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Mai + Charms + Tim
The LIMA15 Media Team was one of the few exceptional team experiences I've had this year

Do you like working in a team or do you prefer to get things done individually?

When I thought about it this evening, after shooting a video with my teammates for a public relations project, my answer is to work in a group. The funny thing is that yesterday, I preferred working individually. 

There are countless researches and fact-based studies about working in a group and what makes a good team which I find most the points, true and relatable. Like a functional team of three to five is ideal for optimum efficiency and effectiveness. Well four lah, maximum. Sometimes, I think five is just too many. There is always bound to be that one band member in the boyband who's a little less utilized than the rest. It's like he's just there to make the number even, which I hope it's not the sad truth about boybands or just groups, in general. 

In AIESEC or any interview for that matter, it is very much asked whether you enjoy working in a team or not, and of course, the cliche answer would be yes, I support teamwork! But here's a bold statement from yours truly (which if you think about it, is the honest truth): Your answer to that question is highly dependent on who makes your team. Highly. 

Teammates are undoubtedly the ones who make or break your team experience, no matter how much you enjoy the task at hand and no matter how you think shitty groupmates don't bother you. I have realized based upon my recent group experiences that it is not so much about being like-minded and connecting at the same wavelength all the time but always having that aura of open-mindedness is what blooms chemistry in a team. 

I began looking at my previous team experiences and realized that most of good ones are of a collective of open-minded people, striving for a common goal. This might sound like something I plucked out from my AIESEC notebook but hey, I didn't really gave it much thought until this evening when we wrapped up the video-shoot and I just told my team: "You know what, I really like our team!"


What is your A team like?



the a team

30.5.15

,
Mai + Charms + Tim
The LIMA15 Media Team was one of the few exceptional team experiences I've had this year

Do you like working in a team or do you prefer to get things done individually?

When I thought about it this evening, after shooting a video with my teammates for a public relations project, my answer is to work in a group. The funny thing is that yesterday, I preferred working individually. 

There are countless researches and fact-based studies about working in a group and what makes a good team which I find most the points, true and relatable. Like a functional team of three to five is ideal for optimum efficiency and effectiveness. Well four lah, maximum. Sometimes, I think five is just too many. There is always bound to be that one band member in the boyband who's a little less utilized than the rest. It's like he's just there to make the number even, which I hope it's not the sad truth about boybands or just groups, in general. 

In AIESEC or any interview for that matter, it is very much asked whether you enjoy working in a team or not, and of course, the cliche answer would be yes, I support teamwork! But here's a bold statement from yours truly (which if you think about it, is the honest truth): Your answer to that question is highly dependent on who makes your team. Highly. 

Teammates are undoubtedly the ones who make or break your team experience, no matter how much you enjoy the task at hand and no matter how you think shitty groupmates don't bother you. I have realized based upon my recent group experiences that it is not so much about being like-minded and connecting at the same wavelength all the time but always having that aura of open-mindedness is what blooms chemistry in a team. 

I began looking at my previous team experiences and realized that most of good ones are of a collective of open-minded people, striving for a common goal. This might sound like something I plucked out from my AIESEC notebook but hey, I didn't really gave it much thought until this evening when we wrapped up the video-shoot and I just told my team: "You know what, I really like our team!"


What is your A team like?



more
Pre-University Graduation // Oct 2012 

Okay, let's face the music, shall we? The clock's forever going to be ticking and one day passed is one day wasted, if I don't start getting myself ready, mentally and emotionally (and not to mention, the documents required) for this new transition that's going to punch me in the face soon enough. From Pre-University to varsity life, it's pretty intimidating, especially if your Pre-University program was in the little comfort bubble of high school environment. Yes, we have been trained to think critically, how to write a full-blown thesis, do research and apply theories to solve questions, and I'm undoubtedly grateful and proud that I've chosen to do Form 6 but the vast array of uncertain possibilities in my future still frightens me a little, now that Form Six remains as nothing but a bookmarked chapter of my life which molded me to what I have or will eventually become.

I think what differs this transition from the previous life transitions that I've gone through in my 20 years is that this time, it's a whole new change of environment, new way of doing things. The fact that I am unsure what lies in the next couple of months is driving me crazy, in a way unthinkable. Uncertain and insecure.

Last few transitions I've gone through were kind of, I'd say, comfortable. I'll just skip the kindergarten-to-primary school period 'cause that memory of mine remains pretty vague. I think the only thing I remembered about first day of primary school was mum peaking through the classroom windows with all the other mums whilst my teacher told us about the amount of medium-sized boxed exercise books we had to buy for her subject. So, first day of school at secondary school, I think I felt more excited than nervous, 'cause I knew that I didn't need to learn everything in Mandarin anymore. Yes, I was that awkward English-speaking girl in a Chinese vernacular primary school who went for almost every English-related competition there was but was always bad in anything mandarin. And I admit I used to wonder why my parents just had to enroll me into a Chinese vernacular school and let me suffer 'cause I was never good at the language. However, now that I'm older, I am ungodly grateful and thankful that I was and I'm able to speak/read/write in Mandarin. So, thanks folks!

So, when secondary school came along, I was happy to get out of that little 'hell-hole' and into a new world, with new friends. That transition was smooth-sailing, maybe mainly because I was really close to a few of the people in my class and I was more than comfortable that almost all of my subject were either in English or in Bahasa. I was in my comfort zone, contented. I switched schools when I went into Form Three and that transition from school-to-school wasn't much of a wreck either. My mum was teaching there and I've been there a couple times as a kid, following my mum to her extra-curricular activities and such. I had a childhood friend who became my classmate, I knew some of the teachers whom I used to refer to as 'auntie' and I had two close friends going through the whole switching of schools process with me. So, I was extremely, free from any vexation or stress.

The most recent one would have to be getting into Pre-University life and adapting to the workload, making new friends was pretty smooth-sailing, as well. Again, there was one person, whom I knew previously, Naomi, who turned out to be my classmate. So, contentedly, I eased through the first few days of Form Six life and of course, the whole 18 months after that was just pure fun and enjoyment. Same high school environment, same ol' teacher-student relationship, much lenient school rules and close-knit friends always makes everything better. So, I'd say Pre-university was easily one of the best parts of my school life. Easily.

Which makes the transition to varsity life a tad bit harder.

I think it all boils down to fear of what change will bring and, fear of something that might challenge me out of my little comfort zone. My little devoted happy place.

On a side note, I'm a staunch believer of change, being a rhythm of living. Out of hope, is progress. Without change, there is no progress. And so, note to self (and maybe to you who might be in the same situation that I'm in), you'll never know what is to come, what will happen tomorrow or in a few seconds, nothing is guaranteed, so all you can do is just go naturally with the flow and let reality be reality as life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Resisting it only creates sorrow. So, why fret when you can do something fruitful instead? Bring on the challenge. Whether you succeed or not, it's another story. But I guess, the fact that you're ready for any change at all and brave enough to face something unfamiliar is already a success story in the making.
TRUE LIFE IS LIVED WHEN TINY CHANGES OCCUR. 
- Leo Tolstoy


P/S: I really think AIESEC has something to do with all this new motivation in me. haha


the undergrad transition rant

28.2.13

,
Pre-University Graduation // Oct 2012 

Okay, let's face the music, shall we? The clock's forever going to be ticking and one day passed is one day wasted, if I don't start getting myself ready, mentally and emotionally (and not to mention, the documents required) for this new transition that's going to punch me in the face soon enough. From Pre-University to varsity life, it's pretty intimidating, especially if your Pre-University program was in the little comfort bubble of high school environment. Yes, we have been trained to think critically, how to write a full-blown thesis, do research and apply theories to solve questions, and I'm undoubtedly grateful and proud that I've chosen to do Form 6 but the vast array of uncertain possibilities in my future still frightens me a little, now that Form Six remains as nothing but a bookmarked chapter of my life which molded me to what I have or will eventually become.

I think what differs this transition from the previous life transitions that I've gone through in my 20 years is that this time, it's a whole new change of environment, new way of doing things. The fact that I am unsure what lies in the next couple of months is driving me crazy, in a way unthinkable. Uncertain and insecure.

Last few transitions I've gone through were kind of, I'd say, comfortable. I'll just skip the kindergarten-to-primary school period 'cause that memory of mine remains pretty vague. I think the only thing I remembered about first day of primary school was mum peaking through the classroom windows with all the other mums whilst my teacher told us about the amount of medium-sized boxed exercise books we had to buy for her subject. So, first day of school at secondary school, I think I felt more excited than nervous, 'cause I knew that I didn't need to learn everything in Mandarin anymore. Yes, I was that awkward English-speaking girl in a Chinese vernacular primary school who went for almost every English-related competition there was but was always bad in anything mandarin. And I admit I used to wonder why my parents just had to enroll me into a Chinese vernacular school and let me suffer 'cause I was never good at the language. However, now that I'm older, I am ungodly grateful and thankful that I was and I'm able to speak/read/write in Mandarin. So, thanks folks!

So, when secondary school came along, I was happy to get out of that little 'hell-hole' and into a new world, with new friends. That transition was smooth-sailing, maybe mainly because I was really close to a few of the people in my class and I was more than comfortable that almost all of my subject were either in English or in Bahasa. I was in my comfort zone, contented. I switched schools when I went into Form Three and that transition from school-to-school wasn't much of a wreck either. My mum was teaching there and I've been there a couple times as a kid, following my mum to her extra-curricular activities and such. I had a childhood friend who became my classmate, I knew some of the teachers whom I used to refer to as 'auntie' and I had two close friends going through the whole switching of schools process with me. So, I was extremely, free from any vexation or stress.

The most recent one would have to be getting into Pre-University life and adapting to the workload, making new friends was pretty smooth-sailing, as well. Again, there was one person, whom I knew previously, Naomi, who turned out to be my classmate. So, contentedly, I eased through the first few days of Form Six life and of course, the whole 18 months after that was just pure fun and enjoyment. Same high school environment, same ol' teacher-student relationship, much lenient school rules and close-knit friends always makes everything better. So, I'd say Pre-university was easily one of the best parts of my school life. Easily.

Which makes the transition to varsity life a tad bit harder.

I think it all boils down to fear of what change will bring and, fear of something that might challenge me out of my little comfort zone. My little devoted happy place.

On a side note, I'm a staunch believer of change, being a rhythm of living. Out of hope, is progress. Without change, there is no progress. And so, note to self (and maybe to you who might be in the same situation that I'm in), you'll never know what is to come, what will happen tomorrow or in a few seconds, nothing is guaranteed, so all you can do is just go naturally with the flow and let reality be reality as life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Resisting it only creates sorrow. So, why fret when you can do something fruitful instead? Bring on the challenge. Whether you succeed or not, it's another story. But I guess, the fact that you're ready for any change at all and brave enough to face something unfamiliar is already a success story in the making.
TRUE LIFE IS LIVED WHEN TINY CHANGES OCCUR. 
- Leo Tolstoy


P/S: I really think AIESEC has something to do with all this new motivation in me. haha


more


Fraser's Hill Gap // Dec 2012


Slacking // on posting here. Since holidays started for me, I have been very distracted with lists and lists of things that I wanna do, but then I realised I wasn't really doing any of them. Even if I was, it was going at a pace that I myself am kind of fed up with. It's always the same scenario, every holiday, which is why THIS holiday shouldn't anything similar! Okay, I'm gonna set a resolution straight right this instant! 

Reading // Travels, by Michael Crichton. Got this book a couple months ago but it was kinda buried in my shelf. Picked it up a few days ago and I have a feeling, it's going to be one those books that changes your mindset on things, enlightens you in the most bizarre way imaginable. You might know Michael Crichton from  his infamous book/movie, Jurassic Park and other spy thrillers, but this book has a more personal touch to it, bringing the reader along on his personal journey through his medical days (I know right! He's a doctor!) and his many expeditions around the world. 

Planning // my next couple of weeks! Talking about a hectic holiday. Just got a call from the organisers at this aerospace and maritime exhibition I volunteer at last year that I'm in for this year and the briefing's going to be this weekend. Funnily, I'm not surprised on how last minute their notice is. It's definitely not the first. Next week, I'll be at the Universiti Malaya for a national conference about youth leadership and global development called MyLDS2013 for a week under this awesome organisation called AIESEC. Then, it's going to be the Chinese New Year season! I just have a feeling that the next couple of weeks are going to be a blast.

Eating // a pretty huge amount of cake. It was my birthday last weekend after all and my folks got me my favourite carrot cake with cream cheese on top from Secret Recipe. Plus, it has carrots and raisins and nuts in it, so that makes it a health cake. and health cakes are healthy. No excuse for not eating too much!

Feeling // a bit of on the happy side of the mood chart this week. partly because my birthday was great and my days alone at home leaves me with plenty of time for myself. I love me time!

Listening // to a lot of Les Miserables tunes. Yes, I am still riding on the LesMiz bandwagon for some time now and don't plan to get off anytime soon. Some of them that has been ringing in my head are Do You Hear The People Sing, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables and One Day More. I'm also listening to quite a bit of electronice music lately. Some other worthy mentions are Don't You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia, Avicii's Silhouettes and Lost In My Bedroom by Sky Ferreira. 

Learning // how to speak French. My cousin, Jessie has been teaching me stuff she learnt in her French class and apparently, everything has a gender. Everything. Since there isn't any classes in JB, I rely on this course I sign up on About.com and so far, it's not bad. Hopefully, I'll be able to write in French soon and maybe start a French column. haha We'll see how it goes.


(Thanks to Leney for inspiring me to do this 'currrently' post)


Currently

15.1.13

,


Fraser's Hill Gap // Dec 2012


Slacking // on posting here. Since holidays started for me, I have been very distracted with lists and lists of things that I wanna do, but then I realised I wasn't really doing any of them. Even if I was, it was going at a pace that I myself am kind of fed up with. It's always the same scenario, every holiday, which is why THIS holiday shouldn't anything similar! Okay, I'm gonna set a resolution straight right this instant! 

Reading // Travels, by Michael Crichton. Got this book a couple months ago but it was kinda buried in my shelf. Picked it up a few days ago and I have a feeling, it's going to be one those books that changes your mindset on things, enlightens you in the most bizarre way imaginable. You might know Michael Crichton from  his infamous book/movie, Jurassic Park and other spy thrillers, but this book has a more personal touch to it, bringing the reader along on his personal journey through his medical days (I know right! He's a doctor!) and his many expeditions around the world. 

Planning // my next couple of weeks! Talking about a hectic holiday. Just got a call from the organisers at this aerospace and maritime exhibition I volunteer at last year that I'm in for this year and the briefing's going to be this weekend. Funnily, I'm not surprised on how last minute their notice is. It's definitely not the first. Next week, I'll be at the Universiti Malaya for a national conference about youth leadership and global development called MyLDS2013 for a week under this awesome organisation called AIESEC. Then, it's going to be the Chinese New Year season! I just have a feeling that the next couple of weeks are going to be a blast.

Eating // a pretty huge amount of cake. It was my birthday last weekend after all and my folks got me my favourite carrot cake with cream cheese on top from Secret Recipe. Plus, it has carrots and raisins and nuts in it, so that makes it a health cake. and health cakes are healthy. No excuse for not eating too much!

Feeling // a bit of on the happy side of the mood chart this week. partly because my birthday was great and my days alone at home leaves me with plenty of time for myself. I love me time!

Listening // to a lot of Les Miserables tunes. Yes, I am still riding on the LesMiz bandwagon for some time now and don't plan to get off anytime soon. Some of them that has been ringing in my head are Do You Hear The People Sing, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables and One Day More. I'm also listening to quite a bit of electronice music lately. Some other worthy mentions are Don't You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia, Avicii's Silhouettes and Lost In My Bedroom by Sky Ferreira. 

Learning // how to speak French. My cousin, Jessie has been teaching me stuff she learnt in her French class and apparently, everything has a gender. Everything. Since there isn't any classes in JB, I rely on this course I sign up on About.com and so far, it's not bad. Hopefully, I'll be able to write in French soon and maybe start a French column. haha We'll see how it goes.


(Thanks to Leney for inspiring me to do this 'currrently' post)


more
New Year's Eve has been always watching the countdown live on TV, mesmorise at the fireworks and wishing all my friends a happy new year via text. Same ol' routine, same ol' feeling. But if I really think about it, 2012 has been a pretty awesome year. I started out the year deep in the depths of a upper-sixth-former, immune to all the thorny remarks from people personally detested the Malaysian Pre-Uni system and finished the year with a long holiday ahead, a deeper love for my homecity and an increasing amount of awesome blog readers, well, compared to 12 months ago or since I've started blogging! So, I guess 2012 deserves a little pat on the back and maybe two thumbs up.

Here are some of the highlights that made 2012, one of my favourite years in my whole 19 living years, soon to be 20 living years! yay

1. CNY in KL // 2. Spiderman fever // 3. Pariss hotel skydeck // 4. Jon's Farewell at Loon Sing //
5. Seremban // 6. Fraser's Hill // 7. Xmas BBQ Party // 8. Siblings! 










1. Family Ties
This whole year, like any other year, I think my family has gotten closer and wackier by the month! Chinese New Year in 2012 was a great one! We finally went for the annual reunion lunch at my dad's cousin's place in Taman Pelangi, after skipping it for two years. Dinner with my maternal family's always a great one :) // I'm grateful to have a really sporting and outdoorsy immediate family. If there was a word to best describe us, the word would probably be 'active' or 'hyper'. 2012 itself, we went to a couple of places and tried new food. Went on the Spiderman/Batman/The Avengers movie marathon. // My dad being totally random and bought GroupOn vouchers for a rooftop dinner at Pariss Hotel which I got to take the scenic skyline of Bukit Indah. // Got to go back to my mum's hometown in Seremban with cousins. Hiked around Fraser's Hill and shivered like naked cavemen. // Spent the last few days of 2012 with a bang, barbecue-ing skewered wings and salmon slices in tandem with Christmas.

1. Bowling session // 2. Putrajaya! // 3. Class party // 4. Pn. Gan's farewell //
5. Sports day // 6. Leaders in action forum //7-8. I graduated! without a mortar board
2. Last year of school life
2012 was the last year that I was ever going to go to school in a uniform and it was also the last year I was going to be in a classroom with some like-minded friends. It was also the year I got a little taste of responsibility, broke some of my personal barriers and none of the above would be possible if it wasn't with this awesome bunch of classmates I have. // Bowling sessions were never really my thing until I tried it out for the first time! I still remember Gup scored like crazy while I sucked like crazy! // The Student Council trip to KL in February was one trip that I'll probably have a problem forgetting! Best part was probably when my roommates and I played the card version of Monopoly while chomping on Subway cookies with the K-pop  music playing on TV. Check out the video I made about it here. // We were pros at keeping ourselves busy when a teacher's absent for a few days, we throw impromptu parties and chat the day away! Shhhhh. Some of our famous topics were ghost stories, gossips, and love life testimonies. We were pretty much the funnest gang in the whole school. Oh yeah //  At first, I really didn't like the idea of dancing in front of the whole school, but I'm really glad I did 'cause it was after all the last year of school for me. And come on, it's not everyday you see a multi-racial group of classmates dancing to a Hindi song, no? So, we did it and it turned out really well and had awesome feedback till we were wanted for a couple more events! Such an amazing experience! // Being a sixth-former does come with its many perks and one of them is the chance to actually meet and interact with a public figure. In my case, it was the witty and sharp-tongued former-politician Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. Though it wasn't such a pleasant forum that we had with her, but I'm still glad I met her and I took something out from that event - nothing is always what it seems. // When there's a hello, there's always a goodbye. In November, I graduated and it was pretty much the beginning of another transition. Inevitable and sad. It was nice getting to goof around with the girls while it lasted :)

1. My birthday- Jan // 2-3. Nay's birthday-Mar // 4. Gup's birthday-Oct //
5. After Mid-year exams // 6. Prom // 7-8. Post STPM
3. Three BlackWidows
Gosh, where do I begin? All I know is that within the first few days of school, we hit it off with a bang! Their company in school is really the reason school was fun and worth being looked forward to. Gup will be going off about how Dr. Who changed her world and this hot Sikh guy in temple was being such a jerk while Nay will be going on about her feelings towards her online friend then (now boyfriend) and hoping that the WiFi is working so that they could chat. hahaha Who could forget, Gup's german-sounding 'Haaaaaaaveyoumetted?' which caught Nay and I agape in confusion. Gosh, how we teased and laughed about everything and everyone in school. Our inside jokes and nicknames just to poke fun at some of our mates like 'dinosaur', 'burst lips', 'tweetybird', 'susu' etc. Oh! and our coincidental absence! I remember there was one week when each day, there was one of us who were absent and Pn. Florence actually thought we planned it! Hahaha We are truly the 3 Musketeers and the 3 Stooges, Pn Flo likes to associate us with! They taught me a lot of the 'adult world' and therefore, I grew up but still learning. Plus, they are good looking people and very photogenic, I might add. Did a little shoot with them, check it out on Flickr! Although I'm the oldest by a few months, I think I'm probably the most unpolluted one. hahahaha So thanks for making Form 6 life a blast and being there for me, whenever I needed y'all! xx  

1. FRIM // 2. Wicked @ SG // 3. Harry Potter @ SG // 4. Melaka //
5. MBS @ SG // 6. Seremban // 7. Melaka // 8. Fraser's Hill
4. Travel
I'm very blessed to have the opportunity to travel quite a bit in 2012. Nothing that requires a flight ticket (I wish) or vaccinations, just local places with good food and great company on a budget and a light backpack.  First trip of the year was with my schoolmates to Kuala Lumpur for a school exchange with Victoria Institution. Amazed at fireflies, tried rabbit satay, hiked through a forest institute, checked out our prospects in law and shopped shopped shopped. We stayed at a homestay and I think that's where real camaraderie happens :) // Being a huge musical buff and wanted to see Wicked for a really looooong time, I was more than delighted when the Aussie cast decided to do shows in Singapore! It was such a wonderful and epic experience with like-minded peeps. Read how I cried like Bieber just stripped in front of me here! // I went for two exhibitions in 2012 and I'm really glad I did. I was there when Titanic sank and Harry actually gave me his invisibility cloak. Wanna know how I did it? Click here and here! // Met some new AIESECer peeps from the US of A, Canada, Brazil and China and it was such an honour to play tour guide for a day in historical Melaka and get lost with them. It was a blind-leading-the-blind situation, but fun. // Play tour guide again to my third aunt's family in MBS Singapore. This time, I knew every nook and cranny and that was when I became a pro *wink* // In December, after all the killer examinations that put me through hell for about 7 days, I went full-on travel mode and was charmed by quaint Seremban, ate to-die-for Nyonya cuisine in Melaka and toned up my legs by hiking around Fraser's Hill. I was and still am blessed. Check out the pictures of my seremba trip on Flickr!

1. Food Republique // 2. Roost Juice + Bar // 3. Maco Bakery // 4. Medan Larkin Bomba // 5. Senibong Nasi Lemak // 6. Roost Salad Bar // 7-8. The Marco Polo Kitchen
5. MyJB
This last year, I got to go to different places and explore my hometown even more than ever. There were some good experiences and some not-so-good ones, but all in all shaped me to love and appreciate my home much more. And I figured I share with you guys my home, Johor Bahru through a segment in my blog called My Johor Bahru, where I post eateries to add to your Must-Try List and places or events you have to be in JB! Check out my phots of my Marco Polo experience on Flickr!

1. India Film Showcase // 2. Paso Bumbung // 3-4. JB Arts Fest // 5.-8 GEGO
6. The Arts in JB
Initially, I thought the arts scene in JB is a lost cause until I found out that JOHO and the JB Arts Festival provides an outlet for Johorians to showcase their talents in various art forms and at the same time inspires and encourages the importance of the arts, here in JB. I've been to some of their events this year and I'm so thrilled that they exist! In March, I got to see the potential in local filmakers in an indie film showcase and found myself in a picture four years ago. What are the odds right? Then, came Paso Bumbung and then, the JB Arts Fest provided us events to go to to unwind and be inspired like photo exhibitions and plays. GEGO2012 was one of my first youth festival I've ever been to and it was really great experience.


All in all, I think 2012 was a great year, filled with joy, happiness with it's little dose of bitterness which I think adds edge. I think I have a good feeling about 2013 though. Well, we'll just wait and see then :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(this post was meant to be published on new year's eve, but I guess my birthday is not so bad a day too!)
have a good day ahead :)

Looking Back: A 2012 Review

12.1.13

, , ,
New Year's Eve has been always watching the countdown live on TV, mesmorise at the fireworks and wishing all my friends a happy new year via text. Same ol' routine, same ol' feeling. But if I really think about it, 2012 has been a pretty awesome year. I started out the year deep in the depths of a upper-sixth-former, immune to all the thorny remarks from people personally detested the Malaysian Pre-Uni system and finished the year with a long holiday ahead, a deeper love for my homecity and an increasing amount of awesome blog readers, well, compared to 12 months ago or since I've started blogging! So, I guess 2012 deserves a little pat on the back and maybe two thumbs up.

Here are some of the highlights that made 2012, one of my favourite years in my whole 19 living years, soon to be 20 living years! yay

1. CNY in KL // 2. Spiderman fever // 3. Pariss hotel skydeck // 4. Jon's Farewell at Loon Sing //
5. Seremban // 6. Fraser's Hill // 7. Xmas BBQ Party // 8. Siblings! 










1. Family Ties
This whole year, like any other year, I think my family has gotten closer and wackier by the month! Chinese New Year in 2012 was a great one! We finally went for the annual reunion lunch at my dad's cousin's place in Taman Pelangi, after skipping it for two years. Dinner with my maternal family's always a great one :) // I'm grateful to have a really sporting and outdoorsy immediate family. If there was a word to best describe us, the word would probably be 'active' or 'hyper'. 2012 itself, we went to a couple of places and tried new food. Went on the Spiderman/Batman/The Avengers movie marathon. // My dad being totally random and bought GroupOn vouchers for a rooftop dinner at Pariss Hotel which I got to take the scenic skyline of Bukit Indah. // Got to go back to my mum's hometown in Seremban with cousins. Hiked around Fraser's Hill and shivered like naked cavemen. // Spent the last few days of 2012 with a bang, barbecue-ing skewered wings and salmon slices in tandem with Christmas.

1. Bowling session // 2. Putrajaya! // 3. Class party // 4. Pn. Gan's farewell //
5. Sports day // 6. Leaders in action forum //7-8. I graduated! without a mortar board
2. Last year of school life
2012 was the last year that I was ever going to go to school in a uniform and it was also the last year I was going to be in a classroom with some like-minded friends. It was also the year I got a little taste of responsibility, broke some of my personal barriers and none of the above would be possible if it wasn't with this awesome bunch of classmates I have. // Bowling sessions were never really my thing until I tried it out for the first time! I still remember Gup scored like crazy while I sucked like crazy! // The Student Council trip to KL in February was one trip that I'll probably have a problem forgetting! Best part was probably when my roommates and I played the card version of Monopoly while chomping on Subway cookies with the K-pop  music playing on TV. Check out the video I made about it here. // We were pros at keeping ourselves busy when a teacher's absent for a few days, we throw impromptu parties and chat the day away! Shhhhh. Some of our famous topics were ghost stories, gossips, and love life testimonies. We were pretty much the funnest gang in the whole school. Oh yeah //  At first, I really didn't like the idea of dancing in front of the whole school, but I'm really glad I did 'cause it was after all the last year of school for me. And come on, it's not everyday you see a multi-racial group of classmates dancing to a Hindi song, no? So, we did it and it turned out really well and had awesome feedback till we were wanted for a couple more events! Such an amazing experience! // Being a sixth-former does come with its many perks and one of them is the chance to actually meet and interact with a public figure. In my case, it was the witty and sharp-tongued former-politician Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. Though it wasn't such a pleasant forum that we had with her, but I'm still glad I met her and I took something out from that event - nothing is always what it seems. // When there's a hello, there's always a goodbye. In November, I graduated and it was pretty much the beginning of another transition. Inevitable and sad. It was nice getting to goof around with the girls while it lasted :)

1. My birthday- Jan // 2-3. Nay's birthday-Mar // 4. Gup's birthday-Oct //
5. After Mid-year exams // 6. Prom // 7-8. Post STPM
3. Three BlackWidows
Gosh, where do I begin? All I know is that within the first few days of school, we hit it off with a bang! Their company in school is really the reason school was fun and worth being looked forward to. Gup will be going off about how Dr. Who changed her world and this hot Sikh guy in temple was being such a jerk while Nay will be going on about her feelings towards her online friend then (now boyfriend) and hoping that the WiFi is working so that they could chat. hahaha Who could forget, Gup's german-sounding 'Haaaaaaaveyoumetted?' which caught Nay and I agape in confusion. Gosh, how we teased and laughed about everything and everyone in school. Our inside jokes and nicknames just to poke fun at some of our mates like 'dinosaur', 'burst lips', 'tweetybird', 'susu' etc. Oh! and our coincidental absence! I remember there was one week when each day, there was one of us who were absent and Pn. Florence actually thought we planned it! Hahaha We are truly the 3 Musketeers and the 3 Stooges, Pn Flo likes to associate us with! They taught me a lot of the 'adult world' and therefore, I grew up but still learning. Plus, they are good looking people and very photogenic, I might add. Did a little shoot with them, check it out on Flickr! Although I'm the oldest by a few months, I think I'm probably the most unpolluted one. hahahaha So thanks for making Form 6 life a blast and being there for me, whenever I needed y'all! xx  

1. FRIM // 2. Wicked @ SG // 3. Harry Potter @ SG // 4. Melaka //
5. MBS @ SG // 6. Seremban // 7. Melaka // 8. Fraser's Hill
4. Travel
I'm very blessed to have the opportunity to travel quite a bit in 2012. Nothing that requires a flight ticket (I wish) or vaccinations, just local places with good food and great company on a budget and a light backpack.  First trip of the year was with my schoolmates to Kuala Lumpur for a school exchange with Victoria Institution. Amazed at fireflies, tried rabbit satay, hiked through a forest institute, checked out our prospects in law and shopped shopped shopped. We stayed at a homestay and I think that's where real camaraderie happens :) // Being a huge musical buff and wanted to see Wicked for a really looooong time, I was more than delighted when the Aussie cast decided to do shows in Singapore! It was such a wonderful and epic experience with like-minded peeps. Read how I cried like Bieber just stripped in front of me here! // I went for two exhibitions in 2012 and I'm really glad I did. I was there when Titanic sank and Harry actually gave me his invisibility cloak. Wanna know how I did it? Click here and here! // Met some new AIESECer peeps from the US of A, Canada, Brazil and China and it was such an honour to play tour guide for a day in historical Melaka and get lost with them. It was a blind-leading-the-blind situation, but fun. // Play tour guide again to my third aunt's family in MBS Singapore. This time, I knew every nook and cranny and that was when I became a pro *wink* // In December, after all the killer examinations that put me through hell for about 7 days, I went full-on travel mode and was charmed by quaint Seremban, ate to-die-for Nyonya cuisine in Melaka and toned up my legs by hiking around Fraser's Hill. I was and still am blessed. Check out the pictures of my seremba trip on Flickr!

1. Food Republique // 2. Roost Juice + Bar // 3. Maco Bakery // 4. Medan Larkin Bomba // 5. Senibong Nasi Lemak // 6. Roost Salad Bar // 7-8. The Marco Polo Kitchen
5. MyJB
This last year, I got to go to different places and explore my hometown even more than ever. There were some good experiences and some not-so-good ones, but all in all shaped me to love and appreciate my home much more. And I figured I share with you guys my home, Johor Bahru through a segment in my blog called My Johor Bahru, where I post eateries to add to your Must-Try List and places or events you have to be in JB! Check out my phots of my Marco Polo experience on Flickr!

1. India Film Showcase // 2. Paso Bumbung // 3-4. JB Arts Fest // 5.-8 GEGO
6. The Arts in JB
Initially, I thought the arts scene in JB is a lost cause until I found out that JOHO and the JB Arts Festival provides an outlet for Johorians to showcase their talents in various art forms and at the same time inspires and encourages the importance of the arts, here in JB. I've been to some of their events this year and I'm so thrilled that they exist! In March, I got to see the potential in local filmakers in an indie film showcase and found myself in a picture four years ago. What are the odds right? Then, came Paso Bumbung and then, the JB Arts Fest provided us events to go to to unwind and be inspired like photo exhibitions and plays. GEGO2012 was one of my first youth festival I've ever been to and it was really great experience.


All in all, I think 2012 was a great year, filled with joy, happiness with it's little dose of bitterness which I think adds edge. I think I have a good feeling about 2013 though. Well, we'll just wait and see then :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(this post was meant to be published on new year's eve, but I guess my birthday is not so bad a day too!)
have a good day ahead :)

more

after
1.5 years
18 months
7 days
3 long weeks
4 subjects
8 papers
4 trusty gel pens
23 hours of non-stop wrist action
and approximately
9518465453163135153+ scribbled words and numbers

I AM  FINALLY DONE WITH PRE-UNIVERSITY
AND AM READY TO PUSH THE 'PRE' OFF A CLIFF

:)


merdekaaaaaaaaaaaa

5.12.12

, ,

after
1.5 years
18 months
7 days
3 long weeks
4 subjects
8 papers
4 trusty gel pens
23 hours of non-stop wrist action
and approximately
9518465453163135153+ scribbled words and numbers

I AM  FINALLY DONE WITH PRE-UNIVERSITY
AND AM READY TO PUSH THE 'PRE' OFF A CLIFF

:)


more
Times really flies and it's now December! Time for some holiday cheer and some LIFE is this good ol' blog of mine! hahaha As some of you might have read my last post about me, going on a 2-month hiatus due to exams, well, firstly, my exams are not done yet. I still have two more papers which will be on the 5th of December. So, till then, I'm still a caged bird, waiting to break free. But not just yet, 'cause the cage's door is closed. (if that makes any sense at all!) Anyway, my fingers were itching to post something on here today to please all you loyal readers and so here I am! 

There's actually a lot of stuff that's happened (mostly good) and that haven't made it to being published yet. So, I'm going to churn some out throughout the month of December! Here's a little sneak peek on some featured posts that are coming atcha! 

a play

 a travelogue

a finale

I'll be going right to Kuala Lumpur the day after my exams and going around the city by public transportation, sightseeing. No worries though, I don't plan to leave my laptop behind and go on an unannounced hiatus. So, watch this space for photographs and blogposts! Or watch my tweets!

and let me know how do you like the new blog layout!
it's not exactly finished yet, but it's nearly there! :D

Happy December!


coming up

2.12.12

, , ,
Times really flies and it's now December! Time for some holiday cheer and some LIFE is this good ol' blog of mine! hahaha As some of you might have read my last post about me, going on a 2-month hiatus due to exams, well, firstly, my exams are not done yet. I still have two more papers which will be on the 5th of December. So, till then, I'm still a caged bird, waiting to break free. But not just yet, 'cause the cage's door is closed. (if that makes any sense at all!) Anyway, my fingers were itching to post something on here today to please all you loyal readers and so here I am! 

There's actually a lot of stuff that's happened (mostly good) and that haven't made it to being published yet. So, I'm going to churn some out throughout the month of December! Here's a little sneak peek on some featured posts that are coming atcha! 

a play

 a travelogue

a finale

I'll be going right to Kuala Lumpur the day after my exams and going around the city by public transportation, sightseeing. No worries though, I don't plan to leave my laptop behind and go on an unannounced hiatus. So, watch this space for photographs and blogposts! Or watch my tweets!

and let me know how do you like the new blog layout!
it's not exactly finished yet, but it's nearly there! :D

Happy December!


more
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