Friday, December 2, 2022
If the happiest place on earth = Disneyland, what's the most wonderful time of the year?
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Prologue: Au Pair from Malaysia 21/22 experience #aupairfromMY
Can't escape from starting a post with saying phew~ can't believe it has been 2 3 months since the last one >.< things were lining up back-to-back and even tho some fell through, I still couldn't find time to update. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day has also passed hahhaa. But oh wells, such is life. But let's get to it, *long and deep breaths in and out*
I heard about this au pair program back in 2017/2018 from my then housemate (Gigi, an amazing Columbian who is more familiar with KL city than myself) as I was doing my practicum in Sayfol International School. She was an au pair in the US previously and had a great experience many years ago. This planted the seed in my head because I've always knew that I wanted to go back to the US again because the 3 month summer experience (USA Work and Travel program) wasn't enough for me. And that I thought the minimum length of 1 year for the au pair program was just nice for me to experience all the seasons and holidays!
For this au pair program that I'm under, correction: only childcare, and chores relating to the child. We are not required to do housework: cook and clean for the whole household, only for the kids. So meaning do the kids' laundry, cook for the kids, etc. We live with a host family, receive a stipend of $195.75 per week, we're required to enrol for educational courses to gain 6 credits (more credits required if you choose to extend your contract), encouraged to share your culture with your host family as it is a cultural exchange program after all. The way this works is that it needs to be a mutual agreement between the au pair and the host family to match with each other since it is a year long program. However, if things doesn't go well after numerous efforts from both ends, there is a possibility of a rematch too. Age restrictions: 18-26 year old. Minimum stay: 1 year, extendable up to 3 years. Oh and also, they will pay for your flight to US and your flight back home, if you complete your program successfully (obtain the required educational credits).
So after my practicum in March 2018, I went to Big Bear Lake, California for my second Work and Travel (WAT) experience from June to September. Then came back to Malaysia and started working (training) at Agoda in December 2018, after that resigned, went to HK with my cousin and then worked in Shell in February 2019. This portion doesn't have any relevance to the au pair experience and it's more like a note to my future self when I read this next time because I'm forgetful, so don't mind me. Then broke up with my then-ex in June. This marked my freedom and I could finally plan (without feeling guilty) my escape to join the au pair program! So I thought I would work a full year in Shell and then go to the US to be an au pair for 1 year, but God has other plans - Covid hit Malaysia in March 2020 (started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China). US got its first case in January 2020. I was obviously oblivious to this because I made the non-refundable deposit payment of $350 for the au pair application in February 2020 (yes, I scrolled back tons of emails to confirm this because I can't remember anything hahah).
This was bad because it was already hard enough to convince my parents to let me do this. [REASONS: US is not safe - too far away, guns, high cases in the US & people rejecting mask mandates, let alone quarantine, you're too old (it'll get harder for you to get a job when you come back after a year), career (you'll have to start all over again from the bottom), etc]. So based on that, I decided to stay in my role for another year while I wait for things to get better in the US before I could proceed. Fast forward to a year later, when vaccines were available and it was such a big relief when US has one of the highest vaccination rate!
Oh and also, the deposit payment usually expires 1 year after the payment but thankfully because of the quote: unusual circumstances, they graciously extended the validity for another 6 months. (I sent an email to enquire in March 2020 and by then, a different person from the agency responded to me instead. Hope she's alright).
And so I really started to work on my application (more than 300 hours of experience caring for kids, and 200 hours especially caring for kids under 1 year old). Luckily I had many hours from my teaching experience during my 8 month practicum at an international school. But times were hard because we were still waiting for vaccinations and everyone was still being cautious because of the virus, it wasn't easy to find young parents who would be willing for me to go over to help care for/learn how to care for their babies. But by God's grace, I managed to gain some experience. Amen! Special thanks to Daniel and Olivia, Kak Has and Shakki! Besides the number of hours, I had to record a video of myself and upload it to the portal, upload photos, complete a few questions with short paragraph answers, get a Physician's Review and get the Certificate of Good conduct (this is quite a hassle considering we had lockdowns and Putrajaya was under a special category that we couldn't enter even tho we progress to being able to travel across districts within the same state).
After all that, my profile is finally completed and gone live by end of May 2021. It was nerve wrecking waiting for interview requests, and interviewing with potential host families because it's a two-way thing. You want to make a good impression and also you hope to find a good family so that it'll be a successful year with them. I'm blessed to have matched with an amazing host family (they were the 3rd family that requested for an interview, and the 2nd family I spoke to because I declined another family because of their location - Manhattan, NY. I am aware that it's many au pair's dream to live in the big city, but it's really not for me. And because of the Asian hate going on in major cities, I was afraid for my safety too). I wanted to note here that I initially declined an interview with this family because I thought I was inadequate, their profile stressed on a few points that I was insecure about, like my driving and swimming skills because they live in a beach house (I don't drive and I could only keep myself afloat/swim with the frog style for the record). They were so sweet to reassure me on the points that I was uncertain and I thought that it was only fair that I at least talk to them after their efforts to convince me to talk to them, and I'm so glad that I did!
Au Pair application flow:
1. Submit application in Intrax online
2. Interview with host families
3. Match with 1 host family
4. Confirm arrival dates to US
5. Complete program payment fee $850
6. Apply for visa & international driver's license
7. Complete online training video
8. Prepare pre-departure project
9. Confirm your flight to the US (around 10 prior to the US arrival date)
10. Pack and fly to US
After matching with a host family and confirming my arrival date (5 August 2021 so that it's a few weeks before I turn 27 years old on the 28th August because of the age restriction for this program and if my pre-flight departure PCR test turns out positive, at least I have time to recover before I can take the next flight), I proceeded with Steps 5-8. Just when I thought all is well and I'm all set to go, the sad news came on 16 July: my host family is breaking the match :'( this is following the new policy that current au pairs are allowed to extend for their 3rd year (previously, extending up to a 2nd year was the max). This helps out lots of families and au pairs during this pandemic, so I truly understand. Besides, the host kid is starting school that fall, and it'll be a lot of changes for a little kid (new chapter in life, and new au pair) so I'm happy for them that they have the option to extend.
This brings me back up to Step 2 with a deadline of 21 July to match with a new host family. Thankfully I already received my visa at that point, so I was considered pre-visa and had that as an advantage. After checking with the agency, I was relieved that they could yet again extend my deadline to match to 12 August and after the agony of interviews after interviews that lasted for weeks, I finally matched with my current host family on the very last day/minute. I think we kind of missed it a little and they weren't able to click "Match" on the website and had to engage for assistance from the agency to do it on their end.
I reviewed 18 profiles and went through 15 interviews (from 7 host families, and some with their current au pairs) during that period. [REMINDER TO SELF: Learn from this and do not settle when you look for a job after this program ends] I have to say, I'm blessed to have the experience of receiving so many interview requests, so I could see the many different profiles of potential host families before deciding although it was extremely nerve wrecking because of the timeline. So many decisions to make during that time, and it wasn't easy declining interview requests and even more so, declining the potential host family especially after you have spoken to them a few times, plus talked to their current au pair! This could very well be a whole blog post of its own but mehhh let's see how I do with managing my time hahha. I'm ashamed to say that it was critically during this madness that I really remembered and prayed for God's guidance (when I'm in a big mess).
Back to the story! Since their current au pair's contract is only ending sometime in Oct/Nov, they prefer if I arrive on 27 August which is just a day before I turn 27 y/o and therefore would be too old to qualify for this program. I was very worried to say the least because if my PCR test comes out positive, my dreams will be shattered before I could even start. It was pretty sad because I needed to stay safe from the virus and couldn't meet up with friends for a farewell gathering, also because we had lockdowns prohibiting movements to districts, etc honestly I can't keep track anymore. Almost 2 years since Covid and maybe longer since I've met some friends due to work and distance, and I regret not meeting up with more friends before this. Yes, I could put my trust in Him and just go out for gatherings anyways but that will be foolish. And tbh, I was trying my best to reduce the possibility of getting in contact to anyone/anything just so that I could steer my future to the path that I want to go. I'm not proud to admit that I was so paranoid that I was scared to pickup mail in case that's how I contract the virus. Kudos to my family for trying their best to appease me by limiting their outings and contacts with friends/work too. Truthfully, I'm a little sad, jealous and disappointed to see friends gathering and meeting up a mere few weeks after I arrived in the US. Sighhhh if only our government didn't turn a blind eye and do as they like which resulted in the wide spread of the virus in our country. If you know, you know.
Tired of reading all these yet? Hold up, drama x habis lagi wehy. After rotting waiting at home for close to 2 months (last day of work in Shell is 8 July), THE DAY is finally here. 27 August. Time to fly to US! Went to the police station near my house to get permission for my parents and boyfriend to send me off at the airport (because there's still the restriction of 2 people in a car, and some distance/district rule idk) but the officers insisted that only ONE person can send me :'( they required my PCR test result, boarding pass and the IC of the person sending me for proof.
Ok, itu settle. So we had some good food for my last meal in Malaysia before I fly!
Thank you to my uni friends and Hailey for the cakes and BeKor for sending me the famous apple strudel from Fruity Bakery!
The officer took some time reviewing my documents, which I thought it was expected since this is quite a rare program that almost nobody knew about. He briefly asked what was the reason for my travels, asked for my MTP which I was unaware of and then proceeded to take my documents over to his colleagues to check. It is only at this point that I heard of this required document: My Travel Pass (MTP) to enter/exit the country during this Covid times. DUN DUN DUNNNNNN!!! I was denied exit from the country alamak. The officer asked such a silly question, I wanted to smash myself into the wall.
Me : Ya la, program au pair saya ni memang minimum 1 tahun!
I put up a fight up until the very last minute, insisting that I don't need to have the travel document based on this new "rule" until my boarding time and at that point, I feel like I'm just too exhausted to go on anymore because it was a 2AM flight and I was trying not to breakdown or explode with anger. Because no one said anything about this MTP at any stage of my application - the officers at the US embassy when I interviewed for my visa, the police officers when I went to get the travelling approval to the airport, the officers at the roadblock and by the airport entrance, and the agency of course doesn't know about this because this requirement is so badly executed.
After all that, the nightmare was still not over because I had to wait 2 hours at the airport to off-board my luggage, in which the officer say that there were many others who suffered the same fate with me - being unaware of this regulation and had to rebook a new flight and make new plans. This was a hassle because we have to leave our passport/IC at the counter to get a "pass" to go over to the Lost & Found (Main Terminal, Level 2) which is on the other end of the airport to retrieve our luggage. Oh andddd we also need to pay for a service fee at the counter. To get a pass. To retrieve our own luggage. Which we have to go personally and pick it up. Nothing in this process makes any sense.While waiting for the 2 hours as they offload my luggage and send it to the Lost & Found, I begrudgingly applied for MTP at the airport which they say would take 10 working days. It was 5am by the time we got back and showered. I was in shock and disbelief and was just too tired to process all the emotions. Woke up the next morning and cried so so hard in a long long long time. There was just too much on the line, my plans for the next whole year, the costs, my host family and host kids, the virus, etc. I remember praying and pleading to God to please let me go, but at the same time, still remembered to say "let thy will be done" but still inching towards please, I really really want to gooooo. Hahahah God and his helpers in heaven must've had a good laugh at my desperation.
The agency told my host family and I that it was a 50/50 chance because I might be denied entry into the US due to the fact that I have passed the age requirement. Luckily, the agency is paying for the flight so I told them that I would take the chance and fly over 20 hours across the world if my host family is willing to wait for me or rather wait for the MTP to be approved. They agency had no other au pairs try to enter the country weeks after their 27th birthday, only a couple of au pairs entering on their actual birthday. And even those were a hit or miss, depending on the US immigration officers on duty that faithful day. So there's nothing left to do but to wait for God's plan to unveil with time.
The wait for the MTP approval felt like forever. Every day, minute and second felt so long because everything was just unpredictable, and nothing was certain. I didn't know if I should start applying for jobs elsewhere in Malaysia or just... I don't know what. Felt like I lost the meaning of life. I didn't even know if I should unpack the luggage that I packed for a year's journey, so I was just living out of my suitcase for 3 weeks because I felt so helpless. The consolation to myself is that I could just eat all the Malaysian snacks (Choki Choki, Nano Nano, Apollo, Honeystars, Kokokrunch, Milo, Maggie mee, Bah Kut Teh packet, etc) and do all the arts and crafts (DIY batik kit) with the materials that I packed . It didn't help that I applied on the 27th August (Friday), followed by the weekend and then a public holiday for Merdeka.
A snippet of my luggage. I had 1 full luggage full of snacks, souvenirs and crafts hahah
Normally, I would rejoice over a holiday and would enjoy my birthday because it fell on a weekend. Even though there were gathering and travel restrictions, I could at least enjoy a nice meal at home with my family. But not 2021. It now holds the title of the worst birthday ever. Hahaha now I can laugh and joke about it now but at that time, it was agony. Although, reflecting back, it's not too bad because I have my amazing significant other by my side all through this whole rollercoaster journey (lol the adventure hasn't even officially begin at this point). Without whom, I would be extra restless, confused, lost, so undecided and too defeated by how things play out to function. To you bb, thank you for your love and support from the application stage, interviews, matching, rematching, travelling to the airport and up until now ♡. I couldn't have done it without you, as cliché as it sounds.
Ahhh young and innocent 26 year old me, not knowing what adventure the next day holds
I was worried that host family will break the match while waiting (who knows how long) because I have been such a hassle (very rushed matching decision on their part too). They also dismissed their current au pair to make way for my arrival and they're now with no au pair to help them especially when the new schooling semester just started in late August. I've also definitely passed any further deadlines to match already. I was also worried that if all things worked out, what if I suddenly got Covid? It would mean that I needed to stay back another 2 weeks for recovery before I could fly, and would my host family even wait that much longer?
I made multiple calls to their hotline (more like cold-line because there's either no answer or a staff giving me yet another number to call that goes unanswered or some staff rudely saying that no one from the department handling MTP is working in the office because WFH) and inquiry on their website to no avail. Atlas, my MTP finally got approved on 13 September. Exactly 10 working days, this is after I sent a few emails to a few officers as advised by some kind people stuck in the same situation (unable to exit the country) in a Facebook forum for students studying abroad in the UK. With that, we made new arrangements for me to fly to the US and we were met with another mountain in our path. Clinics and labs were closed on 16 September (Thursday) for Malaysia Day and they'll be closed on the weekends too. It's a very delicate situation because the PCR test for the flight is only valid for 2-3 days (depending on the airlines) and again, it still depends on the result of the test.
Thank God the result came out negative but I was still worried sick because I didn't want to catch anything before I fly or during the flight or at the airport and pass it on to my host family. And at that point, nobody knew if I would be allowed entry to the US too! But taking one step at the time, I had a good last meal with my family and surprised my dad with a simple pandan layer cake from the famous Regent Pandan Layer Cake for an early birthday celebration.
Amazed at my ability to smile at that point
At this point, there were not restrictions to travel so my parents and SO could send me off! :')
This time round, I got pass customs and immigration to exit the country (KUL) and flew 7 hours and had a 4h 50mins transit in Abu Dhabi (AUH). Then, before my 14h 15mins flight to Virginia (IAD), I was unsure but went through US Pre-clearance where my myself and bags were scanned, and got into a line and presented my passport (and visa) and DS-2019 and other docs at the counter. The officer just looked through everything, stamped my passport and said:
At that point, I wasn't sure what that meant... do I still have to go through security checks and immigration checks when I arrive in the US? But I quickly scrambled out of there in case she suddenly realises her mistake and calls me back hahaha. My host mum didn't know too, so there I go, onto another plane for a longer flight than the previous one. After landing, there didn't seem to be anymore lines for checks so I just followed the crowd and went to the carousel to get my luggages. One wheel was totally busted this time and came off but it's ok. It's an old one which I vowed to toss out during my last trip to the US in 2018 but didn't have the heart to, since it was still OK, even tho one of the wheel didn't work too well anymore. Once I have all my bags, I searched for the exit and walked toward the light, the outdoors and I was surprised to step out of the airport without anymore checks *tears of relief and joy* Hallelujah! My host dad picked me up from the airport with some helium filled balloons! They're still in my room, deflated now but I still can't bear to throw it out. Maybe I'll get them filled again sometime before I fly back hehehhe.
Back to that faithful day, host family (host mum in particular) was so relieved that I made it safely to the house for all the reasons mentioned somewhere above. I am too, but at that point, I was just exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally from the long flight + all the what if's and maybe's of the bad case scenarios and trying to adjust to the time difference (12 hours) to process the fact that I'm here! AMEN! Praise the Lord, now I know it's in His almighty plan for me to be an au pair after all that.
My faith was tested to the max during this whole ordeal but I'm grateful for this opportunity that I get this huge reminder to lean into His plans. During this 1 year experience here and for the rest of my life, I aim to seek His guidance in good and bad days. Hopefully also documenting my growth in faith here on this platform so that I am reminded whenever I reread what my past self wrote.
Anddd a few short weeks after that big commotion, the MTP is abolished. Effective 11 October. 😡 sighhh if only they knew better and abolished this earlier, a lot of drama can be avoided. But anyhow, what has passed is past and there's that. Without that, this loooonngggg blogpost won't exist right? Moving on, we'll see how often I can update this story before I write an epilogue :D in the meantime, feel free to check out my Instagram @smallminitiny for throwbacks (I just finished throwing back to Halloween in mid February just so you know) and maybe my Youtube channel in the next few weeks or months for a video lol I'm being ambitious now.
Friday, November 19, 2021
Hi, it's me again for the nth time
If my blog could talk, I imagined it will go "Well well well, look who decides to pop in after half a decade". For my own record, I have 88 posts (lol only 72 published and SIXTEEN drafts) to date since I started this in 2012, which averages to less than 10 post each year which heeeeyyyyy doesn't sound too bad? :D hahhaha lol but for real, I abandoned this blog for far too long. It's true what they say, working life sucks the life out of you.
Let me try to rationalise[2012] I was inspired to start writing down my thoughts again after watching the Meme Proposal and was in Form 6 at that time.
[2013] Was still in Form 6 (3 semester, 1½ years) and looking back now, I'm impressed that I published 41 blog posts in that year alone what the heck!
[2014] Done and dusted Form 6 (last exam was in November 2013) so I guess I was just free and unemployed before I started uni in August? Scratch that, maybe I worked in Kumon for a couple of months and then resigned, and I faintly remembered that we went to Penang to attend the first wedding (amongst cousins!). Oh wait, I just skimmed through my blog and found that I was working in Switch and then switched to work at Don Kaiton! Hur hur hur, see what I did there? So I guess I worked in Kumon after SPM hmmm... ok! Now I'm half disappointed that I didn't blog more during those unemployed months! What was I doing? And for the later part, I understand why I was MIA because it's a lot to get used to in uni - new room/housemates, course mates, activities, friends, dorm life, classes, academic writing urghhhh, etc etc.
[2015] Only 3 measly posts that entire year. And one of it was a throwback, continuation of a trip back in August 2014 oh my lord.
[2016] 1 long ass post hahaha I am a joke. This was a late entry about my entire year in 2015, with empty promises to dedicate individual posts to some experiences that I deemed deserving of their own posts. But to be fair, I did take the effort to make drafts for some of time even tho the drafts only have the simple title to indicate what posts are pending. Usually people do a summary review of their year and get them published/posted before the new year starts but sighhh I guess this is not surprising since I crowned myself as the queen of procrastination > Link here. I recently also updated my Instagram profile to add that title:
And here we are. This time, I'm inspired to start writing again because it helps me think and reflect, and it's encouraged from the book by Warren to pen them down for our future reference. I agree with that because my memory is not great at all (proof from when I visit my blog and feel amazed and go "Oooohhh really? Oh wow I forgot that happened" every time I reread the 2015 post). Also, because I wanna be able to look back and see how I've grown over the months/years, and especially from this au pair experience. Besides, it's less time consuming (maybe) to write than to edit a video. And maybe I might need to compile footage over months before editing and publishing a video. We'll see!
Oh and here's to surviving 2 solid months here as an au pair (arrival date: 19 September 2021). Well, technically, it's 2 months tomorrow (MY* time as it's only 10.51pm on 18 September in US time). And at this point, I haven't posted much pictures of my US adventures in Instagram (apple picking, Asian Market, Halloween, autumn, etc.) while Thanksgiving is just next week! >.<
*MY = Malaysia
Saturday, January 2, 2016
2015
*I started off going in sequence of when these things happen, but then this system got screwed up because some things happen all throughout the year
P.S This is a super duper looooonnnngggg post cause come on! It's a year long update since I didn't blog much last year >.< hopefully I'll blog more often this year so that I can insert links to individual, designated and more detailed blogpost of each major event/accomplishment, instead of cramming everything into one. Like this particular blog post. Heh prepare popcorn and drinks people! :D Welcome to my 2015 movie, in pictures and words!
I've always love the idea of solving puzzles because you get that sense of accomplishment when you finally finish it, take a step back and admire the picture and your effort. You remember the times when you feel like throwing away the puzzle or pushing it under the bed and forget all about it (frustration, frustration...) and the times when you think this one piece must be missing (and you curse your family members for losing them or the manufacturer for forgetting that one piece and then take it all back when you finally turned a few pieces around and it fits). In the end, a completed puzzle is worth all those mental breakdowns you suffer from while completing it :D and then you want to challenge yourself and complete 1000 pieces puzzles and more and more! #2015lesson-Don't give up!
Doing it alone is nice because you can show off and proudly tell people that you completed it yourself, but doing it others is fun and challenging and competitive and cooperative at the same time! :D and call me cheesy and mushy, but I think it's really romantic to complete a jigsaw puzzle with a special someone. Most preferably after marriage, so we can frame it and hang it in our own home <3
Had the opportunity to serve at the booth, answering questions about the Star Education Fund i.e what are the requirements, when to start applying, when does it start, how much does this scholarship cover, how long is the bond, etc etc. And also got to know 2 new people who benefited from this scholarship too! :D
I was surprised to talk to parents who have kids that are only taking PMR that year, and they're already asking about this scholarship which is meant for post SPM/pre-uni students :O #asianparents
What happened was that many enquiries was about where a particular college/university's booth was and whether they are exhibiting or not. My guess is that most of them didn't realise that our booth specialises in answering enquiries about the STAR Education Fund, not general enquiries of the Education Fair. And well, since we weren't prepared about where each college/university booth is, we weren't our most composed and professional self when we answer those non related enquiries >.< we must have seemed so incompetent. Hate how those people will think that we can't do our jobs well when we actually can, they just happen to ask the wrong questions :'( #2015lesson-Prepare self for unexpected situations
Anyhow, I will be at the booth again next year (9 and 10th January 2016), so if anyone have any enquiries about the Star Education Fund, please come and I'll be glad to answer your questions :D
Grandma's passing
I was supposed to be at the booth for both days, but then I got a text from my mum that my ahma passed away. Ahma's health was quickly deteriorating the few weeks before that day and she was clearly suffering, the adults tried to get morphine to ease her pain :'(
Ahma was to say, my only grandparent growing up because the other grandparents passed on when I was really young. She used to call me Mi Sher (because she can't pronounce my English name) and she was the only one who said that I was pretty/beautiful :') this beats hearing that I look 'cute' all the time. Sighhh the memories... although I don't remember much, I hold on to those few little memories I have left. And my beautiful chinese name is given by ahma. In the first few months of ahma's passing, mum shared with me stories about ahma, about how smart she is despite being an illiterate, how she kept all the money mum and mum's siblings gave her when since they started working, to be given back to them, and so much more... With all those stories, I regretted not getting to know her better, regretted not putting more effort conversing in Hokkien or Mandarin with her, and for not spending more time with her #2015lesson-Don't take people for granted
Travelled to the land of elephants!
Went with my course mates and a few lecturers of UNMC SoE (School of Education if you don't know) for 10 days! :D since it was such a long and purposeful and eventful trip, it deserves a whole (if not, multiple) post on it's own 기대하세요! :D
#2015lesson-Do crazy things while you still can
Volunteered at SPCA
Some of my dinner mates and I joined the annual NCR (Nottingham Charity Run) in preparation for another mega long ass run that we are going to join few months later. There was the option of 5km or 10km and I initially wanted to run 5km, but my roommate signed me up for freaking 10km!!! I was going to blame her if I die running but in the end, I was really thankful to her. Because it was good to know that I can at least run half the distance I needed to, before May. Started training only 1 week before the actual run and because it has been a reallllly looooongggg time since I last ran, kiasu me trained from Monday to Friday hahaha. But this is necessary, so I don't actually die and because I'm a little competitive like that :P I clocked in roughly a little more than an hour and I got a medal! It says Top 100 Women Category :D woohoo #achievementaccomplished-10km #2015lesson-We can do this!
Volunteered for Easters
Wanted to serve in CF but I was too shy and too much of an introvert to ask about it and to go up and sign my name. Thank goodness for Andrea who asked me personally if I wanted to join and helped me register with the Refreshment team. We made cake pops! And I finally learnt and got a chance to make cake pops after seeing them in pretty dessert tables and Youtube tutorials :D
First night run aka NEON run aka zombie run and obstacle run!
Sooooo! There were posters around campus about a certain night/NEON run and since it's a pretty new concept (well, at least to me and some of my dinner mates,) we decided to join it. It was only 3km (we were smug, "3km only ah? No problem!") and the posters say that there are zombies! :D
It was pretty cool because they have the campus street lights off solely for this event, so that the roads are dark :D although, the zombies aren't scary in the way they didn't try to chase you. They just move along sloowwlyyy. There were some confusion and bad management problems tho, cause some of my dinner mates were lead to the wrong path, so they ran more distance wasting their time and effort. And the obstacles are way too simple for my liking cause I wanna challenge myself to climb a wall, etc etc. Someone please go to Viper Challenge with me. Oh and we were given glow sticks! <3 so funnnn wished I took more photos. But wait, I didn't even bring my phone -_-
Clinched another medal saying TOP 100 ZONE! Yayyers! :D and I would like to think that I was among the top 10 in the women category heh because I was probably the second or third person in line to collect the medal
#achievementaccomplished-Ran in the dark despite having night blindness
Little did I know that the organising club will mean so much more to me later on... Hehehe more on that later :D
Moved out of my dorm
Lived in a dorm for the first time in my life when I entered uni. I was pretty ecstatic about starting uni because of the campus life, staying away from home, doing everything on my own, living with friends, etc etc. First week in, everything's new and fun and exciting but then when it was long enough, I dreaded doing laundry (we hand-washed our clothes cause we're too cheapskate to send to the laundry) and missed the convenience of having a fully stocked fridge at home (doesn't help when there are food thieves in our halls). Cleaning was fine because we have the cleaners come in weekly although they didn't do a very through job >.<
Since I didn't manage to blog about it earlier, I shall make a short post about my dormitory life in this post :D
All handmade with love <3 oh, there's a few more that I didn't manage to take pictures of :( like the few paper cuttings in 76
Not too bad for a first timer me thinks, but ermmm I don't know if I want to subject myself to this kind of torture anymore tho...
While we were in Penang for the marathon, we
- went to the beach <3
- saw the murals
- went cafe hopping
Blog post pending... >.< too many nice pictures, they deserve a whole dedicated blog post heh
Kept in touch with some friends
Realised that my feelings changed and let an innocent person who loves with all his heart go. Because why would I waste someone's time, love and energy when I know I can't do the same for him anymore? I also came to know what I took for granted and learnt a little or two about what I want, in future #2015lesson-Be brave
Photoshoot
Played frisbee
Suck at catching and running and tossing, but I think I kinda enjoy it :D like how I enjoy badminton although I'm terrible at it
Went to Surabaya
Finally had a family vacation in almost 7 years I think!
- saw a vast blanket of stars <3 and beautiful sunrise
- rode a pony
- went go-karting!
Moved into my new off campus accommodation
It's a new, guarded community about 5/10 minutes away from campus (depending on traffic and how fast you drive). I love how the designs are simple and white with lots of glass <3 ermmm I haven't thought of taking pictures of the house and judging by the way I do things, I'll only blog about it when I leave lollll. Oh and I love how the floors upstairs are all wooden floors! <3
Missed a few outings with friends
You know how you sometimes have to make difficult decisions and sacrifices? :'( I hate how I can't split myself to attend all the outings. It's such a bummer that you will have to miss out on all the fun and bonding times with certain group of friends because you have to be somewhere else at that time :( Missed a few zoo gang yamcha sessions, dinner mates holiday to Melaka, Sunday breakfast and morning market outings and Connaught pasar malam, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang day trip, badminton, climbs, waterfall, IKEA and Big Bad Wolf outing with FMC Youths.
Went ice-skating on my own!
Oh, heh... This was when I just broke up and wanted to go out of the house. Suddenly and randomly felt like going ice-skating and asked a few people, they weren't too keen on it. So I went alone... It wasn't too bad, I learnt how to stand on my own two feet on ice because previously I relied on the walls and my then bf. It was nice learning how to skate/walk/stand on my own and I left the walls and went to the centre! Still can't really skate as fast as I want to, but at least I left the walls :D #achievementaccomplished-let go of those walls!
And another time I went ice skating with my dinner mates, I came back with blister scars :( I wore long pants and ankle socks tho... But #2015lesson-wear higher socks when ice skating! So my pants were rubbing against the skates and my skin, resulting in these blisters. I was walking with shackles of fire around my ankles for weeks, and initially it hurt so bad, I was sitting on the bathroom floor when I bathed >.<
Finally conquered Broga Hill after studying in Nottingham for a whole year! We went right before our second year classes start :D It was quite challenging but fun all the same! Having night blindness and having to start our climb in the wee hours doesn't help as well as having acrophobia (fear of heights) but I made it all the way up! And I was one of those who lead our pack uphill! Bamboo even brought 100 Plus for me because he thought I would be needing it (he thought I'm the weak one) but then I didn't, heh it was somebodeh else who needed it! ㅋㅋㅋ #achievementaccomplished-ConqueredBroga
Had fun in (an 8 hour) class
Got my belaying license
So that I can climb whenever I'm free and whenever I want to (except, I still need a person to belay me). Because I am occupied on Wednesdays, when my uni's Rock Climbing society goes for their weekly climb. No pictures of me climbing or of others climbing because I don't go around with my phone in my pockets. And I'm too lazy to take a picture of the cert. It's been a few months since I went for this belaying course and I'm on the verge of forgetting everything already omgggg :( #achievementaccomplished-Belaying license
Because I wanted to try something new and challenge myself! Practice sessions have been fun, learning new stunts and pushing ourselves (splits, bridges, etc) and we even performed for the Nation Cups Opening Ceremony! Oh, I'm a flyer mainly because I'm small and light (kinda) and because I can't lift >.<
My journey to donating blood is a pretty dramatic one lol. The first time I went, I didn't meet the weigh requirement and also my blood is very thin :( second time, I finally meet the requirement. Was super happy that I passed the first table, but then at the second table they told me that my blood pressure was just nice for me to sustain my life, but will drop too low if I were to donate blood :'( so close yet so far. And then this year when they were holding a blood donation drive, I went to try my luck. First station, pass. Second station, *magically passed*!!! Woohoo!!! And then came the nerves... heart's pounding while waiting for my turn. And then it was my turn. Sat/laid down and wait for the nurse to poke me. Deciding whether to look or not when she does. I looked. Don't know how I felt about that. Okay, end of drama. I'm proud to announce that I donated a full bag of blood! :D #achievementaccomplished-successfullydonatedblood #callmealifesaver
Learnt about being selectively social with some people
Before, I'm pretty much onz to every other outing people jio me to. This year I learn how to pick occasions I choose to grace my presence with lol. Nahhh I'm kidding, I was MIA in a lot of outings, but I feel bad about missing them in some sense. But what I'm talking about here is how I learnt how to tell whether I am tolerated or celebrated in a certain group of friends. And not ignoring all those signs and keep hanging out with them hoping that they'll eventually accept you for all your quirky self. One of the quotes that I live on by "Don't waste your time with people who don't appreciate you". #2015lesson-Love yourself #2015lesson-Listen to many people, but talk to few
Learnt(-ing) how to say no
I wouldn't exactly say I'm miss-nice-girl, but I find it hard to say no. Right now, I can't remember any occasions when I declined anyone in any situation, but I'm pretty sure I did! I'll update this part when something eventually comes into mind. But yeah. It still is really hard to say no, but I'm still learning and there's a lot of room for improvement! #2015lesson-Say no and be firm about it!
Learnt(-ing) how to enjoy being alone
Breaking up in my case means I have much more time in my hands, and it's been far too long since I was alone. And I came to realise that I wasn't used to it and had to learn how to be comfortable on my own. Like how to not constantly be texting friends about nothing important in general. Most importantly, savouring quiet times alone to do my favourite things and to reflect and think... about life, things, people, myself #2015lesson-I don't need nobody else
Got to know friends better, in a whole new level
Hahaha somehow this year, the conversations I have with certain group of friends were about deeper things and I felt that I understand my friends more than I ever had. I have a few group of friends in mind, and I'll leave it at that :D #dirtyahsohs #hentainight #owwoww #animalkingdom
Learned how to love cats ^ㅅ^
Became back-up singer for worship session at church
Didn't really know all the songs, but I tried to practice and was too soft but I enjoyed it :D and I'm glad that I get to serve in church in this little way #instrumentaldisabilitysadlife
Drove!
Was behind the wheel quite many times this year!!! :D special thanks to all the car owners (Kheng, Hong Shin, Duncan, Leslie, Ezmir, Tiffany and Joeh Meng) who trusted me with their car and sorry for all the heart attacks, drivers and passengers alike TEEHEEE :D One time, I moved to the next lane too suddenly and apparently didn't allocate enough distance for the driver behind me. She honked at me and drove beside the car and purposely turned to look at the bad driver aka me. Wanted to sink into the seats omggg. And the problem about my driving (so say everyone) is that I drive too fast, switch lanes too fast, brake too suddenly, don't utilise the rearview mirror and side mirrors and etc etc. In my defence, I love speed! Hate road bumps! Used to love watching Fast and Furious when it's all about the speed and drifts. Don't watch anymore when they added all the crashes and explosions, too much la whey. *I have no defence when it comes to not looking at the mirrors because I don't! Lol still can't multitask*
Oh, and there was once I almost rammed into a taxi, and failed doing a 3-point-turn but then had smooth comebacks (in later on driving experiences HEHEHEHEH)
Eheheh. So you kinda get the gist of my driving skills, but despite hearing all those stories, Tiffany was the only unfazed one who allows me and hear this - offers me her car to drive. The first time I drove her car, she didn't even pay attention to the road, she was looking at her phone #muchtrust #muchlove <3 her comment on my driving >>> rather smooth, not as bad as others' comments and the second time (I was even surprised that there was a second time!) was okay too! But maybe I made a few little sharp turns, but other than that, parking and driving was good! :D #2015lesson-Keep calm and drive on. If anyone screams, kick them out
Went clubbing
Had 12 days streak of MCDs
I have no idea what came into our minds, and who proposed it but I'm all up for it! We didn't exactly have Mcd for at least one meal for 12 days, the least we had was dessert, ice-cream- sundae cone, McFlurry. But we had a variation of meals tho. Once we had breakfast, another time lunch, dinner, supper, tea? Yeah I think we did XD #I'mlovin'it #achievementaccomplished-Showed Mcd how much we love em'
Volunteered for CF Christmas Fair
Came out with our very own board game!
Fish + ice-cream!
Aboong at SS15