logo
logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Thoughts
  • Contact
logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Thoughts
  • Contact
ThoughtsAugust 13, 2009

Big Risks = Big Rewards = Big Sacrifices

By admin

momz.jpg
(2006:Momsicle and I at Deen’s wedding)
I just finished the Singaporean tear jerker movie “Money Not Enough 2” and it really put things into perspective especially what this world is like. With the economic downturn and the credit crisis, we have been involved with numbers, stats and figures to earn more and more money and to beat the odds to live a rockstar life with a million perks and a boastful attitude. I admit I enjoy a few luxuries here and there and have been fortunate enough to experience such opportunities but as I began to reflect with a few friends, ultimately its a matter of security.
When I lived in Toronto with my Real Estate Roommate Jomomma, I learnt a thing or two about investing in property and the power of having good credit. The movie tackled issues of money management with people paying in installment and spending more than they earn, or using one credit option to pay for another. I guess if you have a fat bank account, anything is possible but its easy to get caught up. Hahhaa, no this entry is not going to be some lecture about spending, bc i’m no place to give advice.
Instead, this movie touched on a sensitive subject for me. It was about family and how money affected each character in a different way and how family no longer was a focus – in this case the grandmother/mother. I admit there have been some great perks in my work and taking a huge risk like moving to Asia has its ups and downs.
When I talk to my manager, or other people about my work I have such an urgency and even my Chinese astrologist lectures me about my impatience. I’m driven because I feel like I’m still trying to prove to my mom that I can do this. Being away from her for over 6 years is not that easy, I think I’ve sacrificed much of our relationship because I’ve been away and unreachable.  The movie reminded me how selfless my mom has always been in my life and if there is anyone who has taught me to be dedicated to the things I love, she was probably my first example. My mother always told me how much potential I had as a lawyer, a doctor or something “professional”. I think I let her down by going down this road and forfeiting all the science courses I took in highschool to prep for a med program in my future. I have built a complex around her approval and making money seems like its the only kind of currency we both understand.
I’m sure I’m not the easiest daughter to handle, being stubborn and I’m ashamed at how I easily forget how it affects her, especially with all the sacrifices she has made. Well, I’m stubborn just as she is stubborn, but I hope I can be as resilient as she has been through ALL the roller coasters we’ve gone through. She’s not young but her spirit is so strong and I hope between my four sibs and I, we’ll never throw her in some nursing home or shift her from one place to another when she gets older (a major tearjerker moment in the movie). My mom’s too precious to be dumped at an institution!
My pops is back in Vancity and I’ll be heading back after being away for over a year and a half. I miss my family and its going to be so good to be around my parents despite the nagging and all that nonsense that I endure while I’m there. Also my baby bro plus I hope I get to see my sister/bro-in-law and my beautiful nieces too!!! Seeing my family will be the biggest reward of all!!

daughter, determination, journey, mama lian, relationship, sacrifice
Previous Harder Faster Better Stronger
Next Nike fits into my Condensed Workweekends

Related Posts

Video LINK: Dear Vancouver

Just one look

Fresh n Clean

Comment

There is no comment on this post. Be the first one.

Leave a comment or Cancel Reply

  • Instagram

    Kita pakai baju kurung. ❤️ Kita pakai baju kurung. ❤️
    I was reminiscing looks for this upcoming CNY but I was reminiscing looks for this upcoming CNY but it’s cancelled this year. 😔 It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. How will you be celebrating reunion dinner? Virtually? #covidcny
    Learning this one for 2021. For anyone that rememb Learning this one for 2021. For anyone that remembers old pain, open your heart to new love. ❤️ #love
    Still not wearing pants. 😂😂 Wearing @jujumel Still not wearing pants. 😂😂
Wearing @jujumellointimates instead. 😊

Looks like the first 2 weeks of January has taken a turn for the worst in Malaysia. Our health system at it’s capacity. Greedy politicians trying to fight for power, so much so our King has been granted Emergency Powers until August. To be honest, all of this hasn’t quite hit me yet, I’ve had a slower start to the year but each step taken has been intentional, from the people I spend my time with to the people I want to work with. 

Life is still not a bed of roses but I don’t mind taking time to pluck the thorns out. I’m clearly still exploring parts of me that I’ve missed for awhile. I’ve had friends from my past telling me that the old Sarah is back again and I’m glad too! I’ve been having such lucid dreams and they’ve been giving me a clearer indication of what I need to work on. (Thank God for @therealashagill’s #DecodingDreams workshop) 

I’m trying to be more accepting of things I cannot change and learning from last year’s situation. If you can, help out a small business, everyone is trying to make a side hustle to make ends meet. We can always be kinder, more compassionate and more loving to those who have less than us. Everyone is fighting a battle that we cannot see. Don’t be so quick to judge.

#dudukrumah #kitajagakita
    Decided to push for a HIIT workout before Malaysia Decided to push for a HIIT workout before Malaysia got the news that we will be having another lockdown. We’re back to MCO status as of Wednesday and if you haven’t learnt from our first MCO, here’s your chance to learn from it again! 😂 This time I’ve got Dolly to look after. 
I don’t think I’ll be wearing pants for awhile either. What are you going to be doing differently this time around? #lockdown #thirdwave #coronavirus
    The impending work from home situation is making m The impending work from home situation is making me nervous. Imagine all the distractions that can happen with @arnu_de_villiers. Gotta stop thinking and just do. 😈

#hotmalemondays
    Sarah on a Sunday IRL. #bliss Sarah on a Sunday IRL. #bliss
    So happy for @eugeniecml and Adam to finally tie t So happy for @eugeniecml and Adam to finally tie the knot!! Congratulations to this happy couple. Huge milestones for the @suppagood / @suppagoodpr family with wedding season upon us!! ❤️❤️❤️ #suppafam
    It’s 2021. We should be able to live in a world It’s 2021. We should be able to live in a world where empowered women are not measured by how much or how little clothes they wear. Stop hiding behind the narrative of “protecting women”, instead teach men to be respectful. 

I share a conversation with a woman who wanted to impose her archaic viewpoint on me about how she avoids men degrading her. 

Not only was she dangerously victim blaming “bc I’m asking for it”, she was also age-shaming (apparently bikinis have an age limit 🤷🏻‍♀️) and telling me that my swimwear was not appropriate for the waterfall 🤔. But the worst part was her condescending tone towards me because I was unmarried and childless. I think I’ve done a lot of work on myself to be able to withstand this dialogue but if this conversation happened last year, I would have felt defeated and maybe even gone into a dark place (at the helm of society’s judgment).

The truth is, so many women have different reasons or situations for their path in life. Sometimes it’s by choice and sometimes it’s by fate, but it’s extremely dangerous to weaponise your status to look down on another woman. Undoubtedly she was provoked, hence her ad hominem attack, but it doesn’t make it ok. In fact, that conversation showed me how much she derived her worth from men and I felt sorry for her.

I’ve spent the past 2 years building a community to uplift women and this conversation was the most disappointing interaction I’ve had in years. Women have enough shit to deal with, let alone spewed negativity from one another. 

Let’s go back to celebrating each other for being courageous in whatever journey we’re on. Clothed or not, our worth is not measured in what we wear but how we see ourselves. 

I love these illustrations by @lainey.molnar. 

#teachboys #loveyourself #womenempowerment #chooseyou #toxicfemininity #shamingwomensbodies
    Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook

    Sarah Lian

    2 days ago

    Sarah Lian

    I was reminiscing looks for this upcoming CNY but it’s cancelled this year. 😔 It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. How will you be celebrating reunion dinner? Virtually? #covidcny ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    ·Share

    Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

    Sarah Lian

    3 days ago

    Sarah Lian

    Learning this one for 2021. For anyone that remembers old pain, open your heart to new love. ❤️ #love ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    ·Share

    Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

    Sarah Lian

    6 days ago

    Sarah Lian

    Decided to push for a HIIT workout before Malaysia got the news that we will be having another lockdown. We’re back to MCO status as of Wednesday and if you haven’t learnt from our first MCO, here’s your chance to learn from it again! 😂 This time I’ve got Dolly to look after.
    I don’t think I’ll be wearing pants for awhile either. What are you going to be doing differently this time around? #lockdown #thirdwave #coronavirus
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Video

    View on Facebook
    ·Share

    Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

    Sarah Lian

    2 weeks ago

    Sarah Lian

    #Throwback to my long hair. @rozellamarie went for the crop and now I’m just trying to aim for the shoulders again! #missmylonghairnow ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    ·Share

    Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

    Sarah Lian

    2 weeks ago

    Sarah Lian

    Dolly issa vibe.
    Meet my latest foster Dolly! If she’s not grunting, she’s snoring. On my third puppy from @myforeverdoggo! If you ever want to know what it’s like to own a dog, foster and test your own patience!
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Video

    View on Facebook
    ·Share

    Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Twitter

    Sarah Lian (连丽婷)@imSarahLian·
    16 May 2019

    Starting my birthday month strong! The people have spoken and I will complete a random act of kindness for 30 days alongside:
    @frhanfdzl
    groshi24
    sinyin_t
    jeanwooi
    javidlpo
    essentioo
    @pmohanventhan

    If you want to… https://t.co/F9olhycEVf

    Retweet on TwitterSarah Lian (连丽婷) Retweeted
    UNRESERVED@unreservedmedia·
    10 May 2019

    Actress, host, emcee, and entrepreneur @imSarahLian on success, @suppagood and confidence: https://t.co/gdREJ1Vg5S

    📸: @suppagood.

    #unreserved #unreservedmedia #SarahLian #influencer #personality #Suppagood #suppagoodtalent #suppagoodpr

    Sarah Lian (连丽婷)@imSarahLian·
    9 May 2019

    Starting my birthday month strong! The people have spoken and I will complete a random act of kindness for 30 days alongside:… https://t.co/sT49fbOfQn

    Sarah Lian (连丽婷)@imSarahLian·
    6 May 2019

    Birthday week is coming up and I want to celebrate my new year with a challenge. How should I dedicate my next 30 days?

    Sarah Lian (连丽婷)@imSarahLian·
    6 May 2019

    Selamat Ramadan to all my Muslim friends!

    Load More...
© 2018 SarahLian.com. All rights reserved.