28 October 2020
2D1N Kuala Kurau, Perak.
13 October 2020
What is Change?
Change is inevitable.
Heard of that before? If not, then you have been living inside a cave, is it? Heh.
Anyways, my recent post mentioned that my last days with Holiday Tours are till the end of October, but turns out it is not! Hah.
I will not be leaving this company after all!
There are some changes to the current role and looks like I will very much still be employed but with more flexibility - working from home, etc.
I will not say I am excited to be taking on this "new role" because it really is not like a new-new role. More like now my main role is very much focused on one thing - instead of like doing sales and events and things.
I will be very focused and very flexible in terms of my working time which I really wanted because I really want to spend more time with my two minis and to make more memories with them.
I will also try to teach them like ABC, 123, time, and whatnot. The keyword is I TRY. Heh.
I am not a teacher material and definitely do not have the level of patience teachers have. That is why I always feel that teachers should be paid more than what they are earning because whatever they teach, is whatever our children learn ya.
So yeah - cannot wait for the "new job" to begin!
28 September 2020
World versus Coronavirus.
Of course, coming out of the 3-months lockdown has also taught all of us things and made us realize a few things too so there are some goods out of this pandemic. But still.
Everyone in the world now fights against one common enemy and that is Miss Rona. Some are affected because they have lost their loved ones to this virus or lost their job because the company can no longer support them due to business not doing well et cetera.
Working in a travel company at such a time is really not a good thing.
When the borders remained closed (till Dec 2020), that means our clients (corporate mostly) are not able to travel for their business duties whatsoever, and since 80% of our business depends on corporate travels, this is really a bad thing.
As expected, right after the MCO and our first Town Hall Meeting with our owner, Dato Loy - we all received our first wave of pay cuts. Boo. Then, they removed half of our allowances (for sales and runners), and not long after that, most of our benefits that require the company to spend money (claims on dental, etc) were also stripped off.
Don't ask me if legally they can do that because I have zero ideas but I supposed the company has consulted their lawyers before making major decisions like that.
Our HQ in KL started the first round of retrenchment where it was believed that many did not expect to receive a 24-hours notice to clean their tables, return all assets that belong to the company, and leave the family just like that. I believed tears were flowing in our gigantic office that day.
It was Penang's turn the next day and same as KL, those who got the 24-hours notice did not see it coming at all - did not expect that they will be the one to be kicked out (sort of). Of course, people were crying. It was a sad day.
It is one thing to tender your resignation and voluntarily leave the company and it is another thing to be asked to leave the company (in 24-hours!) - I can only imagine the emotions that were so mixed up.
Imagine you are asked to go into the boss' room and in less than 10 minutes, your life changed - you no longer have a job and you have to say goodbye to your workplace (of which you spend most of your waking hours at) and colleagues - all on the same day.
Sure, you can always grow the friendship outside of the office but it is a completely different feeling. I bet it leaves you clueless and lost in the moment.
I was not particularly close to those who got retrenched but it was emotional enough for me to shed a few tears to see them clear their table and leave.
This pandemic is really something.
Despite the company's effort to keep the ship and all its people on-board and to continue sailing, sadly it is not possible. Now, our company is trying to make sure that the ship does not sink. So, we totally understand the pay cuts and removal of allowances and benefits and a few rounds of retrenchment. After all, we are about 300 staff strength.
All our branches are still operating but if domestic travels do not pick up in sales, I doubt we can survive this year really.
The news is another round of retrenchment is going to happen and who knows what is going to happen - if more people are going to get cut this time.
We have been trying to push and get people to travel domestically because really, our Tourism Industry needs it - but people are afraid to travel because there are still cases reported in Malaysia and I totally get it.
BUT IT IS JUST SO HARD TO SEE THIS SHIP SINKING LIL BY LIL in all honesty. Sakit hati definitely.
My husband gets a lot of WhatsApp messages from me on this hotel got promo lah, this 3D2N package very worth going lah, etc. You cannot imagine how often I tell him about how badly I want to go for staycations and trips around Malaysia. Lucky for me - he is also a travel bug so yay.
With all these pandemic dramas ongoing and who knows where this is heading, and with many other personal reasons and motivations, I have decided to say goodbye to this company - of which I went back to, early 2019 because it really is a great company. But I guess this is where my story ends with Holiday Tours.
I have 2 months left with this company and really, I am thankful for all the opportunities that were given to me, and HTT will always have a special place in my heart. I mean - if you are looking to get a job in a tourism-related company, please have Holiday Tours & Travel as your first choice. It is the best in Malaysia. Top in the industry, please. No fight at all.
I look forward to working on other things in my life and my top priority is, of course, my two kids. They are growing up too fast and I will not want to miss anymore milestones and I want to be their teacher in everything. Hah.
I try lah okay.
I cannot be a teacher, to be honest. And no, I am not homeschooling my children. Heh. I am not so disciplined and smart. Hah.
Anyways, this pandemic sucks big time but I have also seen and experienced some goodness out of it. Better days ahead I believe.
Oh - we also had to say goodbye to our 5D4N trip to Vietnam (all expenses paid for). Our kids (if they go) also no need to pay for anything. We just literally had to get our passports renewed, pack our bags, and go. Everything is planned and paid for. WHAT IS THIS. I guess it is just not meant to be.
Till next time, bye now.
15 September 2020
I Did Brazilian Waxing at Strip Penang! What Now?
Yep - you read it right. Nothing wrong with your eyes.
Another thing on the list got ticked.
If you did not already know, I have always been curious about many things, and going for a waxing session is one of them. Not just any waxing okay - like on the legs or underarms.
One of the reasons why I never actually go for it is because they are expensive, and I mean I am not willing to pay so much money to remove hair on certain parts of my body, please. I can do that myself - or get my husband to do it for me.
Of course, it is also because I am scared la okay. Scared of the pain and although everyone online says that it is painless la, and they had such a wonderful experience la - common sense still shouting loudly that it is going to hurt when they pull the wax strips from your skin.
So, it was delayed. The curiosity on this one was not that strong - not until one day, Beverly came to our house with her mini wax machine and started waxing some of us. She started doing nose hair waxing on the guys because Andrew claimed that it is not painful at all.
Of course, Adrian went for it. Okaylah - Adrian said actually not painful, but he and Josh both screamed like girls when Beverly was going to pull it out from there nose. So manly I know. Heh.
Anyways, she tried on my legs, and surprisingly, it was not painful at all and I kinda enjoyed the whole process of it. So, that was how this whole curiosity came out again.
Then what do you know! 9.9 came and Fave sent me an email and I clicked on it and the next thing I know, I also clicked "Buy Now!".
I called Strip Gurney Paragon immediately and scheduled an appointment the very next day. I was not going to give myself a lot of time to run away from it. Later reality sets and I got freaked out so the faster I go through with it, the better.
To be honest, I was very nervous to experience a waxing experience on my hoo-ha because in my head, of course, it is going to hurt like crazy. Not as much as labor pain (nothing is more painful than giving birth really) but I was super nervous.
I was even more nervous when I stepped into the shop and was greeted by 3 ladies. Hopefully, they cannot tell I was sweating inside so hard it is crazy.
I was then ushered into a room and given certain instructions and then I lie on the bed - covered with a clean plastic sheet and covered myself with the towel given.
My wax therapist named Chom (who is a Siamese, married to a Technician working in Prai and she has a 3yo girl who she sends to a local nanny that she pays RM800/monthly). You will be surprised how easy it is to get to know someone when you go through such an "intimate" process. Heh. She was such a lovely person.
So when it was time for her to wax my hoo-ha, I became speechless for a while because I did not know what to expect. So I asked her questions and in my effort to try to distract me from freaking out, we talked about our personal life. Heh. We shared life stories and jokes.
So, how did the whole Brazilian waxing went?
Okay right - so if you go read reviews on Brazilian Waxing, and most (probably about 80%) will claim that it is painless and it's a very comfortable experience, etc.
Let me tell you something.
IT WAS PAINFUL.
Let no one tells you otherwise.
How can it be painless? The therapist will spread a layer of hot wax onto your hoo-ha and when the wax is dried up, they will then pull it off. Yes, pull it off. No slow motion all, please. Chom always gave me like a heads-up when the wax is ready to be peeled off and I would hold my breath.
Brazilian waxing is a painful procedure because it is done all over your hoo-ha. But it is the kind of pain where it lasts for like 2-seconds and then gone no more pain - because now that pain shifts to the other side of the hoo-ha. Heh!
It was my first full-on Brazilian waxing experience and I have to say that I loved it! It was surely painful and all but it was also very satisfying to see the end product of it. I mean - it's really something la okay.
The pain is very bearable, and yes - in that 2-seconds after they peel off the wax, your body will shake in response to the sudden pain, but after that, all is good again.
So, was it worth the RM58?
Definitely yes! The original price is RM129 (I think), and actually, I am not sure if I will be willing to spend that money every 2 months or so to get waxed. We will see.
So, if you have not tried before, I would highly recommend you try it because aren't you like curious about how it will feel and how it will make you feel after the whole thing?
I feel quite sexy la, to be honest! HAHA. Okay - TMI!
Till next time, bye now.
01 September 2020
In Loving Memory of Pastor Lim Heok Cheow.
It is surreal that Pastor Heok Cheow is no longer reachable via his phone, FB, or home visits. Every time when I think of that, I become sad. It is one of the hardest goodbyes.
My only regret is not calling/visiting him earlier.
We have arranged for a dinner party at his house on the day he passed away. If only we did the dinner party a week earlier. So many 'if only' so I'm going to stop.
I mentioned this in my eulogy so here it is again.
When I first met Pastor HC who was the Youth Pastor back then in 2003 (I was 15yo), I was scared of him. He looked strict and serious, but later on, I found out that he is such a funny and relatable man. You would know because he is loved by so many people especially young people.
I do not cry in front of people (other than family) but this man and Ps Cowan have seen me at one of my weakest times and I am forever thankful because these two are God-sent. Excuse me, Pastor Cowan - this is not a eulogy for you so you don't perasan. Surely you will live long, please.
12 August 2020
Did I Really Join an MLM Company?
I know many of you are somewhat confused with my recent postings on IG and FB since mid-July because I have been sharing on many kinds of products - ranging from health supplements to hair care products to makeup items.
In one of my previous post titled 'Do You Want to Earn Extra Side Income?', I briefly talked about some of the health supplements that I have been taking that worked, even for my parents okay.
But this post will be more on what the business is and what exactly am I doing.
I am still very much employed at Holiday Tours Penang despite the pandemic that caused the biggest decrease in business for all tourism industry-related businesses since forever.
We get pay-cuts and all but who knows what is going to happen if the vaccine never comes out, right?
Since mid-July, I had officially joined the dark side. Hah.
No - it is not MLM. More info below. *not self-denial please* Heh.
My husband calls it Direct Selling and as much as I do not want to admit it - it is Direct Selling kind of business. I remembered telling him (and myself) that I will never join any direct selling companies because I am just not into MLM kind of business right.
Well, not until I know more details about Shop.com by Market Malaysia. Initially, I also thought that it's an MLM business so I was really like not interested. I first heard it from a friend, Steven but quickly just never thought about it because direct selling ma right. Then, years later, my sister joined and she tried to talk me into joining her but, I did not also. She wasn't actively pursuing it at that time too.
But my family already started using some of its products and when I see the changes and reviews from them, I became slightly more interested and when it was the right timing, I decided to join. Andrew and me both really.
We see the potential in the products and for me personally, I truly am a convert. Heh. I always thought that taking health supplements in pill form is like the best already. There are so many brands out there that sell good health supplements and whatnot. But when I learned more about these Isotonix, I was immediately a fan.
The high concentration of vitamins and minerals, fast absorption, pleasant to drink, and maximum results. Pills generally take a longer time to be digested, hence slower absorption.
After I joined Shop.com, I introduced the Isotonix health supplements to my own family (husband and MIL) and now they take it every day. I recently added Aloe Vera juice onto our kitchen table as a must-drink to boost our immune system. Our favorite is the Strawberry Kiwi flavor.
I believe prevention is better than cure. And since I am in it, I truly believe that the Isotonix drinks will make a difference in our health - especially OPC-3 Plus which is our best selling antioxidant.
Let's not forget about Royal Spa Shampoo and Conditioner that I have been sharing and many of you have actually placed an order with me to give it a try. So far, people are loving it so I'm really glad. Happy customer = happy me.
Of course, other than the products, the other way to grow the business and potentially earning a weekly side income is to grow the team. I decided to join Shop.com because of its binary style of teamwork. And it really is a teamwork-based business.
Most of you will probably just summarize it and say, "It's MLM la". I thought it was too!
But no okay - here are four main differences in how Shop.com by Market America is structured and is more of a modernized franchising system (without a physical shop) than an MLM system.
See. Okaylah - I can understand the doubts and all because I was like that until I am not anymore now. Then again, I am still very new in this.
So, if you are one of those who want to earn side income (potentially a five-figure in 2-3 years if you are hardworking and committed) then you can talk to me (us). For me, I am not looking to build a team just by simply getting everyone on my friends' list. I am looking for people who are serious and committed to growing this business together. People who are looking for more in life than just going through their day to day job and earning a range of salary that may not grow very wide/fast unless you pursue a Masters or Ph.D. kind.
You want to earn like a CEO kind of salary or not one day?
I cannot promise you that confirm you will earn a five-figure if you join our team, but one thing I know (for me at least) is that as long as you are hardworking and committed and serious, in 2-3 years' time, as a team, I believe sure got side income flow in - more staycations please heh.
I told myself (and my husband) that I'm going to do my best on this and see where it goes. If all is good then it's really good lah! But if not, then at least I gave it a try!
I'm a very positive person but I'm also quite lazy okay.
But then ever since I joined Shop.com, I feel I've changed. I've become more hardworking and determined to grow in this business - be it in product knowledge or studying about Market Malaysia. I am motivated to work hard now because I know 30-40 years down the road, I can pass my "business" to my children and they can continue to enjoy the rewards.
That is why I decided to take the first step.
So yeah.
If you would like to know more - whether on the products or the business opportunity side - don't be shy. Just personally message me and I will tell you more.
If you want to support me in my new venture by buying some products, can message me also because then I can recommend to you what you need and no need. Heh.
I am not a pro on all the products yet but one day I will be. So be patient with me, please.
Thank you in advance for your support because I appreciate all of them - whether its literally buying the products, or sharing encouraging words and thoughts. Thank you so much! It is never easy when you start a business - heh. I'm not a businessman, please. More like a salesperson to a company that sells these products. Hah. And yes, I do earn from selling the products so if you are not like immediately want to earn a lot of money and super chill with your currents, selling these products also lets you earn liau. Not much but at least earning side income lo. Hah.
Till next time, bye now.
28 July 2020
My Eyebrow Embroidery Story.
After years of thinking and almost-doing it, I finally did it.
I have tried quite a number of things in regards to my face (not cosmetic surgery la okay) because I'm vain like that. Heh.
It was like a 2-hours process and when I went home, no one could tell that I had just done my brows. Adrian himself also did not realize when he came to fetch us home. It was only when I stared at him and smiled a long time then only he was like, "YOU DID YOUR EYEBROWS?"
He was impressed because it looked os natural that he thought I drew them.
The next day, the eyebrows looked darker but no more swelling, and over the next few days, it peeled and then it became a lot lighter. A bit too light but natural for sure.
22 July 2020
Do You Want to Earn Extra Income?
16 July 2020
Six Breastfeeding Must-Haves.
Through this 6-months journey with Sofia (and 1-month with Alex in 2018), here are some of the things that goes to the MUST-HAVE list to make this journey a better one.
I got mine from Shopee at about RM600 and it comes with a leg rest stool and a pillow. IKEA is selling at RM699 and does not come with a leg rest stool or a pillow (I think).
I put more pillows so I feel more comfortable during the night feeds.
It is also one of Alex's favorite places to be when he watches video on his iPad.
If you asked me now if I will still get the same nursing chair from Shopee, I would say no. I will definitely spend more money to get the chair from IKEA.
The one I got from Shopee is not as comfortable as IKEA's. And IKEA's chair comes with 10 years' warranty so yeah. Maybe I should sell my current chair at a discounted price and get the IKEA's chair. Heh.
Then again, I am no longer breastfeeding so not ideal to do the above said.
Anyways, this chair saved my sanity for when I needed to nurse Sofia so many times after midnight. It is one thing to not be able to avoid feeding your child when she cries for milk in the middle of the night but to get to do it in a comfortable nursing chair, now that is a life-saver.
Number two is the right nursing pillow. I have looked through different types of nursing pillows and finally settled for the U-shaped one because it is most common and cheapest. Heh.
With this pillow, Sofia is usually sleeping soundly during the nursing time because there is no body heat that I am transferring to her and in a way, the pillow is so much softer than my boney arms, please. Of course, sometime I will carry her because I overly attached like that. Hah.
The third must-have for me is definitely a nursing cover that is big, light, and thin in its material. The one I got was big but the material was quite thick so whenever Sofia feeds under the cloth, she will sweat for sure. So kesian. I wanted to get a better nursing cover but MCO happened and since staying home means I can freely nurse her anywhere without having to cover, I did not get a new one in the end. But yes, very important to get one that is thin material okay.
Number 4 is also super important because every breastfeeding moms need it wan. A super effective breast pump! I could never invest like a few thousand ringgits to get a breast pump because it is just way too much money so I kept searching and finally found one that has all the features that I was looking for.
WIRELESS.
Oh man let me tell you how a wireless breast pump can change your life. With Alex, I was using my sister's so it is the usual breast pump that is out there - comes with a wire, and tubes and bottles, etc. With a breast pump that is wireless, that only means I don't have to be seated at a place for the entire pumping time.
And with SuperMama's FlexiFit Electrical Tubeless Breast Pump, it was such an enjoyable pumping experience. I was pumping in the living room, at the dining table, in the car, in office, etc. There was no fuss at all. There were a concern that its suction power is not strong enough but please, there are nine levels and for me personally, it was enough. Supermama's breast pump was my best friend on the go.
I charge it every day at night after the last pump and it will last me the entire day. I keep one pump at my mom's and one with me all the time. So whenever, I feel like my boobs are going to ve engorged, I take it out and pump (with a nursing cover of course).
Got once we were at a party at a friend's house and I was getting super engorged, I covered myself with the nursing cover and pumped right at the dining table with all my friends present. I did not have to miss out on the conversations because it was really THAT convenient.
It definitely made life so much easier. And I only spent RM 380 for 2 FlexiFit Electrical Tubeless Breast Pump. Even Adrian was amazed by this product.
Now, Supermama had recently came out with a new version where you just got to put in in your bra and yes, wireless and no need to hold also. I was super tempted to get it but maybe for my next baby.
It's called SuperMama Air Breast Pump and costs RM299 for 1. If you are a working mother, I'd say that this is a great investment.
The fifth must-have is of course disposable breast pads. No one likes leaky boobs especially when you go out because it's embarrassing to have milk stains. Heh. So, I'd always made sure to invest on good quality ones that is both comfortable and effective. So far, all brands also okay. None that is like bad.
I have considered getting reusable/washable breast pads but some of my friends shared that after a while, there is a smell on the pads (even after wash) and since I am a working mom, I prefer to have something that is more convenient.
Number 6 and final (for me) for this breastfeeding must-have is a good supportive nursing bra. I tried many brandless nursing bras that I get online and although some are quite comfortable and all, I still feel that the best supportive bra is the sports bra.
Yes, you see that right. SPORTS BRA.
Nothing supports the C-cup boobies like sports bra does. And it's quite easy for nursing also. I realized I do not necessarily need to get those nursing bra to have 'easier' nursing experience. I did with the sports bra and loving it a lot. So much comfort, please.
So these are my six must-haves for a smoother and more enjoyable breastfeeding journey.
Gotta admit that I am already missing it but no regrets okay. Last night, I tried to get Sofia o latch on, but she wouldn't even want to look at it anymore. Hah. She moved on very quickly it seems.
Now, we can focus on the next baby - I AM KIDDING!
07 July 2020
Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-Fry.
It is like cooking updates one after another because what else do you do when you cannot go out and spend the entire day at home, right?
I decided to get a small tub of Gojuchang sauce because initially, I wanted to learn how to make Sundubu Jiggae from my mom (and she did tell me the steps etc) but it seems like so much work so I'm just going to do other Gojuchang-related meals first.
I happened to see this recipe on Marion Grasby's website and it was so simple so I decided to do it.
For this, you actually only need Gojuchang paste and the rest is just fresh ingredients that you would like to add into this dish.
I sliced a chicken breast and marinated with Gojuchang paste for a few hours. Actually, no need so many hours wan. I just had a lot of time so I decided to marinate it in the noon and cooked them in the evening.
No need to put salt or any other sauce because Gojuchang paste itself is already very flavorful.
I then opened my fridge and get some of the vegetables I can see and chopped them up into bit-sizes. I started with garlic and then in goes all the vegetables and once, my vegetables (I think) are semi-cooked, I then put in the Gojuchang marinated chicken slices.
Then, it is all just stir and fry until the meat is fully cooked.
To me, I think I added too much of the Gojuchang paste. I think next time, I will just put a tablespoon first and see. If not enough, only put another one. It was a lil too spicy for my MIL and husband. A little too thick too if you ask me.
But overall, flavour is superb and this is the easiest recipe seriously.
Till next time, bye now.
28 May 2020
Motherhood in One Word (For Me).
So, recently I was asked by my church to share on what motherhood is to me (and how does having Jesus in my life helped) and I did.
I wrote the below for script and spent about one & a half hours talking to myself in front of the camera. It was intense. I had to go to a place that is quiet (which is obviously impossible with the children at home), and with "proper" background. I also had to record at a place where no cars or bikes can be heard.
So, I chose to do it just outside my parents' place. If you listen carefully, at the end of the video, you can actually hear Sofia.
Towards the end of it, I was sweating buckets (thankful it didn't really show in the video except for a shiny face heh). There were a lot of retakes because cars and bikes were driving by, our neighbor decided to wash like gazillions of plates and I forgot what I wanted to say. The camera was fully-charged okay when I first started.
Then, when the battery was left with 19%, I was like, "Game on!" because I do not have any other time to record video so this has to be it.
At the end, I decided to record it to three parts which was a lot easier than recording at one full take. I also did not really follow my "script" because I didn't want to read from it and record. I had to be a little bit spontaneous ma right.
Confidence is key. Hah.
So yeah. I had fun doing this video because it sort of allows me to think of what motherhood is to me and what it has done to me (all good things).
What is motherhood to you, I wonder. Everyone for sure has different definition of what motherhood is to them.
So here goes.
Hello everyone.
First, let me just wish all beautiful mothers and mothers to be out there - Blessed Mothers Day!
My name is Sarah Khoo and I have 2 minis - a soon-to-be-2yo-boy and a 4mo-baby-girl.
I also have a husband and a 9-5 job.
If I can choose one word that summarizes what motherhood is to me - it would be SACRIFICE.
BEING A MOM IS THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
- We give up our body to grow a human for nine months.
- We go through labor for hours and hours, and we go through the set of emotions that comes with childbirth because of the hormonal changes.
- We try to deal with our insecurities every time we look into the mirror because our body no longer looks and feels the same anymore.
- We spend hours and hours trying to research on how to boost our milk supply because we want to continue breastfeeding for as long as we can.
- By the time we get to eat, our food is cold but we had to swallow it anyways because we never know when the baby is awake again or wants to be held by you and nobody else.