Morphing

Morphing - a new beginning

2011-08-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

Indeed, a new phase of life is beginning for the family. For the both of us + Kyubi, as we eagerly await the arrival of our little one. There's much apprehension in the midst of all the preparation, yet there is so much anticipation in the air! This is truly going to be a new phase for all of us. And we thank God that He's given us something to be excited about.

May the little one be a source of tremendous blessing to all around him - ourselves and my parents. May he be happy and blessed! Counting down - 11 days to go!

PS. Another thing I've been missing - wearing heels!

2011-07-30T03:58:00.000-07:00

We're already 30mins late for dinner w the bunch... no sign of him or sound from him yet. still playing futsal i guess. hungry laaa...

seems like i hv nothing happy to share - so sad. o ok, i'm really looking fwd to welcome the baby!

2011-07-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

everything hurts...

2011-07-05T03:15:00.000-07:00

he gets angry at my for being 5 minutes late, and this is because i am at a work function. he cant even wait for 5 mins. unbelievable!

2011-06-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

omg! the inlaws got the baby a 2nd hand mattress used by another baby (not for a shortwhile) for the cot. apparently it's 'clean' after their maid cleaned it. omg omg!!!!

i may seem ungrateful, but with possibility of sids and for reasons of hygiene, i told m earlier that 2nd hand cot is ok but the mattress must be new. and he said, dont worry... so much for that.

2011-06-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

things i miss most:

- my heels!

- pencil skirts :)

- sushi

- crab

- chilli pan mee

- goin for a massage

hehehe! but i am so excited to meet you lil baby!

2011-06-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

i tell him that i've been having regular contractions over the past 2 nights. he says, 'i'm not sure what to do with that'. checking up on the net to find out more, or a little concern would be nice :(

2011-06-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

I've been having a really easy (according to some :)) pregnancy. Praise God for that. The baby's been very good and I can't wait to meet him!

2011-06-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

and one who doesn't often play computer games past 4am in the morning.

2011-06-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

yearns for a husband who loves her

2011-05-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

Today is my first Mothers' Day and I find myself in tears.

2011-05-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly being ignored, as if I am nothing. Especially when I raise an issue.

2011-05-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

There is no consideration at all for the baby's wellbeing.

2011-05-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

I am so unhappy. There is no outlet for me to express my concerns. I have no recourse but to suck it in and carry on.

2011-03-28T07:56:00.001-07:00

Father - help me to sacrifice for Your glory.

What's next?

2010-01-07T05:17:00.000-08:00

10 years have passed. What will the next 10 years bring?

Resolutions for 2010

2010-01-03T02:18:00.000-08:00

Ok ok.... it's tradition I do this, so here're my resolutions for the year:

1. Be my own person & grow as a person
2. Travel more (much more) than in 2009
3. Try to learn mandarin
4. Reach out

Final post for the year 2009

2009-12-30T17:54:00.000-08:00

Excerpt of today's quiet time from Word Life....

Jesus’ attitude about his call to serve God and his relationship with his Father reveals in him an authority that transcends basic human relationships and makes Mary’s indirect rebuke almost irrelevant. Yet he is a picture of how we should all prioritise our lives before God, sometimes having to make choices that may be hard for some to understand, as we seek God’s face and pursue his ways.

Paul Woodbridge

It's been a long difficult year... I look forward to the new one with much hope and anticipation for the things He has in store for me. May I look out for the signposts that are long the pathway, lest I find myself lost once again. Happy new year 2010!

Christmas post

2009-12-24T23:53:00.000-08:00

It's been AGES!

The year has been rife with disappointments, surprises and occasionally peppered with laughs. Not sure if it's all been worth it, but next year, I will strive to be my own person. Thus ends my "year of change", and I look forward to a "year of hope and new beginnings".

The theme of hope came initially through an old, long lost friend's Christmas email, and today again through the Christmas message during service. Indeed during these uncertain times, hope is much needed. Hope in a future with the Lord gives me strength to face each day. May the message of Christ's love and sacrifice be real in all our lives always!

Bored and confused

2009-04-02T23:40:00.001-07:00

I've decided to ignore the huge target I've been given.... at least until I don't have a choice. :P

I wonder how long I can do that for...

Dilemma!

2009-03-29T23:41:00.000-07:00

Hmmm.... what do I spend my first paycheque on???? BIG dilemma!! hahahhaha

I'm going to Orchard today!

Psalm 5

2009-03-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

¹² For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

* Pumpkin from the Lion City

Saying Goodbye

2009-02-13T00:07:00.000-08:00

It's been a good 2.5 years with the airline (excl my sabbatical year) and I will miss the team. People have come and gone but the current team has great camaraderie and is wonderful to work with. I'll miss you guys (and the cheap flights too ;)) !! All the very best for 2009!

Short-lived happiness

2009-02-03T22:49:00.000-08:00

The euphoria lasts
But a mere second in time
How disappointing

Haiku & CNY

2009-01-31T01:34:00.000-08:00

Here's me taking a stab at writing Haiku:

Golden oranges
Pink cherry blossoms in bloom
A new year is here

Reminiscing Zagreb

2009-01-22T08:40:00.001-08:00

Sept 2008

A new day...

2009-01-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

A new day has come. Today America has a new leader, one who brings hope in the midst of economic gloom and financial turmoil. May God grant him much wisdom, strength and grace to make the right decisions - decisions that will have far-reaching consequences that will affect an entire generation and those to come.

It is indeed time for change. May the spirit of hope and virtue, honesty and hardwork live on.

Random thoughts

2009-01-20T05:42:00.000-08:00

God has been good. Some decisions are hard to make. I need wisdom.

New look

2009-01-16T07:17:00.000-08:00

Somehow I still like this template best.... altho it's the same as pumpkingoestoskool!! Oh, no matter.

Letting go

2009-01-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

I think I'm learning to let go. Slowly but surely. :)

I'm looking forward to the move. It'll be an adventure, an opportunity to try new things, make new friends, widen my social circle, take on more responsibility. "The day you decide not to take on challenges is the day you stop growing."

Today has been a day of quotes:

The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it.--John Ruskin

No guts no glory.--Unknown

Prayer for the New Year

2009-01-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

Thank God for small miracles. :)

*******

Almighty God,
by whose mercy my life has been
yet prolonged to another year,
grant that thy mercy may not be in vain.
Let not my years be multiplied to increase my guilt,
but as age advances,
let me become more pure in my thoughts, more regular in my desires, and more obedient to thy laws.
Let not the cares of the world distract me, nor the evils of age overwhelm me. But continue and increase thy loving kindness towards me,
and when thou shalt call me hence,
receive me to everlasting happiness,
for the sake of Jesus Christ,
our Lord.

Samuel Johnson: 1709–1794

Regret

2008-12-27T16:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I did something that I will regret forevermore. Caused by poor judgement, lack of self-control and selfishness. I can only hope with all my heart that my foolishness did not cause irreversible damage.

I am more sorry than I have ever been. With all my heart, I hope that you will yet again forgive me. Please.

I'm here!

2007-10-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

I've finally arrived in London - yay! It's Day 6 and things have just been a whirlwind around me. My folks have headed of to a swissoland and I've been attending one induction after another, doing the usual school and banking admin and working out the quickest route to school.

LSE has a whole host of public lectures... Alan Greenspan was here 2 nights ago for a lecture... I didn't know!

Last night I went with SY and CL to their CG meeting which is held at a barge beside Canary Wharf... how cool is that! Haha. It's London's first floating church wor... ;) Anyways, it's been fun apart from the wet and gloomy weather and the need to walk, walk, walk. I miss my car.

From now on, I'll be blogging about my Chevening year at pumpkingoestoskool.blogspot.com

Super Dad saves the day!

2007-08-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Yet again!

What would I do without my Dad? My car tyre burst in the mall yesterday evening and thankfully, I was still able to drive out of the underground parking and wait for Dad by the main road outside Tesco. Thank God for my handyman Dad... :)

My car looks rather spastic with it's spare wheel. The normal wheel is too large for the boot and had to be placed in the passenger seat... hahhaha. Photos to follow.

Counting down...

2007-08-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

5 weeks and counting.... yippeeeee!!!!!

Here's a teaser.... ;)

A lovely affair

2007-05-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

It was one of the loveliest weddings I have ever been too. Loads of people, young and old (proportionately more young), squeezed into what I'd imagine is a hall meant for 250 at most. ;) Celebration was in the air and the crowd cheered as soon as the bride walked through the sliding door. T'was definately a first for me! ;)

The ceremony was beautiful and meaningful with personal exhortations and blessings meant for the couple. All in all, lovely! I was moved to tears.. hehe.

What I've learnt:

1) Testimonies from the couple's marriage counsellors lend a personal touch to the proceedings.

2) Choice of speaker is VERY important. All speakers should end with blessings for the couple.

3) A smaller hall creates a cosier atmosphere.

4) The element of friendship in a marriage must be nurtured and not forgotten.

And a whole host of other poignant things.. hehe. Congrats D & B!

O my

2007-05-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

The strangest thing ever. People talk about 6 degrees of separation. It's actually only 3 degrees... and it extends all the way to the UK!

"We are going to crash into the clouds"

2007-04-24T05:11:00.000-07:00

Our tour guide, Tadashi, kept saying that when we were about to board the Ropeway at Hakone's Mt Komagatake - the second highest volcano in Hakone. Haha. He's a really cute old man who was waving a little red Mickey Mouse flag about to ensure we didn't get lost.

The day started far to early for my liking :P ... had to drag myself out of bed at about 6am and trudge along towards Royal Park Hotel for the Hato Bus pick-up. By 9.30am, we were on the way to Mt Fuji and I was nodding away towards the "little" Spanish boy who happened to be sitting next to me. He actually filled more than his seat and more into mine. :P

Nevertheless, the tour guide was entertaining with stories of Japan's past and the Shogun. He even gave us a dose of his viewpoint about the previous and current Prime Minister. Apparently, they both strive to be obedient to the American President, for trade reasons. He also taught us to make an erupting Mt Fuji so we would have our own "personal" Mt Fuji's. Hahahaha. Ask me and I might just teach you. ;) He also left us with some instructions on how to make a Shogun's helmet. Kewl. I'm gonna try with newspaper when I get back. Apparently, it's just the right size for a normal sized head. :P

Mt Fuji was glorious today, albeit for a short period of time. According to Tadashi, Mt Fuji is a shy mountain. So much for that. Anyways, I have been inspired to climb it. R's climbed it. I just need to find kaki to go with. I reckon that'll be harder than it sounds. Sigh.

The day ended with a ride on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train)... I actually thought it was going to be so fast that everything outside would be a blur... hahaa. Not. But it was a restful ride nevertheless.

Anyways, it was a lovely day and we're off to Yokohama tomorrow. Here're some pics from yesterday and today.

People are so considerate. Those with flu/cough don face masks so they don't pass on their germs to others. I took the shot because I noticed the word "pumpkin" on the advert, since I couldn't read anything else! Haha.

This little girl was trying to clean her mouth with her tougue while her daddy was rummaging thru his bag for a tissue. She's doing a pretty good job I reckon.

Falling asleep in Asakusa.

Everyone's always on the go. People don't even sit down at eating outlets when there are chairs. They prefer to stand. Here's an old man having a Red Bull. Btw, I've been told that everything can be bought from vending machines.... thus far, I've only spotted drinks and ciggies. Urban legend ler!

So... desuka!

2007-04-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

I've finally realised where all the old people in Tokyo are... they are in Asakusa! It's a lovely part of the city slightly up north which gives one a feeling of being in an older part of Tokyo. There were loads of older folks here.. hehhehe. I'm learning more and more about life here:

1) Different people hangout in different parts of the city. One would hardly see youngsters from Harajuku or Shibuya or Shinjuku around the Ginza area.

2) Most women wear REALLY high heels and walk super fast. Hence their feet are a little deformed and they tend to walk bow-legged.

3) Shopping in Ameyoko is amazing! Bought a cool red Adidas tennis skirt among other things for only RM 15! Loads of food everywhere.

4) One can buy anything and everything from the 100 Yen shop. It's exactly like the One Pound Shops in UK.

5) Everyone's really well dressed either made up or in suits.

An "early" start to Day 3

2007-04-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

It's 10.20am... and we've only just woken up.. hahhha. This is what I'd call a REAL holiday!

Mori said there are 3 types of young people in Japan:

"Normal" young people - Kids who've been to university and have "regular" jobs.

"Freeters" - Those who work in restaurants, bars and other places part-time just to earn enough for a living or to travel

"Needs" - Those who live off their parents..... hahhaa. Society is so harsh!

Ok, I need to go get ready now.... it's supposed to be rainy today. :P See ya later alligator.

Lost in Tokyo

2007-04-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

It's day 2 in Tokyo and I'm still amazed by the massive crowds... it's really intense here! Love the city, the lights and the architecture. Found ourselves lost in the subway a couple of times and ended up going round and round looking for the right exit.. hahhaha. ;) I also paid a special visit to the loo at the Aoyama-chome station. :P Had a raw egg for dinner. Thank goodness the toilets in the subway are clean. I'd have had no choice anyways. hahha.

Oh btw, it's Earth Day in Tokyo today so HAPPY EARTH DAY y'all!!! :) Here're some shots of today's sights... enjoy!

Salut!

2007-04-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

Here's to old friends whom I can call when there's no one to lunch with, who love me despite my quick tongue and sharp remarks, who drag themselves out of bed to be with me when I need company and whom I can call upon at anytime of the day.

You know who you are.... love you all!! And most of all to Mr Moo.... You're the best! Hugz!

Women in symmetry

2007-04-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Interesting that HL captured this at just the right angle... (iBridge dinner, Mar 07)

Remembering 31 years of goodness...

2007-03-21T22:25:00.000-07:00

Apparently... this is the German translation of my name.. hahaha

2007-03-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

Your German Name is:

Arianne Frauke

What's Your German Name?

James 3:16 (New Living Translation)

2007-02-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

2007-02-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

It amazes me no end that through the blogging phenomenon, numerous talented closet writers are coming out of the woodwork...

Lilian & Wan Han's wedding

2007-01-29T06:39:00.000-08:00

I attended their wedding last saturday.... WH was stoned at the end of the nite :P Here's lovely Lilian & me...

Bangkok - Nov 2006

2007-01-22T07:02:00.000-08:00

Here're some long overdue photos of the trip with CY ... :)

The rest of the photos are available on ofoto.com....

Purity

2007-01-21T18:54:00.000-08:00

Purity is a function of the mind and heart, and is expressed outwards through practical application of self-control.

1 Corinthians 6: 6 - in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love

Obedience : Step 1?

2007-01-21T04:36:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 6 says: ¹⁴Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

I have struggled with the verses above for years and years. I'm still struggling with them and my choices have resulted in much pain. It is time to obey. :(

*Update @ 31 Jan 09 - Praise God! Tis a struggle no more!

HL's contribution to my pet hunt... Thaaanks!!! ;)

2007-01-19T02:16:00.000-08:00

Sure, get a dog
but not a frog
nor a sawn timber log.

A frog croaks
and a log floats
but only a dog has sleek golden coat.

But why not a cat
or a bat
or a jet black rat?

Coz a dog barks
in the dark
making the robbers miss their mark.

A (wo)man's best friend
loyal to the end
so let's give 'em all a hand!

Put off, put on

2007-01-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

Putting away selfishness, anger and jealousy and putting on obedience, love, patience, thanksgiving, generosity and purity.

May the new year ahead be a year of blessing and growth.

Happy trails to Ipoh... bro and I

2007-01-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

2007 New Year's @ Char Chan Teng

2007-01-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

Since it was also Alwin's birthday, we were given a giganticus cup of tea!!!

Thank God for old friends...

2006-12-20T03:08:00.000-08:00

Today I received a beautiful birthday card from an old friend...

"Physical growth is a function of time,
Intellectual growth is a function of learning,
Spiritual growth is a function of obedience.
- John Bevere - "

Thanks for the wonderful encouragement, D! *Hugs*

Today's QT...

2006-12-12T17:54:00.000-08:00

Here's an excerpt from today's QT. As usual, Ecclesiastes may seem depressing... however, one needs an occasional push.

Ecclesiastes 12 (NCV)
1 Remember your Creator while you are young, before the days of trouble comeand the years when you say, “I find no pleasure in them.”

2 When you get old, the light from the sun, moon, and stars will grow dark; the rain clouds will never seem to go away.

3 At that time your arms will shake and your legs will become weak. Your teeth will fall out so you cannot chew, and your eyes will not see clearly.

4 Your ears will be deaf to the noise in the streets, and you will barely hear the millstone grinding grain. You’ll wake up when a bird starts singing, but you will barely hear singing.

5 You will fear high places and will be afraid to go for a walk. Your hair will become white like the flowers on an almond tree. You will limp along like a grasshopper when you walk. Your appetite will be gone. Then you will go to your everlasting home,and people will go to your funeral.

6 Soon your life will snap like a silver chainor break like a golden bowl. You will be like a broken pitcher at a spring, or a broken wheel at a well.

7 You will turn back into the dust of the earth again,but your spirit will return to God who gave it.

8 Everything is useless! The Teacher says that everything is useless.

9 The Teacher was very wise and taught the people what he knew. He very carefully thought about, studied, and set in order many wise teachings.

10 The Teacher looked for just the right words to write what is dependable and true.1

1 Words from wise people are like sharp sticks used to guide animals. They are like nails that have been driven in firmly. Altogether they are wise teachings that come from one Shepherd.

12 So be careful, my son, about other teachings. People are always writing books, and too much study will make you tired.

13 Now, everything has been heard,so I give my final advice:Honor God and obey his commands,because this is all people must do.

14 God will judge everything, even what is done in secret, the good and the evil.

Fix your eyes on Jesus, and don’t ever give up.

Children of Chow Kit

2006-09-24T02:21:00.000-07:00

I came across a heart-wrenching article yesterday in a women's magazine featuring the plight of children living on Chow Kit road and other parts of town - Masjid India, Petaling Street, TAR Road, etc. Seeing photos of how these children live brought tears to my eye. It peaked my interested to find out what the government and other potentially influencial bodies are doing to aid these children and here's an excerpt from The Star, dated Sunday, July 9, 2006:

Uncertain future for Chow Kit children

EXCLUSIVEBy PARVEEN GILL
They live in dingy homes along the streets of Chow Kit in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Their mothers are drug addicts and sex workers. They sell their bodies to feed their habit, leaving the children in a world of their own.
In the daytime, these children play in the vicinity of their makeshift homes and wait for their mothers to return. At night, some of them follow their mothers to work, sleeping on the pavements, while their mothers entertain the clients at home. It's a sad world punctuated by hope as kind souls from NGOs try their best to make life better for these forgotten children.

KUALA LUMPUR: They are the unfortunate kids of the world. Circumstances beyond their control have made the streets of Chow Kit their dingy home and unwelcome playground. Some are forced to tag along with their sex worker mothers as they ply their trade. Others share a rundown wooden house or a small room in a shoplot with their siblings, waiting for their mothers to return home. Most do not have much to eat and sometimes resort to stealing to feed themselves.

At night, some of these children, who are said to number in the hundreds in Chow Kit alone, sleep on the pavements while their mothers “entertain” clients at home. Ira is only 10 but plays “mother” to her four brothers, aged between one and seven, and a nine-year-old sister. All have different fathers. The children live in a ramshackle wooden hut in Kg Periuk, Chow Kit, with the magnificent Petronas Twin Towers in the backdrop.

Ira's 26-year-old mother Maria is said to have sold off her youngest child for RM15,000 last year, shortly after delivering the baby. Maria, who is a drug addict, is either at “work” or “high” most of the time. Meals are hard to come by, but thanks to Yayasan Salam Malaysia, Ira and her siblings get simple meals such as a cup of Milo and plain bread if they visit the local NGO Children's Activity Centre in Chow Kit. (See Doc: Treat children of sex workers like other kids). That too is subject to availability of food at the centre.

Ira goes to school with help of the NGO and well-wishers. “I hope to be a dancer or teacher. I would especially like to become a teacher because some of my teachers are very caring and loving towards me,” said Ira, when met at her “home”. She, however, faces an uncertain future, if things do not change for the better soon. There is a possibility that circumstances may force her to become a sex worker just like her mother and grandmother. Ira's sister Ish answered: “Entah (Don't know)”, when asked about her ambition. This perhaps aptly describes the uncertain future awaiting Ira and the many other street kids in Chow Kit.

Ten-year-old Chiku, whose mother Ora is also a sex worker, started school recently after Yayasan Salam consultant Dr Hartini Zainudin managed to obtain a birth certificate for him. While other children his age are discovering the wonders of the Digital Age, Chiku has just learnt to write his name. “Before this, when others went to school, I just roamed around here,” he said when met by this reporter. Chiku dreams of becoming a policeman because he wants to “catch bad people”. But if he fails at that, he said he would opt to become a motorcycle racer. When asked about his mother, Chiku bowed his head and replied: “She works very hard.” Ora, 33, said she tries her best to provide for Chiku, who is her firstborn. Her two younger children were given away after she gave birth to them.

STREET OF DESPAIR: The world of the Chow Kit kids revolves around the streets along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. For the children of the sex workers, numbering in the hundreds, the streets are both a playground and a place to sleep while their mothers 'entertain' clients at home.“My drug addict boyfriend is a heavy gambler. He forced me into prostitution when I was 20. I even had to entertain men for a mere RM5 when I was nine months' pregnant to support his habits,” said Ora.

Dr Hartini said there was fear that some of these children might have contracted HIV during birth. Maria, for instance, refused to take any precautions during intercourse. “In the case of Ora, her son can go to bed when his mother is done with business,” she said.

I'm happy :D

2006-09-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling HAPPY! Must be the amalgamation of it being the weekend, new phone, new hair colour and the lil Red Book (i.e. Mao Tze Tung's red book)... it's far too profound for me, but some of the concepts are worth considering. It's weird but I've just been hit by a wave of *happinesssss* ... all of a sudden!

***************************

On a separate note, eere's a lil pix of the lil red book, a pressie from HP. No, no, I do not have communist tendencies. I'm a true blue believer in democracy, open market competition and capitalism. After all, these created an unlimited world of options for shopping!! ;o)

"Classes struggle, some classes triumph, others are eliminated. Such is history, such is the history of civilization for thousands of years. to interpret history from this viewpoint is historical materialism; standing in opposition to this view is historical idealism." HMMM.

1 year old!

2006-09-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

As of this week, I'm officially 1 year old in the "new" workplace! "Happy Birthday" to meeee.....!!!

"Borrowed" Humpty Dumpty cake photo

My night in KK

2006-09-20T01:17:00.000-07:00

Went on my first "duty travel" to KK on Sunday night. Travelling on business class is NICE! ;)

Some excerpts from my trusty travel log:

"On-flight (sunday nite): Met the head of anesthetics from Queen E hospital in KK. Gave her my card - hope she emails me. Hmm, on the other hand she's a Gold Card member... hopefully she doesn't call for favours :P. Apparently she used to attend LC and knows Philip Koh, Wong Sai Weng, Susan Khoo. SMALL WORLD! Quite a chatty lady, from KL spent 12 years in KK, no family... she was telling me about the challenges she faces when dealing with the government.

Arrived yest (sunday nite): Was raining cats and dogs! Staying in the lovely Magellan Sutera Harbour. The hotel upgraded my room to a Club Room, hehe, no balcony but with a beautiful view of the marina. Too bad no camera... and no camera phone! (going to get a new phone once I'm back in town.. must, must, must). Requested for room with single bed, but none available. :(

The hotel is packed with tour groups - Japs, Koreans, Aussies, Brits, you name it!! It's a shame it's been raining in the evenings so much tho. Eric picked me up for dinner.. it was STILL raining! And we went to an Italian place in town. The soup was good, pasta so-so (mushroom ravioli in carbonara sauce) and some biscuity pizza thing which I've not had before.. yummy! Dinner turned out to be most unexpected. Eric shared a life-changing experience, a conference he attended in Taipei. It was so hot and noisy talking in the restaurant so we decided to come back to the hotel lobby for a chat. He ended up sharing Psalms 50 and praying for me :P

Could not sleep much yesterday nite... mind was working so hard! Had some strange dreams involving M, his mum and some other ppl.

Today (monday morn): Had breakfast with CoSec and dir of safety & security. EVERYONE (except the 3 of us) was in shorts and slippers.. and me? I'm in a suit.. :P

Waited and waited and waited for the presentation on BEA... still waiting now. :( Looks like the meeting's not going to end at 1pm. Met some lawyers and bankers from Spore. One of the laywers knows Zoe... :P Small world. I'm frozen stiff.. it's so cold here in the waiting area, and I think in the meeting room too. Need sleep.. ZZZZ. Gosh hope I don't need to present! And that they don't ask me questions.

Yawning now... I think I've gone to the loo 5 times. :P SO COLD! Brrrr...
Hmm, I wonder if I should take the cab home from KLIA or just take the KLIA express to KL Sentral and then get a ride home.. Think I'll do the former so that I don't trouble Dad.
Am waiting in the Golden Lounge in KK (they DO have one!) for my flight... guess who's on the same flight?!! MD, CFO, Dir of Operations... sigh. My guess is I'll be sitting next to one of them... hmm "

In hindsight, I should have gone a little earlier to KK... found out that some of my colleagues who went had a mini golfing holiday there... :P

Black or White

2006-09-15T01:23:00.000-07:00

I don't normally read forwarded mail, but this is FARNEE!!!

Melb Photos!

2006-09-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, here you go.... albeit a little late!
Falls Creek...
Group picture at The Village...
12 Apostles
Little sleeping wombat... so cute!
Since I wasn't allowed to hug the real thing...
New friends @ yummy Coco Black!
An old friend. :)

A tribute to Irene

2006-09-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

It is with the gift of hindsight that we discover more of the people we have spent our days with and better understand the way in which they have impacted our lives...

Aunty Irene, to me, has always been a sweet little lady, kind and always smiling. As the years went by she walked a little slower but was still as gentle and as kind. I never knew that behind that gentle demeanor was a character of strength and perseverence. Never would I have imagined that she had lived the colourful life she had. It was only at her memorial that I discovered her trials and triumphs.

Even in her passing, she has left us with a gift.. a gift of friendship :). As an outcome of the events over the past few weeks I have made friends with the Voon family, and it has been a pleasure knowing them.

Yummy Vietnamese dinner with the Voons at Cungdinh, OneBangsar

Bitten by a travel bug

2006-08-31T22:29:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have known me for a while would've realised that I was bitten by a travel bug early on. Somehow the Merdeka celebrations inspired me to travel though I truly have no idea how that came about. :-P

Just taking stock of my travels and planning for the year(s) ahead. Hmm, I really should capitalise on the travel discounts I'm getting with the current job... he he he...

1997:
Kota Kinabalu (Summer 1997)

Uni Days:
Paris (1998)
Italy (Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa) (Summer 2000)

2000:
Chicago & New York (End 2000)

2002:
Chongqing, China (Jan - Mar 2002)
Hong Kong, Shen Zhen & Guangzhou (Apr 2002)
Germany & Austria (Christmas 2002)
Brunei (work)
Kota Kinabalu (End 2002)

2003:
Redang (Diving, Aug 2003)
Chicago, Phoenix, Sedona & LA (Mid 2003)
Hong Kong (Nov 2003)
Tioman (Diving, Nov 2003)

2004:
Trang, Thailand (Diving, Apr 2004)
Cambodia (Hari Raya 2004)

2005:
Brunei (work)
Hong Kong (April 2005)
Chicago (April 2005)
London & Paris (Summer 2005)
London & Belfast (Winter 2005)

2006:
Pos Keding (4X4 trip, Jan 2006)
Melbourne & Falls Creek (July 2006)
Bali (March 2006)

Places I hope to visit this year:
Bangkok - DONE! Nov 2006

Places I hope to visit next year or at some point in time:
Nepal
Mongolia
Turkey
India
South Africa
Sipadan
South America
Japan - DONE! May 2007

Leslie's Farewell & August Bdays

2006-08-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

We had a farewell dinner for Leslie last Saturday evening (BKT - yum!!) since he's headed to Bangkok for 6 months. And it was an excuse for us to celebrate August birthdays at Mart's house ... :-)

Yvonne Foong - Please support her cause

2006-08-20T19:28:00.002-07:00

Yvonne Foong is a student, freelance writer and patient of Neurofibromatosis. I've heard her speak and her passion for life is contagious and inspiring. If you are able to, please support her cause. She's been working really, really hard to raise funds for her surgery - she needs RM 230,000! She sells T-shirts and other items (books, etc). Do check out her website at www.yvonnefoong.com. :)

Here's a sample of her T-shirt design...

Aging

2006-08-20T01:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a month plus since the last time I visited my grandma. I was shocked today at how much she has aged. She's now in a wheelchair, is a little more bent and no longer remembers my name. I was suddenly overcome with sadness and a flood of tears.

I wonder how I would view the world, at the ripe of old age of 84 - how I would view my children, my past. I hope that at that age I would be able to proudly say that I have lived, enjoyed the life I had led - the happy and the sad, touched lives and would at that point in time be looking forward to a better place, a place where there would be no sickness and pain.

Or perhaps I would not even make it to that age.

Winds of change...

2006-08-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

I'm in two minds about whether I should delete this space and start anew or migrate to another blog.... certain things have happened and it would be nice to be able to blog without reservation.

Oh, as you can tell, I've still not found the time to upload photos of the trip... will do so soon!! Promise!! Hehe...

Suyin! I reckon you'd be back in KL by now? Do drop me a line ya! I'll be nice to catch up. :)

Greetings from Melb!

2006-08-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

Wowwie... the weekend was one filled with adventure and adrenaline! Had a wonderful time on Falls Creek... it was my first time skiing and t'was truly remarkable. Must say though that skiing is much more dangerous than diving. Regardless of how careful you are, others can knock into you at anytime! (A friend of mine suffered a broken wrist on the first day and had to return to Melb.. poor chap was so disappointed that he missed everything)

The mountains were so beautiful, all white and it was sunny there too. It took me a while for everything to sink in, with all the excitement and activities. There were 48 of us on the bus! And we left at about 2am on Friday morning (the bus was late and the lot of us waited out in the cold for 1 hr :P) The bus ride took about 5 hours and for the last 30 mins we were on a really winding stretch. Towards the end of the trip we could hear people retching away :P Anyhow, most of us couldn't sleep on the bus and by the time we arrived, we all looked rather dazed. Haha. However, all the tiredness wore off when we saw how lovely the surrounding was and our energy levels started to rise!!

Boy, the skis are SO HEAVY!!! Think I've developed right shoulder muscles from lugging them around :P. Apart from that, skiing's so cool!! It's amazing feeling the air on my face and feeling the rush of adrenaline and fear that comes with looking down a steep slope!! I had my share of ending up with my butt on the snow and jumping off ski-lifts (I didn't get off in time and realised that the ground was already about 2 feet from my feet and everyone was already off... hahahha). But all in all, it was wonderful!

The lessons really helped and gave me a better idea of how to respond to different slopes and more importantly, HOW TO STOP!! Hahha... and yes, I kept hearing "SNOW PLOUGH!". There were so many people on the slopes, it being a weekend. It really amused me that little munchkins were moving about so comfortably on the snow and I was moving like someone in a 3-legged race. Haha, anyhow, I'd love to be back on the slopes... perhaps South Korea next time round - I've heard it's lovely there.

Will post photos when I get back to KL at the end of the week. :)

Balloting for...

2006-07-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

The Global Leadership Forum, 1 - 2 August.... yippee!! There were 3 slots available for 6 of us and fortune had it that I managed to get a slot. I'm looking forward to it as there is going to be an interesting line-up of speakers ...

Ex-CEO of walt Disney (Michael Eisner), Founder of the WWW (Sir Tim Berners), Donald Trump (via satellite), Miss world 2000 (Priyanka Chopra), the world's best referee (Pierluiggi), etc.... do check it out at www.globalleadershipforum.org.

Looking forward to the food in KL Hilton as well... hahha... sad. :P

Drama - Over!

2006-07-19T00:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, my car's been repainted and is back from the workshop.. yay! Feeling a little wary driving these days, so taking the other car. ;) Thank God it's over. Many thanks too to all those who were supportive and provided encouragement/ advice.... Hugs! :)

Here's a look at the damage... wasn't too bad, thankfully.. :P

Drama - Being resolved

2006-07-16T23:59:00.000-07:00

I met the woman who hit and run, as agreed, this afternoon and we went to the workshop to get a quote. She must have been really drunk last night, because she asked me which car she hit... :P Terrible. It was fortunate that she didn't knock a kid or someone taking an evening walk.

But the good thing is that she apologized and will be paying for the damages. And guess what? She knows the mechanic that I brought the car to for the paint job... Hmm... I reckon she must have had her car done there several times.

What a hassle - had to rush back from a seminar in town and had to take half day emergency leave. Anyways, I'm just glad that it'll be over soon.

A drunk woman hit my car!

2006-07-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

You would not believe it but a drunk woman driving without headlamps ran into my car tonight!!! There was such a loud bang! And she had the cheek to run off in her car... without even stopping to see the damage she had done!!! I chased her down the road, honking all the way and managed to stop her.... My heart was racing and as I approached her car, there were 3 other blokes who were also charging towards her... she had apparently also almost hit their car.

The woman, a 51 year old, was drunk. My bro said he could smell alchohol on her breath. She was slurring and refused to get out of the car... kept saying she didn't hit anyone. I checked her car bumper and it had red paint on it... and she still refused to get out of the car. Fortunately one of the guys whose car she almost hit had a camera phone (I really should get one!), and later my bro brought my camera and took some photos. Even then, she kept refusing to get out of the car. Fortunately there was this man, who claimed that he knows her, apparently lives on the same road. He said he would talk to her and managed to get her to promise to pay for the damage.

We agreed to meet up tomorrow to take my car to the mechanic to get a quote. I really hope she shows up as agreed and pays without any hassle. Never know what a drunk woman may or may not remember. I've taken down her Name, IC and phone number.. but as you know, she can always refuse to take my calls or change her number. In a moment of haste, I forgot to ask for her IC... I had asked her where she lives, but she said it didn't matter. O dear.... I'm so inexperienced. Should have insisted that she showed me her IC. Anyway, at least I know her number's correct. We'll see what happens tomorrow..... what a way to end the weekend.

I can't believe someone so old can behave so poorly, with so little integrity. Can't believe she tried to hit and run!!! Sigh, my poor little car.

Will post of photos of my car later... when this whole episode is over.

Do these things...

2006-07-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

Finally, pumpkin, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— pumpkin, think about such things.

(Paraphrased from Phil 4:8)

Counting down to Melb

2006-07-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning and realised that it's only a month till my Melb ski trip! Can't wait.. yay! Wish M was coming along though...

Idealistic people make me sick

2006-07-06T02:36:00.000-07:00

"We only live life once.... so go do what you need to do with it"

Well, not all of us have the luxury of doing what we want to do and can disregard what others' think ...

(Yikes, I have become a cynic!)

Hmm, truth be told, I of all people have nothing to complain about. :P

Contentment

2006-07-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

I am content. I am blessed. I am loved. Thank you Father for your grace in my life, and for those special people around me that make it all worthwhile.

More babies

2006-07-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

It has been certainly been a productive month for certain couples. Here's a shot of Eric & KD's little ND. Felix & YN are also on the roll, as is Christina & Vincent. Mily's is also due soon. Ha ha.

The day England lost...

2006-07-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

I have to write a 'lil somthing about the World Cup.... ok, admitedly I have not watched every single match, hmm, actually not even half of all the matches! But hey, this happens only once in 4 years and so it IS worth a blog. Anyway, England's out! Go, Portugal!!! Ha ha (no apologies to all y'all England fans out there. :P) M & I intended to wear our England jerseys - not that we're fans in a big way.... we're actually not fans at all.. hahaha, but since we have 'em jerseys, what the hey.

Anyhow, that did not workout. It was the evening of W & S's wedding, a lovely and touching one, I must add.... and with all the heat I was much too pooped to go out.

Lovely Wei Lyn...

Blessed Birthday Juni!!!

2006-06-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Fany, Juni, Pumpkin, Susan, Sheau Shin, Jes Min

Blueprinters "reunion"

2006-06-26T02:05:00.000-07:00

Had a great time catching up with some of the DSO bunch and ex-DSO bunch over dinner last Friday in Chillies... YUM!

Someone said: "Lets all go migrate to Australia! ... And set up an SAP consultancy there."... Ha, ha... not too far-fetched an idea....

And Christina did some photo editing. Thanks dear! :)

A wonderful feeling

2006-06-20T18:37:00.000-07:00

H's baby has finally arrived! The news makes me feel all prickly and tingly inside... such joy! Mummy has created a blogsite for her... http://blessjoy.blogspot.com/

2 degrees

2006-06-20T02:42:00.000-07:00

I really should've known this, but KL is a village!! So-n-so is so-n-so's ex and went to uni with so-n-so, whose bf is my uni mate and who is colleagues with my ex-colleague, who's husband is my "boss" whose.. blah, blah, blah...

The lesson? Behave - wherever you are. Ha ha.

Too true.... no money no talk...

2006-06-20T02:24:00.000-07:00

Sigh... I wanna go for 3 more hols this year.... :P

Special group of ppl...

2006-06-12T01:12:00.000-07:00

They were made simple, to bless others through their simplicity...

Social Club happens every first saturday of the month - a get-together for those born with learning difficulties. It's always a time filled with fun and laughter. In all honesty, I was a rather reluctant participant this week.. wanted sleep in on a Saturday morn! Had to pick-up a few passengers - really didn't mind - but it didn't help that some roads were closed on the UM campus.... and we were already late! The usual, haha.

All in all, I had a wonderful time. Thanks for asking NW! ;)

The birthday girls - Esther & Michelle

An old friend

2006-06-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

It amazes me no end that through the passage of time, we see how our friends grow to be more mature... emotionally and spiritually. I have recently been truly encouraged by the blogsite of a uni friend from HK. We were apartment mates and we went through the cycles of exams, cooking sessions, late nights, boyfriends and the other ups and downs of uni life together. It has been through her life in the recent years and our short catch-up sessions that I have come to see how real God is to her and the value of a disciplined and focused life.

Bless you dear friend and may your special day be a wonderful start to a new phase in this journey of life!!! So happy for you!!!

Inspiration...

2006-06-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

And to think that a short trip down south would be inspiring... :P Flying always makes me realise that my space in this universe is but a drop in the ocean ... I must make my mark, else life is futile...

(and while the feeling's strong...)

http://www.awam.org.my
http://mcare.org.my/
http://malaysianaidsfoundation.org.my/

Caught up with Z, P and A... twas good for the soul. Photos to follow.

Fun stuff ... ha ha!

2006-05-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

And I have been blessed ... family!

2006-05-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

No man is an island...

2006-05-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

We are dependent on the strength

We draw from one another;

Words spoken give encouragement,

Love practiced draws us closer. —Sper

"Two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

London sights which caught my eye...

2006-05-31T01:55:00.000-07:00

Jumping on the blog-a-wagon...

2006-05-31T01:19:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about doing this for a while now. Will let the photos speak for themselves... :)