Proton R3 Satria Neo - Canggih!

IT'S SO CANTIK!!!!! =D

Curious? Click here: R3 Satria Neo.

Just came across the promotional advert for our national car-maker's new release. It only just came out yesterday. Read an article by The R3gister about its specifications but I really didn't understand one bit (save for the built in GPS part). Hahaha...
*Note to self: MUST pay more attention to my brother the next time he car-speaks.

It looks and sounds canggih though. If I somehow manage to cinch a job earning a more-than-decent amount, this baby's definitely gonna be one of my options. Big IF.

Of course one could argue that this car's more for a REAL driving enthusiast and bla bla bla.. But hey, it looks good and I know it's gonna feel so good when I step on the pedal so yeah. Support Malaysian made products!

What is a Christian?

The other day, I went for a friend's church event and there, we were all asked a simple question: "What does the word "Christian" mean to you? They showed us a video of the responses of many people around the world. Most people answered with words like "Jesus", "church", "relationship with God", "nice and kind people", "one of the main religions" and so on. One funny answer was from a guy who spoke in Cantonese,

"They're boring, soft people. If I were a bully, they would be the first people I would bully!"

But I think the answer to that isn't very difficult. Technically, a Malaysian is a person from Malaysia and lives there and abides by its laws and rules. A German is a person from Germany, he/she lives there and abides by Germany's laws and regulations. 

The same way a dietitian is someone who practices dietetics and is an expert on diet, and a musician is a person who plays music and loves music and is very good at music. Adding the -ian behind a noun basically connects a person to that noun whether by relationship, passion, knowledge and/or love.

So the conclusion would be that a Christian is the addition of -ian to Christ. Christ-ian. 

I'm pretty smart kan? ;)

Implying that a Christian is a person who is of Christ, who knows and is passionate about and loves Christ, whom practices Christ's teachings and abides by His laws. Yay! 10/10 marks. 

Hmmm. The effect of too much academics and examinations. Here's a much simpler and easier to understand explanation that another friend forwarded me. A short and simple story.

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. 

Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...

'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. 

On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 

'Just some old birds,' came the reply.

'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.

'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 

'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. 

I'm gonna have a real good time' 

'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'

'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 

'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'

The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'

'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. 

They're just plain old field birds. 

They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'

'How much?' the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 

 

'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. 

Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'

'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.

Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! 

I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, 

how to hate and abuse each other, 

how to drink and smoke and curse. 

I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs 

and kill each other. 

I'm really gonna have fun!'

'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 

'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly. 

'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked

'Oh, you don't want those people. 

They ain't no good. 

Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. 

They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. 

You don't want those people!!'

'How much?' He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 

'All your blood, tears and your life.'

Jesus said, 'DONE!'
Then He paid the price. By dying, crucified on a cross.

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

 

All because He loved us all so much. =)

A love that conquered death.

Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth

Crucified, laid behind the stone
You lived to die, rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me above all.

Thank you! For enduring all the pain, and choosing to suffer death on the cross, just for me. 

I love you, though at times I'm not strong enough to show it. I'm sorry.

Thank you for always taking me back into your arms, no matter how much I've hurt you.

And not only do you forgive, you continue to bless me with all the cekap people and things in my life. 

You're awesome.... 

Thank you God! =D

So far..

Life since I came back from Sabah has been so full.
Full of
drama,
emotions,
travelling,
friends,
laughter,
activities,
love,
and plans.

Had a taste of God's presence. It overwhelms me with wonder and amazement, the fact that knows what He's doing, all the time. However it may seem like you feel you're abandoned or forgotten, know that you're not. Coz He's always there. Loving you. (Now, if only I could hug God....)

1. Thought that I was gonna be bored out of my wits back here but yeah, right! Hahaha.... He definitely saw to that. ;)
2. Thought my industrial training was gonna be a sad case but now, I can see that I'm so blessed to have such interesting colleagues, nice supervisors and such an amazing experience learning so much and getting a chance to have hands-on experience.
3. Thought that I was being put through so much unnecessary heartache and stress but can now grasp the reality that it has strengthened not only myself, but also my relationships with the people I care about. Never knew I had that strength. Now I do. Gotta keep challenging that boundary though. So I understand if/when more trials come. 
4. Though I'm not the most cekap, efficient, thoughtful, caring or sensitive of persons, but I am so so loved. And surrounded by the awesomest people in the world who understand me and accept me for who I am.  And I am so grateful for that. 

Can't exactly complain about anything now, can i? =)

Lillies!

My new favourites. =) 

Thanks baby!

Gmail's Ninja Theme

is the cutest thing ever!
If you don't have gmail, or if you're still using their basic theme, hurry and go check out the other options they have in store.. I can't deny like all things cute and adorable, so naturally I go for those. But there're some other nature themes, and more serious + professional looking themes too (for those of you who need to be macho and classy). My only gripe is that there's not enough. Hehehehe. Greedy, I know.

For some themes, the wallpaper changes randomly within each theme. Check these few examples out. So adorable! Always adds to my eagerness to check my mail. ;)

 

 

Go get gmail now! ;)

Never a dull moment in the Land below the wind..

Lots of weird stuff has been documented this week. Well, okay. Maybe not LOTS. More like um, three.

Incident 1

Decided to do the laundry yesterday, but right after popping the clothes into the washing machine, the clouds made their dramatic appearance out of nowhere and the skies turned a gloomy gray. Sigh. Too late, since the machine was already well into it's 2nd cycle. =(

So I said a prayer. Or two. Or three. (Guess I was pretty desperate for my clothes to dry lah) And it was really amazing how God geld back the rain for that few hours, and even punctured little holes in the thick cloud formation for the sun to shine through. =D

God is super awesome!

Wanted to take pictures of the sky but my camera's not quite cekap enough to capture its beauty. Didn't quite do the sky justice... Guess some things, you just need to see for yourself. ;)

Incident 2

First ever dog with eyebrows and eyeshadow spotted. 

 

 Saw this on my way back from church. Did a double take when I saw those eyebrows. Then it took me 10 whole seconds to realise I've never in my life seen a dog with eyebrows. This one even had eyeshadow on! (Look closely ya...)

Incident 3

Next up, I spotted a giraffe taking a piggy-back ride on a dog. 

 

Hahahahaha!!

=P

Me = Floorball Goalie

It's just a one time experience lah. But wow.. Serious eye-opener.. Super cekap experience!
When I put the goalie helmet on, it felt like a whole new world!
Here are some pictures...

At the beginning, I was all hyped up... (But inside, I was super jelly-fied knees scared!) The other goalie in blue is Ann, my goalie ji-mui. Super cekap girl. And the guy at the back's Shawn - Nomad coach.

This is me being "attacked", but with lots of mercy from my attackers. Hehehe. With my 5 coaches constantly telling me how, when, where to stop those tiny lil white balls from getting pass me.

Me, every time I let a ball in. (which was pretty often. hehehe!)

To read more, check this out.

Toilet Bowls

are probably one of the most essential household items in my life. And for the past one month, the one I frequent the most has been on strike. FINALLY, Mr Landlord came to fix it today and everything's A-Ok once again!
YAY!
Can't wait to feel that satisfaction one gets when one flushes the toilet handle and everything inside swirls away into the-place-I-never-want-to-visit..

So in line with today's theme, here're some really interesting toilet bowls! =)

This is a $75, 000 Swarovski crystals studded toilet bowl. Phew! Who could bear to sh*t on so much money?!

 

Hmm, for all those couples out there who can't bear to leave each other even for the 3 minutes it takes to do your little-business, this is for you!! (but definitely not for me...)

And lastly, toilet bowl lipgloss anyone? =P

But on a more serious note, I came across this page on the dangers of squatting ON toilet bowls. (I'm talking about squatting on those that are made for us to SIT ON.) It really freaked me out when I saw the gruesome pictures when a toilet bowl broke from the weight of someone squatting ON it.

So please ladies (and gentlemen), appreciate your toilet bowls before they um, stop flushing or start eating you up.

Ms Wireless and Mr Internet

I used to think that the INTERNET was no big deal. I mean, I lived without it for 2 decades right? So when my lil lappie's MS Wireless' hardware broke down, I was sad for sure. But I didn't realise just how big an  impact the absence of dear ol' Mr Internet would cause... Here's a tale of dear Ms Wireless and Mr Internet.

Ms Wireless and Mr Internet

You see, there wouldn't be a story if in the beginning, a certain Mr Internet wasn't so elusive. Only through a few particular means can we humans meet this very knowledgeable, wise but sometimes unpredictable character. He's a source of knowledge for so many. The only problem is, he can only be found in the presence of dear Ms Wireless.

About a month ago, right before mid-terms. We had just finished rushing a particularly headache-fying assignment on the canning of chicken curry. That was when Ms Wireless decided to 'mogok' and run away. (That's her "I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend Anymore" pose on the right.) I was really down, but only momentarily. It was after all exam season. I took it as a SIGN from God to quit Pet Society-ing and start book-ing. So I did. Sort of. Hahaha. Or at least more than I would have if Ms Wireless was still on good terms with me. =) I still constantly checked to see if Ms Wireless decided to come back but I was always greeted with the same hollow emptiness when I knocked on her door.

Then the rush of exams ended and I turned my lil baby lappie on. Lo and behold! Ms Wireless returned! It all seemed so surreal... It was truly as if God decided I could have some R&R after all the stress. YAY! I was so happy, I forgot to ask her why she left in the first place.

But nothing lasts forever. After 2 days of exhilaration with Ms Wireless and her good friend Mr Internet, she left again. Like before, there was no indication as to why she left. I never even got a chance to say goodbye. No more Ms Wireless and Mr Internet.

So there I was, living life without the two very important non-living personas in a student's life. =(  Though I had glimpses of them once in awhile through the lappie of Eeleen. (THANK YOU EELEEN!!!) but it was just never the same. It's like, having a puppy in your own home versus playing with your neighbour's one.

So I finally brought my lappie to a doctor and after 3 excrutiating lappie-less days, the doctor said it was too late. There was nothing she could do. It turns out all this while, Ms Wireless was gravely ill and now she's gone to tech heaven. 

Rest in peace Ms Wireless. 

So today, I searched far and wide before I finally found a Ms Wireless Receiver who also had Mr Internet's number! Hooray!

THE END

Special thanks to:

God in Heaven

Eeleen

Ms Technician @ Lappie doctor

Mr creator of the internet

Mr creator of the wireless receiver

A Real Adventure!

All my life I've only spoken of & dreamed of doing things that I see on TV:

• Bungee jumping
• Sphereing/globe-riding/zorbing
• Para-sailing
• Sky diving
• Jungle trekking
  
• Exploring caves (Oh wait. I've done that one. Gua Tempurung's cekap Tour 4. Must try!)

But well, since I came to Sabah, I must admit that I haven't been through half of what most of my friends have experienced. So, I finally did something super amazing...

White water rafting!!!

Even after hearing scary comments about people drowning and dying from hitting some rocks, I knew I just had to try this at least once. (And also the fact that all my friends who's been there made it back alive-lah)

Even the journey to Padas river was amazing. We took a 2++ hour bus ride, followed by a train ride on one of the most ancient steam engines ever! We started 'conquering' the river around 1 but praise God it wasn't a very sunny day. It even rained half-way through. (Knew I should have worn my contacts) There were hilarious moments e.g. when we were having our raft battles with other rafts. And then therewere plain scary times when it felt like we were all gonna 'lose' to the river's rapids. But our raft's guide - Misol was just this really calm and fantastic dude with an amazing voice, an admirable knowledge of the river, and a penchant for pushing people, especially yours truly, off the raft. Only when we were at calm waters of course, no worries. I did NOT almost die. =) Thank God I didn't end up as another statistic on the 2009 Padas river casualties.

The intensity of the rapids were varied with some level 3's and level 2's along with way way too much of calm waters where we trained our biceps and triceps during paddling. (Note: to any physically not-so-active-girls who want to try this, either go during rainy season to reduce paddling, or share your raft with 6 other strong, valiant guys with big biceps and are willing to endure your screaming). We paddled what seemed like a never ending length of Padas river but which was in fact only about 19km with a break in between for a yummy buffet lunch. But perhaps we were all just so tired already that a break and ANY food would seem like a 5-star gourmet meal. :p But to do the food some justice, it really was finger-licking. =) Except the mee-hoon.

The final 9km after lunch was especially excrutiating for me, what with a full tummy and well, I guess the note in the previous paragraph was actually meant for me. My raft had 4 guys albeit not so muscly ones, and 3 girls including myself. Eeleen did just fine with her being so fit and all. But KS and I took turns with the workload. It was a great team though. With about 20 hands reaching out for each other every time the water got a little rough and the cekap singing sessions during the endless paddling. It was hilarious how the singing automatically transforms into screaming when we reach the rapids. It goes something like "It's a love story, baby just say ye-argh!!!!"

For pictures and more accurate details, please refer to my dear friend and raft-mate Eeleen's blog. I can't be bothered to load all those pictures, even if they're only pictures about one of the most cekap things I've been through. :p I actually do think I might go experience it again, some time when it's raining cats and dogs, making the water level much higher and thus giving the rapids a more dangerous feel... And increasing chances of the raft capsizing! =D

Here's ONE picture for my very long, rambling-fied post.

Notice how the people in front are screaming? That's because they can see how terrifying it is. But I say why worry right? I'm at the back trying to look for fish in the water.. ;)

See you again some day Padas!

And now, for some advertising: check out http://www.borneoultimate.com.my/2009/?tag=padas-rafting

Twenty two

It's been an interesting week.
Full of laughter and good times.
=)

Monday:
Birthday celebration makan at Hilltop together with the VIPs (the cat, dog and cockroach).
And of course the VVIPs, PC and me!

Tuesday:
Met up with my cousin Eta and R. =)

Wednesday:
Makan again at Sushi King although it was pouring with rain outside.

It's the company that really made my week. =)

Though I was falling sick, and in serious pain from my cramps,
you girls just made me smile and laugh until I forgot the pain and discomfort.
Hugs! Thanks girls!

Muff-muffs

Muffins, muffins and more muffins.
Then there were the muff-kies (thanks to Haziq) and scone-fins. ;)

8 days of pure muffin baking and packaging was, for me:
-(as expected) repetitious
- insightful
- fun
- thought-provoking

Weird huh? Hahaha. I do know that I never want to end up working in a factory line. But I have also learnt that having the right attitude can make the most monotonous job a super enjoyable one.

I experienced that fatigue one gets when working your arse off at that time of the month. Guess I've always used it as an excuse to slack once every month. Haha. Tired was an understatement.

And boy, I think I got a glimpse of what Mel felt last year. It's not only the physical strain but also the mental pressure...
*Salutes* To everyone who's been in charge of any project involving a dateline, the efficiency of your team to succeed, and a target result that was not confirmed until the last minute. (That's you too Deb!)

Pressure is not something I work very well with. But I truly praise the Lord for giving me a wonderful team of people, nay, friends to help push me up every time I felt down.
The worst was when we got negative feedback... Thanks Deb for convincing me and helping me feel better,and not just give up. (Though it was just SO tempting)

I got to know many beautiful souls, and I got so much closer to many of them in my team.
Thanks for spending all your time and energy with me for the past one week.
Thanks for the encouraging smiles and the perseverance.
Thanks for all the ideas, both accepting and giving.
Thanks for sharing a little bit of yourselves with me. =)

It has been a super, super tiring week, and an even more super memorable one.
3 cheers for the Muffin Team!

And to those who haven't been here physically but have been keeping us in thought and prayers,
mom, dad, eeleen, whee, mel, sue, and all you others... A huge thank you too... =)
I wouldn't have managed to retain what little sanity I had left without your concern and care. Hugs.. Thanks for the prayers..

I'm so proud of the SSMP Muffin Baking Team 2009/2010!

Today, I just wanna

Because so many miracles happened...
1. 1625 muffins
2. results are out

3. just the fact that today's coming to an end
and well, for all He's done in my life!
(that's super a lot already...)

Dear God, let tomorrow be a better day.

Thankyouthankyouthankyou God!
=D

Ulcer GONE!!!

Fairy tales = granted wishes

But in reality, wishes remain just that: wishes...
A specific feeling of desire towards something that is NOT yours.

Some people get lucky and find what they wish for.
Some people are blessed enough to receive more than what they wish for.
And some get something entirely different, and are wise enough to know that it is better than what they wished for.

Because sometimes, what you wish for may not be right, or acceptable, or even possible.
Makes you wonder why wish for something like that in the first place, right?

But hey, that's a unique trait associated to humans. Proving that I'm one too. =p

Yummy Love!

Brains and Beauty

Why do people associate beautiful people with stupidity?
Why is it that when I say "smart boy" I know in your mind, a picture of a nerd wearing 3-inch-think spectacles pops up?
Why are blonds assumed to be dumb and hence the existence of a million dumb blond jokes out there?

No, I don't really have the answers.
Hahaha.
Was just thinking about this after I stumbled across a site full of dumb blond jokes.
;P

http://www.jokesaboutblondes.net/ice_fishing.html

Easter's just around the corner!

The true reason we celebrate Easter is because
He is no longer on the cross, no longer buried in a cave, no longer in the grave;
but is risen. =)
Of course I'm not complaining that we always get to see cute bunnies around this season as well, although I really don't get the significance. Hehehe.

Happy EASTER!
Very much in advance..

insecurities

they say if you love something, let it go.
and if it comes back to you, you know it's yours...

but what if i know that it was never meant for me in the first place?
i'm not willing to let go because i'm afraid it won't come back
should i just have a little faith?

what should i do?
.......................................

but always, at the end of the day,
you help me believe that things will turn out okay
no matter what.