NYE's Eve

An hour and a half to NYE and I really wonder how did the past year flash by in the blink of an eye?! This year was pretty much mundane. But I'm not complaining. I asked for it. It was such as peaceful year for me. Didn't lose anyone I love, spent quality time with the people that matter, guarded myself against people whom I weren't close to, no friends back-stabbing me. Basically I was such a homebody. Apart from school, I spent most of my time at home doing my assignments or accompanying the furkid. Became more laid back. Group projects weren't as intensive as those days in poly. Learning to appreciate nature, talking slow walks and enjoying myself.

I quite like all of it actually. And my efforts are paying off because part of the reason is to save money for my big trip next year, which I really hope would take place. Buying air tickets for two in less than two months!!! Traveling a continent that I've never been to, exploring its magnificence and getting lost.

Can't wait to see what 2014 has for me. I can't wait. Had a great Christmas with my loved ones this year and it was perfect too. Couldn't ask for more.

November

Spent the first half of November waiting for my chestnut's arrival. Three weeks never felt this long before and I was completely lost when it came to the weekends. Nevertheless it was a great opportunity for me to catch up with friends whom I have not seen in a while and spent a day with my cousin too. And I was also lucky to be offered to work for several events on weekends, which kept me busy over the weekends. And birthday lunches to attend on weekends as well. 

The three weeks of separation (I know I made it sound dramatic) made me realise something too. Glad that Chester was making every effort climbing hills and standing in the cold for more than an hour on a particular spot on the hill every afternoon and night just to whatsapp me. Phone calls weren't an option because i) it is expensive ii) it is a desert and reception was poor (thus he resorted going up the particular spot of the hill everyday) and iii) viber/skype didn't work as well. 

Had a short getaway to Batam for our monthsary. It was the first time we were celebrating our monthsary in 21 months haha. Needless to say, I was happy. Happy that I had a cheap and nice body massage and hair spa too. Bumped into our friends and when we checked out the next day, we had the BEST fish and chips, and went into an apartment at Montigo Resort for a swim with friends. Lucky us!

All in all, it was the perfect short getaway I could ask for. From all my assignments and whatnot.

3 long weeks

So I sent Chester off to the land of Kangaroos and Koalas this morning for an overseas training trip and it will be three weeks long. I know I can't be compared to my friends who are having a LDR but this is going to be tough on me, on US, because both of us are way too sticky and we literally spend 24/7 together when he books out even Friday evening - Sunday evening. Never thought I would be this dependent and sticky and I feel so whiney about this overseas training. 

Which brings me to the topic of why this entire space is all on Chester and nothing else. Reason being, my life revolves around studies, studies and studies I barely have time when my friends and I'm feeling bad about this. And on weekends is when I spend time with C. I can't help but to feel lousy that I'm such a bad friend and it's time that I start making time for everyone else which I would try my best to. 

Counting down the days, can't wait for 13th November to arrive! 

This morning before we left for the airport

And this was exactly how we felt at the departure hall hahaha

Perry's birthday last week!

A friend's birthday celebration at MBS last week

3 weeks ago, Chester had the car and brought me to Marina Barrage for a picnic :) 

And this is me riding on a pony

Caffeine overdose

...which is why I am still awake at 4:39 a.m. and I blame the overly thick tea taste in my iced lemon tea I drank with my late dinner. 

And at this time, is whereby endless train of thoughts flood my mind because "nothing good ever happens after 2 a.m.". For that, I have nothing to offer but a cranky mind with nonsensical thoughts. 

I'm so tired of revision, so tired of writing my dissertation, my thesis. I hope all of it ends soon, but on the other hand, I don't want 'soon' to come too. Yup, nonsensical thoughts like these...

Just let me sleep already, before I get any crankier. Before I go on how overly attached I am, or type out details of how I killed a spider at 2:14 a.m.

Contentment

Andddd, here comes the last quarter of the year. September has been a good month even though it was a hectic one. Glad that the birthday celebrations went well. 

Moving on, I hope October will show me some mercy. Glad to say that I have survived semester 3.1, which means that I would be graduating in a couple of months' time. I pray that I'll get through another hectic month of revisions, assignments and examinations. And I do hope time pass a little slower because I cannot bear to send @chestnutlee to the airport, to Wallaby, for three weeks.

This week has been a pretty mundane week so far. Just me, facing my notes, reciting to the walls around me with whatever I could remember, walking up and down the corridor at home if I couldn't remember what I just memorised, and then getting frustrated with myself. And I haven't stepped out of home, and by home I mean Pinevale, because I have to walk my dog every evening. The only incentive about staying home is that I have zero expenditure on weekdays, which I am pretty proud of. ^^

Someday.... I do hope all these talking and planning about roaming the lovely streets of Florence, sitting at a cafe in Rome just eating gelato and people-watching, watching the Eiffel tower lighting up brightly at night, exploring the city of Genoa - villages with more than a thousand years of history, breathing the nice cold air in Switzerland, would materialize at the timing we planned for. 

This is me, sending my brother on the day of his enlistment and pictures of us when we were much younger. Very sadly, he spent his 20th birthday inside, during his confinement - 1 day just after chest's birthday.

This was on a Friday, the start of Chester's birthday weekend. He lied to me and surprised me the night before when I was busily stuffing mooncakes into my mouth and I suddenly heard the doorbell on a weekday night, thinking who the hell was that. To my very pleasant surprise, I saw Chest and my jaw dropped..... And this was the breakfast for two that I prepared the next morning, in return for that pleasant surprise :')

Happy birthday love.

Headed to our favouritest cafe of all time - Rider's Cafe.

The next weekend, my family and I sent Perry for grooming. This was when he was on the way for grooming, and he was so thrilled as usual because he gets to have a car ride. He usually takes up the front passenger seat because he loves that seat, and made all of us squeeze at the back. Spoilt dog.

Before grooming.

After a $55 grooming, he looked neater, more girly, and smelt so sweet.

The next morning, my parents got my dog a mini armchair because he loves to take afternoon naps on the bigger armchair. So now he has an armchair to call his own. And I don't even have mine. That's fine. This armchair is his 3rd birthday gift in advance.

Taking ownership of the chair as soon as he sees it.

How is waking up to this every morning? To have a fluff ball looking and waiting for you to wake up so he could have a hug? Aww.

His sparkling eyes, I'm in love.

Half of September gone and I sense that the next half is going to be crazy. Personal life v.s. studies. So many things I wish I was doing right now, but so many things yet to be done. A month full of birthdays of people whom I hold dear, revisions, assignments and more assignments, revisions again, family time...

Sigh I need more than 24 hours a day. Or better time management skills. Or maybe, both.

Chanced upon this - How apt!

"There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living."

Press on press on press on press on Grace

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

-Sylvester Stallone,
 Rocky Balboa

Someday...

I used to think that girls these days are so materialistic. But as I grow up, I find myself being one of those girls too. Which girl does not like carrying a Chanel (or your favourite brands) walking around the streets of Orchard or even on a lazy day? Maybe the changing society is the culprit and the cause of materialistic girls. I can't believe I grew to be one too.

Just then when I was reading an article about finances, I told myself that I would like to be my parents someday. Most people including me, finds joy after a purchase of a branded item. That's happiness. But it dawned upon me that my parents' happiness is just building a happy home and watching their kids grow up. And watching their investments grow. That's their kind of happiness. Never have they splurge on anything because they do not believe in brands. I really look up to them because they think far, unlike us who go for short term gains like material wants and unnecessary luxury which could be easily replaceable.

Everyone's been asking me what is my parents' gift to me for my 21st. I don't have a gold necklace or a gold key, or anything else. Just a newly open investment account under my name and a lump sum of money. I thank my parents for teaching me the value of money and the importance of investment.

I really, do admire my parents. Someday, I hope I can be like them - happy, humble and wise. And my kind of happiness in future would be just like them.

Perry.

It's been about two and a half years since I held you in my arms and brought you back to this family. We watched you grow from a puppy as small as a size of an adult's palm to where you are right now - a mini 2.4kg three-quarters-maltease-and-a-quarter-terrier dog. It is such a joy to watch you grow up.

Two and a half years later, I still stand in wonder of nature, wondering how did nature bring this angelic little fluff ball into this world, bringing tremendous joy in our family. My family is now even more closely knitted as ever since you came into this humble home. I have never once looked back since I set my eyes on you. And everyone loves you more and more each day. I'm more than honored that you are a huge part in my life watching me as I grow up too, even attending my 21st birthday party haha.

This post is outrageously random but I have not talked about Perry all in a post since god knows when. Loveeee you so much Perryboy!

8/12

It's August already!!! Time is passing way too fast. I can't even remember how I spent my last seven months, except for my birthday, which was, not too long ago. Looking back, I haven't done anything major this year for me to remember. But I'm happy with life as it is now, except for whining about school and assignment once in a while.

Pictures (not in order) to sum up my favourite month of the year:

Short day trip to JB just 2 days ago. Simple and happy day!

Pauline's sweet 21sr

Belated birthday dinner at Hyatt

“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.”

– Bob Marley

Twenty-one

Yes, finally twenty-one.

This humble little celebration with my family and close friends made me realised how blessed I am. From the sacrifices my family and Chester painstakingly made, to the hosting of guests and such. I am really thankful for a loving family who is more than willing to take the trouble to help me around, even right to the most intricate details.

And to my friends too. So glad we have come thus far. Watching each other growing up is definitely a joy. As we move into different phases of our lives, I really hope this bunch of friends would stay by me.

Enough said! Pictures speak a thousand words.

I really enjoyed myself and it was heartwarming to see everyone I love, gathering together to celebrate this special day with me :)

My jaw dropped when I saw the huge bouquet of flowers. I was speechless for a while and was in shock, really. 21 roses for me :)

Regent Hotel's service is soooo good