Word

"You haven't won the race, if in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors." 

- Legendary sailor Paul Elvstrom 

A Year Ago

A year later, am still here. 

It is hard to pen down exactly what has changed, or what hasn't. But many thank you's are due to all who have played a part in the past year. 

The Ocean

Yoojung Lee Choreography

The Ocean - Mike Perry ft. Shy Martin

This would be a dance number to learn. Someday.

You and Me

You and Me (너랑 나랑) - Solji (솔지 EXID) 

When you find a song that you can listen to on-repeat, you know you've found your song.

Life has been a little bit of a slow walk lately.. I can't say that I am feeling discouraged, nor that have I been particularly motivated. Just kinda stuck, in a blissful cycle.

I took my coffee black today, because I ran out of milk. And it tasted good. Just saying.

Hope Wednesday is good to all of you! /love

Insomnia & Life Lessons

Insomnia - Wheesung

Current status: My entire body is aching because I've recently started gym-ing again. My stomach is probably still busy digesting my Korean BBQ dinner. I've been drinking truckloads of water because it's been so hot (and the BBQ), and my lips are dry. And I FREAKING can't go to sleep. T___T

Why? Is it that one coffee I had earlier today? But it can't be. I usually have more than one, and even in later hours of the day, and I still go to sleep fine at night.

Grrr. I hate not being able to sleep when it is bedtime. And for not knowing the reasons that are keeping me awake.

And if I send out work emails now, I'd look like a psycho trying to please my bosses, which is not entirely untrue. Except that I'm not a psycho - I just can't sleep.

Since I can't sleep anyway, I'm going to journal for a bit. Today, it occurred to me that there are two types of friends - A, the type who would go out of their way to do you a favor. And B, the type who'd very honestly tell you that they aren't willing to go out of their way. Not the sweetest I guess, but honest nonetheless.

I don't think B is any lesser of a friend than A. People have their reasons. And I shouldn't judge (although I have to admit, I did).

But the truth is, there is also a type C, the type who would do you that favor but very unwillingly.

This serves as a reminder to myself to be a consistent type A friend. And in tough situations to be a type B friend. But never to be a type C.

And one last thing to remember today by. A tip from living abroad (or in general when one finds oneself in a new place). There is always no harm in walking the extra few steps to the directory to get your bearings than to rely on gut and walk around aimlessly!

Just when I didn't think I'd see anything worth seeing this late at night early in the morning. I caught Obama's live speech post election, which was a really good message. Here's a summary by the Business Insider if you didn't manage to catch the speech. The final takeaway was this and I hope it sticks with me:

"I've said before: I think of this job as being a relay run," the president said. "You take the baton and you run your best race and hopefully by the time you hand it off, you're a little further ahead. You've made a little progress. And I can say we've done that."

How Great Thou Art - Home Free

Belly Button Is Shy

It went into hiding...

#Strong

Jain Kim On the Rocks

What's In My Bag?

I decided to do a video! I figured it'd be fun, and it was pretty fun - except that you'll have to plug in your earphones to actually hear me because I was mostly whispering talking really softly so that my landlady won't think I've gone crazy talking to myself.

Hahaha, enjoy!

P/s: I didn't realise I was speaking with an accent until the playback. Guess that's just me trying to impress.

MY TEACHER TOLD US TO WATCH MORE DRAMAS!

I've been absent for a long while now.. Life has been full of ups and downs, chaos and moments of clarity.

For the most of it, now I am back on track (I hope), and am writing this on Notepad (which I will later just Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V into Blogger) because I am not connected to the Internet at home. This has been a running issue with wifi at home but I've managed somehow. At least it's preventing me from watching an episode of Kim Woo Bin / Shin Joon Young being an absolute idiot and wanting to shake some sense into him - definitely, he has better options than to break a girls heart that way.

Hur.

I am too full to go and shower, too full to do my #22dayspushupchallenge, so I am just gonna sit here and stare at my screen and just type what comes to mind.

I've been incredibly hungry at hourly intervals lately. Like, seriously hungry. And it's not that I've not been eating well - I eat well. But I just keep getting hungry. Yesterday I had dinner at 7pm and by the time I got home, around 10pm, I was crazy hungry and all because I conveniently have Snickers bars leftover from my 7-11 haul from Samui back in May, I ended eating a whole bar before I crashed out.

But the silver lining is, I don't seem to be putting on any more weight than normal. Metabolism in high gear? I sure hope so!

I went for a Groupon facial on my off day and the beautician said if I made it to the Olympics, I'd be on the "Who is that pretty girl?" list that people will talk about. So flattered. I'd take compliments like a lady when I am given some.

OH YAY! Dropbox is synced which means I am connected now! I'm gonna try to stream an episode of drama now while my dinner digests and then I'll do my 22 push ups and shower and study my Korean.

MY TEACHER TOLD US TO WATCH MORE DRAMAS!

P/s: Well, he also told us to do our homework.

Gah dang it, connection is so weak. I'm back here again.

Now I'm thinking if I should make myself a cup of coffee and just let that help my food digest. Maybe I should. But coffee was gonna be for after shower so that I can concentrate and get some revision done!

What I Love

I am most stressed, not when it comes to work.

I love laundry days.

My poop has been really stinky since I moved here. LOL. So much so that I everytime after I finish my business in the toilet at home, I hope no one walks past the door. And to the extent where I try to do my business outside of home. So yesterday, I bought air-freshener from NTUC.

I love doing groceries too.

I had to buy banana for my landlady yesterday and I couldn't find them. Haha, goes to show how you really wouldn't bother about things that don't interest / bother you.

I also bought a pair of orange minion bedroom slippers on discount from Watsons. But they're so squeaky with their rubber soles.

I'm hoping to pop by JB to visit the Dad over the one day Raya break. But I can be such a lazy ass sometimes.

The longer I am here, the more I realise how much I love being on my own. Just doing my own thing. By my own independent self.

BSF starts again tonight, after a month long break. Here's to hoping I stay awake and remain attentive, which was always a very hard thing to do.

Bread kaya cheese bread kaya cheese bread. That's lunch. And coffee.

I'm never gonna lose weight. I just keep telling myself, you've burn so much by walking, you can eat that icecream. You've climb 3 flights of stairs, you can have that bubble tea.

Doesn't help that I'm becoming more careless with my spending either.

Here's a beautiful picture of what took place over the recent weekend. I suppose, I guess I do like my job. Please go like SingaporeSailing's facebook page and see more photos there.

See you soon!

Still Kicking

Hi!

I know. It's been a long while.

I'm 28 now. That's new.

I lost my water bottle on Saturday, so I went and bought a new one last night and I've been drinking water like I'm a thirsty hippo. Maybe I should lose my water bottle every 2 - 3 days.

I've been busy lately. But the good kinda busy. I can't explain it, but I've been well.

I hope all of you are well too! x

Spread Your Wings And Fly

Fly - Jessica

And this too.

You can fly!

P/s: I suppose I am on a Kpop frenzy.

Good Luck

Good Luck - AOA

This tune is catchy as it gets and it keeps repeating in my head. Maybe what I need is some luck right about now that's why..

Just got back from a week of sailing with Team Ulumulu in Koh Samui and we had a bit of drama with a broken boom after Day 1 of racing, but we recovered from that and continued racing on Day 3. Go here for updates.

My favorite photo of the entire week!

It's Been A Month

Since I last posted. An it'll be a month to my birthday in June! :)

What is the beauty in claiming to be busy? People like to say, "I'm super busy", "I am very busy because I've got so much to do", "I am so busy I don't have enough time"..

Really?

Hm. Don't get me wrong. I love giving people the illusion that I am busy too - because maybe for me busy equates to being important. But on hindsight, doesn't being busy just imply that you have lousy time management? And that you have your priorities set a little bit differently from everyone else?

#foodforthought

Let's see what else has changed or at least is worth a mention. I started Korean classes - typing Korean on my keyboard is impossible though.  I had scabies (again!) - but I've recovered from it already. I got myself a new laptop which is paid for by the company - huzzah! My acne has taken a step for the worse - 真的没得靠脸吃饭了。Seoul & Jeju trip is in 2 months, exciting!

#throwback to Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo, Japan. 

Was clearing my Dropbox for space.

My leave for Samui end of May is approved, and so, I shall concede that that's the best birthday gift I can ask for since I've been really looking forward to go sailing competitively again.

I don't prefer the aunty at the zhap fan stall to the uncle. She gives me less lauk! Hahaha..

Okay, I better go back to work since this was meant to be a short breather.

My motto as of late has been, if you're going to have to do, delaying it a day or two will not make a difference. So, using Nike's tag - Just do it.

Just do it.

Talk Love

Talk Love - K.will

Yes, I am crazy about the show. I am. I am not too sure what I'll do when it ends. :/ But no one better be dying Show, or you'll have a very very angry fan.

That aside. It's already April peeps!

Fierce

KAHI(가희) _ It's ME (잇츠 미) (Feat. Dumbfoundead)

This is what I called Attitude.

Feeling a little under the weather. Boo.

Peeved Definition

peeve

informal

verb
past tense: peeved; past participle: peeved

make (someone) rather annoyed; irritate.
"he was peeved at being excluded from the meeting"

Ran out of pretend-to-be-sweet juice.

Laundry Days

Are happy days! :)

OH NO! How Now Brown Cow

I am barely halfway through March and I've already exceeded the amount I spent on food as compared to the amount I spent the ENTIRE month of February!

T__T

突然累了

I had this conversation today that briefly touched on "pretending to be happy". And the general consensus was that you're better of just being sad than pretending to be happy.

Am a little too old and too tired for games. Maybe I shouldn't have tried so hard to come across as the happy, chirpy kind. Turning it down a notch wouldn't have been a bad idea either. Just a little too late for that now.

突然累了 - 林俊傑 JJ Lin

Truly just an emo tired kid. Signing off for the day! Ta.

Singapore Log

I've been pretty discouraged the past few days, maybe the past week altogether. And I probably didn't realise it sooner because I am surrounded by a good bunch of people - I've made new friends, caught up with old friends, learnt new things, received help from various people and yet, I am still feeling this weird nonsensical feeling that nothing seems right.

Weird huh?

Over the past 2 consecutive nights, I dreamt:
(1) that I changed jobs
(2) that my landlady came to me to say, "You spend so long in the shower, our water bill has risen."

LOL

I've still failed to wake up on Sunday's to go to church on days that I actually can afford to go to church before work starts in the afternoon, just too tired, too lazy.

Maybe I am not prioritising well. I guess not.

I'm gonna have my breakfast, work some, think some (just some), ad hopefully get my act together so that this coming week will be a better one, in all the possible ways.

Have a great week ahead you all! x

Head Pain

My head hurts. Like there's worms crawling inside. -__-

I'm trying to not let it bother me. Because surprisingly, I actually have a lot of work to clear, despite how free my schedule looks. And if I allow myself to slack, the work is only gonna become a massive never ending pile.

I've got a lot of questions I don't have/can't find answers to. And maybe that's why this headache has been persistently present.

Will I go deaf if I constantly use my earphones - in the office, in my room, on public transport?

At least I have our Jeju trip in July to look forward to! Woots Woots!

Always

ALWAYS - t Yoonmirae(t 윤미래) 

I love you. I do.

12am Instant Noodles

Yeah. I totally did it.

The instant noodle stock was meant for days where I either have no time for a proper meal, or for when I have no money to afford a proper meal. 12am today, was neither. Sans for the fact that I have a document that is due tomorrow and I am barely 10% through.

And I just remembered a text I need to send out. BRB!

Message sent.

First things first. I finally found yam paste dessert and it's right at Bedok food court! /happy dance

And I totally feed myself 午餐肉 whenever I am at the foodcourt these days. I justify my food choices by the amount of steps I have to walk daily, which I kid you not, is a lot.

I've not not exceeded my daily target. And that's a feat considering back at home, on a good day, I probably could manage 1000 steps. Here, it is times 6 of that. And it's every single day! What a feat. My legs don't even feel sore from all the walking anymore.

Big hop. Life lesson and important note to self: Always flush public toilets before deciding to do business in there, just in case the pump doesn't work and you're left to hope that the person waiting to use the cubicle after you doesn't register your face.

I will probably wake up with a bloated face tomorrow. Thanks to the instant noodles. It tasted rather crappy but I downed it all anyway. Simply because.

I fantasize visualise being in Korea and downing a piping hot bowl of ramyun, up in a rented attic / studio, in my comfy pajamas and having a side of kimchi. A girl can dream.

Today, I decided to try out the bus route instead of taking the MRT (which is not 火车, but 地铁) for two reasons. It should be a cheaper alternative (should because I forgot to check the meter as I tapped when alighting) and secondly, it should be more time saving (should because I got distracted texting and alighted the bus when everyone else did without double checking Google Maps only to realise moments later that I was in the middle of not-where-I-should-be).

One would think living abroad on your own should make you more savvy and alert to situations eh? Not in my case. I'm still just bumbling my way through. Not in the bad sense.

Today again, I was incredibly touched when a colleague of mine offered me lunch she brought from home because she said that I don't get to eat home-cooked food since I am living away from home. Not that she needs to know that even when I was living at home, I didn't get any home-cooked food. LOL

But it is true, I am grateful that God has always blessed me by giving me all the kind and good people in my life. And for the occasional painful ones that He has made me encounter, well, He gives me more nice ones to help me keep sane. Thank you Lord.

And judging by the rate I am going, I am likely to miss my Daily Bible reading again tonight (as in, yesterday night since it is past 12 now). I also skipped the day before because I am not particularly disciplined that way.

I have a test to study for. A budget report to complete (this due tomorrow today). And a few other urgent things to complete before the end of the week, which in true sense, I've lost track of weekends / weekdays because my work schedule is just simply not weekend / weekday oriented.

Inasmuch as I don't want to stop babbling on, I should get back to working on the budget, I really think I should get going or otherwise, this all-nighter is really going to have to pulled.

Bye peeps. Thanks for paying attention. This one is for you! x

Stand By You - Rachel Platten

Bye Triplets

I cried like a baby watching the last episode of the Song Triplets on Superman Returns.

Life will never be the same.

I hope the triplets grow up well and continue to be as cute and charming as they've been.

Much love. xx

Easily Influenced, Easily Pleased

Today, I woke up when my alarm rang at 7am, determined to start my day on time, but didn't have the physical willpower to climb out of bed until 15 minutes later.

 Today, I had a combination of Reese's chocolate peanut butter spread with Singapore's version of Gardenia Milk Bread (supposedly enhanced with calcium) with my Moccona 3in1 Vanilla Latte mix. #decadance

Today, I first learnt how crowded the subway is during peak hours in the morning to get to work. Considering I used to live just across from my workplace up until a week ago and hadn't had the need to go into the office at 9am till today.

Today, I also learnt that the free shuttle from the Bedok MRT leaves for the office at 8.40am and not at 8.55am, as I was hopefully assuming.

Today, I re-learnt that I am most peckish when I have work to get done but not sure how to get started.

Today, I saw my own full body reflection in the sliding glass doors on my way to a meeting that I really look quite plump for my height. Either that or my skinny jeans should be thrown into the bin.

Today, I decided to take a walk around the MRT at Raffles Place, the very same one I usually just walk in and out of without much interest, to look for dinner and hopefully discover a gem or two.

Today, I walked into a Daiso-like Japanese shop that sold miscellaneous things, and I was tempted to buy some room slippers, an additional mat for my bedroom and some instant Bibimbap.

Today, I was totally enamoured by the instant Bibimbap that I ended up back at a Korean stall in the food court ordering exactly just that, after having forcibly turn myself away twice having seen the price. It was $8. I did get brown rice though.

Today, I realized if I had an interesting storybook (yeah, I know I am not a teenager anymore but who cares) to read during my commute, the distance really hardly bothers me.

Today, I realized that my Ezlink card was charged $1.95 one way. That means, to-and-fro my office, it could easily be $4 a day! So much for saving on transportation costs. Traveling cost estimation. #fail

Today, I am find myself sitting on the floor (on my carpet) because the floor is cold and I've not showered, and with the fan off, because I am cold.

I sure hope this is not a sign of me falling ill!!

Of Moving & Prayer Requests

I've moved into my new place! I really like it.

But as with moving to any new place, comes a period of adjusting and getting used to the pre-existing systems. Please pray that I will adjust well and that my schedule which allows me to work from home (occasionally), will not affect the landlord and his family too much.

As for work, well, work is work. But in my case, it certainly helps that I really like what I do and that all the people I am working with are good natured people. Please pray that although I am given a lot of authority over my own work that I will not abuse the freedom and slack in my responsibilities.

That should be it for now. I am due home for the CNY break and am looking forward to meeting all the pals back home. Excited!

P/s: For as much as pink is my fav color, I just realised that majority of home stuff I've accumulated while I am here is lime green. And my pre-exiting pink belongings really clashes with the green.

Color disaster! x__x

Random Ramblings

I've been feeling like a Little Fatty as of late. I suspect it is all the food everyone has been feeding me with. And the yummy homemade pineapple tarts I've been pestering my uncle to replenish. I am two cookie jars down thus far!

I've also been complaining about things more than I should. And I don't like that. I pray that I'll stop complaining about things soon and just get on with what I need to get done.

I've either not been sleeping well, drinking enough water, eating enough fruits and vegetables or all the above because my pimples are back bigger and stronger. If only I could say the same for my muscles. -__-

Anyway.

Bed time. Since Inet is refusing to load my emails again.

今天 听首 华语歌

怎麼還不愛 - 楊凱琳 & 余楓

I've got some work pending and emails to send but my inet connection doesn't seem to want to allow me to do any work, whereas I can still stream songs, watch youtubes and update my blog.

A sign maybe.

Okay. So apparently I sent 3 of the same emails out because my server said it wasn't sent so I hit send after refreshing each time and now people are gonna think I am a moron. -__-

I am tired today. And mildly cranky too. I want chocolates. Or icecream.

My legs have definitely toned up, my belly though, sigh, is still as flabby as ever. Has to be all the instant stuff I feed myself.

Anyway, had more to write but I can't recall now. Bed time!

Night night. xx

Perfect Tense

Perfect Tense - Fallulah

OO OO OH!

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
We dream in color all the time
All the time
You don't believe me
Don't believe me

Don't believe me
But when we open up our eyes
It's black and white
Do you read me?
Do you read me?

Do you read me?
I don't wanna be here
Let's go out and see the world
Let's go out and meet the world
Let's forget that we got hurt
Oh Oh
Come my baby
Let's go out and see the world
Let's go out and meet the world

Let's forget that we got hurt
We mess up all the time
Tonight we'll get it right
Doesn't matter if they laugh at us

We don't have to be so serious
We don't make perfect sense
We live in the perfect tense
Doesn't matter if we take a fall
All that matters is we get back up
OO OO OH!

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
All that matters is we get back up
You say you're sick of wasting time
Wasting time
Don't you tease me

Don't you tease me
Don't you tease me
Cause then you go and change your mind

You fall behind
There's no reason for these walls to be a prison
I don't wanna be here
Let's go out and see the world
Let's go out and meet the world
Let's forget that we got hurt
Oh Oh
Come my baby
Let's go out and see the world

Let's go out and meet the world
Let's forget that we got hurt
We mess up all the time
Tonight we'll get it right

Doesn't matter if they laugh at us
We don't have to be so serious
We don't make perfect sense
We live in the perfect tense
Doesn't matter if we take a fall
All that matters is we get back up

OO OO OH!
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
All that matters is we get back up
Come my baby

Let's go out and see the world
Let's go out and meet the world
Let's forget that we got hurt
We mess up all the time

Tonight we'll get it right
Doesn't matter if they laugh at us
We don't have to be so serious
We don't make perfect sense
We live in the perfect tense
Doesn't matter if we take a fall
All that matters is we get back up
Come my baby
Let's go out and see the world
Let's go out and meet the world
We don't have to be so serious
Come my baby
Let's go out and see the world
Let's go out and meet the world
All that matters is we get back up

Credit: musixmatch

Top !0

1. I used to think I wouldn't starve as long as I had a microwave. Now, I believe I'd survive as long as I have a kettle and instant mushroom soup. Man, I could drink that all day long!
2. I managed to do 7 unbroken double unders today. Some massive stroke marks on my forearms though. And a note to myself to avoid practicing on cement next time.
3. Reply 1988 ended over the weekend. A small part of me ended with Show too. That is what happens when a show has so many characters that you adore.
4. Maybe I should just keep to myself. The more I speak, the more trouble I get myself into. Just shut up already.
5. 6km's the other day! Woot woot. And then I am all sore until today. But sore is no excuse to not burn them calories. No pain no gain.
6. I should really introduce more fruits and vege into my food intake. All these instant stuff can't be doing me much good.
7. A cuppa would be perfect now. Seriously. Coffee. Please.
8. Been spending so much on taxi.. Well, at least now I know where my money has gone to.
9. 好马不吃回头草
10. Today, I got two gifts. A Laneige dual color lippy. And a colleague of mine, a funny Uncle, gave me a tube of hand lotion saying, "That day when I shook your hand, your skin was damn rough. Please use some lotion."

Weekends are no longer what it used to be, but TGIF all the same! :) 

今天

眼睛 下雨了。

3565

That's the total step count for today. Probably more if I carried my phone with me to the water filter and washroom and pantry. But for the most of it, it's a good count for a rest day!

A quick update to get everyone up to speed (since we've already moved into a new year), I've started a new job in Singapore - which makes me think if I should change my blog name to something more neutral since posting (if I continue to keep it up) will reflect life here in Singapore more than when I was still back home.

Well..

I was pretty much freezing my ass off in the States on the last days of 2015, it's nice to be back where it's warm and sunny.

Haha, Happy 2016 people! xx