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  • About

EXpERIENCE
​

​

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain
So live a life full of experiences!
Here are my top 30 experiences before I turned 30!!
1. Be on The Amazing Race
Truly an AMAZING and once-in-a-lifetime experience to be in one of the world's greatest reality shows! P.S. Life doesn't hold tryouts!
2. Appear on the newspaper
Oh...the old glory days.
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3. Win a free trip
Won an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii from a radio contest to see Backstreet Boys live in concert!
4. Receive a scholarship
I guess I was very cost-efficient with my 5-years of college education. Full merit scholarship for 4-years of college in Malaysia, full-ride scholarship for a 9-month exchange program in the USA, ACCA study grant, and scholarship for the UK top-up degree.
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5. Study abroad
Having the opportunity to study in both the U.S. and U.K. gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful people, travel to different places, acquire new knowledge, expose myself to different cultures, and build lasting relationships across borders.
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6. Take a gap year and get out of my comfort zone
Graduated one year behind my peers but traveling all alone to a brand new place knowing nobody and start everything anew gave me the opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone. The one year in the U.S. turned out to be a journey of a lifetime!
7. Travel
Travel is undoubtedly my biggest passion and I am absolutely thankful to have had the opportunity to travel to 32 countries before turning 30.  The world is yours, explore it while you are still able to.
8. Travel on a budget
Embraced the 20's way of traveling by opting to stay in hostels, take overnight bus/train/ferry, travel on public transports, and walk miles with backpacks. It makes the trip so much more interesting and memorable while saving money. Been there, done that. Now time to move on and move up!
9. Go on a road trip
Renting a car and driving through one of Norway's 18 National Tourist Routes was absolutely breathtaking. It allowed us to experience some of the wildest and most beautiful fjord, mountain and coastal scenery that Norway has to offer. This road trip literally defined the quote "it's not the destination, but the journey that matters most"!
10. Go on a cycling trip
Cycled 270km around Jeju Island in 5 days. We cycled through rain, wind, and sun; challenged our physical fitness and determination; and saw many parts of Jeju that most people wouldn't see on an ordinary tour. Yes, we took the road less traveled and opted for the much more tiring option but this is the best time to go on such crazy adventures; when we still have the enthusiasm and fitness to do so. 
11. Go camping
As if cycling wasn't challenging enough, we decided to camp during our cycling trip. 
12. Take trips and make memories with family
Spend time with ​our loved ones while we can. People aren’t around forever. 
13. Go to a concert
I've been to several concerts during my college days...Backstreet Boys, Lee Hom, David Tao, Emil Chau, Fahrenheit, etc. 
Fun fact: I won all these concert tickets from radio contests. 
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14. Meet someone famous
Apart from concert tickets, I also won contests for after-concert parties, fans gathering, meet and greet sessions, and press conference.
15. Compete (and win) in a physical challenge
Traverse across 3rd floor of a mall on a tightrope. Check. Being the only female finalist. Check. Win the grand prize. Check. =D
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16. Try new adventures
Jump off a boat, hike mountains, ski, waterski, surf, glacier hike, paraglide, parasail, paddleboard...gotta do it while I'm still physically able to. ​Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!
17. Live or work in another country
Places I've lived in over the last 10 years. Malaysia -- Alabama, USA -- Malaysia -- Sheffield, UK -- Malaysia -- Alabama, USA.
18. Get on a radio show
Shared about our Amazing Race experience on a radio show in Shanghai.
19. Volunteer
Give back through community projects organized by the university, U.S. Embassy, and the firm.
20. Stay in shape
Self reminder to stay flexible and fit for many more years to come. It's only going to get more challenging as we get older.
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21. Learn to cook and meal prep
Nothing fancy but certainly a healthier and cheaper option than eating out. 
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22. Grow our own food
From city girl to gardener. Live a healthier lifestyle, put in the hard work and enjoy the harvest. 
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23. Build a professional career
Was fortunate to start my career with one of the big 4 accounting firms and stayed on with the same firm until now. I've been lucky to have good teammates, good bosses, helpful clients, manageable workload and work-life balance.
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24. Obtain a professional qualification
Went through two different professional exams to get all these qualifications. Who knew CPA needs to be certified so many times?
25. Maintain a long distance relationship
5 years, 10,000 miles, 13 hours time difference. We did it with love, trust, honesty, communication, persistence, and of course, the Internet.
26. Get married
Love found its way, and we found each other to embark on life's new adventures together. Had our wedding in Malaysia and thankful to have all our family and friends to share this meaningful day with us. 
27. Have a home of our own
Our house is small (in American terms), modest, practical, and efficient. Most importantly, cozy and comfortable, perfect for the two of us. 
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28. Unplug for a digital detox
As much as I love the internet, I survived one month in China without phone, internet, computer, and credit card during the Amazing Race! Had to rely on just a notebook, pen, and flight route map from the flight magazine.
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29. Keep a journal
I started blogging 10 years ago (since 2007) and still continue to do so. The blog has been a great platform for me to put all my experiences into words. My blog doesn't cost a single dime, but it is definitely priceless as it helps me to remember all the memorable moments that will put a smile on my face when I look back in the future. Memories fade, and that's why we should make an effort to cherish these memories.
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30. Celebrate the BIG 3-0!
Turning 30 is a major milestone, and I'm going to reward myself with yet another wonderful experience. I'm truly blessed and thankful for all the great things that I've experienced before 30. Now time to get out there and experience more great things that life has to offer!!
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  • Home
  • Explore
    • Africa >
      • South Africa >
        • Cape Town
    • Asia >
      • Cambodia >
        • Siem Reap
      • China >
        • Beijing
        • Shanghai
        • Chengdu
        • Dali
        • Guilin
        • Hong Kong
        • Lijiang
        • Kunming
        • Mt. Yulong
        • Nanning
        • Shangri-la
        • Yangshuo
      • India >
        • Bangalore
        • Kolkata
        • Taj Mahal
      • Indonesia >
        • Bali
      • Japan >
        • Tokyo
        • Osaka & Kyoto
        • Kawaguchiko & Mt Fuji
        • Takayama & Shirakawago
      • Malaysia >
        • Penang
        • Cameron Highlands
        • Kuala Lumpur
        • Langkawi Island
        • Redang Island
        • Sabah
      • Maldives >
        • Conrad Maldives
        • Le Méridien Maldives
      • Nepal >
        • Mount Everest
      • Singapore >
        • Singapore
      • South Korea >
        • Seoul
        • Busan
        • Jeju
      • Taiwan >
        • Taipei
        • Northeast Coast
        • Taroko National Park
      • Thailand >
        • Bangkok
        • Phuket
        • Krabi
      • Vietnam >
        • Hanoi & Halong Bay
    • Europe >
      • Austria >
        • Hallstatt
        • Innsbruck
        • Salzburg
        • Vienna
      • Belgium >
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        • Lapland
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        • Paris
        • Avignon/Burgundy
        • French Riviera
        • Pont Du Gard
      • Germany >
        • Berchtesgaden
        • Frankfurt
        • Munich
        • Rhine River
      • Greece >
        • Athens
        • Santorini
      • Iceland >
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        • South Iceland
        • East Iceland
        • North Iceland
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        • Golden Circle
      • Ireland >
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      • Italy >
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      • Monaco >
        • Monaco
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        • Flam
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        • Lunde
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        • Stavanger
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        • Bratislava
      • Spain >
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        • Valencia
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        • Zurich
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    • South America >
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        • Machu Picchu
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    • Oceania >
      • Australia >
        • Sydney
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      • French Polynesia >
        • Conrad Bora Bora
      • Fiji >
        • Nadi
      • New Zealand >
        • Auckland
        • Christchurch
        • Hobbiton
        • Hokitika
        • Lake Wanaka
        • MIlford Sound
        • Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo
        • Queenstown & Glenorchy
        • Wellington
  • Experience
    • 30 Before 30
    • Amazing Race
    • Around-the-World
    • AXN Big Challenge
    • Gap Year
  • Simpli-FI
    • Cost-Efficient Car
    • Education Expenses
    • Geo-Arbitrage
    • House Hacking
    • Increase Income
    • Meal Prep
    • Mindful Spending
    • Saving / Investing
    • Tax Optimization
    • Travel Rewards
  • Expenses
    • Annual >
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2011 - 2014 Malaysia
    • Travels >
      • 2022 - Greece
      • 2022 - Bora Bora
      • 2022 - Maldives
      • 2022 - Finland
      • 2021 - Canada
      • 2021 - Malaysia
      • 2021 - Maldives
      • 2019 - Hawaii
      • 2019 - Asia Hopper
      • 2018 - New Zealand
      • 2018 - Iceland
      • 2017 - Around the World
      • 2016 - Cancun/Antigua
      • 2015 - Central Europe
      • 2015 - DisneyWorld
      • 2015 - Machu Picchu
      • 2015 - Colorado
    • Wedding
  • About