Since it is the last day of the year, I think it's a good enough reason for me to post my last blog entry for the year.

"Stole" this from Mel. Looks like I have been a bad sister since I did not make it into any of her list. And yes, you'll find some similar answers between the two of us.

What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Went on a flight for more than 4 hours!

Did you keep your new years resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did not do any resolutions last year... coz I know I'm not disciplined enough to keep them. Thinking of starting one again... but do I still have time before the year ends?

Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! Jenuka-kah gave birth to a sweet lil' girl!
Actually, many close pals gave birth this year! Phew! Let's see...
1. Congrats Althea & KC. They had Rowanne in March.
2. Congrats Shai for Radley.
3. Congrats Reny & Azim who had baby Adam Rayyan in August.
4. Congrats Sofie on her new baby boy just recently.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. Mum. Missing her much.

What countries did you visit?
Bangkok, Thailand; Melbourne, Australia; and Singapore.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More money? More love? There's always plenty of space for both.

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
11.11.2009 - Sob

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Turning into the big three-oh!

What was your biggest failure?
Still cannot adjust my body clock to day and night.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Very minor ones. Still very much alive :)

What was the best thing you bought?
Several this year. Sinful spending.
1. Baby Minimomo
2. Baby Instax
3. Baby Mini - got it cheap thanks Sugar Papa Faiz! Haha!
4. Baby Arena (gave up for adoption to Mel)
5. Baby BB

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
MELISSA HO TS'AI LIN. You finally grew up! (Note: A bit more growing up will be highly appreciated).

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Thankfully, no one close crossed that line just yet.

Where did most of your money go?
Unnecessary stuffs which I don't really need but must have like the gadgets, shoes, bags, yada-yada.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Booked my Melbourne trip in March. Got real excited till September!

What song/album will always remind you of 2009?
Cannot think of any at the moment.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? A little bit of both.
Thinner or fatter? Definitely fatter. My spare tyres are going for an upgrade!
Richer or poorer? Way poorer... judging by my sinful spendings the whole year!

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spending more time with mum. Take mum for more holidays. Take mum to more badminton tourneys. Take mum to some nice makan place.

Will be doing more of those with Mel next year. Oh wait! That's my very first 2010 New Year resolution!

And wanted to paint and do more crafty work. Will do them next year. Oh wait! That's my second resolution!

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Lazing and bumming around.

How did you spend Christmas?
Woke up late. Drove to Penang for a high school reunion thing.

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Myself... hehe... going online...

Did you fall in love in 2009?
Did not. Oh wait? Did I? Nopes.

How many one night stands in this last year?
Hahahahahahaha... ya' think?

What was your favourite TV programme?
I have plenty. Chuck. Desperate Housewives. Private Practice etc.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Gladly... no.

What was the best book(s) you read?
Plenty. I'm easily satisfied.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Taylor Swift. Love her songs.

What did you want and get?
Wanted a lomo camera. Got Baby Minimomo.
Wanted a polaroid camera. Got Baby Instax.
Wanted a personal lappie. Got Baby Mini.
Wanted a new phone. Got Baby Arena.
Went bored with new phone. Gave up for adoption. Got Baby BB!

What did you want and not get?
PSP / DS - Nah... love to have it but won't spend money on it. Will be so underutilised by me.

What were your favourite films of this year?
Honestly, cannot remember. Just watched Alvin & the Chipmunks 2 last night.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was working and turned 30 working.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I did not book mum and Mel to the Perth flight instead of Melbourne and they both made it with me to the trip.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
According to my mood.

What kept you sane?
My family and friends. Thank you oh so much!

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Grew out of that. But there are a few couple of cuties this year kan?

What political issue stirred you the most?
The entire political scene is like a big haha joke.

Who did you miss?
Papa... and then Mummy...

Who was the best new person you met?
Met a few. The biggest and loudest I can remember... haha... you know who... guess lah!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Don't take anything for granted. Any day can be the last so always treasure everyone and everything around you.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
Cannot think of any at this moment.


A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

A friend sent this to my email today.

2010 Year of the Tiger: Chinese Zodiac Horoscope Forecast of Your Life, Love and Fortune

The Goat
Graceful and optimistic, kind and easy going, would describe a Goat personality. They can also be petulant and discontented, likely to throw the towel in at the beginning of a problem. They can be charming without revealing their true feelings. The Goat is very talented and imaginative and can turn his hand to most creative pursuits.

Forecast for 2010
The Goat likes balance and moderation in all areas of life and the Year of the Tiger will ensure that he/she discovers new aspects and strengths of him/herself he/she didn’t know he/she had! For the artistic and creative Goat, 2010 will bring offers, opportunities and encouragement, leading to new projects and job offers. If they can remain adaptable, open to change and focused, this year could have long lasting positive implications. Study and developing specialist skills is also highlighted for this year. For those wishing to change jobs or find employment, there may be many frustrating moments and it won’t be easy. But then, out of the blue, a job offer or an opportunity will present itself. Be ready! September to November will bring the best chances for work related success. May to September will have outstanding moments for making new, special friends and enjoying the company of loved ones. All Goats need to be aware that the Year of the Tiger is not the time for taking financial risks. If in doubt or worried, they need to be sure to get the advice of a professional.

Interesting Goat Facts
Zodiac Stone: Emerald
Special Flower: Larkspur
Best Hours: 1-3 pm
Season: Summer
Horoscope Colors: Green, Blue

... since mummy left us.


One of her last photo with both her girls.

We really really miss you mummy!

Rest in peace.

I received this recently from a friend in an email. Because of recent events in my life, the sentiments really homed to my heart. Therefore, I thought that I would like to share the story with you.

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle;
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough;
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class, and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided. 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health, friends, and favourite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.'

So...

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical check ups.
Take your partner out to dinner.'

'There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter.

Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

'I'm glad you asked'.

'It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Thank you to all my family and friends who were there for me during my times of sorrow. Both my sister and I really appreciate your best wishes and kind thoughts.

Will jump back on the blogging wagon again soon - I hope.