2014 in a Nutshell and What to Expect in 2015

Majority of blogs I frequent have done their parts in their own reviews of their year 2014. I'm honestly a little lazy but I know how to make this quick.

This was my New Year resolution post for 2014 and now, let's see how many of those have I achieved...

1) Take the new career's challenge and own it

Well, not quite yet. Let's just say the company turns out to be not as what I've expected it to be where the nature of it has been and is still pretty slow-moving so unfortunately I haven't have that sense of achievement that I've make much difference both to the company, and to my career. 

Here's to a better 2015 where things can move faster!!!! I can't wait!!! 

2) Make driving a breeze

Sorry guys, I haven't been driving at all since my new office is pretty far away from home. I am useless, I know... :( Plus, since finding out I'm pregnant we've totally shut the driving idea off all together until I pop and I shall see if I can start again. NO, I MEAN, I MUST START! Otherwise who will send my kid to school in the future???

3) Fit into that freakin' Cheongsam

Forget about it. I'm pregnant! 

4) Make our dream honeymoon a reality

Oh yeah! At least this one is done and it was truly an unforgettable one! And with so many aviation accidents that happened in 2014, I must say we are very thankful that we returned from Santorini safely even though we had to take 6 different flights all together during the entire trip. Thank God for that!!! 

Enjoying the breeze and sun in Santorini! 

Of course, somewhere in August 2014, we found out I'm pregnant, something that we have not expected to come so soon. But since then our lives have changed, quite crazily. Almost everything we do, we eat and we spend we have to think twice because we know our priority now should be our little boy who will be joining our family somewhere end April-early May. 

A 3D scan reveals how our little boy may looks like when he officially join our family next year. :)

So if you ask me what are my 2015 new year resolutions? I will tell you whole loads of stuff that are related to our baby. But most importantly, I pray really hard for a smooth and safe labour and that our baby boy will be a normal, healthy, smart, charming and happy boy! :) 

Happy New Year ya'll from Deardo and I! We were waiting for our table for our New Year Eve dinner... :p

As to you who are reading, I pray for you to be healthy and may your dreams come true too in 2015! :) 

HERE'S TO A BETTER YEAR AHEAD!!! *pop champagne bottles~*

It's 2014 Already!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR PEEPS!!! 

A very happy 2014 from Deardo and I!!! 

Really, didn't 2013 just past in a blink? It felt like the Christmas party at our house last year just happened yesterday!
Well to sum it up, 2013 was a little bit of a quiet yet busy year. Not much of fun because I didn't do any travelling except for a two-day trip to Singapore but that was of course due to the fact that we were quite busy and financially stuck because of our wedding, which was the most exciting thing that happened to me the entire year.

In 2013, I officially become a married woman. Very surreal of course!

So after a very quiet 2013, 2014 will be a very scary year for me that I was not really celebrating the new year in a way. A lot of changes in life, making my new year resolutions very much harder than the usual ones. I think it is great that I write them down so I can constantly revisit this post to remind myself of them and that the whole world (okay, I know not the whole world reads my blog) will read and will (hopefully) remind me once in a while! :p

1) Take the new career's challenge and own it (boo~yeah~~)!!!
After almost 3-and-a-half year at my current job, I'm ready to move on. It is a brand new industry, brand new environment, brand new job scope and pretty much a very very brand new challenge. It is a field that I am very interested in yet I know from the bottom of my heart the competitive industry makes the job a little bit more difficult.
But when I signed the offer letter, I've told myself, screw it! I'm gonna just take it as a challenge and make the best out of it! I mean, how did I survive myself in KL and Perth alone for so many years? So why can't I do it now that I have more people supporting me? To think positively, I might just accidentally create a great portfolio for myself in one of my favourite industries by bringing brilliant result to the company! So really, I just have to stay positive and take everything as they come! :)

2) Make driving a breeze (wheeee~~~)

I was never a born driver. LOL!

Okay, so this is like a confession that some of you may not know: I HAVE DRIVING PHOBIA. 
Yeap, I got my driving license long time ago but ever since hitting a motorbike in a very minor accident, I have the fear for driving for like, forever??? I did drive a bit here and there, but not long distance and don't even think about parking...
This year though, it has become compulsory that I MUST pick up driving again because 1) Deardo just changed his manual car into an auto one just for me to get back on the wheels again and 2) My new job will require more travelling around town. So really, I DON'T HAVE A FREAKING CHOICE ANYMORE!!!
So professional driving sifu who wanna sponsor me for any driving lessons are very much welcomed! Otherwise, advises and encouragements are also very much needed! Really, I need people to tell me I can do it more often to overcome the fear!!! 
P/S: Next time if you see me driving on the road, make sure to say hi but stay a bit far away from my car, ok? :p

3) Fit into that freakin' Cheongsam!!!

Me in my Cheongsam four years ago...

Four years ago, Deardo bought me my first Cheongsam for CNY and I really love it. Unfortunately that was the only time I wore it, simply because I couldn't fit into it anymore!!! ;(
The truth is that seeing Deardo (and our makan adventures) and also working (and the stress and free food) at the then new place, I've put on 10kg in that three years or so. That's quite a scary number for most girls, isn't it? It was really a personal record to me and it freaked me out for quite some time until I managed to slim down for our big day last year. That was however, only 5kg gone. So that piece of Cheongsam hanging in my wardrobe has now become the benchmark for my diet plan!
So to myself and many other girls out there, JIA YOU! FIGHTING! GAMBATEH NE! :)

4) Make our dream honeymoon a reality 
So after our wedding, many have asked about our honeymoon and you will normally get the same answer from me: NO MONEY YET!
Both Deardo and I have some dream places to go but we have recently decided that our honeymoon should be in the States because whenever we talk about it, both of us got really excited. Be it the Grand Canyon, Hollywood, New York, Las Vegas or the shopping and the Broadway shows!
Well of course, the trip requires quite a huge amount of money and I know deep in my heart that I MUST I MUST I MUST save up for the trip! So you guys, remind me to save up okay??? 
Anyway, looking at the timeline, we might only be able to go next year so some small trips should be in plan this year too, any suggestions? Nearer and cheaper options, guys?

My new year at Pavilion this year, still with a lot of doubts running in my head! 

Like I said earlier, my resolutions this year aren't easy to achieve but they are definitely not impossible too. I will try to stay optimistic and be productive this year! 
What about yours? Any new year resolutions? Any that are similar to mine? Whatever they are, I wish you all the best and let's make 2014 a very very good year! :D

Looking Back...

I have been collecting some old photos at home over the past two trips home in preparation for a possible slides video for our wedding. It always make me laugh looking at those old photos (actually I always laugh at my sisters' photos instead of myself lar, haha). 

Such a poser, thank to my 4e and Ah Ku! 

The truth is when I was in high school, I didn't know how to appreciate everything I had back then and was a very rebellious girl and looking back, I know I was very silly. I actually grew up in a family full of love, care and laughter not only from Papo and Mamo but from my aunts, uncle and cousins. That is why nowadays I find that my sisters and I laugh at every tiny matter super easily! I think that is cool cos that just made us all very happy-go-lucky and could find happiness the simplest way! In other words, we have more positive energy than others! :)

I certainly went through different stages of fashion sense... LOL! 

When I was still quite slim and Ducum was so big! Check out the stuff I've added on my t-shirt myself! Didn't I tell you I wanted to be a fashion designer back then???

I truly enjoyed my childhood and if I could turn back time, I'll probably want to be less rebellious and be closer to Papo, especially. He has been there for me when I needed money, when I was so stubborn about studying overseas he gave up a lot of stuff to send me off (knowing the risk is to see me not returning from Australia), and was even there for me when I was a silly crazy fan who wanted to travel to see my favourite swimmer back then! I can never really utter how much I am thankful to have him or how much I love him because you know, it's just not what we typical Chinese children do. So yea, Papo, I know you know can already lar! :)

Phew, I see part of my wedding speech done! LOL!

Back when we were younger Mamo would buy birthday cake for Papo and we would make birthday cards for him and in turns Mamo never had any birthday cake! LOL!

Since it is such a random post, I'll just share more random photos of myself more recently... 

Photos from Sin Fei's wedding photographer and hey I think  the Miss Emcee looks good! :p

Very recent photo of me at work with my students who were the emcees of the night.

Have a good weekend ahead guys! :D

Of Wedding Bells & New Year

After the very busy Christmas, I had another busy weekend attending weddings. It was quite exhausting waking up super early almost everyday that I feel like I can doze off anytime now because of the busy weekend! Zzzzzz...

Honestly, I'm not a fan of weddings. I mean I of course I'm happy for the couple but I'm just not so gungho about attending weddings where you eat almost the same dishes and sometimes have to bare with the aunties and uncles who just couldn't get enough of singing heart-breaking songs at people's wedding. I'm not even so excited to think of games to make fun of the groom and his heng dais... But obviously there is no way for me to skip one of my best friends and cousin sister's weddings! 
Ah Fa's wedding dinner took place in Klang and it was quite a simple wedding and surprisingly cool without any karaoke session (phew~ Thank god for that)! It was especially nice to see Ah Fa's mum after so many years! I bet she is very happy now that Ah Fa is in good hands of a very good man! :)

Surprisingly, I love the deco at Ah Fa's wedding! 

Me and the lovely bride! :)

The next morning I was part of the Ji Muis group who tested the groom and heng dais' patience! Although I'm still not a fan of this 'ritual', I must admit I enjoyed seeing the 'chu men' session, especially the final part where the groom, Peng Han had to read out the 'contract' loud and sang a song before getting into the room to see Ah Fa! So touching I hope Deardo would do that to me too! :p

The ji muis and the newly-weds after the whole 'chu men' session! 

To Ah Fa, once again, CONGRATULATIONS and make sure little Ah Fas and Peng Hans come soon okay! *wink~*

Next up, cousin Sin Fei's wedding where almost the whole family gathered once again, even before CNY! :)

The Tan family photo after the morning tea ceremony.

Her wedding dinner has more programmes in the itinerary but as Deardo puts it, it was by far the only wedding that you feel very comfy because the Jazz band was really good and professional, the speeches from the newly-weds and their dads were sometimes funny and sometimes damn touching I couldn't even hold on to my tears! 

I love Sin Fei's pre-wedding photos! It just proofs that you don't need to fly overseas to have nice photos! 

Reunited with Patricia, my colleague/friend in Perth! 

Lovely family portrait with nice contrast of colours too hey! 

I can't remember when was the last time Deardo and I took such a proper photo together! 

Sin Fei's wedding also means a lot to me because it was the day I refreshed myself as an emcee after probably four years? It didn't hit me so much until I went into the ballroom for rehearsal! My hands were so freaking cold and I kept telling Deardo I'm so nervous! Good thing is Deardo is also quite good at presentations so he encouraged me a lot telling me there is nothing to be worried about. And whenever I said a line I'll look at him where he would give me a thumb-up or a nod to signal it was all good! He really made me feel better throughout the night! Of course, my family members also supported me a lot! Papo, who also does emcee for his club's events also gave me great words of encouragement; Mamo said I can go do freelance emcee-ing now and Ducum and Vivian simply gave me thumbs-up whenever I was back to the table for my break! 

Emcee Shirlexia in the house... Still loving the job a lot! :)

Because it was also my first time emcee-ing at a wedding, there are of course rooms for improvements. But luckily enough it went on pretty well, or perhaps I should say much better than what I've expected! I wasn't shivering at all, no tongue-tied moments, etc, only a slight glitch where I forgot to ask everyone to stand for the toasting session until the photographer nudged me! I've certainly gained a lot of confidence through the experience! So to future emcee jobs, bring it on!!! 
For that, I would like to thank Sin Fei and Ivan for trusting me and for the opportunity to be a better emcee. And to Deardo, Papo, Mamo, Ducum and Vivian, thanks so much for your support because I think without your encouragement and supports, I wouldn't have done so well that night! 

*My apology for not sharing more photos because these are the ones I manage to gather so far!

I've got no time to do a review post of 2012 but looking back, the highlights of the year should be: moving into our new house, bringing Deardo to Perth to see where I've lived for two years, getting engaged and going on a work trip to Russia.
I'm expecting a crazy 2013 as we prepare for our big day! This itself will definitely take up most of our time, energy and money. And I can tell you so far only the date and location are fixed, nothing else is confirm! 
For the rest of it, I wish that in the year 2013, I can:
1) Be appreciated more for what I do at work
2) Have more time for movies
3) Have more time for my blog
4) Have a slimmer body
5) Have more money
6) Have all my family members to be healthy so that they can attend my wedding! :)

So to all you guys out there, HAPPY NEW YEAR and have a great year ahead~! :D

Everything

I'm loving my constant random posts!
You know, I always have some big and small happenings in my life that I'm either too busy to write a whole long post about or too small a thing to dedicate it to one single post. So I guess the best way is to sum things up in this random post. Aye, people?

Deardo and I went to Cameron Highland for the second time last month and here are some snipets of the trip.

It is very obvious when I have a lot of pictures of myself taken during a trip that I was enjoying it!!! :)

Compared to our first trip, we went to some different places. We had real fun checking-out cool old school stuff at the Time Tunnel Galleria, had 4 cob of fresh, juicy Cameron sweet corns *oh yumzzz~*, bought flowers from the Pasar Malam and tried really yummy strawberry waffles and drinks at a strawberry farm! Check out my other pictures of the trip here.
I've recently fell in love with the Salmon skins at Sushi Tei, thanks to my colleague, Mad's recommendation. It is a dangerous addiction I know but I think I've had that for at least four times in the past two months! Please tell me they are NOT THAT fattening! PLEASE!!!

I can feel the yumminess only by looking at the picture!!!

I love it soooooooooooo much that I also brought the family to Sushi Tei when they were in town for a short weekend last month!

And thank god they love the food there!!! :)

And then, this one...

Grrrhhhh...

I really love this picture, I don't know why!!!

Either Ducum or Vivian took this for us and I bet you didn't realise that Deardo was trying to strangle me from the back! Ha! He do that to me all the time, don't worry. It's a freaking good neck massage. *wink~*
End of last month and early this month I actually said goodbye to two very nice colleagues and partners at work, Malcolm and Chong Lun. While they can be irritating at times, they have made our office life some much more fun!!!

Missing these guys already, really!

We did a crazy photoshoot before Malcolm left.

I think it was ages ago I last took this type of pictures with bunch of friends!

We had a farewell party for them a Neway Subang the other day and we had this freaking HUGE VIP room too ourselves! Phew~~~!!!

We were all really shocked and impressed!!!

I've been having loads of fun with my colleagues. Malcolm and Chong Lun were just two of them! We now go out for dinners and movies too sometimes! :)

Me, Mad, Lea and Jason at dinner before catching a movie!!!

I hope they won't leave any soon!!! Cos I'm already missing Malcolm and Chong Lun.:(

I call Salmon skin at Sushi Tei my addiction no.1. and I'm introducing to you, my addiction no.2!!!

This Curry Wild Boar at Tian Tian Lai Restaurant at Sunway has this really tasty and flavourful curry and the wild boar meat are so tender and yummy!!! I just had it for the third time in two weeks time yesterday! LOL!

And check out Little Yue Yue at her sixth month!

Some said she looks a bit like Deardo! What say you??? :p

And before I say goodbye, here are not only one but two goodbye kisses!

Dior came to our place and let us try their new range of lipstick and look at us! Red lips and black dresses! Sexy or not???

See ya maybe Friday okay??? :)

My Workstation

Working hours' gone and I feel like blogging about some random stuffs while the vacuum cleaner is playing some background music behind me. Vooo~~Vooo~~Vooo~~
You know how people say, you can read one's personality by looking at their room or their house's design and deco. Well then, what about office desk? I love to deco my office desk because I think it is crucial to set a happy working environment. Imagine when I'm stress or just had some arguments at work, all I need to do is to look at my desk with whole loads of my favourite stuffs... Awwww... The good mood might just come straight back! :D

I've recently changed a little of the deco so it looks a little bit more organised now. Well, at least to me. Deardo still says I have too much stuffs on my desk and it's really messy... :p

On the top right of my desk, I've pasted two pieces of papers of contacts numbers I always call. Next to them is a thank you card I received few months back from a student whom I've helped with an event she was organising. You think boss's praises make your day? I think students who appreciate my help and supports make me smile! I always say this, I'm always proud of my students! :) Right at the bottom is a postcard of Malaysian food! Ha, just to represent the foodie part of me! LOL!

Next to these stuffs, I have Chris Colfer and his quote pasted there. It says:"When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sandpaper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit but in the end, you end up polished and they end up useless." The quote is super encouraging, so is Chris Colfer, whom I truly admire and respect. And then there is this picture of my students and lecturers with their medals and trophies won at last year's Culinaire Malaysia 2011. Told ya I'm always very proud of them! At the bottom is an artsy-looking picture given by our designer.

And the right side of my desk, I have a horse-racing calendar. I have this weird hobby of knowing when is school holiday even though I'm no longer a student. Then at the far end I have pictures (one more picture is blocked in this picture) of me and my colleagues. I think there will be an additional one soon. Then you see whole piles of papers, notebooks, documents, folders, a cute calendar also from our designer and the cloth-made rose given by a colleague on Valentine's Day this year. My latest and proudest product added just today is the glass jar of dry flowers. Flowers were from Deardo... And some from me to him over the past two years plus.

And then as you move down, you'll see my notebook that I'm currently using. There are two other books at the bottom that are long overdue and I need to return to the library VERY SOON. Then of course, the useless CD albums for photos and videos from work. It's very tiny but I guess you can see, my namecards!!!

People always say my desk looks like a grocery shop. Well, I always have snacks, tea, coffee, milk, cereal, even lozenges loaded at my place. And I have different tumblers for different purposes as well. I brought my own bowl and cutlery as well so that I can skip using those plastic ones that the hawkers always give. If you realise, I also have a perfume just so I can spray some onto myself whenever I smell like food court coming back from a meal. I also have a bottle of sanitizer just so that I can clean my hands whenever I'm lazy to walk to the loo. How considerate am I, huh?

Kekekekeke...

So now tell me, what do you so through looking at my desk?