Caffeine Junkie

It still feels strange to me typing/writing 2010. Seems like such a futuristic year, but it's only less than a week away!  There isn't much hype as compared to how we transitioned from 1999 to 2000. THAT was a big hoo-haa, prolly coz it was the turn of the millennium as well.

That said, my last blog post was in June. I really should start writing more, lest I forget all the eventful moments in my life.

2009 was a rough year for everyone. It started way before in 2008 - when we all braced ourselves for a huge economy downturn. Politics, tragedies, deaths. It was bad. Next year will be better, I hope.

My year, in retrospect:

MY POPO

My family started off the year with the departure of my maternal grandmother, just a week before Chinese New Year. It was a huge loss to us, but we know she's now in a better place. My heart still aches everytime I think of her. I still get flashes of images of her taking care of me, pampering me.

TURNING 24

It was significant coz it was the year of the Ox. For the first time in my life, I spent my birthday away from Malaysian soil. I celebrated it with a wet & wild day out at the theme park, followed by a quiet dinner in Gold Coast, Australia.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

I finally booked a flight and went Down Under. Loved the weather, sunshine and sea. Specifically loved the local beer - Fat Yak. I'm still raving about it till this day. Hugged a koala and took a picca. Patted dozens of kangaroos and body surfed in one of the beautiful beaches in Gold Coast. Spent a few hours in Brisbane. One of my most chilled-out vacation.

MY FAMILY

I had a huge fallout with my brother, refused to speak to him and threatened to move out. Yep, it was that bad. I was so full of anger, I could've exploded. I've never felt that angry in recent years. But, the more rational side of me took charge, I cooled down and things were back to normal after a few months. He finally got engaged and I became his photographer during his registration. Like what they always tell me - No matter what happens, he is my one and only brother. My Dad finally found something he loved doing and enjoying every single moment of it. Mom too found her interest and I'm glad they're both up and running around every day!

FRIENDS

Spent some quality time with old, old friends. Went back to BM for some gatherings, while some were in KL. It's ironic how so many of us are now in KL. Also managed to hang-out more with my uni mates. I really should start seeing more of my friends. Work is not an excuse! Some relationships were broken, some mended, some rekindled and some strengthened further. I somehow believe that people appear in our lives for a reason and sometimes, it's fate to a certain extend. No matter what, I still love all of you.

PENANG

For the record, I think this is the year where I went back to BM the most. Seemed like there was always an occasion every month which I needed to be home. Not that I'm complaining! Must maintain this.

GIRL GUIDES

It was Penang Girl Guides Association's 90th Anniversary. It has been 10 years since I first started being actively involved and I always have a slight guilt for not being able to contribute back much eversince I moved to KL for studies, then work. After all, Girl Guides played a huge role in shaping me into who I am and gave me a really strong foundation. So, in June, I flew back to Penang to emcee for the Gang Show (a night of performances by Brownies, Girl Guides & Rangers) and also went back for the gala dinner in Sept. Man, I love guiding!

VIETNAM

My 2nd trip back to Hanoi. LOVED, loved, loved every single moment of it. Ate my guts out at roadside stalls. Trekked 24km in Sapa Valley. Jumped off a 2.5-storey-high junk in Halong Bay. Had loads of the super gila killer locally-brewed rice wine. Hung out with some crazy backpackers. Damn, I'll move there NOW! if the chance pops up.

THE WORKS

Despite it being a rough year - with loads of changes on Client's side and also in my own team structure, I pulled through. Till this day, I'm proud to say that I survived 7 bosses in a mere 2.4 years. That's insane. HAH. I finally got my long-awaited promotion. It was a long, hard battle I fought. I was glad my effort finally paid off, but it was a little too late - I just went 'Oh, okay. Back to work.' Different title, same shit. Irregardless, I still love the industry.

GOODBYE 2009

I've taken the last week of the year off so I could just unwind. When the company announced that 31st will be a half-day, I canceled my leave coz I didn't want to waste it. Kiasu! Just go and goyang kaki for a few hours also siok.

Now, 2010... is going to be totally different. That's a promise. I ain't gonna do any New Year's resolution - I never do. I just know that there will be change. Aiyoh, sounds like Obama. Haha. I've already taken a few small steps, let's wait for that giant leap.

I really do hope 2010 will be a better year for everyone.

I did an impromptu trip back to Penang over the weekend to emcee for the Penang Girl Guides' Gang Show 2009, which was part of our 90th anniversary celebrations.

When Stella asked me, my heart was all out for it... but the brain was doing lil'l mind trick on me. I decided to follow my heart, and I'm glad I did.

I remember attending the 80th anniversary when I was just a 14 year-old Girl Guide. Then, during the 85th anniversary, I was already in uni and I came back for it. Five years on, with a hectic life in KL to juggle, I made it back to emcee for the night. It has been too long since I last held the mic and handled an event in such scale and importance. I wasn't afraid at all, I just told myself to remember the good old days and put up a good show. It was a right decision.

There were 22 performances and they wowed me away. Penang's got talent! Mom joked that when it comes to the 100th celebration, our kids would be performing. Hahah. Well, that might be possible!

After so many years, Mom and Dad still provided their undivided support - they attended the Gang Show! At first Mom texted saying they won't be coming, but turned up in the end... which I didn't know until the end of the show. Mom met some of the Guiders, my friends and even a friend of my bro.

I am also thankful to my Boss who was even more excited than me when I told her I needed to get off work early on Friday to board the flight back to Penang. She even asked me how it was when she met me at the office today. I've got fantastic people at work.

Ah yes, my first time on Firefly and it won me over. If not for the price, I'd fly Firefly in a heartbeat. Decent service,  fast, hassle-free and most importantly, it's only in Subang!

It was too short a trip ,I didn't get enough of my comfy bed and bantal busuk at home :p And I vow to make more trips back home. Parents ain't that young anymore... Though I think my Mom looks younger with her new facial care! Sunday was also Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary + Father's Day. Had a cheap hearty meal nearby home before heading to the airport. It was a good weekend spent in the company of my sister Guides and parents.