Tag: reflections

#38 : Hello again.

Been awhile since I made any updates to this site.

So many things have changed since the last update. I got married, got a new place, got a new job, had a baby, and I’ve gotten older.

While my world has been going through multiple changes, the world out there has also changed, and new norms have been established.

#1 – It is now a norm to wear masks.

#2 – Traveling is no longer possible (until it is possible again).

#3 – COVID is now a term that everyone in this world knows about.

Since I am unable to travel for the time being, I’ve decided to devote some time writing some travel guides, and also “experiencing” my trips vicariously through my own photos.

I am looking forward to the day I get to travel again, because I need that “me time” to disconnect from the real world, and reconnect with who I am inside, all over again.

Thank you for reading through this quiet space which I am trying to revive, after a really long time. 🙂

by Categories: UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

#37: Reconnecting with the self

Its been a really long time since I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time with myself, reflecting. Finally got some down time when I got to Laos.

The pace at which Laos goes by at is something which I took awhile to adapt to. It was only upon realising that I started being negative and antsy at the fact that I had nothing to do that I figured I was in a highly strung state of mind, even whilst on holiday. When I stopped looking to find something, anything to do, I realised how much of the surroundings I was missing out on. I was in fact, totally disconnected from the world around me.

The last few months have been really hectic, and the bulk of it was really justu keeping up with the demands of work and society. However, ever since I made the decision to take a break from work, things have been looking up. Realising that I was attached to work, and no longer being passionate about the scope of work I do was a turning point. It was time. Time for me to move. I was getting good at what I was doing, but I was also losing touch with myself.

Meanwhile, I am really enjoying Laos, and looking forward to the upcoming trips, which I’m sure will prime me to be even more introspective!

Stay tuned for a blogpost on how I explored Laos in the last one week!

P.S The following was taken at (as of today) my no.1 waterfall which I think everyone needs to visit! 🙂

Snapseed.jpg

Xoxo

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

#36: On to 2018!

2017, you’ve been… interesting, filled with numerous ups and downs, but the experiences and opportunities I’ve had made me grow exponentially both at a professional and personal level.

I’ve had to experience death on two occasions this year, and these serve to remind me of the inevitability aspects of life. You really never know what could or might happen, and the best thing you can do for yourself is to live life to the fullest. Got that city you haven’t visited? Go! Got that person you haven’t met in ages? Pick up the phone and reach out.

This year, I’ve traveled to new places, and had “adventures” which made me realise that there are just too many things that you cant control in life. Learning to let go and accept things for what it is would be the best thing you can do for yourself. That is also the only way that you can grow.

My favourite trip of 2017, was my trip to Eastern Europe. Really missing the me time and those introspective conversations I had with myself when I went hiking. Learning more about different people, and how they are made up by their history was definitely a very fascinating moment.

The world is too beautiful. Being obsessed with what you don’t like or hate about life would only hinder your full ability to appreciate the things around you. This is one thing I am definitely going to work on for 2018! Looking forward to 2018 and the surprises that will be coming!

 

20170422-DSC_3371xoxo

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

#30 Life goes on

Happy Lunar New Year! Finally got some time to reflect on life again.

Its been a hectic few months. Life is slowly falling into a routine, and responsibilities both at work and at home have been growing. Routine is a double-edged sword; it makes you really comfortable and provides you with stability on one hand, but makes life seem mundane on the other.

Stability makes it easier for one to make plans for the future, both financially and emotionally. However, sometimes the unknown bits of life is what makes life exciting. This is exactly why I think skydiving is one of the most exciting experience ever. That adrenaline rush from free falling, the amazing view from the top of the world, that fear when sitting at the edge of the plane, each of these remind me how amazing life is, and how I should be grateful to be alive.

Sometimes life leaves me completely surprised and confused, and I really have absolutely no idea what to make of it. Chance encounters, getting reacquainted with people whom you have known all the while, making spontaneous decisions, all these surprises thwart stability in your life. I am really looking forward to see what life has prepared in store for me. Cannot wait for my next journey in Spring!

Meanwhile, let me first indulge in the beautiful sunsets in SEA, before I get to see the ones in Europe in Spring! 🙂

Wishing everyone an amazing year ahead!

20160104-DSC_5169

 

xoxo

 

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

#21- What “Closure” really means

DSC_0093-1

More often than not, the door is shut on you without you really getting an answer from what you “think” you need to move on to find closure. It could be a relationship, friendship, or family.

Sometimes we spend all our time thinking of finding that closure, but that in itself is not moving on. Actually, closure should be about what you think, what you need to think to make yourself feel better. Most of the time, the closure that you are seeking for, is just your excuse to stop yourself from facing the fact that you are refusing to face up to.

It is definitely very tough to face up to facts. But the moment you let go of your ego and face up to those uncomfortable emotions, your road to recovery begins. Feel what you need to feel, no one has the right to judge you. Recovery is not linear, and you will find that you seem to be on a roller coaster all the time, but that’s alright, because if it makes you feel better, who cares? It may seem impossible, but full recovery is definitely possible, and you will find a new love which makes you so happy, and that is self-love. Happiness is within reach, you just got to take that first step!

Xoxo

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

#16- Disconnect to reconnect

DSC_0313-1

We are all addicted to the internet, social media, and the whole notion of staying connected. For those of you living in cities, take a look around you, you will notice that everyone is using a smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc. The onset of the digital age has fundamentally hindered our ability to live in the moment. When traveling, the one thing we look for upon arrival is whether we can stay connected, and whether the airport has WIFI connection, etc.  This desire to be connected seems to be an addiction. I am guilty of it myself. When I got to Myanmar, my first purchase was on a SIM card. I told myself that I needed Wifi lest I got lost, but come on, who am I kidding? I obviously wanted to get data so I could connect with my friends on whatsapp, facebook, instagram, etc.

In the last 3 months, the only times I purchased data was Myanmar and Hong Kong. Ironically, I think I enjoyed myself so much more when I was disconnected. I could take the time to think about my own life, where I am at, and soak myself in the sights.I definitely enjoyed the interactions with the locals so much more too!

When I got to Myanmar, there were many times where I had to stop myself from looking at my phone, and refocus my attention on everything that was before me. It was the interactions with the locals that got me thinking about how addicted I was to the internet. Most of the locals did not have Smartphones, and they connected with one another via interaction at the marketplace, which was a boatride away for most people. This was the point where I decided to disconnect and refocused myself on my trip. It was at that point that I began seeing so much more, and captured more precious moments on my camera.

DSC_0316-1

I doubt I will be getting data for my solo travels in the future. With a more stable schedule in place now, I think I need to #disconnect to reconnect when I travel, as these travels will now be the best time for me to be introspective. Moving away from narcissism and addiction to the social media, I hope to be someone with a bigger heart, focused on reconnecting with the people, the environment, and living in the moment.

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

#15- Moving on and letting go

DSC_0619-1

Had a discussion with a friend about moving on and letting go. In life, things rarely go exactly the way we want it to be.

Some words of wisdom from a really good friend that put things into perspective for me. People come into our lives for a reason, and every single person that you have met in your life was there for a reason. After you have been taught that lesson that you are supposed to learn, they leave, and you go on your separate paths. When that lesson is for a lifetime; they stay. The key is to focus on your path, rather than what could have been, might have been, because life is too short to focus on the negatives.

Also, what I realized is that it is not entirely bad when things don’t go your way; it is a stark reminder that you have taken things for granted. It might mean you have a chance to do something about it, or it might not. Either way, you learn a lesson about life.

With this said, I think I have finally found the door to continue my path on. I am going to take it, and make the best out of it.

Be kind to yourself, and live the life that you deserve, without the shackles of the past.

Xoxo

Uploaded more photos from my Myanmar trip !

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

#12- Beginning of a new end

DSC_0208-1

Its the beginning of a new end. I’m taking a break from traveling to return to some sort of stability. Reflecting on the last 3 months, I think I have grown a lot mentally. The world is so big, and there is so much out there, just waiting for me to discover it. I am very thankful for all the new friendships built across the world, and the new lessons that I’ve learnt from everyone I’ve met, regardless of how brief the encounter was.

The trip which left the biggest impact on me has got to be Myanmar. Interacting with the Burmese people just made me realize how futile it is to keep hanging on to the past, and hopefully, I can give back to them someday somehow. Taiwan was the one trip where self-discovery took flight, and where I started to really connect with the me deeper inside. USA made me realize that love exists everywhere in the world, despite the distance, and distance is never a factor to deter love. Hong Kong made me rediscover my own roots, and also gave me the best friendships I could ever ask for. Thailand reconnected me with my passion for history. Every footstep in the last 3 months has shaped me differently, and I am thankful to emerge a stronger and wiser person after these travels.

One of the biggest takeaway I’ve had was that you don’t need everything in the world to be happy. Sometimes, being content and grateful for things that you already have is enough on its own to fill your heart with happiness. I am immensely thankful for a supportive group of friends, both in Singapore and all across the world, my family, and everybody else I’ve met, even if I didn’t catch your name. The adventure hasn’t ended, and I don’t intend to end it because life is a process of constant discovery. Each day, I am still learning more about myself.

Can’t wait for the next series of adventures! smile emoticon 

If you are interested, here are the Myanmar Photos !

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

#8- Thoughts Post Taiwan

DSC_0604-1

Back in Singapore and my second solo trip ended last night. Its been an amazing trip full of firsts. First time trying 檳榔，first time visiting and navigating random offshore islands on my own, driving an electric scooter, crashing a motorbike while trying to drive it for the first time, taking day trips with random strangers who are now my friends, etc. I’ve definitely found out so much more about myself and even reaffirming certain traits, such as how poor my sense of direction and balance are. Despite these,  it has still been amazing finding out so much more about myself. Revisiting old spots just made me realize how far I’ve come from my past, and the need to keep moving forward without looking backwards. Thank you so much Taiwan, I learnt alot the last few days!

Meeting new people and learning more about others makes me appreciate the little things in life so much more. Take for example Jili and his owner, featured above, the bond shared by them is something that I found really precious, and made me think about my lack of time spent with Camry as I have been traveling quite abit the last few months. Perhaps, it is a stark reminder that I should remain in town next week so as to spend more time with my family, friends, and my precious Camry.

~~Ululatetravels

by Categories: blogpostTags: , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments