Out of 2019 & Into 2020

Dear Pipsqueaks,

First couple of days into 2020, and I’m still trying to figure out what the plan is for 2020. Then I remember I always think clearer when I write down my thoughts, so here I am. Before diving into the new year, we gotta do what we gotta do – reflect on the year that just slipped by.

So, 2019. Really a year full of ridiculous challenges. Including trying to get legally married in two countries, planning for life pre & post-delivery, and finding out about some things that would have taken me down a totally different path.

BUT – you know what? Life is all about challenges. The moment you figured it out, is the moment life will give you another. So celebrate the wins, big or small.


Summary of 2019

Jan: Engagement
Feb: Registration
Mar: Realization
Apr: Melaka with BFF
May: Delivery & Motherhood
June: Confinement
July: Chillax
Aug: Back to Work
Sep: Bbz 1st Trip to Taiwan
Oct: 50hr Paris Trip & Bbz 1st Trip to Macau
Nov: Chillax
Dec: 2nd Final in Guangzhou & BBz 1st Christmas / 1st time up Genting

As for 2020, I got a few things to look forward to and also a few things to check off. Still working on that list in my head, so will pen those down when they become more describable. That's it for now...

Here's to the 1st post of 2020,

Cheers!

First of 2018

Dear Pipsqueaks,

Not sure where to start this post, so I'm just gonna write.

2018 had started off kinda like the free-fall slide at Sunway Lagoon - you get into the tube and the fella gives you a thumbs up to confirm your ready, but you stand there alone not knowing when you will actually drop...and when you open your mouth to try and say something...you drop. Hard.

I've got so much emotion built up inside for the last few months maybe even longer than that, I honestly feel like I was pretty close to losing it. BUT, I didn't. I went home to Vancouver and met up with all my old school and badminton friends. It wasn't like we did anything special - had meals, walked around and spent some time catching up - yet, it seemed to fill a hole somewhere. I needed that, and I was so glad everyone just stayed the same. Just like how I remembered. Home.

Then came Chinese New Year. Well, before that happened, it was probably the closest I've gone to the cliff. Let's just say, I now have a very special feeling towards Valentine's Day. And Christmas. And New Years. It's a bit awkward because I used to love that time of the year, but now I'd rather just not go there. So please, let's fast forward to SUMMER!

Home [YVR] For The Holidays - Part I

Dear Pipsqueaks,

Currently, it's 3:35am on Christmas Day. Yes, I know I should be sleeping but I don't know why I'm wide awake. Actually, I slept pretty well last night. Only woke up for an hour and went straight back to sleep, but somehow I just can't tonight, so here I am writing.

I forgot to mention: I'm in Vancouver!

With lots of mixed emotions, I bought my ticket on Monday and hopped on the plane on Saturday. At first, I didn't want to tell anyone about my visit except for those that needed to know - Tams because she so kindly offered me to stay at hers and Ray's place; Carm & Mel because I'll be able to attend their weddings on the 6th & 7th respectively now. There's a very good reason for that. I personally don't like last minute invitations, so I don't like to do that to others. And telling them I'm in town for a couple of weeks especially during the holidays just DAYS before, it puts people on the spot to make time for me. Of course, I know those that want to see me will make time, but I just don't like to make things difficult. Not to mention, most people would have already made plans to spend their holidays with family and friends.

But, I'm lucky. I have some of the best groups of friends.

Mel and Ian came to fetch me from the airport when I arrived. It was one of the longest trips home for me - not only the actual hours of flying (19+ hours with one stop really isn't so bad compared to the travel to Peru), but having had so much time to think because I couldn't sleep at all. From KUL to HKG, I caught a movie that was really close to heart: Heartbeat Shutter 77 or 原諒他77次. It was about a couple who had been together for 10 years, but all the while had issues. At chance, the girl bought a notebook that guided her to write down every incident that she had to forgive the boy. And when she finally reached 77, she left the relationship. It brought back so many emotional tags that I had floating in my heart, and I ended up crying the next hour until we landed in HKG.

Food always cheered me up. I texted the bff and found one of the most busy airport food courts ever to have a quick bite. You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to find a seat! Luckily, as a lone traveler, I didn't need a full table, so when a single seater opened up at the bar, I parked my butt and started to eat before I over-hungered. It's always nice to have some Honger noodles - they're like comfort food for me. Nice and soupy...soupy.

Seeing that the place was so busy, I finished my noodles in 10mins so someone else could have my seat. Upon arriving at my gate, I found a power point and charged my phone while waiting to board. Scheduled boarding time was 3:40pm, which was about another 15mins wait. When time was near, everyone started to line up only to be told by the gate crew to go back to their seats as we won't be boarding yet. Then, the news.

A father came walking back to his family who were standing next to me and told everyone that the flight had been delayed from 4:10pm until 6:10pm. You could hear the sigh loud and clear. Next thing you know, a bunch of people went up to the counter to ask about their connecting flights. It wasn't until I received an email from Cathay about the departure that the gate crew made the announcement about the delay. About bloody time. Oh, did I mention that they had already changed gate once? So I had to run like a mad woman across HKG airport to the new gate only to find out we were delayed. Sigh. AND AND AND - with the announcement, told us that our boarding pass will be able to validate HKD75 worth of food for dinner. Thanks, AFTER I already ate.

Anyway, since I had a load of time, I went to check out a few shops and topped up my number of steps for the day. By boarding time, I had about 9k. Not bad if I must say so myself. It was nice spending about 4hrs with you HKG. Ciao~

Well, we waited for a good hour on the plane before taking off, so technically 5hrs...

The next 11.5hours was so difficult to get through. I couldn't sleep a wink, so I watched about 10 episodes of my drama.

Okay, feeling sleepy at 4:27am. Will continue to write when I have time~
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM VANCOUVER!