18th September, 2006

It's 11.48pm now...in a few minutes, 18 is over...

So?

So getting more nostalgic...

It's my 1st anniversary in ADL, and also my first year in the working world.

Here are some moments I had in ADL:

I enjoyed the train rides with Alain and Y at the beginning of my early months in ADL (Since I know alain is gonna be reading this...i will add more: He's also a very good friend, one of those funny and smartie ones)

The ADL ladies

With Ramlah

First few moments in ADL:

Mazura introduced the office and all the rules to me, passed me the necessary documents, notebook etc




Y walked in, greeted with his very warm and charming smile....




Alain introduced himself and YY too...







WK introduced himself and asked me a couple of questions...






The last few moments of 18 a year later:




Glen and I laughing over me mixing up my hotel room number... (I couldn't find my room because I forgot my room number)




Met a new colleague with the name of "Casanova"(yes it's Italian but he's french, a good looking french)




Domingo teasing me about my Mandarin...




Etienne speaks better Mandarin than I do, although the locals refuse to listen because he's European




I was laughed at by Etienne when the coffee shop thai thai spoke to me in Mandarin and I looked puzzled. She turned and asked Etienne if I am Chinese... (????!!!)




Hardly had the chance to speak to Patt, but feels good to have a girl colleague around...

My random thoughts....

Random thoughts....

hmmm....

A friend just dropped me at the lrt station.....I love lrt rides....that's the place I always have my random thoughts, inspiration and solemn reflection of the day and life in general...I am definitely missing this in Sarawak...

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Just had dinner with my colleagues - YL, Felicity, Rikkya and Glen...
As usual, all kinds of topics ran across the table and all kinds of laughters too...
I like relaxing ADL dinners like this...
And Felicity's reminder that we should keep Dubai as our best memory in ADL...
Yes, I will not forget the wonderful moments I had in Dubai with my 3 female colleagues, Vivian, Felicity and Patt...
Ramlah's cheerfulness and encouragement....humility is something I learned from her...

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As I was riding with my friend after dinner, we talked about a relationship between my childhood friend and his high school friend....
we talked about the faith of my best friend and who is also his best friend....
We talked about his church, his CG....
We talked about a song Patrick Leong wrote...

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Around this time last year, I was riding in the same car to purchase my brand new bible...different conversations, different feeling

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How long can one hold on to bitterness and live life with it?
Should we choose to envelope ourselves in self pity for the rest of our lives?
Should we be constantly reminded about the bitter moments when we have happier moments to recall?
Should we long to just want to be with one person when we already have so many loving friends who are already here with you?
Why should we hurt our closest friends over something we choose to be bitter about?
Is everything you see is the truth or there is more than meets the eye?
Why do I still keep that Christmas present in my room in Penang?
Do I really think I know better than God?
Can a friend be extra nice and suddenly not?
Why do I place higher expectation on one more than the other?

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Flying off to Kuching again, early tomorrow morning...
What will tomorrow be like?
I heard some changes are going to take place...
I will miss KL and the hikes in Taman Tun with Tse Jian....
The dinners with Elaine, Lee Sin, Wilfred, WeeLee, Jeff and WeeLiem...
I already miss my CG...
CDPC, Pastor Wong, Aunty Constance, Sam......and dearest Sarah...
The little girls - Lily, Sue Ann and Charissa, their infectious laughter, their hugs, their little gifts of love and their naive questions...
The golf game with Terry, Mei Hsien, Aaron...
Wonder whether Terry Jr is out? Who does he look like?

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Farewell, farewell, farewell

This past one month I have said goodbyes to 3 people and the past one year I have said a dozen others...

Farewell isn't really an easy thing to say, especially to a friend of whom you cherished, and spent a significant amount of time together... a bond that seems too hard for distance to seperate...simply because it was spanned from heart to heart

Here are the people I said farewell to lately:

Pei Hsien

I knew Pei Hsien from my high school years...she was a prefect and a senior who was holding a couple of leadership positions and at the same time doing academically well. One of those I admire from far...

In the university, she was elected as the President for one of the largest societies in the university -the Engineering Society. She had demonstrated what I called the 'Georgian' (derived from my high school name) leadership qualities - strong-willed and steadfast. Our friendship began to blossom when we became neighbours during our university years...What bonded us was our faith. She has been such a source of encouragement and of sage advice. I wouldn't forget our nasi lemak days. All the best in UK, girl. Your will to suceed has carried you very far... Georgians rock!!

Chris:

Left: Chris, Patt, Nitin and John

My first case leader and the first Singaporean I ever worked with. An intelligent colleague who has taught me many things. He has made my first case a very memorable learning experience.


Sarah:


A year of friendship with her has been so fulfilling...through the past one year...we knew so much of each other as though we have been friends for years...She has taught me of what it means to be a Christian, to love selflessly and to give my best to God. She was certainly placed in my life when I needed someone like her most...she brought me back me to God.

I will miss her....but i wish her well and I know she will continue to touch many lives wherever she goes...and I know for sure God is with her...



Please don't forget that you promised to sing on my wedding day "When God made you". So, do come home... (I shall take over your place as Sam's big bully. The when you return, he gets double portion of that? hahahah...)





Zi Bin:

Zi Bin is an exceptional individual with a zeal to always improve himself even though he's already doing excellently. His numerous achivements speak for themselves. Charming, sweet at times but also a person who will not hesitate to point my mistakes. One who dares to slap me back to reality, keep my feet grounded. He supported me to the fullest when I embarked on new territories and his advice I often take heed. His intelligence is something I admire and his friendship is something close to heart. Hmm...we have come a long way eh? Thanks for putting up with me during my off-days. The fights, the arguments, the cold wars...I think you have dealt with them very patiently. I am going to miss you a lot.

A year on....a tribute to Group 4

Ravin, the G4 supermodel

Us at Ravin and Paik Lyn's convo

Benny, the MMU Jay Chow

Left: GimHan and Jeff

Esther and I

Zi Bin and I , a year ago...








Jeff and I




Left: Wai Choong, Wee Liem, Sheng Chao, Gim Han and Jeff




The 36-ers



Some of the G4-ians

Left: Ravin and Shaun


It has been a year since I officially graduated. MMU 8th Convocation happened last 2 weekends. It reminded me so much about my own convocation a year ago. More so it reminded me of the friends I have found in my early years of university. The things they have taught me and the love they have shown me. Particularly, I will not forget the G4-ians (that's what we called ourselves). We met each other on a humble May, 2001 morning, in a classroom, while waiting for our first class to begin. It was an English class.

Oh I still remember those days vividly and the thoughts that went through my mind then!

My first impressions:

Seated right at the back of the class were a stretch of guys who lived in the hostels. They looked completely exclusive and pathetically arrogant (because they were the selected few who are elite, outstanding and qualified enough to live in that run-down hostel rooms).

And then, there was this hot chic with long hair and a sweet smile sitting in front of them...and a moment later...another confident lady walked in...and the two girls quickly became close friends. I later learned that the hot chic is called Esther and the confident lady is Michelle.

One particular personality too difficult for me to forget - a tall, thin, 'China Pek' dude, who walked in with an annoying attitude. JAMES!!! The guy whom I labelled as ADSC (Attention Deficit Syndrome Child) during the orientation programme.

Haha! Little did I know that James would be our group leader and subsequently our best friend. Little did I know that one of those arrogant-looking hostels guys would be a friend to whom I will grow to admire and respect so much and little did I know that the hot chic will be the best girl friend I will have in my entire pre-university year and little did I know that many more who sat in that classroom that day will be friends who have changed the way I looked at myself and certainly friends whom I have come to cherish so much.

Here is the list of the G4 people who have impacted my life and left a lasting impression. A big thanks to each one of them:

James - A leader I have come to respect, a dear friend, a mature person (although he doesn't behave like one) and one who holds his principles strongly. Yo, I miss ya break-dancin' and your rap!

Wai Choong - I often admire your ability to keep calm and your very soothing 'devlish smile' during exam period. I am still impressed how you managed to pull through with all the As when you sleep most of the day and play computer games throughout the entire exam week!

Have you tasted durian already?

Chee Yong - The super big guy with big brains. Thanks for tutoring us and helping me with my Physics, Calculus and other problems. I enjoy travelling with you because you were always helpful in lugging my bags =P

Zheng Jie - You have certainly grown and changed. I am glad our paths crossed. Thanks for being my Zhor Tai Tee master....

Shaun - The cute, cute Shaun. A disciplined guy with an exceptional talent in playing drums. Very systematic yet charming. I will not forget your new Samsung blue-eyd phone which was soaked when the boys threw you into the sea

Tneh - The guy who drew on my CPU his trademark of a cockroach. Definitely intelligent but extremely humble

Gim Han - The bicycle guy who tried so hard to be a pervert (quite honestly, I believe you're truly a decent and nice guy inside). You too have matured and I appreciate our friendship throughout the years

Wee Liem - All the sharing, all the rides in your car, all the food I had in your house - thank you. I am glad we can still share and pray for one another, even though we are working already. I really enjoy seeing you playing on stage. You're definitely a guy with many talents and good looks and a fabulous personality. Keep up the good work in music for God

Jeff - A pleasant guy whom I have the pleasure of knowing much later in my uni life. You're now my closest ally, geographically (hehehe) and of course the very good friend I have since I came to PJ

Calvin - I don't remember you getting angry at all. You're always smiling, laughing and always ready to help. Really good to still have you with us.

Benny- The guy in white singlet, who drove us to all corners of Malacca to try new food. I still remember all the Jay Chow chinese songs you sang in the car. They still ring in my head some times. You're certainly more mature now. I enjoy talking to you and our first group 4 wedding will be yours eh?

Jeremy - You are certainly a guy with many good qualities. I will cherish the times and things we have shared during my time in Malacca

Sheng Chao - The hunk

Chern Liang - The quiet but talented Chern Liang. Hope things are well with you now.

Colin - Oh the best room mate any guy would want. Right, Zibin?

Chien Thang - A helpful friend with a very, very warm personality. It's just so easy for people to draw close to you

Ravin - You changed me. You're still my best fashion / beauty consultant. I admire your organizing skills and certainly your modelling skills too. Above all, I thank you for encouraging me and giving me the confidence when I needed it

Michelle - The confident and stylish lady with many talents. She is gifted in creating beauty out of things and people. Thank you for your friendship and love.

Esther - The singing bird, the hot chic, and a loving friend who cares beyond the limits of time, space and distance. I am blessed by your friendship. I can't help thinking that God has placed you there in my life at that particular point of time. I pray we will still be close even when we are frail and old. Hopefully, then, we can still sing a duet. Two old ladies, with their 'tongkats' singing "We could be in love?" Haha.. Remember that essay about love and infatuation we wrote for our English assignment?

Zi Bin - One of MMU's most popular guys. Very unexpectedly, a guy of that stature would have such a friendship with an ordinary girl, unnoticed and boring. Very unusual.

These are the G4-ians who used to spend most of their days in pre-U together. They have left a huge impact in my life and I am glad we are still meeting up and keeping in touch. I thank God for each of them

Feeling 18 all over again!!

I rushed from work to home, showered, dressed up... all excited for the dinner. It's our Group 4 class 2001 gathering dinner. Group 4 is one of the engineering groups for the Pre-University Engineering study in MMU. I am proud to say I was part of that group.

It has been a year since our last convocation and we have been friends for 6 years now. Many things have changed. Some have gone abroad, some are working with high-sounding companies, and all of us have certainly grown and matured. Yet when we came together...a friend of mine noted, "Oh we're 18 again!" Haha indeed!

We were 18 when we met each other, one fine morning at our very first English class.

We were 18 when we acted in that humourous english literature drama.

We were 18 when we went for Char Siew Fan at 3am.

We were 18 when we celebrated James' birthday at Peringgit with Rojak Sauce, eggs kept for months and cow's liver with cooking oil and other ingredients.

We were 18 when we watched Esther sang the Michelle Branch's song.

We were 18 when we travelled to Penang together and ordered all the cakes Secret Receipe had in their display freezer.

We were 18 when we took our Malaysian University English Test.

We were 18 when we ransacked Wee Liem's kitchen for food during exam period.

We were 18 when we went to the beach to have fun 2 days before our final exam.

We were 18 when we took an hour to gather everyone for lunch, an hour to decide where to eat, and an hour to get to the place and an hour to finally eat!

Haha....now my best friends in uni have grown to be beautiful young ladies and handsome young men. There was so much to catch up with one another yesterday and so much to laugh about and so much to recall for the 18-year-0ld grown-ups.

Sadly, some couldn't make it due to work demands and travel arrangements. Nevertheless, it was a huge group. I was certainly happy to meet everyone again.

From back: Pevin, myself, Wee Liem and Esther

Left: Esther, myself and Mich

The 2 good looking dudes: Wee Liem and Zi Bin

Trying to be 18 again: Mich, James and Esther

Left: Chern Liang, Ravin and the 'smartie' WaiChoong

Wee Liem: The guy who drove me to a pharmacy in Malacca in his stylish green proton

Left: Zheng Jie, Suang, myself and Jeff

Meet the Group 4-ians and those adopted into it!

Zi Bin: the unexpected friend

Brought into His family

When you run the race of life, you will stumble at times, scratch yourself along the way, sweat and be overwhelmed with fatigue. I am not spared from all these while running this race but I know the prize at the end of this race is sweet and it's definitely worthwhile to get. What is more interesting, is the fact that I am not running this race alone and am not competing with others. In fact, I am so blessed to know that in this lifetime, I have runners who are running this same race with me but who will also help me when I stumble, pick me up and run the race together with me. They will cheer me on and will not leave me behind while they run their race but they run side-by-side with me and ensure that we all will reach the finish line together.

God has planted every Christian into a community of love - a family in which our bond is not based on our genes but our faith. We are brought into His family when we made that decision to answer His call...

Dubai

Here are some of the pictures. Still waiting for more official shots to be out. Will upload more as time goes by...

Dubai houses Along the famous Syeikh Zayed Road

My colleagues Cranes filling the skyline of Dubai

View of the Syeikh Zayed Road from my room My Lebanese lunch (forgot the name in Arabic)

My colleague's Arabian meal

Your ways are higher than mine

I have learned many things during my short trip to Dubai. Both about myself and about life in general. As I played this song when I was alone in my hotel room, these words (words in bold)made so much sense to what went through my mind then. Thanks to Wee Lee for introducing the song.


Avalon - You Were There

I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight

'Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of danger's snare
You were there, You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb

'Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So haven't I learned that my ways
Aren't as high as Yours are
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would
Not have understood You
There You were

Hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense
With Your last breath

You were there, You were there
During history's darkest hour
You were there, You were there always

You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be
the Risen Lamb of God

You were, You are and You will always be
The Risen Lamb of God


Haven't I learned enough that my ways are not as high as Yours? Haven't I seen enough in my life to learn this fact? Haven't I learned enough that in Your wisdom You know just when, where, who , what and how to give me the things You want me to have? I have seen You worked through the barricades of life. Barricades that were impossible to be removed by the human logic and ability, yet You were able to move in ways I can never imagined and think of. Every moment, every planned coincidence, You crafted them with love. You deliberately kept me from the things that harmed me, even though I wanted them badly and couldn't understand why You kept such a good thing away from me. Yet, You were still there, waiting patiently for me to understand. There is none like You. Certainly, You were, You are and You will always be my God, whose ways and wisdom are always higher than mine!