Dear Lord,
As much as I feel like a zombie today, I still think yesterday was fab. I hope this lasts forever! We had excellent food and superb fellowship. Thought it was a bit warm because of the yellow lightings, but the guys insisted it was the fellowship. Or was it the topic on virility that flew in from Bangkok?
I'll have to agree with Elaine that even though most of us were handling some of the posts for the first time, we did pretty well. I'll have to give myself a pat on the back for doing something I thought I'd never do. My cousin might think this is all narcissistic, but I think it's good to reward yourself for a job well done, especially if it was a first attempt. :D
I'm trying very hard to stay awake now. Nose running, I think it's the lack of sleep. Shouldn't have washed my hair so late. Since my hair was still wet, I took the opportunity to search some verses. My guess was right, where else could the word "cluster" evoke such response from the guys. The Rev confirmed my suspicion, and Ah Chung's message sounded worried when he found out what I found out.
But, clusters?? That sounds like a lot of, you-know-what. Some of the earlier references like "two fawns" and "twins of a gazelle" sound more reasonable, don't you think? Well, that's the Song of Solomon for you ;) Descriptively poetic.
And o Lord? Please keep me awake for the rest of the day. I haven't been productive at all today!
AMEN :)
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
10 things i learnt about my cell pastor
Had a Cell Host Appreciation Dinner last. Shall not bore thee with details of food. But through a quiz, I did learn some interesting stuff about my Cell Pastor :
1) Her fav pastime is NOT shopping, but spending time with her godchildren.
2) She has 4 godchildren, out of which 3 are sibilings.
3) Her favourite food is chilli crab.(I got this right because she's into seafood)
4) She dislikes eating bittergourd.
5) She's been to USA, Taiwan, Bali and India, but NOT China.
6) She spent her teenage years in the 70's.
7) She has had 1 official boyfriend before. (Only the other lady pastor knows who!)
8) Her favourite singer is Celine Dion, and not Cliff Richard as most of us thought.
9) Her shoe size I forgot, but I think it should be 5. (coz her feet doesn't look bigger than mine)
10) Her dream guy is someone tall, cute and funny.
1) Her fav pastime is NOT shopping, but spending time with her godchildren.
2) She has 4 godchildren, out of which 3 are sibilings.
3) Her favourite food is chilli crab.(I got this right because she's into seafood)
4) She dislikes eating bittergourd.
5) She's been to USA, Taiwan, Bali and India, but NOT China.
6) She spent her teenage years in the 70's.
7) She has had 1 official boyfriend before. (Only the other lady pastor knows who!)
8) Her favourite singer is Celine Dion, and not Cliff Richard as most of us thought.
9) Her shoe size I forgot, but I think it should be 5. (coz her feet doesn't look bigger than mine)
10) Her dream guy is someone tall, cute and funny.
1 cor 13
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
This kind of love is an act of your will, not a product of your emotions. It's based on a commitment to love.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
This kind of love is an act of your will, not a product of your emotions. It's based on a commitment to love.
Friday, November 26, 2004
glutton day
* lemang * rendang * curry chicken * carrot rice * nasi himpit * putu mayam * santan * gula melaka * caramel custard * double chocolate cake
above was the menu for yesterday's departmental Deeparaya celebations.
had those for breakfast, lunch and tea.
marathon of makan sessions, too sleepy for productive work :p
then off to Carcosa for book launch and food tasting of dishes featured in the book.
Carcosa looked very grand and old-world. chandeliers, dark carpets, antique piano, heavy drapes, warm lightings.
imagine holding a garden wedding* there... ;)
* some friends were discussing about "love and life partner", so couldn't help thinking of this.
above was the menu for yesterday's departmental Deeparaya celebations.
had those for breakfast, lunch and tea.
marathon of makan sessions, too sleepy for productive work :p
then off to Carcosa for book launch and food tasting of dishes featured in the book.
Carcosa looked very grand and old-world. chandeliers, dark carpets, antique piano, heavy drapes, warm lightings.
imagine holding a garden wedding* there... ;)
* some friends were discussing about "love and life partner", so couldn't help thinking of this.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
it took me so long to learn this..
.. that the whole camp experience wasn't just about serving other people and making sure they leave the camp with good memories.
Was trying to apply the Personal Rule of Life learnt from Dr Living when I decided to just write down my thoughts in my journal. Some of my more intimate conversations with Him are revealed as I pen down the things that go through my head. Sometimes there's just too much running up there that I find it hard to focus. Journalling, as I learnt from the last i-bridge camp, helps a lot.
Basically, there's a lot of humbling lessons to be learnt, right from the planning of the camp, going through the camp itself and even until today. All I can say is, sometimes it's not just the other person, it could be yourself.
One of the half campers who insisted on giving his "excess" money to bless the committee members even shared a similar tale. Even though he didn't manage to come in time to enjoy the ice breakers or got to know everyone's names, he gave a moving testimony at the last day of camp. He shared a little bit more after I replied to his email.
Even though our experiences are different, but God managed to show us what a gracious and merciful Father He is. With all the tantrums and demands we throw at God, I'm amazed He hasn't disowned us yet! :P
Was trying to apply the Personal Rule of Life learnt from Dr Living when I decided to just write down my thoughts in my journal. Some of my more intimate conversations with Him are revealed as I pen down the things that go through my head. Sometimes there's just too much running up there that I find it hard to focus. Journalling, as I learnt from the last i-bridge camp, helps a lot.
Basically, there's a lot of humbling lessons to be learnt, right from the planning of the camp, going through the camp itself and even until today. All I can say is, sometimes it's not just the other person, it could be yourself.
One of the half campers who insisted on giving his "excess" money to bless the committee members even shared a similar tale. Even though he didn't manage to come in time to enjoy the ice breakers or got to know everyone's names, he gave a moving testimony at the last day of camp. He shared a little bit more after I replied to his email.
Even though our experiences are different, but God managed to show us what a gracious and merciful Father He is. With all the tantrums and demands we throw at God, I'm amazed He hasn't disowned us yet! :P
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
of grrls and their dresses
We were hanging out at Sunway Pyr@mid when we passed by this boutique selling gowns and dresses. alvinK began relating his experience helping 4 girls choose their dress for prom night. He made some pretty interesting observations being the only guy in the group. Some of these lines reflect his comments :
"I'd rather die than be seen in a party where another grrl is wearing an identical dress"
"When attending a party, I make sure I don't wear the same dress as the previous party when the same person would be there"
"... and if I really really have to repeat the dress, I'll try to vary the accessories, shoes, or hairstyle... anything as long as it looks different!"
"Since Miss-Legally-Blond bought the pink pumps, I'll have to get black ones instead"
"Aiyo, Ms. Fahionista has that top too? Remind me not to wear it on the same day as her"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On a non-related note, Christmas is but a month away.
To start off the holiday mood, enjoy this cutesy flash, thanks to alvinK.
"I'd rather die than be seen in a party where another grrl is wearing an identical dress"
"When attending a party, I make sure I don't wear the same dress as the previous party when the same person would be there"
"... and if I really really have to repeat the dress, I'll try to vary the accessories, shoes, or hairstyle... anything as long as it looks different!"
"Since Miss-Legally-Blond bought the pink pumps, I'll have to get black ones instead"
"Aiyo, Ms. Fahionista has that top too? Remind me not to wear it on the same day as her"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On a non-related note, Christmas is but a month away.
To start off the holiday mood, enjoy this cutesy flash, thanks to alvinK.
Friday, November 19, 2004
torn on thursday
my next thursday is cramped and i'm torn on all sides.
got this invite for a book launch at carcosa seri negara (!). the terror merror* lady minister shahriz@t will be there to officate the whole thing, and we were invited to savour food which form "malaysia's culinary heritage". a chance to put on the fats and enjoy the famed ambience in the very hotel where Queen E herself stayed.
at the same time, our jr church team will be having our fortnightly meeting. i already had to excuse myself last week due to the camp planning. as much as i think some meetings are a waste of time (where people drink coffee and make a lot of noise), this type of meetings are needed. if not, the kids will wreck havoc come sunday and teachers will be in need of a spa and massage at the end of the day.
and we have an ongoing discussion to decide when to hold a post mortem for the camp. can't wait for more fellowship and food. malaysians are a gluttonny lot. i'm amazed at the amount of food we eat and the lengths we go just to find good food! anyways, i hope we come to a consensus soon. most are excited and want to contribute something for dinner. i'd lurve to have them try my specialty, but i'm wondering whether i'll have time to go home to prepare it!
oh well, the weekend is here. 4 more hours to go.
i think i shall take a nap first. they say an afternoon siesta keeps you refreshed for the rest of the day. :)
*terror merror --> very terror --> not scary, but hebat. known for her passion and determination in her capacity as minister of women, family n community development.
got this invite for a book launch at carcosa seri negara (!). the terror merror* lady minister shahriz@t will be there to officate the whole thing, and we were invited to savour food which form "malaysia's culinary heritage". a chance to put on the fats and enjoy the famed ambience in the very hotel where Queen E herself stayed.
at the same time, our jr church team will be having our fortnightly meeting. i already had to excuse myself last week due to the camp planning. as much as i think some meetings are a waste of time (where people drink coffee and make a lot of noise), this type of meetings are needed. if not, the kids will wreck havoc come sunday and teachers will be in need of a spa and massage at the end of the day.
and we have an ongoing discussion to decide when to hold a post mortem for the camp. can't wait for more fellowship and food. malaysians are a gluttonny lot. i'm amazed at the amount of food we eat and the lengths we go just to find good food! anyways, i hope we come to a consensus soon. most are excited and want to contribute something for dinner. i'd lurve to have them try my specialty, but i'm wondering whether i'll have time to go home to prepare it!
oh well, the weekend is here. 4 more hours to go.
i think i shall take a nap first. they say an afternoon siesta keeps you refreshed for the rest of the day. :)
*terror merror --> very terror --> not scary, but hebat. known for her passion and determination in her capacity as minister of women, family n community development.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
the retreat that was
Monday seemed like the shortest day of the week. It was the last day of the i-bridge retreat. It was time to say goodbye to all the campers. Most of us were picked by Elaine went up to the front to share our testimonies and how we were blessed by the sessions.
I couldn't remember much of what happened throughout the 3 days, I was busy running around. But some of the things which stuck were the sessions on work ethics, transforming the workplace through our relationship, and burn out vs. rust out.
When I signed up for the camp, I didn't indicate which group I wanted to join. My friend asked me to join him in the 1st group, because he wanted to feel "young". But if the topics were going to be the same as last year's retreat, I might as well join the older group. After all, I just touched my 3rd working year. Time to grow up and take solid stuff.
Most, I should say, the rest of my group members had many years of experience compared to me. I felt like the youngest, and was really glad they had these insights from their working life. I was so impressed by their testimonies I forgot what I wanted to share sometimes. Some had people working under them, some had to juggle many ministries that their weekends were busier than their weekdays, and a few were coming back to church to serve again.
But what was clear was that, I was not alone in this journey. Though we had different experiences after graduating, we were comforted by the fact that God is still there for us. He may seemed like so far away, not listening to our prayers or our complains. But on hindsight, He was in control. He allowed challenges to mould us, obstacles to build us, and difficulties to shape us.
When I was a teenager, I thought I'd have my life figured out when I reached 21. At a quarter of a century old, I still do not know what I want to do with the rest of my life! So when I graduated, I had all these grand plans in my head. All waiting to be materialised. Career, ministries, relationships, dreams.
After 3 years, I sorta had an idea where God was leading me. Well, I can't see the end of the journey yet. He's only lighting the path one step at a time. I still have those ambitious dreams I wanna achieve. I don't know whether I will have a chance to do all of them. I'm beginning to think that He might have something else in store for me. Something grander than what I can imagine at the moment.
Well, the retreat was really refreshing. As we shared, I felt like I was back in CF again. All these people with their struggles and weaknesses. These were real people with hopes and dreams too. I'm sure they wanted to do big things in their life. Do big things for God.
And once again, I just sit back and enjoy their stories. Knowing that God is in control. He doesn't allow things to happen just because he felt like giving sunshine to some, and rain to others. Nor is he a sadistic God who enjoys watching us suffer.
I want to believe that He brought us all together for a reason. That whatever happened in the grander scheme of things, even if I don't understand the why's and what if's, He had a reason for those as well. And for that, I'm a little comforted.
I couldn't remember much of what happened throughout the 3 days, I was busy running around. But some of the things which stuck were the sessions on work ethics, transforming the workplace through our relationship, and burn out vs. rust out.
When I signed up for the camp, I didn't indicate which group I wanted to join. My friend asked me to join him in the 1st group, because he wanted to feel "young". But if the topics were going to be the same as last year's retreat, I might as well join the older group. After all, I just touched my 3rd working year. Time to grow up and take solid stuff.
Most, I should say, the rest of my group members had many years of experience compared to me. I felt like the youngest, and was really glad they had these insights from their working life. I was so impressed by their testimonies I forgot what I wanted to share sometimes. Some had people working under them, some had to juggle many ministries that their weekends were busier than their weekdays, and a few were coming back to church to serve again.
But what was clear was that, I was not alone in this journey. Though we had different experiences after graduating, we were comforted by the fact that God is still there for us. He may seemed like so far away, not listening to our prayers or our complains. But on hindsight, He was in control. He allowed challenges to mould us, obstacles to build us, and difficulties to shape us.
When I was a teenager, I thought I'd have my life figured out when I reached 21. At a quarter of a century old, I still do not know what I want to do with the rest of my life! So when I graduated, I had all these grand plans in my head. All waiting to be materialised. Career, ministries, relationships, dreams.
After 3 years, I sorta had an idea where God was leading me. Well, I can't see the end of the journey yet. He's only lighting the path one step at a time. I still have those ambitious dreams I wanna achieve. I don't know whether I will have a chance to do all of them. I'm beginning to think that He might have something else in store for me. Something grander than what I can imagine at the moment.
Well, the retreat was really refreshing. As we shared, I felt like I was back in CF again. All these people with their struggles and weaknesses. These were real people with hopes and dreams too. I'm sure they wanted to do big things in their life. Do big things for God.
And once again, I just sit back and enjoy their stories. Knowing that God is in control. He doesn't allow things to happen just because he felt like giving sunshine to some, and rain to others. Nor is he a sadistic God who enjoys watching us suffer.
I want to believe that He brought us all together for a reason. That whatever happened in the grander scheme of things, even if I don't understand the why's and what if's, He had a reason for those as well. And for that, I'm a little comforted.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
exposed
Tonight was the last of i-bridge camp planning meetings. Can't believe we still had so many things to settle. But we had great fun. Excellent host, I must add. I officially note my heartfelt thanks for her generosity - spaghetti followed by fruits and ice-cream are stuff that you don't usually get at committee meets!
And tonight was when Hedonese decided to expose my, erm, affection for Jeff. Yes, the guy whom I'm supposed to be in love with. Whose voice I'm so enamoured with. But whose person I've never met. So far.
From now on I have to think even harder about what I post online. First of all, it were the guys I can't tell whose endeavours have gone quite unexpected, then it spreaded to all these i-bridge people! I must watch my words and make sure I behave in here. :>
No more S&M, no more Valentine stories, no more juicy gossips.
Darn, that leaves me with boring work updates, no one to complain about and worse of all, I have to behave like I'm in church!
:P
And tonight was when Hedonese decided to expose my, erm, affection for Jeff. Yes, the guy whom I'm supposed to be in love with. Whose voice I'm so enamoured with. But whose person I've never met. So far.
From now on I have to think even harder about what I post online. First of all, it were the guys I can't tell whose endeavours have gone quite unexpected, then it spreaded to all these i-bridge people! I must watch my words and make sure I behave in here. :>
No more S&M, no more Valentine stories, no more juicy gossips.
Darn, that leaves me with boring work updates, no one to complain about and worse of all, I have to behave like I'm in church!
:P
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
ibridge camp
*yay*
another long weekend.
can't believe the week is ending already.
looking forward to sun, sand and sea this raya break.
jasond says it's going to be a playground for me. where i will choose my victims. i want to pretend i do not understand what that means. well, i don't have to, because i really don't.
all this rain and no sun makes me a dull girl. some warmth at last.
red swimsuit, you shall see the light of day at long last!
another long weekend.
can't believe the week is ending already.
looking forward to sun, sand and sea this raya break.
jasond says it's going to be a playground for me. where i will choose my victims. i want to pretend i do not understand what that means. well, i don't have to, because i really don't.
all this rain and no sun makes me a dull girl. some warmth at last.
red swimsuit, you shall see the light of day at long last!
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
accidentally in love
It must be the lovey-dovey season. Lots of weddings going on, especially these last few months. I find myself grinning silly at love songs playing on the radio. My custom mesg on YM gives people the (wrong) impression that I'm in love. Guys message me and ask who I'm "accidentally in love" with. I type back "you" and they either play along or laugh it off. But I eventually tell them it's a line from Counting Crows' song. Liked the catchy tune immediately when I first heard it on Shrek2.
One of my grrlfriends shocked me with a recent news during her birthday. During an intimate rendezvous with her dahling, he produced a ring and "proposed" to her. Well, I don't know the exact words which amount to a proper proposal, but I guess if a guy were to ask a girl if she would spend the rest of her life with him, it's considered a proposal, right?
Anyways, she's naturally delighted with the proposition. But he'll have to wait for 2 years. Before she can really really say yes. Gives them time to know each other better. After all, if they're really right for each other, it's worth the wait.
We had some apprehensions when she first told us about this guy. Been together for almost a year now, I'm happy for her. But something about his past and the way he came back to her made it not so right. Most of us had never met him before, so we're taken aback that he's already proposed to her. I felt as if I needed to "approve" of him first.
I don't mean to be possessive, but we go a long way back. She knows the guys who's after me, counselled them (read : leak bits of info about me) and even helped orchestrate some of their stunts. This doesn't always amuse me, but that's what girlfriends are for. So since this is the first guy she's serious about, I want to share that joy with her as well.
As for me, I'll enjoyjeff's voice the love songs for now.
One of my grrlfriends shocked me with a recent news during her birthday. During an intimate rendezvous with her dahling, he produced a ring and "proposed" to her. Well, I don't know the exact words which amount to a proper proposal, but I guess if a guy were to ask a girl if she would spend the rest of her life with him, it's considered a proposal, right?
Anyways, she's naturally delighted with the proposition. But he'll have to wait for 2 years. Before she can really really say yes. Gives them time to know each other better. After all, if they're really right for each other, it's worth the wait.
We had some apprehensions when she first told us about this guy. Been together for almost a year now, I'm happy for her. But something about his past and the way he came back to her made it not so right. Most of us had never met him before, so we're taken aback that he's already proposed to her. I felt as if I needed to "approve" of him first.
I don't mean to be possessive, but we go a long way back. She knows the guys who's after me, counselled them (read : leak bits of info about me) and even helped orchestrate some of their stunts. This doesn't always amuse me, but that's what girlfriends are for. So since this is the first guy she's serious about, I want to share that joy with her as well.
As for me, I'll enjoy
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
his name is jeff
I must be crazy. I'm falling in love with a voice whose owner I've never met.
I never expected someone like him to be working in the IT dept. Most of them are Chinese-ed, and so, have a different mindset and speak, well, differently. No offence to Chinese-ed techie guys out there, I admire the fact that they're pretty smart and have the brains to do what they're doing now.
I usually talk to NW, this grrl from IT who has been working with me on many projects. But after she resigned, I had to deal with some of the newer guys. One of them was Jeffrey, doing support.
He was involved with documentation before assigned to his current role. That explains his impeccable English. I was actually quite taken aback when I first spoke to him. His voice is just so manly. Deep and sexy. Coupled with a good command of English, I wondered to myself, "What's he doing in the IT dept??"
For all I know, I could've bumped into him anywhere in the building, but didn't know it was him I spoke to. But it doesn't really matter. It's just enough to hear his voice on the phone. It can melt any grrl's heart. Chocolate will even melt, I think.
Not only does he sound so calm and collected, but his emails are also very PR-ish. Most of the time, emails that come from that dept will have contents like "Leased-line down. Cannot surf internet." and "Leased-line up. Can surf now." But Jeff (yes, he signs off as Jeff after I reply his email) writes in complete paragraphs and in such a nice sounding way ("I hope I'm not stepping on any toes when I suggest that...", etc) that I don't mind being inconvenienced by whatever's down that time. (And I'm tempted to write back "Baby, you can step on mine anytime", then realise, what has gotten into me?!)
I have half a mind to sabotage my login id so that I will have an excuse to hear Jeff's chocolate-melting voice! Heh.
I never expected someone like him to be working in the IT dept. Most of them are Chinese-ed, and so, have a different mindset and speak, well, differently. No offence to Chinese-ed techie guys out there, I admire the fact that they're pretty smart and have the brains to do what they're doing now.
I usually talk to NW, this grrl from IT who has been working with me on many projects. But after she resigned, I had to deal with some of the newer guys. One of them was Jeffrey, doing support.
He was involved with documentation before assigned to his current role. That explains his impeccable English. I was actually quite taken aback when I first spoke to him. His voice is just so manly. Deep and sexy. Coupled with a good command of English, I wondered to myself, "What's he doing in the IT dept??"
For all I know, I could've bumped into him anywhere in the building, but didn't know it was him I spoke to. But it doesn't really matter. It's just enough to hear his voice on the phone. It can melt any grrl's heart. Chocolate will even melt, I think.
Not only does he sound so calm and collected, but his emails are also very PR-ish. Most of the time, emails that come from that dept will have contents like "Leased-line down. Cannot surf internet." and "Leased-line up. Can surf now." But Jeff (yes, he signs off as Jeff after I reply his email) writes in complete paragraphs and in such a nice sounding way ("I hope I'm not stepping on any toes when I suggest that...", etc) that I don't mind being inconvenienced by whatever's down that time. (And I'm tempted to write back "Baby, you can step on mine anytime", then realise, what has gotten into me?!)
I have half a mind to sabotage my login id so that I will have an excuse to hear Jeff's chocolate-melting voice! Heh.
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