God's Cookie Dough

8 years on...

2011-12-23T00:59:00.000-08:00

"Place my like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, it's jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one's house for love, it would be utterly scorned."
Song of Songs 8:6-7

Time flies so quickly.

You don't really notice that it does until you come to a mark in the road that reminds you to stop, turn around and look how far you've come.

Today is definitely one of those days.

Eight years on, we're now married, living in our own home, doing the chores and most of all, still very much in love. As much as we're all grown up (supposedly), we're still two kids enjoying each other's company and loving the fact that there's always an accomplice for everything either one of us wants to do.

This journey has undoubtedly been meaningful, it wasn't all easy, all comfort and all fluffy. There were times when neither one of us knew how we were going to pull through or deal with the tough stuff. It has to be God's grace. That, and how we're personally invested in giving to each other.

And that's why it means a lot to have Song of Songs 8:6-7 inscribed on our wedding rings.

Symbolic of a love that is gentle yet unyielding to the challenges of life, a love that is secure in its vulnerability, one that is apparent to all but reserved only for the other, one that cannot be bought but is freely given, one that is conditioned only to love unconditionally.

A love that ages and deepens with time but is constantly renewed.

Here's to many more years together sweetheart.

Love,
Me

Start. Enter. Post.

2011-12-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

Seriously thinking of blogging again. But also considering password protecting.
Decisions, decisions.

We're Engaged!

2009-12-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

I see you reading the title again... :)

Here's the gazebo overlooking the lake. And that's us enjoying the moment.

We're really engaged and it's the most wonderful thing ever.

***

I am rooted...

2009-12-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

"All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied" (Ecclesiastes 6:7, NKJV).

We are never to find our value in what we do. Instead, our value is solely based on who we are in Christ.

There was a purging on Saturday, I felt it in my spirit and I felt it in my heart. The heaviness finally lifting to be replaced by grace and peace. The slow climb back up the hill is slowly starting...

And yesterday during the corporate prayer, I tested...sorry God but I really just wanted to know whether I was hearing it right and whether I was still plugged in properly. And imagine my joy when the exact Word was released by someone else....oh me of little faith.

But thank You, Lord, for being so faithful even when I was so unworthy of Your grace. For answering my prayers for grandma (who's getting healthier, Amen!).

One day soon I'll discover the reason for the crushing...and until then, I pray for your strength and eyes of wisdom to see past the mountain to the promise...and to live a life not defeated but restored and joyful.

Slowly but surely.

Love,
Your daughter

We're One!

2009-12-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, you heard us right! We just turned one!
...and it was one of the best celebration ever :)

Before we embark on this seemingly long post, I'd like to thank EVERYONE! yes, YOU! for patroning us in this one year. It doesn't matter whether its only been once or many times, thank you from the bottom most of our hearts because you've helped us get where we are today.

I'm thankful, grateful and proud to say that we're doing well and it's time to think and plan for the future! So thank you thank you thank you! *muacks*

To make this successful first year of business that little extra special, we decided to throw a ourselves a little birthday "Tea Party"!

We would've loved to have invited all of you but because it was held at my sisters' private house of residence and to respect her privacy, we only extended invites to personal friends and family. The result - a great time of chatting, eating, trinket showcasing and great promotions for all our buyers :)

For those of you whom we didn't manage to invite, we haven't forgotten you! So don't worry because we're also extending the our first-year-birthday promotions to you - so do look out for the promo in our next post alright? *Not forgetting our Christmas range!* :)

Aight, here are some pics to feast your eyes on...starting with our pretty little invite!

And that was it!

Once again, thank you so very very very very much....we hope you'll continue to speak to us, patron us, tell us what you like and we hope to continue offering our best creative juices and trinkets to you!

Love lots,

Hwee Mei, Aunty Jean & Hwee Yen

P/S: We love throwing tea parties, so if you're ever in need of a side-party activity, do pop us an email or give us a call alright? We'd love to be there to teach jewelry-making, showcase our trinkets or even just customize gifts for your guests on the spot!

Isolation Chamber

2009-11-09T07:54:00.000-08:00

There's only so much you can do when you're in the isolation chamber.

It's the time when you've shut off almost every other voice except the one that's most important....and I've realized, it has its purpose.

It's not a time where you've decided to push everyone away intentionally, it just happens because you've got nothing that's of substantial worth to give or completely genuine or absolutely sincere. It is perhaps a time needed to draw away and sit by the river to drink of its water. Once again, tasting and recalling how revitalizing its supposed to be and how refreshing it truly is.

So you're there, where no one else is, where there's nothing anyone can say that makes it any better or lighter or clearer. You're just there so the water can begin its cleansing, its washing away, and its refreshing once again.

And God has been so faithful...

Ever since my last post, many things have happened and I am careful to keep this to myself for now. I'm thankful that God has slowly been restoring and making anew....and I am rebuilding slowly but surely, taking my time and being cautious so as to not run too fast or get ahead of myself.

I know....

I don't have to do everything, I just need to do what God tells me to and what He intends for me to attend to.

I don't have to be the first to know everything as long as I do what I'm entrusted with, with excellence.

I don't have to know and plan everything, I just need to trust God. There are stone markers in place, I just have to keep a lookout for them and unravel the next season when it is time.

I can't be a superwoman, if I miss out on something, there's someone else who can help fill in the gap. That's why we're a family.

God knows the desires of my heart, He created everything that I hold dear. He planned for all those things in my life to be in my life. And I can prioritize them without feeling guilty or ineffective.

God himself will restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast - 1 Peter 5:10.

God's grace is sufficient for me...every season, I grasp a deeper and clearer meaning of this.

So for those of you who have been praying over me, understanding without commenting too much, caring without being overbearing or just being a friend to hang out with, thank you because I needed no solutions, just God's love extended through you.

Lord, thank You for hearing, thank You for grace...and thank You for the isolation chamber. For peeling and scraping away the barnacles, restoring and providing the new wine skin. I will continue to cling to you and trust for a new and better tomorrow, always. Love lots, Amen.

A place that is no place

2009-09-27T01:30:00.000-07:00

In some small measure, I'm glad that not a lot of people still stay tune to this little virtual space of mine. No need for answers...

If I'm honest with myself, no place is exactly where I am right now. Neither all in or skimming the surface. I've managed to withdraw so much of myself that its difficult to get back into the hang on things - the staying in touch, the investing, the being there, or just being available.

Right now, it's the touch and go, the remember and encourage, the give when I make it convenient. It happens when I've come full circle in the whole guilt & balance game. If I can't be there entirely, if I'm torn between two places at once...I might as well just let go of the whole.

....and to top it all off, I feel that I've changed. And not necessarily for the better. I'm a little more jaded and cynical, more easily judgemental and quick to write things off. Where I used to be more easy-going, now I'm more selective. Dependent...

And I know, I just know....this is just the beginning of the tearing down and pruning.

So if I'm not exactly friendly or very open, please just bear with me. I'm trying to get back into the system. Find that balance to the crazy type that she talks about...and maybe, I'll find that certain joy once again.

Yumm...

2009-09-20T03:22:00.000-07:00

The leisure of having time on your hands....I love that it's a holiday!

Believe it or not, I actually love to cook. I love the time taken to prepare, chop things up nicely, put them into separate plates, get everything ready and throw them one by one into the frying pan (or wherever it's supposed to go).

I was on my own today and though to whip up something healthy to brunch with. The result? An olio pasta with garlic, onions, bacon, capsicum and cherry tomatoes with a side of oven-baked fish cutlets. Very satisfying!

Lately I've also been trying to find the time to make myself lunches to bring to work too...a much much healthier option! It's now become therapy time for me & myself to unwind from a long day of work. I like!

Hello World...

2009-08-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

It's so frustrating.

Okay, now that that's out of the way. You'll understand why.

I've been couped up at home, sleeping the days away. I don't mind the sleep really, I haven't gotten this much good of a rest in a long time but it's never good when you're sleeping because you're sick.

Monday was the worst, I felt so chilly with the fever but swallowed some actifast and tried to ride it out at work til about 5.30pm because work just had to be done. Now, I understand their frustrations about resources. While we're all okay with the others taking a break (they rightfully should be able to when they want to), it leaves not much room for the others to hold the fort.

In any case, point to note and to take care of when I get back.

Monday night was the worst, the drive home was painful, I ached everywhere. Not any of the medicine worked, the fever persisted, the vomitting started, everything just went wrong.

Hello h1n1 scare.

It would've been the to the hospital the next day but thank God, the fever broke and I was left to sleep out the remnants over the next few days.

Mom and dad were the best nurses anyone could ever have *hugs* love you lots!

One more day and I should be as good as new - back to doing what I need to, helping where I can.

On the other hand, I still sound like a smurf :(

Here's something to jiggle your memory....

".....I must put an end to all they're happiness!" - Gargamel

Back & Better!

2009-08-09T04:31:00.001-07:00

I loved my trip to the east coast!

A lot of time spent just driving to touristy sites (it was Jon's first time) and of course, that included lots & lots of eating! My cousin, Hwee Yin, has featured the small-town yummy-licious specialties in Tastebud-Talk, head on here.

But what I really loved the most was spending time with my relatives, my cousins were a blast - thanks so much for the fun and laughter, de-stressing with you guys was the best!

.....and of course, the beach.....

Click click click away....

On that note, yes, it's a new template for a new season. The holiday allowed for time to rest the chugging brain machine but also a little breathing space for touchpoints. Plan, baby, plan - that's the buzzword for the season!

Here's a pinky-swear for more consistent posts to come :)

*out*

Time to Get Away

2009-07-30T00:59:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again where I'm just waiting to close my work laptop, shove it to the back of the cupboard and leave it there to gather dust for a few days.

Just two more days and I'm off for my long planned for trip away to the east coast....when I remember the beach and the small town charm, I remember refuge and peace.

And of course, a feast for the tummy....

So looking forward to it.

On another note, our trip to Bukit Tinggi last week was fun!

I'm glad we took the time to head somewhere out of town to get high on oxygen :)
More photos later on FB.

*out*

A little more than 5-cents

2009-06-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

It's been just been a week of barraging through a pile of work.

Been waking up earlier these days and I'm glad for it, it means that I get to spend more time with God, just poring over words that inspire me.

But it also means longer days, sandwiched with endless words and words and words.

*yawn*

out...

A 5-cent coin

2009-06-19T03:41:00.000-07:00

Pretty much how I feel now....

....but you know, I'm going to take it one step at a time, no hurry, no rush.

"One Step At A Time"
Jordan Sparks

Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus:]
We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen and we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time

You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus]

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
when you need to find the strength
It's your faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2009-05-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten! :)

Me, mum & che at a family photo shoot last year

It's been a day well-spent with the family - laughing, joking, eating, which ended in doing what big families do best - creating chaos at a restaurant packed with people with our rambunctious laughter :)

And even as the last minutes of the day pass by and after countless of wishes to my mom, my sister (who is already twice a mum!) and my female cousins, I find my fingers poised to once again wish all of you a very Happy Mother's Day!

Tonight I watched silently from my seat as these very sacrificial individuals tend lovingly to their children, meeting their every need, orbitting around their every movement and I think to myself what an impossibly challenging role they play. Yet, they do it so naturally, always protecting, always nurturing, always caring...just always everything.

There are times when we get on your nerves (and I speak on behalf of every child) and we make things more of a pain than it should be, but yet, you are gracious enough not to strangle us even then.

We thank you for holding back *laugh* and we know that it is your unconditional love for us that helps you do so :) Thank you for seeing us, not just through human eyes but through the eyes of love.

So to all the moms out there - Thank you!

To my very own mom and my sister, we (your children & I) LOVE YOU!

...and to all our friends, here's something really funny for you to enjoy with your mom :) Apparently, this is what being a mum really feels like!

2009

2009-01-08T23:49:00.000-08:00

I've always liked this photo.

It seems so aptly captured...as if God were holding out grace to us with such tender-loving and open hands, beckoning us to the shelther of His grace....all the while knowing that we feel unworthy of it.

It's been awhile since I've written (don't scream at me just yet!) and many exciting and challenging things have happened in that period of abscence. I thank God for each and every one of them.

I loved end-of-year breaks because it just gives me the time to breathe, store up on sleep (bonus!), shop (yes, you heard me right!) and relive my hobbies for the one and a half weeks until everything goes back into storage again :)

But it's also a time where I look back at the year (who doesn't? ;p) and thank God for all the blessings He's poured upon my life and into the lives of those around me.

I'm particularly thankful the evidence of His hand upon my family, and the many things that He's seen each of them through this year - completely healing, restoration of relationships, answered prayers for the many positions that needed to be filled, the refreshing gift of children and most of all, salvation.

I testified in church at the last YA service, that indeed God honours your obedience to Him. I've not once regretted bending my will to His, even at times when it doesn't make sense. 2008 brought about the miracle of health, promotions, increments, bonuses, position, new business, and etc....but I boast not of these things because I recognize that ALL of it, has truly been God's grace and blessing. And for all the challenges and hardships (which were numerous!), God's providence and preparation for the future.

While a lot of people are forecasting a dreary and difficult 2009, I believe that God will see us through, and believe me when I say this is neither naivete nor is it ignorance but trust.

Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Here's to a bigger and better 2009 :)

p/s: Do you know that traditionalists call this year the year of the Blind Cow? That's why couples opted to get married in Dec 2008 so as to not spillover to this year, cos it's bad luck. Weird.

Choobs!

2008-11-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've not blogged for the longest time....and I sincerely thank those of you who are still popping in here now and then to check-up on me! :)

It's been a great couple of months, from Seattle to Bangladesh to Kemaman and back to work. I've got loads to share about this so I'm up for dinners and such, I'll tell you more then!

Part of the hiatus is contributed to a new-found hobby and love - jewelry-making. I thank God for giving me gifts and talents, that my hands can make pretty things. So if you're ever interested, pop in at Choobs to have a look!

I watched a movie this week with bubs and we came across this sign that said,
"If you like our service, please tell your friends, if you do not, please tell us!"

So by all means, do the same as you visit Choobs :) Enjoy!

Loves,
Yen

Journey to the centre of the Earth

2008-09-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

...okay, well not quite but it took long enough!

My exciting journey to Seattle started 26 hours before I actually arrived:
[+] Arrive KLIA and find Taipei route cancelled!
(original route KL-TP-LA-Seattle)
[+] Line up to re-route to HK, ran to gate as flight was boarding in 15min
(uncle knocks me in the heel with his "out-of-control" heavy trolley! *ouch*
[+] Got onto plane, flew 4 hours to HK
[+] Waited at HK airport for 1.5 hours
[+] Boarded plane to LA which took 14 hours
[+] Arrived at LA airport late, passed immigration, waited for baggage,
went fr Terminal 1 to 7! Then ran to boarding gate with 20min to spare *phew*
[+] Boarded airplane with 2 hours to Seattle

And that...my friends, was my very first trip to the US :) Incredible I tell you, but very worthwhile.

I'm absolutely loving being here, its quite the experience, I love the smell of the crisp air, I love the slightly chilly weather, I love the Cheesecake Factory just down the road, I love that I'm learning more that I will be able to use back home, I love!

And as the homegirl I'm so fond of calling myself, I'm also already missing home :) But not looking for another 26 hours of flying to "layover" in KL for 24 hours before I fly off again! hahahahaha....aahhh, the life of the jet-setter :) kidding....

To avoid this being a lengthy lengthy post, here are pics from Day 1 & 2....enjoy :)

Lining up to wait for re-routing

Uncle who knocked me, heel was aching till HK airport!

Finally in the air, with pretty clouds

Waiting in HK airport

Finally at the hotel....first night Westin & moved to Hyatt after

Pike Plc market, love the contrast between the market and the construction behind

Went round and round looking for the first Starbucks ever, and discovered it was just around the corner

Ofcourse, I had to take a pic!

Yummy lunch...(though I miss rice!)

...and on the way, I spotted this!

US is what you'd expect it to be like...

The space needle

Sight from the platform.....look, we can see Mt. Rainier!
(I hope that's right?? Didn't have a guide)

More sights...Seattle for ya

And ofcourse, that's me!!!

Poor thing mah...didn't want to ask anyone to take the photo for me :) Ah well.....

And that's it from me for today...woohoo! One more day and I'm on a plane back to KL.

Life is good :)

I'm alive and well!

2008-09-16T00:22:00.000-07:00

Yupyup, it's my third day in Sunny Bellevue, just outside Seattle.

I hear it normally rains this time of the year but according to residents, it's been unusually beautiful weather for the past 10days....Seattle's "best kept secret" this year they call it.

I choose to believe God planned for the good weather, thank You! :)

I'm a little tired from the day so this is just a photo post...more to come in the next days!

At the Pike Plc Market

This is funny..he's singing for his Fried Chicken Fund! hahaha...

This is ofcourse for ka che...
Beautiful stuff from the bead store...so peeps can look forward to beautiful jewelry!

Going to crawl into my big HUGE bed now... :)

More tomorrow about my exciting journey to get here....in the meantime, miss you at home!
*hugs*

*out*

Work of my hands

2008-09-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Makes me happy that my hands can make pretty things....

*satisfied*

Just us girls...

2008-08-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

Spent my sunday with my favourite girls :)

It's been a long time since we've had a day out for just us...and talk about girly stuff, do girly things, have good mother-sister-daughter bonding time.

As much as you needed it, so did I.
Love you both to bits!
*muacks*

So what do you say?

2008-08-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

......Seize the day! :D

It's one of those weekends where I really get time to myself and I'm enjoying it to the maxium. Do what I want, when I want, at the pace I want....yay!

So what do I do? I seize the day, by chilling on the couch and spending time with Fran....

hahahahahahahaa....yeah, her high-pitched voice is really throwing me into fits of laughter, which is a fantastic stress reliever! Like Julia Roberts says to Richard Gere in "Pretty Woman", "Chill like vegetable, hang like broccoli..."

As I write, I'm watching the third episode in a row...back-to-back on weekends and weekday nights :) woohoo!

It's been another long week (when is it ever not?), but I like how we tapered off with cell last night. It was our third since multiplication and God has been really good and completely gracious. There's something to be said about praying and investing your time in the things that matter. The gelling is getting and going, it's all very exciting... :) But I'll leave the details to another day. Safe to say, I thank God for showing up every single time and the fact that our cellies show up, they encourage us more than they know :) I hope they derive as much pleasure and joy from coming together as I do!

Here's what we've been working on....

And now....back to "the nanny name Fran" :)

*out*

So Faithful

2008-08-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

Almost a month and a half since my last post! Fail big time....hahahahahaha...

It's truly been a really busy couple of weeks with time passing by so quickly I can't seem to catch my breath before the next big wave comes! Yes, really....last week, it was just days upon days of sleeping at 2.00-3.00am, crazy but still, when I come face-to-face with a medical officer, I so do not complain :) Sorry Yiks, can't say I understand your 33-hours-straight yet....but for a mere mortal like me (and not superhumans like doctors-on-call), pulling 5-hour days are no joke :(

This might sound like such a "whiny" post but fear not because I discover that time and time again, though things may seem the least bit hopeful, I've found that God's strength is ALWAYS sufficient for me, and us.

Through the tough month-and-a-half of challenging work issues, God has poured His favour on me with the following:

precious quality time with family
(courtesy of Jenny Sun)

wonderfully celebrated birthday

cell multiplication (yay!)

shopping-spree-girls holiday in Bangkok

And one of the most recent...good media turnout! hehehehee...it's my work life k....

And although it's been quite the tumultuous month (not as tough as for others), God really has been so so good to me, gracious whenever I'm not so faithful or have not invested as much time as I should, and I've also come to learn that the fruits of desperation, discouragement and upset-ness, are sweet.

This came out of one of those times too....

(courtesy of Daren & GTAV team)

And I really thank God for His timing is always perfect, His purpose always good and always for something greater, the bigger picture.

The weekend we released this song (read full story here), there was such a strong presence of God during worship, it was amazing - I'm not saying it was because of the song but it's because God was there.

What can I say? Except that....He is so faithful.

*loves*

Enter His Gates

2008-06-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

"Ooii...just because you're back, that doesn't give you a reason to stop blogging you know!"

Yes Diana, I heard you loud and clear :) But it just seems that life has kicked into normal gear again. I had my grace period for about a week and I've put my backpack on once again and continuing where I left off prior to Taipei.

It's been quite the restful and go-with-the-flow couple of weeks, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I've got lots of birthday shoutouts which will come in my next entry...today, I'm here specifically for "Enter His Gates".

I can't begin to describe how it felt when the team played the song on Saturday, above and beyond that, that the congregation actually enjoyed and worshipped along! It was just....an amazing feeling.

It happened one night when I sat at my piano and said, please God...I want to write You a song, it feels all pent-up inside and I really need to let it out. The desire to write songs has always been there, but it was never the time, it never came out right or could fall into place together. I've always had trouble with the technicalities too and so I didn't know what was going to happen but I supposed, the best way to start, was to write something birthed from scripture.

So there I sat at the piano, I just worshipped...and turned to one of my favourite psalms, intending it to be a slow emo-worship song. I flipped to Psalm 100, and realized, "eh...it sounds too happy!" and....so came the tune for Enter His Gates.

I had many many many tries recorded on my phone (which sounded really *erks*) but finally got it down to pat, immediately called Daren (whom I was co-leading with this past Sat) and sang it to him before I forgot it...from that moment on, there was no turning back:
[+] June 17th (Tues): Recorded a vocal only clip & sent it out to Daren & Grace
[+] June 20th (Sat): Daren, Grace, Jon, Eu Jin and myself did a raw recording as reference for the team, worked out the intro, some kinks and wrote out the chords,
[+] June 26th (Thurs): The Sat worship team picked it up and made it sound even better during practice
[+] June 28th (Sat): Sang at Saturday service!

In less than two weeks, everyone has managed to help the song come to life and I'm so grateful. But more than ever, I'm amazed at what God can do with the little that we have and the little that we place before Him.

You must understand that I'm not one for technicality, yes I play the piano but I've forgotten pretty much everything and have to rely on just my hearing - as long as it sounds like it and sounds good, it's good to go. Song-writing, actually, even less than that, putting a tune to something is more than I ever dreamed possible - and it's breathtaking to see it come to pass.

I really can't describe how it feels like to hear something you wrote....being sung, played or even liked by others - its truly truly amazing. All the more amazing, when the final product is an offer of worship to God.

If this is the one and ONLY song I ever write, I'll not have any regrets, ever.

Then I'll know, it's time for something else.

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”- Psalm 138:8

For all those of you whom have encouraged me from the very start you heard the vocal recording, thank you so much for supporting and believing that the song was something of use, I'm very very thankful! You know who you are, thanks so much for making it happen!!

Thank You, Lord, for entrusting me with this one song, this one gift. It's a new season and it's a new day, I pray that new songs will continue to be birthed (by whomever!) and sung to You. Father, anoint their lips and their hands Lord, let Your spirit fill and inspire them. Make them Your instruments of worship. Let the song of praise in Heaven be translated and heard here on Earth. In Jesus' name, Amen!

The Hotelier and the Flight Attendant

2008-06-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

So Jeen really took it seriously when I said I was very anxious to be here for the first time, not knowing the city, its people or....much fluent mandarin.

Being the sweet person he is, he immediately called up a friend of his and told him in not so many words - take her out, see to it that she's okay!

Andy, called and turned up at my doorstep last night with Cheery, also with the airline to have dinner with me. They were a blast to hang out with....and gosh, I hadn't heard so much profanity in quite a long time. Don't worry Andy, I still like you all the same :)

We had some really delicious dinner at this restaurant whose name I, ofcourse, can't pronounce and then off to simply yummy tang yuen soup.

Counting down the hours till I get home....loves!

High-Cultured Tourist

2008-06-09T20:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, well Sunday to be more exact, I decided that I needed to be a little bit more cultured - learn more about Taiwan and what bit I could see while I was still here. So I decided to do the touristy thing with landmarks along the metro line...

First stop, the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, built in memory of the founding father of the Republic of China.

As I went on this rendezvous by myself, I constantly suffer from PBTCS (person-behind-the-camera-syndrome), so I thought of the only way I could feature that I was actually there...

Pretty little flowers outsidet the art expo...

Got a chance to be a high-culture tourist - they were also hosting an art expo and here are some of my favourites..

And look what I found...a nice little token from Singapore...

Vast expanse of a garden....I had to walk across it to take a the first picture of the memorial hall..

Next stop, the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
Built to the commemorate the life of the leader of Nationalist China who moved his government, the Republic of China, into exile on Taiwan after his defeat at the hands of Mao Zedong in 1949.

The big archway that leads to the memorial hall, the national theatre and somet other building... hahahaha....

The dude that help me take pictures.....he was waiting for me to catch up with him so I could help him take his photo!

Finally, a picture of me!
Arrghh...stairs, never-ending stairs...

The landscaping is beautiful.... If I were an olden day princess, this would be my palace grounds.... :) This is me right before I have to climb down the same set of stairs..and walk across grounds...again....

And I encountered this little cutie on the way!

Its never complete without these willow-looking like trees....

Final stop, Longshan Temple...
A matchmaking temple of sorts that's situated in one of the original districts in Taipei called Wanhua.

Disclaimer: Please don't be stumbled, I merely visited this place as a tourist, walked in, said a prayer and walked out :)

Big fat koi fish...they're seriously gigantically huge... like probably the size of my arm!

And I finished off my day with some McDs... :)
Hey!! I earned it after all that walking okay!!! And besides...I just wanted to see if it tasted the same....and it did!

And now I am reminded that this is my second last day here in Taipei, I'm beginning to miss it already but I look forward to coming home....

*out*

Out in the City

2008-06-05T23:56:00.000-07:00

This is where I spent the better half of my day yesterday...

In reality, I think expos are not really any different the world over, well, apart from the language. Spent my day just experiencing and watching the many people that walked through the booth, which mean I pretty much stood there just looking to see if I could give the next person that came up to me a good, clear mandarin answer :)

Because the expo was situated right opposite Taipei 101, I got in another decent picture of the building, and with more light this time. Lan (my colleague) and I took advantage of the pretty clear blue sky (which is rare these days as its been raining) and walked between the shopping area just so I could see what it was like - so here's part of the city.

I'm glad to see that at least some things are still universal...

Ended my day with this, just wanted to see if it tasted different..

The chicken tasted a bit weird....hahahahaha....

The highlight:

I got in a good night's rest yesterday! Woohoo! Got in some good reading as I pored through my bible and then went to bed with no problem whatsoever, thank God! :)

Did you know that people speak the truth when they look at a rainbow or a picturous mountain view and say, "Look at that, how can people not believe God exists and created all this?"

I stumbled upon this yesterday...

"19.....since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..."

Romans 1:19-20

The entire creation points to its Creator. Naturally, you're just supposed to know, with all that is made, and just be everything that you see with your own eyes, that God is God.

That is so cool.

*out*

Chiang mai ah?

2008-06-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

Translation: How much is this?

Yes, that's probably my most spoken phrase here in Taipei! Then again, only by default because I don't speak much of the language...ekekekeke...

But yeah, this is my third night market in the 10 days I've been here. I liked it because it was photo pretty - they had a chinese looking archway! Hah!

Here I am with Elsa, who's the Associate Director for the tech team, just after our walk-through (with our goodies!).

Halfway through we decided to fill our hungry tummies with some rice (yay!) and porks - it's really another version of bak kut teh, though I still think the Malaysian version is much much tastier.

Here's Elsa, Jane and Zhien when the food just arrived (yes, you can tell they're quite happy).

Elsa and Jane shopping for some blings...

Just a snapshot as I was walking along the night market. This was taken when I first arrived and as you could probably tell, I got too distracted with all the goodies to take any more photos! ;p

I just realized, I have 8 days more to go before I head home - I'm beginning to get used to being here and actually enjoying Taipei for all it offers. But me being me, I love having people around, familiar smells, familiar faces - I hate being alone.

For all its worth, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my stay here because it's actually quite awesome!

Tomorrow, manning the booth at an expo....another experience as a banana trying to speak chinese! hehehehe.....

Love much, miss you guys even more.

*out*

My first earthquake!

2008-06-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

You heard me right!

I experienced my very first earthquake yesterday and let me tell you it was such a freaky experience!

I couldn't really sleep last night, it happens when I'm in foreign places and sat up in bed just to drink some water when suddenly, everything started shaking! Obviously I thought it was a dizzy spell but when the door started shaking, I knew for certain it was something different altogether.

Called the front desk and asked if I should panic (in not so many words)....

Yen: Hi, this is Yen from 807, was it me or did we just have a tremor?
Front Desk (FD): Not you, we did.
Yen: Should I be doing something? Like come down to the lobby or be ready?
FD: No no, everything's alright, just stay in your room and rest.
Yen: Is this normal??
FD: No ma'am, its not.
Yen: Does it happen very often??!?!?
FD: *chuckles* No, actually it does not...
Yen: Eeerrr....
FD: Really, its okay, just rest, have a good rest.
Yen: Okay...??!!??

And yeah.

I was just joking with my colleague that I supposed now my Taiwan experience is complete... and she said, well almost, if there was a Typhoon, THEN it'd be more complete.

Thank God I'm too early for Typhoon season :0/

*erk*

Backlog!

2008-06-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

That's the thing about not blogging for a couple of days but still taking pictures - backlog!

've been busy working on my presentation and finally presented it on Friday, had a lot of fun and they clapped and laughed at my funny "office prezo", so I guess that's good - enough about the boring stuff already!

This is how I spent my last four days....

The Tech team in the Taipei office (from left to right):
Sabrina, Chiao-Li, Jane, Elsa, Lan, and the rest from the other teams, Claire, Kathy and...er, I'm not sure what her name is!

Saturday

Spent yesterday with Lan as she showed me around the city to eat some scrumpylicious Japanese beef curry and ofcourse, a little history with the National Palace Musuem. Taipei is as you would expect it to be - busy busy with lots of buildings.

Would've taken more photos at the Musuem but musuems being musuems, it was prohibited for shots to be taken but I really appreciated the time we spent just looking at things - it's something I really love to do, one day....I really want to go to the British musuem and spend the supposed two hours it takes to finish up.

We were going to head to the gardens after but the rain had to follow me all the way from Malaysia - apparently for the next couple of days, its going to be thunderstorms and rain til sometime Tuesday, and even then, it'll still be cloudy.

I'm glad for the cool weather but that meant no gardens or Dan Shui for us yesterday, so we traipsed off to Xi Men Ting, the Orchard road of Taipei - where lots of happening kids (and I mean youth) hang out. Lan and I were feeling so shyyyy....cos we were older than they all were!

Spent the time walking around the huge shopping area, met up with Lan's boyfriend Max, and then had a standing dinner (literally) at the famous Ah-Chung noodle shop. Check-out the number of people at this Min-sin stall!

Sunday

Took a good long sleep last night and finally woke up with the early afternoon sun :) Took my time and finally headed off to Wu Fen Pu, this mass shopping area with endless alleys and streets just filled with nothing but shops!

You can only imagine how happy I was...hahahaha...what made me prouder was the fact that I got here all on my own with the metro, thanks to some pretty good directions from Jane. Damage for the day: 9 items for RM 174. Pretty good wouldn't you say? *happy*

Any case, running off to bed soon...long week next week with the upcoming international event I'm helping out with. Perk: Malaysian media coming up to Taipei and I know them! Will be happy to go gallavanting with them when they get here :) Coolios....

Over and out from Taipei...

Loves.

p/s: Jeen, Andy called and we're catching up for coffee soon, thanks again!

Taipei Day #2: Curse of the Smelly Tofu!

2008-05-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Too bad I don't have photos from breakfast, headed down before work to get some chow and didn't bring my camera, will remember tomorrow.

Had a good start to my day, Jane my colleague in Taipei picked me up with a taxi - I think everyone's pretty worried I'd get lost in this city, they kept calling her to make sure I was ok and when we finally made it through the archway of the office, she announced quite loudly, "she's here safely!"...I half expected them to burst into cheers, but no, they didn't - much to my delight.

Was given the usual tour, the usual brief (although I must add, they have lots of post-it notes in this office! yup, 3M was once they're client) and taken to my seat, which apparently belonged to a part-timer who was shipped off to a nearby purple desk because of me, must remember to apologize to her before I leave - poor girl :(

Anyway, got some lead time to work on my presentation, finally! And headed out to lunch with the Tech team, which cost them a whopping RM 230 for a normal chinese meal, apparently, that's the norm around here.....

We spent at least 2 hours there...and we finally went back to work all sleepy and such.

But the night was the fantabulous one, I had many firsts on this second day, my first:

[+] night market on Tong Hua street

[+] cup of Bubble Tea in Taiwan

[+] fried rice cake covered in duck blood

[+] tianbula (Taiwanese version of Tempura)

[+] oyster omelette a.k.a o-chien, and

[+] SMELLY TOFU!

Zhien, that's 4 out of the list of 13 things to eat and I've done the additional duck blood thingy! At the rate I'm going, I think we're going to have to find new food to swallow when you come :)

Oooohhh...can I just say that the tofu is really really disgusting, it looks better than it tastes, it doesn't smell as bad but when you put it in your mouth and start chewing, it really taste like you're eating pooh - and I only had the fried version! Apparently if you eat the boiled one, its even worse because the juice is simply *yuckylicious*....and they find durians smellier than this - no way! I'd eat the durian anytime! As you can tell, this is one of those once-and-never-again situations :)

But it was a good night, both Elsa (my guardian) and Jenny went to great lengths to get me back to my hotel, even walked me all the way there...and then went home. I'm really so grateful they're taking real good care of me, Elsa would know because she didn't receive the same courtesy when she was in Beijing and understand what it was like to be in a new city by yourself.

They're awsome! They've planned all my lunches and nights out til next week so I'll be able to blog lots of stories :) You girls rock!

Going to work by bus tomorrow, Jane's meeting me at my drop-off point and we'll walk to work together. After this, I should be able to get to work and back on my own, these girls are really the bomb :)

I'm off for now....eeks, curse of the smelly disgusting tofu!

*out*

Taipei Day #1

2008-05-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

Left my home at around 6.45am today and arrived in my hotel in Taipei at around 4.00pm - it's crazy! I just spent my whole day traveling!!! So now I know what Tine goes through every couple of months she flies to and from home between her rotations - it's crazy!

As you can see from the photos, I've already made myself at home in this little room of mine -my stuff is everywhere. Mum, you'd be really proud, I took out all my stuff, hung my clothes, lined the sink with my toiletries and etc :)

Although I've physically settled in, I'm still quite nervous about being here. I thought I did quite well with my mandarin when the mr.lu-the-nice-merc-driving-limo-guy came to pick me up. I managed to find out quite a lot of things and share a bit of info with him too! Ofcourse, then there was when I told him that the trip from KL to Taipei only took 5 minutes! hahahahahaha :) yea, I corrected myself after I realized why he was looking very confused...poor chap.

So I was quite confident until I stepped out again about 6.00pm (after discovering that my hotel only serves breakfast and nothing else! yes, no food room service) and had to walk around to look for my own food. Finally settled on one that said, "English Menu Available" - so sad :(

Ended up ordering "noodles with mixed vegetables and pork":

I know it looks oily daddy, but it really wasnt and it came with so many things, including sea cucumber! They should've called it "mixed everything noodles"!

Anyway, my survival insticts led me straight to the nearest 7-Eleven where I bought some instant cup noodles and snacks to keep me alive if need be. *sigh* Hope things will look up tomorrow when I don't have to do this alone....

ANYWAY...

Here's another photo of my baptism and the video if you'd like to share the experience with me! :)

The water was really warm to the touch - I had an awesome time dunking.

Thanks Nick for the photo and video!

Aight, this is goodnight from Taipei....

*nervous out*

I'm finally baptised in water!

2008-05-25T00:44:00.000-07:00

It's definitely one for my books!

I've officially been baptised in water! Woohoo!!!
I've waited so long for this moment and its really been just such an awesome experience for me. Just moments before I stepped into the water, I started crying like a baby.... :)

I got a call from Karen the other day, saying how she felt it would be good for me to share my baptism testimony - how life was before and after I became a Christian. We spoke about it and felt one of the more significant details is why I've decided not to wait anymore, after 6 years of journey with God.

Yes, i hear gasps! Believe me, a lot of people were very surprised to hear that I was yet to be dunked into the water - if I could take the myriad of expressions I got, I'd have quite the collection! But it's all good...

I was inspired so much by my baptism class yesterday that a song just came to me, full and complete with lyrics and the melody - Jon and I wrote our first song together, and it really meant a lot to me because it speaks so much of how I really feel right now, in my walk with God.

I'll put up the recording soon, but for now, the song sings...

"Oh Lord, I thank You for today,
that I'm able to come,
to declare and to say,
that I'll pick my cross,
and journey with You,
and I'm able to see...

Chorus:
To see the old pass away and the new come to life,
Renewed by Your grace,
Jesus, Lord, I'm amazed,
to see the new come to life as the old passes away,
seen through the eyes of love....
created by You

Bridge:
Jesus, You gave me life
Given me hope to carry on
Given love's sacrifice, to set me free
set me free......"

I'm just infinitely amazed that I'm seen through His eyes of love, and that my Creator loves me for who I am, and He knows the desires of my heart.

I cried again like I baby yesterday when Ps Julie suddenly went up to the pulpit and said, "God is asking me to ask you today, what are the desires of your heart?"...just a day ago, I wrote my baptism testimony based on this verse. And how I truly finally recognized that my obedience to God's will had to be greater than the desire of my heart, that I needed to trust God to see His promise come to fulfillment - and it did!

One of my heart's greatest desires, is to have my parents witness my declaration that I belong to Christ. So thank you mom and dad for coming today, it really meant more to me than you could ever imagine! *hugs*

So if you haven't been baptised yet, what are you waiting for!?!?!? :)

*happy*

Like the lilies...

2008-05-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

Lilies are like my favourite flowers....well, basically any white flowers do it for me, but lilies look the best, white.

Was just reminded yesterday....

"Like a lily among thorns, is my darling among the maidens."

Song of Songs 2:2

Thank You for reminding me that I'm beautiful and beloved at a time like this. I thank You for Your words of truth and comfort that surprise me when I'm not even looking.

Love...

Little gangsta at the playground

2008-05-12T02:24:00.000-07:00

I ain't no likey you, step away, further away...or I'll stare you down with my little eyes...

This has just got to be my favourite photo!

We had family photo shoot last Sunday - we traipsed off to Lake Gardens in the wee hours of the morning (no kidding! it was like 8.00am) for the shoot with Jenny and Ju.

Jenny spotted these lady-bug like boulder and asked the kids to stand against it making funny faces, one-click, two-clicks and Olivia ran off to play with some other thing whilst little Celine suddenly folded her hands and gave us this gem of a photo!

I was the official sweet-holder while the kids took centre stage as the camera shutter went *chi-chak* *chi-chak* *chi-chak*...explains why I have this photo amongst many to post, because I had time to take them!

We had such a blast at the big huge-mongous playground, with the slides, the bubbles, the running, the sweating and the little picnic, it's not complete without the picnic sandwiches. Great way to spend Mother's Day!

Thanks che for putting it together, Happy Mother's Day to you and mom!

I'll leave you with some pics...

Celine & Olivia

Papster

Mumster

my cheerleader

2008-05-08T08:57:00.001-07:00

I already sent my computer to slumberland, really didn't think I'd switch it on again.
Or that I needed this verbal release.

It's been an emotinally draining day, I didn't have to do much brain work yet there were so many things that needed to be straightened out, discussed, rationalized, understood - it really took the wind out of me. The toughest part was to except that the impending loss (with a shred of hope to salvage) isn't even our fault.

Three and a half years of sweat, blood and toil comes to this. I recognize it might be a change of seasons, a time to move on, to climb bigger mountains. But today, it was just too hard, harder that I had to stay tough for them, because they needed to see me pulled together - the encourager, the calm, the rational. If the chirpy and most-often optimistic one turned introvert, things would take on for the worst. No, they needed their cheerleader.

I compartmentalized and tucked it away.

I came home with this heavy heart of mine, tried to let the usual bubbly self out but to no avail. I thought the food would help and it did for awhile, but then, I'm back there now.

......

On any other given day, I'd be perfectly happy being the cheerleader, but just for now, just for this hour or even the next 5 min....could someone just take over....just for awhile....and be my cheerleader?

I just need you to be my encourager, my iron, my edifier for 5 min...that's all I ask and I promise I'll take on my normal character again.

please...

And it flies by like the wind....

2008-05-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

The weekend's just up and gone on me again, I think I'll never be able to keep up with the pace it runs, like how Sue says, she stopped running ahead of age, she's let it catch up and now they're fast friends! hahaha...cartoon lah she.

I told both David and Stevie today that I'd blog a post about how I'm maintaining so many blogs that I don't have time to update my own! hah! It's true, however, I didn't think it warranted one entire post just dedicated to this really uninteresting topic.

Maybe then, just what I've up to lately...

Taipei, Taiwan
So it's set, finally confirmed the dates I'm flying off and it sounds like I've got quite the packed schedule ahead of me. Good thing is, I've got this really beautiful hotel I'm staying at which can fit like ten people (okay, so I exaggerate) but I might just be coming back to sleep and that's it.

I kid you not, that's how pretty it is! I'm really blessed.

Hoping that my colleague will come visit so I've got some company while I'm there...hopefully they've built in some sight-seeing time for me, what I've heard so far though is that the city's like a concrete jungle.... :o/ Well, seeing is believing, am heading there on May 26th and will only be back come June 12th - so call me at your own risk! :)

Work Schmirk
It's been tough for the past couple of days, and it seems like this grey cloud is hanging over our heads - something unexpected happened last week that could cost us a whole deal. Got me a little demoralized there, and i still have trouble picking myself up from it.

Thing is, I'm well assured that it'll be alright, that God's got this whole thing sorted for the best, so I've just got to take it as it comes. Thing also is, that I also need the time to just cry a little, take it personal a little and just do whatever I need to do to rid myself of the "greyness", in due time, His assurance will take over as it should.

Please do remember us in your prayers, us meaning me and my team members, we're trying our best to brave on under the circumstances. Really appreciate the covering!

Pillow Talk with Crimson Girls
Yup, us girls had a nice sleepover at Sue's the other day, and since I've blogged it at superlame, head there if you want to read more about it. But here's what I wanted to share - after a night of nail-painting-eyebrow-trimming-movie-shadow-puppet-fun, I was awaken by Sue's upset and exasperated call, "Yen, you gotta come down and see what they did to my car!"

Ooohhh, Rachel, if you were there, you'd kick some butts!

These guys really put in a lot of hours to get this going - I've got more photos to prove this was meticulously orchestrated, there were no holes amidst the newspapers, the hearts were really cut quite nicely and the balls of paper was stuck on with double-sided tape. The "surprise" came topped with a little note to say starch and newspaper are harmless, with some trash bags under the car to clean up and RM 10 for a car wash.

......she was pretty mad, but I think, she can laugh about it now :) Things people do these days...

Recharge me-charge
I finished off the weekend with my much-loved family time. That, i appreciated so much.

Now, i need my sleep.
*toodles*

p/s: Bubs, I know its been a tiresome and trying day, but you know, the sunshine always comes after the rain....(oops, that just sounded so cheesy, but you know what I mean!).

Shove and push

2008-04-25T04:30:00.000-07:00

Oh but the thrill of it!

If i count correctly, the last time i probably went to one was maybe about 10 years ago, and that was crazy! Lots of pushing and shoving, complete with the musty smell of the hotel carpets and stuffy-ness of bodies just trying to get out of each others' way.

Today's wasn't so bad though, lots of room to walk and roam, people were quite civilized and waited for a window to open before stepping into the line to check-out stuff. Still! The thrill of it was still there....look, see, pick, buy! :) nothing like good retail therapy....the items being cheap were a definite plus!

*happy*

p/s: I love reading God's word because its filled with His promises...just today this popped up at me...

"He will guard the feet of his faithful servants...." 1 Samuel 2:9

And in a context where Hannah is praising God for giving her a son from a barren womb, this verse really does mean more than it says - this lady knows what she's talking about because she's experienced it!

Taipei here I come!

2008-04-24T04:23:00.000-07:00

I've been really blessed this year (and it's only April!) and one of the blessings I count is the opportunity to go on a work exchange program to Taipei. It does look beautiful doesn't it? :)

Sometime towards the end of May, I'm heading to what was once a lake centuries ago to spend almost two and a half weeks learning, helping out and sharing what knowledge I have (apparently I'm supposed to be educated enough to be able to share some best practices! *shiver*) with my counterparts over there. I'm both equally excited and scared at the same time - hweeyen hates presentations and is shy! And although Rachel calls me a crazy churchtype, which essentially means part of what's inbuilt in my character is the ability to make friends easily, I worry that it's going to be a bit tough to communicate or have them like me enough to speak to me - yes, I'm a banana, non-chinese speaking Chinese :)

Okay, so for the most important part, I can say, "Chiu Ming ah!!!!" to save my life but apart from that, my ability to converse in mandarin is limited to ordering food and erm...yes, that's pretty much it.

I'm comforted by the fact that my colleagues over there speak English (of course!) because a large part of our clientele are MNCs, but yet, there's just something about travelling to a foreign country and needing to adapt within the first couple of days. For all I know, by the time I actually settle in, it'll be time to leave - such is the nature of business trips. I don't know how my girlfriends do it!

Nonetheless, Taipei here I come... :)

Mental note: buy or borrow english-mandarin dictionary from someone....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On another note, I've had this album for so long but because it was in another format, I procrastinated in converting it....I just found this such a gem.

Brooke sings....

When the world is falling out from under me
I'll be found You, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in You...

Brooke Fraser - Shadowfeet

Enjoy! :)

Happiness!

2008-04-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

I love making people happy :)

Enjoy babe!

I love comics!

2008-04-07T03:37:00.000-07:00

A friend sent this link to me....kinda cool :)

hahahaha....do you guys really think that when you go shopping with us?!?!?!

Another Saturday spent...

2008-04-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

I like the way I spend my saturdays, there's something to be said about predictability because its comforting to know that the things I'm doing isn't causing me to rush or rack my brains to write something for someone else...or dealing with people who have big ego problems.

Picking up on the latter subject, that's what I spent my last two days doing - trying to be responsible and make things right for what needs to be done for my "big" event next week. After all the big dramatization from supposed directors, I'm left sorely disappointed by their conduct, its sad because it just changes my perception of who they are and their integrity - you don't pick at the person, but you resolve the problem and trust me, even a little kuli like me can tell you this is nothing to shout about. Sad...

So back to saturdays, i like that I get to sleep in, I like that I attend vocal lessons after, have lunch with Jon, get some errands done, got to church, attend service, go for dinner, play boardgames and sleep - I like that i get to do the things I like.

That really pretty much sums up my Saturdays - well at least for the past one month. Predictably. I love boardgames. I love playing boardgames with people. No, it's not the run-of-the-mill monopoly, scrabble, etc (although those can be fun given the right crowd), ping me if you'd like to find out more. But on a whole, I just like that I get to spend Sat night with friends playing boardgames! Yes, i think i've repeated that too many times in one post....

And it's 1.10am, which perhaps explains why I'm rambling on about predictability and boardgames :) Tomorrow, is another matter altogether.

Sunday, bring on the Monday! RAAAAA.....

p/s: Please continue praying for my mum, I thank God for His healing process has started taking place and now that she's move into a phase without meds, will need to pray that her immunity smartens up, tow the line and not cause trouble but help her heal. Really do appreciate the continued prayers, thanks!

Patisserie Rui is now open!

2008-04-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

I went for what is probably my first patisserie blessing ever and it was fantabulous.

I loved being there and being able to support Crystal as she lives her dream - imagine that! She's been talking about this for the longest time and it really is coming to reality. In fact, she opened for business just yesterday.

We (me and a couple of my cellies) had much fun just hanging around, chatting, being guinea pigs and just tasting whatever we could get our hands on and trust me - everything's yummylicious!

We were a really blessed bunch to have Crystal in our cell, it has its perks you know! Almost every friday without fail when she's around, we'll get some sweet treat; cheesecakes, choc stuffed thingys, french choc cake...and even some things I can't quite pronounce!

She made a selection of them to taste for the blessing, not forgetting ofcourse, her own recipe, something she calls "Red Velvet"....

I say, if you ever get the chance, go there and grab some because it just melts in your mouth and makes you go all "ooh la la!"

So get in your car and go get some for yourself! hehehehe....

Go Patisserie Rui! Congrats again Ms. Chef Owner!

Uh tired...

2008-03-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yeah, somehow its just been tiring...need sleep so im going now after fiddling with my blog. Somehow can never make it look pro - sigh.

Happy Birthday Jon Koo!

2008-03-26T21:56:00.000-07:00

I didn't buy you a card or write any sweet words, and no surprises this year - so this is all you're getting! hahahahahahaa....

Here's a BIG birthday wish for you! May this one be better than the last, more fun, more food, more fat, and everything!

Thank you for being who you are *hugs* Happy Birthday bubs!

Missing.In.Action

2008-03-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

The reason I've not been blogging, other than work is this...

But honestly, its been so fun! Wait a minute, no, directing is just superbly scary and I think no one will want to befriend me anymore after all the scolding they're getting from me..ha!

But taking care of the blogging has been so enjoyable, just thinking of ways to make things more interesting. I just wish I had more time to video some bloopers and etc... :)

Ah well, just uploaded the soundtrack a couple of minutes ago, just a glimpse of what you can expect within the next two days. You coming? yeah...you :)

Hoping to see you there!

Rolling on the floor....

2008-03-07T00:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've been taking a back seat here only because I've been focusing my time on building content for broken - will post this next!

But oh, my family and I had so much fun last night just laughing at uncle TF's drawing skills! It's true, artistic skills don't become better over the years, and unlike wine, it doesn't age with grace.

This one artist however, deteriorated in record speed after an ice-cream potong :) Don't believe me? Have a look yourself... First the elephant...good job!

then came the crab....
....and the prawn.....
and THEN, it started.....the misshapen butterfly...
the swan-goose-looking-duck....

...and the cockcroach-looking-mouse....
and finally...this....

I'll give you an ice cream potong if you can guess what that is!!!!

hahahahaha...this is just so hilarious! I love you uncle TF :) Thanks for making the kids (and us) roll on the floor with laughter.

Oh how i love spending time with my family.....*bliss*

Bursting at the seams..

2008-02-27T00:07:00.000-08:00

Contrary to what you might think, this is not a post about me ripping my pants or something! ha! And i sincerely hope I will never need to or have the opportunity to blog about something like that :) How hilarious it would be though...

But more than anything, this is going to be about God's unfailing and abundant love in my life. My heart is really bursting at the seams from the things that have been happening to me in the past few days.

As most of you know, I have this medical condition called Takayasu's Disease (no, its not contagious!) and long story short, it causes inflammation of the artery walls resulting in the narrowing of my arteries. In 2005, I did my first angioplasty
to stent two arteries, one left and one right. The stenting has proven succesful for the artery on my right - thank God.

My left however, the one that supplies blood to my left arm, has proven to be a challenge. Because the tissue around the wall began to build into the stent, I had to undergo another angioplasty in 2006. My half yearly check-up 6 months ago showed a deterioration, my pulse was weak, hardly there and my blood pressure measured a 80/60. The doctor suggested to go in one more time, though he mentioned that after two "failed" attempts, its quite likely the third will follow in the same pattern.

I said no. I had decided (and told God) after my second that there would never be another time and that my healing had to be a God process. Being who they are, my beloved family supported this decision and we scheduled my next check-up appointment.

After all that, I'm here to say that my check-up on Monday really blew me out of the water, even the doctor looked surprised. He put his hand to my wrist and declared, "you have a strong pulse!". He took my BP and measured it at 118/90 - it's normal! His rationale? That either new smaller branches of arteries grew to adequately supply my arm with blood or the condition at the left stent has cleared.

Can you imagine? New branches growing? Tissue at the stent clearing? Either way, it's not washing the clothes.

I'm here to say, that I thank God for being who he is, my Healer. That He went to the cross and nailed all our ailments there. That the reality of the cross is evident to me, in my life. Easter could not mean any much more.

- Isaiah 53:5 -
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

I feel as if He looked upon me like He did the blind beggar in Luke or the bleeding woman in Matthew.....

-Matthew 9:22 -
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you..."

And as if that wasn't enough, I got a note from my boss telling me of my promotion the very next day. Now can you see why my heart is just so full?

Thank you, Lord, for you have filled my life to overflowing and my heart is set with joy and gratitude for all that You've done for me. Thank You for your promise, that You are my sun and shield, bestowing favor and honour, where no good thing do You withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, those who are ever praising You. Blessed is the man who trusts in you (Psalm 84).

Amen!

To my family, thank you so much for being who you are and the love that you lavish on me.
Love you to bits!

1955 Guide to Good Housekeeping

2008-02-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

This is hilarious! Enjoy it girls.

And they say, "a good wife always knows her place".

When travelling, check your passport!

2008-02-12T05:30:00.000-08:00

Here i thought i had it down to a pat - work was done and handed over, we had the first scene for the easter play scrubbed. I was good to go for Phuket.

But no. 8.30am in the morning, I dumbfoundedly answered my dad as he confidently asked me if I had 6 months to the date my passport expires, "April 2008, 3 months away". We all started screaming at once (okay, so i exaggerate).

That was 8.30am and i was due to fly off at 12.45pm, 4 hours 15 min before my flight. What do we do? Called the AirAs!a helpline, "no ma'am, it has to be 6 months validity". Erk!

Our faithful cab driver drove us to the immigration dept. at the old Subang airport, it was packed, and I mean packed with people.

The following series of events happened:

Person at the pick-up counter: "please proceed to counter 1"

Person at counter 1 is busy

Person at counter 2: "kenapa selalu macam ini ah? susah sangat you orang, saya tak tahu boleh tolong atau tidak - pegi jumpa officer dalam tu"

Officer-in-charge: *face is stoic, expressionless*

I was praying all the way in the taxi, but at this point, i was praying so hard you could probably hear my mind churning - dad and i must've held our breaths as we waited for what he'd say.

Then came the reply....

He looks at me and says, "Have you taken your photo yet? Filled out a form?"

I blink hard as i look at him and slowly shake my head, disbelieving. He says, "Go and do that, I'll help you with this."

Needless to say, my heart leaps for joy as dad and I dash of separately to fill in the renewal form, take my photo, make copies of my IC and make a payment.

9.50am, person at payment counter says, "Come back at 10.30am to pick up your passport, it should be done by then".

AirAs!a counters close 45min before flight time, which means we have to check in by 12noon, we'd need at least an hour travel time, which means I have to leave at 11.00am to get there. Should be enough time.

We collect my passport at 10.20am and reach the airport at 11.15am, with ample time to check-in, have a nice meal and slowly make our way to the departure hall to board our plane. Thank God!

This is an adventure I'm never going to forget plus it makes a good story :) But not one I'm wanting to relive ever again.

One thing I must say though, that I have renewed faith in Malaysians, amidst all the talk that we're an unfriendly bunch, this little incident really showed me that there's still compassion left in us, just a simple word "please" opens a door for a hand to reach out and "help". Malaysia Boleh!

My parents were so obviously wonderful and very supportive as always, already making alternative plans to travel back to our hometown in case we didn't make the flight, but i was not willing to go down without a fight, thank God for answered prayers. Amen.

All in all, it was a pretty adventurous departure, even before the actual trip began.

And so, we made it.

The beautiful island of Phuket (i still can't believe it!)

Mental note to self: When travelling overseas, check your passport, must have 6 months validity to date of expiry, otherwise - renew!

I can't wait...

2008-02-05T04:19:00.000-08:00

Yup, after much looking, i think i'm kinda settling in here for now. It's easy for a layman like me and i like the simplicity amidst all the complexity we already have in our lives :)

Speaking of which, i can't wait for tomorrow....

Happy Chinese New Year all!

I Might Just Like It Here

2008-02-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

I'd fiddled and widdled with the many, and i think this i might just like it here.
Question is, what am i to do with all my old posts? :0/

Just Looking

2008-01-24T05:57:00.000-08:00

You know how it’s like when you walk into a shop and the salesgirl immediately comes up to you and asks, “Ma’am, can i help you?”?

Well, my response is always to smile and say, “Thanks, I’m just looking” and walk to a clothes rack.

This is just like that, I’m just looking.

Hhhmm...

2005-09-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

I actually just created this so i could post comments :) But coolios...maybe ill even write something here huh? Tough having two blogs. Ah well. Ta.