Looking Ahead

Recently, a work associate asked me what is your dream?

It was quite a revelating exercise for me as I reflected on the past decade, and thought about the choices I made, on a personal level, and also on a professional one.

What was or is my dream?

10 years ago while I didn't hate the country I lived in, I was obsessed with leaving this city, obsessed with looking for a new opportunity, terrified that I would finish my life here, and walk the path that was already set out for me - practice law for some years, move in house, meet a boy, get married, get a house, kids and the template goes on. My dream? It was to get out.

5.5 years in London are years that I will cherish all my life. That was my dream. That was what I lived for, that engaged me. That was what I did.

Was there an opportunity cost? Of course. Financially, it was a struggle. But I was happy. This experience helped me understand that money solved many many problems, but it doesn't buy you happiness. I didn't have alot,  I did have to worry about budgets, but it provided. It was enough for me to live my dream and be truly happy. I wasn't a lawyer when I started out my life in London, my friends and family thought I was crazy to take a pay cut to move to such an exhorbitant city. I left friends and family behind. I did it, and never looked back.

We moved back some years back, as the stars lined up for that change. I've had recent discussions with Mr Mo, about our future and where we will be, geographically. The idea of leaving this city this time around leaves me with a feeling of apprehension and reluctance and I struggle to put a finger on the source of this worry. I keep asking myself, what happened to my dream?

With all that has happened this year in my personal life (and it is only the beginning of April), what I realised is that I am still living it. It evolved at some point during my time in London. My dream was no longer a new city, the dream became having a life together with Mr Mo. The next change is going to be the great unknown, and a big leap of faith. I've done it before, and I know I am going to have to do it again.


 

Mrs R

 

So what's been up in the last 7 months, we got married, after 7 long years of courtship.The day was fabulous and definitely one to remember. All I can say is that it was the best party of my life to date!

Eat drink and be merry - June 2013

THE SHIONGS

It's been a long 2013 but such an eventful one. Yesterday I lamented about my frustration with the repetitiveness of everyday life. I feel sometimes like i'm on one big merry go round, kind of fascinating at first, and then it just keeps spinning in the one same direction and would not bloody stop. First world problems indeed. When I ask myself, what do I have to worry about, what do I have to complain about? The Gen Y in me is disgruntled with my expectations vs reality. I read a great article last night from "Wait but Why" on the perception that we have today as adults vs the 70s vs the 50s, you get the drift.

 

This series of photographs were taken in the Freud Museum in London on 8 June 2013, where we celebrated the union of two dear friends who have taken (at least in Asian terms) a path that is very much less travelled. You know, people of the heterosexual kind ask 'ee-yer, why your friend gay one'. Sometimes I just want to knock them on the head and tell them to walk in their shoes and they wouldn't make it past the front door. Shame. But why should they be?

 The alternative life is not easy. With judgment, with stereotypes, with all the whatyoushouldbes and whatyoumustbes in order to fit in to society.  

You have one little brown mug in this life time. Fill it with what you will.

Life you know, is just what you make of it.

Happy partnership :)

too long out of the kitchen

So today is cook off night. We were slightly indulgent tonight with a scallop, potato and bacon salad with a medley of roasted vegetables....and I have a chocolate brownie baking the oven.

Just what I needed to kick a PMS-y Monday blue's ass.

Bali. Where do I begin? Third time on this island, and am still experiencing something new each time. So this is our annual 'summer' holiday, and I am glad I have some time off to really relax and be free.


We arrived in Denpasar and Ubud on Sunday night. We stayed at De Munut, a small cluster of traditional bungalows just off the centre of ubud. This place surpassed my expectations (by a long long mile). Price quality ratio is the best by far for any place i have stayed in asia , friendly hosts, Beautiful surroundings, gorgeous grounds, peaceful environment, newly renovated rooms, a pool and an awesome outdoor bathroom with a rain shower, what more could I ask for ? Oh yes, and fantastic fresh fruit juices this morning... Gosh I was spoiled !! The only downside is that it is atop a rather steep slope and is super dangerous to walk back up the slope after a dinner in town. Take a scooter... Makes life so much easier !

On day 1 we explored Ubud on foot. We wandered along the two main streets Jalan monkey forest and Jalan hanoman. We then went to monkey forest itself, where a certain monkey to fancy to a certain Mr Mo. beware if you head there -- the monkeys are rather forward with their approach. Some rather aggressive, but others relatively mild (though keenly interested in jewellery and bags). We finished the evening at murni's warung, a little resto at the bottom of the steep slope. Ubud is a colourful little town where history, culture and traditions run deep. The next days we took a motorbike and headed out to the padi fields around Ubud....such a quiet tranquil place!

We finished  the week in Gilli Trewangan going diving with awesome coral reefs and lots of little fish.....

9 feb 2013

Forgot a little announcement. We. Got . Engaged.

Krabi

So it's been 10 year since i was last in Ao nang, the Xmas of 2003...it's may 2013 and I am now back with mr mo. This seaside town , though ravished by tourism is still beautiful , and holds a special place in my heart. I'd be happy to return once I find a quiet enough hotel to rest in. The mercure, though extremely comfy is way too concrete for me, far too much like the condos in Singapore. Next time, we will find something closer to nature....

I spent most of Thursday working after we arrived, but we finally got going on Friday"

Some things we have been up to, revisiting banana pancakes, finding an awesome local hole in the wall for dinner, diving and cooking class ! We met some really nice people this trip, well travelled and fun to talk with. With massages in tow, there is really very little I can complain about.

This holiday also helped me to unwind (though it took 2 full days before cracking down to hold mode), it also gives us much needed time to spend together away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Mothers day 2013

To my dearest mom

role model
pillar of strength
Laughter of the house
Queen of battiness
Secret intelligence
Adventurer of her generation

Hope you has a swell time in dingy old new Ubin seafood restaurant with you crazy family. Happy 31st mothers day!
:)