Days of Past 2014

Filling this blog with my daily activities hasn't been easy. Given that this month itself, I managed to publish two posts. Earlier this year, I tasked myself to decorate this blog as lively as I live my life throughout 2014. Seemed like not too long ago that I was drafting my first post for the year and now, it looks like I will be drafting my first post for 2015.

If you haven't been reading my blog (boo-hoo), you probably won't notice that I dedicated a post to feature each month that had past this year, sharing my experience from the point of view of an intern to a cashier to an educator. To say it was a roller coaster ride would be understatement because it offered so much more that I couldn't put into words (or maybe I can but I'm too sluggish to think of anything).

To walk down the memory lane of 2014, I will feature some of my personal best photos that I took this year which would also summarize my overall reminiscence of this past year.

It started as a battle...

All new year is a different battlefield that we must face inevitably. Like joining a newly created Dota game, the players differ each time. While some have no idea what's going on (me included), some are adept to the point that they can destroy you in matters of minutes. Similarly, I started this year with a slam of work ethics during my internship and I can honestly say that I had no clue as to what the heck was going on. Even to this point, there are times when I'm just so lost in work.




Work aside, my social life and hobbies came to frequent standstill as well. With regards to the former, I find myself lonelier after my degree ended. Needless to say, friends separated and went their own way and I was left to fend off the war of life myself. Over the time, some of them did come back to my circle while I acquainted some new ones too. This wasn't as depressing as my work life and I did learn to cherish my friends more.

Coming to my interest and hobbies, the reason why my blog or Instagram wasn't as lively as others' was due to the fact that I hit a bump on my creative side. Called it creative constipation, I couldn't muster an idea to write about or to photograph. I ended up watching adult cartoons and Sex and the City instead. While I'm adjusting myself to cope with my working life, I do hope my creativity will ignite from an ember to flame throughout next year.

Becoming a comforting melancholy...

In the span of 12 months, I had reverted back to the morbidity that I used to find comforting in the times when I was alone. The sweet melancholy of sadness and despondency developed from the tension of work and the ambiguity of my future enveloped me and I openly embraced it. I was a very repressed kid back in high school so I know a thing or two about being morbid. This was not to say I was suicidal but I looked at the work in a half empty way and I enjoyed it. Such phenomenon would rise and wane during certain months but I'm glad to say it's over now (well, there is some juice left but it's sealed tight).

Then, everything is awesome...

Of course, when it comes down to it, I would say I had fun venturing into new battle territories. Setbacks were to be expected but extra points scored from all the laughs and learning propelled me to look forward to another day no matter how gloomy the weather was.

Since the start, changes were around the corners and it was futility in practice to try to stop their influence. Same goes to whatever is going to happen in 2015. No matter how dark the clouds loom over the horizon, just sing a happy tune and you will realize they could provide a joyful wintry feel to the hot mess countries are facing these days (cue "Let It Go").





"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without" - Buddha

Trip for Tripped

In the days of working culture, there comes a certain weekend when we will be jamming our bags impatiently with any clean loose clothes we can find in the closet; trying miserably to convince any available friends we can contact on Whatsapp to tag along; and rushing haphazardly to the first tourist hotspot our stressed out brain can muster. Yes, we occasionally make holiday trips, even if it's just for the weekends. But ever wonder why we make them? Why we gladly ignite the match that could potentially burn a hole in our pocket?

Truth of the matter is small excursions are made every now and then when life becomes a tad too unbearable. They are a necessity to keep our mind intact, given that spending our precious time in a counselling office is on no one's itinerary. Thus, on most weekends, certain tourist traps become a beacon of desperation for enjoyment. In Malaysia, historical cities like Malacca and Georgetown are epitome of tourist frenzy. In short, all these trips are eagerly done in a desperate attempt to cleanse our occupational tension that we have accumulated in (what I call) a hectic urban lifestyle.

That is to say, if we ponder deeply on this, it's life way of tripping us. Just like a mischievous brat, life has a knack of pulling prank on us. Using the element of surprise, it sticks out its foot when we are least expecting and before we are aware of it, it trips us. Whether we go down unscathed or we inflict a permanent scar, life would just snicker (Ha! Ha!) without a slightest hint of remorse or regret.

It takes a tremendous amount of self encouragement to pick ourselves up. On fortunate days, life would withhold its cruel demeanor and leave us alone. On other days, we are tripped again the moment we get back up on our feet.

There's no doubt that it hurts. No matter how much we anticipate it, we are still caught by surprise when life shows up out of nowhere. Here's the thing, life constantly has its eyes on us. Like a predator keeping a watchful eye on its potential meal, we are never out of sight. Knowing the inevitable, we need some getaway before it strikes again.

It began, then, the irony of all this cycle - a cycle of trips. One that we are desperately trying to take control of and one that's out of ours. When tripped one too many times, I too subject myself to this cycle. In a month of October, I was in need of a trip and I found myself on Penang Island. Given that I had been to the island twice in my lifetime, it wasn't my first option of a trip but as the cycle spinned, I desperately needed one. This brought me to the realization that I had been making a trip almost every other month. The brutal truth is I have been falling down all this time. Life tripped me by laying out incessant amount of work I had to complete and the continuous reminder that failure is just right at my doorstep if I don't push myself. When I'm not careful, I stumbled and I'm on my knees.

Even now, I'm still trapped in this cycle of tripped and trips. Undeniably, I vouch that I would find myself on a trip again. These trips may only span a few days but it becomes a part of life necessity if we are to recover past tripped as well as endure the pending ones in future. Perhaps the cycle of trips symbolize the cycle of life or perhaps, we are doomed to a perpetual falling down and standing up. Whatever the answer is, the cycle continues. At the very least, we are still standing up in the end.

Happy Halloween

"Boys and girls of every age, wouldn't you like to see something strange? Come with us and you'll see, this's our town of Halloween."

Yes, today is the All Hallow's Eve when people suddenly develop a knack for everything spooky. Some take this as an opportunity to flaunt their eerie fashion sense and no one would judge since one is supposed to dress up.

To minimize this post so that you have a trick-a-treat fun fest, I leave you with Pumpkin Jack to wish you all a Happy Halloween 

Itinerary of Life

Review of my September comes a bit late. Heck, I'm only posting this on the second last day of October. I supposed that's what happens when no itineraries are made in one's journey of life. Your mind is aimless; steps are askew; paths are unclear.

Fortunately, the month of September had its itinerary planned out. Some are mine while others are planned by others. The major highlight of my Sept was my first ever company trip to Port Dickson, Seremban. The beach wasn't something to be wowed about but the sceneries were perfect backdrop to test my photography skills. To add on, it was a period where I could relax and pretend that I didn't have any kids to take care of.

My luggage wasn't unpacked after that. I continued on to see you know who in Gopeng but only for 2 days. It was a simple getaway as well to keep my sanity in check and remind me that I needed to build a cabin so that I might retire there one day when I couldn't handle city life anymore.

Uprooting is definitely in my itinerary in the pending future. While I'm not sure whether I mentioned this before, I'm a type of person who can't stay a place that I'm not comfortable with. Of course, those which I'm comfortable with, I will latch onto them like a leech and drain the life out of them (whahahahahaha).

Needless to say, what is your itinerary for your life? Plan anything yet? Even staying home and not doing anything is still a plan, though I'm not sure if it's an exciting one. Plan now before others plan your life for you.

In the Month of August...

Looking back at the month of August, there are a few things which I can recall vividly. Firstly, my ex-housemate, Varsha left back to her home country. I did a teary feature of her in a few post back. The event stroke my chord the hardest and it left a little void inside of me to which I'm still pondering of how to fill it up. While on the subject of friends, August seemed to resonate a few goodbyes, not in with my life in particular but with the people around me. With respect to the privacy of my friends, I would mention no further on the issue. So, there is an air of solemness lingered in the air of August.

However, that quickly dispersed for me as a few people entered back my life with a stronger foothold. We don't usually hang out as much before but now, it seems like we are seeing each other every week. Not to mention that, I acquainted new friends to which I'm positive about my relationship with them.

Honestly, there wasn't much more I could describe how I spent my August as my routine was pretty trite. The void did make me lonelier but it quickly dissipated as I moved on with my life with tremendous effort (I admit, it was extremely hard at first, like breaking up with someone). So, while I overlooked the sunset in the distance, I couldn't just sit there as the last sun drop beamed over me. I had to stand up and chased it if I ever wanted to feel the warmth again.

(PS. Buying that Groot and Rocket LEGO set really spiked up my spirit)

Moving on (July Review)

Think about it. Life is all about moving on, either going from one place to another or transiting from one phase to the next. As we enter adulthood, most of us would move out of our parents' house. Even if we stay in the same spot, our personality can be influenced too. If you can recall how you were when you were but a mere child and how you are now, you might notice a vast difference. It is to my understanding as well that if we carry out similar comparison with ourselves 10 years later, the difference would grow larger. We never stay the same unless we're dead but even then, your body would decompose, transferring the energy to the soil and recycle your life force (my current perspective of life). In a nutshell, nothing stays the same. Change is everywhere.

As I have highlighted numerous times in my previous blog, I found myself changing, evolving (hopefully not devolving) into a person that I would dismiss when I was younger. People around me are changing too. Some are moving on to seek personal goals while others are changing into someone I don't recognize anymore. Of course, new people are disembarking at my doorsteps with open arms.

In the month of July, the major change for me was moving out of the place that I was staying for 4years. Imagine waking up to the same window panels overlooking a god-awful loud water theme park and the same dust bunnies collected at the corners of the room. It took me great effort to initiate a search for new place because I was so comfortable on the same old rickety bed that creaks every now and then. Alas, change was bound to happen because life would not permit it (not to mention the extortionate rent I had to pay).

In truth, I do not like some of the changes I had to go through, especially the one about the people around me. The jokes. The laughter. Even the gossips. All these activities and companionship will be missed but what kind of companion would I be if I forbid them to change, perhaps for the better? I do not like to be a caged bird myself. Funny thing is, these days, I don't mind staying a tad longer inside my cage. See, this is what I meant about changing into someone you never realize you would be.

While my laments may sound melancholic, this post is far from that. I'm still positive and happy about my life and what lies ahead. I admit I may seem frantic or panicky in the face of change but over time, I will adapt to it. Aside from the changes I had to face, I am thankful that certain things in my love life remains the same as evident during my trip to Cameron Highlands.

(P.S. Shame on you if you think this post is about me moving on from my love life :P)

Donning A Mask

I seem to have a habit to write my blog in the depth of the night even though I've lost my nocturnality since I join the workforce. Nevertheless, sarcastic writing must persist to prevent my blog from falling into forgotten disgrace.

While that was my usual antics of starting a new blog post, this paragraph is my actual opening. So, June has passed and we are in the midst of July (to be honest, it's way past mid-July now and I told myself to write this at the start of the month). Those of you who follow my blog (thank you for spending your time reading my LEGO-filled life...no, serious, I'm thankful), you would know that comes the start of a new month, I would feature a post reviewing my mundane yet seemingly interesting life of the previous month. Thus, I'm going to review the June 2014 that I have spent.

As you can see from this photo, there are optional masks that I must choose to wear. Now, back in old days (from ancient Japan to Greek Empire), masks were used in theatrical setting to express the emotions of the actors and actresses on stage. Changing a mask usually means changing an expression or the personality of the character. June, for me, was full of switching personalities.

In a nutshell, I am working at a center, teaching personal growth to kids. I admit that I used to behave like a immature brat even though I'm technically an adult (the word scares me). I thought having a career in a field involving children would maintain that part of me. Oh boy, was I wrong. Not only do I have to be serious, I have to be...inspiring *gasp*. Well, I get to goof off once in a while with the kids.

Therefore, I have to constantly change 'face' or masks. Different situations call for different emotions and mindset. When kids are having fun, I have fun with them. When kids are being hell spawns, I need to become the devil. When kids are being angels (a rare moment indeed), I would be the god almighty *whahahaha*.

Anyway, I'm still changing personalities as of now. I realized one mask is not enough given the volatility of teaching and life. A mask is apt under certain circumstances. When circumstance changes, so does the mask. As an educator, I would say I'm struggling a bit to balance out the constant changing for the fear that I might end up with multiple personality (Harvey Dent style).

Needless to say, I still enjoy teaching and masks ARE used for entertainment and enjoyment.

Packing up May

It dawned on me that I almost forgot what I did in May 2014. So, it's time for my monthly reflection before the memories completely erode away.

So, let's get right to it. The first half of May involved long hours of emails sending and cover letter typing. With the realization that I couldn't rely on my mum anymore for money (as well as I want to make myself useful), getting a job was all that was in my mind. Seriously, day after day, I just kept on sending out resume to various institutions (e.g., private schools, international schools and colleges). The thing was that I discovered my interest in teaching or education after my internship. My internship was so bad that it was good to me as I found out my area of interest.

Eventually, I was offered a job at this center that provide extra curriculum lessons that are not taught in Malaysian schools. I would not reveal the name for anonymity purposes but as far as my well-being is concerned. I like that place. My days at my internship venue really took a toll on me. Thus, given that I am able to work in this new open environment, I was more than overjoyed.

I started my first day of training at the end of May. In between first and last week of the month, my brothers came over. Being the 'good' elder brother that I am, I took them around and invoke amazement in the lifestyles of city folks (my hometown was dead and my brothers needed a getaway). Not to mention that I managed to visit Cyren at the resort again. The boy was still kicking in the great outdoors.

Anyhow, to conclude my review of my time in May 2014,  it was literally the beginning of the end. As the month closed in to its final days, I prepared myself for my new job. For me, May was a month to pack things up and do my best to survive in this doggy dog world while looking stylish. Hopefully, I would not experience any deja vu with my work tasks.

A Month of Concocting

Today's Labour's Day! Yay!

Too bad I'm not a labourer. Nope. Still jobless at the moment but the light is shining brighter in May. I'm saying this with my finger crossed behind my back.

Anyhow, it's time to review my April. This month was slow paced as compared to the previous three months. However, I did concocted a few new potions to spice up my life. Firstly, I found two part time jobs of which I'm still working for one of them.

On the weekdays, I was selling pretzels whereas I spent my weekends (mostly just Saturday) teaching kids English at a special need center. While selling pretzels was a new experience for, alas, my dwindling interest in it didn't prolong my stay for May. As for the teaching assistant job, what can I say, I actually like being a teacher.

Funny thing was that back in high school, I constantly told myself to never even consider a teaching job. It's true that people change and sometimes it's for the better. At least teaching makes me happy (for now). So, you can assume what kind of job I'm applying these days.


While I spent most of my days job hunting as well as working, a few fascinating event did happen (otherwise, I would rot with boredom). Thank goodness for that. First of all, I had my first visit to Cy's fieldwork venue in My Gopeng Resort. While there, I saw my first ever Rafflesia, the world largest flower Vileplume is based on. Whoever says the thing stinks from afar needs to get their nose checked. Nevertheless, it was nice to get out of the city life (again). I need to do one of these trips more often.

One potion was concocted for me by Sunway Psych Department. I was featured in a Sunway (my university) magazine. It detailed my award for having one of the best research presentation in a psychology conference. Though I took the picture when I shaved off my hair,  it was another first time of something I have for my life.

Lastly, I conjured up a Facebook Fan Page for my LEGO photos as I thought my photos were piling up and it was getting hard to sort them. Given Facebook's unlimited photo storage as well as the capability to categorize them, I decided to just upload all my old photos along with the new ones there for your pleasure viewing (that is if you like looking at them in the first place >.<).

Well, that was my April. Hopefully, May can be a bit face paced for me. I can feel myself morphing into a slug or a sloth. Four things I do look forward to in May are the 4 movie highlights of the month - The Amazing Spider Man 2, Godzilla, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Maleficent.

What do you look forward to in May and how was your April? Perhaps it's time to reflect?

Full Throttle Into April

It took me a while to do my review of March as I somehow always occupy myself with something to do.

Anyhow, as an opening, I finally finished my internship! That would be my biggest achievement in the month. I would the whole internship journey was...interesting. Arduous and slightly straining of course. I even extended my interning days to assist the company but...you know what, I'm just glad I'm done with it and now I can pass my Degree Course. Refer to my past posts to get some understanding of what I went through. Click here: boss

For the first quarter of March (still in my internship period), me and one of the student helpers visited Kuala Kangsar for career fairs. That was my first time visiting there and it was nice to travel out to SOMEWHERE throughout my interning days. I do enjoy visiting all the places unbeknown to the ever eager tourists (though I can't say I'm not a tourist myself).

Moving on, the second quarter involved mainly the usual office work and admin stuff. Nothing much went on in this period which would bring us to the third quarter of March. This is when I officially completed my internship and I spent my first day as a free person sleeping til kingdom came. It was a long time since my last sleep-in and I absolutely enjoyed it. To top it off, I scored a pretty well for the research report that I was dreading over in January. All in all, my grades were good.

In the last few days of March, I was even offered a part time job in Sunway Pyramid at this new pretzel outlet called Wetzel's Pretzels. I need to do a selfie on that but it will come soon enough. Do come and visit for those who are staying in Malaysia. It's the only outlet currently in the country.

With the March chapter of my life done and sealed, I am now on a full throttle mode into April whereby it will be filled with the one thing that all graduating university students find as the most difficult task: finding a job that we like.

More on that in my blog next time so drop by whenever you can :)

Broooooooooommmmmmmmmmmm~

Marching into March

Without a blink of an eye, February passed (fine, there are alot of eye blinking involved). Anyhow, we are stepping onto the third tier, March, which for me is a big month because I will be finishing my internship and unofficially, my Degree. YAY! I have exactly 20 days left but hey, who's counting.

If you remember my January review post, I have decided to do a review/reflection for every month of 2014. It's just like a recap of all the major events that happened to me in the month and how I can improve myself by looking at them. Honestly, February wasn't as "happening" as January for me. Basically, my daily activities involved trying to recruit people to join the center I am interning at. It may seem simple but it's not.

The only few good things that occurred last month was the premiere of The Lego Movie. #everythingisawesome Ok, that's becoming a bit overrated but still, the film was what most LEGO fans' been waiting (I know I was). It might seem kiddish on the surface but there was a moral value that adults could relate to amidst the colorful and fun theme. As such, both kids and grown-ups (like myself) would find the film enjoyable and memorable.

Rating: 5 out of 5

In other news, Cyren left for his fieldwork this morning. It was bittersweet. On on hand, I'm glad that he's enjoying his fieldwork whereby he's closer to nature which is something he's always wanted. On the other hand, he will be gone for a few months this day. The first trip was merely two weeks, that was nothing. Now, the big challenge comes and not to be dramatic, but it will be a test for both of us.

Ultimate question: Could we handle this brief yet seemingly long separation?

Nevertheless, I always look at the bright side. The fact that I shed a tear or two this morning when he was on the way to the venue showed that I really do love him. I even thought of going on a nice vacation upon his return. Any freaking country will do. Lolz.

As of now, if you are reading this, Cy, safe trip bee. Come back home soon k. I will always love you <3

Soaring Away

The thing about flying is that time seems to slow down, especially when you are alone and you have no distraction to occupy your mind. Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about the latter with my laptop in front of me. Anyhow, I was flying back to Selangor this morning and I was lucky enough to have the two seats next to mine empty. So, I got enough leg room to relax for an almost 2 hours journey. However, I’m not exactly looking forward to go back as I have to continue onwards with my internship on Tuesday. Well, I need it to complete my degree so I should really clam up about this.

Now, there is another reason why I chose ‘Soaring Away’ as my title. Today is second day of February and it wasn’t long ago, we all were just celebrating the new year of 2014. Now, the first month of 2014 just flew away and we moved on to the second. Thus, I dedicated to this post to reflect a little bit on what had happened in January 2014.

Firstly, I started my internship on the 2^nd January. It was something exhilarating yet nerve-wrecking. Although I can’t say my expectations were met while interning, I must say that I did enjoy meeting several people, some of which are exceptionally nice. Then, my BeeBuu (Cy) hosted a birthday party for me and it’s one of the few birthday parties I had in my lifetime. Hence, I couldn’t thank him or love him enough for what he did. Of course, he had to move away for a while to start his fieldwork but I’m glad he had a good experience. He will do so again in March and this time for almost a year time. I view this as a test for our relationship. Lastly, meeting my relatives from Singapore for Chinese New Year was another highlight of January. I can’t say I bonded well with my cousins but there was hope with my youngest cousin from that family, Janielle (what can I say, I like the attention given to me by my young cousins).

It was a tiring journey, especially with the whole internship. Yet, there is no stopping for me. It’s time to disembark and board the second plane to a destination unknown.

So, readers, how was your January?