My life, My memory, My dream: 2013

Skydiving

Bungee jumping

~~Diving~~

26.4.13. One of my dream goals checked. Nope, Perhentian wasn't a relaxing beach trip, but to go and get my open water diving license. It wasn't as difficult as I've thought but still it is an achievement as I overcome my fear and the panicky me.

Starbucks, the perfect wake-up call before flying off

Day 1: A beautiful view welcoming me upon arriving

Day 1: This was a relaxing day of learning the basics and theory. Did nothing much except for some oh-really-sleepy videos and night homework before bedtime.

Day 2: A breath-taking sunrise view from my room

Day 2: The day where we learned how to assemble our buoyancy control device (BCD) to the gas tank, checking our sizes for the fins, do buddy check and learn basic open water skills at a water depth of 3 meters. On the first session, there was problem with my face mask. No mater how much I tighten it, water still flows in deliberately covering my eyes trying to choke me. After trying out on another few masks, my dive instructor told me a devastating fact "The problem is not with the mask, but it's your face," Oh, so I have a face problem afterall. But, with many trials and errors, I finally found the way to secure the face mask. While on the second session of learning, I almost could have died when my mouthpiece flew out cause' I didn't hold it properly in my mouth (prolly' the correct way is to grit your teeth deep into the rubber :p). Lucky for me, my dive instructor was a really alert and experienced one, she came to my side in a split second and shoved her octopus (alternate air source) into my mouth. I was stoned for like few seconds become coming back to my senses. So again, diving wasn't entirely zero danger. Then we were off to our first dive at Batu Nisan. I couldn't remember much what I've seen cause' I was too busy observing my pressure gauge, trying to control my buoyancy, thinking how to breathe properly. Yeap, I thought hard >.<

Done assembling the equipment!

Trying to look pro with 20-ish kg on my back

Day 3: After all the hardwork, the cotton candy skies greet me, time for dinner

Day 3: Again, more water training. This time tougher tasks were given compared to day 2. Today, we were expected to take off our BCD and weight belts underwater and wear them back. Okkay, that was really difficult for me cause' I'm really super positively buoyant (means I can really float). Once I'm out of my weight belts, I float like a balloon up to the air without string :/ Other than that, we were taught how to clear our masks underwater, swim without mask, and etc. We also learned how to breath through the alternate air source from our buddies and all the emergency precautions to be taken underwater. I particularly remember one which is the controlled emergency swimming ascent, CESA (pronounced as see-sa) which is used when you're out of breath and your buddy is nowhere to be seen. Hmm, but I guess my dear won't leave anywhere too far from me. So, not to worry too much *grin* We went for our second dive after lunch at D' Lagoon. This time, everything became more natural after much practice. More fishes were seen (maybe x100 nemos :p), and more oohs and aahs looking at those beautiful corals.

Day 4: Happily snapping photo knowing we are soon-to-be divers

Day 4: Recapped on some important points of training, did our theory test and passed with flying colors and go for more real dives! First, we were taught on how to use the compass cause' every direction looks the same underwater. There's no left and right or front and back. Then, we did our swimming test before we began our morning dive at Batu Layar. The third dive that I enjoyed the most cause' I'm feeling much more comfortable underwater, knowing how to keep my neutral buoyancy and managed to complete tasks given by my dive instructor. Also a dive with the highest visibility of 12m, hence we managed to see more sea creatures and colorful corals. Then we had our 10mins floating test and finally the fourth and last dive at Tanjung Basi. Visibility is not that good this time, only at 8m so very limited things we saw. But, all in all we all had a good experience though' the dive would be perfect if we were able to see baby sharks and giant sea turtles. Prolly' they were just too shy to see us, heh :p

Big thank you to my dive instructor, Birgit :)

Yayyy! Please call us divers!

I'm gonna miss my dive buddies shooo much

A picture I like the most, thanks for being there for me my dear

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18.5.13. My turn, finally. I wasn't particularly nervous during the rehearsals, thinking prolly' I would be when the right day comes. But then, nervousness never came nor the anxiousness. Only the feeling of regret where I couldn't be with my own batch of friends, not sharing the same happiness of graduating together cause' we've been battle mates for 4 years (yea, pharmacy course is like a war).

Sitting there looking at the slides prepared by the juniors recapping all their 4 years together made me thought of my own friends too. When I first came in, my first interview, my first lecture, my first team building camp (and also the last one, oops), my first public health campaign... Though the slides weren't meant for me cause' I'm not their batch, but looking only at that was enough to my eyes blurred with tears. I was suddenly overwhelmed by regret that I didn't attend the oath-taking last year. Though' I couldn't be up on the stage but I should have been there to watch over my friends, to provide them support and to give them my blessings that I couldn't give at that moment. I should have stood there to hug them and tell them how happy I was to be there. But I did nothing of it, instead only joined the after-drinks session and made myself cried over petty stuff and had a memory the next morning that was too painful to recall. And now after a year, I'm here wondering the same question... Are u still afraid to lose me? Or have I already disappeared from your life long time ago? Never will I know the answer so I'm prepared to give up thinking bout' it ~~now~~. Well, maybe some other day.

End of nostalgic memories and back to oath-taking day. Though' there was zero anticipation of standing up the stage, I still feel very relieved cause' it's finally over. I'm now just waiting for my posting letter and there I go into working life. Please, don't let me meet any horrible bosses! All in all, oath-taking was an okay night to meet up with friends and lecturers.

My very satisfactory hair-do of the day (should I curl my hair permanently after this?)

The reason I've been holding on for the extended year - my CPK mates :)

Before the oath

After the oath

With the two pretty ladies

Group picture 1.0

Group picture 2.0 - the 2008' batch

Liking this post-celebration drinks photo =)

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Finally... In the mood (and time) of writing a long post with photos attached (all will make you salivate, so do not read this if you're currently hungry :p). Time always slipped away quietly, passing day by day. Although it was my 3rd time going Hong Kong but I was really looking forward to it cause' it has been such a long time since a whole complete family of mine going for a vacation. I've always missed the time when I was young, when the whole family goues for vacation every year-end when we were all having school holidays. Don't know since when, the routine stopped due to school exams/work/getting married/having baby. The last trip we went together was definitely more than 5 years ago (oh, how I wish I'm a kid again!)

It was a wrong move to do free and easy tour with parents around cause' we were making them walking shooo much, taking public transports (can't deny that the MTR and buses were really convenient). First and second day were spent at the city never sleeps - Macau. I've always liked Macau for its beautiful night lights, and comfortable small city where everything's just around the corner. And of course, not to forget their famous Portuguese tarts and double-steamed milk pudding! The rest of the week were spent at the shopping paradise - Hong Kong! (but sadly, I didn't shopped till I dropped, instead walked till' my legs almost broke). Again, Hong Kong is a place with lotsa of good foodies - from dim sum breakie to wanton noodles to late night snacks and mouth-watering desserts.

Upon arrival at HKIA, starving us had a really good lunch before heading to Macau

Macau, the city that never sleeps. Casinos everywhere.

A very unforgettable breakie at Nam Peng Cafe (old Macau area) - where this coffee shop has run for more than 50 years serving locals.

I love them very muchie!

My all-time fav dessert: Double-steamed milk pudding at Leiteria I Son @ Senardo Square, Macau

Dinner at Wong Chi Kee Restaurant, famous for its wanton noodles

Must-try Portuguese food if you're at Macau! O' Santos Comida Portueguesa @ Kunha St,. Taipa

Arriving Hong Kong! - welcoming us are the beautiful night lights at Arena of Stars.

Famous goose dinner at Yu Kee Restaurant, Sam Tseng. Our best dinner at HK!

Dessertssss after dinner!

My fav dessert of all - sweet fondant is love :)

One happy family gonna take ferry to Hong Kong Island

At The Peak. Cold and windy day, too bad the sky's too foggy to take good pictures.

Vegan lunchie at Tai Yu San

One fine morning, waiting for dim sum...

... and still waiting

Finally, dim sum arrived @ Luk Yu Tea House, Welling St.

Other than eating and eating and eating (with lil' shopping), not to forget to "bai bai" . Left: Great Big Buddha @ Tai Yu San, HK. Right: Make a lil' wish at Ah-Ma Temple @ Macau.

Bye bye Hong Kong! I'm leaving with a full stomach, empty wallet and happy memories :)

[Jan 26th - 31st 2013] My long-awaited family vacation post comes to an end, wishing there's more to come. Hopefully baby Ethan will be able to join the next one, and hopefully I won't need to wait too long for it to happen again.

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