A letter to my 16 year old self.

Dear 16 year old Michelle,

Hi there! There are a lot of things I want to tell you. I know you are feeling a little lost and sad right now being in a new school in Australia. You feel that you can't fit in, but its okay, as it will get better. I know you are being rebellious right now with Mum, but she is only looking out for you. So trust her as she has way more life experience than you. Some years down the line, you will really need her when you go through major life changes. Mum will also go through some heartbreak and difficulties, and during that time, please do be there for her and strive to put her feelings before yours. As for Gene, he will stay the same in the next few years. He will be all about the computer games, like any other boys his age. He will do very well in his studies though, especially during his VCE. He is a smart boy, so you don't have to worry about him. Also, tell Mum not to worry about him so much as you know how over-protective she can be.

I know you wonder about relationships and you are starting to notice boys. Don't you worry, you will go through many relationships and like most girls, you will make classic epic mistakes of being overly jealous, being clingy and needy and what not. My girl, you are still young and you still don't know what you want. You will go from relationships to another relationships before you learn from your mistakes. Half the time in these relationships, you will feel lonely and single. There is nothing wrong with walking away from a relationship that doesn't make you happy, rather than staying in it. Remember, its better to be single than be in a bad relationship. And, I know you really want to know about sex. My advise is to wait! Wait for as long as you meet the right guy because it will be all worth it. You probably feel scared and worried about love, relationship and sex. It's normal and reasonable to be scared but when the time is right, it would not be a big deal, trust me. Don't let peer pressure get to you either. There is nothing wrong with waiting because you are definitely worth it.

You will also meet new interesting people, gain new friends, and even lose old friends. You will meet people that will look down on you and overlook you. You will meet and read about people that inspire you. You will meet people that teach you lessons, and these people will bring out the best in you. You will even meet people who are really attracted to you. Don't fret about your looks. You are already beautiful. You may not think so now, but every year, you are going to feel more confident and show a lot more of your true self. Also, work on your inner beauty, personality ad character, as it will serve to be even more important than your outer beauty.

VCE will be a stressful time for you but you will get through it. Study hard and enjoy yourself at uni. Choosing a career will be tricky for you. Sometimes,  your goals will change and the career you thought you liked may not be what you want. But it will be exciting for you and take every opportunity that presents itself because not many people are as lucky as you. You will meet amazing friends at uni who will be like a brother or sister to you. They will all be different but that's the best part. By surrounding yourself with different people from different backgrounds, you learn from them and it will bring out the best in you.They will accept you as you are and be there for you. So don't change who you are to fit in with certain people, you yourself is enough. Don't push people that are important to you away, just because of stressful circumstances. When you get upset and scared in a situation, and your first instinct is to walk away and deal with the problems later, don't. It will make the problem worst later on. 

I will be lying if I tell you that your life will be perfect. It won't be easy and the next few years ahead will be filled with ups and downs. You will go through many changes in life and experience an array of emotions, but when you think it doesn't get better, it will. So my dear girl, lead a messy life and make countless mistakes. Go through ups and downs with a smile and thank everyday for the life you will lead and the people that you have.

Sincerely,

Michelle 

Read More... A letter to my 16 year old self.

What defines you?

What defines YOU?

What defines YOU as a person?

No, I'm serious, think about it for a minute.

Are you defined by your job, your status, or your lifestyle choices?

Is it your wealth or how much money you have saved up?

or is it something materialistic like how many luxury items you own?

or something aesthetic, like your weight, super curvy butt, long lean legs, or full lips?

or even your health and sexuality?

Is it the people around you, like your family, parents, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse or friends?

or most commonly, does your past define who you are?

The people around you does not define who you are. Do you really need their affirmation or approval? Do you have to look to others for identity and a sense of belonging?

Because every time you look to others for approval, you miss the chance to define yourself. You start losing who you are and never get the chance to feel complete.

Your past does not define you. Mistakes, regrets and bad experiences do make up our past.

I, for one, has made mistakes and bad choices in many aspects of my life. I have harboured deep regrets for my actions and my words that have hurt others.

I have let my past defined who I am, and that has in turn determined my future, as I chose not to step out of that history. 

To be honest, this is an area where I struggled the most. I tend to blame myself for my actions but I have learned that my past does not define who I am. So don't let your past define you either. I know nothing can change what happened in your past or the pain you endured in your upbringing.

So what exactly defines YOU?

It's how you NOT let your past and history, and the people around you define you. When you choose to do something and step out of your past no matter who and no matter how the past has been, and not let it define how YOU live your life, that is how YOU are defined.

When you let go of any anger or resentment of how your life turned out, and choose to not give up, that is how YOU are defined.

When you accept your past and create new experiences for your future, that is how YOU are defined.

When you accept that not everyone is going to support you and you realize that you don't really need their approval, that is how YOU are defined.

Remember, you are the only person that can define who you truly are.

Read More... What defines you?

A Reason, a Season Or a Lifetime

This post was originally written in early 2013. Since it was published, it has became one of my most read post on this blog. Now I am republishing it as it was unknowingly removed.


"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do."

This post was inspired by a poem titled "Reason, Season, or Lifetime" that I came across recently. It really struck a chord in me, as I felt that I could really relate to the poem. Have you ever met someone who initially you thought of as a stranger, or perhaps you see a person but kept walking without so much of a second glance. Perhaps their looks or appearance didn't interest you at that time, or perhaps you were in a hurry to get to some place at that moment. Now what if lets say, you somehow bumped into that same person again by chance, or you managed to speak and have a conversation with them. You talked about stuff, opened up about stuff, and got to know them more as a person and as an individual. Suddenly, this stranger that you once ignored became someone you care about, someone worthwhile and meaningful to keep in your life either as a friend, best friend, partners or lovers. 

You see, this person came into your life by chance for a REASON, but at this stage you don't know what that reason is. Perhaps, it is to meet a need that you have, provide some support that you need or teach a lesson that needs to be learnt. At that time, you don't really question what the reason is, you would just be enjoying their presence in your life. Nothing matters as you have someone in your life that you feel very lucky and grateful to have.

But this person wont last very long in your life. Maybe a disagreement, a fight or a mistake caused this relationship to end. Friendships ends, love dies, people walk away, leaving two people to part ways as nothing more than strangers. Sometimes, you want to fight it, to keep the relationship alive. But for people who came into your life for a reason, this will be unsuccessful, as the reason they came into your life has been fulfilled. All that is left now is for you to accept this and move on.

Some people came into your life for a SEASON. You met this person who made you laugh, cry and smile. They made you grow as an individual and shared memorable experiences with you. They made you believed anything is possible, and above all they brought you the greatest joy. A person who is meant to be in your life for a season has a mission, a goal to let you grow up and learn a lesson. Perhaps they teach you the joys of new friendship and love, and also the pain and heartbreak of broken friendship and love. When the season is over, this relationship will end causing you pain and sadness, but it is meant to be like this as that is how you will learn the lesson and grow up. The pain and heartache that they caused is why that particular person came to be part of your life for a season. The season may be filled with joys and happiness, but the lesson to be learnt comes from the sadness when this season ends.

Lastly, some people will come into your life for a LIFETIME. They are the reason you are here today after going through all the ups and downs of previous relationships. Lifelong friendships and lifetime relationship are hard to find. They only come into your life after you have learned all your lessons. They are the destination of happiness after going through the journey of finding these lifetime relationships.

So, are you a reason, a season, or a lifetime? 

Read More... A Reason, a Season Or a Lifetime

Stir - fried luncheon meat and potatoes

When I think of my most loved childhood lunch and dinner dishes, I think of this heavenly dish. My Indonesian maid (we hired maids in Malaysia) would cook it pretty often for lunch or even dinner. It is simply delicious when served with a side of rice, or even by itself. Sadly, as I grew up and moved to Australia, I have not eaten it for a very long time.

Luncheon meat is also known in the Western countries as "spam". I recently tried recreating this simple yet deliciously filling dish. The recipe is pretty straightforward with its two main ingredients: Luncheon meat (or spam) and potatoes. From here, you can add other ingredients as you wish, such as onions, celery, beans/baked beans, tomato sauce etc. Don't forget to add salt and pepper as well!

Stir - fried luncheon meat and potatoes

Ingredients
1 can of luncheon meat/spam (found in any Asian grocery store)
2/3 potatoes
Onions
Sesame oil
Salt & Pepper
Oyster sauce (optional)

1. Cut both the luncheon meat and potatoes into small cubes.
2. Microwave potatoes to soften it.
3. Fry both potatoes and luncheon meat in high heat, until brown.
4. Add in onions and fry until onions turn brown/golden.
5. Add in sesame oil, salt and pepper accordingly for taste.
6. Add in oyster sauce (optional) for extra taste.
7. Serve with rice.

Read More... Stir - fried luncheon meat and potatoes