Is your 2009 worth celebrating?

Having looked back, I think mine was a rewarding one as compared to the year before. I've grown to accept myself, loving myself more, pampering myself more. More importantly, I'm glad I found the courage to start changing the little things in my life.

Thanks to all my families and friends who have been hearing my complaints, who have been giving me encouragement. Thanks to my brother who shares info with me on high-end luxury goods, thanks to my cousin who accompanies me on endless buffet trips and thanks to my buddies who go shopping with me whenever they are free.

2010, I wish all happiness and healthiness.

Thank you SZ and HJ for the bag. Love it lots! Muack~

Coincidently, this year my birthday fell on the first day of a week, the day when everyone working seemed to get the blues...

And it was usually during the holiday period when the jobless ones got the blues.

Thanks Yen, for the lovely chocolate bouquet.

Merry X'mas to all. Let us all rock the jingle bell~

Sweetie Jean was unable to join us but we had fun, and then some embarrassment when we made abit of a fool out of ourselves at Ricciotti the italian restuarant, all thanks to the crazily creative mind of Joey...

Realise I can cook too.

Came across this excerpt from a book I was reading recently.

A story is told of a man who goes to church and prays, "God, I need a break. I need to win the state lottery. I'm counting on you, God."

Having not won the lottery, the man returns to church a week later and once again prays, "God, about the lottery...I've been kind to my wife. I've given up drinking. I've been really good. Give me a break. Let me win the lottery."

A week later, still no richer, he returns to pray once again, "God, I don't seem to be getting through to you on this state lottery thing. I've been using positive self-talk, saying affirmations, and visualizing about the money. Give me a break, God. Let me win the lottery."

Suddenly the heavens open up, a white light and heavenly music flood into the church, and a deep voice says, "My son, Give me a break! Buy a lottery ticket!"

I was feeling a bit 'too-free' and 'nothing-better-to-do' tonight.

So I opened my cupboard, saw the two denim shorts Miss Cool bought for me from Thailand...

And decided to take a snap.

COVA Pasticceria at Paragon. Nice ambience, nice desserts and nice friends.

Supported Mr Wayne's teddy bear show yesterday.

Oops, the 2 cute little bears on the left caught me snapping pictures of them... =x

"Introverts can appear self-absorbed and uninterested but rather than being self-centered, they are often really the opposite..."

"The ability to focus on their internal world and reflect on what they are feeling and experiencing allows them to understand the external world and other human beings better. What appears to be self-centeredness is actually the very talent that provides the capacity to understand what it's like to put themselves in someone else's shoes."

(Extracted from Marti Olsen Laney - The Introvert Advantage)

Glad to have you as my lunch Kaki for 2 and a half years. We talked. We complained. We laughed. I've never known you so well before.

And thanks for being my friend for 13 years. I'll miss you!

Mum says "You had a good job in your previous company and yet you don't treasure it."

Mum says "Look at how pitiful your brothers are, count yourself lucky you don't have to work shifts, work weekends, work OT often."

Justy stares into space and thinks "I just want a simple and balance life, a job I can endure for years and a hobby-turned-passion that keeps on burning. Life's too short to drown in unhappiness...and life's too short to stay in a job that constantly makes you feel like an useless bum."

My first job was in a eyewear distributing company. Second was in the Entertainment and Media industry.

I've never planned to enter the marketing field, particularly so because I don't have the confidence to interact and communicate well with people of all levels, but sometimes life seems to have already paved a path for you and that route might not be the one you are most comfortable or familiar with. Maybe it's a challenge, a test, laid by god. It's up to you whether to follow it or not...

I realized I might need to go for another round of laser treatment since the one I underwent didn't completely remove the mole on my cheek. Doc told me this might happen but still, I couldn't shake off the slight disappointment. Anyhow, I'll do it again some time next year.

There are people who asked why I want to remove it in the first place. Why? Ever watch movies when the person with moles were teased and made fun of? Ever remember your long-time-no-see friend as 'The one with moles on her face'? Ever experience the awkwardness of someone looking at your photographs and commenting only on how obvious the mole on your cheek was in the dark? And even with makeup to conceal, there are still people who get near and try to see the flaws, there are still people who feel the need to remind you your moles weren't perfectly covered up. Dark eyes circles would need professional skill to conceal, least to mention black moles.

I've been self-conscious.... or maybe I'm simply vain.

Those who have the access to my blog aren't the ones who did the above so dear friends, no worries you guys are still in my christmas celebration list. Ha!

To a friend who has recently broken off with her boyfriend of many years, I hope time will heal soon enough... Go, Ms Cutie Chuin.

Went shopping, bought oven, ate supper, played candles... all in a day.

Had a fun and 'brightly lit' Mooncake Festival with Ms Yen. And I hope she enjoys my cookies as much as she enjoyed my mum's Hokkien Mee.

'Rar-bins' and transparent 'Gong'.

Thanks to Ms Tingle bell for bringing me to Phoon Huat. These match the packaging materials I had in my mind...

Lanterns, Candles, Chinese tea and... Mooncakes.

This year is the first year I bought mooncakes home, just to get a feel of that festive mood. Ms Chuin recommended Peony Jade and it didn't disappoint me one bit. Their signatured mooncake with flaky skin and smooth yam filling was above my expectation. The pandan snow skin one with creamy durian paste was equally yummy.

Funny how I would think of buying now just when I'm penniless. My heart, ridiculously, could only feel the relief of leaving that place...

I was angry yesterday.

To the person who made me feel this way:

Remember who was the one who told me I was reckless to choose design course and I bought it upon myself when I teared at night because I was so very tired trying to finish my projects almost every day? Who was the one who said I was careless, stupid because the computer and my thumbdrive happened to clash at the same time and I lost all softcopies of my school files? Now you are the one who taste it and you accuse me of not having any sympathy when all I did was to keep quiet when you are complaining?

Who was the one who brushed me off when I complained about work, saying I am a grumbling queen? Now I choose not to discuss and talk about my decisions, any of it, and you think I am too nonchalant?

I remember all these because it is a reminder that I need to learn to manage stress and be independent. I need to stop wincing and affect others. I need to know for every steps I chose, if I ever regret, I have myself to blame. I need to constantly mend my ways to be a better person. And you? You got it wrong. You can only think of how petty I am to remember such trivial matters. What are you now? No point in arguing with you so I would rather be silent. You don't even deserve any explanation. One day, you will see. In the meantime, get the hell out of my sight.

Some are asking me "Don't you feel sian, jobless and all?"

And I've the answer for everyone who asked, or have yet to ask. I wouldn't have resigned without a job if I'm afraid of boredom during my break. I went for what I wanted and I got it. There are bound to be some sacrifices made. Instead of having regrets (if any), then why not simply enjoy and make full use of it? Then, I'll move on.

Recently, few of my friends seem to be going through some relationship problems. Hope things will straighten out very soon...

枯树前杂踏脚步 刻着心碎的控诉
读完别人的感触 却又义无反顾的投入
谁的脚步有几个真的可以远离爱 远离糊涂...

祝福什么都不再记住
祝福很快会找到幸福
祝福爱情的信徒 那善男信女别再辛苦
(Lyrics extracted from 萧敬腾 - 善男信女)

Just a note to let you guys know that I've created another blog solely for my baking-related stuff.

http://thestickydough.blogspot.com/

And this blog will continue to be a place for me to vent frustrations, share my absurb thoughts etc.