Americaaaaaaaa

Going back to the land of abundance, to fill the trunk with abundance. Seriously, half my posts are about road trips to the States.

Three different passports..which one is the best (Hint: The first one)

Every time I go to the States, I would always eat fast food. No wonder America has an obesity problem, its cheaper and more convenient to eat out than to buy fresh produce.

$1 Refillable ice tea

Fish burger that actually tasted good



Super sized chip packets



The longest curly fry ever

But I don't go there just to fill myself with salt, fat and sugar. The scenery itself is totally worth the trip down.

A little bit of sun rays..I'll take what I can!

Ugly patch of grey cloud

Despite all the awesomeness the States has to offer, its the company that makes the trip a good one.

Yes, we really used this cart to hold our groceries

Can't take them out anywhere...

Hehehe..we're just as bad

I shrunk...look even the yoghurt is miniature

I really wanted to buy this helmet. I think its for kids though.

Speaking of kids items, I have to buy clothes from the junior section of the store..and not only that, I fit into a small! So what about small kids? What would they wear? Oh the dilemma!

It's like the opposite in Asia where small really means small. I think they really should have a uniform international sizing system for clothes. That would make my world a little bit easier =)

Tragedy in Japan

So sucks.

An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale hit Japan on March, 11th 2011.

No doubt that the aftermath of this tragedy is devastating but what comes out of great catastrophes reveals the raw human instinct to survive. Thoughts from 'Should I get starbucks today?' turn to 'When will I get my next supply of clean water?' Worries about interest rates rising, the stock market falling, fuel prices increasing change to what can I eat, what will I drink, when can I shower?

For me, the most interesting observation that has come out of this natural disaster, was the reaction of the Japanese people. No looting, no stealing, no shooting - none of this 'every man for themselves' mentality. Why? I don't know, I'm no expert in this field but I'm sure it might have something to do with the culture they were raised in and what is expected of them. Looking out for the best interest of the group rather than themselves.

Imagine how different the world would be if everyone had that mentality.

Chinese Food

After being in Vancouver for a good 5 months, I finally had dim sum!! I didn't find it extraordinary or anything memorable, just tasted like Chinese food. And who else should I dine with than a fellow friend from Perth. I could have been inside Northbridge Chinese Restaurant for all I know. Its happened to me a few times before where I forget that I'm in Vancouver, and think I'm back at home. So weird!

Like any other typical chinese restaurant

Egg tarts..so derrriciousss..

Lunch for two

Then it was time to head to our favourite asian store..TNT!!! If I had my way, I'd open TNT in Australia.

Look at the size of those taros!

Mmmm..Eels..yum

A turtle..for real.

From Austalia

A whole entire chicken

Live abalone

Our shopping cart, full of groceries

Waiting for the skytrain..for three whole minutes

Back home

So fun.

And you know what else is fun, not having to work. That's fun. I have a lot of people ask me when I am going to get a job and it seems like everyone is more worried about it than I am. I am not worried because I know in this season of rest, it will prepare me for something great to come.

It's taken me a while to be at peace with not working, because a lot of my own identity was derived from what I did. I mean think about it, when you meet someone, one of the first questions asked would normally be "So, what do you do?" If one person answered "Doctor" and another answered "I don't work", who would you place more value on? Even a "I'm at school" answer shows that they are working towards something and that has value.

That's just the way our society works and its unfortunate because I know so many people out there who don't follow their dreams because they have been told that what they want to be has no value. Its sad really, that's why you see so many people hating their jobs. They see it as a means to an end. I never want to be in that position again and I'm happy taking this time to find out what I want, not what other people want for me. Lets just say I don't work for two years..whats two years in the grand scheme of things? If I live until 80, I'm investing 2.5% of my life to work out what I want to do for the rest of it...pretty good investment of time if you ask me.

I am really blessed that I find myself in a community where people are not afraid to follow their dreams, not afraid of failing, not afraid of what others think. It truly inspires and encourages me to see so much entrepreneurial spirit in every direction I turn, to watch people fulfil their dreams. It makes me want to chase mine even more.

50 Random Facts about me

1. I don't like snails.
2. The only concert I have ever been to is Justin Timberlake.
3. I am a lightweight. It took me only two shots once before it was game over.
4. I love playing board games, especially when I win.
5. Every time I go back to Malaysia, I have to eat at this place called 'Under the Tree'. Its located under a tree.
6. I love gazing at the stars.
7. My favourite chocolate is dark chocolate.
8. I shovelled snow off the footpath around my house for the first time two days ago, and I am still feeling the pain.
9. My grandma rides a motorcycle
10. I get cold really easily
11. Melbourne is my favourite Australian city
12. I want to travel around Europe for my honeymoon. 3 months. Minimum.
13. When my brother was a baby, he fell off the bed when I was suppose to be watching him. Oops.
14. I love America. I love LA. I love their accents.
15. My favourite childhood memory was running through the sprinklers in summer.
16. I miss my family and friends in Australia
17. I am unemployed and I am not worried.
18. I am scared of heights.
19. I broke my back once.
20. I get bruised easily
21. I love having good conversations
22. I think I only want two kids
23. Going to the beach on a warm night and dipping my feet in the water is one of the best feelings in the world
24. I like baking
25. I got stung by a jellyfish, stepped on by an elephant, bitten by a dog. I don't think animals like me very much.
26. I am currently hungry but too cold to get out of bed. Refer to #10.
27. I keep all the birthday cards given to me.
28. I love ice cream. Especially the chocolate-y flavoured ones.
29. I think avocado and honey on toast is great.
30. I use to go for runs on my lunch break. They were more like short sprints of 100 metres or less.
31. Red bull gives me wings.
32. I really miss my parents' home cooked food. Somehow, mine just doesn't seem to compare.
33. I prefer reading books to watching movies.
34. I don't like rollercoasters. I am the person who will stand there and hold everyone else's stuff for them while they go on.
35. Babysitter's club was my favourite series to read when I was younger. It inspired me to babysit but that dream was squashed when I realised no one would really trust a thirteen year old with their baby in the real world.
36. I sit funny, with my legs spread out in an M shape.
37. I like considerate people.
38. I watched five seasons of The Office when I was in hospital. I think I was the only person in the ward laughing out loud.
39. I am strong willed. Some may call it stubborn.
40. I have never smoked
41. I get excited by little things. Like riding the yellow school bus.
42. Ironing is the worst chore ever. Hence, I only wear clothes that don't require ironing.
43. I think adding hot sauce to any dish will instantly make it ten times better
44. I believe I live in abundance
45. The child I sponsor from the Phillipines is really cute
46. I prefer noodles over rice
47. I currently live with six girls. Its fun.
48. I have two degrees - Arts and Commerce and four major - Linguistics, Communications, Accounting and Finance. Overkill much?
49. I don't like gardening. Actually, I've never gardened in my life but I think thats a safe assumption to make.
50. The best feeling is knowing that there is no place you'd rather be in the whole world.

I love snow

Some photos just don't need any words.

It's a brand new day

It's cold, raining and gray outside but it takes a lot more than that to dampen my mood.

A cup of hot green tea latte in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other, what more can I ask for!

Oh wait..there is more...



Desserts after dinner!


However, I think my level of contentment has got a lot more to do than just meeting my cravings for sugar. Wouldn't it be easy life was that simple =) Through trials and tribulations, I discover part of that contentment is the ability to live in the present. Sounds simple enough, makes sense right? But how often do we worry about things, people and circumstances that are yet to unfold. And really, how much of that is within our control? Not a lot.

But anyway, that might sound pretty obvious to some people and I'm sure we've heard it many times before but only recently have I started really living that out. And it works =D

It also helps I live in one of the most picturesque cities in the world, I can't help but just admire the awesome scenery and realise how lucky I am...

Beautiful sunset

So many colours in the sky

Snow capped mountains

Snow melting from the mountains

Whistler village lights

It's Christmas all year round

So much awesomeness in one place =)

Comfort Zone

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I couldn't fail, The same four walls of busy work were really more like a jail
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before, But I stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor
I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much, I said I didn't care for things like diamonds or furs and such I claimed to be so busy with the things inside my zone, But deep inside I longed for something special of my own I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win, I held my breath and stepped outside to let the change begin I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before, I kissed my comfort zone good bye and closed and locked the door If you are in a comfort zone afraid to venture out, Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt A step of faith and knowing God can make your dreams come true Greet your future with a smile, success is there for you! - Anonymous