Quality trumps Quantity.

People who are matured enough to understand this completely are the best type of people.

Quality trumps quantity any time.

Door closing on 2014 & opening to 2015!

2014 was an absolutely amazing year filled with a smashin' amount of highlights.

Most of the important things I've learnt revolves around family, friendship, faith, myself and love.

I'm pretty proud to say I grew up a lot in a year. Thank God for that. I saw the world through a different pair of eyes. I saw what I wanted to be, what I didn't want to be; I saw through lies and plastic, love & be loved, learnt through pain and hurting. Whatever it was that I went through, I came out stronger and that's what counts.

As nearly 3 quarters of 2014 had been about waiting for my September intake in college, I used those amazing months to learn more about the world and myself. Yes, I played more music and i picked up cooking too if you're wondering. There had been people who implied in conversations that I was wasting 8 months of my life doing nothing. I totally disagree because I think those 8 months were probably the most relaxing time of my life. Those 8 amazing months were spent exploring myself. Literally, learning more about myself. I had not as much external pressure, my parents were amazing, they don't push or pressure me because they know I don't need to be pushed and pressure. One of the best blessed thing is that my parents have never pushed or pressured me to chase someone elses' dreams but to pursue mine and I am so blessed to have them. I know some other parents do that to their kids and honestly that isn't cool because at the end of the day, it is the child that will work that particular "9-5" job and there is nothing worse than going to a place to do a job and have a career you didn't want every single day.

I did an IELTs class at British Council KL & then my IELTs test. It was pretty cool meeting people from around the world and all. Loved it!

I enjoyed my part time job at Kidzania KL for a few months where it definitely strengthened me. One of the sad things I learnt there is that "the customer is always right". I swear i used to think Gandhi or whoever was kidding, until I had to apologise sincerely through gritted teeth with a genuinely fake smile for things that were beyond my control on a number of different occasions. Sigh, it's true, the customer is always right even if they're wrong. Of course there had been work politics as well, racially and politically but as I said, it strengthened me.

I read. I read a lot. Even more. I read tons of books I didn't get the chance to in high school. I'm glad I did because even though I come off as a bookworm, I love the knowledge and wisdom of the ages and nothing could take that away.

I hung for a week in Singapore with my aunt and that was where I realised I need to ensure I land an extremely high-paying job. This is because of my expensive taste in accommodation, food, labels, confectionary-you name it!

I joined the 97s on their trip to Malacca as well and that was pretty amazing. Bonding with the juniors had been cool. That was where I learnt that Malacca is a creepy place.

Oh, and of course there was chaperoning the juniors in their debate and helping them out just a wee bit here and there. That made me realise that most people are small-minded-overly-conservative bigots because apparently my skirt was "too short". As i had to dress professionally, I wore a pencil-skirt lookalike (which was under the office-clothing section in M&Spencer) and a white and light pink spotted button up along with a blazer and heels. Apparently, my skirt was inappropriate regardless to the universal fact that it was an office apparel. Sighhh.

I also took an epic trip to Penang with the gang and stayed on to see my extended family towards the last few months. We went for a very, very nice dinner (wink-wink*) Oh, that trip opened my heart to appreciate cars more since public transport in Penang, especially the bus was unreliable. Ghee and Sharon had me over and we hung out and it was amaze-balls. Then I bunked @ Chimpo's. She's the best grand-aunt who's not even that old. I swear she doesn't look her age! I wish i will age gracefully like her when i'm 60. Then of course there's my E, Koo & dear Kong. They are the bomb. Gawd, I'm pretty sure I put on weight during that trip.

Of course, even though I'm out of the academic scene for about 8 months, I still had a ridiculous amount of teenage drama. Half of that drama was caused by young adults, adults, old people. I admit I was pretty upset about it but then again it all made me stronger. So, one of my New year resolutions is to stop being nice to those who don't appreciate it. Looking back, I only have myself to blame for the bitches who've been so nasty to me, I gave them an open door to be mean and step on me by being submissive and being too nice. I am now only going to be nice to those who deserve it. Lesson learnt.

Let's not forget all the birthday parties, house parties and surprise parties-and oh- the hangouts, movie days, joyrides, late night snacking, sleepovers, midnight meals, excessive shopping & bitching! Each and every single one of the get-togethers meant a lot to me. My friends have been absolutely amazing. They're such a blessing in my life. I have no time to list every single person out but if I've told you that you meant alot to me, or if I've hugged you and didn't let go, or if I've said "love ya, love you long time" or insulted you playfully, or told you I missed you, consider yourself in my heart. It's not easy to find friends that have the same interests or views and it's even harder to find friends with the same frequency, chemistry and bromance. I love you guys tons.

Oh, brightest highlight of the year so far was 26th August 2014. The flight that marked a new beginning of another chapter in my life. Life in UK is absolutely amazing. I'm so happy with everything! The fresh air, lifestyle and scenery are all doing me good. I met tons of people from different backgrounds and cultures. Racist, non-racist, friendly, hostile, bitchy for no reason, users, liars, sweethearts, you name it! I also spent October break & New Year's Eve in London with Aunty Li & Swee. It was so amazing! Love them tons!

I get people asking me If I miss my parents and my friends, of course I miss them but we Skype and talk a lot. A LOT. So yes I miss them but I'll survive. It's not a matter where *SOBS* I MISS MY PARENTS *CRIES*. It's a normal missing them, where you can survive. And oh, i'm not homesick. HEE. Thank God. My host family here are absolutely the best. I regret to inform those who claim that they have the best host family that they are wrong. Mine are just THE best. I also had tons of firsts in UK. For example, I had an actual picnic on the Great Orme overlooking the town, it was really fun. I had my first Halloween @ Im's where i went as a Vampire. I also had my first proper Christmas and saw how the magic worked, it's honestly a Parent's love and determination that makes it work. I had my first ever Boxing day celebration with ice-snow outside which was amazing. Oh, plus I actually study in the school's library. Seriously, don't laugh. It's an actual library with books. Honestly, I don't care that I come off as a nerd at times. Work hard, play hard. Play big or go home.

My extended and immediate family have been well amazing. My parents have been the best. They are so loving and supportive. Most parents would freak that their kid is halfway around the globe, they didn't. They allowed me to spread my wings and fly. Thank God, for absolutely everything. I never thought I'd be in UK for my A-levels. I honestly never thought it would have been possible. As i said, thank God.

Of course, let's not forget that special person that taught me to love again. That special person that makes me a better person inside out. That special person that accepts me for me, my flaws and imperfections. Thank you, for being such a blessing in my life.

That was my 2014 in a nutshell. I'm looking forward to an even better 2015 and what God has in store for me!

Cheers, Ace.

Christmas 2015.

Let's just say this Christmas has been the best Christmas ever. Hands down.
The whole month had been amusing. Living with Jon, Jane and Alex, I've learnt that there is a lot to be done to keep the Santa Claus fantasy alive. As Alex is at the tender (and adorably adorable) age of two, Jon and Jane did absolutely everything to go all out. I love the fact that they go all out with decorations from the beautiful tree, to the wreath outside and to Christmas ornaments all over. Oh, let's not forget the oats where the reindeer had been, the half bitten mince pie and half eaten carrot by the fireplace along with glitter around the tree. It just made the place so magical.

One of the most amusing thing that the both of them put in so much effort into is the Mischievous Elves. Children are supposed to wake up each morning to find the Mischievous elves doing different activities. One morning the elves may be having a tea-party, the next they may be riding a toy train or even sliding down from the curtains. As I said, it was amazing. When I grow up, regardless to which country I live in, I am going to give my kids the same Christmas experience.

On Christmas day, I hung with their family at Gill's. They are an amazing bunch :) Same thing on Boxing Day, Uncle Hiep - Jane's cool dad, cooked up a feast. Goddd, i must have put on a few kilograms just in two days. Best thing was that it snowed! Well, it sort of snowed.

All in all, it was the best Christmas ever. Thank God for everything. I'm beyond blessed to be living with such an amazing family.

X-axis= Age with each passing year, Y-axis="Genuinity" of people that come along.

It was just recently that we were sitting in Looking Forward To Higher Education (LF2HE).

Yes, i know what you're thinking. We do, as a matter of fact, have such a class. Either way, it's better than classes i had to sit through in high school, take Moral & Civics for example. Our teacher, Sarah was talking about universities. It was the most interesting class so far. Our jaws dropped when we saw the interview video for Cambridge, it dropped further when we saw the amazing facilities in Manchester. Finally, our jaws just gave in to shock, and gravity and clattered onto the ground when we saw the tuition fees. Good God, it made and still makes me wish that I had multiple offshore accounts as well as those cliche magic purses from Enid Blyton that never ran out of money. Sarah then moved on to talk about college and universities as well as the friends you might make in the future. She was saying that it is unusual for the people you meet in the first week to continue being in your circle of intimates in the future. It was the truth. 

I'm pretty sure you think the title of the post is a little dodgy but do try to put it in a mathematical term. The age of a person with each passing year acts as the x-axis (a manipulated variable) and the "genuinity" of people that come along acts as the y-axis(responding variable). If you could gage the "genuinity" of people that come along as you grow with each passing year and plot the graph. I'm pretty sure there would be a fall in the "genuinity" scale.

I know I've done a few posts on something similar to this. But it is true. It is so hard to find good friends. I knew that, even in high school but I've been blessed. It's so difficult to find friends that share the same interests, "frequency" and chemistry. Now in college, it's pretty much the same thing not forgetting the fact that I'm in a whole other country. It's hard to find friends who genuinely like you for you, friends who accept your flaws and imperfections as well as friends who will be there for you through thick or thin. 

The sad fact is that it gets harder as you grow up. 

As we mature into adults to venture into the world, our priorities get 50 shades screwed up. Life's simple pleasures get blurred out by issues of the modern society. It is beyond depressing when you actually think about it. When we were kids, we never worried what society might think of us. We never worried if we were judged by our peers. I don't think we even knew what the whole "society is judgemental and ugly" concept was. We spent time worrying about little things that seemed like the end of the world to us when it is indeed child's play compared to whatever we're facing now. Our world was a few blocks wide. We were of pure and innocent thoughts and motives, without envy or negativity. We never worried what we were going to be in the future as we were convinced that it will all work out. There was a song my family sang to me, titled "Que Sera Sera" by Doris Day.

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
Will I be pretty, will I be rich?"
Here's what she said to me

"Que Sera, Sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be"

As we grow and mature, hypocrisy, jealousy, rivalry, arrogance, manipulation and insecurities come into view. Some are even overwhelmed by the will to succeed that they are willing to step on others to achieve it. It's important to achieve one's dreams and reach the peak of success, but none of that matters if all you're left with are the bitter memories of how you've tossed friendship aside and stomped on others to reach where you are, where you're alone in spirit. Some take advantage of the goodwill of the friends where some have hidden motives in their kind gestures. The world is filled with all sorts of people with different priorities. Some dark, some screwed up, some selfish, some manipulative and the list goes on and on. As i said, the level of "genuinity" in people you meet falls as you grow up. Again the y-axis changes as the digits on the x-axis move further from the 0.

When you were younger, people actually wanted to be your friend because of who you truly are. However as you grow up, people want to be your friend because of what you are.

Sad fact, ain't it.

If you've found someone with pure, transparent & genuine priorities, then you're already blessed. In this crazy, screwed up world, that's considered a blessing. Cherish them, because they're one in a kazillion. Don't waste your time on those who are not worthy of it.

Carpe Diem and live the moment, and c'est la vie because that's life.

This is just another post regarding friendship to add to previous similar posts "Friendship" and "The Categories of Friendship".

http://www.pokerfaceeeyyy-carpediem.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/friendship.html 

http://www.pokerfaceeeyyy-carpediem.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-categories-of-friendship.html

Blank Space. Taylor Swift. 1989.