Being 22 and Single,

I'm loving it.

I have had my ups and downs in relationships for the past 3 years and gained so much valuable experiences that helped me to grow as a human. So what made me think about this randomly?

Well I am sick, bed-ridden and my iPad became my entertainment buddy. Thus, I ended up reading some articles on thoughtcatalog and elitedaily.com about love, dating, hook-up culture and relationships.
My friends would be laughing by now about my experiences with all sorts of men but I finally realised that I know who I am now.
I am actually done mingling through those dating apps and getting myself out there to the sea.
It is not a bad thing to put yourself out there but the one thing that I learnt from those experiences is that I know I was not myself. I have met assholes, jerks, weirdos, sweet guys and I even turned to the person who I am not. I do not hate it but now, I know.

Another lesson that I have learnt so far is about being happy.
I was going through one of the toughest problems last month and people simply asked, "Are you happy?"
It is a basic question that makes people think when the answer is fairly simple, yes or no with no buts.
If you do not feel happy where you are, leave.
That is when I know the importance of cutting people out who do not make me feel happy.
Thus, I find myself asking that question to my own friends who are going through problems.
I love how a simple question can make people re-think of the choices they make.
I want to be happy with the things that I do and being surrounded with the people who make me happy, helps a lot.

I remember sitting in the car with my best friends during a night drive and asking ourselves, "Why are we single?" "Why is it so hard for us?"
Besides being aware of the trust issues that we have for men, I guess we are just contented with the way our lives are right now.
I always remind myself that having a partner means that he is just there to compliment who you are and not to depend on.

As quoted in Grey's anatomy from Christina to Meredith, "You are a gifted surgeon with an extraordinary mind. Don't let what he wants eclipse what you need. He's very dreamy, but he's not the sun. You are."
I love that quote so much.

So here's to the girls who are in early 20s and single like me or in a confused dating stage:

Go out, mingle and make as many friends as you can right now.
There is no such thing as being a late bloomer in this modern dating culture so there is nothing wrong in re-starting your life again…. and again.
We are only young once so we should live our lives as much as we can and let things flow as it is.
Learn to embrace who you were, who you do not want to be and who you are now.
There is no point to re-create yourself if you do not accept your past.
You will learn so much more about yourself and the value of life and family from the mistakes you make along the way.
Do not be afraid to make mistakes because they make the most valuable lessons that you will learn for the future.
It is not bad that you tend to lose touch of who you really are but that's the beauty of it.
Get lost so that you can be found.

Life is a journey that is full of never-ending experiences wherever we choose to go.



Well, I am just writing my thoughts down about being 22 and single in this modern culture. This topic is always debatable but I am simply voicing out generally.


Til the next post, xoxo.

Bits & pieces of Hanoi and Halong bay ...

As I was clearing photos in my camera, I realised that I did not save my Vietnam photos to my hard drive.
So I figured that I should just post some of my favourite photos that I captured during my trip to Hanoi and Halong Bay. However, I will not talk about the details of the trip as to avoid repetition in another blog collaboration that I am working on with my best friend.

Just for your information about this trip:-
1) I came across Halong bay through Google and I fell in love with pictures about the view.
2) I went to Vietnam with my parents and their friends.
3) I was literally the only youth in the group.
4) The trip was A-MA-ZING.



It was Lantern festival when we arrived in Vietnam so streets were filled with lanterns and all sorts of colourful sticks.






Located in one of the busiest streets, the water puppet theatre show is a popular tourist attraction.





I found this set-up of an entrance to the wedding SO PRETTY.




Rice fields everywhere we go, literally.



My Happy daddy.


So we arrived at the cruise in Halong Bay and it is super cool that the boat sailed through these islands that we are so close to.


My parents chose to stay on the boat while I venture to the caves by myself.


Sunset!

They were squid fishing ….

One of my favourite moments while being on the cruise, is to watch the starry sky in such a calm and quiet mood on the upper deck of the boat. It felt so peaceful.


My always-positive mommy!


I get to meet one of the coolest and oldest backpackers during the cruise. Her stories were inspiring and funny that I wished she was my grandma. She is actually a retiree and just started fulfilling her bucket list. The other woman beside her is a good friend of my parents who works as a travel agent under 'Quins Travel', that is owned by her and her husband.


Thanks to the makciks(malay aunties), they insisted that I should take a photo with them. Apparently they are referees and footballers for ASEAN soccer games. The only ones who know the full and embarrassing story behind this picture are just my best friends and it stays there.


I just had to get a hand-sewn Vietnamese top!

Thanks to my parents for agreeing to go on this trip with me despite having fears for waters and being on the cruise.

MAD LOVE for the pretty artwork on these fans.


When I reached Changi airport,….




Til next post, xoxo.