#TGIF: My travel to Yunnan, part I

Ok yes, I am not on time this round. I missed out to post right at 8pm, in fact, I am writing this in real-time. It's 8.40pm, Friday 5th December and I just got home from work about an hour ago. I meant to write about my Yunnan trip but you guys...the thought of writing a very long post just exhaust me. I drafted something on my phone but it was non-coherent, just bits and pieces here and there. I don't know whether to make it informative or day to day breakdown or a reflection. In short, I was overwhelmed.

Hence why I procrastinated it until today, and I've decided, this post is going to be everything -- a bit informative, a bit of travelog and a bit of my reflection from the trip. You have to bear with me if it's end up going to be long. Here goes nothing.

This trip was planned so early, we (my three colleagues and I) booked the tickets kind of on a whim, back in May or June. We paid a hefty amount for the tickets, so please don't do that and wait for better timing to buy them. Compare prices with people who have gone, get know how low it can go. We decided to go right after 11.11 Sale, the best possible date was 14 - 25 November. We only started really planning for the trip in late September to October -- figuring out the itinerary, booking packages and allocating how many days do we want to stay at each city. 

On the day we leave, we were all working full day, still. It was a Friday and our flight was at 10pm, so might as well work the day normally. We took red-eye flight, which was not the best decision at the time because as we landed, it was 2am and nothing opens, we could not check in because our first hotel was in Dali and we landed in Kunming, our train to Dali was not until 7am. So we ended up hanging out at the airport, tired, hungry, sleepy and exhausted. We were also irritated with the amount of times we had to reject taxi drivers for offering rides repeatedly.

When it was time to go, we freshen up and took Didi (e-hailing in China, just like Grab) to Kunming train station. As soon as we sat on the train, we all crashed. Within minutes all of us fell dead asleep, only woke up like 15 minutes before arriving in Dali. It was a goooooood nap to say the least. We needed it. Arrived in Dali, we took another Didi to our hotel. It was a cute guest house overlooking Erhai Lake that I immediately fell in love with. The whole area was so quaint and lovely. It truly made me feel like I was in a K-drama -- it was the kind of picturesque view that you only see on TV. 

In Dali, because we only stayed for one night, we didn't get to do much except for exploring Erhai Lake, both around our hotel and a park at the other side of the lake that took us one hour drive to get to. Even though the stay at Dali was short, but I think it was what we needed -- a slow paced, quite city -- perfect as the first city we visit. 

Next city was Lijiang. If anyone visits Yunnan, Lijiang will be the main agenda. Both main attractions for Yunnan are here in Lijiang. So like everybody else, we did the same. First day in Lijiang was spent strolling around the ancient city. Every cities has their own ancient city that you must visit. They are all very quaint and unique in their own way. Lijiang's ancient city is very busy. Packed with people every night. Because our hotel in Lijiang was right in the middle of the ancient city, we naturally go out strolling around every night we were there, eating ice cream in 10°C. Immaculate vibes all around. I loved Lijiang. 

The next day was our trip up to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (JDSM), Blue Moon Valley and we also watched Lijiang Impression Show. All these were in the same park area. This is the only thing we took a package for, all other things we did DIY. People would ask me how did we communicate with the locals -- it was fully via google translate guys. We could not speak an ounce of Mandarin, they can't speak or understand any English, so google translate was all we relied on. They also knew that they have to translate to English so often they were ready with their own translate app. We were among the first trip to go up the JDSM that day, it was only around 7.30AM when we got up there, the view was insanely breathtaking but I could not for the life of me stand how cold it was up there. The temperature was -5°C, the coldest my human body has ever experienced, but thankfully all of us felt okay going up that high. around 3000+m above sea level.

Blue Moon Valley was nothing too special, the valley itself was a-okay only but because it was also overlooking the snow mountain, the pictures you take have insane backdrop. Then Lijiang Impression Show was nice. The view that you get, overlooking the snow mountain was the main event itself. It was like a feast to the eyes. I cannot repeat this enough but it was gorgeous. The show was obviously in full Mandarin, I don't understand half of it, except for parts that translation were provided. Essentially it tells about the origin story of the ethnic groups of Lijiang. It was interesting. 

The next day we went to Tiger Leaping Gorge, fully DIY. This trip took a whole day too, only because the trip to TLG took 2 hours by bus, one way. So two hours going there and two more hours back to Lijiang. Truthfully, the place was not super fascinating. Maybe I was not into it as much, it it's water. However, I must say, the view along the journey was what made it worth it. Stunning all the way. 

Phew, this post has taken way too long to write and I am only halfway through, you guys! I will be stopping here for now, I will continue Shangri-La and Kunming in my next post, next week. I am sorry for not completing everything today but I think you'll get fatigue reading too long of a post anyway. 

Can you believe I only have 3 more Fridays to go?! Time flew! Please tell me whether or not I should continue #TGIF series next year? If yes, what else would you like to read about? See you next Friday :)

TGIF: The witness to your life

I’ve just finished reading Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez last week during my travel to Yunnan. The whole concept of the book hits close to home, and I read it with a quiet sense of melancholy.

In the book, and I quote: That there is nothing more beautiful than being a witness to someone’s life. To know them inside and out and be with them through everything, share the same memories. A shared collection of experiences, like a snowball rolling downhill, getting bigger as it goes.

When we say we want someone to share our lives with, what do we really mean? Nothing has ever articulated it so accurately until I read those lines. I almost cried. Because it’s true: all we need is a witness to our lives. Someone who knows the big, the small, and everything in between.

That scar you have, no one else knows why or how it happened except your person. He knows exactly how it happened because he was there. He knows how long it took to heal because he was living parallel to your life.

I often think about all the milestones I’ll need to recap once I finally meet The One, because he’s missed so much: my first job, my promotions, the day I got my driver’s license, all the travels I took without him, the friends I made, the little stories tucked between moments. All my wins and all my failures he wasn’t a part of — and being 28, I have many.

I think the Universe is trying to remind me of this again and again. Recently, I came across a TikTok video on this exact topic, asking, “Why do people get married?” The answer was the same: because we need a witness to our lives. In marriage, we promise to care about everything — the good, the bad, the big, the small, and the mundane. Even the most trivial things. All of it, all the time, every day. Your life will not go unnoticed, because your person will notice it.

If you already have that someone, please know you have one of life’s greatest blessings — a gift not everyone gets to have. I have no idea if this gift is in store for me, but I do hope that for you, it is.
It’s a special thing to have a best friend for life, a safe place to come home to, and a vault for all your deepest secrets.

#TGIF: Favourite movies of all time

I am not a movie junkie, and I am not the kind to watch new movies at the cinemas. I'm also not the type to rewatch movies, unless I really like them. I am not critical with movies either, don't understand the technicalities of what makes a movie good - cinematography, lighting, all that jazz. But I do know how a movie can make me feel. I have many movies through out the years that I will happily revisit and rewatch. These I would say, are my top movies of all time (in no particular order).

1. Love, Rosie - My heart was broken, shattered to pieces and finally glued back together. All within the 100 minutes of the movie. Also, Sam Claflin?!

2. Little Women (2019) - That one monologue!!! Tattooed on my brain forever.

3. Mamma Mia - The first one, always!!! What I would do to watch it for the first time again.

4. My Sister’s Keeper - I was traumatized the first time I watched it. Sisterly bond is my weakness.

5. The Holidays - Yes, another Cameron Diaz movie. The whole plot of this movie is also very very unique. Not your typical holiday movie. The side plot is also very heartwarming.

6. How to be Single - Relatable and funny. An easy movie to watch, very enjoyable. Yearly rewatch material.

7. We are Family - Please please please go watch this movie if you need a good cry. I never not cry when I watch this. The first time I watched it, I was inconsolable and the sadness stayed with me for a few days after. Have this in your next watchlist and watch it alone for elite experience.

8. When in Rome - This movie, I have not seen in years, but you know how I can confidently put it on this list? Is the fact that I still think of it to this day.

9. Ayat-ayat Cinta - C'mon, one Indo movie has to be on here. Can't count the amount of times I rewatched this too. The nikah scene alone is 10/10. And let's pretend the second movie never existed.

10. Laila Isabella - I have to throw one classic, OG, that GURL on here. Everyone's performances in here were chef's kiss!! I wish we have this on streaming.

If you don't know what to watch on your free time or while you're eating, you're welcome. I just gave you ten options.

#TGIF: Through Their Eyes

 

The little hands tapping on the window,
eyes wide, full of wonder,
shrieks and gasps saying—
“Look at those! So beautiful!”

It’s the same view I see every day,

every commute to my 9–5.

I’ve long lost appreciation for it,

but to them, it’s all new.

I understand it now—

the role of a child:

to teach us to slow down and appreciate

the world once again,

to see through innocent eyes,

to find beauty in the everyday,

the kind that dulls over time.

I stand right behind,

smiling to myself, whispering thank-yous,

for showing me that life can be

ever exciting, ever thrilling, ever exhilarating—

even in the mundane,

if only I choose to see it that way.

- AZ

#TGIF: The thing that lingers

“He had a baby today”

“Damn. I would love to read your journal entry about this. Like I want to skinny dip right into your thoughts right now."

It was not a joke though I was trying to lighten the mood, knowing how this news may be hitting her like a truck. 

“There wouldn’t be enough papers for it. To describe how the world stopped for me this morning. I feel like crashing out, but at the same time like, ‘what am I doing’”

“It would literally be like that for me too.”

“I remember exactly where I was when I found out he got a gf, when he got engaged, when he got married, now had a baby.”

“Must’ve felt like little earthquakes each time.”

“Belum habis process the milestones then BAM! — a meteor”

“I get it, he’s 10 milestones ahead and it feels unfair that you are still at the restaurant” 

That’s a Taylor Swift reference, incase you don’t know. 

“Hard to admit but mentally I am still there. I don’t talk about it anymore, I thought I was past it. It’s fading but not fast enough.”

That’s the thing about unrequited love. It’s an open wound, gushing out blood at first but you ignore them, because time heals, right? It became an ugly, untreated scab and one trigger makes it bleeding again. You thought you were past it, dealt with it, moved on from it. But the truth is, it’s still there. Ignored, untreated, unaddressed. It sucks even more when it seems like you’re the only one experiencing it while the other person moved on, unaffected. You’re left feeling betrayed, angry or bitter. Or worse—all of them at once. 

Many had gone through similar experiences, myself included. The end of an almost-lover hurts more than an actual relationship because you’re haunted by the what-ifs and the could’ve beens. Often, it stays with you for years. You started dissecting conversations thinking “Did I read that wrongly?” “Did I imagined everything?” “Was all of that not real?”. Replaying every shared memories in your head wondering if it was one sided after all. 

It’s the endless questions you have, doing laps around the corner of your brain where the thought of him seems to have a permanent residence, knowing well you will never get the answers to. Some lucky enough to get closure, but many never did, silently grieving someone who no longer belongs — and maybe never truly did.

#TGIF: The mental juggle lately

 

One night I woke up from a bad dream. A nightmare, I would say. In that dream I was on my way to the airport with my sister Dyna when I realized I forgot to pack a lot of important items. Like a warm outerwear when it’s going to be late fall/early winter where I’m heading and I forgot to exchange money for expenses, and apparently, my Visa was also not approved yet. I woke up panicked, and thankful that I was still in my room, and not living a nightmare at the airport. 

The thing is, I am really travelling soon, and I am unready. That dream was a reminder that I should start packing and preparing, but also the reflection of my quiet anxieties of travelling. Apparently, not too quiet since it managed to creep into my dream. I hate to admit this, but despite me showing my brave side, I am very much afraid. This place is a place I’ve never been to, using a language I don’t speak, in a climate I am not used to. It’s not a baseless fear. But other people do this all the time, don’t they? 

I went to a friend’s wedding last weekend, it was probably one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to. That aside, being around familiar faces brought back memories from 2020, when the world was in the thick of COVID-19. These were the same people who had kept me sane during the pandemic. We bonded pre-quarantine, but became a hell lot closer while in quarantine — entirely virtually. We spent countless evenings and Friday nights video calling each other, playing games and chatting. We got to know each other’s secrets, pains and fears. They were the first people I’ve ever shared my traumas with. People who were just colleagues turned into friends. Actual good friends.

Post quarantine, we made trips together — Melaka, Penang, Terengganu. We somehow survived the ultimate friendship test: travelling together. No lives were lost nor harmed, thankfully. Now, five years later, though the frequency of face time has significantly reduced since we no longer work together, I still feel the same about this bunch. One friend once said — from the outside looking in — this bunch is my found family. And as cliche as it sounds, it truly feels like that.

This past few days I thought about feeling FOMO. I used to have chronic FOMO. I think about feeling insecure and wanting to make friends. Being a pathological people pleaser, I tend to say “yes” to anything. Even when I’m tired or not feeling it, I would agree. Because disagreeing makes me feel like a difficult person. But growing older makes me protect myself so much more. I still tend to please people, yes but I do that much less now. I am okay with saying “maybe next time” “not tonight, I'm tired" because all I want to do is go home.

I also don’t get offended anymore if I’m not invited. Some seats aren’t meant for you, and that’s okay. I have learned to know that when I am not invited or included, it’s often not personal. I used to feel unworthy or unlikeable when I was not invited. And that’s my own insecurities talking. Early 20s were tough, trying to form strong loving relationship with myself. I’ve battled many and insecurities, often invisible to others. It’s deep-rooted, and takes time to heal. But learning myself has been the most rewarding part of adulthood. 

I love socializing, I really do, but not all the time. I realized, I have started to choose which conversations I would want to engage with. I may love hanging out with you and talking to you, but there will be days I don’t feel like doing any of that. Most times it does not have anything to do with the person, but rather the substance of conversation itself. If it does not concern me, or if it will drain my energy, i would rather not get myself involved. I know I may end up protecting my peace too much, but at this age, that’s literally what i need. I appreciate people, experiences and conversations that add to me, not drain me.

What a tiring work week. I am grateful to be tired and drained from a job that pays my bills but am I close to retiring age yet?

#TGIF: etched between pages

You scribbled in my notebook once,
leaving a mark that forever etched itself
between the pages of my life.

Now I flip through other notebooks,
searching for any trace of existence, of remembrance—
knowing it will never happen again.
Not with you,
not with anyone who passes through.

Still, my muscles, bones, mind, and soul
keep wishing—quietly, stubbornly—
that one day,
I’ll find a familiar scribble again,

on a fresh page, a couple of years down.
But this time, it won’t burn—
it will feel like coming home.

- AZ

#TGIF: what happens when i'm happy?

Writer’s block can happen -- especially when there are deadlines to follow. I keep a strict schedule of posting every Friday, so I often need new ideas fast. But sometimes, the words just don’t flow.

At this point, I’d like to consider myself a writer -- self-proclaimed, yes. Writing has become part of my DNA. I love putting my feelings into words; it helps me regulate my emotions and discover myself along the way. Though most of what I write are personal reflections, I do hope people find comfort in them, that they see parts of themselves through my thoughts. Honestly, I can’t imagine not writing.

I once read that to be a good writer, you must read widely and deeply. I take that as my lifelong homework. To always read, relate, and learn. Writing isn’t as effortless as people might think. It’s rarely just a brain dump. It’s often planned, outlined, and intentionally crafted -- though nine times out of ten, it’s also emotionally woven.

Lately, though, I’ve felt stuck. Uninspired, even. I can write, but the words don’t feel as deep. They skim the surface -- safe, shallow, unrooted. I’ve gone back and forth, starting drafts I never finish because none of them feel right, or good enough, or at least appropriate to share.

It upsets me sometimes. Is this why writers keep ten drafts ready, just to pull one out when inspiration runs dry?

I’ve realized I write best when I’m most vulnerable -- when I’m in the thick of sadness, grief, or immense joy. But I’m not always in those extremes. So what happens when I’m somewhere in between?

#TGIF: What truly matters

This is probably one of the hardest weeks for me when it comes to writing. I couldn’t bring myself to write about anything else this week. Not when the world is showing me what truly matters. Let me walk you through my thought process this week;

1. It’s 10.10 week, so naturally, the campaigns and sales were all I think about. I was locked in.
2. In my content plan, this week’s #TGIF post was supposed to be about Umrah again. But then I thought — it’s too soon after the last one. I need to space it out a little.
3. Then I considered writing about books, but I just did that last week too.
4. Above all, there’s a bigger issue that deserves real estate in this space — something that has been taking up a lot of my attention lately: the Sumud Flotilla mission, and more broadly, Gaza. Why would I even bother writing about anything else — things that, in comparison, feel so small — when I feel this responsibility (self-imposed, but still) to keep talking about it?

As someone who is very emotional and in tune with my feelings, last Thursday was a rough day. When the news broke about the fleets being intercepted, I was in a full-day training but found myself tearing up randomly throughout. I wasn’t sad, necessarily because I knew they expected this. There have been several Freedom Flotilla attempts since 2010, none of which have succeeded — they knew what they were going into.

I cried out of pride. I was deeply moved by their bravery. Can you imagine being there? It’s a kind of sacrifice most of us will never be capable of. But they volunteered to be on that boat, fully aware of the risks, all to make the world talk again — to make noise.

It shouldn’t take another Freedom Flotilla to remind us to keep talking, to keep demanding an end to the occupation, but here we are. The boats may not enter Gaza, but the mission succeeded in its own way. Everyone started sharing, posting, demonstrating, demanding, reposting, not just here in Malaysia but everywhere in the world. It's heartwarming to see how united we are, globally, all in the name of peace.

Yesterday, a ceasefire agreement was announce. From the track record, it may not be long, they may violate that agreement, again. But for now we will let Palestinians celebrate and pray it will be permanent. They deserve a peaceful, safe life like us, too. Let's keep boycotting to our best effort, keep demanding, keep praying. It's only over when Palestinians tell us it's over.

#TGIF: Everything I've read this year so far

With books, I have found new love beyond romance genre. Since last year, I have started to explore genres like contemporary fiction and historical fiction. It was partly because I was heavily influenced by BookTok recommendations, but mainly also because I do want to branch out to romance fiction. I got tired of the same storyline every time. I wanted more, I wanted my reading experience to be more diverse.

This year though, I started to indulge myself in some biography, started with I'm Glad My Mom Died and I thought, okay this is actually interesting. To have a view into someone else's life and this person is a real human being, not some fictional character. It helps that I actually know Jennette McCurdy from the many hours spent watching iCarly and Sam & Cat growing up. 

Then, because I was preparing for Umrah, I explored Islamic books. I wanted to feed my mind and consume content that I can benefit from. Books that will actually help me and give me a bit more insights for the journey I was about to embark. I was so glad I read Biografi Muhammad bin Abdullah before landing in Madinah because I was able to experience Madinah from a different lens, having a better appreciation after knowing the importance of each historical landmarks. Since, I found Islamic books real interesting that I read a couple more after that. I've also started to buy more too (they are so much cheaper, too!).

I still read romance though, more so to take me out of a slump as romance fiction is easier and faster to get through as apposed to any other genres. So here's the list of books I've read so far, in order from January till now:

1. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
2. More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
3. And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
4. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
5. Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey
6. Chase Me (Broke and Beautiful series) by Tessa Bailey
7. Need Me (Broke and Beautiful series) by Tessa Bailey
8. Make Me (Broke and Beautiful series) by Tessa Bailey
9. The Housemaid's Secrets by Frieda McFadden
10. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
11. Hopeless by Elsie Silver
12. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
13. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
14. Biografi Muhammad bin Abdullah by Zulkifli Mohd Yusoff & Noor Naemah Abd Rahman
15. Tuhan, Seindah Apa di Hujung Sana? by Hafizul Faiz
16. The Beauty of Promised Rizq by Ayesha Syahira
17. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
18. Befriending The Quran by Ayesha Syahira
19. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

I have a goal of 35 books, I don't think it's a lot at all, but now that we're in October and I still have about 15 books I have to read to hit, I am not so sure I can do it. I took quite a long break during Ramadan and Raya, I usually don't read during Ramadan anyways but even during Raya month, I was not in the mood. That pushed me back by 2 months. 

We'll see how many will I end up reading by December, for now I will just enjoy reading without putting too much pressure to hit the 35 books reading goal. What have you been reading?

#TGIF: When the invite came

As I have previously promised, there will be more Umrah contents coming up. Today is one of it. Honestly speaking, I don't have any coherent thought on this topic just yet. All of my experiences, feelings and reflections are all jumbled up in my head. I keep on asking myself, did that really happen? Have I really gone for Umrah, for real?

It's well over a month since coming back now, and I have not gone a day without thinking about the sacred places -- Madinah and Mekah -- wishing to go back soonest I can.

I get it now why people who have been there, would not be able to move on from it. I don't think there is a way to truly capture what it's like to be there. Words fail, there's only purely feelings. Even then, most times you can't accurately describe a feeling. Now, every time I see someone wishing to go for Umrah, I would say 'amiin' to it, hoping Allah would invite them too. I like every Umrah content I see, get teary eyed and cry watching them as both my eyes and my heart now recognises the place.

I have wished for Umrah since I was maybe 16 years old. I was young, but I have the heaviest wish to perform Umrah. I obviously had absolutely no funds to go, and my parents have just enough for them both. Alhamdulillah, at least my parents went. I kept the dream since, sometimes the longing gets so intense, at times I forgot about it. I am not always on track with my faith, as my iman goes up and down too. There were also time I neglected that dream because I know ladies can't go alone without mahram. I am not married, and my dad already went. It would take a lot more money to have my dad go with me too. So it never became fruition, this long dream of mine.

Until a few years back Saudi government allow ladies to go without mahram. Then I thought, this is the perfect chance! I just started working at the time, I just need to save money. And now going without mahram would not be an issue anymore. I met a friend who went alone (but he's a guy) and he told me, 'Pergi sendiri je Tya, tak payah tunggu siapa-siapa." But still, it stayed just a dream, a whispered prayer, a silent plea for me to be able to go. It got even louder after two of my best friends Mimi and Sarah, went for Umrah themselves. I yearned for it.

Fast forward to last year, when I looked around and reassessed my life (and I've mentioned a bit too many times how 27 was a turning point in my life in numerous ways), I thought to myself - What kind of life do I actually want to live? Who do I want to be and what kind of value do I want to offer? I have everything I want in my life, but what have I done with it? It was then, that the intense desire to go for Umrah came rushing back. I told my sister that I wanted to go, for real. It's not just a wish anymore, I need to take real actions. Survey packages, book a spot, start paying, all the things.

That was what we finally did. We started looking through a few travel agencies, asking for rates, checking our calendars - which month and date would be the best to go. We ended up choosing summer, musim panas and non-school holidays and paid booking fees in December 2024. It was cheaper and we have at least 7 months to save up and prepare. It took months, it wasn't easy, truly. We were tested - our Umrah date got moved, twice! From July to August. And we needed to add more money for the package fees. But all I could think of is 'if I am meant to be there, I will be there, come what may'. So I kept my faith strong and my hopes high. I was so scared of telling anyone, because what if it didn't happen? What if the plan fell through? What if I won't have enough funds to fully pay the package? What if Allah still would not invite me yet?

I know, I know - I was thinking negatively about Allah when He can make anything possible. Making du'a after putting effort was all I have left.

Month after month, the anticipation looming over both me and my sister. We were both excited, nervous, pinching ourselves, sharing TikTok videos on the daily on what to prepare and places to visits. The excitement was unbearable. We received a bunch of well wishes from family and close friends, them making du'a for us to have a smooth journey, and for us to have Umrah mabrur. It was a special time, truly. A lot of learning, improving, reflecting, preparing. Alhamdulillah. Writing this down is truly a way for me to preserve this memory forever.

I would not be able to write my whole Umrah experience in this entry, as it would be too long to do so. But I do want to emphasize on what I've learnt through the process of going and preparing - which is to set the right intention, put your best effort, pray really hard and tell Him you really want to go, trust me - He will see you through it. I had days where I wonder how am I going to afford paying the full amount. But Alhamdulillah I managed, but none of it would be possible without His help.

I pray everyone who reads this that has intention or wish to go, will one day get to experience Umrah with your loved ones too. Amin.