Author: Lee Alison

Homebound’ 22

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The day has finally arrived… after 2 years. From booking vaccinated travel lane (VTL) flight, applying leaves, scheduling appointment for PCR test etc., I am finally home! Did I cry for a moment? Let’s not state the obvious. My tears were rolling at the corner of my eye when plane took off.

Have been waiting this moment for the longest time since March 2020. It all started from Alpha, Beta and then Delta, and now Omicron… Multiple country lockdowns, case fluctuations, being anxious etc. . The past 2 years were tough for all of us, regardless physically & mentally. Though it was a short 15-day trip, it was very fruitful.

Got to spend precious moment with my family and friends. Being not able to see my paternal grandma and maternal grandpa for 2 years, they have more wrinkles, they walk slower than how they used to, they now only react to louder voices… I am glad I am still able to catch up what I have missed.

Surprised my grandma when she was watching television the other day, she couldn’t react when I called her, prolly it didn’t strike her mind that I will show up like that in one fine afternoon. She still asked if I am dating, prolly she wants to see me settle down when she is still around. She teased my dad for being old school, for not able to accept interracial relationship. She reassured me, so long I am happy, she is happy.

We also stayed overnight at my uncle’s place, we gathered around to listen how grandpa travelled to China when he was only 3 years old. He shared how lucky we are as third generation, not require to do labor intensive work when we were kids. My cousins are now grown up children who can drive their older sister (me) around exploring city for late supper. We are close as we mostly spent our childhood together.

Got to sing karaoke after 2 years, catch up with le secondary school friends, manage to eat food that I have been longing. Not to mention, my dad’s cooking skill has improved a lot indeed. He is like my genie as he never failed my food quest. So proud of him that he has leveled up during country lockdown. Now he can cook, bake, grill etc.

I am glad after 2 years not able to return home, nothing has changed. 🙂 Oh, I got to drive with my dad sitting beside me. I have not touched steering wheel since late 2019, it has been awhile. I am lucky to have my family and friends to fetch me around whenever I need. Definitely, one of the best days I had in these 2 years. Time to back to work, not to mention, I have 2 exams next month, but I have yet to start reading any materials.

I changed my return flight from VTL to non-VTL to extend my stay, hence I am serving a 7-day stay home quarantine at the moment. I managed to stay longer with family and friends, so I am not complaining at all. Plus, recent cases in Singapore has spiked in double, hence I am happy to stay home, avoiding meet ups and crowds with a legitimate reason for the time being.

Again, I am really thankful for having considerate colleagues, sufficient annual leaves, VTL arrangement, caring landlady, last but not least, my parents for this sweet homebound. Looking forward to meet them again, hopefully soon!

First Wedding Vow of the Year

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It has been awhile since I attended a wedding. I supposed to attend 3 overseas weddings last year, but they got postponed due to Covid. Singapore has strict regulations to comply, so yeah my friend kept the attendees to very small group, which is less than 50. I was touched when I was being asked to attend, especially she capped to such small size.

I have not seen her for quite some time, mainly due to we have different priorities in life. I am so glad that she is doing well after so many years, and able to find someone to spend rest of her life with. He seems like a sweet man, someone that she can rely on, and she seems happy with him. For that, I am very happy for her!

See them reading wedding vows, made me feel like I want to get married too! Though I have no boyfriend… yet. To stick together regardless being sophisticated or not, healthy or not, happy or not. I have never felt so strong that it is great to have someone in life, to spend rest of my life with. Guess my instinct to love comes very very slow. Whoops. Prolly I was too engrossed in studies, work & social life earlier.

Now that, I am kinda settled in career, everything is in place… Guess it’s time to find someone to settle down. Hmm should I even pen this down. Well, why not since it should be part of a life plan to everyone no? I learnt that it is important to fork out time for your (potential) partner despite being busy at work, in life. So yeah, I really want to prioritize this piece, even though I might be tied down at times. Manage priorities I guess.

I have been meeting many people these days. I am not feeling desperate. Just saying, it is nice catching up with old friends, meeting new people. I told myself to keep an open mind, though I am picky in choosing partner, especially I never settled for less. And also, no “trying” a relationship. I feel it’s not fair to him, and somehow it might stop him from meeting someone that suits him.

Yup, there goes one of my new year resolutions this year! Hehe I am really looking forward to this piece. 🙂 Wish me luck~

New Year New Resolutions

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Came across a post on social media the other day. It was “I can’t even remember the last time I ever had any new year’s resolutions because I was definitely one of those “why bothers? it’ll never happen” type of person” post. No offense. But, I am the kind who have new year resolutions. Just saying, I need something to focus on.

Glad to have long weekends during New Year, I managed to finalize new year goals to work on. I am quite satisfied on what I achieved in 2021, though few were affected due to Covid, but somehow I managed to accomplish majority of them. I monitored and realigned my goals along the way, to be more defined, adjusting to situations from time to time.

I am excited for what lies ahead, feeling hyped to work hard on what I have planned. I was having dinner with a long lost friend on Monday. He asked: who do you see yourself compare with? Myself, I said. Not being ignorant. Just saying, everyone has their own path and I don’t want to compare with anybody else, so long I am doing better than my old self.

It is quite subjective whether or not to have new year resolutions. To me, it would be good to jot down what’s in mind, plan out resources to achieve my goals. I started doing it few years back, and they are the reasons that keep me pushing. I feel accomplished whenever I achieved something and then struck them off from my list.

Can’t wait to see myself at a new high by end of the year. I am pretty busy recently at work, in life, with friends. But I am feeling good cause I find myself being efficient with limited time. Though it can be quite tiring at times, I managed to complete a lot of tasks. Guess my new bought planner really makes wonders. 🙂

How about you? What’s your new year resolutions?

Journal Prompts for 2022

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1.     What are 10 great things that happened or that you accomplished in 2021?

  • Successful internal mobility
  • Passed ICA advanced certificate
  • Met someone who changed my perception of love  
  • Blood Donation
  • Candlelight concert
  • Ocean restaurant
  • Take good care of my mental health
  • Having good boss & considerate colleagues
  • Love what I do at work
  • Signed up 2 years gym membership- best investment of the year

2.      What do you want to celebrate?

  • I made promise in doing things even though I am not sure if it is right or it will succeed, at least I took that leap of faith. And I did it!

3.     How do you want to approach 2022?    

  • Remain fearless, to live with no regrets!

4.     What qualities do you want to cultivate?

  • Let things happen, trust the process, and enjoy the ride.

5.     What bad habits do you want to leave in the past?

  • Punctuality
  • Egoistic
  • Splurging

6.    How will you commit to yourself?

  • To remember that no matter how hard it gets, I will continue to remain true to myself

7.    Where will you pour your attention?

  • Physical & mental health. Body management. Career. Education. Relationships.

8.    What habits or practices nourish you?

  • Write journals. Read books.

9.    What do you want more of in 2022?

  • To allocate more time for relationships & myself, aside work.

10.    One small thing you do everyday to be your best self?

  • Reflect/ Pray

Let Things Happen, Trust The Journey And Enjoy The Ride!

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Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it’s not where you want to be. Every season serves a purpose. Let things happen, trust the journey and enjoy the ride! 🎡

To sum up, it was a great year this year! It’s rough at times but I know I will come back stronger. Despite not coming home for almost 2 years, I still yearn to experience new stuff, to create good memories. 🍀

I made promise in doing things even though I am not sure if it is right or it will succeed, regardless in life, relationships or career, at least I took that leap of faith. ✨

Thought I have done well since I have no regrets on what I am doing, even my family and friends are so proud of me 😇 Will continue doing it next year, sounds like a plan to me!

Guess that’s that. Happy New Year people 🍻

The 5-Minute Journal #3

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Today I am grateful for:

  • Getting new work laptop ✨
  • Receiving Christmas gift ✨
  • Retrieving my lost spectacles ✨
  • Fixing my I-thought-it-spoilt shoes ✨
  • Having lunch with colleagues at Sanook Kitchen ✨
  • Be punctual at work ✨
  • Getting popular at work HAHA ✨

Today’s affirmation:

  • I am thankful for what I have, for what I receive 💖
  • Feeling so good to receive good energy. Law of attraction indeed 💖
  • I always do my best, for myself, for others 💖

Here are few amazing things that happened today:

  • As I will be flying overseas soon, my colleague actually prioritized my queue in getting new laptop so that I can fly at peace 😊
  • Gotten a sling bag as Christmas gift, something I have been wanting to buy for my phone 😊
  • Lost my spectacles 2 weeks ago. So lucky that someone actually helped to keep and return me! Not to mention, I just changed them this year! 😊
  • Wore one of my favorite heels to work today. I thought it spoil, but I managed to fix 😊
  • It has been awhile since I had lunch with bunch of colleagues at work. The food was good 😊
  • More and more people knew me at work, not sure why. Maybe I have more authority since I am working in office. But sure, since I love helping people 😊
  • Managed to call for Grab early and reached office on time today, was difficult to call for Grab for the past few weeks 😊

The 5-Minute Journal #2

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Today I am grateful for:

  • Having booster shot ✨
  • Waking up at 9am++ after so long ✨
  • Having group call with family ✨
  • Eating Tiramisu (fav cake) in birthday month ✨

Today’s affirmation:

  • I am thankful for what I have 💖
  • I am feeling better after staycation 💖 
  • I will not worry about things beyond my control 💖 

Here are few amazing things that happened today:

  • Waking up at 9am++ on a non-working day today. I have been waking up at 5am++ regardless working or not everyday earlier 😊
  • Claim birthday cake- Tiramisu (fav cake) in birthday month before new year 😊
  • Some me time to do self reflect. My mind is clearer now 😊
  • Continue reading a book which I have been longing 😊
  • Was praised for having nice hair while checking out vaccination center 😊
  • Was showed concern if my hometown was hit with flood 😊
  • Grandma + uncle’s family were safe from flood 😊
  • Got to rest like finally, finally! Though no alcohol for the next few days 😊

Last but not least, Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄 An annual festival commemorating birth of Jesus Christ!

Birthday Diary

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Waking up to plenty birthday wishes in the morning. I still woke up as if I am going to work since I am heading temple for prayers in the morning. I think I have been through a lot these days, especially in November. It was indeed rocky. Finally, able to get some well-deserved rest after hectic work weeks. Though I might occasionally on my laptop to check emails, but still… Yay!

I received a lot of personal messages, some even texted me in the middle of night when I already knocked off in bed. One of my toxic traits is I know how to love but I don’t know how to believe I am loved… Or rather I forgot I am loved by so many people sometimes.

I replied texts by texts while prepping myself. These days, I started a new habit by meditating, praying before sleeping and after waking up. For well-being of my family, friends and myself etc. (let’s keep it as secret hehe)

Did simple make up, wore birthday dress pairing with le favorite pink little bag. I always go to the same temple whenever I am lost, I need a listener. I hate worrying people but desperately need someone to talk to, that’s the place I always go to. For many years. Somewhere I can find peace. As usual, I cried while talking to God. Saying how thankful I am, to be able to hold on and surviving strong.

To be honest, I wish I am not strong or over independent sometimes. Wrong impression on me mostly as I think I am quite soft hearted that easily cried lol. If you know, you know. But then again, who can I rely on when I am not mentally strong. Career change, completed advanced certificate, met really nice people at work, few good months of dating (though we did not proceed further). I believe everything happened for a reason.

Went for Japanese buffet fully sponsored by dad. My brother was complaining he didn’t get anything from le dad on his birthday. Oh wells, he should know I am dad’s little princess. Whoops. I don’t really eat a lot nowadays, so I am doing just fine, but my brother was complaining (again) that he barely eat any staple food. It’s surprising to see so many people on weekdays. We went for movie later on. Spiderman, like finally! No spoiler alert, just saying, despite not being a Marvel fan, it is a great movie!

We had western cuisine together. I am really thankful for him that he actually took leave to keep me accompany the whole day, especially when he has limited paid leaves. Though he still judge me for not able to remember some Marvel scenes, I am glad I am able to stick with him whenever I need.

Also, I have been receiving gifts like food and beverages, spa treat, skincare, cosmetics etc. Oh, I bought myself a bouquet of flowers too! I rarely receive flowers, prolly people think I might not like it idk. But actually, I really love sensual gifts which are visually nice or smell lovely. Like flowers, scented candles, nice hand cream, aromatherapy etc.

Guess my birthday has really come to an end. Officially, 26+1 now. I never liked the idea where my age is an odd number. This year was indeed rough like what I expected but somehow it turned out better than I thought. I don’t wish everything is smooth in life as I know that’s not possible.

Instead, I pray for strength to conquer challenges when times are bad. Always reminding myself to be thankful- appreciate for what I receive, for what I have. I really love how people wish me to stay safe, pretty, healthy and happy. Guess that’s all I need.

Last but not least, I thank everyone for their well wishes! Wishing them good luck, and keeping them in my prayers. Happy Birthday Alison! 🎂

Law of Attraction

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I don’t deem myself a book smart or very intelligent person. But somehow I am one lucky girl- I always get what I want, of course I work my way up too. I am an optimistic person who worry less though I used to get anxious over unforeseen circumstances that might never happen. It is a total waste of time I would say. No jinx please, still counting my blessings. I believe in law of attraction, especially after reading the book myself.

The law of attraction is a philosophy suggesting that positive thoughts attract positive results into a person’s life whereas negative thoughts attract negative outcomes. It is based on the belief that thoughts are a form of energy and that positive energy attracts success in all areas of life, including health, finances and relationships.

I never doubted myself for not able to achieve what I want. Never. I am not being ignorant. Just saying I am the kind who will focus, work on my goals and never look back. I am very determined to work things out though I might cry when I am stressed out. I never back out. I never told myself that I don’t deserve anything good. I totally deserve it! I would rather work harder than settle for less.

Recently, we went Ocean restaurant to celebrate our birthdays. Pretty much an extravagant experience that I prolly won’t be going back again. The overall experience was top notch, for instance their services, food and restaurant ambience. Just saying it is not a norm where I will be going back as a returning customer cause the experience was not cheap. It is meant for an extravagant experience like I said. But, oh wells, once in a lifetime, plus since we are stuck in Singapore during birthdays. Why not?

It was indeed a memorable night. Having jazz music as BGM with fishes swimming in front of my eyes, I never thought I will be experiencing this in my lifetime. Not that I don’t deserve it, but rather I never thought I can make it this far. Living overseas for almost a decade, I guess I am doing good, to be able to afford such experience. Moral of the story: work hard to have more choices, to deserve better life. I guess we need to be practical and realistic at times where money does provide some sort of security and comfort.

Still working hard on my goals. Still sending positive messages to the universe as I believe I will receive the same. I don’t wish everything is smooth in life cause I know that’s not possible. Instead, I pray for the strength to conquer challenges when times are bad. And of course, always reminding myself to be thankful- appreciate for what I receive, for what I have. Feeling abundant!

Are you working on your new year resolutions already? Cause I am!

Unsettled

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At times I stay late at work, biting granola bar, thereafter continue drafting my emails…

At times I eat sandwiches as late dinner by the roadside, waiting for taxi to go home…

At times I walk around to buy dinner but all shops have closed, and I am starving…

Totally not ranting how I am being tied down, but rather feeling contented to be able to enjoy what I am doing now even though I give in a lot of time at work. At times where I feel stressful over workload, being tasked to coach and do reporting recently, I am glad I am valued as an asset to the team, to the company. Not to mention, I just joined the team 4 months ago. How time flies.

I have learnt so much, and definitely so much more to learn. I am thankful for having knowledgeable bosses and considerate teammates. They are more experienced than myself, and being very open and always up for discussion whenever I need help. I am tasked to assign, to do reporting and to coach a newcomer. Though at times I still feel I am rather new, not sure if I am ready to handle all these matters, but I will definitely do my best!

Counting down 2 more days to December, and it is the beginning of festive season as well as my birthday month hehe!! I am totally looking forward to all the plans I have with my friends- cycling, Thai food feast, Ocean restaurant experience, staycation, meeting my long lost friend, buffets and gifts!! So excited, and hopefully I never gained a lot of weight by eating too much.

Ps. Sagittarius rocks 🙂