Last year, around this time, I was fretting my life off, wondering whether I should or should not proceed with my MBA. One day, it was a definite yes, the next day, I had to pluck out the petals from a flower to make up my mind.
Study wise, I think I've done great so far. Everything has been on course in 2011. I've completed half of the modules and I just need to focus on completing the balance. And oh yeah, plus the thesis.
Aaaarrggh....!!! The thesis...!!!
Surprisingly, when I think of 2012, my heart seems to skip a beat because I feel my fuel running low. I am really not too sure if I will be able to continue on, with the intensive pace, right up till November.
Trying to lift my spirit higher on the outlook of 2012, it can't be as bad as 2011, right? I mean, I've cleared my CFM against all odds, what else will be able to stand in my way?
.......
.......
Hmmm... you know what, now that I'm penning down my thoughts, I think my next big fear is the thesis. I am so afraid that by the time I come to doing it, my fuel would have run out.
However, I do still have a choice actually. I can delay the completion of my MBA and extend it beyond 18 months, but I will have to pay a penalty fee. This is the fear and conflict that I am having right now. But what is a penalty fee, when the most important thing is that I enjoy the learning process. I can afford to do that if I so wish to. I do not have to submit to the pressure of completion as stipulated in the course. Yeah, that's right! Problem resolved..!!!
Career wise, everything had been smooth and fabulous!
Then the downside came. My dad-in-law departed from this world and went on a journey of his own. That was rather unexpected for us. Though we mourn for his passing, we actually also cherish all those times we had spent together as a family and all those crazy stuffs we did too. Obviously, the person affected most by his departure is my mom-in-law, but she seemed to have recovered fully and now seem to be taking charge of her life again.
All in all, 2011 had been a great and blessed year. And it ended with an extreme climax in November and December.
I thank you for all that my family and I have, and would like to end the year, as usual, wishing for great health, peace of mind and joy in all our lives.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day.
I will be submitting my Strategic Management assignments tomorrow, 2 days ahead of the deadline.
So from tonight on-wards, my mind will officially shut down for 2011.
For shutting down these 6 days (Wed - Mon), I will have to pay the price in January, when the next module (Operations Management) starts. There will be classes on two weekends back to back (Sat & Sun) to catch up. That does not give us a lot of time to read and to work on the assignments plus exam, like previous modules.
In fact, after having gone through the calendar on my desk a moment ago, I foresee even more struggling and swearing at the end of the January month, that is some where near CNY. Hmmm..... not a very good thing, but hey, I don't care any more. I am just gonna let it be and go with the flow.. :P
So people, when you see me or bump into me in the street this few days, don't ask if I recognize you, and don't ask me to guess your age, ok, coz chances are, I won't be able to remember and I don't want to get whacked for guessing wrongly. Better still, don't ask me anything.. :-o
Doesn't matter if you're Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise or Chow Yuen Fatt. The mind won't be able to register. Hey, I thought MJ is dead, right?!?!
Meaning to say, it's at a complete resting mode laa, can or not?
Anyway, was browsing the internet for some pictures that are relaxing and soothing to the mind and found some of these fabulous scenes of water. Would love to share it with you here.
Feel free to click on any picture for a CLEARER view. And I insist that you must! It makes a lot of difference. Enjoy!
This one is rather scary, but this place is quite famous for it's unique infinity pool design. It's at a resort called Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali - Indonesia.
It is just a few minutes past Eleven and I think I have posted 4 times today already, that is a record for me. So my apologies if I have been hogging up your Google Reader. My Christmas Day is drawing to close and I just thought I would recap.
I am sat on the couch, the only light in the room is from the Christmas Tree fairy lights and a scented vanilla candle which stands on the mantle piece. Tom, my housemate is asleep beside me and my kitchen is an absolute mess. I am feeling rather content, warm and comfortable.
I spent Christmas Eve all by myself for the first time in my life and although I knew I would be cooking for me and Tom, I was very worried that today would be awful. But it wasn't awful. It was wonderful. I missed by family of course but I knew that they would all be spending the day together and I got to speak to my Mother on the phone.
I learnt late last night that my friends Josh and Shane were also staying in Manchester and wouldn't be spending Christmas with their families either, just like me and Tom. There was plenty of food to spare and everyone was pleased with the finished result. I cooked a turkey joint, with brussel sprouts, chestnuts and red onion. I also cooked some broccoli, cauliflower, roasted some parsnips and made some mash potatoes. For dessert we had a toffee swirl cheesecake, chocolate gateaux with cream and Ferrero Rochers.
I gave the guys cards and as I was feeling the Christmas spirit, I wrote some heartfelt words in them. We just chatted over dinner, shared gossip and some memories. Shane used to live in this house and we reminisced about former bad housemates and our annoying neighbours. After dinner, we convened in the living room and watched Annie. I sat with Tom on the couch, my legs on his lap and Josh and Shane sat on the chairs, within minutes Shane was asleep.
I have made it known before, that I love to watch the soaps on Christmas day as they are usually extra special, so we watched Coronation Street and Eastenders, whilst snacking on Cadbury chocolates. The return of Absolutely Fabolous was on BBC1 this evening too and Tom and I were super excited to watch it. It was hilarious and I can't wait to see the next new episode on New Years Day.
Shane and Josh have left and Tom is sleeping. I am so appreciative to have great friends with whom I could share this day with. I didn't receive any presents and I didn't need to. It truly was a wonderful day, simple yet still......wonderful.
Here is a picture of the Christmas dinner I prepared for some of my friends. I am quite impressed if I do say so myself. Everyone enjoyed it. We are all sat now, stuffed, watching Annie.
I had only planned to just cook a dinner for my housemate Tom and I. But my friends Shane and Josh, both from Somerset, were not going home for Christmas either so I thought it would be nice to invite them around too. We had both enough food to feed us all.
The table cloth is actually a curtain and whilst I was rooting around for dishes, I found a pack of Christmas Cards and wrote one out to each of them. I am very pleased with how it turned out.
I hope everyone out there is having a great Christmas Day. Although I am not with my family this year, I am thankful that I have my friends around to celebrate with. I am hosting for the first time ever this year, I have a stuffed turkey joint in the oven, the house is clean and tidy and I plan on eating way more than any man should.
It is Christmas Eve and I have to admit I haven't been looking forward to Christmas this year. But I am trying to make the most of it.
I want to wish all my readers, friends and family a very Merry Christmas.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I hate wrapping paper, I suck at wrapping gifts unless they come in a perfect square box. Gift bags are just easier, I do this for Birthday's too.
2. Real tree or artificial tree? I love an a real tree, when I was home in Dublin, my Mother put up a real tree. I love how it makes the whole house smell. Christmas. However, in my house here in Manchester I have an artificial tree. I have it decorated nice with a purple and silver theme.
3. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel, definitely.
4. Favourite ornament, theme or colour? I like a traditional gold and red theme. Those are the colours on my Mothers tree right now. As I said, my tree is purple and silver with purple lights. Purple and silver tinsel and baubles hang from it it.
5. When do you put up the tree? This year, I put my tree up the day after Halloween. What? I was trying to get excited. I helped put my Mothers tree just last week. I love my Mothers tree. I wish I had a photo of it, I could share it with you.
6. When do you take the tree down? Isn't it traditional that you take the tree down on the 6th of January?
7. Favourite gift received as a child? I have received a lot of great gifts over the years. But the one that stands out for me is the year we got a desktop computer, It was brand new and I had to share it with my brother. We even got the internet a few weeks later. It was 1997 and we were the first of our friends to have internet access, even though it was dial up.
8. Hardest person to buy for? I am pretty good at gift buying. Well except for this year, I haven't been working and moving back to Manchester has tapped my resources. I will get people gifts in the new year though. The hardest person to buy for is probably my brother Karl, he never has a clear idea of what he wants.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My Mother, definitely. She always has fads and trends that you can choose from. She really loves the Pandora brand and getting her some charms is always an appreciated gift.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I usually just hand out some cards to my friends but this year I will be emailing Christmas greetings.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? One year, my Brother Karl got me a ring, it fit perfectly and had a row of four glass squares embedded into it. I was happy with it at first. However by the end of the day all of the squares had fallen out. There was just this whole in the ring. It was actually pretty funny.
12. Favourite Christmas Movie? When I was child, it used to be Santa Claus: The Movie. I actually believed it was a true story. But now there are several movies I like to watch at Christmas. The Family Stone, Jingle All The Way, The Wizard of Oz, Scrooged. I like them all. But my all time favourite thing to watch on Christmas day are the soaps. Especially Eastenders. It's usually the climax of the big story lines, it is an institution in Britain and Ireland.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually, with the first pay check in December. Last year, I bought all my presents the day before Christmas Eve.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, I have been given some white wine as a present before and I don't drink it so I chucked that bad boy into a gift bag and passed it on.
15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? I like it all! I love a traditional Christmas dinner. Probably some cheesecake for dessert and to sit watching TV and movies whilst eating out of a big tin of Roses.
16. Favourite Christmas song?
Obviously, I love All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey. But this song is my all time favourite Christmas song/hymn.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Most years, I go home for Christmas. I have only been away for Christmas twice, in 2008 and 2009. I stayed with my boyfriend of the time. Both were not my best holidays. His family didn't really celebrate Christmas and I appreciated that they made the effort for me, so I bought them all great gifts. They were opened and put away before I even woke up. Once we had eaten dinner, the decorations were taken down and everything went back to normal.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. And Rudolph the Red Nosed One.
19. Can you name all of the 7 Dwarves? Does it matter? Sleepy, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy....that is all I have got.
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Usually, once everyone has arrived or woken up. We would exchange some gifts and probably keep some to open for later.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year but I have to admit that this year its been difficult. Not having the funds to get people presents or to take part in the Christmas social occasions. I won't be sad when it is over.
However, I am trying to make this Christmas as special as I can. I had plans to go and stay with my best friends with Dempsey and Ali. But my housemate Tom would have been here in the house by himself and I thought why not be alone, together. I am going to cook us a Christmas meal and hangout and watch movies all day.
22. Do you hang mistletoe Nope, never.
23. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I can't really remember the exact moment. But I think I was about 7 or 8 years old.
24. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? This year? That I just get through it and that I have some fun tomorrow. In normal circumstances it would be about spending time with my family, loved ones. Eating too much and getting spoiled with gifts.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I am always happy with new socks and boxers and maybe a new smelly kit.
Again, whatever you do, wherever you are. I hope you have a great day tomorrow.
As a blogger, what do you draw inspirations from for your posts?
I blog about my life and the experiences I have, some good, some bad. So obviously I draw inspiration from the things I do. But sometimes posts are inspired by the people around me, the family and friends I have.
2. If you could swap blogs with another blogger for a post, who would you switch with and why?
I have had a quest post before. It was written by one of my closest friends, it had a very specific purpose. He was feeling very stressed out. Problems with work, friendships and his relationship were really getting to him and putting pen to paper, figuratively speaking, proved to be a cathartic experience for him. Just sharing the tale with someone else, anonymously, put things in perspective.
I had considered recently doing some post swaps with another blogger, as we shared similar, problems so to speak, with drugs etc. However, his blog also dedicates a lot of posts to his faith in god and I do not want to bring religion into my blog.
I am definitely open to guest posting. I guess I am just waiting for the right blogger, the right subject and the right time.
3. If your blog had a theme song, what would it be? Why?
I chose this song because I am not afraid to share with my readers, the things I get up to. Those that don't paint me in the best light. I am not always the best person I can be. I have done some things which are morally questionable and quite frankly illegal.
I am not saying I am not ashamed of some of the things I have done but I also realize that they build up the character and I take the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. There are some things I look back on and absolutely cringe.
4. What is your writing process for a post?
It varies, most times, I will just sit in front of my laptop and write about how I am feeling or share an interesting experience. Other times, I will write something in my journal and post it at a later date. Some posts will sit in the draft folder for days even weeks, until I finally get the motivation to finish it.
5. Your blog requires a cute, new, mascot - what would it be?
Ummmmm, I am not big on mascots. I could try and find something that reflects my free spirited nature, my laid back attitude but I genuinely can't think of anything. A bird? a butterfly?. Maybe someone out there could think of a mascot and leave it in the comments.
6. Do you feel you express your "true self" on your blog?
Yes, 100%. I have been blogging for almost 4 years. It has been the most consistent thing in my life during that time and I pride myself on the fact that I am true to myself and I think some of the things I have written over the years are testament to that fact.
7. What is your biggest online pet-peeve?
When people do these type of Meme's and give one word answers or 'What kind of question is this?' sarcastic replies. For instance if a question ask's 'What are you most looking forward to' and the reply is 'Finishing this stupid meme'.
One word answers don't offer anything to the reader and I can't imagine the writer and derived any enjoyment from writing it. Bloggers who openly state that they are not enjoying writing the Meme, why the hell are they doing it in the first place.
8. If you could live in a fictional universe, where would you live? Why?
I don't need to live in a fictional universe, as the place I would choose is the place I am. Those who have read my blog for a while will know about the turmoil I have felt between wanting to be with my family and living in Manchester. I moved home to Dublin just a few weeks and after 10 days I decided to move back to Manchester. After a few days here, I booked a ticket to go back to Dublin and of course you will know, I didn't leave.
I think I know the reason as to why Manchester has such a hold on me, I have the freedom to be who I am, to have my own space. I have always felt, that in Dublin, I have never quite clicked, I didn't fit in. But here, in this city, I feel completely at ease. I was on the train this afternoon, coming back from visiting a friend in Wigan and as the train neared Manchester, I could the see the lights of the city and its skyline and I couldn't help but smile. I am home.
9. You're having a bad day, you're upset, you're angry, or you're sad - what is your go-to comfort?
There are a few go to comforts. Music is a major one, I love to sing and I find that if I belt out some notes, it relieves a lot of stress. Talking to friends is another one. I can call my friend Paul and literally speak for hours about nothing. Another, less healthy stress reliever is drugs. Opiates in particular, Tramadol, Morphine etc.
10. What is your favorite inspirational quote?
I actually have my favourite quote tattoo'd on my wrist. Its a mantra I live by with a lot of conviction. That quote is : ' It Will All Work Out In The End'.... and it will. It always does. No matter how bad things get, if you can tell yourself that eventually, it will all come together. Then you don't have to worry to much.
11. If they were to make a movie based on your life, who would play you, your leading lady/man, your best friend, and your rival?
This is a very interesting question. The person that would play me at this age I am now, would be Kellan Lutz. I am not saying I am as beautiful as Kellan, but it is my movie and I will pick who I like. The leading man would be someone like Gerard Butler as I like a rugged older man. Plus the thought if Kellan and Gerard getting it on, is making me pitch a tent.
My best friend would be played by Jake Gyllenhall, a mixture of good looks and intelligence and my rival would be played by Katherine Heigl because the only person I have ever really hated was a cuntish blond girl who made a good friend's life a living hell for months. Skank.
12. Do you think the world is going to end in 2012?
No. But I am looking forward to run up to the December 12th, when every crazy person in the world starts getting rid of their stuff, quitting their jobs or spending their live savings all because they think it will. There is going to be a lot of depressed people on December 13th.
13. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
Although, I have learnt to accept them as I have gotten older and they are no longer a major insecurity issue I once had, If I was given the opportunity to do it, then I would have my teeth fixed. It's very expensive to do though and I have no idea when I would be able to afford it.
14. What is your favorite season and why?
Autumn. It always has been, I like the shorter evenings, the warm days but cooler nights. The colours of the trees' and the leaves. The sunsets and of course, my favourite holiday. Halloween.
15. You've been bitten by a vampire. Would you fight it with all your undead being or would you embrace it for all it is worth?
I don't know, It depends on the whole 'having no soul'. I guess I would embrace it, go for the whole long black leather coat, coffin and castle and of course the Austrian accent. Go for a whole Dracula vibe.
16. Have you personally met any of your blogger friends?
Yes, I have met a couple. Both living in Dublin. I would like to meet a few more. There are some bloggers whom I think would make great friends in the 'real world'.
17. What does your favorite pair of underwear look like?
I am a boxers guy. I don't go intricate patterns or design, so the majority of my boxers are plain black. I have a couple of designer pairs in grey I whip out for dates or fucks.
18. Have you ever drank something right from the container in the refrigerator knowing other people will have to drink out of the same container later?
Yes, anyone that says they haven't is a filthy liar!
19. What is your favorite word and explain why?
Sporadically. All because of Brittany Murphy and how it is used in Clueless. 'I hope not sporadically'
20. 2011 is soon coming to a close, is there anything you'd like to do different on your blog in the year 2012?
I would like to reach a bigger audience, gain some new followers. I would be lying if I said I don't need people to read my blog and I just do it for the pleasure. I like the idea, that people read my blog and especially if they enjoy reading it.
Late breakfast at the coffee shop before heading out
The birthday girl. So happy that she got 3 copies of Archies and 2 copies of Beano comics.. -.-
We took the kampung road to enjoy the scenery. And we couldn't resist stopping by the road side for..........
Durians of course...!!! It's the durian season...!!!
Oh, we had our fill with the "really good" and cheap durians...!!!
Checking out the view from our balcony. We took 3 chalets in a row. Notice the lil' fella right at the back?
We can see a pond from our balcony..
Heading out to check out the place and the view
Check out that view....!!!
Click on any picture for a clearer view
Oh, how I love this chair that over looks the breathtaking hill view in front, flanked by this 2 lovely and beautiful trees...!!!
Clearer view
This picture is taken from the chair. Love the view, I tell ya!
Side view
Playing ball in the vast field
Seems that the owner of the place lives in the house on the left. Man, what I would give for a view like this every morning when I wake up and look out of the house...!!
Getting comfortable on the green grass
Settling down and becoming one with nature
Healthy drink is available 24x7. Since it's boiled with their locally grown leaves, the drink is green in color, naturally.
Making rojak (salad) the healthy way using papaya, demonstrated by Elaine, the tour leader cum supervisor
Typical town boy, my nephew. Can't stand any insect settling down on his body.
Waalaa...!!! the rojak (salad) with all locally grown veggies. Even the sauce is made from natural stuffs.
Bubble blowing time!
Snacking again
Then we went out in the dark to view the stars in the clear sky at the field.
Right after that, we waited eagerly for the board game to start.
This time round we have a new player, my eldest brother.. :-D
Day 2 - Tour of the eco farm and some education and knowledge about medicinal values of natural grown plants, by the supervisor Elaine
Because it's eco farm, no pesticides are used at all. Hence, we can just pluck any leaves or plants and eat them right there and then. No washing required too.
See what I mean?
Some finds it a bit too much for their stomach
But not everyone thinks so
Hello, whatcha looking at...?
This is the first time I see a live ostrich, and I think they're really BIG...!
The mini hanging bridge
Some decided to get across, the adventurous way. The flying fox way..!!!
Whooeeeeeeeee...........!!!
Stranded in the middle of the river, can smile and pose some more. Not heavy enuf! Had to be pulled in by Elaine.
Others decided to play safe
Resting before lunch
However, before lunch starts, we have to fill ourselves up with abundance supplies of rambutans, mangoesteens, star fruits, etc, etc.. followed by ulam. They advise us to eat fruits and veggies first and allow it to digest a bit before lunch. That is the correct way of eating.
Seems like we've been eating non-stop the minute we arrive at the eco-farm.
2nd round of bubble blowing while waiting for lunch coz the lil' fella there insisted he wanted to play.
Someone feeling very adventurous & decided to use the biggest loop to create the biggest bubble. Wan't easy though..
Decided to stick back to medium size loop
Eeerm.... this ain't lunch. Lunch was at the Titi Eco Farm. Very healthy and delicious!! Then upon reaching Klang Valley, we decided to swing by Cyberjaya, to a place called Saba Restaurant for the mutton beryani. Wanted so much to introduce the place to my family.
They love the mutton beryani there and the chicken pita was heavenly too!
