Looking Rich

Recently a lot of my friends said I look rich…. Prolly due to the impressions I gave.

I just want to say I work hard not to live averagely, if you know what I mean. There are days I left work at 11pm, I work out during lunchtime, sometimes skipping dinners etc.

Obviously, I would want to work my way up the ladder, improving my lifestyle, more travels and gaining new experience.

Then again, they prolly only see one side of me. So, I am not defending myself cause I want to be rich too ☺️ law of attraction aye?

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!

Everything Will Fall Into Place Right?

I have officially moved on to new team on 1 Feb, felt like a newbie at work. Not knowing what to expect or so… My ex-teammates are no longer same floor as me, so I am all alone at level 46. Some part of me wished I can follow them, some part of me knew that’s not what I want. I know I gonna learn a lot in new team. It has the biggest portfolios after all.

I am the only person whom my boss brought over. Wow! That’s what people thought too. One part of me is glad as I don’t need to adapt new boss; another part of me kinda loss sense of belongings. Sounds exaggerating huh. Didn’t know it will hit me like this, I think I am more affected leaving my team than joining the new team. My ex-team disbanded.


I posted on IG, asking: “Everything will fall into place right?”

Friend XZ:

Texted me asking why am I feeling emo? I told her re-org happened, and my whole team is gone. My boss brought me over but I feel like losing sense of belongings, so I cried. I was consoling my colleague the other day, we are still in the same bank, we could meet for lunches, but there goes me crying at home lol. XZ reminded me nothing is forever at workplace. Checking in if I will be going home soon, to ensure I am not alone during CNY. I like how she appeared when I need someone.

Friend Je:

Asked me if I am feeling okay and what happened? Hmm some work matter, and I am still coping… 2nd day with the new team. He reassured me saying: everything will be okay! Sometimes life pulls you back a little so you can go further just like an arrow on a bow! That’s my favorite quote! I thanked him for bringing this up to my eyes again. He should know it means a lot to me. He added, I should be proud of myself that I am constantly pushing my limits, cause he is very proud of me!

Friend Cal:

She replied to my story: absolutely yes! Sometimes we need to fake positivity to stay positive. Thank you for reassuring it when I am not able to stand firm on what I believe in.

Friend Jo:

Are you okay? To be honest, I don’t want to fake it up, I came from a team of 8 to me, alone now. Today finally hit me and I break down crying. Hang in there, feel free to meet up if you need, she said. Nah, I don’t feel like talking, I am heading home in few days’ time, I will be fine. I might feel better if we could proceed our Korea hotel booking. We settled everything in 2 hours. The apartment that I wanted was reserved by someone else. Nonetheless, I am pretty satisfied with our final choices. Everything happened for a reason huh.

Friend Zay:

Hey, you wanna come out and talk about it? It’s okay babe, I don’t feel like meeting anyone now. I am here if you need someone to talk to, he said. I know he will.


In times like this, I feel really blessed. I have friends that console, reassure and provide me comfort, especially those who gave me words of wisdom. I hate holding negative energy, I will do whatever to churn it away. Work maybe, or some readings. Still have a lot of things to learn, work to catch up. Not to mention, I will be on long leaves during CNY, meaning to say I needa clear tasks on hand in advance. Hmm, sound occupied already. I should get some rest these days and clear my work whenever possible. That sounds like a plan!

How I Kickstart 2024

  • Got a new haircut (so refreshing)
  • Reviewed an account with 12 emails of supporting docs (little pat on the back!)
  • Fulfilled bridesmaid duty (knew 4 new friends)
  • Concurred 8 hours road trip (so much fun having karaoke in the car) (loving road trip cause I am not the one driving hehe)
  • Visited new states in Malaysia (learnt different cultures too)
  • Back to Penang after 5 years (gained little food baby hehe)
  • Appointed IBG-COO social committee FY’24 (exciting events to look forward)
  • Being offered Singapore Leadership Scholarship for EMBA (gonna turn down)
  • Got approached for new career opportunities on LinkedIn (hmm)
  • Tried Baba costume at Peranakan museum (so elegant)
  • Crashed bestie’s bridal shower (first time attending bridal shower)
  • Cheongsam experience (had Chun-Li hairdo for gate crash hehe)
  • Back to mural paintings after 9 years (Gosh! Time flies)
  • Had fried sago at the market (similar sauce as kangkong squid I feel)
  • Mini earthquake at work (gonna part ways with current team)(but I got what I wanted and my boss remains)
  • Went for Chicken Pao, Pan Fried Chicken Dumpling workshop (housemates said I should just continue working in the bank)(as if I hurt the paos lol)
  • Blood donation (wanted to donate in Dec’23, but barely had time in SG)

Knew 4 ladies during Penang trip. We are of the same age, that explains why we clicked well I guess. We literally spent 3D2N together. We talked about marriage, love, life & career. They are matured and independent. They prioritize themselves, and work hard to enjoy life to the fullest. I learn that despite growing up differently, some values cultivated were similar. It had been a while since I spent so much time with bestie (5D4N), we had very different values. I am an A; she is a T in MBTI.

Over the years, I learnt to be assertive and step up to communicate. I used to be afraid of rejections, but I guess organizing workshop last year shaped me into a better person. Had so many rejections in a month as compared to what I had over the years. Well, it was a good takeaway. I can do stuff without having regrets now. Still feel little proud of myself to be able to pull through the workshop, with much help from the seniors, of course.

Had rough weeks, work related- lots of rumors on new team arrangement. Knowing bits parts of news here and there, I really didn’t feel good about it, but I keep reminding myself to have an open mind. Everything happens for a reason right? In conclusion, I will be following current boss to form another team, together with 5 new teammates. Well, job scope remains which I favor, but the portfolios now are bigger. Good learning opportunities I guess, from reviewing SME to midcap, now large corp. I really can’t think of any cons for this arrangement. 🙂 Staying optimistic!

I feel much better now, I mean like who likes to work under uncertainties right? Now that I know what’s the outcome, I can refocus on my work, to do handover when time comes.

Has been a rollercoaster ride for the past month, lots of events happening, still trying to cope. Not sure if I have more responsibilities now, or my work has been piling up during colleagues’ absence over holiday period. I have been working overtime for the past weeks, stay home and work. Ugh. People have been asking me to take things slow and watch my health. I mean like if my work is not cleared, my health will definitely get worse. I am almost there, no more overtime after this! Tsk.

May Day

May was not smooth as I wished. But hey, it’s June already!

What I did in May:

  • Settled flight to Australia (includes Sydney this time round)
  • Prawning event with the team
  • Invented one pot pesto chicken, it’s super good
  • Paid income tax, ugh
  • Received another wedding invitation held in October
  • Found out 2 good friends of mine got engaged!
  • Spent 5.20 in a bar that can sing the night away
  • Baked blueberry breakfast cake, and met le ex-team after 2 years
  • Had scrumptious breakfast at a café I had >7 years ago, food is still yummy!
  • Flew home after a month, with le bro this time round
  • Celebrated parent’s day with fambam

Don’t really recall what happened during those rainy days. One good superpower I guess…

Watching a camping variety show recently. So pleased seeing the guests spending time under a sky full of stars, in the forest, beside the beach etc. I was once a scout where we built our camping site from scratch, cooked food with limited resources, had forest adventures etc. I was so happy. The days were so easy, it was a runaway from those hectic tuition schedules & endless studying.

Earlier, I was desperately looking for countries to travel. Maybe I was too tied up that I need a break from work, from study, from assignment. I feel suffocated, everything seems to have no end. I had commitments that’s why I am not able to run away from the Lion City. Adulting huh. Wanted to travel to Japan in late Oct/ early Nov but I was down to organize a talk for alumni.

Back to camping topic, it feels at ease to be back to nature, away from city life. I wish for a day to be able to spend time in front of campfire again, with someone I love, or a bunch of friends. Sipping a cup of latte early in the morning, surrounded with fresh & cooling air, waking up to more greens in nature. Another bucket list to work on aye!

Unsettled

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 🙂

Dramatic Work Weeks

Hmm. Where do I start? My days with the new team were super dramatic. I was first being issued quarantine order (QO) on second day at work. Oh well, I still work since I am doing fine (being healthy). Working in a quarantine hotel is indeed quiet and peaceful. No babies crying or fighting as BGM, or women yelling at the kids when I am having meetings. Very much like a business trip to me since I was mostly working on something or chilling, watching movies after working hours.

And then, I was down for two days due to side affects of second vaccination. I felt weary and uncomfortable most of the time, but I am glad I am alright now. Still not able to drink alcohols, do sports or whatsoever. But I am definitely looking forward to my dance class tomorrow. Finally, stepped out of the house yesterday after 3 weeks staying at home or quarantine hotel. Feel so good to have some fresh air outside, see people running around, buying dinners in the restaurants. What a sight right, a sight I have not seen for 3 weeks already. Sure time flies like that.

About my work… It is kinda what I expected, something I have been longing to try out despite still lack of confidence in dealing with clients, prolly the approach now is different. I used to work as admin, sales and marketing etc. but not a fraud investigator like now. I work as KYC specialist, someone who analyzes customers’ profiles, transactions, so I really need to be careful when I ask questions, not to tip off a potential fraudster or criminal. Still a little tricky on how I need to phrase my emails sometimes. Hmm.

But, I am really happy with the decision I made this year- shift of career. Something I would love to pursue. Apparently, we are encouraged to take up relevant courses, most importantly they are sponsored! Sure it is a good news to us, at least to me! Professional papers are usually expensive apart from having commitment after working hours or over the weekends. Not to mention, I prolly spent like SGD 5K on my papers these two years, my wallet is bleeding. But these papers literally brought me to where I am now, my brother said I should be thankful and education is eternal. True enough.

Aside learning processes are steep, apparently we are also overflooded with workload. However, my team members have been very helpful in guiding me, attending to my queries, so it does make it slightly easier at work. Let’s just hope I am able to pick up quick and brave through storms. I have been telling myself to be open-minded, not to freak out due to the overwhelmed workload. Pace out myself, and work on each cases progressively. I am sure I will survive. Well, I used to work in events marketing last time with multiple projects running concurrently.

Can’t wait to see how much I have grown by end of the year. Hopefully I won’t be emo or so. 🙂