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.