It's time to change,

I've never been a big fan of changes, especially when it comes to daily routines, but lately, change is what I need.
Last year, was hectic. With exams and competitions coming up, my daily routine of 2011 was a mess. Tuition one day, training the next. It's why I spend 75% of the time sleeping during the exams. 

This year, I need to relax. Try to slow down a little bit. Like my cat-loving English teacher, Miss Ong said:

"You can relax, but not too much. Treat this year like your engagement year, not your honeymoon year."

That's what I'm going to do.

Decided to stop my piano lessons because I just don't think musicality is my forte. Not going to waste money in something that I know I'm not good at. My sister's the more musical one.

So yeah, 2012 is going to be a bearable one. Let's hope! 

And life goes on..

So we're just entering the 2nd week of the new year, and so far, things are okay.
My class is nice, so far. Yellow House 2012 looks like a fun house to be in.

Mr.Lim, my Physics and class teacher, asked us this very important question:

"What are you expecting from Science class?"

Not sure about the others, but it left me wondering. I'm leaving high school in 3 years, which is a short time if you think about it, and I'm still uncertain about what kind of career I want to take. I've always wanted to be a journalist but being a chiropractic is interesting too. They're 2 different career paths and I don't know which one to go with.

Going way to deep now. Anyways, turning 16 in 2 weeks! Feels like a major milestone for me. It's like I should be more mature now that my 16th birthday's coming. Well, let's see in a few weeks time then.

Chinese New Year is on the way too! Money money come!! Now that Leroy and Aaron are here, maybe I could win some of their money before they go back!

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

Senior One

*I would have put a cool senior photo of me and my gals walking down the hallways like Mean Girls, but sadly, I didn't have my camera with me. Plus, our hallways' too small to walk LIKE A BOSS, so just use your IMAGINATION, like Spongebob did*

2012.

I'm a first year senior. Science Stream.
Well, I got through the first couple of days. I hope I can get through the rest of the year without burning my brain cells. Mr. Wong, my advanced maths teacher, just came out with his expectations for his students. Which are pretty high, considering the fact that he wants 90% of us to get A+ or A1 in our SPM next year and UEC (Senior) after that. He talks very fast too when he teaches.

Maths in Chinese+Ultra Fast Speed=Me no comprendo.

Sighs. I guess I just have to try to comprendo then. It's good that he's okay with students not getting it at first. I guess I'll have to be the annoying always-asking-why student.
Either you'll love me or hate me.

Then, I am your class monitor, so I'd recommend the first choice. :)

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

Ciao bella!

Finally back from my Christmas holiday! I had a blast!
Here are some photos some taken by me and most of them by my sister. (She insisted on being credited)

The first part of my trip was a one week cruise on the ship called Costa Deliziosa,
it's big and long, that's why I can't take the whole ship in one picture.

 

Then we embarked at Savona pier, in Italy.  

 Then we made our way to Naples. On our way there, I finally found out that my Galaxy tab has the panaromic option. I took a few photos with it.

 Cool eh?

This is Mt. Vesuvius, the one that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum and other cities, and it's the only mountain in the world that's sponsored by McDonalds. True fact.

When we reached Naples, we headed out and visited Pompeii, one of the ancient town ruined during the volcanic explosions some 2000 years ago.

 Then, the next part was Malta. A country full of history and culture. Oh, and a Hard Rock Bar.

It was such a peaceful and beautiful country. *terminator voice* I'll be back.

At night they had this Christmas Gala on Christmas Eve and it was very much Italian. They waved their napkins above their heads like a lasso and singing along to a apparently well known Italian song. I liked it!

Then it was cruising at sea the whole day for Christmas. The sea was very rough and I didn't leave my room often, because of the sea sickness.

After that, on boxing day we stopped by at Cagliari, in the Sardinia Island. Had the yummiest cappuccino for only 1euro, which is considered cheap.
The next day it was at Ajaccio, the French Island and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Since the Napoleon tour was fully booked, we had to opt for the tasting one in the high mountain village of Bastimillca.

We got to try out the pork meat, their goat cheese and the coffee mousse! I also had a sip of their wine and according to the tour guide, I "changed color". My skin doesn't take alcohol well.
Then we had another Farewell Gala dinner, when all the cabin staff came to the restaurant for what they call it "Curtain Call" and it was magnificent.
then on the last night, it was Italian themed, yes, another napkin waving moment and more celebrations! 
I just love how the Italian celebrate.


Yup that was roughly how the cruise went. I had fun. Enjoyed eating the food. They serve early breakfast, late breakfast, snack time, lunch, afternoon tea, pizza time, dinner and pizza time. So you can tell I was a very happy girl then.

Their pizza, although plain but it tastes so much better than pizza hut's.

Then it was back to Savona and off to Milan! Shopped till I nearly drop there. Mostly for snacks, gelato and outlet shoes. I bought a few pieces of clothes, but because most of the shops are in the winter season, so there wasn't any point on buying winter clothes and bring it back to sunny Sabah.
When you compare MYR(malaysian currency) to Euro, things will start to look even more expensive. That's why I limited my purchases to "Made In Italy" products or "Only In Italy" products.

Aunty Beat and me with our pizza at a local cafe in the streets of Milan. Delish!!

After that, spent New Years Eve in Singapore with jet lag and did the countdown alone in my hotel room.

So there, I've shared my Christmas trip :) Hope that you'll try going on a cruise too! It's good to go for once.

And I want to wish anyone reading this post a very blessed new year and may the year 2012 bring you many blessings and amazing moments.

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