Christmas, isn't Christmas

Christmas, isn’t Christmas
Till it happened in your heart
Somewhere deep inside you
Is where Christmas really starts...

Blessed Christmas =)

The Rose

Heard this song on the radio on my way to work today, the lyrics indeed cut to my heart, and I love it immediately...

THE ROSE
(by Bette Midler)

Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed

It's the heart, afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying
That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love, in the spring
Becomes the rose

730

已经过了730天...
I still miss you dearly

I'm just not sure enough

Things change, plans fail
You look for love on a grander scale
Storms rise, hopes fade
And you place your bets on another day
When the going gets tough
When the rides too rough
When you're just not sure enough

Time flies, hearts turn
A little bit wiser from lessons learned
But sometimes, weakness wins
And you lose your foothold once again
When the going gets tough
When the rides too rough
When you're just not sure enough

I AM SO TORN BETWEEN

Do you have enough nice pictures?

Have you ever wonder what will happen to you after your passing to the afterlife? Is there really a new world at the other side of the rainbow?

I have been thinking over this question lately, wondering if my times is up...
I always have this thought whenever the pain came back and haunt me, silly me.

Somehow, at the midst of my grey grey world, some light shed upon me through a movie & a song.

"Like you come to the island and had a holiday. Sun didn't burn you red-red, just brown. You sleep and no mosquito bite you. But the truth is, it bound to happen if you stay long enough. So take that nice picture you got in your head home with you, but don't be fooled... If we're lucky, maybe, we got some nice pictures to take with us."

Yes, how true... Every face we see and meet is a memory.
In life we are bound to have our ups and downs, therefore each picture may not be a perfect memory. But the important bit is, we can choose to remember the good part, the beautiful moment of everyone you've come across.

If this is the last moment of your life, do you have enough nice pictures with you?
For that matter, did YOU and ME have our nice picture taken together? I hope we did =)
Don't wait until it's too late.

Dudette at Live & Inspire

Nigel features me at his bi-weekly online magazine "Live & Inspire", Dude/Dudette, I want your job! section.


Do bear in mind, some of the details were edited by the editor & chief editor, could be a lil exaggerate, but not too far from the truth ;)

In love with Jacaranda

I am so thankful to be here at the right time to see the blooming Jacaranda trees everywhere at Brisbane!
So I went around following the trace of Jacaranda trees, I am just so in love with it! =)

Me @ Sunshine Coast

The romantic Brisbane river at night

Back to Brisbane CBD again!

JACARANDA TREE @ New Farm Park

St Mary Cathedral @ Ipswich

Fiji Day 20: Pergi Mana

Okay, I was wrong... I manage to take a look at the nicer part of the Island ^.^
Went to the west of Fiji Island - Nadi to stay for a day.
Must thanks Richard for the recommendation and Vodafone for the good rate, I check-in to Hilton resort and went out for a splendid day cruise to Mana Island.

Everything excites me at the west side of Fiji - the sun, the sea, the sandy beaches, the resort, etc...

Some misadventures happened, but for good!
I end up having some VIP treatment in a BMW, from "entah mana is this Mana Island" to "I'm glad I pergi Mana" =p , met a cute baby girl and her pretty mother while sun bathing, and so on...

Everything seems so good at my last day at Fiji, except it would have been better, if I have a company by my side =)

At Denarau Island Hilton Resort

At Mana Island

Sun-bathing

The beautiful Fiji from the sky

Fiji Day 19: One last glance of Suva

Today is my 19th day at Suva, Fiji.

Time flies; still can remember during the first week when I am here & the miserable period after Adam left, can't stop thinking about home and seriously wanna leave this place asap.
And finally, I will be leaving here in 3.5 hours from now; will be going to the Nausori airport at 5.30am to catch my flight to Nadi at 7:05am. Maybe some of you will still be awake by that time ;)

Some people might think that it's a waste that I leave Fiji without having a glimpse of how beautiful the coast line is around the island, didn't went to the native village to see their performance, didn't have a chance to taste their famous Kava, and perhaps some others must do/see thingy.

But, I have seen the other side of Fiji, the very local one. Not those that you can see from the advertisement - of sea, sandy beaches, island, paradise, etc...
But isn't that what I always wanted? To experience the real local life at different part of the world... This is really one of the good memories I have in my lifetime. And I have bring home so many precious friendships =)

So, I am thankful, and count myself blessed =) Espeacially for His protection and provision along the way.

And yes, like I said earlier, I'll be flying to Nadi tomorrow, stop for a day, to see the nicer part of the island as a compensation for my extension and missing out the Raya holidays ^.^
Then flying to Brisbane, pay Jee Aik a visit, stay for a day. Will be flying back home on Monday night, and finally reach KL on Tuesday morning.

Knowing that you'll be one step closer to home day by day, is SIMPLY GREAT!! =)

* Pictures of My last week at Suva here.

Fiji Day 13: Bathing with Fishes & Sun

After loooong 13 days at Fiji, finally I get to soak myself in the sea & sunshine. Unbelievable huh? But it's true... So near yet so far... That's exactly the situation at Suva.

So took a 45min bus ride to Pacific Harbour this morning. Kinda scary, only me alone get down from the bus at the Pearl Resort.

Missed the shark dive... But nevermind, don't think I am ready for it too. As I have never swim in sea water for more than 2 yrs already, since my last diving course at Lang Tengah...
Enjoyed a short snorkel at the Comb Reef nearby, swimming with fishes!
Took a nap on the hammock, with the rain & sunshine taking alternate shift every 15min...
After lunch, the weather got better, no more rain. So I walk around. Swim at the pool. Then air dry myself at the hammock again.
Ended the day with some sun bathing session at the pool side. Now I am 2 shade darker, look even more like Indon maid...

Oh! And I got to know the resort GM too, he said will give me a good room next time, but I doubt there will be any next time thou...

A good day trip. I must thank God for keeping me safe so far.

And the last update from Suva today is - I got sunburn, cos didn't reapply sunblock... Now look like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer @.@

Fiji Day 11: A Day of Change

Today I've change

• My hotel room in Holiday Inn Suva! Finally...
• My domestic flight ticket to get out of Suva to Nadi
• My international flight ticket to from Nadi to Brisbane
• My flight ticket home from Brisbane to KL! *I miss my home sweet home sweet, so much*
  
• My room booking at Brisbane

Now I've finally got a room with a garden & sea view =) I really feel much better now.
Compare to my previous room that has got no view (facing the central central block roof); has got 2 queen size beds (that I'm not gonna use anyway); and the worse is, it's just too quiet, it makes the solitary worse... At least now I can get to hear the sound & music from the garden.
The change of environment suddenly makes me don't feel so gloomy anymore =)
Am thankful again.

This is what I can see from my room balcony now

Fiji Day 10: Solitary ahead... =(

The long awaited sunset, but yet something is amiss...
I am sad.

Fiji Day 8: Friendship at Bizarre Places =)

That's us! After the great farewell dinner =)

* Our journey on Day 7 *
* Our journey on Day 8 *

Fiji Day 6: Serendipity at Suva

The fateful Saturday where I met both a nasty local & a great new friend!
Good things come when you least expect them =)

The place where we met

Finally I've got a company again =)

Fiji Day 5: He heard me!

Today is my 5th day at Fiji, but 6th day away from home & my beloved family.
I miss my mom so much this few days, but I don't wanna call home, yet, am a little worry that I may burst into tears when I listen to their voice... Haha! Silly me...
And as I was whining over my home-sickness, mom called!!! =)

God must have been listening to me, what a comforting fact!
Wanted to express my utmost gratitude towards His protection & guidance so far, thank You =)


Took this picture at the water front at the hotel I stayed, took me ages to upload this re-re-re-sized version... Just to let those who concern bout me, I am alright here - safe & sound, thanks to His grace.
Many thanks for your constant care & support, miss you all!

Fiji Day 2: Bula Suva!

The training at VFF officially started tomorrow, therefore I grab the opportunity to walk around Suva town center to get myself familiarize with the surroundings, and pay the client a visit at the noon.

Let the pictures do the talking =)

Fiji Sep'08 - Day 2

Fiji Day 1: Cabin Fire! (Almost)

Story later... Picture preview first =)

That's me just on board the plane to Fiji, still happy!

# Edit 1 month later:
No time to pen down the entire story, the summary is - I thought I was going to die in plane crash, but yet I survive.

More pictures on Day 1 here.

Sydney CBD Walkabout!

I grab the opportunity to stop over at Sydney for a day before flying off to Fiji ^.^
I literally walked the entire Sydney CBD... (Almost... At least 80% if it, hehe!)

Airport - Kent St - QVB - Town Hall - St Andrew - ANZAC Memorial - Australian Museum - Archibald Fountain - Cook & Philip Park - St Mary - Hyde Park Barrack - St James - Sydney Hospital - NSW Parliament - NSW State Library - Royal Botanic Garden - Mrs Macquarie's Chair - Opera House - Circular Quay - hotel - zZzz - Circular Quay - The Rocks - Harbour Bridge - George St - Darling Harbour - Kent St - hotel - zZzz - Airport

A very satisfying stay at Sydney CBD, I really wanted to come again...
As I didn't get to meet up with my friends there this time, and also you'll never be bored of the beauty of Sydney =)
Now I wonder what will be in store for me at Fiji...

Intramuros, Manila

During the second day of my stay at Manila, I manage to set aside 4 hours to visit a nearby town named Intramuros - which means "City within the Walls" in Spanish.

Beautiful statues & old church building on my way to Intramuros

Rizal Park
(A place I wish to visit but too bad have to give it up due to the time constraint)

Fort Santiago Gate

Plaza Armas - the fort's main square

A the entrance of Rizal Shrine.
His statement & motto in life truly move my heart, no wonder Dr Jose Rizal was term as the Philippine's national hero.

"Man ought to die for his duty & convictions..."
"... I shall die happy, satisfied with the thought that all I have suffered, my life, my love, my joys, my everything, I have sacrificed..."
Does that ring a bell to you? That just remind me of Paul so much.
And the mission God had call each of us to heed.

The short trip ended here at a stroll at the Baywalk

The visit to the ruined city and the Rizal museum, shed a very different light on Philippine for me.
Even though the people here are having a lower living standard and generally poorer than those of Malaysian. But after you got to know their history, the hardship they have gone through, you tend to respect them more. Especially with such a outstanding national hero as their role model. Difficulties shape your character, this is so true. I find the local folks here, they are very full of character and lively. And all these make this country and this place beautiful...
I can't conclude that everyone here is very warm and friendly, but at least the people I've met here, are being really nice to me. This is something I am truly thankful for =)

More pictures here:
# Manila Sep'08

Tracing his footsteps

Had a little adventure, with only a piece of paper in my hand, I started my journey.
I found the street, I found the building.
I went into the building, then the lift. I pressed the button, and went up.
At the lift lobby, I chose the left turn, walk til the end, and I found the place.

Then I turnaround and walk away, before anyone could notice an intruder like me,
and before my tears burst out.
And I thought I am stronger than I can imagine, cos I managed to hold it right there.


But yet I cried that night, before I went to bed, silly me.

"Be Strong!"

Manila Business Trip

Only got to know about the impromptu business trip last Friday evening, spent the whole long weekend making preparation for that, not to forget the Genting brainstorming meeting in between the busy schedule.

Manila - same destination, my first business trip, but his last.
I came here with a special & complicated feelings, maybe this is the reason I'm not scare at all, even when I have to travel alone =)

my boarding pass

traditional local transportation

traffic in Manila, jam like KL, if not worse

the place where I stay

my room

Sing a Happy Song

Well, the season of mic stand and smiley face is now finally over! Hehe!
Good memories of singing happy songs together.
For me, it doesn't really matter who won the event, as long as we did all these together a group, and truly enjoy our moments of singing our lung out for the Lord =)

Seh Weng - You made me proud =)

Pretty Suet Ling in action here

Setting our mic & position right
(note YB's facial expression here, lol!)

Our boys in white

Our ever energetic & excited conductor
Thank David, your support means alot to us =)

"Waves of mercy, Waves of grace..."

Thank Yen Yen, am so glad to have you with us.
Things wouldn't be so happy without your presence =)

All of us singing our heart out for the Lord

Yeah, this is the miang pose that make them tease me non-stop...

"Yeah!"
All of us is in the air here! Hehe ^.^

Finally, finished =)

Our soloist Jen Ruw in his Daughtry style

So happy after that! Love my smile here =)
The cute girl popping up behind us is our lovely pianist Cheryl!
Thank you so much, we truly enjoyed your presence =)

Me & sweet Lynn again

Wing, Cheryl, YenLing & me
I looked like kena sun burn...
( pic courtesy fr Cheryl, kekeke )

Samuel girls with our Pianist =)
Another pic steal fr Cheryl, hehe!

That's us! SAMUEL 2008!