Reminiscing the years

When I first started blogging a fair few years ago, I wanted to use it as a diary of sorts. After all, I was fresh of the plane living in another country far away from family and friends.

It was an adventure - a fresh start even as the move coincided very closely with a breakdown of a 3 1/2 yr relationship so to be honest, it allowed to me not to mull over the loss.

Years have past now, my initial 4 yr stint now looks like it will be a permanent thing. I have moved cities, been promoted, taken on new responsibilities, I bought a house, sold a house, met a wonderful guy who asked me to be his forever after (which I accepted and it has been 2 1/2 yrs being a Mrs) and now we are building a home - all this in 8 yrs.

How time flies.

But I digress. I've summarized my 8 yrs above but I have not really jotted it all down, this journey of mine. I have actually shut down a blog before. Perhaps it is time to be more active or even start doing random snippets more often. Perhaps, mayhaps.

Sunset over Santa Monica, CA

It has been 3 days since I've been back from break and my mind and body feels like it hasn't been away.
Seriously, I am exhausted at the end of the day ( I was back to work on Monday and we got back to Mel on Sunday evening ) and I feel fat! Blame it on over indulging over the holidays.
I miss not thinking about anything. I went away with friends (BF, P and S) and if I am really honest with myself, there were moments where I wished it was just BF and I. Traveling with other ppl can and is quite stressful and the group dynamics change when it is a foursome as opposed to a duo or threesome.
Lesson learnt I suppose.
I do miss certain parts of things tho. I doubt we will go on a snow break for a bit. We've been going for 5 consecutive yrs so trying something different will be a welcome change.
LA was not as glitzy as it makes itself to be. Sad to say - even sleazy at times.
I left my heart in San Diego and Santa Monica. x

Hollywood ... Baby!

A sneak peek of more to come.

My perfect Sunday

A good Sunday does not have to be filled with activities and drama.
A good Sunday could simply be berry picking followed by brunch and Sunday papers.

*ah bliss*

Forgot to take my camera so pics taken with my camera phone.

Happy New Year 2011

Albeit a tad belated but have just got back from an island holiday.

New Year resolution post and recap to come but for now, here's to happiness, joy and lasting friendships. x

Everything looks better gift wrapped ..

Blessed Christmas to everyone.

Who...me???

Yes - I've been slacking off BIG TIME this yr, the lack of exercise is telling - been feeling sluggish and luggish and as for my gym membership? Lordy-lord - after months of paying for something I didn't use, I gave it up... only to sign up to another gym closer to home! Talk about being a sucker for punishment ey?

The thing is, the new gym has not opened yet - and this has left me feeling happy (I can veg out in front of the telly ..yay!) but sad (blubber-me). Haven't been jumping on the Wii-Fit either *yes, I have been THAT slack!*

Summer's a-coming .. need to lose the winter-belly! Eeeks!

Relaxing is....

A nice cuppa skinny latte and Glamour UK (or Real Living if I am feeling a tad domesticated)

Lil things that make me go tra la la..

I know I am getting sappy but I would never have thought that I would be as happy as I am now.

Dont get me wrong, work is just as stressful. At this point 4 yrs ago, I would be getting ready to go out, putting on the face as finding something "nice" to wear. If a nice bloke came over for a chat, it would be entertained and if he decided to shout me a drink or two - hey, bonus!

Now - I have my feet up on the sofa and am watching a recorded program off the telly. BF just walked in with a mug of coffee to be had with the cheese and biscuits platter.

Ah - how one's life can change in a mere few yrs :).

Australian Interest Rates and me...

The thing about living in Australia is that - it is the great Australian Dream to own your own home. Its the mentality of "why should I pay for someone else's mortgage when I can pay my own". But then again, BF had this mentality as well so perhaps its a Caucasian thing. It is not normal in Asia to own your own property until you are well in your 30's whereelse over here, you see ppl as young as 21 getting onto the property ladder, something that still amazes me as lets be honest, at 21, I was still in uni and definitely not equipped with the tools to manage my own money ..what else thinking of getting into such a big debt to my name. Saying that though, the Gen-Y's and Gen-X's in Australia are complaining that it is getting harder to get onto the market. The median house price is Melbourne is currently around $500,000 and gets more expensive as you get closer to the CBD. I currently live 18km's from the CBD and this is actually considered close considering that any suburb within 90km's from the CBD is still considered Melbourne these days.

Yes, buying a home is no piece of cake in Melbourne.

The Australian property market unlike the other developed countries namely US and UK had a slight property dip in late 2008, early 2009 before it picked up again and then just went from strength to strength. It is the only country where the interest rate never went down lower than 2% and the official RBA rate is currently is at 4.5% and the Bank rates is anywhere between 6.5% to 7.2%! Talk about being slugged and there are talks of at least 3 to 4 more rate hikes within the next few months. On top of that, we've got really exorbitant stamp duty taxes (both Govt and state) on top. *Ouch*!

I mean, living in the city, buying OR renting really means you have the smaller apartment or less space (unless of course you are right loaded which means there would not be a problem buying into the property market in the 1st place!). At the end of the day, it is a lifestyle choice.

More on my chain of thoughts when it comes to property buying later.

Life is short

I received some really sad news on Friday night.

A colleague of mine from back in KL had passed away -and from the news I've been getting, no one saw it coming.

She was only 39 - and leaves behind a young son of 2 and a loving husband.

She has battled breast cancer and was in fact suppose to have been cured, and the whole family had just come back from Europe where her husband comes from.

F.J.K - May you rest in peace. You will be remembered.

Blog ..What Blog?

I know that I am not hacked out to become a blogger..

A dedicated blogger thinks of what is to be blogged next.

A dedicated blogger updates on a VERY regular basis.

A dedicated blogger takes pictures at every opportunity just show it "perks up" the blog.

No - I am not a dedicated blogger. :)

p/s: I am doing this while watching a pre-recorded episode of Gossip Girl as I do not have time to watch my fav shows when it is actually being aired :p

Resolute Resolutions

I have been really busy over the past few weeks. Am slowly getting into the groove of work, although Australia Day break next Tue might break my routine somewhat.

Routine - that is the key I reckon to getting things done. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a strong advocate for spontaneity but when you lack motivation, some resemblance of routine does help.

As part of my - well, not NY resolution but more towards a "better" me, I am setting up a routine.

Wont get into too much detail now but lets say that its for a healthy me.

ZZZzzzz

Its 3:43 am and I am still awake.

Sigh.

Theft in the neighbourhood

Things have been up-to-my-neck-busy and to make things even worse, my car got broken into last Monday!

Fortunately, I don't really keep anything of value in the car *I can read the Melways hence never had a need for a GPS*. My coin compartment was still intact but the glove compartment was ransacked and due to frustration most likely - all of my service records, KM claim book etc was thrown all over the road.

The funny part is, I noticed the shatter from home and at first glance, I thought it was just ice as it was quite cold the night before but on closer inspection, it was a bit weird coz only the drivers side window was "icy" - the rest were fine. Went in for a closer look and *yeah*, the drivers side window was shattered. Being tempered, it was shattered - but as it was windy - all it needed was a strong gust of wind for it to smash into smithereens.

Oh well, ran around to get the police report run and finally with the help of duct-tape and a clear sheet of plastic, I was on my way to Bendigo - albeit a few hours late.

post note: My neighbours sisters car got broken into last Sun (exactly 7 days after mine was), and it was parked exactly where my car was parked the week before. The scary part is - she was only visiting and was away for all of 10 minutes. Thank God I'm moving.

Ring around a rosie

I am so sad..

Lol - well, maybe not "sad" in the truest sense of word but my blog- world pretty much revolves around:

1. My work trips
2. My holidays a.k.a travels
3. Everyday reflections

Anyone who reads this (for the 3 random readers who pop by occasionally) would think that I don't do much with life!

Whirlwind courtship

In one of our more relaxed weekends chilling in front of the telly and with a nice cuppa mocha + Baileys in front of us, I mentioned to BF that ours is a whirlwind courtship.

All in all, BF and I have started dating, moved in together and are getting married all in a span of less that 3 yrs. Breakdown being

Met BF - Jan 2007
Inform our respective parents of each others existence - May 2007
BF ask me to move in - July 2007
I unofficially move in i.e I spend most of my time at his but keep my things at my own place - Aug 2007
I move in with BF - Nov 2007
BF meets my parents (officially and face to face; not by phone or Skyped) - Dec 2007
BF ask my parents for my permission to ask for my hand - Jan 2008
ENGAGED - Jan 2008
I meet BF's first relatives - Feb 2008
I meet BF's parents (officially) - Nov 2008
SET THE DATE - Nov 2008

It is now less than 3 1/2 months before we do actually get married and the fact is, BF and I are already like married. I wouldnt really condone the whole living with someone before getting married thing, well - not in Asia where it would be very frowned upon anyways but BF and I had discussions way before and it was with a very strong understanding that our rship was to head somewhere that I moved into his in the first place. Moving in with someone was a very big step for me ~ as much as I claim to be Westernised, I still am quite the Asian at heart - and I hold these same Asian values dearly the more I get and live here.

The thing is, here I planning to say my vows of commitment and forever-after.
The thing is, I've been a nearly-wed - being with a someone long for so long that ppl think that you are bound for the alter - and enough that you yourself think you will be with the person - but at the last minute, it never materialises and you are left in the lurch and trying to pick up the pieces of a broken relationship.

In less that 3 1/2 months, I will be with someone who does want to be with me.
And for that, I am thankful.

p/s: Yes, this is a sappy blogpost - but I am entitled to these moods occasionally.

Stuck...STUck...stUCk...StUCK.. sTUCk

• Having to catch the red-eye to Adelaide at 7am - bleh!
• Having to wake up at 530 am to jump onto a cab at 6 am to get to the airport at 630 am for the 7am flight - double bleh!
• Seeing your flight being marked at CANCELLED when you arrive at the airport at 620am for the 7am flight - triple bleh!!
• Being told that the best available flight they can put you on is the 100am - quadruple bleh!
• Being stuck at the airport for 4 hrs (when you are suppose to be at the clients at 9am) - infinity bleh!

Can the day get any worse???

Shall I stay - or shall I go?

Here is the million dollar question...

How do you know whether the guy you have just went on a date with -really likes you; or if he is simply playing games?


Well, my gauge has always been what happens after the date.

• If he calls or leaves a text message after leaving you - he is a keeper.
• If he calls within 2-3 days - he is a .player.
• If he calls after the 3 days (or non at all..but most do ..lol) - he is a loser.

Yeah, I know my gauge mark is quite high and not all men will be able to live up to it but you know what? In these time and days - there ARE still some men who take the time send a simple text - a text to thank you and perhaps say that they enjoyed your company. It is little things like these that makes a girl feels special.

Fortunately, BF did - and he passed the "first" test effectively.

And see where his simple gesture ended us up at? :)

Fat - or flab?

Well - with 4 months or so left till D-Day - the pressure is on to start exercising to look freaking good for the wedding and the subsequent pictures that comes as part of the day.

After all - *shock horrors* - one CANNOT look ugly and heaven forbid gain WEIGHT before the day can we? What would ppl say?

Let me say that exercise and I are like oil to water - we simply do not mesh! Not these days anyways - I am just too simply knackered by time I get home to even worry about changing and rushing to the gym.

Gee whiz.