See-ya...

Christine's decided to expose to outside world after about 4 years in DiGi. It was kinda sad to know about that.

So, boss wanted a dinner. We went to The Curve.

Speeches were given by Michelle, Edmind, Tann Tjun, Hock Chye and Christine herself.

Well, life goes on and I pray for the best for you, Christine. May our relationship that has developed continue to flourish. Wish you well! And surely will miss your 'noisiness' and 'blur-ness'. ;p

Donut...

I went over to 'kacau' Ling Ling and Kang Wei and Kang Wei offered me this donut. I did not want to eat it as I was having a farewell dinner with Christine later on.

But, since I love donut so much, I decided to take half. And... the 1st bite.. it was soooooo YUMMY!!!! And I finished the whole thing. Felt so guilty, so pai-seh (shy), so satisfied...

Thanks Kang Wei. :)

Chinese New Year 2008

The Fellowship decided to have a CNY lunch instead of visiting Reload (Reload = cafeteria in DiGi) all the time.

So, we went to the Chinese Restaurant nearby.

Sure we had lau-sang. Instead of did it at the beginning, we did it last as not all were there when we started.

Sharing

woohoo!!! Cherries in the office!? Yupe!! Audrey shared her cherries with us. It was so sweet of her and of course the cherries too. Thanks, Audrey!

Long Time

James, my friend from Jakarta sent me a text over the weekend that he will be here in KL for work. We know each other in varsity through OCF. It's been about 10 years that we didn't see each other. Gosh.. time flies...

So, I picked him up from his hotel after work. We are supposed to go to Jalan Alor, but, it's been raining. So, we settled with Madam Kwan in KLCC.

And after dinner, went back to the hotel lobby and continue to chat. So much to catch up. Then, his colleagues from global joined and yes. It was fun to get to know people and how all these IT people works.

I went back very late.

CNY Feel

I went to meet up with Khim. I know her through the OCF reunion. And we met at 1U and it's near to CNY.

Always nice to catch up with friend. :) And I need to make more time for this.

Dinner

It's been my mind to appreciate them (Alex, Sherine, Karim & Boon Hwa) for taking care and supporting throughout 2007. And I wanted to do it before CNY. So, I arranged.

It's easy to decide the time but not the venue. I checked with Szet-Anne and Hazel to get some info as I remembered reading Hazel's blog something about pancake. And Hazel was already in HK. ha.. Well, thank God, I managed to talk to her via MSN. (Thanks, Hazel. Good recommendation).

And we went to Paddington House of Pancake. None of us have been there except Alex & Pat. We were so excited to try something new-new. 138 menus. pengsan... and only managed to decided after 30 minutes of looking the menu and asking the waiter.

Karim ordered Dollar pancake. Well, since it's CNY, so, everyone has to eat at least a Dollar. :) And I think I know why some people has more $$ than the others. (My logic: eat more Dollar, get more $$ lor...)

Hotdog with cheese was yummy as well.

Then, our Amsterdam pizza got flooded cos Boon Hwa was too excited. Poor Amsterdam pizza.

The food was great. I like it, at least. And I had a good time too.

Note: When I said, I pay. It means I pay not I eat, have fun and enjoyed. pengsan... I wonder if the communication gone wrong somewhere or it's generation gap?!

Best Friend's Wedding

Susanna informed me of her wedding and asked me to get Air Asia. At the end, I fly with MAS to Miri. About RM200 different and I think MAS will be better.

I knew Susanna in university. Then, we grew close and closer and we are good friend. It's hard to find good friend in the 'real' world. And I treasure all my friendship.

So, I went. Just for the wedding.

I don't know why I ended in the brothers' team instead of sisters. Anyway, I still went to her house and her sister quickly let me go to Susanna's room. haha.. :D

And went through the traditional tea ceremony. Then, went back to the resort to rest. Then, evening came for her dinner.

It was a grand dinner. And I was the guest of honor (bribe's good friend wor) and I have the privilege to be at the main table.

I stayed back after dinner just to have more time to talk to her as I have an early flight back to KL the next morning.

It's cool that they sent me to airport using the wedding car. It's a convertible Brunei Merz. Don't play-play.

And I made the crosstich for them as their wedding present.

Susanna & Max, 一定要幸福哦!!!

2007

It's a very happening year. I just find that it is an important year for me.

1st time on business trip with Tech ppl
1st time watching live football match
1st time to USA
1st time to Canada
1st time doing backpacking
1st time doing white water rafting
1st time going to Sabah
1st time summited Mt. Kinabalu
1st time to Miri, Mulu, Brunei
1st time taking Air Asia
1st time Christmas without jie2 and her family
1st time having Christmas in S'pore
1st time...
1st time...

And the list will go on.

I thank God for His provision, protection, blessings, seeing and guiding me through.

I thank the people around me who supported me, encouraged me, challenged me at all times. Because of you, my life is never the same. :)

What about 2008? What will happen in 2008? I shall continue to learn to surrender all unto Him and depend on Him. I shall continue to count His blessings in 2008 and give my very best unto Him.

Singapore

It's my 1st time to have Christmas in Singapore. This Christmas is different without jie2 and her family. They have moved back to Perth around Oct. So, we went visiting grandpa, grandma and Mimi ah-yi's family in Singapore. Else, jie2 and family will be back from S'pore to home to have Christmas with us. So, we missed them so much this Christmas. It was quite emotional when we rang them on Christmas Day.

Well, in S'pore we went out to Orchard Road. So many people. pengsan... So humid as well.

Ah-yi took us to her friend's place for BBQ. Her friend work as a warden in NUS. So, we went to her place at the hill to have BBQ. :)

Of course, we celebrated May Hui's b'day as well.

It was a different Christmas altogether and I don't like this different feeling at all.

Meeting Up

It's public holiday and I didn't go back to S'ban cos I am meeting up with Swee Nyuk and Lee Nyiuk. It's been a long time that we meet. We planned this about 1 month ago and we are all so excited. We met at 1U. Actually, I went back to S'ban and back to 1U the next day again.

Both of them went movie and I just walked around a bit by myself since I am not keen in the show.

Then, we met for lunch. We just makan, talked, shopped a little. Then, I have to leave to pick-up Viveen to Karim's open house.

Christmas Function DCF

Normally a few of us would meet up on Friday for fellowship. In this Christmas season, we thought to have something and invite our friends over.

It was great as we started to assign task. Get things prepared.

We sang some Christmas songs, games, shared on the story of Christmas and we have fellowship and food.

It was very encouraging to see so many guests were there and everyone was so comfortable.

From Heaven's Throne 14 - 16 Dec'07

Many hours and effort has put into this musical drama.

I was involved... in usher for 3 nights. And the 'best' thing is I have to wear the costume with heavy make-up and stand all night outside. It was HOT!! And a lot of times, when there was no visitor, I will lift up my long skirt, no worries, I have pants in there to put my mobile.

It has a great turnout and all glory unto the Lord!

Big Day

It was a very special birthday indeed. It was arranged and I didn't know anything about it at all. I didn't even know the time and venue until Karim fetched me there to the restaurant. Later, Faris told me that it was communicated a day earlier and they were worried what if I was tied up with work and unable to go. Wow!!

Sherine bought me flowers. Lovely flowers.

I was truly touched by all these. It will be a day to remember for a long time. :)

Thank you so much! *Hugs*

Brunei

We also make a trip to Brunei. Susanna get Julian to drive. The custom clearance was a breeze since Julian also has been dealing with the officers for clearance (they are in transport company). It was another 1.5 hours drive from the checkpoint to Bandar Seri Begawan.

The petrol is really cheap. $0.53/ litre. It is still cheap after conversion.

And we saw this 1st old extraction machine which has a stop function just by the road side. Saw another one, really old one in the middle of roundabout. Actually, all these machines are every where. That means the country is really rich in petroleum.

We stopped by Jerutong Park which has been abandoned.

Then, we visited The Imperial, 6 stars hotel in Brunei. It was really huge. And painted with golden colour. I was asking if all these were gold. Then, my sis told me, this is not Middle East country.

The most interesting part was we visited the rest room. It was a huge restroom, where they have sofa to allow people to chit-chat (?). I don't know. But, it was huge. Actually, it was nice just sitting there, really relaxing.

And we moved on. After lunch, we went to Gadong Mall. Just to experience the local lifestyle. A lot of Jawi words here.

The Bandar itself is very quiet. Doesn't feel like bandar at all. And mosque. Nice.

And yupe that was Brunei. It was kinda boring. I wouldn't recommend people to visit there. Apparently, people there do not need to work and the lifestyle is really slow. And so, I appeared o be the weird one who walked so fast.

Mom reckon that I am so much happy during my holiday, this trip. I laughed and smile from my heart.

And we left Miri the very next day. It was a great trip. It was great to catch up with old friend.

Mulu & Miri part II

We woke up at 6.45am. We have to be punctual today as we need to catch the afternoon flight back to Miri. We were told that our luggages will be transported to the airport directly and we will go to airport from the cave. So, no shower or anything like that? hmm.. ok...

The air is so fresh and Melanau River is so calm. We will be in boat today. Actually, there were other fun activities around, like ATV motor which I think will be really fun.

The sampan motor boat ride was good. We enjoyed the view and saw people living by the riverbank. We stopped at Kampung Bangan to help a bit on the economy there. The locals were selling crafts. Then, we continue the journey to Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave.

We have to climb the staircase to the Wind Cave. It was humid, very humid and I didn't like it at all. Was amazed by all the limestone formed there. We are not allow to touch the stones. Actually, there is an adventurous trail in the cave which is only 1 way. There is no turning back.

Then, we moved to Clearwater Cave whis is neighbour to Wind Cave. We had some snacks before taking the 200 steps up. It was total darkness in the cave, and we have to use the headlight. There were some stones used to be washed by water and the marks can still be seen. It has a very wide river in there. I don't know how deep was that and I don't want to know. We cross the bridge and walked along the river. We can hear the rushing water. It was kinda scary that you can't see but, you can hear. Imagine the blind and be grateful.

Then, we need to proceed to airport by boat. Bob, our guide, told us that the airport was very near to the river only. Indeed. We WALKED to the airport. Wow.. Another experience. It's like 1 minute slow walk away. This was really cool.

I reckon people here in Mulu has very simple life.

After resting awhile, Susanna brought us out to market. Since mom wanted to go market.?! Pasar Tamu. OK. We went. It's really interesting to see the local fruits. Durian hutan(?) also. It doesn't have a strong smell like the normal durian. Still, I will not try it. Sarawak manggo. Looks like a big ciku. It tasted weird. Talap, weird fruit. Nice sayur bilin and many more. I kept taking pictures and people thought I just came back from overseas. Yes, over the South China Sea. :D

Next is to a local park to walk on the canopy. So many people in the park. It's a nice park with nice view, I must agree.
Before we proceed to dinner. We went up to the 1st oil well and look at the sunset. It tells us the history and the process of oil discovery to extraction.

Mulu Caves, Miri, Sarawak

Susanna helped to arrange for the Mulu Caves for 2 days 1 night only me and sis.

After waited for about 1 hour and much announcement that our flight got delayed, finally, we were told that the flight was cancelled. Well, there was nothing much that we can do. We were told to proceed to FAX office for next arrangement. By then, Susanna has gone and I have to call her to come to pick us up. And we have to pick-up our luggages from the arrival hall.

It was a havoc. Some people wanted refund, some were alright to take on the flight the next morning. For us, we wanted the refund as we have got other plans. And then, we were being told to wait for arrangement. Waited patiently. And Susanna arrived. As I was sitting trying to be patient waiting for my arrangement, then, we were told to board the plane immediately as the flight was waiting for us ready to go. The flight has only 2 seats available which was just nice for us.

So, we went to departure hall again. Actually, ran. Our luggages became hand luggages. An official was waiting us at the departure hall. And walked us to the flight. By then, the propeller started and ready to go. Once, we were in the flight, the door closed, and took-off. What an experience!! This was like movie, wasn't it?
Everything happened too fast.

It was a small flight and only fly up to 3,000 m. Hey, that's lower than Mt. Kinabalu, isn't it?

Later, we found out that it was the 1st and only flight into Mulu that day. The morning flight went in and couldn't land due to bad weather and couldn't start the engine upon returned to Miri. So, we are actually very blessed. And all flights have to fly out before 5pm so not to destroy the ecosystem there. Bats are coming out about 5pm.

We arrived Mulu at 4.30pm. Then, we started the walk to Deer Cave and Lang Cave. It was an easy walk. We tried to walk as fast as possible so to reach there before the gate closed at 5pm. We reached there at 5.10pm and too bad, we can't go in any more. Instead many have to come out. Else, we will disturb the bats.

It was kinda sad that we couldn't go into the Deer Cave, the world largest cave. Then, we just sat outside and watch the bats coming out. It was so majestic. So many of them.

Then, it was getting dark and we started to walk back. We enjoyed the walk. Malaysia is very rich in the rainforest.

Then, we were transferred to Mulu Royal Resort. It was a really nice resort. And we had our dinner and rested there.

Miri, Sarawak

Planned for this Miri trip with mom and sis. Mom has been saying that she has not been to Miri. So, I booked Air Asia. And I can visit Susanna as well.

Susanna picked us up from Miri airport and we went to town awhile. Basically, didn't do much for the day. Only went to the beach. Look at where Shell expatriates live. Bungalows! Like Australia/ NZ type of houses. The whole environment is so nice.

Susanna also took us to look at the bungalows built near the beach. There were all so huge, like a mansion. Some really make us wonder if that's a house or motel or hotel. They have huge land, huge house, private pathway to their private beach. This is in Miri. Wow...

White Water Rafting

MC invited me for RAND (Radio Access Network Development) outing for white water rafting. I accepted that of course with my boss approval that I can go. Yippy!! :D

Then, the fear kicked-in. Is it safe and alright? I don't know how to swim wor though I was told that we will be having life jacket? But, still... Cos, I have had very bad experience riding on the Banana Boat thingy. Despite the fear, I still went.

The bus was late. So, late. Upon arrival at KKB, we were divided into groups, briefing and instructions were given. And off we went into the boat.

There were some practices before the real thing especially to get us familiar with the instructions. And off we started. It was a lot of screaming, laughing, fear, excitement. I rescued a few of the team members. Rescued means pull them back into the boat. And I also fall into the water once. And other will have to rescue me. There's rope at the side of the boat for us to hold on.

We stopped at a waterfall for some snacks. We were all so hungry. And continued. Then, we had late lunch.

It was a great experience! I like it. More of it. :)

Well, I was a little late for TIC. Sorry.. And the team let me got down of the bus and I ran back to office and conducted TIC. haha....

Mt Kinabalu part III

It's 1am on Sunday morning. We woke up and get ready for the summit. Can I make it? I don't know. It rained pretty heavily the night before and so it's gonna be wet. We were in the non-heated room again. The gate only opened at about 3am. There were so many people.

I find it really difficult after KM6.5, haven't even at Sayat-Sayat check-point. It was close to the finishing of the rope part. Initially, John told me to follow his step, then, he hold my hands and we walked together.

Air is getting thiner and thiner and I find it more difficult was I went higher. I wasn't cold. I only need Oxygen. This was a totally different and new experience in my life.

I only remembered that I was so sleepy and wanted to sleep so much especially when we were at the rock surface. I literally lean on him at one point. And I remembered him telling me not to close my eyes, but, keep walking. He will squeezed my hands when we are ready to go. And I will did that whenever I wanted a stop. We walked about 10 steps and we stopped for 5 seconds. Later he told me that he can't hear me breathing at one point. I didn't know what happened besides that I wanted to sleep.

Finally, I was there at 6.45am. Yes, I missed the sunrise. But, does it matter? Well, I wasn't so excited/ emotional like most people did. I thank God for His guidance, thank John for being responsible and his patience. I gave him a big huge. Thank KG for encouraging. I don't think I am able to make it without them.

As I was standing on the top of the mountain, I was reminded that I am just so tiny little in this universe. There are so many things that yet to be done. I need to treasure everything and everyone and not take them for granted.

I have been there - Low Peak of Mt. Kinabalue. 4,095 meter = 14,435 feet! Really speechless of the magnificent view.

I started to feel better after a few minutes rest at the peak. John told us that we needa keep moving and start to descent. And I started to take a few pictures since I am not coming here again. I just enjoyed the view so much!!!

Looking down from the plateau of Mt. Kinabalu. We have an awesome God!!!

As we arrived at Laban Rata, we rested and packed to go back to Timpohon Gate. We are going back to West Malaysia the very night itself. It's a recce trip, not suppose to have fun so much.

Saw these workers were carrying so heavy things going up. They are so fit. Descending wasn't easy as well. Peter and I were having pain in the knees and toes. It was a really big 'aiyoo' when we saw more steps ahead of us though we tried to divert by taking pictures. That did not help much. We took about 4 hours to reach Timpohon Gate.

Then, Mr. Faustine (our transport guy) arranged a place for us to freshen up before taking us to KK town and airport.

We had our dinner and head to airport. We managed to change to an earlier flight and that flight was delay. So, we are back to original. Dennis came to meet me at the airport. It was so nice of him. :)

We reached LCCT about midnight and I am going to work the very next day. yes.. crazy me... Thank God that my legs are not sore as all the local hikes.