Goodbye 2010

Yup, I know I've been missing here for a bit, but I've really been busy trying to clear my work before my Hong Kong/Macau trip last week.

Anyways, it's time for the yearly reflection, so here goes.

It's more of the same old, really, looking back at my Goodbye 2009 post. Except this time, I never would've expected the tides to turn 180.

The year started on a high, and reached a really low low in the third quarter. (I sound like I am writing about the economy.) There is no denying though, that this one huge blow kept me in circles for most of the year. I'm sorry I have to be vague, but I'm gonna leave it as that - it's over, and I no longer have the energy to dwell on it.

Nonetheless, people were there for me when I needed them - my dear sister, Jodie, Cheryl Hoon, Liyan, Ivy, Geraldine, Amin. Thanks guys, for showing me what's good for me. :)

2010 was also a year of revelations - namely one huge one regarding my future. I had plans in my head, but suddenly everything became clear and I knew which direction I needed to head towards. I'm thankful for that, and I am working very hard towards that goal. God, please continue to be by my side as I make this dream of mine come true.

I started travelling more frequently too - not because I am suddenly rich, but because I've been saving up lots of money for myself this past year. Seoul, Bintan, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau. Looking forward to drop more pins on the world map next year.

Korean language classes have been going on for a year, and I'm not much better than when I first started, but I'm keeping in mind my goal. I can't believe I've stayed focused this long on something, but hey, that's me and I'm pushing on.

Oh, and my top ten songs of 2010? The list is going to be kinda K-pop biased, and I ain't ashamed of it.

Again, late this time around, so no videos.

10. SISTAR - 가식걸 Shady Girl
9. Mariah Carey feat. Ne-Yo - Angels Cry
8. Paramore - The Only Exception
7. Adam Lambert - Sleepwalker
6. SHINee - Lucifer / Hello (Please don't make me choose!)
5. C.N. Blue - 사랑빗 Love Light
4. S.M. The Ballad - 너무 그리워 Miss You
3. 2NE1 - Go Away
2. Super Junior - 미인나 [Bonamana] / 너 같은 사람 도 없어 No Other / Angel (Please don't make me choose!)
1. One Way - Rainy Days

K-pop reached its height this year, and I would've been more faithful to English pop if it were better. Autotune ruled this year, and so did re-hashes of yesteryear retro tracks. Mostly bad remixes, if you ask me, which is why I'm no longer a listener of local radio.

So that's my 2010 - it has been a rollercoaster of a year, and I am glad for the experiences I've had. They have made me a stronger person. :)

What it do?~

Is it finally Friday?

This week has been excruciatingly long. Not in a bad way, but it felt like time was dragging its feet.

I've got enough work to last me the day, so I can't really point out what's so... draggy about this week.

Anyway, enough about the draggy week.

I'm at my desk, putting through orders, blogging, chatting, checking out new music. Well, keeping myself occupied.

I am absolutely excited (spazzing in my seat) that One Way is coming to Klub Party. I'm more excited about One Way than I am abt SuJu's SS3. (Oh, don't worry I'm sure I'll get excited about SuJu again soon.)

ONE WAY! The best music I've heard since JT! And that's really saying something, since I've been searching for some real good tunes lately - radio has been playing crap, and really there's only so much K-pop I can take, since everything sounds almost the same, yah.

But then again, I've only heard their single so far. I don't know if the album's gonna be as solid as FutureSex/LoveSounds, I'll just have to wait and see/hear.

The wait is killing me though. And after that it'll be another wait till the party.

Forever waiting....

But on the bright side - good news today!! Can't elaborate here, but suffice it to say, I am happy where I am at, and I couldn't be happier. It really isn't about the money. I don't know how many times I should emphasize that, but I am really happy. Saving money has become part of my life, so I'm not so whiny about it anymore. So I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things, right here where I am at! Or maybe not where I am at, somewhere else, perhaps? :)

Li Ting sent me a really nice message. She reminded me to keep my dreams in sight and work hard to make them a reality. *aww* I will keep this in mind as I look forward to the new year.

As usual, I'm being random.

Let's end off in random style then - What it do~ New catchphrase that I thought was initially weird. It's growing on me though, so WHAT IT DO!~

Haha, happy Friday everyone.

MVs for the night

Seo In Young - Into The Rhythm


She sounds like Cascada and looks like Lady Gaga. Not the most original song, but I like it anyways! It's got an addictive hook.

S.M. The Ballad - Hot Times


I'll take this ballad group over 2AM any day. 2AM may have good voices and all four boys can sing well, but that's about it. There's nothing special about their voices - no intersting tone, no distinguishing feature. They could let one boy sing all the lines and I wouldn't even notice that the other three are missing.

S.M. The Ballad, on the other hand, have four very distinct voices with four very unique tones. I've heard people say that they overwhelm each other, but I think otherwise. I appreciate the diversity, and it really helps that each of them have clear voices as well. It's magic when they harmonize because not only does the listener get a harmony (that can be replicated with technology these days), they also get to listen to a beautiful blend of exquisite voices. I savour that, beacuse each voice does not get lost in the mix. It's truly musical magic when that happens.

Alrighty, enough of the music speak. Gotta get back to revision, then I need some sleep.

Have a good night, y'all!

Linked In!

Okay so I promised my Bangkok photos update, yeah.

Photos here!

I really had a lot of fun in Bangkok! I guess I really needed a break from everything. I know I've said this before, but really, being away from everything for a while allowed me to put everything into perspective and I'm much happier now.

I would be even more happier if my to-do list magically does itself. Lol.

GARH. Have to push on - so many things so little time!

And I promised Geraldine last night to include her in my list, so here's the updated blog post!

One Way is seriously making me irritated (in a kinda good way) with their teasing ways. Their single is released today, but I've heard it (well, the acoustic English versh), so I still gotta stay patient till their new album is released next week!!!

I'm kinda afraid that my expectations might be disappointed, but so far I've been impressed, so.... I hope I don't get disappointed!!

Anyways, Aaron's wedding was good.... Yeah. Got to catch up with several people (minus one or two I really don't give a hoot about). But please, please oh please, remind me to smack/stop myself before I say "yes" to one of these things again!

Yes random thoughts swimming in my head, yeah...

S.M. The Ballad - Hot Times

One Way / Rainy Days

I think I've mentioned them already. But you have so just gotta click on this and give it a listen.



Seriously, I haven't heard anything this gooood (my opinion) since JT in 2006.

I'm really looking forward to their album, which drops on 22 Dec. That is, in forever!!

GARH.

They say that love is not selfish.

Am I finally beginning to believe that?

I don't know.

But, please take care of my boyfriend.

He does not exist. He could be existing, but isn't here. He could exist in the future.

Whatever it is, please take care of my boyfriend.

I can't explain it, but I know that this little favour of mine is being heard.

Go figure.

내 남자친구를 부탁해

Such a cute MV... but since it is Korean, it has to have a tragic ending.

Relief

It is such a relief to be able to speak your heart/thoughts out to someone without having to think about how to put yourself across.

It is such a relief also to be able to have the other person understand fully your heart/thoughts without you having to spell everything out explicitly.

Sometimes thinking too much about how you put something across does not allow you to speak what you really want to. You're thinking too much about how to deliver the message instead of delivering the message itself.

At the same time, there aren't many people who get you. Really get you so you don't have to cover your message up with politically correct or sugar-coated words, and just say it like it is.

I'm thankful I found a few friends who really get me.

I don't have to be anything different, or say anything I don't want to say. I can be myself with these friends.

As an added bonus, I also don't have to spell everything out to these friends. I start a sentence, and I don't have to complete it. I don't even have to fear that any of them would complete that sentence wrongly.

Thank you God, for bringing these people into my life.

I feel so relieved after dinner with Liyan last night. :)

PS Thank you, Chien Hao. I hope so too. :)

December Rains?

Is it December already? Things are looking up.

A few months ago, I could only think of one solution to one problem.

Problem: I want to get away from here. Now. Or ASAP.
Solution: Continue my studies overseas.

Right now, I don't see a problem. I see an opportunity. Actually, I see lots of opportunities. And I see lots of solutions too.

Why I didn't think of these avenues earlier, I don't know.

I think I was too caught up in the idea, too bitter about my situation, that I refused to take a step back to allow me to put everything into perspective.

If anything, the break in Bangkok allowed me to put everything behind and move on.

It's a loss and such a waste to let go, but I feel so much better now. I feel like I'm no longer hanging on to something impossible to hold on to.

I was kinda forced to actually think about myself and what I really wanted without having to be guilty about it.

And I was also forced to look for help, and I was made aware of who will be there to always help and who will never even lift a finger for me.

So anyway.... I'm looking forward to the possibilities. Real possibilities.

It's time to make things happen. For myself.

Ps Yes Bangkok post/photos on the way. This weekend. I hope.