Note: This is a picture-heavy post

I was just going through the photos of the trip to Malaysia and realised that I took most of the pictures of my holiday with my phone. I guess it’s easier than lugging around a camera in a bag. So do forgive the quality of some of the pictures you see below as some are rather grainy.

Thought I’d share more highlights of my trip with you.

• The Christmas decorations were absolutely gorgeous. Some tastefully done, some quite over-the-top. Either way, Christmas decorations in Asia beat the ones in Australia any time, even MYER’s Christmas windows.

• The food. I’ve mentioned it before in my last update when I was in Malaysia, but really, why go to Malaysia if you ain’t gonna eat? 😉

• Catching up with my good mates. Next to my family, they were one of the best highlights of my trip 🙂
• Visiting the Batik Factory in Penang. I visited the factory yonks ago when I was in primary school as part of a class excursion. I could still remember how batik was made, and it was fascinating seeing the old ladies creating batik by hand. It’s a painstaking, highly meticulous process and it’s no wonder why the real shizz cost so much. The cheap batik pieces you see at Malaysian flea markets? Most aren’t handmade, but printed on.

• Visiting Singapore again after 20 years. The last time I was there (transit not counted) was in 1991. It was like visiting the country again for the first time. The hub of shopping, Orchard Road, was beautifully decorated. I barely bought anything in Singapore because most of the stuff strangely did not appeal to me. Oh, but I did buy a red coat from MNG. 50% off, about AU$70. Finally, after 2 winter seasons of searching for a red coat, I found one in a country that does not require one 😛
• Oh, and guess what? For the first time in my life, I got my ears pierced. You know how children get the ears pierced when they were wee? Yep I got mine done at the ripe ol’ age of 31. Man I was such a wuss at the jeweller’s. I kept thinking that it was going to hurt, what if I can’t stand the pain, etc. Then Tim said something that shut me up right there and then – “If you can’t even take this, how are you going to bear childbirth in future?” Right. It was actually a very short and painless procedure. God that was embarrassing, all that fuss for nothing 😛

Family’s over-stuffed Christmas tree, Mum addicted to Angry Birds, batik artist at work and my pierced ear 😛

Of course, who can forget the shopping? 😛

Erm, I think I may have purchased one beauty product too many this trip. Could have gotten more, but was afraid I did not have enough weight allowance for more bottles of lotions and potions 😛

Bee helped me get the Zoya lacquers from Singapore, facial sheet masks (love them especially in the hot summer months), BB creams to try (and the Lunasol Water Gel Foundation that Val raved about) and random false eyelashes to practise with. By golly, I shall master those fiddly things by 2012!

I also received a number of Christmas pressies, which I absolutely loved. No names here, but you know who you are. Thanks so much for the wonderful gifts, and I love you all to bits 🙂

The new Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Extra Radiance Renewer was a gift from my mum. Apparently this replaces my favourite Visible Skin Renewer Serum, which Clinique is discontinuing. A special mention also to Xin, who made me the lovely bookmark (she even made the roses from polymer clay!) The four pairs of flats were purchased during my first week in Penang, and the red coat’s from MNG, which I purchased in Singapore.

So that concludes my trip to Malaysia in December. To be honest, not all of it was good. I’ve had some tough moments, but I’ve decided to only concentrate on the good ones, and bring the positivity to 2012. It has been a good holiday on the whole, and I’ve had a great time with my family and friends.

And now, on to 2012! 😀