THE TYPICAL NEW YEAR POST, ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE

Time to start baking! And I don't mean Christmas cookies.

I meant this New Year resolution post! (Actually the post isn't so hard, it is really compiling the photos that is hell. One year's worth of memories ain't easy to put together, even in pictures)

As I think back of the lows I had in 2012, I am very grateful that 2013 went by with mostly highs. 2013 went by real fast because it brought with it a lot of happy moments. In fact, one of the happiest days of my life is in 2013. Despite the lows, incredibly, I only remember all the good and so, I take it as a positive sign. So this year, I plan to reminisce on all the good and really, just forget all the bad.

I think the reason why I had a better year this year is because I have changed my perspective of life and I have more positive people around me. I have embraced the fact that life is never stagnant, sorrows are temporary and I will treasure the now regardless of what the future brings.

Although I felt that the year was swift, looking back, it is still hard to believe that all happened in one year.

A few highlights of the year:

Mixed Martial Arts

If there is one thing that changed my life completely in 2013, it is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). I am not an expert in MMA, but the sport has given me a lot. It has changed my life. Some of my biggest moments according to Facebook involves Mixed Martial Arts. I have had the chance to work with international organisations such as ONE Fighting Championship and Tune Talk and career wise, I have learned so much. More importantly, I have been introduced to many cool people!

Awesome fighter, Saiful Merican with the media after his ONE FC fight in November. He is one of my favourite fighters because he has the most determination to improve!

Ann Osman is probably top in my list of favourite fighters - yes, mostly because she is a girl and she is tough! I admire her dedication and determination to give her 100% in everything she does. As a girl, I really admire how she can juggle work, job and relationship. She is a champ! 

Gianni Subba and Peter Davis. Probably the two fighters whom I love to "pimp" the most for interviews mainly because they are awesome with interviews. I love them - Gianni for his great character, kindness and for being such a responsible person, and Peter for his charisma, kindness and humilty. And don't let their good looks fool you, both of them are really good fighters, especially Gianni who is Malaysia's top prospect for the Flyweight division.

The winners of MIMMA season 1

I am very shy to ask for photos and also, when I work, I really feel like I need to be professional - So no photos. But these are probably my first ever photos taken with some of my favourite Malaysian fighters!
Gianni Subba, Peter Davis, AJ Pyro and Melvin Yeoh. Also Henry Goh of MIMMA who has so much dedication in making the event a success!  

I am also very blessed to be part of an organisation that nurtures local talents known as The Malaysian Invasion Mixed Martial Arts (MIMMA) programme. MIMMA is a homegrown talent show to promote and support local MMA fighters. I think the programme is awesome and is exactly what we need to grow the talent in the sport.

Because I am working with ONE FC and MIMMA, I got interested in Muay Thai too. Now, it is one of my favourite thing. I love my Muay Thai classes. And I would pay for the classes because I have such great coaches, Jom Kitti, OT and now, Thum. I am not planning to fight but I think doing Muay Thai gives me an avenue to release a lot of pent up stress and anger that I have with my job, life and some people haha. Now I take things more easy and really, try to see things differently as much as possible.

Me & my Muay Thai gym mates

Through MMA, I meet a lot of positive people who are so determined and enthusiastic, which really is motivating. Most of these people are just hardworkers who don't complain but always manage to stay positive despite challenges. I admire that a lot.

There are a few dates that I remember this year, for a lot of reasons; some I can't tell. But below are the dates I will remember in 2013.

11 August:  I celebrated 3 birthdays this year. One with my colleagues, one with my close friends and on 11 August, with my family. It was simple but, I was very touched. Very very touched. I had my grandma, my aunts, my parents... This year, I feel very blessed and I thank God every day for such a wonderful year. It was tough at times but I am glad I had the wonderful memories to get me through rainy days.

20 August: Probably the happiest day of my life for reasons I can't reveal. Although work related, it was special enough to be memorable.

30 August: Stef's birthday celebration at Zouk and a pleasant surprise. Will forever remember that moment.

19 November: Just to be able to satisfy my cravings for Bak Kut Teh with a bunch of people I love and care for after a great badminton session meant so much to me. You know, it was a rainy day - and there was just so much warmth in that meal. Some days, when simple things like these are fulfilled, you just thank God for the blessings. Sometimes, that is all it takes to be a Happy Girl and I swore to remember the date because I was so grateful!!

24 December: Celebrated Christmas Eve with a bunch of close friends, some new ones whom I met earlier this year - colleagues who have become some of my close acquaintances and I've also nicknamed them #Smallbosses. It was a real lovely Christmas dinner and I look forward to more of such good times with this awesome bunch.

Me & Sue Sue

Me & Stef

Other notable events:# Company's Bangkok Trip
# Company's 10th Year Anniversary
# Meeting Yannick Bovy

# New baby niece, Alycia
# Joined Sabah Tea's Relay for Life event

I also just realised that one of my career's lowest moments also happened this year - I got screwed up pretty bad by a client (I still stand by my opinion that it is not completely my fault), but I guess, it doesn't even matter anymore because I have learned from it and I will move on. More importantly, I do not want that incident to tarnish my positive post, especially when this is one of the few times I actually get to write something with such a jovial mood.

As always, when it comes to the end of the year, we always make New Year resolutions. Reading last year's post, it seems to me like it was just yesterday and I was so sad back then. Compared to the colourful one I am writing now, I realised last year's post was dark and hopeless. I still remember feeling so fed-up with everything and with people. That's why I love to fixate feelings in journals or diaries, because it helps you look back and see how much you've changed and grown over the past year. (and yes, I don't care what some people have to say about keeping journals or diaries, it is not as lame as you think it is :P Oh no, I made it sound lamer.)

Anyway, I did not make any resolutions last year - I just told myself I want to be happier and more active. Looking back, I think I did it.

And I must really say, a large part of it was because of this person who has been there as my motivation. This person doesn't know it but I have done a lot for myself because of that person. I mean, I have a lot of friends and family who are supportive but this person has given me a different goal and a special drive to do things. Because of this, the person will remain special to me no matter what. If the person changes, I will remember the persona.

I can't believe really that everything changed so fast since then. Since January of 2013 and everything has changed. I will forever remember all the good times with a bunch of special people and the new acquaintances I met on the job and those who have crossed paths with me and made an impact. I realised more and more that it is really the people you hang out with that make something simple such a meaningful one.

If last year, I was sick and I dumped all the sickness away together with the bad stuff in 2012, this year, I am moving to a new home with my family! Honestly, I think we will only welcome more happiness, joy and awesomeness for 2014. I am looking forward to a great year. I will continue to work hard and pray for the best and just be happy.

I understand that nothing is permanent in life, and there will naturally be downs. I just hope I have some magical moments despite the tough, the strength to stay strong, move on and work against the lows.

That is all I wish for in 2014.

Of course, I will continue to stay motivated for myself and for others. Oh and I hope that I learn to be a tad more meticulous and less forgetful hehehe.

And if all goes well and as planned, 2014 should be a great year with some exciting career move. Will start to work harder when the year starts running in full force again!

And for 2014, if I get to make additional wishes, I want to pray for all the awesome people who have went through my past year with me, who have brought me all the happiness and joy, and for all of you who have been there doing my lowest - thank you for the advice and support, and the motivation; for bringing me the light and giving me a reason to be happy and to fight through life. Thank you so much for being there to help despite your own low moments. 

I really love all of my friends and family in my own special way and they might not know it, because I am not the kind who express affection too well. (I might even be allergic to certain form of affection...hmmm) I can be sarcastic, but not too lovey-dovey. I wish that 2014 will be a great year for all of them - to let them achieve their aspirations and may all of them be blessed with happiness.

Most importantly, thank you God, or that Great Power out there who is controlling our lives, or the Guardian Angel, that Special One Force that is watching over me. Thank you for always giving me the strength and giving me a pretty decent life. I am a very fortunate girl and I will remember that.

I'd also like to apologise to all for my mistakes in the past year. If I haven't been a good enough friend, if I haven't showed enough care or if I have done things that has caused misunderstandings - mian hamnida (sorry in Korean - just throwing in some flavour). I am sorry if I have said the wrong things, that might have hurt your feelings - just know I don't mean it and I might have a reason for doing it. If I really do mean it, you probably deserved it at that time hahaha.

Thank you for a WONDERFUL 2013! Here's to a brand new, beautiful and even better 2014!!!!!

Something Google+ put together to summarise my year - cool!

2014 be awesome yo! One more wish... *clasping hands together* THIS CHAIR PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE!!!