2014

New Year always come with New Resolutions. But before that, i just realized i didn't make any resolutions for 2013. Lemme review my last last year 2012 New Year Resolutions to see whether is there any achievement or any improvement in 2013.

1. Every time i eat, half of my plate must be Vegetable

well, i almost full achieve this, however some of the time i can feel guilty while having birthday dinner, some gathering or even seafood buffet. will improve on this definitely.

2. Manage my stress Better

well, i can said that i've achieved this resolution. Changing job to the one that i love, makes me stress-free by a lot. being a cabin crew making me happier, and even more adventurous. Participate in Pocari Sweat Marathon and Standard Chartered Marathon, and some regular Run. Yeah...

3. Will Workout at least 30 min, 3 times a week

to be honest with you, for the past year, i always gym for at least 30 minutes, however, it is definitely less than 3 times a week. so, Need to improve on this.

4. Less Insomnia, Sleep Better

hmmm..., Due to my job scope up in the air, it makes (or i can said force me) to be awake overnight to make sure customer safety is in a good hand at all time. But i always tried to have a good sleep one i landed in outstation.

5. Pampered myself more

i can said that i am well pampered this few years. especially my regular facial treatment that makes become ME right now. and also been to some massage and foot reflexology in Singapore or even in China.

6. Do More Good Things and Pray More

I've been doing things without expecting anything in return. even though sometimes it's hard to accept it, but i let it go most of the time. do it with huge gratitude. However, i feel guilty that i pray lesser than i expected, way way lesser than usual. Need to go to temple more often.

7. More socialized

Been improving on this definitely. making more new friends, meet more people, and one of the good thing is to install INSTAGRAM in my phone. lolz.

Photo taken at KPE tunner, Singapore.

Okay, for now, lemme make new and better resolutions for this coming Year of Horse 2014 (as always) for the better year ahead. After reviewing my past resolutions and achievement, definitely i need to focus and improve more on some of the area, even though it's still a loooooong way to go before i become successful in the future.

People said, "Do Enjoy The Process Rather Than The Focusing On The Goal". And i think this is rather true because you will achieve your goal with the small steps that you take. So, you have to know what steps you take, and understand which steps that leads you to the TOP.

1. Read More Books

This will a good choice to improve my English, get more knowledge, be more positive person, and without wasting my time during my daily life; train ride to airport, bus ride to hotel while overseas, or even been bored at home during off days. I received some books from my previous job, from friends, and even the book that i bought from book store, and will definitely dig-out my mini library to find those books, which book that good to read, And i must finish the book.

2. Healthy Food

I've been eating with No control for the past few months. Living in an oily-and-MSG-food's country, i believe there will be a way to have a healthy lifestyle. I bought Natural Black Chia Seed from Woolworths Australia that pack with high dietary fibre, antioxidant and omega 3, that might help me to stay healthy in my diet program. HERE are some fact about Chia Seed. Also, always encouraging myself to Eat Green and Drink Green.

However, i should eat more Natural Food rather than organic or artificially made. I read some of the Journal regarding Organic Food, pro and cons from the public review/comments, however, prevention is always better than Cure. Why not go Natural, and that's exactly what i will eat.

3. Healthy Lifestyle

lazy is not a good way to enjoy life apparently. so i will give myself more time to do more healthy lifestyle such as Run more, gym more, buy yoga pad to workout at home, join friends for swimming activity and also participate in some marathon event. or even (maybe) buy my own workout equipment so i can do it more regularly at my own home.

not only healthy in sports, i think i need to have a proper enough sleep as well, due to my irregular working hour and non-flexible meal time. if i have time, i will definitely take a good-solid-deep-nap.

4. Pray More

Not only physically clean from any sickness, people also need to have mentally clear from any bad atmosphere. Pray more of what you believe and always keep your mind clear from any bad spirit and fill it more with positive words.

5. Just ONE More

Whatever i do, i will do More, Just One More.

6. Save

nowadays, i try my best to save at least 10-20% of my monthly salary into my fix savings account (i only use it for emergency or urgent situation), which i only have access through internet most of the time. 

Maybank Singapore provide a very attractive savings account with a very attractive interest rate of 3%p.a. (most other bank only give 0.05%p.a.) that is calculated on the daily basis and credited monthly to you. on top of that, iSAVvy Savings account also gives you 6% interest-on-interest for account with average daily balance of SGD$5000 to below SGD$100,000. and even more, 18% interest-on-interest with average daily balance of SGD100,000 to below SGD$200,000. Basically, the more you save, the more you will earn.

Not only save from my salary, i think i need to cut down on what i have spend for the past few years. unnecessary shopping, over-eaten-food, not necessary snacks, so at the same time, i also can save more money without thinking of those.

7. Personal Reward

Other than save 20% of my salary, i think i deserve some personal reward for what I've done for the past or even for the coming year. Travel, leisure, and Family quality time.

We all human, always greedy and not enough of what we've got. Always need more. That is exactly what i feel now. Huge gratitude for the past, expect more rewards in the future. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

Reasons why you should travel alone at least once in your life

1. You will meet amazing people

while traveling with friends or a significant other can be a lot of fun, traveling solo for a certain amount of time can prove to be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do because of the great people you'll meet.

when we travel with friends or a partner, we tend to stick to that little group of familiar faces and even though you'll meet new people, the dynamics and interactions won't be as deep and fulfilling. While you're on your own on the road, you're much more eager to meet travel buddies, team up with other travelers and generally reach out more in order to socialize.

2. The overwhelming sense of absolute freedom

When you travel on your own and you start meeting people and making awesome friends, you'll probably team up with travel buddies and end up expanding your travel plans. You'll probably change your plans once you hear about that amazing waterfall, that incredible desert beach, the opportunity to bungee jump from a high bridge, or taste a special delicacy you'll only find off the beaten track.

When you're traveling, you're open to change and you'll welcome it with open arms. The great thing is that you don't have to fit into a group's agenda, give explanations or disappoint anyone,you can follow your rhythm, desires, and move like the wind.

3. Traveling alone challenges your fears and insecurities

This is a big one, especially if it's your first solo experience. A small little voice inside your head, asking: "what if something goes wrong?" "what if you get into trouble?" This is normal and perfectly human; fear exists for our own protection and boosts our awareness. But we shouldn't let it control our lives.

Safety can be a great comfort, but common sense is the key. Read and research a lot before you travel, check out hotel/hostel reviews, and research feedback from other travelers in forums and blogs. Respect the local culture and i guarantee you'll be fine.

4. You can take the time to nurture yourself

If you have a stressful life back home, either studying hard or working too much, traveling on your own can be the time to take some time off and nurture yourself. Whether you're a backpacker traveling cheap or if the sky is the limit as far as your budget goes, you can use this time to pamper yourself. Indulge in rich and delicious local meals which will boost your energy and health, take long walks on the beach by the sunrise or get a massage. Do some yoga and relax a lot. Enjoy  all the wonderful things you deserve, and understand that happiness is a birth right, not a privilege.

5. You'll have a chance to recreate yourself and be who you want to be

While traveling solo, you can leave your grumpy, tired old self behind and start to be a new you. Explore parts of your personality you are not very comfortable or familiar with. When on the road, you might be challenged by unexpected factors and be positively surprised how well you respond to them. Empower yourself by unleashing the wonderful, irresistible and intelligent person you are, but whom you've neglected in your everyday routine.

6. You can finally take time to leave everything else behind

Just disconnect from the world for awhile. Turn off your mobile, "forget" to check your emails for a few days...don't think about the bills, the responsibilities, the duties and problems. leave them behind.

Some of the most intense creative times or the ones where we find the solutions for all our problems are actually the moments when we disconnect and stop worrying. Sometimes, our brains need to get rid of old thoughts in order to be able to create space for new ones, better ones. So, just disconnect yourself from everything and you might be amazed by how fresh you'll feel once you get back home.

Credit: Yara Coelho

Some other good article to read for Lone traveler.

My life episode 11: Merry Christmas

i just came back from our Xmas Potluck dinner at Nikko and Andre's house. a lot of foods prepared by my friends just now. Spaghetti, Salad, Pizza, Beef Rolls, Peking Duck, Stream Chicken, and my lovely Cholocate Ba Gu cookies. hahaha...

okay about my cookies, i prepare it few hours before dinner time. i went to Gang Hui Plaza 港汇广场 around 1PM. before i went to buy some stuff, i went to Yoshinoya to had my lunch. i walked around Gang hui to get some gift for exchange gift for tonight party. well, after 1 hour i walked around, i found a note book, which have the same brand with my undies.... Paul Smith..... hahahaha... well, i bought it and the price is quite reasonable. and i love the design. its Green. hahaha.... i also bought a note book, named Ha!Shangha!. i bought that book so remind me about shanghai in the future, and i wanna ask my friends to fill that note with their opinion about me.

okay, i went to supermarket to get some chocolate, corn flakes, sugar, and butter. after i got it, i went back and started to cook it. but shit, after almost done my 1st cookies, i forgot to buy the small cup for the cookies. i leave all the things and went to City Shop near my home. well, i know the stuff there are all expensive, but that's the closest supermarket around my home. i scared my 2 packages chocolate is not enough, i decided to buy another 2 packages of melt chocolate and 1 M&M as the topping of the cookies.

well, i just melted 3 packages, it already fit for 3 boxes. 1 big box, and 2 small box. from all of that, i can make around 100 small cookies. well, it was exactly 7PM when i done all the things, included wash and clean all the stuffs.

and 7.40PM i went to Andre's house. and the party begin. hahahaha... well, all my friends said my cookies is great. Andriany, the one that cannot eat chocolate, she asked more from me and want to take home some of that. hahahaha.... another one, Jei, he always 2 thumbs up for me, Perfect lex. hahaha... thanks anyway.

okay, this is what happened rite there.....

And this are my best shots.....

well, this is my Recipe.....

Ingredient:
1. Dark Chocolate Melt (any kind of chocolate can make it, except, can be melt and not contain any nuts or cookies).
2. Sugar
3. Salted Butter (Recommended Anchor Butter from New Zealand)
4. Corn flakes
5. Small paper cup

how to cook it:
1. melt every 300g Chocolate mixed it with 1 tea spoon of butter, and 1/4 spoon of sugar.
2. mixed it until liquid and fluid
3. take 2 full hand of the corn flakes with your hand (with the glove for sure) into the bowl, and mixed it with the chocolate.
4. after all mixed, use 2 tablespoon to make it round and put it inside paper cup immediately before cold and stick.
5. put the topping (M&M or others) on the top of the cookies before cold and stick.
6. leave it around 10 minutes until it stick, and then, chocolate cookies is ready to serve and eat.

btw, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2008. Have a wonderful Christmas and Get a Brand New Year Life.

Aquarius Dec 25, 2008
You need to keep an open mind. Try to accept the changes that will be happening in your day today. Don't waste time trying to find out why they are happening -- just go with the flow and see what the next hour brings. You might not be comfortable with this idea at first, but by the early afternoon you'll begin to get into the groove and really enjoy the unexpected twists and turns that your day will be taking. It is certainly not going to be a boring time!

Beijing Trip Day 4 (December 10, 2008)

Today, again, early in the morning about 7.45AM, we had a walked to MRT station going to Temple of Heaven 天坛公园. took MRT line 2 at Qian Men 前门, transit at Beijing Railway Station 北京站 to Tian Tan Dong Men 天坛东门 line 13. paid the ticket for 25yuan, we could walked around the temple and the other palace around there. such a huge temple and garden with alot of old people did some Tai Chi, dance, and so on.

well, this Temple of Heaven is an historic and sprawling complex locted in southern Beijing. built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. the Hall of prayer for Good Harvests was also built in 1420. well, this Temple of Heaven was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1998.

just walked around and took some picture there, we continued to Summer Palace, which is far away from 天坛。 we used MRT from line 2 TianTan Dong Men 天坛东门 to XiZhi Men 西直门, transit to line 13 and stop at WuDaoKou 五道口。 this complex of Palace is much more bigger than TianTan. it needs 3 hours for us to walked whole part of the palace. it just walked, not included our rest or narcism part. haha....

well, just read the introduction of this Summer of Palace at the picture i took today. there, they told us about some of the short history about this palace.

btw, guess what? its snowing here in Beijing. woohooo... feels very very very excited. for the 1st time in my life, snowing. hahahhaa... even though i'd saw the ice snow before, during my HuangShan trip last month, but this is snowing. hmmm... just light snow actually. but yeah, snow. lol.... at Summer Palace, you can see the lake is frozen now. the lake become huge and flat white ice. some of the people are playing ice kating there. and i also took some picture on the ice. hahaha....

okay, for dinner, we went to a place near 京与宾馆, a korean bbq restaurant. one of the specialities there is fried chicken cheese. well, i forgot what is the exact name, but yeah, it is cheese chicken. we called that Ayam Keju. hahahaa... it taste so great but yeah, it's too spicy for me. haha...

Zhou Zhuang Photo updated

Here is my best shot