Holidays 101

Just did a rough calculation and here is the maths:
1. 05 holiday trips this year - Cameron Highlands, Jakarta, Bali, Turkey and Borobudur
2. 04 x trips to Indonesia (+1 Bintan Trip during company’s D&D)
3. 23 days leave (6.5 brought forward from the year before); I am still left with an amazing 12 days’ worth of leave.
4. 01 month’s salary (ok, 2/3 of Turkey’s trip was sponsored by Bank of Papa) blown.

Not bad, I thought to myself.
Sounds reasonable, no? It also averages out to be a holiday trip every 2.4 months.

I can proudly say I’m an expert holiday planner. ;)

It all boils down to advance planning to coincide trips with public holidays and meticulous research from lodging to eating (types of local culinary dishes to try) for each of the trips.
My goal is to cover as many famous touristy sites and off - beaten tracks as possible. Club Med kind of holiday is in the cards too, but that is only when I slow down my pace in my twilight years.
For now, I think the closest I’d ever agree to is a half day frolic/relaxation at the beach.

Indeed, this year is crowned with His goodness and my path dripped with abundance.
Despite my numerous trips, I’m still able to get by comfortably and have ample fun.
I pray that this will continue to be an annual affair, a few short ones and one looong one.

Till then!

Happy Holidays!




- Posted from BlogPress, iPhone

Dreams in Turkey

The long hours on the road stirred up some soul searching sessions as I stared out into the vast and endless brown fields/snowy landscape that Turkey has to offer.. At one point I found myself daydreaming away (as always), wishing I were a simple peasant girl living in the midst of the golden wheat fields:

Home shall be a cosy and warm red-bricked house to call my own, leading a carefree life together with my tanned and robust-looking husband and our little darlings prancing around..

There I was painting whimsical images in my head when my mind decided to interrrupt a budding artist at work, "Are you sure about this? Can you? And perhaps live without your iPhone and Internet?"


Me: "Uh, I think still can have wifi connected."


Mind: "Why do you need to be connected? You just need to tend to the fields and your family."


Me: "I need to read the world news, I need to know what's happening around the world."


(I read the papers for around 1.5 hours in a sitting each time)


Then, there was awkward silence. My mind had to take some time to register the illogical statement I just blurted out. I blushed. I knew I am capable of answering something better.. But, whatever, I am daydreaming anyway, why should things make sense! I like to let my thoughts wander and run wild.


Me: "Mmm.. Ok ignore what I just said. The truth is, I just want to escape from reality.. I find working in an office meaningless.. I like my work and I don't mind the long hours etc, but at the end of the day, I don't know who am I working for. I feel like a robot, a clockwork mouse, without a sense of satisfaction."



Mind: "Well Emily, you can work to glorify Jesus, yourself, your family, your children in future.."


Me: "Even so, I still find my life's so monotonous! It's no different from anyone.. How do I make it exciting? Doing something new? Doing risk investments? What?.. Now, other than getting my QP, this question frequently pops up, "where do I go on from there?" "


Mind: "Hey, do you recall when you're in sec 4, during an end of exam activity you're made to draft a timeline to create long and short term goals in your life?"


Me: "Yea, sadly, I underestimated. I should have graduated by 22, got married by 24, have kids by 26, be my own boss by 30."


Mind: "C'mon, it's not bad that you graduated at 24.. It wasn't even in your wildest dreams to get a Masters in Architecture.. To think you even shed tears because you're afraid you can't get into a university at 6 (credits given to mummy who freaked me out then. I had forgotten how the topic started, but as she was removing her make-up, she mentioned - In future, everyone will be a graduate, and if I'm not one, I can only be a road sweeper)! However, it amuses me that the idea of marriage at 24 actually horrifies you now."


Me: "I can't imagine being a wife/mother like some of my friends at this age. My life would be gone and I'd just go berserk. Hmmm.. getting married at 27/28 would be great though.. But argh, I can't even tell if I'm going to be a mrs one day. And it's the guy who proposes anyway, not up to me to decide when to get married. All I would like to have in future is to have a shop of my own and retire with my husband in a farm with little streams and brooks some day."


Mind: "Yes, indeed you shall have what you want. Remember, Jesus had already declared and seen your future is good! And perhaps for that little daydream of yours to live in the midst of the wheat fields? It could one day be transformed into reality and be one of your holiday homes.."


Me: "AMEN! Thank you so much, there's still hope (elpis) for me!"

At this juncture, a warm fuzzy feeling spread through my chest..


That was how my soul searching/self talk went.
Nothing too depressing for I always try to end on a happy note. However, somehow I still have this naggy feeling that I'd be one of those who look back and tear in heaven if I don't do anything constructive in my life any time soon.. [Revelation 21:4]

7th Dec, 5.25pm, Cappadocia, Turkey


P.S.: My dear friend, Alvin, reminded me, only Jesus can satisfy me.. Indeed, I love you Jesus, from the bottom of my heart ;)

Deep Sea Fishing - 16 Oct

A picturesque Marina Country Club on a beautiful Sunday morning.




Ready to go, Fishes Ahoy!



Been looking forward to this outing ever since I found fishing enthusiasts alike!
Gareth and I been trying hard to organise a day trip since last year!

For this trip, we've got Gareth, Bo Yan, Jun Yan , Jun Yang and I.



(photo courtesy of Jun Yan)
Here's my first little John's Snapper (out of 5) for the day!
The guys attributed it to beginner's luck cause I had only dipped my line for 5 mins and out came a fish! Well, all I could say was thank you Jesus! :D

O how I just love fishing, the excitement, the thrill, the exhilaration when you tackle with the fish from beneath..

And the oos and the ahhs, the surprises, when you finally reel the fish up to the boat.. You never know what you could be getting..



(photo courtesy of Jun Yan)
Especially with this particular fish here, the Coral Trout.. you flash your brightest smile.
Apparently it is worth a $100+ on Chinese restaurant tables.



And here's a rare specie, the Mangrove Jack, usually found along the mangrove area, but was caught out in the open sea.



(photo courtesy of Jimmy)
Or best, this awesome gargantuan Queenie caught by the boatman, Jimmy, who spent a good few minutes tackling it.



Lunch was homemade hummus (my first attempt) and it was ooooohh.. so good.. Hahaha




And finally the fishes in our treasure icebox (yes, we threw the Queenie back!):

1 Mangrove Jack
1 Sickle
2 Coral Trout
2 Golden Snapper
8 John's Snapper


That's a pretty good harvest considering the fact there were a few occassions Gareth and company caught none!
I prayed for a net sinking, boat breaking kind of catch and my wrist did nearly break after my 7th fish. Heh.



Without much strength left, I concussed for the last 1.5 hours onboard. The beer, wine and 3 hours of sleep the night before was the ultimate knockout combo.



For dinner, we're in for a big feast at a zhi char place at Yio Chu Kang.
Snapper in You Zham Style (deep fried) and Coral Trout steamed in Teochew Style (see inset). Lovely!
Even lovelier when we only had to pay for the side dishes we ordered. (That's like $12.50 each with 2 types of double boiled soup, 1 wild boar curry dish, 1 plate of cai poh ommelette, vegetables and stir fried beef)


I could do this every month but would need a steady supply of extra moolah comin' in!

So 3 times a year would suffice for now!

Graduation Shoot!

"In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself" - Ephesians 5:28 §;}

- Posted from BlogPress, iPhone

*Ding Dong* I'm home!

Hello World,

I’m back at emborghini again.

Reason being, I’ve left Limpets (and the co-owner) some time back.. For better or for worse, I’m not even sure myself.

Although it’s been a long 4 years, and I enjoyed the journey of ups and downs together, somehow, I can't seem to love deeply for some reason I shan't disclose.

I was treated like a princess all these while, and this made me feel all the guiltier – I cannot match up. He is literally a gift from God to me. I still cannot comprehend my foolishness to give his agape love up. But again, life is too short for regrets. I'd just take a step at a time..

By posting this, I think I scared off my potential suitors (if any) already. Haha..
Papa said, “So you’re going to be a spinster?” to which I replied defiantly, “Maybe, who knows?” I just dashed his hopes of kicking me out of the house soon.