Twitter helps me keep track of what to blog but at the same time it causes me to be lazy. So much for wanting to blog about what happened in September, October, November and December 2011 before the year ended…

Anyway, for family and friends who have not given up on coming here, I apologise for the lack of updates apart from the weekly twitter digest (which was set up to be published automatically, I didn’t even need to log into my WP!). I use Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch but sometimes I have more than 2 sentences to say about something, so I like the option/freedom to continue here. Then I’d procrastinate and forget what it was that I had more than 2 sentences to say about.

This year is going to be interesting.
I can’t share the exact details yet but this much I can say…I’m stressing about where to find the time to do it all!

To be brutally honest, I start the/every year reading my bible and then towards February I slack because we get to Leviticus. I also used to be able to remember the list of books in order…uhm, I can’t do it now even if my life depends on it.
So one of the things for 2012 I WANT to WANT to do is to read the bible through, to treasure His word and not just to say that I do. I cannot see myself getting through this year without surrendering it completely to God.

I’m not choosing to do it and to jot it down here to be “holier than thou”. I’m choosing to do it because I WANT to and I want to learn to trust God completely. I’m jotting it down here because then I have an account of what I have pre-determined to choose…and also, to have friends to be accountable to (if they read this).

It may not make sense to you but as I sit here, letting those previous sentences echo through my mind, I’m no longer dreading the year…I feel excited!

—

I feel a little overwhelmed by what the year would bring to me at work.

I have done the influenza immunisation training last year but didn’t get to complete the practical part of it (administering the vaccine to at least 2 people) – I hear we are to complete it this year before the winter season starts. Have I mentioned that I have a fear of needles?
The vaccine is pre-filled in a syringe (that’s why I said I would do the training) but I wasn’t told that I need to draw out adrenaline shots with your regular syringe and needle in the event an anaphylactic reaction occurs (don’t ask me why I didn’t think of the possibilities of ANY side effects at that time, it’s part of my job!).
Yikes! I can do this!

Preceptor training and perhaps also, training to be an approved supervising pharmacist for trainee technicians. This is all apart from the regular CPD records and my personal target to learn more about health supplements.

—

I want a better, healthier lifestyle this year. I ALWAYS talk about losing that 5kg I’ve gained since I moved to KL 6 years ago. Time to do something about it and get results!

No crash diets (honestly, I have considered the Dukan diet because it was the royal choice *ahem*) but cheers to healthy eating and a more active lifestyle.

—

My guitar has been sitting in the corner since end of 2009 (bought it early 2009 but enthusiasm waned by mid year) and instead of moaning about how I envy those who could play the guitar effortlessly, let’s spend some time doing something about it. I actually created a timetable to maximise my time when I did the influenza training (there were materials to study/read and quizzes to complete) and included “guitar time” – it worked well and I actually got to touch the guitar.

Camera has also been sitting in its bag (yes, I know it should be in its own dry box!) and I’ve been contemplating taking up a part-time, online course since last year (or was it 2010?). I received an email about how they were offering the course now for nearly half the usual price…hmmm…but my lens died on me last year (sigh!). I have yet to replace the lens.
I also have books I’ve yet to touch! I can’t be hoarding all these stuff (buy buy buy!) but not putting them to use.
Again, time table!

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The year 2012 will be interesting (so much I want to do and HAVE to do) and it will definitely require me to maximise the use of my time – no more wasting it sleeping (gasp!), playing AngryBirds for hours (I was aiming for 3-stars), re-watching my favourite series back-to-back for hours…you get the gist. I know I can treat myself to doing all those things but not every week/day…

It’s going to be challenging because I’ve always been a procrastinator in the past (BAD HABIT!) and then moan about it after when my time is lost.

I pray that God will grant me the strength to persevere and to turn away from temptations that will cause me to procrastinate. I want to make full use of my waking hours in a day (also to have at LEAST 15 waking hours instead of 12… )! I also pray His grace to grant me support in terms of family and friends’ encouragement/help.

Yes! Excited now!
Hurray!

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This is by far the most photo-packed “Looking back” post. Continue at your bandwidth’s risk.

1st August 2011, Monday

Kath said to me (while she was closing our front door), “Come and have a look!”
Have you ever seen such a contraption? I don’t even know what it’s called – basically it goes around the tree, opens up like an upside down umbrella and shakes the trees of its dry leaves. Save some time raking them at the side of the street. But hey! Never seen them in operation before. This is a first.

3rd August 2011, Wednesday

Honey haul from Arataki.
Bumped into HollyD there and whose baby is still unwilling to say “Hello world!” Apparently Arataki is her daughter’s favourite place.

5th August 2011, Friday

First ACC claim.
My toe looked a bit swollen yesterday and it hurts a little when I put pressure on it. I’ve had this pain before but I never bothered checking my toes because I put the pain down to occupational hazard – being on my feet for too long in closed-toe shoes. It was definitely swollen yesterday (so glad I took a photo) but of course it looked like nothing is wrong with it today when I went to see David. So I showed him the photo I took yesterday…

6th August 2011, Saturday

Jantina got me a big cookie from Westerman’s. Look at the size of that choc chip cookie!
We were talking about BK’s doughnuts for breakfast and was so disappointed when she went there and BK was closed for their renovation.

9th August 2011, Tuesday

Went for my appointment at the orthodontist today and guess what? Dual colour ligatures – oooo!

I was craving, really. The next best thing? Doughnuts from Countdown.
Not as soft, fluffy as I’d imagined them to be but hey! Beggars can’t be choosers.

13th August 2011, Saturday

Can you guess which eye is more “made-up”?

We had Samantha’s farewell dinner at Off the Track – more photos here. Next time? Don’t order any starters (that you don’t intend to share – like piggy me) because you won’t be able to finish everything.

15th August 2011, Monday

Hmmm…so what does that mean? Q6-8H?

18th August 2011, Thursday
My holiday semi-starts here, flying off to Whangarei for the wedding preparation

20th August 2011, Saturday
LiMay and Grant gets hitched today!

21st August 2011, Sunday
Now, this would be the start of my holiday…

22nd August 2011, Monday
This is surreal – I’m back in Malaysia.

Finally got to taste my 姐’s cupcakes! This is the baby hummingbirds.
She is based in Seremban, so you can place your orders through her website here.

Yes, hummingbird cupcakes.

Sprinkles make for beautiful finishing touches.

My first meal at JJKwan’s place consists of Korean instant noodles!

Sitting in the new car!

So happy to see this message! It means my microSIM has been activated and I am back online!

The downside to being back (just for the initial few days), swollen feet! Is it due to travel? Humidity? Change in weather?
*shrugs*

23rd August 2011, Tuesday
Today is my dad’s 60th birthday. I missed out on his celebration last Saturday so today I thought of taking him out for breakfast. Since it was his birthday, I let it slide when he poked fun of me in front of his friends whom we invited along (I wasn’t impressed but I wasn’t going to be angry at him…”give face”).

We went all the way to Nilai for 點心 because the birthday boy insist that Seremban has no good 點心 place…

My favourite porridge – funny how I never liked century egg and now I CRAVE for the porridge.

Your regular picks.

Those shiny mini buns are the 天下第一包 – they are nice as it’s not made out of your regular bun (it’s like those bakery “egg buns”), but as for the name…uhm, a bit of an oversell.

Fluffy egg tarts.

The 點心 was nice but honestly, I don’t think it’s that much better than MinKok – you’re talking to someone who has been deprived of any kind of 點心 in the past year!

After dinner, I got some bb cupcakes from 姐 as dad’s birthday “cake” – he seems to like the hummingbird ones.

I’m surprised that the lamp still works – after being out of action for…2002? Same bulb, too!

24th August 2011, Wednesday

客家麵 for breakfast!

經濟米粉 and 糖水 for dinner.

25th August 2011, Thursday

Thanks to Winne for helping me out even though she was busy at work!

Lunch with my 姐 at PapaRich – also got her to help out with some decorating ideas.

Nasi Lemak – ah!

26th August 2011, Friday

Hokkien noodles.
Gone were the days that a good plate of “黑麵” can only be found when we go to PJ.

I was craving for vegetables but for this to cost more than my plate of noodles (which is an all-in-one meal on its own) is silly!

Ugh! This is something I do NOT miss – traffic jams. More importantly, why is it all jammed up at this time of the night in Seremban?!

27th August 2011, Saturday

Can’t believe I’m here to squeeze with the Raya crowd.

Okay, start with a cuppa first.

The material for this plum coach is very plushy. Like the colour, too!

Meatballs anyone?

I just dropped my naked iPheR on the edge of this on the floor.
*cries!*
No cracks. Phew!

Getting to KL was still okay as I arrived before noon but it took me ONE hour to get from Nilai to Seremban. Should’ve stayed on the highway instead of going off track and take up the same time (or even more!).

Everything looks brown and they are probably bad for my throat – but I am blessed that dad made dinner for me.

Oh! Missed the parcel!

Went out for my first mamak session since I got back – 10pm meet up. That is SOOO late.

Winne’s very unique way of sitting…

Winne and FeR. Winne was sooooo kind to me to rip up the roti canai, so I could pick on the pieces.

28th August 2011, Sunday
I think I need to go shop for track pants – haven’t got any for baptism next week. Jeans would be too heavy when soaked. It was a speedy “baptism class” today lead by EstherTC.

Pleasantly surprised to find that I can get bubble tea from Jusco now!

29th August 2011, Monday

Senawang’s 老鼠粉 for breakfast – so that I can also go pick up my parcel.
Didn’t know that PosLaju has moved to a nook in Senaway so I am thankful dad took me there.

Hello Monkau#1!!! It’s been a while since I last saw you. Hope you’ve been good for JJKwan!

Seeing 姐 in action – orchestrating in her kitchen.

You know it’s bad when I voluntarily take medication. The cough is driving me nuts! Hoping the 15mg of pholcodeine would do the trick.

30th August 2011, Tuesday

Lunch at 415pm in peaceful solitude – how I miss you, Zinger burger (Malaysia)!

It doesn’t look that great but it’s pretty good – and you can’t find it in NZ!

My sore throat has progressed into a cough…this shall be known as The Cough of 2011
*dies coughing*

31st August 2011, Wednesday
Selamat Merdeka, Malaysia!!!

Excited with my 包!!!

This is the kind of 點心 that I miss – by the road, with good company of friends.

Nicole drove to Seremban to meet me, too. It was nice to catch up, despite finding out that it’s been a tough year for the both of us. I do wish you well! Thanks for making the time to come see me.

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Yup! Great start to my Holiday of 2011!
21st August 2011, Sunday. Not looking forward to the long transit in CHC though.

Breakfast is like a lunch set!

When the newly weds came back home about 11am or so, we were taken to the paddock by the side of their house to see some cows! We city folks don’t get much of that back in Malaysia – especially when it’s JUST beside your house!
From being brought up as a city girl, to loving it as a country woman – what a transformation for MissYap in the past 3 years.

The cows were not impressed with us pointing our “black boxes” at them, but aren’t they cute looking at you??

Grant’s car was PRETTY full by the time we got 5 people’s luggages (3 traveling internationally) – I wonder if he could see out of his rear view mirror! I hitched a ride up to Auckland airport to take my flight to CHC (then to KUL), Sze-Mien and Hoey were going to stay for a night in AKL and then going on to Rotorua, while the newly weds were flying out to Queenstown for their honeymoon.

I’ve NEVER been to this side of the domestic airport before. Honest!
It’s always been on the other side because the furthest I’ve flown from Auckland is Hawkes Bay. This is my first time flying right down to the South Island.

It was a big plane! And I had the row to myself! Thank you, God! (I have this toilet-phobia if I’m seated by the window and there are people beside me)
Again, pardon my excitement but for as long as I’ve been in NZ, I think this is my second time sitting on a bigger plan for a domestic flight. In Malaysia, this is pretty much the standard size – but here, it’s a bigger plane.

Rugby ball shaped chocolate biscuit.
The new safety instruction video (featuring the AllBlacks) is very entertaining, too!

Mount Taranaki? Mount Ruapehu?
I have no idea and I don’t know if I did miss the pilot’s announcement.

See?
There were no luggage wrap services in the domestic terminal in Auckland, so I had to check my bag in and pray that it would not explode. I really do need a new bag.
Thankfully they have a luggage wrap service at CHC.

Yeap, the place is pretty dead at night. I was wondering if there would be staff around when the time comes for us to board the flight. It was too early to check in, so I just hung about.

After checking in, found a nice quiet spot (before some other passengers found it and crowded the place! Bleh!). Our flight was delayed by an hour due to a medical emergency in KUL (passenger had to be sent to the hospital and his/her luggage had to be removed from the plane – took a while to retrieve it) and I asked the staff manning the coffee kiosk what time do they get to go home – “When you lot get on your flight” – sigh!
I know how it feels but it’s 10x worse because it’s not 8pm (for me at work), it’s 11pm! And our flight was supposed to leave at 1210am – now it’s further delayed to 110am! I hope they get penalty rates for their extra time.

I’m sooooo glad no one was sitting beside me. I got “conned” into thinking there was a gap between the two seats, that why I paid to choose that seat. I guess squeezing by ONE passenger is the lesser evil of squeezing by TWO passengers.

I have a very uncooperative body. My bodily functions get hyped up when I know it would be a hassle to get to a toilet.
If I have an aisle seat, I am fine.
If I have a window seat with no one beside me, I am fine.
If I have a window seat with passengers beside me – I need to go every other minute!
UGH! Hate it. I know it’s the stress and I work myself up to it but I can’t help it. Eeeek! So there. That’s my “toilet-phobia”. Not so much a fear of toilets but it’s a fear of not being able to get to one. Happens when I’m traveling long distance in a bus, too.

Uhm…in my daze I thought everyone had to fill this up. As in, EVERYONE. Don’t ask me why but I think the whole new experience (plus, it’s late yo!) of flying with a different airline also messes my mind up.
Turns out, hey! I’m a Malaysian citizen. I cruise right in, no forms needed.

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Delayed video – because I didn’t know how to edit clips. N00b.

I recorded the first part (obviously) when I still had my braces on, on the day when I was told by my orthodontist that they are coming off…soon. The second half was done just earlier. I HAD to because the first video didn’t have a proper ending (yes, the ending now is “da bomb” )

So here it is – FeR talking about her “failed” orthodontic treatment.

I actually added annotations using YouTube but it’s not showing – except when I’m in “Edit Annotations” mode. Odd. This video is so plain without the annotations.
*sigh*
Okay. Apparently the annotations won’t show if you insert any of them right at the very start of a video or if the timing of the last annotations goes RIGHT to the end of your video. It messes it up. I shifted the first annotation to start showing 1sec later and voila! It works. Yay!

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1st January 2011, Saturday
Just got awesome news from LiMay today! When I first saw her message, it came up as a preview on my home screen with her written message only, which was something in the lines of, “Guess what? Happy new year!”

I only saw the photo when I went into my inbox (the message only came through at 5 something am when she actually sent it out late last night – telco congestion, perhaps).

It’s just another day but can’t seem to shake off the newness and excitement of it being 1-1-11. My first patient of the day was our daily dispensing pick-up and it was relatively quiet…until 10 minutes before we were due to close, it turned into a madhouse next door. First day of the year and we’re out an hour later after closing time.

2nd January 2011, Sunday
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms – left phone at home and didn’t find out until I got into work. Feeling jittery.

Sunset as I approach Taupo.

Sunset from our accommodation – TheReef

3rd January 2011, Monday
Orakei Korako thermal park. Hot!!!

More about my meet up with the newly engaged here

4th January 2011, Tuesday
More stories on our day 2 here.

5th January 2011, Wednesday
Definitely got sun burnt on scalp – patches of red on left side and non on right side.

The burnt parting…

Other areas

6th January 2011, Thursday
Excellent day to be out and we went out. Carmen and I went to Ocean beach.

Got the insulated tumbler from Starbucks before going into work in Napier.

Sunset on the way home from Napier after work. It’s been a good day.
Praise God!

7th January 2011, Friday
Gypsy looking like roadkill on the porch – it’s a hot day for us here.

9th January 2011, Sunday
Take home message from church today:
“Humility is strength under control; not a sign or indication of weakness.”

11th January 2011, Tuesday
It is really frustrating having to go through all this work (and cost!) of trying to remain here legally. Yesterday I rang immigration at 1030am and requested the call back. Even after more than 9 hours (I’m sure I keyed in right number), I did not get a call back.
Actually, I have my documents at the ready, it’s just that it’s rather tedious especially when they can’t tell me how long it would take to process my resident visa application. I have a feeling it would be really ironic – when I do submit my work visa application, I would get my resident visa. That would just be a waste of time and money. At the same time, I wouldn’t want to be caught out not having legal rights to work/live in NZ if I don’t reapply for a work visa and my resident visa doesn’t get approved in time.

12th January 2011, Wednesday
Feels like as if for every Wednesday, without fail, we do not get to go home in time at 8pm.

After complaining about the hold back at work, finally left the building at this and everything was forgotten. God is really good, even when I’m bratty and complain about circumstances. I also received my receipt for my professional fees today – with that claim, I can pay for visa fee!

13th January 2011, Thursday
Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful. Thankful! Thank God for the amazing speed but it’s just typical, huh? The day after I sent out my work visa renewal documents, I got an email saying I’ve been assigned a case officer for my resident application. And I assume that they have also received my work visa application because $230 has been deducted from my bank account.

14th January 2011, Friday
My scalp has started to flake today (from the sunburn) and we’re talking about mega sized dandruff-resembling flakes!!! Ewww.

16th January 2011, Sunday
I suddenly had hang ups about friends. Other people go through BGR hang ups, I go through friendship hang ups…but you know what? I should invest my time and energy on the many others who cares enough to keep in touch, rather than have thinking about those who don’t give two hoots.

17th January 2011, Monday
Used all 7 (well, 6 and a blank one) tiles in my Word game with random opponent. “Liberty” for 71 points.

A little overwhelmed while choosing birthday cards – 30th! We are approaching another decade my fellow comrades from class of ’98!

18th January 2011, Tuesday
First time cooking century egg and I threw it into a slow cooker pot with rice, salted egg and minced pork yesterday night. Lesson learnt: do NOT put century egg or salted egg into slow cooker overnight. They’ve completely dissolved. What a waste of eggs…

19th January 2011, Wednesday
I’ve suddenly been sent so many random emails. They started exactly a week ago with the first email dated 12th January 2011. I didn’t sign up for my contact to be mongered – who gave my “work” email out? Why am I still getting emails after going through their links to be removed from the mailing list? Who is associated with ATCEN communications????!!

20th January 2011, Thursday
At hairdressers again to fix up my blue (which is now dirty teal/green) strip of hair. Gotta love pay day…but $75 for my colour touch-up and trim? This would be the second and the last time I would do this before I get a box of dark brown dye to DIY. It’s too expensive to maintain this one streak.

I’ve got to admit that the blue is pretty cool, though.

25th January 2011, Tuesday
Busy, no-overlap-of-pharmacist day. I’m surviving on one banana, one cup of coffee, one plum and one glass of water since 8am. I am famished! But no break till home time in one hour. Life is tough as a sole charge pharmacist.

Look what I found at Whitcoulls! Can’t believe I missed them (tinyyyy section duh!) last week.

27th January 2011, Thursday
Got a letter from HB DHB and my heart palpitated a little, not knowing what news it brings. Turns out, it was just a cc from the specialist (old news). Phew!

Made pineapple jam in preparation for pineapple tarts. Turned out I had the house to myself and I thought I could do some night baking…but I think not. I am tired from making the jam.

28th January 2011, Friday
Boo! 404am – quake woke me up or I woke up right before the quake? I do not recall but my bed shook for a good few seconds. I dislike it when it happens and I’m home alone…

Quail eggs from CC! They have 6 quails at home and graciously shared some of the eggs with me. I love them and mom usually buys from them from the pasar malam for me.

30th January 2011, Sunday
I am so excited! Had my first video call on phone through Skype with mom. When did the update come through??? The last time I tried to show her the house (and the outside) via Skype on my phone, we could only do voice calls. Wow! Exciting! *geek*

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My first time at Ocean beach!
I’ve only been here nearly 3 years…
(I seem to be going all outdoor-sunshiney suddenly)

Carmen and I made our own sandwiches, and this is mine (with tuna). Yummy Italian bread sandwiches.

The amount of stuff! Makes us look like we’re going away on a vacation.

I have no idea how to get there, I’m glad Carmen offered to drive.

Why are we going uphill if we are going to the beach??

Oh.

Sandy beach! Not pebbles like Marine Parade.

There were quite a few prickles walking towards the beach from the carpark…this is not one of them.

10 seconds on the beach (have not gone into the water yet) and I’m hungry…I tell you, it’s a pretty good sandwich!
Picnic by the beach. Ah!

I can’t get over how clean and clear the water was…especially when I’m used to having PortDickson as the nearest beach area back home (and let’s face it, it’s not exactly inviting).

Can you say “crystal”?

It was cloudy initially but we’re glad it cleared up. Else it’s too cold and windy to be sitting on the beach.

This the view from our spot.
I wonder when will I come here again?

Still can’t get over how clear the water was! *squeak!*

Too bad I have to be at work at 3pm.

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I look like a dork with my helmet on.
If only helmets aren’t a legal requirement, I wouldn’t be going around on my bike with this on my head.

Somehow the helmet seems to sit so high up on my head that I look silly! Some people have nicer helmet heads but not for me.

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Biked to work today and it is truly a first in my books.
Cannot imagine going on a bicycle to get to work if I was in Malaysia. If the cars don’t kill me, the heat would.

I thought it would be pretty quiet at 730am but there were a few cars on the road this morning (the roads seem quieter when I’m in my car…). I wasn’t too keen on stopping in the middle of the road, either (left lane was for turning left only, so I couldn’t really keep to the left – just in case if a car wants to turn left and I wanted to go straight) – so when I got to the first lights on Heretaunga, I got off my bike and waited for the pedestrian sign to turn green.

Took a longer time to get back home because there were more cars on the road but thankfully none was on my tail when I had to cross intersections.

All this biking-on-road is still very new and scary to me!
Will give it a go again on Saturday. Whee!

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I finally got it in without tooooooo much fuss today! Real one, you can see it, right?

I brought the clock with me into the bathroom as well, just to make sure I won’t be late for work (if I didn’t manage to get them in, I would have to abandon plan and contacts, you see).

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Not only is he chatty, he does not make fun of me when I asked about coloured contacts.

(I know! I’m such a vain pot – never experienced putting on NORMAL contacts before and wanting to jump right into aesthetic ones – but he didn’t judge me)

And he gives me realistic expectations.

He says, “BOOM!” when he put on my mock glasses to emphasize to me how different things look like when I have them on.

He remembers my phobia about sticking something into my eye (okay, he probably wrote notes down but it was nice he actually reads what he writes!)

He reminds me (a little) of MrBean when he does an impersonation of someone having no problem putting contacts on.

Thus, he has a sense of humour.

He is just 20 steps away from work.

So now I “have” my “lady doctor” and an optometrist. Who knows what’s next?

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