Best Years Of My Life..

     It was a very nice evening..somewhere back in October 2007, Soo and I passed by the area.."Hey..it's already opened for sale and tenancy..!" I said to Soo, pointing my finger towards the new rows of shoplots painted in yellow. "Let's call the number there and ask..!"
..and so it started...
     Brendan was the agent who let us in and view the space. It was all empty and the roughly done cement floor was so dusty..and as I made my very first step into the entrance with Soo..I was thrilled..of how it all appeared in my mind..just in an instant..at that very moment..I knew what I wanted to do on every wall and every corner of the studio.. Yes..and I named it CASTOR & POLLUX Professional Styling Studio..
     For the whole of next month till 6 weeks after, we found ourselves rushing here and there, having meetings, confirmed the rental and tenancy agreement, looking for contractors and wiremen, confirming flooring samples, shopping for furniture, kitchen equipments...everything..! Soo and I painted parts of the ceiling and walls..designed and installed all the tables, set up the cafe and decorated the whole place..Hard work almost all night long..for many sleepless nights, we have been laughing and enjoying ourselves in each other's company, working till our eyes can hardly see each other clearly.. With heavy breath of exhaustion, we spent many late night meals together with all smiles at that table with our favourite food, steamboat..!..so rewarding...Days I really do miss..I'll never forget..
     A week before the studio was opened for business, Teddy flew in from Singapore..I remember so clearly..how he was breakdancing with the broom while helping me sweep the newly installed timber floor..and how it makes me smile every single time the picture appear so clearly in my mind as if it happened just yesterday. "It's just done this afternoon..! Isn't it nice..!"..I said to him. He is one of the few good friends who loved my studio since the very beginning of it's making.. "Are you gonna' turn your studio to a botanical garden..?"..he asked when I told him that I went shopping for potted plants again.. Over the years..the number of plants doubled as I transplant and replant them as they grow..How I love to see everyone enjoyed sitting at the cafe, having coffee and chatting away.. And how I love counting every bloom in the morning as I observe their growth and water them every day..
     Opening the studio have actually opened so many opportunities and path for me..many have witnessed how I have excelled and what I have achieved. I have grown in the costume industry..great energy and great works were displayed in fashion shows and my workmanship and craftmanship were recognised besides being featured in the local papers as one of the young entrepreneurs who are passionate with their talents and hobbies and actually made it into a good business. Competing among the top in the national level for the Piala Sri Endon Batik and Fashion Competition at the end of the year 2010 have gained me more recognition..
     With the opening of CASTOR & POLLUX Art Gallery on the 9th of May, 2010, I have moved so much further beyond my capability and what I have imagined I could do..and yet..I have never stop pushing myself to see how far I could go..The Art Gallery was another childhood dream I have made it came true..where I have created opportunities to develop my artistic side to a higher level..where I've met some of the most famous icons in the local and international fashion and art industry.. I was invited to showcase and exhibit my work and perform side by side, live on stage with other talented artists. I wouldn't have come this far..this fast..without setting my foot to start the Art Gallery..I'm so glad I have gathered my courage and did it..! Yet..I'm still hiding behind my talents and never step into the spotlight cos' I know I'm not someone so talented I could show..I feel better keeping a very low profile altogether..knowing that I will be there when the right time comes..I will.. someday..when I'm ready..
     I always know I could do more. One dream after another, I have made them come true..and new dream grows from there..and so, I keep climbing up and keep moving forward.
     Involving myself more into art and craft have given me new dreams.. With the urge to teach and share my knowledge, I started organizing more classes..been invited to conduct different workshops at the National Textile Museum..met some of the most influential people in the local fashion and textile industry.
     Things were going great till the unfortunate event in May last year..and with so much other things happening in my life that have robbed me off my sleep, my positive energy and my emotions altogether, how I have struggled in many ways.. Somehow, I manage to pull through finally..as always. But looking back, those were the years I would probably cherish the most all through my life. My hard earned experiences..my precious moments..my sunniest glory days that have brought some of the brightest smiles on my face even when I was so exhausted..I know..I earned it..! Those were the best years of my life..!
     With plans I have drawn since more than a year ago, I was looking for the right time and the right opportunity to set my sail to another more exciting destination..and finally, in the mid of March, 2012, the 'meteor dropped' and everything's changed. My sail is set..and my journey to the next destination have begun..There are already so much exciting things I have penned down in my new chapter.. Setting my footsteps to a new rhythm, I'm off again to chase my dreams..and to experience so much more..! And this time..I'm a little worried if I could even handle this whole new excitement without slowing down my pace or skidding off speed, flying higher and higher..!

Best I Ever Had ~ Vertical Horizon

So you sailed away
Into a grey sky morning
Now I'm here to stay
Love can be so boring

Nothing's quite the same now
I just say your name now

[Chorus]
But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
You don't want me back
You're just the best I ever had

So you stole my world
Now I'm just a phony
Remembering the girl
Leaves me down and lonely

Send it in a letter
Make yourself feel better

[Chorus]
But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
You don't need me back
You're just the best I ever had

And it may take some time to
Patch me up inside
But I can't take it so I
Run away and hide
And I may find in time that
You were always right
You're always right

So you sailed away
Into a grey sky morning
Now I'm here to stay
Love can be so boring

What was it you wanted
Could it be I'm haunted

[Chorus]
But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
I don't want you back
You're just the best I ever had
The best I ever had
The best I ever

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