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 πŸ€ 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?

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.

Capturing March Times

  • Scrumptious EspaΓ±ol dinner with ex-team. Received congratulatory messages for promotion
  • Candlelight concert with roommate, Taylor Swift jamming
  • Had stinky tofu (craving fixed) after a workout. Can’t wait for Taiwan trip for more!
  • Went speakeasy with le gf after hectic work week (love their cocktails). Long lost shopping session thereafter
  • Van Gogh expedition with another gf. Italian dinner treat yay!
  • Bought shark bedroom slippers, too cute! So excited walking around in the house now
  • Bought few meaningful books to read, can’t wait to finish them
  • Invitation to ex-boss’ baby shower & her son’s birthday party
  • Completed a complex case after 3 months of account review, phew :3
  • Bought pop croissants for high tea! Rare moment I wish I was French aside being Italian (I mad love pasta OMG)
  • First Qing-Ming experience with family. It was a tradition our ancestor had that no woman is allowed until le grandpa passing.
  • Witnessed beautiful cloud sea in the morning
  • Invitation to ex colleague’s wedding banquet in Sept

Truly counting my blessings for having good health, stable job & a roof over head. A friend of same birthdate as myself, got laid off recently. Yup, she was part of the tech laid off. She was travelling Bangkok few weeks ago, having all the fun… Until, she broke the news on Linkedin few days ago. A close relative had high cancerous cell counts in his body, hence he has undergone a surgery to remove some parts of pancreas. Wishing him a good health & smooth recovery.

Having stable job is nothing less than having high income, having good health is nothing less than being wealthy. I am beyond thankful!

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 πŸ™‚

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 fiancΓ©e.

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.

Perth Memories

What are your favorite memories of the entire trip?

  • Finally meeting le BFF & her husband, they really took good care of me as if I am their daughter
  • Business class experience- some hiccups occurred. Didn’t get to my initial flight, but got upgraded instead
  • Pinnacles Desert- no cactus, no sand fox hehe
  • Stargazing at Hangover Bay. Managed to see Jupiter, Scorpio & Crux!
  • Daily dose of coffee, no disappointment so far. La veen’s the best!
  • Brunch at Zamia Cafe, King’s Park. Their pastries look damn good too!
  • Sunset moment at Surfer’s Point. Hope to watch it again with someone special πŸ™‚
  • Jamming during road trips – some secondary school good memories
  • Countryside days at Margaret River- Airbnb place we chose was superb!
  • Cooked Aussie breakfast, Budae Jjigae & Chinese dinner to fix my Asian craving
  • Rottnest Island- Chu Bakery, meeting Quokka, wow-some bays, wonderful weather
  • Fremantle- Fremantle Market, tasty Brazilians BBQ, Fishing Harbor, Kailis Fishmarket Cafe, Bathers Beach
  • Swan Valley- Honey House & Sticky Spoon Cafe, Lavender Bistro & wine tasting at Sandalford Wineries

Something to look forward to after the trip:

  • Hiking trip in Perth/ road trip to Albany, Geraldton etc. next time
  • Le BFF wedding next year- both church wedding & banquet
  • Can’t wait to pop my Chardonnay, Moscato etc. bought from Margaret River & Swan Valley
  • Start grabbing sweaters and all for more Perth visit hehe
  • Campervan experience though I suck at driving 😦
  • Skydiving experience- it was canceled due to unpredictable weather. Better luck next time!
  • Inspired to work hard for my next trip, so pumped!

Some lessons learnt:

  • DO NOT underestimate spring weather (always bring thermal wear as back up)
  • DO NOT place your specs on bed (spoilt my specs of 5 years)
  • To brush up my driving skills for next year road trip
  • Bring facial masks for hydration (my face cracked and skin started peeling off)
  • Should have spaced out one luggage for my purchases, almost went overweight
  • Drink more water, I think I am getting sick 😦

The 5-Minute Journal #6

I am grateful for:

  • Get to know a lot of alumni, expanding connection
  • CSR by doing beach clean up at East Coast Park
  • Arrived home safe despite raining cat and dog
  • Exploring new yoga postures, trainer is very encouraging
  • Landlady for feeding/ taking good care of me

Today’s affirmation:

  • Humans are limitless
  • It’s free to be kind
  • Things are meant to happen, so just live your moment
  • Spending me time a lot (at times) is fine

Amazing things happened today:

  • Being part of Alumni Association on Linkedin- looking forward for more events!
  • Eye opener to know many successful people- motivation to thrive better
  • Gain more strength in pursuing masters in my thirties
  • Decided to pursue a professional certificate next year

The 5-Minute Journal #5

I am grateful for:

  • Finding out my stye early. I am on medical leave today
  • My colleagues checking in if I am doing okay
  • Able to visit temple for prayers after so many months
  • Spending time for studies, I have been havoc and meeting plenty of people recently
  • Having my favorite ramen craving fixed

Today’s affirmation:

  • Illness can be a blessing in disguise
  • Health always comes first
  • I have grown so much wow! I was clearing Google docs and came across my EQ report taken few years back. Glad that I have improved

Amazing things happened today:

  • Le cousins in UK are coming back in July, can’t wait to see them!
  • Avatar 2 is coming out on my birthday eve hehe
  • Packing for my homecoming trip shortly
  • Looking forward for le food trips coming week

The 5-Minute Journal #4

I am grateful for:

  • Be able to donate blood 3rd time in my life- I am healthy!
  • Able to return home soon- with my brother this time round
  • Being healthy- I used to have stomach discomfort quite often, just threw all the medicine cause I no longer need them

Today’s affirmation:

  • I am doing better than I thought, God has better plans for me πŸ™‚
  • I have people loving, caring for me more than I thought
  • Self care is not selfish, it’s okay to prioritize myself

Amazing things happened today

  • I managed to do another difficult yoga pose today
  • Managed to eat dim sum today, I have been craving
  • Finally kick start last paper of the year, I can’t wait to get over it!
  • Scribble itinerary for my friend’s visit and Perth trip

The 5-Minute Journal #3

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 πŸ’–
  • Feeling so good to receive good energy. Law of attraction indeed πŸ’–
  • I always do my best, for myself, for others πŸ’–

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

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 haveΒ πŸ’–
  • I am feeling better after staycation πŸ’–Β 
  • I will not worry about things beyond my control πŸ’–Β 

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! πŸŽ„ An annual festival commemorating birth of Jesus Christ!