Restless

Watch this space! No, i'm not crying wolf. Yes, i'm blogging and i think i will be blogging a fair bit more just to pen down my thoughts. I've got a million thoughts racing through my head and i think i need to clear them by putting them into words. Maybe not a million, but enough that it's affecting my sleep. Therefore, the need to.

I've been back in Malaysia for exactly a month and don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying my time back here but...

Seasons in the sun

Apparently this is my 50th post. As I had in mind what I wanted to write, verse and all, and as I read the chapter again, I was blown away about the comfort that it brought. I hope it does the same for you or if not, it's just a reminder for me about this season in my life.

The setting: I started working at a place this year where I felt it was all in God's timing; never early, never late but always on time. I believed God provided. Before I got the job, in my timing, there was quite a lot of angst, frustration and questions. Thoughts of, "Am I not good enough? What's taking so long? Why? Maybe I should just sell pineapple tarts." I felt it was all God's plan;that he has placed me in that workplace for a reason. I did question, "Hmm, I wanted a public practice, big or small, no matter, the bigger the better, corporate-ish, jet-setting business class, etc." Hey, a man can dream, can't he? In all that, I knew God was in control.

From Ecc 3
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... a time to plant and a time to uproot... He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it... So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot."

I believe that one season is coming to a close and I'm about to step into a new one. In this time, I'm happy to receive news about my permanent residence but in my mind, I toil with what the next move is. I look back at the season that has been and boy oh boy, there were heaps of lessons to learn. Things to be glad and things that could have been done better. I thank God for this season and how the joy of  the Lord has been my strength. He has placed me in this season for a purpose and I think it's done and therefore, a transition into a new season. I do remember praying everyday before I step into the workplace for God to go before me, to help me and guide me and His presence to be real.

With all the noise around, I think I am now at peace to embrace a new season that awaits me. I remember telling myself a few week's back in reference to the centrality, supremacy and sovereignity of God in our lives, it's not our jobs that we find security in, but God in whom we find completeness and who provides the job as a means.

Surely, easier said than done. Out of one season and into another, He's got my back. And yours.

"Sometimes I guess there just aren't enough rocks."

Forrest Gump

Faraway Land Retreat: the food

Feasting at the table

Faraway Land Retreat: Port Melbourne

Pictures from last weekend. Headed to Port Melbourne and stayed 2 nights as part of a planning retreat and to just get away from the usual.

 

I'm truly thankful to have them all as a part of my life. It's a real privilege to serve alongside them but also to just do life. Friends forever!!!! s2s2s2 xoxo. Friends.

For more, visit fb and flickr

relient K, YA 2009

These are some snaps of relient K at Hi-Sense arena. For more,visit fb or flickr.

tech savvy

NOT!


no wonder my phone lags and hangs every so often.
it's the first time i've picked my manual after using the phone for a year plus.


Firmware version

Current: 4.84
Update: 9.40

copycat

I've changed the blog title as I'm sure you'd have noticed. And somehow, in my mind, it seems like I may have seen it elsewhere before. Have I? I can so vividly see the words on a white background in plain font. Is my mind playing tricks on me? If it does happen to be the title of your blog, I'll change it. Just give a shout out.

To come, pics of relient K

did you know...

Cockroaches are actually cleaner than most of us. Why? Because cockroaches clean themselves fastidiously — all the time. Cockroaches in homes are only as dirty as the environment they are living in. If you have a filthy house, they will spread that filth around your kitchen, but if your kitchen is clean and hygienic, you won't be providing them with a food source and they won't bother so much. But if the odd cockroach does show up, at least you know they're not that bad. They're actually quite hygienic.

heads clash

i recall a faint memory of a painful experience,
make that a few; different scenes, same experience.

it normally starts off being fun,
maybe a friendly wrestle or,
maybe looking at something so closely.

in that split second of excitement,
it brings our heads together for a clash.
at that point, all fun stops.

we writhe away, curled up in pain,
we ask, "What was that for?"
each in pain, each blaming the other.

to make sense of that it,
all we can do is laugh.

unlike a forceful hit,
never was it intended.

ouch, the pain,
and we wish for it to go away.

a swell, a bruise,
a touch and it still hurts.

until one fine day,
a touch and it's gone, healed.

while the car was being serviced

I think of fast food.

and almost got blown away.

The car was due for a service and today, being a day off, I scheduled for a service to be done.

Decked in my running attire, I decided that I'd jog back home to wait for the car instead of loitering around or tramming home. It was about 5km to home which I jogged half the way and slowed down to a walk as my legs began to hurt.

It was such a relief when I could see the golden arches from not too far away. That was what sustained me and that was to be the treat to greet me at the end of the jog/walk. Sausage and Egg McMuffin and two hash browns never tasted so good. At times, I saw the trams approaching and thought, "should I?"

The call came in alerting me that the car was ready. No, I did not walk/jog back. I trammed. And as I trammed, I looked at the side of the road on which I jogged on and I was wondering why I did not recognise any of that at all. I don't remember that house, or that nice looking park. Have I missed my stop? I took a glance across the street and it all came clear. KFC in all it's glory was standing there and I remember thinking how good it was and if I could just have some now.

I got off the tram and made my way to the service centre. As I was nearing it, say 20 metres away, it just began to pour and the winds picked up. I tried making a dash for it before I got any wetter but I literally could not move. No, really, literally. I was running against the wind.I almost fell and had to steady myself and take really forceful strides to make my way to the service centre in which the manager laughed as he saw me coming in.

listen to the rhythm of the falling rain

as a kid, i liked this song. i don't know why. i don't think it's because of the words. it's quite sad really. i like how it starts with the sound of rain, i like the melody, i like how the chorus sounds like it has so much emotions. obviously, i didn't think of all this as a kid.

well, i don't associate the rain with sadness and melancholy, doom and gloom, unless of course, it comes with crazy lightning and thunder.

i think it's peaceful and a time of respite. of cleansing and refreshing.

i love playing soccer in the rain. not torrential rain when your boots are soaked with water and they are heavy you can't even run properly.

i quite enjoy walking in really light drizzle. i don't roam around randomly when it rains, but when it happens to rain and i'm outside, i do enjoy the rain hitting the top of my head.

i like sitting indoors and looking out the window and you see droplets of water roll down the window. a good book in hand, a hot chocolate beside and a doona over.

no, this is not some totally random post. it was raining.

do you like the rain?

Parking

Most driver's fear as they start off behind the wheel is to do a parallel park. In practical exams, that's what they would fear. Upon driving confidently on their P's, many would still struggle to do a parallel park and would any day do an angle or 90 degree park. I do not claim do be a good driver. Average. Many from school would have stories to tell about my driving. But I didn't really have too much of a problem when it came to orientation and parking.

What I have a problem with is this:

PARKING FINES.

I always get them. I hate them. I remember getting my car towed away many years ago. Was still in school then and we finshed exams and decided to have drinks. Coffee bean, that is. I came back from coffee only to realise that my car wasn't where i thought i had parked it. It was a tedious process retrieving the car when we were supposed to watch a movie.

In Malaysia, as far as I can remember, I've had a parking fine from almost every municipality that I've parked my car in. MPPJ (yes, that was what it was then), MPSJ, DBKL and the police themselves. All for parking.

It's not that I choose to park illegally. Sometimes carelessness, sometimes, I just didn't know. Sometimes, the time just lapsed.

It's SO annoying.

This parking fine saga continues. I've had a no standing fine once many years ago. I was busy and asked a friend to repark my car when the time lapsed, he moved it into a no standing zone. Not his fault, he was in Melbourne for a holiday.

In this year alone, i've picked up a few more parking fine to add to the collection. Frustrating, REALLY. Today, I added to that tally again. I remember parking in those lots during the day time previously and when I saw a vacant spot, I was delighted and said to myself, "that was easy." Thing was, after hours, that becomes a permit zone. Which means people with no parking permit are not permitted to park in that permit zone. Hence, a ticket.

To the City of Yarra Council, this is my donation in not so kind. May it add to your already masssive parking fine revenue and please beautify the streets. Maybe line it with gold. Just a suggestion.

not to us, but to you

NOT TO us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory,
for Your mercy and loving-kindness
and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness!
Ps115:1

I'm more a pen and paper person. I figured that not cause I'm so bad at Typing Race but it feels more natural. Now, that does not mean that I always pen my thoughts down and it also does not mean that I have lovely nice handwriting. Some say I do, which flatters me, others are laughing even as they read this. I was at work with an excel sheet open right in front of me but there I was scribbling on a piece of recycled envelope working out costings. Strange, I know. On the blogging front, rather than putting pen to paper, maybe i should type my thoughts out here more. I'm still thinking about it, but who knows?? I would when I do, still pen my private thoughts but i think i do have a voice to anyone who would listen. I hope in that last sentence it does not come across as arrogant or smart alect, but if anything, anyone who would want to hear about what's in my head, I hope I can be a voice for how God is merciful and full of loving-kindness.

Lets plunge ahead. Hence, the verse.

It's mind blowing how half the year has come and gone. I can say that God never fails. NEVER. That does not mean that my life has been anything but peaches and cream. Mmm, peaches.

Where am I right now? Surrounded by family and friends (thank you), I've started working life, I'm doing my CPA, single (no, not a self promotion) and the anchor, God. He's the reason I breathe, the reason I live. I need Him to be. My motivator, my source of strength, my lifeline.

Has it been easy? NO. It could have been worse (I don't wish it to be). Fact is, He never fails. I look at work, not the way i envisaged it to be, but it's been good. It was frustrating waiting. He's never early, never late, but ALWAYS on time.

Relationship, ouch. Nuff said.

I'm still waiting for the PR. I've been wanting to go back to the land of Curry Laksa and Banana Leaf Rice. Lack of PR does not allow me to do so. I do miss the family and friends there. Much jealous that people are going to KK and I'm not.

Here I am today, for those who I see more often, you'd read the above and think, "Soo heard all of this before." For those who see less of me, a brief update.

Now, I'll end with what actually prompted me to blog in the first place. For those who did hear about it, you need to hear about it again, for those who have not, you need to hear it. I've embarked working life, CPA and the lot. Some did say, "whoa, that's tough." I thought so, and I know so, but I felt that I could pull through. NOT TO us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness! I say this not to sound cliche, but every fibre of my being believes it. I always wait outside exam halls, nerve wrecked, quoting verses and reminding me God's truth. I don't think I wish for the nerves to go away in future, although that's what I pray before the exams. It's the nerves that I am forced to not look at my own abilities. I did study, but certainly, all credit to God. His wisdom, strength, empowerment and enablement. No, REALLY. His mercy and because he personally loves me (and you), and His faithfulness when I'm not, I don't deserve it, and that makes it so much more beautiful.

six degrees of...

jogging.

on Friday morn, I decided to go for a jog.

From my room, i could see that the sun was shining brightly and I thought, "Great! looks like a nice day for a jog."

Got changed and did some stretching. I've never thought of jogging in anything more than shorts and t-shirt and I would always wonder when others would be fully clothed with skins, gloves, beanies and whatever-else-have-you, "Is it REALLY necessary?? Just suck it up and jog."

It was COLD!

Jogging in shorts and t-shirt on a six degree day is no joke. I came home from the jog with my hands frozen stiff, numb and not being able to feel them.

Now, i just might get some gloves.

kids just wanna have fun

Mother's Day at the Park