A hectic weekend

Sometimes i wonder if we're busy cos we have that many things to do or we're busy cos we choose to be so. some of us are unfortunate to be force into such circumstances, some of us seek out such circumstances - consciously or unconsciously. I don't like the idea that i'm busy or am known to be that, but i do fill up my calendar. (a nicely filled up calendar gives certain satisfaction) Is it totally wrong to fill that life should not be wasted, that there is so much to do? Ironically I don't spend as much time doing my personal things (clear my hdd, do my shopping, etc).

Last weekend was one of those weekends. It was busy yet rather satisfying.

A fundraiser...


























A wedding...
















And dinner with the gals...




















I've learnt to pace myself and enjoy it at the same time. So why would u think i'm miserable because I'm tired? I'm just tired cos I don't exercise enough for the right amount of stamina. But the things I do makes sense. Has purpose. And how many people can really say that? Not too many right?

However, on a side note, I do need to start doing a few other important things. Note to self. You don't need to know exactly what though.

Effort to win the public

With the recent political upheaval in the country, the only thing that can be expected from all parties, is an effort to win the heart of the public - to right the wrong sin this country. Logically. But much time and effort was spent in pointing fingers, bringing up controversial issues, covering up more dirt... makes any thinking countrymen roll their eyes and cover our heads in shame. Grow up already!

However, this morning newspaper reports Government Transformation Program towards building a better Malaysia. (4 page spread). See picture below. One of the plans include improving the public transportation in the urban areas. Finally?

I want to believe the people on top are starting to wake up and fight for the country - for whatever their personal reasons are. In the end we just wanna believe there's hope for the country. There's hope for its citizens. But the only we thing we can do is sit and pray and watch if it comes to pass. It's really about time....

Magnificient Views

Oh I suddenly remembered.... here's something that I simply must tell - be it to the world or to remind myself. A few days ago, it was a Sunday evening, my sisters and I were in a car heading for dinner with the family. The family being in a different car. We've outgrown the ability to fit into just one car (with the grandma and all). So over the ramps of S2 we went, against the backdrop of a setting sun. The scenery we beheld, because of a slightly longer drive we took, was enchanting.

A full semi circle rainbow shone proudly in the east. We could see both ends of the rainbow. As the sun began to set, turning the sky into a strong orangy-yellow, the rainbow's colour became even more vivid. What leaps in our heart when we see a rainbow? Is it not the drawings of an eight year old or a scientific experiment of a young teenager? But to see it strong and vibrant before us... took our breath away. Winne reminded me to fix my eyes on the road instead of to the skies. I thought of what the rainbow meant - a promise of the God Almighty, who created everything that lived and hold us in the palm of His hands, to never destroy the earth with flood again. Which is a relief cos who can stand against that? But it's more than that... it's an assurance that God loves this world so much... and He announces His love across the skies. What's more amazing then that we saw a second lighter rainbow outlining the first. Only a few inches (our measurements) above the main rainbow as if to emphasize its existence. WOW!

The sun was setting behind the cloudy evening sky. The clouds that rained just hours earlier and threatened to rain again, turned angry yellow. Its puffiness in the sky, however, did not give it the fierce impression that it should have. It gave passionate affect to the sun as it said its goodbye for the day. Streams of light shot brilliantly through the clouds in the west. The horizon was bursting with colours: white, yellow, orange, red, and grey. Lynne exclaimed that she should have brought her camera and that she shall get her DSLR for ocassions like these. Of course, none of us had a camera ready for occassions such is these. And that indeed was such a waste. Although I don't think I would have had the guts to be been stopping traffic just to take pictures have I brought one. But the sky was magnificiently brilliant - from east to west - the master artist was just putting his finishing touches. You could see the colour actually getting bolder as time went by (until before it became dark completely).

Of course this was not the picture that I took. I mean what's with the footballers in the stadium? But it was roughly how it look like when it started. Now just imagine yellowish puffy clouds behind the rainbow. The sun was setting on the opposite side, as I said earlier.

Wait, wait, there's more. The description is not over. After all we thought was already majestic, we saw lightning. Can lightning be plural since we saw more than one? Lightning split across the sky and struck horizontally and across the rainbow. Yes, from left to right, and not heaven to earth. Indeed! Those skinny electrical spikes continued to display its power - horizontally! Winne decided that it must be the end of the world. Lynne wondered if it's some kind of special day for such a show. Victor simply gaped at the sight, as did I. Well not as much as I wanted since I was driving.

But yea.. it was an awesome sight! I really wish you were there to see it.

Writer's Block

I think I'm having writer's block. I can't clearly think what to write for my blog. I had a couple of ideas but I either could not produce clear sane thoughts for it while sitting in front of the computer or it was deemed unsuitable (by myself) to be published.

Sure, things are happening in my life just too lazy to talk about, as I can't bring myself to emote it.

I feel really zoned out recently and can't get my head around things. It feels like I'm in a daze most of the time, fighting to focus on what's at hand. Even coffee isn't helping all that much. My heart finds it difficult to truly engage and my God feels slightly out of reach. I know He's there but I'm not reaching my hands out to grasp Him. My body feels weak and my head haunted by all kinds of voices. I feel imprisoned by the will of others around me, and I can't find my own. After years of following other wills, you begin to loose your own.

Heart don't fail me now, courage don't desert me...

I need to find my sense of being again... before it gets swept away by the current

Be strong and courageous

Deuteronomy 31:5-8 (TNIV)

The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."


Joshua 1:3-9 (TNIV)

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Finished in 2 days

[edited]: I started this blog thinking I finished the book in 1 day. But realized a day later, that I had not taken Sunday into account. Sigh~

A new record! I finished reading a book in TWO days. unlike many insane bookworms, I'm a rather slow reader and can't usually finish within a day. Still can't apparently. and comics don't count. So I feel unusually proud of this rather insignificant achievement that I had to blogged it. *beams* Well it doesn't seem so significant now.. since it was TWO days instead of one.

Alright Alright I'll admit. I start reading 2 pages Sat night (after midnight so it's considered today, right?). Half the book on Sun and half on Mon. And the book has only 213 pages with probably size 14 font and 1.5 spacing. On top of that it's a children's book. Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys to be exact.

But it was the contemporary version and I thought it'll be interesting to see how the authors are keeping up with times. And they're doing a good job with the modern language and terms. Very enjoyable! It alternates the story from Frank, Joe and Nancy's perspective.



Excerpt from the book:

(Joe's perspective)
But [Frank] was also worried that one of the girls would say something to blow our cover here. And he was worried that he wouldn't know what to say to them. And he was worried that the dig supervisor would get mad at us for leaving our quadrants. And he was probably also worried about something totally irrelevant, like global warming. Frank worries a lot.

Clouds

I backed out of my house this morning and saw the sky. The sky was clear blue with fluffy cotton-like clouds peeping from behind my house. Driving to work a few minutes later, I caught sight of the sky again. It looked like rolls of wool, unrolled and spread out. It looked like rolling Greek beard. They also look like sand in the sky. It was so cute!

What are clouds made of? I put this on my msn and these are the answers I got:

michelle thong says:
clouds are made of sugar, and spice and everything nice! =D

shungz says:

clouds are made out of cotton and woolly stuff ....

the gov sends helicopters to put those things up in the sky every 2 weeks once

Arthur "Marco" Tan says:

fine crystalized (frozen) water

Arnold says:
clouds are made of water

Joeljv says:
cotton candy :D


But did you know clouds remind me of daydreaming. They are a lot alike. They can be seen but not touched, they come out of nowhere and float over your head and then fly away just as easily. And everyone has a personal version of what it means or look like. They pull a shade over your eyes to cool you from the heat. I think clouds are made of people's dreams.

Close your eyes... and let dreams envelope you...

I'm rambling again... I can't think properly...

Silence is golden

Is silence golden or signs of danger? It really depends doesn't it? Does keeping quiet mean you have nothing to say or that there's no one to hear you? I teach classes and when I ask 'does anyone have any question', many a times nobody does. Does that mean they really have no questions or that they have nothing they are bold enough to ask?

Why do we hold back what we want to say? Why do we accidentally say what we don't want to say? And when do you say what you should and hold back what we shouldn't? Some people argue that they are direct and speaks their mind, but is that always alright? Some people defend that they don't want to cause trouble or are afraid and rather not say anything, but will that make it alright? I know extremes are never good.

Words are such powerful things. We have no idea just how damaging an innocent intent can be. We get so selfish and arrogant about our 'right' that we forget to have a heart for people. Is saying what we want really more important. In such cases, silence is golden.

But when do you find the courage to stand up and say something when it is necessary, instead of hiding till the storm passes. Most of us are too afraid to rock the boat or look like the bad guy that we hide and wait. Ignorance is bliss, we say. The storm will pass, we say. In such cases, silence is not golden.

What marks a good friend, leader, partner... is the wisdom to know when to speak, and when not to.

I'm just rambling.... thinking about a lot of stuff recently. Feels like I got so much to say and nothing at the same time. Much that should be said yet much that should not. And it's enough to drive a person insane.

Arts and Design

I hear of all the art student needing to learn to draw in college and do all kinds of editing using computer software. All those drawing tablets and stuff... So when I needed my own logo (since i couldn't find a suitable one online) for the upcoming event, I resorted to drawing.

Though I usually get C for P.Seni in school... this aint bad. haha... I mean it's a start =) This took 2 hours of my morning.... And it will probably go unnoticed... but I wanted to give my best.

Easter Musical 2010: Bow the Knee

While the town of Seremban was covered with buntings on the road and flyers in people's mailbox, the talk on many's tongue was Agape's Musical - and I'm not trying to boast. It was that time again when we put on a Musical for anyone and all to see. And we always give our best. This was where my interest in theatre began.

So for 3 nights, volunteers arrive as early as 2pm for mic test and all kinds and test; 4 pm for make up and dress up; 6pm dinner and prayer and more prep! By 7.30 the choir neatly hides themselve behind the screen, awaiting showtime at 8.15pm as guest starts to roll on. And as we've warn our friends, come early. Seriously. On Saturday night, we had an overflow and even had to turn people away at the age as there was absolutely no more space. My feet hurts from standing the entire time, all 3 days.

I'll leave the reviewing to our guest on their facebooks, albums, blogs. Here's a few pics for the file. My pics were mostly on volunteers and not much on stage.



I'm not in the mood nor have the resources to compile an extensive archive of the Musical. Many have already done so. But I thank God for the high level of voluntarism and willingness in Agape that made this possible. I mean nobody was paid for this and we charge nothing. In fact, we invested more than we got back. But that's how the Kingdom of God works, and I pray that each and everyone of us will realise that it's more than just a big show we can shout about. I pray that seeds have been planted and God will continue to work in their lives. Continue to use us - that we slack not. Not now...

I know real results for an event like this is rather hard to measure or seen. Sometimes we even wonder why we do what we do. But we gotta believe that it is not us but God who will work in their lives. It may be a return call, it may be a seed, it may be the first impression to a church, it can be even years before they finally give their life over. But God does work and will. His word will not go forth void.

More photos of the extensive preparation, volunteers, and effort to put the Musical together here. Seriously, take a look. If you have never been to one of our Musicals. One day, you have to make it a point. And bring a friend.

Dog-sitting

Recently, my sister left her dog - Bella - home to be dog-sitted. The little pup is one of the cutest thing you've ever seen. She's also camera shy so there aren't many good pics of her. All blurry.


When I'm home, she follows me everywhere. She runs on her short furry legs at my ankles - bounding up the stairs or sliding across the room. She likes to bite my rubber mat and my loose parquet floor and attack my toes with her sharp teeth. She doesn't like to be left alone and would whine or scratch the door to be let in.... even while I'm bathing. As an act of revenge and rebellion, she pees in my room. Even though she normally knows how to pee on newspaper or the bathroom... ironically. Ugh, the 'presents' she leaves around the place. She sleeps incredibly a lot. Or rather she lies down incredibly a lot. If she can sit, she will. Drag herself forward with only her front legs too whenever she can.

My room still smells a little like Bella.

Anne'A Lisa

Yesterday I walked into the office - my first day for the week. Turned on my computer. And saw to my horror that someone had tempered with it. It wasn't that someone had touched or used my computer - cos it's open to anyone anyway. It wasn't that someone might have looked into my files - they're all work related and noone will bother anyway. But that someone had changed my desktop wallpaper into a caricature drawing of what's suppose to be me. (though I have to admit, to be able to produce that on MS Paint alone was pretty good)

But I do not think it looks like me. Do you?

Uncle's Bday

Yesterday my cousins arranged a birthday dinner for their father. So my family found ourselves there. (we seem to only meet over the dinner table. hm) It's so strange to see everyone so grown up. Weren't we just kids?

Anyway, it isn't everyday you get to have food like these. I'm just more fortunate than others.

For more information, visit our website.

[Untitled]

There's something my heart can't bear
A story of my life to share
To believe I do not dare
To know there's none that would compare

There's a story untold
If I'm ever so bold
Soon I can no longer hold
Leaving me ever so cold

Will the sun stop shinning?
Will the rain start pouring?
Will the song stop playing?
Will my heart keep beating?

To survive I must have known
That this seed I have sown
Will not eventually be disowned
Or must I do something to atone?

What is hope and what is reality?
Is there even a possibility?
Will I eventually have to see
That it was never meant to be

Come now, God, don't play with my heart
I will quietly play my part
Has waiting become my art?
Come now, friends, don't start.

Flowers by the roadside

You know how you drive along the same road seeing the same sights every single day. And after a while, you tune out to not have to deal with the monotony. Perhaps like me, once in a while, you take a different route home. Just to change the scenery. But how many routes home are there?

Do we tend to take for granted when monotony sets in? Do you accept the drone or do you do something to change it? I can take monotony better than most people. I don't actually get bored if I had to eat the same food over and over again. Not really anyway. But at the same time, I can't stand monotony and drone. It's weird I know. I'm torn between two kinds of personality.

But perhaps it's the little things along the way that breaks the monotony or makes it worthwhile. Like a simple word of 'thanks', or 'you made a difference in my life', or spring colored flowers in the middle of a dreary road (which you had never noticed before), or a long-overdue dinner with those closest to your heart. God is so good. I think we all need it.


What's yours? I hope you have yours.

ayam percik on bread

After the fishing trip [pics] with the college group, I arrived home at almost 11pm with ayam percik and chickpeas in hand. The chicken itself was cold and looking miserable. So for dinner I decided to make myself a little sandwich. You won't believe I have learned to like raw tomato slices in my sandwiches. It was enough to fill my stomach though.

I should have fried an egg too.

Fishing!

It was so long ago that the memory feels like a dream. Perhaps a dream from a distant past or a wishful thinking. Nevertheless, my childhood diary records that it did indeed take place.

Standing knee deep in water as the waves continuously laps the shore, I remember watching the sun fall off the horizon. We were fishing with a family friend and I was a little worried that the fishes might get hurt. I couldn't imagine the cruelty that we were inflicting on the fishes.

"But you eat fish what," my dad reminded me. Hmm... indeed I do. But I did not have to witness it.

There was a small wooden jetty just on our right where a big pail was to put the fishes that we caught. Of course I was too small to throw a line so all I did was stand there. Beyond that, I could not remember a thing. There was something about a big turtle that I think my sister encountered. For the life of me, I have no idea what happened after that.

But I got a chance to fish for real this time. The college group rolled off to P.D. to try our hands on fishing. Some couldn't stand waiting so long (although only 10minutes had passed). Some were totally freaked out by the live worms (they say it could bite). Some took every opportunity to look cool holding a fishing rod. And of course, some actually caught a fish. Some fish.

the limitations of my craft

I was making some craft to minister to some kids at a school. This is what I came up with. It's rather limited but it's interesting to me. The yellow card says 'Jesus' and the orange card says 'help'.



Just another addition to my 'Jack of (many) trades and master of none'. heh.

Boris

Meet Boris - The doll that sits in ETC's Persona.
Isn't he just adorable?



How could you say he is not?