
Fear of spirits and ghosts? No.
Fear of insects? No.

What i fear most, is the pain of geophysical distance from people who matters.

Sigh. Final quarter of 2011 is gonna be something different altogether, but please be kind to me.