JGR - Reflections for 2016

Let's see..

2016

#1
Travels summed up in hashtags:
#ZouSanKitties
#buddingyeastinJP (First trip to Japan!!)
#ngfamilyjapan2016

Yup I'm still intending to go back to Japan LOLOL.
Not in 2017 la, but omg I love it there so damn much.
Food. People. Places. Weather. All so perfect!
(Except when I got my shoes wet and the wind was blowing omg colddddd)

Definitely want to experience it with pok the next time!

#2
Performed my first ever contemporary dance piece in 9 years!
Actually if I don't count my cca concerts in school, it'll be my first dance concert ever hahahah.

It wasn't an easy journey for me to get back into the swing of things, amidst my busy schedule.
Burnt up a lot of Tuesdays (5 months of training), going for 3 hours of consecutive classes + rehearsals.
And it's not like I'm a fast learner - I had to practice at home and after rehearsals to try and rmb moves.

My fellow dancers also made the entire experience enjoyable too, cause they were all really friendly and encouraging.
I definitely appreciated those who were there to help me spot my mistakes and improve.

People might think its a matter of talent, but other than that, it's a lot of blood, sweat and tears too.
You definitely need stamina to be able to move across a large stage.
So other than Tues, I went for 2 hour sessions on whichever days I was free.

Plus, I had to maintain my figure to squeeze into the costume HAHAHAH.

Really gotta thank my loved ones for supporting me and being so understanding.
Especially pok hahahah, cause I neglected him a lot, particularly so nearer to concert day.

The exhilaration and sense of achievement after completing my 3 min onstage perfectly is priceless.
Definitely would do it again!

#3
Went thru my old reflections and rants before starting this,
and oh man, sometimes I think I sibei emotional hahahah!

I guess it's the way I manage my feelings
I tend to keep it all inside until some trigger point blows me up.
And people who don't know me think I'm overreacting.
Kind of unhealthy in a sense.. but I think it also makes my tolerance better?

Sorry you passerbys :B

i've realised that my efforts are not always appreciated.but i also do know that i will keep trying when i should.because i want to do what i feel like, and what i think is right.

This still rings true, because no matter how hard I try to not care,
there are times where I feel no one gives a shit to my efforts or my feelings, be it family or friends.

Just because I'm easygoing, does not equate to stepping over me, capisce?

Because I don't think its easy to make me angry - mostly I find it easy to ignore people whom I don't give a shit to.
It is more hurtful when it comes from those whom I had expected to know me better. I think.

Don't think it's double standard to expect understanding from people whom I understand right?

Despite this, I still find myself forgiving them easily - especially if they are super important to me.
Provided that they don't keep doing it again la, hahahaha.

#4
I won't say I made progress with pok's family, but at least I tried.
His mom is still super against me, but at least his dad and younger sis are supportive.
Still.. I thought it was pretty fucked up and rude to have her behave like that at pok's graduation :x

#5
But who cares, because BTO liao hahahahahah.

We haven't even gotten our queue number yet, just applied!
Yet it still seems kind of surreal to me that pok would even agree when I asked.

It's like.. And at last I see the light~

Yes obviously I'm the one asking cause I wear the pants HAHAHA.

But omg it was actually my dad who kept pestering us to apply for the Bedok project, LOL.
Didn't know he wanted us out of the house so badly hiakhiak.

So exhilarated that we are finally taking concrete steps.. and I can finally dare to dream about the future.

So for 2017, here's what I hope for..

#1
My loved ones to be happy and healthy.
All the material enjoyments really won't matter unless you're healthy.

#2
Great performance appraisal! #sponsorshipcometomama

Actually as of now I've progressed on to Blood Bank liao, which is another small step in my career.
Excited to learn new stuff heheheh!

#3
Good news for the BTO exercise.
And for Jh and Bowei too!!

Everyday check email and mailbox hahahahhah.

#4
More awesome experiences with my bffs!
So glad that I have my small yet fulfilling social circle - because I really don't have time for too many people hahahahaha.

It's already so hard to arrange meetups with my #bitchstand!
I'm more than happy to just have a meal, though bwahahah we will ambitious and try for dessert also LOLOL
Eh.. Is this considered legit Happy Meal? :B

Also, looking forward to Korea with my kats!
Bowei Pok and CJ will be tagging along too, teehee I can't wait!!

#5
More time to do manicures.. omg I miss squinting and painting all those tiny details hahahaha.
Even Bimb also bo bian have to sign up for manicure package outside liao, cause I'm never free anymore.

#6
Perform again!
Contemplating to try ballet or jazz this time, but I love Contemp.. #decisionsdecisions
Don't tell me do both la, where got time :x

#7
Better emotional management?
I need to expect lesser of people to not get disappointed.

Lyrics Therapy I

I love my phone and laptop shuffle nowadays, because they seem to be playing songs which resonate.
Haven't done this in a long while so I shall !

你的想法我都 OK 還不夠 , 更愛陪你去做
我的心思你都 OK 不用說, 甚至對號入座
Ooo~ 最完美的互動


I used to be so in control
No one could ever touch me
I'd tell myself I'd never fall
And nobody would catch me

You shot your love through my defenses
And left me wide open
Feels like my feet can't touch the ground (the ground)
That's what you've done to me

You can keep talking, but baby I'm walking away~
Listen. I got the emails, I got the texts, the answer's still the same.
That's the way it is.

一切都在變化　在那些陰暗的地方
人性漸漸散漫　活著只求好玩
我的人生追求　絕對的感受
世界走到盡頭　還有一些收穫
留著一朵玫瑰　在妳的枕頭
不問後不後悔　這一刻最美

第幾個一百天，還是很有感覺
第幾個一百天，也像剛熱戀

If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right

終於作了這個決定　別人怎麼說我不理
只要你也一樣的肯定

愛真的需要勇氣　來面對流言蜚語
只要你一個眼神肯定　我的愛就有意義
我們都需要勇氣　去相信會在一起
人潮擁擠我能感覺你
放在我手心裡　你的真心

如果我的堅強任性
會不小心傷害了你
你能不能溫柔提醒
我雖然心太急　更害怕錯過你

OMG raining !! Goodnight :D

JGR - Reflections for 2015

I prefer reflections to resolutions, 

because you go through the thought process of what you want to improve, not just achieve.

2015

#1

Another awesome year for travels.

Managed to go for 2 trips in 2015, 

one with Levon to HK - eat and walk and eat and eat - #gluttonsgoHK,

and Taiwan with Levon and Bimb - #radiostand2TW. we're also known as #bitchstand HAHAHA

#2

Graduated on 16th November 2015! 

With my parents and ahma witnessing me going up on stage, 

I can say that this is not only a milestone in 2015, but in my life too.

Cause ahma finally got to see her grandchild graduate.

And I'm sure ahgong will have seen that moment too. ;)

#3

Reached 8 years with Taupok :D

To infinity and beyond !

#4

Family members all okay. I'm grateful.

#5

New job - Medical Technologist at KKH.

Okay, so I didn't manage to get the Crime Scene Specialist job, but I'm also happy with my new workplace.

Working in a lab environment might be boring and monotonous to some, 

however for me, I like it that right now, there's always something new to learn.

For KKH, its also slightly different because we have so much more children than other hospitals,

hence we have to be extra careful when handling specimens, and interpretation is not as straight-forward too.

Its a challenge, but I love it.

And my colleagues are mostly v nice! They're around the same age, and there's no politics - so far.

My greatest fear :x - but okay la even if have I'll just deal with it - 對事不對人

#6

Managed to take time for myself :

80% successful in my attempt to form a water drinking habit. 

Seriously not easy sia, because there's no time for water breaks,

then if you drink water, you need to pee also, where got time for toilet break then?

Went for a total of 3 months exercise ? 

Two months of Sunday Kpop Fitness with Bimb and Jh,

then I also signed up for one month of dance sessions. 

I loveee the Barre Method classes best!

#7

Decided to cut off unhealthy friendships, which included 3 from my clique.

Looking back now, I realised that this was coming sooner or later - the signs were there.

There are just some people who are not worth saving my precious time for, so I shouldn't try anymore.

Initially it was upsetting, but now its just a part of growing up that everyone will go through.

Life is a journey, with many stops - new passengers at every stop, and people who will get off.

I have to cherish the people who are still there, and that's what I will focus on.

2016

#1 

Career wise, I'm hoping to achieve a good performance appraisal,

because it's important for company sponsorship for Masters, hehehe.

#2

More moments to enjoy - more dance sessions, manicures, and time for my loved ones.

Levon is starting shift work next year, hopefully all three of our schedules can still clash for off days!

If not there's always #pratachallenge. Hahahah.

#3

Weeeeee already got 3 trips confirmed - HK with #saibeanpok, Japan (!!!!) with Bimb, and family trip in Dec!

#4

For my loved ones to stay healthy and happy.

#5

2016 will be a defining year for me and ahpok, so I'm hoping everything will turn out for the best.

With my shift work schedule, it is not easy to always have my weekends off for him,

but he's always ever understanding.

Quality time doesn't matter in terms of length, just the moments. (:

Graduation !

16th November has always been a special date to me, being Taupok and I's anniversary.

16th Nov 2015 is additionally special because it's Graduation Day!

Made the mistake of not taking photos with family when I got my diploma.

Not gonna make that same mistake for my Bachelor's!

Truth be told, other than a rush of achievement, 

I feel a great relief, a burden lifted from my shoulders.

God knows it has not been easy juggling school and full-time work (and part-time too, actually) at the same time.

So many people my grateful souls want to thank.

Me and the lotuses from my Ahgong's niche.

He died 2 months before TP convocation, and he isn't here to see me don the mortarboard either.

But Ahgong, I know you're seeing this from heaven and very proud of me.

I still miss you and love you very much.

The second most important woman in my life. Ahma <3 p="">♥ 

She raised me up through my childhood, and scolded and nagged at me more than my mom.

Ahma has always been very worried that I was stressing myself too much, juggling too many things.

Never mind Ahma, the awesome dishes you cook with love every Sunday helps! :D

My three aunts, aka fairy godmothers.

They are an integral part of my childhood years too, 

The love they showered on me and jh definitely demonstrated to me the unconditional love of family.

More than anything they taught us the right values.

大姑姑

You've taught me how to care for every single member of the family, big or small.

You've taught me kindness and compassion, doing what is morally right.

I've learnt to look out for people around me because you have done so for the family too.

二姑姑

You were always the most strict of the three 姑姑s

I still rmb you banned us from reading ghost stories and locked my books in your cupboard HAHA

You've taught me that discipline is needed, but can be tempered with love.

You've shown us that perseverance is truly a key to success, that hard work will always pay off in the end.

三姑姑

The youngest and prettiest of them all. The most hiao too, HAHAH!

She's the one I turn to for beauty advice heheh.

Beyond skincare, she's also taught me tenacity; 

stick stubbornly to your beliefs and not to be easily swayed by naysayers.

大姑姑 and 大姑丈

Dr Lee has been vital the development of my literary skills, hahah!

He's the reason why I love reading.

Every evening when he comes for dinner I'd grab a book and get him to read to me.

And afterwards I progressed to reading for him.

Now he comes to me for e-book downloads HAHAH.

三姑姑, 三姑丈 and Chuanjie!

三姑丈 is super annoying cause he's sibei gl. Shit that comes out of his mouth sometimes..

But underneath it all he's really caring and looks out for his family members a lot.

Like during ahgong's funeral he helped with many arrangements while all of us were lost in grief.

叔叔，婶婶 , Ethel and Wayne!

One with Ahma, aunts and uncle.

Okay then madness HAHAH.

With the kachengs!

Aka the annoying little shits I am supposed to be an example for..

Sucks being the eldest (yup, even in the extended family) sometimes.

But seriously, everyone excels differently so I don't think there's anything they need to 'follow' lor.

Except the funny faces. that one can follow.

Graduation Day!

Omg the bear so cute.

Selfie while waiting for people to arrive.. I was so damn early ._.

Yay my VIPs reach liao!

Had to buy extra tickets for ahma and pok, but of course its worth it.

Family is the most important of all in my book.

They're the ones who give you almost everything you need from the start to the end.

My parents might not be rich or highly educated, but their love and concern for me, 

is of more value than anything else.

Dad gave me rides to work cause he says it's 'on the way', 

but he could have picked up other passengers if I wasn't in the car.

Mum asks me if I'm coming back for dinner everyday without fail.

It is the little things that matters most.

Happy Anniversary to us !

Bwahahaha this kind of coincidence is once in a lifetime.

My fellow graduands.

Michele is a classic example of 'don't judge a book by its cover'

Her pattern damn hilarious one, especially when she rushes for mrt seats after class hahaha.

Levon is nuff' said HAHAH. 

My favourite lab partner in the limited no. of modules we managed to take tgt.

Oh yes and my alarm clock during lectures HAHAH!

Basically my only friends in Uni LOLOL #trueintrovert 

And if not for Levon's introduction I seriously doubt I'd even know them.

It's kinda hard to want to socialize after a long day at work and you still have to attend lectures. 

Plus the fact that some people you'll basically only see for one module and sayonara..

And those who just make use of you for lab sessions and answers.

I wish it was me being too wary of people but it is actually the cold hard truth.

For example, one of my bench neighbours was really friendly with everyone across the labs.

So he always has answers from earlier sessions as reference.

He always came late to class, expecting me to help him set up, or even leech my data, 

which of course I didn't allow la!

He once asked me why I was keeping to myself and not 'trying to widen network to make lab sessions easier' -.- 

'Eh cause I'm trying to widen my brains instead' LOLOL my reply #nohecksgiven

Hello Wai Eng :D

Another semi-airhead. This one v easy to scam also hahahah.

Came out and saw my original Bimbo holding flowers AWWWWWW.

When I met her earlier for lunch I still told her not to waste money on flowers some more hahah!

Who knows, she actually got up bright and early to get them with her ahma 

Omg so touched.

The bouquet is damn love la, my favourite blue rose! 

Color combi also like rainbow.

Oh and gimme the penguin!! ♥ 

AHAHAHA the two kats bought me food 真了解我 !!

My favourite Lay's and omg Japanese Cheesecake.

TIE WITH BLUE RIBBON SOME MORE HAHAHAHA.

Feeling all the love.

One with the family! This time with the two sisters.

See ahma smile until so happy hehehe.

With my doppelgangers.. wtf la why they both so tall one.

I'm wearing heels and the mortarboard but jx still looming over me #whatisthis

My best friends at home.

Thanks for tolerating my bullshit when I'm extremely stressed.

While family photoshoot was happening my bffs were entertaining themselves too.

#bitchstand !

Seriously lucky to have these two by my side and keeping me sane, listening to all my rants abt work.

Love how we encourage each other through simple acts like buying koi, and basically being there.

It's not easy to maintain friendships when life puts you into different stages, but I'm glad we made it.

Gonna be even more difficult now cause we're all working shifts in different labs!

#lifeofamedtech 

Of course, at this point I'd inevitably feel a pang of sadness for the other half of my poly clique.

They undeniably played an important part in my life, cause its not like we didn't have great memories and all,

but ultimately they weren't able to balance between their new lives and their old friends.

It was tiring being the one always stretching, reaching out, only to be snubbed.

Nevertheless, thanks for the memories.

AWWWWW GREEN KAT muacks my childhood friend of omg what 16(?!) years

Legitimately watched you grow up, even though we didn't meet each other as much as we do now.

This one, instead of keeping me sane, added some fun insanity to my life :D

 

This one no need to say too much in case I get too sappy HAHAHA.

Thanks pok, my one and only ♥ 

Oh yeah since we're done with photos let's just mess up her graduation robe.

I'm soooo going to hell for imitating nuns.

Selfie spam!!

Tmd this Bowei so joke one. That face!

Received this bouquet and gift at my place a few days later!

Seriously my mum was saying over the phone that "wah taupok so sweet, send flowers!"

I told her it's definitely not him HAHAHA.

Sender is none other than Manlin! :D

She damn cute lor, feel guilty she can't attend me and Michele's grad, so she had these delivered.

And unfortunately she didn't have my address so she turned to my #buddingyeast for help.

So Bimb had to trick me into telling her my own address.. by claiming it's for blogshopping purposes LOL HAHAH.

Didn't suspect anything at all!! #smoothaf

My love for penguins is so widely known sia hahahaha.

Anyway super touched and extremely blessed to have such a thoughtful friend.

I only got to know Manlin better during Uni, when she became my lab partner.

We're so so different in regards to our personalities, yet we could click really well.

I guess the fact that we were in the same work-study balance situation allowed us to understand each other in some ways, 

more than other people could. (:

Oh and her birthday is like, one day before mine! So qiao.

Extremely blessed that I have so many awesome people in my life. (:

(And omg super belated or what, this is almost 1 year after graduation HAHAH)