Turning Point 转折点

Penang Accompanied Bin to Penang for his 3D2N work trip last week. My initial plan was to meet up with some friends but since we stayed in Batu Ferringhi, it's quite far from mainland Penang. Furthermore, it's a trip with his boss, so we better be good (joking joking🤣), we actually had free and easy time but we were tied up with work, ended up spending some time working in the hotel room (on the computer, not what you think it is, I know what you are thinking) .  Stopped by the Floating Mosque (Masjid Terapung) on the way to botanical garden. Visited Penang botanical garden and saw many interesting trees and plants. It's a relaxing and cooling place, will definitely pay another visit. One of the reasons we are here - to check out the cannon ball tree. Can you guess the name of this tree? Leave me a comment, coffee or tea on me if you get it right😏 (hint: a type of food) Visited this high rating (on Google) café called Wheelers for breakfast. Coffee and breakfast are sur...

My 2021 was definitely not all sunshine and rainbows but looking back my heart has chosen to remember more of the good ones:  Consistent workout throughout the year I managed to maintain 3 - 4 workout sessions per week with one goal in mind - for health, be it physically or mentally. The key to maintain consistency is to turn workout into part of your lifestyle and most importantly, go for routines that you are comfortable with. I've tried multiple workout programs and I found these work best for me -  Yoga with Kassandra and standing workouts from Chloe Ting . Sometimes when I don't feel like following instructions from the TV, I will hop on the cross trainer for 30-45 mins and of course walking the dogs help too!  Completed my therapy sessions  At times I questioned myself why "waste" my precious weekend albeit just an hour to attend the therapy sessions. Yet, no regrets after completing a total of 8 sessions with the therapist. It helps me to understand myself be...

I was devastated when mom left us more than 4 years ago. People say time heals but the impact lasts forever.  Mom knew my weakness, she wanted me to be strong. I was trapped in sadness for a couple of months after she left and slowly returned to my normal life. I thought that was it, mom stays in my heart and I am moving forward. What I didn't know was, a huge part of me is missing.  My mom, my pillar and the only person that I can share all my problems with is gone. No one will ever love and support me like my mother. I feel that I am on my own. If my mom is still around, I am sure she will say I am weak :"). At this point of time, I've slumped... Until I am ready, let me be. I have to heal myself.

I didn't have any expectation for Wadi Mujib Reserve. I thought it would just be another ordinary water trekking trail under scorching sun. Yes, it's summer now in Jordan and we have just experienced 40°c a couple of days ago in the desert 😣 It was only at the Wadi Mujib Reserve Centre that we realised it's an adventurous trail with high water level and strong water current. In fact, it's canyoning that we need to do: climb, wade, abseil and swim at certain places! I was reluctant at first due to the hot weather and had doubts if I could complete the trail. But hubby was keen and my father in law is going too (he is in his 70s!), so there really was no excuse for me not to. My father in law who is an avid traveller and photographer The trail started with a climb down a rock. From here, the water level got higher as you walk/wade deeper into the canyon. At one point, I was almost swept away by the strong water current. I grabbed the rope as tightly as I can a...

The last post was written in 2016. I've been trying not to write about anything negative since 2012. I feel that as a grown up, you shouldn't portray yourself as an emo person online. So I started to write "proper posts". I penned down my travel and cooking experience, at times, positive notes about life. But, I was not inspired to write anymore. Every time I started a draft, I would stop halfway. With that, I conclude I can only write when I am feeling emotional. That could be the main reason why I am writing this post today after 2 freaking years to jot down why I am so emo today.  Eyes allergy that has been bothering me for 2 weeks!  The usual monthly routine causes hormone changes. Stress at work. Not so much about the work but more about dealing with people. Definitely a weakness of mine that needs huge improvement.   Miss my late mom.  xxxxxxxxxxxxxx something that I can't reveal don't kill me . This reason is actually making me repeating all th...

It was not a smooth sailing start for 2016 but we just got to keep moving; learn and improve. Then I saw this TVC on YouTube and I find it really meaningful. There's no guarantee to success, but not trying is a guarantee of failure :) Again, I spent sometime communicating with myself (I am not CRAZY ok): Whenever you are rejected, you are reluctant to try again. Why?  Why are you so afraid to make mistakes?  Do you know it is absolutely okay to make mistakes? As long as you learn from them and do not repeat them.  No one expects you to be perfect. You are no one and you know that's impossible unless you are not human -_-  It is alright to admit your flaws. Apologize, fix things, learn and move on.  Last but not least,  Whatever you do, enjoy the journey, embrace the good and learn from the bad. Most importantly, be happy! 

Having one of the worst headaches since I started working full time again. It visited me once I woke up and it's still with me except for the 2 hours nap. Reluctantly took MC as I really didn't want to put my work on halt. I was thinking to blame it on stress and the weather but I guess I shall blame it on myself. I think I've been harsh to myself, forcing myself to learn quicker and act faster. I was away from the industry for more than 5 years and I felt left behind. Fear creeped in and wreak havoc physically (the headache)/ emotionally (not so much, just a little XD). Been affected by a few other non-work-related factors too.  On a positive note, I am really glad it's just headache and not so much about emotions. Come to think of how I was badly affected by every single small thing in life 10 years ago, I would say I've changed for the better :D?  I sincerely thank my husband for being my pillars of strength, no matter how knackered I am, I know there...

Made dog treats over the weekend. SIL asked why did I make dog poo. Then I realised the treats do look like dog poo. From someone who ate too much oats but failed to digest them :p I've been buying dog treats to reward Jack and Gypsy after their walks but I find them expensive. So I've decided to make them myself. Found the following recipe online. It's really easy to bake them: Ingredients   1 cup wholemeal flour or low protein flour 2 eggs 1 cup rolled oats Pre-heat the oven to 170 dgree C. Mix all the ingredients together and form a dough. Start shaping the dog treats (you can use a dog bone mold if you have one :)) Place the dog treats on a baking sheet. Send into oven and bake for 25 mins. Lower down the heat to 120 degree C and bake for another 20 mins. Let the cookies cool down and store them in air tight container. They can be kept for 1 - 2 weeks. Gave the treats to both of them and they love it! Jack gave up his escape plan just for the cookie....

I've attempted to make sweet potato steamed bun once, it turned out okay but not perfect. So for the second round I combine 2 recipes, 1 from a recipe book and another from the Internet. Managed to improve the texture of the bun and I am quite happy with the outcome. If you would like to give it a try, check out the recipe below :) By the way, I made the buns with bread maker's help. Sweet Potato Steamed Bun / Pau 番薯包 Dough   300g --- medium pro flour/ plain flour  3g ------ baking powder 150ml-- plain water  6g ------ instant yeast 30g ----- sugar  6g ------ vegetable oil  Filling  200g --- sweet potato (I used the orange sweet potatoes. You can use the expensive Japanese sweet potato and skip the sugar as I find them quite sweet)  30g ---- sugar  30g ---- unsalted butter  1. Steam the sweet potatoes until tender.  2. Prepare the dough while waiting for the sweet potatoes to be cooked. Po...

 2 weeks ago, I picked up Mr Oreo from the groomer and...he's so silly that he did this... He bit his own tail till it's bleeding! So geram and heartache. He's giving us no choice but to make him wear cone of shame (e-collar). When you thought that's the only silly thing he did...He surprised us again with... Sorry for posting the gross photo. When I pointed at his pee and asked him "Why You Pee In The House?" in a stern voice. He did this... Hiding under the chair and refused to come out I don't know whether to be pissed or to laugh. The daily dose of my happiness :)   The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

A song that depicts my current life so accurately. I wrote about Being Twenty Something  7 years ago and how time flies without you even realizing...I am already in my 30s T_T! If I could, I would have told the 20-something-me, stop worrying and enjoy your life! If you are still in your 20s, I strongly advise you to: 1. Travel more 2. Forget about those crappy relationships 3. Enjoy being single 4. Play hard but work harder too 5. Treat your family well 6. Save and invest ASAP 7. Buy yourself a property 8. Spend time with true friends 9. Get involved in volunteering work 10. Most importantly, have an open mind, go for your dreams and have no fear. I am sharing the above from the bottom of my heart, lol. I wouldn't say I have regrets but I think I could have done more and better in my 20s :) Your 20’s are your ‘selfish’ years. It’s a decade to immerse yourself in every single thing possible. Be selfish with your time, and all the aspects of you. Tinker with ...

I almost cried my balls out reading the eulogy written by John Grogan to his dog - Marley. I guess you will never understand the pain of losing a dog if you never owned one. If you do, you will know that they are never pets to us, they are family. Not sure about others but dogs have taught me so much about love, compassion and loyalty. You can read the eulogy below:  In the gray of dawn, I found the shovel in the garage and walked down the hill to where the lawn meets the woods. There, beneath a wild cherry tree, I began to dig. The earth was loose and blessedly unfrozen, and the work went fast. It was odd being out in the backyard without Marley, the Labrador retriever who for 13 years made it his business to be tight by my side for every excursion out the door, whether to pick a tomato, pull a weed, or fetch the mail. And now here I was alone, digging him this hole. "There will never be another dog like Marley," my father said when I told him the news, that I finally ha...

The screenshot above shows that I did try to blog multiple times but I failed to complete any of the entries. Call it writer's block or perhaps I have to many concerns whenever I try to blog? I've to make sure my grammar is correct, I am writing proper English and I have to think many times if it's okay to share what's on my mind. I do miss the carefree me. I would really like to ask the 20-something-me, how did you manage to share so much? Don't you worry what others might think of you? You being an emotional person, the relationship issues and your shameless selfies! What has aging done to me -_-? Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging. ― Maya Angelou

Headed to the sea with Crabbies on Valentine's Day and spent a great weekend on the island. Hence, haven't been able to blog much, I did try but the cheap alcohol and chocolates stopped me from doing so :X Plus, I've been going to bed late every night and I felt worn out :S Age really does matter. We wanted to do a luxury trip but crabbies being the smart consumers we ended up staying in a budget accommodation. However, we did manage to go for sailing and afternoon tea set :D The affordable seafood dinner, kopitiam chicken rice & mamak stall roti are nice too with the companion of crabbies :p Sunset @ Gunung Raya Gunung Raya Tower, highest viewing point @ Langkawi Sunset @ Gunung Raya Went sailing with the crabbies Sailing @ Kilim Geopark Afternoon Tea @ The Danna (no, we didn't stay in Danna. The cheapest room rate is USD350 per night -__-) Our tea set The beautiful washroom @ The Danna. 5 stars zhau hei 5 stars even toilet ...