6D5N Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

It's been too long since I remembered going on a trip and no need to spend money wan. Hah. So, can you imagine my excitement when I got to go on a work trip to Cambodia with my colleagues? I was excited and slightly nervous - because I didn't want to risk the pregnancy. 

But you know what? 

I was so well taken care of by Pansy and Gladys throughout the entire time - they will not let me carry my luggage and kept asking to carry my backpack. I am so thankful really. 

I packed rather lightly for this trip because well, what else am I going to wear other than maternity dresses? Hah. 

The hardest part leaving for this trip was having to be away from Adrian, Alex and Sofia for so many days. The last time I was away from them for so long was when I had Covid-19 and that was no fun. 

But right, the moment I was at the airport and I was boarding the plane, I was no longer home-sick in that moment. Heh. I have missed what it felt like to be flying again. Hah. Truth be told that I have always wanted to be an air-stewardess growing up so I can fly and travel around the world. But I was too short and I have motion-sickness - so goodbye to that dream job. Heh. 

My home-sickness kicked in again when I checked into the hotel because in my mind, I wanted to enjoy all that with them. 

Anyways, that is one of the hardest parts of being a working-mom and I knew that I had to resist falling into that mom-guilt because it was not going to help me be a better mother. Forever thankful that my family is always at their 100% to look after my kids. Of course not forgetting my better half - holding the fort and taking the role of both mom and dad for a week. They obviously had lots of fun because Adrian is the fun(er) parent. Hah. 

This trip was really meaningful because we got to meet with some of our members for the first time. We are no longer talking with them through phone calls and emails. Now we got to put faces to their names and it was such a needed bonding time with each of them. 

We also got to hear their stories and ministries and their hearts for the people of Cambodia, and boy let me tell you this. I get goosebumps at every meet-up because of their stories and the things that they have accomplished for God. 

I am so thankful that I got to be a part of supporting all that they do by taking care of their insurance needs - be it physical, mental or financial. Thankful that Michael Lyon started Talent Trust 31 years ago to take care of missionaries worldwide. 

We are currently covering 60,000+ missionaries worldwide (in 180+ countries) and getting to meet with just a handful of them was enough. It was really good! 

Anyways, I have been to Phnom Penh once during our backpacking trip in 2015, and I remembered it to be meh and super dusty. This trip proves that it is still dusty and it was not that meh anymore. We stayed at a different area of Phnom Penh so perhaps that was why the last time was more meh that this time. 

Our members brought us to really nice restaurants and we had such a great time feasting and bonding. We didn't explore the city because we didn't want to take any risk of exposing ourselves to Covid-19 so when we are not meeting with our members, we rested in our hotel rooms. 

Overall, it was such a good trip. We really do need more trips to go meet our members when we can, because it makes such huge differences! I love it! 

Here are some photos from the trip, so enjoy :)

Khema Restaurant, Phnom Penh

Pizza 4P's, Phnom Penh

The Shop, Phnom Penh

Till next travel, bye now. 

Sarina Boutique Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

 with Pansy & Gladys
on 24-29 July 2022

When I was told of this work trip by Pansy, I was of course excited because get to sit on an airplane and travel, then reality hits and I was reminded that I am currently carrying a child inside me and there are risks to be considered. 

We (Adrian and I) discussed and since I am on my second trimester during the trip, we agreed that I should go ahead with it. 

And I am so glad we did because it was a wonderful trip - which I will talk more on next separate post. 

We stayed only at one hotel in Phnom Penh because ain't nobody got the time and energy to move hotels. Heh. Gladys found this hotel at the Sen Sok region and we decided to o ahead and book it! 

It was a lot nicer in person than in photos that we see online. I love the exterior and the feel and vibe of this hotel. The rooms are basic, the food is okay-okay (then again, food in Cambodia tends to be a lot sweeter even for savory kind of foods) and the location is perfect (for me). 

I also love the pool because it's surrounded by tall (and short) trees and it has that super cozy vibe, but too bad we didn't swim or dip in there. Heh. 

If I go back to Phnom Penh one day, Sarina Boutique Hotel will definitely be in consideration. I would highly recommend it. 

Till our next travel, bye now. 

Highlight of 2021 - Joining Talent Trust.

First post of the new year. Here it is. 

I have not shared about this, not like officially here because the past few months have been like a dream. 

I resigned from Holiday Tours Penang as a Corporate Sales Executive to become a full-time mom, but 2 months later into that full-time role, I tendered my resignation - to myself. Heh. Two months were enough to make me realize that being a stay-at-home mom is not my cup of tea. 

To cut the story short, I joined Talent Trust in August this year, and it has been a wow journey so far. 

If I can choose only one highlight of 2021, for me it would be being a part of this TT Family. I don't think it is because I am the newest baby in this company, and everything still feels nice and warm and all, but let me tell you a little bit about Talent Trust. 

Talent Trust is run as a business, but at our core, we are a ministry that cares for our members. We are established based on the principles of the good stewardship found in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30). 

We partner with Aetna International (one of the world's leading international insurers) to give missionaries the physical, mental, and financial care and support so that they can thrive as long as needed in their calling. 

I remembered going through a few series of interviews and at the end of each call, I would pray and ask God to give me this job. Hah. I even prayed for a desk that has a sea view. I know right. Haven't got the job yet, but praying for a nice sea view desk all d. Hah. Being positive at its best. 

Anyways, after many long phone calls and video calls, I got offered as a Customer Success Associate, and my desk was right next to the window - with a sea view! Kid you not. Now, changed to pantry view because SOP so must sit far away from each other a bit, but I don't mind it cos the pantry also very nice view. Heh. Actually, the whole office is very nicely designed okay. Even our working desk is also the wooden, modern type looking - super best. Heh. 

I was working from home for a few months since it was during MCO when I got the job, but it was not difficult because my teacher, Gladys did such a great job in training me during the onboarding phase. When it was finally time to go back to the office, it was a bitter-sweet thing. But it was mostly good things because we finally got to meet with everyone in person and of course, it is a lot nicer working in an office together. Heh. 

Please go see our team bios thank you - Talent Trust Family as of January 2022 :) 

Anyways, I found THE job, or the job found me. Hah. I align with their mission, and I am so happy and glad that I am (in a way) serving God by taking care of His missionaries worldwide. 

When I got the offer, the first few things that came to my mind were, "What would Ps Heok Cheow say?". I miss this man, a lot. In many ways, he was like a spiritual dad to me. Don't know if you get it, but yeah. There is a part of me that wants to make him proud. I remember his face when I resigned as his PA and to no longer work in the church. I cried like a baby because there was a hint of guilt in me, but I knew very well that I needed to do that. I remembered him comforting me in our church pantry during lunchtime, although it was really hard for him to accept my resignation that time. But he did, and he continued cheering me on. Ah, miss you, Pastor! 

But now, I think he would be proud of me because I finally found something that I can align with - my purpose and my desire to serve. I finally found it, can I say that? I will say that. 

Oh, and I finally got to take professional photos that made me look like a legit working professional person - with a blazer and all. It was fun working with Matt Brandon (Penang Headshots). We were asked to choose 3 top favorites and then pick just 1 to put on the main website. I couldn't choose. I had to ask my family and friends to choose for me. The chosen one was a crowd favorite so win. 

So yeah, that was fun! 

And so... my highlight of 2021 is Talent Trust. 

I am only 4-months old here, but I already feel like I have been with them for years. The people here worked so well together, like a family, and like in any family dynamics, there will be moments when you don't see eye-to-eye, but you don't keep it and be bitter. You talk it out, and you get better. You built that relationship, and that is something I appreciate here. 

I am beyond thankful for everyone in TT, that is for sure. Thank you Nathan and Pansy for believing in this newbie girl. To more adventures and noisy, loud lunch talks together :) 

Oh, and we had our company's retreat not too long ago, at The Prestige Hotel, Penang and it was so much fun! Most of them could not stay 2-nights but it was still such a great time to connect and bond with each other, and the Prestige Hotel is probably one of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed at. I love their rooms' designs and stuff. So so cantik. 

Anyways, here are some photos from the retreat. 

Thank you Jesus for this family :) 

Reminder to myself for the Year 2022 - to be more thankful. 

Till next time, bye now.