Tuesday, January 1, 2008

2007 Flashback



Another year has passed. As we grow older, the more we feel the lost of time as each year passes. There are so much more to be done and yet time is passing without slowing down, whether we like it or not.

Looking back at the year of 2007, these are the few things that flash back in my memory.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Somewhen in January, I went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for 4 days to attend my ex-company annual conference, gathering 13 offices from Asia. Most of the time, we were attending back to back seminar and training in the hotel ballroom or outdoor team building event. It was more tiring that working! From the conference, it reflected that in the name of commitment, some people have actually traded their life balance and even the importance of family for monetary rewards and to survive the highly demanding and pressured environment. My inner self was wondering ‘do I want to be like them?’

I didn’t really have the chance to visit the city much due to the tight schedule. What I would not forget about the city was the chaotic traffic and mentally torturing non-stop honking noise, fatal road accident every single day (life is so fragile on the road in HCMC) and the most disgusting taste of pork on earth that I’ve ever tasted in my life when I bit on a spring roll! I almost vomited! I wished to have more time to see the city.

Unhappiest Chinese New Year Ever
I am a person who works and plays hard. I can be working very hard through out the year but Chinese New Year is a time for me to rest and be with family and friends. 2007’s was the unhappiest Chinese New Year I’ve ever had. Due to the selfishness of some bitches, I was deprived of spending adequate precious time with family and friends back in hometown. I’ve never encountered this before in my previous years of working life. I started to wonder, where has this person (that I respect as far as work is concerned) positioned the importance of family in her priority of life… Work seems to supersede everything, including her family.

Home
Felt no sense of belonging with my last job, the house of notes, and the city at times... I headed for home very frequently, more frequent than I can expect. Just wanted to get out of town, stay at home, do nothing and enjoy the tranquility and mum’s delicious cooking. When I needed a sip of Ipoh white coffee, Ms. Aeroplane was always there for me, and she still is.


New Beginning
There were a few new changes in 2007. I took big risk and opted myself out of an environment where I don’t belong to. I quitted my last job and I shifted out of the ‘House of Note’ to my current place where I can cook again, and I learned something about ‘Wok Seasoning’ when I bought new wok for cooking. I bought a new anti-static mattress to ease my static dilemma. I am happier now with all these changes that I have chosen. If you are stuck, find your way out.

Blogging
Started my first ever blog in April and my Chinese blog followed in September.

KK Trip
Went to the Land Below the Wind in May. Had a great time with Padas River white water rafting, Mount KK hike, the seafood, coconut pudding, grilled clam… the memorable ‘will you marry me drama’ and every moment of the trip. It’s the most luxurious hiking trip that I’ve ever experienced as compared to my other previous hiking trips.

Good Luck or Bad Luck?
My luck had been on a roller coaster ride. One moment I could be darn lucky and it could be followed by a bad luck incident the next moment. Fell at the staircase and sprained my ankle 1 week before my KK hiking trip. Fortunately, I managed to recover in time and still made it to the summit. Got parking summon from MBPJ for the monthly pass that didn’t stick well on my car’s windscreen and dropped out of sight of the officer. Stroke 4D (with small amount of reward) a few times this year. Hehe... Got an ugly triangle burn scar (which seems no sign of going off… sigh…) on my left hand while cooking in a camping trip. I slipped and fell 3 times in 60 seconds (for unknown reasons…) at the Curve and it was legendary! Till today, it still puzzles me how did it actually happen.

Tioman – The Island of Cat
I went to Tioman Island in August for an escapade with some friends who went diving. We stayed at Salang Bay. Since I am not a diver, I took my own sweet time to relax on the beach. Unfortunately the trip was pretty much spoilt by cats! I was VERY MUCH ANNOYED with the presence of cats all over the island, especially when they surrounded our table each time we dined. I couldn’t really eat or wander around in peace. Don’t ask me why, I just don’t like cats and am afraid of them!

Fireworks, The Aeroplane & the People That I Miss
Went to catch the Malaysia International Fireworks Competition at Putrajaya for 20 minutes of splendour with 2 hours of jam. Saw an aeroplane flew passed the sky filled with the splendid fireworks and it reminded me of people who are apart from me. I actually miss them and I wish them all the best, no matter where they are.

Wonderful People
Met some wonderful new friends including some special ones and I enjoyed the moments spent with them. It takes sincerity, truthfulness, caring, sharing, understanding, and acceptance of differences to reap the most out of friendship.

Damaged Hair
Rebonding is an inaugural event for my yearly calendar for easier maintenance of my hair throughout the year. I have never had any problem with rebonding as my hair stylist has been doing a good job for the past few years. I was lazy to locate where my hair stylist’s salon has shifted to, and I wanted to try a new salon at Taman Megah, PJ. The result was disastrous! Money and time spent, and my healthy hair was severely damaged and it looks like dried grass! I was so pissed off and sad! Lesson learnt, always stick to the hair stylist who understands your hair the best and can always do a good job for your hair.

Many Late Nights
Hit by facebook mania and couldn’t stop watching HK TVB series one episode after another! Spent many late nights on both. My Panda eyes are getting darker and darker. This is not good. 1 of my New Year resolutions is to sleep early!

New Toy - Sony Ericsson K770i
My Nokia 6020 just died all of a sudden till it couldn’t even be fixed or turned on. I was forced to get another new phone. As X’mas was approaching, I got myself a new Sony Ericsson K770I as X’mas present. It’s the most expensive X’mas present ever for myself.

I Wonder
Started to wonder where have all the teachings and values gone for some people, when it comes to pursuing personal happiness and love. Reality hurts…

X’mas
I had a round of gluttony at Datin’s place on Christmas Eve. We, the ladies were being asked by R if we are ‘L’ (Lesbian). Ahahaha… We are definitely 200% not ‘L’ and but we are ‘L’adies.

New Year Eve
I had dinner, spent my New Year eve in church, and had Satay for supper with some friends. I am not a Christian but have no issue attending church on certain occasions. I have been to church a few times prior to this. Enjoyed some of the hymns and gained something from the preaching. Peace is in a person. I think peace is most needed for a friend who is suffering from depression at the moment. I wish her to find peace in herself. From the dinner and the Satay session, I learned that Prince of Sweet & Sour Pork is a hardcore fan of anything sweet & sour other than pork and he actually drinks (instead of eating) Satay sauce, and Mr. Ice Bandung can actually have 2 more cups of Ice Bandung during supper after having 1 cup during dinner. The spirit is really hardcore, man! Ahahaha… Well, there is nothing wrong with it as they are just being faithful to the choice of food or drink that they love.

There might be some memories in 2007 that have slipped my mind but it doesn't really matter. Life goes on and there's a wonderful year ahead, I hope.

Wishing everyone a happy and a better new year in 2008!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prince? I thought KING? :)
Enjoy the New Year...

ml said...

prince sounds younger than king mah. ahahaha... :D happy new year!

Anonymous said...

Not too bad also lah your year. It's good you decide to move on rather than sitting in the same position, incessantly complaining.

ml said...

gina - ya, not much time can be wasted, on just complaining. we have to be decisive and do something about the situation.