The Other Side of Christmas

Its the end of the year and the season Christmas... the season that I look forward too the most :D

The weeks towards the season however have been busier than ever. What I mean by busy... well.. a day in a life of a person on this particular project ..

• No time to eat. (Time eating = even lesser time to do work)
• Meetings after meetings after discussions after problems after sticky customers after KPI centric customer..
• No time to think of any personal matters (Even if there were a tinsy window of time, you are just too pooped out from the week)
• Time taken for a break/rest/to talk to our superior = less time/time taken away from completing work
• The more you try to think and plan for the project.. the more you realise there's sooo.. much more to think and plan for but the time that you have now does not permit you to plan as there is too much work to finish in the present already

The circumstances, people and super crazy timeline really tests one to the limit of what one can take. To me this is the one project that drains a persons to the maximum not just about work but the person personally as well... its not that the work is hard but its because of the amount of the work to be done within too short of a time and one is just scrambling to get whatever can done.

I just shake me head at the human inconsideration of customers for the sake of achieving their personal performance criteria..... not realizing what they ask for effects the lives of many people just to meet their deliverables. And to meet the customer's requirements life comes to a halt and quality of life is almost absent for the persons to meet the requirements of unreasonable timelines.

A happy worker = Work that still have at least some of quality of life = fruitful workers = successful projects. Cant help venting.. just feeling some injustice here... what more during the holiday season.

Despite to me a pretty grim situation am reminded and I try to remind myself of this as often as I can....

“Let us at all costs avoid the temptation to make our Christmas worship a withdrawal from the stress and sorrow of life into a realm of unreal beauty. It was into the real world that Christ came, into the city where there was no room for Him, and into a country where Herod, the murderer of innocents, was king.
“He comes to us, not to shield us from the harshness of the world but to give us the courage and strength to bear it; not to snatch us away by some miracle from the conflict of life, but to give us peace—His peace—in our hearts, by which we may be calmly steadfast while the conflict rages, and be able to bring to the torn world the healing that is peace.”

- Our Daily Bread excerpt http://www.rbc.net/odb/odb-12-19-07.shtml

Born To Die

Like the way the lyrics of this Christmas Song is written. A reminder and a beautiful way of depicting what Christmas is really all about.

Born To Die
Bebo Norman

They never knew a dark night
always had the Son's light
on their face
Perfect in glory
Broken by the story
of untold grace...
come that day

Majesty had come down
Glory had succumed now
to flesh and bone
In the arms of a manger
In the hands of strangers
that could not know
Just who they hold

Chorus:
And the angels filled the sky
All of heaven wondered why
Why their King would choose to be
Be a baby born to die

And all fell silent
For the cry of an infant,
the voice of God
Was dividing history
For those with eyes to see,
the Son would shine
From earth that night

Chorus

Bridge:
To break the chains
Of guilt and sin
To find us here
To pull us in
So we can join in Heaven's song
And with one voice around the throne

Chorus:
All the Angels filled the sky
And I can't help but wonder why
Why the King would choose to be
Be a baby born for me
Be a baby born to die

Apple of My Eye

Thankful I am of Him above

of plans better and beyond

than what I could have thought

         was possible for me

Such state I never thought attainable

Such state I thought was only a fairy tale

Such state I thought was only for the movies

But in Him all things are possible

What I thought was the best for me

Is only a fraction of the best of what

         He has in store for me

It is said my thoughts are like

         a grain of sand

But His' is the whole sand by the shoreline

Blessed and thankful indeed I am

That words cannot fully express

Blessed and Thankful indeed I am

Blessed and Thankful indeed I am

Speedlite 430EZ

Same thoughts have I with the person who posted this ;D

"Today UPS finally brought my long-awaited flash unit--a Canon Speedlite 430 EX. Yay! Since I ordered it I've had all these visions in my head of perfectly lit portraits and the best shots of my kids ever. All I'd have to do would be pop the thing on the camera and go to town!Um, not so much.Yes, I've read the manual. I spend awhile messing around with it this evening, trying different bounce directions and such. I did get some good shots, but it was hit or miss.I realize it will take practice more than anything, but does anyone have any good basic tips or tricks to share? Is using it one way generally better than using it another? I know it must be possible to produce nice, evenly-lit-but-not-blown-out shots, because I've seen them."

http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1544

Google Desktop

It has been hard living without Google Desktop to search for work matters. It all started with the necesssary move to Vista. Thought and was hoping that Vista indexing would be similar or good enough.. but nnnooooooo.... Real struggle... just could never find the docs/mails I needed in a short time.. I usually have to resort to searching for the files or mails one my one...

Am real glad GoogleDesktop now supports Vista. Its going to save me heaps of time searching for work stuff when I need them asap. Hmm.... why didnt MS build their indexing engine like Google's I wonder...Am NOT an IT geek but really... how can one not have Google Desktop :D

Just waiting for the indexing to complete now.. yay! :D

Bethany Dillon: The Kingdom

Lovely voice and songs.. have 2 of her albums and awaiting for the 3rd one.
Also still cannot get enough of this song even after having heard this for the how many'eth time ;D

Colbie Caillat: Bubbly

My favourite'est song. Heard this on the radio and it took me weeks to find out who it was ;D Just cannot get enough of this song and love the acoustic guitar bits.. her voice is just like Bethany Dillon's.....

Stint: Wedding @ Church of the Holy Rosary

Had the pleasure of taking photos for the bride and groom. I must admit I was quite excited to be able to take the photos and what more at a very picturesque church :D Still much to learn but exciting it certainly was :D

More at http://noreese.multiply.com/photos/album/41/Wedding_Church_on_Jln_Tun_Sambanthan_-_Nov_2007

OR

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noreese

Bands

The search for weddin' bands has begun.... and what we have found to our liking thus far...

Pics: Merdeka @ Taiping with BLC

Miss bit of blogging already... here are the pics of the trip:

• http://noreese.multiply.com/photos/album/37/Norms_Registration_-_Sept_2007

OR

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/noreese/ at "BLC Camp @ Taiping - Aug 2007" Album

Merdeka @ Taiping with BLC

It has been a really long time since I have been to a camp. It was indeed fruitful a BLC(Bangsar Lutheran Church) Camp - new friendships, have gotten to know people better, was edified indeed, was eating all the time and laughs through the process :D Pictures to come soon... but here's some memorable excerpts of the camp to remember... full of laughs indeed.. :D

Videos courtesy of http://www.sivinkit.net/

Our Team "Dikir-Barat'ing" a Psalm




Another team YMCA'ing after their Psalms presentation

BurfDay

Oh my... time sure flies by sooo quickly... just about 2 weeks have passed and the birthday that defines a new "era" numerically has taken place... :D

I has been a year since my last birthday last year and indeed how life has turned around greatly. So much to be thankful for... :D from people, new person/people, getting into fitness, the love for photography, the best hairdo i've had ever, lessons learned... exhaustive la..

The highlight of my bday are a few things..

• [L]'s family thoughtfulness in remembering my birthday - and it made me realise of how much they have accepted me as part of their family :D


• Grandma and Uncle's family whom I don't know too well… Went out of their way to celebrate my bday for me with them… They cooked for me a home cooked dinner and surprise bday cake - Undeserving I am but blessed time it was indeed...


• [L] made that day ALL about me… insisted it.. :D thanks dear :D am thankful for you... thank you too for the fruitful photo taking at Putrajaya dear :D
  

Here's one of the photos... still editing the rest.. :D

FiVE

Rakugo

Didnt think much of it from the posters but it was surprisingly entertaining and funny... The stage just consists of a flat pillow and a microphone, and each entertainer seated on the pillow to tell the funny stories. I reccommend ppl go see it the next time it's here... as the only other place one will be able to watch Rakugo's would be in Japan.

Rakugo defined.....
Rakugo (落語 literally "fallen words") is a Japanese verbal entertainment. The lone storyteller (Rakugoka) sits on the stage, called the Kōza(高座), and using only a paper fan as a prop, and without standing up from his seat, depicts a long and complicated comical story. The story always involves the dialogue of two or more characters, the difference between the characters depicted only through change in pitch, tone, and a slight turn of the head.

Bear-ing Gifts from London

Have been meaning to blog about this.. early July when [L] came back bear-ing these gifts :-)

Pic 1 -Represents the plastic jar that was used to hold the fresh roses in [L]'s backpack all the way back home with the stem sticking out of the backpack ;-) Customs was curious too..
Pic 2 - The roses was the red-dest rose I've ever seen and amazingly super fresh despite having been in a backpack for sooo many hours ;-)
Pic 3 - [L] build this bear at a "Build-A-Bear Workshop". It was a flat bear and stuffed with the right amount of stuffing, pretty good taste in picking out the bear's clothes, a contraption with a recorded message in the tummy of the bear, and self-sewn studs of a message

A Day Out with the Camera

After having bought 400D part of me weren't too sure if I had bought it a little too soon... Its been about a month and no regrets at all and also no turning back to using anything less than a DSLR :D Having a DSLR has now increased my delight in taking photographs :D

Now I also understand when ppl say photography is a "dangerous/expensive" hobby.... as you'll want more .... As now am eye'ing in getting a flash unit already!

Here's some pics from a day out with the camera... and more at http://noreese.multiply.com/photos/album/30
(PS:A lousy card reader has corrupted some 20 photos taken that day :( )

Circuit Diagram

Snapshot of the mind of an engineer for the betterment of his car.

United Voice

It was a super packed Sunday but it was great to be able to do something for others. It was indeed delightful getting to know and spending time with the members of United Voice (United Voice is a Self-Advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities Selangor and Kuala Lumpur) They are each individually fascinating persons to have gotten to know and talented.. so much so that its is taking them to the Special Olympics this year in Shanghai - amazing isn't it :D

The highlight of it was that my beloved was the beloved of another for the afternoon :D Quite attached to [L] and looking at them was like looking at 2 persons "courting".. ehehheee... :D Something to laugh and tease [L] about :D

Its great to still retain a bit of the kid in you. Evident here in playing with the balloons :D

What do you do?

What do you do when you know and hear of saddening and tragic news of people you know or ppl close whom they know? You know there is nothing you can do even with your noblest intentions to help... You can probably only fathom a fragment of what the person is really going through at most - and that alone is painful.


Moravian Daily Text for Today

No one has power over the day of death. - Ecclesiastes 8:8

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? - Matthew 6:27

God of all life, instead of worrying about the reality of death, help us to focus on the times in our lives when your presence has left us breathless. Add to our lives with your mercy and promise of forgiveness and eternal life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Durian Indulgence

It was an opportunity to indulge in durians and use my camera. Good thing I had some dinner before the durians.. but tssskk.. tskk... durian tasted better than dinner ;D

Here's more pics http://noreese.multiply.com/photos/album/28

Edible Flower

An alternative to fresh flowers.. edible flower(s) :D Just like fresh flowers its fragrant, coloured, organic... but its also edible :D and it tastes surprising pretty good too.

My 400D

Have been contemplating for sometime now for a DSLR. Was targeting mid-year to year-end. Then the "necessity" arose for me to get it earlier :D The fact that I have bought a DSLR has not fully sunk-in - and it has to do with the fact that I have chosen to venture into an expensive hobby and the venture I have stepped into is only the start. Never thought I would be the one to take on a costly hobby.

Managed to play with it abit for now and am glad that I got it anyway - why wait longer if you can have better pictures now ;D As you can see that's the box ;D


Took some test shots and here they are http://noreese.multiply.com/photos/album/26

Brrr... Cold...

Office was super duper looper bbbrrr...... cold last friday. Soo.. cold that I had to put on 2 sweaters.. and still it wasn't enough... my hands were too cold to put out to use the notebook.. now I will need to resort to the hot water bottle from my dear to see if it helps :D

Dad's Adventure

Dad has just started his dream to be able to be part of the Petronas Adventure Team. They departed from KL on Sunday and arrived in Thailand that night itself. He'll be on the once in a lifetime adventure for 2 whole months. Already missing dad :-( ... but am happy for him for this exciting adventure. Hope the team updates the website [http://www.petronasadventure.com/southasia/index.php] often so I'll be able to check where and what they have been doing thus far.

Aperture

Why do most great pictures look so uncontrived ? Why do photographers bother with deception, especially since too often requires the hardest work of all? The answer is, that the deception is necessary if the goal of art is to be reached. Only pictures that look as if they have been easily made can convincingly suggest that BEAUTY is commonplace...

- Aperture -

[www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/entry.htm]

Contradiction

In our line of implementing messaging systems... we are always appalled and stressed over users with gigabytes of mail data as it gives us a harder time doing migrations.

Office colleagues are doing a mail migration and just realized mine is 3.2GB... speak for myself.. hehheee...

Charlie

"Hello.. my name is Charlie.. I am sending you a message... I am a friend of [L].. and [L] asked me to send you a message with his new phone.. and I am a friend of him and I do work with him in an office hils learning.. and please... can you please send a mesage to me.. and I hope you are having a great time.. dear charlie.. "

The wonders of MMS... This was about a month back... It certainly brightened up my day receiving the audio message... and everytime I re-play it :D How could it not :D

Angry Crow

Car is out of commission for a while so dad dropped me off work at office today... It should have been a typical walk to the office... But it wasn’t.

Just less that 10 steps from having been dropped off... Out of the blue something hit my head and it was like a scratchy hit. I turned to check what it was. At about 2 arms length of me was the culprit... A vengeful looking crow... For a second I wanted to throw something at the bird... hmm... but I was out in the open and I wouldn't want to be in a situation where it attacks me again... Good thing I didn’t too cause as I decided to head to office again it flew nearer like it was going to do something again... Good thing it stopped there.

Who would have thought.. getting down a car and getting hit by a crow for not having even provoking it... what a start of the day..

Breadful

Circumstances almost prevented me from going and am glad things worked out so that I could go. I have always loved breads and have always wanted to know more about the art of bread making. The only and 1st bread I tried could be grrrrreaaatlllly... improved as it came out as a very hardy foccacia bread.

Managed to sign up the Female Appetite Magazine workshop on bread-making. It was indeed eye opening.. as to why my bread turned hardy before.. how to make better bread.... to how baking is not just about cooking but is like the subject biology/chemistry where is it just as important to understand foods molecular structure to understand what makes it a good bread.

What a feat it was but within 4 hours we have made German Muesli Bread, Pannonette and Pretzels.

Selfless Fix-It

Yesterday's fix-it was different! A radio station have been having this Fix-It session where they try to fix ppl's problems. The Fix-it's that I have heard of so far all had to do with fixing one own's problem from rectifying a hair-do disaster, trying to give up smoking to losing weight.

But yesterday's was a selfless fix it.. The fix was not at all for the benefit of the requestor but for a good samaritan. The good samaritan works for a bakery have been voluntarily delivering foods not consumed to the needy - all from his own initiative. On his good samaritan works.. his car was broken in and his CD player along with his collection of prized CD's we stolen :(

What a pleasant surprise it must have been :D for him that the Fix-It has provided him a new car music player and a set of CD collection to help him start off what he lost.

And what a thoughtful selfless act it was for the person requesting that fix-it all for someone else.

It warms the heart hearing this. And that despite what's happenin' around us with the crime and negative events and ppl.. it reminds me that there ARE still selfless people out there :D and prompts me to think what selfless act can I do today...

Hidden Treasures

It's time for a new chest of drawers that I have been holding back since Dec last year... yay :D finally bought it.. now just have to assemble them...
Was just clearing some drawers of a table in my room to make way for the chest drawer and hidden "treasures" found. I have always loved dolphins and what a pleasurable gift it was when it was given to me so many years ago by an uncle. I have totally forgotten about it and it has been hidden in the drawers for so long..


That's the painter :D

Along with the treasure were stamps I have collected years ago and have yet to get them soaked for the stamps. I still have a thing for stamp collecting even though it has been 20 years since I first started... why I say that is cause I still remember till today where I got some of these stamps that have been tucked away for so long... Cannot believe it that I have memories even tied to the stamps.

Freebies

Sigh... i get bit worked up when "ppl" look for reasons and opportunity for their convenience at the expanse of "us".

When things could have been done as is and just as fruitful and profitable(But actually its has never been really fruitful not because of the venue but the lack of person to make a decision) - but they want everything offsite at our expanse and $$. I thought it would just be incurred once or twice but looks like there are going to be more requests... Its not from my pocket still but I think its just pushing it...

If only there's dash of consideration and a pinch of getting real work done - would bring us a long way and for these "freebies" be worth it..

I know this rambling doesnt make much sense... But venting it feels good :D

Grace vs Gracious

These 2 words have got me thinking quite a bit lately...

grace [greys]
- noun
8. Theology.
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

versus

gra·cious [grey-shuhs]
– adjective

1. Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy
2. Of a merciful or compassionate nature.
3. Condescendingly courteous; indulgent.

It took me sometime.. better late than never to really understand what grace really is. I knew what it meant as an English definition but not so much in my heart till last year. And its really different when its experienced at the heart than just head knowledge. Am just thankful to have that understanding now and how it important it is to be really understood.

But what got me thinking is the difference between Grace and Gracious. Grace is the root word of Gracious and it has somewhat quite a different meaning. Most derivatives of root words are extension of the meaning of the root word - but still the same meaning(eg: like kind and kindness is both about giving). But Grace means receiving unmerited favour, while Gracious has to do giving and not receiving.

Interesting 2 English words which usually should have similar meaning... I wonder how is it represented in other languages? Maybe its represented as totally different words with different root words.. Just a thought...

Which Type of Blogger are you?

You scored as The Journalist. You love recording. You record the events that happened to you during the day, and you usually note them down in a fluent and formal language. You normally receive a lot of props and comments since you are sociable and it is comparatively easy to give you a comment. Seldom will a journalist write about his/her VERY personal feelings on a blog – secrets are secrets to them! The Journalist 100% The Addict 75% The Photographer 67% The Shouter 59% The Philosopher 59% The Writer 59% The Copy-Cat 42% The Paparazzi 8% The Lover 8% Which type of Xangan/Blogger are you? created with QuizFarm.com

Cool Snap Shots™

Discovered Snap Shots™ from www.sivinkit.net. Its just really cool... Am still amazed.. I wonder how they did that? Just implemented at my site already :D This means that when your mouse hovers over a link a mini window appears displaying a view of the website of that link... isn't it cool :D

So fellow website of blog'ites you might want to check it out too at www.snap.com.

Appreciating You

Tis' a thank you e-card made. The inset of the card of course is not for everyone's eyes la :D

Book: Provocative Faith

Have been very eager to read this book since early of the year. A very real, down to earth, a book that bares all. Shall need to find the time to read up the rest of the book...
I have this thing of penguins... so that was what drew me to the book first I must admit... of course reading the intro made me buy it.... Buying books are my weakness...

A Name: Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. Some patients afflicted with the condition experience a certain degree of reduction in their quality of life, depending on how severe their condition is.

hyperhidrosis is estimated at around 1% of the population, afflicting men and women equally. That number, however, does not reflect the true number of cases since the condition is not always diagnosed; most patients usually disregard the excessive sweating and it never occurs to them that they might have a medical condition.

- Definition From Wikipedia

Yeap.... it never really occured to me that it was a medical condition until it was told to me by a rare fellow "kaki"-hyperdrosis that you could get surgery to treat it. There's even a local support group for the condition @ www.wethandsclub.com. Now I know there's a name for what I call sweaty hands and feet...

• Palmar Hyperhidrosis - is the excessive sweating of the hands. This condition is said to bring great social impacts as our hands are much more exposed in social and professional activities than any other part of our body.
  
• Plantar Hyperhidrosis - Excessive sweating of the feet. The social impact it brings might not be as huge as palmar sweating but can be very bothersome to some. Foot sweating can exist alone or together with palmar hyperhidrosis too.

And its true that it does reduce some quality of life. Here are some of mine :D

• Shaking Hands - A person once shook my hand and after that wiped her hand on her skirt to dry of my sweat. From then on I try to make sure I dry my hands as much as I can before shaking anyone's hands
• Paper Work - In school in the era where we were using fountain pens. I used to have another sheet of paper beneath my hand as I wrote into the exercise book as a "hand-pe-lapik" so that I would not smudge the ink from the exercise book
• Telephone - When I was still schooling and talking on the phone for long periods was the thing I used to do... well... the longer the conversation the more sweat would trickle down my hand
• Computer - I would sometimes have tissue to wipe my hands so as to not wet the notebook keys too much
• Shoes - I need to wear open work shoes... otherwise my feet will feet all squishy in closed shoes.. even with some open shoes I need to use feet powder.. that makes me the culprit in the office that leaves powdered footprints on the office grey carpet floors... On a hot day even with sandals my feet sloshes around in my sandals.. so it makes it a little harder to walk in them.
• Travelling Shoes - I have just learned that when I travel... i need to bring feet deodorant... yes.. :D there is feet deodorant.. it prevents from stinky feet :D
• On a hot day - my hands and feet feels like its all swelled up in sweat and washing them gives a temporary relief... Its like when you are all sweaty after sports.. a good shower makes you feel all fresh again.. same for my hands and feet :D

I have grown to live around it and the good thing about it is that it give me interesting stories to tell even to blog about ;D

Gracious

gra·cious (grā'shəs)
adj.

1.Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy.
2.Characterized by tact and propriety: responded to the insult with gracious humor.
3.Of a merciful or compassionate nature.
4.Condescendingly courteous; indulgent.
5.Characterized by charm or beauty; graceful.
6.Characterized by elegance and good taste: gracious living.
7.Archaic Enjoying favor or grace; acceptable or pleasing.

What Major Is Right For You?

You scored as Psychology/Sociology. You should strongly consider majoring (or minoring) in Psychology, Sociology, or related majors (e.g., Counseling, Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology, Social Work, or other social science majors). It is possible that the best major for you is your 2nd, 3rd, or even 5th listed category, so be sure to consider ALL majors in your OTHER high scoring categories (below). You may score high in a category you didnt think you would--it is possible that a great major for you is something you once dismissed as not for you. The right major for you will be something 1) you love and enjoy and 2) are really great at it. Consider adding a minor or double majoring to make yourself standout and to combine your interests. Psychology and Sociology are both great minors to add to any major. Please post your results in your myspace/blog/journal. Psychology/Sociology 94% Religion/Theology 94% French/Spanish/OtherLanguage 81% Nursing/AthleticTraining/Health 69% English/Journalism/Comm 63% Education/Counseling 56% Physics/Engineering/Computer 56% HR/BusinessManagement 56% Biology/Chemistry/Geology 56% History/Anthropology/LiberalArts 50% Visual&PerformingArts 44% Accounting/Finance/Marketing 19% PoliticalScience/Philosophy 13% Mathematics/Statistics 6% WHAT MAJOR IS RIGHT FOR YOU? created with QuizFarm.com

Babel Effect

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese distributor of Babel is warning audiences the movie may cause nausea or headaches.
Gaga Communications has received 15 complaints since the film, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, opened Saturday in theaters throughout the country, company spokeswoman Aimi Ichikawa said Wednesday.
Ichikawa said the company was investigating which scenes caused the illnesses, and hasn't ordered theaters to adjust sound or lighting.
The problem of nausea or headaches has only been reported in Japan, she said.

- Excerpt from http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-04-26-babel-sickness_N.htm

Watched the movie Babel in February.... and phew... I thought it was just me... almost 1 hour into the movie... nauseousness took its toll and I could not "tahan" anymore.. and set out for the ladies for a breather... and it didnt really alleviate the nauseousness... went back into the cinema to try to "tahan" till the end of the movie...

I couldn't take it anymore and had to leave my friends whom I have not met them in many years to watch to the movie on their own. It was a really lousy feeling... it was one of those nauseous feeling that will only go away after a night's sleep... and sure enough only that took away that sickly feeling. So this proves the article that its not just in Japan the Babel Effect took place ;D

Aventure Française

Here's a taste of the "French Adventure" over at Bukit Tinggi for me first time...

Window to Me World I

Time flies by just sooooo fast.... as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.. so here are some pics that represents some pockets of me life of what I was upto thus far...

• Was going quite a bit to Putrajaya last year... was going to have lunch on me own then... the sky looked pretty interesting so there I took of the prime minister's residence on me way to makan...

• Spring clean... The long Dec holiday was the best time to to do it... Had kept them long enough.. though sentimental had to rid of the books... bye bye books.. :(

• Was waiting up for dad at KM's cafe and there I was busy taking photo of the curry puff... :)

• Finally had a taste of the Sungei Way Bak Kut Teh after years of my whole life living near by... ppl come from afar just to have it... while it took me a life time to finally have a taste...

• Still at the bak kut teh shop... CFY "kindly" put the chilli padi and garlic for me... all done and was about to pass it to me and it alll... flopped... as you can see... it was funny and we ended up laughing away :D

• Still using me favourite handbag which I got from China but made in Tibet... To me brother its a hedious looking bag... maybe its just him ;D but not me... am super happy I got it..

• While waiting up outside experimented some pics and got this of me cat.. gazing at the road...

• I still think it looks better than it tastes... Its some strange curry soup... Was with dad and brother @ The Curve..
  

• Not again... Me bro over ordered again... overestimating what he could eat and pre-ordering 2 main dishes for himself.... that's over ordered dish..
  

• Wholemeal stuff that taste good is hard to find.. thats why i couldn't resist the supposed wholemeal scones... Scones are usually round in shape and this is the odd'est shaped scone I have ever seen... Oh yes.. that's the star scone resting on me "work" paper notebook
  

• My hands were still clammy despite the cold office aircon ... so if u see the tissues by me computer that means those are tissues for wiping me sweaty hands.. which am already used to it :D

• That's the M'sian version of the London Eye... It's called the Eye of Malaysia... It was a memorable visit indeed... and got pretty good pics out of it too...

• T'was the 3rd time we had the Tap Jam Party. It was good fun and enjoyable for everyone... and not forgetting the over-indulgence of chocolate brownies which I totally forgot taking photos of them.. :D Yummy... I must say for a non-chocolate lover...

Blue Dolphin

It started with the drive from Section 14 to Tesco @ Mutiara Damansara -> Stopped the car and got into the HUGE hypermarket. Got to the car accesories section and got the blue dolphin car air freshener -> left Tesco just in time..... To pick me up and then to give me the blue dolphin air freshener (blue my fav color :D) ....

All that within 45 mins just to get that for me :D ... crazy, nutty.... yet so sweet and thoughtful.. :D

Thanks babe... its hanging in me car now :D

Not Just My Patience

My impatience just dissipates when am reminded of the following:

When tempted to lose patience with others,
Remember God's patience with you
- ODB April 20, 2007

Heart Warming Surprises

Every now and then its great to quieten oneself and to reflect on recent happenings in me life and ponder on them a bit before allowing the world, ppl and time to pass me by - and not to forget to see beyond a hard day's work or situation and see the little things that make up for all that. Sometimes its just me seeing me cat play and that makes me laugh... Sometimes its observing ppl and be reminded not to take things for granted... Sometimes its making ppl laugh at my funny "kwai lo" cantonese accent... and sometimes laughing with ppl for my humorous misunderstanding of cantonese...

As am reflecting all that... it has been an indeed eventful month of March. And some heart warming and pleasant surprises that I want to remember... So here's one of the display of the pleasant surprises..

Accompanied with the little surprises were simple, truthful, heartful and cheeky notes:

Thank you for being you... [L]

Just thought I'd try to make you blush :D .... [L]

Caught you doing your devotional, hehe.. [L]

Many a times its the little things that makes our day.... I pray not to be overwhelmed by big things in life that I fail to see the little and simple wonderful things that can make an ordinary day an extraordinary one....

His Hand Thru Lisa

Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” - John 6:65 (NLT)

"Hi there. U guys and gals ok? yup, m bk 2 hound u, ha ha ha! Jus wantd 2 ncourage u wid a Word-John 6:65. I had lunch testerday wid a gd fren. We shared abt our lives n how we didnt deserve God's grace becoz of our past. Pastor is rite, dat our Lord has such MAGNIMOUS MERCY. we cm 2 dis scripture. N it made me feel so privileged n thankful dat i'm chosen, dat He wanted me. I'm special enuf 4 Him 2 want me n love me save me n bless me. So remember, U R HIS UR D CHOSEN ONE. B blessed." - via SMS

Thanks Lisa for your thoughtFULLness, encouragement and sharing a piece of who you are... Am blessed to know you and am indeed blessed by your SMS :D

Definition of the Now

Grace
Theology.
a.The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

Grat·i·tude
The quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

Bliss
–noun 1. Supreme happiness; utter joy or contentment

:D

Thoughtful Pa 2

Thanks Pa for listening to my thoughts and sharings.
I know that whatever I share with you matters to you. And it shows through your thoughtfulness below. Thanks Pa :D

Hope Renewed

Be glad, be glad, Hope is renewed,
Blessed goodness, Hope came sooner
    than I ever thought,
A wonderful reminder this is, that
    He is good ALL the time
Now only time will tell,
But wisdom I ask to seek His will,
Dicernment I ask to dicern His will

2 in 1: Psalm 34

Its one of my favourite Psalms... its 2 in 1 as it spoke to me during the toughy phase and also spoke to me having been delivered through that phase. Never want to forget it so here it is:

Psalm 34

1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Cap Goh Meh: Out To Play

T'was the last day of Chinese New Year and they call it "Chap Goh Meh". I was reminded that day what ppl do on Chap Goh Meh and it seems singles are supposed to gather at the river and throw oranges... then the person the other end who picks the orange is your potential partner....
What interesting and primitive method of match making and it must have been effective back then for it to be a tradition carried out till today ;D

Okies.... but I didn't do the orange thing... instead playing with fireworks... :D Its great to be a kid like back then playing with "pop-pops", sparklers and etc..... Me frens were also "unconsciously" competing to see which fireworks concoction of theirs was better... It was good and enjoyable company and fun. Adjourned after that to the last CNY indulgence that included.... brownies, nuts, crispy stuff and more cookies.. and some yummy Bailey's... ;D

Here's a glimpse of the night...

Another Irresistable Book Sale

T'was an MPH Warehouse Book Sale this weekend... I can never resist books... Particularly warehouse sales... I still wanted to go to look for cookbooks.... and I told me self only 2 books max if I were to get any at all... but aiya.... I can never resist books... But I have justified reasons for getting them.... really... :D

Dad came along with me for what was supposed to be a quick browse.... not expecting to buy anything ended buying a number of books too :D

Here's are the goodies I got....

Worth it this Donna Kay CookBook.. Glad I bought it

RM2 Donna Kay Magazine.. so cheap! :D

Reader's Digest Publications are always good

Nope.. am still not dieting.. it looks to be about overall health... and it even tells you what type of stool you pass.... now that's an interesting and unusual book..

Now I don't need personal training... just have to read this book

Hard to find books on Pilates...
I have been reading quite a bit of info online already... this will be a good all in one reference

Was at the book stall at church today and I was sooo... tempted to get some books.... Good thing that its not a sale and that self-control kick'ed in :D