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Monday, December 1, 2025

December Routines, Exam Seasons & Little Joys on the Horizon

With four papers done and seven more to go, Cass is officially deep in the trenches of SPM 2025. Her exam marathon will only end on 23 December, which feels incredibly far away for both mother and child. Today was her Math paper, and tomorrow will be Moral—one of those subjects that somehow looks easy until you actually sit down to study it.

Watching her revise day and night brings back memories of my own SPM 35 years ago. Honestly, nothing I’ve studied since has ever come close to the pressure and intensity of that exam. Even the Human Resources Management Certificate course I took—fully sponsored by the bank I worked for—felt easier in comparison. Back then, I had to attend Saturday classes and squeeze in night study sessions after work, but it was still nothing like the all-consuming anticipation of sitting for SPM. There’s something about that one big national exam that just hits differently.

Meanwhile, Sherilyn had her own challenge this week—and she aced it once again. She and her team won another dance competition yesterday! What made this win even more meaningful was the fact that she wasn’t feeling well the day before. On Saturday, she asked me to take her to the clinic so she could get medication and recover quickly in time for the competition. True enough, she bounced back the next day, strong enough to perform and strong enough to win. Her determination never fails to amaze me.

Alycia, on the other hand, continues to live her 2025 in “travel mode.” Her travelling stars are shining brightly again after a year of hopping from one country to another. And now, there’s a chance she may be heading to Tokyo next month! Of course, this depends on whether her company approves her leave—and since she’s still on probation, she's keeping her fingers crossed. Still, it’s exciting to see her life filled with so many new adventures.

As for me, my little joy comes in the form of an overdue hometown escape. I’m looking forward to going back to Ipoh with my parents next week. They’ll be coming to KL to attend my MIL’s 80th birthday celebration, and the next day I’ll be heading back with them. I can’t wait. After missing Dong Zhi and Christmas with them for so many years, being able to celebrate together again feels like a blessing. I’m already imagining the warmth of home, familiar dishes, and simple family moments.

December may be hectic, stressful, and full of moving parts—but it’s also full of milestones, hopes, and the comforting promise of home.


The team clinched the champion title again in the contemporary dance category.



This photo popped up on my Google Photos today - taken exactly 10 years ago on 2 December 2015.  How did time pass SO quickly?!


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