1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
   I moved to Canada. It was scary, exciting and a extremely different lifestyle that I needed to get accustomed to quickly.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
   Trying to find a job in Canada! A lot of recruiters kept telling me that it would be difficult to find a job as I had no Canadian experience or Canadian credit history. It really dampened my spirits for a long time but I was able to find a job in the end!

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
   Haha isn’t “unexpected joy” usually in reference to a baby??? That is NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN LIKE A BILLION YEARS. Anyway, I suppose it was when I was able to find a job in Canada.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
   I’m not really sure? I knew establishing a new life in Canada would be hard (finding a job, finding a place to live, finding new friends, familiarising myself with the city).

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
   Different, cold, exciting.

6. Pick a theme song that describes 2009.
   Not sure about a particular song.. But for sure the Ministry of Sound Annual 2009 CD1!

7. What were the best books you read this year?
   RED DRESS WALKING – This book really made me think about the way relationships work. They definitely take two people, and miscommunication is so easy to let it get in the way of things.

   Marley & Me – such a cute book!

   The Pact is another book that stood out for me but I didn’t quite like the ending but I liked the issues that the author raised.
   

8. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
   My SGI family who really helped me in Toronto. My bf and his family for being there for me and also being my other family.

9. In what way did you grow emotionally?
   I have definitely matured a lot since I’ve left Australia and am now living on my own. I believe I am more independent and appreciative of what I already had. I grew to appreciate my parents, that money doesn’t come by so easily, and is very easy to spend. I finally realised how hard it must’ve been for my parents to move from Malaysia to Australia to start a brand new life. I also learned to be more considerate of others going through the same hardships. So many people had lost their jobs in the financial crisis and trying to live life without an income is extremely difficult.

10. In what way did you grow in your relationships with others?
    Having matured a lot, I learned to be a better daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend to everybody, while realising I still have a long way to go. I am appreciative of everybody’s support for me. It has helped me so much to grow as a person and I am who I am because of all the people around me.

11. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
    Getting new furniture for my own bedroom was fun! I was Ikea shopping a lot.. Hahahaa.. But the kitchen too! I never knew how to cook before I moved to Canada so I am proud that I can now live quite comfortably with feeding myself. The first time I cooked for myself literally was in the first week I was alone in Canada… Thank you to my mummy for all her tips over Skype. Haha!

12. What was your most challenging area of home management?
    I am a spoilt child because my mother had always cleaned up after us at home. Moving away meant I had to do everything myself. So going from cleaning NOTHING to cleaning EVERYTHING was huge for me but it’s definitely becoming a good habit of mine. While I’m incredibly lazy, I don’t like to be dirty, cleaning hasn’t been too hard….. Except for getting myself to clean the toilet…. So gross!!! Everytime I think it’s time to clean it I definitely ponder whether I want to hire someone to do it for me. Hahahaha. So bad!

13. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
    Annoying people! For sure! People who only think of themselves. I’ve tried my best to not let them get to me. But they’re the biggest waste of my energy! I have a tendency to get easily frustrated with them. Haha.. Must change!
    
    I also realised how much time cooking takes! OMG! Sometimes I come home and I just want to eat RIGHT AWAY. I now know that that can’t happen. Hahaha… I also realised how much effort cleaning takes! OMG! Hahaha…. All my time just passes so quickly. Oh dear.
    
    
14. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
    I’ve caught up on a lot of tv shows! While you might think that’s a waste of time, I’ve been watching 30 Rock which makes me happy because it’s so hilarious and shows like FNL teach me a lot about people. So I don’t think they’re a waste of time at all! Haha!
    
    I also got to do a lot of reading. Books are fantastic.
    
    
15. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.
    How about I pick two quotes that meant a lot to me for 2009? I’m not really creative enough to create a statement myself! Haha.

    “Everything depends on what is in our hearts. If we decide to ourselves that something is impossible, then, consistent with our minds in thinking so, even something that is possible for us will become impossible. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, then we are already one step closer to achieving it in reality.” – Daisaku Ikeda

    “The place where you are now is vital. Never avoid what you must face. Challenge your circumstances and steadily persevere. The path toward victory opens from where you stand.” – Daisaku Ikeda

    I read theses quotes a lot whenever I felt defeated. I visited http://www.ikedaquotes.org/ a lot for his wisdom which provided me a lot of inspiration and hope. In turn that motivated me to live my life to the fullest. Thank you so much to SGI. <3

On the way back from Atlantic City, James’ mom drove us to the New Jersey Premium Outlets. There was an additional 50% off the sale price! Crazy. I got myself the below heart pendant. It’s gorgeous.. And massive!

But if you think that’s massive, James’ mom got herself an even bigger crystal! I don’t have any pics of it, but it was pretty too.

As a Christmas present to myself, I bought the Tiffany & Co Return to Tiffany Mini Lock on a Bead Bracelet which now matches both of my necklaces, the Return to Tiffany Heart Lock Pendant and the Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Pendant on a Bead Necklace.

It’s so cute!

As  much as I love my Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock wallet, I’ve been looking for a new wallet to replace it for over a year now. Because it is made of an incredible soft leather in cream, it instantly got ruined. All the dirt and grum of handling it day by day has coated it and made it completely grungy. But not only that, in the same week that I purchased the wallet – I managed to get ballpoint pen scribbled all over it and have never managed to get it off since!

I’m really particular about my accessories, so I’ve been looking hard for a replacement. There hasn’t been anything that I’ve really liked, but had been eyeing an LV wallet because I know two people who have said that their wallets have lasted over ten years! That’s definitely a lot longer than a week of ruining my MJ wallet! Now that is durable!

The LV wallets I’ve seen are pretty chunky, or are tri-fold, or don’t have much room for cards, or don’t have a zip for coins. But in Atlantic City, James and I were shopping at Caesers and I saw that the LV had my perfect wallet! Except it only came in Monogram And when we hurried to Sak’s, they couldn’t find the Damier Ebene either.Sad sad! We waited around for about 15 minutes for them to check all their drawers for it (their system said they had two) but it just could not be found. But as we were about to leave, they found it! YAY!!!!!! So JT got it for me for Chrissy and he got himself the sunnies which I reckon looks pretty good on him.

Anyway.. THANKS BABY. I LOVE IT. <3

Photos are below!

I went home and took another photo of it. White background looks cool, doesn’t it? Haha.

In celebration of our new apartment living, Teren & I invited some friends over for Steam Boat.

Playing the wii.

Grace, Louise & I making funny faces.

Here’s the gang. L-R: Sammy, Tomomi, Teren, Andra, Mai, Grace, Ryan and Louise.

In all, it was fun.

So last week I decided it was about time I stepped up and got myself a proper camera. I was heavily debating whether it was worth the big bucks (never spent too much on a camera) but after much encouragement from my friends I decided to bite the bullet. Dell was also having a sale so I thought I might as well take advantage of it.

It was posted the next day and I got it the following business day. I haven’t had much time to play around with it (or had good weather either) but I’m quite happy with it. Was very sad, however when Hann didn’t mention at the time of my purchase that I could’ve paid a bit more to have HD video but then told me afterwards….. *glares at him* But I suppose I should’ve done my own research. HANN – YOU TOLD ME 4K! I HATE YOU… Kidding.

Anyway, I hope to take some shots… soon! I probably won’t get a lens for awhile and hope to make use of the kit lens for now.. I don’t know what I am doing yet! Hah.. I just like to hang it over my neck and look “pro” for now.  Haha!

Pulled this from Whitty.

How old will you be by the time you get married?

Put an X in every box that applies to you.

Add up all the ‘x’s and title subject with the sum as “My marriage age is__”

[ ] You know how to make a pot of coffee
[X] You keep track of dates using a calendar
[X] You own more than one credit card
[ ] You know how to change the oil in a car
[X] You do your own laundry
[X] You vote every election
[X] You can cook for yourself
[ ] You think politics are exciting
[X] You balance your own checkbook
[ ] Your parents have better things to say than your friends

Total: 6

[X] You show up for school/college/work every day early.
[X] You always carry a pen in your pocket/purse
[ ] You’ve never gotten a detention
[X] You have never smoked a cigarette
[ ] You have never gotten completely trashed
[ ] You have forgotten your own birthday at least once
[X] You like to take walks by yourself
[X] You’ve watched talk shows.
[X] You know what ‘credibility’ means without looking it up
[ ] You drink coffee [caffeine] at least once a week.

Total: 6 + 6 = 12

[X] You know how to do the dishes.
[X] You can count to 10 in another language.
[X] When you say you’re going to do something you do it.
[X] My parents trust me
[ ] You can mow the lawn
[X] You can make adults laugh without being stupid
[ ] You remember to water the plants
[X] You study when you have to
[X] You pay attention at school/college
[X] You remember to feed your pets

Total: 12 + 8= 20

[X] You can spell ‘experience’ without looking it up.
[X] You work out on a regular basis.
[X] You clean up your own mess
[ ] The people at Starbucks know you by name
[ ] Your favorite kind of food is take out
[X] You have gained weight since middle/high school
[ ] The first thing you do when you wake up is get caffeine
[X] You can go to the store without getting something you don’t need
[ ] You understand political jokes the first time they are said
[X] You can type quickly

Total: 20 + 6 = 26

[X] You have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour
[ ] Your only friends are from your place of employment
[ ] You have been to a Tupperware party
[ ] You have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job
[X] You have more bills than you can pay
[ ] Most of all your friends are older than you are
[X] You can say no to staying out all night
[X] You use the internet every day
[X] Your wardrobe hasn’t changed in a while
[X] You can read a book and actually finish it

Total: 25 + 6 = 31

I’m getting married at 31. I think that’s a good age actually.

Let me tell you that before I came to Canada, I’ve never really cooked. Sure, I’ve done the whole packet noodles – boil water, add noodles, add seasoning. There’s also the cooking I’ve done at Home Economics back in high school, but that was really basic. Anything more advanced than that, I haven’t even bothered to attempt because I was just downright scared. 

I know how clumsy I am. Everyday, just walking around I end up with bruises. Not even sure how. So I’ve been really scared that one day I will cut my fingers off or burn the house down. 

But thanks to dear Shirley, my confidence in cooking has increased. I’ve been cooking here and there. Today I cooked Thai Pineapple Fried Rice. I love Thai food. 

The other day I cooked Tom Yum soup. Yesterday I cooked Mabo Tofu. Haha. Such simple things but so yummy. 

Lotus Flowers blossoming in muddy water

As you may have noticed, I have revamped the look of my blog. The previous layout was so messy and it was really bugging me. I chose The Lotus Flower for my new layout because I wanted it to symbolize something true about the nature of life.

“The fact that the lotus flower sends forth pure white blossoms from roots sunk deep in muddy water expresses the idea that our highest nature is brought forth through committed engagement with the often difficult or disagreeable realities of life and society.” - The Meaning of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Soka Gakkai International

The respresentation of the Lotus Flower –  true beauty flourishing in deep muddy water is similar to the saying that “only the best diamonds are created under enormous pressure”. I suppose what I’m trying to say in plain English is that – hard times can bring out the best nature in people. It is when you can achieve great things and realise true happiness.

Life isn’t dependent on your surroundings. Life is what you make of it.

As one of my New Years Resolutions, I’ve decided to start my Life Top 100 list. I’ve been a bit slack in not exactly putting this list to paper (it’s all up in my head at the moment). But one of the top 10 things I want to do is the Couch to 5K program.

As some of you may know, I hate running. I hate running because due of all sorts of reasons which you may think are just plain silly excuses. While I believe my reasons still stand, I have decided to look past this and run anyway… Plus, I haven’t found any other exercise to tone my extrodinarily chunky calves (haha).

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