Got an unexpected call from XL, with an unexpected news from her as well! \^_^/ This dear fren had decided to receive Christ into her life this Christmas! I was speechless, heart is filled with praise! Knew her when I was in year 2, shared God's love with her when I was in NUS.. for 3 years.. Just last year, during Christmas, she told me tt it's not very possible for her to receive Christ yet.. but woah.. this year she is a sis-in- Christ!! Amazed at how God works! Amazed at how God pursued her all these years! Believe God knows her needs, He met them and provided an opportunity thru that for her to come to know Him! Thank God for His love for His ppl!

very encouraged and touched! Thought thru some stuff as well.. cannot thank God enough, for strengthening my faith.. =)

1 Corinthians 3:6
6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

Rong n me.. ran tog , supporting n encouraging each other to run on.. =) we ran almost the entire 10k, just 3 stops for water n adjust my shoe.. =P First time running such long dist in my life, think wldn't have done it w/o a fren by my side.. thk God for this shared moment with this long time fren of mine too.. =)





Rong , me n qi.. Qi is another long time fren of Rong n me.. she ran 21k..so cool! a far cry frm wat's she's like when in sec sch.. Looking fwd to christmas when we can carry out our 'tradition' again.. =) almost 10yrs!


Halfway running, saw this quote :
'If you don't risk taking up the distance, you never know how far you can run...'
just tot tt many times, i'm the limit to myself...=P

V blessed and touched by ppl ard me..

ppl who sacrificed their rest time to just stay up n chat , even after a tiring day at wrk... who accompanied me to late nite movie, tgh is feeling v tired n watched e movie in a semi zz state =P, (really appreciate it..bt felt qt bad abt it)ppl who blessed me with lotsa good food, among them, my dear bro made me a almond chocolate cheese cake..think have really eaten alot for e past 1 wk haha..

Below are some photos taken with diff ppl..






My very first caregroup in NUS after I received Christ.. time passes really fast.. took us quite a while to arrange the meet up as we are in diff cgs or even ministry now, but really thankful to be able to meet up..Tried frying ice cream.. haha interesting n abv show the end pdt as well, yummy! =)






my pretty colleagues who celebrated marissa's n my bdae at sofra..=)heard tt thye took 'great pains' to get our present within a short time.. thanx a doz!







these are my dear bro n sis who are still in NUS now..my old caregroup... =)

the gathering with them brought back so much memories, v encouraged and priviledged to have seen how some of them grow in the Lord n in their desire to serve God in greater capacity..

Blessed by how they are willing to sacrifice their time for e meet up.. understand that this time of the sem is a really packed period for them..Really thank God for all their friendships! =)

Hey gals!!

Thanks for taking time to meet up.. Have not seen ur for a long, long time!


Clara, really have to salute u.. u started piecing it 6mths ago !! Really blessed, u better prepare tissue for me,haha just in case... =P Thanx gals!

Wanli, thanx for ur cute doggy, it's up at my window now! =)


Hee..looking at the pic... time passes so fast, rmb the last time we gathered at the same place was also to celeb my bdae, n tt's when our plan for hk trip takes shape..=)




ling, hee the 'crazy' gal n yun, hmm.. this gal dept on her mood, can be crazy at times too =P



clara , the 'happening' gal with dramatic encounters n xy, the as cool as cucumber one =P

p/s " ida n wanli, sorry forgt tt i've brought camera until the later part, nxt time then will take tog when i meet ur.. wl, u will hav to be in ur kimono dress =P

Took my leave in lieu today..


Spent time with my grandparents in ttsh.. both had appt there..


been awhile since i last spent extended time with them ha.. they very cute..


Grandma needs a pair of specs so went to the optician there.. so impressed by my grandpa.. he's so in tuned with wat's happening around him though he's already 73 n sometimes abit ku ku n acts like a kid wor..hee..


He told me about A380,said he also wants to take ..haha *hint hint to me * =P and when the optician talks about progressive lens etc.. he's able to share wat are the potential problems tt the lens may cause to the person who wear them.. think the optician a bit surprised tt my grandpa knows about the possible 'side effects' of the lens cos the optician trying very hard to persuade my grandma to get tt..e more ex of the lot.. $380 for just the lenses..bt after hearing my grandpa , he just said he has other alternative lenses..


Then though my grandpa n grandma usually can't get along v well, bt today can see hw they stood by n support each other when things happen..sweet also.. =)


***

on the clinical side..

My grandpa is suffering from age related macular degeneration (ARMD),the blood clots in his eye are still there, so vision still blurry..Today doc suggested tt he do a photo dynamic therapy (PDT)to 'burn' those abnormal blood vessels there..Hmm, even then, not 100% tt he'll regain vision in his affected eye.. so he's considering..


My grandmum have back ache for v long.. took an x ray today, realised tt the pain is due to 3 reasons 1) age related wear and tear of spinal cord disc 2) spondylitis (arthritis of spine) 3) lumbar area of the spine is slanted..doc said tt 1) and 2) are unavoidable as one age, no cure, just to alleviate pain.. 3) have to operate, but nw do physio first to see if condition improves.. except in cas my grandma can't pee , hav to go bck a n e n op immediately, since tt's an indication that nerves may be affected.


initially wanted to pray for them, bt my aunt gt a scolding bcos of tt.. hmm, so hav to pray for them 'secretly' then..pray their hearts be softened too..


recently qt a no. of ppl nt feeling well too.. pray tt they will experience the
healing power of God, out Jehova Rapha!

Sejak satu tahun yang lalu, saya bersembunyi pikiran yang tidak senang kepada satu kakak di gereja dalam hati saya..saya merasa sedikit marah,sedih dan kecewa dengan dia.. karena ada beberapa masalah yang saya tidak melarutkan dengan dia.. saya juga tidak berani memberitahu dia tentang perasaan saya karena saya takut akan merusak persahabatan kami..tetapi karena ini, persahabatan kami tidak menjadi lebih dekat


Hari ini, harus terima kasih Tuhan,ahkirnya, ada kesempatan omong omong dengan kakak ini..merasa ada breakthrough dalam persahabatan kami..saya memberitahu dia tentang pikiran saya.. Melalui percakapan, saya juga mengerti dia lebih banyak...Saya juga merasa lebih senang dalam hati saya.. seperti satu muatan diangkat dari hati saya..


Saya merasa kejadian ini juga mempengarahui hubungan saya dengan Tuhan..Tidak mengherankan Alkitab Efesus 4:25-27 cakap :


25 Karena itu buanglah dusta dan berkatalah benar seorang kepada yang lain, karena kita adalah sesama anggota. 26 Apabila kamu menjadi marah, janganlah kamu berbuat dosa: janganlah matahari terbenam, sebelum padam amarahmu 27 dan janganlah beri kesempatan kepada iblis


Saya sangat mengharapkan menjadi kawan akrab dengan kakak ini, mau support dan menganjurkan dia dalam walk dengan Tuhan.. =)

Just turned 4 years old as a Christian.. on 10th Aug 2007..


These 4 years is really an amazing journey with God...=)


10th Aug 2003.. at the moment when I lift up my hand at the 'Finding Marlin' service, though touched, but din think too much about the decision.. anyway, I thought at that point of time, I can just leave anytime I want..just give Him a try, I will not lose anything...Did not imagine that I can 'last' for so long as a Christian , ha even my parents when I told them of my decision then, they thought nothing of it, told me that it will be a few mths before i get bored of it.. which though i denied it, but i think there's a high possibility of that happening..=P


Find it hard to believe in Him initially, even after I had received Him into my life.. n it's a really big change in my life.. living in a community, not very used to it... tried ways and means to try to escape haha.. think of excuses (oops sorry) to not go cg, service.. meet up but thank God for ppl ard who did not give up meeting me.. =P


Tried testing God.. prayed funny prayers.. like when I am tired on the train, keep dozing off, asked God to help me stay awake.. n it worked.. but not convinced though, thought that it was a 'psychological' effect.. When praying, asked God to show me a star.. if the prayer were to be answered.. n true enough, whenever i pray n see a star, the prayer was answered.. haha bible said 'do not put the Lord, your God to the test' , yet God did all He can to strengthen my very young faith.. verses that popped out when I read the bible simply pierced right into my heart, the secret thoughts that I am habouring or the worries I have, God knows it all..
There are a few times when I was really upset, disappointed.. God reminded me of His presence and His covenant with me with a rainbow in the sky.. simply amazed..


Amazed at the efforts He took to preserve my heart, to grow my relationship with Him..His love for me though I am just a nobody , not especially gifted or anything..


Many times, am so stubborn, simply wanting to take things into my own hands.. taking Him for granted..


Bcos of Him, tried things I never thought of doing.. though each time He asked me to do it , was with great reluctance, but looking at it retrospectively, just am so grateful how He used me in my weaknesses and helped me grow..


Grateful for Him for blessing my life, with my family, close friends..., grateful to Him for being with me through difficult moments in my life...assuring me that He is in control..


Now almost 3 months since I started working, think adjusting to some new 'thorns' of life.. like finance, personal goal etc...dun have a clear sense of direction and what I want to do.. though He had shown me before that He is in control, I still have my resistances and struggles.. then wrking makes it even easier to be distracted from Him..


Decided to type down this post.. maybe to serve as a reminder to myself how good God has been to me since the day I had known Him.. I have quite short term memory now =P..


(Listening to Corinne May's song, 5 loaves and 2 fishes..)


I pray that in the coming year.. God will help me grow my heart of obedience and surrender to Him, to walk closer n not be distracted from Him... to use whatever little I have for Him.. (just like the boy of 13 who surrendered His 5 loaves n 2 fishes in the song and God just used whatever little that he has to feed the ppl)


"But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
and every door that slams in my faceI will offer up in prayer
So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"


Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small


I trust in you
I trust in you"

Graduated officially on 4th July 10am..

My family and me.. So sweet of them to surprise me with the huge bear and flowers.. =) Very touched..n felt so loved..my dad asked the person to deliver there without my knowledge..cannot express hw i feel esp after wat happened before...Thank God for them!

My pals for 9 years.. since sec 1.. think nearly spent all my studying years wif rong, pri sch, sec sch,jc n even uni.. thank God for her.. qi, as well, so thankful tt even when we go on to diff path aft sec sch, we cn still talk abt anything under the sun when we meet up.. =)

Really a huge thanks to all bro and sis who came as well! So blessed by their presence...had fun taking photos.. like the one with the ' I was here' sculpture the most..the one with the bros jumping is interesting too, they trying to imitate a particular uni =P haha bt it's nt easy, tt shot taken after a few ngs..

Thanks to all.. =)

It was a flurry of activity early in the morning in the OT reception.. with different ppl in scrubs, scurrying around to ensure that patients are ready for an operation.. Just then, two gals popped into the busy reception, seemingly lost...



"Good morning, sorry, we are here to observe a cabg, may I know where should we go to?" asked the gals apprehensively.



" Do the surgeons know that u are coming? If so, register, then go and change into the scrubs.. " uttered a busy , but friendly nurse.



"Hmm, but where should we go and change? "



"I'll take them, no worries.." said a lady helpfully..



In the changing room..



"These are the sizes of the top and the pants, change into the suitable one, change ur footwear (ppl wear crocs like rubber shoes into OT, din knoe tt) , wear the cap to tuck in ur hair, grab a blue sweater if u r afraid of cold.. the OT can be qt cold..then go to the reception.."



"Uh,okie thanx.."muttered the gals, while scanning the shelves , unsure of the size that they should take..



Finally, the two gals were dressed like one of those OT personnel, in green scrubs(as they call the overall).. green croc like shoes.. returning to the reception excitedly and enthusiastically..awaiting the moment to enter the OT to view the surgery.. though it gonna be a long 4.5-5 hrs surgery..



" Hi, may I know where is cabg carried out in? "



"Go straight to OT 13, there's only one case today..it's on the right..the patient is in already.."



"Oh, thanks!" replied the gals and hurriedly went in to find OT 13..

At OT 13...

The gals put on their masks and entered the OT..(the secret to prevent the mask from misting the specs is to press it dwn at the nose bridge area.. a tip given by a helpful nurse) ppl were busy preparing for the surgery, anaesthetist anaesthesizing the patient, perfusionist checking the perfusion system (tt will act as artificial heart and lung during the bypass), nurses scurrying to get the necessary tools,rubbing the patient with iodine as sterilise process..surgeons preparing by scrubbing up..

After a while, the action kicks in, with one surgeon harvesting the vein from the leg, and another surgeon locating the target blocked vessel in the patient's heart..The two gals were standing at a corner, absorbed in the process and the explanation of each step by a helpful medical student..

After an hr or so, the leg vein was harvested, by a new technique which minimise the wound size for aesthetic purpose as well as to minimise infection. The branches from the leg vein have to be tied up by string to ensure that the blood flow is smooth before the grafting. . Soon, the targeted vessel in the heart was located as well..

The next bulk of the surgery of transferring the leg vein to the heart is about to fall in place, but before that , the heart is stopped by potassium and low temperature, now, the perfusionist gets to wrk, with the life of the patient in their hands, by controlling and activating the perfusion system..stressful job ..with the knobs and numbers, clamps..

By this time, the two gals were already standing behind the patient on the trolley, head over the exposed heart, amazed at the delicate fingers of the surgeons as they sew the vessels together..an act that requires intense concentration and focus..

The graft was completed in around 3 hours time, providing an alternative route to the blocked vessel, allowing the blood to flow.. the next challenge is to perfuse the body again with blood and get the heart pumping..At this moment, the anesthetists have to go back to anchor their position, hence the two gals had to stand at a different place to avoid obstructing them..

Finally, the sternum was put back in place, secured with steel wires, and wound neatly sewed up, concluding the entire surgery sucessfully within 5 hours..By this time, the gals , though tired and cold, felt happy from the things that they learnt in this once in a life-time kind of experience..

Back from camp .. =) First camp in adults ministry..in Malacca.. it was a relaxing and refreshing camp for me.. Enjoyed the fellowshipping and was renewed by God, through teachings, through worship..



First time in camp, managed to squeeze in 'chill out' time in cafe.. watched Shrek 3, went for a jog in Malacca, went up A Farmosa and caught a performance of a few songs by 2 very talented street performers who looked abit like 'dong li huo che' =P Enjoyed every moment with my cg.. ha.. some events that happened along the way were really qt funny..

Yup.. initially before gg to this camp, felt quite tired.. primarily from adjusting to wrk.. felt a little far from God... bt thinking of the camp foreword, the word 'thrive' just struck me.. thrive gives me a picture of green grass, tt can flourish rapidly covering the field , weathering the storms and keeps growing.. think it just reminded me again tt i shldn't be a wishy washy Christian, to not only survive, but have to go beyond the ordinary.. the only way to do that is through the WOG.. think those times when i felt far from God is the time when i dun really have time to read the bible,quite hasty in reading.. but during the camp, the workshop that i attended really helped to stir up my interest in studying the bible in some new ways which i din really try before..=) want to do a biographical approach to studying the bible.. thinking of doing on Esther..hmm, have to ask ppl to keep myself in chk and make sure i do it.. if not will just remain contemplative.. ( my pathways to God is contemplative and creation.. =P)

Oh,mentioned abt the cafe ya, qt like the place.. thanx to the recommendation of Robert.. =P calathe is the name of the first hybridised orchid, so the owners named the cafe calathe...since their cafe is the first hybridised cafe and art gallery in Malacca.. in addition, it means promised land.. Then the owners started to share with us their story of setting up the cafe.. it was really inspiring and can see the amt of hard wrk that they have to put in..initially ppl were skeptical abt their ideas of importing coffee from all 13 states of Malaysia.. and abt the fusion of art and cafe, but they persevered on and nw, they are starting their 2nd shop within 2 years..



As they share, was just thinking, there are so many things that I tot of doing, or dream of doing, but in the end, i merely allowed them to remain as a dream...why is tt so? Why is it that some ppl can just go all out for their dreams, what is holding me back? still asking... think maybe fear failing, so dun like to venture out of comfort zone, fear of hardwork..



then as i think, it just linked to wat pastor simon eng talked about 20-30 years old are precious year, should use it to acquire experience and knowledge in all aspects of our life.. sometimes, afraid to try or learn new things, bcos think maybe qt prideful at times.. nt v teacheable.. afraid of how ppl look at me when i dunno or fail.. nd to really hope to grow in this area..bt thank God wor, sometimes He just provided some kind of opportunities to nudge me out of my comfort zone..to force me out of my boat..thru ppl, thru circumstances..looking back, think really need them though soem are qt 'unpalatable'.. =P



Then today saw how being inquisitive n humble will receive help.. went to see angioplasty and angiogram, then tried to ask as many qns as we can think of.. even qt dumb qns,we just asked.. so learnt alot today, from the technician, nurse, doc..they are really willing to teach us when we ask..even though we seem to be in the way as they do the procedures.. oops.. a sister also very willingly shared to us her experiences in her job that she thinks will help us... look forward to learning more tml abt cabg..

Woah...haha finally got to access this space of mine.. It had been ages since I last blogged.. did not change into a new version of blogspot.. so can't publish the posts I had..well, those that I did not publish, just let them stay that way.. looking at the unpublished posts.. in a way.. journeyed what I went through for the past one year.. ups and downs.. looking back.. really glad that there's God's hand is always holding me and guiding me along the way to bring me to where I am now ...=)

I've graduated wor! 24th April 2007, my last paper.. haha this signifies a new phase of life too..

Since then...went to vietnam with Mich n Gx, moved on to adults ministry, 2 weeks le, started my job, haha for around 4 days .. got my final results in uni..

Hmm, currently still in the midst of accustomising myself to this new phase of life, be it in ministry, or workplace etc..

Ministry wise, think I really miss the uni ppl, esp ppl whom I've built up close r/s with thru serving tog or thru the journey in uni tog..nw feel really happy when i mt them hmm, nt v close to ppl in adults yet.. except ppl like jia, dy... bt do look fwd to serving more with bro and sis whom i do not knoe yet n to bld stronger r/s wif them, esp for my cg.. though some are familiar like edwin, kaili, robert, but din really serve with them b4.. then for mel is like the last time i served wif her was when anne still ard, tt's ages le.. hope to hav the same sense of closeness if not deeper than b4 wif mel..want to get to knoe zy, hy better too..cos dunno em at all.. =P

bt think there are certain challenges, in adults, most are wrking, so dun hav the luxury to just meet as n when , then sometimes aft wrk can be really tiring n e time avail for fellowship is only eve.. need more efforts.. to grow to take more initiative also even more i think comapred to uni.. then thru the 2 wks realised tt nw tt i am one of the younger ones ..in my cg..qt tempted to just be laid back n cruise along cos thinking qt new to the group..so let the people who are older spk first.. haha not good ya?! thank God for His reminder to me.. hav to cont to set an example..do wat is right in God's sight, to bld upon wat i've attained in the uni ministry n grow myself further nt to just slack n go downhill.. this is something which i am afraid of as i move on.. need to guard it... then some areas i want to grow in is boldness in spking God's truth, be it in wrkplace or ministry or even at home... to different ppl, be it young or old.. not to give excuses like think I'm qt inadequate, lack experience, young etc.. want to have a breakthru in bible reading as well.. to read a bible for all its' worth.. (like the first adult unit taught us hw to read the bible..it's really interesting..n realised there are so much that i missed out as i read the bible, need to expound deeper.. ) sometimes qt can be a bit rushed, have to slow down, pray and listen to God..pray against distractions too... laziness, tiredness.. etc etc..

At wrk , it's really quite exciting, think the ppl in my team are around the same age as me, some only started wrking a yr ago, one even fresh grad like me.. sup is quite nice n enc.. thank God for tt.. now still learning.. learnt qt a bit abt heart disease treatment n looking fwd to attachments where i can enter an operating theatre to c a surgeon perform bypass, c angioplasty, see a physiotherapist, pharmacist, dietician at wrk, think can learn alot frm each one of them.. nxt week, will start talking to patients soon..pray tt as i go along, will learn the ropes fast n to make an imapct in my wrkplace, collegues, supervisor.. patients.. =)

Oh ya, mentioned my results ya.. By God's grace, I got 2nd upper n did well for my fyp.. got A-.. it's really thank God..

Counting my blessings, just felt so loved by Him, everything that I've achieved , cannot be denied is really by His grace..Just this year alone..

1) for my FYP, how at the crunch time, managed to grow some tiny weeny crystals.. though cannot diffract, but for the duration of the project, think it really is not as bad as i tot, n the results confirmed tt..

2) For the job that I got as a case manager in NHG.. this job really drop from heaven.. going for interview half prepared, resume was done up hurriedly (as e interview clashing wif the busy period of fyp n deadlines..) Just felt comfortable talking to the interviewers..really dun think it's by my own capability...

Can not thank Him enuff!