. 2016: A Year of Adventure .

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do. With your one wild and precious time?”
– Mary Oliver

I had one goal at the start of the year, and that was not to put off living to the unforeseeable future, not next year, not next month, not next week, not tomorrow.

2015 was the year that I kinda broke free from the toxic chains of procrastination, and started converting some of my plans into actions. Setting the things in motion that ultimately culminated in 2016. It’s the best year, really… One that has exceeded my wildest dreams and any expectations. What started as a 10 weeks career break to travel a bit, eventually lead to an amazing journey of exploration and adventure that span over a period of 6 months.

It wasn’t all just about having fun though; It was a time of personal growth. Getting comfortable with uncertainty/ constant changes, adapting to less-than-ideal environments and living a more minimalistic lifestyle. I’ve said this many times, like a broken recorder, but I’m super thankful to have a very cool Mum, a supportive Dad who never fails to ensure that everything was running fine back home (all the bill payments, checking of mails, mundane but important stuff), a lil’ sis who became the default “Mum” to the 3 boys, and a loving boyfriend who encourages me to embark on this trip of a lifetime.

Life is never always smooth-sailing, and there were, of course, moments that scared the wits out of me. My broken neck became cranky and I feared that I had to undergo an invasive surgery to correct the unstable injury. Luckily, it turned out to be a false alarm but all that worrying lead to another bald spot (a result of alopecia) and more tears.  But, I’ll be strong!

The highlights of 2016:

Quit my job and traveled to 16 countries over a span of 6 months
This is probably, by far, one of the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I dare say, leaving the comfort of my relatively stable and promising e-commerce job to pursue an airy dream of “travelling around the globe”, even beats the momentary fear of sky-diving and base-jumping! Many friends prefer to leave such extravagant plans for retirement, when they have more time and money. Yet, time waits for no one, especially in a society where there is an increasing number of people getting cancer, heart attack or kidney failure at an alarming rate. I knew, deep in my heart, that I would be full of regret and resentment, if I were to give up this rare opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream (10 years in the making!) while I’m still young and able, just so that I can fit the bill of a perfect employee.

Was also pleasantly surprised when my dearest Mum offered to join me on our first backpacking trip across Europe and Asia. Many people thought she was nuts to travel “longer than the usual 2-3 weeks holidays” at her age, and assumed that she would be a “liability or burden”. That couldn’t be further from the truth. While it’s true that we had our frustrating moments, I do think that we turned out to be the best travel partners for each other (having lived together for 29 years, and supported each other through tumultuous periods of our lives). 6 months on-the-road served as a great bonding time for the both of us, and I’m truly grateful that it was with my Mum that I shared this amazing journey with, because frankly, I’m not sure when is the next time that I’ll get to travel for an extended period of time with my parents. 

✔ A train journey on the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway
✔ Living with the nomads in the plains of Mongolia
✔ Learning to ride a motorbike all by myself in Pai, Thailand
✔ Watching the hot air balloons take off in the mystical land of Bagan, Myanmar
✔ Visited my sponsored kid, Pelsil, in Cambodia

Redecorated my cozy little room
Another activity that has been pending on my “To-Do” list for the longest time. I used to joke that I had to share half the room (the other half was used to house our family’s bookshelves, aka mini-library) with the boyfriend, 3 dogs and 1 fish. Now that we have finally moved the bookshelves to the storeroom, there’s ample of space for me to re-decorate my room and fill it with inspiring quotes and pictures with loved ones! ❤ A living space that I can finally call as my own. 

Pursuit of Other Interest
✔ Take up horse-riding lessons at Amigos, JB
✔ Improve my swimming skills
✔ Re-ignite my passion for reading

Volunteer & Give Back
✔ Organised several micro-volunteer activities as a Chapter Lead for Cause Corps
✔ Stop procrastinating and donated blood

Thank you for a fantastic 2016!

. motto for 2016 .

“Don’t put off living to next week, next month, next year or next decade.
The only time you’re ever living is now.”
~ Celestine Chua

. 2015: Reflections .

While 2014 was a year of unexpected changes which turned out to be a blessing in disguise, 2015 has been a year of putting my plans into action. Procrastination is no longer a friend as I broke free of its toxic chains. It is definitely rewarding to be able to fulfill some of my goals that have been left on the back-burner for ages. One of my proudest achievement for the year is to finally get my driving license (at first try!), something which I have put off for close to a decade. I might have received my license 10 years later than the average SG driver but knowing that I have beat this long-held procrastination and am now a certified driver is extremely gratifying.

Introspection, 2015 has provided me with many opportunities – both professional and personal – to challenge myself, grow and develop a stronger self-identity. I’m more capable of accepting myself for who I really am and being comfortable in my own skin. No longer do I feel the pressure to constantly appear as “perfect” for others and thus, I’m less afraid to say “NO” to people or situations that do not resonate with my core values/ beliefs. They say that 30s is one of the best decades in one’s life and while I’m not hitting the big 3 (YET), I can see why life gets richer in many ways as we grow older and collect more years of meaningful life experiences under our belt.

Thank you, 2015 – You have been great to me! 

Highlights of 2015: 

• Starting 2015 with a bang – Getting drunk and having an elderly lady flashed her boobs @ me during my 1st solo trip 
• Leaving the comfort of my first job and taking on a much more challenging role in the highly competitive e-commerce industry
• Passing the driving test on my first attempt, after 9 long years of procrastination
• Conquered Macau’s highest summit at 338m tall (Macau Tower Climb)!  
• A year of adventure: Getting my Sports Climb and Abseiling Level 1 licenses & embarking on various kayaking, trekking and water caving expeditions
• An amateur designer in the works: Having my handmade leather wallet being displayed at the SG Design Week 
• Being selected as an Enable-A-Family volunteer, working alongside with children under the care of MSF
• Most importantly, receiving the love and support from a particular Mr. M

–

 < CAREER >

The last few months at my previous company has been nothing short of a massive Taiwanese drama. My ex-boss tendered and I was running a one-man show, handling multiple big projects, for a couple of months. Those days were definitely not easy – Tight timelines, long hours, last minute changes. And it didn’t help that I suddenly found myself embroiled in a messy situation with a particular trouble-maker who played politics and tried making life super difficult for me. Thankfully, with the support from my ex-colleagues (especially XL and Joel), I survived those challenging times and became even more resilient. Presenting my “baby project” – FairPrice’s involvement in SEA Games 2015!

In my new role in Z, I’ve learnt a great deal about the ever evolving e-commerce & start-up landscape, collaborated with partners from all industries to come up with marketing campaigns and taking on ownership of  multiple projects. In a short span of 10 months, I’ve spear-headed no less than 30 campaigns, was part of a team that created 2 gamification contests from scratch,  participated in the Singapore Fashion Week 2015, mentored 4 interns and flew to Manila for an offsite meeting. The greatest job satisfaction? Achieving 8 x  the average transactions and 73% growth for a recent campaign that I’ve worked my ass off for! 🙂 But, of course, every job does come with its downsides. For many months, I felt as if I was swimming against the currents – 12 hours work shift is a norm, my health took a beating and frustration has become my frequent companion at the workplace. Was I a happy camper? Well, the answer is obvious. Nonetheless, I have no regrets with my decision and if anything, my stint has made me realised what I truly look for in a job. 

< FAMILY & LOVE LIFE >

I’m extremely blessed to have a loving family who stands by me, regardless of the shitty situations that I get myself into at times. Thank you Pop Daddy, Mummy, Popo, Ginette, Amanda, Ah Boh and Ah Mai for your unconditional love and support. Let’s also not forget the 3 rascals in my life – Archie, Frosty and Simba!  🙂

2015 also saw me bidding farewell to a happy singlehood as I jumped on-board the “Puma” bandwagon (a younger version of cougar) and started dating Mr. M who is 3 years younger than me. Cougar-in-training, lol. Being single had served me well – Living a commitment-free life, freedom to date guys who probably ain’t my type, rediscover my creativity and pick up new hobbies – and I’m thankful for the chance to be alone and re-connect with myself.  But being able to find someone whom you have great chemistry with is a rare find and despite the naysayers’ take on how a younger man will be too immature for the older lady, I found myself falling hard for Mr. M. Sure, we may have our differences but more importantly, we bond over our quest for adventures and meaningful life experiences, love for our family and dogs and shared moments of joy and pain. 

For the first time, I also feel a sense of belonging and connection with his close-knitted family … Something which was lacking in my previous relationships. I used to think that the significant other’s family doesn’t play a pivotal role as long as both parties love each other but now that I’m accepted as a part of his family, it’s amazing and takes our relationship to greater heights. PS: We suspect that my granny loves him more than she loves us (the grandchildren)!

< HOBBIES & ADVENTURE >

I might have had a broken neck but that doesn’t hold me back from embarking on a series of adventures. If anything, I’m probably more active now than I ever was. Carpe Diem. Rock climb, kayak, waterfall trek,  tree-climb, abseiling … You name it, chances are I’ve probably given it a shot. Somewhere along the way, I’ve also befriended many like-minded people who share the same excitement to travel to every nook & cranny in search for a bigger adventure. Always more fun to do things we love with good company!

In spite of the busyness of life, I always try to squeeze in the time to make these matchbox cards for my Carousell giveaways. Crafting allows me to unleash my creative juices and get in touch with the inner wannabe artist in me. Plus, it’s heart-warming to receive comments from the other Carousell members on how my sharing of life stories has inspired them to a small extent.

< TRAVEL >

Bali: Casting my initial apprehension aside, I confronted my fears and made the decision to go on a solo New Year celebratory trip to Bali. In my own version of “Eat, Pray, Love”, I found myself getting drunk on NYE, celebrating countdown with a room of lively expats and locals and having a too-close-for-comfort goodbye hug with the local waiter. Definitely, one of my most unforgettable New Year’s Eve Countdown.

Hong Kong: 48 Hours. First couchsurf with my very cool Mum (perhaps, the 1st couchsurfing of its kind). Walk on the wild side of the Macau Tower at 233m high. Scaled the world’s highest urban climb at 338m. Mad? Maybe.

Manila: I was there for work so my trip pretty much revolve around travelling from hotel to the office. Repeat that routine for 3 full days. Nevertheless, I had a blast meeting the Partnerships teams from the other 7 countries and bonding over a competitive game of laser-tag and finger-lickin’ fried food.

Hokkaido: Many Firsts – My First White Christmas. First time on snow-mobile and feeling like a pseudo F1 driver on snow. First time dog-sledding. First time trying whale meat (also, the last time due to the effects of whaling).  Feeling like a kid again in Tokyo DisneySea. Failed attempt at skiing. Pigging out on fresh seafood, sashimi, sushi, beef and ramen. The most expensive breakfast ever – $600 on seafood and Hokkaido Snow Crab. Making more memories with my beloved family. 🙂

. enjoy savings with vouchercodes.com.sg .

Working in the highly competitive e-commerce industry has taught me a great deal about online consumerism and the behavioral patterns of these shoppers. Not surprisingly, online shoppers tend to be very price-sensitive and are constantly on the hunt for bargains and good deals. Like any smart shopper (HAHA!), I’m also always on the prowl for the best discount codes … Anything that allows me to enjoy great savings!

VoucherCodes.com.sg is the answer to your endless bargain hunts – It is a platform offering customers a variety of incredible discount coupons and choices. With discounts from over 100 merchants, ranging from retail to travel to food & beverage, you are spoiled for choices. Brands such as ZALORA, Qoo10, Redmart, Foodpanda, Luxola are just a few of the popular merchants that VoucherCodes.com.sg works with to offer the best deals for the shoppers! 🙂

Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on some discounts when I do my beauty shopping at Rakuten. Essentials to start a brand new year! 

< WIDE VARIETY OF STORES & OFFERS >

< SEARCH FOR THE BEST DEAL IN 4 SIMPLE STEPS >

The website is designed to facilitate a hassle-free user journey. Having issues navigating the site? Fret not as your problem will be solved in 4 simple steps.

Search for your deals by using the simple filtering tool: Main category (Travel & Holidays) followed by the sub-category (Adventure Travel/ Airlines), type of promotional deal and sorting categories (Most Popular/ Most Recent). Easy peasy. 

< ENJOY SAVINGS >

Apply the promo code at the merchant’s checkout page to enjoy the savings. Here’s a special treat for you: Use the Luxola Promo Code “VISALX20” to enjoy 20% OFF storewide!  T&C apply. 

Happy Shopping! 

Start Saving Now: Vouchercodes.com.sg 

. coming home: xmas art jamming .

This year has truly been a year of putting my plans and ideas into action. Amidst my very hectic work schedule and new love life, I have also found some time to commit to a new volunteer stint… A social cause that I hold very close to my heart. I’ve been very blessed to have a loving and happy childhood so it is quite disheartening to hear that there are children out there who have been neglected and ill-treated by their natural parents. My new volunteer role will see me befriending a foster child and bringing the child out for meaningful and fun-filled activities. While I’m definitely nervous to embark on this new journey, it is a role I take seriously and I’m raring to share some of my varied life experiences and lessons with him/ her. 

This also brings me to the campaign led by some university students whom I’ve met through my course of work. Coming Home is an initiative spearheaded by 4 like-minded final year NTU students and they hope to raise awareness of foster care among young working adults and tertiary students, so as to open their hearts and minds to the idea of fostering in the future. 

Their Christmas Art-Jamming Workshop, in collaboration with Gifts of Grace Design, is the first on-ground event, happening 19^th December from 2 – 6pm at The Music Salon. For only $80 (usual price $140), participants will get to express their creativity and learn to make cards with watercolour paint. In the spirit of giving, each participant will also get the opportunity to give their handmade card to a foster child under the case of MCYC. Pay it forward during this Christmas. 🙂  Register now:  http://goo.gl/forms/GdMizb2jYy

Facebook: Coming Home l I IG: @ComingHomeSG

Shop Dorothy Perkins on ZALORA

Dorothy Perkins certainly needs no introduction as it is one of the biggest fashion brand that carries a wide array of office wear and smart casual. Need some new wardrobe ideas for the Fall season? Fret not, here are some styling trends and tips from the brand to walk you through the year-end season.

2015 BodyCon: Team the va-va-voom lace bodycon dress with a pair of high heels and you’re all set for an office-to-party wear transition … The night is still young; Time to hit the bars & clubs and dazzle the crowd! Prints & Patterns: Take a step out of your comfort zone & be daring with your fashion taste. Add some texture and graphics to your wardrobe with Dorothy Perkins’s printed pinny dresses and trouser collection. The Pinafore Dress: A contemporary twist to the classic school uniform. For a more edgy look, pair your dress with a pair of ankle boots or neck top. The Classic Jumper: Always a good old favourite item for the Fall Season. A jumper-and-skinny jeans two-piece is the perfect Autumn wear to keep you warm yet looking effortlessly chic.

Here are my TOP PICKS from the latest collection:

Dorothy Perkins: Black Hi Neck Lace Bodycon Dress
“A laced dress that lets you channel your Morticia Addams persona in the bodycon construction from Dorothy Perkins. This romantic piece features a sultry gothic allure with the embroidery upper and ruffled collar, making the perfect Victorian-esque horror that screams out for femme fatales.”

Dorothy Perkins: Stripe Pique Straight Leg Trouser
“Take a casual walk with this striped pants by Dorothy Perkins. The sleek and slim design will give an alluring yet elegant look to your everyday wear.”


Dorothy Perkins: Paisley Printed Pinny Dress
“Express your love for prints through this down-to-Earth, boho-esque number from Dorothy Perkins. Crafted from utterly soft fabric styled into a loose-fitting dress, this is the perfect piece for imbuing an air of effortless chic into your look for the day.”

Dorothy Perkins: Black Zip Through Denim Dress
“What better way to elevate your casual wear than with a tinge of denim. Dorothy Perkins takes on the crowd-favourite denim and reinvents it with edgy front zipper line and twin side pockets.”

Head over to ZALORA and satisfy your festive shopping needs now! Psst, with 11.11 Singles’ Day and Black Friday (27 Nov) happening this month, you can be sure that there will be lots of awesome and great promotions. Time to browse through the extensive catalog as you count down to the massive sales!

. ZALORA: My RED Inspiration .

Just like 99% of the population, I’m looking forward to the long National Day weekend in August. Initially, I had plans for a short getaway with the family but we decided to stay put eventually since this is our country’s jubilee celebrations and the entire nation will come alive with a host of exciting activities during that weekend! Luckily for me, I managed to score tickets to catch this year’s National Day Parade! As much as I dread the crowd and madness, I’m willing to make this year’s NDP 2015 an exception since it’s a a joyful celebration of SG50 and besides, it has been close to 2 decades since I caught my first and only NDP preview live!

With only less than a month to go before the NDP weekend, there’s really not much time left for me to pick out the right attire. So, where do I head to? Well, to my favourite fashion online destination – ZALORA – of course! Needless to say, it’s a MUST-HAVE to don something in our national colours so here are some of my picks for something red! 🙂  —

MANGO – Crisscross Strap Dress WAREHOUSE – Gypsy Skater Dress CATWALK88 – Cross Back Deep Vee Back Maxi Dress

MAXQULLO – Red Striped Top with Lace  Want some fresh fashion inspiration for the Golden Jubilee weekend? Head over to ZALORA and satisfy your National Day’s celebratory shopping needs now! Psst, did I also tell you that you are in luck? ZALORA is having a massive GSS Blowout now so there is further markdowns on more than 4000 items, with prices going as low as $5! Don’t miss this chance to grab these irresistible deals! 🙂 

. We are born to live and experience life .

“I always tell myself that we are born here not to work, but to enjoy life. We are here to make things better for one another, and not to work. If you are spending your whole life working, you will certainly regret it.

 

No matter how successful you are in your career, you must always remember that we are here to live. If you keep yourself busy working, you will surely regret it.”

– Jack Ma

. Shop Korean Fashion on ZALORA .

2 years ago, the old me was never interested in the Korean wave and turned a deaf ear to the K-pop phenomenon. The entire craze over sappy Korean dramas and the endless list of boy bands whose members look even prettier than me was simply beyond my comprehension. Yet, with the tremendous proliferation of Korean wave and my recent fascination with Running Man and the insanely gorgeous Korean celebrities, I must admit that I’m now one of those statistics. I have a whole collection of Korean skincare and beauty products (cleanser, essence, ampoules, cc mineral cushion, eyeliner, you name it and I got it), no thanks to my obsessive quest for a radiant and youthful complexion. And an insatiable appetite for Korean cuisine.

Now, thanks to the global popularity explosion, K-pop has also revolutionized our local women’s fashion. The Korean fashion scene is always evolving and it’s never a surprise to see the idols and celebrities changing their fashion style with every new season/ release of their new album. Get this, K-fashion has even dominated the usually hard-to-crack Western market! Personally, K-fashion is not exactly my style as I prefer sticking to classics and basics. Or, you can also just call me lazy as I’m not one to catch on with the latest trends. However, my partial addiction to Korean entertainment has made me found a new love in snapback caps, sneakers and pullovers but they make me look younger than my actual age so I’m not complaining! 😛

Want to find the suitable clothes and accessories to complement your Korean look? Well, look no further than ZALORA Marketplace, where you can find a variety of Korean inspired fashion to satisfy the K-pop in you! Here are some of my favourite picks! 🙂

Black Maxi Dress:
A figure-hugging black dress that adds a twist to the usual LBD.

Kim-Hye Denim Coat:
I’m a believer that denim never goes out of style and would be interested to see how I can incorporate a long denim coat into my wardrobe.

Archi Aztec Printed Pants:
While I still love my skinny jeans and hot yoga pants, I must admit that I’m also very fond of baggy pants that are not only comfortable but chic.

Harper The Minimalist Sling Bag:
Be prepared to receive lots of compliments with this very stylish sling bag. It’s on my “To Purchase” list!

Shop for the latest Korean Fashion Trends at ZALORA Marketplace!

. A Rich Life With Less Stuff – The Minimalists .

source

So, I was catching up on my regular financial reads when I came across an insightful blog post by SG Young Investment about “Less being More”. I’m sure that many of us have came across this phrase but living in a relatively materialistic society means that it is a challenge for most of us not to get caught in the endless pursuit of money and material possessions. Very often, we are easily convinced that the answer to happiness and fulfillment can be something purchased from the retail stores. The more we earn or climb the corporate ladder, the more tempted we are to splurge on material goods. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying the latest gadgets or branded bags to make us happy (hence, the term “retail therapy”) but on the flip side, does this form of momentary happiness last for long? I’m a subscriber to retail therapy (albeit small ticket items) but in the long run, it doesn’t help solve the root of any problem. At best, you just blew money to cheer yourself up. At worst, you fall into a recurring debt to fund your luxurious lifestyle. At the end of the day, does having more money or material possessions fills the empty void that we have in our hearts?

I have a complicated love-hate relationship with money, the epitome of a “Relationship paradox”. One one hand, I enjoy making money because it gives me the power to spend on things I want and reassures me of a financial safety net. Yet, I must confess that I’m equally guilty of being a slave to money because it is one of my greatest fear to live a life of a pauper. Fortunately, thanks to my grandma’s constant preaching about the importance of saving, I must say that I don’t splurge unnecessarily these days other than on travel (can’t help it), skincare (vain pot) and recently, cab transportation! Nonetheless, like most impressionable young adults, I had my fair share of  extravagant days where I splurged on the latest fashion trends and brands to boost my ego and impress others. Those were the days where I would buy loads of items, only to throw them aside once they have outlived their function/ novelty, sometimes even in a matter of days! Did my purchases result in an immediate spike in happiness within me? Yes. Did it add any measurable value to my life? No.

Nowadays, I’m no longer in awe when friends or colleagues talk about the latest brands or tech devices. I take public transport almost 85% of the time (partly also because I don’t have a driving license, haha), buy second-hand clothes from Carousell, re-wear my 4-5 pairs of shoes to the extent that they become too tattered to be worn and spend the weekends exploring Singapore or going on free heritage tours instead of hitting the malls. Truth to be told, I’m quite contented with this lifestyle. No need for keeping up with the Joneses. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating you to live life to the extreme and forgo the occasional indulgence. No. More than anything, I would like this inspiring video to be a reminder to you that we do not need to measure the things we have to our self-worth or what defines a successful life.

My own experiences and discussion with older folks has made me realised that a happy life is beyond wealth and superfluous comforts. Essentially, it is really the meaningful relationships that we have with people and valuable life experiences that form the foundation of happiness.

The Minimalists.