Mission trip to Myanmar - Mon State

*overdue reflection.. i went to myanmar in november 09!

it's indeed an eye opener for me as i went on my first mission trip to myanmar - Seik Phu Taung Youth Development Centre with a few strangers. but anyhow we became good friends after the trip.. (: i always wanted to go for one but i fear that i might not be able to take it as i'm very particular about TOILETS and those disgusting insects... anyway i'm glad that i manage to overcome my fear and embark on my first mission trip! woo.. when i was in myanmar.. i told myself "heck laaah. since i want to go, i shouldnt be afraid about this and that anymore..." very brave right?? hahah i know i know... :P



it took us 4 - 5 hours to travel from the city (yangon) to the village (mon state). so naturally i spent my entire trip SLEEPING! that was the best activity that i can think of. hahaha. if not what you suggest?


it was kind of awkward when we reached the orphanage.. the volunteers were standing one side and the children were standing at the other side. no one move but i can see all of them looking at us curiously... at that moment.. i am able to relate to how my volunteers felt when they met my residents for the first time.. unsure what to do and how to approach them... i was contemplating within myself "should i go over and say hi to them? or should i just stand here and wait?" wait for what? i dont know..

the one and only nicer looking classroom!

their dining area.. and there are lots of hungry dogs fighting for food.. it's kinda scary to hear the dogs growling and fighting whenever they spotted any food.

anyhow, i made the first move. went over and greet them.. and naturally the rest followed behind me.. yes.. we became 'buddy' immediately.

the kids were really happy to see us and always greet us with their bright and cheerful smiles. every morning when i went downstairs, i will see them waiting anxiously for us to come down and play with them.

(oh they love taking photographs!!)


and that's my nest for the whole trip! and glad i bought my mini pillow along!


on my first morning, as we have some leftover paint i started painting on them yes.. literally painting on their faces and hands! hahaha. everyone was waiting eagerly for their chance to be painted! hahaha. all the laughter when their friends saw their own masterpiece' on their friends.. all this little interaction and activities can make them really happy and excited even though it's just painting on their faces.

we had so much fun doing that!

every morning you will see a group of children with their big and cheerful smile waiting for you to wake up and have fun with them. and whenever they see you, they will quickly run towards you and shower you with lots of love! clinging on to you, calling your name and trying to talk to you in english (very limited words that they learnt but still can see them trying their best to talk to me)

the older ones are in school... so the younger ones are those stayed behind during the day.

at night when the older ones are back, we will have our nightly gathering mainly chatting and occasionally playing games.. we had so much fun teasing one another.. and once i even joined them for their night class.. they were so excited and took great care of me, lending me their textbooks and pointing out to me what their teacher is teaching..

and majority of them did really well in their studies.. scoring at least 90 and above. im impressed. :)

ocassionally we taught them simple children songs and you can see all their happy faces waiting eagerly to learn..

on our last night, they had a mini celebration for us. they put up performances and we planned games for them..

group pic with part of them on the last night. :(
going to miss them..

part of the group that i went with...

and one of the boy even wrote a note to me..


the few days there was tiring but really fun.
everything was really back to basic... no facebook, no handphone, no twitter!
i learned that i can survive without laptop, handphone and aircon.
and we did alot of running around (catching and badminton all day all night long! good exercise!)

i did things that i never thought i'm capable of.
i went to give, but ended up receiving even more from them.
through them, i get to learn the 'joy of giving'
and they taught me to stay positive and happy no matter how bad the condition is.
they reminded me to be thankful and appreciate what i have now..
and not take things for granted.

and im impress with their willingness to learn, help and take care of one another.
children as young as 8 or 10 are taking care of infants.
and they are really independent. of course i understand given the circumstances that they are in, they have no choice but to be independent...

unlike the kids in singapore who are definitely way fortunate than them..
who spend their day playing computer games and bugging their parents to buy new toys for them..
and complain when you ask them to help out...

anyway it was a GREAT experience!
and yes.. definitely will be back to visit them this year.
if only i can make this as my full time job..... (:

23!

and im one year older today..
time flies and im now23. goodness. getting old old old... and soon i will be turning in to one old fart. :(

30 seems so near yet so far. so many things yet to achieve. i think it's time for me to list down all my plans and achieve them soon. hopefully if everything goes well i can start next year. dont wanna waste away my life.

blessed birthday ziqi.
this is going to be an awesome 23 for you. :D i hope so.

k - only human

im seriously neglecting my blog for the LONGEST TIME!

anyway... i happened to see this video and am totally mesmerized by him! and yes i seriously have a soft spot for guys who play the piano.. and will literally melt when i see them play! x_x

*i will die on the spot if im that girl sitting there looking at him play!!!! HAHAHAHAHA



okay anyway. i know this is a very random post. bye

champion for a day

last year a few of my residents participated in special olympics 2009 and they did us proud by winning back some medals for us. (:

and this year we got invited to join KCPPS in their annual sport's day. they even invited a few of my residents to participate in a simple race (60m).

it was a first time for a few residents who didnt get a chance (for various reasons) to participate in special O. and i'm sure it's also an unforgettable day for them. (:


i'm very thankful to have volunteers like them who remembered to show care and concern for the less fortunate. whom like us, are working hard to make their life as enriching and interesting as possible.

i really appreciate the kind thoughts they put in preparing the medals and trophy for my clients. i can never forget the look on their faces when they crossed the finishing lines and waited eagarly to collect their medals. that moment of happiness in them..

we decided to put this particular resident in even though he cant run fast. what motivated us to select him is his "never give up's attitude". yes, he cant run fast and even came in last but he perserve till the end and never give up! i'm really proud of him. you should see his happy and cheerful face when he finished the race. it doesnt matter to him that he came in last.. what matter most is HE COMPLETED THE RACE despite the difficulties he faced base on his own abilities. and this is something that we should learn from him. never give up.. never say die.. despite how bad the situation is. perserve on and you will be greeted with a beautiful rainbow after the rain.

the champions in my heart! (:


oh.. im honoured to be given the opportunity to give out medals/ trophy to the students. my first time and it's an incredible experience! hahaa. never will i dream of being treated like a 'VIP' for that day. hahaha. thank you for giving me this opportunity to share the joy with the winners! (:

they really felt like champion for a day, which makes them proud and happy.
thank you for bringing joy into their life and gave them an unforgettable experiences. (:

有一點動心

老歌还是最好听！这首歌说出了我现在的想法。

我對你有一點動心
卻如此害怕看妳的眼睛
有那麼一點點動心　一點點遲疑
不敢相信我的情不自禁

我對你有一點動心
不知結果是悲傷還是喜
有那麼一點點動心　一點點遲疑
害怕愛過以後還要失去

high up the sky!

second time up singapore flyer in a month!
first was with melvyn when i joined him for his event
and now second time with my dearest colleagues..

and i still remembered how excited was I on the very first time when melvyn told me that we are going up the flyer!! excited until i cannot sleep and when i step on the flyer i actually lao bak sai!! hahaha JUST KIDDING!

but once i went up the flyer.. i realise that it's actually nothing.. like just sitting or standing there and looking at the not that fantastic scenery..

but what cracks me up is.... "MELVYN IS ACTUALLY SCARE OF HEIGHT!! HAHAHAHAHA" he was kind of panicking when we went higher and higher... but got to salute him... scare of height but he still went ahead!

even though he look kind of okay.... but he is actually panicking inside!! hahahaha

and look he is holding the pole until damn tight! hahaha

but glad he didnt faint during the ride! if not.... HAHAHAHAHA *cannot imagine*

anyway.. i guess i wont be going up there for the time being.. it's really nothing fantastic up there. wonder what's all the raves about! hmm....

twitter!

and yes i fall into iPhone's trap and naturally i got hooked onto twitter too.
it's way much easier to update my random thoughts!
so guess there might be a possibility that i will start neglecting my blog. :(

but anyway.. follow me on twitter now at

http://twitter.com/averysillywoman

i seriously cant stop twitting!!! muahahahaha

:'(

grandma dearest left us.

finally went up to grandma dearest's house earlier today after she left us. it's the first time when i'm there and she's not around. it feels so weird when i opened the door to her house.

the table that is always filled with yummy foods is now empty. yes things are never going to be the same again. i am so used to her presence in the house that it feels weird without her by my side.

it came so sudden that when it happened i dont even know what to do. i even tried my best to delay myself from attending her funeral on the first day. unfilial granddaughter. (i'm sorry grandma dearest. i simply cant accept the fact that you are gone.)

i sat in the kitchen and looked around (it's her territory!) .. trying my best to remember every single details that i see. and i thought i saw her standing there.. smiling at me..

tears started flowing when it finally hit me that she is gone forever. it seems only yesterday when we were still joking and talking to her in the kitchen. but now she's gone to a faraway land.

grandma dearest,

are you adapting well over there? i really hope so. but not us because we are still trying to come to term with your sudden departure. but dont worry about us. we will be fine. :) well i'm sure you are now having a happy reunion with grandpa dearest, third aunt and fourth aunt. :P

things are going to be different from now onwards but dont worry. we will cope and go through it all.

till we meet again grandma dearest.
i miss you so so sooo much.
there are lots of things that i have yet to tell/ do/ show you.
and you left me.

i pray that you are happy wherever you are now.

always in my heart,
ah girl.

grandma dearest

i was looking through those photos we took with grandma dearest on chinese new year and it bought tears to my eyes. we demanded to take pictures with her which she strongly refused as she complained about her untidy hair. (hahah! that's her!) but somehow we managed to convince her or rather i manage to force her (by holding down her arms!! hehehe) that she looks pretty and her hair is just fine. she was all smiley and cheerful when taking the pictures with us. but now she is lying in the hospital unconscious.. fighting for her life. i hate to say this but i dont like the idea of spending my next cny without her.. because it's never going to be the same.

grandma dearest with her other grandchildren

grandma dearest with part of her daughters


everyone hate to see her leave but will it bring more suffering to her if she continues in this way? i dont know. but one thing for sure.. we are not ready to lose her yet.

how i wish it's all nothing but a bad bad dream...

i haven't been a very filial granddaughter to her yet. lesser trips were made to her house as we grew older. from a weekly visit i ended up visiting her once a month and sometimes once a few months..

and yes i regret not spending more time with her. and yet again.. sometimes you need to lose before you know how to cherish. (fret not i havent lose her yet! she will be fine) i remember her always asking me to eat whenever i visit her. always making it a point to cook my favourite cabbage (that's my favourite dish cooked by her and i will do anything to eat it again.) whenever i'm there. that's her.. always worried about us.. remembering our likes and dislikes... she is an angel to us all. :)

grandma dearest,

doctor told us that you might not make it past today. but you did it and manage to prove him wrong!! (although we almost lost you.. but you did it in the end with your determination! :)well done!!) so miracles do happen after all. and being the stubborn you.. i'm sure it will happen to you tooo.

i know you are tired... and i will let you rest a little bit more.. but you must remember and promise to wake up when it's time too. because we are all waiting for you. your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren... everyone of us.

with love,
your dearest granddaughter. :)

:)

taken on CNY 2010 with grandma dearest.


我知道你累了。。在让你睡多一下下，不过答应我你一定要记得起来因为我们在等你。

新年快乐!

new clothes,
lotsa good foodies,
yummy steamboat,
gathering with friends/ relatives
and of course the most important ANG BAOS!!!

muahahahaha

a blessed and prosperous chinese new year to all my dearest.. :)
let's us HUAT TOGETHER YEA!!!

with random people im shy, with my friends i'm crazy!!

someone created a fan page for "with random people im shy, with my friends i'm crazy!!" on facebook

and yes i of course i request to be a fan for that laaah!! haha.. this is so true. often i find it hard to open up to people that i dont know and feel uncomfortable hanging out with them. feel weird without my usual crazy khakis around to go crazy with me. and sometimes i really sian when i happen to bump into random people that i know at work. cause i will need to start a conversation with him/ her!! and i always worried about "what if we got nothing to say?" "what if what i say sounds stupid to him/ her?"

there are times when i started to panic and think of what should i do to avoid that awkwardness! and it's tiring to keep thinking about what to say but my job requires me to be really 'bubbly' and open as i'm always meeting volunteers and it's my job to 'entertain' them when there are here. it's really tiring...

if i dont talk much to you on the first time or remain very quiet or ACT very cool.. is not i dao or what. just that im not ready to open up to you yet!! but when i start to do crazy stuff and talk nonsense with you... i think that's the time when im slowly turning into HUMAN!! hahahah aiyaaa i really find it hard to be myself when im with random people. after all not everyone can accept my way right?

anyway.. it's a meaningless entry.. just ranting as usual..

5 days in phuket

i love impromptu trip like this. bee told me that they are thinking of going to phuket for a few days and ask if im interested.. of course on laah! i totally heart beach holiday. need some sun sea and sand badly. the last beach holiday i went was in april 2009 with the ecu peeps. so just nice for another one.. and i swear i must make it to maldives before i die!! been hearing lotsa stories about that place.. hopefully my future husband will bring me there as a honeymooon trip yeah! hahaha.

and i shall term this trip as "beginning of the year encouragement trip!" haha.

lion, bobo, bee and bong's little adventure in phuket..

we spent 5 days in phuket and everyday we got con by people. they just love to jack up the prices when they know that you are tourist.. one typical example that happened when we are out shopping (thanks to the dj bee for typing this out! she is the best story teller around!! really LOL non stop when i read it.)

shopkeeper: "did piece (plain singlet), i gib you 500 baht. very cheap oredi mam"
zk: no, sorry too expensive.
-walk away-
shopkeeper: "okok, how much you want mam?"
zk: 150 baht... See More
shopkeeper: " cannot mam, best pry i gib you 350 baht"
zk: sorry it's ok then.
-walks away further-
shopkeeper: "okok, best pry 300 baht. very cheap mam"
zk: sorry it's ok
shopkeeper" how much you want mam?"
zk: 150 baht
shopkeeper: "really cannot mam. pris, today me no business i gib you good pry oredi. okok final pry 250 baht."
zk: no thanks
-walks away for good-
shopkeeper: ok lah ok lah, 150 baht for you mam.
*ting ting ting* bingo!

you see? from 500 baht to 150 baht!! seriously wtf! initially i was really shy to bargain with them.. i still feel abit pai seh to lower the price.. but after being con a few times.. i decided to hack care.. and i learnt that the 'walk away' tactic alway works!! hahaha.

anyway.. back to happier and much exciting things...

i tried para sailing!!! omg! my first time!! it's really expensive but worth it lah. 1000 baht ($40) for a few minutes in the sky. i was kind of apprehensive at first... worried that i might just fall from the sky.. what if the strings decided to break because im too heavy.. etc. etc.. the take off was scary though.. but the view up there was amazing.. and i really feels like you are flying! flying like a bird! hahaa. and will i do it again? hmm... not in phuket but some other nicer beaches like maldives? hahaha. only thing is i hope i can have a longer time up there..

preparing to take offff.... weeeeee!! and i must salute the guy behind me that took me on this amazing experience.. if you notice he is not wearing any safety vest not even a life jacket.. and throughout the whole journey he is just clinging on to the strings behind me and holding on to me. they are not even worried about falling down. imagine you holding on to a string only, flying through the ocean and you need to make sure that you had a safe landing.... can you do that? so it's money well spent.. he fucking risk his life to take you for an once in a life time experience eh.

during the trip, we went to phi phi island as well. on the way there the transport that supposed to fetch us there broke down. sibei heng leh we all! hahaha tyre punctured


it's a very beautiful place. clear water! was so excited when i went there. and i finally tried snorkeling!! the hotel guy bought some breads for us and told us to bring it along with us and feed the fishes!! my first time swimming with the fishes.. whenever you throw a bread they will all swam towards you. nice.

camwhoring at maya beach

re reading the undomestic goddess. my companion for the 5 days. and reading this book reminds me that sometimes we need to slow down and take a look at the things, people around us. to find yourself.. to fall in love.. to LIVE. you only live once. so live your life to the fullest!! life is too precious to be waste. dont spent all your time working and ended up neglecting the people around you and forgetting how to enjoy life.. we need to work but when it's time to rest.. REST.

and happiness is time spent lazing on the beach, tanning, reading a nice book and relaxing.. if only i can do this everyday... her books never fail to make me smile to myself while reading.. all time favourite author!

we came and left. 5 days spent together doing silly stuffs and not having to worry about work and other random nonsenses.



and now it's time to leave and snap back to reality.. back to work and back to the stressful life in singapore. time to work hard at work. i know that this year is going to be a year filled with lots of projects and random nonsenses for me. more and more demands from boss. HANG ON ZIQI! YOU CAN DO IT!! (:

all things come to an end.. but we can always plan for more trips right? like what lionel says when we are back in singapore "it's time to plan for the next trip!!" hahaha.

Fallin’ For You (:

I don’t know but
I think I maybe
Fallin’ for you
Dropping so quickly
Maybe I should
Keep this to myself
Waiting ’til I
Know you better

I am trying
Not to tell you
But I want to
I’m scared of what you’ll say
So I’m hiding what I’m feeling
But I’m tired of
Holding this inside my head

I’ve been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’ve been waiting all my life
and now I found ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’m fallin’ for you

As I’m standing here
And you hold my hand
Pull me towards you
And we start to dance
All around us
I see nobody
Here in silence
It’s just you and me

I’m trying
Not to tell you
But I want to
I’m scared of what you’ll say
So I’m hiding what I’m feeling
But I’m tired of
Holding this inside my head

I’ve been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’ve been waiting all my life
and now I found ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’m fallin’ for you

Oh I just can’t take it
My heart is racing
The emotions keep spinning out

I’ve been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’ve been waiting all my life
and now I found ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’m fallin’ for you

I can’t stop thinking about it
I want you all around me
And now I just can’t hide it
I think I’m fallin’ for you (x2)

I’m fallin’ for you

Ooohhh
Oh no no
Oooooohhh
Oh I’m fallin’ for you

my first new year resolution! hahah

Joseph says:
Happy New Year
what's ur new year resolution? irritate more elderly people?

Chloe.Ziqi- says:
hey happy new year!
my new year resolution to make joseph make more donation to bishan home!!
hahahah

Joseph says:
LOl!!!

Chloe.Ziqi- says:
so are you going to make my new year resolution COME TRUE??

Joseph says:
u r irritating as usual

the last day of 2009

it was supposed to be a joyous occasion as we welcome a brand new year but i received a pretty bad news in the morning that might just affect me for the rest of my life. yes that's how serious it is. although nothing is confirm yet.. but i just pray for the best. pray for me too. dont worry it's not life threatening. and the doctor say "at least it's not cancer." but fuck at that moment i was thinking "I WOULD RATHER IT BE CANCER than being alive and aware to suffer this. i'm not that strong seriously. although i hope i am." i'm a faker.. there is no cure for this! anyway like what my colleague say "you don't have to use skin whitening product anymore!!" oh seriously FUCK OFF! and yes i told him that straight away. well at least i will still be alive and around to irritate you. it is not exactly a good start to 2010 but i am determined to make it right. although i am totally clueless how to go about doing it. right. enough about my emo-ing.

it's a mini tradition for me to recap on the things that i achieved in the past years. so yes i am going to do that for 2009 as well. (:

looking through my past entries i realised that it is really an eventful year for me. although some activities are not being recorded.. and yes i definitely GROW alot.. in terms of knowledge and skills... experiences alot and learnt alot.

and one of the best acheivement... i finally completed my studies!!! like after suffering for 3 years.. i'm finally free now. i'm so used to my busy life that i feel a sense of lost when i became less busy. now everyday was spent going out, shopping and hanging out with friends. not productive at all and i need to change that. on days when i get home earlier.. i have no idea what to do and ended up sleeping the whole night away. time to cultivate a hobby or learn a new skill or maybe even volunteer? always wanted to try volunteering at a hospice.. maybe i should start doing that too.

now at work... if you have been following my blog closely.. you should know how nervous i was for my workplace's 11th anniversary. my lovely boss put me in charge of the whole event when i'm still very new to the company.. lots of details to take note of and i'm someone that is not good with details at all. but i'm glad to have really supportive colleagues to help me through this and gave me advise and support me throughout the whole event. i'm glad that it went well and i must also thank my dearest guan yin and god for the awesome weather on that day. without the good weather.. no matter how well i plan it.. it will still not go through. my colleauge told me once you are in you .. YOU ARE IN. so i guess for 12th anniversary i need to start planning early unless something major happen to me if not im sure the arrow will still be shoooot over at my side. through this, i learnt the importance of team work and detailed planning. i cant possiblely achieved all these alone right?


as i spent more time with my residents at work.. i'm loving each and everyone of them more and more each day. their smiles and actions never fail to brighten up my boring day at work. i love how they greet me whenever they see me coming with their bright and cheery smile. it's indeed heartwarming to know that they are all starting to recognise you and accepting you. (:

i finally went on my first mission trip to myanmar (will blog about that soon). it was indeed an eye opener as i got to experience the simplicity of life... i went to give but ended up receiving even more from them. they taught me how to appreciate life as it is and be thankful for everything that i have now. through my interaction with them, i get to learnt about "the joy of giving" and they taught me how to stay happy no matter how bad the condition is. i'm definitely going for more mission trips in 2010 (hopefully if time permits). i really want to do more for them but i have my limitations too. sigh.


to all my buddies... thank you for staying on with me.. always being there for me when i need you. you know who you are :) i am looking forward to walk more years together with everyone of you. you did made a difference in my life. thank you for being part of me. :) i pray that 2010 will be a year filled with good news and happy memories for all of you. dont ever give up once you set your mind to something... be strong to fight away all obstacles to achieve what you want. and i know all these obstacles will only make you STRONGER AND BETTER. i will be here with you if you need me. and guess what? i can see you 2 years down the road wearing your graduation gown and throwing your mortar board high up into the sky!! yipee!! so no matter how hard it is now.. HANG ON!! and im sure you can do it and pick yourself up again. because you are not one who will give up easily right!! JIA YOOOU!!!

well.. it is not exactly a good start to 2010 but i believe that it will get better. there is alot of things that i have yet to do and yet to experience like falling madly deeply in love? hahaha. i pray that i will be strong enough to walk through this journey.

happy new year ziqi.
everything will be fine.
you will be okay!
be strong and smile. (:

signing off..

hello 2010

few more days and i'm going to bid goodbye to 2009; a year filled with changes, changes and more changes. i'm glad that i manage to go through all and never give up. great job ziqi! (:

and now i am really looking forward to the arrival of 2010....

because i know that it is definitely going to be an awesome year for me and my loves one filled with endless happy news and happy memories for all of us. (:

signing off
chloe lee :)

a typical conversation in a restaurant

client: Hi, can i check with you is this drink hot or cold? sweet or sour?
waiter: how would i know what it taste like when i never even taste it before?
client: OMG!!

hahahaha. really burst out laughing when my accountant shared with me what she experienced when she went to china for holiday...

the silly bird

spot the differences


and this is the original photo below


the silly bird did this.. seriously when i opened it i LOL and quickly show it to my other colleagues. we had a good time laughing at it.

according to him my boss look abit like his ex colleague..

ber..> says:
ur boss looks a bit like my ex colleague
ber..> says:
probably was him when he was young

waiting for boarding..

and after that back to singapore!!
oh man i miss my bed.
after being deprieved from computers for 8 days... YES I MISS THE INTERNET!!! ahhh.. am learning to survive without it though..

more updates when im back.. about the awesome trips and kids that i met when i'm in myanmar.. we are really such a lucky bunch. should learn to appreciate everything and be thankful for everything that we go.. but those kids got nothing but they are HAPPY!!

we got everything but we are still not contented...
*sigh*

signing off.
boarding the plane at 4:40 pm...

and i will be back to visit them next year... hopefully
because i'm already starting to misss all of them
all of them are really sweeeeet... :(