REMINISCENCE

Tuesday, September 02, 2025

A Half Decade Later

Almost five years have gone by since my last entry. Much have changed since then. The strangest year turned out to be the beginning of the best years of my life, building a family, maturing and be a better person each day, or at least I try to be. I dated, got hitched, enjoyed honeymoon life, have a baby and am still learning to be a mom.

From being a corporate employee who used to working long hours in the office, I have traded it for a more enriching profession. It might not pay in monetary value but it’s something I would regret not doing, spending time and nurturing my little one before he gets too independent.

I guess I do not have anymore to say. Words are getting fewer as age catches on. Soon, it will be a new chapter for us as we transition to a place we will call home for many more years.

To my beloved who is on the other side of the planet, know that I miss you every day and look forward to the day we reunite again.

Sunday, November 15, 2020

The Strangest Year

2020. It was a year people look forward to. The perfect year for a brand new start. Unbeknownst to all, it was also the start of a pandemic which source is heavily speculated.

Many, many years ago, when I was little, I don't remember how old I was, I thought about how my life would be like in 2020. Then, it seemed like an impossible year to reach but here we are. It was nothing like I imagined. I envisioned myself not wearing masks in public. That was the clearest I remembered. No smelling my own breath and frequently taking off my specs to get rid of the proof of exhalation that escaped the gap between the mask and my face wishing I could stow the specs somewhere until I free my mouth in the privacy of my home.

At first, I wasn't threatened by the pandemic. I kept thinking that it would somehow disappear as suddenly as it first came. Yes, it came swiftly but its hopeful disappearance did not happen. It spread globally in a matter of weeks affecting from hundreds and then thousands of people. This is when it hit nearer to home. The country went into a lockdown with no interstate nor international travels allowed on 18 March which lasted until 10 June 2020. The social creatures were encouraged to stay at home to curb the spread. The outcome? The unshakeable tourism industry was at the brink of collapsing.

It would be a lie if I say I am not worried at all. True, there was a few months of escape from the pandemic which I thought would last. At least, I thought everything will be rosy again. It was an unsettling quiet before the storm.

Here we are again, at yet another conditional movement control order. There is one important thing I can do. It's not about becoming a nervous wreck, worrying for things beyond my control. It's time I learn to continue trusting God. Everything is happening according to His plan.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

An impending change and Choco

My working life has changed. It might not seem so yet, but it is definitely coming. For good or bad, only time can tell. Will this newcomer be supportive and not try to take control over all things? I just hope the change will be for the better, and most importantly, no one is slighted.

I told my comrades, we are all in the same boat. We have one another. I need to constantly remind myself that no matter what others say, I have to keep an objective mindset to avoid being judgmental.

As I’m typing this, something warm and black but constantly itchy is sitting beside me on the sofa. Oh, how he loves the sofa - the forbidden item at home which we now relinquished to his control for a couple more days.

His name is Choco, named after the forbidden ingredient that will cause death to his kind when ingested for long term in a considerable amount.

Choco emitting powerful signals from his eyes to get something

How can you say no to that doe-eyed dog?

His deer-like ears, too large for his small face, are constantly searching for sounds to have reasons for his heart freezing screams. His cuteness disappears for a moment whenever that happens.

Now resting on the covered sofa, his mind slowly drifts into the world where sleeping canines go.

I wonder if he dreams about his real family?

Or maybe he dreams of some delicious beef jerky suited only for human consumption which he robbed from midair last weekend.

His body relaxes as his sleep gets deeper. Even his jaw relaxes showing his two rows of white teeth, worthy of a toothpaste commercial.

Good night, kangaroo dog.

Savour your precious time on this temporary throne before your demotion back to the balcony with sea view.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

What? Chiang Mai trip was three weeks ago?

It's strange how the year has gone by so swiftly. Is it just me who feel this way? People tell me, "Time moves at the same speed. It's just you."

Let me tell you why I felt it was a speedy year. One example below.

My much awaited and anticipated Chiang Mai trip had come to an end. It has even been almost three weeks since I came back. How fast is that? Deep down, there was a tiny bit of regret that I was not there at the opportune period to experience the cool weather. Nevertheless, it is no doubt a beautiful city of Thailand.

It was my virgin trip to Thailand, and I went straight to the northernmost city. Apprehensive at first, thinking that the food would be out of this world - unsuitable for my usually picky tongue for strong flavoured food - I was surprised to be impressed by the variety of delectable and appetising local specialities. They were also quite cheap. When I say cheap, it doesn't mean RM1 meals but definitely worth what I paid for. Although I did have RM1 meals out of MAMA creamy tomyam cup noodles. If I were not afraid of dying early, I could eat them every day. They were for sale at 27 baht for 3 in a pack! Tell me how I could resist this drug in MAMA form.

Another main highlight - Shangri-La Hotel Chiang Mai

The grand hotel which is celebrating her 10th anniversary this year

It has a spacious and comfortable room with a bed that magically turned me into Aurora. If there was really nowhere else to go, I would definitely be happy to be a hermit tucked under my sheets, with my Kindle in one hand, whilst the other reaching out to the tempting steaming mug of Chamomile tea at the bedside table.

Oh no, look at the time now. It's twenty minutes past midnight. Another proof that the needles on the clock are racing to the next morning, desperate to evilly drag me out of bed to work.

I wish I could stay and write more. Well, I can always save this post as draft and build on it later but what fun is there to it if I procrastinate too much and it gets published probably years later?

It is too mean of me to do that.

Hope you were entertained by this entry I enjoyed writing tonight.