.::. Taking Stock .::.

As we are concluding Q3 and going into Q4, I’m glad that 2015 has been another great year, though not exactly lucky for me. I got into an accident, hurt my feet and lost my wallet the first time in my life.

Most of the goals that I’ve set for this year has been checked off the list though.

I have finished my ACCA exams, and is now officially a CPA Affiliate! Not that I’m going to find another job to be an accountant; nor does this change much of anything. I’m glad that I’m done with studying. Studying while working is really tough, especially if you would actually want to have a life. So glad I'm done with this one. =)

An unexpected event threw us off our plans though – we got a car. Yes, I know, absolutely foolish financially when we do not need a car and have free transport to work. It’s an additional expense of almost $2k if not for some help from this parents. It's still a substantial sum of money that could be invested for early retirement and holidays. Although I’m now excited about having our first ride, I can’t say that this has not weighed us down financially and perhaps mentally. I dislike liabilities and hate having to worry about money. After all the sums, we can probably afford it, but things will be different if kids come into the equation and we can no longer enjoy those amazing holidays. If not for the over-trade rebate from the MIL’s old car, and relatively cheaper COE now, we probably wouldn’t have done it. Having said that, since it’s a done deal, we must make sure that we get most out of the car. I’m already planning weekends out with Chikey, and the many places that I always wanted to go but couldn’t without a car. This almost translates to pay more to spend more. =_=”

And with 9 months on my violin, 6 months of piano classes, I’m preparing for Grade 3 ABRSM exams early next year! It brings me so much joy to be able to do what I love and make so much progress over the months. It’s hard work, but it’s a process that I actually enjoy, more than studying for ACCA!

Fitness wise, I’ve been pretty consistent this year till recently. I love BodyPump and BodyCombat, and all the muscles that I'm building. It feels great being stronger and having the energy to do all I do, though my mum constantly reminds me that I'm too 'fat'. It's annoying, but it's also amazing how because of her, I have learnt to not let peoples' opinion of me bother me too much over the years. Life is too short to bother about what people think. 

And here is a picture of us, scaling 2 volcanoes in Indonesia after our exams. It was another great adventure. We climbed Ijen in the dark, leaving the hotel at midnight and reached the top before daybreak. I hope that we stay fit enough to do this again! And I hope that I get to sit down and write about this trip, and our 10th anniversary trip to Maldives last December. And there was Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

The haze is making me so allergic and I’m relying on my inhaler at times. Apart from necessary, I’m hiding at home as much as possible. I have been coughing since weeks ago too. I hope this haze goes away soon! Shooo~

.::. Home Alone .::.

This week, the husband is traveling. Again. He has been traveling pretty often, but this time feels abit more unbearable. I usually love having the time to myself and pack my week with activities like meeting up with my friends or going to the gym, or getting my hair done or simply go window shopping and have dinner by myself. But this week, I'm preparing for my exams and days feel so long when they are sleep-work-study on repeat mode. Doesn't help that work has been busy, I have been stressed-up, exams are next week and it's almost that time of the month soon.

This is one of the rare cold weeks that I feel somewhat lonely and long for a warm body to hug in bed. No, Chikey who has been snuggling up to me these days don't count!

Can't wait for exams to end (hopefully forever!) and the husband to be back soon! #fighting

.::. 2014 Resolutions .::.

2013

It has been a great year on many counts. After getting over with the wedding and honeymoon, we finally paid off our installments for our home appliances and whatever debts we had. We’ve finally settled into our new home and recovered financially. Both of us are doing great at work and saving up for a family. There’s not much to complain about really. Life has been kind. Compared to the upheavals and all that drama in 2011/2012, 2013 has indeed been a peaceful and great year where everything started to get back on track.

2014 Resolutions

1.       To stay healthy and fit.

Health is wealth! It’s something which I try to do as much as possible, although not as much as I’d like. I do believe that exercise is essential to be healthy and I feel sluggish without exercise. I’ve been cooking a lot in 2013 and have tried to incorporate whole grains and complex carbs into my diet although the husband is not a fan. He practically refuses to eat rice mixed with brown rice, so my mission to switch to brown rice has failed miserably. He complains about the quinoa that I mix into rice too, but at least he eats it anyway. He doesn’t seem to mind whole wheat bread for breakfast though. I pack lunch to eat in the office, and they are mostly quite healthy but I ain’t too disciplined when eating out or during gatherings. I struggle with portion control because I’m always hungry. It’s so easy to fall off the wagon and stop exercising for weeks when I’m really busy and tired. I suppose I should try to be more consistent and disciplined in the coming year!

2.       Creating passive income

Although I’m sashing a good portion of my earnings somewhere where I can’t see nor spend, I’m beginning to become acutely aware that time is running out and I need to start saving and investing more to build up my retirement funds, or even better, a constant flow of passive income. There’s so much to read up and learn and plan. It’s time to spend more time and get this done, including doing more reading and research. First thing first, to spend less and save more! I was quite inspired by this blog that I’ve been reading. Step one to creating passive income was to get full-time employment, something which made me see work in a different light.

 http://singaporeanstocksinvestor.blogspot.sg/2010/02/seven-steps-to-creating-passive-income.html

3.       Finish ACCA already!

I’ve 2 more papers left! I’ve enrolled for classes and exams in June, and I’m hoping that I get this out of the way by June. Worst case scenario is to finish it by December if I fail any of the papers. *makes a mental note to study harder right from the beginning* On a side note, I’m thinking of going back to master Japanese or take CPSM to upgrade my skillset for work after I’m done with ACCA. The husband’s reaction was – huh?! still want to study?! Oh, and I’ve been wanting to learn violin!

Somehow, I can’t seem to idle.

Studies have proven that the human could not multi-task effectively and should only focus on a few goals at one time. I shall focus on these 3 goals and get them done in the new year ahead!

The forecast for next year is supposed to be great for Oxen! To another great year ahead ~

.::. Those were the days .::.

I still think of my days in Sweden a lot. Sometimes, it’s involuntary, and flashes of memories would appear in my mind. Sometimes, I revisit my memories, just like watching an old movie again. It doesn’t feel like it’s been 3 years, and yes, those were one of my happiest memories.

What I missed most was perhaps feeling so carefree. It wasn’t something Singaporeans experienced often.

A normal day would be getting up in the morning, make an omelet for breakfast, getting ready for school with my packed lunch before making my way to school. I did not stay in Lund where the school was, but stayed in the third largest city in Sweden and about 20 minutes train-ride away. Buses and trains weren’t packed, people were polite and minded their own business, there were seats on buses and trains. I usually had lunch with my course mates, all of us heating up our lunch boxes and making free hot tea. Some days we head to the library or work on our presentations, other days I head to the gym and supermarket.

Nights usually ended early unless it was one of those dinner nights at Emma’s and Anny’s in Lund. I tried to head home early, because the evenings were nights in Singapore and the husband (then boyfriend) would be online waiting for me. Both of us had webcams but we would on the webcam and not talk, but type instead. He thinks it’s strange talking into a computer. He would carry Chinook and let me see him and we would update each other on what’s happening or I’d show him my home-cooked dinner.

During days when there weren’t lessons, I woke up late, made breakfast and would walk to the beach. I loved those walks. It was always breezy with people jogging, men pushing prams. Everyone had their own piece of beach and it was a picture of calm and quietness. On the way back, I will visit the supermarket for good deals. I was very thrifty and only bought the cheapest stuff, just because I’d rather spend whatever money I had on traveling. I bought meats that were on sale and freeze them and actually, whatever that was on sale.

Once a week, usually on Saturday, I would visit the Asian market. They sold white mushrooms and broccoli, white cabbage, red/green peppers cheaply. Sometimes, a big plastic bag of white button mushrooms cost me $2 and I would eat it for a whole week. Onions, carrots and potatoes were cheap, so I usually got them from the supermarket. Somedays, I splurge on green Asian vegetables which were rare and expensive there. I still remembered how happy I was to have a stir-fried sambal kang kong.

Apart from these daily routines, I’m usually open to activities and meeting people. I usually joined whatever parties people invited me to. Their parties are usually in the faculty or dorms, with people buying food and gathering to chat and drink. I speak to all sort of strangers, met all sorts of people from all over the world. Most of them, I never do remember their names nor keep in contact after. But it’s these people who has ignited a quiet revolution in me and opened my mind to many other perspectives.

Being brought up in Singapore sometimes narrow our minds. From young, we were brought up to see only one road – to study hard, get great results, and to find a good job and climb up the corporate ladder. We can’t stop, we must keep going up and save for retirement. There’s no other way to survive. Part of me feel trapped, yet another part of me long to break free. I believe in dreams, yet I’m practical by nature. Perhaps the biggest issue is not knowing what you want exactly, and nobody can have it all.

And perhaps, that’s why life is a journey, a lifelong search for meaning.

.::. Exams are over! .::.

The exam was over yesterday! One of the rare papers that feels like a confirmed pass despite the sub-stardard revision that i've done. I'm indeed a theory/writing person.

Have got a weekend or two free before tuition starts again. Going swimming tonight and perhaps hot yoga this weekend, some baking, some cooking, some cleaning and packing and getting some pictures uploaded, blog posts scheduled.

Exams are great, they make you feel so free after them. And you know what? I secretly like studying. 3 more papers left! =O

.::. Passed .::.

I passed my last ACCA fundamentals paper!  *weee~

In fact, it's *phew!  Because I just scrapped through.  But since passing rates are hovering around 40%, passing would put anyone easily in the top half of the cohort.  I guess I'm really lucky since I didn't go for classes and self-studied last minute.

It feels like forever, and I still have FIVE more papers to take...I've been studying for like, forever.

This year's aim is to take 3 more papers and finish it all up next year!

Jiayou.

.::. Mugging days .::.

I have been mugging at the library these days.

It brings back many memories, days when I spent in the library, mugging and worrying about exams as a student.  Days when we went for lectures.



I used to eat the Ban Mian so often.  I had it for lunch yesterday, it still tastes as good.

A hearty breakfast to start the day.

My carrot-orange juice and the plate of fruits only cost me $3.50!  *high.  Need to nourish my body with more nutrients and vitamins to absorb all the information.

I wonder if it's a sign of aging, but I feel really tired after 3-4 hours of studying.  I used to spend easily 6-8 hours studying during those days, but I can barely do it now.  5 hours is all I can concentrate a day.  =(  Obviously, I don't burn midnight oil anymore.  *sigh.  Really need to pass these papers and be done with studying soon.  But in all honesty, I actually enjoy studying.  Ahh, the contradiction.

On another note, I have started drinking Fancl Tense Up Deluxe 2 days ago!  I've heard raves about how it makes your complexion glow, shrinks pores and makes your skin really smooth.

After 2 bottles, I've got to say that the results are amazing!  My skin feels smoother to the touch and my pores have visibly shrunk, complexion appears brighter too.

And...I was given student discount!

Tomorrow's last day of studying before judgment day!

Jiayou!

.::. This Saturday .::.

Started the day early, had breakfast with the boyfriend because he stayed over.

He had to work at Jurong Port early in the morning. Again!

He headed to work while I headed to the library for some mugging.  Spent 6 hours there.

And I managed to borrow the english version of Emma's (french) baking book.  I love the french 'salty cakes' and will be making some for the ROM.

And I enjoyed shopping for share-a-gift and buying some stuff to cook for myself.  It's not much, but it should feed some people for some time.

I love garlic and onions.  I used to have things like garlic, onions, carrots, tomatoes pepper, white mushrooms and meat in my fridge all the time.

This was for dinner.

.::. Stress .::.

I honestly think that the main factor in the aging equation is stress. Despite all the exercise and healthy habits you keep, you still age in an environment of stress. And of course, child birth causes women to age faster too!

When I'm stressed, I can literally feel it. I'm more sensitive to stress and recognizing it after being stress-free during that one year in Sweden. I felt heavier and weighed down once I got back to Singapore. Then I realized, that is how stress feels like. I've been under constant stress since young that I never learnt how it felt.

I'm stressed these days. With the exams coming up in a week, wedding coming up in 3 weeks and the monitoring of flat selection plus financial planning, I can't help but feel the stress!

When I'm stressed, I need more sleep. It's the best stress buster for me. Nothing beats a good sleep. But sleep sometimes elude me when I'm stressed! Then I become prone to flu, like I am now.

One of the simplest thing which makes me happy is sleep! It's so underrated and taken for granted.

Hello sleep, my stress-buster.

.::. Mugging .::.

Have been trying to study these days.

Financial Management paper in 8 weeks or so.

Need to try harder.

.::. Goals .::.

Everyone has many wants and dreams. Yet the crucial piece of the puzzle is translating these goals and dreams into reality.

I need to be more disciplined. I feel guilt, and fatigue. I need to summon all my willpower.

I can't fail this time round. I cannot. I must not. Passing exams shall be the means to an end - hopefully it translates to higher pay and a better job!

Time to conqueor the books and FRS! It's a crucial 3 weeks. Go, go, go!

.::. Long Weekend? .::.

The 'long weekend' flew past. Monday is peeking again. I realized that I only have some time during Sundays to reflect on my week before the week goes into full throttle again.

So, what have I done this 'long weekend'?

I brought my sister to the movies on Thursday, since she wanted to watch 'Liar Game'. By the time I hit the sack, it was already 2am.

I was supposed to have brunch with the girls at PS Cafe on Friday morning before class, but I really couldn't. I felt to tired and flu-ish. I ended sleeping in and finishing up on homework before rushing for classes. I had dinner with Joey after classes and went to get stuff for the BBQ on Saturday. After getting the meat and wings marinated, I only made it to bed at 2am again!

Saturday was classes, then straight to his place before everyone arrives. At least it was something which I've been looking forward to, and it's nice to have a gathering. I always love a good BBQ. My marinated wings were yums, so were the pork belly! We ended the night playing 'Taboo'. I had fun, and I hope everyone did too, especially the birthday boy.

By the time we cleaned up, it was already 3am. He insisted on cleaning and washing everything, so obviously I can't leave him doing it alone. I was so tired, it took all my will power to make it to class again today. I spent almost 20 hours in class this 'long' weekend, and there's another 20 hours of class awaiting next weekend. =(

That's it. My 'long' weekend was over. It wasn't long enough for me, and it's Monday again!

I'm still so tired, I can't differentiate if it's physically or mentally. It's mentally draining to go for classes, having the lecturer screaming that we should revise everyday and do this and that. *goodness. I don't have that energy.

It's a long and busy week ahead.

.::.这个周末.::.

最近周末都得上课，一次就要上8小时，真是要我的命！上完课后，总是累得不得了。实在太久了，而且我真的很讨厌这门课。我想我真的需要找时间坐下来，好好地温习。不管怎么样都一定要过关！昨天上课就被问了三次问题！追残的是有一个周末要连续三天，每天都上八小时的课。

时间过得太快了，不知不觉，一个星期又过了。

上班了一个星期，其实还算不错。可是现在有点感冒，还是好好休息。

他明天第一天上班，是我们一起为将来加油的时候了。

最近做梦都会莫名的梦到瑞典。好想念瑞典，好想念在那里认识的朋友和生活方式啊。

.::. Missing Sweden .::.

I really miss those days there, especially when old friends drop me a message. Those carefree days, my favourite beach near my place.

I've got an invitation to Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia and Greece! And I really would like to visit Emma again, Julia and Alex too.

I miss you girls!

.::. The Day .::.

It went well. We were a mean opposition team, and our opposition was rather mild. Overall comments were really positive, and I think we did pretty well. =)



My group mates with our two supervisors.

My good friends here.

My thesis group mates. We worked pretty well together.

And so...I rushed back to pick the boyfriend up. I cooked him lunch while he slept, but he barely ate much and went back to sleep again as I'm typing this. *sigh!

I'm happy. I'm contented. I'm blessed, and I'm really thankful.

We'll be going to Lund to meet my thesis mate who will leave for China tomorrow, and there's dinner with close friends tonight.

Then, we'll be off to Norway tomorrow. I'm excited. I hope Bergen and the fjords will impress me as much as the last time. Most importantly, he'll be sharing this with me this time round. Luckily the weather's good when we're there!

.::. Overwhelmed .::.

I finally attended 3 other seminars and prepared for our opposition and defense tomorrow. It has been a crazy few days filled with so many thesis reviews, going through opponent's thesis and preparing for our own defense. I'm spent.

It doesn't help that I'm having a allergic reaction, with rashes all over. Luckily it's alot better today, but I still not at my best. *sigh. I highly suspect it is the hotdogs that I ate a few days before. I seldom eat processed food here and I know that I'm allergic to some preservatives. *sighsigh! Why now?!



I took some medicine and had a nap today, before doing some household chores to welcome the boyfriend. He's on the plane, flying towards me. The last few days have been too busy to feel much, and he has been traveling around in U.S. too. But after I prepared things for him, I suddenly feel alittle overwhelmed. I'm graduating, I'm seeing the boyfriend, I'm traveling Europe with him and I'm going to leave everyone I know here very soon. Overwhelmed is the word.

Despite being prepared and relatively confident, I'm still somewhat nervous as usual. Speaking infront of 3 professors and so many others can be intimidating, but I will do it. Well.

3rd June 2010.

A happy ending.

.::. Last days .::.

Met up with our supervisors the last time yesterday, and the outlook looks pretty good. They were pretty satisfied and petty comments such as using a 1 line spacing instead of a 1.5 (despite most 'professional' recommendations) were given.

I think we're pretty set for 3rd June's defense! We do not need to present our thesis but have to fend questions for 45 minutes. I'm pretty nervous about that, it sounds daunting.

Although we are almost done, there's still alot of details which has to be gone through. I'm quite particular when it comes to small things like having 2 spacing after every full-stop (most people don't seem to do that!) and grammar. So, you can imagine how many times I went through the 100 pages of text just to get those right.



Went back to Tao's place after meeting the supervisors for some discussion and some final work allocation.

There is so little days left here. SIX to be exact. I'm alittle overwhelmed. There's still alot to be done, many people to meet and catch up with and things to pack and prepare!

There ain't that many days left in Sweden. I wouldn't have much chance to go around and enjoy the fresh air and weather anymore.

Some people consider Swedish weather bad. But for me, Swedish weather is considered as one of its advantages.

Not many places can rival its scenery when the weather's good!

Although the weather isn't that great most of the time, everywhere is beautiful once the sun shines.

I pretty much liked the four seasons that I've experienced here. It's difficult to choose my favourite season for every season had its breathtaking moments.

I very much prefer four seasons than our all-year-round hot weather and I would choose the Swedish weather anytime! Sun is overrated and it's never special when you have it everyday. I love observing the season change and the effect it has on the nature.

When the sun shines here, you can simply feel happiness dancing in the air.

I will cherish my last days here.

Meanwhile, 6 days before the boyfriend gets here!!! *jumps around in the air.

.::. The Last Lap .::.

After resting for a few days after the trip, I've been working on the thesis. We don't have that much left, but the last part is the worse part. Reading through more than 60 pages of text, making sure they are free of grammar errors and that the struture flows needs so much concentration.

It's still surreal that everything will end in 2 weeks and the boyfriend will be here. I'm excited, yet somewhat reluctant to say goodbye. I really love having my own place, doing things at my own time and target, being at peace with everything without any comments or 'advices' from people who 'cares for me'. I like all the time alone and being at peace with myself, doing things I like.

As much as I miss all my friends and home, I'm dreading being judged all the time back home. I hate it when people make comments about everything, from your skin to what you eat, to your figure and your choices in life. *sigh. It stirs up negative feelings within me and disrupts my peace with myself. Why do Asians have such culture? Sometimes I think people just derive joy from such mindless gossip and comments.

I've met rather nice people these days. My thesis group mate whom I travelled with invited us for dinner at her friend's place after our thesis discussion at her place. It was a group of nice Chinese and Taiwanese people, who cooks well. I loved the Taiwanese meesua. Contrary to the many stories I have heard about how Taiwanese and Chinese could not be friends due to the political situation, it was heart-warming to see them getting along so well despite their nationalities. Friendships should be like that, yet not everyone could do that.

I went to play badminton with Aom and a very big group of Thai people at Eslov, a town 10minutes from Lund yesterday. They are a community of Thai muslim people who mostly speak Thai, Malay and Swedish. There was one guy who was really good and after 2 hours of badminton, I felt my arms shaking! I was so tired and hungry after that, it's like I felt my body shutdown. It's been a long long time since I felt like that and it's not like I have not been exercising! Perhaps it's the concentration and physical exertion for 2 full hours. Gym was usually an hour and is not that tiring too. Even the hot yoga and kickboxing I do back home isn't that tiring.

After badminton, a very nice couple who is a relative of Aom's roommate invited us to their place for dinner. They cooked chicken rice with some soup and salad. *yums! She even made traditional malay aga-aga and some kuey kuey for us to have with tea after dinner while we watched the Barcelona match.

During times like that, I wished I spoke more malay, so that I can communicate with these people who were so kind to me. My command of Malay is extremely limited, and I mostly learnt them as a kid when I spoke to my maid. I remembered pouring over English-Malay dictionaries and trying to chat with my maid.

I think that it's a very saddening thing that many Singaporeans can't speak Chinese well, or refuse to speak it much nowadays. People just don't realize what a valuable asset it is to have, especially when you are overseas.

Singaporeans are in a rather awkward position. Our English sounds different and most would probably assume that our command of English isn't that good and not many speak good Chinese. Culturally, we are not as open as caucasians yet do not hold many traditional values which the Chinese still hold. It's hard to identify with others because we are a rather unique bunch of people. Caucasians think that I'm weird when I say that I do not like parties nor drinking, yet I find some rather traditional chinese thinking very backward and ridiculous. *sigh! But still, I love to be able to communicate in Chinese with other Chinese people and feel like 'one of them'. Even speaking with my limited command of Malay makes me connected to a part of Singapore. I should ask Nurul to teach me more Malay. Languages are such a powerful tool. Knowing just alittle makes alot of difference!

The worse part of yesterday's badminton is its aftermath. My whole body aches so much this morning, I could hardly move. I think my body is so tired that I feel like I'm going to be down with flu soon. My right butt cheek and right arms hurt so much, I could barely exert any strength with it. My whole back hurts and even my neck hurts! I'm in so much pain now and I feel so lousy!

加油！加油！加油！

.::. Malmo @ Spring .::.

When Spring is approaching, it's as if everyone gets out of their homes to bask under the sun.



Went to the city center last weekend, and it was really crowded. It really reminds me of my first visit to Malmo when I first arrive. It was the Malmo festival and there were also many people on the streets.

Lilla Torg, the little square lined with cafes and restaurants were filled to the brim!

There are also couples dancing at the square.

And people simply sitting around to bask in the sunshine.

It's almost funny how the people workship sun here whereas we hide in the shade or under umbrellas. But perhaps, if we didn't have sun for half the year, we would be like that too.

It's turning warm and I enjoy the sun too, just that I pile lots of sunblock on my face before going out. I still refuse to get frekles and let my skin age under the sun.

I've washed all my winter clothes and packed them into ziplock bags. I've also been rounding up my things and I can't imagine packing everything into a suitcase and go home in just 2 months time. It almost felt like I just arrived not long ago.

There's always an ending to everything, every season, every period in one's life. Very soon, I'll stop living my dream, but it'll remain as a beautiful dream fulfilled and fully enjoyed.

.::. Spring .::.

Spring is here!



Flowers have started blooming everywhere.

The weather is pretty good these days.

When it's sunny, you could see people on the grass everywhere.

=)