Checked in Marco Island Beach Resort

This morning I waked up at 4.30 am again. I don't bother to think whether it's because of jet lag or the disturbed mind. These past few days, I have slept immediately right after I got into bed around 10, 11 pm. I like waking up early in the morning, doing things slowly and still have plenty of time in a day but it's definitely not an easy task to change the habit. So even i only slept for 5, 6 hours a day, I still feel great.

I went for a run around the neighborhood. The weather is perfect for jogging. I love the water fountain in the middle of the serene lake surrounded by some big trees, ducks swimming peacefully. The scene reminds me of the good time I have in North Carolina. After the run, I took shower, making coffee, reading some news, catching up with some work. Sadly today I had to leave this peaceful place to Marco resort where the event is held.



4, 5 hours on the road is generally not a good experience especially I don't know what to do to kill time. I can't read or write to avoid motion sickness. But i did manage to take some pictures of the roads with beautiful blue sky and white clouds. Farms with lazy cows  lying on the fields on the road side remind me of my road trip in Wollongwong.

I visited Walmart and felt so excited at the beef and ice-scream sections. They are packaged in huge portions at amazingly cheap price. Sausages are great too.  If I lived in the US, I would have bigger size.

After checking in JW Marriott hotel, I took a leisure walk along the beach, catching the sunset. The view is absolutely romantic and beautiful.

I went for dinner and drinks with my coworkers. I got a chance to meet some people from London whom I have been talking on the phone and finally saw them in person. I ordered a glass of red wine. The Americans are so generous with their portions so I literally drank 2 glasses of red wine by Singapore standard and it's kind of exceeding my limit for work and networking events. I left the bar at 10+. As soon as i got back to my room, I dragged myself to the bed, falling into sleep in 1 second.

On flight from Singapore to Orlando

I’m blogging when i am tipsy on the flight to Orlando, transit in Dubai. After the meal, i drank just a glass of red wine which is already enough to put me into hybernating mode.

What's my mind wandering? Unfortunately i still dwell about what happened over the past 2 weeks. This trip is a perfect time for me to reflect on myself. I am definitely a big fan of La La Land, dreaming to run away from the real life. I guess that it probably just takes another 1 or 2 weeks for me to forget and move on. Eventually it is just a spec of dust in my memories. The older i get, the more dust I am gonna get in my life and i need to learn how to brush it off quickly. If it’s over, it’s meant to be. 

During 2 hour transit in Dubai, i did window shopping. I couldn't resist the temptation so I bought a bar of Dark chocolate with Coffee, a brand named Heidi which I've never heard of. Chocolate is like cigarette to me, it simply just makes me feel happier :)

Remaining time to Orlando is about 1 hour. The 16 hour flight seems shorter than i imagined. I lied down and squeezed myself into 2 seats. The window seat was occupied by an Oman agreeable gentleman. I slept on and off throughout the whole flight. When i was awake, I continued reading long and boring book, hoping to get some key takeaways that i can apply for myself but the book just helped me fall into sleep again. I browsed through the movie collection but i guess Emirates need to top up their list soon. I finally watched “The Foreigner “ because of Jackie chan's cast  so it must be a good film. Indeed, it was and it also made 2 hr fly faster. 

I’m so excited for my trip because I haven’t been back to the US for 10 years and this is my first time to Canada ( yay one more country ticked). At the same time, i feel pressured about work. 2 weeks for me to perform and i need to prove that I’m up to the expectations 😭 

Lunar New Year 2018

This year, I’m not going home. Dad and mom kept calling me and sending pictures of our house's decoration to me. I know they are very sad and I am sad too. I haven’t come back home since my last birthday in Sep, the longest time ever i guess. On the first day of the new year, i woke up early again, the same problem for the past 2 weeks. When I was working in the office, mom called me as my nephew and his family paid a new year visit to our house. My nephew wore a yellow pullover and he looks super cute as usual. I miss him dearly. Now I remember I haven’t sent wishes to my parents. I literally didn’t have any feel of the lunar new year.



After work, my cute colleague Liz and I went to China town. We visited the temple in China town. It is packed with people and so quite difficult to find a quiet spot to meditate. As usual I pray for inner peace and wisdom to help me pull through all difficulties in life. I pray for good health for my family. That’s the most important thing in my life.

Liz was very clumsy in temple since she is a christian. She lighted at least 5 incense sticks while i already told her to take 1 or 3. If everyone were like her, the temple would be full of smoke. I bet she prayed her bf moved to singapore with her or she moved to London with him. Either way, right Liz?

After temple visit, we had dinner at Chinese seafood located at the intersection of walking streets in China town, facing the heritage center. That gave me the feel of being a tourist again, going to the crowded places, eating tourist price food, and people watching.





After the dinnner, i found out my wallet was gone. We took a cab to police station to lodge a report. On the cab, i had to call 5 banks to ask them to lock my cards. I was really stressed out and all over the place. Liz helped me to calm down and all cards were canceled very fast. My flight is the next day but luckily I got some USD cash and 1 credit card at home.

At the police station, we laughed like crazy. She was still puzzled how I dragged her to this place. Initially i thought if this was a sign of bad luck for this year but dad has been training me to look at the positive side in any life situation. Yeah money goes on be half of me. I would rather lose my wallet in Singapore than in my next trip in the US or Canada.

I took selfie at the police station, being snapped by Liz and she sent it to my boss. I generally regard him as my older brother but today he was like grandpa.

Boss: you need to take life and career seriously
Me: What do you mean?
Boss: that selfie pic, aren’t you worried?
Me:You want me to cry like a criminal?
Boss: I think I won't be as happy or taking it so chill . Anyway safe trip. Do well in pinnacle and Toronto. Enjoy
Me: Thank you, i will !

I have to admit i behaved quite weird and today is one of the example, i had to wait so long as there is only one police officer who was engaged in another case. I kept coming to him and asking how long i had to wait, when is my turn. I even thought to myself whether i should give feedback that they need to improve on waiting time.

I hugged Liz goodbye and thanked her for being by my side to go through all the troubles. Life is great not because you are always lucky but because you have companion whenever you are up or down. I ruined her holiday but i saw her laughing more at the police station than at the bars. Thank you for your company and friendship beb!

First entry of 2018

Dear blog,
When I'm writing to you, you know that I am in trouble. I'm trying to focus on my breathe, breathing in, breathing out. Listening to plum village songs at the same time, I feel I become calmer a little and my mind is purified, the junk thought is pushed away. It's not easy to remember the Buddha teachings at all.

Last week, I couldn't sleep well. I wake up in the middle of the nights, and could not sleep again for 2 hours. I thought about my favourite Jane Austen's novel " Sense and Sensibility" and I feel that i am now at the end spectrum of impulsiveness. Now I need to not let things affect my life and adjust my focus on my priorities this year.

The thing I am scared most is losing myself in any situation. I have to keep reminding myself, whether things work out or not, they are meant to be. I am not young anymore but I still make some mistakes. Instead of hating myself, learn from the mistakes and move on!

This Lunar new year, I am sad because i will not be going home. Yes there is always a trade-off. Now i have to prepare for my US-Canada work trip. So many things to do and a little stressed :(. Focus and do my best L, I will be alright.