Happy Birthday Sherine

Celebrated Sherine's birthday (a day earlier) for her. We had it very early in the morning (before 9am) as many are having back to back meeting the whole day.. yeah.. Back-to-back meeting on Friday.....

Happy Birthday, Sherine. May you be blessed.. :)

Sunday = bug's day?

Something flew and landed on my newspaper while I was having breakfast and preparing to go to church for ushering. It's a ladybird. Cool.... And it went on to my hand.

Last Sunday, I saw an insect. This Sunday is another one.... I am looking for the next Sunday morning to discover another one..... :)

Strategy Meeting

We started meeting from 8.30am till 6pm. Then, we drove all the way back to KL. It's really tiring. If I were tired, what more the 'drivers'.... Hey, thanks so much for driving.....

And there's so much to be done, uh.......

Strategy Meeting - Penang

Finally, the Penang trip actually happened. 2 cars were driven up north. It was quite a long journey.

I rang Lerk Shih when we were about at Juru just to check if we could meet up. I have not seen her for 7 - 8 years, I think. It was a loonnggg time. Seems like we can't make it and though I was sad, well, perhaps next trip. But, to my surprise, I was then told to call my friend so, we could meet up. Hurray!!!! Thanks to my 'driver' who was so kind to drop me off. Really appreciate that. And sorry (again) for the blunt language from Lerk Shih. (Yupe, I excused myself for the dinner with the team)..... :)

After dropping Kathy for swimming practise, we went up to a hill. The hill where there's a dam and where I could have a really nice view of Penang. We walked, we stopped, we took our time and we talked. There's so much to catch up and yet so little time. Then, we went back down, we had really nice Penang Laksa. Yummmm......

Then, we went back to her place. There, I met Russell, he was on con-call, and I met Adam and Frank too. All of them were so adorable. We warm-up pretty fast and soon the kids were concern where I am staying and wish I could put up a night. Well, I wish too. So, I continue to spend time at her place while waiting for my 'driver' to pick me up. So nice..... I was really lepaking at their place. Remind me of lepaking at their place in NZ where we just laid on the floor and read books (very anti-social bunch of ppl).... hahah.....

Then, my driver came, went to meet the niece. And catch up with the others at Gurney Drive. It's past midnight by the time we got back to hotel and we have meeting at 8.30am the next morning.....

Well, I am truly glad that I met up with Russell, Lerk Shih and family.... :) Sweet as.....

Childhood insect

Saw this when I was about to leave for church. Reminds me of my childhood. Used to get a stick and carry this thing around as it will cling on the stick... hahaha....

Sooooo many things...

Life is full with events. Sometimes all good ones, sometimes, all not so good ones.. And things come in bunches... And it applies for blessings too...

Friday: Mom got called from her cousin that his sister (mom's cousin, too, and my aunt) was really sick. We knew it will end like that and we knew it's painful. Well, there's nothing much we can do except pray.

Saturday: Then, when I was in S'pore. A friend text me that her beloved is getting and she isn't the bride. Wow... I have had no experience in handling this kind of things. I replied and comforted her. I didn't call which I felt bad about it as I didn't know how to handle.

Sunday (pm): Mom's cousin bro-in-law rang and told that her condition was quite bad and asked what can be done. Really, there's nothing can be done except waiting for the time... Reality is so cruel..... My heart sank. Though I wasn't close with her. Still.....

Tuesday (day): I got to know that someone in office got head injury by road bullies. They were using hammer. And he was sent to hospital with 20++ stiches. Gosh.... It must be horrible.....

Tuesday (night): Mom told me her cousin has passed away when I rang home. We felt bad though we already expected it. Well, maybe it's good for her that she doesn't need to suffer any more.

Wednesday am: I followed up with the friend. She was alright. And she told me that she has accepted Christ. Hallelujah!!!

wow....

Summer is here???

Was in the whole day KPI target monitoring meeting. It was a hot day. I mean the weather.

When I looked out the window, I actually notice the colour outside was very similar to what I experienced in NZ, during the summer time. Well, if you have been to NZ in the summer, you would understand what I meant. The colour over there is different from here. It's brighter and sharper...

Too bad that I couldn't get a picture of it as I was in the whole day meeting, remember.....

Sad and yet glad (saw it again).....

Breakaway weekend

Was away from Malaysia over the weekend with mom to South. It was just a weekend thingy. In fact, this time, we only departed quite late from home, 10-ish am... I am just the driver as mom is visiting aunt and grandparents. Well, me too visiting.

I supposed to meet up friend in S'pore, have not see each other for more than 5 years. Well, it was about 1++pm by the time we got into S'pore. But, I was too lazy to go out and it seems like raining. It didn't rain. Well, I started working which was not good.

We went out at night. Got some really cheap Korean instant noodles. Yeah.. very cheap. And bottled green tea. Cheap too. :)

Next day, I insisted to go to Borders at Orchard. Well, mom said, I have 1 hour only as she knew I can really be in there. And it started to rain. So, I was there for 2 hours, still kinda rush. I got what I wanted and was really good. I was thought mom and aunt would scold me for taking so long time. And I found out they were at the basement of Isetan food tasting.. aiks.... Of course, they got their shopping done too. And I found out that I just turned into a transporter. Mom got quite a few things expecting me to take to Perth for my sis on my upcoming trip. :( Wow.... Really hope I am withing the weight limit.... gosh... What's happening.... Is as if I am moving house or what???!!!! Hmm.... well, for sister... :)

We came home on Sunday. Initially mom thought we would stay till Monday since I needa clear leaves. Well, I have whole day meeting on Monday and we had miscommunications. aiks....

Next trip? Needa go to North 2 - 3 weeks prior going to Oz... ya... getting sth for sis too... hahaha...... See, told ya that I am a transporter.... ha... :D pengsan...

Fresh grapes....

Parents were back from Perth (finally) after about 11 days of holiday at sis.

Rang Perth earlier and found out that Matthew wanted to follow to Malaysia. Gosh.... It must be hard for the little ones and the adult too to be separated...... Well, Perth and Malaysia isn't that far apart nor that near.

And I was told that sis was making ang-ku-kuih (red turtle dessert - direct translation, hahaha.....), a type of nyonya cake. Wow... My favourite and she makes them. And she get mom and dad took back about 15. Wow... this is so touched. Air flown ang-ku-kuih (if this is not love, I don't know what is it then....). I tried 1 as soon as we got home (no steaming hot) as it was late and I am leaving to KL the next day (hate it.....)... So, I ate.... It's nice though tough (cos it was from fridge earlier).. hahah...

Aside that, they went to bought some grapes that morning itself. Drove all the way (30 minutes) to get grapes. And it's yummy. It's so crunchy and big.... Dad was saying these weren't as good as what they had as all these were end of seasons. For me, it's yummy...

Yupe, it's good to have parents back. The food and fruit were nice. Most important the thought and the love felt were warming me up..... Love ya too.... :)

1 Ths 5: 16 - 18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,

Learnt and memorised this for many many years ago. Yet, it is still speaking to me so directly every time.

Joy is an assurance. It is not just emotion. Happy is a emotion.
Pray is an attitude. It is a sense/ awareness. It is partnership with God. Not a shopping list for God.
Giving thanks is total dependency on God....

Each time, these 10 words speak so strongly to me.
Each time, these 10 words challenges me.
Each time, I get reminded of the promises and commitments.
Each time......

1st TMM in 2009

The event was organised/ hosted by NE. It's the 1st TMM in 2009 since our last TMM.

Personally, I found all the topics were very informative, however, somehow heavy for non-network ppl. Of all topics, most responses when it came to the topic on coverage, quality... arh.... NE guys, did u get the message? The experiences were not as good as the benchmark result..... Strange uh?!

Invited Finance to talked about D'CoRE. And SOD to continue the unfinished story of Change Management which was cool.....

How could we know if the audience take back the message? I guess that remains the challenge for all meetings especially so much effort and good work put in for the slides.... I always think a successful event/ function would be something where ppl will remember the message for awhile (2 - 3 months).... Well........

Passionfruit

Got a message from mom on Friday night asking me to collect the passionfruit and eat them. For once, I thought she is joking with me since she is in Perth now. I was thinking, arh.... telling me to imagine the passion fruit..... Very funny......

Then, I remembered we have a passion fruit tree gave by the neighbour behind. hmm.... Well, I thought it was just recently that she gave us and the last time I saw it was still small. It's bearing fruit already? Must be joking.

I went out and take a look. Wow... Yes.. total 5 fruits. 2 of them has changed colour (no longer green). Mom said, can eat them as long as not green. The most wonderful thing was not to worry if were to stung by bees as the skin is quite thick....

I didn't know that passion fruit tree is actually a climbing vine type rather than a tree.... So, they need fence or something to hold them up. Interesting uh.... And I found this article: http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-passionfruit.html

haha..... And this is the 1st fruit. hmm.... Shouldn't I offer it as sacrifice, you know.... The Bible says, offer the 1st fruit..... hmm.....

Hey..... Unbelievable that we have passionfruit tree as well. I know my neighbour been selling about RM5/kg, if not mistaken. People gotta pre-book.

And I realised something too. The rambutan tree is having flower again, and soon another fruitting season. woohoo..... :D

KLIA

Sent parents to KLIA this morning for a trip to Perth. Visit my elder sister and the family.

After checking-in the luggage, we headed for McD breakfast. They took the chicken porridge while I had pancakes. It's kinda heavy for me. And it reminded me with the huge layered pancakes with fruits in Wellington... yummy...

Sunday

Seems like another Sunday.

Min Chee suddenly decided to come and sit with me. She said, she has not sat with me before in Sunday which I don't think so. Anyway, I felt great despite her 3-8-ness (craziness). A friend who came and wanted to sit with me... wow... Honoured... Not sure about you, but, I can easily be touched by small gesture of ppl. :)

The singing started and it was still normal. Till the Sermon by Pastor Sally. God is watching. 1King 19:1-18.

Elijah ran when Jezebel wanted to kill him. He was tired and canme to a broom tree where he prayed that God to take his life. Then, he lay down and fell asleep. Then, an angle came told him to get up and eat and lay down again. And 2nd time, the angel came and told him to eat and drink. Strengthen by the food, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Hored, the mountain of God. Then, he went into a cave and spent the night.....

What struck me? At times, I prayed the same thing. I asked God to take my life as I have had enough. I don't want to struggle and suffer any more. Well, must be glad that God didn't answer those prayers as I have had not done enough for Him.

Our spiritual struggles:
1. Danger of looking at the circumstances. Learn to focus on God again. Faith is the greatest of all, not fear. We just need to be still.

2. Danger of self-pity.

3. Danger of feeling indispensable. This leads to pride and start blaming and focusing on problems.

Spiritual restoration:
1. Refreshed. Rest physically and spiritually. We must rest and only God will strenghten us. Sleep. The body is the temple of God which I need to take care of. (Mom kept on pointing at me and so was Min Chee, till Pastor noticed and kinda told me to rest)... Yes, I heard it loud and clear. Will do. Will try to sleep more. How can one sleep if one is not that tired? hmm.......

2. Rediscover God. Get out of the caves (offense, despair/ discourage/ isolated, comfort). Remove the noise and focus on God and hear God.

3. Reassignment - serve others. Jesus was here to serve us and not to be served.

4. Relationship - start connecting

Wow.... What a powerful message.... Later in the evening, as I read the Chinese paper, Sunday edition, the same message, 1 King 19. Elijah was running and struggling and wanted God to take his life. A lot of times, we are too harsh on ourselves, we failed and couldn't stand up and not allowing us to find rest instead finding all ways to sort ourselves out. We forgot the broom tree behind us. We forgot that God is there watching over us and only He will strengthen us.

Oh.. Lord, I am weak and only Your grace is sufficient for me. Teach me to find rest in You. Teach me to slow down and lean on You. Tech me to be humble. Teach me Your ways, Lord. And knowing that You will see me through all seasons. All glory unto You!!!!

Packed Saturday

Was supposed to go to Bukit Panorama this weekend. It got cancelled as some friends have some ad-hoc company event that need to attend to. It was such a great disappointment for me. I have been waiting for this weekend for so long..... Well, life is full of surprises. I shall asked some other friends who would like to go with me. Or, maybe I go by myself? ;)

So, since that was not happening. I told Eunice and Uncle Pang to review Church account's on Saturday instead of Sunday.

I told Fong to contact Min Chee if she would like to go 'crazy' with us to Jusco after the church thingy. Well, Min Chee suggested to go to Ostrich farm instead... uh?!!!! errhh..... In this kind of hot weather, well.... I think Jusco is better...

We visited a Ngonga restaurant in Terminal 2 for our lunch. Min Chee and Matthew with their nephew were there much earlier when both Fong and I arrived at 2+pm. We left church at about 2pm. Yeap... Both of us wanted to finish as much as possible as next week will be the audit week.

Fong had the Ngonga Fried noodle and I had Asam Laksa. It was spicy hot and I had cendol too. hahah.... :D

What's next? Min Chee and Matthew went home while both Fong and I went to Jusco. I spent quite a lot, ~ RM300, within 2 hours. :O On some books.... Reminded comment from my elder sister whenever we go shopping, keep that girl out from bookstore. She will and can get stuck for hours and she will be spending her money on those books... hahaha..... Quite true to some extend. Or, I can sit in there and read..... Then, I don't have to buy. wahahah..... lol... Where I learn this? From Wellington lar... ;P

Was in Jusco till about 6-ish pm as Fong had a dinner in S2.

So, I was out the house since about 10am till evening. And I can sense that the complain is coming "Is this your hotel or house?" kinda thing....

hmm..... Afterall, it was quite a good Saturday though packed. Enjoyed the time with friends. Friends whom one can be loud at yet understand, friends whom one can just be yourself. So comfortable. No need to wear mask, who cares about the lady-like... Just relax and chill....

Thanks to Fong and Min Chee.... :) It meant a lot for me as the 'ruined' plan and horrible Friday I had was terrible.. Love and hugs....

Rain

It's exciting to see rain pouring down especially weather been so hot... It cools down the earth and lifted me up... :)

Eve of Valentine's Day

Unusual and unexpected things do happened....

It's 'Black Friday' actually and it's also eve of Valentine's Day. My office provided florist service this year. Ppl could pre-ordered the flowers and picked them up at a certain time on Friday.

And my boss got a stalk of flower. Was teasing him that given by a secret admirer.. (Actually, I roughly knew where it came from)...


In the evening, he gave me the pink rose. Being I have been working too much... hahah... That's so nice of him.... My CTO gave me flower... :D

It's quite funny that one who don't appreciate flower and encourage ppl to give flower received one..... Ya.. I know.. a lot of ppl said, I am so materialistic... Well, I think, I am just being practical and rational. Don't u reckon??? What about you?

oh..... Went out for dinner with a friend as well..... hahah... Not as you thought....

Melting

Weather has been so hot since the start of Chinese New year and I have been melting.... so pengsan......

The picture above taken by sticking my hand outside the window for awhile before I get melted....

CNY Lunch

An arranged CNY lunch. We wanted to 捞生。It's my first one for this CNY. Apparently, one can only find this tradition/ food in Malaysia & Singapore. It just sympolise many many good things in the coming year. haha.. It's fun.. We did it in English and saying good things/ wishes in the coming years.

Yupe. A nice lunch though some of us gotta rush back to office for meetings. :(

立春

立春 simply means the 1st day of Spring. I read from a blog that the gravity on this day is so strong that the egg will stand. I have been reminding myself to try it on this day. Though I am renting outside (where to get an egg), well, simply borrowed from landlady.

However, I have totally forgotten about it due to the heavy schedule. Sooooooooo sad.... :(

Well, please read on my friend's blog to find out. It works... And I hope I can remember it next year..

http://wjlivelife.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/%E7%AB%8B%E6%98%A5%E4%B8%8E%E9%B8%A1%E8%9B%8B%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%8D%E8%A7%A3%E4%B9%8B%E8%B0%9C/