Pet Thoughts

WARNING: Lengthy and wordy post ahead!

So... I'm back! After almost 10 months of absence... Yup, university and life commitments make me put off blog posting. It was something that I mentioned that I would try to keep up with but it wasn't a priority. Anyway, back to what I came here for. It's somewhat like a late night musing for me which I wanted to record down.

It's the exam period right now and I had 2 papers done and over with, leaving with just 1 last paper coming this Saturday in 2 days time!! So to procrastinate doing my revisions (I'm a rebel :P), I went on to Facebook to you know... catch up on the in things and to stalk check up on current things that my friends are up to. However today, there were a couple of postings regarding a similar issue that has got me thinking for a while now. Coincidence?

Those postings were about a bear being a roadkill which was an accident and then a Taiwanese celebrity (but down-to-earth) couple losing their pet dog of 14 years. 

Regarding the bear, it was an unfortunate incident since in Brunei, we don't really get to see many of these wildlife animals roaming around (but we do get a lot of those pesky, cheeky monkeys though). It kind of baffled me as to how some people were blaming the driver for the death of the bear. Well, I don't see how it's possible to have a car having to brake in time and stop for the bear when it (most probably) came out of nowhere. Where's the compassion and understanding amongst the people?

Then as I scrolled further down my Facebook feed, there came a picture with the husband caressing their pet dog of 14 years with the caption written in Chinese (I've translated it into English over here) saying:

"It's Thanksgiving Day today... the pet dog we raised for 14 years has gone back to heaven. We are really upset and reluctant... We are thankful for the 14 years of companionship. We shall meet again in heaven."

Now... that actually made my tears free fall from my peepers because it was making me think back on what I've actually been thinking over the past few days (or more so, it was something that has been at the back of my mind for a long time but only during the past few days, I've gave it a serious thought).

All my life, I've always wanted to raise a dog as a pet. My ideal pet dog has always been a Golden Retriever. I mean... come on, look at those doggies. They're so fluffy and cuddly and too adorable. How can anyone not like them yeah? I feel so happy whenever I see pictures of them and it fills me with so much adoration for those dogs that I want to drown them in my love and force them to love me back! HAHA!!

However, my parents were always against the idea of us raising a dog as a pet. Well... to be fair, there were a few reasons that we can't keep dogs as pets, such as we're not living in a dog-friendly environment, we were (note: past tense) lacking of responsibility in taking care of pets and our houses that we had lived in were too small to keep such an active dog. I admit those and it was fair thinking for the dog too if we were to get one.

Earlier this evening after dinner, I came across a posting of dogs evolving after 100 years of selective breeding which made me go into searching about Golden Retrievers. I felt a little sad reading this post below. How can people do this to animals just so that they can get a blue ribbon for it?!

I wikipedia-ed "Golden Retriever" to dig up for more information about it and instead of being all hyped up about getting one (since we are moving to our own place with has a bigger area and now, dog-friendly), it actually made me think twice about getting one now.

It seemed like this breed of dogs get sick really easily with cancer and aches and pains and what-nots. WOW!! It was pretty overwhelming reading about so much how much pain one dog can go through and it hurt my heart just thinking about it. Then came the Facebook posts that got me thinking even more!

I'm a person with attachment issues. Yes, you read it right - attachment issues. I'm pretty attached to the people that I'm close with or feel comfortable with, things that I own (no, I'm not a hoarder :P) and also animals that I come in contact with. Being too attached has caused me quite some heartache because people come and go (in a good way) like leaving for further studies and what not and I even cried and bawled my eyes out when I had to flush down the guppy that we kept and raised for more than a year when it went belly up!

When we first moved into this place I'm currently staying at, there was a stray cat that was always at our place and it didn't seem like it had an owner so I decided to take her in and keep her as mine. I named her Mimi (how unoriginal I know) and I was pretty attached to her too. We left for a very short vacation and upon returning, she's gone. Like forever. Not sure what happened though but I hope it's not an accident like what the neighbour's maid actually said. You can't see it but I felt really upset on the inside losing Mimi.

There are many stray cats around my neighbourhood and to not let them die of starvation, my dad and I gave out free cat food in our backyard. An action that my mum frowned upon on the outside but I think she has a soft spot for the cats secretly on the inside. A few cats actually stay in our backyard and right now there's 2 of them but I feel really sorry towards them because I refuse to get close to them like what I did to Mimi. The mortality rates of the stray cats in my neighbourhood is pretty high as we or more so my dad has had to bury so many of them especially kittens.

What happens if I do actually get close to them and making them mine exactly only to have them part from me if they do actually die? So the only relationship I have with the cats is to feed them. As simple as that. Okay.. I've sidetracked TOO MUCH. Back to the topic.

So... if I were to get a dog... will I be able to withstand the heartache that comes with it should it get sick or even die? What happens if my dog gets sick? What will I do? Do I put it down to sleep or let it fight it's sickness just because of my own selfish attachment issues with my dog? What hurts me even more is that animals can't talk. They can't exactly tell you where they're hurting or what they need. If that situation were to happen, I can't think of what I will do? I can't bear to watch it waste away in front of my eyes, neither do I want to part from it.

With these, it made me think a little more whether if I want to actually keep a pet because I don't think I can handle the emotional and attachment issues that comes with it well. So.. this shall be one of the things that I'll be brooding on for the time to come.

If you're still reading this until the end, good job on being so ever patient to read through the whole lot of my late night musings. It might be all over the place but that's how my mind is right now - all over the place. 

Much love,

Hannah ;)

2014, Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year everyone especially to those who celebrates it!! I wish you all the very best and may you prosper, be happy and most of all, be in the pink of health. Have a great celebration with your loved ones. 

Already heard the fireworks that the neighbours set off at 12 am to usher in the Chinese/Lunar New Year. Stay safe and have a joyous day. 

~*~* Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai *~*~

~*~* 新年快乐, 恭喜发财, 马年行大运 *~*~

~*~* 새해 복 많이 받으세요 *~*~

Love,

Hannah :)

p.s. Remember to drink more water to avoid falling ill during this festive season. I'm already suffering from an irritated/itchy throat. Hopefully, a sore throat wouldn't follow. ><

Chinese New Year's Eve 2014

How has everyone been? Lacking on updates because life has been really busy and hectic for me. This year, 2014, has not been all that well to me. It has been a challenging and mentally exhausting path so far...and I thought that time would pass by quickly because I'm not enjoying my time of 2014 really. However, it's only the 30th day of the first month. 

Food for thought: Why do time always pass so quickly when you're enjoying every single second of whatever-that-is-going-on but goes by so slowly when you're least liking whatever-that-is-smacked-into-your-face-without-you-asking-for-it?

Anyway, I'm able to just post this little entry up because..... it's CHINESE NEW YEAR'S EVE!! So, I'm back in my hometown, celebrating this festive season with my paternal family and missing the family members that are not able to come home this year. This also means, no university, no classes to attend hence, spare time!! Well, I did take one day off from my university classes. Would be hating it when I get back, having to catch up with whatever work or assignments or lectures that I've missed today...

It's good to be back seeing the long-time-no-see relatives whom we only see once a year and that's Chinese New Year. It's good to soak in and enjoy the Chinese New Year atmosphere that's more abundant than back home. It's good to feast on the Chinese New Year meals and goodies prepared by my aunt who's an amazing cook. 

But.. not so good when people or strangers bombard you with questions that you wouldn't want/like to answer. What are you studying? How's your grades? You working yet? Married yet? If not, when are you getting married? How many kids do you have? If there's no kids, when are you having one? If there's already kids, how many more do you want to have? Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend? How much do you earn? Why like this? Why like that? Or even hearing statements like... wah, you've grown skinnier/fatter huh? Eh, why you still so short, not growing any taller? How come got so many pimples on your face? etc etc etc... 

Lucky this period of time only comes once a year. I'll enjoy this festive season while it lasts. Hope you all will have a nice reunion dinner with your families. I sure had a nice reunion dinner with my family. Had Lai Niao (literally translated as "Peeing") Prawns, Pork-Yam Kou Rou, Buddha Jumps Over The Wall (with lots of amazing ingredients inside such as abalones, fish maw, sea cucumber, oysters) and a few other dishes. I love reunion dinners!!

Have a Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year to all of you!! 新年快乐, 恭喜发财, 马年行大运!! 새해 복 많이 받으세요~~ :)

Best wishes,

Hannah

Happy New Year 2014

First post of the year, dedicated to you. Yes, YOU!! :D

I just want to wish you a Happy New Year! May the new year of 2014 bring you abundant joy, love, peace, hope and blessings. Enjoy and remember the wonderful moments that the year may bring you. I hope you're ready for the adventures that the year is bringing you! 

Best wishes and love,

Hannah :)

Day 365 of 2013

As you can tell from the title above, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR!!! This year has gone by incredibly fast! I felt like there's still so much to do, so much yet to accomplish and all. Like how time in the world is never enough. The bittersweet feeling, the mixed emotions that I get during this time every single year...

In the previous post, I said that I'll do a post that wraps up my entire 2013. It won't be every single detail of my year but just a few of the highlights of my 2013. The ones that are worth remembering and looking back at and the few moments or events that I don't mind sharing with the rest of the world (since I'm a very private person, there are many things or most things that I keep to myself and no other).

Let's see... first up on the list:

[1] Turned the last of my teens. I've never officially stated my age here on my blog but if you're smart enough, you might have already guessed how old I am already through the subtle hints that I drop in some of the previous posts. I do feel old especially when my birthday is in 2 weeks.

[2] Started into university to study for an undergraduate degree that is supposedly to help and come into handy when I apply for jobs after I graduate from university. Second semester starting in a week! ><

[3] Got my driving license... which I have yet to fully utilise although I do drive sometimes to familiar places under the supervision of my dad.

[4] Had a nice family vacation to Singapore earlier this month. With the whole family, all 5 of us. (It has been 2 years since the last family trip overseas which we went to Hong Kong. I LOVE HONG KONG!) It has been rather hard to coordinate everyone's schedule for a nice, relaxing holiday.

[5] Went to Universal Studios, Singapore (USS) for the very first time. Plucked up the guts to go for a few rides that were quite thrilling. Sporty enough for a timid person like me but not too sporty enough to go on those death-defying rides (or so I label some of the rides as).

[6] Well, just to mention... I did went to Gardens By The Bay and the S.E.A. Aquarium. They were also my maiden visits and I had nice experiences but USS can have a special  note all to itself. Not because it deserves a special note but just that it was the greatest highlight of our trip!

[7] Went back to KK for Qing Ming (Tomb Sweeping) for the first time ever as well. I've been Qing Ming in Brunei almost every year if I could make it but never in KK so it was an experience.

[8] Went to Singapore TWICE during this year. Which was a rare treat since I love travelling and even more so, I LOVE SINGAPORE! First trip in January only with mum and the second one was with the whole family.

[9] Got over with the whole 2 years of A-Level ordeal. Worst 2 years of my life but I've decided to let it go. Maybe, I might just bring it up once in a while to complain and rant a bit then bury it back again.

[10] Made new friends and got closer to old friends. Went to university and made a bunch of nice friends and through certain events, got closer with my old friends who are worth keeping for as long as ever. They're just such nice, sweet souls.

Hehe.. sorry that the above is not in order. I just wrote what popped into my mind at the moment and decided to leave it as that. Laziness at its best. :P So happens that my life is mundane and I have not too many interesting things to post.

Before ending this wrap-up posts, there are some things that I'd like to see in myself in the coming year, 2014. Not a resolution, no New Year New Me thing. Just maybe a few improvements and things that I can do for myself. 

[1] Maintain my GPA which was satisfying this semester. A great encouragement for myself that I can actually do this. Hopefully I can perform better in the coming 2 semesters next year.

[2] Make more new friends? Connect more to old friends?

[3] Be a better person. I just want to be a better me and think better of myself more. Have better patience and not get all hot-headed the entire time. Try to speak gently and be more encouraging towards others. Not to have low-esteems all of the time and maybe, try newer things and experience new things in life.

[4] Possess a healthier lifestyle. No more late-night snacking or sleeping late into the night. Maybe change from a night owl to an early bird?

[5] Go on more travels? I'd love to go back to Singapore again ;)

I cannot think of more as of this moment.. but I'm pretty sure after posting this up, more will come to my head. Haha.

I'm just very thankful for this year. How God's amazing grace has brought me through this year, through all the good, bad and ugly. I'm thankful for all the things that I'm blessed with, no matter how less or more. I'm grateful to all the people that are in my life, for they have encouraged and built me in one way or another.

I'm praying and hoping for a better year ahead. Have a great New Year's celebration everyone!

In God's Grace,

Hannah

p.s. Hehehe.. sorry for such a lengthy post. If you're reading this, you have a lot of patience. Hahaha!!

Boxing Day 2013

As I have said in my ultra short Christmas post that I'm going to write a new post soon right? Here it is!! (I do try my best to keep my promises :D)

It's Boxing Day today, the day after Christmas. In Brunei there's rarely the Christmas feel unless you make it yourself. Oh well. I'm looking forward to the next Christmas already just so you know but there's 364 more days to go...

So... how has everything been for everyone? Good I hope. As for me, I think I'm doing well here except that I've been sick for the past week which hasn't been fun at all. I caught the sick bug on the second last day of my family vacation in Singapore which left me running a fever, coughs, runny nose and I even broke out into hives for like 2 and a 1/2 days! No worries though, I'm clear from my hives and fever. What's left with me are just the runny nose and coughs. Bummer... (can you imagine having these symptoms for Christmas? I couldn't enjoy my Christmas meal to the full but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.)

I've pretty much disappeared from the blog for the most of December... or pretty much the whole of this year. There are less posts as compared to last year but there were reasons behind this. I've had to go through many new experiences and to put it simply, they were not all easy. I'll expound all these further in another post that I'll do to wrap up my 2013. So look out for the new posts to come!! :)

Just a short story that I'd like to share. Pretty interesting, this one below. Hmmmm......

Mwehehe, just an update and a heads up,

Hannah

Exam Fever University Style

I've been meaning to write a post for the month at the least but it never happened until now. Well, my "excuse" is that this past one month has been the most hectic period since I started my 1st ever semester in the university. It has been cramped up with tests, presentations, more tests, assignments, write-ups... the whole lot. You just name it.

Right now, I'm in the midst of having my university exams which happens at the end of the semester. Yup, good news and bad news here. Good news is that it's the end of the semester. Bad news would be the horrible phase of exam that the whole university student body, including I, myself are going through.

I've been through a lot of exams in my entire life. I mean, who has not right? There's always something new to experience and this is my 1st university experience. So far, it has been okay for me... I'm trying to stay afloat. Not all too well but God is good!

It's difficult to study for university exams. Yes, difficult! There are no key answers to past year papers, there are no spoon-fed notes like what we have in high school, only limited help and resources available. It's a little overwhelming at times. I've been spending a lot of my hours in the university library, reading up on my modules' materials, searching for better information from the books (can I tell you that I still suck at finding suitable books in the library? Sucking at finding my course related books takes up even more time!) and trying very hard to just study and revise.

Now I know how hard it is to prepare for a university exam. But then again, I just have to muster up all my courage and brace through this week and I'll be done for the semester. I can't wait for the holiday. 

However, before I start drooling and pining on my coming holidays, I must continue to strive and carry on with my revisions (eeeeeeeessssshhhh~~ I hate studying!!). Coming here for a post is just an excuse to procrastinate my revisions. Heh... I'm a bad example - do not learn this from me!

The above cartoon speaks right through me. This is just too true... for me that is. Hahaha.. just something more entertaining than my writings at the top. 

4 more days to go and I'm done (for the 1st semester that is :P),

Hannah :)

Deadlines

I'm back again with another post! So soon right? Taking Friday today as a small opportunity to take a breather from a very hectic week back at school.

Yesterday especially... was an extremely exhausting day for me. I had an assignment due which I started some time ago but can't seem to be at peace with it. There were constant changes to what I wrote, my references weren't as good (because I'm kinda bad at referencing) and etc. Well, you get the whole picture.

So, with some advise from my course-mate, I managed to get back on track and was more decisive on what I was going to do for assignment (even though I still don't like what I wrote... I felt that it wasn't enough in content though the word count was great). 

My assignment was due yesterday, Thursday, and I burnt the midnight oil past Wednesday night until the wee hours of Thursday morning, making sure that I did things correctly. I was being extremely paranoid at that point to the point that I couldn't even fall asleep though things were done and completed. I guess that the stress crept up on me. 

I only fell asleep when I start to see the light of day outside my window. I slept for about only 3 hours and I had a full day of lectures and tutorials and night time Bible study. Wow! Thinking back to it, I totally wondered how I even survived through the day! I bet that my aunts or my parents will chide me for not having proper sleep and all if they should read about this.

They have been getting on about having proper and regular sleep because bad sleeping patterns wears out a person health-wise. I've to clear that I'm trying to sleep early these days, latest by 11 pm. But, this was a special case as I couldn't sleep because of my assignment deadline and all. Also, I compensated my sleep deprivation by sleeping in until 9.30 am this morning!

I have more deadlines to follow in the coming week and a test tomorrow. Ha! I'm so not ready for it. Anyway, I believe that God is good and I can lean on Him when times get tough.

I came across this a few days ago and I found it pretty true. When you're press for time, your creative juices tend to flow more abundantly. Well, in my case that is. Though I would totally advice you and also make a mental note to myself, to never put things off to the last minute. It wasn't a last minute preparation for me but many of the changes to my assignment was definitely last minute. 

To another hectic week coming ahead,

Hannah

Mid-Semester Break OVER and GONE

Well well well... what's up people? I haven't got the time really nowadays to drop by for a post because guess what? My mid-semester break is officially over and I'm back in uni for classes, tutorials and lectures now.

I'm back here for a short post because I'm currently suffering from a writer's block from writing an essay for my English Language & Linguistics class (yeah... so everybody knows that I'm taking this module... for now). How I wish there's like some magic pen or maybe with a clap, my essay would magically be written, ready to be submitted already. But then, who am I fooling right?! All university students go through this phase I suppose.

I love attending my lectures and classes (really!!! well, maybe not all of them but most! :D) but when there's like so many assignments dumped on you, or in my case, when I get many assignments and project,  I get kind of demotivated to even do them. Like, I lost all my willpower or something. I get really cranky and easily irritated when I'm doing my assignments. (So, don't come near me when I'm doing my work or I'll bite! Just Kidding~~)

And with my writer's block, I decided to come in for a little while and post something on the blog. Hoping that I'd maybe get some inspiration somewhere, somehow to continue my essay.

This reminds me of a picture, titled "Don't Give Up!".

I know I'm not digging for diamonds but you get the meaning of what I'm trying to relay here. I'm trying to give myself a pep talk here like "Giving up is for losers!!" or "Don't be a chicken!".

So yeah, that's what I'm currently experiencing, right here, right now. I guess it's hard for now but I believe that hard work pays off. That's how the saying goes right?

Other than that, I finished most of my assignments except for a couple of my essays and a small part of a video project that I'm working on with a group of friends. My Korean video is done and submitted!! Hopefully, it fulfills my teacher's requirements and get a good grade for it. I find the Korean video that 3 of my friends and I made very funny!! Okay, maybe VERY FUNNY TO US only... but I can never watch on because it's SO EMBARRASSING! *fingers crossed that my Korean teacher won't show it to the rest of the class*

Oh and before I end for this post, I came over a pretty cute cartoon. It's "OCTOBEAR" now! Hahaha!! Get it?! Get it?! "OCTOBEAR" = "OCTOBER"??!! Oh okay.. not funny.

Lame, I know... Well, I've got to get going now. Have a great week ahead errrrbody!!

Gonna go finish up my essay now, toodles!

Hannah

p.s. Was supposed to publish this post at around 11pm but then there was an electricity outage in the house. Took up about 40 minutes to fix it. So here it is! :)

Be who you are!

I check my Facebook everyday just to stalk see what my friends and family are up to and I've got those people on my news feed who shares health tips, comics, memes, stories and so on.

In this world, where people are slowly becoming homogeneous, it's rather difficult to find your own identity... then I came across this story on Facebook. I think that it's worth a read. Not too long a story and also a plus point because it's a good one. I'll post this here for everyone to have a read. 

Hehe.. have fun reading!!

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?" "That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them." "For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Just be yourself,

Hannah

Mid-Semester Break 2013

Okay okay.. I didn't keep my promise. I didn't update my blog regularly or so I thought I could... BUT the thing is that, I've been so busy with my university assignments and tests that I barely have any time left for me to squeeze in for a post. 

Well, maybe I would have had the time but time is so, so precious these days that it's better off used to do some other more "beneficial" things (like sleep maybe :P). So, this is why that this blog has been put off.

And I kind of have a bit of time on my hands right now because it's the start of my 2 weeks long mid-semester break. I actually thought that I could, you know, relax and enjoy my holiday... but am I ever so wrong!!! I'm now piled up with essays, presentations and video assignments to prepare and finish before the mid-semester break ends. Oh boy...

That's just a little update from me. More to come soon, hopefully! I've got nothing interesting really, to talk about because my life is just that uneventful. Not that I'm complaining or anything. It's pretty good for me :)

So far so good,

Hannah

p.s. Came across this I fell in love with that cute, cuddly white puff!! It's waving~~ HELLO/BYE!!

Growing up with Tom and Jerry

Just wanting to share something to break the long silence here on the blog. (I've been very, very, very busy ><)

I saw something that intrigued me while surfing 9GAG just now. 

I find the above statements absolutely so true. 

"Childhood is time when you like Jerry and admire his smartness. Maturity is time when you understand, that Jerry is a complete asshole and you feel sorry for Tom."

I've spent a fair share of my childhood watching cartoons on TV and one of the cartoons that I used to like watching was 'Tom and Jerry' alongside with Dexter's Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Totally Spies, Kim Possible and many, many more. I can't believe how much TV I watched. 

I was no couch potato when I was younger. I spent a lot of time playing outdoors in the neighbourhood with the neighbourhood children. I remembered how my grandma who used to watch us (her grandchildren) during the day would bar us from going outdoors to play and we would sneak out anyway and get into trouble when we came back home. Oh, how I miss the good fun in the old days...

Sorry for side-tracking and back to the topic. I used to enjoy Jerry's wits and enjoyed Jerry always outsmarting Tom. I used to hate Tom as a kid, like why did Tom always bully Jerry and make trouble for Jerry. Obviously, I loved it when Jerry won over Tom and think that Tom deserves what he got.

But as I grew older and re-watch those exact same cartoons that I've seen as a child, I find Jerry a nuisance and I would empathise with Tom. Watching Tom and Jerry with an older mindset makes me realised that it was Jerry who caused and find himself all the troubles and lands himself in all the mess that he created. In the end, I grew to dislike Jerry.  I find him rather annoying. HAHA!!

Growing up really does changes people huh?

Here's to growing up,

Hannah

Just an update on Hannah's life

I've been pretty busy these days. Mostly busy with the piano. Yes, piano! 

Actually, I haven't been going for my piano lessons since last October, which makes it about 9 months since I've been playing the piano on a regular basis. Sorry Teacher Fel! I promised her that I'll be back for lessons soon after my A Level but I've been dragging on and on - because of me travelling often, being away from Brunei and being occupied with other commitments.

I'm a little rusty with the piano even though I've been playing it at times (rarely!). I've been asked to write out music scores for a couple of songs for Sunday School and I'm trying my best to do it. It's a challenge for me because I'm not a musically inclined person (I have to practice a lot compared to those natural talents who pick music up easily) but it's been nice, spending lots of hours with my piano. I do enjoy my moments spent with it :)

Also, I'm trying to blog more often. Compared to last year, in the course of 6 months (I started back in June 2012), I've blogged about double or even triple the amount of posts than I do this 6 months (2013). Yeah, I know. I'm not the most consistent person out there but at least there's some progress going on or as some would say, it's better than nothing.

I didn't know that my dad reads my blog - but I did talk to my dad about my blog at times (the very few times, countable on one hand). My dad says that I don't blog about anything much that's going on around me and my life, but instead blog about the more general things and other people or other events and so on.

I admit that I'm not very comfortable with sharing about my very personal life (only general stuff) or personal pictures or whatsoever personal here on my blog just yet, since it's open for public to see. I did those though for my previous blogs. Haha!!

I think as I grow older, I tend to keep more and more things to myself. Even my Facebook account! I was really active with Facebook a few years ago but as I age, I don't even update my Facebook anymore. I only use Facebook to stalk catch up with other people's life events. 

I think that maybe I should start slowly. There are family members of mine who are living far away from where I am who are reading my blog as well and I'm sure there's a certain few (won't name you out :P) who are always curious about me. So maybe, just maybe, I may start revealing my more personal bits and pieces. But it's just that nothing much or interesting is going on in my life right now.

Other than that, I hope that my days ahead for this week would be better. Fell into a big slump for the past weekend because I wasn't in my best condition and was feeling rather awful and lethargic - I was really easily irritated and annoyed and got all moody and upset about many useless things. I didn't want to talk to anybody because I just wanted to be left alone. I think I scared quite a few people because I'm usually portrayed as a friendly and amicable person (I think :P).

I feel sorry for the few people that I wasn't very friendly and nice to. I want to apologise sincerely right here (that is if you're reading this. Haha!). I wasn't really myself for the past weekend because I was just so sore and tired, just feeling really stressed about the past hectic week that had taken a toll on myself. Sorry!!

I'm going to be facing another busy week next week. Kind of looking forward to it but at the same time, not so ready to face it. Can't make up my mind about how I feel - mixed feelings.

Just trying to keep myself afloat now. I can do this.

Sorry that it's such a lengthy and wordy post.

Hannah

p.s. I just checked and this blog of mine is officially 1 year old!! Yay me!! :D Reality strikes since 12th June 2012 - 1 year and counting.

Up, Up, Up

I've been very busy for the past month of May. Hectic and stressful but I'm thankful that by God's grace, I'm able to overcome whatever challenges that came my way even though I almost just broke down all the way a few times. Tears, fear, anger, desperation - a roller coaster month for me! I was so caught up in my world that I haven't have got the time to use the computer except for a few short times here and there.

I actually finished the work that held me by the neck by the end of May. I had a lot more freedom this June, or more so, the past 5 days :) I couldn't be more happier and I've been meeting up with friends who came back home for Summer from university and college overseas and most of all, DOING A WHOLE LOT OF READING! (I'll get back to my books in the next post soon to come, so stay tune)

Well, in the midst of all the crazy busy-ness, I actually went online that one day - 21st May. You know, just to check up on my emails that was piling up and to escape my responsibilities for just a little while. While I was scrolling down my Facebook feed, I came across an article that came with a video which showed a story of Zach Sobiech.

The article was about an 18-years-old boy who just died and the video that was about 22 minutes long is about his life after he found out that he was dying from osteosarcoma. 

I've included the video that I watched here for easier viewing.

I watched the entire video, pausing a few times halfway through because it was really hard to watch it through knowing that this kid just died a day ago (or less than a day ago since my time zone and his time zone were vastly different). 

While watching it, I was thinking of how pain and sufferings that he has endured for the past few years, the sorrows and grieve his family and friends were feeling. This feeling caught me personally since I've been through this a couple of times and the last was just a year ago. 

I'm just amazed at how optimistic Zach is through this entire ordeal. He even had a girlfriend who was his pillar of strength and support for the past 11 months before he died. Videos like this always make me think about me, my life. Like, what in the world am I doing with myself while somebody somewhere is struggling and trying so hard just to survive?!

I love one of his quote that has been haunting me in the back of my head:

"You don't have to find out you're dying to start living"

I've read comments saying that this is such an inspiration and all. Yes, I do agree. I've watched a fair share of such videos and every videos like these always open up another small part of me, changing my perspectives about myself, my life and the world, little by little. It's not a 180 degree of change but enough to improve myself slowly.

Also, another thing that caught my attention was that instead of writing farewell letters to family and friends, Zach wrote a song so that everyone can have a little part of him. It's called "Clouds" and I love the song! I've been playing it again and again and again. Singing it here and there many times, over and over again.

The above is the video of his song "Clouds". I find the lyrics really touching and meaningful, inspired by his girlfriend if I'm not wrong. It's just beautiful. 

Just sharing a bit of my thoughts about Zach, who's a fighter. I've never met him but it seems like I know him already. Even though it's been a few weeks since he passed away, I still pray and hope that his family will stay strong and take comfort in the fact that Zach is no more suffering and in pain. God loves His children. :)

Up, up, up,

Hannah

Mother's Day 2013

It has come to this time of the year again. MOTHER'S DAY!! Even though everyday should be a day where you honour your parents but today is more special especially to all the mothers. I want to wish all the mums all around the world and especially my mummy a very Blessed Mother's Day!!

I'm so thankful that I have a mum (and dad too! But today, I'm dedicating this to mummy) who works so hard to provide for the family so that all of us in the family can lead a comfortable and a fortunate life. [My family has a dual parent income and I hail from a middle-class family for those of you who are curious. It's just enough for us to lead a nice and comfy life.]

Thank you mummy for all the sacrifices that you've made so that we can have the best. Thank you for being there, being our chauffeur driving us around when we need it and for buying us yummy snacks and foods which dad sometimes disapprove of :P Thank you for providing me with such a blessed lifestyle. Just thank you for everything.

I know that I may not be the best daughter ever, nor the most obedient and submissive kid, but I just want to thank you for being so patient with me and tolerating me and all my nonsense and my silly, idiotic antics. :)

Hehe... I know I'm not a person who regularly profess my feelings but today I just want to say that - Thank you so much mummy and I love you! <3

Not only to my own mum but to all the women - the many aunties in my life whom have been like a mother-like figure to me. Even though some of you are not mothers but to me, you're just like my mama. :)

Just to name a few whom I'm very grateful to like:- 

• My 2 grandmas and my god-grandma, 
• my mum's 2 sisters - Auntie Pheng and Auntie Shim, 
• my dad's 7 sisters - Da Gu, Er Gu, Fun Gugu, Phyllis Gugu, Ha Gugu, Fei Gugu and Ling Gugu especially to Fei Gugu and Fun Gugu for taking such good care of me when I had my long vacation back in KK and also to Phyllis Gugu for taking care of me when my parents are not around and all,
• and also to Auntie Rosemary, Auntie Rachel, Auntie Jeanne, Auntie A.Wah and many, many more!!

All of you have been such an encouragement and an inspiration to me. I just can't fully proclaim how grateful and thankful I have to have my mum and all these aunties all around to look after me. You guys are the bomb!! :D

Enjoy this wonderful day and enjoy your glorious moments fit for a queen :)

Many love and hugs to all of you,

Hannah