weiwei

Has it been that long?

2011-03-11T19:12:00.004+09:00

As the title suggests, has it really been that long since I last blogged?

Well, much of my time has been taken from tumblr and I've been so busy and caught up with so many other things. I can't believe how busy the life of an adult is! (By the way, I've been attached since October 2010 to a wonderful man :) He makes me smile everyday, and laugh at his lame jokes AND he's so chubby! *pinches cheeks*... !)

But I felt the need, and finally had the time and energy tonight to write up something in my heart that's worthwhile to document my journey in life.

What I wanted to write today was about Ministry.

I have been thinking and contemplating for a long while now when would be the appropriate time to step down from the Passion Events ministry. Not foregoing my responsibilities in this area, but I had a chat with some of my leaders and I really feel that my season in Passion Events has ended and it's time to move on.

In reflecting back, I've learnt so much and grown so much having to depend on God so much during this period of stretching. God has really pulled me through the good and bad times in ministry... But I can't say that I've been a good or effective leader... since I still don't have a successor!

I really had to make time to pray about this matter and I wanted approval from God to be "dismissed" from the events ministry and move on.

So I prayed asking God whether the timing was right, He knows all my emotions towards this. I asked for his approval, and how long would I have to wait for his answer. Was it going to be a blatant sign, is someone going to tell me? What what what? Too many questions. Then a verse came to my mind out of the blue - too random! Luke 2:28 .. so I flipped through the bible and it reads:

Luke 2:28-29 (New International Version, ©2011)

²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

Huh? Did He just say I could be dismissed in peace?! I pondered on what this verse meant, and read it over and over and over, wondering if this is the answer to what I had been thinking about for so long, and what I had just prayed about.

The context of this passage is that there was a man named Simeon, who the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would see Jesus before he died. In the end, he did see Jesus and thats when he said the above "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace."

In a sense, what I got from the passage is that the season of being in passion events is over in a way, and God is perhaps telling me to move onto the next big thing he has planned for me. *hallelujah music*

It came at good timing in the morning, when my leader texted me and propose something to me. It seemed like clouds were parting...and perhaps a way is being made for a new beginning.

I just was reading through my QT and came across the passage for today, "The Peace of God." I am always so amused by our God. He is so .... funny and smart! Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts." Let the presence or absence of God's peace be the spiritual umpire within you whenever you need to make a decision over a matter. A lack of peace is the clearest sign that God's will is not in a particular course of action.

So with the approval from God, I met with my leader and we sorted things out for this transition period and how we would go about it. I felt REALLY relieved afterwards. The next morning driving to world, I literally felt that my shoulders felt lighter. The burden had been lifted and I felt peace.

It has been a difficult week for me this past week, anxiousness about work woes, the bf's visa processing, the ministry aspect - the end of the week is finally here (and I'm having my ME TIME!)... The week has ended well. God is good all the time.

On another note, Japan 8.9 Earthquake. Pray for them. When are you coming Lord?

♥ weiwei

DISC - Classical Profile Patterns

2010-06-05T15:19:00.004+09:00

On Friday, our Admissions team went for a half day session to do a personality test! How fun.

It was really interesting though and very thorough. We did the DISC Personality Test (Dominant, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientious).

We found that, our personalities change depending on what situation we are put under and what positions we hold. For example, I refer to my colleague who is the Karen Ooi of her church.. haha.. she scored a Steadiness personality, but in church she would be Dominant.

Anyway, I scored steadiness... as did 90% of my other colleagues. I think the nature of our job has conditioned us to be that way...

So a steady personality, your strengths as a co-worker or team member:

are a good team player
are sensitive to others needs
approach meeting agendas methodically
listen well
are likeable

Others may see limitations because you:

can be indecisive
may be indirect
resist change (by the way, I like change!)

You can be more effective by:

becoming more assertive and direct
coping better with change
not carrying the burden of everyone else's problems.

At the very end of it all, my classical profile pattern (for work only) is AGENT PATTERN!

This is what the personality says I am. I would agree with 90% of it!! :) (Keeping in mind, this is me in the workplace!) 9 of my colleagues are the perfectionist pattern, I was the only one who scored agent pattern. In some ways, I feel special... haha... but not sure if that's a good thing!

Emotions: accepts affection, rejects aggression

Goal: group acceptance

Judges others by: commitment to tolerate and include everyone

Influences others by: empathy and friendships

Values to the organisation: supports, harmonises, empathises, focuses on service

Overuses: kindness

Under pressure: becomes persuasive, using information or key friendships if necessary

Fears: dissent, conflict

Would increase effectiveness through: strength in the realisation of who they are and what they can do, firmness and self-assertion, ability to say "no" when appropriate

Agents are attentive to both the human relations and task aspects of their work situation. Empathetic and supportive, they are good listeners and known for their willing ear. Agent make people feel wanted and needed. Because agents respond to others' needs, people do not fear being rejected by agents. Agents offer friendship and are willing to perform services for others.

Agents have excellent potential for organising and completing tasks effectively. Agents naturally promote harmony and teamwork and are particularly good at doing for others what they find difficult to do for themselves.

Agents fear conflict and dissent. Their supportive approach may enable others to tolerate a situation rather than encouraging them to engage in active problem solving. In addition, the agent's tendency to adopt a "low profile" - instead of having open confrontations with aggressive individuals - may be perceived as a lack of "toughness." Although they are concerned with fitting into the group, agents have a fair degree of independence.

♥ weiwei

being called to Jesus

2010-06-03T19:40:00.005+09:00

Just something I want to share when I was doing quiet time... some food for thought about being involved in ministry and serving Jesus.

There is a big difference between being involved in ministry and serving Jesus. Ministry is what you can and like to do for God - using your talents, gifts, skills and life experience. Ministry is saying, "Jesus, this is what I want to do for You."

But serving Jesus is asking Jesus, "Jesus, what do YOU want me to do?" You freely avail yourself to Christ with no hidden agenda, no ulterior motives, and no preconditions. You just want to please God and follow him unreservedly. (Ps Kong Hee, 2009)

Remember the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42?

Mary was the one that chose to sit at Jesus feet, whilst Martha was caught up in the busyness of being hospitable and making sure everything was in order that she lost her focus on what was more important. Mary understood what it means to be called to the Lord. Your first calling is not to ministry, but to Jesus.

The example of Martha speaks of Christians who have their priorities all messed up. They are more concerned about the busyness of their ministry than the God of ministry, and I must admit that I'm sometimes caught guilty of this too. As much as I love what I do for Christ, sometimes I can really get carried away with the busyness of it all. We must always remind ourselves the purpose of what we do and why we do it. We must always have our focus on the One who gave us life.

Something my friend told me in recent months really got me thinking. He said, there was a particular person who's life was based completely on ministry. Of being involved in various various ministries keeping him busy, yet at the end of it all, he ended up worn out and burnt out. He had no solid foundation built in Christ to sustain him and I was sad for him.

Much like we have to put in time and effort with friends, to get to know one another and know each other's characters, we also need to spend daily time with God to hear His still small voice speak to us.

Rediscover the beauty of our Lord. Do your quiet time daily! Read His word. Sit and soak in His presence. Pray. Worship and sing Him praises. You are His first love and He's waiting for you :)

♥ weiwei

tumblr

2010-05-29T01:07:00.002+09:00

Check out:

a little sprinkling of weiwei love ♥

My new micro-blogging website :) so addicted!!! I'll still be updating blogspot, but perhaps only when I have REALLY long things to write :)

♥ weiwei

Why didn't Jesus just come down?

2010-05-29T00:52:00.002+09:00

Golgothia is the site of the crucifixion. It is situated at a major intersection outside the city. Those who passed by stared at Jesus, the condemned King of the Jews, hanging on the cross.

Slowly He began to sag down more and more. The downward pull of His weight, held up only by nails pierced through His wrists. caused excruciating pain to shoot up his arms. In an attempt to relieve the pain, Jesus pushed up on the two wounds in his feet, resulting in even more agony. Hour after hour, He endured wrenching pain in His arms and legs. After awhile, the pain made it impossible to move at all.

Dr Truman Davis analysed the gospel account and came to the following medical conclusion. By now, cramps would have swept over the muscles, knotting them deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles were paralyzed and unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, causing partial asphixiation. There would now be a deep crushing pain in the chest as the pericadium slowly begins to fill with fluid and compresses the heart. All this would lead to a certain, inescapable and excruciating death.

The critics and cynics around were hurling insults at Jesus, shaking their heads and saying, "If You are truly the Son of God, save yourself! Come down from the cross!" Why didn't Jesus, the Son of the Living God, the Creator of the Universe do that?

Jesus could have come down. But He stayed on that cross because:

1. He loved us so unconditionally

2. He wanted to free us from the bondage of sin

3. He wanted to take our infirmities and bear out sicknesses

4. He wanted to set us free from every curse of poverty and defeat

5. He wanted to reconcile us back to Father God and give us a home in heaven.

Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hew 12:2

On repeat: Brooke Fraser: Soon (Hillsong United, 2009)

♥ weiwei

Arms Open Wide

2010-05-19T10:18:00.005+09:00

This song on repeat. I ♥ Hillsong United - Arms Open Wide.

Take my life I lay it down
At the cross where I am found
All I have I give to You oh God
Take my hands and make them clean
Keep my heart in purity
That I may walk in all You have for me

Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine

Take my moments and my days
Let each breath that I take
Be ever only for You oh God

Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine

My whole life is Yours
I give it all
Surrendered to Your Name
And forever I will pray
Have Your way
Have Your way

Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine

♥ weiwei

i got water up my nose but i'm happy :)

2010-05-16T22:43:00.024+09:00

Your love is never ending

To Your Hands we surrender

Where all our sins are washed away

Your grace beyond reason

Has paid for our freedom

We're made alive in You

Ziech and Jack doing the honours of dunking me!

So I finally have taken the plunge to get baptised (for real). I was actually really looking forward to get baptised after speaking to Jack about it earlier on in the year. It has been a decision I knew that I would make and God had been prompting me for over a year to get baptised, properly and for the right reasons with full understanding. During the past year, I had been deliberating whether or not to get baptised, speaking to several leaders. I knew I was not at peace with God about this matter, because every time I thought about it, I had this unrest in my heart. I knew that I wouldn't be complete not having done baptism the "right" way.

So I'm the last person to get baptised out of 16 people! :D Erwin and I were the only Curtin people! We fly the Curtin flag HIGH!!! ... haha not really... :) But yeah, we try.

*Grabbing my neck* grrr.

I felt honoured that Jack, my ex-cell leader and someone I respect, trust and look up to so much was the one that dunked me in the water! It was supposed to be Pastor as well who would dunk me in, which would have been double special, but Ziech is just as good! I got in the spa and fell all over the place (pai seh) -- cannot see a thing because there was some weird groove when I stepped into the spa. Then some more, both Jack AND Ziech went to grab my neck! Oh no super sensitive and ge-li cannot take it! *squeal* It's not that I hesitated to get baptised, my neck was too ticklish! So when I got dunked, ahh... I got water in my nose immediately!!! Heheheee... and I knew it so when I was in the water, my nose hurt a bit, and when I came out of the water, my nose still hurt. (Garry reckons I sinned with my nose, so it needed to be cleansed. Eejit.) Funny thing, the first thing I thought of when I got out of the water is, "I think my make-up is sliding..." hmmm...

Jacklyn, me, mum and brother

So happy also my mum, brother, Aletheia, Jacklyn and Roy could come as well to witness my baptism. ALSO, my colleague and her family came to witness my baptism and they stayed for the whole thing! They must've been starving (pai seh) but, I'm glad they were able to witness it. My prayer is that her family will come to know the Lord as their saviour one day :) I sms'ed her after baptism, and thanked her for coming and she said, "Pleasures. We are happy to witness this auspicious moment! Praise the Lord." Wow... she said PTL! PRAISE THE LORD INDEED!!! She also recorded it on video... HEHE... I look stupid squealing and falling all over the place like a child! Perhaps all the delays were for a reason. If I had done it any earlier, Aletheia and Jacklyn may not have been here to witness it... and neither would have Michelle. So in hindsight, this was the perfect time. :)

My wonderful cellies, ex-cellies and bffs and a couple of randoms who were there to support :)

So how do I feel after the baptism? Well... I definitely have peace with God about this now :) and even though I got water up my nose, I'm really happy. Things just look and feel brighter (maybe the water got to my brain)!... I feel an even greater and stronger sense of hope, I feel clean... even though I know I have already sinned since! hah.... but my old self has died and the new me is here! :) I just feel so undeniably where I should be and where God has longed for me to be and I wake up with His praises on my lips every morning.

I give thanks to God for all the good things he has done in my life, all the wonderful people and leaders he has put in my life to guide me and to be my friend, and to my family for their support :) God is GOOD, ALL the time!!!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

My Testimony

I grew up going to church. I learnt about Jesus and read stories in the bible; however, I realized after all these years growing up in the church, that I didn’t really know who Jesus is. I never had a personal relationship with Christ. Going to church was a Sunday routine and when it was time for Word, that was the time I started to day dream. When we prayed, I often wanted to fall asleep. I rarely served in church and rarely stayed back after church to fellowship with the people or attend cell group and church outings, so to me, church life was just another obligation I had every week.

It was in the summer of 2007 after doing Curtin Orientation that I came to meet some wonderful Zion Praise Harvesters who invited me to their church! I still remember the first day I stepped into the service. It was strange to see all these people singing, dancing, praising and jumping for Jesus – it was something I had never seen before. It was exciting and I could feel the passion and zeal these people had for Jesus – and I wanted a piece of it. It was as if, a blindfold had been taken from my eyes and I was able to see that our God really is alive. Since then, I made a commitment to attend and serve in ZPH and God has been so faithful to me. I’m amazed at how much I have grown in the past 3 years compared to the last 10 years of my life and how God has been able to use me for His purposes.
I was baptized in a Methodist church and as far as I was concerned up until that point, I had been baptized (although, not with very much water!) When I was baptized, I don’t believe I truly understood the true significance of baptism. It seemed like another ritual that a Christian had to do. However, in recent months, there became an unrest in my heart that grew daily about baptism. I went to on to read in the bible more about baptism and how Jesus was baptized in the river. God has been prompting me for some time now, and eventually I was convicted to take the plunge and get baptized (for real). I want to do this in obedience to God and also to follow in Jesus footsteps.
This will be the second time I get baptized and this time my baptism will hold so much more significance because I now understand what full repentance means, consciously turning away from my old ways and looking ahead to really living a life that is pleasing to God. Baptism is just the beginning of honoring and giving my life to God, and vowing that my future will be lived out for Him and His glory.
Today and everyday is still a day to learn and grow and to invest in that personal relationship with Christ and it will be a life long journey. I’m excited for what God has in store for me because he says in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, and I believe when God promises to prosper us, and to give us a hope and a future – it’s sure going to look very bright on the other side.

♥ weiwei

my kiddo :)

2010-05-05T19:19:00.002+09:00

I got a letter from my kiddo, Jaime, the other day.

He's so sweet. :)

It translates, "Hello Sue-Anne, How are you? I greet you with a lot of love and affection hoping that you have a lot of health. I'm very grateful with you for the money that you sent me $22.50. I tell you that I bought a pair of pants. I bought milk to eat with cereal. I bought many candies too, to share with my sisters. Thank you, I'm very happy and grateful with God because to Him you sent me that gift."

It bought a smile to my face and made me realise living in the world we live in, we take so many things for granted. Things like eating cereal with milk, things like eating candy. I'm glad my money could buy him temporary happiness even if for a day and yet above all those, he gives thanks to God because of me. *My heart warms*

We ought to give thanks to God for everything He has given us!

Thank you Lord!

2010-04-29T21:46:00.002+09:00

We will crown You

King forever

Living savior

Jesus redeemer

Lord of heaven

Robed in majesty

Crowned in glory

Creation adores You

Holy, holy

God almighty

And forever

The Lord is exalted

Hear the angels

Shout His anthem

Ever living

God we adore You

♥ weiwei

highlight from malaysia trip

2010-04-24T01:04:00.003+09:00

I was in cousins car...going back to the house to get my phone because I forgot it...

Got one plump aunty wearing pink top, pink pants, holding pink umbrella on pink bicycle. Other aunty next to her wearing red top, red pants, holding red umbrella on red bicycle. They are both talking, oblivious there is a car behind them... with me laughing inside the car!

It was a sight I have never seen before... couldn't stop laughing everytime I think of that. My cousin thought I was wierd. But true... you never get to see that kind of thing in Australia!

*highlight of my trip to Malaysia*

SAD I couldn't take a picture since I forgot my phone... it's only a memory now.

♥ weiwei

One Year Without Facebook Project

2010-04-15T00:00:00.002+09:00

In April 2009, I went on a mission. To quit Facebook - the evil of all time wasters!!!
Initially, I set out to quit for one month...to test the waters, to see if I could even achieve life without facebook for a month. One month, turned into two months, turned into 3 months... and now I'm just 1 week shy of no facebook for ONE YEAR (well, sort of - I did cheat a little bit)!

I wonder what has changed on facebook? I wonder how many new people I have met since a year ago? Do people still poke each other? Or do people still play fluff pets or Texam Poker or... that stupid vampire thing? Gosh, it seems so childish now...

What did I miss about facebook the most? Probably checking out people's photos above all. Life without facebook meant you recieved information MUCH slower... but that was ok, I had a FB spy the entire time. My spy updated me only on the juicy bits :P

The past year without facebook has actually been really eye-opening - I'm not sure if that's the word to use. 2009 was a challenging year, a lot happened and life without facebook was probably good, in the sense that I didn't have to waste time using it. I had a lot ministry things to do to keep me busy, so for months on end, I even forgot that facebook existed, and I also stopped facebooking at work :O... and actually did some work! :)

My hope is that...I will not be the same facebook user one year ago.

See you all in one week :)

♥ weiwei

First day in the land of monkeys and humidity...

2010-04-11T23:35:00.002+09:00

It still feels surreal that I'm back in Malaysia. It's been just over 2 years since I've been back and it never ceases to amaze me how dirty and unorganised Malaysia seems compared to Perth. Theres no logic, no sequence and no rules - especially on the roads. I miss Perth :)

So anyway, I got to the Perth airport, spent an eternity in the queue waiting to check in. The process was simple :) Called Shin Woei to update on the latest goss!!! :P Garry proposed to Adeline - congratulations!!!

On the plane, I was seated in the last row, 41G... I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but at least I was next to the aisle, close to the toilets and close to the emergency exits :) Though, last to leave the plane and last to get my food - I had to have the chicken briyani because that's all that was left! I watched Alvin and the Chipmunks 2... average. Spent the entire trip freezing, even wearing a jumper and using the MAS blanket! Blocked up nose, watched a bit of avatar then tried to sleep...

Was super anxious that I might get lost at KLIA. I never traveled alone internationally before. Jack's advice to me before I left, "You mustn't look lost and innocent, you must look like a BEAST!" Well... phail... because I wore a pink jumper, and generally I look pretty blur if I'm alone, but I kept reminding myself I needed to look beasty so I wouldn't get conned! Anyway, MAS is pretty high tech now, they had a video prior to landing "How to walk through KLIA"...in the end, I didn't get lost! yay!

First meal... had roti goreng and teh tarik... hmmm wasn't much help for my sore throat.
Got back to fuzz's place and showered and downed heaps of meds. Tried to sleep but couldn't sleep until 4am. Blocked nose, cold and hot, mosquitoes drinking my blood from arms, legs and FACE!!! garh!! Nose bleed in the morning.... sien. Whattta time to get sick eh?

Nothing that retail therapy couldn't help :) Went to Sunway Pyramid today. Spent 2 hours trying to find topshop. In the end, there was nothing there nice to buy. Disappointment isn't even a word to describe how I felt! I got new bvlgari's which will be ready on Friday :) and got some stuff from MNG and Forever21. It's seriously a maze out there... and the fashion is completely different to Perth. Gah. Couldn't really find what I wanted.

Tomorrow... 1Utama... yay!!! Can't wait... hopefully there is more stuff to be bought!
My parents are in Malaysia on Tuesday!

Still have not got bridesmaid shoes... STRESS. Also, Fuzz suddenly appointed me as wedding planner with one weeks notice! Wah! The process of Asian weddings is completely different from Western weddings. Western weddings have order, schedules and time-slots.... Fuzz's wedding plan seems to be... "go with the flow..." hmm.... my mind is a scatter at the moment, trying to think how I can put it all together!!!

I'm ready for more shopping tomorrow!!! Going to have Japanese buffet tomorrow. Diet plan phail. Oh well.

Time to sleep.
End.

♥ weiwei

It's been a while...

2010-04-09T15:49:00.011+09:00

It's been a while since I last updated. Summer has gone and Autumn has arrived...and my time has just been consumed with....too many things.

Much has happened since the month of November 2009!

Early January, we had the video shoot for the Masquerade Cruise. The video shoot was lots of fun behind the scenes making everyone look elegant and demure. My cousin looked THE BEST!!! :P

Check out one of the three videos here:

On February 26, 2010, we had the rivercruise which was lots of fun and stress. I only had one picture taken of me ... and I looked terrible after all the running around getting people on and off the boat - and making sure there is no more naked people on the boat! No posting of photo here :)

In other news, Backstreet Boys came to Perth for the first time ever. My first love in 1998! Well they came 12 years too late... and I didn't end up going to their concert. Oh wells :( Times have changed since then.

After the Rivercruise, it was a short ONE month until Passion Easter Retreat! I hadn't planned anything until then so it was a frantic and stressful month :) I have to say though, I'm really really really priveledged to be able to organise events in church. God knows how much I love it. The stress, the anguish, the tears, the challenges, the happiness, the joy, the satisfaction. In the end, it is all worth it when we are able to bring more to Christ. This year we had 5 salvations! PTL! And megapraise was awesome to say the least.

Credits to Kelvin Fok for all the photos. Here are my Passion kids :) 220 of them!!! Can you spot me?!
(I feel old attending Passion Camp!)

And here is my other baby :) Little Miss Snotty who caught a cold during Easter Service and still wanted to play with the water at Camp. I had to baby sit for a while, whilst the rest of the campers played DIRTY games!! :P Thank God I had higher duties looking after the PA equipment, otherwise I'm pretty sure the entire camp would sabo me and drag me into the ocean. Eww.

and here is my BFF Miss Queen :) Love it @ Easter Service. Looking pretty as always. Awesome awesome awesome choir!

As for my OTHER BFF.... sorry no pics. She must've been too busy with her MAN :P jk

So what's next?

I'm flying to Malaysia tomorrow for 12 days!!! I have not yet packed!!! Fuzz's wedding is ON -- and... well my walking shoes are going to be on fire too the minute I enter the shopping malls :P
Can't wait.

♥ weiwei

my boomz weekend

2009-11-14T22:04:00.003+09:00

The start of this weekend has just been a really funny weekend!

Friday at work, I recieved a BOOMZ email. Totally rocked my Friday and made my day. I got an email from one of my China students. She wrote,

Good morning, i am new student of cbs in semester 1/ 2010, my name is XXXX, student number is XXXX, i have receive coe, but this coe is worng document, when i open my coe , it is a indian song, therefore, can you send new coe for me again, thank you.

**COE: Confirmation of enrolment - international students need this to apply for a student visa.

Wow... I can't believe Maahi ve has come to haunt me after 2 months!! So hilarious, I sent it to my colleague and she couldn't stop laughing and told the whole CBS team! Then as I continued to chuckle to myself, my other colleague walked past and saw me laughing to myself in front of the computer like a lunatic. She was like, "Uhhh Sue-Anne... what are you laughing at...?"

Then I proceeded to show her the email, and she laughed so hard. Ah, made my day!!! Funny China student, don't know what England she is talking. (By the way, I did not mysteriously send her Indian songs!!! - I believe she must have been listening to an Indian song at the time of opening my attachment!)

On Friday night went shopping with the girls in the city. 3 of the girls wanted to go for Hawkers, and the other 3 girls wanted to go for Korean. We played scissor, paper rock in the middle of Hay St to see where we would be dining for the night... Korean won! Boo-yeah! I was on the Korean side! I can't believe it was so high school kiddish to play scissor, paper, rock in the middle of Hay St - but was fun! Imagine 6 girls squealing and laughing and flapping their arms about the place in the middle of a crowded street! But alas, took be gi was extremely full and we couldn't get a spot. So in the end the second rate choice won and off to Hawkers we went. It was a nice dinner - and we ordered this prawn-butter-egg dish for the first time. *DOUBLE THUMBS UP* so so delicious!!! We chatted the night away to some fierce competition. The table next to us were talking like they were at a fish market or something! Gosh - respect.

Then later we went to utopia for bubble tea and talked some more. Much funny things were said. I don't think I've laughed so much for such a long time! Good times were had.

Today, went to Subi for Jus Burgers. It didn't occur to me until someone mentioned that 1 Just Burger could potentially equate to 2 Angus Burgers. Die. My diet plan - fail fail fail!!!

Then went shopping with 3 girls. Had the funniest conversation with them. I can't disclose their names for privacy reasons!

So I was with Girl 1 outside Just Jeans and I asked her if this guy was her type of guy. (He's the current pin-up boy for Just Jeans) - she looked at me in horror, and flaberghasted a "NO!" haha...

Ok... so then I asked her, "What is your type of guy?"

She said, quote, "I like nerdy guys, scholarly-type guys, guys that wear glasses." Then she proceeded to give me some examples. Shocked!!! Who knew this about her! She asked me if the above guy is my type, "Well... not exactly..." He looks much like a dinosaur... according to Lynn's theory about guys either looking like a dinosaur or a rodent! Amen sister! (But he has nice arms) :)

Then I told Girl 2. Girl 2 was like, "What! You didn't know she likes nerdy guys!?" (Well I'm not exactly close to Girl 1.) Who knew? Then I asked Girl 2 what is her type of guy. She said, quote, "I LIKE GUYS WITH BIG VEINS ON THEIR ARMS!!!!" I laughed so hard. This must be the funniest quirk I've ever heard of. A nerdy guy is ok, but a guy with veins popping out of his arms! So funny! She likes to touch them! hahaha still giggling to myself about that when I think about it!

Then they asked me what kind of guy I like, I said, "~~Chubby~~ normal guys." hahaaahahahahaa.... they laughed at the chubbiness of it! I have to clarify, I don't like chubby guys per-se... but guys with nice arms - well normal arms. I don't know how to describe it.

So we asked Girl 3 what is her type of guy. She likes guys with broad shoulders and a BIG chest so that she can rest her head on his chest. HAHA... so funny la. Then we talked about some guys who don't have such big chests, or shoulders... *tee hee*

laugh laugh laugh. Ok, enough said, and that was my laughs for the weekend!

♥ weiwei

PS: A guy with big veins... tee hee!

One year on...

2009-11-12T22:56:00.004+09:00

One year on. That statement makes me emo.
Sometimes I wonder where all the time went. How did I do the things I did (grace, grace, grace!)

In any case, the first thing I remember about 2009 - was that we were in cell group, and I was being emo about how fast 2008 had passed. I recalled saying that "2009 was going to be a challenging year, a tough year a head..." - and it was, it is... and we're almost at the end of the year already?!

So the cellies in November decided to go on another trip, and take advantage of the Sunday afternoon church session. We decided to go to Lancelin. I've always wanted to go to Lancelin for the sandboarding, but never had the chance.

The ride there was pretty long, and desolate. The plains of WA are so dry and sparse, compared to the country side in Melbourne with the lush green rolling hills. Beautiful.

We saw a dead kangaroo on the way there. Chichi decided to join us on the trip which I was so ecstatic about because I hadn't seen her in 6 months - half a year! Can you believe time FLEW by just like that. (Time flying makes me emo).

Lancelin sandboarding was fun - to a point. I mean how many times can you go up and down that hill. It was extremely tiring and much more blinding than I thought it would be. TIP: Bring sunnies, the sand will blind you.

We did that for a while, and then after that we went back to the YHA lodge where we were staying. The facilities were rather clean *thumbs up* We showered and lounged by the pool, giving each other massages and joking that me, Yan Jing and Marianne can start our own massaging business because we massage HARD!!! The girls got hungry fast, so we started the BBQ at 5pm. Twas good. The girls didn't even need to lift a finger, except to get the food! The boys (I think Jack, did most of the cooking). God Bless him!

Then the girls went for a quick stroll to the beach, but didn't actually get on the beach and walked back, and chatted the night away - oggling about which famous girls are pretty, and which famous guys are hot (Mark Wahlberg! - who cares if he's old!) I still think he's hot! We played uno for a while... and by 8pm... WE WERE DEAD TIRED. But since it being a "holiday" we didn't want to waste away the holiday by sleeping. So we got into bed at 9pm and chatted the night away, until 11pm. Then sleep.

I couldn't sleep it was so hot! I was drifting in and out of sleep a lot. Thank God none of the girls snored. I can't stand noise. I also learnt some funny quirks about someone... hehe!

Funny story in the morning. The boys were telling us how they were all so scared of Gen for his notorius snoring, and they had to force themselves to sleep before Gen went to sleep. So off to sleep all the boys went and Kingdom came once Gen hit the pillow. Who knew that there was a secret dark horse who OVERCAME the snoring kingdom of Gen - and Gen the King of snorers couldn't even sleep!!!

Gosh, imagine one day if my husband snore, I will die (of no sleep!)

So anyway, morning came, we all went for a BIG ULTRA MASSIVE breakfast - which I spoke about in the post before. We took some happy snaps... and all went home. I didn't take any pics using my SLR. I think I have lost my passion for photography!!! :( But I did take some lomo shots on fish eye, which I need to finish the film so I can process!!! I hope leaving the lomo in the hot car doesn't affect the film! :S

It was a great trip - thanks to all those who organised it. I personally liked Mandurah better because of the house :) The dream lives on for me to buy a canal house in Mandurah...

♥ weiwei

the two Asian mentalities

2009-11-09T22:42:00.007+09:00

The above picture is only for demonstration purposes. Do not be fooled, I did not go to this buffet!

Being Asian doesn't come easy. There's a lot that you need to learn and live up to, to be a TRUE BLUE ~~Aussie~~ Asian!!!

I believe Asians live by two "motto's" in life in regards to food.

1. Get your monies worth
2. Don't waste food

I suffer from both these Asian mentalities - I guess perhaps I've been taught well?

I suffer immensly every single time I go out for a buffet. I'm really lousy at buffets - I fail every single time. I get over-excited and gaga at the immense amount of food that I want to eat, and start getting too greedy. I pack on the plate with loads of carbs and things that will make you ultra full in the first instance. Wrong move.

The thing is, Asians are strategic. We're pretty smart when it comes to food. We strategically place certain items of food on the plate in a specific manner and order, in order to fill up every square millimetre on the plate with food - and by the time you're walking to your table... it looks like you've got a castle of food on your plate - fit to feed a whole family for a week!

By the time I get to the second plate, I can hardly move. My stomach is begging me to stop - but my brain says, YOU'RE ONLY ON THE FIRST PLATE YOU LOSER!!! GO GET ANOTHER! So my poor waist line has to stomach it down - it doesn't matter if I sit up straight, or hunch - the THREE tyres are still sitting around my waist!!!

And whilst I'm on my second plate and struggling, the second Asian motto comes into my mind. Don't waste food. SIEN... so after being greedy and kiasu and getting my second plate, after that I need to finish the food I took!

I don't like food wastage simply because we have an over-abundance of food to eat, whereas other third world countries are suffering and have nothing to eat. It's sad, but that's the way it is. So there I am... eating my second plate of food, struggling and putting myself under immense pressure to get the food down.

Why can't I just be content with one plate. WHY!?!?!?

So in the end I ate 2 slices of toast, 5 hashbrowns, 1 sausage, 2 serves of scrambled egg, 2 serves of sauteed mushrooms, 3 rashers of bacon, 1 small bowl of yoghurt and a cup of cappucino.

Kill me now. It's a God-send they didn't provide any pastries and the like... or else I wouldn't like to think how much I would have been able to golf down! To barf is an understatement.

PS: Just came back from Lancelin with the cellies. Was much fun and emo-ness. One year has passed since our Mandurah trip. Can't believe how fast time has passed - will blog about the trip later.

This was us one year ago!

♥ weiwei

Spring is here!

2009-10-17T18:56:00.009+09:00

Today, finally spring is here! 36.5 degrees - boo-yeah!!! My thoughts are going to be frazzled because I'm quite hot right now!

Started the day off by going to Ace Cinemas in Subi to watch Julie and Julia organised by deliciouz. We also had some delicious french pastries to taste!! Jasmine and Frances couldn't make it because they both ended up being sick :( and Charlyn got into a car accident - double oh no (but she's ok)! So it was just me, Shin Woei, Iris, Ailin, May and Christine. The movie was good! Slow-paced throughout, with no major dramas. The ending was a bit disappointing to say the least. HRM... I would love to read Julia's autobiography. I love to read autobiographies - and I want to watch Mao's Last Dancer - and read the book too. But right now, I have too many books to read and can't catch up.
So here's her blog.
Haven't bothered to read it yet -- will probably be boring, but the concept is interesting.

The French pastries were sinful!!! The macaroon was very sweet for my liking. The little chocolate tart was the best... and there was a fruit tart which was ok too. I bought an extra one for my sister - but had to leave it in the hot baking sun in the car, so they all melted! (It's in the freezer now).

Then it was me, Shin Woei, Iris and Ailin left and we went to Dragon Palace dim sum for lunch. Yums and so full... of oil. Throughout the conversation, I've realised that -- I've grown up!!! Talking about tax, and stocks and ... bikinis @_@

Soo... Shin Woei is supposed to go to home to study after that - but she went shopping with me! Double boo-yeah! We got to Carousel about 3:30pm. Under-pressure and trying to relieve my depression from Friday's fiasco, I went on a shopping spree. I must say though, I think I shop better under pressure. When I have an aim and an idea of what I want, I also perform better at the shops!

Backtrack to Friday: I was depressed because casual Friday, everyone in my office (cept for the 30 that were "sick" and soaking in the sun...) everyone else in the office were in their spring coloured fashion -- whilst me? I was still in the dark ages wearing dark purple and dark brown jacket and dark jeans. Oh my ... the burden and depression and grey cloud over my head the whole day was too much to handle!

SO... shopping mission: buy spring clothes!!! BUY BUY BUY -- don't even look at the price... well... I guess GLANCE at the price... but don't think too much of it. I still haven't calculated how much I spent yet.

Also, with big purchases over $100, I have to think and double think... and triple think... and then go away and come back again... but I bought IT. I bought the WAYNE... well her name is Cindy... but I'll call her...him, WAYNE. Mr. Wayne! Anyway, you might see him around some time with me.

So I feel super-achieved today. Maybe super-accomplished is more grammatically correct.

I think above all, Shin Woei is probably the most reasonable person to shop with. Not overly indulgent on overly priced things, and not SUPER frugal and cheap -- a nice balance which I need to help me think straight especially with the hot weather. I don't think I could have speed-shopped that fast without her, and well, you know me when it comes to shopping. I double guess myself.. is this nice? is it worth it? hmm... maybe I should wait for the sale? does my bum look big in this? (Ok I've never asked the last question to myself I think - my bum is HUGE!)

In other news, I went swimming yesterday for the second time in a decade! It felt so good to be in the water after a long week of work. 1.5 hours in the pool, spa and sauna. I went with Shin Woei... and we went to the sauna -- we're both blind so we can't see. Then this Ang moh lady starts to talk to us... First question, "ARE YOU FROM CHINA?" I hate it when people ask me that. So racist -- well my ancestors are from there, but I'm not... really from there. Can't you tell from my accent... mate? So anyway I told her that I was raised here. She kept talking when all I wanted to do was close my eyes and relax... I told her, I couldn't see her very well and who she was talking to. Oh yeah and there was this fully sweaty guy laying down... and he FARTED!!! What a pig!

Then after that we went to the steam room. There was a guy already in there. Phewwww---eee!!! The steam room is HOT!!!! This guy was only about 2 metres away from us and I could not see him at all. His first question was, "ARE YOU INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?" -- big sweat drop from my face AGAIN -- no comment!!! Then we asked him where he's from, he said Sarawak. CRAP. I thought he was ang-moh... couldn't see him.

In the end, we concluded that Shin Woei likes the steam room and humidty of East Malaysia, I like the sauna and dryness of Australia!
And the smartest thing that we did after swimming -- was go eat the Mighty Angus meal after that! Sien... started to get some affects of hayfever after that - oh no! But it has cleared up today. I steered clear from any single thing that looks like a plant... so I should be good.

OKAY -- I'm a happy chappy today. Going to play with my new clothes now! :) ... I mean admire the stuff I bought:)

♥ weiwei

♥ BSB fan forever ♥

2009-10-02T10:39:00.003+09:00

♥ BSB fan forever ♥

Feels different without Kevin... it's not right!!!

Been youtubing the new BSB album - love it! I always love their music anyway. Going to get their album when it comes out. Might as well continue to buy and add it to my massive BSB collection!!!

Sick today - actually been sick for the past week. I can't believe it, I haven't been sick for this long in a long time! I think it all started last Thursday when I started to get a sore throat and I took the ULTIMATE risk. When I say ULTIMATE, I mean...taking the risk to still eat assam laksa when I know the consequences that it would mean to my throat! I haven't had assam laksa for sooo long - and this one was sooo spicy!

So Friday - suffer!!! Die, my throat is gone...!!! Saturday and Sunday - I eat junk food like crazy. Hot BBQ food, and super spicy chicken wings and salt and vinegar chips. Boo-yeah!

Monday morning - suffer!!! Voice is gone! So until now, I've been coughing my lungs out... SIEN... and amongst other things I have a cold sore! How many days before the wedding?!?!?!! Not happy. Super not happy. On top of that, I've been SO super tired this week for no reason. SFAS is over, maybe I'm having withdrawal symptoms from being busy - and lounging around is taking a toll on my health! haha...

Monday I slept at 7:30pm, Tuesday slept at 9:30pm, Wednesday slept straight after cell 10:30pm, thursday slept at 9:30pm - and I wake up at 7:30am. So yes, indeed I got PLENTY of rest. So please don't call or sms me after this time - because if I happen to pick up or see your message, I'll be ultra confused and will forget the next morning!

Being sick sucks. At least I can watch Oprah, but nothing good has been on. Will clean the house later I guess.

♥ weiwei

2 wonderful messages for a gloomy day =)

2009-09-10T16:40:00.005+09:00

God knows how much I love insider jokes! *butter cake*

So today as the stress piles up, and emails are going hay-wire, as I receive emails every 5 minutes from either Jerry and Ally, and I'm about to break down from info overload and I have so much work to do, and I still need to think about what shoes I'm going to wear for the wedding coming up - let alone what I'm going to wear for Maahi ve and what colour bangles I want *hur hur*…………

I had 2 wonderful messages today which I'm going to share. =)

I got a lovely poem from the boss himself. He is so super-crazily-hilarious! I sit in front of my computer at work smiling and giggling to myself the silly emails he sends me… trying to not look like I'm having turrets syndrome from laughter spasms.

So here is the poem he wrote for Ally and I.

A sky so grey I see right now…
Even the toughest of people will still raise a brow…
But above the sky I can see…
God’s hand holding me…
I say thanks to Ally for helping me out…
Hip Hip Horray I have to shout!!!
Not forgetting Sue-Anne who is full of grace…
I will never throw a butter cake at your face!
Jerry Tan ©

PS: I had a dream about Jerry… gist of it, he threw butter cake in my face.. Two weeks prior to my dream, he made butter cake with chocolate icing. He loves butter cake and swore he would never throw it in my face. I love butter cake too! Yum yum.

Second wonderful message of the day.

I got an unexpected message from Steph. Oh dear lovely Steph, I love her!
"Hey sue-ann! U know got abt 5-6 different ppl have been calling me regarding to passion on ice lol.They asked if we r gona have another 1 coming up cos they really enjoyed it. Probably we can think of having it again next sem! :-)I asked them 4 SFAS! They r coming! Its amazing how God opens doors."

Amen to that sister. I can't believe that an event that happened in July is coming full circle again now. We serve an awesome and mysterious God who works in magical ways. We will never know the full extent to which seeds will be sown in a persons heart and when they will bring forth fruit as well. Tears of joy welled up inside me… I'm in awe of the amazing God I serve. After Passion on Ice, God showed me, "but if one is saved, then it is all worth it."

But if one is saved...

SO, here's my invite to you (whoever you are reading my lameness blog)!

Come and see me shake my booty in a Bollywood dance that I'm involved in!! haha... Be warned, that I'm not made for dance! If you want to come, please let me know so I can reserve tickets for you!

♥ weiwei

sound of music

2009-08-21T22:15:00.003+09:00

There is something that tugs at the core human emotion when watching this video. Makes you have a warm fuzzy feeling inside. =)

♥ weiwei

random thoughts

2009-08-17T20:22:00.007+09:00

Wierd penguin picture

Random thoughts whilst I wait for the shower to be free:

It's funny when you have a guy driving 3 girls in the car. The guy is about to hit something i.e. live animal. All 3 girls scream in succession... and you don't even hear a peep from the guy!?

Today I went for a staff development training session. The questions they made us do, made me very ultra sad. I realised that, I'm very dissatisfied with life (in some areas more than others). The dissatisfaction stems from... a lot of things.

I was dragging my feet to work this morning. Weekends pass by so fast... I dread going to work, not because I hate the place or the people. It's just the mundane-ness of the job that is really getting to me. I'm about to go insane. There's no challenge, no motivation, no opportunity, no variety... I don't mind working in the education sector... but I don't want to be doing this as a means to an end.

I'm dissatisfied with my physical level, my diet, my well being, my energy levels... everything to do with fitness. Just got a flyer in the mail today... 75% off the joining fee and first 2 weeks free - Goodlife. Hrm.

I'm ultra satisfied with my "purpose in life" - which can include an array of things, but dissatisfied with my spiritual life. My burden for the church is greater than the burdens I have anywhere else.

I'm afraid to look at Indian guys - partly in fear of seeing "him" and then realising that everything that has been shown to me, may come true. He never fails to speak to me every day. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

I still hate birds with utter and total disgust. Stupid birds. Every morning I dread walking down a particular path I have to walk down, in order to get to the office. I walk with my hands covering my head.

Australian Idol: What are they doing to all the Asians!!! Giving us a bad name or what! Every single Asian they put on there doesn't know how to sing... and did you see the Asian guy crying?! Ray needs to audition to redeem the Asians!

I thought my MNG jeans were cool... my sportsgirl jeans are even cooler. I should have bought double pairs of everything.

I want this dress from Jeanswest. I saw it online, but I bet they don't have it! Need to get wedding dresses, or can I recycle? Perth's variety does not tickle my senses. I miss Syndey and Melbourne shopping.
Half day training in Humanities tomorrow. Should be fun I hope - at least out of the office =)
All is not doom and gloom...looking at the wonderful 2 pictures on my table of 2 BFF's and one son - whom I have not sent a letter to yet.
It is 7:50PM... I rarely shower this late. Looking forward to a nice hot shower.

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

That's the random thoughts for today.

♥ weiwei

wait on me

2009-08-15T17:17:00.002+09:00

Wait on me, My princess. My timing is always perfect. I know you’re anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don’t run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on you own. You will run father and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of My blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest rewards.

His Princess: Love Letters from Your King
Sheri Rose Shepherd

♥ weiwei

when He speaks to you... listen

2009-08-11T20:55:00.004+09:00

It's amazing when God speaks to you, through His word, through others, through signs, through song, through dreams - and even through the still small voice that you can hear. It's hard to describe, but it's jaw-dropping when He speaks to you.

Recently, God has been speaking to me in leaps and bounds. He has put this vision in my heart which has grown tremendously over the past two days. Over the weekend, I shared this vision, this dream to a complete stranger - somehow, when I spoke to her another confirmation came.

I've been praying about it and this is what He has been saying to me. Yes, He's been saying ALL of this to me in the past few days.

2 Chronicles 20:15

Don't be afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:17

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.

2 Chronicles 20:20

Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld.

Habakkuk 2:2-3

Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time.

1 John 2:27

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. Basically it's saying honour God first. If it is God's will, you don't need to ask for people's opinion. You can ask for their wisdom, but if it is already written to happen - it will happen.

Ephesians 3:20

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond all we can hope, ask or think.

John 14:14

Ask anything in my name and I will do it.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

He has been speaking all this to me pretty much since Sunday.

So I wrote the vision down (I'll be writing a proposal about it soon). I prayed over it and asked God to reveal more of this plan to me - in any way that I would comprehend. I'm pretty thick sometimes, so it has to be clear cut. I prayed for a helper, I prayed for a revelation, I prayed for His will to be done and not mine.

In a dream this morning, He showed me the person who is going to help me. Spooky! 3:30am in the morning, I woke up and I still have this image of this guy in my mind who is going to help me. I don't know who he is, I just know that he is going to be sent to help me. He's an Indian guy - don't know what is with me and Indian guys, he's tall (tall enough that I had to stand on the ikea stool to be the same height as him - yes, I dreamt of the ikea stool too!), he's buff, he's not from ZPH and he's quite charming. The most wonderful thing is that, he has such a compassionate heart. A heart for the lost, for the poor, for the deprived, for the homeless and the hurting. This is exactly the guy I need to help me carry out what I believe God has called me to do, he has the right heart, and I think he has the passion too. I don't know how I know so much about his personality... but I believe it will come to pass if it's meant to be and when I meet this guy, you will literally see my jaw drop.

Chris Tomlin sings "For greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city."

I pray for your will to be done in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

♥ weiwei

make poverty history

2009-08-09T18:21:00.007+09:00

A tear fallen.

A heart-broken.

A seed planted.

A dream envisioned.

By His grace, it will happen at the appointed time.

Habakkuk 2:2-3

2 Then the LORD replied:
Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

♥ weiwei

fruits of labour

2009-07-25T12:25:00.005+09:00

He said, "Ask anything in My name, and I will do it."
I asked and asked and asked - and He provided, He provided and He provided!
My God my Provider is sufficient for me!

From an event organiser's point of view, organising Passion on Ice is simple. Logistically not difficult and not many people or planning involved in the whole process. A week before the event, God was telling me to enjoy the event, enjoy the process and don't let the joy be stolen. I enjoyed the process, I enjoyed the event (didn't even do much), and it was all good in the end. I did not stress
(for once)!

After the event, God showed me something. He reminded me of the Parable of the Lost Sheep where the shepard had 100 sheep; and if one of them was lost - would not the shepard leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost until he found it? He reminded me that, it doesn't matter what event is held - how big or how small. If but ONE is saved, it is worth all the effort, planning and labour.

That really spoke to me, because throughout the whole event, I only went inside the venue once to talk to the DJ. The whole time I stayed out in the foyer - yet, God's work still needed to be done outside. I was actually speaking to some of the security guards who were looking after us. They were nice blokes - I invited one of them to come for Sunday service and he said he'll be there! *stoked*

Evangelism 101
Get the name of the person - FAIL I did not. (but I know his name now)
Get the contact number of the person - FAIL I didn't even think about that!
Give my name to the person - oh yes, I think I did that - big green tick.
Give my contact number to the person - FAIL didn't even think about that!

So I'm hoping that his word will be enough or at least someone got his number to follow up on him! Oops. On a never ending journey of learning.

I'll end with Psalm 103~ David's Psalm.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

♥ weiwei

back!

2009-07-17T22:49:00.005+09:00

Finally found the time to sit and relax after a long week.

Straight back to work after arriving in Perth 7pm on Tuesday night.

Thank God for the strength.

Back from Sydney and Melbourne trip.

Feels like I need another holiday!

Hillsong was indescribable - back to the basics of faith+hope+love.

Will write about the Hillsong experience (another time maybe).

Jad Gilles is hot - he's married. Darn.

faith+hope+love album is a must get.

My heart for the lost, broken and poor has just gotten a whole lot bigger.

He said, "defend for the rights of the poor and destitute."

I would love to champion the cause of the poor full time, one day.

Humanity is waiting.

Your possible can be someone's miracle.

I sponsored a child from El Salvadore.
He's so cute - his name is Jaime.

He's 10 years old and will grow up to be a super star soccer player!

He loves art and hide and seek. =)

I'm beaming with happiness. I love him already.
NO, my son does not look like Seng for those who said he does. rarh.

Will post pictures of him soon...if I can find a scanner.

Sydney was flipping cold. Ate WAY too much.

Covered Myer, David Jones and QVB in 3 hours - speed shopping with Paw.

Melbourne was pretty good too - thought slightly germ filled. =)

Paw and Ush almost got swiney winey flu.

Did much speed shopping. Ate a lot of pizza from Lygon.

On detox now. Went to the lavatory 4 times today. Wanted to puke once.

Felt sick but good to get all the junk out at the same time.

Back to work. Busy - yet not too busy.

Supervisor decided to take leave at our most busiest time - HELLO.

Thank God for the weekend.

Love my bed.

Still sleeping in the sleeping bag - on my bed.

Love my bed.

Good night.

♥ weiwei

2009-06-28T17:39:00.005+09:00

Saturday

We went shopping.

I bought shampoo... you bought boots.

We got coffee.

We went to see Transformers 2.

Awesome! We got good seats. Much action.

We were all super busting after the movie!

~~Megan Fox~~ Josh Duhamel is super hot!

My bot168 is the original autobot ok!

We ~~ditched our cells~~ went to maccas for dinner. oopsie poopsie!

They stole our spot!!! grr.

We were in the mood to be transformed that night.

You wanted to dye your hair.

Then you also want to dye your hair.

Then you both made me dye my hair!

It was fun. =)

The fumes got to us...like Sam's mother high on eco-cookies.

I went home late.

Sunday

We went to church.

She talked about transforming nations.

You guys ditched your cells again - to join mine for lunch! ha!

We will be going dinner again later tonight...

Side note: Many people commented on our hair (yay!) - we are cool.

Two and a half years on, we're closer than ever before!

It makes me realise every time how very special you and you are to me. =)

♥ weiwei

funtastico

2009-06-22T20:56:00.006+09:00

In celebration of Usha's coming of age, we went to Funtastico.
The first time I went there for lunch was in 2005 which Carol and Shahirah.
It was nice.
Funny how things change.
Food was ok.
Super full to the max.
When we got the bill, they charged us $33 for still water from Italy.
Yes, $$$ thirty-three Australian dollars!!! $$$
We were gobsmacked.
We thought they were just re-filling it with tap water for FREE.
No wonder they kept asking us if we wanted more water.
Sneaky.
Never going back there again.
Going to update on eatingwa.com.au hoho~
Had a nice photo session near the train station after that.
Was freezing cold to the max... almost had brain freeze and heart attack from shivering too much.
That just makes it all the more memorable!

Happy Birthday Usha~!

psht: Spot the Prada!
~~(I wanna work in subway too so I can get Prada!)~~

♥ weiwei

twit-stalk @ work

2009-06-19T13:47:00.002+09:00

Crap!
I just did a twit-stalk.
Viewed about 20 people's twitters in one ago...
(supposed to be working!)
The Houston family is so cute! haha XD
...and I don't understand *myer myer myer*?
what the.
I WANNA GET TWITTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...but I won't.
*phew*

♥ weiwei

twittering on a saturday night

2009-06-13T19:26:00.008+09:00

Hello tweeps.

I ain't gunna join twitter.

This is my style of twittering. =)

Better believe it babeh!

Got woken up by an mms by Paul @ 9am.

Woke up and made pancakes while watching Bambi.

I love Bambi.

Can't believe they killed his mother! rarh!

The rabbit is so cute like mine.

Showered.

Went to Belmont Forum to pick up the new coffee machine.

Bought a $20 bomber jacket from cotton on.

Whatta STEAL!!! =P

It just might be the purchase of the YEAR!!! haha

Bought a grey cardi.

Tried on some pants in Valley girl.

The zip broke whilst I had it on.

*panic*

Couldn't get the pants off.

*panic*

Tried to zip it off for the life of me, but it wouldn't budge.

*panic*

It zipped down half way, sort of, and managed to slide the pants off.

*phew*

Put the pants back onto the shelves... =X

I would have bought the pants, but the one I broke was the only one left in my size. *oops*

Clarification: It didn't break because of my fats.

It broke because the zip was faulty!

Got home and tried the new coffee machine.

Studying the instruction manual is too hard.

I'm way past the uni days.

Conclusion: The coffee machine is too hard to use.

Went out to carousel with mother.

I was very good, didn't buy anything.

Wanted to buy a men's scarf - for myself! =)

Mum said she had a few scarves at home.

Went grocery shopping.

Stood in line for ~~freaking~~ ages!

So many people.

Went home.

Had jester's pie for dinner.

Darn, it was the beef one - but it was still nice.

Washed my poor little BOT that got SO dirty after driving home on Vahland.

Showered.

Had a mini facial after that.

Face feels super refreshed.

Mum gave me 3 of her scarves she bought from China.

They're just what I wanted!

They stink, so mum's going to wash them.

Going to watch a DVD called seven.

Not doing anything tonight. =)

Relllaaxxxxinnnnggggg babeh!

Am still so thrilled by my $20 bomber jacket!!!

The common mistake christians make is to seek after an experience rather than seeking God, says Darlene Zschech. I better get my head screwed on straight for Hillsong. I don't want to make this mistake.

by the way... HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!!! ♥

-tweet outz-

♥ weiwei

faith as small as a mustard seed

2009-06-10T10:11:00.007+09:00

James 1:5-8 says,
5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

For years, I've always had self-doubt, low self-esteem and low confidence. I don't know what that stems from... my up bringing? Anyhow, I'm not passing the blame on anyone or anything that had previously happened to me. That's just the way I am.

This self doubt had always caused me to double mind myself and not feel confident in my decision making ability. I realised that my sister and my cousin are similar. We all have difficulty making decisions. What do you want to eat? Where do you want to go? Which colour do you want? (Of course, I always go for the green!) There are petty decisions in life to be made, and there are bigger decisions in life to make such as where to go on holiday and what to do on your holiday? Should I buy a house now or later?

For the life of me, I never feel confident about the decisions I make. I make a decision, and then double mind myself. Did I make the right decision? Could have it been better? Should we have done this instead? This double minded attitude can cause me so much stress and grief at times that it can be excruciating, stealing my peace and joy. But I was reading in one of Joyce Meyer's book about self doubt. We are to claim God's word with confidence and believe His word over what our feelings or mind tells us. John 16:24 says, ask and you will recieve, and your joy will be complete. If we feel unworthy to ask God of something, we probably won't ask, and even if we do ask, we won't receive it by faith. The self doubt will always stand between you and the best that God has for you. The "receiving by faith" part is the part where we have to "walk by faith and not by sight." God has planned victory for his children and we are to hold onto His promises which are true. If God is for us, who can be against us?

I have learnt that when you make a decision, you have to believe it was the best decision you made at that point in time. God cannot answer the prayers of a double minded person. God responds to our faith, not our fears; and self doubt is fear that negative things will happen, but faith expects good things to take place. We must learn to live in victory because He has already won the battle for us. In Hebrews 10:38 it says, the just shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. By shrinking in fear, we are living below the confident life He gave us through Jesus.

And the final closing verse, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, you can say to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea," and it will be done. Matthew 21:21 We only need faith as small as a mustard seed to move mountains amen?

♥ weiwei

dreams

2009-06-05T09:52:00.001+09:00

Recently, I've been having a spate of dreams that seem so real. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Nudiustertian's dream was quite funny, (not sure if I used that word correctly!) I was woken up at 4:30am by a super lag message which is why I'm able to recall the dream so clearly. My dreams are weird… very weird.

I dreamt of these live male models… who were modelling at the front stairs of a valley girl shop in the city. They were wearing women's clothing. @_@... Those plastic models freak me out anyway, but live male models dressed up as women freak me out even more - and the guy even talked to me! Oook. Weird.

Then suddenly, I was transported into this period mansion. I was with Pia, and we were both wearing black, because the dress up party's theme is black, or this particular designer we were wearing, her signature is black. So anyway, we were walking towards the door… and suddenly I felt that Pia was with this guy H.P!!! Even though H.P wasn't there, even though I didn't see him, I just knew they were together. Actually, funny thing also, I saw H.P walking into the pharmacy today! @_@ hm. As we got to the front door of the mansion, 4 people walked in together, as if they were models and as if they were just coming on set for a movie. The wind was blowing their hair back as they walked in. I don't know why, but it was just really funny and dramatic the way they walked in. I only recognised Pauline and Winston! And they were both not dressed in black. Not impressed. Pauline was wearing her camel cardi and Winston was wearing his khaki pants and a white button shirt. They were both going to change to black though.

Then the next part of the dream, I'm suddenly in my own home, but it wasn't a home that I'd ever seen before. But I knew it was my home because my parents were there, and I remember looking at the black leather couch knowing that it was ours. So I walked to the balcony and looked out… and saw the most amazing pristine beach ever. Left and right you could just see crystal blue water with yellow sand and people of the beach (and this was MY house!!!)… Still on the balcony, I looked to the left, and there was this old man sitting there. He was caucasian and must've been about 80 years old sitting on his beach chair. Pauline reckons he's my filthy rich husband… but I think he's just my neighbour… who happened to be wierdly on MY balcony!!! Hoho~

*vibration* I got the lag message and woke up...

This morning, I had another series of weird dreams.

I dreamt that my Aunt Rose came to Perth! (Aletheia's mum!) And for some reason, me and Aletheia had to go back to the church I previously went to, PCCC. It was slightly weird, because for some reason, I was there coordinating service. There were already a few people sitting inside the hall, and I got introduced to some people who I had never met before. Apparently, I was also on the worship team! Hurrah ~ but, truth be told I'm so not musically inclined. So anyway, I went up to the front of the stage. My brother was playing the drums, and suddenly I'm the bassist standing to the left of him! HAHA~ But I wasn't holding a bass. I was holding a rope that was attached to the drums… and somehow, this was the bass! And I was jumping up and down as if I was playing the bass like David Siow!!! Haha! I looked into the crowd… and I saw Wilson. Then as the music started to play, I spoke into the microphone, "WHERE IS EVERYONE?"

Then supposedly after church, me and my brother left. He was driving his mazda and I was in the passenger seat. Somehow, we were driving through the rainforest on this sort of rollercoaster kind of road which had tree stumps along the road every 1 metre or so, but we were able to drive over them. He was driving too fast, and I told him to slow down. Suddenly, there was this patch of no road (the road must've been about 50 metres in the air) where we had to speed up, fly and land on the other side…. We missed! And the car came crashing down through the hole… he breaked in mid-air… and NO THANKS TO GRAVITY we spun out of control and the car flipped back up into the air. I looked out the back window, and there was this old lady with grey hair sitting on a bench with her eyes closed. I don't know what she was doing there. So, the car spun upwards…. And the car hit a massive tree on the drivers side. !@$% For some reason, I knew that it was REALLY bad. Like major head trauma bad and I was screaming and yelling for my brother because I knew that he had been hit on the head really really bad! No response. Why didn't the airbags deploy?!?!?! Then the car flung in another direction… on my side now… I could see that I was going to hit the roof of a straw hut….

And I woke up.

♥ weiwei

skinfood

2009-06-04T22:50:00.004+09:00

I need more products! *Oops I think I need shade 2 for the BB cream!
I'm running out and those yummy products are so tempting!

*On a side note, I'm also going to attempt to make this on the weekend, since the ingredients are similar to the self-saucing chocolate pudding.

♥ weiwei

chop chop time

2009-06-04T22:07:00.003+09:00

It's time to chop my locks... or at least trim them and tidy them up. Otherwise, I end up spending too much time cutting off my split ends whilst at work! bad bad!

Every time I want to get a hair cut, I always google... and this hair cut of Nicole Ritchie's seems to always be my favourite amongst some others from Ashlee Simpson too. But somehow, my hair can never hold this style. My lame thin, flat hair!

Should I try out one of these styles? I like the brown in her hair... somehow, also almost always never achievable with my hair, even though my hair isn't completely jet black!

♥ weiwei

self-saucing chocolate pudding

2009-06-03T12:43:00.003+09:00

Recently, I've been cooking like crazy. Making lots of actual substance meals and baking as well.
This weekend, I'm going to attempt to make self-saucing chocolate pudding.

Looks yum, hopefully tastes yum too!

♥ weiwei

long weekend

2009-06-01T10:26:00.009+09:00

Saturday:

Woke up at 7:30am.

wth.

So much for sleeping in.

Spent the day relaxing at home.

Reading the paper, watering the garden, odd jobs around the house.

Haven't been passing the motions properly for the past week.

Went grocery shopping with mum.

Had coffee and this roll thing.

Had diarrhea 3 times. (I think the roll was the cause of it!)

Cooked beef lasagna for the first time - ever!

It turned out VERY MEATY! hoho~

My cellies said it was nice.

Woo-hoo. On my way to being a desperate house~~wife~~ woman.

Had pot bless at night.

Took many photos on my nikon.

Will post photos later when I get them.

Sucks to not be on facebook to see pictures.

Played that word game again.

Nudiustertian: the day before yesterday.

Crapulous: in-excess eating or drinking.

NOT an Indian walking into a muslim mosque. (Remark made by JC.)

Stoopz.

Went home around 10:30pm.

Sleep.

Sunday:

Had various dreams about...

Woke up at 9:05am.

Went to church.

Had lunch at church.

Was holding Amiee with Johnson and she kept wailing.

Johnson took her back to the kiddies crib.

Realised that she just needed to sit down to poo.

Went for GDOP.

Went walking along South Perth with Ush and Paw.

Admiring our beautiful penthouse once again. =)

Can't wait to move in and say, "I'm homeee!"

Stole Paw home with me.

Went to IGA to get pork mince. (That's the only mince they had!)

Loaded Paw's stomach with food and gave her 1 weeks supply of food.

Aunty Tay will be happy her daughter is being fed well - by Ah Lian (my mum)!

We cooked pork lasagna for Ush and Paw to ta-pau.

Decorated Ush's tofu lunchbox with pretty comments and pictures.

Watched Masterchef. *addicted*

Fetched Pauline home.

Shower.

Sleep.

Monday:

Today, slept in till 9:15am.

The latest I've woken up in a long time.

Had a dream that Aimee can talk.

I don't want her to grow up from the current cute-ness that she is.

I wanted to buy a little cup for her.

She told me her favourite colour is purple.

Today is Foundation Day.

Wiki says Foundation Day, officially June 1, but celebrated on the first Monday in June, is a public holiday in Western Australia, commemorating the foundation of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Because of the celebration of Foundation Day, Western Australia is the only State or Territory of Australia which does not celebrate the Queen's (or King's) Birthday Holiday in June — it is held in September or October instead.

Well great - day off! =)

happy.

Ate the pork lasagna for breakfast.

So jia-lat.

I just googled the word jia-lat and found this on a Singaporean slangs webby.

Cheena: Term used to refer to off-beat taste.eg That suit he's wearing is so cheena.

I thought, cheena is a racial remark against China people, no?

So anyway, I'm going to cook Chicken and Asparagus Rissoto today.

~~Desperate housewife~~ wannabe!

At night, got meeting.

So that makes up my whole long weekend.

♥ weiwei

twitter

2009-05-29T20:01:00.004+09:00

I do not understand twitter...

I went to crayong's twitter, which led me to lynnliying, amadapanz, huhu2k, tinges, fran_lyn, mishilau, kongooi, EuLynn, Pauline Tay, iriskexin, USHA MAILVAGANAM???!!!

What is this! In a matter of seconds I'm connected to so many people...

By the way, I have not joined and do not intend to. =)

heh. hello long weekend!

weekend bake-off

2009-05-23T15:46:00.004+09:00

So the weekend bake-off begins with...

Friday evening, I baked butter cake (from the box). But it was still quite delicious and soft too. Nice with a cup of tea. Mind you, I took these photos with the worst lighting conditions at 10:30pm!

Every morning, my neighbour's ghastly dog will bark and howl at 6 in the morning. Friday night I prayed to God and asked that the dog will just shut up, so I can enjoy my sleep in. 6am ... not one peep from the dog. 7am... cling clong clang... my dad was washing the dishes. rarh. Woke me up. So much for sleeping in.

Woke up pretty early on Saturday morning and was pretty excited to bake some green tea stuff! Mum and I went to the oriental store to try to find Green tea powder! They didn't have any! Gah... went to the Indian store...they didn't have any either... went to the Korean store... finally they had it, although wasn't sure if it was the same as matcha (Japanese green tea powder)!!! Cost 10 bucks for 50 grams! - and I used it all! I didn't know there were so many varieties of matcha (green tea powder)!

So my first attempt at making these Matcha cookies... they didn't turn out too bad, but I made a boo boo! Instead of mixing the egg yolks into the batter, I mixed egg whites... BAhhhhhhhhhh~~ But still edible and nice and soft on the inside. The green tea taste is not as strong and fragrant as I would have liked though.

I also baked Matcha cupcakes while I was at it. Pretty similar ingredients. They didn't turn out as green as I'd hoped because there wasn't enough green tea powder after having used the majority of it on the cookies. A tad sweet still, even though I cut down the sugar already. They look more like banana cupcakes.

So what's up for next weekend? Hrmm.. more baking??

Maybe I should try to make a meal from my Secrets of the Red Lantern recipe book. I really want to visit this resturant when I got to Sydney. It's not too far from the city centre, so hopefully we might have time to go there. The contestants from Masterchef went there on last nights episode! By the way, if you love autobiographies, Red Lantern is a must read autobiography/recipe book. I cried several times whilst reading - she writes very well. It's the autobiography of Pauline Nguygen as a child escaping Vietnam and growing up in Australia. I first read her story from another book called Growing up Asian in Australia by Alice Pung which is a collection of stories by Asians that grew up in Australia which is another good read. For those who are part of the generation of Asians that did grow up in Australia, you'll be able to relate to many aspects of their lives growing up in Australia too as you read their stories.

♥ weiwei

TGIF!

2009-05-22T11:03:00.004+09:00

I think I've put on weight. =(
Last night my mum forced me to weigh myself (after I ate KFC hoho~ bad bad). *double =(
I haven't weighed myself for quite some time because I'm scared of the number I might see on the scales. *triple =(

So my mum called me fat, and told me I needed to lose weight. Somehow, when your mum tells you you're fat, it's like an even deeper stab to the heart, and then twisting the knife while it's in the heart. I know my mum - she's pretty critical about these sorts of things. She often passess comments like this without realising the emotional damage she's doing. She said these comments to my cousin as well, who I think was also pretty affected by it. But when it comes to weight, girls just naturally get hurt especially if they're told they've gained weight.

Darn you winter for being so cold. But you know what the good thing about heavy HEAVY rain is? 2 days ago, my windscreen was littered with bird poo. Darn you birds for not controlling yourselves and poo-ing all over my car! Anyway, the heavy rains cleaned it all right off! boo-yeah! No elbow grease from me needed!

Anyway, over the weekend I'm going to bake (or try to)! I'm going to try make Matcha Love Hearts (although, I don't have heart shape cookie cutters, so I might make Matcha (Ginger-Bread) Man shaped cookies! heh heh

*picture stolen from her website*

Taken from Oh for the love of food!She makes really pretty cup cakes and inspires me to be a desperate housewife like Bree and bake all day long (if I had the time!) She also takes REALLY amazing photos (or her husband does) - and inspires me to bake and take photos. If only I had the 50mm, I'd be happy.

Thank God it's Friday~
6.5 hours to the weekend! =)

♥ weiwei

sunday

2009-05-17T22:09:00.011+09:00

The weekend is almost over.
This morning I woke up from a dream.
I dreamt Day Light Savings did not get passed through.
Didn't think too much of it.

I went to church.
Went for lunch at Happy Meals.
Had beef brisket crispy noodles.
Too much fat on the beef, so I gave it away.

Rested a while at kellsbabes house while waiting for Usha.

Watched this Egyptian mummy documentary with May.

Gross me out.
Happily reading the Ikea 2009 mag.
Played the piano a bit, after being so inspired by this.

*melts* at their talent.

Usha came home within 2 minutes.

Went to play tennis.

It was hot.

I sweated. wow.

Quite tiring.

I hit myself with the racquet.

Got black blue now. sien.

It hurts mmkay!

After tennis, Yan Jing enlightened me that there is no more Day Light Savings.
I can't believe we lost. So sad.
No more lazy afternoons at the beach till 9pm!
(not that I did that often, but the thought of it is nice anyway.)

Came home.

Ate 4 curry puffs my mum made.

[fatness] so piggish of me! (but oh sooooo yummeh)!

Only caught the last 5 minutes of Master Chef.

Garhh... didn't know it was on!

It's Monday again tomorrow.

*sigh*

That was a quick weekend.
Watch this and this.

Yes, it is the little girl singing.

♥ weiwei

screen shopping

2009-05-16T10:58:00.007+09:00

I'm addicted to online shopping.

I have a measuring tape next to the laptop at all times.

Life without facebook has spurred another addiction!

*gasp*

Only putting stuff in the basket so far.

*phew*

Not buying...

...yet.

The models are pretty.

That's why the clothes look so good.

The bags are... just bags

I ♥ [super] big ~~brown~~ bags.

Oh so tempting.

I'm ready to swipe that card.

*deep breath*

Items Total:
US$803.50*

AUD1,049.61

*oops*

Maybe not?

♥ weiwei

everything in its time

2009-05-15T23:12:00.002+09:00

I promise you, the answer will come

Hold on to patience and watch for the sign

Everything in its time

♥ weiwei

the sacrificial love of a mother

2009-05-10T22:50:00.001+09:00

It is by God's will and grace that we are here and alive.

Today - almost got myself in another car crash on Vahland Ave. Caused me to ~~freaking~~ hyperventilate in the car afterwards, and realise how close I came to a serious car crash, going at 70km/ph.

Actually, to be honest, I think I'm still traumatised from the last one. Don't know why it has affected me so much. Maybe it was just the sandwich effect. I keep having flashbacks to that moment, and every time I do, I make the *tsk* noise with my tongue. I hate driving, especially on Vahland Ave and Leach Hwy. It's just like a street sitting there waiting for an accident to happen. I can't say much about Manning Rd either, because I had a car crash there too. =( There's no other way I can get to work other than Leach Hwy or Manning Rd. I get ridiculously anxious on Leach Hwy every morning. It's terrible.

Today, it's mothers day. I didn't really do anything too special with my mum. Went out to lunch with her and my sis on Saturday, and bought her flowers today. I think she was happy. We don't even have a nice vase for flowers. I think I shall buy one. Flowers make me happy.

Anyway, while in church - I was quite moved about some of the stories shared, particularly one little girl - whose mother is actually one of my colleagues too! (I never realised!) Anyway, the little girl was sharing about how her mother has deposited so many dreams in her heart. Taking up swimming lessons, to hopefully become an olympian one day, piano lessons, cello lessons, tuition etc etc etc.

I know my parents, my mum also had hopes and dreams for me. To play the piano - like every other Asian parent. But that was an epic fail. I couldn't do it. To go to Chinese school - like every other Asian parent raising ABC kids. That was another epic fail. I couldn't do it. I hate disappointing my parents but I guess in the end, my parents have always just wanted us to be happy. They were never too pushy, and in some ways, I wish they made us persevere more.

There are so many times, when mum will ask me what I want to eat and cook it for me, not even asking my brother or sister what they want to eat. Makes me feel special as if she's cooking only for me, to make me happy.

There are times when I'm sick and would be sleeping home all day, and she'd come home and make me a lemon and honey drink, give me a panadol to calm my fever and ruffle my blanket. It's a nice feeling when you're being looked after by your mum.

She knows I love camera stuff so much that on two separate occassions, she has actually bought the wrong camera for me. But it's alright, as long as she bought the right brand, I'm cool with it. =)

Recently, I've noticed that mum even knows my favourite colour is green. She knows I hate bitter guard and ginger - even though she insists that when I get pregnant she will cook ginger dishes for me all day long. =( She knows I don't really like the cheena kinda veges too much, yet she still hides them under the rice in my lunchbox! *sneaky* Even things that I don't realise she knows, she knows. I guess that's the beauty of a mother isn't it?

Overall, I realised how old my parents have become, yet I'm still amazed at how gung-ho they are in the way they live out their social life, the way they approach work without complaint and general house duties. I only hope that I can grow up to be as gung-ho as they are.

I know they litterally gave up everything for us. Moved to Australia, not even knowing English, not knowing the laws, starting with nothing and working their way up. For that, we can never repay, we can only make their retirement so comfortable and make them proud, that they didn't leave their life behind in vain.

I ♥ my mum, and dad.

♥ weiwei

a night out with PMS

2009-05-10T22:48:00.009+09:00

Last night, went out to cblu with PMS. (Paw, May, Sha)
Forgot to take pictures of the food.

Instead, we took retarded photos of ourselves.
Had fish and chips, caesar salad, lamb shanks and fettucine.
Had a pint of coke.
Seriously too much coke for one month!
Didn't even finish the coke.

Saw a family of rabbits on the beach?!

They looked cute, but still freaked out.

They ran into the bush.
Then we went jogging on the beach-sand at 9pm.
May says not good to jog after eating.
Food can get stuck in the appendix!
What the!
It felt good after the jog.
Feet was super exfoliated after that.
*happy*

Found this gym on the beach.
Fantastico!
Played on the monkey bars - reminisced of primary school days.
Too fat to do the roly thing on the bars now. =(
Tried to do push ups on the bar.
Got stuck.
Paw had to rescue me.

*fatness and weak arms* =(

(Going to have bulging biceps on left arm though, from carrying fatty-bom-bom cutie-pie Aimee)

Mission: to hold her at least once a week. *must* on a Sunday.

Sat on the bench a while, admiring the stars and girl chatting.

Talked about starting an Astronomy Ministry in church *giggle*
Hoped to see a shooting star.
*SQUEEEEAAAAL*
I saw a shooting star.
Made a wish.
Don't believe in that rubbish.

Went to Subi to Dome it.
Had hot chocolate.
Imagine the calories we had that night.
*sigh*
Should I join the gym?

Had a fantastic night with the girls.

xoxo

♥ weiwei

writers block

2009-05-07T22:21:00.001+09:00

I've had a lot on my mind recently.

There have been lots of things that I've wanted to write about and discuss and debate with myself...

but I have writer's block... so you're just going to have to wait a little longer =)

♥ weiwei

cheesy friends

2009-04-28T14:07:00.002+09:00

I thank God for the cheese He puts in friends. (Internal joke)

I'm so blessed to have you *hugs*

♥ weiwei

love song for #1

2009-04-18T20:57:00.006+09:00

"Love Song for #1" by Corrine May

In the twinkling stars that dance like fireflies
In the blushing fruit that hangs upon the vine
In the face of a baby as he forms his first smile
I see you

In the whisper of the wind's soft lullaby
In the laughter and the roar of the rushing tide
In the song of a sparrow as he takes his first flight
I hear you

Why do you hide among the nameless and forgotten
Why do you walk along these long forsaken roads
Calling to me in the hungry and the homeless
Calling me to water your thirst

So I'll give you my heart and my song
In a world where so much is right
But so much is wrong
Your love is my beginning and I know it won't be too long
Till I see you

Why do you hide among the nameless and forgotten
Why do you walk along these long forsaken roads
Calling to me in the hungry and the homeless
Calling me to water your thirst

So I'll give you my heart and my song
In a world where so much is right
But so much is wrong
Your love is my beginning and I know it won't be too long
Till I see you, I hear you, I love you

She has an amazing voice~
Songs like this make me wish I never gave up piano... ):

♥ weiwei

Passion Camp 2009

2009-04-18T11:08:00.000+09:00

♥ Passion Camp 2009 ~

There is always a first for everything.
At Passion camp, I experienced my first for something.

This year, I really didn’t know what to expect. I would have thought that I’d be so busy running around that I would even have the time to sit down and listen to the sermons properly and recieve...which was true in a sense. Me and Eunice were running around like mad making sure everyone had mics, making sure the band knew when to come up, making sure the speakers were well taken care of, making sure there weren’t any millipedes on the floor during alter call. So busy, until we both were walking zombies by the second day.

But amongst all this busyness, God still revealed a little something of Himself to me, something so simple and beautiful that I could never have imagined. Well, the theme of camp is titled, “Simply Him.”

♥ Ready for combat

I experienced something so uncomfortably beautiful as sleeping in a van for the first time in my life! Due to the overwhelming numbers we had for camp, there wasn’t exactly enough accommodation for everyone, and some of the leaders resorted to sleeping in their cars, either because of no space, or because the millipedes got to them. I slept in the van, because there simply was no more beds available, and I wasn’t going to sleep on the floor with all the millipedes crawling about! For those who have slepted in a car would know the feeling...

♥ teamwork

Let me just say, it was one of the most uncomfortable “sleeps” I’ve ever had in my life. In fact, I didn’t even sleep at all. All I could do was just close my eyes. The van actually has a three seater in front, but the way the seating is fashioned made it so uncomfortable to sleep. Basically, the driver and passenger seats were lowered and the seating in the middle was a bit raised, so you can imagine that it was very awkward to lie down. It’s almost like sleeping with a pillow under your back the whole night. I couldn’t stretch my entire self out because the van wasn’t wide enough, so I had my legs crumpled the whole night. So why didn’t I just sleep upright and recline the chair? Well, there was actually a grill bar just behind the seating, so I could only recline the chair about 10 degrees. It wasn’t comfortable, and I was just waiting for time to pass faster so I could get up. To make matters worse, there was a sign outside that was constantly creaking in the wind making it even more unbearable to sleep with the noise.

♥ pawleen

At about 4am, I decided to just sit upright and try to fall asleep that way. But by 4am, I was already pretty wide awake. So I decided to talk to God, “God, show me something amazing. Entertain me while I can’t sleep. Show me a shooting star, show me something spectacular in the skies.” And then I waited... and waited and waited. *GASP* Did I just see a shooting star??? I kept thinking about it, was it a shooting star or just my imagination. I think by that time, I was so tired and hallucinating that I concluded that it was just my imagination. Come 5am, 6am dawn began to break and I was able to watch the sunrise, a process of the sun rising, which is something so simple and beautiful that God created.

♥ princesses

It reminded me of story that I read about Joyce Meyer where she wrote about her husband Dave, who is actually a whale enthusiast. Throughout their trip, her husband Dave was hoping to see some whales. At the end of their trip, there were no whales to be seen. After all, the whaling season had already passed. He was walking along the beach after the whole trip and sat down. Suddenly out of nowhere, a whale flipped through the waters, and came crashing down again. Dave was ecstatic that he just saw a whale, even when it was after the whale season and they had all migrated north, there was still this one whale. God showed Dave this whale because naturally, big things catch his attention and God knew that Dave had a passion for whales.

♥ worship

Joyce also wanted to see the whale and wanted God to show her something BIG. She walked back and forth up and down the beach waiting for a whale to jump through the waters... but there was nothing. She decided to go around a bend at the beach behind some rocks, and when she got there, she saw lined up along the beach a million star fish on the shoreline all glistening in the sunlight. Although this was something on a much smaller scale, it touched her heart, because God knew that this is something she would appreciate and would be personal to her.

♥ the band

In that instance, I knew that our God is so personal, that he knows what each and every one of us desire in our hearts, He knows what melts our hearts. He knew that I probably wouldn’t appreciate a falling star. I might even be saddened that a star fell from the sky. He knew that I appreciate the small and simple things in life. Something so simple and beautiful as the sun rising in the morning, and the simplicity of the stars gleaming in the night sky. He knew that I don’t need big and magnificent shows laid out in front of me to entertain me. The natural beauty He created around us would be enough to satisfy me.

♥ megapraise

Our God is not a complex God. He just wants to take our hand and walk beside us and be our friend. My heart is so blessed by those who served during camp. My heart is blessed by the small acts of appreciation, thanks and hugs. For the sacrifices of time, money, talent, energy and sleep that some of the leaders gave was above and beyond what I had expected from them. I’m so blessed by the leaders, and also the testimonies of those who attended camp. All the sacrifices were worth it in the end; all these sacrifices were minute in comparison to the biggest sacrifice that was made for all of us – by God sending his son to die on the cross for us. That is the ultimate sacrifice.

I’m thankful for His patience with me, I’m thankful for His grace and mercy, I’m thankful for His strength, I’m thankful for Him for being Simply Him.

♥ you all long time

peace out,

hobo weiwei xoxo

Supa Golf & Laser Game

2009-04-14T00:08:00.001+09:00

Saturday - was a great day!

Woke up at 6:45am ... shower and head out to pick Shin Woei up at 7:10am. Was a bit anxious throughout the night because I didn't want to sleep in too late and be late! Got to Garry's house and the driveway is locked. Called Garry, "Where are you?" ... "Oh coming coming, 5 minutes..." So we waited for him to come and pick us up.

Went to have breakfast at maccas. Then went to pick Bang up... then went to pick King up... then headed to Henley Brook... some oasis place for a half day supa golf and half day outdoor laser game! Met up with the rest of the group there and we were the first ones there. There was a total of 21 of us which was fun.

Was so much fun. Supa Golf was frustrating at the beginning... but towards the end, I got better at it I think, but still came second last on my team. I was pretty scarred by golf during my childhood. I remember in Year 5 when I was 10 years old, they had a golf instructor come and teach us how to play golf. We all lined up with the clubs and he was going through each one of us making sure we were holding the club right. When he came to me, he said, "Oh you bite your finger nails don't you?" I was so embarrassed! Talk about boosting self esteem for a 10 year old girl - not!

Anyway, thank God we didn't play 18 holes. 9 holes is enough man! Was pretty dehydrating and tired after that. We started around 9:30am... and finished around 12.30pm? Can't believe how my uncle can play 18 holes per day... it's pretty tiring!

Then we had lunch which was just ok. Had the barramundi and chips and salad on the side at the resturant on site. Pretty much everyone had the barramundi because the other meals were pretty heavy... and we were going into laser combat straight after lunch.

Then we went to the outdoor laser game place to suit up in our army suits. Bang and John totally looked communist. Was quite funneh... We took only a couple of group shots, then had to walk down to the battlefield. Was quiet tiring carrying the gun - it was so heavy, and then running around in the commando suit was so HOT with jeans on! Tip - wear shorts next time! My team ended up winning the first round which was just a 10 minute head on head battle. I died twice. =(

Then round two we had to attack the defenders who had to protect the American flag. Our mission was to pick up the American flag and throw it on the ground, leaving it there for 1 whole minute. Attacking was obviously a lot more difficult than defending. I died twice I think, and the second time I ran back to recharge, I almost collapsed, because it was just too hot and too dehydrated. We won in the end though.

Third round, our team were the defenders of the American flag and the other team were attacking. We won? Can't remember.

Fourth round was another head on head battle... I think they won that round. Was super tiring to the max... and we were all sweating like hogs!!! Ming Choon even was swimming in his commando suit! haha... but I think we were all super dehydrated from all the running around. But it was quite fun - but very tiring. It's like my 1 months exercise and more in 2 hours!

On the way back, we saw a red car with the number plate HOH! haha, but didn't take a picture with it =(

Then later, we went to the Mesh bar which was still on site and had some drinks to cool down even though we were all still pretty sweaty! Was pretty nice there... then... decided to have dinner all together - this was around 6pm already.

Went to Foo Wah... food was ok la. chummy... and then decide to go to bubble tea... (not!) we were all freaking tired by that time. Didn't even have much energy to eat! So Garry dropped us off at his place, cuz that's where I parked my car - slept in the car all the way there... and then suddenly have to wake up and drive home. SO tired. Then got home - first thing shower. Oh the feeling was so good to be clean!

I've never spent so much time with them before. I don't even spend that much time with my own family... but it was really fun bonding and hanging out with all them guys. I was telling God in the morning how He has blessed me with such GREAT friends - and girlfriends! Love them all to bits! What I asked for 5 years ago, He gave me above and beyond my expectations!

I really ♥ this picture.

PS: Thanks Franny for the pics!

find rest my soul

2009-04-07T00:13:00.002+09:00

He said,

I know you often grow weary, I hear your heartfelt cry for more energy to make it through each day. You My tired princess must trust me with all your many worries and responsibilities. Rest when I tell you to. I am your heavenly Father and I know what my girl needs. So listen to the One who loves you the most and knows all about you. I want you to take a step of faith by setting aside a day each week to rest from all your work. If you will obey me on this I will multiply your time and supernaturally energise your efforts to get everything done in the following days. Welcome this opportunity to give your mind, body and spirit a rest. Consider it My love gift to you and relax in Me!

So with that... I'm going to sleep!

Good night!

Updates of late

2009-04-04T20:14:00.005+09:00

It's been a pretty busy month of late, updates:

I broke my CK glasses in half! - No photo because I was too distressed about it! I did stick it back together with sticky tape like you see the geeks doing in the movies, not a great look! In the end, I managed to super glue it together. Waited for my new specs to come... they said it would take about 2 weeks. About 2 weeks later, the optometrist called and said it would be delayed another 2 weeks because they broke the lens. Got my new specs. It's just OK. Super sien it's no brand... unless I go to UK.

In other bad news... someone crashed into BOT which inadvertently pushed BOT into the car in front of me. BOT was indeed cosily sandwiched between the two cars for some time. Sien. We weren't driving too fast, traffic was congested and there was little time to break. The back bumper is not too bad... full scratch on the length of the bumper plus a hole, and the front, well it's super dented to the max. Mainly because the jeep in front of me had a tow bar which did most of the damage amazingly. The jeep didn't even get a scratch on it.

So we pulled to the side after all the shock etc, I called my sister and started to cry out of shock and being alone. Took all their details... and got back in the car and started driving. It didn't even occur to me to check the engine, and they guy never even asked! rarh! Anyway, it's all good. Thank God no one was hurt.

To make matters worse regarding insurance issues, I can't contact my parents until Monday because they're in Japan and don't have a contact number. It's amazing how my insurance company won't divulge any info to me because I'm not the policy holder, yet when I emailed the tour agency in Malaysia to locate my parents, they willingly gave the contact number of the agent, and my parents full itenrary of which hotel they're staying at on what nights without any thought of privacy issues. Kinda scary. They couldn't speak English well, and I spoke to them in a little Japanese - but then again, my Japanese is hopeless. We got up until, "Oh yes your parents are travelling with X tour group and are staying in our hotel, with X agent, but we don't know what room they're staying in." That's of great help isn't it? So I can't do anything much about it until they get back to Malaysia.

Today Jack proposed to Fang Tyng! yay! Super happy for them!

Much planning and staying up late to achieve desirable proposal outcome at such last minute notice! (: Everything went according to plan and Uncle Hudson is happy! There was a fake and real ring involved, super the funneh!

Jack actually proposed to FT at Heathcote with a fake $60 lousy, rough cut, ugly cubic zirconia really-cannot-make-it ring telling her that this is his mother's ring and it's a family heirloom. So what can FT do? She has to accept it right? You can't just ditch a family heirloom no matter how ugly it is! (By the way, that's not the picture of it below! That's the real one!)

Then when FT and Jack came to Usha's house for pilates, she was like "GUESS WHATT?? (at the front door) and we're all screaming waiting for her to come to the couch and sit down (because we want to play the special video Jack prepared for her - so we had to lure her in). We all gasp and gawk at the ring saying "Wahhhh so big, WAHHH SO BIIIGGGGG, WAHHHHHH SOOOOOO BIGGG!!" Of course we all know it's the fake one but we have to act and make her think this is THE ring. By the way, the ugly cheapo ring absolutely smothered her delicate fingers! So anyway, while Ailin is trying to hold back laughter, Jack goes to "bang sai." Code word for, change into a suit and get the real ring ready to propose to her (again). So while we're all screaming and discussing how BIG this ring is, we quickly play a video that Jack made for her. I think FT must've been confused at this point. She was like, "You guys all know ah?" *dead silence* none of us replied and we all watched the video until the end where it says "Will you marry me?".. and then we cheer, and Jack comes out on cue in suit with a rose and ring... got down on one knee and did the whole REAL proposal again. This time she was so touched and cried.

OK the real ring looks pretty darn good on her!

The Easter break is coming up really soon. Looking forward to having some time off for the Passion Camp, praying that everything will go well and things will be smooth flowing and that I can find rest.

Had my second pilates class today which was oh so torturous. We did this move, which was just so unspeakable. Me and Ailin will just cringe at the thought of it. Ouch.

Went for a really interesting Project Management Part 1 course (the morning I crashed BOT) which gives me some hope of changes in my workplace.

I'm getting a new 50mm f/1.8 as soon as Timmo comes back from Malaysia! =) (I can't trust my parents again, they bought me the wrong camera TWICE!)

Things haven't really been going my way the past few weeks... but it's still all good. I'm still alive and happy. God is good.

22 March, 2009

2009-03-23T19:33:00.002+09:00

I can't believe how fast time has escaped us~

It's rare that we take pictures together anymore!

I *heart* these girls!

Mr Depp

2009-03-19T16:34:00.004+09:00

How often does one dream of Johnny Depp? Like almost never in a life time - but a few nights ago, I had a dream about Johnny Depp!

*gasp*

We were all in an elevator… this was no ordinary elevator though. It was about 20 metres wide by 10 metres long, and had two doors to exit. The elevator was filled with women! Mainly professional looking women… about 50 or 60 of them, all within this small space and they were all talking to each other. For some reason I was also there, standing at the back. Then in the back right corner was a guy in a suit, wearing a hat and sunnies. I was only standing about 2 meters away from him and obviously knew he was Johnny Depp, but for some reason every other woman around me was oblivious to his presence. He looked like he was trying to be discreet anyway, cowering over with his hat.

Then on the second floor stop, ALL the women left the elevator and it was just left with me and Johnny. *interesting*

Somehow, we then end up getting off on the same floor and we end up getting off on the third floor of the building. The doors open and there is a reception. I went to the desk with Johnny… and then persuaded the receptionist to cancel his hotel suite because it cost $7k+!!!
Then I walked off with Johnny out the hotel… and some how he turned into a chick. Darn.

The end.

Short note: I watched The Notebook on Monday and cried my eyes out. Probably the most romantic and epic love story of all time (even though it's fiction - but still!) *My ultimate favourite movie now*

2009-03-15T22:25:00.002+09:00

All the uncles posing =P

My day job vs My Passion

2009-02-20T21:31:00.006+09:00

We grow by dreams. All big individuals are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day, or in the red fire on a long winter's evening. Some of us let those great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them, nourish them through bad days until they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true. ~ Woodrow Wilson

A few weeks ago, we had a vision sharing day where we heard the vision of a few of my cell members. At that point in time, I shared another vision that I had which was for the short term and when FT shared about her dream of opening her own cafe store, it brought back memories of what my ultimate dream would be.

Actually, I've had many "dreams" over the past few years. My first dream was when I was 15. I wanted to own my own resort/hotel - yeap, the WHOLE thing. Pfft, yeah right! Not going to happen. I think at the time I couldn't conceptualise how much it would actually cost if I didn't have the capital to begin with. haha. But that dream died within 5 years when I discovered that hospitality wasn't for me. My next dream was to become an Events Planner or perhaps, if I dare say, open an Events Management Company. That would have been around 2006... until now, when I realise that I don't want to be doing events for the rest of my life. Despite being told I'm meticulously organised - which if you look at my desk at work - it tells another story - but events in general is just too stressing and will probably give me high blood pressure in the long term because I know I'm too much of a nazi when it comes to events.

A dream that I've always had in the back of my mind is to be financially secure and have a property portfolio rich enough to continue buying run-down houses and properties and spruce them up like they do in better homes and gardens and then sell them for mega bucks! It'd be like going on-site to your mini project everyday and I think that's exciting! You work at your own pace, wake up whenever you want (which is the most important thing) - and clock off at whatever time you want. You can continuously teach yourself how to make and do things and continuously learn new design trends, technology and sustainablity stuff to make the world a greener place! And everyone knows I love green. (oh by the way - I got a free green smiggle pencil case from O-day! w00t)

Now, to get this dream rolling down the green hills, all I need to do is buy a darned piece of land... or house...

The big V Day

2009-02-15T20:12:00.008+09:00

What I did on the big V day!

My V Day was chocka-blok full to the max! With appointment after appointment!

First things first, I woke up at the glorious time of 5:45AM! Can you believe it! There was no other time that we could possibly meet except for 6:30AM - but taking into consideration the fact that I have to shower and drive to the rendevous, I had to get up at 5:45AM! And note: I only got told this the night before. No human is up at that inconceivable time of dark! So anyway, I got up that early to meet these G33ks!

We were up that early to shoot a video for Freshies. It was actually quite fun despite not having breakfast and going straight into filming... at 7AM. Except for Chris who decided to have Maccas without us! rarh!

Our first stop was the petrol station because we needed to get red bubble gum which was supposed to be part of the script. Raphael, our videographer was shooting all the way and we decided to impromptu shoot at the petrol station to see the reaction of the lady working. But she said that we weren't allowed to film. Respect. So we didn't... we bought our gum and left - but I think she was a little amused. She wished us luck on the way out.

So we were supposed to go to Lesmurdie to shoot - but decided it was too far, so in the end we went to the bushlands of Waterford! haha...

Sorry no further pictures from hereonin, because I left my camera in the bag, in the car - and was pronounced the headphone girl thereafter. So we did a few impromptu skits in the bush being Australians! Jess is so funny! The final product of the video will be shown during Freshies week - I'm pretty excited. My hand makes a cameo appearance! hoho~

We met some people on our journey in filming - had a chat with the locals in the Waterford area. All very chummy bushland people.

Once we finished filming, went back and dropped all the gear off and me and Jess went to Maccas to finally have breakfast around 10am! So hungry by that time. Went home at 10:30am... was wanting to check my eyes with mum - because my eye sight has gone pretty bad recently - due to over exposure of looking at the computer screen at work and home. Anyway, my optometrist is booked out for the next month! Whattt!! So I made an appointment in March - I wanna get new specs and sunnies! =)

Then straight after that, went out to Carousel again to settle some stuff with mother. Was so freaking tired shopping and running errands.

Came home, and tried to sleep for about 2 hours. But my mind was a whizz and constantly thinking about ZFF and then camp... and then ZFF... and then camp, mind whirring, heart palpitating - cannot sleep! Amidst all that, Diana called me in the first hour of my "sleep"... and then Luthanial called me in my second hour of "sleep"... until I couldn't take it anymore. All these thoughts in my head, things I have to remember, memos ETC ETC ETC - I just got up, went to check my mail and do some things.

Then showered, because my cousin was going to bring her cousin and her Aunt to come visit - from her side of the family. We never met them before. The aunty is quite nice la... but I didn't get much time to talk to them... because... I had to leave and go for graduation!

For those who might remember, V day holds a special place in my heart because it was 1 year ago that I graduated! 1 year ago - oh how time flies, and I could get so emo right now (but I won't), oh how time flies...and I would be back on the graduation grounds on the same day 1 year later - for Usha, Joanne and Zheng Yi's graduation! *heart*

(My favourite picture of Sha - *tee hee*)

I was assigned official photographer *tee hee* and I just finished editing the photos and burning the photos onto disc for her. They are awesome pictures if I may say so myself - because the people in the photos look GREAT!!! haha and it was blooming hot ok - even for a drizzly overcast day! We were all sweating - and even the waiters looked like they had a waterfall running down the back of their necks.

Anyway, we took some pretty nice pictures. Was hoping that Miss Tay would make her special secret appearance at her graduation - but *gasp* no...she didn't come. Besides, the secret's out *WINK*

Okay - like... Joanne's family is SO cute! Her mum holds the video cam everywhere... just constantly filming. She's so cute - and you can tell the dad is so proud of his daughter, he keeps wanting to take pics! I helped them take pics as well, they are such an adorable family - and most adorable-est is the youngest sister! SHE'S SO CUTE!!!! XD

Sat in the graduation with Cheah Yen, May and Usha's mum - it was pretty long and there were some suprise people I didn't expect to be graduating like Tim Chang from my previous church, Cherie Seah from ISC last time and Someone Sfreddo (who looks exactly like my primary school class mates sister! - but I can't remember her name)!!! Suprise Suprise!

At the end of the night, we met at the top of the walk way - there was so many people, but somehow, everyone managed to find everyone. I think Chin Seng was the flashing light house from afar. Everyone could spot him from a distance! Anyway, congratulations to the 3 graduates!!! You deserve it after all your hard work - you pharmacists!

Didn't get home till about 11pm+ and was freaking tired... I just dropped on the bed. zzz.

On a side note: digi suckzors.... you all should get a DSLR! Taking so many photos for people during graduation with their little digi camera's - nup, nothing beats the click and sound of the DSLR.

Happy V Day!

2009-02-14T14:26:00.005+09:00

a picture that made me smile =)

2009-02-07T22:36:00.002+09:00

so many wonderful memories xoxo

the comedic life of me

2009-02-05T22:19:00.007+09:00

So that's why they call it Morning Sun...
Recently, I discovered a GREAT cereal that keeps you full and cleans your bowels, NO FAIL, every morning when you eat it. Some of you may know that I have digestion problems... huhu - and I do love to share about toilet stories/humour - one of my favourite past time. =)

So anyway, the brand of the cereal is called Morning Sun and I eat the 98% fat one which I have found to be the most tasty. Basically, the cereal is made up of lots of oats, fibre, pieces of fruit and other things. You just need to eat a small bowl with a little milk and you've got it down pat. Sometimes, my bowels don't even move for 5 or 6 days straight! - so you can imagine the sewerage tank building up inside my body right?

So I did a trial run of the cereal. I ate it for 1 whole week, every morning, ever so faithfully like my life depended on it. True to it's name, "Morning Sun," it has faithfully released the sewerage from my tanks every single morning. No qualms. I would even have it down pat to the dot. I usually have breakfast around 7:30am. By the time I get into the office at 8:30am, turn on my computer - I'd have to make a quick dash for the lavatory to make my "morning sun."

There was even once, I was so inquisitive - since I have been making morning sun every morning, what more "sun" could possibly come out. Am I eating that much junk? SO, one day, I decided to check in the bowl - and you know what I saw? I got the absolute shock of my life, because never in my life would I have ever thought I would see what my eyes lay on in the bowl. I saw the perfect formation of my waste - exactly as it would look on your McDonalds ice cream cone!!! I couldn't believe it. I thought "morning sun" only looked like that in the movies. I was so proud my "morning sun" was so beautifully shaped =) Made my day!

I'm fully giving Morning Sun a double thumbs up!

The benefits of being an Admissions Officer at the International Office.
I have a colleague, her name is Esther and there was once a student who had come from Melbourne and bought her a whole box of 12 Krispy Kreme donuts!!! HULLOOOHHH!!! What kind of student does that?! How kind of him! So Esther shared all the donuts with the Admissions team. *nom nom nom*

Then I thought to myself, wah lau... what if a student ever did that for me
*dreams*

Oh well, today my dreams came true. Last night, I got an sms from my colleague, she wrote this: "Hi sis, Tomorrow, will have lasagna for you from your secret admirer... if u want don need to bring lunch n u can eat that =)"

My colleague Titien and I always tease each other. She's forever winking at me and poking me - she's lots of fun - so when I recieved the sms from her, I just assumed that she thought enough of me to make me lasagna. Aww how sweet of her.

Then when I got to work, she told me that her guy friend actually made it for me! I got the shock of my life - "Errr what guy friend?" I don't even know her circle of friends. I was thinking thinking thinking - did I ever have lunch with any of her guy friends that they would make me lasagna?!

Then she said, it was a student that I had helped with his letter of offer, COE etc etc etc. Actually, it wasn't the guy who made the lasagna for me - it was his MOTHER!!! HOHOHO.... WHAT THE!!! And actually I had corresponded a lot with her via email regarding her son's application, which is my colleague's guy friend. So anyway, the Aunty got a bit annoying towards the end because we didn't have all the documents etc etc etc - but it all worked out well in the end and the lasagna was super yummeh to the max!

Like...duh?
I have a Chindian friend, her name is Usha. Today, I asked her the most stupidest question you could ever ask - like I have totally no common sense in my brain or something.

I had dinner at her place last night with her two cousin brothers - who were Chinese-looking. We chit chat chit chat... then, for a period it went quiet... so I decided to ask the brightest question I could think of.

"So, how are you guys related?"
Usha said, "My mother's side... like duh..."

*silence... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 seconds had gone past...

Me, "Oh, like duhhhh!!! Why am I so slow... *smacks head*"

(Side note: Usha's mother is clearly Chinese, and her father is clearly Indian, so her cousins are clearly from the mother's side! - like DUH!)

Why you little!
For the past week or so, every single time I shower there is a flea in the shower with me. Even with my blindness, I can still always manage to spot the flea. It just likes to sit on the walls of the shower while I'm showering. So anyway, I always try to counter-attack it because I just want it to drown and die. I get the shower head as close to it as possible before springing the attack onto it and spraying hot water all over it - but every single time the little weener moves so fast to another position on the wall. I try the same tactic and AGAIN it flies away. I even tried to cup a handful of water and throw it at the flea - but miraculously - it escapes and finds another "safe" landing spot somewhere else of the shower walls.

This has been on-going for the past week and it's been really irritating me that I can't beat this flea. How can this flea be so quick to act!!! RARH.... well I'm going to get it real soon! Watch this space!

The little smiley face
Usually when I get an email from my manager, it usually means something good - or something bad.

On the 15 January I got an email from her which read:
"I would also like to notify you that I have approved for an increase in your salary to a Level X effective today."

As soon as I read the email, I was like wow-ecstatic, what did I do to deserve this?! It must've been all the helping out in all the departments perhaps? or maybe it was because I just completed my work development plan? or my annual increment? - I emailed back and asked her what was the reason for the increment so she gave me a call back and explained the level (because I didn't understand what it meant).

When she explained it to me the first time, I didn't understand it so she had to explain it to me again. By the time the conversation ended, she had forgotten to tell me why I got the pay raise in the first place?! garh! Oh well, I shouldn't bother her with such petty questions.

Then she went on 2 weeks leave... ladidaaahh.... I was waiting for my pay raise to go into my bank account and to show up on my payslips. It didn't happen that week - nevertheless, Staff Services are usually pretty darn slow with things and always do things wrong.

When my manager came back, she sent me another email. Would it be an email of more sunshine and rainbows or doom and gloom? This is what it read:
"Hi Sue-Anne, I'm sorry to bring you some bad news upon my return … :) Just got the email that the request to increase your salary to a X has been rejected, as Staff Services has refused all additional salary increments for this year due to the dismal financial situation. However your normal annual increment will still apply towards the end of the year."

When I read the email - after having two weeks knowledge thinking that I would get a pay raise and thinking what I would do with the extra money - I was a bit shocked and disappointed to say the least. I don't understand why Staff Services have to approve it when technically the money should be coming out of the International Office's cost centre - which if you can imagine if we've got 10,000 International Students on campus - how much money that would equate to in the bank account. NEVERTHELESS, what's said is done - I'm not getting the pay rise. I didn't reply to the email for a while... because I just didn't know what to reply. Thanks?

15 minutes later, my manager emailed me again. This is what she wrote,
"I just realised that it is not meant to be a smiley face…. But a :(.. sorry.. "

Ok, the smiley face ordeal just totally made me laugh! haha

celebrations of sorts

2009-01-24T22:13:00.002+09:00

"The kitchen of every nation has one dish which is not a dish, not even a meal, but an event.” - Chef Louis Szathmáry

One of the things I like about Chinese New Year is not only cashing in on the ang pows but also looking forward to eating yee sang! Yee Sang is sort of like a communal dish where everyone shares their chopstick germs and is allowed to "play" with their food for once. In fact, yee sang has probably very very little nutritional value at all, but rather, it has a more symbolic meaning to each component that makes up the dish.

It usually consists of strips of raw fish (most commonly salmon), mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients. Before eating, everyone is supposed to toss the mounds of auspicious ingredients as high as possible so as to attract maximum prosperity and abundance. Well - that's what they say anyway.

In any case, 2009 is the year of the ox. Does that mean it's supposed to be a good year for me since I'm born in the year of the ox? Well, the ox symbolises patience, determination and hard work... haha... so I think I'll be working hard with determination and patience by my side and so to everyone else as well because of the "economic downturn."

I also love to eat pineapple tarts during this season. I could eat a whole tin of these myself!!! I don't care if they look like this...

this...

or this!!! I'll eat them all!!! Although, I do have a preference to the last picture of pineapple tarts *nom nom nom*

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I just have to throw it in there, that on this year, Chinese New Year shares the same day with Australia Day! Why do we celebrate Australia Day? ... because... Australians don't get enough public holidays compared to Malaysia - and we like public holidays especially when they're on a Monday! But truth be told, Australia Day is held to commemorate the landing of the First Fleet in NSW by Captain Authur Phillip in 1788.

In essence, we're celebrating Captain Arthur Phillip who brought in a number of Cochineal-infested plants from Brazil and a fleet full of convicts into Australia some 200 years ago, and that's why we celebrating Australia Day? *weiwei makes one of her spastic faces*

You can say that I'm not that patriotic even though I do love Australia Day. But I think for a lot of people, we've lost the real meaning of why we celebrate Australia Day. We're just happy that we get a day off to spend in the sun and drink beer while singing to the Australian anthem.

It's sad really... sometimes I don't feel proud being an Australian with all the multiculturalism and acceptance that apparent Australian citizens are supposed to have, because even after having lived and grown up in Australia practically my whole life, there can still be so much racism and discrimination around. I guess if you've got black hair, yellow skin and a slanted eyes - you're not Australian and still subject to racial remarks. *shrugs*

Well anyway, happy Australia Day - whatever that means to you.

I'm just a little peeved at what some little Aussie *toot* said to me and my mother whilst on my daily walk around the burbs - and it's not the first time it has happened! rarh!

i love bokeh

2009-01-17T14:53:00.004+09:00

Observe around you and be thankful for all that you have in this transitory lifetime =)

I'm going to the desert!

2009-01-08T08:41:00.002+09:00

Wow... God really spoke quick -- I guess I'm going to the desert then. =)

The Purpose of the Desert
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, January 07 2009

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. - Hosea 2:14

If you have an important message to convey to someone, what is the best means of getting the message through? Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was so busy you could not get him to hear you? Distractions prevent us from giving our undivided attention to the messenger. So too, God has His way of taking us aside to get our undivided attention. For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.

God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom. In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert. Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"

He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me (2 Samuel 22:20).

I know He has a great plan for my life. =)

My thoughts for the year ahead

2009-01-07T23:28:00.005+09:00

The ushering in of the new year wasn't a big one for me this year. Actually, it never really is. Usually I stay home and sleep on New Year's Eve. I suppose I get really emo towards the end of the year reflecting on what's been happening throughout the year. The coming of 2009 was just another day - literally.

I've got a lot on my mind for 2009. Every year, I foresee a 'phase' that I'm going to be put through in that year and the lessons that God wants to teach me. Usually the lessons are very clear cut. For a period, I will learn about patience, for another to trust in God etc. If we speak about recently, 2007 was finding friends, 2008 was establishing myself and 2009 I think will be a time for growth and perseverance in a lot of areas of my life.

Growth in my personal walk with God, growth in friendships, growth in leadership, personal growth, growth in the workplace and career and perseverance in all these things. Every year, I can sort of foresee what the year is generally going to take, and take out of me. This year, I just know it's going to be a really rough and challenging year in many ways because there are just a lot of things going on and this year, I believe there are going to be a lot of changes as well in my life. Changes for the better.

I'm anxious how this year is going to be because as much as you plan things out, things may never work out how you planned, and I don't like to fail. I know I'm being very vague about everything I'm saying - it's because I don't want to share specifically this struggle that I'm having or will be having because I know the nature of this very "thing" - but I know that this "thing" is going to take a lot out of me this year. It's going to take a lot of energy and strength - and I guess, in the end the lesson out of it all will be to constantly refresh your spirit in Him and rely on Him for all your needs.

So 2009 isn't really a fresh new start as it has been every other year. It's not really a year to kick bad habits and lose weight and all the other kind of new year's resolutions that everyone makes. It's more like - this is the way I've been living for years and this is the year that He is demanding my undivided attention. To just get over what has happened in the past, move on and keep looking forward. There's no use looking back now.

I feel like God has really been speaking to me the past few days. Several times over, the same message is getting through. I won't say what it is, but I know what to do. To know what to do is one thing, to do that thing with might and perserverance is another thing - and that is also another struggle that I have. I know what God wants me to do. I know what I have to do. The bottom line is - I have to do it.

Reading through all that - what a vague post! Good thing you have no clue what I'm talking about or you only have the vaguest idea what I'm on about. It's deeper than that. Please pray for me. =)

thank you from the bottom of my heart

2008-12-23T20:07:00.016+09:00

Today marks the 23rd year that I've graced this beautiful earth that God created filled with such beautiful people! In other words, it's my birthday - in case you didn't get that spiel.

Jason's pro photography~

Celebrated with Shin Woei whose birthday is on 22nd and Leona whose birthday is on 25th ~ yay for the December babies. Thanks for the cake Ming Choon! So yummeh!

We had a chummy time at Hana BBQ~ I wouldn't say it was the best I've had. I still prefer the Korean BBQ in Vic Park - with the Ox tongue! mmm *nom nom nom* But it was just really nice to celebrate with everyone there - so touched and appreciate it so much that everyone was able to make it aside from the rare few who *cough* had stomach aches and *cough* had to pack to go to Kuching!

Thanks guys! =P

My colleagues also celebrated my birthday with me today! Steph made me a chocolate cake which she had to carry with her on the bus (because she takes the bus to work) and I'm so touched that she baked a cake for me AND she didn't make everyone sing happy birthday to me. I was so embarrassed. Between my cubicle, Caroline, Michelle and Steph all practically whispered the happy birthday song. Not even the next cubicle heard it! haha!! Awesome job!

The chocolate cake we had at work~

SO...

Let me calm my nerves and firstly say that, I GOT A LOMO FISH EYE CAMERA! My dream came true!!! So I took all my presents out of my cupboard and lay them out. I took Carol's present first and I looked through the wrapping which was like a paper bag - and there my eyes lay transfixed. I saw it through the thin paper bag. It said fish eye - and I froze up in shock. Then started screaming my head off before I even opened the gift! I ran to the games room to show my mum.. and my dad told me off for making such a ruckus! boo.

It's not fish eye v2 - but it's alright - wee I get to go play fishing AND...

finally I can take uber cool photos like this~

Then I opened the next package and it's the fish eye photo cutter. I shall call it the cookie cutter ~~ woo woo!!! So cool.. I shall try it out and make creative gifts for everyone! Can't wait to try the fish eye when we go to Yanchep on Friday =)

Then I opened Shin Woei's gift! It wasn't a heat teddy bear! It was a travel pack from Industrie! Wah lau~~ So cool! I needed one! It wasn't a need that had recognised until I saw it! hehehe... !

Super uber cute eraser from Shin Woei~

Then I opened the CD that Kimmy gave me. No suprises there. =) Love the Christmas carols ~

Then I opened Daisy - and it was Daisy. No suprises there. =) Still love the smell of Daisy!

The last was Pauline's gift. HRMM... *SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE* cannot tell what it is from the shake. so I carefully opened. It was a brown box with some stickers - obviously bought online from the courier stickers that were still on the box. I opened it, and inside sat this white thing. I took it out... slid the white cover off... and there it was -

...

brightly shining in all it's green glory - the green ipod nano 8GB. The best part about it was the message on the back. It was so sweet... and I was still in shock that I was holding this ipod in my hands. My cousin Nicholas is probably uber jealous right! heh! I just kept looking at it and thinking... this can't be!

After that, I went to sleep or at least tried to. Couldn't sleep for ages because I kept thinking about what just happened. I think I was in such a state of shock - of all the things that I got - that my brain went numb and I just stared at the ceiling for ages. I kept thinking, I don't even deserve this.

All I can say is thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! I also find it funny that people tend to nautrally buy me green coloured things! hah! I love it... how do you all know my favourite colour is green? Does it really show?

Much love,

princess weiwei (haha)!

xoxo

PS: Do you think I've finally mastered the art of eliminating the chicken wings? Thanks Master Frances Lyn!

so blessed

2008-12-22T08:45:00.001+09:00

I'm so blessed! =) So blessed that my heart is crying - haha, sounds gay but it is! When I think of all the people that have touched my life, that have blessed me, that have encouraged me, that have supported me, that have said a kind word and given me assurance when I needed it, that have made me laugh with my gaping huge mouth, that have pushed and made my ego just a little bit bigger heh~ my heart cries and I thank God every time that my life is the way it is now.

Emo-sepia *cry cry cry*

During the last week of cell, random people got picked for sharing something. Part of me wanted to say something about how I felt being part of the group, and part of me didn't want to say anything, because I know if I did, I wouldn't be able to express myself clearly and say everything I wanted to - and I'd end up thinking over in the car on the way home, I should have said this and that and I'd get frustrated that I didn't say everything I wanted to.

To cap off 2008, I guess I should write about my journey of how I got here... which actually took, in essence, 2 years but I'll back track a little bit.

My first major prayer was for a lady from my previous church who was diagnosed with cancer. I remember when I was 15 that I would feverently pray for her healing every night before bed. I think about a year passed and she eventually went into remission. Praise God. He was listening and He answered my/our prayers.

During my younger days when I was an ultimate extreme Backstreet Boy fan, I always prayed that God would let me meet them and let me see them in concert. Year after year, I was disappointed because BSB never ever made a tour down in Australia. Until the very end, when they finally released their last album together as a band - they decided to come to Australia! I was ecstatic and got my tickets and flew to Sydney just to see them in concert! It was an experience never to be forgotten! In hindsight, I realised that God did hear my prayer. He was only waiting for the right time - so I that I would have the finances to be able to get myself there to see them. He answered my prayer.
Carolling on Pusey St~ twas so much fun!

My next major prayer was for God to give me friends. I had friends before, but they were going down a different path to what I knew was right. I prayed for so long that God would give me good friends -- it really was an agonising time for me, not being able to connect with the people in my church, not having enough networks to do the things I wanted to, not having the kind of friends that you can really lean on and trust with your all. God also heard my prayer, and he introduced me to Usha. They say the rest is history - and now 2 years on, I'm inundated with friends from every angle that I don't even have enough time to catch up with everyone. Sometimes I'm tired of having too many friends - people wanting to meet here, there, everywhere. Do this, that and the other. I'm tired. But this is what I prayed for - and God heard my prayer and answered it in a heartbeat! I'm truely grateful for everyone that has come into my life, and I'm sorry that sometimes I miss dinners and appointments and occassions because I have other priorities. You know that God's work is first in my life.

The boss

I also wanted to say how really really blessed that I am to be in Jack's cell. Initially I was afraid to move to YA because there is a perception that YA is old and boring - but that couldn't be further from the truth! We are a crazy bunch of crazy yellow durian monkies!!! Jack has really taught me a lot over the past semester, being under his wing and learning from his super-highly-egotistical-wisdom with his golden-finger-side-kick Garry =) I'm really... speechless... at how, we have all as a cell formed such great bonds with each other. We are so united as one, we come out as one big gang to have fun, we're always giving each other crap, we laugh together, share together, email-chat together, eat together, fly together, travel together, sing together, joke together. It almost brings me to tears seeing how our group has grown and flourished. Indeed YA is so much more cooler than Passion - because essentially, as Bang said, "We're Passion - with money!" Every week, as tired as *toot* as I am, I enjoy coming to cell to see these people most of all.

Christmas time and having birthday so near to each other is a really spasmodic time for me. Especially this year, since I met so many great people. I can't express how loved I feel this year - but inexplicably - I feel so loved and touched by what everyone has done for me. The support, encouragement, prayers and gifts - it really means a lot to me, if you knew where I came from and how far I've come. =)

Dinner in celebration of many things: Tony Roma's
1. my birthday
2. Nic's birthday
3. Carol and Aline going away
4. Kevin's PhD caniditure
5. Lee becoming an Aunty

It's not technically my birthday until Tuesday, so I haven't opened any of the gifts I've gotten yet ~ I'm such a good girl right? I've only read the sweet cards that people have given me =)

I really like personalised gifts as much as I like techy stuff... and this is a mobile that Carol made for me! ha! I'm so touched... it's almost on par with the caricature that miss dot com dot my drew for me last year! It was made with notes from everyone that came to the Tony Roma's dinner. Thank you to all who came for the dinner - really meant a lot to me, seeing that it's so difficult every year to be able to celebrate my 1 year growth with friends who always seem to be going away for holidays.

From Carol ~ I love it!

From Kevin:
The clue was - it will take you some time and keep you busy? So my guess is maybe it's a puzzle or something to that effect. Will find out on Tuesday - Thank you Kevin!

From Carol:
No idea what's inside. I didn't really feel it. Will find out on Tuesday - Thank you Carol!

From Nigel:

haha... Nigel is so super funny. He came to me and said,

"Sue-Anne, I'm not sure how to wrap a book."

I said, "Huh?! What do you mean? A book is the easiest thing to wrap since it's square!"

Turns out he wrapped the covers of the book only - not the whole thing. So funneh! He got me a book by Joyce Meyer called Confident Woman. Actually he told me that he prayed about what gift to buy for me... and then he decided on this -- and you know what? I went to Koorong last week and actually this was one of the books I wanted, but I didn't get! Thank you Nigel!!!

From Shin Woei:

I think it's a teddy bear heat pillow for some reason. Fang Tyng says it can't be! Will find out on Tuesday! Thank you Shin Woei!

From Kimberly:
I don't think this is a birthday present but more a Christmas present. heh... Kimmy came to me and gave me this, and said, "Merry Christmas~ I think you know what this is!" haaaaaaaaaaaa.... I love it and I wanted it!!!! Thank you so much Kimmy!!! It's the Hillsong Christmas CD 2006 - the blue cover one. heh!!! weee - I guess I can open this one up right since it's not technically for my birthday??? Yes?

From Pauline:
Hrmm... it has some sort of wierd groove... something inside a box. How fishy... anyway, will find out on Tuesday what it is! Thanks Pauls! Love you!

From Usha:
Oh my precious how I love Marc Jacobs!!! Hehe... when she gave the gift to me, in a myer bag - one look at the size of the box and I knew it was my sweet Daisy! =) Then I shook it... and there is "liquid" inside the contents of the box. If my maths serves me correctly - I think it's Daisy by Marc Jacobs!!! Wahhhhhhhhhhhh.... so happie... Thank you Sha! Love you!

From Michelle:

Just got a birthday AND Christmas gift from my sweet sweet Colleague Michelle. Ahh! I'm so touched. I think it's chocolates hehe... but no photo - because I'm updating the blog at work =) heh... I'm at work while everyone is playing? No fair game! And tomorrow, my other colleague Steph - is going to bake me a cake!!! I was contemplating taking the day off work - but, I'll come to work because she thought enough of me to bake me something! She's so sweet. =)

I had a dream this morning, that someone bought me a lomo fish eye camera! haha... and the thing is, I didn't recognise it was a lomo fish eye camera and threw it aside!!! boo... I will so recognise if it's the lomo fish eye duh, but I don't expect anyone to get it for me. I'm just ecastic alone, that I get to spend my birthday and Christmas with friends this year. I'm truely blessed.

YOU are a blessing to me whether you realise it or not and I thank God that He allowed for our paths to cross. You have either strengthened me, grown with me, influenced me, taught me, laughed with me, cried with me or be dungu with me (and only one person has been dungu with me heh!) So here's to a happy, jolly and Merry Christmas - and a Happy New Year! I will see you all on the other side!

With all my heart,

Love weiwei =)

goodbye facebook

2008-12-20T15:06:00.008+09:00

27.nov.08 sanchez: i dare you to quit

20.dec.08 weiwei: i will be quitting facebook in 2009

*****

In other news, it's my birthday is 3 days! *gasp* I'm turning 23 on the 23rd! Eww 23 is kinda old mang. But not as old as some oldies !! ngek ngek... I think I'm one of the youngest in cell now.. heh! Off the top of my head, I think only Ailin and Jason are younger than me - correct me if I'm wrong!

This is my wish list: =)

= 100g of buddah's tears from T2 : AUD$49.95
= marc jacobs : daisy (parfum) 50ml - the black one : AUD$100.00
= lomographic fisheye camera number 2 : AUD$130.00
= canon 50mm f/1.4 AUD$149.00
= having friends celebrate my birthday with me : according to mastercard, it's priceless =) amen mastercard!

Hope to recieve the gifts in my Christmas stocking. If it must be, I will accept a combined present as I have always done for the past 22 years. Just joking. You company on my birthday and well wishes will suffice.

Peace out. xoxo

the real meaning of Christmas

2008-12-15T09:00:00.000+09:00

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace."What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .

TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

So with that, I want to invite you all to Zion Praise Harvest's Christmas Celebration which is this coming Sunday on the 21st of December! We're going to have a jolly time celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with worship, drama, friends and a beautiful Christmas message and complimentary roast lunch afterwards~!

Hot on the menu will be:

Prime Yearling Roast Beef with Piping Hot Gravy
Tender Roast Pork with Apple Sauce
Steaming Hot Jacket Potatoes with Sour Cream
Baker's basket of dinner rolls

Salads:

New York Coleslaw
Hawaiian Rice Salad
Macaroni Salad
Stockmans Potato Salad

Dessert:

Home made Pavlova

After service, there will be live Christmas Carol music with our very own spunky band and there will also be kids entertainment with the animal farm! There will be piglets, goats, sheep, chickens and ponies that can be pet - and even better, there will be free pony rides for the kids. There will also be a separated area where children can sit and hold guinea pigs and ferrets. Please invite all your friends and colleagues who have children to come down for the festivities!

I hope to see you all there! To God be the Glory! =)

Growing up Asian in Australia

2008-12-11T22:25:00.005+09:00

I recently read this great book called “Growing up Asian in Australia” edited by Alice Pung, which is a compilation of stories from Asians that have grew up in all parts of Australia and the experiences they faced growing up in Australia. I find some of the stories fascinating and some of them even reminiscent of what my childhood was like growing up. So today, I’m going to share my experience Growing up Asian in Australia.

This is the 2 year old me on Christmas Island.

I came to the big Aussie land in 1988. I was only three then, and the only places I had lived up till then were Klang and Christmas Island. Both of which I have no recollection of living there and only pictures are able to tell the story.

Tilt-shift of Christmas Island I did in Photoshop - geng right! This is the little island I lived on for about a year.
I was indifferent about being Asian growing up in Australia. I didn’t feel any different from anyone else even though I was clearly from another ethnic background. Actually, come to think of it, I don't even think I knew we moved to a different country!

Even though I was spoken to in Mandarin by my parents, the Aussie-ness and Aussie ways soon took over. As soon as I began school, I began speaking English to my brother and sister. My parents would still speak Mandarin to us, but my parents spoke Hokkien to each other. I always say the hokkien fusioned with the Mandarin confused us and that's why my Mandarin is so bad! The last I remember of my Hokkien-ness was when my late grandma taught us the Lord’s prayer in Hokkien! My sister and I used to race each other in who could say the prayer the fastest and then go to sleep! Soon after that my Hokkien fell like the current economic downturn and my parents enrolled us in Saturday Chinese School. *groan* I wasn’t able to grasp the significance of learning Mandarin at that age and going to Chinese School was an absolute chore! On Friday nights, after not having done my Chinese homework for the week, I would chuck fits and tantrums and burst out crying saying that the work they gave us was too difficult. I even made my mum do my homework - my poor mum! It wasn’t until much much later that I realised how much I regretted not continuing with Mandarin, even going to the extent of taking Mandarin in High School and at University level. My Mandarin has never improved much and continues to remains on a basic speaking and listening level and a very very primitive reading level.

Primary School was not totally a terrible experience for me as there were many other Asians in my class. As a result, I never felt different or excluded. The only time I ever felt excluded was when I was the last person to be picked for the sports team. =(

I remember in Year 2 (when I was 7) when we had English classes, there would be about 10 of us who were separated into the ESL class. I think at that point in time, I thought ESL was the elite English class for elite students. Haha... I asked my friend, and she enlightened me that we were in ESL because our English was “bad.” I didn’t think my English was that bad but who was I to know. I didn’t really care, and the year after that, I wasn’t placed in ESL anymore. I guess my Engrish got better fast. =)

During the summer holidays my siblings and I would naturally go outside to play with our neighbours who were Aussie Australians. My siblings and I would play cricket at my neighbour’s house for hours – I totally didn’t understand the game and to this day I still don’t understand the game even though my brother has now been totally engrossed in the game - BORING! He even joined the local cricket club *rolls eyes* I guess I haven’t embraced all things Australian!

In an attempt to get our maths and arithmetic up to scratch during our younger days, my dad would make us do sums on scrap paper that he would write out. I really couldn’t do long division for the life of me... my maths totally sucked! For that, I was always whacked by the fly swat or a wooden ruler... so hard until the ruler broke. Sorry dad, my maths is still bad to this day. This continued onto high school where I felt even less Asian mostly because I was placed in Foundation Maths and not Applicable Maths or Calculus where all the other Asians were. I felt like I was a dumb Asian because Asians were supposed to be “good at maths.” I wasn't even good at Chemistry or Physics either - I was an Asian failure in highschool.

With traditional Asian parents, our natural staple is rice and that remained the same when we came to Australia. We grew up eating rice and typical Asian dishes like char kueh teow, laksa and porridge – whatever mum cooked. One thing that my parents didn’t pass down to me was their tongue of steel. They can absolutely take anything SPICY TO THE MAX!!! They even make their own chilli paste =__+ Unfortunately for me, with anything even so slightly as mild, chilli snot will start dribbling down my nose, my eyes will tear up and I’d need to get a glass of milk on standby to calm my tongue down.

I guess over the years, I’ve adapted to Chinese customs that I didn’t know I grew to. One of them is taking your shoes off before you enter the house. I recently went to a friend’s house and they wear shoes inside their home. I asked, “Do we take our shoes off?” and she said, “Nah it’s fine, you can wear your shoes in.” So I thought I’d just wear my shoes in... but the second I stepped on the carpet, I just felt like I couldn't walk into the house with shoes on. I just had to take my shoes off! I just felt so weird if I wore my shoes in her house. I guess that’s one Asian custom that has stuck!

Surprisingly growing up Asian in Australia, I don’t have any Australian friends at all! I guess I couldn’t relate to them and I guess it was also due to the fact that there were a large percentage of Asians that went to my primary school and high school. In uni, for my Arts and Commerce degree, about 95% of my classmates were Asian, the clubs and societies I joined were all Asian and even 95% of my church has Asian people. So naturally, I would make friends with Asians, so it's a bit ironic, I grew up in Australia yet find it difficult almost to mix with Australians.

Recently for my uncles birthday, we got together with our ABC cousins that we grew up with in Perth. We don't see them often, maybe once or twice a year for special family gatherings - and you know what he said?! He said I have an ASIAN ACCENT!!! What the! I guess I didn't notice that I was turning Asian perhaps!

So begs the question, where do I fit into society since – the International Asian friends (friends who have migrated to Australia for study within the last 5 years) that I have made, speak their own language with la and ma and leh and meh and sometimes I don’t even know what they’re talking like nonya and long kang (insiders jokes)... and I don’t have any Australian friends...my ABC friends have given me a lot of comfort as we can relate to our days of playing Nintendo, watching Captain Planet, Power Rangers and Video Hits and we all have an extremely Aussie accent.

I guess at the almost ripe old age of 23, I still don’t know where I fit into society, whether I'm Asian or Australian - but I’m happy where I am. Usually when people ask me, I tell them I'm Australian. My parents did a great job of raising us and I’m glad they decided to make the big move to the Aussie land all those years ago. I’m grateful for everything they've sacrificed for us, for giving us the opportunities they never had and still for instilling Asian-ness within us. Being an Asian growing up in Australia is not that bad! I had a wonderful childhood. Sure there are times where you encounter racism and people giving you queer looks for the things you do and say - but I am who I am and I can't change that.

I’m just glad my parents didn’t open a mini mart or restaurant – otherwise I’d be a slave to the kitchen even till now probably - slaving away on the weekends! They worked it the hard way – came with almost nothing and built everything up from scratch. My siblings and I are the very priveledged first generation Australians - for that, I’m indebted to them forever.

Skinfood Online!

2008-12-08T21:09:00.007+09:00

A few months back, I emailed Skinfood - I told them that they needed to put their products for purchase online - because I live in Australia and we don't have access to skinfood in Perth and I'd be so bummed if I ran out of skinfood products. The lady emailed me back and she said she'd do something about it. I didn't think too much of it after that. Today I got another email from Skinfood and their products are finally for purchase online!!! AHhhhhhhhhhh!!! Totally impressed ok!

I can so be their advocate! I love love love skinfood - so good and yummyilious for the skin!!! All the ingredients they use in their products are totally natural, no preservatives, colouring or additives and they all come in really cute packaging - which is cute =) duh!

I first got introduced to Skinfood when I went back to Malaysia last year - after arriving for my two and a half month holiday without any skin products at all. In fact, I was on the hunt for a good skin care line to use, since none in Australia impressed me at all! To be honest, there aren't any good skin products in Australia and the ones that are supposed to be good i.e. dermatologica are super exp to the max! The products I used usually stripped the oil from my skin and made my skin parched and dry, which was then slabbed with a cream that was too oily for my face and the foundation I used was thick and clumpy and clogged my pores. It felt like I was putting all these harsh chemicals on my face. Yuck! I hated putting on make-up to say the least.

After using skinfood for over a year now, I choose to believe my skin has improved. My skin loves skinfood - and drinks it like juice! I currently use a range of skinfood products which I still have since I bought them last year.

Their face masks are super hydrating and the cream I use which is an avocado one is not too oily - though they don't seem that have that range online. The ginko foundation I used blends well and the milk facewash doesn't leave my skin parch or dry ever! They have products for all skin types, make-up, baby care, hair care and body care all for women and men. I want to try all their products - and the good thing is, they smell really nice too without being too overpowering.

My first trip there, I think I spent around RM200 and the second time I went back to "stock up", just before I was coming back to Australia, I spent just under RM500! And now that you can buy their products online - I think I'm just going to spend a little bit more for the whitening creams and other stuff...

All their products look really yummyilious at a reasonable price so I'm getting ready to swipe that plastic - and I think my shopping cart is just under AUD$100 already =S If anyone wants to buy anything, please let me know. We can do a purchase together!

I had a dream...

2008-11-26T08:29:00.001+09:00

I had a dream...

I secretly used facebook during my fasting of facebook, but alas, it was only a dream.
I woke up totally freaked out because I broke fast.

Anyway, back to reality, life is good without facebook. =)
I just might quit altogether! hah!

Facebook strike

2008-11-23T17:28:00.004+09:00

What did we do with our lives before facebook came prancing onto the world wide web? mIRC? ICQ? MSN? Friendster? (We actually had a life?!)Whatever it was, facebook surpasses them in all supremacy. I wonder when the facebook phenonmenon will eventually die down like friendster? I'm just waiting for it...

Anyway, I'm going on facebook strike for 7 days... haha! Can't take it anymore since our cell totally bombarded facebook's mainpage with our pictures and comments from our trip to Mandurah. Every day, every minute, and hour at work *check facebook,* *check new comments.* It's such a bad bad habit when I should be working, I was facebooking away. It really is a real time waster.

Anyway life is boring without facebook for one day already. I'm already bored. I'll post the results of not being on facebook for a week sometime next week.

Until then, happy facebooking, facebook addicts!

what i did at work today =)

2008-11-20T14:58:00.003+09:00

So I think today must've been the most un-productive day ever in my working life due to the fact that the 2 ladies who give me work to do were away! Fancy that!

So I spent the whole day facebooking, email chatting, organising stuff for Christmas service, researching stuff, pre-writing some blog entries - you name it, I had all the time in the world to do it.

I had an email chat with several people through out the day, one of them SUPER entertaining please!!! It was an almost 2 hour chat with Pauline, back and forth early on in the morning - TOTALLY made my day!!! Couldn't stop laughing in my seat with the conversation that we had going + extra stuff going on FB.

Sadly, with the invent of FB, so many people are sucked into using FB at work! (Total waste of time - your company doesn't pay you to FB DARREL!) Plus, there are heaps of people in my cell who constantly check FB during work. I find that hilarious! *tee hee* Maybe if our companies gave us more work to do, or gave us work where we could use our talents, we wouldn't have so much time to waste surfing the net and FB-ing!

My email inbox was fully flooded after the chat mang... but it was so entertaining. Click the picture for a larger view!

Secret's out! Do you know the secret???

Mandurah Weekend Away

2008-11-16T15:57:00.032+09:00

Friday night after church was the plan to go to Mandurah. Roll call: Jason, Fran, Pauline and me in one car and Jack, Fang Tyng, Garry and Shin Woei in the other car (going on Friday night). Since we had to book a minimum of 2 nights at the house, we decided to book for Friday and Saturday night as most of us are working on Monday morning. (But not me!!! I took the day off because I know come Monday morning, I'm going to be so cranky and not want to work!) Good plan right?

Finally got to the house at 12 midnight, got the keys and entered. *excitement in the air* It was so beautiful! The pictures on the website did the house no justice at all! So I decided to take pictures of the house for the lady so she can re-post the pictures! Me, Pauline and Fran ran upstairs and secured our luxurious "couples room" with views over the canal, ensuite, walk in robe and spa~ (not that we used it!)

The kitchen
The theatre room

One of the three bathrooms

Upstairs lounge area

It was a three storey house comfortable to sleep 10 - we had 21 people! =) Try that! Everyone was dead tired, and I think we all got to sleep around 1pm. I couldn't sleep properly the whole night. Me, Pauline and Fran tried to all sleep on the bed but it was just too tight. It was more like I was laying there with my eyes closed, but mind still buzzing. Eventually, Fran couldn't take it and slept on the floor. Pauline the youngest of us all went to sleep the earliest and got up the latest (piggy!) Jack was complaining - put the young one to work!!! She's complaining that she's always so tired, and she doesn't even have exams or work - kids these days!

The view at 6:30am
Port Bouvard - the neighbours

Anyway, I woke up at 6:30am to enjoy the view from our balcony on the second floor. It was just pristine. So tranquil, so quiet, so beautiful, so sophisticated, so everything!!! I crept around the house taking photos as well while everyone was sleeping then went back to the balcony to sit a while. Then Genesis and Stanley woke up and joined me on the balcony half an hour later. HAAHAH.... SO HILARIOUS!!! Stan the man snorts in the morning which was so funny. Gen made a video, but I don't think anyone has seen it yet - but it's so super funny! Even Stan's snorting woke Jack up! Will post the video if it makes it to youtube.

Later after Gen and Stan left, I went downstairs to sleep on the couch. Oh it was so comfortable. About 8:30 Garry and Jack went to buy breakfast and with Jason, cooked for the gals. Oh delicious. Jason really knows how to cook~ lucky Fran!
Jack, Garry and Jason - serious chefs! Looks like Garry is keeping watch and delegating the tasks again!

For breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages.

We were still in the midst of cooking breakfast when Darrel, Leona, Amos, Ming Choon, Iris, John and Allen arrived. Too bad - we only cooked breakfast for ourselves =) Delish... overlooking the canal please!

Frances - eating so sophisticatedly... I guess she didn't want to be part of my "so glamourous" eating collection of photos. =) Well she can be part of the REAL so glamourous eating collection of photos (with no hint of sarcasm!) haha... insiders joke.

Fang Tyng enjoying her toast - and Jack who likes to kepoh and be in every photo!

Jack Self portrait *nom nom nom*

Later in the afternoon we decided to go kayaking. Thanks to Garry's geng activities planning skills, we ended up going round and round trying to find the place. Then somehow, we lost Ming Choon along the way and had to wait for him. Eventually we found the place, and in fact, we had ended up going around in circles. But it's alright, this is about fellowship and bro-mancing so on we went.

Everyone went kayaking except for me and Fang Tyng. haha... I tell you, we are so similar in everything! We're both scared of the water - kaka... so we ended up taking zillions of photos for everyone else. They were only supposed to be out in the water for an hour, but I think they were out there for 2 hours plus as the currents were really strong, and most of them couldn't get back to shore in time. Apparently, Ming Choon and Allen were almost swept out to sea and Jack and Garry had to save them... with apparent words of encouragement. haha!

Garry hard at work pushing everyone out so sea whilst he paddles alone. He's got power man.

First and only to fall in the water - Jason and Fran - *so glamourous glamourous* =)

So me and Fang Tyng went to IGA to buy some groceries instead of wasting time. We only had $100... and when we got to the front counter and everything was scanned, it came to a total of $104.00. *YIKES* So we had to take away the juices - embarrasing please!

Later, after Garry, Jack and Shin Woei made it back to shore, we went to take some pictures at a memorial site while waiting for the others.

Penguins float together - if they even float at all. We are both chicken of the sea =P - no kayaking for us!

Shin Woei and weiwei... it's hard work being a model...dono what to pose!

Me, Shin Woei and Fang Tyng taking silling jumping shots again!

Everyone was so tired after, we had pizza for lunch and it was time to lounge around our mansion! Took a shower, had a nap (or at least tried to)...some of the guys went swimming in the canal and Jack had this thing about wanting to be like those men from Venice paddling in their canoes or what have you. He tried his best.

The boys also tried to do a spot of fishing. They caught a fish, but the fish's horn got stuck in the netting and they couldn't free it. Scissors comes to the rescue and it seems the fish is dead - SEEMINGLY dead... but as soon as they cut the netting and throw the fish back in the water, it magically comes alive and disappears - it was supposed to be used as bait I think! In the end, I think they only caught blowfish and Jack suddenly had this thing against blowfish because he couldn't catch anything else. FYI, Jesus loves blowfish.

Lawrence, Amos, Jack and Garry - wishing there were crabs!

Amos smacking the life out of the blowfish - making it puff up in anger! hee*

We took A LOT of photos later on our private jetty before we had dinner.

The gals: Yang Jing, Leona, Shin Woei, Iris, Fang Tyng, Ai Lin, me, Pauline, Frances

Gal talk - shoo!

Dinner was served again on the balcony - so delicious. We seriously have some talented chefs in our cell. We were out there for a while and it got quite cold... and well you know what happens, I happen to catch a cold or hayfever and suddenly within the hour my sinuses are all blocked up.

Chef Fang Tyng

Chef Fang Tyng's oh so oishii potato salad... mmm *nom nom nom*

Later at night we played a game. I have no idea what the game is called or how the points system is...but it's a game about strategy. I don't know how to explain the game, but the thing is, you can easily eliminate the false answers by seeing how each group reacts to the definition being said. Really interesting stuff if I could have concentrated.

Then everyone went to watch some Zohan movie with Adam Sandler. I couldn't take it anymore so went to sleep early ... BUT couldn't sleep. I went to pee like 5 times within 2 hours, and eventually when they finished watching the movie downstairs and laughing so loud, I eventually fell asleep and had a really good sleep too!

Sunday morning, I woke up around 8:30. Was one of the first few to get up - and started cooking breakfast for everyone. Hashbrown, sausages, bacon and toast. Delish~ Sunday was spent mainly cleaning the house and sorting out the payments from everyone for accommodation, food and kayaking. Then we proceeded to take another zillion group photos on the balcony before we left. (No pictures inserted here - my camera didn't come out for the photo shoot!)But this is a photo from Jack's camera. So emo-sepia right!!! It gets me so emo thinking "this is the story of our lives!"

I love this picture too - too bad you can't see the awesome view - I think everyone who went is in this photo!

We left the house around 1pm and headed to the Mandurah City area (?) where we proceeded to continue being tourists and snap a zillion shots with the sculptures there.

Fang Tyng and Jack

Leona, Pauline and me

Me, Pauline and Darrel - wah lau... Pauline super model posing can!

Had Simmo's ice-cream afterward and had a walk around the markets there before heading home.

Garry - Golden finger delagating Master and Jack - boss.
Fang Tyng and her caramel malteaser ice-cream. There is always one who ruins the photo.

Iris and John

So that concludes my fun filled weekend fellowshipping with the mates in an absolutely beautiful mansion with our own private jetty in the backyard overlooking the canal. So sad... and so bum-scratching emo right now. I really like that house. Super nice! Next time we're going to upgrade to something even more beautiful, even more sophisticated and even more classy. GENG!

For more pictures of our trip, view here.

Iron Chef Chia

2008-11-14T13:48:00.001+09:00

Last week, After one week of really gloomy weather, rain, dark clouds and foul moods - it finally hit 4:30pm on a Friday afternoon and a big smile crept onto my face. Walking out of the office doors and smelling the fresh cool breeze never felt better - especially when the forecast weather for Saturday is going to be a beautiful sunshiny day and the weekend is going to be filled with activities!

The lads

Last weekend was pretty awesome to say the least. My cell headed down to South Perth Foreshore to experience Iron Chef Chia's culinary skills at work! My oh my, golly polly gosh-ers!!! THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS!!!

The lasses

Iron Chef Chia aka Jack's dad cooked up a storm for us! For starters we had Mee Siam. *shiok* soooooo delicious, bee hoon still springy, with prawns and egg and lime to sprinkle over. mmm *burp* after two servings...then he cooked tandoori chicken... *shiok* and lam cutlets with lime sauce *shiok*... tender beef *shiok* and more lamb *shiok-est* It was super ultra delicious I couldn't help but mouth my extreme joy of eating the yummy food! I think Iron Chef Chia must've thought I was nutsoes!

Iron chef wannabe

Some of us then went to play captain's ball and frisbee after lunch, while the gals cam-whored in front of the beautiful Perth setting thanks to Bang our photographer! *heee*

Later, me, Ai Lin, Fang Tyng and Shin Woei went shopping, but as a result of the economic downturn, we decided to shop "less."

We had strategic moves in the city to cover as much area in as little time as possible. We all decided that we shouldn't spend so much, because the economy is so bad... haha... we ended up buying two items each - and we are all so kiasu to buy a third item. The more you buy - the more you LOSE!!! (But I secretly bought a third item which was a pencil sharpener *hee*!)

I tried on something in sportsgirl, but it was too big, so I zipped out to have a look at some other stuff and just before we're going to leave the shop *SHOOT* I left our shopping bags in the change room! *doh* So I ran back into the change-rooms and it was GONE!!! Then for a split second, I thought - did I leave it in another change room in another store??!!! Then I asked the lady there if I'd left any bags behind in the change room - and *phew* she said yes - Thank God. Last time I just went into a change room and someone else left their shopping bags in there - can you believe it was a newly bought mobile phone??!! Tempting as it may be to keep it, I gave it to the lady at the front counter. It was an ugly cheap virgin phone anyway!

So I got two shirts. The cutsey kind and yay Fang Tyng likes cutesy shirts too!!! I guess I don't have to grow up so fast so soon after all =) What a day...

So what's happening this weekend?

I'm heading to Mandurah with some crazy yellow durian monkies (my cell duh!) This is the place I'm going to be staying at over the weekend! I'm so excited!!! Can't wait! ... though, they need to seriously take better pictures to put on their website - which I shall kindly do for them!

Updates soon, have a great weekend everyone!

Fishermen

2008-11-13T14:11:00.003+09:00

"'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" Matthew 4:19

Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God's Kingdom. First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian. Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 30 years living at home and working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years were part of their preparation.

Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose. Paul's earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation. For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ. For Jesus, it was the garden of Gethsemane. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.

Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming the leader of the Church. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.

What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.

A Touching Video about Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy.

shopping @ hbt

2008-11-03T19:00:00.001+09:00

Considering I'm getting to the age of being a woman, I try to buy items of clothing that are neutral and feminine with no "cutesy pictures" of elmo and such characters - because they are oh-so-childish! But I just can't help myself. It's my nature, it's my personality and it's who I am! I love bright colours, I love tees, I love jeans, I love sneakers and I love thongs. I like it plain and simple.

Last last week, I went to HBT with the Hui Lin, Pao Lin and Ai Lin - Yes! can you believe it! Shin Woei was not there to support the weiwei cause!!! I was the only little weiwei surrounded by the "Lin's." Anyway the "Lin's" are pretty cool. Hui Lin is a physio-yet-to-be and Pao Lin and Ai Lin are both accountants and then there is me, who is the supposed Marketing-wannabe! hahahaa... haven't made it to the big time yet.

ANYWAY, we went to HBT and we entered the Nike Factory... Hui Lin saw something and motioned me to move over... and there it was in its full glory. Sitting there on the stand before me, it graced my eyes... and it was almost a slow motion movement when my hand reached out to try it on. What am I talking about?

THE NIKE TERMINATOR

(just some space here for you to take the term in)...

YES - THE NIKE TERMINATOR!!!

What is the NIKE TERMINATOR you ask?

See the beauty in all it's glory below.

Nike call it the NIKE TERMINATOR and I have no idea why. The shoes itself in no way represent what the terminator is. It should be called, the Rainbow baby or something to that effect or flower power - haha - gayz.

So I tried it on - size 7 fits like a glove! *perfect*

Price check: AUD$40.00 - FREAKING CHEAP OK FOR NIKES - imagine how hard those China people slaved over to make this shoe and they price the shoe at $40.00 - mind you - if it's on "Lunch special" at 30% discount - it'll only cost $28.00 for the pair! WTF Can you say cheap from China made?

And so yes - here is the dilemma. Since.. I'm trying to be lady-like and mature - the NIKE TERMINATOR does not really fit into that catagory at all right? But they are so cool don't you see!

The problem is, I also wear sneakers LESS now than I used to. In fact, the Lacoste sneakers I bought from Malaysia are still in their box un-worn and have not even seen the day of light! My green adidas's sometimes make a special appearance if I can bother taking them out and wearing them. We can't leave our shoes outside in the garage anymore - because last time, amazingly, people came to STEAL my sisters shoes. They had the nerve to enter through our open garage and come as close to the back door of our house where the kitchen is and STEAL THOSE SHOES! I can't risk my green babies out there.

Anyway, the point of me buying the NIKE TERMINATOR is ... just to have them because they look cool AND might eventually one day be a collector's edition possibly - even though I saw probably at least 50 pairs still in HBT... but it might be worth something someday... and I'll even be a millionaire dare I say from the Nike's and then we'll see who has the last laugh... hohoho!

It was great shopping with such a dynamic bunch of girls. We're all pretty indesisive when it comes to decisions! We couldn't decide if we wanted to have dinner. In the end we had korean - ous! BIBIMBAP! *nom nom nom* so funny, while we were waiting for our meals, I fly flew down my shirt (of all things)! I was wondering what is poking me about on my chest - can't be my hair - so I peep down there and *GASP* a FREAKING FLY DAMMIT! Get out of there you pervert!

Then when we were actually shopping for stuff... there were many and varied opinions.

Ai Lin the in-decisive accountant would say, "pray about it" if you couldn't make up your mind about a purchase. That's one spiritual accountant there and not one to make rash or sporadic purchase because you'll regret it later! Must be the stingey-accountant-bug. (As we all know, accountants stinge with money right!)

Then there's Pao Lin the more-decisive accountant who would give the most constructive feedback, weighing out the pro's and cons of the purchase, which colour was more practical and if the price was reasonable (according to the code of conduct?). Suprisingly, I could find not one single-vain shot of her anywhere on the internet! (Pao Lin is the one on the left!)

Then there's Hui Lin the physio-yet-to-be who is also pretty indecisive, but more decisive than Ai Lin and weiwei. She tried on something in every single store and walked out with her famous comment, "Thanks, but I'll think about it, even though the Marketing-wannabe (me!) encouraged every single purchase.

Then there's weiwei the Marketing-damn-blur-wannabe who is damn indecisive to the max and can't make a decision for her life. She - as a marketer would do - marketed all products tried and tested to the "Lin's" and made them buy buy buy by showering them with positive comments on how great the product looked and how cheap it was, and how, if you didn't need the product now - there will always be a next time to be able to use it.

Weiwei and Ai Lin came home empty handed that night...

But not to worry, weiwei went shopping again the next day and spent $100 with 20% off on all items. Great deal I say! So that was my shopping trip with the Lins!

tax nightmares!

2008-10-30T21:54:00.002+09:00

*wipes sweat off my forehead*

Another tax period is OVER!

Every single year for the past few years - and with the coming of E-tax - I've tried to do my own tax affairs but just can't seem to. Last year, up until the last week I still hadn't done my tax and had to take it to an accountant.

You know what he did??? *type type type type type type type* ... and 25 minutes later, and $77.00 out of my pocket - the job was done! WTH!
And I spend weeks on end agonising over the stress of having to do my taxes.

This year, Thomas helped me out a lot with my taxes, but in the end, I still lodged it myself with a little help from my sister and a zillion phone calls I made to every single accountant and non-account that I know! Thanks guys! WHAT A PROCESS @#@%#$%#$% It could drive me to the insanity ward! I HATE DOING MY TAX. So many numbers and, well... you all know that I don't do numbers. I couldn't even do $20.00 minus $9.50 please - so you think I can do my own tax! SIAN!

So anyway, I just submitted my tax return and now I'm waiting for the cheque baby! Such a relief off my shoulders and ... now I can sit back and wait for the dough to roll in. Not that there's going to be much of it left after I pay for my car insurance, my road tax, car service, rent YADDDAHH YADDDDAHHH YAAAA!!!

Next year, hopefully I'll do better and submit my tax earlier so I can get more interest.

crazy yellow durian monkies!

2008-10-28T22:44:00.013+09:00

I just got a call from Mr. C. It was a disturbing call... not disturbing in a bad way, but disturbing as in I was about to go to sleep and then you call me and wake me up and make me get out of bed and propose something to me that - I CAN'T SLEEP NOW... so must blog my feelings because I'm emo like that. It was a disturbing call because in the beginning he took a lot of time to get to the point of the matter, and all the while, I was panicking wondering what he was trying to get at.

A lot has happened since the last brief entry with Thomas's baptism... and I've been ultimately lazy to update on any recent happenings although all the entries have been backlogging in my brain and not actually making it out onto the www.

But anyway, back to the point I wanted to write about. I'm really amazed at how God has worked and is working in my life. I think I've always wanted to write a post something like this, but never got round to it, and the call from Mr. C really sparked me to write this.

I believe that God has a purpose for each and everyone of us. Some of you may or may not know that highschool really sucked for me. It sucked because I remember it rained a lot and I don't like rain, and when it rained - we got greasy hair, and greasy hair touching the face means - oily face - and oily face is just eww. It also sucked because I suck at maths and chemistry - so that was a poo. It wasn't so much that I was in the "un-popular group" or that I was bullied - in fact I wasn't. Highschool was just bland with absolutely no salt and pepper at all! I never knew my life would turn out the way that it has now with salt and pepper AND chives, chilli and belachan. How abundant it is, how full it is and how awesome true friendships can be and seriously how much fun you can have!

I would pray numerous times that God would give me friends - and good Christian friends to fellowship with. I obviously couldn't share things with people that haven't come to God's salvation because they wouldn't understand where I'm coming from. So for a time, I had all these bottled up feelings with no one to share with. I knew God was great from the beginning and that He was going to make my life awesome and purposeful. I didn't want to travel down the path that some of my friends went down - with clubbing and drinking and smoking etc living a worldy and lifeless life with no purpose. Psht... who likes clubbing anyway. Don't even get me started. *rolls eyes* And I realise what I say may offend some - but well, you need to hear it MKAY!

And I believe that God has placed me where I am now for a purpose as well. Everything magically fell into place - that, I can't even believe how blessed I am. This year has been crazy yellow durian monkies ok!!! I never imagined that I could ever get so involved in "church stuff" and build such great friendships with those that I work with and interact with along the way. I never thought that church life could be this awesome. I was stuck in a rut in my little shell back in my other church and now I'm sprouting like... bean sprouts?

This year alone, I've been involved in organsing Zion Food Fest and Search for a Star which were two pretty big productions. It took a lot of time out from my schedule and when I got to work, my mind was pretty much focused on these things in the back of my mind. I really learnt a lot on the way and really got to bond with the people I worked with.

What touched me most was the absolute abundance of words of encouragement I got from everyone. I won't forget words that came out of those who have encouraged me and pushed me to be the best and cream of the crop. Being in highschool and even partially at university level, I have low low self esteem, can't make a decision for my life (as Miss Lau would know). People who even hardly knew me would give me a word of encouragement. One of the Sunday's after church, Miss O came to me and said to me, "Sue-Anne, I think this is really your calling. You really have a gifting in this area." I was so gobsmacked. Miss O hardly knows me at all and for her to see that - I was so encouraged. To Mr L who also hardly knows me, "Just tot of ya and wanted to let you know that am proud of you and blessed by you... SFAS was such a magnificent way of God displaying the beauty of His creations. And you are a light in this world." During my conversation with Mr C, he said, "I believe in you and will support you all the way." Geng the meng la, this Mr C also doesn't know me too well and can say such a bold statement like that. Even Pastor Patrick came to me and said after my tithes and offering sharing ... well he said a lot of things, but he said, "When I see a talent, I know one - and I see that talent in you...and there will be a next time!" To have your own Pastor believe in you is something - well it means a lot to me anyway that he is willing to put me in leadership positions even though he can't remember my name. ngek ngek.

God is a funny fellow too! After the conversation with Mr. C - He knew I wouldn't be able to sleep and that I would go online and blog all of this. So He sent me an email which said, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10 Isn't God the GREATEST encourager of all!!! Too right I was laying in bed after the phone call with Mr. C wondering what I'm going to do, how I'm going to do it and what I got myself into AGAIN! - but He has delivered me from my fears.

Anyway, THANKS to all my encouragers. You give me confidence and you make my knees shake in fear - except, as I said above - God has already delivered me from that! huhu.

I never believed in myself - but maybe I should really start to. I guess in the end, it really comes down to whether you believe in yourself or not. And whether you allow yourself to believe in yourself, especially when others believe in you. Sometimes, we are masked and can't see our own talents, only to be told time and again that we are "really good at something."

Everyone can organise an event - but to organise an event well... I don't know. Maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist and expect that from everyone else working for me and with me to have that standard as well. Maybe I'm too finicky about things that I can't decide whether I like the green or the yellow - but then again, green always wins! And I'm definetly not a negotiator or one to talk to authorities as Ms C would know all too well!

Anyway, if I get elected (hoho - sounds like something political) - all Glory to God because he has made my life so full - like full cream milk! I'm all jittery now thinking about from now till the end of the year... my mind will go into explosive chaos over the next two weeks - but never fear God is here... and I believe day light savings time tells me that my bed time is WAYYY over due. Time check: 12:05am. Do Australians ever sleep this late?

Good night!

Congrats brother!

2008-10-18T17:05:00.002+09:00

Introducing the boys in my cell (minus the girls and lack there-of)...

As our brother Andrew would say to Thomas, "Ey brother, Congrats brother!"

This is the beginning of the rest of your life - Congrats Thomas! =)

Summer 08

2008-10-14T20:19:00.002+09:00

It is often considered an icon in the same way as kangaroos and "throwin' another shrimp on the barbie." It's a common denominator that links everybody in Australia. It's a practical thing, it's down to earth - literally and as it is some kind of common denomintor it becomes something that is completely Australian - it links a lot of fundamentals of Australian life.

What am I talking about? The Aussie thong of course! So as I slide my feet into my havaianas and as I begin to walk towards the ocean I hear the familiar "flip flop flip flop" that tells me summer is here and I smile.

Beach, havaianas summer dresses, shorty shorts, bar-bee-ques, 40 degrees... the life is summer in Australia! I can't wait for SUMMER 08!

Stupid fat ducks!

2008-10-10T17:38:00.000+09:00

I have to pronounce my absolute digust, detestation and repungance for anything with a beak! I mean, c'mon BIRDS are the ugliest, germ-spreading animals on earth. They have small coo-coo heads with peanut sized brains, skinny, scaly, stocky legs, beady black eyes and feathers filled with germs. When they walk, their head moves in a cocky motion. *shudders* I hate walking past birds at Uni. The walk way is supposed to be for me to walk on and not those birds! If birds are walking on these walk-ways, I have to go out of my way to walk around them! Fair or not?

Then there are those birds that try to fly, that shouldn't even attempt to fly! For example FAT DUCKS!!! FAT DUCKS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO FLY AT ALL! You want to know why? Because they cause car accidents when they do!

On Friday morning, I was driving along Nicholson Road minding my own business. Then out of the blue comes this flurry of brown blur that FLOPS in the air and lands on the road. I thought this duck would be smart enough to move out of the road quickly because it has a head bigger than a pigeon and would be assumed to have a walnut sized brain instead of a peanut sized brain, but no, this was no ordinary duck.

This was a FAT BROWN DUCK! So it casually plodged on the road, wings a flutter, meanwhile, you know, I just had to casually SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND BEEP THE TOOT OUT OF MY CAR AND SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING THIS STUPID FAT DUCK!!!! #$#@%^$^%$^&$%^#% Would you be pissed off or what? This duck can't even fly and wants MY CAR to go flying! Lousy duck! Lousy birds!

Weekend Food Adventures

2008-10-05T17:09:00.005+09:00

On Saturday night, after Search for a Star, I went to Kimchee House with Carol and we shared a bibimbap. It was so yummy chummy!!! The whole week, I've been craving for bibimbap. There was even a vote of what to eat for Friday night dinner with Jack Chia's crew - it was a vote between Korean or Toto's - Toto's won and I was so bummed.

So we went to Toto's... again! Actually, it's been a while since I went to Toto's with Mingster's crew. I've eaten there maybe 3 or 4 times already. Everyone was asking me what was nice... I said #46 which is some beef noodle soup dish...and I was going to choose #46 again until my eyes laid rest on #49!!! *GASP* It's the delicious Vietnamese Vermicelli Beef and Spring Roll dish which I loved so much from Viet Kua! So I ordered that and it was delicious! Not as delicious as the one from Viet Kua but still delicious. *NoM nOm nOmOnOOMOMMmm* So you must try it when you go to Toto's! Number #49! The resturant is supposed to be Vietnamese, but the boss is from Hong Kong and speaks to us in Cantonese sometimes... hmm... wierd fusion of foods there. Suddenly I forgot about my craving for bibimbap and my craving was satisfied with the Vietnamese Vermicelli Spring Roll dish.

Sunday lunch I booked at a place called Real Flavours of India in East Vic Park! The service was good and the boss was very accomodating when I told him we had 12 people instead of 10 people. Good on ya mate! As soon as I made the booking on Saturday night, I started dreaming on thosai/dosa. Mmmmm!!! It brought me back to the days in Malaysia where I would have it... so thin and crispy and delicious! So naturally, I ordered Chicken dosa and it was yummy chummy! The pancake-thing was a bit tough, but it was really nice and pleasant =) Another food craving satisfied. Boo-yeah!

Monday night I will be finally going to Little Caesar's Pizziera Resturant! For my whole time living in Perth, I've never been there ever! I've heard so many great reviews about the place so it's time I head there myself and check it out. Will be having a catch up with Ah-Paul and Ah-Su! hoho... Can't wait!

Super trouper lights are gonna blind me

2008-09-30T19:23:00.005+09:00

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I thought that was a nice quote, so there you go.

It's been a while since the last update and I've been busy and too lazy to update. Maybe this blog will go down in history as another website I've failed to maintain.

Search for a Star came and went. It was a very busy and tiring weekend. When you're part of the organising committee... you never have time to take photos, so unfortunately I have no photos whatsoever from this spectacular event itself! I have some from rehearsals - but they're super blurry. I just wish I could be the photographer. To say the least, Search for a Star was truly spectacular!!! YA totally kicked ass - when you see it all come together in the end, it really really was so amazing! It was unfortunate also that most performers didn't get to see the YA performance either. To see the rehearsal on Friday to Saturday - could only be by God's grace that everyone was able to set in line and dance on beat! So now I'm hit with Mamma Mia fever... "Super trouper ... lalalalaaa" - that song has been stuck in my head the past few days!

I'm also "sick" now... over-stressed, over-worked - no public holiday? I don't know. I think it's hayfever, well anyway, my right nostril is blocked. I also have a sore throat from eating fried chicken straight from the wok. Smart huh?

I also stopped attending classes, so I guess will withdraw from the Interior Design course. It's a LONG story - save it for another day.

There has also been a considerable amount of UWA people adding me on facebook which I find really odd. You might know my cousin but I don't know you people!

I'm also not really been in a great mood of late. Feeling down and over-eating with little exercise. I don't feel stressed, yet I feel stressed. About what? I don't know. I don't have classes anymore, the peak period for semester intake at work is long gone, the Lilian issue has been resolved, Search for a Star and Food Fest is over - I'm basically free! Well, I do have to start frantically applying for jobs now.

Things are changing at work for those who know about the Lilian story. To cut to the chase, finally I won't be doing her work anymore! They're going to hire someone else CASUAL data entry, so if you're interested, let me know ASAP - we're possibly hiring this week! The thing is, I didn't ask for them to hire a new person. In fact, I grew to be ok with doing her work... but it was the manager's decision - so be it. I'm ok with anything, as long as they give me work and keep me occupied. Work is such a drag if it weren't for the people I work with.

Been real lazy to update anything decent - so there you go. A crappy update.

Awake

2008-09-21T15:19:00.004+09:00

Yesterday I watched Awake starring Jessica Alba and Hayden Christensen.

In "Awake," a psychological thriller (not really a thriller - it wasn't that scary la) that tells the story of a man undergoing heart surgery while experiencing a phenomenon called "anesthetic awareness," which leaves him awake but paralyzed throughout the operation.

It was a really interesting movie with a doubly interesting twist to the story! Although the ending was a bit sudden and dissappointing, it's still a good movie to watch.

Found another interesting article on Anesthesia Awareness if you're bored and want to read! haha

Shopping shopping and more shopping!!!

2008-09-19T23:45:00.001+09:00

Within the last two weeks, I think I've racked up a record bill in - ever!

Last week, I went shopping at Carousel and Garden City for a dress.

I'm quite picky when it comes to dresses. I don't particularly fancy spaghetti strap dresses nor do I fancy boob tube dresses. I don't like off the shoulders and I don't like those that only have one strap for one shoulder - they are so lop-sided! I don't like those with plunging neck-lines nor those with bare backs. The dress can't be too short and not too many "frills." I like vintage - I like A line skirts - I like 50's dresses - I like bold prints (depends and to a certain degree) - I like luxurious materials with structure and strength.

So I had roughly half an hour to shop in Carousel and I zipped through all the shops and couldn't find a single dress that impressed me! I also had 3 hours to shop in Garden City and still could not find a dress that I liked and was within a reasonable price. I don't mind spending up to $150 for a dress - depending on the material, but I couldn't even find a dress that was worth spending on!

So I've come to the conclusion - I should buy a sewing machine and learn to sew and make my own dresses!!! HAHA... wait for my label to come out.

Recently, there has been an spate of "callings" where I feel like I have so much to learn and there is so much I want to learn! I want to learn how to use Illustrator for graphic design and the design of posters, I want to learn how to use my DSLR properly to take nicer photos, I want to learn how to make dresses and clothes because I can't seem to find dresses that are to my liking! There is so much out there for me to learn. I'm wondering... how I should go about it.

Mind you, I didn't do all the shopping for myself! I did do a lot of gift shopping since it's birthday season this month!

Last Saturday I went to Harbour Town and spent a record amount too! I just kept swiping my card and didn't calculate how much I actually spent until yesterday! My credit card bill totalled $260+!!! *DOUBLE FAINT* what daaaaaaaa.... =__=" That's the problem with having a credit card. It's just too easy to go overboard.

Tonight I went to Harbour Town again with dot.com.my! =P

So we shopped, had dinner at the Japanese resturant where dot.com.my reckons she got ripped off because they didn't give her enough udon noodles. I probably got ripped off too because my "ramen" was probably just maggie mee!!! Dissappointed la! ANYWAY...we went around and I didn't really expect to get anything else since I already bought so much last Saturday. We went into Ojay. For those who don't know, Ojay I guess is on par with Cue. So anyway, looking at the stuff is like... still $200 on discount! Then the lady told dot.com.my that it's 40% off all marked prices.. whoo hoo...I found a pleated-work-skirt which was pretty nice. It was black - but what to do! I tried it on, fits like a gem - comes up to my knees - looks a killer in heels... mahuahuahaa... check out the price.

Original price $149.00...

discount to $99.00...

discount to $69.00...

discount to... *drum roll*

.

.

.

.

.

.

AUD$41.40....!!!
Can you say BARGAIN???

I feel so happy after sealing the deal on that skirt! haahahahaaaa... makes me happy! Normally I don't get the good deals but I think a girl feels complete when she gets a good deal from shopping =) She feels accomplished.

Then we went to get our *favourite beloved* Irish Nut Creme from Gloria Jeans. Must try for those who haven't tried! and we sat around talking some more. I kept forgetting that it was Friday! 9:15pm... and Gloria Jeans decided to BLAST the music - so we get the idea they want us to leave. So we go and pay for our ticket...and I got the shock of my life!

$10.00 for my PARKING!

You've got to be joking me!!!

TEN buckaroonies!!!

Are you serious?!

I can't believe it! I thought it was only going to be $4.00 or something... but 10 bucks!!! *DOUBLE FAINT* Lousy man!!! Aside from that, it was a good night shopping. It's best to go to HBT at night - there is no one around and you get all access to change rooms without having to wait in line for ages!

So that's all my shopping escapades for the past two weeks! It's fun spending money - but not fun forking out for the credit card bill =(

My Eventful Weekend

2008-09-14T22:54:00.001+09:00

Friday night is the start to my eventful weekend!

(I didn't take any pictures of dinner at Seoul BBQ, so this picture will have to suffice. It was taken at a Korean BBQ place in Klang. Spiffy huh?)

I caught up with the "Uni crew" and we went to Seoul BBQ Buffet in Vic Park. It was nice to catch up with old friends and see familiar faces again to reminisce on our road trip and the silly things we did, watching scary movies at night and good ol' Betty Slags - my favourite *real* dog that doesn't bark! Oh how I've missed everyone's "Aussie-ness." It's nice to hang around ABC's once again to get my grammar and Engrish in check! It was a nice and cosy place, which only recently opened for four months and the food was really nice.

Meng went to get the meats and basically cooked everything for us *hurrah* We had beef, pork, chicken, fish, squid, octopus and mussels. The best were these awesome little dumplings, I think I must've eaten at least 15 of them! Then there was the usual salad, "tao ge" and kim chee which was oh-so-spicy for my Aussie lips... and at the end of it all "ippai!" Cannot eat anymore. I told myself that I should stop eating when my stomach is full - but my Asian-conscience kept telling me to "Get your money's worth! Get your money's worth!" So what did I do? I stuffed myself like an Aussie pig and "got my money's worth!"

We began talking about which meat was the yummiest! Of course the beef was super nice and tender... unbeknownst to me, I'm chewing on this yummy piece of meat which I think is bacon and I said that it was pretty nice so I asked,

"What meat is that?"

"Oh that's Ox tongue! You ate Ox tongue!" haha

"What tha.... $^&_ *GASPS* I ate Ox tongue! I'm going to choke! Yuck! Bleurgh!!!! *shudder*

But well, to be honest Ox tongue is kinda nice - if you don't know what it is to begin with! So this is the culprit (see pic below)! If you think it's bacon - THINK AGAIN MY FRIEND!... Actually, don't think - JUST EAT! Looks super like bacon right? I told you!!! Anyone can be fooled by meat looking like this!!! Those tricky Korean's trying to make people think it's bacon when it's actually OX TONGUE!!!

The night ended on a high and we went home stinking like Korean BBQ - naturally. =)

Every weekend I look forward to the possibility of sleeping in, but some how, for some reason or another I "have to" wake up before 8am to do "things." So my dream of sleeping in is yet on hold for another week!

This morning I woke up early to get ready to go to Andrea and Josh's wedding. We (me and my cousin, Aletheia) were running a little late...and when we finally got to the place I thought it was the church on the corner of Queenslea Drive - but there were no familiar cars or people around. So I got Aletheia to get out of the car and peek into the church - and there was no one there! So we called Eunice and she gave us directions so I went in the direction I thought she was talking about. So we went round another entrance and found a car park, parked, got out of the car - but there was no chapel! *lost* and bewildered I called Pauline who passed the phone onto someone suspicious... the whole conversation this girl was giving me directions and I was wondering who the heck it was!

I was half listening to the instructions she was giving me and more trying to figure out who I was actually speaking to. At the end of the conversation,

"Oh by the way, who am I speaking to?"

"Frances!"

"Ohhh!!!" *totally didn't recognise your voice*!!! Sorry!!!

Anyway thanks to Frances's good directions, we got to the chapel on time. Andrea's dress was so pretty no kidding, full train, beads and so beautiful! The wedding was short and sweet - Andrea teared up during the vows. We went through the whole ceremony without a hitch. Jia Huei and Ray sang the oh so popular wedding song "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain. So over sung - but I think I'd want it at my wedding anyway! haha After that, we took many many photos - but I had a quick look at the photos in the car afterwards and I was so not happy with the photos and how they turned out! =( Just because you have a pro camera doesn't mean you'll have pro pictures because pro pictures can only come out of a pro camera if the person holding the camera is PRO! I was also thinking afterwards, they didn't have the part during the wedding where the celebant asks "speak now or forever hold your peace" if anyone objects to the marriage of the two...maybe new-age people don't do that anymore?

After that, we went to Hungry Jacks for lunch - haha about 20 of us so dressed up - eating in Hungry Jacks. Jia Li is so funny! She's Aletheia's cell member from China. She makes me laugh. We were talking about shopping and she was saying that last time she went shopping at HBT every week!!! Hardcore...I was shocked the max! I asked her how many clothing items she had...

"About 200?... not including sleep wear, trackies and party dresses."

...weiwei *speechless*...

Then so funny, she went on to talk about "siao" people because she was saying that "Jeremy's face sucks!" and she called him siao and said that he should go to a mental assylum. (Her English is not that good.) So anyway... then Jeremy said "some people have 100 shoes - that is siao!"

Jia Li agreed and said that people with 100 shoes are siao.
Then I asked her, "So... if you have 200 items of clothing... isn't that siao?"
and she said "No wor..." weiwei *speechless* again!

Anyway, we went shopping in HBT after that! I realised that I prefer to shop alone. I get so much shopping done and do more damage to my wallet when I shop alone. Actually I haven't counted how much I spent yet... and I don't want to... yet! So in the end, I got 6 items of clothing! huhu *YAY!*

I tried on this erm... cargo-dress? I think that's what you call them. This is what it looks like. Anyway, I didn't plan to buy it but I just wanted to try it on. The sleeves are actually rolled up and buttoned and when I tried it on the left sleeve was ok - but the right sleeve was SO tight around my chicken arms that it felt like I was having my blood pressure taken! Seriously - it totally resetricted my blood flow for about 10 seconds before I could pull it off! Talk about fat flabby arms =(

My new spring wardrobe is semi-coming along... well not really, in the end... I got 2 collar shirts for work, a pair of black trackies for $11.95 thank you! *bargain* and a nice shape top with wierd love heart patterns (I only bought it because I like the cut) and another top and a black cardigan! =) So happy I got stuff for myself!

Then went for service at UWA... and felt so sleepy in church!

Sunday morning, I tried to sleep in... but CANNOT!!! The day that I reserve to sleep in and well... I slept in till 9am at least. Got up and read a book, showered and internetted a while before heading off to Yng Shy's 24th birthday.

Location: At her house! (It was supposed to be at South Perth Foreshore - but it was raining and too windy!) There was food galore, and as per usual I ate like a pig again! There were curry puffs to tempt... I ate 3 or 4 or... was it 5 curry puffs? bah~ XD Then we went to Hossack Park to fly kites since it was so windy and the clouds had parted! Yee Fun bought her picnic rug and we just relaxed on the rug - laid down and enjoyed the sun, skies and the wind! and cam-whored a bit as well. The self-portrait I took kinda reminds me of the "flickr blue fur toddler."

After that, I headed to Carl's house for Moon Cake Festival and met up with part of the "ISC crew". We were supposed to celebrate in Kings Park Western Power Park - but it was still too windy and prone to rain - so we decided to have it at Carl's place which was much more cosy.

There was yet again FOOD GALORE - but I was still so full from Yng Shy's feast that I didn't really eat much! We watched two Cantonese movies which were apparently funny - but I didn't really understand even though there were subs. It was set in olden day times - and I simply cannot stand those olden day Chinese movies! Boring...

During the second one I fell asleep on the nice black leather recliner with a very warm red blankie =) When I woke up, I was offered some Moon Cake with egg inside by Carl... but by that time, my face had already turned moon-shape! Gosh! See how round it is and it's even shiny somemore! *ka-boom*

So we continued to take moon-shaped-face photos with the lantern (which is a high-tech battery operated one)! I didn't even know this kind existed till this year!...

Actually we all have pretty round faces. (Carl, Leon, Chee Sheng, Dorothy and I) - Stephanie was the only one with a football shaped face. Then Carl commented, "Wouldn't it be funny if someone had a shuttlecock-shaped face?" Hmm... that would be very super wierd! So we all ate till our hearts content - super full, round face and round belly! Then home time! And that concludes my eventful weekend and it's back to work on Monday morning!

In other news...

(Nicholas Hoh - and his favourite picture taken in Melacca)

I must wish my cousin Nicholas ALL THE BEST! May the force be with you as your adventures now begin in Leeds! Aletheia told me you were scared of crying at the airport! I hope you cried!!! I hope your two girlfriends made you cry bad at the airport!!! haha... Can't believe you're scared you're going to cry... you have 15 classmates going with you to Leeds... you're going to be fine ok!!! It's not even like you're going there to study! You're going there for a holiday!!! Take care, I'll collect my souvenir from you in a couple of years if I ever go back to Malaysia! Thanks mate. =)

Sunday Relaxation

2008-09-07T16:47:00.000+09:00

As I sit alone in the 'sun room' of my home, with sun rays filtering through the ~~green~~ GREY coloured blinds?! *gasp* I always thought they were green in the sun room! wtf. I'm so sure the blinds are green in my bedroom... anyway that's not the point... back to the point, as I sit alone in the sun room of my home, with my back to the sun, sitting here with my laptop typing away... I'm alone.

In fact, right here and now as I type this, I'm quite content. This is the first time I've had my alone time during the whole week! It gives me time to rejuvenate and prepare myself for another on coming week ahead.

I can relax, take my time, have a good long stare at my ugly nails that are in dire need of some attention and as the sun glare reflects off the screen of my laptop, I can see how dirty my laptop screen really is! But I don't care... yet. I just want to dwell in this moment and I'm hoping that it won't end a moments too soon!

My time is a time that I really like to cherish and I'm glad that I could have it at least once this week. After the hustle and bustle of the working week, and the demands of the weekend, I can finally sit down, put my feet up on the sofa and relax.

So I got my IKEA catalogue in the mail yesterday! I'm so happy. There are so many great new and CHEAP designs in the booklet to take decorating ideas from. But...remember that post I wrote about back in January about re-decorating my room. Well to date, that hasn't happened...

There had been some "restructuring" in my household a few months back... which resulted in me no longer having my own bedroom. Pity me some more, because heck, I don't even have a bed to sleep on!!! Well... I sleep on a double mattress now in my sisters room which is kinda sad. At least I have my own walk in robe now. But still... the thought of being able to unleash my creativity in my own space is now no longer viable. I don't know when I'll be getting my own room back.

Anyway, it's still good because SPRING is here and that means MISSION WARDROBE OVERHAUL!!! Out with the old and in with the new! I'm sick of all the winter fashion and wearing the same thing to work everyday. I want a completely new wardrobe for spring. Good luck to me on that considering I haven't even had the time to shop since forever ok! And besides I'm picky on the things that I buy so shopping for bargains takes time!

In other news, I went to the doctor the other day to consult him about my numb tongue. All he could say was nothing. He said it could be anything from an allergy to burning my tongue, so he told me to wait?! wtf. My tongue is numb and you're telling me to wait it out?! What happens if it gets worse? So I waited. What could I do right? Good doctor advice though...my numb tongue is ok now... I think. I think the numbness has subsided which is good.

Hmm a bit random this post - but my nails are really bugging me. They are butt ugly... and calling out for salvation! So I'm going to end here.