Okay, enough of wordy posts from me… 3 posts in a row, and I think your eyes must be feeling tired.

So allow me to share with you one of my favourite Youtube videos – Firework by Katy Perry.

This video struck a chord with me, and I totally enjoyed her vocals… It also served as a source of inspiration to carry on even when I’m facing obstacles in my way. May this song light up your day too!

- This post is written and scheduled to publish when you are reading it.

Nicole

August is almost but over.

Time really flies. Since June 2011, life has quite not been the same for me… Sinking to the bottom of the pits, to the extent of requiring professional help speaks volumes of how shitty life was throwing at me back then. But it was also the moment that sparked a series of life changing, if not, minor changes that actually make life more bearable and enjoyable, despite having the odds in the way. Looking back, its as if I just escaped another crisis. Isn’t that wonderful?

Sometimes, I am overwhelmed by the motion of events in my life. Its too fast and too furious. Then again, I am enjoying what I am currently doing now. Riding with the flow that is. Don’t worry, at least now I’ve learned that it is important to pace myself out before being burnt out once more.

As I’m writing this, there are thoughts aplenty that is going through my mind, some of which are best left unwritten in the records. I’ll continue to work hard and strive to not let my learning stop for a single moment. Its just simply amazing of how much is there left to be learned, and the possibility of completing learning is endless. It ends till the day I drop dead and move no more.

Quite glad to say that I’ve started to regain my appetite, as well as being able to get a good night’s rest and feel energetic for the next working day. It feels good when the body is slowly starting to recover, and suffice to say, at most, a cup of coffee will do the trick. Reducing my reliance on caffeine has also boosted mood levels, and it makes me more cheery and positive… Coupled with healthy snacks on my table, I would say I’m halfway keeping myself in check of not snacking on crackers and chips. I usually will stock up dried fruit, as well as nuts for a quick source of energy, and oh, loads of fluids, especially plain water. Helps to keep the body systems well maintained.

Perhaps right now, my perspective towards life has changed. Whether its a good change or otherwise, time will tell. Though I’m feeling much more upbeat to what’s in store for me, than being bogged down by the past. Sure, the past remains for it has already happened, and one could draw invaluable lessons from it to move on and be happier.

Upcoming in September, I’ll be more tied up with work and other personal stuff, but I would still love to make time to meet up with my friends for meals, as well as coffee/drinks, or to even just hang out. And yes, I will be heading to Bintan (work trip)

In the meantime, stick around, because I will be writing more often these days.

Nicole

A career switch isn’t an easy decision to make, and there are always room to ponder all the “what-ifs”. Then again, if one doesn’t take the risk and head into the unknown, one will never know if the switch is a hit or a miss.

Yes, like many others, I too, decided to leave the IT industry, where I spent the last 10 years of my life studying IT and obtaining academic qualifications that was supposed to be my ticket to a career in IT after University. Sadly, after a year plus, I started feeling jaded. Even more so after two years, where I am totally convinced I’ve reach a stage of stagnation in my career.

When that happened, it left me in a state of disillusion as well as the struggle of having to stay or to go. There were also bread and butter issues to consider. For a recent graduate into the first job, there are always many first time experiences one has to go through.

Example: Submitting the first resignation letter, serving notice, and making the transition to the next job. Loads of jitters and stress in the process.

Its quite an experience for me, as a first timer, and I am glad that things went pretty well for me, with hiccups here and there. But hey, life’s not a bed of roses… so yeah.

There is no such thing as the right time to leave an industry, but the door of opportunity came when something I really wanted came along… and I decided to take the plunge and try it out. After all, one’s degree do not necessarily dictates staying and slogging in the said industry. I always am believer of being happy, in almost everything, including career. If one is unhappy, no amount of money earned can alleviate the unhappiness. Money don’t buy happiness, though it can buy the things you want.

“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”

Nicole

Turning 26 has gotta both be a blessing as well as a dread. I’m kidding. For it’s been a long while since the familiar feeling of happiness has gotten back into my life. I’m glad to say things have turned for the better, and I am sometimes truly pinching myself, wondering if this is all real. Surreal.

Thanks be to Him who sent the beautiful guardian angels to show me a light upon my path, and that He led me out of my messy circumstance, turning it all around with all things beautiful. Amen.

My eyes are opened, seeing things in different perspective, as well as learning to treasure myself even more. No more beating up of myself, but instead, learn to smile, and embrace every thing that surrounds me. There are things in life to let go off, and things to hold on to.

Each day brings new hope, as well as learning something new. Its been a challenge not to be overwhelmed, and I am glad to say I am still coping with it. Perhaps its how the hard lessons of the past are paying itself off.

I’m also glad to say that I’m at the tail-end of my loan repayment, and hopefully, the interest bearing loan will be cleared by May 2012. Now that would mean that I can start a proper savings plan!

And for now, all I can say is that, pet therapy, nature therapy, retail therapy as well as close friends and family have helped piece my life back together. I still have a tall mountain to conquer, but now, the steps that I take are firmer, gaining the confidence, and boosting my self esteem.

~A rough gem when polished, shines the brightest.

The month of August this year, two thousand and eleven, is truly a month of endings, and new beginnings. I never felt that rush of emotions for a very long time, and I miss it. Really.

In this month alone, I quit my job of two years and three months, bidding farewell to the IT industry that I was trained to work in since in the Polytechnic and University. But at the end of the day, I realized that this was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. In fact, I did not do very well in my degree, getting by with a series of C’s and D’s, and at one time, even failing a module. So what if I hold a Computer Science Degree? Its like what the rest would coin the term as, “toilet paper”.

It is a known fact that at least 85% of the people who entered their chosen degree course end up doing something else, and yours truly is now part of this percentage too. However, I do not regret the switch to my new career path. Why? The fact that I am so unhappy with my first job that I had to do something for myself, or risk a trip to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). You could probably figure out how awful I felt, or never really understand. That’s alright. I’m learning to put the unhappy past behind me and move on.

I’ve also came to terms with myself, and it still is quite a journey, to realize something about myself every few days or so. I have not lost my temper that often as I used to in the past. And I am leading a much more satisfying and fruitful life than before. Perhaps, this is a fitting ending before the beginnings of age 26.

Whilst penning this post, I’m 2 days shy turning 26. It may be well be a turning point of my life. My counselor is right. I’ve to find something what I like to do and be happy doing it. It does helps me get through the low points of working more easily, and having a cheery office helps, with all that bright colors and an awesome smack in the city center location, I really can’t ask for more. The road ahead will not be smooth, but I am more prepared than I was a few years ago.

Nicole

I rarely watch TV, and even if I did, its mostly reality shows and documentaries. The TV in my home gets utilized the most by my Mum, at least for most of the time. Lately, there were moments where I got glued to the TV, thanks to the AC Ryan PlayOn! HD2 media player.

Shall not bore you with the hardware specifications, which can be found at AC Ryan’s website

Setting up the media player was a breeze, as I took advantage of the supplied HDMI cable and hooked it up with my TV, and voila, switch on the media player and one just unlocked the world of favorite TV shows and movies.

One immediate feature that I like about the player is that, it wasn’t noisy, and the unit wasn’t very hot despite running it for at least 6 hours, jumping from movie to movie, etc. What impressed me most was that the player itself comes equipped with USB, SD slots, and even for Internet connection. Now isn’t that wonderful? I could download or even stream media content and enjoy them on the big screen.

Did I also mention that one could load a 3.5″ SATA/SATA2 HDD up to 2TB into the AC Ryan PlayOn! HD2 player? If one wishes to mount a 2.5″ HDD, note that the adaptor frame is not included in the package. (You might have to purchase it separately). The following file systems are supported as well: FAT, FAT32, NTFS, EXT3, HFS+ w/out Journaling.

Supporting many video codecs as well as audio formats, this media player truly allows a huge variety of media to be displayed and played.

My family and I fell in love with this media player, and enjoyed the crisp and vibrant display on our 32″ LCD TV.

Many thanks to Shann, from ACRyan for the opportunity to review such a lovely media player.

Nicole