Category Archives: Heart Talk

Rumah Sri Kenangan Kuching Farewell Dinner at Pullman Kuching

04 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Heart Talk, Sarawak, Story Time

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I was invited to attend a farewell dinner for the residents of Rumah Sri Kenangan organized by the lovely management of Pullman Kuching.

In Glee: Residents of Rumah Sri Kenangan whose birthday was in January to April was given a birthday treat by the management of Pullman Kuching.

It was a bittersweet event. It is sad that some of them have to be separated from their friends due to the demolishment of the centre. But they always say, in order for good things to happen, some sacrifices will have to be done. If they are destined to be together, they would be united in two years time once the new centre is ready.

I admire Pullman Kuching for always remembering the less fortunate members of the society by inviting them over to celebrate all kinds of festivities at their established hotel. If I could, I would do anything to help the senior citizens at Rumah Sri Kenangan and the children at various orphanages all over Kuching.

The farewell dinner was simple but it was such a heartfelt ceremony. Throughout dinner, slideshow of their past activities was played. The residents also performed a few songs, one of them ‘Warga Tua Teras Masyarakat‘ (Warning: A tear jerker). Every time I saw their faces, I couldn’t help thinking about my own grandparents, parents and all the neneks I know. I would never ever send them to the old folks home.

It is heartbreaking how some people would abandon their own parents after all the things they have done for them. Put yourself in your parents shoes, would you like it if your children send you of to an old folks home and leave you there forever?

No, no one would like that. So, no matter what, appreciate your parents and grandparents. Without them, you wouldn’t be here today.

If you want to contribute or lend a helping hand, do click here for more information.

Love,
E.

Saving for the Future

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Heart Talk, Story Time

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I must be honest, I am not one for saving money. Sure, I save money to buy things but that is not the point, is it?

Since I started to earn some income in 2010, here are the top five things I spent money on:

  1. Designer handbags, jewelry and wallets
  2. Holidays
  3. Clothing and shoes
  4. Books, CDs and DVDs
  5. Room improvement

Before I get on with the topic of saving, I must announce this year’s bag goal. None other than a classic from Chanel.

Chanel Reissue 2.55

In usual Effa style, I would always go for the largest size but since that is rare, I’d have to settle for a Large, or A302227.

The downside? $5400 in the USA, £3,230 in the UK and  S$7,870 in Singapore. Damn. With a dream like this, it is no wonder why I can’t save money for my future. :s

Okay, bag goal aside, I have knocked some senses in me and opened up an Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) account. The annual interest from the investment motivates me from not touching the money in the account. I will leave it there for it to grow and who knows, one day I can afford that Birkin and go on a luxurious around the world holiday with my Aslan. If not, at least have some sort of security net if anything happens in the future.

“Sediakan payung sebelum hujan,” a Malay saying that explains the need to be prepared for any worst case scenarios.

So, what are you waiting for? Check it out!

Love,
E.

A Risk I am Willing to Take

18 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by in Emopost, Heart Talk

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Maybe, just maybe, I am not trying hard enough. Opportunities flew towards me all the time and I always dodged them. Yes, I am still jobless and *gulps* loving it.

First of all, I don’t need to wake up so early and go through the unnecessary stress that comes with having a job. Traffic jam, looking for a carpark, chasing and dealing with people from all walks of life, assignment dateline threats, exhaustion etc are not in my book.

Still, there is one thing that bugs me. Anxiety.

anxiety
noun
1 his anxiety grew: worry, concern, apprehension, apprehensiveness,uneasiness, unease, fearfulness, fear, disquiet, disquietude, inquietude,perturbation, agitation, angst, misgiving, nervousness, nerves, tension,tenseness; informal heebie-jeebies, butterflies (in one’s stomach), jitteriness,the jitters, twitchiness. ANTONYMS calmness, serenity.
2 an anxiety to please: eagerness, keenness, desire.

Everyday I wake up wondering if there will be any call from the company. It’s been over a month but no news at all regarding the position I applied for. At the end of the day, I can’t stop questioning myself whether I am competent enough to be employed? Is there even a job opening?

Meh. Don’t let me start with how others view my unemployed status.

In relation to this matter, I have reached a conclusion. I have decided to take a gap year on top of last year’s half gap year. It is risky but I have planned out what I want to do for the rest of 2012.

  • Reinvent myself
  • See more of the world
  • Look for my true calling
  • Set my path in life
  • Seek inner peace and the road that leads to Him

I am not too worried about money matters because I’ve sorted that out by having a part time job. The pay may not be much but it is enough.

Sorry for not blogging too often. So many things happened this month but I find it hard to blog about every single one of them.

Love,
E.

P/S: Anyone wants me to review and advertise their products/services? I will do it for free! Just send me an email at effadylia@gmail.com ;)

The Last Day of My Birthday Month

29 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Heart Talk, Story Time

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First thing I did when I saw Aslan today was proposed to him. It was very last minute, I had to  make do with a 50 cent coin. Not just any 50 cent coin, but dated 2005, the same year we first went out together.

What made it all random was the realization of today being a leap year. Everything is supposed to be the opposite today, or so they say. Perhaps is a celebration of eccentricity and whatnot. Leap year only happens once in four years, why not do something crazy on that very day?

I could only hope for the right answer and I also had a backup plan just incase things does not go according to plan. If the answer is a no, I would tell him everything was a joke. If yes, well, I would feel guilty for not planning ahead and buy a decent ring. Meh.

I guess proposing to a less than a morning person guy in the morning was not a good idea. It took several minutes before he could answer me back. He did not say no nor did he say yes. “I will marry you but could you please let me do things the traditional way?”

Later I realized his answer is both yes and no. Ha-ha. No wonder it took him so long to answer my proposal. He was computing the best answer to avoid any unwanted crisis or drama in our relationship.

Frankly, I wouldn’t feel mad or sad if he did say no because seriously, a woman proposing to a man? Not romantic lah. It makes me look desperate. Needy. Crazy. So un-ladylike.

Aslan was not exactly happy after I proposed to him. He said, “You took my moment…” His sadness did not last long. While he was preparing his breakfast, I could just see a little smirk on his face. I wonder what is he plotting?

My birthday month’s been great. A lot of rest and guess what, my holiday has been extended. I submitted my job application, now more waiting game. I called the editor twice. He said he will call me back. I am in dilemma of whether to call him again and ask about the status of my application. But I worry I might appear too persistent and pushy. But those traits are considered desirable in a journalist, aren’t they? Hmm…

But he did suggest I work part-time as a stringer while waiting for the actual confirmation from KL. At least that would give me something to do. Time to try out my luck then.

Oh March, please be good to me.

Love,
E.

 

 

 

 

Who karaoked all that rain???

05 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in Heart Talk, High Heels Day, Sarawak, Story Time

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It just had to flood on the day I went to retrieve my new passport at the immigration office.

It took an hour to get to St Teresa and another hour to the immigration office due to the flash flood. Luckily, Aslan offered to use his Pajero, we successfully went through the affected areas due to the high design of the car. If we were to use the Alza, it could have been one heck of a submarine ride.

I do not blame Mother Nature for this. If you look back, this flash flood is not a rare occurance in Kuching. Here are my explanations:

  1. During the Monsoon season (Or Landas/Tengkujuh), heavy and prolonged rain is expected and if you are living in a low-lying area, you OUGHT to be prepared for the flood, whether you like it or not.
  2. The recent flash flood is made more disastrous due to urban development and the poor drainage system.
  3. The presense of a water height measure warning sign in Batu Lintang and Third Mile shows the regularity of floods in the area. These signs are there for a reason, so don’t take advantage of things.

It is sad that two lives are lost today due to the flood but we could have avoided such tragedies if all of us are more informed and not take every day things for granted.

For example, suppose the storm drains were clear of rubbish and whatnot, perhaps the water wouldn’t be too high. Parents should educate their children about the dangers of flood and what to do when caught in one. Local medias should take advantage of Facebook and Twitters to alert people which roads and places to avoid in the event of flood.

Be thankful the scale of our flood is not anywhere close to the ones in Thailand, Philippines or Sri Lanka.

Well, on a lighter note, I got my new passport!

It should have been ready in three hours time but due to some technical problem, it took a day to be processed. And yes, I look so much better compared to five years ago!

After we dropped off Anisha at home, we were supposed to have lunch at The Eatery at 4 Points by Sheraton with Hisyam and Harizan but they couldn’t make it due to some problems. We postponed our meeting to high tea instead. Aslan and I already ordered our drinks while waiting, so we carried on having lunch.

Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken: The dressing was okay but the chicken was so bland. Portion is a bit too small for the price.

 

I asked for the soup of the day which was Cream of Broccoli but I was given Cream of Mushroom instead. Edible but disappointing. I'd rather have Campbell's!

Hot buns were not so hot and well, it would be nicer if they had given two each...

Aslan enjoyed his lunch very much. If I weren’t dieting, I would have ordered the same thing.

Jumbo Hotdog!

Today’s food photos are full with innuendos. If you don’t notice, you are truly an Angel.

In the afternoon, we went to Cafe Cinno at Hilton for some drinks with Hisyam and Harizan. I love their Chai Latte and chocolate pralines. I don’t care if they are too sweet for me, they are heavenly!

It was really lovely to meet up with the fashionistas, oh the things we talked about, scandalous! I look forward to another high tea with them, perhaps somewhere chic, undiscovered and full with treasures. :D

From left to right: Moi, Hisyam and Harizan

What a day! Stay safe, my sayangs, this is just a preview of what yet to come. The height of the monsoon season is barely here! Take good care of yourself and loved ones!

Love,
E.

The First Lesson of 2012

01 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, Heart Talk, Story Time

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You must be wondering, what mechanical pencils have to do with this post? Read on.

When I was 14, I remember how obsessed some of my friends were with Pilot stationaries. There was this one girl, she had the Pilot 2020 Shaker Mechanical Pencil in every colors and don’t let me start on how many colored pens of the same brand she had.

Compared to me, my pencil case was really modest. It was a simple black and grey pouch and the content was  as humble as it looked. Back then, I did not have the luxury to own any fancy stationaries. I used simple pens from Kilometrico and just the good old  2B wood pencils form Staedtler.

It was only when I got to form four I could afford one pink Pilot 2020 Shaker and I had it with me until my university years before I lost my pencil case last year.

Today, I bought a new pencil case and fulfilled an old, almost forgotten desire dream.

Front

Back

The brand of this pencil case is called Fluff. I’ve been a fan since I first stumbled across it back in 2007.

And this is the dream I have fulfilled…

Not all colors were available but the point is, I feel satisfied now.

The odd thing about this fulfillment is the superficial the nature of it. An empty dream. It does not feel much as anticipated. I came to the silly realization of what am I going to do with so many mechanical pencils? Darn it.

Hence, I learned my first lesson of 2012. Satisfying wants does not necessarily makes me happy. I am thankful I did not follow my greedy hearts by getting all the wants in 2011 such as the Leica camera, more Chanel bags and bazillion shoes.

In relation to this, here are my five resolutions for 2012:

  1. 15 kg lighter and a size 12.
  2. Have RM 10,000 in the bank account.
  3. Complete my Daily Reflection journal (The red book in the photo above)
  4. Travel to at least one new foreign land
  5. Be a better Muslim, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, girlfriend and friend. In short, a better person, the greatest I can be.

Simple resolutions but they are challenging than they seem to be.

May this post inspire you and have a lovely 2012. Happy new year, my sayangs!

Love,
E.

Looking Back: 2011

31 Saturday Dec 2011

Posted by in Celebrations, Entertainment, Heart Talk, Review, Story Time

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It is scary how ridiculously fast we reach the last entry for the year 2011, almost in just a blink of an eye!

I will not drag on this topic further, instead, I will go straight to the point.

January:

I spent the last day of 2010 in Phuket, Thailand, celebrated New Year on a cruise liner, bedridden as I was sick; and had a lovely New Year’s day in Langkawi.

In my cabin on board the Royal Caribbean!

Chaneling Kate Winslet in Titanic.

One of Phuket's Buddhist temples

Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas.

Goodbye Langkawi!

Once the holiday ended, university started and it was the final semester of my final year in Unimas. I had one whole year to do my thesis but I only felt the pressure now. Hence, nothing much happened in January because I devoted most of my free time researching, reading, watching Disney animations and typed till my fingers bleed (A mere exaggeration, of course).

In January, Aslan and I celebrated our fifth year together. He got me an autobiography of Coco Chanel as an anniversary gift. On the same day, I received my first Bowerhaus bracelet from the lovely Elizabeth and Shentel.

This trio bracelet overshadowed Aslan's gift... How can it not? Talk about wrong timing.

I kept on telling Aslan the best gift is none other than to have him in my life. I feel bad I couldn’t plan anything over the top for our special day so I have planned something very special and insanely luxurious for our sixth anniversary. So, there you go!

February:

My birthday month! I attended my friend’s engagement on my birthday. I had no plan to celebrate my birthday nor Valentine’s day, therefore the day was better spent that way.

I knew her since high school and now she is married. Darn it, shows how old I am... Grr...

Three days before the engagement, I celebrated my birthday with my family. It was simple and Aslan was not happy I had to do everything myself. Well, the name’s Miss Perfectionist and I don’t mind planning my own birthday party, thank you. I baked red velvet cupcakes as a birthday cake, I made roast beef with roasted vegetables. My family contributed some dishes too. Aefi made some sherpard’s pie while Boy and Eaiz grilled some chicken wings. It could be said I didn’t do everything.

Turning 25 was a bittersweet moment. I was happy I aged well and in such good health. I was sad at the fact that my parents were no longer together.

Moving on, in February, I met my idols, Sereni and Shentel at the Lancome French Kiss event.

All dolled up by Lancome with Sereni and Shentel

In the same month, I went to Melbourne, Australia with Aslan and Zarith. In Melbourne, I visited a lot of beautiful places, got to know so many amazing people and ate tons of good food.

A sprained ankle did not stop me from enjoying my holiday with my friends!

Aslan, my one and only.

Zarith, moi, Jaez and Dwayne at the 12 Apostles.

March:

I did a crazy thing at the beginning of March. I went to Singapore and stayed for a night on my own. I was there for a very important mission and it was successful. The highlight of my trip was the hotel I stayed in; Wanderlust Hotel.

The room I stayed in is a capsule-like dubbed the Pantone. It is compact and quirkily design but it catered to my basic needs very well.

Nadia’s wedding was beautiful! At the same time I was pestered by the golden question: “When is your turn???” People, if you would kindly donate to my wedding fund, I will be more than pleased to have my wedding next year, thank you. The fund covers all cost of what happens before, during and after the wedding. Oh yes.

With the lovely bride, Nadia.

Aside from the wedding, March was rather uneventful. I prioritized the need to get the thesis done before anything else. That pretty much explains why I was very anti social at the start of the year.

April:

Designed my custom Blair with Shentel! It was very chic and demure, maybe I will design something eccentric next time. Hehehe. I had such a fantastic time with both Sereni and Shentel.

Being a designer is harder than I thought, especially with all the crazy amount of beautiful ribbons, stones to choose from!

I look very boring compare with Sereni. She looks fabulous!

Aslan celebrated his 25th birthday and I got him a little something special.

<3

He managed to assemble the camera during the Easter weekend and took some photos , first attempt was not 100% successful but it was a good effort nonetheless.

We couldn't stop laughing when we saw this photo. Old school, much!

With less than a month before I handed up the thesis, everything was at full speed. Spent most of my time at Unimas library and in my house, completely devoted to the thesis. Sad but true.

May:

May was rather uneventful. I lived a life full of misery fearing I could not finish my thesis on time. Aslan, friends and family motivated me. Thankfully, they gave me the strength to go on. Oh, such joy when I handed in the completed and bounded thesis to my supervisor.

My passport to a very calmed and peaceful mind.

 June:

June brought with it freedom. The start of my long holiday. I organized a get together here in Kuching with the dudes. Reunited for one weekend before we meet again in September.

My buddies.

I went on a two weeks holiday in the United Kingdom with Aslan and his family. Visited Portadown, Belfast (Although very briefly), Glasgow, Edinburgh, Glencoe, Inverness, Skye, Norwich, London and Stonehenge.

Walking through the town of Portadown

Supposed to be summer but it was so chilly!

Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland

Day trip to Belfast where we visited the Titanic site.

Tea time in Glasgow!

A day out in Edinburgh!

In which Monty Python's & The Holy Grail theme song kept on playing on repeat in my mind...

I became a giant in Edinburgh

Went to Jamie Oliver's Italian in Glasgow

Braved the cold weather just to take photos at the Glencoe

Went on a hunt for the Loch Ness Monster in Inverness...

Visited so many castles/ruins all over UK

Witnessed so many breathtaking sceneries

Went on a drive around the Islands of Skye

Only in Skye

In Norwich

Medieval loo at Norwich Castle

London!

Stonehenge!

When I was in London, I got to ride on not just a limo but a Hummer limousine!!!

My ride for the night

Chilling like a rockstar.

July:

A month where I relaxed most of the time and catch up with the happenings in Kuching. It was also the fasting month, therefore not much happened.

Just visiting y'all during my one night transit in Singapore

August:

It was a last minute decision. Aslan barely remembers his trip to New Zealand eons ago, so in order to refresh his memory, we flew to Auckland!

At Mission Bay with Rangitoto in the background

On North Head, Devonport

Rotorua

Copied Tyra Bank's favorite pose at Piha Beach or famously known as the black sands beach.

In August, I also celebrated Raya in Kuching after two years away from home.

Aefi and family not in the photo though...

Funny thing was I only stayed 2 days in Kuching before flying off to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for a beach getaway at Shangri La Tanjung Aru and Shangri La Rasa Ria.

Day one and still looking quite fair

Chilling somewhere shaded after good tanning sessions.

September:

I thought August was an adventure until September came along. I went to Singapore and Phuket, Thailand with my university friends. It was crazy!!!

My first time staying in a hostel in Singapore...

On top of Marina Bay Sands.

Phuket Fantasea Show

My first elephant ride!

Karon Beach on a sunny day

Sunny day was quite a rare occasion during our visit to Phuket during the monsoon season. Boy, when it was sunny, it was really hot!

I also managed to go for a day trip to Phi Phi Islands where I went snorkeling for the first time!

To be honest, the water was too rough for snorkeling...

Phi Phi Lay Island after buffet lunch

Went on two crazy roller coaster at Universal Studios Singapore

October:

When I found out I would graduate few months back, it felt unreal. The journey was long and tough and when the day happened, it didn’t last as long as expected.

Four years in Unimas had been a roller coaster ride but it was definitely worth it.

Aslan and I on my graduation day. <3

October was also the month when the newest member of my family was born. My nephew, Zhafri!

What an angel...

November:

I was invited to Sereni and Shentel’s an afternoon with Shu Uemura. A wonderful event where I learned more about applying make-up and saw the new headbands by Sereni & Shentel!

With the ever so beautiful Sereni and Shentel and my darling Aslan

Also went to Singapore a few times this month. Just a quick visit, nothing our of the ordinary.

 December:

I celebrated an early Christmas with my dudes in Christmas.

This year, we celebrated Christmas in Perth. A new experience for all of us.

Hot and Sunny, Christmas Down Under was fabulous!

So, that was the highlight of my 2011. It was a good year for travel, I am thankful to have the chance to see more of the world this year.

I am also happy because I managed to achieved most of my goals. Number one on my list was to graduate from Unimas. :D

I hope 2012 will be a better year for me and my family as well as you, my dear readers. Thank you for reading my humble blog. Without you, I am nothing.

Frankly, I don’t know what to expect in 2012. I’m not in a rush to start working. I am not feeling inspired enough to continue my Masters. I can hear wedding bells ringing but I doubt they are mine. I don’t plan to travel a lot next year, instead, I plan to save money.

Life isn’t what it used to be but I won’t complain. Life is what we make of it.

Rain or shine, life goes on. Happy New Year!

Love,
E.

Post-Holiday Blues

05 Monday Sep 2011

Posted by in Emopost, Heart Talk

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Fear not, my sayangs, I am still alive and well. I’ve been back home in Kuching since September 4. I am struggling with a few issues in my life at the moment. Although I must stress that none of the issues are serious, or so I think.

After two weeks of holidaying (with a few days in Kuching in between two destinations), I have succumbed to a very positive mood threatening post-holiday blues- I miss everything about the holiday and being back home; back to the usual routines is very frustrating. Then again, after much self debating, I have come to the realisation that porridge is not that bad after all. For goodness sake, I am unemployed, why must I feel depressed? Other people would definitely kill for this gap months (I can’t afford a gap year, that’s too much!).

Secondly, my brief beach vacation in Kota Kinabalu comes with a prize. Sand flies bite. (Click here to read more about it). Damn sand fly bit me and through time, it spread out. I went to the skin doctor yesterday and he told me NEVER to scratch it, no matter how itchy it gets. There are two ways to deal with an itch, slap or put ice on it. If I have known this, it would definitely save me RM82. Luckily, the affected areas are only limited to my upper body, hence my prized legs are save. That does not mean anything though. I’ve got red spots everywhere on my arms, fingers, upper back, shoulder… Pathetic. AGHHHH. (I’m not going to post photos of the bites here but do google if you are curious and mind you, they can be quite graphic!)

Third, I have not been blogging that often (I am ashamed to admit that I still owe tons of past entries from Melbourne, UK, New Zealand and recently KK. It makes me wonder, how can I still be mentally tired when I’ve been resting since June this year? Well, obviously I have a lot going on in mind; too many dilemmas, dramas, choices, hopes, etc cluttering my brain that even multiple holidays cannot get rid of! Quite depressing when I think of it, and here I go again, thinking too much. Meh.

Fourth, I am on a search to seek for what I truly need and want in life. Being jobless has made me questioned myself and the future. I have reached that point in life where I doubt everything I have set for myself previously. I am at the edge of reason. Either I back off or someone help push me off the cliff of doubt. Sink or swim. The same topic led me to ponder about this blog.

Maybe I should stop thinking and go with the flow. Oh well, life goes on.

Love,
E.

The Year of the Birkin

21 Thursday Jul 2011

Posted by in Fashion, Heart Talk, Story Time

≈ 3 Comments

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I officially declare that 2012 will be the year in which I will try to conquer the ultimate bag, the coveted Hermes Birkin 35.

I’ve got a lot of dilemma. First, money. Second, colour and type of leather.

Then again, knowing me, a dreamer, I have found solutions.

As for money, once I start working in January, I will save 90% of my salary for the bag for one whole year. On top of that, I will try to find side income. I will work all around the clock if I have to! Plus, I will cut down on the amount of holidays for 2012. Yes, I am that crazy and determined to own a Birkin, I would sacrifice traveling.

I am not a fan of exotic leather. I am fine with Togo leather. Togo is very textured & scratchproof, fairly lightweight leather and keep the shape.

So, these are the colours I am seriously considering:

 

Black

 

Ruby

 

Gold

 

At the moment, this is a love-hate relationship. No, a love affair. Forbidden love affair. I’m sure one day, sooner or later, we will be reunited.

Love,
E.

P/S: Of course I don’t simply dream about things, I usually work my ass of to make sure it will be a dream come true. True story: Gabrielle and Monalisa.

Raw Emotion

25 Saturday Jun 2011

Posted by in Barefoot Day, Heart Talk, Photography

≈ 2 Comments

"A Picture Paints A Thousand Words"

 

A few days back, I had a good cry. I never realize I needed a cry so bad to let out all the negative emotions in me. But then again, what else can crying do? Well, at this point, any form of relief is appreciated than having none at all.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone. I will try my best to blog about my holiday in the UK. Yes, I definitely owe a LOT of entries. Almost a thousand photos. AGHHHH.

Love,
E.

P/S: Don’t worry about me, I am fine now. I will survive. Amen.

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