Enjoying Life in a Slow Lane

Guess this year is all about slowing down life and de-prioritising.

Chanced upon this quote the other day.

Love your life. Take pictures of everything, tell people you love them, strike up conversations with strangers. Do the things that scare you. Because so many of us leave this world and no one remembers a thing we did. Make your life the best story ever told.

I have been practising this. Taking pictures, strike up convo with strangers at sports interest club, doing things that bring me huge change… life time. Sometimes I still wonder if I made the right decision, but guess there’s no turning back.

Today, I am here writing this journal, spending my time doing nothing at home. This is super duper rare you see. But, I am all good! Okay maybe not entirely (due to menstrual pain). I reckon I don’t need to be highly efficient at all times. Shall keep those energy for Mondays.

Cutting down on overtime with more sports, gatherings and outdoors 🍀 cause I worked too much last year, like too much! So I want to enjoy my life in slower lane, embracing new experiences. Always remind myself that life is a marathon, not a sprint. I could step down to recharge; back in actions when I feel better.

Actually, it’s not too bad to have an unproductive day once in a while. What do you think?

The Best Time Is Always Now

In a matter of moments, a lifetime of dreams turned to ash.

A brutal reminder, life is terrifyingly fragile.

Everything you build, everything you hope for, everything you love, it all hangs by a thread.

So while you can, live, love, and don’t wait for happiness to start tomorrow.

🍀

Entering the Third Decade

On 16 Dec morning, I became emotional. Responding to birthday wishes individually led me to reflect on how these individuals have significantly impacted my life. My family, close friends and colleagues — those who provide strength during challenging times.

Turning 30 is surreal, much like celebrating my 25th birthday yesterday. But I am confident that I can move forward with assurance, knowing these compassionate individuals will continue to support me. ❤️

I am grateful for all the treats and cakes (8 cakes in total), feeling exceptionally loved. The celebration unfolds over the week with varied groups, in an intimate setting. Love it!

This year’s marked by numerous accomplishments i.e completing certification, volunteering as alumni, being social committee, traveling to Switzerland, nurturing a 26-year friendship that includes 13 years of LDR, and fostering connections with new team. 🥂

Thank you everyone who has witnessed my growth. Let’s anticipate 2025, with more successes and social events. I can’t wait 😊✨

Journal Prompts for 2025

1. What are 10 great things that happened or that you accomplished in 2024?

  • 5D4N trip in Penang, Kedah & Perak, on bridesmaid duty
  • Disney On Ice with le housemates
  • Hanbok, live octopus experience
  • Attended University of Manchester Southeast Asia Bicentenary Celebration
  • Family Photoshoot & retake corporate photo (after a decade)
  • USS Family Day/ Sentosa/ Movie by the beach with jies
  • Being a Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
  • Tried new sports- tennis & pickleball
  • Kulnari golf & JB outing with colleagues
  • Been to Disneyland for the first time in my life (princess at heart)
  • Travelled to dream country- Switzerland with le bestie, experiencing snow
  • Had awesome connections with my Blackpink girls and SOCCOM folks ❤️

I have more to write actually, but let’s keep it to myself.

2. What do you want to celebrate?

  • Entering the third decade!

3. How do you want to approach 2025?

  • Trust the process, everything happens for a reason.

4. What qualities do you want to cultivate?

  • Emotional maturity, patience and compassion.

5. What good habits do you want to continue adopting?

  • Being assertive, continue thriving & never give up.

6. How will commit to yourself?

  • To remember how hard it gets, I will always trust & choose myself unapologetically.

7. Where will you pour your attention?

  • Myself and connections

8. What habits or practices nourish you?

  • Workouts, read books, writing journals & listening to music

9. What do you want more of in 2025?

  • More sports, more books and more travels (sound like a plan!)

10. One small thing you do everyday to be yourself?

  • I will continue to remain genuine to others, true to myself.

Wrapping Up 2024

I don’t hate you 2024, but you were a difficult year, full of challenges, changes and learning. You showed me that life can change in blink of an eye and taught me to always choose myself unapologetically.

Nonetheless, above all, you made me understand that my health, whether physical, emotional and mental, is what really matters.

There are things I can’t understand, but I believe that, with time, I will understand the reasons and purposes of everything that happened.

2025 will be the quietest era ever for me.

I just want to travel, get in shape, make money, manage it and enjoy solitude. I don’t wanna hear anyone’s issues and I won’t be sharing any of mine. I only have room for genuine love and I’m forever choosing who chooses me. ❤️

More sports, more books and more travels.

Coucou 2025!

Journal Prompts for 2024

  1. What are 10 great things that happened or that you accomplished in 2023?
  • Completed Business Mandarin for Banking Professionals
  • Appointed University of Manchester Alumni Association’s Board of Committee
  • Got Service Recognition Award/ Won Q3 CORE Star Award
  • Completed House Renovation (It turned out exactly what I wanted)
  • Organized A Workshop (Wrapped up with lots of compliments)
  • Attended 5 Good Friends’ Weddings (Feel like a proud mom)
  • Dressed Up during Dinner & Dance (Go Merida!)
  • Went for Disney Immersive Experience & Concert/ Yiruma’s Concert
  • Attended 2-Day ACAMS Conference (Met Interpol OMG)
  • Travelled to Taiwan & Sydney (Missing winter already)

2. What do you want to celebrate?

  • Everything! Little wins, great achievements, failures. It molds what I am today!

3. How do you want to approach 2024?

  • Slow down. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

4. What qualities do you want to cultivate?

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

5. What good habits do you want to continue adopting?

  • Being assertive, not just confident

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?

  • Family, Career, Education & Connections

8. What habits or practices nourish you?

  • Workouts, read books, writing journals & listening to music

9. What do you want more of in 2024?

  • To take a leap of faith, especially before turning 30!

10. One small thing you do everyday to be yourself?

  • I will give my very best everyday

Bustling January

Kickstart 2023 with healthy sports activity with le troop, followed by Chinese cuisine buffet at night. Flew back hometown few days later to attend BFF weddings held on weekends.

Finally attended BFF weddings (church wedding & wedding banquet), blame the Covid! First time attending church wedding, I don’t really know what to expect honestly, but it was a meaningful event that’s for sure! I cried seeing her walking down the aisle, looking at how beautiful she was on her wedding day. We took pictures together in front of St Peter’s Church, the oldest functioning Roman Catholic Church in Malaysia. Enjoyed traditional Portuguese dance and got to meet BFF in-laws too. So happy for her seeing so many people adore and shower her with love. I can totally feel it from speeches of the in-laws, parents and husband. *pass me tissue please* They must be so proud of her, me too!

Attended wedding banquet the next day, and saw a few long lost high school friends and their partners. Didn’t really get to speak to a few but I will definitely make it up for that. I was asked to give a 5 min speech, so I scribbled something beforehand. I suck at table topics especially I was emotional. I rehearsed many times to prep myself not to cry when I deliver. But I failed. I cried when I hugged her, after the speech. Oh yeah I got my birthday presents too hehe, a handmade knit top and a bottle of Chardonnay. BFF was still able to squeeze time to knit a top amid havoc wedding planning, she is a superwoman. Not to mention, she did most of the planning for her wedding.

Flew back Singapore for work and also to pack stuff from existing locker, current floor will be under renovation for couple of months, that explains. Went back office to meet fellow colleagues, honestly I enjoy working in office to meet people, to dress up nicely in OL attire etc. Hmm… Attended few meetings, didn’t really get to meet some of the new team members. So Feb would make that up. Was back to Malaysia for Lunar New Year after a little road trip with the family. Had reunion with extended family, received red packets, lo-hei, some ka-ching session with cousins.

Watched CNY movies with family. Popcorns with so much laughter.

Tried out new dishes with le dad and mom, my dad is definitely my savior.

Visited secondary school’s principal and had scrumptious lunch together.

Very satisfied with my CNY #OOTD lol.

Brought parents for some KTV session, now they are obsessed.

Morning dim sum rush, thanks to my not-so-little brother.

Drove car for 900 meter, a little milestone yay! Without any scolding 🙂

Cousins gathering with BBQ + steamboat. Hoping to meet more cousins next time.

House crashing session at my cousin’s place hehe, and his chubby cat.

Holding my grandma’s hand while strolling a walk. It’s not a big deal, but #iykyk

A friend of 23 years is flying off to UK, glad to meet up with him and the fiancée.

Getting really forgetful nowadays, that explains why I like taking pictures or writing journals. I hope when I look back someday, I could recall and feel it all over again. I had a lot in my mind, which also explains my eyebags lately. The more we grow, our life priorities change gradually. I get to slowly understand, not being forceful and respect other’s decisions. But at least for myself, I hope I did my best at the very moment, so that I don’t regret like how I never spend time with my late grandpa last time.

Signing off January’23.

It’s the Time of the Year Again

They said Christmas is all about celebration & gratitude, I couldn’t agree more! We work hard since beginning of the year, focus on what we want to achieve. And then, we gather before the year ends, to feel grateful for what we have, we reap & we gain. We sing, cheer, celebrate the moment with our precious ones and welcoming the new year with a big hug.

This year I cheered for those who survived Covid, made a leap of faith, concurred failure, fell but come back stronger… Kudos to that! Recently, I read this post saying people come for a reason, to give you a lesson, bring you laughter and create memories with you. No matter they were to stay in your future or not, just enjoy the moment! Few weeks ago, it was being announced that our team will be under reorganization scheme. So, my boss would no longer be my boss soon. I didn’t feel as sad as I thought cause I really did my part, I think. We organized team bonding and had fun, went for volunteer, embraced challenges and biting bullets together. They were my biggest takeaways this year!

I lost some friends this year, but that is okay. It means we are not fated or whatsoever. Or who knows we might see each other at another end of world some day. I wish them nothing but the best! Finally went home after 2 years country lockdown. I go home way more often, and longer! I thank God to have considerate bosses, colleagues and technology nowadays. I can totally nail my job with no disruption, even though I am overseas. I cooked for my parents, brought them to outskirt town for a day trip, got them to experience some Korean fried chicken culture and fancy cocktails. And more family gatherings and sleepovers. I guess that’s all that matters right.

Managed to travel overseas like finally. I think wanderlust run in my blood. I told myself to work hard, to be able to afford such dream, every year a new place at least! Travel from wineries to wineries, witnessing sunset, chill by the beaches, experienced business class, stargazing etc. Can’t wait for my upcoming travel soon! It’s a place where I visited 10 years ago! So excited for more bubble tea, stinky tofu, Alisan hiking and many more. Next year is a big year, to me! Let’s keep it low for now, so many things to achieve, so many exciting projects coming up. Though I am feeling weary recently as I have been going out to have fun, to reconnect. But oh well, next year I will be back as Chun Lee again (street fighter at work lol). With my new responsibilities & role next year, I will be busier but I think I can handle them better.

I guess that’s that. Needa rush off to run errands before Xmas party starts at night. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you (to those who are reading this!) Wishing you good health and wealth 🙂

Ciao.

Celebrating September

September has been a fruitful one. Achieved multiple milestones (little), had plenty good news, long lost gatherings, I appreciate every chance I get, exposure I have, people I meet. Nowadays, I rarely spend time with people aside working hours. I truly enjoy every moment I have with myself. My emotions are no longer volatile as compared to how it used to be, nothing can really affect me (which I find it a bit scary).

Moments that worth celebrations:

  • Completed work curriculum less than a year
  • Went for volunteer with kids
  • Experienced kite flying at Marina Barrage
  • Hosted an event of 250++ pax and it was a huge success!
  • Experienced stand up paddle
  • Got my Australia visa
  • Bridesmaid duty for le cousin
  • Delicious WFH meals (self cooked!)
  • Kick started plan C
  • Got to celebrate mum & brother’s birthday (post Covid)

Not everyone is happy for what you achieved, not everyone’s there when you need help, so I don’t really share what I am doing nowadays as long as my resolutions are on track. Till date, I live on my motto of taking a leap of faith. I still challenge myself to step out of comfort zone.

This year, I tried outfits which are not my usual style. I became committee where I have no idea what are the duties. I handled cases that I never worked on before. I no longer feel anxious for what’s coming. When it comes, we will solve it! Like playing video games.

September is ending, October is coming. It’s last quarter of the year, I will continue to work hard and gonna do one last sprint before 2023 comes. I don’t want to take anything for granted, family, friends & myself. Hope you are too ! Cheerios~

The 5-Minute Journal #7

I am grateful for:

  • Loving family
  • Kind landlady & housemate
  • Helpful colleagues
  • Supportive bosses

Today’s affirmation:

  • Always choose kindness
  • You attract what you are
  • Good working environment > high salary
  • If someone had a positive impact on you, be thankful that your paths crossed
  • People come and go, and it’s okay

Amazing things happened recently:

  • One of my colleagues got pregnant! So happy for her!
  • Having big boss to back me up in one important meeting
  • Got recognized by boss on my effort and good work
  • Being invited to a wedding in Sentosa
  • Handmade food from le dad and landlady
  • Timeless Jar Workshop- aspired to become florist when I retire
  • Le brother got promoted and pay raise
  • Chosen to be part of coffee & tea session with senior management
  • First Omakase experience

I can sense September is gonna be a great month! I am darn looking forward to it ! 😀