[Throwback] Shimizu OJT Team Building Retreat @ Batam

Okay, I had been too busy learning and doing new stuff at work so I didn't blog as often as I had planned to.. Okok, I admit, I didn't blog at all. Haha!

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Previously I got to go Batam to help out in the coordination for the OJT Team Building Retreat.

(So shiok sia!! Woohoo! Wondering where will we go in 2018?)

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Here are some photos and videos taken during that time!

Of course we had to take a group photo at the iconic place in Batam.. Haha!

Yes, I brought baby Cookie along!

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Quite happy with my masterpieces (videos).
Entirely shot and edited with iPhone 6s!

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More random photos / videos..

One of the restaurants we went to.

I didn't like the food but the scenery was so beautiful!

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Chilled out at the beach within our hotel area.

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Candid shot taken by Chris! Haha!

Wah, I never realized that my photo-taking pose was so stylo milo one.. ah?

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Another group photo

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My lovely room in Batam

And I had it all to myself! (And baby Cookie, of course!)

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Beautiful view from my window..

Taken using the pano camera function:

Not exactly accurate, but I thought it looks pretty cool ya!

Check this out..

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Always nice to have Cookie accompanying me! ❤

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My lovely selfie with Cookie!

I guess when one has a nice room (with simple background, natural sunlight shining through the windows).. The selfies naturally look better effortlessly!

Looking forward to having my own lovely house!

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Other miscellaneous stuff:

Hotel's breakfast~
Mama used to make this for me every morning when I was in primary school.

So gonna get a toaster one of these days!

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 Gifts from my Manager and AM!

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Stuff that I bought for my sis and kids:

Loves the cooling and soft material! Bought 2 tops and 1 pyjamas for myself too. Wanted to buy more but I ran out of ruppiah! >.<

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That's all for now.. Looking forward to the next retreat! I wonder where would we be going then? Heehee! I hope it's BKK! *Prays hard*

Zi Wei Dou Shu (紫微斗数)

A couple of weeks ago, I approached Mdm Li Fang to do a reading for me. (Thanks to Lynn for her recommendation!)
Was kinda unsure if I should go (because it costs $128!) but curiosity got the better of me so I still went for it in the end.

I'm glad I did so!

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Before the Reading

Lowered my expectations prior to the reading so that I won't be too disappointed if it's not accurate or if it says I'll have a hard life.. Haha! In fact I was kinda convinced that I would have a hard life.

But nonetheless, I was very excited!

Even took half day off and went there early to wait.. Heehee!

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The Reading

Was surprised that my life is pretty quite good. I'll have enough to use and spend throughout my life. In fact, my life (especially financially) will start to pick up from now on. Whoa, very assuring indeed! Not sure if it's true but it's definitely better to hear good things.. Heehee!

She mentioned some other things which are pretty true.. Coincidence?
Nonetheless, I'm going to try taking her some of her simpler advices and see how it goes! *Hopeful*

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Other than 紫微斗数, Mdm Li Fang helped me to analyse my name too.

She said it's bad. (Not surprised.)

Would cost another $128 if I want to change name.. Well, I'll think about it later..

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Post-Reading

Not gonna make a lot of major changes.. Anyway, she didn't advise any big change for me too. Just asked me to avoid all shades of red and try to choose colors like black, blue and green. (Coincidentally, Chris helped me to do a numerology reading and he also advised me to avoid red because I am hot-tempered by nature so I should get more cooling colors and avoid fiery colors..) 

And so when the Master says I have too much earth, hence I need more Wood (green) and Water (blue, black)..

I take it literally! Haha!

*Wood includes trees / plants 

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Since I need blue color and I'm working in a Japanese company now.. 

I thought this would be suitable for me too!

Nice hor!

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Actually I have the pink one already.

But since it's not good for me to have shades of red, I ordered the blue one.

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Not sure if it's coincidence but she mentioned that I tend to fall sick in the upcoming Dog Year.

Since late Nov, I've been sick and in fact, I'm still coughing now! It's been a long time since I got sick for this long ever since I've started to adopt a healthier lifestyle. (Although I did slack a lot on exercise and healthy eating lately.. Was too busy and then later I fell sick.. Not enough energy!)

Was thinking of buying a Five Elements Pagoda for better health..

Nice right? 

I bought the bass one before, but it got rusty after a while. Besides, Mdm Li Fang advised me to get the black one since it's my lucky colour.

Went to Fu Lu Shou Complex to visit the crystal shops! Kinda disappointed to see so few crystal shops.. But even so, I actually stayed there for more than 2 hours after realizing it!!

Anyway, all the shops sold the  Five Elements Pagoda. Almost bought one but I was thinking if I should buy something that I can easily carry around with me. (But then again, I'm still thinking if I should go back and buy it.. Haha!)

So I started looking out for a black tourmaline bracelet.. And then this lady introduced me to the spinel (尖晶石) bracelet. SO PRETTY AND SPARKLING!! (But of course, it's way more expensive too! $128!) It was love at first sight but I was hesitate to buy it because of the price and I never heard of it before.

Went to the other shops and none of them sell Spinel bracelets. Only then did I go back to look at the Spinel bracelets again (only 4 left, by the way!) to decide if I should get them. Somehow my gut feeling told me that I SHOULD.

And that's what I did!

Read here for the amazing things it can do~

Actually I didn't buy it for its magical powers. I didn't go there with the intention to buy it!

It's destiny, I guess. Maybe it picked me to be its owner. 

It's so pretty, I love it so so much!

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Also grabbed an unpolished black tourmaline stone just before I left.
Not sure why but I kinda felt drawn to it.

Read here for the amazing things it can do!

 Can you believe that a small, black stone like that would cost $16??
Well, actually I do. Haha! Opps!

SUPER LOVE MY NEW BABIES!!

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Missed my good old crystal shopping days! Felt so nostalgic!! I wish I had kept all the crystals / stones that I bought previously.. They are so expensive now!

It's only been barely a week and I feel like going crystal-shopping again!

RIP, Jonghyun

When I heard of the news of Jonghyun's suicidal, my thought was, “Why?” 

Thank you Jonghyun, for leaving the letter and asking his friend to show it to the world. His final words gave me a glimpse of the inner thoughts of a depressed and suicidal person. 

Hopefully I won’t have any friends who need me to pull him/her back but with better understanding, perhaps I stand a higher chance of saving someone in need if the need ever arises.

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It’s pretty traumatic when someone around you commit suicide. Even if you weren’t close with the person. One day you realized you won’t see him/her ever again. And you blame yourself for not noticing, not doing anything to help while he/she had been suffering all these while.. All the what-ifs..

It’s been years since I received The Call from A's family informing that he had passed away. He had MIA-ed from work for a few days and not responding to our calls and msgs. It was an awful shock to me when I finally realized why. 

He was middle-aged, still pretty young. His health was okay. He was always joking around with everyone. I remember there was this time when he noticed that our receptionist was quieter than usual and asking me, "Is she okay?" Then he tried to crack some jokes to cheer her up.

How would someone like him be.. Not okay??

Little did we know.. Deep inside, he was depressed and stressed. He hid it well and none of us realized it. He had planned in advance. After he got his pay, he distributed all his money. He had even cleared out his stuff in office.. :(

For a long time, I blamed myself. I felt that we could have saved him. If only we joke with him more, show more concern for him, smile to him more often.. Maybe he would not bear to leave like that.. In that way. Maybe he would see that it's not totally hopeless yet..

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So is death really what you thought it is?

Are you guys happier now?

Motherhood

The other night, I had a simple dream.

In that dream, I was spending time with my baby (girl?).

I was teaching her how to say "mummy".

It was a very brief dream, yet very heartwarming.

One of the rare dreams that I actually still remember after waking up.

Since I was young, I had longed to become a mother.

Ideally, to have a son first.. Followed by a daughter.

Because I always wanted to have a (handsome) elder brother to protect me.

(Watched too much Japanese manga.. Haha!)

Dreamt of dressing them up in cute little outfits.

Hoped to be able to be a housewife like my mum so I can watch them grow.

But unfortunately, Fate likes to play jokes on me. Right?

Circumstances don't allow me to be one.

I'm 35 already and there is no guy whom I would want to spend my life with.

No matter how much I long for my own loving family and children,

I am not going to accept any guy that comes along.

Kinda defeats the purpose since if the guy is not good husband and father material.

I will only marry for love, never out of desperation.

There won't be any happiness in a love-less relationship.

Despite my old age.. Who knows God may bestow me with a baby someday?

And hopefully with a man who will be a good husband to me, a good father to my baby.

Anyway, just gonna have faith and trust that whatever happens is for a higher Purpose.

Someday I'll understand why things happen the way it did and be grateful for it.

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In the meantime, I'll just manage my life carefully and make the best of what I've been given.

My First Overseas Work Trip!

Been super busy all of a sudden so I didn't really have the time to feel excited.. 

But The Day is tomorrow so suddenly I'm feeling so excited! Haha!

Yes, I'm going to Batam tomorrow! Not for my own leisure but to coordinate for my company's teambuilding retreat! 

Ferry tickets, guided day trips, hotel stay.. All paid by the company! Woohoo! How cool is that~~~!

This is the first time I'm traveling overseas for work. 

Although it's just Batam and only for 3D2N, I'm pretty excited nonetheless!

It's also going to be the first time I stay in a hotel room ALONE! Gosh, I'm a bit scared actually. 

Hope it's clean ya! >.< Gonna bring my baby Cookie.. de cushion! ❤

Gonna be away for 3D2N.. Hope Zai will behave himself at home. No biting please! 

And I hope he can still well at night even though his human bed (ME!) is not around.

 

My cute little manja boy..

I gonna miss sleeping with him too!

Random Sweet Call from Steffi

Was packing up to go home when I received a call from my sis's home.

Something happened at home?

Did Zai run off again?

Answered the phone and it was Steffi! 

She just wanted to tell me that she created a slime successfully.

Aww, she called to share her happiness with me. 

She wanted me to go and see her masterpiece but I had to decline as I'm trying not to let my family notice my injured toes. (Opps!) I'm sorry, my darling Steffi!

Chatted with her briefly and she ended the call with "Love you, Ah Mai!"

I love my little xiao Ting Xuan too~❤

Renewing my Fibre Plan!

Time flies! My current contract is ending in about 2 weeks! Has it been 2 years already??

Gotta renew before my current plan ends! 

Was thinking of downgrading my plan to this:

Pure 200

$70 Router Discount

[FREE] Home Voice Subscription

24 months contract

BONUS:

Service Installation Fee Waived ($58 U.P.)

[FREE] 1st Month ($36.88 U.P.)

..But then Ultra 1 Gbps is having a promotion now too:

Ultra 1Gbps Ultra Value Bundle

Last 12 Months at $29.99/mth ($49.99/mth U.P)

$100 Router Discount

[FREE] Home Voice Subscription

24 Months Contract

BONUS:

Service Installation Fee Waived ($58 U.P.)

[FREE] 1st Month ($49.99 U.P.)

To compare:

Pure 200

Total Cost for 24 months: $36.88 x 23 months (1st month is free) = $848.24

Ultra 1Gbps Ultra Value Bundle

First 12 months: $49.99 x 11 months (1st month is free) = $549.89

Next 12 months: $29.99 x 12 months = $359.88

Total Cost for 24 months: $549.89 = $359.88 = $909.77

Difference in Cost (24 months): $909.77 - $848.24 = $61.53

Difference in Cost (per month): $61.53 / 24 months = $2.56

Aiya, I may as well stick to Ultra 1Gbps Ultra Value Bundle! Heehee!

Yeah, I can save some money! 

Currently I'm paying $49.99 per month. Previously the promotion for my plan was similar but it was $34.99 per month for the first 12 months and $49.99 per month thereafter. Happy that the plan is getting cheaper and cheaper! ^^

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I can still remember how happy I was to be able to have my own unlimited fibre plan AT LAST! 

I used to have limited (insufficient!) data usage and always had to be 'thrifty' whenever my mobile data was running out. There were times when I was playing games with my girlfriends and whenever we stayed up to fight guild battles, I had to sit outside my sister's house to steal (opps!) their wifi! Luckily her house is just beside my parents' house. Heehee!

Ever since I had my own unlimited fibre plan, I could watch videos, play games and surf net to my heart's content. ❤

Sigh, I miss my iPad 2. It finally "RIP" after I've used it for several years.. I don't know, around  years? So many fond memories.. Reading manga and watching videos with it was SO SHIOK. Previously I was very poor but now that I'm beginning to have some spare cash.. I do feel like getting a new one. 

Should I get an iPad (whatever series) or a laptop..? Hmm.. But on second thoughts, I still have some outstanding debts AND I'm saving up for my dream house.. I guess I don't really need an iPad..