Reflection on 2008

Caution: Long post ahead.

A new year is coming!
In fact, it will be 2009 in 8 ½ hours!
2008 has been a great year.
God has shown himself faithful and gracious throughout the whole year.

2008 is a year of accomplishment and achievement for me.
It was also a year that I learnt the most – academically and non-academically.

I finished my TARC Adv Dip.
I completed my ACCA (a miracle gift by God!)
I obtained a SHU degree.
I visited…

Paris (twice!), Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland), Germany, Austria, Belgium, Amsterdam, Rome, Verona, Pisa, Florence, Venice, Vatican City, Northern Ireland, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, London (3 times!) and Dubai.

I have a job.
I met up with my high school friends after all these years.
I celebrated 4 years together with Solomon.
I bought lots of shoes and clothes.

I found out that I have the sweetest boyfriend in the whole entire world.
I learnt to cook.. and how to travel without my parents.
I appreciate my parents more now than last year.

I saw how amazing God is.
And yet…
I saw how weird God could be at times.
I know God much better than I did last year.. but there is still so much more that I do not understand!
I went for Hillsong Europe Conference – a dream come true.
I had a glimpse of what heavenly worship would be.
I had a chance to imagine how beautiful the Garden of Eden was.

I made new friends.
And had to painfully learn that not all are who they portray themselves to be – positive or negative.

My dad released his own autobiography.
My brother was given an opportunity to work in Kuwait.
I saw myself in national newspapers more than once.

I also had the most trips to the clinic thanks to TARC and ACCA.
I put on weight.
I had to reinvent myself due to certain circumstances.
I discovered that things don’t always run smoothly, especially when there is a fusion of different characters and personalities.
I got (and still am) increasingly frustrated with my own flaws.
I realised that EVERYONE is hypocritical… including me.
My dog Fibi got fatter.
I am broke.
I had to keep a secret all to myself.. even though it was… is… tearing me apart.
I learnt that not all guys are sincere nor do all guys have noble intentions.
I had more breakouts.
I had to learn to let go of the past, to embrace the present, and to welcome the future.

All in all,
2008 has been a fantastic year.
I’ve done so much.. more than I could have dreamed of.

Indeed, God has blessed me and my family in so many ways.
I feel that in 2008, God has mould me in different aspects.

Spirit. Emotion. Relationship. Finance. Academic. Faith. Trust. Love. Loyalty. Obedience. Friendship. Strength. Meekness. Prayer.

Thank you Lord for all that You’ve done for me and my family this year! Thank you for providing and doors. Thank you for granting my family favour. You deserve all glory and honour. Whatever I have and who I am is truly because of what You have blessed me with. You are Jehovah Jireh*, Jehovah Rohi*, Jehovah Shammah*, Jehovah Nissi*
and Jehovah Shallom*!"

Ephesians 3:20
Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. (God’s Word Translation)

* Jehovah Jireh - The Lord my Provider
* Jehovah Rohi - The Lord my Shepherd
* Jehovah Shammah - The Lord who is Present
* Jehovah Nissi - The Lord my Banner
* Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is Peace

Disturbed

I have been reading on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
I feel very disturbed.
Especially after seeing the comments left on a certain leader's blog.
There is so much anger and hatred - some unjustified and unnecessary.
I doubt they even understand the cause of the conflict because their comments are seriously shallow.
They just keep spurring up hatred and anger.
One person even said that "we should have just let the Western wipe all the J out".
What?
Here they are talking about human rights and human dignity.
And now they wish and pray that the entire population would be extinct.
Ironic isn't it?
I don't claim to fully understand the whole scenario.
I am still struggling to make sense of it.
Each party has their own story.
And being a Christian, naturally, I would be biased.
But still, I do not pray that God would bring judgement and destruction on the other side.
I do not wish that they suffer.
I do not like what our fellow countrymen is saying.
There are too many sensitive undertones.
It makes me scared.

Movie - Ip Man

It is not easy to get good movies lately.
My definition of a good movie is one where when the credits roll, I feel satisfied.
The feeling that money was well spent.

A good movie always give me room for discussion.
I enjoy disecting a movie with Solomon, just to debate on the issues that surfaced.

Yes, it's been a while since I've been satisfied.

"The day the earth stood still' was utterlyl dissapointing.
There was no development of character.
Storyline was bland.
Too much special effects instead of emotions.
(But i get the message la... save Mother Nature! Actually, the way they highlighted this point was kinda hillarious!)

"The Duchess" was a rather good one.
After the movie, i couldn't stop googling more details bout Georgina.
Poor lady.
Inspiring movie.
Tearful storyline.
Satisfied.

Yesterday, i watched Ip Man at Genting.


This was Solomon's first time at Genting's cinema.
The movie didn't disappoint us nor did it runied his experience.
RM 16 each was worth every cent! (Good comfy seats too!)

IT WAS INCREDIBLE!

Not much special effects like the Hollywood ones.
But i think that's what made the movie even better.
With what they had (good cast, music and cinematography), raw emotions were laid bare.
Each moment was clearly handled.
Pauses well inserted.
Fury. Passion. Compassion. Meekness. Nobleness. The CHINESE spirit. All wonderfully presented.

We thought Donnie Yen played the role really well.
He pulled it off perfectly!

A good round of discussion was sparked after the movie.

When the lights were turned on, there were huge grins on our faces.

It transformed our initially chaotic-noisy-migraine causing-frustrating trip at Genting so much sweeter.

Ip Man.

Go watch it... especially if you are Chinese!

You will feel so proud of your heritage!

PS: Yes...i know. I'm Malaysian.I know i can't even speak chinese. But somehow, this movie stirred up what ever little Chinese DNA in me. =)

Old Stories

I know this is a very old news.
But I just stumbled upon it whilst browsing the web.


Chinese girl gets 'kiss of deaf'

Couples are advised to "proceed with caution"

A young Chinese woman was left partially deaf following a passionate kiss from her boyfriend.
The 20-something from Zhuhai in Guangdong province arrived at hospital having completely lost the hearing in her left ear, said local reports.

The incident prompted a series of articles in the local media warning of the dangers of excessive kissing.

"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," wrote the China Daily.

The doctor who treated the girl in hospital was quoted in the paper explaining what had happened.

"The kiss reduced the pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear."

The chorus of warnings was echoed by the Shanghai Daily, which wrote: "A strong kiss may cause an imbalance in the air pressure between two inner ears and lead to a broken ear drum."

The young woman is expected to regain her full hearing within about two months.

And this is not the first case.
In June 2008, a 4 year old child also gave the 'kiss of deaf' to her mum by kissing her mum on her ear.

Kisses are scary.
But this is funny la.
One moment there's passion.
Next moment, there's horror.

Now you hear it, now you don't!

Work again! :(

It's the Eve of New Year's Eve!
And i'm back at work.
Blegh!

Can't complain though.
I had a good 5 day break since Christmas!

25 Dec - Church; Hang out with Solomon watching TV
26 Dec - Running errands with Solomon; Dinner with the Ho family
27 Dec - Youth ministry meeting; Gerard's suprise birthday courtesy of Jolynn; Lunch with 2 lovely bros (Gerard and Edwin); Summit of the Nyners (SMKS reunion) at TGIF
28 Dec - Church; Lazy day at home
29 Dec - Genting with the entire Ho family... havoc.. extreme havoc!

Came to work very early today cos Solomon sent me.
I need to upload my pics soon.
I see my colleagues trickling in.
Wonder what the day holds for me today!

God bless the Eve before New Year's Eve!

Yummy Lunch

It's Christmas Eve!!!
Woo hoo!!

After a very long discussion which also involved our associate director,
we decided to eat at Nandos.

Janice started the ball rolling by emailing everyone (ecept the associate director) bout lunch.

Andrew suggested Fish & Co.

But it was shot down.

Sam suggested Dragon-i.

And suddenly a flurry of emails began.

Suddenly, Jim suggested that the associate director footed the bill.

This was Andrew's reply to everyone, and sent to Ms XXX (Associate Director)
"Dear Ms XXX, Jim suggested that we forward our lunch bill to you from Dragon-i. Would you like to join us? It's a pool gathering for Christmas"

We all burst out laughing.
Jim was panicking.
Andrew was snickering away.
Ms XXX.... was oblivious to the surroundings cos she was absorbed in work.
She also has her own cubicle unless us who are exposed in the open.

Ms XXX replied
"So late only invite me. You all memang tak ada hati. Next time i know what to do already. No, i already have plans. Enjoy yourselves"

Everyone burst out laughing again when we slowly opened our inbox.
Jim was so relieved.

Then Jim said she won't be joining us cos she's going to Nandos.
And so the entire cohort changed direction and went to Nandos.

Good lunch.
But super costly!
RM 16... without drinks!
I can't continue eating at such expensive places.
Must frequent the economy rice shop more!
Sigh.

2 more hours to go...
Then i can go shop for my dress!

I need a dress!

Oh.. i was googling for dresses.
And i found the dress above.
Isn't this so sexy?
Hahaha...

It's the eve of Christmas Eve!
I don't have a Christmas dress!
Yikes!
I thought my box from Sheffield would have arrived by now!
It has been almost 8 weeks!
My summer dresses are in there!

I miss Jane Norman - her style is my style.



Shopping I must go.



Actually I bought a dress 2 weeks ago.
But it seems inadequate for Christmas.
Haha..
I guess I'm just finding excuse to get ANOTHER dress!



Shopping... maybe later today.
After the High Tea.
Oh cannot.
Have to pick my dad up from work.


Sigh.



Time to go!

Once again.. Merry Eve before Christmas Eve!

Strange

I was sitting quietly doing my work.
A lady approached me.

"Are you Rebecca?"
"Yes"
"I saw you in the papers."
"Er... yea.. *smiles*"
"I thought you looked familiar. How come you are the only one with a studio shot? *quite serious tone*'
"Oh..i was in UK then. So i couldnt come back for the photo shoot with ACCA. Thus, i had to email them whatever I had"
"Oh... *looks at me like i'm crazy* I was wondering if this girl was trying to be an ACCA achiever or a model...."
"*giggles nervously* er...trying to be a model kua..."
(was thinking : what's wrong with this woman? i want to send nice pic i send la. you got problem is it?)
"Why you working here at K* firm? All the other top achievers are either in E* or P*!"
"*smiles* Cos K* is nearer to my house"
(was thinking: i want to work here you got problem is it? if you think K* firm is not good enough.. then you go to E* or P* la. why you want to stay here? i like the culture here ma. and K* is well-known for tax services ma. what's wrong with you! think i dumb dumb is it?)
"Oh..cos most top achievers won't chooses to come here at K*"
"*just smile at her absurdity*"
"*walks off after scrutinising her victim*"
"*smile*er...whats' your name?*smile*"
"i-think-i'm-too-good-for-this-firm chinese-name chinese-surname*"
"nice to meet you.. see ya!"

*Names have been changed.

Some people are just so inconsiderate!
I felt so annoyed by her response.
Nice picture means that person has no brains is it?
Achiever MUST work for the larger 2 firms is it?
Work here means downgraded is it?
Ssshh...

Maybe i'm just sensitive.
I don't deny it... i am sensitive!
I worked hard for it.
It's not like it fell from the sky ok!
I'm proud of what God has blessed me with!
And don't you dare make me feel like I don't derserve it.

It wasn't the way she said it but more of her tone.

Sshh...

Anyways... that ACCA thing is old newspaper story already!

2 days till Christmas

It's 23rd December.
I haven't done any Christmas shopping.
Don't intend to.
Sorry.
Not this year.
Next year perhaps.
Let's celebrate anyways cos..
It's the eve before Christmas eve!
Woo hoo!

And the present for the eve before Christmas eve is... my...
1st REAL salary!
Yippidi yuppy yay!

Thank you Father for helping me to secure this job even before i graduated.
Thank you for helping me fit in to the company and for giving me amazing, friendly and helpful colleagues.
Thank you for providing me with my salary so that i may be able to sustain my life here on earth.
And so..i bless you in return.

Company's christmas high tea later!
Food..food.. food!!

Ok.. I'm sleepy.
Had 2 small nasi lemak for breakfast.
Wait... i can feel hungry pangs already!
Oh crap.

Anyways, Merry Eve before Christmas Eve!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

A new beginning

Another blog.... again!

New phase of life
New blog

Wonder if this would even last a year!?