2011

... a big year for me. Let's recap.

1. I started living on my own. Like rent a house, live alone, without any housemate. Started buying furniture and electrical appliances, and not forgetting barang-barang rumah that I always tell myself mak-mak yang selalu beli (those pinggan mangkuk, bedsheets, langsir, etc). Yay to total independent this year. Scary? Big time. But I survived.

2. I made more friends. I think I socialize better now. I have more confident to mingle around, and I think I can just blend in with anybody. I'm the kind of person who don't just stick to one group of people, so yeah most of the time you'll see me hangout with different people.

3. That big breakup happened. Of a 2-year relationship with a really great someone. Someone who knows how to show his love. My soulmate. But not everyone are lucky enough to end up with their soulmates. I'm one of the unlucky ones, but it's okay. He is a chapter in my life that I would never regret.

4. And I started to run. Which initially symbolized running from reality and also running towards the unknown future, and along the line, it got me hooked. I would never have thought I can run 10 km straight, but I've proved myself wrong. Made my parents proud, that's the best feeling.

5. I traveled more. Experienced Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, backpacking style. Long roadtrips to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching with friends. Explored most of Sarawak. I did white water rafting for the first time. 

6. And then E&P happened. Got to make new friends - some remain as really close friends. Got a new perspective about oil and gas industry. Got to appreciate my job more when I had to leave the office for three weeks. Started an unexpected friendship with an unexpected someone. So yes, E&P is kinda big thing for me.

7. A tad more stable in term of financial, alhamdulillah. First time getting bonus, and my salary's increased twice within 6 months. I know I'm spending more now, but safe to say I do have a proper saving. Yet, for 2012, I'm hoping to have a better control of my spending. Yikes.

8. My body's at the peak of its health state. It's true when people say you are at your most healthiest when you are at 25. I know I'm fit than before, nothing can stop me. I only fell sick once or twice this year, but that's only because of stomach upset. Feel so bless with the good health.

9. Career wise, I'm proud of what I have achieved right now. I know my job in and out, and I have accomplished my KPIs, although not with flying colors. I know I've done my very best. Hoping to deliver better in 2012.

10. My family's happier. Or at least that's how I feel. Patched things up with my parents after my going against them due to their disagreement of my previous relationship. Learned my lesson, the hard way.

2011 was awesome, so let's make 2012 a much more fantastic ones! :)

Camwhoring Like Nobody's Business

Was browsing through photos in my harddisk drive and in my phone, and I noticed that I do this quite a lot.

This was like, last week.
Jalan-jalan Bintang Mall for no apparent reason.

This was few weeks back in Sogo KL, while waiting for Huda to try on the Jeep shirt.

A month ago in Midvalley KL.

Few months ago in Levi's, Suria Sabah.

Changing room in Bintang Mall. Again.

Even in hotel's washroom...

Few weeks back in Banana Republic, The Gardens KL.

Even at the gym.

Sungguh unstoppable :D

Stuffs I Carry In My Handbag

I know some people (especially the boys) are curious about the stuffs I carry in my handbag. I myself am very curious too about what other girls carry in theirs. I have four handbags that I frequently use (hah! don't judge), so whenever I use any of it, I will make sure all the items in the list below are in the bag.

1. Mobile - Don't think I can live without my Blackberry.

2. Wallet - Carries some cash (both Malaysian Ringgit and Brunei Dollar), ID, driving license, and two credit cards. I tidy up my wallet at the end of the day to keep all old receipts and loose change at bay.

3. Keys - Car key, house keys, the usual. Am still on the quest to look for a perfect, lightweight keychain.

4. Sunglasses - My Rayban Aviator. I just can't bear driving under the glaring sunlight.

5. Notebook and Pen - When I need to jot down my random thoughts, or my grocery list. Or just when I hangout with friends and suddenly we need pen and paper.

6. Foldable Umbrella - Something handy to carry around especially during this rainy season.

7. Starbucks Card Holder - Which I used to carry my staff ID.

8. Makeup - Most of the time I carry very minimal makeup; my compact powder with a mirror (important!), lipstick, lipgloss and lipbalm, together with a pack of tissue and a comb. Would carry a makeup case if I don't have time to do my makeup at home.

9. Gums or Mints - No preference so far, but I'm having this latest addiction of chewing gums after meals. Nice to have, I don't mind if I go without any.

10. Medication - I make sure to carry some Panadol (especially the pink ones), Handiplast and hand sanitizer.

Those are the basic items that are always in my handbag. I am a neat freak, so I do make sure to reevaluate the stuffs in my handbag everyday, just so that I don't carry around unnecessary weight. Will throw in some additional items like pashmina, books and water bottle when I'm travelling, and that's it.

So tell me, what do you carry in your handbags?

Products I Swear By

Warning : Strictly girly stuffs.

1. Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation

I've been loyal to this product for the past 6 years. I've tried pretty much all the other foundation, but none can compete with this. One stick can last years, believe me. It has good coverage, can be used daily (just reduce the amount than if you were to used it to events). This was recommended to me by my best friend (well, who else?).

Not just foundation, but I pretty much prefer all Bobbi Brown base makeups - makeup primer, compact powder, loose powder, corrector and concealer. Worth every penny. Just walk to any Bobbi Brown counter and they will find the perfect shade for you.

2. Victoria Secret's Refreshing Body Mist

Loving this Secret Garden range. I like this product just because it smells oh so nice! Keep my body fresh after shower. I shower before I go to sleep too, so yes, this makes me smell all nice when I'm in bed. Princess-y feeling, get it? Get it? 

This is the product that I never fail to buy everytime I'm at KLIA, because there's always promotion like buy 2, free 1, something like that. And it's really cheap there too, only RM42 per bottle. All smells nice, so when buying I will always try out different ones. Currently on Vanilla Lace, very sexy vanilla smell. The smell makes guys go crazy, true story ;)

3. The Body Shop Detangling Comb

I'm not The Body Shop girl - I prefer L'occitane, Crabtree & Evelyn or Mark and Spencer for my body wash or lotion - but I'm so in love with this detangling comb. Sleek and small that I can carry in my makeup case, and at the same time it works just as the name suggests - it detangles. Take it from someone who has big, curly hair, this comb is sure a savior. I find that my hair falls lesser than if I were to use a plastic comb (hydrostatic, remember?). I carry this everywhere.

4. Estee Lauder Hydrationist Range

Been loyal to Estee Lauder skincare products since I was a student, because it works. It hydrates well. My skin is really prone to dryness (my hands and feet are really dry! urgh, yet to find a good product), but this products really help to put the worries away, at least for my face. I use all Estee Lauder skincare - cleanser, serum, toner, moisturizer, sunblock, scrub, mask, makeup remover, eye cream, night cream (Advance Night Repair is strictly recommended!). I'm loyal to Estee Lauder's makeup too, because the color is really natural and it's really mild to the skin. And of course, I complete my look with a spritz of Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude Perfume.

So yeah, if you happen to walk pass my vanity desk, you'll see that Estee Lauder products rule.

5. Asience Shampoo

For a really good product, you can only find this at Watson's or Jusco, I wonder why. This was recommended to me by a friend's sister. I was mesmerized by how healthy her hair is, and she willingly shared her beauty secret. I gave it a try, and for someone who had tried out all brand of shampoos (over the counter or those high end products, you name it) but to no avail, this is the one which works. There's nothing more satisfying that experiencing first hand the claims of a hair products. My hair has seen so much improvement - it feels much more healthier now. Been recommending this to friends and family, and so far I'm getting all positive feedback! :)

My Vulnerable Self

I'm a strong, independent girl - I don't need a man to support me financially, I don't have any psychological or insecurities issues that a man can fix, I don't need rescuing from myself. So yes, I do think that I am pretty much self sufficient.

So to let myself become vulnerable - finally exposing my feeling, letting my guard down - it was totally scary, but at the same time it was totally worth it.

At least for the fact that I don't keep on questioning, or worst, keep on hoping.

I managed my fear. And I'm so proud of that.

My strength comes from my vulnerability. I shed my defensive layer, I basically turned off the defense mechanism I've built, I let everything out. And that's okay. Because that reminds me that I am only human, I'm real - I feel, I cry, I love, I need.

Yes, I've exposed my vulnerable self. Time's up. Now back to the other selves that have been functioning to protect my vulnerable self.