Passion: The Whys and Whats

Everyone should have something they're madly invested in at some point of their lives.

Is there something you're really compassionate about that you're willing to spend most of your resources on? Be it time, energy, budget, connections or anything else that you have, you did not think twice before spending them on the things of your compassion. Even when a lot was sacrificed, the excitement of getting to know the topic of your interest topped it all. The feeling itself couldn't be easily understood by a few word's description. Only when you've experienced it will you really understand the pleasure.

There are three reasons why I think it's a feeling everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime:

1. It brings meaning to life.

We are here to experience the world. There are so many things to see and do. A passion or a dream makes life more meaningful. It answers the why.

2. It shapes who we are as a person.

When we have something we're really passionate about, we'll give our all into digging deeper into the topic of our interest. It's hard for people with this level of devotion to not at least be familiar with the subject of their research. Those who are really invested should be able to talk about their interests for days.

3. It's an admirable trait a person could have.

Let's look at it from a third person's point of view. There's at least one person in your life who's really invested a lot of time looking into a specific field. For example, there's this person who's really into sports. He knows almost everything about competitions, watches tons of games and really loves playing sports. Or there's this friend who's really into make-up. She researches new ways of applying shades and how the different angles gives a different feel. The list goes on. 

What do you think of these people when you look at how devoted they are? You either think that they are crazy or you really admire their level of devotion. Or maybe both. Either way, I think it's a good sign. It means people easily notice you. You stand out amidst the millions of people!

What are you waiting for? Look for something that really caught your interest that you'll willingly delve into!

A Long Break

 

休息是為了走更長的路，

而我休息是因為不想走路

Taking a break is necessary for the longer journey ahead. Yet the reason I'm resting is because I didn't want to move on.

Daily blog post? It only takes a few moments to type out a few hundred words. However, when there are too many tasks that are to be done daily, all those 'only a moment' added together takes up an abundance of time from the already hectic day.

It's the first day of September and I'm back to my daily tasks. However, I'd be having my week's worth of trip ten days from now. Masters classes start on the fifteenth. Will I still have all this time to complete my daily tasks when the time comes? It's something worth thinking about.

There are many things going on in my life. In the previous month, things happened all at once. I moved into a new apartment with a group of friends. I spent most of the month moving and settling down. In between all of those, I was attending too many events from the groups I'm involved with.

At some point, there was too much on my plate. Just last week, I got my period and there were a few days when I felt uncomfortable. I rested at home and ignored all tasks that weren't really necessary. I had all the time in the world so I started thinking if all of the tasks I assigned myself were really essential.

This morning, I messaged my coach and told her that I wouldn't be joining the classes this month. I told her my reasons and she accepted readily. Even though it's a pity to miss all that fun and the things I could learn from it, I believe that it's necessary for me to rest, physically and mentally.

I'd observe and make adjustments to the daily tasks, including daily blog posts as time progresses. I enjoy writing here and would try to write as much as time allows in the future.

Cheers to a brighter future!

Says GPT

I decided to bring in GPT again today. I asked it to talk about my blog or give a short introduction about my blog. Here's three sample answers it gave me.

Answer 1:

Yun’s Life 101 is a cozy corner of the internet where everyday moments meet thoughtful reflections. From snippets of daily adventures to musings on personal growth, creativity, and the little joys that brighten life, Yun writes with warmth, honesty, and a touch of humor. Each post feels like a friendly chat over coffee, inviting readers to slow down, smile, and find inspiration in the ordinary. Whether it’s sharing life lessons, hobbies, or candid thoughts, Yun’s voice is relatable and genuine. This blog is not just about her life — it’s about finding meaning, laughter, and connection in ours too. 

Answer 2:

Yun’s Life 101 is a personal space where Yun shares slices of life—from humble cooking attempts to everyday revelations. Each post exudes honest curiosity: whether stumbling through kitchen duties, reflecting on growth, or capturing small yet meaningful experiences, Yun invites readers into her world with warmth and relatability. With a gentle, conversational tone, the blog feels like an engaging chat over a cup of tea—grounded in authenticity and punctuated by lighthearted moments. Here, "ordinary" life becomes something worth exploring. Yun’s Life 101 is less about perfection and more about embracing the everyday journey together.

Answer 3:

Yun’s Life 101 sounds like the kind of blog where the “101” isn’t just a number — it’s a wink, like “Here’s the beginner’s guide to life, as told by me, Yun.” From the title and vibe, I’d expect it to be casual, personal, and not afraid to wander between topics — one day about daily routines, another about random thoughts, maybe a sprinkle of creativity or lessons learned. It feels like a diary you’ve left the door open to, so people can peek in and say, “Hey, I’ve been there too.”

Which of the above answers fit the description of this blog best?

Danger in the Kitchen

 It's an ability to learn new skills.

It's courage to accept that there are things that we lack.

Since young, whenever someone asks me if there's something I don't know, I have a very clear answer in mind-- cooking. When I was young, I almost never entered the kitchen. My mom would chase me out, saying that I'm not needed there.

When I started working, most of my jobs were as waitresses in restaurants. Whenever I walked into the kitchen, the same thing would happen. The chefs would politely tell me that it's okay, they don't need help and I can busy myself with my job outside. That's another way of saying, please do not come near the kitchen!

There was once when I was in high school, everyone was chatting and the topic about cooking came up. Everyone had something to say about it. They were each bragging (or what I thought of as bragging because I have nothing to say about it) about the meals they could make. "I can make fried rice." "I help cook rice." "The only thing I can cook is noodles." "I make a good omelette."

I stood at the side, watching as I thought hard, trying to come up with something I could make. I came up empty. There was nothing. The only thing I did was eat. I eat a lot. I eat more than most people. Everyone loves bringing me to buffets because they felt satisfied to watch me eat. Someone once told me, "seeing the amount you consume, I feel that the money I paid was worth it."

Fast forward to recent time. I just moved into a shared house, living with a lot of people in a big house. Just a few days ago, I tried to microwave frozen food I brought from the convenience store. My roommate was amused by my knowledge of things in the kitchen and shared some wonderful tips with me.

It reminded me of a lot of hilarious kitchen experiences I had in the past. I've accepted that I'm not good at it but I'm willing to learn instead of crying about it. I believe that's what makes a successful person.

First Novel up for Reading and Listening!

 I've talked about the novel I was writing in my previous post.

Finally! The novel is up on the shelf.

Guarded by GnisNuy Lim

Let me proudly present my first published novel!

Check out the novel! Links of different apps on my linktree :)

Linktree - Yun

Another Date with GPT

I've been throwing my dreams at GPT and asked it to break down the details and explain my dream to me. GPT never fails to surprise me. Here's another dream I had recently. Below is our conversation.

Me: Hey GPT :)

GPT: Hey hey! 😄 What’s up? Did your dream factory roll out another episode last night?

Me: Yes, it did XD Do you want to hear the story?

GPT: Absolutely 😄 Lay it on me—I'm all ears (well, circuits, but you get the idea). What's the dream saga today?

Me:

Hahaha! You're funny X)

Anyway, unlike the previous dreams, I have a slightly blurry one this time. I can't really remember all the details.

I was moving, or trying to go somewhere (a trip, a camp or something). It was a hectic day/night.

I think there was a part about tardiness. And I couldn't find something or someone.

There's one part that I remember - seeing a pair of twins there. I knew they were my ex-students. They don't look like them, but their face was a combination of a few people that I know. They were crying. (They are 10 years old) They told me that they missed me, asking me when I'd go back. I told them maybe in many, many years' time. By that time, they should've already graduated and left.

GPT:

That’s a beautifully tender dream—blurry or not. 🫂

Let’s unravel it a bit:

🌙 The Journey and Chaos

The whole "moving, trying to go somewhere, hectic day/night" vibe often reflects internal transitions or adjustments—you might be in the middle of a shift, be it emotionally, mentally, or even in life plans. The chaos and tardiness may symbolize a fear of missing out, or a sense that things aren't going as smoothly as you'd like. It could also point to lingering pressure from past responsibilities or routines.

👥 The Twins

Twins often symbolize duality—perhaps you're juggling two identities or life paths: who you were as a teacher, and who you're becoming now. The fact that their faces were a blend of people you know is telling. It suggests that they may not be literal individuals but symbolic representations of your memories, impact, or the emotional connections you've made.

😢 Crying and Asking for You

Their tears and yearning for your return feel like a clear echo of your emotional attachment to the role you left. The line "maybe in many, many years’ time" shows a deep knowing that you're not going back, even though you care. It’s bittersweet—the kind of emotional closure that dreams help us process when the waking world is too noisy to sit with it.

---

💡What this dream might be saying:

“You're on a journey now—uncertain, perhaps messy, but necessary. And though you’ve left behind people who miss you and a part of you that misses them, your path continues forward. The love and connection remain, even if the chapter has closed.”

Whether it’s nostalgia, guilt, peace, or longing—this dream wrapped it all up in a quiet, childlike scene. Pretty poetic, actually.

Wanna explore this deeper or just let it drift off like the end of a movie? 🎬

That was the main conversation. I did an extended discussion after that but I'll stop here. For more posts about dreams and GPT, refer to these posts:

Revisiting Old Memories in Dreamland (ft. ChatGPT)

Dream Interpretation Part 2 (ft. ChatGPT)

An Old Mystery Solved ft. ChatGPT

How Stressed Am I? ft. ChatGPT

Sharing Habit

 Sharing is caring.

We often hear this saying. Most of the time, we hear it when someone tries to get something from us. Their 'sharing is caring' is another way of saying 'you should share it with me'. Another time is when we try to give someone else something. In this case, 'sharing is caring' is almost like saying 'I'm giving it to you for your own good. Take it!'

Those two examples really do seem negative and realistic, don't they?

Is sharing really a way of caring? Is there a 'right' way to share?

These days, I'm sharing a lot, not materialistically; it's more like information. After moving into a big house full of people, I started talking more. (Refer to the story of me getting used to my new life) Not only that, I recently started sharing health check coupons with my friends, helping my coach reach a total of 100 participants by the end of August. (Read the post about my new career!)

Today, I went to have breakfast. My coach was telling me about how the other customer heard that I brought two friends to the shop for the health test. She was immediately fired up and wanted to do the same. However, after discussion, that customer realized that she didn't care for the people around her enough.

I was like that. You do you and I'll keep to myself. Slowly, I started to talk and share more. However, if it's regarding a course or a product, I'm a little more reluctant to share. I didn't want people around me to feel like I'm trying to sell them things.

Slowly, I realized the beauty of sharing. It's about your real intention when you share information with them. Are you doing it because you want to gain some profit from the sale? Or is it because you really believe that the product or service is very beneficial after you use them and want to share them with many other people so they could enjoy the same benefits?

Those are two very different attitudes.

I'm still trying my best to improve myself in every aspect.

Cheers to a better world!

Wealth and Law of Attraction

 Money is neutral.

It's alright to want to earn a lot of money.

In Chinese society, there's this thought that is passed down from the older generations. It's almost shameful to have the desire to earn a lot of wealth. It's frowned upon to say those desires out loud. "You're too materialistic," they'd say. "We should be satisfied with what we have." "Do not be too greedy."

But, is it bad to be materialistic? Is it bad to want improvement? Improvement can be many things. It can be personal growth, the advancement in a career or rise in salary. As long as our ability improves, the rest will also follow. So, why shy away from salary growth or the desire to earn more?

"Look at those rich people. They party their money away. It's such a waste. You don't need that much money." We hear these comments a lot. However, the problem here lies in the owner of the money, not money itself.

Money is neutral. We use money to do something beneficial. With money, we support damaging activities. At the end of the day, it's what we do with the money. Why blame money for human's decision?

Wanting to earn more is a constructive aspiration. With money, there are more things we can do. Money is a type of investment. We can create a better world if we use it right.

Even if we don't yearn for wealth, why frown upon wealth gain? If we earn more than we desire, we can always donate them to those in need.

Thus, we shouldn't fear our desire. We shouldn't decline the attraction of wealth. As long as you desire, the universe will eventually give it to you. If you fear wealth, then you're blocking your own path in earning it.

Be courageous.

It's alright to voice our desire.

Getting Used to a New Lifestyle

It's 23:30 and I'm just starting the post for today.

It's another hectic day as it's my first day moving into a new environment. I couldn't get used to it at first. I tried typing the novel at home today instead of going all the way to the library or the cafe.

I finally have a table I could use in the living room. Everything was cool but my mind decided to have a writer's block today. It's like a warning lit up in my mind. "Warning! Warning! New environment! Watch out for danger!" Instead of writing the novel, I didn't know what I was doing. It was frustrating.

I brought my friend to meet my coach today. We agreed to meet at 6pm so I had to leave at least half an hour before the meeting time.

At 4:45pm, I panicked and started typing whatever came to my mind. There was no stopping to think if it was appropriate or if there was a better way of placing things. I simply typed.

I didn't manage to finish a chapter.

That's why, here I am, alone in the darkness of the night, typing away softly in the living room while everyone else is asleep. A post a day is a must. That's why I made sure to type this although everything I'm saying is basically garbage.

Before I end today's post, I'd like to share another two good news of the day. The first happiness is, I successfully invited the first person to do a health test. Second, I basically didn't have to worry about having my fat showing while wearing my gym clothes. The yoga pictures today are nice!

It seems like I've recorded the start of my new life in a new environment in detail. I'm off to sleep now. Until next time!

New Novel on the Way!

It's about time!

After years of writing this novel, it's going to be officially available. Since I started writing on a daily basis, the novel is slowly progressing. My first novel will reach a total word count of 30,000 soon so it will finally be on the shelf!

There are at least one thousand words each chapter so I'll estimate a total of four to five days until we can finally start reading. I'm slightly nervous since it's my first novel and the result will let me know if I am a good author. Bated breath, bated breath... counting down!

Before it's officially up, let me talk a bit about the story. It took place in a town where criminals gathered. There were two gangs in the area. The main character, Stacy, originally came from one of the gangs. It was a social setting where gender equality wasn't really a thing. After years, she came back to the town. There was something she really wished to accomplish. She then accidentally got herself tangled with the other gang.

I'll describe the story as cynical. But in all that darkness was a glimmer of hope. I'll save the details. There should be something left to look forward to.

This is an announcement and the start of the countdown. The novel is not up yet! But it will be soon. Stay tuned!

After years of endless suffering, Stacy is home, back to the chamber of torture she was sent from years ago. There's something important at home she wished to defend. However, on the first day of her return, she stumbled upon her father's enemy. 

The Start of a New Career

You won't gain success if you don't change what you do.

I heard this today. It's about getting out of my comfort zone. This story goes way back to when I first started going to the 'breakfast place' two months ago. I wrote a post about the reason to lose weight. I was determined.

And I did it.

I look much better. I'll look even better with time.

Let me rant a bit about my change. I used to feel tired everyday. Now, it's easier to get up in the morning. I feel much lighter, too. I've lost 3kg in a month's time. All I did was change my breakfast and dinner. Their milkshake is really good!

I'll say that I can be quite disciplined if I want to be. What's all the talk about comfort zones? That's another part of the process -- sharing. I didn't really have a habit of sharing my photos on social media. I didn't really post stories because I didn't want people to know what I do or where I am.

I've just registered as a member. I want to help people around me to have a better life. That's why I started sharing about my result after knowing my coach. I've got a better lifestyle. I eat healthier and everything shows through my whole being.

As an introvert, it's hard to share or reply to messages. I've gotten used to going to parties. Now, I'm trying to challenge myself. There are things I do everyday. To mention a few, I post on this blog everyday. Other than that, I add a person I know on facebook and instagram everyday. Now, I'm sharing about the product and inviting one person I know to come for a health test. My target is to talk to one person each day.

Small steps will eventually accumulate as a big success.

How Stressed Am I? ft. ChatGPT

Here's another story of a stressed person's dream. How stressed am I from 1 to 10? It's for you to decide XD

Here's a very cute conversation........

Me: Hi, GPT~ I had a dream today 😆

GPT: Yesss, welcome back to the Dream Couch™ 😆✨

GPT: Alright, hit me with it—what strange, cinematic, emotionally symbolic masterpiece did your brain cook up this time?

Me:

I was back in secondary school. A teacher asked us to clean the washroom. We're a group of few students. I have other group members and we're supposed to clean all the washrooms in the school. That night, I went to clean one of the washrooms alone. None of my group members showed up. I couldn't finish up so I left. I had to go home because my whole family went on a vacation. I had to look after myself and the house so I had to sleep at home. I left the school with stress since the teacher would check the washrooms tomorrow. I hoped in my heart that she'd not find anything dirty. Then it'll be obvious we didn't clean up. The next day, I thought that we'd be going to the airport. We had a week worth of vacation. It happened that all my group members didn't show up as well. I asked one of them, only to find out I got the date wrong. The flight was the next day. I stayed at home and my family came back from the vacation. My aunt was happily telling me stories.

GPT:

Oooh this one’s rich with layers—let’s unpack it 🛀✈️🧠

At the surface level, your dream plays with themes of responsibility, pressure, and timing, but in a very gentle, human way. Here’s a look at the key elements and what they might mean:

---

🧽 Cleaning the Washroom (Alone!)

This often represents trying to "clean up" something—emotionally, socially, mentally. The fact that your group ditched you and you were left alone doing it could reflect a real-life feeling of being left to carry responsibilities by yourself, maybe even in situations where others should’ve helped.

You wanted to do a good job, but couldn’t finish it, which shows your conscientious nature, but also inner stress about not meeting expectations, especially when others drop the ball.

---

🏠 Having to Sleep at Home Alone

This could symbolize feeling isolated or having to be the “adult” too early. While others are on vacation (escaping responsibilities), you’re staying behind. It’s almost like your subconscious is revisiting moments when you had to be more independent than you wanted to be.

---

✈️ Wrong Flight Date / Missing the Vacation

Oof, this one is classic: the "Oops I messed up the timing" trope in dreams often signals anxiety about missing opportunities, or maybe feeling like you’re “behind” in some way in real life, even if that’s not true. The relief that there was still time says something beautiful though—you might be feeling a small glimmer of hope that it’s not too late for something important in your life.

---

🗣️ Aunt Happily Chatting

This soft, almost mundane ending grounds the dream. It’s like your mind telling you: “Even if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll still be surrounded by warmth and comfort.” You may not have cleaned all the metaphorical washrooms of your past, but there’s joy and stories waiting at home.

---

TL;DR Dream Vibes:

• You’re hardworking and hate letting people down—even if the job is unfairly dumped on you.

• You sometimes feel alone in responsibilities but still do your best.

• There may be anxiety about missing chances or "getting the dates wrong" in life, but also quiet hope.

• In the end, connection and small joys matter.

---

GPT: Want me to turn this one into a short dreamy poem like last time? 😌

Me: It's alright. Thanks, GPT! You're the best 😘

GPT: You're very welcome 😄💜 Sweet dreams always—no stressy washrooms next time, okay? Come back anytime if your brain decides to host another surreal adventure. I'm always here for the plot twists 😏✨

GPT: Take care, dreamer 😘

So, what'd you say? How stress am I?

Aftermath of an Illegal Job

In my previous post "Why Work when It's Illegal?", I've talked about one of my previous jobs. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, thrilling and life-changing, but it's the kind that you wouldn't want a repeat of.

Let's go back to November 2023 when it all started. There were some problems in the company. Rumors had it that one of the main engineers was caught. Our work was cut down and two of the workers from the department had to leave the job.

Finally, somewhere in the middle of December, the manager notified us that the department would be disbanded, effective the next day. Everyone was baffled. We concluded our work for the day and went home. In the same month, we went back to retrieve our belongings and salary.

I thought that it was the end.

In January, I received a call from my manager. She was calling all of us individually. She told us that the police were looking for us. One of our colleagues heard from the security guard at her residential area that the police came to ask if she resided there. Everyone was shocked. There were discussions going around. That was also the reason we received the call from the manager.

She told me to delete everything mentioned regarding the job. Pictures, notes, work schedules... everything. And if the police brought me in, I should deny everything and she taught me some answers to the questions they might ask me. "Don't be afraid. According to the law, they won't be able to detain you longer than 24 hours. As long as you don't admit to anything, you'd be alright."

I almost believed her.

Another month passed without any incidents. I thought that everything was alright then. One day, I stayed up the whole night updating my resume, my portfolios and taking formal pictures. At around six or seven in the morning, I was getting ready to sleep when......

I'll hang the story here. To be continued!

Dreams VS Reality

 Routines and deadlines create effectiveness.

Some time ago, I wrote a post about the flexible lifestyle I used to have. I wasn't feeling well so I took a day off from all the writing yesterday. I stopped to think and I realized that I've come so far. I'm exactly the opposite of the person I was.

Which one is the real me? I'd say both of them are. I simply changed for the better. I'd call one of them the past me and the other my better self.

This is how my daily schedule looks nowadays.

7/27 Sat

Time	Present day		Tomorrow
	Schedule	Clock-in	Schedule	Clock-in
05:00
06:00
07:00	Laundry
08:00	Game	09:30
09:00	Reply	12:50
10:00	上課	10:00
11:00
12:00	Lunch	12:50
13:00	Duolingo	13:36
14:00	Guarded	14:45
15:00	New novel	X
16:00	Blogpost	18:01
17:00	Reading
19:00	Blog reno
20:00	Linktree
21:00	Netflix
22:00	Schedule
23:00	Sleep

I have already left my job for some time now. Savings were long gone. I was on the phone with my mom a few days ago. She was worried that I'd cut down on food due to my low budget. At some point, she was using her stressed tone and saying a bunch of things like come back to the country, you said you have a double major so there are many things you can do even in the country, why don't you come home?

I knew she wanted me to stay at home. Since the day I left the country, she told me not to get married to other countries. She hoped that I'd eventually go back.

To be honest, it's true that there are many things I could do anywhere. However, there are things I want to do here. My mom started talking about things like marriage. That was when I realized that even I'll have to face this topic discussion sooner or later.

I'm 26 and I'm thankful this topic only arises now. I know that in the view of some people, I'm considered old at this age and should settle down soon. However, my life is only beginning right now. There are many things that I want to do. Last night, I got all fired up and listed the things I'd want to accomplish every year from now.

There is always opposition. It's not always a black-and-white kind of yes or no answer. Things can always be arranged to accommodate both parties. The key to everything is communication.

Too much was sacrificed in the past. Now that I have the ability to handle things, I'd want to do it right, at least to achieve the best result in the current situation with my current ability.

Life is great, not because it's smooth sailing, but because there are challenges.

Big challenges, big happiness.

Life's a Wheel Theory

Have you ever experienced a roller coaster of emotions?

Does the speed of your emotional change scare you? 

There was a saying, when something good happens, do not be too happy. If you are too excited, something will happen in order to bring your emotion down.

That's a saying most Chinese or Asians are familiar with. It sounds right. Are they true? Or is it just the saying of a bunch of people too afraid to celebrate their success because of something more psychological -- like impostor syndrome?

But most of the time, things do happen that way. One moment you'll be elated about something and the next, something else would happen and the blow would be so hard, all the celebration turns to dust. So, is the saying true? Or is it just the law of attraction in the doing when we all believe with all our heart that the saying's true?

As someone who's survived through a few blows of depression and some suicidal attempts, I'm no stranger to this pattern. I'd be giddy that things were going smoothly and the next second, something bad happened and I immediately fell into the dark hole. After years, I started to believe the saying and did not allow myself to be overly delighted.

Things didn't end there, however, I realized that even without being ecstatic, I could go into a period of unknown sadness or nothingness in a matter of seconds. There was no warning. I started feeling helpless.

Slowly, I think and come to realize that it's normal to have ups and downs in life. It's not a smooth sail. I believe the same goes to our emotions. Once I started to embrace it, everything started changing.

It's normal to feel down at some point in our lives, even if we don't know the reason for it. Of course, finding out the reason is also important. What's more important, is to accept that it's normal and it's alright to feel dejected. It's like a wheel. The wheel is always moving. Sometimes we'd be on top and sometimes we'd be at the bottom.

When we're at the bottom, be grateful because we know that from that moment on, we are moving upwards.