Overcoming My Fear

When I was a kid, my parents enrolled me into swimming lessons. The lessons were conducted before curriculum time. Once the lessons were done, we then carry on our normal school period. It was supposed to be fun and exciting. 

 Unfortunately for me, back then, I did not find the swimming classes exciting at all, not even a teeny weeny bit. There were days I pretended that I was not feeling well so that I can skip the lesson. How about that time when I forgot to bring along my goggles and the instructor did not spare me at all. Forced me to submerged my head underwater and kick as hard as I can. Plus, since swimming class was in the morning, I was really tired after the swim to concentrate much during lessons. It was a miracle how I was able to survive and pass the test!

That was when I realised. I realised I had a fear. Ok, let me correct the statement there. Maybe a few fears. 

Fear of submerging my entire body underwater.

Fear of opening my eyes underwater.

Fear that I might drown.

Fear of water.

The list just goes on.

When I decided to embark on the Capturing 2016 project, overcoming my fears was right on the top of my list. With this personal project under my belt, I wanted to ensure that I made 2016 a great year, or at least I try to. 

Hence, I decided that in order to overcome my fear stated above, I shall enrol myself in an all-ladies swimming class. How delighted I was when I was scrolling through Instagram one day and came across a video of a lady swimming. She stated how she was not even able to submerge her head underwater at first and over time, she was able to swim at the deep pool. 

I was sold!

I contacted the instructor, Haneeza from Graceful Swimmers and asked tonnes of questions. It was a bonus that she conducted classes in the east, a few minutes drive from my home. Eventually, I managed to enrol myself in Haneeza's class and she has been very patient with me since lesson 1. I realised that with my incapability, I have to come extra early for lessons and orientate myself in the pool first before the proper lesson starts. I have to work extra hard as compared to others due to my fear and a bit of my tiredness from work.

Ayu and Ratna have been pretty supportive of this. They not only encouraged, they have been ever-willing to join me to work on my kicking drills and hand strokes. They let me have a head start whenever we swam together. They kept encouraging me to go on when I can no longer swim and even cleared the path for me so that I do not find any excuse to stand up in the middle of the pool.  When I needed some time to gather my thoughts and convince myself that I too can swim, these two will swim the length of the pool and purposely make me feel jealous. 

ppppfftttt...

They had years of training. I...well technically I only had about 6 lessons so far. Maybe, just maybe, after a few years, I might just be as good as my 2 besties. Wish me luck!

Oh and here's a pic of my very first lesson with my other swim mates. These beautiful ladies kick ass, swim like fishes and are inspired navy seals. I wanna be as good as them.

So, 1 down... many many more on my list to go.

#capturing2016

Timeless Classic

I am turning a year wiser soon. 

My 2 besties and I were hanging out on whatsapp earlier, we hang out a lot there due to our unavailability to meet up in person these days. Ayu was talking about the things I can do on my next upcoming blocked leave and Ratna shared about the things she did alone before she got married. 

It was a great discussion listing down possibilities I would wanna consider doing this upcoming March blocked leave. Things which I have been missing. Take time to relive my life and focus on the things I wanna do or did not imagine I would do. Things like...

Go for an early morning jog

Walk at the beach 

Go for an early morning swim

Enjoy some early morning sweat

Have a nice breakfast outside home or work for a change

Read a book somewhere

Go for courses

Learn something non-work-related, anything

I am so blessed to be surrounded by beautiful souls such as these 2 friends and many more who always want the best for me. Alhamdulilah. 

One of the things Ratna suggested was to list down a number of things to do as part of my Capturing 2016 personal project. I loveee personal projects. It somehow makes me feel more alive than usual, hahahahah. 

I love their ideas. 

As I was listing down some of the things I hope to accomplish throughout 2016, I looked through my ootd pictures taken a few days ago and thought of something. 

This Miss Saigon outfit was bought by a dear friend when she went to Vietnam a few years back. It was then a trend for ladies to be seen wearing it for a short season. I have always liked how this outfit has a peekaboo style that make others wanna know if the lady is wearing a pair of pants or a long skirt instead. 

It then occurred to me that I should turn some of my already available outfits slash clothes and make a timeless classic pieces out of them (that's my version of timeless classic btw), instead of just hanging in my wardrobe and wondering when will be the right time to wear them again. 

So instead of buying new clothes and wearing them only a few times in a year, let's make this year, the year for them. 

Mix them up, match them differently, style them up uniquely & make them work! 

   

How To Make A Girl Smile

I woke up today thinking how I have not got myself any flowers for AGES. It has been quite a while since I filled the house up with flowers, let alone arrange any of them. I did not feel like cutting the leaves, de-thorning the roses and do any clearing up today. I did what I thought was best....

I headed to the flower shop.

To be precise, my favourite cafe cum flower shop. The smell upon entering the shop was heavenly. It felt peaceful being in there.

Of course, it had to be V-Day when I felt the urge to get flowers. I can imagine the wholesalers will be crowded today. Choices might be limited as well. Not to mention the prices would be sky rocketed these few days! 

A quick look on instagram helped me decide if I should get the flowers, or wait.

The flower shop brought in soo many unique flowers that I cannot prolong the wait. Waiting would mean that I might never get the chance to bring them home. Check out the beautiful view upon entering the shop. I can wake up to this view every single day. 

Unfortunately, the ones I initially intended to get may not last beyond 3 days. Major bummer! For the price that I am paying for x the days they can last, it ain't worth it. But I would not be surprise if somewhere along the way, I change my mind and get them anyway. I ended  up with the Holland Rose which smells amazing. I know the prices were hiked for this lovers' occasion, but they were oh so pretty.

My ride home was a pleasant one with the bouquet of beauties on the passenger's side. How I wish I could have such a passenger more often. I figured that if I was not a teacher, I'll consider owning a few flower shops, bring smiles, joy and love to the entire world. How can one not feel happy upon receiving flowers? Plus, I think flowers are one of the easiest way to make (almost) any smile. Unless if the girl is not really into you, even if you buy her a flower shop, she won't necessarily smile. 

To those celebrating, Happy V-Day, to the rest of us, enjoy whatever is left of this beautiful Sunday.

*kiss kiss*

Post CNY

Falling sick so early in the year was never part of schedule.

I do not think it's part of anyone's plan anyway.

First, I had a great time during the long CNY holiday. I met up with my besties and their babies during that long break. For the first time in our friendship, we went swimming together! Well aside from the fact that it is only now that I can probably swim (a lil). Ayu and Ratna swam the length of the pool, while I swam the breadth of the pool. Maybe in the future, I can swim diagonally. Everything starts with a dream right?

The next thing I knew, I fell sick the very next day. Can you believe it? One day of fun turned into a few days of illness. *cries*

I was wrapped up under my blanket, jacket and I even had socks on under the cover with the air-con off. Pfft... Major bummer. What a comeback. It feels like I was the one who went visiting and stayed out late, hahahahaha.

It felt miserable. I had to miss my fitness classes, collapsed into my bed, lost my appetite, it was a horrible, horrible feeling.

I did felt major loved when messages came in from my loved ones telling me to get well soon. At the back of my mind, all I could think of was the mountains of work waiting for me. All that to-do list, that matters which needs to be looked into. Some dear friends messaged to tell me what are the essential oils needed to recover quick. I diffused them, rubbed some on myself, smelled them and maybe even dreamt of them. I was so glad for the much needed tips.

Guess what? Now, I can't wait for Monday to come.

Bring it on, Monday!