New year new me.

Well 3Q-4Q last year was fun and the most fulfilling however, coming to the end of year, I decide to place some level of focus into the things I believed in doing and exited a Web3 SocialFi co that I co-founded to realign my focus. Although I support the idea and believe in it. Everyone has only 24 hours to do things so yeap.

I learnt that saying NO is hard but in order to be successfully in whatever I set to achieve, I need to deal with a lot of heartaches and made a decision to stay laser focus.

Not an easy task but gonna bite it through and make it work.

On another note, I’ve been living on the savings since Oct 2022 to build on what I believe.

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Insomnia; a lesson to learnt.

It seems like pregnancy supposed to be a celebratory thing instead of being constantly depressed over finances, job roles and etc.

March seems like it had always been a bad ass month for me especially since I left PA 2 years back. Last year, I had to walk out from the traumatic experience of a similar #metoo incident that left me a quick mark on my resume. This year, I had to ponder over an unjust change of job role and had to curb with various constant threats of me, losing the job.

I guessed it right. Gender discrimination exists in this era and ecosystem. Pregnancy supposed to be celebrated, well received than in a depression state. I can’t sleep well thus I am typing at this timing at 5.44 am to let out my thoughts and also, to pen down this important and painful lesson for me to remember.

I made wrong choices over the months and sometimes I wished that I could just turn the time back especially in terms of career. But there is one thing for sure, I will never forsake my kids be it in whatever circumstances it is. My 3 daughters are the sacrifices of the harsh and pathetic life I am leading, being a single income, staying within a unsupportive circle of trust and the need to live to work (not work to live).

However having said that, I had indeed thought of through of abortion at the initial start because this pregnancy was never easy to begin with. Ironic isn’t it? All because it was expensive, painful and all the nasty things that a pregnancy that shouldn’t be encountered, was seen and fulfilled on me. I went through 3 different Gynae to have my issues fixed.

Yet, I need to mask this in my early days and do my best in something (because in fearing that I will be terminated for whatever reasons), all for an exchange of a self-perceived discrimination and in a situation that one will squeezed me further till the hope of an instant self surrender.

I admired the courage that a woman had to go through an abortion because the guilt will forever stay. The courage to live on with this guilt is a strength that one can never imagine. Having said that, I am blessed with 3 great Gynae who had never once asked me to give up on this. They could just go for the easy money with just one advice – abortion. They just spoke with positive words. Nothing heals better especially from a doctor’s mouth. On contradictory, I almost became a murderer by scheduling the “A” appointment not once but thrice but for these appointments, the furthest I went was the counter of the clinic and I made 1000000000 and 1 excuses not to proceed with the next step. The Gynae immediately gave me an “ORD” status as he said, I wasn’t operational ready. Thank god, a life had been saved. Despite all the downside of this miracle pregnancy…

Of course, somehow or rather I am glad for various supportive personnels; I am starting the “thank-you” rounds not in any forms of order.

Jojo & BFF – the first few (s) who knew about it and had been there for the encouraging words. Really thank you for keeping the spirits up during the early days.

L&J – Sounds as if I am scolding you guys vulgarities. You know who you are and in case #sliteyes happened to chance across this. Both of you are in fact, in the 1st 5-people list to know about the pregnancy. Thank you for making work fun despite all the nonsensical arguments and constantly reminding me to eat well (and on time), live well, heal well and keeping a look out for me. Thank you for all the junk food, tonic and laughters. Importantly, the love everyday in office, it just kept me going. And to Brother L, “Hope is indeed a dangerous shit thing.”

Another Half – I only want to thank you for stopping me at various times over harsh decisions but to be frank, the harshest decision had yet to come. But I thank you for being in my life to enable me to see things more vividly especially on the ugliest sight of the human beings. Thank you for gifting me the kids and some impromptu support as and when I needed it.

June from the Buttons Project – The lunch at J8 indeed inspired me alot especially on the part that you gifted me that book written by Jennifer. It was never easy to go through whatever you went through and had to further relate this to me, a complete stranger and in turn, become strength for me to go on further. May you continue this journey to inspire and lead people out from the darkness.

Jennifer – Although we had yet to meet but your story had pulled me from the pit hole of darkness. Your mission had inspired me to work harder and in near future inspire and empower more women when I succeed in my calling. May you continue this journey to inspire and lead people out from the darkness similar to what June did. Forgiving is easy but Forgetting is hard. It was never an easy feat but us, women can do it.

Jim – Although we kind of met only once in person thus far but somehow I believed you are different from the rest of the employers/ people I met. But your words of encouragements during the early days had indeed sank further into me that I reminded myself if one day, I were to succeed in terms of the career, I would need to adopt approaches like you as I believed in #payingitforward. Would look forward to a chance to work with/ for you.

Le Sister & Mum – To my sister, thank you for being a listening ear and the comment “Why would you kill your own child when you can’t bear to even put down a dog.” woke me up instantly. Although you still suck at communication but I am glad that you listened. To my mum, thank you for being there for me despite my tantrums.

To the people who left me a PM to ask how I am and constantly reminded me how great I was as a person. All these encouraging words had brought me out from the darkness and it saved me as a person who once had suicidal thoughts. Thank you Jac, David, Zie and etc.

To my Daughters and Furkids – Although I am not sure if you get to read this but thank you for being my happy pills, always. Despite my hectic schedules since Day 1, you guys rock my world and will always be my world. Sorry that I can’t commit to give you a better life. It’s holidays I know but yet I need to work. Mummy loves you all. 🙂

YO-UR (you know who I am referring to) – Indeed a love/ hate relationship with you but thank you for making me a better person and also, letting me to see myself as a better person. Thank you for constantly dropping me reminders and strength from afar and letting me know that I am not alone. I do not know what strength you possess but despite all my nasty words to you, you still believed in me and my dreams. Thank you for all the tender loving care and things that you do, in hoping to make my life better. Perhaps I should dedicate one post in near future if I have the chance, to you. I wonder how you trained your tolerance level at times. Whatever it is, I am grateful towards you and I meant it.

MYSELF – Life is full of up & down. Everyone has their own time in their own race. This defeat doesn’t meant life is up and you should give up. The patients in the palliative wards are fighting to live. You must paid it forward once you succeed so that other women who might be more unfortunate are able to survive this ordeal. Life is a painting, the good or bad, the sorrow or happiness are all determined by the Artist. This is just a passing phase, it will be better and you can do it. Halting plans perhaps meant you need to learn more before executing it. Go and open up your eyes and heart. to measure the beauty of life. When the doors of opportunities closes, go build one. You need to find a calling and your calling is the passion for the community.

Perhaps… Remember this.

“Sometimes God closes doors because its time to move forward. He knows you wont move unless your circumstances force You. Trust God, Always.”

It would not be a goodbye but a goodnight for now. I will wake up to a better tomorrow. I hope.

I wonder, why.

Some news are deserved to be celebrated but apparently, for mine, low-keyed and on a hideous mode and on this verge on being made redundant.

Over the past few weeks, I read through tons of news on #womenintech #techstartup and coping with p_ _ _ _ _ _ _y within the start-up eco-system.

Hideous mode meant that I need to upkeep certain rules. Managing different schedules and etc.

I decided to halt certain plans and proceed with just doing the best for the job.

I realised this could be the one that kills, looking at various options and uncertainty but I looked at the upcoming one, this gonna be the apple of my eye, indeed.

Burdened.

Be it finances, personal aspects and etc. I felt heavily burdened and yet, nothing could just “cut me some slack”.

Reflections on a year back, I took a pay cut from Public Sector and join a Fintech. However I left after a month stint after cultural differences and dramas within the organisation.

Despite the fact, many of my peers were shocked that I left an “iron rice bowl” for something non-conclusive with 3 children in the tow, with zero support from anyone (including the man). I admit, it’s indeed a steep learning curve that I excited to be part of when I got hired as the Employee #No.3 in Pioneering Bike-Sharing Local Team.

Looking back, Employee #No.1 and #No.2 had long left the company to pursue better worklife balance and I’m still within the zone of fast pace changes and haywired road maps with uncertainty within.

I was in a total regrets for turning down an opportunity due to a personal reason at another start up, curating in something I believed in.

Till date, I wished I could just say “Yes” on an impulse back then.

However I learnt;

“Sometimes God closes doors because its time to move forward. He knows you wont move unless your circumstances force You. Trust God, Always.”

And Year 2018 – I took another leap of faith to condone in something I deem crazy.

Hopefully, time will tell as this gonna be a make-it thing. I can’t afford to fail this.

Buzzing Bumble Bee

Time flies with a blink of eye. I am getting very mundane with the stuff that I am doing. What am I doing and why am I doing. But again, I prayed that life had a good predicament for me in times to come.

On a happier note, today is Mothers’ Day. Yay! I am promoted to an Aunt since the birth of #BabyAurelia ~~~

And also, this made me realised, my kids are now 7, 6 and 5 respectively. Like god. So fast?

And as we embraced today to celebrate the victory of motherhood to our super heroine(s) in life, let us also take this moment and give a pat to those who might be going through today as a difficult moment of theirs – be it, those who had lost their child, or lost their mum, despite it being a different mothers’ day.

“Our thoughts are with you. Be brave, have that maternal spirit within.”

I am eternally grateful to my grandma, mum and MIL for everything and also, my dear girls who taught me the teachings of TRUE love.

Happy Mothers’ Day to all (including Single Dads too, who had to take on a role of a mom.) You people rock and I had a lifetime of lifelong learning.

Embrace the Change

Tomorrow’s gonna be a brand new start. I wonder if I can take it at times, to fight through the feeling of missing my family and my girls. I wonder how can I ever survive.

Just gonna embrace this change and try it out for once. Anyway, if it’s deem not suitable, I can just take a U-turn back, to Singapore and re-look at the Option. Nevertheless, follow my heart and follow my dream.

That’s right. Gonna just try.

The Last Working Day

And there it goes, my last working day at PA, on an unofficial note.

And 6 years into my job, first time, I got placed as a last minute emcee for a Grassroots event. This is indeed memorable. Life gonna moved on though.

Till then, I will miss the people at People’s Association, Woodlands Constituency Office, the Advisers (including the ex-Advisers) and hello to my 默契100% ex-Superior who is now at MSO. Everyone gonna chin up and brave through this as a team no matter what.

Gonna end this with my favourite saying, “If you can survive Countdown, you can survive anything else.”

Who knows? Maybe one day, I will be back.

Countdown

Dread it max. For some reasons, I don’t really look forward to the l-e-a-v-e.

The handovers are insane and crazy. But it’s a love and hate feeling.

Gonna embrace it and make a decision by May. ^^

Comfort Zone – the move or the stay?

Earlier on, I posted an article on my LinkedIn on judging the move or the stay within the comfort zone. I guess everyone need to go through this some point in time of their career.

In Public Service, I get to do the things I am keen and upgrade myself for studies however, is this what I really want at the end of the day? No.

Since Day 1, I tell myself, no matter how tough life is, I need to give back to the society. Social Entrepreneur is my calling and I moved towards that direction at the end of the day.

To study this in the social norms, first I need to understand how Corporate Management is like and how this deviates from the social clauses.

I want to set up a company which everyone is proud to be part of, like Google.

A family-oriented organization which believed in my core of giving back.

In my life, no matter how tough it’s gonna be, I will persevere till the very end.

“There are two things to define myself; (1) Determination when I have nothing and (2) Attitude when I have everything.”

Just gonna stay humble and grateful. 🙂

Change

Today marks my 6th year with my current employer in Public Service. These 6 years spelt alot of challenges and somehow it witness a few of my milestones.

1. My kids who grew from babies to toddler and soon, young teen.
2. I bought my first car while on the job.
3. Promotion was in for me.

Would definitely credit this to my colleagues, the bosses for everything for this wonderful 6 years.

However due to some reasons, a change out from the comfort zone is inevitable to grow and not many knew, I took up an offer to be based in Kuala Lumpur for a Fintech, a totally new industry to me.

I had my doubts and I had my thoughts. The fear of being alone, the thought of missing my girls and their growing up haunts and daunts me deeply, but for a better life. I need to be trained stronger while on the first list was on my list was to clear the debts.

Many knew, I need to pay off a large amount of debt amounting more than $100,000 but well, I know I can do it and will be able to do it. ^^

Shall start on my Goodbye Debt diary to minute and pen down this journey to financial freedom and no doubt, it’s stressful to go through it. LOL.
Sometimes I wonder, why housing cost a bomb in Singapore. 😦

But no matter what, always remember to do good. 🙂

Merits begets Positive Energy.

P.S: I guess 2017 will be a good year despite me brawling my eyes out when I was on the line with my girls while I made my way back from KL. 🙂