One lesson I learned as I turn 21 this year

This is it, guys. I have finally turned 21 years old. At 21 years old, I do feel that I have changed drastically compared to if you would have known me 3 or 4 years ago.

At 21 years old, I have learned quite a number of things. Most importantly, I learned some of the knick and knacks of being human. In the beginning of this year, when I experienced health failure and eventually depression, anxiety and panic attacks, I learned that in life, there are people whom deserve to be in our life and some who don't. Those who deserve or simply put, are worth my trust and time are those who stood by me when I am at my lowest.

Then, there are those who truly just does not give a damn about us and thus, does not deserve to be worthy of our friendship. Along with this realisation, I also came to learn that the world does not owe us anything. The art of being human is simple, we are not obliged to anybody, that's a fair argument. Thus, some people despite being seemingly good to you at first could just turn on you for perhaps no reason at all because there are not bonded to you, right? After telling myself that this argument is fair and valid, I then, teach myself one thing, keep people who are truly sincere to you close to the heart and throw those who takes you for granted away as easy as throwing out trash.

Thanks to this early lesson in the beginning of this year it made my life very simple and from then on people who treat me like I am trash were discarded from my life.

If you are someone who have gone through health failure you will understand my new principle in life. When you are lying down in a hospital bed from morning to night, have needles going through your veins, going for surgery, looking out the window and wishing you weren't in pain and still have to take shit from people whom you thought was your friend then you will understand that it is okay to just let people go.

We do not need a million and one people in our lives. We just need our family members (who are probably the only people in the world who will never turn their back on you else your life is screwed up), your loved one and a few friends who are truly sincere to us.

Therefore, in celebration of my coming of age I would like to mention people whom I am grateful towards. I might have mentioned these people a few times already but in life, it does not hurt to show how grateful you are from time to time.

*It is understood that I am forever grateful to my family members AND Tee Wei-Lim my boyfriend*

So here's a shout out to these people AND a little description to go along with it.

1. David Nge Chee Keen: He's quiet but at 23 years old I admire his thirst for knowledge & to be honest, his wisdom at such a young age. So positive and an amazing friend to talk to. 
2. Richard Moh: An old soul, fluffy on the outside but if you take time and listen to him, you will learn things you never would from text books AND how dull would my life be if I didn't have him to always keep me company?
3. Kavidha Natarajan: Someone whom I will always call in times of need. She's level headed, she listens and does not act rashly. She's someone you need when you're messed up.
4. Kimberly Yong: I love you dear, we don't see each other that often but it has never felt like we weren't there for each other even for a day. You're a kind and beautiful person. 
5. Yuet Ting: I've known her for 15 years. We've been together for 15 years. Primary school, high school and then now. She's still the kind hearted girl I met at 7 years old. I love you too.
6. Wan Sin: When I see her I feel calm, I want a hug and she will give me a hug. She is an adventurous soul too.
7. Imran: His wisdom reflects the years of learning he has had but again, so fluffy on the outside, if only we could take time to listen to what he has learned in life instead.
8. Alex Wong: Is there a word to describe, funny, profound, slightly bimbo yet sometime serious, spiritual and charismatic combined? Oh there is, Alex. 
9. Raymond: Heart of gold. I will never be as pure and sincere as Raymond so I am so grateful for someone like him in my life. He reminds you that no matter how ugly the world is you don't have to drag yourself down to that level. 
10. Carmen Lee: I secretly want to learn from what she learns in her everyday life that she shares with us because I think someone who wants to keep learning like her is admirable. 
11. Lilian: What can I say, a good friend is hard to find. A good and selfless friend like Lilian is even harder to find. So I will keep you forever and not let you go. 
12. Elicia: We have common topics to talk about all the time *coughmainlyrantingaboutourboyfriendcough* What more can I say.... we understand each other's pain (kidding)

These are the people that I want to thank for being with me the past few years. Thank you for impacting me in one way or another. 

*There's also amazing people whom I treasure such as Yen Li, Wai Yee, James, Marcus, my current AMAXING team mates.... so to you guys, you rock*

I'm 21 years old now. You won't be able to find Amy Version 1.0 anymore but look forward to Amy Version 5.0 etc in the future. 

To the future Amy, this is you at 21 years old. You have not learn all there is to learn yet, so keep moving forward and may you learn more there is to life in the future. 

Cheers,

Amy Lim (21 years old, 23 July 2014)

[Travel] Seoul, Korea The 2nd largest city in the world [Part 1]

Hey all,

I have finally found the time to write about my trip to Korea last December. Yes, I am 4 months late but considering the kind of blogger I am (a lazy one) this ain't too bad!

Did you know Seoul is the  2nd largest city in the world? Yes, you read me, it is not New York City or Mumbai it is Seoul, Korea with 10 billion people. First place goes to Tokyo, Japan housing more than 13 billion people in the city (crazy I tell you)

So my family and I opt for a tour to Korea with ABC travel agency. I really recommend their services because it is value for money. The tour guide did not bring us to any commercial (tourist money sucking places) during our 7 days there. Hotels were all really good ones ranking from 4 to 5 stars (with wifi *most important info for you, right?*) And food was excellent!

First compulsory picture taken in Seoul. A tip for all travelers going there during winter; always keep at least two warm winter apparel in your hand cary luggage. If you pack everything into your luggage then you're most probably going to freeze, and die. (Not even kidding)

You can gauge how cold it is by looking at the rather round yellow boy that looks close to a dumpling after we dawn on him at least four layers of clothing.

Couple shot of the people responsible for three monkeys running loose now on earth namely, my younger sister, brother and I.

We were holding hot coffees in our hands, we did everything we could to keep warm.

So we visited the grand palaces which was our first place of attraction. There were the Deoksugung, Gyeongbukgong and Changdeokgung palaces. 

This is the prime minister's office in the background.

Caption; Hey I am cold too!

After visiting ol' palaces we rushed off (literally rushing off) to play with ice. Tour packages seem to include a session of ice scripture during winter. That's me in the picture looking seemingly jolly to be murdering ice blocks.

And speaking about creepy, my dad bags first prize.

We were asked to carve a mug in anyway possible and use it later. It's just orange soda, the fun was murdering the ice.

That's all for now folks!

Part 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 etc will be trailing on soon after (no it's not going to take another 4 months I assure you)

Cheers, have a nice day.

[Food] Happy New Year BBQ dinner

I have been busy lately and this is a really delayed post on our New Year eve's dinner. It has been a year or so my family started to eat in more often. Plus, my mother has found her passion in cooking and making us fat with good food. That's not the point though, the point is, we enjoy having a good family dinner at home. So....

Feast your eyes!

BBQ German Sausages

BBQ Pork

Watermelon Salad *warning*
Do not put cheese if you attempt to try this salad or eat at your own risk

BBQ Steak

Something is grilling.....

BBQ Lamb

All the meat lovers unite for much slaughter has been done tonight....

Always remember to have a balance meal. It is highly not advisable to consume too much meat in your daily intake. Kindly ensure greens are found on your plate and an occasional sighting of an apple like fruit is found.

That's all for now folks!

Till then,
With love.

Ask me about year 2012; answered

Ask me about my year 2012 

• 1: What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
• Walk around nude in a hot spring bath and in the women's locker in Korea
• 2: Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
• Honestly, I did not have new year resolutions for year 2012 but I will definitely start one this year
• 3: Did anyone close to you give birth?
• Definitely not
• 4: Did anyone close to you die?
• Thankfully not
• 5: What countries did you visit?
• Korea from Dec 12-20 and it was amazing
• 6: What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012
• Self discipline and determination
• 7: What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
• 14 February, 21 July, 25 December and 31 December. Those are all the dates I spent together with le boy. From the shout out he did in front of 20 more people during Valentines, confessing his love to me, to the birthday surprise he organized, Christmas with his pox and the wonderful lunch and movie during new year's eve
• 8: What was your biggest achievement of the year?
• Getting into the semi-finals for Loreal Brandstorm with ARTENTECH
• 9: What was your biggest failure?
• It is a secret but a failure that I will never repeat 
• 10: Did you suffer illness or injury?
• Injury....perhaps, emotional injury
• 11: What was the best thing you bought?
• Jamie Oliver cook book for my mother. Here comes all the delicious meals from her
• 12: Whose behaviour merited celebration?
• N/A
• 13: Whose behaviour made you appalled?
• Secret
• 14: Where did most of your money go?
• Food and misc things (usually, the cute things that got me attracted and buying them for no absolute necessity or valid reasoning) 
• 15: What did you get really, really, really excited about?
• Loreal Brandstorm 2013 
• 16: What song will always remind you of 2012?
• Gangnam style. Please don't ask me why 
• 17: Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
• Happier and thinner. I'll answer richer or poorer when I start earning my own money
• 18: What do you wish you’d done more of?
• Studying and exercising 
• 19: What do you wish you’d done less of?
• Caring for people who does not deserve me
• 20: How did you spend Christmas?
• With my family and love 
• 21: Did you fall in love in 2012?
• Yes I did, again and again since July year 2011
• 22: What was your favourite TV program?
• Doctor Who and Heroes 
• 23: Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
• Yes, yes I do but it is not hate for hatred is bad for the soul. It is rather more of disappointed and fed up with
• 24: What was the best book you read?
• Between the lines, still reading it
• 25: What was your greatest musical discovery?
• IU 
• 26: What did you want and get?
• I wanted to get into the semi-finals for Loreal Brandstorm, we got in 
• 27: What did you want and not get?
• I wanted to win at least Most Progressive award
• 28: What was your favourite film of this year?
• Rise of the Guardians
• 29: What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
• Changes
• 30: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
• Comfortable (extremely comfortable) 
• 31: What kept you sane?
• My love 
• 32: Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
• IU 
• 33: What political issue stirred you the most?
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual identification guidelines published which was endorsed by the Ministry of Education, absolutely absurd 
• 34: Who did you miss?
• N/A
• 35: Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
• That life is only going to get harder. However, even when life becomes unbearable, we must not give up. Also, there will always be someone, if not all, but at least one who will always be there to support me through the hardest part of life 
• 36: Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
• I won't give up- Jason Mraz

Welcoming new year; 2013

The year 2012 is coming to an end! As usual, people are excited to talk about their new year resolutions and reflection on the past year. To join in the excitement, there are quite a number of things I am grateful for in year 2012.

I'm grateful list

#1 My family 

Families are not perfect. However, it is these imperfections that makes the whole perfection. We fight, cry, disappoint and etc but at the end of the day, family is always family.

#2 My love 

"I don't believe in love at first sight" - That is the truth. For me, love is like women. Something that you can never understand no matter how hard you try. In year 2012, I think we have went through one of the most times of ups and downs. However, at least, we are there for each other.

#3 Lessons learned in Monash

Monash is different compared to high school or pre-U. I am grateful that in year 2012, my first year in Monash has opened my eyes to the true meaning of hard work and discipline. You snooze, you loose! University life is the pre-quel of reality. This is the time to adapt ourselves to challenges.

#4 Celebrating another birthday for my grandmother

I am grateful that we celebrated another birthday for my grandmother this year. I wish to celebrate many more birthdays for my grandmother after year 2012. She is the strongest women I know in the family.

#5 My partner-in-crime aka best friend aka Nge-Nge's guardian aka Gabby Ng Chee Kar 

The title is self explanatory. Where else can you find someone as awesome as him to be your dearest friend? Al though a long distance relationship is sometimes frustrating but his jungle isn't that bad anymore. Nge Nge keeps him company teehee!

#6 My mama aka Kawee aka Kavidha Natarajan 

The title again, need no explanation. If there is one word to summarize someone who is always there to put your mind back to where it belongs, keep you sane, make you laugh, understands you inside out and so much more then please tell me that word. For the time being, I'll assume that word is Kaweeeeeeeeddddhhhaaa. Teehee!

#7 The opportunity to meet Poto, Gabrielle and Imran during a AIESEC conference 

#8 Changes 

I'm grateful for the changes I have undergone this year. From the unbelievably timid self to a stronger growing women. If I were to mention all the changes I experience in year 2012 it would probably be too long to be published in this virtual space.

#9 ARTENTECH 

In year 2012, is the stepping stone towards something big in year 2013. I am grateful that my dear Wei-Lim and annoying child David Nge is in this journey with me. I would have never achieved anything without them.

#10 Close bond with Sri Damai (childhood friends) 

I mean, we know each other since 12 years ago. How crazy is that?

#11 onecubetwo

I call it my family minus the blood relationship!

#12 Alive, healthy and still able to write this post

Thank you 2012 for a life changing experience.
Welcome year 2013 for yet another life changing experience!! =)

[Personal] November in a glimpse

The month of November is almost over. I distinctively remember writing a blog article on the first of November wishing for an amazing month ahead. 25 days later I am wondering where did the month go to. So fast?!!!!

The truth is despite having holidays I spent half a November revising with le boy's for his exams and another half working on Loreal Brandstorm. Hence, I did not even have time to really sit down and have some me time which includes getting myself to write this blog article. So here I am recapping my month with the help of pictures.

(Mostly taken from Instagram, this is the importance of pictures for someone extremely forgetful like me)

Firstly I celebrate my mother's 48th birthday on the 5th. Then, I was invited to attend Taylor's University Awards Night. And guess what? AIESEC in Taylor's University was awarded best club (the most honorable award of the night, I was dumb founded)

A group picture;

My beloved Kavi and Richard, my team mates, my best friends;

Then the boy and I celebrated Deepavali eve with Kavi and Alvin.

Le boy also brought me to Bens and Nick's diner which served amazing food. My favourite was their mushroom soup.

We also celebrated Deepavali on the weekend's at Kavi's house. It was a potluck party so I whipped up some vegetarian dishes. My proudest moment would be the cream baked vegetables. Wan Sin really liked the prawn with egg dish. It was actually butter garlic prawns then I added the eggs into it.

The Sri Damai gang met up at Pitstop, PJ for our usual reunion/hanging out session/ dinner. As usual, I enjoyed my time with them tremendously! =)

The rest of the days it's just Loreal Brandstorm crazy. We have been going to Monash every single day of the week including weekends.

Also, the Christmas season is here and I am starting to have Christmas fever! Another thing worth mentioning is my new found love of healthy eating habits. I have been eating healthily avoiding all junk food, soft drinks and overly sugary food ( and I especially love Japanese food)

My favourite Cha Soba noodles (organic);

Udon, anyone?

That's all for now folks! =)

Till then.
Cheers, with love!

[PERSONAL] Food for the soul, exercise for the heart

They say, the only way to a guy's heart is through his stomach. Although, we do know that is not entirely the truth but there is one thing for certain. Good food, makes me very happy! =)

As usual, I will be a good daughter on weekends and stay home. Not that I do not want to be home on weekends. Come on, my mother cooks us good food during the weekend. Good food that I do not have to pay for FYI. Do you know how much it costs us students to eat in Monash campus everyday??? Not to mention if we have classes from morning till late evening. The amount of money we spent makes our course 10-30% more expensive. No kidding. I spend on average RM5 a day for food alone, beverage and is a whole different story, mind you.

Therefore, eating at home is blissful. Especially when your mother cooks a feast every weekend. Good ingredients, flavourful taste. You cannot ask for something better than this! =)

My mum cooked chicken stew. The ingredients includes carrot, leek, sausages and chicken (obvious ingredient, right? If not I might as well call it carrot stew or something). The chicken was tender and honestly, the sausages were sweet and juicy as well. It almost overpowered the main star of the dish which was the chicken. My rating 9/10. It's too good to resist.

Next, I requested for prawns and my mum made Nestum prawns for me. I love her so much. The prawns were amazing. The nestum flavour was not too strong and the sweetness of the prawns melts in your mouth. 1KG costs us RM20 only. How can you get that price elsewhere, right???

If one day I were to get a health check up I think my cholesterol level will be quite high. I do eat a lot of prawns on weekends but hey, I follow a healthy balance diet every single day okay. Or atleast, I try do to so. Every day, I will try my best to fulfill 5 portions of vegetables and fruits, 2 portions of protein and 1 portion of carbohydrates. For breakfast, I usually manage to get 1-2 portions of fruits, during lunch, it's 1 portion of vegetables, 1 of protein and 1 of carbs. Dinner is the hardest to fulfill. So it's the truth that I do try my best to have a balance diet every day.

My mum also made braised pork ribs but it was slightly burnt because she used the pressure cooker and it was too much for the leek to handle. I didn't like this very much because the leek was too strong and it overpowered the entire dish. Still a good and hearty meat dish for the meat lovers though! =)

Next, after all those eating. Exercise is necessary especially when your meals includes a lot of protein. For old people, it is not very wise to eat a lot of meat because it is bad for the heart. Even at my age (I am 19 years old this year) it is still, not too good to eat a lot of meat. Hence, daily exercise ensures the heart stays healthy.

I try to exercise 30 minutes every day to keep a healthy hear. I am aware that I am no longer the old super athlete younger me, which used to exercise for 2-3 hours every day. Hence, baby steps are good enough. Since, I just want to keep fit and not really intense training like previously.

That's all folks! =)

Remember to exercise daily and enjoy life with good food for the soul.

Cheers, with love.

[Journal] Hello, October! =)

Welcome to the month October, the month of assignments week after week, day after day until final exams greets us at the end. It is a month of sleepless nights and endless hair pulling.

I started of my entire week of October worrying about a research paper that is still in process of completion and due date is less than 24 hours. Well, which Monash student won't be burning the midnight oil this month, right?

In the midst of an assignment frenzy month I still managed to purchase this gorgeous Fuschia dress from Zalora online. Al though I bought it one size too big for me since I couldn't estimate how the size will be. This is a UK8 and I'm a UK4/6 so it hangs loosely over me but it's still a good fit despite the bottom being too drape like.

This is Healthy C Juice from Tea Chansii. The drink is more pricey than Chatime at RM8.90 but it is a healthier option. The tea comes with slices of lime and oranges, aloe seeds and jelly. The sugar option is 30% so you can taste bitterness in the drink. Now, that's what I called a good refreshing juice! =)

Then again, right after a healthy juice my grandmother cooks me the most amazing pork and squid in oyster sauce dish. I distinctively remember telling her I liked it very much last week and here she is whooping up another this week. I love her! =)

Thursdays are filled with whole day tutorial classes. From morning all the way until the evening. Therefore, when it comes to the last class of the day, which is Journalism I'll usually be fighting to keep myself awake. This week was different. I managed to pay full attention to the lecturer! Why? This time, unlike usual, I did not sit in front of the laptop. Also, someone drew this meme on the whiteboard. I love our Journalism lab! =)

This was taken this morning at 2AM when I was still burning midnight oil for my research paper. I have yet to complete it and will aim to do so today. As it is due tomorrow and I have a habit to finish all assignments a day before. No earlier, no later. *Such a weird working habit, I have*

The highlight of my week, is related to the picture above. On Friday, Wei-Lim and I had lunch with Kavi. We ate at Nirvana's Banana Lead rice. One of my absolute favourite but quite pricey compared to a lot of other banana leaf rice. Usually we have lunch with our biffle couples on Fridays. We call them our biffle couples because Kavi is Wei-Lim's biffle and Alvin is my biffle! =)

However, this Friday was different because after lunch Kavi and Wei-Lim didn't have classes to attend so we decided to catch a movie. We watched Hotel Translyvnia in 3D. Guess what! 3D movies at Summit USJ GSC costs only RM7. That is a super amazing price for a 3D movie. The movie was fun, quirky and has a very good sense of humor. Very suitable if you're just looking to have a 1hr and 30min of fun and laughter. Not a very deep and intellectually challenging plot.

That's what we did for the day. Or so I thought it was the end. At 8PM, David called to go out for 'yumcha' session. It was so random but hey, who cares! It's with the gang. So I said yes, made Wei-Lim come and fetch me as well since I hate driving at night. Yes, I have a certain degree of night blindness and it's almost insane for me to drive at night because I'll feel like as though I'll run into something any second.

Anyways, we met up at British Coffee House, SS2. They open 24 hours so it was the perfect place to just sit and burn the night away. David brought Elicia and Kavi, while I came with Wei-Lim. So that makes 5 of us! =)

I don't remember what we talked about because it was one topic after another. Nonetheless, it was an amazing night. I also tried their carrot with milk drink and it's yummy! Very healthy as well. We went home past mid night and trust me, it was all worth it. Though I came home and bashed myself up verbally for not doing research paper that day. Still, worth it cause I love them so much! =)

Cheers, with love.

*Here is to another amazing week ahead! *

PS// My week starts on a Sunday.