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It’s the morning of my graduation, and I am teary about it. I wasn’t actually going to go to it initially purely because my brain can’t cope with being around that many people at one given time, but I knew I’d regret it, so I went along anyways with my four kids in tow. I wipe tears periodically throughout the morning while getting ready. The realization that I've made it this far fills my chest with the weight that I never thought I would. I had spent my time studying for this degree suicidal and battling complex post-traumatic stress disorder, so to be standing on that stage felt surreal. It felt almost as if I had woken up from a bad dream, filled with a sense of relief, while the pain of the past, Sarah, still continues to fill my eyes with warm tears on this day, even as I write this. I hope that one day I do stop crying for her though, but for now I guess she still needs me to and I am more than ok with that. Having my children be there with me was not only comforting but also very important to me as a newly found healthy mother, a role model for them. This degree isn't just for me; it's for them too. I wanted them to see that not only is it never too late to pursue your dreams but also to never give up in life no matter how hard things get. I want them to say, “If my mom can do it, so can I,” while facing the challenges life will evidently bring them in the future. With a heavy heart filled with love for them, the four not-so-little chambers of my heart that keep me going, thank you for keeping me on track with my sobriety and my healing. You have been the stars in my darkest nights throughout these last couple of years and I am forever grateful. I promise to never let you climb those hard mountains of life alone; I'll climb them with you, hand in hand, how it should be. You will never face life alone as long as I am still breathing. I promise. 💛🌻⭐️

Rawness is like uncut diamonds; it’s pure, it’s real, and it’s dazzling in its own unique way. When you’re raw, you’re not hiding behind masks or facades. Your authenticity shines through, and that realness—oh, let me tell you, it’s magnetic! People are drawn to genuine hearts because it’s a rare commodity in a world so often painted in perfection. Your raw, unfiltered self is a breath of fresh air, a gust of truth in a room full of pretty lies. And here’s the golden nugget: the ability to touch hearts, inspire minds, and change lives. When you show up vulnerably, you connect on a deeper level. Imagine touching someone's heart simply by sharing your story, your struggles, and your victories. That’s power! Your rawness becomes a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration. You never know who might be uplifted by your authenticity. Maybe it’s a friend rethinking their own path or a stranger finding comfort in your shared experience. When your true self is out there, you’re sending ripples of impact through the lives you touch. Your story, your voice, your truth—it’s a catalyst for change. It can inspire minds to think differently, to challenge the norm, to dream bigger. It can change lives by showing that it’s okay to be real, to be imperfect, to be you. So, my courageous spirit, step into your vulnerability. Embrace your rawness. Wear it proudly. Because in doing so, you’re not just living your truth—you’re empowering others to do the same. You’re touching hearts, sparking inspiration, and lighting up the world with your authenticity. Keep daring, keep shining, and watch as you make waves that change lives, one authentic moment at a time. 🌟 #StayRealBeYou

START WITH NOTHING, END WITH EVERYTHING, OR AT LEAST SOMETHING People tell me there’s something satisfying about listening to a successful story that started with a humble beginning. I know quite a few self-made tycoons who came from poor families. That’s not surprising as usually, the older generation or their forefathers before them were but migrants. My dad was a wharf laborer in Sibu, earning less than RM200 in monthly wages during his time, and my mum, despite having to look after 8 children, also chipped in as a rubber tapper. I think it’s the tenacity, determination and resourcefulness of those who started with nothing but managed to build massive conglomerates and corporate entities from scratch. I guess thriving big players have some key traits in common. They have an appetite for risk, yet they are guided with rationality. They are adaptable yet consistent in their effort to move towards a vision of better days ahead. These attributes among many others rarely manifest together in a single individual. And if they do, we would most likely find such people at the helm of society, being prominent in their respective industries. Personally, I have always preferred trying to build something substantive out of nothing. It’s a challenging and painful process, but ultimately, most satisfying. As a corporate player, I’m not really into mergers or acquisitions to fast track growth or expansion. I started all my existing business ventures from scratch, beginning as ideas pounding restlessly in my head. And, like many of my peers, I had to do the needful. I scratched the big itch.