Lenten Offerings

Wow... I just realised that I have not done anything constructive since the start of Lent, and now, we're in the 2nd week of Lent already! Reflecting on what I did since Ash Wednesday until now, I felt ashamed of myself. Knowing that God is good and He is always waiting for us to return to Him at any time, right now, I'm deciding on my personal Lenten Offering. I had slowly abandoned this blog since I started Facebook again after that six-month abstinence from FB. Starting a blog is easy, maintaining one takes effort, and yes, I was short of the effort of writing...

Starting tonight (it's never too late to start), I'm going to write more on spiritual stuffs for this Lent base on the daily readings which I'd reflect upon prior to writing. This also will be a record as I prepare myself for a silent retreat during Holy Week (fingers crossed that it will happen).

Winter Came, Almost Gone

I recall being so excited seeing proper snowfall for the first time in Krakow, Poland because my flight back to UK was delayed for several hours. When Lincoln snowed for the first time this winter, the natural response of catching a snapshot and posting it on my Instagram was just unavoidable. The first snowfall came as light flurries. Real snow came only the next day or two later. Then there was the first (and second) snowman, sliding down a slope, snowball fights... all the wintry experiences were exquisite for a girl from tropical country. The serenity of winter, the white, spotless and untouched ground after a snowfall. All brought me to the see the awesomeness of God's creation. I was in awe.

My winter break was pretty much packed with trips.. first to Reykjavik, Iceland, then to Isle of Wight in UK and lastly to Krakow, Poland. Beauty upon beauty I saw, and God was magnified through His creations. I'll write a special post about my winter trips later on.. :)

Reykjavik, Iceland

Just a short post before sleep. I went for a vacation with some Malaysians to Reykjavik, Iceland. Freezing indeed but a beautiful country nevertheless. Breathtaking sceneries of wintry wild I'd say. The centerpiece of the city is the Lutheran church. The chamber choir was absolutely fantastic. One of the best I've heard. Angelic music. The Golden Circle is a must to visit, and I was there with Edgar. My brain was frozen to the max! But it was really good. Saw the serenity of winter, spurting geyser, cracks of moving tectonic plates of Europe and America, the amazing Gullföss, aurora borealis, Icelandic horses.. that was an experience of a lifetime! We walked on water literally when we were standing on the frozen pond in front of the city hall. We even ate at the hot dog stall where Bill Clinton ate!. Thank God for everything that happened, wonderful experience and sweet memories created.

Mr. Polar and me... :P

The group whom I traveled with. (L-R: Chong Chong, Timmy, Jing, Erik, Edgar and myself)

Proud User of Samsung Galaxy SIII

I guess I have yet declared my love for this new piece of toy, the Samsung Galaxy SIII in pebble blue colour. It's been almost three months since I started my long-term relationship with THE phone, and I'm loving it more and more each day. I have yet discovered everything about the phone, but the increased knowledge of the phone makes me love it more. Now, to find a nice sports band for the phone will be perfect for my gym sessions :) Yeah, started gym as part of my plan to get fit as I turn 30 recently.

Let's see... battery life, basic knowledge for all smart phones users, doesn't last long under heavy usage. Screen clarity, awesome, untill I got the nice screen protector which is matte and darker in colour. Elegance, pretty much slim and nice to hold, without feeling edgy and all. "Made for human" slogan, pretty much achieved - I can call the contact of the text message by just lifting the phone to my ear. Kinda cool. Camera, 8MP, clear. Not the best if compare with a digital camera, but it's good enough for printing quality I think... Took tonnes of food photos!! Love the ability to focus on details when in macro mode. Ability to take panorama shoots is also something I really appreciate. Basically, I love my phone :)

Signed off as,

Proud User of Galaxy SIII

A Period of Tremendous Blessings

It's been a while that I have ignored myself and everything that's happening around me. The effect of stress maybe? Or the effect of spiritual dryness? Maybe both, working alongside for the explosion of dark night of my soul.

Christmas is around the corner, and it is time to prepare once again to be refreshed by the coming of our Saviour, the Lord and the Servant King. I finally got the Music Hub on my Galaxy SIII working, and loaded the Hillsong United Radio on my favourite radio station. So now Christian music is on roll on my phone! Yay! My friends and I will be starting the 54-day Rosary Novena once again, after the rest of about 6 weeks. Well, it was a huge struggle to finish the novena, especially during the period when I was traveling. In fact, I wasn't sure about starting another round, but I know it will be good for my soul, in this season where I'm placed in a desert of desolation. Though my petitions required a LONG time to be answered, I know that God's blessings are upon those who prayed to Him and asked the intercession of Mother Mary.

Spiritual darkness comes when I fall deeply in sins, in struggles with bondages and being challenged to remain a Christian within me. Yet I know that the Lord is with me always. It doesn't matter how life turns out, but He remains faithful to me. Even when I was/am unfaithful, He remains there. I know I'm never alone, though I struggle with bouts of loneliness at times. Eight weeks into my semester in UK, nine weeks in this country, I'm wondering what I am doing here. Yet I know the only thing I can hold on right now is the fact that He called me and I answered. And that's why I am here, in UK, doing what I am doing. Despite the challenges and struggles, I am here because of the blessing bestowed upon me to receive such a handsome scholarship!

Today is the day that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice in Him! Thus, today is the day for repentance. Today is the day to start afresh in the midst of mistakes, struggles and challenges. For today, my God is going to win the battle for me, as I stand behind His shield.

This is indeed a period of tremendous blessings.

Life in Lincoln So Far...

It's been a while since I posted any entry on this public domain of free expression, and suddenly, a hyper me after a super sweet cuppa Costa coffee feel like penning something.

Yes, I'm in the UK right now, in the 4th week of the third semester of my masters program. So far, it has been interesting the semester in Lincoln, despite the exhaustion and cold I felt last week when we were out there in the field in Riseholme campus. Beautiful place, but definitely COLD is in the dictionary! Hahaha!

Simulated mass grave which we digged out last week in Riseholme College

 

 

I was in Cambridge two weekends ago and it is a perfect tiny little university town which holds one of the prestigious universities in the world. I had the opportunity to walk around the campus/town and find it intriguing if I were to study there. Lovely river Cam which runs in the city, and definitely beautiful gardens surrounding the campus and residential colleges. Queen's College was my favourite. The serenity within the college itself is undescribeable. And yes, the pristine state of life there brings peace to my heart :)

 

Last Saturday, which was just two days ago, I took the courage to drive from East Midlands to West Midlands to pick up my luggages in Vanessa's and Eva's homes (separate districts). First time is always adventurous and yes, I did it!!! I picked up my clothes and all other things which I don't really need to survive yet I have them out of vanity of life previously. Beautiful drive and God has been merciful to bless me with almost perfect, non-rainy weather throughout the drive to and fro Lincoln. Then I realize that Lincoln is home right now. The relief of going home when I finally arrived in Lincoln yesterday morning was something I never expected yet I am at peace with right now :)

 

I have class in 30 minutes, so it's time to gobble some home-made Mexicana cheese sandwiches. More coffee? Haha. Maybe not, if not I wouldn't be able to stop talking all together ;)

 

Oh yeah, another exciting moment is going to happen end of this week. I'm going to London for Les Miserables in the Queen's Theater!!! It's going to be an awesome outing, I pray, with a nice cheerful lad. May God be with us as we travel from north and south to meet in Central London on Saturday morning. Amen!

Academic Year 2012/2013 in Lincoln, UK

The term has started. Summer vacation had ended. Classes resumed. Life abroad once again.

I guess the best phrase to describe how I am right now is "in a limbo". I'm still dreamy, sleeping and eating a lot. In other words, "pigging". I know that it takes time to get over the vacation mode and all but with the upcoming classes and project preparation, I have no idea where all these are leading me to. Sheer exhaustion, maybe? I know I am blessed, in the nation where international students complain that fees are exorbitant and not enough chemicals in the lab to go around for their projects and lacking of support blah blah..., I'm fully sponsored by Erasmus Mundus for two whole years (a year had passed since) to study and get a short research project done by end of July 2013. How blessed can one get? I can only have God to thank and rely on for this abundant grace.

The potential for a month in Malaysia during the December-January winter break is definitely tempting... Yum yum... But chances of me staying in Europe/UK after this are slim enough for me to consider touring some of the European countries which I haven't stepped my foot on... Travel or home?? Travel? Home?? Both are equally tempting!

Some of my coursemates commented without thinking much that I worry too much. I am a born planner. Used to be a worrier. Yet right now, despite anxious in trying to plan my way around, I worry of nothing much really. Yes, I felt challenged and upset when people carelessly trying to "assure" me not to worry too much. I learned one thing, it is good to have plans, though sometimes plans DO change greatly. Been there, done that. Yet, I still enjoy the changes which take place in my life though these changes, too, wrecked my plans. This is growth and experience that money cannot buy. So, why not plan first? Why not plan ahead? Being flexible with a plan is better than choosing to be so flexible that there is no plan ahead. So yes, I AM PLANNING what should happen after I'm done with my EM Masters in Forensic Science. If I want to get a good stipend for a Ph.D position somewhere, I need to start planning ahead. And with a lot of prayers and trusting that God is the Author of my life, I'm sure I'll be somewhere He has in mind for me. So, yes, PLAN. And please, people who think I worry too much, get out of my life, for goodness sake!! LOL. Not that they are in my life anyway, except those times when I become a useful tool to them.

Alright, time to get ready. I'm blessed by God with good friends here in Lincoln... One would be accompanying me to visit Riseholme College in the countryside for a couple of hours and few will be gathering for Asian dinner later. How great Thou art, my Lord and my God!!!