My 2016 New Year Resolution :)

Yes I know, it has already been a week into the year 2016. Actually I was taking time to really think about what I want to do differently this year as compared to last year. As they say, take small but doable steps is better than big yet unrealistic goals.

So here are some of the little things I am committed to for 2016...

1. Eat more healthy

Oh yea... and that issue has to be resolved first

Okay, not that I eat like a bunch of junk everyday but I do have cravings for sweet stuff (don't all we women do?) Anyway, instead of sweets, I just bought a blender so I can make some juice like papaya milk etc like at least 3 to 4 times a week just to feel like I'm being healthy Somehow I just hope and pray my blender doesn't start collecting dust after 1 month... so far everything is as planned :)

2. Go swimming once in 2 weeks

The thing I need to repeat in my mind for 2016

Yes, it is kind of a well known fact that I don't exercise (unless walking 5 minutes to the LRT station qualifies than I am having my fair share of it everyday). But this year is going to be different! I shall, I shall and I SHALL go swimming at least once every 2 weeks. I know what you guys are thinking, sounds pathetic but this is really a huge leap for a lazy bum like me who doesn't even bother to put on make up to work just to sleep in that extra 20 minutes.

3. Drink more water

Now this is kinda creepy... but just do what the water droplet says, it's good for you!

I am also so dehydrated! I mean like I love my daily dose of coffee (dehydrating), I work in an air-conditioned office for up to 8 hours a day and I sweat like a lot (thanks to sweaty palms & foot). So this year I better really get enough water to flush out those nasty toxins in my body and keep myself from getting headaches and such... having a bottle on my desk 24/7 really help because I am reminded to drink up every time I see my bottle.

So there you have it, 3 things I want to work on in 2016 to get myself healthy and ready to face 2016 :)

What are your small steps to victory in 2016?

Reflection of 2015 - Reverse Bucket List

Dear readers,

I recently came across and interesting blog post were the author suggested to do a "reverse bucket list" - things/experiences that has already happened to us that we are grateful for.

So yes, this would be a kind of lengthy post of Angel's Reverse Bucket List! ***Yay! claps***

#1 Work & Travel USA

I can't express how grateful I am to meet such wonderful people in life

Work & Travel USA is definitely one of the most precious experience I made in 2015. Not only did I work in a resort more than 7000ft above sea level in the snowy mountains surrounded by nature, I also had the privilege to fellowship with friends from around the world by sharing our culture & food.

Celebrating New Year Eve in Denver, Colorado

New Year 2015 in Denver, Colorado

Cross-country skiing for the first time in Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado

Preparing a Malaysian meal for our American friends :)

Horse back ridding for the first time on Apollo <3

#2 Traveled to 8 cities across 7 states with my best friend Elaine

Now this has got to be one of the craziest, frustrating, happy, angry period of time for both of us. Imagine each of us has like 2 luggage and a huge backpack strolling on the streets of New York. This is also the time we have no means of communicating with each other because we did not buy a SIM card, all we relied on was 'Free Wifi' and old style "I'll meet you here at ..."

We breathed in history while following the Boston Freedom Trail

Admire the skyline of NYC from the Empire State Building

Stand at where the Washington Monument was erected

Visited my dear host mom, Jackie and my cute niece in Toledo

Chilly weather in Chicago

Witness the amazing creation of God - the Grand Canyon

Staying in a hotel with a casino at the lobby in Las Vegas

Glittering Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco

Amazing things that happened on this trip:
1. Hitch a ride with a stranger to the train station because there was no cab.
2. Borrowed a phone from a kind old lady to call our tour guide because our flight was delayed.
3. Catching the last bus from downtown LA to our hotel.

I know deep it my heart all this is only by the grace of God because we experience so many miracles along the way.

Our travel route: Boston - NYC - Washington DC - Toledo - Chicago - LA - Las Vegas - San Francisco

#3 Got my first "real" job

In case you haven't been on earth for a while, the economy in 2015 wasn't that great for ASEAN, especially Malaysia. One month after my stint in the US, I landed in a position as a Management Trainee with one of the region's universal bank (currently in my 8th month).

Selfie with ma tag yo! I'm employed :)

#4 Travel to Langkawi with my batch mates

What is better than traveling alone? Traveling with friends!

With ma girls~~ <3

#5 Sisters Trip!!! - Taiwan & Ipoh

Sisters trip are like my unwinding moments... it's nice having family around when you travel :)
Two makes the best travel number.

Hello from Cijin Island!

Ipoh makan makan trip

#6 Family reunion <3

Family will always be very close to my heart, I am blessed that they support me more than ever in 2015. Gatherings are a must every year! No matter how busy we are in life, never forget about those who care about us. Love you mom & dad + all the Choo siblings!

#7 Having the most caring BF ever 

Yes you are right, I am bragging hahaha... well, I am just grateful that in 2015, he has been supporting me all the way. Being the silent superhero in my life. Love you dear :)

#8 Keeping in touch with old and new friends

Keeping in touch to me is honestly one of the most genuine gesture someone gives as it is not only time consuming, but also requires a lot of effort especially those with many friends! I'm grateful I still am able to meet up and catch up about life with these awesome people despite location and our different paths.

Fly to Singapore to meet up :P (that's how serious we get about keeping in touch)

TCB 37 Dinner Gathering

Best friends for 17 years (gosh we r old...)

17 years of friendship, meet up with the gossip girls gang in Penang

My Axiata ULDP Batch 2 Family

#9 Volunteering 

I thank God I have the opportunity to volunteer 2 - 3 times every month with the teenagers in KL KrashPad as part of my CSR under the Management Trainee Programme. This year I also reconnected with the YES Alumni and participated in their beach clean up project.

Group photo after Beach Clean Up Project in Port Dickson

So yes, that's about it...

I guess it would make it better to have a #10 but I seriously can't think of one now (as I am typing this at 1.52am and my eyes are about to shut) that's why I shall rest with 9 :)

What is your reverse bucket list?

Life by design not default

Today pastor shared a message on "Life by design not default"

The key message to this is the Word of God has to be revelation to us as Christians. Reading the word should not just be a routine but we must expect God's word to transform us to become more of Him. Of course this cannot be achieve by human strength but by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is our helper (John 14:26)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Secondly, relationship is more important than ministry... we must not just speak of love but be doers of his word and act on love.

James 1:22
But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Third, our actions should be intentional and not reaction of our circumstances. Many times we react to the situation or circumstances that we face instead of intentionally making up our mind about the life God wants us to live. Remember that God is above all circumstances, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Psalms 46:10
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

I believe in waking up every morning with goals in mind. Without a plan, we will just be swept by the busyness of life and at the end of the day we don't know why we are doing what we are doing. It really isn't easy because this requires a lot of discipline and focus. It's so easy to be distracted today. What I usually do to keep focus is to write down my goals or plans for the day in a book and cross them out one by one as I accomplish what I set myself to do. If not, I will be lost and confused. It is the same for our Christian walk with God. I believe we need to be more focus on Christ and not get distracted by the world... 

We can be who we want to be if we set our mind to it and focus. Do not underestimate the power of the right thoughts. Sometimes we just want to blame our life on others and our circumstances, but instead of complaining, why not direct our energy into making it positive. The key is not to lose hope but hang on to the faith we have in Christ.

Happy Sunday folks :)

Trusting in God

Sometimes (or should I say many times) things don't really work out as what we have carefully planned in our heads. And when that happens we just tend to get so worked up and irritated because it is not how we EXPECT it to turn out.

Thankfully when that happens, a bible verse almost always comes to my mind.

"God's way are higher than my way, His thoughts are higher than my thoughts"

And so instead of complaining about the situation in which I have no control over, why not PRAY instead and SUBMIT everything into the hands of the Almighty? Surely He knows better than me and His purpose is to prosper me and to give me life abundantly.

When I start to meditate upon His word and trust in His provision for me, not only do I get less anxiety, I also learn to depend more on my God and less on my own abilities. For who am I without Him?

Of course at times we still do give into the temptation of the devil and have doubts or start wanting to make things right our own way. But when this happens, we rest assure that we have God's own living and active Word to counter the works of the evil one. If we truly believe in what is being written in the Holy Scriptures, I really believe out lives would be an empowered one because we HEAR and LIVE the word.

Many things had happened in the past month that has in one way or another set me back. But because I trust in His word, I know that He will surely bring me through.

So thank you Jesus for everything.