what an easter this year

It's been quite a memorable Easter Sunday. I've been trying to get a hold of Masami-san since before my birthday, but found out that she was not in Japan then. She had just arrived few weeks ago and would only be around for 2 weeks before flying back to Singapore. 

I thought, if she couldn't make it for church, we could spend some time at my place. So I made some kurma chicken (I still have lots of the powder left!), hoping she would have missed some Malaysian food. Alas, in my haste I had forgotten to add one of the most important ingredient - fortunately it wasn't too late to add the salt even after it had been cooked :D 

Was glad that I was able to see her, since she was not permitted to visit Malaysia for awhile due to her accidental previous overstay. Cindy has left for Chicago, and I was a little worried she might still be depressed. 

It was very nice of her to bring many gifts - which she shouldn't have! I've always admired her for having such strength and vitality despite being a grandmother, able to go around starting Yosakoi groups and teaching traditional Japanese dance lessons. (Good reminder to take the stairs more often!)

She enjoyed the hula dance at the beginning of the church service, though I was amused to find her nodding during the sermon. Maybe the message was more for me, and I couldn't help but be reminded (just a little) about the "log in my eye". 

I was glad that Dora was able to join for dinner after that, at a chain restaurant that I used to frequent back in Tokyo. So it was quite nostalgic to be able to savour some healthy Japanese food while catching up with old friends.  

I came home to a lovely package of premium potato chips, an elegantly wrapped box of pineapple tarts, and the remainder of the freshest fruit cakes - how can I not be reminded that He would provide? 

in love with You

Trying to reflect on His love even as Easter draws near... and in light of recent circumstances. It's been long overdue anyways, and a keen reminder of His patience and mercy.

There's nothing like a shake-up of the things that you thought would be there forever, to get you out of your comfort zone and cling on to the One who is constant.

Śærãh

I received this last year on my birthday, and was both amused and flattered. Thinking it was more for my personal perusal, I kept it to myself. However, having a deeper appreciation later I felt it was due for sharing...

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The extremely rare Sarah (hypothesized pronunciation: Śærãh), initially from the tropical regions of Malaysia.

The Sarah is not yet fully understood by most humans, but is said to have a wide span of interest in many things and impressive set of capabilities comparing to other homo sapiens, having supreme features and traits.

The Sarah is said to be of such uniqueness and extreme rarity that there is only one on Earth, with no more than one recorded sighting ever.

The Sarah is definitely a nocturnal creature, often feeling hunger and wanders around at night. It is suggested that the Sarah has traversed many continents and corners of the world, but is most likely currently residing somewhere in the southeast region of Asia according to recent reports.

With a keen interest in variants of Cocoa drinks, Milo seem to in many cases be Her prime source of food intake, although having a preferred approach for as much variety as possible and careful considerations in order to have “a balanced meal”.

Furthermore, the Sarah seem to often be prepared with other various kinds of snacks at arms distance, should a situation in Her daily habitat not allow for a proper and well cooked dish.

Should you find yourself to be in any kind proximity (virtual, physical or any other imaginary form) to the Sarah, great caution must be taken. For as soon as She shows but one minuscule part of Her individuality you will be lost forever, captured by Her unparalleled charisma, sharp intellect, otherworldly presence and enchanting beauty on multiple levels.

The Sarah may “capture” any mind it so desires, consciously or passively (by simply being in proximity one way or another), but has the most kind soul and wishes good upon the world.

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*Photo credit to Wiki (which I later found out!)

of birds, butterflies and the gallant horse

Not knowing how I'd cope after sending Sute-chan off, I invited Dora over for dinner. It's been some time since I met up with her, and I thought a little catching up would be good.

I made some simple kurma chicken served with rice, she brought over pasta salad and choc crackers. I decided to let her try Oyundari's leftover Mozart Chocolate Cream and the remainder Sawanotsuru umeshu from Sute-chan.

It was quite fun trying to learn each other's recipes and pairing liquor with food. I tell people here that alcohol is usually reserved for special occasions, and that we don't have a drinking culture in Malaysia. While I think I've grown more adventurous with trying out various cocktails, I don't think I'll ever match the levels of the Japanese and Koreans, or even Brits and Aussies!

Thankfully the highlight of the evening was our exchanging stories and prayers for each other. Her gift of revelation and warm touch while laying hand on me was something I noted down in my journal. I was glad my struggles past year had given her some encouragement for her current situation. If it was any help to her, I'd be so grateful to have learnt some lessons through my own trials.

respite from whirlpool

The past few weeks have been quite a mix bag of emotions. The whole team whom I'm seated and working with, have left for Tokyo one by one.

It was quite a relief on one hand because I would get a little break from the continuous high-stress level and how it affected some team members. On the other hand, this was the team that ate and played together; being the pioneer member I felt a little sad I wouldn't be able to join them on more adventures.

I was glad though that Sute-chan was the last to leave. We managed to sneak in some krazy but fun things in the remaining days, and I tried my best to busy myself with helping out so that I wouldn't feel it. However, it really hit me on the last day. The sending off was especially difficult.

All the whirling activities came to a stop, and it felt so surreal being alone. It's like everyone resigned leaving me with the whole table to myself now.

Not sure if it's because of the farewell note from Sute-chan (to the division to "please take care of Sarah :)"), but some colleagues were nice enough to ask if I was okay. Tomomi asked if I'd like to move over to her table, Waka suggested we have a meal together, and Seb invited me to go up to their department to chill.

I just need to appreciate this new-found peace and quiet. Who knows I may be sucked into another whirpool and then I'd wish I took advantage of this momentary pause.

make-up less

It has been influenza season lately in the office, so it's not uncommon to see people in masks. I asked Oka-san if she was having the flu when I bumped into her near the toilet. She replied with a Japanese word, " すっぴん ".

I knew what it meant, but didn't realise that having no make-up was the reason for her putting on the mask. I was a bit surprised at first, so didn't respond immediately. I left a note on chat when I went back to my desk, trying to tell her that she still looked great without make-up.

SL : おかーさん！

HO : ほーい

SL : メークなしでもまだ美ままよ～

HO : ｗｗｗ

さすがにすっぴんはダメやねｗ

SL : 時々メークはめんどくださいですね～

HO : そうよね！会社に来るだけなのに・・って思ってしまう～

SL : それは面白いですｇね

多分これは日本の文化かなぁ～

HO : そう思う！外人はあんまり化粧してないよね

日本人はみんなバッチリメークやもんね

SL : ｗｗｗｗ

日本人ようなメークは、大体外人にとって、パーティの時しかしてないと思う

HO : そうなんやー

濃いもんね外人ってTVではスゴイ濃いけどね

SL : ＴＶはテレビ？

HO : そうそうｗ

テレビで見る人ってすごくメークが濃いでしょ？

SL : あ～なるほご！

それは。。多分しょうがないかなぁ～

HO : でも普段会う人はほとんどメークしてないね

SL : 顔よくみえるように

HO : 私はメークする時間も１０分もかからないけど

長い人は２時間かけてメークするんだって

SL : ２時間？？？

そんなに

HO : どこをどうしたら、そんなにかかるんかなー？

たまにネットでもやってるけど

SL : シャワー含む時間？

HO : 含まないよｗｗｗ

メークだけ

SL : 髪の毛のは？

HO : 含まないよｗ

目とか大きくしてすごいメークするから別人になってるよｗ

SL : だからすごく他人に見えるね

そうそう。。。別人

HO : www

別人にならないようにメークするわ

SL : ｗｗｗ

日本の化粧品の売り上げはいいねそんなにどこでも、たくさん種類

HO : みんな毎月化粧品に２万円とか使うみたいよ！多かったらもっと使うらしい

もったいないねー

SL : あ～そうなの

おかさん、メーク教えて～ｗｗｗ

HO : ｗｗｗ

私のメークじゃ、あんまり上手にならないと思うよｗネットで調べるとたくさんあるよ！

SL : ｗｗｗ

HO : 別人になるメイクもあるよｗ

SL : そんなメークは多分た～～～くさん商品必要ね

HO : あーなるほど

確かに必要かもｗｗｗ

steady my heart

2015 has been somewhat a better year compared to the year before. I've been truly blessed with having richer relationships and plenty of good memories. Many beyond my imagination.

I look back and think about some of the rocky road that I had to go through in 2014, and realise some just had to happen. Some paved way for other things that turned out to be silver lining. Some remain a mystery, but I learnt that not everything have to be resolved. I learnt that in those cases, it's better to surrender and "lose control".

When recalling some recent incidents that brought up the past, I reminded myself that I don't need to know all the why's. I might have to ask God when I meet Him one day, or perhaps when that day comes it does not matter anymore.

One thing I do know, though, that if I overcome a particular obstacle, it prepares me for bigger ones. It sounds too obvious sometimes, but when you're down in the slumps, it's hard to think that way! If I don't, then I might not know why it happened, or worse still, I'd indulge in pity party and think the world's against me.

So when I listened to an old favourite from Kari, I think of all those messy painful times and recall His goodness and trust that He will come through for me again.

gustav made me wanna mambo

It's been some time since I chilled with some nice classical music. After a heart-to-heart chat with Sute-chan and deciding to spend Saturday evening catching up with me-time, I turned to Digital Concert Hall for some recommendation.

So happened they were featuring a free concert conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra. The piece that received standing ovation was Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du printemps. I didn't know Gustavo and this Orchestra were such a big deal until I read deeper while trying to find another version of the encore piece.

This led me to a very enthusiastic interpretation of Leonard Bernstein's Mambo, which made me wish I was part of the audience that evening!