Happy New Year everyone! Not sure how many peeps are still checking this space but as I grow older, I tend to keep my thoughts to myself more and be less opiniated as being too vocal got me in trouble a couple of times.
Nonetheless, thank you for sticking by me, and I started blogging in 2012 where I felt really low and constantly experienced the bullying by my peers. From name calling to body shaming along with getting ostracised.
During primary school, a friend invited me to his birthday party and I couldn't find the place. I recalled putting on a really pretty dress and gotten my mom to the mall to get a present. We tried locating the address and called a couple of times but I learnt the next day that it was planned for them to laugh at me while I struggled. I believe that my mom noticed that he probably did not invite me wanting me to be there but didn't want to hurt my feelings and she didn't say a word.
It made me wonder to why I was always the one getting bullied. Although they laughed at the silliest things such as having a hairy arm or "elephant thighs" and "walking camwhore" but at that age, I guess I wasn't mature to have told myself that it wasn't a big deal nor it was something that I should allow it to hurt me.
As I reflected while growing up, I think my actions wouldn't have been an issue in this century. I liked taking photos and sharing it online as I felt lonely. Back then, we posted on Facebook a lot and I became the hot topic for posting videos on YouTube as well. I guess no one would've cared if I were to post a video of me walking now. I also felt that maybe, I was a little "bossy" in their point of view when it comes from a place of care. A little more matured to have called others "attention seeker" when some people themselves, are probably struggling.
I do feel that I've a lower EQ than others where I wasn't very compassionate, or maybe it was because I got bullied where I felt that my feelings wouldn't matter to anyone and before I knew it, I've to defend myself and fight cause no one will.
In 2026, I hope that I'll be a happier person that prioritise myself more and take what I want instead of giving it to others just because I'm so used to doing it at home (as the elder sibling). I would want to travel more and be more active than I was last year. Even though I felt that I've lost a couple of friends whom I have held dearly in my heart, but that's probably a lesson to be learnt. The way that I love, might not be acceptable to others where they bad since they're unable to reciprocate. I hope that I'll be able to love those who deserves it and appreciate it, not feeling like they had to reciprocate as it was never meant that way.
My latest post was about solo travelling in Bangkok and I just came back from Bangkok 2 days ago! I had so much fun visiting new places this time round and met up with some friends. While everyone has been busy reflecting their 2025, I haven't got the time as I was really busy working.
In 2025, I learnt to let go of the "whys" that I had in my head. There's no reason to question for someone's action and their explanation would not change the outcome. There's no need for me to explain the reason behind my actions as well, especially for my own life. I learnt that my rants could have caused discomfort to the people listening and eventually, it might turned out to be toxic. I used to be very passionate towards work and I loved my company. But as time went by, I realised that maybe, I was being short chained and I've put in more effort than I should have been rewarded. It seems to always been this way sadly.
Moving forward, in 2026, I promise that I'll still be true to myself, always stand with justice and be an upright person where those who raised me, will still be proud of who I am. Many of you might not know but I've gone through a really long academic journey. After secondary school, I went to ITE Higher Nitec for two years, followed by Polytechnic for three years and finally, University for three years. Honestly, uni was such a grey journey for me. It felt like I've lost hope in life and everything looked colourless to me. It was totally understandable that I was eventually the last few team members that nobody wanted. Despite these, I'm glad that I wasn't struggling alone. A new girl joined the class and we eventually became good friends who could share our struggles with each other, our heartache and I'm just glad to have someone who have understood. She's probably the kindest person that I've met in school.
In 2026, I focused on wellbeing and experience rather than being too money driven about how much I could've saved.
My key events in 2025;
- Mayday in January
- Joker Xue in February
- Disney on Ice in March
- Hiking at MacRitchie in April (something that I've postponed for a long time and so proud of myself that I managed to complete the trail)
- Batam and Langkawi in May
- Scuba diving in Maratua to see Whale Sharks in June
- Bought health insurance in July
- Waterbomb in August
- One Love Asia in September (was so happy to meet my childhood idols and made a friend there!)
- First family trip (12 pax) to Desaru in September
- Caught up with an old friend and bought iPhone 17 Pro Max for myself after learning 2 years ago that value of phones depreciate lesser this way in October (so thankful for the dual camera)
- Got scouted in November where I eventually stayed with my current company and realised that I could have had these opportunities that I'm about to enjoy and
- BLACKPINK concert and Bangkok in December
Looking back, I'm so thankful to be building stronger connections with my family and friends. And also, to have cut off connections that did not felt right. I don't regret meeting any and everyone that I've met and I believe that everything happens for a reason. Either they're a blessing or a lesson learnt. In many cases, I'm probably a different version of myself each time and I'm pretty sure that I'll get up stronger.
Alright! Moving on, here's how the Bangkok trip went :)
Had to rush to the airport after work; Flew to Bangkok on the 27th December and arrived at 11.30pm (Bangkok's 10.30pm).
Bought the 7-eleven toasted sandwiches in hawaiian and spinach cream. They were so yummy and I totally loved it!
Took the Bangkok Airport Rail Link to Ratchapraprop and took grab over to Metz Pratunam Hotel. I personally had such a good experience and the staff were all really nice! It's a little inconvenient due to walking distance but if you've planned to take motorbike around, I think it's good enough. There's many restaurants, bar, convenient stores (7-eleven and TOPS) and, fastfood (McDonalds'). It's located in Pratunam and it's near Platinum Mall, December's and Shibuya Pratu Nam. The room is nice and clean even though it's a little small for two.
We went Money Hut Restaurant for seafood soup and pad thai from 12.30am to 1.15am for about 740฿.
28th December 2025
Had guacamole toast with mushroom soup at 9am.
Took a tuktuk (SGD 3.70) to Wat Hualamphong for coffin donation.
Went to Holidate for coffee.
Visited CentralWorld to get two sets of pyjamas from Slip to SLEEP. They were having a campaign where they donate a portion of every purchase to the sick and injured elephants.
Followed by Bfill Meko for fat dissolving injections (60cc) on my arms and skin booster IV drip. It was quite costly at SGD241.20. I hated injection but beauty is pain and I even had numbing cream on but it wasn't effective.
Had my favourite Hitoshi Shabu hotpot and it's similar to Korea's Shabu21.
Walked around CentralWorld again and had Thong Smith boat noodles for dinner.
Went BigC to purchase crispy pork roll and tomato chips and baby packets of lays. I was pretty silly to have brought home so much air in my luggage and it's a lesson learnt!
Had some yummy prawns salad and pork jowl for supper at VINTAGE, they just opened for 12 days and they're amazing. I think they're Singaporean owned.
29th December 2025
Woke up at 6.25am as we've planned for photoshoot at Wat Arun (9.25am to 10am) and decided to take another school uniform themed (10.50am to 11.30am) set.
Took another tuktuk to Chinatown and it was such a dreadful ride as it's all one-way streets.
1.40pm: Had lunch at HAGOW Yaowarat. It's more pricey but so worth it with the aircon as it was super hot that day.
Walked over to Songwat and got coffee from Mid Summer.
Went back to hotel to rest and went over to Park Terrace to catch up over drinks with some friends from 11.20pm to 3.20am.
Bought maggie and toufu soup from 7-eleven and went back to hotel at 4am to EAT!
30th December 2025
Slept in and went to TrueLove @ Neverland (Husky Cafe) at 1.30pm. The entrance fee is quite expensive at 300฿ per person and another 300฿ just to take a group picture (with my phone) with the dogs. That's SGD37 for two pax already and we ordered lunch there, in total, spent about SGD50. Honestly, it's overpriced and I wouldn't visit again.
Visited Emphorium, EmQuartier, and Emsphere from 4.30pm to 1.15am.
Mainly shopped in Emsphere and visited two clubs: Tic Tac Toe and What's Happened. Find them quite mid and preferred What's Happened more as music played were similar to clubs in Singapore. Tic Tac Toe was just too loud and the dance floor was really small.
31st December 2025 (NYE)
Visited Iconsiam at 4.50pm and bought crocodile meat. It was really tough but well marinated.
Couldn't believe that the durian ice cream was SGD2 (50฿)
Travelled to Asiatique at 7.15pm and had Earw Thai which was honestly so bad. Soup was tasteless, service was really slow and rice wasn't fully cooked. It was really expensive too and we paid 938฿ (SGD38) for two pax.
Zoomed back to CentralWorld at 11.30pm for the New Year countdown. We initially wanted to countdown at Iconsiam but predicted that it might be difficult getting back to our hotel.
1st January 2026 (happy new year!)
Went to a nearby cafe, Everings, for brunch at 11.50am and hands down to the best onion chives bagel that I've ever had.
Shopped at December's and Shibuya but most stores were closed. Went Thong Lor to have Bingbun (bingsu with mochi) at 6.20pm
Went MBK Center at 7.40pm and had an hour of KTV session for SGD6 (so worth, despite the limited songs)
Ended the night with shoulder and back massage at Let's Relax from 9. 30pm to 10pm
2nd January 2026 (last day)
Had hotel breakfast at 9.40am. I wanted to order the guacamole toast again as it was delicious but they didn't have it that day unfortunately. Ordered omelet instead and it was prettily served but would've preferred some seasoning.
Went CentralWorld for EASY! buddy at 2.30pm and I got the garlic peppercorn which was similar to Pepper Lunch. But I loved the stir-fry cabbage so much!
Decided to get Thai Milk Tea from Karun at 3.30pm and it was better than expected, would totally get it again when I'm back in Bangkok! 20% sugar level was good enough, wanted to try the homemade boba but it wasn't available. Would have gotten 0% sugar if boba was available.
Went back to Everings to get my last onion chives bagel before travelling to the airport.
Reached the airport way too early at 8.30pm as I thought that there'll be a jam. The flight was at 11.50pm. Had to stroll around until 10.50pm.
Got myself a Dairy Queen ice cream before boarding the flight, maybe that was why I didn't sleep at all.
Arrived in Singapore at 3.30am but only got to collect the luggage at 3.55am as we took a while to disembark.
The next time when I visit Bangkok, I probably wouldn't go as many days (went for 7 days this time) and would probably spend a bit more to fly back earlier as I went to work at 9.30am when I got home at 4.30am.
That's all for now and see you in the next post!
