Phuket with my best friend

Phuket was a blast!

This was my 2^nd visit to Phuket and the first was when I was 9 years old with my parents and some portions of that trip is still vivid in my mind. But my oh my, how Phuket has developed and changed!

Whacky start @ LCCT before our flight. We had to wake up at 3am due to some mistakes made by Expedia regarding our names on our flight.

I loved the fact that I got to visit and explore more of this island with my best friend. It was his first time and we truly do l love exploring new places with him.

A good friend of mine, Ms N was getting married (finally) to her prince and we decided together that we would love to be a part of that special moment and also to catch up with many other ex-colleagues mine, and what more on a beautiful island.

On the first day itself we rented a bike and explored the island for a good 5.5 hours. The wedding was up north near the airport in Nai Yang so we stayed there as well. But on day 1 we literally traveled all the way down south right up till Kata Beach. If any of you know Phuket, you'll know that's quite a journey, especially on a bike but I loved every moment of it.

The one place I wanted to revisit was the cashew nut factory and we managed to. But some goodies back home.

 The cashew nut factory has expanded
and much more touristy now.

Can you spot the cashews
on the tree?

Cashews being extracted thru
a hand machine from their nut

We then continue our journey down south. Rode on the main highways, coastlines and even explored a bit of  Phuket town.

Day 2 was just spend in Nai Yang catching up with friends. I was asked to help coordinate the dinner which I gladly agreed to not only because I absolutely enjoy it but also cos she's a really good friend. 

With the enchanting bride

The groom who's really a 
black man stuck in a Chinese 
body. This is one dude who can dance!!!

Camwhoring before dinner with my love

Dinner & dance was a blast. We had so much fun, we slept at 4am.

Khim & Ellen

Khim & her hubby, Ton

Theresa & Marcus

Day 3 was a struggle in the morning as we planned to visit the biggest waterfalls in Phuket called Bang Pae. We forced ourselves outta bed by 1030am and started making our journey there.

Having no time to grab breakfast at Nai Yang, we decided we'll have our meal at a restaurant we find near the waterfalls, and that was a great decision. Found this gem of a place called Peang Prai Restaurant. This place is a M-U-S-T when you visit Phuket!

Treetop Restaurant, beautiful view and sounds of the gibbons as you enjoy your meal

Mangosteen Salad. Decided to
try something different

Crab Curry! Yes you've seen right, they peel the meat out for you!!!
I had this dish  3 times in 2 days.

We realised that we were really spoilt by the beautiful waterfalls of Malaysia as their biggest there did not impress us. We also noticed that the locals come out to the waterfalls after lunch, unlike Malaysians who go out first thing in the morning. 

We didn't stay long as it got a bit crowded in the afternoon and we were slightly afraid of our belongings so we both took turns to take dips in the water while the other stays with the stuff.

On the way to the waterfalls we passed by a coffee joint called, Monkey Pod  and decided we'll give it a shot on the way back.

Pretty cool place with modern wooden furniture

His

Mine

Mine <3

The ride back from Monkey was one like never before. It started to pour crazy. We took cover under a shade for a bit and continued our journey when the rain subsided only to be welcomed by it 5 minutes later. We decided we'll just ride out in the rain. We were drenched, cold and hurting in some parts with the rain hitting us in full force but it was an unforgettable experience.

On day 4 being our last day, we decided to check out the beach in Nai Yang but waves were too big so we only stayed awhile and adjourned to the resort's pool (there were 3 pools in the resort!!). 

The man has a friend in Phuket so we then got cleaned up and waited for the ride which the friend sent for us. He took us to explore more parts of Phuket town and had our scrumptious Thai lunch at Raya Thai Cuisine. (yes, crab curry again).

The friend owns Flying Hanuman (among many other establishments) so we got to check that place out but unfortunately not enough time to try it out. He also told us that he just purchased an island near Phuket and will be opening another restaurant there as well as some water sports activities by end of the year. Definitely would like to check those out next I'm in Phuket.

Phuket is definitely on my list of places to return to. 

I feel so loved

It's my last day today at Sun-U.. time's passed by really fast.. I think I'm gonna miss this place lots mainly cos of the friendships that's been formed.. No doubt I'm gonna be keeping in touch with many of them here..

Got so many goodies for my farewell.. Countless farewell lunches and dinners these pass 2 weeks.. Pressie from both the admin & academic staff.. In fact, just earlier today, there was a pretty little pink bag on my table with a card.. and inside was a cute figurine from Elizabeth.. For lunch today, the staff from not only my department but also from ADTP and Registry took me out to Ginger Tree (my uncle's a chef there) and belanja me makan kau kau.. So full wei now I feel like sleeping.. lol..

Thought I'd paste some of the notes from emails that I received from friends I made here in the past 3 months..

Dear Michelle,

We wish you a wonderful journey towards your dreams - and we know all your wishes and dream will come true.
You are a wonderful person and it has been my greatest pleasure to get to know you in the past three months. How time flies.

I wish you all the best in your new venture!

all the very best,
soo beng

Dear Michelle,

All the best in your new job =)

. . . wishing you blue skies and all things nice ;-)

Regards,

Julia Chan
...see you at Facebook and when you next visit Sun U ya =)

Dear Michelle,
Thanks for the smiles, the help and everything else... we will miss you dearly... :)
All the best in your future undertakings
Keep in touch facebook

God Bless :)
Derek

You're leaving so soon? Didn't know till this morning ... so sad. Well, glad to get to know you and all the best, ya? Do stay in touch!God bless, and see you!In Him,Shannon

Yo..Yo.. Michelle, Its our lost, you are hoping off, but, hey hey hey.. Its our greatest gift, just having you around (even for just 3months).Will surely miss you and your mirror (grin).All the best to you and keep in touch. Big Hugs,Madeline

Dear Michelle,

I may be new in the school but your warm greetings and helpful gesture on the first day I came in has definitely left a deep imprint in my mind. I wish you all the best in your future endeavour.

Regards,
Caroline

Dear Michelle,
May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. ~Irish BlessingRegards
Nagiah

Hi Michelle,

Please drop by School of Business when you’re free (especially my room J).

Thanks for the excellent help and we will miss you, definitely!

All the best to you!

Regards,
- Sophia -

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for the departing note. I really appreciate it.
I pray that the Lord’s presence and His mighty hand of protection over you and in all your future endeavors. Gives good health and be filled with His wisdom and strengthen you so that you shall be a shinning star in your new work place.

Take care and God Bless you.

My love and regards to your Mum and Dad.

Chow,

Uncle Simon.

Hey we gonna miss you….if it is for greener pastures, hopefully for further studies, good luck and all the best even if it is otherwise. Jesilin

It has been a privilege having you as a colleague. We will miss you but we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. We will await your eventual return to the Sunway familyJ. In any case, we will be in touch via FB. Not yet into Twitter though. Cheers. Dr. Foo

Dear Michelle,

Sigh! We barely know each other…., As Mr. Nagiah would say, WHYyyyyy? Parting is suppose is such sweet sorrow when it is for a friend who wants to conquer
greater heights! Till we see you again as a full-time colleague, adieu mon ami.

Regards,

Cheah YS

Good luck to you Michelle. And thanks for helping us out.

Khong

I feel so loved =)

Gotto get back to work now.. Being my last day here, wanna try and do as much as I can for Emily & Amelia before I leave to lighten their workload.. They've got a peak season coming up..

She looked like a princess..

I followed S yesterday to go check out bridal gowns and packages.. It's truly a joy to be able to be apart of their wedding planning cos they're one of my favourite people and I'm really looking forward to the day they say 'I do'.. So when she asked me if I would help her out with her wedding, I went YES OF COURSE!!!!

We went to 3 different bridal shops yesterday and the deal that was offered to her got better with every shop.. She tried on many dresses.. and oh my, she looked like a princess!!! The three of us we oooh-ing and aahh-ing every time she stepped out in a pretty little white number.. She managed to try on all the different styles and we gave her our thoughts on which style best suited her..

It was a fruitful 3.5 hours spent.. In the last shop, we even got to meet this really pleasant sales lady which let her try on as many dresses as she wanted.. which was superbly cool cos the other shops only let her try bout 2-3 dresses..

There was another bride trying on dresses there and oh my, her taste was just.. erm different.. She chose all the dresses that we would have never ever even given a second look.. Okok I got to stop being so mean.. =P

Anyway, let's not get off track.. back to S.. she looked gorgeous in all the dresses.. I had my eye on one dress in one of the shops.. she tried on that particular style, not the same dress but the same style and it was by far my favourite for her..

Groom's gonna be so wow-ed when she walks down the aisle.. hehe..

Better

I was just lying in bed yesterday trying to pray and just trying to be comforted in God's presence. Somehow however I just felt God being really far away and felt that I was in this situation all alone. Just then, a super old friend from my former church whom I have not been in touch with for sometime sent me this msg..

The God that we serve is not One that abandons His people. You are His so He CANNOT and WILL NOT forsake you. God Bless!

She did not know what I was going through. It was certainly God speaking through her at that moment to me. Those words comforted me so much that I just started to cry even more. But this time not tears of loneliness or sorrow but rather tears of gratefulness and in awe of God's awesomeness and His huge humongous love for me. Her next message read:

God's with you girl. He always has been there. It's hard to see it but He is faithful. Speak to Him and cry out cause He listens though it feels like He isn't. Cling to His promises cause it's given to you as your inheritence. You're precious to Him.

Things are a little better today and I pray that I will have the strength to not let the words of others come in the way of my spiritual walk or my confidence in God. That I will hold dear to all His promises for my life. That His plan and will for my life will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.

Bliss!

Last Wednesday was indeed one of the happiest days of my life.. In fact, I felt like it was one of the best birthdays ever.. Just being around loved ones and awesome friends, it made the day truly a memorable one..

The morning started out beautiful with my dad waking me up to give me my birthday present.. He didn't have time to wrap it up so he used my blanket to wrap it for me.. typical dad!! haha so cute!!

Then I walked in to the kitchen to the smell of Thosai!! My auntie was making fresh Thosai for me just as how my grandmother used to make them for me.. When I was younger, as soon as I reached Nenek's house in Ipoh, she would make this really small crispy Thosai for me.. I used to call it 'Biscuit Thosai'.. don't ask.. lol.. So it was really nice to have my auntie make them for me cos I haven't had them for more than 15 years I think... She even made fresh chutney to go with it.. something we don't get very often at my home..

Then I spent some hours online checking my messages on facebook.. and trying to reply them all.. haha.. Felt so loved..

My childhood friend, Sawittri took me out for lunch to Delicious at One U and we had a really good time just catching up and laughing.. Then it was off to do some shopping!!!

Dinner was at Teapot Cafe in SS2 with parents and aunt.. I've been craving the desserts there for sometime now and have been wanting to take my parents to try out the food there.. So this was a good opportunity.. But it was a short dinner cos we reached a little late and I was rushing off to church for prayer meeting.. For the past one year I've been going for prayer meets and just felt that I wanted to be there even more on my birthday.. Start the day with God and end the day with Him.!!! He'll make all this beautiful!! And indeed He did!!

They sang 'Happy Birthday' for me after prayer meet.. haha.. Actually I kinda figured they would la.. hehe.. Afterall, I am that loveable.. But I didn't expect to get a cake.. THANK YOU SUE!!! So that was really a surprise!! They even surprised me by putting 25 candles for me when I only just turned 24.. haha.. Here's a picture of the cake half eaten..

Some of my dearest friends (you know who you are) who usually comes for prayer meet every week were not there last Wed.. They had good reasons but I missed them.. Would really loved to have spend sometime with them on my birthday.. But my girls were there and they made it really special.. Love you!!

My birthday present from Naledi.. She made me change into them and go out for supper in them.. And the best part.. she got me 2 pairs - yellow & red.. She knows me too well.. haha.. If I were to have chosen them, it would have been black/white/brown..

Supper was at Nasi Kandar SS2 with Resego, Carol, Naledi, Jason, Sian Jeen, Cason, Eu-Jin and Eric.. It turned from a normal makan-makan and chit-chat session into a Love Q&A session.. Found out some juicy details but it stays within the four wall of Nasi Kandar SS2..

Overall, I felt so blessed and loved the entire day.. A big shout out to all of you who just made it extra special.. Thank you Jesus for adding another fruitful and blessed year to me..

Open Hearts

My face feels so clean now! =)

Just came back from my free facial at Clarins. Mum got a voucher for her birthday and she gave it to me so I gladly took it la. Lol. It was just so relaxing and my skin feels more radiant now.

My appointment was at 230pm but I reached 1U at 150pm so decided to just walk around and while walking around Jusco I met a high school friend. We chatted for a bit then decided to go get something to eat. I remember when I was back in high school, we were just the hi-bye friends.

Surprisingly we were able to connect really well. We both had similiar life experience so I was able to understand all that she's been through.

We exchanged numbers..

Then the HS reminded me about our prayer yesterday at prayer meeting when we prayed for the Cell Christmas Party on Nov 19th so I decided that I'd invite her. She was so opened to the invitation and even saved the details onto her phone calendar. It's just amazing how God's open doors of opportunities.

I'm looking forward to more opened doors!

Mamak

The funniest incident happened last night...

A few of us went for mamak after the awesome prayer meet and was there up to 1am chatting.. we then realised that the waiter serving our table was quite smitten with one of my friend.. towards the end of our mamak-ing session, the waiter and his friend were whispering to each other whilst staring at my friend and heading towards our table.. we were quite curious as to what they were whispering about..

Suddenly, they just burst out in laughter and ran off.. i repeat-RAN OFF!!

We had no idea what was so funny.. it tooks us awhile before we realised that they were actually trying to gather up some guts to come and talk to her.. we were all so blur at first cos we hadn't seen this since primary school..

It was a good night!!