Thank you 2007

Jessie jots...

Gosh, another year has passed. I remember just a year ago, when I was still working for the corporate world of Target, I left with a very heavy heart. In response to their questions, I told my ex-colleagues that I will be returning to St. Cloud, live with my then-boyfriend and fly home in April for my wedding. They told me, sounds like a busy year ahead. I did all that and more, and it was indeed the busiest year. It zoomed by like it was just yesterday I celebrated 2007 in James Bond theme.

Lets reminisce some of my very noted experience from 2007 that made me:

- I moved out from Minneapolis to St. Cloud in late January because I HAD to quit my job from Target Corp. It was dissapointing that I didn't have a chance to apply a visa. I did save a lot of money though, because I knew I was going to shop like a mad woman when I return to Malaysia. In which I did, and believe it or not, I didn't even finish spending them. So, it was a good year to start with, financially.

- Discovered the wonderful products of Dr. Hauschka. So far, this is the only facial product that has improve my skin to its optimum state. I'm using its toner, cleansing cream, clay mask, rejuvenating mask and ampules. You've got to admit, my skin IS better. hehe! :)

- Flew home for the first time in two years. When I saw my mom and my sister in Penang airport, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was like a dream come true to see all my love ones. When you live far away from home and you lost all physical contact with them, you tend to think you're only imagining that they exist. So, it was definitely great to be home again and verify that they DO exist.


- I discovered drinking alkaline water is the road to a healthier me. Alkaline/Acidic diet is a little of an influence to me now because it's helping. To prove that it is working, I can now enjoy caffeinated coffee drinks and I can digest all my food. Prior to that, I would get sick. :) Click here if you want to learn more about it.

- Meeting all my friends again was like drinking a cup of hot chocolate on a winter day. It was very comforting. When I arrive at KLIA in the morning, I went online and was so happy to see Jane online too, and we chatted. She offered to drive me home because my flight delayed and my poor mom was waiting for my arrival for at least two hours. My mom graciously declined Jane, if I remember it correctly and opted to wait for me. What a welcoming gesture to start with, and right there and then, I knew I was home. I couldn't even begin to express how happy and blessed I am to have friends who are still around and would help me anytime.


Su Ying and Yee Hoay appeared the same night I arrived Penang. They visited me at home in BM while I combat my jet lag. It felt like I was heavily sedated and all groggy but I hope they could tell I was really happy to see them. I saw Su Ying every single week after that, and we spent some fun times together - like the impromptu trip to Alor Star, the Wesak Day trip to Betong, shopping in Penang malls and many other guilty food trips around Penang. All old school fun.






Then, dear Keat Joo! The one person I have long to meet all these years. Our friendship blossom through the 7 freaking years of just keeping in touch through phone calls. She lives in Australia, has went back to M'sia multiple times but those are times that I couldn't be home to meet. Then, because she was my maid of honor, a meeting is inevitable. When we set eyes, it was like meeting an old friend you didn't think exist again. She and I saw each other in a typical food court in Kota Permai, BM... and imagine, both of us well-known for our loud and crazy character, hugged each other and wailed. People around us were watching the drama because I couldn't act as if I just saw her yesterday. Su Ying calmed us down and we continue to smile and just stare at each other as if we were celebrities. She has no idea how much I appreciated her presence to be in my wedding. I had long yearn for my grandmother and Chia Yee to be present too, and I know they can't. So, to have friends like that be at my wedding is more than words can describe for me - it meant a lot to me.

Su Ying, Kok Khai, Yee Hoay, Ai Nam, Ying San, Shuh Jiuan, San Di, Mei Sun, Keat Joo are some of my friends who are so dear to my heart. Thank you so, so much for everything you have done for me. It was just so much fun meeting all of you, just talking, shopping, joking, eating, and purely seeing each other was all too good to be true.







- I attended the Convent Bukit Mertajam school reunion and I never regret a bit that I did. Eventhough I had to stay up late, and chat with the girls, even if I had to sacrifice dark eyebags, the sore-throat and puffy eyes, it was all worth it. I met some of the people I haven't seen for years and we had fun dancing, laughing, and just yakking. Oh, and I also got a RM30 to eat at Honey Bakery through a lucky draw and a Nike pouch bag through the Hula Hoop competition. How funny.





- I got engaged on June 16, 2007 in Taiping. It was very strange to register our marriage in Taiping. Most people did not know I used to live there when I was 9-12 years old and now to be back there a little more than a decade, feels like as if it was fated that I should get married to someone from there. People say Taiping is a beautiful place to get retired. I say, it's also a good place to get married. Very nostalgic.







- I got married on July 7, 2007 to Yew Wai Tham, my long-time boyfriend of 6 years. It took me about five months of preparation to get the day to be as perfect as it can be. It still has its flaws but overall, it was one of the best day of my life. Thanks to Alishia from Whizarts, who worked with me on the invitation card and the wedding album, she captured every moment of my wedding day and presented in a DVD accompanied by some of the most romantic songs. Since watching that DVD, the song 'Everything' from Michael Buble became my favorite. Everytime I listen to it from somewhere else, memories will come flooding in my mind and that just melt my heart. Click here to see what Whizarts blog about my wedding.

- Naturally, I am a new addition to the Tham family and I couldn't be luckier to have in-laws who are very supportive of Yew Wai and I. Big thanks to them for making our wedding a beautiful one.

- A honeymoon to Bali is one of the best trip I've ever experienced. A great opportunity to learn other people's culture and definitely a treat for both of us, after all our hard work. Yew Wai and I had a six-hours honeymoon spa package that was such a great way to conclude our stay in the Land of Gods. I will want to be back there again - maybe for a scuba dive.

- Flying back to the US was not the best thing that ever happen to me but it marked a time when life has to get going. All good things must come to an end. So I gladly left everything behind and bring all the memories back with me.

- I went back to college, registered myself in Art classes as to pursue Graphic Design. I am enjoying my classes so much so that I didn't want to graduate in two years time, as planned. I earned straight As in all my classes, such good news on January 1st, 08 and can't wait to work on more projects next semester.

- I got a part-time job at the Women's Center in St. Cloud State University. I'd gained so much experience working with people of all kinds, and not to mention, a great way to earn some money to lessen the burden of my poor Hushby. In a way, the part-time job has help me tremendously, not just financially, but mentally and professionally.

- We moved into a new apartment that is too pretty. Unlike the many years that I was here, this is the first time I am actually enjoying to be home and look forward to be home because it is so comfortable, it smells so good and there is no funky noise from our neighbors.

2007 was indeed such a good year for me to start out with. It is a year I reach my milestones, and because of what I have achieved, I felt that it has already catapult me further. I can see why things happen for a reason. I realized, if I didn't quit my job from Target, I wouldn't have a chance to pursue my life-long dream which I used to be ashamed of claiming, that is to work with art. If I didn't quit my job, I wouldn't be able to get married. If I didn't get married, I wouldn't be able to move into a new apartment and get to go back to college.

I couldn't be happier with where I am now in my life. Yes, I sacrifice my life to be away from my family, to be away from my friends and to forget about a career at the moment because of a chance to stay with my partner. But, I know it will be fruitful in the long run as I am finally able to pursue my life-long dream of becoming obsess with art again and in general, it is already making me a happier person because I am doing what I enjoy. And when I do enjoy it, I can be more confident that I can become successful in what I do, and then try to make the aforementioned happen.

My new year resolution: to be happier, healthier and heftier (financially of course)!

Yew Wai and I wish you a Happy New Year. May all your wishes come true and may all of you be in the pink of health in 2008 and beyond.