today...
Friday 31 August 2007
Stress
Stress. It's a part of everyday life. In fact, it's healthy to be stressed at times because it gives our brain stimulation I guess... If we were all bums, we'd be as good as brain dead.
What Is Stress?
Stress is a feeling that's created when we react to particular events. It's the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness.
Lately I've been so busy and to a certain extent stressed, that I haven't even hardly seen my own family members living in my own home! I can't even remember the last time I saw my mother! I can't remember the last time I had a proper sit down meal with my family, or even a sit down meal with half my family. Recently, I've been so busy that by the time I wake up (which is usually around 9am) half my family has already gone to uni or left for work. By the time I get home (which is usually 9pm or later) my parents are usually out, my brother is usually out or in his room, my sister is usually on the computer - I see my family members less than 5 minutes a day!
Why have I been so busy lately? Well organising things for MCW has been taking up a lot of my "bumming" time, working - I'm working a lot - like everyday except for Sunday, dinners - everyone keeps asking me to go out for dinner's when I'm so broke to the max =( Everytime I look at my schedule for September I want to cry... it's just busyness after busyness! Balls, cocktails, functions, fashion shows, events, pasar malam, MCW, meetings, work... it never ends.
I look forward to October 6th... but by that time, more challenges will arise... and my pursuit in being a bum for just a little while longer will probably no longer be. Until I go on my holiday to Malaysia! November 28th... here I come weeee.... ok it's late and I should go to sleep!
today...
@2:57 am
Tuesday 28 August 2007
Simpsonize me!
Here you can simpsonize yourself!!!
Quite cool if I may say so myself! I'm not really into the Simpsons, I haven't even watched the movie... but I guess it's ok. I like Bart, only because he shares the same birthday with me! That's all I know! =P
today...
@11:12 pm
Post 40 hour famine
Since people keep asking me how my 40 hour famine was well here's the run down so I hopefully won't have to explain anymore.
We (me, Pauline and Usha) began fasting at 8pm during cell. So after cell, we usually have refreshments so everyone else ended up eating and me, Pauline and Usha ended up just sitting on the floor, Pauline was teaching Usha how to play the guitar and I was looking through the IKEA catalogs. I love IKEA (even though I've never been there in my whole entire life!)
Anyway, so Chris and Vanessa decide to join us since Chris is full. By the way, he decided to fast technology. So we're all listening to him play his ultra cool tunes on the acoustic guitar... we're all asking him to play this song and that. Then there is this song that Usha wants him to play and she played it on her ipod and put the ear plugs in his ear so he can listen. Then I also want to listen to what song it is so I put the other ear plug into my ear... 30 seconds later... *AHhhhhhhhhhhh* *pulls the ear plug out of my ear* TECHNOLOGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *faints* Meanwhile, Usha is sitting there blur blur "Huh? What song is technology?" Chris is also sitting there blur blur not knowing what's going on. LOL... ipod = technology = no no for the 40 hour famine!
I mean it's a small thing, but sometimes technology to us is so automatic and we don't even realise it. So 3 hours into the 40 hour famine, we already broke fast! =S
Come Saturday morning I slept in till 11am... and then woke up...read a little... drink apple juice. Mum is shouting at me to go eat, and I told her I'm fasting, but she doesn't get it. She said I should just eat because no one will know that I ate... my sister said the same thing. haiz.
Then I went back to sleep around 1pm - 3:30pm when Pauline called my mum's phone saying we have ushering! Well I didn't answer the phone, and Suelynn took a message for me, but then she couldn't even take a proper message, so I had to call Pauline to confirm whether or not we were really ushering. Hai yor! Broke fast again! Strike 2!
Had church service which was nice. Went back home around 9pm. And then did some sudoku... then went to sleep early... and woke up 11am the next day. Still not feeling hungry. Then went to Pauline's house... wait around till 12pm till I can switch on my phone. Then wait some more for Usha and Yan Pin and then we went dim sum with Julie and Nellie-Anne's parents.
Still didn't really feel hungry even when sitting down for dim sum. Yucks... the oilyness of it all. Felt sick afterward.
So that's it, that's my 40 hour famine account. I raised $252.00. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me!!! =D
today...
@2:26 am
Monday 27 August 2007
Unusual kindness
Are your words so kind that others notice?
Are you actions so kind and gracious that other people stop to watch?
Kind people are everywhere. People show kindness out of politness and out of unforeseen circumstances such as 9/11 but there are just some people that really blow you away when it comes to genuine acts of kindness. When I think of someone kind, one person truly stands out from the rest. Every time I think of the word kind, she immediately springs to mind.
Her kindness really touches my heart. Not only by her words but it can also definetly be seen by her actions. She is so caring towards others, and always making sure others are ok, she always puts others before herself. She goes way above and beyond what people expect of her and she's always so giving, even when time may be running against her. Even the small little acts of kindness she shows really means a lot to the people that she shows it to -- I don't know if she knows that. =)
But she's such a joy to have in our lives. She is always smiling and is happy-go-lucky. Even though (I assume) she is very stressed with her study load and work committments, she always makes time for others and never shows her stressed side. She always has an ear to listen to your problems and she tells really really REALLY lame jokes, but we all laugh with her anyway! ^^
She bakes cookies and makes refreshments for cell even though she can't make it, she is just so giving that when you see her, you will just think she is the kindest person you have ever met.
Her genuine kindness really shines and has really touched me and I can only wish to be half as kind as she is.
Anyway, let me introduce you to her! Her name is Yan Pin -- and she's very cute! ^^
today...
@10:35 am
Friday 24 August 2007
Updates...
Going on the 40 hour famine which starts at 8pm on Friday 24th and ends at 12pm on Sunday 26th! I'll be fasting food and technology... so inbetween that time I won't be able to be contacted! Any emergencies, contact someone else! =P Thanks to everyone who sponsored me! 8 children are going to be pretty chummy in Laos for a couple of months. I hope they get nice food! =P
In other news, I've booked my flight ticket back to Malaysia leaving on the 28th of November and coming back on the 12th of February. WOW~ I'm going to be holidaying for so long I won't want to come back!
Oh and yesterday was mum's 50th birthday!!! WOW... I didn't even know she was turning 50 until I actually calculated half way during dinner. =S oops. Anyway, we plan to get her an exercise machine which she hasn't even picked out yet ... which means, yay I can use it too! hehe!
Funny thing grandma said to me... she was looking at my bag that I bought in Melbourne, the one from Myer that looks a bit "dirty" - well that's supposed to be the look of it. So anyway she said to me in mandarin, "Sue-Anne you bag is so dirty it looks like "giam cai" ... you should wash it so it becomes white!" hhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaaaaaa...*no comment* Then Suelynn tried to explain to her that the bag is supposed to be like that, but my grandma still insisted I wash my dirty bag. *LOL*
today...
@6:12 am
Wednesday 22 August 2007
Just For You!
Hehe dungu Pauline har?
Make me do these things!
Only for you okay?
Layer One :
The Outside Name : weiwei
Birth Date : 23 December 1985
Make me do these things!
Only for you okay?
Layer One :
The Outside Name : weiwei
Birth Date : 23 December 1985
Current Status : sore shoulders... need a massage... eeee!!!!
Eye Colour : brown
Hair Colour : black
Righty or Lefty : righty
Layer Two : On The Inside
Your Heritage : Hokkien... Malaysian... my great grandfather probably worked on a farm or something in China =P
Your Fear : I fear too many things... animals to name one
Your Weakness : hahaha I have no weaknesses! I'm strong! I can take you down!
Your Perfect Pizza: Erm... chocolate pizza from The Moon Cafe was nice ^^
Layer Three : Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Your Thoughts First Thing When You Wake Up : arhhh have to get up! =(
Bedtime : Lately it's been 11pm+ which is normally quite late for me already
Your Most Missed Memory : too many =( Melbourne and Sydney
Layer Four : Your Pick
Pepsi or Coke : Coke
McDonald's or Burger King : Maccas
Single or Group Dates : hahahahaaaa... what da.... no comment*
Adidas or Nike : Nike... but I don't like what they support
Tea or Nestea : Tea... green tea!
Chocolate or Vanilla : Vanilla
Cappucino or Coffee : Cappucino
Layer Five : Do You ...
Smoke : No
Curse : I try not to
Take a Shower : Duhh yeah...
Have a Crush : On who?
Think You've Been In Love: Hrmm don't know
Go To School : No! Graduated and bumming!
Want To Get Married : Of course, doesn't every girl?
Believe in yourself: Yes
Think You're a Health Freak : I'd love to be, but I'm not!
Layer Six : In The Past Month
Drank Alcohol : Yes... some red bull bomb shot
Gone To The Mall : Yeah... not a good idea when you don't have money, but have a credit card XD
Been On Stage : No
Eaten Sushi : No
Dyed Your Hair : No
Layer Seven : Have You Ever ...
Played A Stripping Game : No
Changed Who You Were To Fit In : No
Layer Eight : Age You're Hoping To Get Married : Didn't I answer this question already?
Layer Nine : In A Girl/Guy
Best Eye Colour : Brown
Best Hair Colour : Black...could be dyed too but depends what colour...
Short Hair or Long Hair : Short and spikey
Layer Ten : What Were You Doing
1 Min Ago : Chatting on MSN
1 Hour Ago : Browsing the internet
4.5 Hours Ago : Driving home from work
1 Month Ago : Probably IO volunteering
1 Year Ago : I don't know what I was doing. I didn't blog that day! XD
Layer Eleven : Finish The Sentence
I Love : Green
I Feel : Like I need a massage right now.... or I need to sleep on a massaging bed!
I Hate : I don't hate many things...
I Hide : My soft toys in my cupboard... they like to hang out there and have tea parties anyway! =)
I Need : To lose weight =P
today...
@1:41 am
Sunday 19 August 2007
Moody...
Not in a mood to blog everyday anymore. Too tiring, time consuming and nothing to talk about also.
That's all.
today...
@4:41 pm
Friday 17 August 2007
Chop chop chop my locks!
Today I went to get my haircut. =) Actually not really a full blown hair cut... it's more like a trim.
I don't actually mind getting haircuts, but I just don't like to talk to the hairdresser. hehe Yeah I'm a bit wierd like that, and then I can't really read magazines either because I can't see when I take off my glasses. So... it usually ends up me being there sitting in silence while the person chop chop chops my locks!
The sad thing is, I've never found my own hairdresser. My very own one that I can call my own, that will know how my hair is, how my hair falls, the texture, thickness and what I want. The best hairdresser I've ever been to is one in East Perth called Freja - and it was a free haircut too because we had vouchers at that time. Maybe it was the fact that the haircut was free... but noo... the hairdresser, Tyron was really super good. He was so careful, and even after the shop closed until almost 8pm, he slowly cut my hair. I was the last one out of Carol and Lee. Though, I haven't been back since because I think the shop closed down =( And prices are pricey at $70 =P But considering the amount that I've paid for haircuts, colours and straightening...(500RM+!) I think it doesn't fare too bad!
I've always wanted to cut my hair really short. Like a bob! That would be a dream... haha... well not a dream, but I'd love it if I could. But magazines say that because my head is round like a rockmelon that bob haircuts don't suit my face shape!!! =( buuu* But unfortunately I need to have long hair for a while yet because of "certain functions" I need to attend. =( *sigh*
Another dream of mine one day would be to completely shave my head one day!!! That would be so cool. I'd raise money too... then donate it.. haha see if I really dare to shave my head. But that day will only come when image really does not matter anymore. LOL... I just want my hair to have a fresh start... no more split ends!
Anyway that's all the hairy stories I have for today!
Picture: no picture...
today...
@1:16 pm
Thursday 16 August 2007
At my work
So let me tell you a little about my workplace.
The place I currently work at is called Synovate in West Perth. It's a bit of a bugger to get to because... I'm too lazy to take public transport and then when I drive there, I have to pay for parking which is expensive! =(
Anyway, Synovate is a market research company - and my technical title would be a "market research interviewer." It actually sounds more glorious than it is. Basically, I'm a telemarketer but I don't sell things - I just do surveys. Every night we have strike rates, which means the number of survey's we're expected to get per hour; and we're supposed to achieve that number of surveys. Though if you don't get any survey's the supervisors won't get mad at you or anything, they're pretty easy going.
It's actually a real slacker of a job. I sit with the "good-strike-rate-slackers" which means I sit with people that get good strike rates but we like to slack a bit! Usually for the last half hour we slack and do nothing and just talk, because we sit in the back row of computers. It's a bit like highschool when the supervisors come to tell us off for talking too much.
We're allowed to take a lots of breaks whenever we want... but I guess not too many. But it's pretty flexible. We even get to choose the days that we want to work and we get paid rather well for sitting around and talking! The only downside to this job is having to sit for long periods of time, and doing the same survey over and over - repeating the same introduction. That gets a bit too monotonous. It's sort of like a brain-dead job. I can even memorise some of the questions @_@
So do I get abused by people on the phone? Well sometimes. I've only had one guy who told me to f* off... hehe... and then some people are quite rude, some people hang up without saying anything... today was the funniest, I was talking and saying my introduction ... yadda yadda and then some music came on and just got louder and louder... I think it was the old man trying to tell me he didn't want to do the survey. Sheesh, he could have just told me in the first place, so then I hung up. Then I spoke to a 97 year old woman - so old! Generally, people are ok with it and they're pretty nice about it.
One of my work collegues Kevin - he's so funny. LOL He's from Kenya studying graphic design at Curtin and he's so full of random knowledge - or maybe I just live too much a sheltered life. One day he randomly tells me, "Do you know animals are naked?" XD And then he was telling me about Kenya how he lives in a hut and all... I almost believed him. He said his favourite food is barbequed goat - I don't know if I should believe that or not. Then he said one of the laws in Kenya is... if you rape a goat you get 15 years imprisonment, if you rape a woman you get 6 years imprisonment.... that is so wrong. Anyway he's a good bloke! He said some really random stuff to me today that I can't remember already, but he's so funny and keeps everyone entertained at work. He also makes my milo for me because I'm too lazy. hehe!
Picture: hmm.. no picture for this post, because I forgot to bring my camera to work today to take a picture of the office, I'll post it tomorrow.
today...
@11:09 pm
Wednesday 15 August 2007
1am messages
There is something funny about international students.
1. They sleep very late... always around 1am+
2. They like to message or call people around 1am+
There is also something funny about Australian people.
1. They sleep quite early...around 11pm
2. While their international counterparts are still wide awake... they're already sleeping.
The point of saying this is, that, as a local... I sleep quite "early." Though lately I've been sleeping around 1am+ ... but fact is, I noticed, international students like to message me at 1am+ or call me at 1am+ when I'm sound asleep or just when I'm about to go to sleep.
Consideration please! You don't think you could tell me the next morning, whatever it is that you want to tell me? Or you don't think you might disturb me at such a late hour - while I'm sleeping? I actually get very irritated when people message or call me at such an hour, especially when I'm sound asleep and dreaming happily.
Ok, some may say that I should switch my phone off... but... since my phone is pretty ancient as most of you may know, (but I still love it lots), it has a tendancy to not switch on when the alarm should go off in the morning, if the phone is switched off. If I don't have my alarm, usually I won't wake up on time these days because my body clock is stuffed up. I've been sleeping late and getting up way too late for my own good.
Anyway, I'm just saying it would be nice if people could refrain from messaging or calling me after 12am, unless of course it's an emergency situation.
And while I'm on the topic of mobile phones, one other thing that irritates me is "withheld/private numbers." arhhh... they make me so annoyed not knowing who is on the other line. And I don't like to pick up private numbers either, because usually it'll be my workplace calling! So refrain from calling me on a private number too please!
today...
@11:51 am
Tuesday 14 August 2007
Cooking
If you knew me, you would know that I don't know how to cook! I can basically only cook pasta and that's about it! Everything else I "cook" is pre-cooked or needs to only be put in the oven or microwave to heat up. That's about the extent of my cooking experience.
It's not that I don't like cooking... well... actually yeah, I don't really like cooking all that much. The faster and easier the food takes to prepare, the better for me!
I don't mind baking but then it's just so much work and effort and time put into making the product I just really can't be bothered and I only bake when I feel in the mood which is maybe about twice a year?!
So this year, as a result of our cell dinner's, I'm going to make it my goal to learn how to cook and to really make an attempt to cook something when I have the time. To not cheat and buy something from Woolies and claim it as my own cooking or make my mum do the cooking for me! haha...
So who wants to be my guinea pigs? ...
Actually my cell has already been my guinea pigs. I cooked chicken and mushroom with honey mustard sauce - the first time I actually cooked a proper proper meat dish. Even though it stank to the max... it was nice right??? Except Pauline didn't like it because she doesn't like moyonaise or something, but there wasn't even moyonaise in it. Maybe she didn't like the cream? I forget...
Picture: Seafood antipasto; prawns, smoked salmon, oyster, seared scallops. At Fraser's Resturant, Kings Park for Jason's 21st.
today...
@12:27 pm
Monday 13 August 2007
40 Hour Famine
I decided to sign up for the 40 hour famine this year! It's been a long time since I did it way back in year 8 or 9 and I think it's a good cause too!
I was shocked that some people didn't know what the 40 hour famine was!
I was shocked that some people didn't know what the 40 hour famine was!
So here's a run down:
The 40 Hour Famine is a fantastic way to do something real for hungry kids. Going without food, technology, furniture (or something else that really matters) for 40 hours is a great way for young Australians to get a taste of what life’s like for kids struggling with poverty and hunger around the world.
This year’s Famine focus country is Laos, one of the poorest countries in the world. A shocking 40% of kids under five years old in Laos suffer from malnutrition - one of the highest rates in the world.
The good news is that every $40 raised in the Famine will help feed and care for eight hungry kids for a month!
Famine funds will also support World Vision’s work inEast Timor, Mozambique and Tanzania and help poor families survive natural disasters like floods, earthquakes and cyclones.
Taken from the 40 Hour Famine Website
After watching the video in Church and reading about some of the stories, I was so touched. There are so many things in our lives that we don't need, and I think it'll be a good opportunity to give it up for at least 40 hours just to see and experience how difficult it is. I think going without food would be the hardest. It's something that we need to sustain ourselves. Technology and furniture wouldn't be so difficult though I don't think. Sleeping on the floor is not that bad... and technology, well I can go without internet for 40 hours, I don't watch TV much, I can go without music, mobile might be difficult if anyone needs to contact you urgently... but I'm sure that would be ok too!
I'm think of going without food for 40 hours. Though I discussed what "without food" meant with some other people. Some say you can still drink juice, including boost juice. But the thing is, boost juice can be a meal in itself already - so I think that's cheating!! I'm going to really try go for no food at all just plain liquids and barley sugar.
We'll be doing over August 24-26th... from 8pm on Friday August 24th till 12pm on Sunday August 26th! Just in time for my grandmother's birthday and to have some cake! ^__^
Some more, if you raise over $200 then you get a Paul Frank T-shirt! So I highly encourage everyone to sign up for the 40 Hour Famine! Otherwise, if you don't want to, then you can sponsor me!!! =P
Picture taken of a tree in the guild court yard... and then I did some photoshop magic to it and wa-lah! Here it is... it's also been my wallpaper on my desktop for the past few months. =)
today...
@2:52 pm
Sunday 12 August 2007
WOW
There is only one game that will make me cringe at the sound of it.
World of Warcraft. (Eww I said it!) ... and probably DOTA (but I don't know much about DOTA)
All I know is that I absolutely loathe this game called WOW, I absolutely loathe it to the max! Why? Because it ruins lives!!! I've seen it before my eyes... speaking from third party experience. I shant say who plays it but anyway, many people might know my absolute disgust for this game. YUCKS!
Why do I loathe this game so much? Well for many reasons. Let me tell you my experience.
By the way, for your information, I have never really been into computer games. Tetris was my favourite, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Super Mario Brothers was about as computer game-geeky as I got!
Things I don't get about WOW.
To do a raid or whatever those people do ... it takes minimum 4 hours. What on earth they do in that four hours is oblivious to me... what can they do in 4 hours? Steal stuff and kill things?...and you know what annoys me the most? When these characters die... it takes them FOREVER and a day to fly back to be reunited with their body... like c'mon!!! Blizzard is jipping you out man!!! You're sitting there waiting for I don't know how long, for your soul to be reunited with your characters body... *mass time wastage*
I have no idea why people must have so many characters. Ughh... What on earth for?! It's not like one is prettier than the other... they all look super hidious to me... and why do they look so ugly... at least they could have made them prettier looking!!!
What is all the fuss about? I also don't understand how these addicts play for hours on end... for 22 hours straight - I've been told. I mean... let's be honest, it's a computer game. Get a life and get back to reality. These characters ain't your friend mate!
I also don't like the fact that this game steals from people. When I mean steal, I mean, it robs real people of their lives. I've seen people whose social life has just gone down the drain - their friendships, relationships, family-ships, all their other hobbies, their drive to want to do something better in their life, their work. Once people get addicted to WOW, they just completely shut down and become a hermit in the home - and turn a pasty white colour! - That's nasty! But I mean, at the end of it all, it's just so sad to see them in that state. Not living for anything but the game. Just living and breathing the game - and for what? It's a computer game!!! Get a life please.
I know that for some people, they get addicted to WOW because they need to feel a sense of belonging and I don't blame them. We all want to feel like we belong somewhere. But computer games is not the answer =( Well for me personally, that's only because I loathe computer games.
Even sadder, is when you confront the person about their "addiction to WOW" they completely deny it. They are completely and utterly oblvious to the fact that they play WOW 15 hours a day straight... they have no real contact with people. They sleep and dream about WOW and all the different tactics they want to use, they buy $60 books on WOW tactics, they wake up early to play on servers in who knows what country so they can all raid together or whatever... I mean c'mon. Seriously, get a life!
Another thing I noticed about WOW addicts is their temperament. The slightest thing can set WOW addicts off if you really know how to piss them off! They have such bad mood swings that they can even be unapproachable at times if they are intensly focusing on the game. I mean, for a game to make someone so agro like that must be having a pretty strong influence. Their temperament is so bad that you can't get them to do anything or help with anything.
There are just so many stats on WOW it's incredible. According to sources, up to 40% of WOW players are addicted. That's a whopper of a figure. Quite depressing really... considering how many people that could be. Apparently more than 66% of the WoW population are Asians and out of all Asians about 73% are Chinese. Some more, you have to pay a monthly subscription just to play the game!!! Err.... where money could be spent better else where.
WOW has even got so smart that people sell characters and items on Ebay for real cash. Good entrepreneurial thinking whoever thought of it - but it's the stupidity of the people who actually pay thousands of dollars for these items on Ebay. Must I say it once more? Get a life.
I could debate and go on and on about my absolute disgust for this game, but I would be repeating myself. I just hope that for all you considering playing WOW, don't touch the game. For all those who are considering going back to playing WOW or are having withdrawal symptoms from the game, I pray for you and urge you not to go back. For all those WOW addicts - May God be with you and help you find real friends =) (I'm serious!)
I could go on about WOW forever - about how much I dislike it... but it would bore people to death so I'll stop here =)
today...
@1:40 am
Saturday 11 August 2007
Becoming a Winner
This was the sermon preached by Ps Patrick during Freshies Welcome at Zion Praise Harvest.
We all need relationships in our lives.
1. Our relationshipos determine our happiness.
2. Our relationships determine our success.
3. Our relationships determine our character.
1 Cor 14:1 Make love our greatest aim in life.
7 Keys to a Successful Relationship
1. Serve one another.
Mark 9:35 and he sat down, call the 12, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.
2. Give to others.
Love is the benefiting of others at the expense of self.
Never become tight financially with people in need.
When you give, never give with a catch, rather, give cheerfully, sincerely and lovingly.
3. Esteem others.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing is done through selfish ambitions or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4. Be interested in people.
Phil 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests of others.
Make everyone you meet feel important and significant.
5. Encourage others.
1 Cor 13:7 ... love believes all things ...
6. Appreciate others and be thankful to them.
Rom 1:8 First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all...
1 Cor 1:4 I thank my God always concerning for you the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus.
Phil 1:3 I thank my God upon every rememberance of you.
7. Smile =)
Prov 15:30 the light of the eyes rejoices the heart and a good report makes the bones healthy.
Picture: Macro yellow flower for Pauline's for her baptism. =)
today...
@9:28 pm
Thursday 9 August 2007
Senyum la
If at times you feel you want to cry
And life seems such a trial
Above the clouds theres a bright blue sky
So make your tears a smile.
As you travel on lifes way
With its many ups and downs
Remember its quite true to say
One smile is worth a dozen frowns.
Among the worlds expensive things
A smile is very cheap
And when you give a smile away,
You get one back to keep.
Happiness comes at times to all
But sadness comes unbidden
And sometimes a few tears must fall
Among the laughter hidden.
So when friends have sadness on their face
And troubles round them piled
The world will seem a better place
And all because you smiled.
Smile, even it it's a sad smile, because sadder than a sad smile is the sadness of not knowing how to smile.
So... senyum la =)
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Picture: Taken outside Elizabeth Jolley at Curtin Uni - processed using Photoshop to achieve the Orton's Process look.
today...
@1:23 pm
The Power of Prayer
We cannot have a relationship with someone unless we communicate with them. Prayer is the expression of our relationship with God. Prayer works: in some way it releases God's super natural power into a situation. To me, prayer is an important part of everyday life. It's so natural to just seek God in whatever situation I'm faced with and to just to give thanks to Him for everything that He has blessed me with. Whether it's a good or bad situation, I know that God is in control and that He will never give me more than I can handle.
So let me tell you a story, this was at the time that I was still working at the petrol station as a petrol attendant/cashier. Some may know my absolute dislike for working there because I used to complain a lot about the job. I guess, for the first 4 or 5 months the job was interesting, it was new and something different, but slowly and surely... this job because the biggest stress in my life. I would stress about going to work because I'd have to work long shifts, long night shifts, long busy night shifts, and long busy night shifts ALONE! Working alone was the worst, because when it got busy, you had to deal with everything yourself, all the problems, if the EFT went down, drive offs, nasty customers... everything was on your shoulders.
The shifts were pretty bad. Usually I had to work the 2:30pm - 11pm shift which was just so tiring. I'd have to sleep a couple of hours in advance to prep myself for work. Other times I would have to start at 5am and it wasn't so much having to get up so early, it was more the fact that I wouldn't be able to sleep the night before for fear that I wouldn't wake up on time. My heart would be palpitating the whole night just thinking about going to work.
It really truly was a stressful job for me and I really hated it and I don't think anyone understands how stressful it was for me except for my sister (who used to work there as well). Hate is a strong word which I don't like to use, but my "love" for the job was just nil. Actually minus nil would be more accurate. I just hated the thought of having to go to work... but for some reason, I stuck it out for another year until April 2007. I guess I was pressured from my mother to continue working. She seemed to think that that job was the best job in the world. My sister worked there before I did, and she quit just as I started. I now know why.
But anyway, getting to the point of the story, one day sometime in April I guess, my manager called me and spoke to me in this utterly RUDE tone! I forgot what he said to me but that day was the day I put my foot down and said that's enough, I don't want to live life like this anymore. I was pretty miserable. I had prayed a lot about it before and one day I thought I would just go all out and apply for jobs. So that day I think I must've applied for 5 jobs from morning till about 3pm I was writing up my resume and sending my applications in. Something struck me at 3pm and I just really felt I needed to pray and seek God, and so that's what I did. I just couldn't handle it anymore and got down on my knees and really broke down to God in tears.
And you know, our God is so amazing! Within 2 hours I got a call for a job interview ~ wah my prayers got answered in 2 hours! Praise God. I was sooo happy. But actually I couldn't attend the interview because of Passion camp, but praise God again, there was another interview session the week after which I could attend!
Reminds me of this song:
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
God wants us to keep praying, to keep asking and to wait patiently because He will always listen to your prayers from the heart.
Picture: Taken at Cottesloe Beach in memory of my Grandmother who went to be with the Lord earlier this year.
today...
@12:14 pm
Wednesday 8 August 2007
Relationships
Just something to share from my quiet time. =)
Successful women take time for significant relationships. They don't live borderless lives where anyone and everyone has access to them and their time. Rather, they choose which relationships are most valuable and make time for them. Which people in your life stretch and replenish you?
Proverbs 17:1-28
- If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship.
- The start of an arguement is like the first crack in a dam, stop it before it goes any further.
- Friends always show their love. What are brothers if not to share trouble?
- Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is a slow death to be gloomy all the time.
- Someone who is sure of himself does not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight.
When we let the Holy Spirit lead us, certain qualities become apparent. Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Our relationships with each other will be guided by these characteristics rather than selfishness and agression. As we cooperate with the Spirit's leading and teaching, so these beautiful and fruitful qualities will develop in our lives.
Love is at the heart of the Christian faith: without it, we are nothing. It is a love that forgives and does not bear grudges or seek revenge. It is easy to think of a 'good life' as merely avoiding doing wrong, but a truly good life goes deeper: it is driven by love. Love is positive, enabling relationships to deepen in trust and commitment.
Picture: With friends at the NLC conference.
today...
@1:23 am
Tuesday 7 August 2007
Meet my friend Dorothy!
Meet my friend Dorothy. We call her Chichi ... because, I forget the history of how she got to be called chichi. I think her Chinese name has some chichi in it or something... =S
Anyway Chichi is cool. She told me she was from Hong Kong, and I almost believed her... actually I think I did believe her for a while... but then realised she spoke Malay - so she obviously cannot be Honkie! Chichi is one random person! She can tell the wierdest and funniest and most disgusting stories at the most appropriate times and she always makes us laugh! She's our comedian! Whenever Chichi is around, surely there will be smiles and laughter!
Chichi makes the BEST imitations of people's poses and she is full of lame jokes and disgusting stories. But she really kept us well entertained on our trip to Sydney and Melbourne. Whenever Chichi is around, everyone is always smiling and laughing and crying from laughing too much! Chichi is not afraid of being embarassed... she can easily embarass us all... but that's what we love most about her. =)
This is a picture of Chichi taken while we were on the ISC Discovery Perth Tour. How random!
today...
@3:49 am
Monday 6 August 2007
Back to my roots
When people ask me where I'm from I usually say Malaysia... because that is where I'm orginally from. Though, I suppose I should say I'm from Australia since I've bascially been raised in Australia right? Go Aussie pride?
So as an "Aussiefied Asian" my Mandarin sucks... my Hokkien sucks... my Malay knowledge is nil and it kinda makes me sad because if I did grow up in Malaysia, I'd probably know a handful of languages which would be so useful. I'd probably even pick up Cantonese if I watched enough of those Hong Kong drama series.
Lately, I've been learning Malay from a few friends.
Dorothy teaches me crazy things like "kelapa ada rambut ketiak" and "makan kaki." Sentences that don't make sense... hehe, but they sound cool anyway!
Abee (Jillian's housemate, who I met from IO) taught me a hardcore sentence: "ular melingkar lingkar di atas pagar pak kumar." It's a tongue twister in Malay where you have to roll your tongue. I've been practicing it lots, and can say it semi-fast now. =)
While chatting with Ming in Malay he said this to me "lagi tak ada otak." How nice of him. =P
Jillian taught me "saya cinta padamu" hehe...sweet girl she is! =)
Andrea taught me "super gek" ... even though that's not Malay... it sounds cool anyway. Combo of English and some Asian language =P "Super geng!" GG Andrea!
Pauline teaches me normal sentences like "aku sangat sejuk" and she even teaches me words that she doesn't know the meaning of like "dungu har?" and "gundu"! But it's Pauline's English sentences that get to me the most! haha! Sentences and phrases like, "What's your problem!" "What therrr...." "You get me?" and her oh so famous *SLAP* on your arm which really hurts! What's your problem Pauline Pao Lin Tay! =P She has such an effect on me that I begin to imitate her and then pass on her infectious phrases to others!!!
So I've been slowly learning some Malay words and it's fun... because Malay sounds like a cool language. I'm like a sponge soaking all these words! haha! I've learnt "bodoh babi" too... and in my non-Malay-educated-brain "bodoh babi" actually sounds kinda cute to me. But I know how rude it is =S So yes, I know I should say it.
So here I am with Dorothy in Sydney...possibly the funniest and most random Malaysian I've ever met!
today...
@10:47 am
Sunday 5 August 2007
Happy Birthday Pauline Pao Lin Tay!!!
HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY
PAULINE TAY!!!
This entry shall be completely written in purple... Pauline's favourite colour... and plus she says that all my entries are too colourful and too GAY looking! What's your problem Pauline!!! =P Too bad anyway, I made it multi-purple-coloured!!! Is that too much for your eyes to handle?!
Anyway, I met Pauline through cell group and I guess we kinda got close because of the angels and mortals game that we played. I knew all along she was my angel and she was also my mortal haha! Imagine the odds. It's been a blessing to know you and I'm so glad that God thought enough of me to bless me with a friend like you! Someone who is so funny and so childish, so talented and so full of *words* and *phrases* and *actions*
Pauline, you are one of a kind and even though I haven't even known you for very long, I thank God everyday for you and for you being such a great friend to me and I know that we will be friends till eternity. Your encouragment and your passion for God truly inspires me.
I love you my little dungu-pawpaw *pat pat* Happy Birthday! May God shower you with many blessings on your special 18th birthday =)
The picture was taken after Mega-praise during Passion Camp! *so tired* but so much fun with you! <3
today...
@1:00 am
Saturday 4 August 2007
Baby photos!
I love love love photos! I could look at photos for ages, just reminiscing on the fun times I had together with friends, family, going on road trips, holidays, events, parties, birthdays... the list goes on and on! I can just keep flipping through albums and albums of photo archives and just lose myself in the memories if I'm on the computer, I look through photos on my iriver sometimes when I'm listening to music, before bed and when I wake up. I just love photos.
But I absolutely adore baby photos!!! I love seeing baby photos of others and I must admit that my brother and sister were pretty cute babies too! I'm so blessed to have a father who loved photography. So what does that mean? It means, I have TONNES of baby photos (and so does my brother and sister!!!) WEeeeee...
I actually have lots of baby photos that I consider *favourites* but this could be considered my ultimate favourite baby photo. To be honest, it's the only photo that doesn't actually really look like all my other photos. It was taken some time around when I was one and a half when we were living on Christmas Island. Note the ultra cool home decor... =P
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my ways
Even when I fail You
I know You love me
today...
@9:30 am
Friday 3 August 2007
The scientific art of photography
This is one of my favourite photographs and was taken by Long Tran... (super good photographer!) It was taken on Adam's birthday last year when I met him for the first time after a long time - actually, it was the first time I met Peter and Long as well. haha! They're all really really superb photographers and they teach me so much when we go on photography shoots (which is long overdue!) ^^Where did my love of photography spawn from? I think Adam influenced it a lot! And maybe it's also been hidden in my genes since my dad used to have (or still has?) a knack for photography. Things I like to shoot include landscapes, macros and flowers.
I have this bad habit (or my own photography style) of shooting close ups of people's faces ... I don't know why, but I like to fill up the frame of the picture. It annoys me when people can't take photos properly. The worst is when they don't point, focus and then shoot... arhh... and another is when shooting a group of people, they will place the subjects heads in the middle of the photo - cutting off half their body and leaving the top half of the photo with nothingness! With the introduction of LCD screens, I don't know why people can't make a decent composition. Though, I'm not saying I'm a pro at photography either, because I still have a lot to learn!
Another thing that annoys me is when I'm trying to take a photo with someone and some goofball tries to be in the picture by popping their head in the photo! Hello! Did I ask you to be in the picture?! The worst offender could well be Su-yen Tan! I don't know how many pictures she's "stuck her head in" while I've been trying to take a picture!!! I miss you Su-yen Tan!!! =(
This semester I'm taking a unit called Scientific Photography 101. Sounds interesting right? Well it is pretty interesting and our lecturer is so cool! I'm in so need of an SLR. Though I'm torn between Canon and Nikon. I think I look better with a Nikon... hehe ... but I might be shunned by the Canonites. =O My dad used a Canon, and actually I do like Canon, but Nikon isn't bad either. Maybe I'll get an upgrade of the 400D. =)
*wishful thinking which will hopefully come true at the end of the year*
today...
@11:12 am
bye bye~