Day 30: A picture of someone you miss.

Christopher Lee Fah

My grandfather.

Although he passed away when I was only 4 years old, and I don't really have vivid memories with him, his life and his stories were passed on to me from my mother. 

Every now and then, my mom would always talk about her very eccentric father, the Jack of all trades. He built the house that my aunts and uncles grew up in, he installed the first elevator in Sabah and he managed to bring up 8 kids with the monthly salary of less than RM1000. 

Not only that, I also knew that he loved to travel and have been to many places except for China and Macau, his hometown, which he planned to but sadly didn't have the chance.

The reason why I miss him is because I never really got to know him. I wished I did. I wish he could bring me to his fishing trips or let me wear his cowboy hat (which is now on my mom's shelf) or at least tell me some of his stories from the days back then.

Sighs. Kung, I wish I could recall at least a memory of us together, but I never could. I only remember you scolding me for not saying "excuse me" when I tried to walk pass old people.Well, at least there's something I can remember you by. 

Even though we weren't as close I wish we were, I still miss you. 

I know it took longer than expected to finish this challenge, but this is Day 30. 

Day 29: A picture that can always make you smile.

This surely has been a tough decision. I can't really come down to ONE picture as there are folers upon folders of photos that freezes wonderful memories into a rectangular sort of pixels.
Here as just some of my favourites (I would've added more, if I wasn't so busy working at my dad's office right now)

1.

 Christmas in Hokkaido.

Look at my giddy face. It was my first time seeing snow firsthand and I guess I got a little too overexcited, so I ran under the freezing snowfall and begged my already shivering sister to take this photo. Worth it :)

2. 

 Christmas Caroling.

I wouldn't miss it for the world. This is actually one of my favourite photos of all time despite my terrible haircut (not to mention acne!)

I really have a great time with them singing carols and just laughing so hard in the school bus.

3.

 Cupid Strike/Ultimate Blackhearted

Yeah, we actually named our group :P 

But these wonderful ladies have coloured my life with hilarious memories of primary school.

I'm so glad we're still in touch even though one's in Nottingham, the other just left for Australia..

and it's just Honovi(left) and me. 

Come back soon guys!! (LIKE REALLY SOON)

4.

 Just Us.

Behold the world's craziest girls in one picture. 

They're honestly so amazing and wonderful that sometimes I wonder why they're even friends with me (cause you know, I'm lame).

High school would never be the same without these girls in my life. 

5.

  Senior One Xiao '12

Meet the most awesome class I've ever been in. 

Although there's 60 of us, I can't believe how well we got along. 

Seriously, I am truly honoured to be your monitor this year, you amazing peeps :)

I'll pray and wish upon every shining star that we'll end up in the same class next year because only we can get 100% pass the whole year right?? 

FOREVER A XIAO '12

Day 28: A picture of something you’re afraid of.

Death

I'm not afraid of how I die, but the what happens after when I'm six feet underground (actually I preferred to be cremated than buried, but it's a figure of speech)

Will anyone come to my funeral? Will there even be a funeral? Will anyone miss me? What would the world be without me?

These are questions that I ask myself almost everyday.

It's like you've been living on this Earth for so long that sometimes you wonder what would other people's life be without you in it. When you minus yourself from the equation, will it still be balanced? 

As a Catholic, I believe in life after death, honestly I'm looking forward for my next life with the Lord but I'm just wondering about the lives of people here on Earth, how much would my absence effect them. 

Sorry about the disturbing picture of the "Angel of Death", it was the only one without the scary faces. 

Picture credits:

Angel of Death

Day 27: A picture of yourself and a family member.

Dina Cyla 

She has been my big sister that I never had. 

She is the only cousin around my age that I see on a regular basis. Well, I used to, until she left for College this May. 

I miss her terribly. 

I'm not sure how we ended up being so close. We just clicked I guess. 

She was the one who brought me closer to Christ, through Lifeteen. She taught me the wonders of watching CSI and she introduced me to the wonderful world of Little Black Dress, the chic novels :)

She's a natural artist and amazing at braids. She has the patience and the kindness to tolerate with my ridiculousness at times. 

I love her to death and I can't imagine how my life would turn out if it wasn't for her. 

She brought me out of my childhood and taught me to grow up. 

She doesn't know that, but I hope she reads this and see how much she means to me. :)

I love you bebeh *lessthan3*

Day 26: A picture of something that means a lot to you.

My Fencing Medals

These are my pride and joy :) It's not really the medals that means a lot to me, is the effort I've put in and the sacrifices I've made to earn them. 

I used to be someone who thought that she could do anything in the world, then I became this girl who lost all her confidence. Through fencing, I've slowly gained that confidence and it increased when I won my first medal in 2008, it was just a Fencer's Competition but still, first competition and a silver medal. Not bad for a first-timer ;) 

Then I got chosen to represent my state for last year's Malaysian Games (SUKMA). I have been wanting a spot at the state team for so long and I was elated to get chosen. I had to miss my confirmation for the Games but it was worth it cause I came back with a bronze medal (the one in the middle) for the team event,my only event cause my seniors joined the individuals. 

This year was a memorable year for me too. Nationals Junior (U-21) and Cadet (U-17) happened this August and I brought home a medal, but for the Junior category which was unexpected as I was hoping I could win in the Cadet but lost instead in the quarter-finals. 

Between those I've joined several local competitions and did fairly well. No gold yet, but it's coming! :) 

Winning these medals just prove everybody who never believed in me wrong. I can excel in something. I'm not a fat ass. I can certainly do sports. 

I do thank my friends and family who have been the pillar of my strength, for believing in me :)

I also want to thank those who've doubted me or underestimated me, maybe you still do, but thank you, for giving me the motivation to exceed your expectations :) 

I'm still trying my best to be the best :) 

Day 25: A picture of your favorite day

5th July 2012

Day trip to London :)

It was a sunny Thursday afternoon. There were two double decked buses parked outside the Porter's Lodge in St. Catherine's College, Oxford. One hour later, the buses carrying over 150 international students were driving by the Thames River,with the Big Ben and the Parliament on the other side, and heading into the city center of London. 

I have plenty of favourite days but I went with this because it was just too surreal for me. In less than 4 hours, at the Covent Garden, I've had an eye full of amazing street performers, London street life and delicious English pastries, I also saw a Kate Middleton look-alike, ha, close enough I guess. I even went into a "Build-A-Bear" store, though I didn't make one :(  Then, had a "pre-theatre" dinner which was actually an 8-inch peperoni pizza called "The American" and watched a West End Musical (Shrek: The Musical). I mean it's not everyday I get to experience this right?

I guess what made it more memorable is the company I had (the lovely girls in the picture above) and the wonderful wonderful weather. It didn't rain a single drop that day, unlike the other days I was in the UK :) 

Day 24: A picture of something you wish you could change.

MY LEGS

You know, being only 153 158 cm tall, you really don't want to look any shorter. Unfortunately, being me, I am stuck with this two big jiggly things that I've been told to call legs. I really wished it could at least be a bit smaller, thinner looking so I won't look like a pear when I wear my jeans. 

But then, everyone's saying "You gotta accept what you've been given with, it's all part of God's plan". Yeah, I know, be grateful.

Honestly, I don't mind if I really have to stick with my thighs and calves for the rest of my life but it would be nice  to be able to buy pants according to your waist size and not the diameter of your thighs (which is always a size bigger!).

Day 23: A picture of your favorite book.

I have so many books to choose from but this has got to be my favourite. 

Fell in love with the Queen of Mystery when I first borrowed "Murder on the Orient Express" from the school's library. Haven't stopped reading her books since. I just love how she managed to write out the most interesting cases with the most unexpected twist and endings. Aunt Ruth who once lived in Oxford knew about my interest in Agatha Christie that she got me the above book. I nearly cried (not really an emotional person) and treasured it since. :) 


So there you have it, months and months later, Day 23.

Day 22: A picture of something you wish you were better at.

Fencing.

Yes, I'm still wishing I'm better at this sport.

I guess it's because once I know I'm good at it, nobody would second guess my ability. 

Photo credit:

weheartit

Day 21: A picture of something you wish you could forget.

It was around that time when I realised that I've been used and made a fool of.
I've done things I shouldn't have done and it haunts me till this day.

If I were given the chance to erase a part of my memory, I'll erase this period. 

10 Days Left!

Wow. I'm amazed at myself.
10 more "days" before I finish my first blog challenge. After that, I guess it's back to me blogging about my life.
Sad yet interesting, no?

Anyways, a big thanks to everyone who've read any of my "30 Day" post :)
I hope you've enjoyed reading about my dreams and wishes!

If you missed any of the days, and want to read it, there's a tab up there *looks up* labelled  "the 30 Day Challenge".

Enjoy!

Liza ;) *hugs and kisses*

Day 20: A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel.

  Greece.

Historical places is what amazes me. Maybe it's because I get to walk in the footsteps of people who lived thousand of years ago and go through their daily lives, makes me think about how different the world of yesterday and the world of today are.

Athens would be a great place.

Looking forward to that adventure.

Photo source:

weheartit

Day 19: A picture and a letter.

Dear you who quoted John Mayer,

Although this phrase is a bit disturbing, but I hoped your intentions wasn't so. It was fun getting to know you through virtual messaging and I can't stop smiling everytime I talk to you face to face.
You just have this aura of coolness and I have to admit, you are one funny guy.
Thanks for letting me fall for you, even though I know things between us will never work out.
If you are reading this, I want you to know that when I heard about the accident, and found out you were in that car, honestly, I nearly fainted. Then you told me, "I'm alright, just a few cuts here and there."
Sorry if I didn't give you a big bear hug immediately, but I just couldn't help but stare and praising the Lord for letting you live for another day.
I hope we do get to talk more often. You're just a really sweet guy.

I hope you haven't forgotten,

Bandung. ;)

Day 18: A picture of your biggest insecurity.

I have a few insecurities, but my biggest would be the letter "R", or more like the inability to pronounce this letter properly.
It may be the second  most favourited letter according to "Rankopedia", but it certainly isn't mine.
Anyone who has met me and spoken to me, the first thing they might notice is that I can't pronounce "friend" or "green" the way everybody else does. You know, I try and try and try to make it sound "normal" but I can't, so I decided to give up on trying and just keep on talking.

Sometimes, people point it out and it's okay, but when it crosses the line, makes me feel like I'd rather be deaf/mute and just use sign language. That's one of the reasons why I feel so interested in signing in case I decided to shut down my audio senses. 

Yeah, I guess that would be my biggest insecurity.

Photo Credit:

Rankopedia

Day 17: A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

If it said "recently", I would choose this.
SUKMA XIV 2011.

Well, it was my first medal at any national competition that I've joined, and I'm proud to say that I've earned it. I've worked my butt off to get qualified into the team and to even have an event to compete.
After winning this medal, it has build up a whole new confidence in me. I believed that I can do better. If not boosting my confidence, it certainly has set a new goal in my life.

So yeah, I guess it made a huge impact in my life.

Photo Credit:

Lim Yin Yin

Newspaper cutout:

Si Hua Daily

Day 16: A picture of someone who inspires you.

THOMAS ROBERT DALEY

Tom Daley is not only a good looking chap, but he is also the youngest person to enter the finals at the 10m Platform Indi Event in the 2008 Beijing Olympics the age of 14 and youngest World Diving Champion at the 10m Platform event at 15. He is also 3 time winner of BBC Young Sports Personality Award Year 2007, 2009 and 2010. 

Just looking at a few of his achievements, how can you be not amazed and inspired? 

He has made me believe that if I work hard enough, I can achieve my dreams, and to not let the bad times bring me down, but build me up. He is the reason why I believe I have the capability to enter the Olympics, although almost everybody think that I might have gone nuts. 

Through his video diaries on his site, I now know that training isn't always smooth sailing and even during the days when your performance isn't well, you still have to give it your best shot. 

After all, training is about improving your skills and learning from mistakes. 

So yeah, he is someone that has inspired me.

Photo Credit:

Daily Mail UK

Day 15: A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Is to be able to join and win the World Fencing Championship or better, the Olympics.

Yes, I've always wanted to be able to stand on top of the podium, and hear my national anthem being broadcasted to the whole world. 

That's what I want to do before I leave this planet. 

Photo Source:

[unknown]

Day 14: A picture of something you could never imagine your life without.

Although I can't live without food and air, but I really cannot imagine my life without true Laugh Out Loud moments. I simply adore laughing and making other people laugh. 

I guess it makes my life worth living. 

You can take away my internet, my clothes or even my phone (though I'm not asking you to, just a figure of speech), but don't ever take away laughter. 

Like Charlie Chaplin once said:

"A day without laughter, is a day wasted."

Day 12: A picture of something you love.

CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Maybe this post has to do with the fact that Christmas is 13 days away! or maybe I really do love this. 

Christmas movies are timeless classics for me. From Home Alone to The Grinch, I will never get bored of them.
Because to me, Christmas movies are always filled with tearful drama and some of the most amazing endings. Everybody is always happy in the end (yes, even the Grinch ended up happy).
I absolutely love this. I can still watch it in the middle of the year and it won't seem weird at all.

Photo Source:

HelloGiggles

Day 11: A picture of something you hate.

Man-eating Dinosaur Movies. 

So, everyone knows Terra Nova is a nice show, people exling themselves to go and live in the woods, build a new world all over again, hot guys in uniforms, love romances etc. It seemed cool, until dinosaurs start appearing and eating people. That's when I switched the channel.

It all started from Jurassic Park when I was just a little girl. When Dad got the CD, not knowing what it's all about, I sat down and watch. Been having nightmares about it for weeks.It's the fact that they just take a small bite and leave your body parts stuck in between their teeth. Disturbing and disgusting.

After that, I refused to watch any movie or tv series or commercials, ANYTHING related to dinosaurs eating humans.

Don't get me wrong, dinosaur movies are cool, where the only living things in the movie were trees, bacteria, insects and dinosaurs. That's all.

When the human world and the dinosaur world merge to make a movie, count me out of that.

Photo credit:

The Editing Room