Earth Shaking!

So...as usual, I went to work this morning. My current job is a shopper. I work very hard to be a shopper, you know? Very, very hard! While shopping and walking and working very hard, and my phone beeped. It was Jolynn, I went to Orange County to visit her yesterday. Her text message came as a shock. Apparently there was an earthquake and the epi centre was right by her home! It was really shocking as my original plan was to visit her today instead or yesterday. And we could have been hurt if we were sitting at her home when the earth quake happened.

I called her right away to check on her. She was at home, checking on her dog. She told me that things were smashed and there were glass around. Well, I told her, as long as she and everyone is fine, that's good enough. Everything else is material and it can be replaced. I called her sister Eelynn to check on her too. Glad to report that everything's fine. This is life, things happen and even something small like rescheduling our meet can turn out to have an impact. We could have been hurt. That's what I kept thinking about. Very thankful

And yes, I've done another two things that I've always wanted to do in my life, to catch the Greyhound and also to ride in the Amtrak. Well, don't think I would want to take the Greyhound again. But sure, I'll take the Amtrak again. It's really nice! It was a scenic ride. Maybe, someday, I'll do the ride from San Francisco to San Diego. Enjoy the pics. They were taken on my ride back to San Diego on the Amtrak.

An Attitude in Life

Found out yesterday that Randy Paush passed on. It did come as a shock as I was just talking about him to Sharon last week when I was still in San Francisco. I told her that I really admire his courage and his positive attitude towards life. For those who don't know. Randy Pausch wrote The Last Lecture. He wrote the book because he was going to give his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University but the lecture was not for his students but rather for his kids. Basically he was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006 and was given three to six months to live and well he survived close to two years. His life was so inspiring and I wonder if I were in his shoes, would I crumble like a cookie or would I live a life like him?

The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people.

Randy Pausch

What a quote! And yes, climb the brick walls to prove that that's what I want. All my life, there have been things that I've managed to accomplished and there's a whole list that can stretch from Gold Coast to Perth that I've not tried, started or accomplished. What am I waiting for? I don't know.....But now, I know. It's just sheer laziness.

Don't obsess over what people think. No job is beneath you. Tell the truth.

Randy Pausch

That's just so true. I don't care what people think about me. Oh, maybe at some point of time, I did before but I've realised, what's the point? When I was doing my masters in Sydney, due to bad financial planning, I ran out of money and had to work as a waitress, a cashier at the supermarket and a nanny. Sure, the jobs were not ideal but I did what I had to do. I told the truth whenever Eve wanted to meet for meals and I couldn't afford. I don't believe in lying and creating false facades when basically I couldn't afford. And yes, I'm brutally truthful at times and there are times that people do get hurt.

It's not not about how you achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you.

Randy Pausch

Oh how true, wait, except for the karma bits but then again, I believe in what goes around comes around, treat others like how I would like to be treated and also more importantly, I believe that the Heavenly Father rewards. And the process and experience working towards dreams sometimes is far more rewarding than the dream itself. I pursued the dream of wanting to earn my masters. The journey and experience of it at that time was hard and painful at times. I've graduated a while ago but looking back now, it was the experience of going through a difficult time that Babe and me got closer and learnt to work together and love each other more. It was also at that point of time that Eve and me reconnected. Do I care about that scrap of paper now? No....not really. But the experience and memories of Eve and me spending time both during my undergrad and postgrad days were far more fulfilling.

There are people that would probably wonder why would I bother to fly half way around the world to spend time with Eve and my cousins in California since I've been to California thrice. Truth of the matter, it's important for me to be here. It was last summer that I spent time with Sharon that she opened up about her cancer and other stuff. Same with Eelynn and Bruno. I got to know them a lot better. And this time, got to see their love blossoming everyday. I spent time with Jojo last summer with her boyfriend and it was then that I understood more about adoption through Jojo's boyfriend. Will be seeing her on Monday again. And with Eve, it's important for me to spend time with her every summer. She's like one of my best friends. It's easier with my best friends in Singapore. I get to see them at least twice a year. Even calling them up is much easier. With Eve, timezone differences and distance sometimes makes it hard. And its always at the back of my head....What if something happens and I never get to see my cousins or Eve again.

Thanks Randy for inspiring me and teaching me lessons that I probably would have known but you opened my eyes to see the importance of living now and not in the past. Have no regrets of what I've done but rather have regrets of thing that I've not done. So....tomorrow, I might be going kayaking with Eve. Yes, kayaking.....For someone whose not very sporty, I did the nature walk in San Francisco and now....kayaking, that's a lot for me, you know?

Pics from San Francisco

As my time in San Francisco comes to an end, here are the pics that have been taken over the couple of the days. Had a really great time here as always. Love dropping by to see family and catching up with everyone before heading off to San Diego. Hopefully, I'll be able to drop by again next summer.

The 3 Sim cousins after brunch. Yes, me and my pink stuff. When I arrived, it was real cold and it is still cold. I always forget how cold San Francisco can get in summer.
Saw this little quaint purple house in Napa Valley which is just outside San Francisco. We stopped by this cafe opposite this house when Bruno ran in the get a coffee.
Me outside Ad Hoc Cafe in Napa Valley, yabbing on the phone with Joanne. She stayed up just to call and check on me.
Eelynn and Bruno brought me to Ad Hoc Cafe for brunch. And yes, this is the place where I had probably the best beef that I've ever eaten thus far. Think it'll be hard to beat this place. And if you know of a place that serves great organic beef, let me know. And Eelynn and Bruno, thanks for bringing me there.
Vineyards.....very similar to Margaret River in Western Australia but for some reason, I think it's much prettier and quaint here. Oh, this is after shopping when the car was just cramped with all the shopping bags. Could hardly shut the boot.
Sonoma, where we stopped for dinner. Smart Bruno, feed the Sim ladies first before getting back into San Francisco.
Some square in Sonoma. Very quaint place.
Golden Gate Bridge....and no.....not golden, it's red.
The venue where they got married. For the split second that I was in the car, I did wish that I was there witnessing my cousin getting married. And I imagined in my head the ceremony....Eelynn walking down...
Now the lookout....and if you look hard enough....you'll see Alcatraz in the ocean below.
Downtown San Francisco, when I was roaming and doing some shopping.
Sharon and me at Fishermen's Wharf. She brought me there to shop and have yummy crabs.
Sausalito, she brought me there as I mentioned to her in passing that friends have asked if I've been there.
For some reason Sausalito reminds me of Fremantle in Perth or maybe Bondi in Sydney. Not sure why.
Muir Beach....We went there on the way to Muir Woods....and boy was it freezing there!
Deer!!!! I love deer! But no....no touching...you can get some strange diesease from deer ticks, you know?
Beautiful Redwood trees....Sharon brought me there as I asked her about trees that were big enough for cars to drive through and she brought me to see them!
Yes, laugh and snigger....I'm normally not a nature person but I wanted to see these trees since I read about them when I was a kid.
Us in the tree trunk....and yup! You guessed it right, I had paranoid thoughts running in my head. For your information, these are 3 things that prevent me from going for nature walks, rambles or hiking.

1) I do not walk on grass barefooted, with slippers or no part of my feet will touch grass.
2) I do not eat in a park, forest, or under a tree as insects, worms or leaves can drop into my food.
3) I do not touch leaves. I do not deal well with leaves hitting me face. Actually, I can freak out badly if leaves hit me in the face.
So now you know why the army will never have me....And I've been thinking of starting my veggie patch....hmmm...not a good idea, huh?

Overall, it has been such a great time. Thanks cousins!!! It has just been so so great. And yes...here am I thinking...to sleep or not to sleep....I'm leaving in like less than 2 hours to the airport to get to San Diego. Afraid that I may not be able to wake up.......

Ignorance is Bliss?

One thing that I love about California is that it's all about being natural and organic. My trip here last summer somewhat converted me to eating organically after talking to Bruno and just eating organically. During my last trip, I ate heaps and heaps and yet I realised that my body didn't feel heavy and bloated and I had regular bowel removal times and I just felt great. Didn't put on any weight. Actually, lost some from the eating and pooing.....

Eelynn lent me a book from her father in law. I took the book out today knowing that I was going to roam the city and I may want to read the book when I get my breakfast or have a coffee. Well, sure enough I had time to read bits of the book. I'm not quite there yet. Hopefully, I'll finished reading the book by tomorrow evening. I have to say, reading the book made me so so aware of what to put into my mouth and Babe's mouth. It is like a revelation. And I'm not sure if I should have started reading the book or not. Sometimes, we rather not know the truth and turn a blind eye to the toxins around us. We rather have them than to have them flushed out of our system and stop getting them. I'm referring to toxins in terms of real food and emotional shit that we have. It's always easier to ignore because by ignoring, the 'current price' to pay is cheap. There's nothing to deal with now, current or present. But in wanting to deal with the toxins now, we have to clear it out. And yes, painful, both in terms with food and emotions. With food, painful because we have to start being healthy, eating right, excerising and yes, pockets hurt too because eating organic is not cheap. With emotions, it's worse. It is always hard to let go and that's why many people rather have ignorance and have their bliss for the moment.....

But the ignorance leads to cancer....metaphorically speaking, it slows eats us away. Very slowly. Sharon told me that her cancer started possibily 2 years before she discovered it. She didn't even know it was there until she found the lump. Well, that's the thing that I've been wondering about. Do I wait till either Babe or me falls to cancer before we turn organic? Why not turn now? And it's the same with emotional stuff. Why not clear what's bugging us now and let it go? Why pretend and think everything is alright by ignoring and let the emotional cancer grow? And then like what Pastor Heng told me once, a couple decided to divorce because someone forgot to refill the empty box of tissues. Well, that was the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Isn't it interesting that food is somewhat always related to emotional issues? People tend to eat way too much or stop eating when they are upset. Oh...Bruno and Eelynn brought me to Napa Valley to Ad-hoc Cafe on Sunday for brunch and I had one of the best beef that I've eaten in my life there. Ate so much, we had to eat Eelynn's portion because she doesn't eat red meat. And surprisingly, after eating, I didn't feel sick. Bruno told me that the reason why we feel sick from eating way too much meat at times is because of the toxins in the meat and it's not because of the meat. I found that interesting. And despite of eating so much of the yummy meat, I had great poos (pooed more than once) the next day. And yes, it was organic beef.....Oh...when will I ever have such great beef again.....

Pics from City Tour from Korea

These are pics that were taken during my 12 hours layover in Seoul. I must say that I enjoyed my 12 hours there and had a great time during the city tour even though I didn't know anyone. And definitely will want to visit Seoul again. But this time, a proper holiday there.

When I got onto my flight from Hong Kong to Seoul, I had to admit that I was a little disappointed with the airline. There wasn't inflight entertainment. No little screen in front of me. And I was like...dang! What will I do for my next flight of 10 hrs to San Fran to Seoul? But....I was more than satisfied! The airline proved to be great! Great movies on demand selection and yummy food too! Nothing to complain about.

Since I knew that I was going to be in Seoul for 12 hrs, I thought, I'll take the city tour. Pics of some palace that we went to.



Kids on excursion to the folk museum. Those kids were so cute!
It was interesting that in Jeju Island, there were also some of these stone statues that apppeared there.
Some street that I was dropped off to have a stroll along. Had an interesting time.

Airport Drama

So....was at Hong Kong's airport last night. Checked in and was early. Sat down to read my book at where I thought my boarding gate was at, gate 20. My flight was meant to take off at 12.30 am. Sat down at 11 pm to read my book. Thought everything was great, fine and dandy. 11.45 or something like that came and I wondered why no one was boarding. Then I checked my boarding pass and realised that the flight is at gate 19. And no, 20 is not next to 19. Had to walk really quick and as I was walking, my phone rang. The crew called and wanted to know where I was. Well, rushed and rushed and yes! I made it!

Yes...I know, I'm confused...But I blame it on not enough rest and no coffee and whatever....I'm at Incheon's airport now. It's nice. Took a city tour. Very nice. Think maybe I can live here. But would have to learn Korean so that I can watch my Korean soapies. Oh and my tour guide thought I am a student on a holiday! Ha! So....Babe, my investment in La Mer is worth after all!!!

Off To the Airport for California!

I'm so excited....Off to the airport in a couple of minutes. Yesterday and today, have been up like before 9 in the morning even though I didn't have to get to work. Wanted to get the most out of my days. Oh, I went into work briefly today. Dropped something off for my boss.

Had brunch with Paula at yumcha. It was a really good time spent with her. We talked for the longest time since we've known each other. To me, it was like a celebration of our 2 years of friendship and the end of our first contract. We made it through and we're even taking on a second contract! Woohoo!!! Can't believe that time really flew by so fast.

We were talking about relationships and how things are. She's just getting to know a bloke and to be really honest, it was such an honour that she said that Babe and me as a couple is a role model for her. When I pondered upon what she said, I'm seriously blown away by what she said. Very flattering as well. I told her that it is hard at times. Babe is away for the moment. He'll be back tomorrow night. He's been away since Sunday night and I won't be seeing him till on the 7th of Aug in Spore. Even then, he'll be extremely busy with work. But I told her that whatever mistakes and weaknesses that I saw in my parents' marriage, I made a conscious effort not to make those mistakes. It is very hard and there are times that I fail but I am thankful to be blessed with such a wonderful, loving, caring and no words can describe him kinda husband. Very thankful.

So......I'm off to the airport...Will be in Seoul for 12 hours and then will be in San Francisco till 23rd Jul and then to San Diego and not such where else. So so happy! And Paula, it was a nice time out this afternoon! Thanks.

Start of Summer Hols

Yesterday was the last day of work. Woohoo!!! Finally, the school year has come to an end. Have to say that I really need the break. At the same time, it's strange that I was a little sad to see the primary six students leaving and saying goodbye to some of them. It made me realised that wow, I really have relationships with some of the students to actually feel for them. Yes, work has become more meaningful. The way it is meant to be.

Last night, I had dinner with ladies from the Geoexpat group. It's always nice meeting new ladies in Hong Kong. In all reality, it can be hard meeting lady friends in Hong Kong. And it's even harder making sane friends! I was seated next to a lady that's just a little older than me. We had a nice conversation about relationships and marriages. She's a single lady in her early 40s and the conversations were quite candid and open. I asked her as she gets older, would she want to settle? And she shook her head and said no. She then recounted that she had drinks with a lady that was 20 years younger than her and she gave the young lady one advice for relationship. 'When things go awry in a relationship, walk away with your dignity. You can lose everything but not your dignity.' And I thought that was priceless. In many ways, she reminds me of Eve. Very rational in her thoughts and it's not easy for her as she works in a male dominated area and yet she is able to command the respect from them.

Caught up with Rani as well. When I think about it, I've actually known Rani a couple of months before moving to HK. She's been very helpful and supportive in many ways. And it's through Rani and Geoexpat, I've gotten to know a lot more ladies. Well, I'm not sounding like I'm friendship starved or anything like that. But it's nice to meet more ladies. Sometimes, we get on and sometimes not. But it's all about giving chances to people. But then again, having said that, sometimes, I give too many chances and lessons have been learnt. But this is life.

Before dinner, I met up with Carmen briefly for a coffee. Love Carmen! In some ways, we are quite similar, well, our birthdays are only a day apart from each other. And for Carmen and me, things in life are very clear, the white stays in white and black stays in black. They rarely cross over. Greys are hard to find or we rather not have them. In the midst of our conversations, it turned to how her ex-boss crossed her path a couple of times after she stopped working for him. Conversation turned to how people can turn vindictive and without regard for others. But Carmen took it very well, she's like let it go. Karma may or may not come back and it doesn't matter. What's the point of being really pissed with the person. Isn't that very true in life?

Tomorrow, I'll be off to Seoul, will spend 12 hours there and then to San Francisco. Will see Eelynn and Bruno and also will spend time with Sharon and Dan probably. Can't wait to see my cousins. This has become a yearly thing that I drop by in San Francisco to see them before heading to San Diego. Can't wait to see my cousins and cousin in laws. Eelynn has planned this nice trip to Petuluma. Haven't been there but who cares! As long as I get to see my cousins! Will plan to see Jolynn too. She's another of my cousin, Eelynn's sister. Will probably try to spend a night with her.

And then on Wednesday, will fly out to San Diego to see Eve. Not sure what our travel plans are going to be yet. But as long as I get to see her and spend time with her, I don't really care what we do! I just want to hang out with her!

Last Weekend Before Heading Out for Summer Holidays

Last Friday, we invited some friends over for a BBQ. It was a little nerve wrecking on Thursday and Friday early afternoon as we were not sure if the weather would hold up. It had been pouring for the past few days. Well, thank God, the skies held up....Kinda...Till we had our fill of food and then....showers of blessings came.





Then, we had to move up to our little apartment for chat, drinks and Happy! Boy, was Happy over the moon with the visitors. She started clamouring on top of everyone, jumping up and down!

She had a full on attack on Emily and Derrick! Hope they had fun with Happy.


Overall, it was a nice time with friends. A little bittersweet as well. Elaine's leaving. She's not re-contracting with her school. Will definitely miss her heaps! She's such a great tea companion. Marriott might not be the same without her!


And yes....me being a show off....This is the mobile phone that I've been waiting for! My iphone!!! Was actually really surprised that I could managed to get my hands, fingers, toes, whatever on to one. Iphone was launched on Fri and I registered with 3 mobile network for an iphone. Since I didn't get an email from them, I thought...there goes my chance on getting an iphone. On Sat, we went to Tsingyi for dinner. On the spur of the moment, we went to 3 mobile shop to ask if they had anymore iphones. And viola, they had! Heart skipped a beat...did a little dance and the iphone is mine! All mine!!!! It was time to change my mobile phone anyway. Even Joanne was surprised that I held to my mobile phone for 2 years! So there you go, oh....can't forget...must thank Babe, he bought it for me! Love him heaps and heaps!!!

So....What's Next?

So....I'm coming to the end of my contract in Hong Kong. So what's next and what's in stored for us?

When I got back from Christmas vacation, the school has asked if I wanted to sign another contract with them. And was asked again at Chinese New Year. Prayed about it and talked to Babe about it and we felt that at this point of time, Hong Kong may be the place for us to stay for the moment. And life is as such, just when I said yes to the school, was asked by someone whose working in an international Christian school if I was interested in working for them. But I had to say no because we're planning to adopt and the current job that I have gives me the time with the child. Told him maybe in two years' time.

So that got me thinking about my life at time point of time. For the past two years, it has been a great experience. Sure, there were a couple of bad moments but the good overrode the bad. I've met really nice, genuine and caring people whom I can safely call them friends, you know who you are, got to know Babe a lot more since we have more time for each other, travelled more, got to see Eve last summer and will be seeing her too, got to see my cousins in California too. So overall, it has been good. Very happy with our lives in Hong Kong. Not forgetting our little Happy too.


Workwise, I'm a lot happier and at peace with myself. I know that there's no corporate ladder to climb in my job, there's no promotions and I'm not going to be a department head or anything like that but I'm happier this way. There's no competition, no situations like if I help you, what can I get out from you. But rather, colleagues are relatively nice and cooperative. Even the ones that I don't really work with. My bosses have been good and seriously, there's nothing that I'm complaining about. They are even very supportive of the adoption plan. But at the same time, I miss having relationships with the kids. It is getting a little better in that area.

So question is...what's next after my second contract? I don't know....we don't know. It's going to be up to Babe then. At this point of time, Babe has the liberty to be in Hong Kong and yet fly to Spore every month for work. And we're getting prepared at in time to come, he'll be travelling even more. I've always believed that my job or career is not the priority in our marriage. Babe's job is the priority. He's the main breadwinner, the one that brings the bacon home and I'm just the one that supplements. And if we have to move back to Spore or anything part of the world for his work, I'll go. If he has to be based in India one day, I'll go. Wouldn't mind taking a break from work for a while but obviously I'll be too bored if I'm out of work for too long. Anyway, que sera sera, whatever will be will be. I've come to a point in life that God will lead us along. No point trying to second guess what He has in stored for us.

Ladies Take Macau!

Had a really good time with Danna, Melissa and Paula at Macau yesterday. Nice chill out time, catching up, talking crap and having lots of fun! Thanks ladies for all the jokes and laughter! Enjoy the pics! We have to do this again!