Fish Avenue

I shall thank a friend of mine. If it wasn't because of what she said, which was like a tight slap on my face, I wouldn't have become what I am today.

I used to be a VERY shy and timid person. I would say that my upbringing made me shy and timid. Parents are over-protective, a lot of things I was not allowed to do when I was much younger. Mom took great care of me to the extent that I would scream so bloody loud when I saw a cockcroach. I hardly took the initiative to make friends, I waited for people to come to approach me first. I did not have the guts to do those adventurous stuff. I still remember my first trip to Pulau Redang, I dared not to even snorkel.

It was some years ago, I couldn't remember what we talked about, all I remember was this friend told me that she couldn't understand "why you're such a baby girl". The baby girl here in chinese would be "千金小姐", sort of meaning I'm such a spoiled child that would basically over-react over every little thing. She continued saying that "I couldn't take it when you acted so damn afraid over the Fear Factor show when it wasn't you in the show, and screaming and shouting by the waterfalls when you didn't even fall". That made me realised I was such a nuisance. And that changed me, totally.

I no longer shy in making friends too. I can talk a lot even to a friend that I've just met. I'd try to make conversations rather than waiting for others to start first. I found out that by being more open to making friends, I have more friends now.

I did my best in trying a lot of stuff. I jumped from a 2-storey high post (with all the safety harness of course) when I went for a team building event with ex-colleagues. I jumped from the boat into the sea (with life jacket of course) when we were snorkelling in Pulau Tioman, Andrew said I didn't even want to hold his hand swimming anymore. I'd climb on the rocks to take photos. Whenever we go travel now, I'd always tell myself to try all the stuff if possible. Also, I do not scream as much now. Hahaha. When I see a cockcroach now, if they're not flying or on my body, I'll kill it! With newspaper, magazine, sprays, whatever I can find at that point of time.

I want to prove to others and also myself, that I am not a spoiled child or product of the over-protective parents. In fact, I am not a spoiled child.

I have to thank my friend for saying that to me. Without that, I wouldn't have done so many things today. When I hesitate, those words would ring in my head, and I'd then stop hesitating and go for it. I'm a risk-taker now. There are so many things out there I have yet to do. I want to do bungee-jumping, diving and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reefs, skydiving in New Zealand, take up a flying class......

For now, the only one place I dream to go and one thing that I dream to do so much is, skydiving in New Zealand. I wonder when can this come true, hopefully in the near future. :)