reflecting on 2018 & welcoming 2019

In just a few hours, it will be the New Year, oh how scarily fast time flies when you're adulting! As much as I would love to clear my other blog drafts before the new year begin, things have been so hectic the past weeks and I even fell sick. I finally had some time for myself early this week but with work still constantly at the back of my head *sigh* Nevertheless, 2018 has been a quite an amazing journey for myself so I am crossing my hands 2019 will be kind to me as well!

Anyways, this post is just me looking back into 2018 and counting my blessings. There were bad things such as how I contracted dengue but that showed how I am surrounded by people who cared about me. Of course,even my parents overfed me while I was recuperating at home. In many ways, I feel loved and blessed.

The other random highlights of my 2018 life, not in specific order are:- 

#1 Okay, not something I did in 2018 but rather something I managed to do _ I completed my Bali & Singapore's Travelogues woohoo!!

#2 I bought a DSLR and took lotsa photos! Our relationship is still going strong hahahaha

#3 tried Merchants' Lane cafe for the first time with my homies

#4 Explored several parks in KL & Selangor such as Taman Botani in Shah Alam, Lake Gardens, Desa Park, Kota Damansara Community Forest Park and early this week, Serendah Waterfall. I super love being in contact with nature. In case y'all never heard, shinrin yoku aka forest bathing is a natural therapy involving spending time in nature to promote self-healing. It works for me especially when I feel so stress up thinking about work but the moment I spend time just looking at trees and flowers or dipping my legs into streams and waterfall, I feel so calm.

#5 Speaking of shinrin yoku, Japonisme is back and they are such fascinating concepts such as Ikigai, Kintsugi and more (there are books of these titles which I totally wanna read!). Japan is freaking awesome! Of course, Japonisme revolves around a whole lot more such as art, sculptures and architectures but I'm more fascinated with the cultures and ideas which can be put into practice in our everyday life.

#6 Went on a random 2D1N trip to Cameron Highlands. Sharing my Cameron Highlands' itinerary & budget in case y'all planning for vacays! Because I had a lot on my plates this year, I decided to hold all international travel which is quite a bummer! This may continue until 2019 IDK but I really am missing Japan a lot *sniff*

#7 I did explore quite a few local spots, one of them Tadom Hill Resort with my colleagues. It's a small recreational spot but we had great fun playing human size jenga and some of us jumped into the man-made lake

#8 Probably the coolest thing ever _ I attended an Indian wedding for the first time! Check out how it went. I find the ceremony truly fascinating and eye-opening.

#9 my old friends, Daniel and Naoko came down from England for a visit & I met their baby, Nagisa-chan for the first time! Aside from the lovely family, two other friends from Australia and another from the Netherlands were around for a visit and we hung out. I feel grateful that they remember and took some time to hang out with me albeit their short visit. I also find it funny how whenever I think of them, they'll somehow always end up contacting me soon after!

Of course, there are great friends living locally whom I wish we could meet up more often but everyone is busy with their lives. Still, I can always count on them for being there! *virtual hugs* It's just like the quote about how "Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them but you know they're there". I tried looking for other quotes but I think this is the closest way to describe them.

#10 Attended another of my gal pal and ex-colleague's wedding, such a pretty bride!

#11 Ate a lot of durians when durian runtuh, literally.


#12 I discovered Hermo, the ultimate online beauty shopping haven

#13 went to the 2018 Bon Odori in Shah Alam for 2 consecutive years

#14 Decluttered my room. Still working on being a minimalist!


#15 Discovered thrifting, namely in Kedai Bless and ReFash


#16 I discover a love for nude shade lippies and eyeshadow. Wanted to write about them but I didn't have the time! Soon!!


#17 One of the many things in my head these days are the topic about sustainability and nature. By now you've probably heard me mentioned about this several times now. I noticed in the past few months, there were more brands and companies supporting the concept of recycling which is great news! From the ban of plastic straws, to a garment brand accepting bras recycling, to Uniqlo's recycling program and even 1 Utama Mall's electronics recycling. The list goes on. Totally supporting this movement and I hope this practice be a long term goals for many.


Those are pretty much what I can recount for now. Until the next post, wishing y'all all the best for 2019! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

#throwback my Cameron Highlands photobook

You probably heard me mentioned that I have gotten myself a DSLR and in my Cameron Highlands trip, my bestie who is into cameras helped me took the photos. That's why this is my first trip where I have someone took so many photos for me HAHAHAHAHA. He is also working on portrait photography so was happy he has a model but this model can't pose one. Sigh.

Decided it'll be a waste if I don't share it so I made this post dedicated for photos only. If you prefer to read about my experience in Cameron Highlands, check out my 2D1N Cameron Highlands post. You may also find it useful when planning for a trip there *wink*

Tadom Hills Resorts in Banting & other things I've been up to in June

Just when I thought I should rest after my mini Cameron Highlands trip, I received an announcement that my team (at work) will be going to Tadom Hill Resort in Banting as part of our team building session. The news came like just a few days after Cameron Highlands and a day before I am attending my friend's Indian wedding. No wonder I've been feeling tired these days!

Before heading to Tadom Hill for fun time we first had lunch at Dengkil Seafood Restaurant, a two-storey Chinese restaurant in Banting.

We ordered steamed fresh water fish, stir fried vegetables in a yam basket, shrimp omelette, stir fry Vietnamese lettuce (I think!) and fried cuttlefish rings in salted egg sauce.

Getting to Tadom Hill Resorts

After food, we headed to Tadom Hill Resorts, which is about 15 minutes or less, further from the restaurant. I supposed the only way available is via car or Grab/Uber. The road is very narrow and nearing the resort, bumpy for buses.

Admission Fee & What activities to do

For RM22 per person and a refundable deposit of RM50, you can use facilities such as the giant jenga, bamboo raft and the list goes on!

Available facilities can be used for a fee as below.

Safety vest is also included into the fee and a must when you're planning to dive or even climb on the platform. I was reprimanded for not wearing one when I climbed up the platform even though my intention was simply to snap some photos. I definitely wasn't planning to stand too close to the edge but the staff has a point. According to my colleagues who jumped into the lake, it is very deep so you have been warned!

Tip #1: Try to avoid going on Fridays as the staffs have Friday prayers to attend to which means the resort only opens after 2:30PM. If unavoidable, go later in the evening!

Tip #2: Go with sandals. A lot of time you will be needing to remove your shoes and all the sands will get into them.

I find the facilities there quite decent, the washrooms and toilets are clean so no worries about having to bath and change after leaping into the lake!

For rental of ping pong rackets, volley balls or futsal ball, deposits are required. Most importantly, while small, this place is so Instagram-worthy!

~♡~

Too happening these days, so I decided to include the other things I have been up to in the same blog posts because there are so many other posts to come!

TTDI Ramadhan Market shopping

I love visiting Ramadhan!! This year, I have dropped by the Pasar Ramadhan thrice _ twice in TTDI's and another in Bukit Bintang. Wished I could have gone to the market more often!

My favorite Tepung Pelita. Managed to purchase them the second time I visited the Ramadhan market. The first time they were sold out!

Some random photos I took of 1Utama's Hari Raya decor. It's so pretty!!

Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival with rice dumplings

Don't know why this year gotta be the year I eat a lot of dumpling because my parents dropped by and they bought me chang. A week later, my hommies brought back some homemade Hokkien-style chang she made with her grandmother. Feeling super thankful!