OLIVIA SOH

I LOVE YOU, MAY 2026
(It's my birthday month — just so you know.)

Fifteen days. Rome and Puglia. One of the best Euro summers I have ever had. I always wanted to document my travels through video — a proper travel diary, the aesthetic kind. 

Slow, cinematic, intentional. Not the kind everyone else is doing, but my kind.
Somehow, I always end up with either too few clips or too little motivation to sit down and piece them together. Maybe it's perfectionism. Maybe it's just me, romanticising the idea more than actually doing it.

But I will always come back to words. So here I am, blogging.

This trip, funny enough, was born out of a sulk.

Earlier this year, I found myself quietly bitter about not going anywhere for Chinese New Year 2026. (A lot of well-meaning adults told me that the first year of marriage means staying with family. My husband is family — and he was right there — but no comments, and I learnt to compromise.)

This year, AFTER CNY Bangkok came. Vietnam followed. And then, finally — Italy.

There are places that hold a piece of you even after you leave. Italy is one of them, and it has been for a long time. 

Southern Italy felt like that, but slower. Louder in colour. Heavier in the best possible way.

Now officially become one of my favorite city - Polignano a Mare (pronounce: po-lig-nia-no)

Look at the sky.

One thing I fell in love with on this trip was the light — how generously it stayed. I got to spend more time outdoor. If i'm not mistaken, I was nearly 8 in the evening. I usually do my Euro trips in winter, you see. The sun has no loyalty :( It says goodbye to me at 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

By five, the streets are in darkness. I still remember about us driving through Switzerland in PICTH BLACK and it was only five in the evening.

Everything was unfiltered, taken by IP17P.

Another favorite place of mine Monopoli. 

Everything is blue.

The sea. The sky. The line where they meet — if there even is one.

And oh — the fish and chips.

You have no idea how much I missed it.

One of the shots from my morning run. 
Morning run has always surprised me with something like this. 

I love my life.

Summer without Aperol Spritz is a waste! ≽^• ˕ • ྀི≼

Polignano a Mare — almost a week, and it still wasn't enough.

Oh, and if you know me at all — I cannot visit a new country without disappearing into a supermarket for twenty minutes. Grocery shopping is my love language, wherever I am in the world.

We stayed in an apartment that felt immediately like home. A kitchen, a living room, a bedroom, a private bathroom — cozy in the way that only a well-chosen space can be, the kind that makes you want to stay in just as much as go out. Perfectly suited for two, comfortable for three.

The price wasn't exactly kind to us (probably the weak MYR hurting me)
but some things are simply worth it, and this was one of them.

Cost: House Rimembranze RM1119 per night excluded city tax.

Five minutes' walk from the station. A short wander from everywhere worth being. You never felt far from anything.

And the mornings. Oh, the mornings.

<3 lowkey love the espresso culture here. I drank at least 30 shots, at least, in 15 days.

I have zero idea why I screenshot this but now I'm glad I did this.

I had done my research. Mapped out routes planned it all carefully the way I always do. And then I stepped outside at 7AM and threw every single plan away!!!
YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. 
I ran at a 7-minute pace, and still found myself stopping mid-stride to pull out my phone. Sometimes mid-run, sometimes fully stopped.

BECAUSE OF THE VIEWS!

Every single day amazed me. Every one.

Right, that's me done for the night — it's nearly 2200 and my bed is calling. More to come soon! x

2025, in Quiet Motion

2026 is only two weeks away, and I’ve just realised I never wrote about my goals for 2025. I've never been much of a goal setter. There's never been a dollar amount either income or bank balance that I've sought. I don't have a goal for lifting a certain weight. My way has always been to take advantage when an opportunity presents itself. 

This post is a simple recap of my 2025. Looking back, the year feels strange in that way—like it passed in a blink, yet somehow stretched across a lifetime.

For a long time, I believed I was living inside a pre-written script: work steadily, get married, and never even entertain the thought of having children. A neat, predictable path. Safe. Familiar.

But somewhere along the way, I stepped off that script.

I went back to studying and took up new courses, despite the quiet voice that questioned my age. I left a job I had stayed in for a year and a half. Within a single month, I made the decision to move to a new city. I joined fitness clubs, started running, and slowly—patiently—built healthier routines. I formed meaningful connections, returned to reading whenever time allowed, and took my first solo trip.

I found myself genuinely loving my job, even on days when it made me pause, scratch my head, and figure things out from scratch.

Thanks god for the good people I've met inside work or outside

I also became more intentional with money—learning to plan, invest, and save in places where withdrawals aren’t easy. I chose to keep zero cash on hand, a small boundary to protect myself from unnecessary spending.

Learning more about long-term investment, how to invest without out-of-pocket

and journaling.

Somewhere along the year, blogging became harder. I realised it wasn’t because I had nothing to say, but because I wasn’t fully focused on myself. Writing a recap takes effort—choosing the right words, deciding where to begin, selecting the right photo, wondering if this term fits better than that. And sometimes, the weight of all those choices was enough to make me pause.

My writing has slowed down lately. I hope to write more in 2026. Is that a goal? No argument with anyone who thinks it is but either way, writing regularly is a productive use of time. It leads to learning about yourself, it can help you work through things and solve problems and it's fun. 

Journaling, however, stayed with me. It became a habit—quiet, grounding, and surprisingly easy to maintain. I would write, stick, decorate, and leave behind a few words. Sometimes it was a full reflection; other times, just a random thought or a quote that lingered with me.

Moving to another city began with uncertainty, but it was mostly excitement. The energy there feels different—lighter, faster, more alive. I move more now. I linger less. Slagging turned into motion, and motion slowly turned into clarity.

2025 wasn’t loud. It didn’t ask for attention.

But it changed me—gently, consistently, and for good. My life and how I view things has evolved along these lines. I have no idea where it comes from but I think it corresponds to an idea we talk about a lot here which is knowing yourself, understanding what makes you tick.

I LOVE YOU 2025. IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU. 

I was always afraid of going on stage for my own wedding. In my head, I had no idea what I was supposed to do — other than smile, stand still, and pose for the camera. Nope, that wasn’t my intention or the purpose of having dinner with everyone. Especially when not everyone knows one another, I wanted to seize the time to truly be present with everyone.

I’ve attended many friends’ weddings before, and every time, it was beautiful. I cried quietly in my heart, felt genuinely happy for them, and had so many things I wanted to say. I wanted to hug them properly, to talk, to really share the moment with them. But the usual flow was always the same: congratulate the newlyweds, take a photo (not even a selfie), exchange wishes, and then be seated for dinner.

That made me realise something.

I didn’t want my dinner to feel like that — and this was my tea ceremony dinner. It should be fun. At least, chill. I didn’t want a hotel ballroom or a big, formal setting. I wanted an intimate dinner with the people closest to me — where I could talk to anyone I wanted, hug anyone I loved, and walk around freely whenever I felt like it.

So I decided to plan the dinner myself.

It felt huge to me. There were many things to think about, and honestly, it wasn’t easy. Looking back now, it was deeply memorable.

Sleepless nights — trust me.

People usually do head-to-toe makeovers for their wedding. Me? I didn’t even have time to do my lashes, brows, or whatever else people usually do. Everything was last minute, lol.

Nails? Nope. No time for that either.

I actually planned two outfits for that night, and you know what? I wore slippers — or went barefoot — most of the time. It was just easier for me to move around smoothly.

And you know what? All the imperfections felt perfect to me.

We’re always taught to strive for perfection. But sometimes, in moments like this, imperfection is what allows us to breathe, to move, to be ourselves.

It wasn’t about being perfect.

It was about being present — sharing real conversations, real hugs, and real moments with the people who mattered most.

And that, to me, made it everything I hoped my wedding would be.

╰┈➤

I planned everything from A to Z.

From the invitation card layout, to deciding what kind of playlist should be playing that night — every detail came from my own hands (and many late nights).

We had a full white canopy, soft chandeliers hanging above with dim, warm light. Brown wooden chairs lined the tables, paired with green and white floral arrangements — simple, calm, and exactly how I imagined it. Nothing loud, nothing overdone. Just enough to feel warm and welcoming.

It wasn’t about impressing anyone. It was about creating a space where people could sit comfortably, talk freely, and feel at home. That's my intention.

Looking at it now, the setting reflected everything I wanted the dinner to be — intimate, unpretentious, and full of quiet moments in between conversations.

I’ve always been afraid of having a “流水线” wedding video — the kind that looks the same at every dinner, just played on repeat. That wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted something unique, something fun, something with personality.

I also hate the idea of waking up early — which is exactly why I skipped the 兄弟姐妹团 and the gate-crashing session (the traditional Chinese wedding games).

No early alarms. No rushed schedules. No performing first thing in the morning.

I chose sleep. And honestly? No regrets.

Sometimes, doing less is the best decision.

More importantly, I wanted the vibe to feel right. I wanted people whose aesthetic, energy, and way of seeing things were on the same page as mine. People who could capture not just how the night looked, but how it felt.

Not staged. Not forced. 

Next, this part is very me. I think. A bit chaotic.

Because I didn’t really have any manpower that night, a few things were missed — and thinking back now, it’s actually quite funny.

For example, the table seating.

Most people didn’t even realise there was a seating arrangement, so the seating cards ended up being more decorative than functional. I had actually put some thought into it — I even grouped friends who were single and available together, hoping they might get a chance to talk, connect, or at least make a new friend.

I liked the idea of my friends meeting one another, of unfamiliar faces slowly becoming mutual friends over dinner.

Another thing I missed — if you’ve read my blog and didn’t bring anything home, I’m so sorry. That one’s on me.

You were absolutely welcome to pick your favourite St Dalfour mini jam, take a flower, or grab some imported chocolates to bring home. I just forgot to announce it properly. Thankfully, I managed to verbally remind some of you during the night — whenever it crossed my mind — so my house wouldn’t end up completely overwhelmed with real flowers.

A little messy. A little imperfect.

But somehow, very on brand for me.

Well. I don't know what to continue. Let me digest more and come up with a 2025 closing post 

˚˖𓍢🌷✧˚.🎀⋆

ciao! xx 

I decided to write a review on this book I recently read, like not long ago, 'Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop'. I picked up this book (on my kindle) in a right timing. You know, some books just find you at the right time, right when you need them. Thanks to my flexi workload, I finished the book in just 3 days. I spent 5 hours per day to read it. The book wrapped me in a very heartwarming and comforting.

At first, I did find the start of the book a bit stilted and kind of wondered what the point was, but in retrospect it is setting the scene before we get into the characters’ stories. The latter half is more emotional and ‘alive’ as it all comes together. It’s a sweet story with depth that increases over time. What stood out most for me, however, was the way the characters interact. The book revolves around a diverse group of individuals – a barista, a coffee roaster, and a range of customers – all navigating their own challenges.  All of them deal with very human, very common and relatable life problems. After all, i think i love that the book gives me the perspectives of so many generations, the outlook of older like gen z, boomers and also millennial. 

The conversations between these characters felt so real, almost like overhearing a chat in a cozy café. Their voices spoke of the very issues we all deal with, making it easy to connect with them. <3 

There’s also a part in the story where the protagonist has to figure out how to keep an independent bookstore afloat in a small, tight-knit neighborhood. I found myself completely absorbed in her journey of survival, and as she brainstormed ways to make money and keep the shop running, I started to think, “I’m not sure I’m cut out to own a bookstore.” But it’s so much more than that. There’s a particularly poignant moment when a group of people expresses their desire to open a bookstore, and the shopkeeper warns them that they shouldn’t expect to make any money – they might even lose it. This, to me, was a sharp commentary on the capitalist world we live in. We are often told we must work tirelessly, sacrifice time for our hobbies, and face the harsh reality that some dreams might not be as financially rewarding as we hope.

In today’s society, where the pressure to succeed financially is so intense, it’s easy to forget that not everything is about money. That’s where the book shines – while it acknowledges the struggle for financial sustainability, it also encourages following your passion. The protagonist’s journey wasn’t about getting rich; it was about doing something that felt right, even if the monetary rewards were low. And in that way, the book offers a balance of realism and hope.

But the book also encouraging like if this is your dream, go ahead and do it (just keep monetary expectation low)

My favorite scene in this book:

My absolute favorite scene in the book comes toward the end when Yeongju, the independent bookstore owner, explains why she doesn’t stock bestsellers. To her, bestsellers represent a society that has stopped reading, a society that is only interested in what is popular rather than what is meaningful. This struck me deeply because, in a world dominated by trends, it’s easy to forget the value of books that might not be on the bestseller lists but hold timeless wisdom or offer perspectives we don't often hear.

Minjun, the barista in the book, also undergoes a fascinating transformation. He begins his journey with a simple goal – to be good at his job. But as time passes, his dedication to perfecting the art of coffee-making evolves. He finds passion in a seemingly mundane task, and this mirrors my own journey with kefir. What started as a simple experiment grew into something I genuinely care about. This transformation, though different in its context, felt incredibly relatable. 

The book also touches on a major life lesson: it’s not as simple as just doing what you love and expecting happiness to follow.

 Life, especially when it comes to passion projects and entrepreneurship, is full of challenges, hard work, and sacrifices. The independent bookstore owner’s struggles illustrate this truth beautifully – there’s no guaranteed success, no roadmap to follow, and no guarantee of happiness. But it’s the pursuit of something meaningful that makes it all worthwhile.

Even though I may not be a traditional bookworm, I’ve always loved reading for the simple reason that books open up worlds I can’t physically visit and experiences I can’t personally have. Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop offered just that – a beautiful escape into a world that, though fictional, felt like home.

There were so many wonderful quotes in this book, was highlighting so many pages. So here is a collection of my favorite ones from the book.

Humble Farm Kitchen - Hatyai 

 More than a farm shop and café.

The café boasts an extensive beverage menu, featuring an array of teas, coffees, and refreshing smoothies, all with an organic twist. The food selection is equally impressive, offering a delightful mix of breakfast favorites and traditional Thai dishes. From hearty bread, toast, and bacon to comforting porridge, noodles, and rice, there’s something for every palate.

During our visit, we indulged in their breakfast set. The sausage was exceptional, bursting with flavor, while the focaccia bread was perfectly baked and utterly delicious. The avocado toast also stood out, providing a creamy contrast to the savory elements of the meal.

The atmosphere of the café is inviting, with options for both air-conditioned comfort and outdoor seating in a beautifully landscaped garden. It’s a perfect spot to relax and enjoy your meal while taking in the serene surroundings. 

Additionally, the café offers organic vegetables and fruits for sale, making it a great place to pick up some fresh produce. The staff was attentive and friendly, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Highly recommended :)

Food: 4/5
Its food stands out for being both tasty and healthy, with special praise for the freshness and crispness of the vegetables. 

Environment: 4/5 

The shop's inviting atmosphere and superb environment make it a perfect family-friendly place
Price: 3.5/5

Prices are reasonable, especially given the high quality and delicious taste of the meals. 

Humble Farm Kitchen 

Tuesday - Sunday 08:00 - 17:00

Klong Toei, Khohong, Amphoe Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand

I decided to write a post that summarizes my 2024 before it actually ends so I can relive the moments retrospectively. and I believe there is no limit here. For those who know me, I usually don’t set annual goals. Instead, I prefer to add new ones as new ideas come up throughout the year. 🤫

An impromptu spring-ish in Osaka with my girlfriend.
As the subtitle suggests, I woke up one day to a food post from my GF, and we spontaneously decided to pack our bags and head to… Osaka! I’m blessed with great friends around me. Oh, how I missed Japan! It felt so good to return, even though I was there just three months ago @seehereformore :p . I’ve visited Japan many times, but it was my first time there with her! The trip turned out to be more of a food adventure and a visit to USJ.

I should've just started our best memories here.

On a brighter note, we found a shop in an alley in Kyoto. They do serve oden as well. 

ONE OF MY FAV - JAPANESE POTATO SALAD. Look at it featuring fresh vegetables, a creamy texture, and a rounded flavor with  seasoned mayo.

Also, we had the best unagi in town (we had this for like twice a week) and enjoyed some fantastic pastries!! 

For cakes, we visited Afternoon Tea and HARBS. Sushi at Daiki Sushi was also a highlight.

Food in USJ was surprisingly good. Some dishes were mind-blowing, which is rare for theme park food!

… and I have more pics on my IG!

An unplanned pre-wedding photoshoot 

We had been planning our pre-wedding photoshoot since 2023, but the venue wasn’t confirmed until recently. Personally, I hadn't found a place that truly captivated me until one day, while scrolling through XHS, I came across mentions of 日照金山 (Rizhao Jingshan) and was instantly hooked. After researching a few travel photoshoot companies, I fell in love with the style of Strange Studio—everything from their makeup to their editing style was exactly what I wanted. They were transparent and responsive about their prices and services. Although their package wasn’t the most economical (the photoshoot alone cost us nearly RM10k, not including flight, accommodation, transportation, food, and other travel expenses), but it was worth it.

You may asked about the proposal...

I got proposed last 2 years in Paris, he listened to me. No friends, no family, just us and strangers. I know what I want, so he didn't get an expensive ring but took me to choose my favourite. What a perfect boy! I’m genuinely surprised (and i'm kinda expected, an eight years relationship isn't fake!) I’m excited, I’m feeling a little nervous, but I saw the seriousness in his eyes, and the way he very carefully expressed himself.

We officially tied the knot earlier this year and decided to go ahead with the pre-wedding photoshoot. We figured we could also make it a fun trip with friends! hahah he knows that the photoshoot was a perfect excuse. 

Since it was an unplanned shoot, we had a gown fitting just one day before. The fitting was exclusive, with a stylist and photographer giving us much-needed advice. We managed to try on all the gowns in about two hours, which I thought was pretty quick. There were many places we never heard of till Strange Studio took us there at Li Jiang, we got 3 locations.

It was tiring. Woke up at 2am, not joking. I was barely awake and hubby, who isn’t a morning person, felt even more grouchy. Not saying that the gowns selection and fitting were done on the day before the photo shooting. But it was fun. YES FUN. The photo shooting was surprisingly quick (from 6AM-3PM). Our photographer, Tony, was very efficient and professional. We were so amazed with his skills and some photos don't even need much editing. As the session progressed, both of us got more relaxed. We started to get into the mood for the shoot and our poses and smiles turned out more natural. (AND Kingsley turned out looking better than I am in most of the shots ahaha!)

Tiring but a fruitful one. We ended the day with no complains except of tiredness and hunger. haha I can't wait to see and choose the photos.

An overseas working and studying opportunity 

Despite of how I feel, I get what I want, always.

Actually I am a lil bit scared but mostly super excited because that is what I manifested FR, to work in a medical hub and studying at the same time (which related to my long-term goals). I have brainwashed myself for quite long, I WON'T invalidate my fear, because anything can happened, especially my routine before I depart will change but I could learn more than I have now, from time management to communication skill and also my patience level lmao. 

To be honest, after three rounds of interview, I got to the final stage interview and I was so sure i got it. BUT I was not being comfortable enough to accepting the position, and thankfully I have no time to consider also. My boss confirmed and did not give me extra seconds to consider. Documents were submitted as well as my mental preparation. Hope when I get there, there will be such a whirlwind of activity and excitement! Finger crossed. It WILL be. 

A perfect health and strength - Going back to workout after MCO I stopped for months/years I guess.

I finally lifted 75kg (heaviest for now)! Usually my routine would be 65kg x 10 reps for 4 sets for deadlift, squat as well as the hip thrust. When I was mentally ready to go, I broke my own records.

I feel confident in what I wear, my body feel stronger and I do want to lose weights too. 
For this, I put on a lot of weight after I lifted, but I am not struggled with my number and body image. I started eating a lot of meats, proteins,  cut sugar out of many things, shuddered at the thought of white rice. Not gonna lie, I binge-ate from time to time, cycling that with eating almost nothing at all the entire day. I eventually would lose a bit of weight, just to regain all of it within a couple months, maximum. I got fed up sometimes, isn't good to do this anyway. 

I knew I needed a plan. So, our personal trainer came to our fitness journey. Dramatic improvement I can see myself throughout the journey, how I broke my record, how I view myself and fit into my favorite outfit.  Well it’s working, that’s for sure. 

Random thoughts

Arguably I'd say it's better to obsess if it makes you keep in check with what's going on in your head other than forcefully try to 'let go' or not think of something out of fear of thinking too much or obsessing ('because what if it implies that i'm in lack!) which will MOST LIKELY will just make you stress unnecessarily about if you're doing it right or not , enough or too much, whatever it is.

Bottom line is; It's OKAY! it's FINE! Obsess over it, need it, want it, build an altar for it. As long as the ONLY (and I mean ONLY) thing that goes in your head - is anything that implies you already have it, it's yours, it's done.

When Things Fall into Place Naturally

Because things seem to happen to me naturally. It's wild. For instance, I didn't plan for my pre-wedding photoshoot or for working overseas. Early this year, Kingsley and I officially signed the papers, booked flights to London and Switzerland for our New Year trip—a tradition we’ve been following for the past three years, flying every CNY.  Everything fell into place early this year, including a chance to visit Bangkok with my parents. While I usually don’t pray, I found myself making wishes while I was there. 

Everything not to rush it, but to choose a time that feels natural for the desire. I am thinking this is because rushing usually implies a desperation which admits you are NOT in the state of the wish fulfilled. If you were in the right state, then you’d be relaxed and assured the timing will be just perfect.

So if you imagine a time in the near future for your desire to manifest, and it feels real enough in imagination, it feels natural to happen then for you, then you’ve sped it up by preparing the place in advance, and it will occur “on time”.

I’ve linked quite a few lectures and book chapters from Neville that I am referencing on this matter, although there is a lot I didn’t link. These have more info on time, straight from Neville. Hope this is helpful to you.

Disclaimers :p

What I shared here is knowledge based on my experience, observation, 'research', etc. Manifesting works the same, but it isn't one-size-fits-all, we all have different experiences, beliefs (limiting or now), preferred 'methods', etc. If this doesn't sit right with you and you think you know better - good for you, do your thang.

Not everyone gonna agree on every point, and that's okay, but I don't care about it, and not really gonna argue against it, refer to point 1.

Until next time.