The End of 2013

You have been a good year to me.

All the ups and downs I had to go through, every single one of those lessons taught me so much. Maybe even more than what I'm expecting to get from you.

Thank you.

January taught me to be happy and to appreciate the good times with my friends and my family. I remember saying "January was great. A good start to this new year".

February taught me how to appreciate the presence of my loved ones and most importantly, how to say goodbye. Goodbye has never been easy and we all know that. But most of the times, I guess we have to say goodbye so we can actually look forward to our next meet :)

March. I was taught to be more easygoing. We can't always be calculative. Being calculative kills literally every single relationship. I chose to let myself be happier and for my friends to be more joyful.

April told me that not everybody is given a chance to go for their dreams. I tried so hard looking for a job but none of fruitful. So now, I am trying to grasp my chance at everything. If I want something, I guess I'll have to make my move instead of waiting, and waiting and wait some more. 

May said to go out more, to explore and to widen my horizons. Oh, and definitely time management. I definitely tried more things than last year. Went out so much more often to chillax rather than just complaining about the work I had to do. I guess it was a better move.

June taught me to weigh the risks and benefits of everything I have to do. There are pros and cons in everything we do. There are some risks that we have to take, as long as we know that at the end of the day, we are happy with our decision :)

July wanted me to communicate better with others. Be patient, be more tolerant. Communication is the key to maintaining better relationships. And it really works, because I'm pretty close to my housemate now, compared to how we used to be :)

August gave me a job at a restaurant. I faced so many new challenges in this month. It was so tiring. Really really tiring and pretty stressful at the start. But I told myself, I needed the money. I also needed the experience. Not only that, I told myself, I cannot waste my time watching dramas any more. I should do something about it.

September showed me that life is fragile. Time flies and people change. The person that I last saw in March has become a person that I could not even recognised after half a year. It shook me hard when I realized that, when I go home one day, I will not see her at home any more. I was taught to be strong.

October came just as harsh as September. October said life shouldn't be easy. There are down-hills that I have to go through despite the consequences. I have to brace myself and pull my socks and get myself over hurdle after hurdle. And I still believe that everything happens for a reason.

November, november. November gave me the chance to be nice to myself. Enjoyed a meal out now and then, enjoyed a few day trips with my friends and most importantly, I was happy. Happy to be able to enjoy the good days after the bad.

December. The most important month. December taught me to love. To give more and take less. To do things out of love instead of responsibility. To be able to care for myself and at the same time care for those I care about. I find this lesson the most important one of the year. 

2013 has been a great year. Thank you. Thank you so much :) And now its time to close the book.

So.. 2014, I guess I am ready for you. I hope we'll get along really well. If not as well as 2013, then I hope its better! I'll see you in 45 minutes! :D

Reality.

Today's the day. It's time to go back to Aussieland after an awesome summer break. Time to get over the holiday mood and start planning my semester.

My summer was pretty awesome. Yes, I know, I complained about how boring it was when I first got home, but when I think about it, I can't expect myself to go out everyday and spend money everyday, isn't it? So, there should be fun-filled days and also boring days. Balanced! :D

My friends. I'm glad nobody changed. We're still same even when time forced us to grow up. Grateful for being able to meet up with them during this long summer break. I really had loads of fun. Never was there a boring outing with you all :)

My family. Everyone looks older. But the feeling's still the same. We fight over inadequate events and we joke about the silliest things. We're just like that. A huge thank you to my parents for taking leave these few days just to stay home with me. I'll definitely miss you guys :')

A friend once told me, "First Year is like that, studying is still fun, and time passes pretty slowly. You'll look forward to your holidays and you'll look forward to go home during summer. But once summer starts, you'll never want to come back. And when you actually do come back, you'll feel so lifeless you won't want to do anything. And then! Studying gets harder and time flies really fast. Before you know it, you'll be working". What sorcery is this? Lol. I think everything up until summer is right, for now that is.

Lifeless because I don't have to worry about making new friends, don't have to worry about my accommodation (well, not really true, but still..), don't have to worry about my uni life, don't have to look forward to anything, because I already know how it'll be like. So, no excitement there. Oh, bummer..

But nonetheless, a huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of my awesome summer. I will never forget how amazing it has been. Until we meet again, alright?! :))

Hello, Melbourne, I'm coming back.

20th (Part 2)

I used to look forward to my birthday. Some times I make plans with my friends, some birthdays are spent studying/training for MSSDs, a few others are spent in the car, a 6 hour ride back to Penang for CNY, another few awesome ones which I vow to remember for as long as I could. 

To be honest, I don't really look forward to this birthday. Not because I'll be 2- instead of 1- but because the 28th means I only have 31 more days here in Malaysia with the people I cherish. Now, I only have 29 days left. This is a lot worse than counting down for the final exam. :(

Until 2 days ago, the most memorable birthday I had was my 17th birthday. My last birthday in Kwang Hua.  Unexpected events - spot-check, a birthday cake in class, unexpected presents :)

Now, I had a wonderful 20th birthday that I promise I will remember. A huge thank you to two main humans for yesterday, Huey Khim and Shao Qian. The always quiet Shao Qian, thanks a bunch :)) Not only that, a huge thank you to all those that wished me through calls, texts, Twitter and Facebook! I really appreciate it all :)

My birthday wish has always been the same since the last.. 4-5 years? Hahaha! This year is no different. I used to wish for toys when I was little but meh, toys don't last. Lol. Anyway, I hope it comes true :D

As I grew older, everyone finds it harder to get me birthday presents. Relatives started giving angpaus, friends started kidnapping me and insist I buy something. Lol. The best birthday present, to me, is not the most expensive present but the handmade birthday cards that I've received. Seriously, they rank #1 :) I insist on making birthday cards for my best friends because I find those much more meaningful than those expensive cards sold in bookshops/Memory Lane. So next time, just give me a handmade card and I will be happy enough :D

Oh well, I am finally TWENTY. 20. They say that once you reach 20, time flies faster than you could ever imagine. Before you know it, it'll be your 30th birthday. Oh crap. Haha! Although I am not always a religious person, but I must say, I am thankful for being alive. Thankful for being able to reach 20 when some couldn't even reach 10. Thankful for being able to eat all I want when others don't even have a single bowl of rice at meal time. Thankful for being healthy and so much more. I pray.

Being 20, I think its time to start worrying about taking care of the family and sharing the financial burden with my parents. Its time to start achieving my goals in life and become a better person. Its time to become more independent and also to be able to look ahead. I don't want to be a burden to anybody and that's where I will start. To do better in Melbourne and not let my parents down.

I will do well in 2013.
I will mark off my resolutions one by one.

I will be strong :)

I'm Here, You Know.

When I came here in February, I have to say, I don't know how to iron my own clothes, I don't know how to operate a washing machine (this is humiliating!) and I don't know how to cook.

Although I am not really religious, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason :)

The four months I stayed at my uncle's house really shaped me into a more "skilled" person. I know how to do almost everything from cleaning to cooking. 

What I am most proud of is that I CAN COOK NOW! :P I can't say that I can cook delicacies but I can definitely cook edible food and I am able to feed myself (which I think is the most important part! :P) Here's some proof!

*they say Asians love taking pictures before eating. Of course this applies to me, especially when its me who did the cooking!*

Homemade pizza y'all! :D

From juices to laksa to baked rice :D

 

Its fried rice without oil, that's why it looks a bit porridgey. Lol. But it tastes exactly the same as normal fried rice :P

Today's dinner :P

It may look disgusting but hey, I should say, it taste way better than how it looks. I thought I was gonna die if I eat it because it looks shitty -_-

Btw, don't get scared at the amount of eggs and all, it's usually cooked for two people + next day's lunch. So it looks a lot :)

I shall be a good girl and go cook for my parents when I am back in Malaysia! Since they don't cook at all :P

* * *

It's Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan tonight! I want to watch it so freaking badly! But but but... Idk where to stream the show online.

Youtube:

This was what Youtube showed me. Damn! How to watch?!

Mentally support you, Lee Chong Wei! #TeamMalaysia!

I shall glue myself to Twitter since every Malaysian is updating their tweets every few seconds for this match! 

Love like this.

Was so stressed up for my Physicochemical Basis of Pharmacy paper. Its my worst unit and I dont understand loads of the stuff. I slept really late yesterday just to study for it. And well, one siao po was still awake and decided to spam my phone! About 100+ whatsapp messages! And I didnt read them until I finished my exam. Whoops. Sorry! :P

Thanks for trying to make me laugh yea! :D

But you embarrassed me as well! I was smiling/laughing like a mentally retarded person at the platform. :P

I still remember this "song", re-composed by Eng Seng and Shao Qian! Haha! For our 2010's State Competition. All the good memories :)) Oh ya, congratulations to Thuan Song and team for their awesome achievement is today's National Com! :D

Anyway, Tan Ah Khim, I will always cherish our friendship :)) That's why, I SHALL SPAM YOU BACK TONIGHT!!!! :DD

* * *

Rest for 4 days and its Organic Chemistry! Then Physiology and I am officially done with le first semester! :)) 5 weeks of holiday! I just can't wait! :D

Your pick.

What's your pick? :)

I have dreams, be it in my dreams or in my life.

But.. I have to say, I chose to go back to sleep most of the time. #fail

Time to wake up and go after your dreams :)

My countdowns:

4 more days.

and also,

24 more days.

Winter dreams.

June is here. 

Winter starts in 1.5hours. It's gonna be so so cold and I thought I'd get used to it. It can't be that bad... Can it?

Since its so cold already, I wonder why it does not snow in Melbourne. :P

I have big dreams this winter. I have so much to do, I have so much to achieve. Finally I can savour freedom and every time I think about it I smile, I am just too happy :))

May came and went. Leaving me in June's hand. Please let this month be my most memorable month here. My first paper is in 4 days. Funny how I feel so unprepared and yet I don't feel as stressed as I am supposed to feel. 

Exams, please be quick, because I am looking forward to the days after you! :D

I want to accomplish my winter dreams :)

I belong.

I like how I have new friends in uni that I can talk, joke around, share the laughs, work on our assignments and a lot more. But at the same time, I like how we're from different backgrounds and yet we do not need to hide our differences.

Everyone is different..

We're good in our own ways I suppose? :)

* * *

Will it?

I chose this and so I will go on. But will it be able to give me what I want for it? Everyone is talking about how pharmacists are all over the place and how pharmacist will become a profession with the highest percentage of unemployment. Then, with what I am doing now, will Pharmacy be able to give me a better future? With a good job and a consistent income?

From what I've learned in one of my subjects "Pharmacy, Health and Society 1", there are many different categories for pharmacists. Community, hospital or rural pharmacists. I wonder which one suits me the most! 

A local friend told me that most of the Aussies that are studying pharmacy with us right now are local students who are really brilliant in their studies but don't know what happened, lost their places in the Medicine course and so landed in Monash's Pharmacy. What I am trying to say is.. Half of my class are geniuses that could have became a doctor, but because of luck/whatever, did not manage to get into their desired course. #ohmygawd

One more thing I want to add, I am really grateful that I joined St John for the past few years. I cannot imagine my current life if I didn't. All the Home Nursing stuff are so useful and will be examined in my exams! Because I've memorized them before and know them by heart now, I do not need to panic at all! Muahaha! xD All the SAMPLE, CPR, basic first aid etc is something we have to study in the years to come. That's why I've transferred my St John membership to Australia. I need it! xD

Next week is the last week of the semester. After that would be our final exams. I don't think I am ready for it yet :/

* * *

This was what I saw when I woke up at 7am this morning. It's really pretty eh? :)) 

I hope, everything would be as simple as staring into the beautiful sky.

Instagram!

It's back to school!! Sorry, I mean uni!

The first few days of uni was ok, I suppose. Besides the fact that the exams are near and I am telling myself that I must work harder than the rest because I spend too much time on transportation everyday that I have a few hours lesser than everyone else.

It is a sad thing that coffee does not work well on me.

I still feel sleepy even after drinking kopi-o! lol.

Anyway, Instagram is finally in the android market! xD

I never really wanted this app but I saw so many people using it and it seems good so I downloaded it. Now I think it's a brilliant app because I feel like I am getting a real life update on le friends' life even though I am not with them :)

Ma photos from Instagram! xD

At Flinder's Street Station, waiting for the 6.03pm train to go home :)

Outside Monash, waiting for the tram to get to Flinders. The sky is a wonderful thing, don't you think?

The big clock in Melbourne Central.

At this shop called the "Sugar Station". I look at the jelly beans and I just drool! xD $3.90 for 100g. Not worth it :/

It's my lucky lucky day! It's so beautiful!

And the next picture, is the worst photo I have ever posted. Because it is so mean!

This is the type of shitz that I get from my cousins! Grrrr!!! But whatever, I am counting down the days! I will get out of here in no time! :P

Alrighto, I should start working on my tutorial sheets!

I shall fight for my dreams! :)

Easter Holidays

My Easter holidays are treating me quite well. 

Although I did not follow my timetable exactly but I did manage to utilize my time efficiently for all my things. So proud! xD

Three more days and it's back to uni life.

Final exams in 7 more weeks!

I must nail this exam!

I can't wait for July! I found a house that's so super pretty and cosy and it is within walking distance from Monash. The rent is almost 40% LESS than the standard price for a house! I am so glad to be able to find that house. Now I really do hope that I can get it. *fingers crossed!* :D

Until next time! :)

I will.

I find it awesome that I am paying more attention in class compared to the pass.

I find it awesome that I can actually understand what the lecturers are teaching.

I find it awesome that I've learned to work harder for myself and do what I HAVE to instead of what I WANT to.

My short term goal - I will love this course!

(I'm not joking, I realized that I don't really like this course after all the lecturers told us what we're suppose to do, how huge is our responsibility etc. People can die because of one simple mistake we make - Note to self: Must learn to be extra careful with everything.)

My long term goal - Get good grades and enjoy life here in Melbourne!

Assignments only mahh! I shall be diligent and finish one written assignment this weekend! :D

Daddy's coming next weekend! Muahaha! :DD I can't wait!

Almost there.

Group photos :)

On the day I left for Melbourne.

I have to say, I still miss home a lot.

Miss my parents' nagging and my sister's oh-so-irritating voice! :P Haha!

I saw this on the internet today

"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want."

Second thoughts. Hmmm..

Orientation is finally OVER!

I never liked orientation that much. I look forward to Orientation because it means that classes are commencing soon. Orientation in Monash is so so boring. All those talks, all the repetition of the information. But nehmind, it iz finalliz overz!

My group and I during the New to Melbourne Tour on Monday. The girl to beside me is a Korean, the rest are MALAYSIANS! Lol.

Dear sister, I got this for you! :D

What else.. I am looking forward to my first class on Monday! :D

And so it seems that Pharmacy students aren't suppose to choose their timetables. Lol. We have no freedom to choose that because our course is too stressful. -___-

My timetable looks.. empty. For next week, I only have 9 hours of class. Lol. Kind of pathetic somehow. And the textbooks here are so OMG-ly expensive. Like seriously. A single book can cost $180. In year 3, a book can go as high as $343. *gob-smacking-jaw-dropping-eye-opening-and-seriously-heart-attack-inducer* And second hand books are quite hard to find. Hmm.. I wish I have SS15's Nice Shop here. Then I can save 18324682305748505740315 tonnes of money.

The Monash staff said that every year, there's about 19% of students who will fail their First Year in Pharmacy. I MUST BE THE REMAINING 81%! Lol. I don't want to fail! Must work really hard. Setting my goal and working towards it :)

First few weeks of diligence and the remaining weeks of procrastination. I hope that won't happen to me this year :)

24 weeks of lecture, 8 weeks of exams, 4 weeks of holidays.

That's all that I have to get through and then I can go home for...

4 months! Hahahahaha!

I'm here!

My first blog post in Melbourne!

It's an awesome first few days. And believe it or not, I've already know how to walk around Melbourne #likeapro! Who wants to come visit me? xD Chen Zi Han dai ni qu zou zou! Haha!

* * *

Anyway, I just finished Skype-ing with my parents. I miss them so so much! I was so happy that my parents are deciding whether to come visit me or not but.. on the other hand, I don't want to say goodbye again! x( and and and! I miss my bratty little sister! I miss her infinity much! I wish she was here. At least I will have someone to talk to and someone to share this big (for now it's big because it's empty!) room with! 

Oh gosh, I think I'm crying right now.

* * *

A few.. complains! xD

You know, after coming here, I appreciate Malaysia a-freaking-lot! Because, everything there is so freaking CHEAP! A simple sunblock is about RM 25 for a standard sized bottle, the same thing here can cost $25! And sunblock is a compulsory thing in Australia because there is a hole in the ozone right on top of Australia and skin cancer is very very common here. So.. Despite how much I hate it, I'm applying layer after layer just to protect myself.

And and and! I wish they have something like the Hotlink Youth Club plan here. Seriously, just the prepaid plan for the phone can kill me already D:

One more, to travel from my uncle's house to Monash is.. 1.5 hours per trip. Bingo! 3 hours wasted everyday. 45 minutes walking, the rest is spent on public transport - 13 stations for train and 16 stations on tram. Like my sister said, by the time I get back, wo shou dao hai shen gu tou -__-

Last thing, internet connection is limited. Because the broadband package is really limited so I have to time myself while I'm on the internet. No downloading music/movies/youtube etc for there's only a 3GB allowance. For every 1MB exceeded, we'll have to pay $2 - again, freaking expensive!

ok, that's all. Haha! I'm happy with everything else. Because, besides these stuff (and tuition fees) I practically spend $0 a day! :D Happiest part.

* * *

I've taken a few shots of Melbourne but well.. Internet restrictions. I will upload them when I bring my laptop to uni next week. Until then! I miss everyone back home!!!!

This is it.

In another few more hours, I'll be on the plane flying to Australia.

I don't know what to feel. Today seems like another ordinary day just that my parents are so stressed out -_- When I say "chill lah", my dad gives me the face because he thinks I don't give a damn. Oh well.. So much for trying to calm the situation - ended up I got pissed too.

I'm not sure if there's internet connection there but I'll try :))

Will Skype if I can :D

See you guys when I come back.

I'm gonna miss everything back here :/

Beautiful people.

Let's start with last Saturday..

Teng Han ah Teng Han.. Why you no bring your DSLR to MMU?! Why you no upload photos?! :(

Had a gathering for the Kwang Hua St John gang. Invited those whom I'm closer with to come over :) A big thank you to those who came over on that day.

And this was what I received from them. A humongous card - I'm so sorry I can't bring it to Australia :( and the other presents, the small pink one from the crazy gang of the same age, the green bear-ish one from Chi Kin and gang, the black Sheaffer one from Jia Wen and gang :) Thank you guys so much! I appreciate the gift, the thought :)

* * *

On Sunday, went out with PJing :)) We went to Sunway Pyramid to try out Beanie Plex. It was fantastic! You don't even have to worry about sitting in the first row because you can just lay flat on your back :D So comfy I nearly slept there :P

And if I'm not mistaken, besides the 2 of us and another mother-daughter couple, the rest were all couples. My goodness - awkwardness.

Though we're not really close, I'm glad to find out that we still have much to talk about. :D Thank you PJing, for a chillax day :))

* * *

"I don't care, must meet up tomorrow!"

And I just told my parents 5 minutes ago that I won't go out on Monday. *whoops!* Nehmind :P

We were like two crazy mortals exploring the world of camwhoring.

Our favourite picture of the day! :D

I'm gonna miss her :') Friends for 12 years. We always spend our recess together. I can tell her anything. I love how she sits beside me in secondary school and always makes me laugh with all her sampat-ness :)) We'll keep in touch, alright? :DD

And Thank You for the awesome booklet and necklace! ♥

* * *

On Tuesday, it was the G4 gang from Taylor's :) Although there's only 4 of us but we had a great time catching up. Pravin, the only guy. He gossips like a girl anyway, so there's not much difference! :P

I'm gonna miss you guys! Olivia's going to UK and Pravin's going to USA in September. I might not be able to meet them the next time I come back - Boo! But no matter what happens, I hope we do keep in touch :DD Cheers, kawan!

* * *

I'm still not done, there's still Wednesday with Esther!

(Now you know why I get nagged by my parents. Heh)

Camwhoring like no tomorrow and I was sort of in a rush to fetch my sister la dey :P

Bored of camwhoring xD

She's mad at me and now I'm laughing! Muahaha!

Call me driver?! I stick my tongue out for you! :P

Goofing around!

The power of Esther's iPhone xD

Kawan-kawan, I'll miss you guys loads! ♥

Today's the last day!

*luggage overweight-slams forehead*

Gotta go find a solution for that *sigh* I don't feel like repacking AGAIN. Damn

I Believe.

Fear.

A totally different learning environment, 

different people of different cultures, 

a different country, 

and a different home.

 If I were to say that I am not afraid, would you believe me..?

Saying goodbye.

Saying goodbye was never easy. I hate saying goodbye to people who means a lot to me in my life.

Yes, I may cry, not for a day but for maybe a few days, or a week, or a month, but eventually I will have to accept that this is my new life and that I will have to live on my own without the presence of my loved ones.

Initially I said, "vacation" sounded better, but now I have to admit, it's time to say goodbye.

Though I may not be the best friend anyone ever had, but I hope I will not be forgotten :)

For I will remember everyone back here.

Challenge Accepted. 

I will be strong. I pinky promise.

I will tolerate, I will be patient.

I will try my best to be independent.

Nobody knows how independent they are until the day when they realize that they have to take charge of their own living and I know, it's time for me to try.

I don't think I'll be coming back for the Semester 1 holidays. It's too short and I don't want to waste so much money on the air tickets just to come back for about a week. Even though my heart is dying to come back! lol

Melbourne, you are currently 3 days away from me :)

I'll be seeing you on Saturday morning :D

The years.

Out of boredom, I looked through all my old stuff to see if I would want to bring any of it to Autralia.

There's a particular box that I have not touched since I graduated from Kwang Hua. For all I know is that that particular box contains everything worth remembering from my secondary school life (and stuff I don't want FaMa to find out! *whoops!*)

I took the contents out one by one. Every little thing brought back a piece of memories. A scene, people, laughter, times shared and that broad broad smile :)

Found my birthday cards from the past few years. I always loved hand made cards. To me, these cards mean more than any expensive present. The best cards I ever received were on my 17th Birthday from Pee Jing & Kai Ling, Shu Ping and the AJKs of Rumah B. I reread my old blog and realized how much I missed my 17th Birthday. It was the best :))

My 17th Birthday

I found bits and pieces of my stuff. Like a broken keychain from Bali (where can throw?!). Tens or hundreds of accumulated dedications from my years in Kwang Hua. I found my old diary (from primary school). Looking at what I wrote in there actually made me laugh out loud. A kid eh?

My current diary is dead ever since I got my own laptop xD Previously, when I don't have the chance to blog (private one) I'll write. This diary is filled with papers clipped onto it. Haha! Movie tickets, some photos etc. since 2008. Nostalgic moments :)

I guess I've spent enough time refreshing my memories :) Should move on to pack my luggage again. It never ends :/

Till then :)

P/s. If you would be so kind, please click on the ads on the top left of my blog. I would appreciate it very much :) It has not been rising for some time now :( Thank you!