Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Thank God for the creation of umbrellas! These days are rainy days for sure... I had raindrops above my head the moment we arrived Lok Kawi Wildlife Park on 12th November 2009. Of course, I also have to thank God for a smart Doraemon, who had probably scanned through the weather forecast on the papers before waiting for me to pick him up from home. He brought along two big, sturdy umbrellas. The sky was blue and the clouds were puffy white ones on my way from Kingfisher, but somehow it started drizzling when my car was on the way at around Lintas. I was rather disappointed because I loved being outdoors when it's clear blue sky though it could be crazily scorching. I was veered back to reality of why I initiated this outing in the first place - 12th November is my late father's birthday, and I didn't want to be alone on the day. So I complained not of the weather for once. And I thanked God for Doraemon's companionship, silent yet comfortable.

So by the time we finished lunch nearby the entrance of the wildlife park, you could see from the first picture that the ground was drenched. Thanks to the umbrellas, we weren't. As it was raining, we took the tram... It was exciting for me - my first time on the tram. (Okay, now I sounded like sakai, but I don't care!). Prior to that, we took a stroll to see the birds and civets and clouded leopard. I find it adorable when Doraemon exclaimed, "Oh! It looks like a cat!" when he saw the Malayan Civet. And personally I think he likes cats when he spent quite a while staring at the majestic clouded leopard which looks like a kitty cat. And the cautions he gave regarding flashes from my digicam which might startle the leopard... Umm... Actually I read the notice on the cages too.


By far, my fav is the friendly elephants there... Despite the rain, I saw baby elephant suckling the mommy, and there was this elephant which made a weird, dizzy-head dance in front of me. It was funny and I was simply having fun with all the elephants' stunts. Took many photos but it's pretty late now and if you're interested to see more, let me know. Then I'll upload more.
Another highlight would be the close encounter with Mogli, the orang utan in the park. He's 6 years old, according to the park ranger. Though I was at really close range with Mogli, I was not allowed to touch him, unless he was the one who touches me first. Weird, but true. Umm... He was eating sunflower seeds... There were many people around us who took photos with him. Yeah... except Doraemon. He declined when I offered to take for him. He's just not exactly a photo-person.

I loved the otters and monkeys too, but the photos didn't turn out good, so I've decided against putting them here. Otters love rain I guess, because they were screetching at high-pitch tones the whole time we were there.

Doraemon was really nice to walk with me to see the one and only Sumatran rhino even it was raining rather heavily and he did mention he didn't want to get wet. I was touched by his kind gesture. We had ice-cream despite the rain and cool wind, then headed back because I had to get ready for Eagan's birthday surprise at night, and yeah, I think he had an appointment too with whoever it may be. I really was and am grateful for the companionship Doraemon provided for the day. He's definitely a loving and thoughtful brother in Christ for sure.

The walk reminded me so much of the love of nature that my dad had planted in my heart since young. My dad left his footprints in my heart and my life, basically nothing could erase his trace in my 27 years of life. Daddy I miss you a lot but I know you're exactly where you are, in the embrace of our Lord Jesus.

Things DO Change

I notice that changes are taking place whether I like it or not. Few things that certainly have changed since I started this year-long journey since September 2008 would be the people I hang out with, the simple enjoyment of being single (no strings attache) and the joy of having time off from everything just to be alone with a book (somehow I have a pile of new, unread books waiting for me to explore) or just to blog about things in life. Not forgetting the not-so-comfy topics of my dad's passing and the distance I feel with a certain group of people (which I termed as "it's complicated" when Doraemon asked me if I would be hanging out with them on the day before my birthday). I know that things changed, perhaps, I changed. These changes are unavoidable, and I know I'm growing up fast, like it or not. Whether or not this certain group of people realize my change or not, it matters not to me anymore. I truly had enough of gossip mongers and cliques.

I have a strange dislike on the formation of cliques, be it in school, work place or ministry. Somehow, I find that cliques repel people, new people especially, to stay on in the place. It makes people uncomfortable, and most probably don't feel belonged to the group. Yes, I am anti-cliques, and I don't bother to hide it. I know that cliques don't build up a generation, instead, it brings downfall to one. And everyone always has a choice, whether you want to be in a clique (where you probably feel good, comfy and protected), or you choose to befriend everybody (where it can bring you difficulties, and people may not treat you so protectively). You always have a choice!

So, things DO change. I used to be a "Pharisee", now, I choose not to, though it is always a constant challenge to remind myself not to be self-righteous nor be justifying towards situations.

Baby Micah's Full Moon Party

I'm honoured to be one of the invited guests to attend Baby Micah's full moon party... Who is Baby Micah?

He looks like this:

And his mom looks like this:

Yups! It's Amy and Sunshine! Hehehe... Finally Amy "exploded" and here comes Sunshine, named after one of the prophets of old - Micah.

And when Amy+Micah met Melinda+Aidan, this is how they looked like:

I had a great time tagging behind Amy and Sunshine, trying to take a few more snaps, but nothing much turned out nice, so here are the best of the best. Hehe! Not forgetting a good chat with Fabian Faurillo and his new wife, Alvira Veronie. I'm so happy that I can barely sleep now. Well, time to say good-bye for now, because I have to attend mass tomorrow...

Good night, Jesus. Good night, readers. Good night, all. God bless!

His Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136: 1-10, 23-26

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who spread out the earth on the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever...

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.



Indeed God is good and He is the Creator of all and only his love endures forever. God bless!

A Walk to Remember

I had a lot on my mind this morning and I needed to work out all of those mind-bogging stuffs. The concentration was high by the time I was done with lunch. I needed a dosage of salty wind and skin-burning sunlight to make right with myself... So, instead of going home for my regular walk on Fit n Fold Strider I wanted to drive all the way down to Karambunai. Looking into my mobile for time, I realized I only had about an hour to spare before getting ready for Novena in SHC...

By default, my factory system enabled my mind to work subconsciously that there is a nice, serene beach that I can go, only about 5-7 minutes drive from where I stay. I remember visiting the beach in 2007 before I decided to discontinue my MSc. attempt and start working. It was a place where I could think...

I parked my car at the jetty area and walked about 500 m to the beach. As I walked on the gravel road down the beach, I saw the blue sky and the bluer sea... I was so amazed with God of the universe, my Father God. How wonderful it is to be a part of His creations, and how great He is, to paint this world with so many colours... Different shades of blue in the sky and on the sea; different shades of green on the leaves; different colours of the seashells... I was awestruck, and amazed at God's creation. It is indeed a walk to remember...

A walk where I had time to sort out my mind with God, a walk where I spent time with God. What amazed me was, I didn't have the time to think about those mind-bogging stuffs. Instead, I recognised the tiny me as a speck of sand in the vast ocean. And yet, God still recognises my everything!

When I checked out the seashells and started collecting them, all I knew was His greatness can overpower and has overcome all mind-bogging stuffs! He's just so wonderful! And how blessed I am to know this God who loves me to the very end!

It's School Holidays Time!!!

My ex-housemates will be getting married this December and I'm honoured to be invited to their wedding reception in Sibu, Sarawak... Somehow or rather, I was thrilled about the idea of traveling down to Sibu, first for the wedding reception, second to visit another ex-housemate of ours who is from Sibu. I haven't seen her for years!!~

I'm so so so excited about it now... Besides flying down to Sibu, I'll travel to Kuching too! I think this time I better do some online research on "tourist spots" in Kuching and Sibu so that I can maximise my hols. Just can't wait...

And yeah... I'm traveling by MAS Airlines this time. Oh my! It was AGES since my last trip on a MH plane. I missed the times when I was a student and my luxury of taking MH planes... LOL!

Birthday Post

Yay! I'm finally 27!!! LoL! Many people would be lamenting for being 27 and wish that they could be 2 years younger or even maybe 5 years younger? My students probably will be having a wide-eyed expression and a thought of "wow, I can't imagine I'm 27 now eh~" when it comes to imagining they are 27 years old. Neither could I, when I was 17, frankly speaking.

I was deliriously happy throughout 30th and 31st October (my birthday) and I'm still experiencing the post-birthday joy at this moment... While trying to get my photos uploaded on Facebook, I'm also composing mentally what I should write here...

Let's see... Firstly, I have to thank the people who spent time (some even to the extent of blocking the date in advanced) with me despite their busy schedules on my birthday... Those people include a Doraemon (sorry I have to keep this person unknown because of individual's preference to remain anonymous), Yvonne Teo & Felix Wong, Lidz, Josephine Hiu, Dot Leong, Aunty Cecilia and Aunty Marie...

My chain of birthday celebrations started with a late night movie with Doraemon in 1Borneo. We watched "Time Traveler's Wife", a love drama movie... It's nice of Doraemon to pay for the movie... Hehe... So my pressie from Doraemon is a "time traveling machine". LOL! Unfortunately, I'm not Nobita~ LOL! I got home at about 140 am, happy and touched. I really praise God for sending Doraemon to friend me for movies, though I found out that it wasn't Doraemon's genre of movie for sure and poor Doraemon was fidgeting all night because of boredom (maybe!) and definitely of cold. Really thank God for such patience and loving Doraemon, who assured me (author's presumption) that we watched the movie was I really wanted to watch it so Doraemon also checked out that movie.

The next morning I had quiet breakfast of my favourite breakfast at my favourite breakfast shop in Kingfisher, reading the book "Called to Worship" about my favourite biblical character, David, and his worship... Next was my running errand time (drove to Likas to take money, then to UOB and Maybank in KK, then to Tupperware in Alamesra). After that was lunch with Von Teo. Then Lidz called and chatted with me for almost an hour after I sent Von Teo back home. Geez... I really appreciate her effort of calling me on my birthday~

Attended Novena and All Saints' Day mass in SHC prior to dinner. It's lovely to be able to attend mass especially on my birthday where the Church celebrates All Saints' Day.

Birthday celebration ended with a glass of fresh shandy at The Funks and a chat with Aunty Cecilia. I really had fun, and lots of joy and love for sure! Thank God for all His amazing love through these people who spent time with me, either face to face, or through phone calls, or even spending that one short minute typing a birthday sms to me, which cost RM0.15... I see so much love everywhere and I feel so loved by these people!

And now... It's PHOTOS TIME!!!

Pressie from myself to myself: Novel - Time Traveler's Wife, 30th Afternoon, bought in Popular City Mall. Photo taken in Fresh Cafe, City Mall by Jo Hiu (nice place to hang out)...

Watched Time Traveler's Wife with Doraemon in 1Borneo, 30th night - Late night show.

Lunched with Yvonne Teo in Coffee Friend Cafe, Tanjung Aru Plaza, 31st noon - Dangerously delicious and sinfully pleasure. Oh well, reminds me of my routine exercise!~

Ladies' Nite Out (Part I) - Aunty Cecilia & Aunty Marie in Top Rock Restaurant. I totally forgotten about taking photos of the sumptuous dinner because of my undeniable attraction and total focus on the dinner. I was, of course, deliriously happy!

Ladies' Nite Out (Part II) - Dot Leong and Jo Hiu. The menu was white rice with fried sambal kangkung, wet butter prawn (sinfully pleasure again!!), braised pork (another to-die-for dish) and homemade tofu (melt in your mouth, not on your spoon!)

Birthday cake specially from Cecilia's Home Bakery. This is one of the best butter cakes ever!

I like it this colour, looks more authentic than the original colour... I'm officially "ONE YEAR OLD"!! Wakakakakaka!!! Hehehe!!!

Blowing the candle as I wished. My wish was............ <<<S.E.C.R.E.T.>>> ........ Hahahahaha!!!

My "big bouquet of roses". Hehe! Remember my dream birthday? It didn't materialize. Nevertheless, I still get my roses! Eatable too!

It's a time to give and share the blessing and gift I received! I was so ecstatic by then! Aunty Cecilia kept saying, "she's so obviously happy." I was!!!

My accomplices for Ladies' Nite Out - missing Mel Nic and Mel Aud lahh... I hope LT Life Nite went on great... Oh well, we can have another celebration (joint belated birthday celebration), isn't that right, Mels? Hehehehe!

Second part of celebration involved bringing back the cake and got Laetitia, Maryanne and Rachel for cake-munching!!

Opening pressies time! So before I ruined anything, a shot first!

I got blue colour angel from Aunty Marie~~~

F.O.S. Butterfly Bag from Dot Leong...

Another rainbow bag from Dot Leong...

Books from Jo Hiu...

Candid shot taken when I was flipping through the book ^^

The three girls who sat patiently as I unraveled my pressies - Laetitia

The three girls who sat patiently as I unraveled my pressies - Maryanne

The three girls who sat patiently as I unraveled my pressies - Rachel

I had so much of fun that I almost couldn't sleep though I was tired... My being was filled with so much of love from God through these people who spent time with me. I noted down on my prayer journal this: My love tank is so full now, my heart is light and I desire You more than ever! My Lord, my God! I really thank You and praise You for a day so filled with love and joy. And deep inside me, I couldn't and can't stop praising You every moment! Dear Lord, who am I to deserve so much of blessings from You? And I have heard You telling me... "You are my child, the beloved."

Indeed, I feel so blissful. Thank YOU for making my day so joyful, so loving~ Even God was loving me so much that He gave me exactly the right weather at the right time of the day...