Good bye to year 2011... I have been a good girl!

So quickly we have reached the end of 2011… almost the end. Like every year, it is time again for me to reflect on the year and see how good or bad I have been!

This year has been an amazing life-changing year for me! There is nothing that could be categorized as ‘regrets’ in my 2011 journey.

Looking at the first half of the year, my work gave me the opportunity to travel extensively. Throughout these travelling, I have seen a lot, learnt so much, and experienced friendships that I will treasure for a long time! It has been truly amazing! 

 Lancome is the best!

 My beautiful mentor Christine Wang!

 Lovely Colleagues from all over!

 Cherishing the good times at Loreal Skincare Metier in Shanghai!

This is also the year where my Prince decided that I will be his Princess forever. It has been the sweetest and most memorable second half where we launched our wedding plans and walked hand-in-hand through the to-do list. Every time I think about my Prince, his presence, actions, and love truly makes me feel like the luckiest girl indeed. I believe he did come and rescued me from all those gnomes that surrounded me. 

 Participating in a bridal race!

 Our first experience...

 Every weekend spent planning our wedding... 
looking forward to a life full of love with my Prince!

Last but not least, I am grateful that all my dearest friends have moved on successfully and happily in their life and thank god for surrounding me with people full of love! People including family, friends & colleagues ^_^

  

 Beautiful friendships forever! 'til wrinkles NOT do us part...

Gals' FUN! 
Thank you all for always being there despite busy schedules of work & family!

 My boy... cute Muffin! 
Never a day did he not make me laugh with joy!

 Of course... my life would never be without both of them... love 'em to bits!

And of course, I ended the year rewarding myself with the most precious gift! The window to experience a whole new world with bright eyes again! I am so happy with it!

 My last day with glasses...
Thank you to Dr Yeoh Phee Liang from Advance Vision Eye Specialist... 

 First outing after the LASIK surgery! No eye make-up for a month!

Looking forward to next year with more adventures… adventures that consist of love, laughter & joy!

Blessed Christmas and a wonderful new year to all!

Life is...

I can't help but to wonder... where will one go after life on earth?

My daddy left us three years ago and his departure still haunts me during some days. Especially days like today, when I have certain issues in life that I cannot handle and I can't help but to wish that he is here to guide me.

Life is certainly too precious to waste away and every minute is to be valued and cherished. However, most people do not think that way. There are too much worries and burden in life that matters more... a lot more to think about... to care about... to worry about... to stress about...

What exactly are we living for?

I really can not understand life. However, I know I am now very afraid of attachment. When there are too heavy attachments in life, there will be too much expectations and too little to lose. That is when life becomes complicated. Is this the right direction to aim for in life?

Certain decisions are made purely for the sake of happiness and the aim of being loved til the end of our journey in this life. But that decision alone will not be enough because you are never alone. There will be people in your life that will have expectations. Everyone has their expectation of other people and not afraid of letting them know and there are many people happily agreed to meet those expectations. 

The truth is... are we living our own expectations or are we living in other people's version of our life?

I am very confused indeed. Life is truly very confusing not because of life itself but the creatures that are behind it. It is a never ending journey of pleasing other people and meeting their expectations. Sometimes... the soul feels so tired that it rather give up than to continue being a slave to other people's needs. 

Sometimes... will it be easier to just give up?

I wish life is simple... 

I wish life is sweet...

but life has a way...

to make you retreat...

No matter how strong you may be...

There will always be...

a rock... a mountain in your way...

to make you stumble...

Life is...

What life is...

It's how you want it to be...

Poem inspired by Joselyn Lee 29/10/11

The 5 Regrets

A meaningful article nipped from Paulo Coelho's Blog

 

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.

This came from every male patient that I nursed. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. 

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

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Hong Kong in the hot Summer!

Ooh la la... 

of all the times I have been to Hong Kong... 

this time is definitely the hottest Hong Kong!

 Another wonderful Retail and Training week with Lancome International CIFL team!

It was the best week of learning, discussions, discovering and inspiration!

 

 The make-up show...

It was such a magnificent show of art in a prestigious and sophisticated way that portrays the luxury image of the brand...

 

 The talented Lancome's National Make-up Artists from Asia Pacific Countries...

I totally love 'em!

 the team with the boss...

Everytime...
never once where we attended a training by Lancome... that they did not wine and dine us...

This time was no exception!

Get ready for GAGA night!

And this is one of the reason why Hong Kong was so HOT!!

*ahem*

I might not be GAGA... but I tried to be GLAMOROUS instead...

Green and Yellow might not be that GLAM...
but I LOVE IT!!

I never thought I would look good in green... maybe I might make green permanent?

 we were at Lan Kwai Fong...

 me and the talented Vic Tu - National Make-up Artist for Taiwan..

I will be his forever #1 fan *smile*

 ooohhh.... The real GAGAs!

 the gorgeous ladies that are my mentors... I adore them!

 Susan Park...

my new best friend!

 the fabulous together again!

 myself and the great German...

 oh my... how can we ever look like GAGA...

Because we are so much more gorgeous!

Linda Linda..

the person who got me this pretty green hair!

I have truly enjoyed the short week in Hong Kong... Most memorable would be the time gathered with all my friends from all the countries! Will be looking forward to the next one... hmmm... I wonder which country would we be going?

Representing Lancome in Seoul

I was chosen to represent the brand at the WCD - World Congress of Dermatology 2011 at Seoul, Korea!

The moment I heard the news, I was absolutely ecstatic that I was chosen to represent the brand.
*proud*

 This is the Lancome booth at the WCD hall..

 Trying to impress the dermatologists and doctors from all over the world...

 Me talking science and technology...

 Representing the brand in perfect grooming...

 the lovely Veronique Delvigne

The four of us at the front booth...

 The Scientific team of Lancome International consisted of wonderful and great people! It was really an honour to work with them during the one week congress.

Lovely people!

 Aurelie and Peggy from the Scientific team

 The wonderful Veronique Delvigne, Scientific Director of Lancome International Scientific department in Paris..

I love her!

It was truly an amazing experience to be there at the World Congress where dermatologists and doctors from all over the world attended to learn the latest science and technology of the beauty industry.

Although I did not manage to see much of Korea, but I did discovered some amazingly tasty and yummy local delicacies! 

 Everyday, I discovered new yummy Korean food...

 My favourite Sam Gye Tang!

 and Kimchi!!
Somehow the original kimchi from Korea tasted different from the ones I eat in Malaysia...
It is more sweet and slight spicy... and the ones from Malaysia are SUPER spicy to the point of numbness!

 even the street food were amazing...
yummy yummy!

 The best meal were of course the BBQ pork... the taste of the meat is so sweet and tender that even without any flavoring, the meat is super delicious!

Bonnie, my Korean colleague took us to her favourite restaurant for the best BBQ pork!

We truly enjoyed the amazing dinner at that restaurant...

 But of course, it was the time spent with Bonnie and her cheeky son that makes it most interesting and happy...

And it will never be the same without him...
the care, love and support! 

*love*

The next time I will be in Seoul... I will definitely be a full time tourist!