A Little Reflection

Are you wasting your time???

It has been a while since my last post. How are you doing guys? Hope everyone is doing good and blessed with good health. Covid has changed so many things in us but hope that it will not let us being defeated by it

I have heard many bad news for the past 2 months of who have had it and who could not manage to survive. The death happened to anyone, be it young or old. I can not imagine how the related person have to face it and go on with their life.

This will only be a short post as when I looked at the quote above, I had a sudden inspiration to write this. 

Ok, alright. Because of Covid, we can not travel. And well, I can not travel. So I have plenty of time to spend. Naturally, I should spend it doing something like working, back to workforce life. 

I can choose to go back doing the office job, fully use the qualification I attained years ago and get the salary I deserve, or doing something else, something I love doing, something my passionate call me for, but the return may not be high or enough. Well, for some people, money is never be enough right?

Since a year ago, I had chosen to work part time, a job that many people generally are capable to do, whether you have experience or not. And fate brought me to land to another place, which is more suitable for my liking and personality. 

And starting February, apart from my part time job, I had started to pursue my interest related to something I used to love, but not die-hard loving, which was crystal. 

I was mesmerised by the beauty of the nature. They were nature too, built in over million and billion years naturally. And they were believed to carry many positive benefits with them. 

When I started my second part time job, I often felt unease. It might be due to a new place, and also the nature of the job that needed me to deal with items that could harm me, such as: knife, cans, slicing machine, hot pots and pans, hot water, oven, and so on. 

Bruises and cut wounds took turn tattooing my parts of body every week. Actually, it was something that I could avoid, but somehow, it happened. So I started wearing crystal to work: a pair of earrings, necklace (that I hid inside my shirt), and 2 bracelets (one left and one right - they were put in my pockets when working).

Somehow I could feel the energy from it. They might not prevent me from getting wound and blisters, but they helped me in keeping myself calm when it happened. 

It was somehow giving me calm effect, believed that they were there to protect me, give me strength and confidence, calm me down when it was busy or angry, and they too, helped me in clearing the misunderstanding, encouraging me to speak up what my heart was saying, and at the end, won the heart of my colleagues. 

You may or may not believe, but I personally feel it inside me and what change it has brought me into.

Both part time job and crystal interest may not give me enough money to live by. In fact, every month I spent most of my salary to purchase the crystal. But anyhow, I still feel that it is better than taking the full time office job that would not make me happy because the motivation would be to earn bigger money, but not because I like the nature of my job. 

So since it is part time, I do not work every day. One week, I may work 2 to 4 days only. The rest of the time, I spend it to engage myself in buying crystal (physical and online), getting design inspiration, learning how to do it, making it, and so on. This way, I can use my creative side in making DIY crystal bracelet too upon the buyer request.

For now, my sisters are my greatest supporters. Few close friends are also supporting me too. To be frank, I do not earn much from it. Because I am happy enough that they too believe in the goodness from it. Just as long it can cover the cost, that is enough. 

So going back to the quote above, I just want to tell myself, and to confirm it, that there is no rules that I must work office job, earn lots of money, in order to call myself living my life in decent way. There are still many other choices that I can make (while I am still given that choice), and still call it living my life according to my wish, my passion, my love, and then work out with the little money that I earn. 

Most important, keep my health (both physically and mentally) in good state by developing positive thought as much as possible, spread good things around to people surrounding me, live stress-free life (the more you earn, the more you attach your life style with it), learn how to balance (when to buy and when to stop), use my other talent in good way (in this case, my creative side), and just be myself. Be happy and content with everything, and never compare my life with other people. 

With this post, I hope you can reflect into what you are currently doing in your life too. Whether you are living your life according to what you want, whether you can fulfil your dreams or on the way into it, and so on. Always remember, there is no right and no wrong, but it is better if you can give yourself a chance to follow what your heart is saying. Wish you all a great day ahead!!! Stay safe and take care!!!

Memoir for you...

August passed by. I had folded another phase of my life's journey. Still remembered the time when I had just started it up. I had to wake up early in the morning in order to catch the public and company bus to work. Then, the struggle I had during first few days, weeks and months of my new job. I had to keep my mind positive all the time. Still recalled the journey in adapting to the new environment and falling in love with it :)

Home sweet home for the past 8 months :)

Month end closing could be nightmare sometimes, especially in the first few months, where I was left by the previous staff. Luckily someone was there and many colleagues were there to accompany me through my bitter times. Imaginations would appear sometimes, like what came out here.

A drop of notes of one month's Anniversary of my working life and photo could be found here too. Morning quotes were found to be very useful, sent by dear colleague and mom through the period.

Chinese New Year Company's Dinner at Hua Ting - Orchard Hotel 19 Feb 2016

We did not know should we felt lucky or not to work in the beginning of the year. Not so lucky as the month end closing for period one fell during the Chinese New Year period. Therefore, we had to come back to work during the New Year day 2. Gone were my mood to celebrate the new year hahaha... Lucky was because we were having the company Chinese New Year celebration at Hua Ting Restaurant and each of us was given a bag of Chinese New Year's goodies bag.

Abalone Lohei treat by TF :)

Apart of that, our Boss also treated us Chinese New Year's lunch after the month-end closing had over to appreciate our hard work during the difficult time :)

Department lunch treat after month-end closing - 11 Mar 2016

A month after that, after another closing, we were again treated with delicious lunch, again, to motivate and lift our spirit, also appreciate our laborious effort to pick the skills up in a very short period of time.

Breakfast and lunch menu every day with my bestie at office :)

Our office was located at industrial area. We had to walk a distance to the nearby 'makan' or eating place for lunch (Northtech or Yi Bai Bu - one hundred steps coffee shops). We did not have variety of food choices over there. And sometimes the sun was too hot or the rain was too heavy, prevented us from going out. Morning time, I usually had a cup of coffee from the coffee machine and bread or occasionally heavier meals (like fried beehoon, porridge with you tiao, nasi lemak, mee rebus, etc.) for breakfast - takeaway before reaching office. We ordered takeaway lunch from colleagues who went out to eat sometimes, or brought lighter food like salad, fruits, corn for lunch. Breakfast and lunch time were the times where me and besties sharing our stories and laughter :)

Besties at office :)

Once every one or two months, we would also have staff's engagement meeting at the bigger room downstairs. It was where our HR  Manager conveying their messages to all of us, followed with staff monthly Birthday's celebration. We were treated with Birthday cake and snacks during such occasions.

Team lunch after period 4 month-end closing - Bai Mi Fen 19 May 2016

Somewhere in May, I told my Boss that I did not intend to continue my contract. I felt that it was necessary for them to hire the shared services staffs as soon as possible as that was their main intention before hiring me and colleague. So it was when they started to move ahead with their initial plan and after the meeting, we went for team lunch, again, after the month-end closing. In June, we had surprise Birthday party for KH. I expressed my gratitude for her presence in the office in this post.

After period 5 month-end closing - Paulaner Brauhaus 9 Jun 16

Soon after, they set up the new team from Malaysia and they came to Singapore for few weeks to get the training from us. The above was the dinner held to all of us after the period 5 month-end's closing. Such a great relaxing time after another tiring month-end closing!!!

A night at Chinatown with Sujitha

Sujitha, the one who replaced my post, came again for another month-end's closing. I brought her to Chinatown since she had never been there before on Friday after work. We both had Mala Hotpot for dinner and shopped around the area :)

Team dinner in Red Dot Brewhouse at Dempsey Road - 27 Jul 2016

The Malaysia and Indonesia teams came the month after for SAP training. Before it was almost ending, we had another team dinner in Red Dot Brewhouse in Dempsey Road. There, we tried their special Monster green lager beer that was made of green Spirulina. Not bad ah! ;)

Farewell lunch by our dear Boss's Boss at Bali Thai Causeway Point - 19 Aug 2016

Clock ticked away. My last day was getting nearer. Due to my boss's boss flying schedule, she held farewell lunch for me before leaving for the official duty abroad. I thanked her so much for everything that she had done for me throughout my working days there. She was there for me always, from the beginning of my course of work, during my difficult times, even sometimes sacrificed her personal and family times in order to assist me and my other colleagues during month-end closing. And yet, she still treated me this farewell lunch hehehe.... :D Thank you very much lah!!! :)

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore team dinner at Brussels Sprouts 24 Aug 2016

One month after their July's training, Malaysia and Indonesia team were coming again for UAT (User Acceptance Test) of SAP system and days before their training was over, we were having the team dinner at Brussels Sprouts, my last gathering dinner with all of them. That night, we celebrated our Boss's birthday which fell the day after :)

Boss Birthday Celebration at the office - 25 Aug 2016

The next morning and evening, she was surprised with both celebrations again, at the office from both Singapore and Malaysia teams. It was also to thank her for her help all this while throughout the course of our works there. She was more like my 'da jie' or big sister rather than my Boss hahaha... :P

My last day at office - 26 Aug 2016

So, my last day was finally coming!!! My colleagues treated me with surprise farewell lunch in Bali Thai Restaurant at Causeway Point. I still remembered, it was so hazy and I was so lazy to go out to eat. KH tricked me saying we would take taxi to Northtech (and we had to take cab due to haze, although it was not so far from our office to reach). But once inside, another colleague told the driver to go to another destination. Hahaha... Then 3 other colleagues were also coming for the lunch. I was touched lah!!! Thank you everyone for your invitation and appreciation of me as your colleague there :)

And as what my last post about, the three bottles above were my remained legacy left for the three teams out there. And at the photo above (most below part), were the beautiful ladies I worked most during the month-end period. On Friday night and Saturday afternoon I had to contact and call them for problem solving mostly. Thank you everyone for your kind helps and assistance especially during month-end closing. Without your help, I would not be able to tie my inventory figures... :D

Team farewell dinner at Mellben Seafood - Ang Mo Kio - 1 Sep 2016

Almost a week after my last day, we met again for my farewell dinner. The FP&A and accounting team were mostly present there. Thank you for being there, for your time and sincere wishes for my future endeavor. I appreciated and thanked all your help, support, assistance, and friendship that you offered during my course of work. Although I was there for less than 8 months, it felt like we had known each other for years.

Tak Po Dim Sum breakfast at Chinatown with Millioneoil - 4 Sep 2016

And last but not least, Ms Millioneoil treated me farewell dim sum breakfast this morning before I leave for my holiday trip. Thank you Ms Millioneoil for everything!!! She was my Saturday accompany who also bought me lunch to ensure I was full and had enough energy to do my month-end closing well. Shall meet you again after I come back for 'lim jiu' session :D

Everyone, once again, thank you very much for everything!!! Also for my Boss who left me with a beautiful 'love letter', which hopefully could be of any use in my future endeavor. Now before I leave for my one-month holiday break, I present the memoir above, for all my dear ex-colleagues. Hope it could bring you back to where it begun and you all would always be inside my memory, part of my beautiful life's journey. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!! 

Natural Soda Spring (Aek Rara) at Parbubu Village in Tarutung and Pemandian Air Panas Belerang at Sipoholon, North Tapanuli - Indonesia

On our third day in North Sumatera, all of us decided to visit the natural soda spring (also called Aek Rara by local residents) - a three-hour drive distance from Parapat town near Lake Toba - at Parbubu Village in Tarutung, North Tapanuli. It was a very rare place that ever existing in the world and I was glad that I made it there!

Natural Soda Spring - Tarutung, Indonesia

If you noticed the photo above, the soda spring was surrounded by the paddy fields. It was said that a local nurse - O Tobing Sihite - found it while she was digging in the soil. She found that the water looked like soda water, those canned drinks that we usually found in the supermarket.

In year 2004 the Tapanuli Utara Regency government officially inaugurated this soda water pool as one of the tourist attractions in the area. (Info source: http://m.tnol.asia/travel/20256-soda-spring-near-tarutung-north-sumatra-wonder-.html)

Natural Soda Spring - Tarutung, Indonesia

It consisted only one pond. Surrounding and below the pool, it consisted of natural stones. In between the stones, the bubbles appeared to the top, somehow it created flying splash on top of the pool. I never experienced this before and I felt very exciting dipping myself into it. It was really magical experience, at least for me! :)

There were more bubbles at the area where I stood on the photo above and the water felt warmer too. The small bubbles would surround your body just like the small bubbles would surround the straw when you pour Coca Cola inside the transparent glass with straw inside.

The water could irritate your eyes, nose, and face when you had in touch with it or tried to swim below it. Therefore, it was advisable to bring google with you. With it, you could see clearly the bubbles that appeared from between the stones gap. Some created bigger bubbles and some smaller ones. It was really interesting how the natures were created in such a way, really made me wonder of the God's creation in this world.

Yeahhh..... soaked ourselves and had fun at Soda Spring - Tarutung, Indonesia :)

There was no scientific proof about the benefits gained from soaking inside the soda water but we loved to soak longer there, especially after sitting down inside the car for three-hour journey. Some area was quite deep, however, not to worry, as they provided the black tires for us to float, for free - for those who did not know how to swim or float. And if you noticed the photo above, there were whitish bubbles appeared from inside the pond (below part). That was how strong the bubbles shooting up from underneath the ground!!!

I still could not describe the feeling of being there. I asked the rests' opinions though. My hubby said, "When I dipped myself inside, I could hear the bubbling sound inside and I felt like I was inside my mother's womb when I was still not coming out from her belly yet."  Sometimes he felt he was inside the aquarium with the Oxygen bubbles flying around hahaha... As for me, "I felt like soaking inside the giant bowl of Soda water."

Some would even drink the water - if happened to go there early in the morning where there were not many people yet and they said it tasted exactly just like a soda water. I would not dare to drink it though as the smell of the water was quite strong and there were some oranges stuffs flying around inside. Local would even take a bath there, like shampooing their hair and soaping their bodies. Moreover, there was not any scientific proof on the benefits in drinking the water. So, It was up to you. Perhaps, if you wondered how it tasted like, you could just gargle the water inside and then spit it out :D

It had been a really great experience for me, something that money could not buy even if you wanted to. Traveling to a place like this was opening my eyes and heart towards wonderful nature's creature from the above. Thank you SB for letting me be there and enjoyed that moment to the fullest! :)

Geothermal Sulphur or Sulfur Pools at Sipoholon, Tarutung - Indonesia

The above place was another great God nature's creation in the area. It was not far from the Soda Spring area. It took less than half an hour to reach. It was also one of the attractions that you should go if you were there.

Uncle Jon told me that many years back the restaurants, shops, and hotels were not there. From the road you could see the stretch of the mountains above, white in color, where the sulphur water flowed naturally. But nowadays people used it to make money. It was still very cheap though. Kids paid Rp 3,000 (S$0.30) while adult paid Rp 5,000 (S$0.50).

It was natural sulphur water derived from volcanic Martimbang mountain that had been flowing for over hundred years. The temperature of the water was around 40°C. Too bad we had only limited time there so we couldn't soak inside. It's believed the water was good for skin and to relax the stiff muscles.

Martabe Kacang Garing (crispy peanut) - Silangkitang, Tapanuli Utara - Indonesia 

Don't forget to drop by at the local shop selling the Kacang Garing (crispy peanut) at nearby area. It's baked using the sand making it crispy and fragrance! The smallest packet (100g) cost only Rp 5,000 (S$0.50). The largest one (400g) cost Rp 20,000 (S$2). There was also one big can for sale of it's not big enough for you but you had to find out the price yourself ^^

Haze around the Lake Toba - 20 Oct 2015

We went back to Samosir Island after that. It was hazy as there was smoke from burning forest at other part of Indonesia. We couldn't see any view on our way to the island from inside the boat.

Fresh baby lobster - Batak cuisine - Dinner at Samosir Island 

At night we headed to a small local Batak eating house along the lake. They had caught baby lobster from the lake days before. We had around 3kg for 16 of us, also tried their fresh grilled fish, sautéed vegetables, and fried beehoon vermicelli accompanied with their homemade chili.

We also tried their local brewed tuak or arak made from the bark of a coconut tree, milky in color (see the photo above). I didn't find it nice though. Maybe we just didn't find the nice brewed one. Well, at least I knew its taste by now :)

So the day had again been filled with wonderful moments, something that you couldn't find back in Singapore or even other places. I felt very grateful for everything. Thank you, thank you, and thank you! :)

Last minute trip to North Sumatera, Indonesia

India was supposed to be my last trip before finding a new job. However, just days after returning back, during the meeting up dinner with my Uncle and Aunt, they were asking me and my hubby if we wanted to join them for a trip to few places in North Sumatera, Indonesia, such as: Pematang Siantar, Medan, Lake Toba (the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanoc lake in the world), Samosir Island, and one of the only two Soda Springs in the world, at Tarutung.

Fate brought me to visit Avalokitesvara Temple at Tebing Tinggi - North Sumatera

I'd heard my parents, siblings, even my son going there before. It was located not very far from Singapore. There was a direct flight and it took us only about one hour to reach. I told them that I'd checked for the ticket before agreeing to their offer. Days later, my sis-in-law said that she was interested to go there with her daughter too and everything went very fast. My brother helped us checking the flight's schedule and price, booking our tickets, even fetching us to the airport. It seemed to be the God-will to let me joining them to this trip.

Our meal from 6am to 12pm :D

I reached here yesterday. From Kuala Namu Airport we took about 2.5 hours journey to Pematang Siantar where my Uncle's friends were staying. We stayed there for a night. They treated us with non-stop eating and drinking and I felt that I'd have gained at least a kg on my first half day there.

Avalokitesvara Temple at Pematang Siantar

We visited another Avalokitesvara Temple, this time was in Pematang Siantar. The size was much bigger and there was even a Buddhist school located just next to it. We offered our gratitude there for letting us coming to this place safely and for the good health that we all had.

Coffee time at Kok Tong old coffee shop at Pematang Siantar 

At 3 pm we were brought to Kok Tong's first coffee shop in town. I ordered kopiping, which means coffee with milk plus lots of ice cubes. It tasted really delicious. And we ate it together with few different types of Pao or steamed bun with fillings.

Lesehan - Sitting on the floor and eating using hands - delicious local food

At night we were brought to the 'lesehan' style restaurant, means we ate using hands  (no spoon or fork) and sitting on the floor. The food served was grilled and fried fish, fried chicken, fried tofu, tempe bacem, fried vermicelli,  spicy brinjal,  grilled petai (smelly beans), various chili and so on. We all ate very full and went home afterwards.

It was raining at night. It's giving out the cold air which made me good to sleep. The house was big, had simple design, and clean. With a thin blanket I went to the dream world peacefully. And now I gotta sleep too. My eyes are heavy. I hope I can post the today's trip tomorrow, if I have enough time ;) Keep reading la! ^^

Hazy time of the year - Singapore

Hazy cloud in Singapore - Sep 2015

Psi reading at 6pm north of Singapore for today: 105 - unhealthy range.

PSI Value	PSI Descriptor
0 - 50	Good
51 - 100	Moderate
101 - 200	Unhealthy
201 - 300	Very unhealthy
Above 300	Hazardous

 (Chart source: NEA website)

I walked out to my home's balcony, stretched my neck left and right, then up high in the sky. All showed the same view - no sun and thin layers of white smoke. I inhaled and felt the slight smoky smell. "Haiz.... another hazy day today. No more cycling today," mumbled me and walked back into the house.

This morning we had to postpone our morning walk to MacRitchie Reservoir Park, also due to the haze :( I was completely immobile against any outdoor activities these past few days. It had only given me a choice to go back to my room and lay down on my comfy bed. I took out the library book that I borrowed few days ago from my bag and started flipping the page - Attachments by Rainbow Rowell.

Book read - Attachments by Rainbow Rowell 

I was almost determined to finish the book in few hours time. However, soon after, my hubby came in and he was too tired from the painting and cleaning of the Buddha's altar at our living room. He located himself directly next to me, took his sleeping position and there he went to his dreamy world.

The sky had turned darker and I didn't want to disturb his sleep with the bedside lamp's brightness and I decided to join him to the dreamy world - since I had no where to go anyway. To my nightmare, I only woke up at 11.30 pm!!!

Relieving advice by Dalai Lama - "Sleep is the Best Meditation" ^^

Knowing that I woke up, he came to the room. "Good morning dear!" saluted him and he asked me if I wanted to join him for the supper. He would like to try the new 24-hour coffee shop located just opposite of our house block. Again, since I had nothing to do, I changed my clothes and walked together with him in the middle of the night. But too bad it was closed. So he ended up cycling to the nearby coffee shop and bought take-away bowls of noodles and we had it at home.

Hazy sky at neighbourhood area

How haze affected our lifestyle; it was indeed affected our mood as well. We were not rich enough to stay at the condominium, where the swimming pool was just within walking distance, where there was indoor billiard room, where there was tennis court, indoor table tennis room, indoor gym or even indoor karaoke room where at least we could spend our day with activities. So I could only spend my day inside the house reading, eating, and sleeping - and all this would contribute in gaining weight. He-he... 

Pic source: Google.com 

Few more days... Yeahhh... in few more days to come, I'd get out from this hazy country and would be back to busy activities again. Expecting for whole day adventure - starting early and finishing late; eating more fruits and vegetables, walking up and down - even climbing up thousand steps staircase, and so on.

This would be usually the time where we had to get out from this country, if we were lucky enough, and get out from the hazy world, which sometimes would haze our sober mind and clear conscience ;)

Happiness is goodbye haze... :)

For now, let me continue reading the Attachments. Not sure what time I would sleep again. The sleeping hours have turned topsy-turvy now. Hope it will be over soon... Haze oh haze, please go away....